Virtual Running Buddies (4/6/07)

[Kathy B]

Hi, all! Thought I'd start things off this morning, because I just finished a really fun TM run. I did a little over 4 miles while watching, listening (and singing along :p ) with Elton John. And it's not that easy to sing and run at the same time!! I Tivo'd his 60th BD celebration a night or two ago, and played it this morning. I have always been a big fan, and the time pretty much flew by. (No offense Jack Bauer!) It was the first good run I've had in a while, because I've been taking it a little easy with my shoulder injury, and was kind of losing my motivation. Go Elton!

OK, enough rambling from a crazed fan. Hope you all are having some good runs, and wishing a good weekend/Happy Easter to all!

[SusanMac]

Elton is 60 y.o??! No way. Your run sounds hilarious, Kathy, & very fun. I have a pretty hysterical visual in my head right now. I also thought of you & your 24-addiction last week, as South Park did a spoof on the show. I've never seen 24 before, but it was still pretty funny.

I've been great with my swims this week. But my cycling has hit a bump b/c we've got a wind chill in the teens. So, I had to revert back to the indoor trainer yesterday. Oh well. Headed out for a run shortly. It's a very meeting-lite day at work (plus it's Friday) so I'm in a good mood :-) Plus, I just got my passport renewal in the mail, so no longer have to find time to call & yell at the passport agency. All is good in the world.

[Elizabeth B]

Hello all!

Kathy - Thanks for getting us started! I sing when I run to (and sometimes Elton John songs). In fact, on Tuesday's run in my neighborhood, I was singing the Dixie Chicks "Cowboy Take Me Away" when I rounded a corner and there were 2 men running toward me. I'm sure they could hear me.

Susan - That's great that your swims have been going well, but sorry about your weather. It's been cold here - it dropped down from temps in the 80's to temps in the 40's. In fact, I saw some flurries today. I made DH come outside to witness it.

Yesterday's run went well, but this morning's swim wasn't good. I had bad motion sickness when I was a kid and still have some issues with it but it's something that I've learned to push through. So I had the day off and when I got to the pool at 11 am, it was very peaceful and I was doing so well with my swimming that I decided to do a 500 meter swim. The swim felt great - my breathing was easy and my technique felt good.

The problem started when I got out of the pool and was hit by a wave of dizziness and nauseau, which I managed to hold off while I showered and dried my hair. I had walked out the door of the locker room when I knew I wasn't going to make it and had to run back inside, where I threw up. I haven't thrown up at all since I had a stomach bug back in 1995 and hadn't thrown up in public since I was a kid. It was pretty embarrassing. I've been online trying to research swimming motion sickness - I need to try ginger capsules and one of those wristband things.

Tomorrow I'm running with a running buddy and one of her friends who I haven't met before. It should be a fun, but cold run.

Kim - I hope you're feeling better and that you enjoy your massage.

Les - I hope your body adjusts to the time zone change soon!

Take care, all!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks for starting today Kathy. It sounds like you really enjoyed EJ on the tube last night. I'm sorry I missed it being a long-time EJ fan (since before Captain Fantastic and Honky Chateau).

Sorry you're having nausea issues Betsy. I'm not familiar with swimming induced nausea but I guess that could be an issue.

Need to keep it short tonight. Not that I'm running in the morning but I am driving to the trail for a little while. My run is being usurped by a physical for life insurance. That's something I've never done in the past - the Navy gives you life insurance without a physical (I guess they figure if you're healthy enough to be in the Navy you're healthy enough to be insured). I've got the physical at 10 (or earlier) so I'm just going going down long enough to cheer everyone out then heading home for the technician.

But that means I need to hit the hay soon so I can be rested enough for the morning. And I'm still struggling with waves of energy and lethargy - the time zones are killing me right now.

Talk to you tomorrow -- happy trails,
Les

[SusanMac]

Hope everyone had a good weekend, celebrating Easter or "spring" (even tho it's hard to call it that right now :-)

Betsy - I've heard about that happening with swimmers, but have never ran across it before. I hope you find something that works for you. Sounds like a hassle. How was your run w/the new folks??

I had a good weekend, with more strange weather. I was all ready to head out the door to go bike w/my training group on Sat a.m. when DH talked me out of it. The wind chill was 5 degrees!! I'm obsessed sometimes when I commit to a group or class. I'm glad now that I didn't go. When took Bode for a walk, and that was even miserable! There was a 100K race here by our house, so we had fun cheering on the runners for a bit.

Easter morning was a nice trail run w/a few friends followed by a long coffee, & a quick visit w/my neighbor. I like low key holidays like this!

Then my DH tried to kill me. At least he warned me first. Took me on a killer-hill bike ride. The first few hills were challenging but fun. The infamous hill was just insane. Scary to look at it. I got about half way up, then had to unclip & walk. The bad part was that walking up was just as painful as riding. Don't remember the last time I stopped to walk on a hill. I didn't fuel well either, which didn't help. It was chilly, but much better than Sat's crazy temps. Came home & had a fabulous salmon dinner. Today my legs are sore, so plan to get out my Homedics massager.

Question of the week - Does anyone workout w/any kind of Road ID tag? Right now, we have little homemade laminated cards tucked into a pocket or saddlebag. But, I've been considering getting one of the engraved tags you wear on your ankle. Not sure if that would bug me or not. What do you all use?

[Leslie Ferguson]

Question of the week - Does anyone workout w/any kind of Road ID tag? Right now, we have little homemade laminated cards tucked into a pocket or saddlebag. But, I've been considering getting one of the engraved tags you wear on your ankle. Not sure if that would bug me or not. What do you all use?

I've considered it but don't have one right now. I haven't really sweated it in the past because I always carry my ID card (gets me medical treatment for free if I'm injured) but will probably consider something different once I move. There are folks in my running group that have Road ID tags but I seem to remember they all have the ones that lace into your shoes. I think the ankle tag wouldn't be too bad as long as the material wasn't too rough.

Laid low yesterday and will probably run this afternoon. Just struggling with time zones still (this is too weird by the way).

Happy trails,
Les

[Kathy B]

Susan, DH gave me a sweatband for the wrist that has a place for ID info for Christmas. I haven't used it yet, but I think it will be OK since it is a sweatband. The ones for the shoes look like they would be great, too. I really need to get something for DS since he goes on pretty long runs, and I don't often know his route. We had a low-key Easter as well, church in the AM, then an easy chicken and rice dinner with my youngest sister and her family...not traditional, but requested by my kids. Since it is a pretty effortless meal to throw together, I was easy to persuade!

Betsy, I hope you find something that works for you with the motion sickness. Did you eat anything different before your workout or not eat or do anything that might make a difference whether or not it flares up? You may have already thought all that through, but I just thought I'd throw it out there. Sometimes we don't really think about small changes in our routine that might be at the root of things....

Les, have you ever heard of using melatonin for jet lag? I have not tried it, but a physician I work with travels a great deal, and she swears by it.

Two more TM runs to report...today and Saturday. The weather has been terribly cold here recently. DS was supposed to ref soccer Saturday and they actually cancelled the games due to cold....unheard of!! Lots to do today, so I better get at it!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Les, have you ever heard of using melatonin for jet lag? I have not tried it, but a physician I work with travels a great deal, and she swears by it.

No I haven't heard of it and if things don't get better soon I'm going to try anything. I rode my bike today outside. A little brisk but tolerable. I'm fading fast... I'm still struggling with the time zones (I hope) or else I'm really sick. :( I've got a dental appointment in the morning and will be running tomorrow evening. Gotta go, so I'll see you in the morning.

Happy (drowsy) trails,
Les

[Leslie Ferguson]

Ok, back to backs - maybe it's because everyone else is suffering through the weather we had this past weekend. Anyway, I ran this evening with my friend who is headed to Boston for the marathon on Monday (she'll be there on Saturday). A leisurely hour run - a little faster than normal but I think she was chomping at the bits. It felt good to run today as it did to ride yesterday. I hope you don't get snow on Thursday or at least if you do it isn't too bad. I found out tonight that there was 2 inches at the trail on Saturday (with the rain, sleet and generally yucky weather).

Has anyone heard from seathyme or the rest of the Boston crowd? My friend is headed to Boston but isn't getting a rental car and I'm trying to get a "hook up" to get her a look at the course. Might have to go trolling of BB...

Anyway, happy hump day all and happy trails,
Les

[Connor's mom]

HELP! I have virtually lost all inspiration to run. I dread the thougth of it, preferring to power walk (my husband says I PW as fast as some run, about 12 minute miles). :(

Has this ever happened to any of you runners?

I had been running 4-5 times a week, but the week we went skiing (3 weeks ago), I did not run at all. Then I got sick with a bad cold/upper respiratory and sinus infection (couldn't breathe!) and was down and out for more than a week. Voile - here we are.

What can get me jump started again, motivated, and back into it?

Any advice will be appreciated.

[Elizabeth B]

Hello all and Welcome, connor's Mom! Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about whether you're walking or running. Your husband is right, you do walk as fast as some people run. On a long run, my pace is between 10 1/2 and 11 minute miles, for example. You're still getting a great cardio workout and burning calories. If you feel like running, by all means, run, but I think exercising in a way that you enjoy is important, too.

Les - I hope your time zone issues straighten out soon. That was a HUGE time zone adjustment and neither of us ('cause I think we're the same age) are spring chickens, so it may take your body awhile to adjust.

Kathy - Thanks for your great advice - you were on the right track, actually. Although I do have motion sickness problems, they were exascerbated (sp?) by medicine that was recently prescribed. I'm still having some issues, but am feeling better.

I've been enjoying my new Garmin, but learned that one of my neighborhood routes is a little short on the mileage (I had measured it with the car odometer). This Saturday will be my last long run and then taper time.

DH is calling, so goodbye all and take care!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Welcome Connor's Mom, I'm with Elizabeth (aka Betsy), at the rate you cover ground you're as good as running anyway. There are folks who run that speed in our group on a routine basis. I completely sympathize with your not being able to exercise with your sinus infection and congestion having just gone through that on my way to Korea. As for motivation - coming to this thread can be a good motivator - please keep joining us.

Betsy - Yep, we're the same age and I know I'm not a spring chicken anymore so I'll have to take my lumps with the jet lag for a little while longer. Most of the time I end up only having to cross at most 3 time zones so I adjust quickly. I'd be a little careful banking on your Garmin too - friends of mine have discrepancies with their Forerunners. They will run in a measured race (certified distance) and their distance will be off from the official distance. Lots of things go into how your GPS measures distance - more technical than I want to go into here - but suffice to say your GPS will be close but might not be "to the inch" correct. I hope you have a good last long run and a great taper for the CMHM.

I had success today even if it wasn't running (like yesterday) - I rode my bike tonight for about an hour outside. A little chilly but better to ride than run all things considered. That makes 3 for 3 this week (it's been a long time since I've been that good at the beginning of the week. But there's tomorrow - a total dice throw (they'd bleep the other thing I was going to say) since I've got the first part of my retirement physical at 10:30 tomorrow. That means, for the least part, no eating from now until after the appointment. They'll take the full battery of blood work, give me a TB test, and do all the labs. They'll probably do an EKG and hearing (or lack of hearing ;) ) test. Plus I'll fill out all the paperwork - and there will be lots - in preparation for seeing the MD sometime later (about 2 weeks or so). What a drag and having that work done that late will cause havoc to my day in general. Top that off with the remnants of Korea and things will be just ducky.

Happy trails,
Les

[Connor's mom]

Betsy and Les, thanks for the encouragement.

The real issue is that DH and I are running the Spirit of STL (1/2) Marathon on Sunday, and I need to get mentally ready. Physically, I'm in good enough shape to complete it. DH is incredibly encouraging, saying I am doing this just for me, finishing is what counts, time does not matter.

I'm considering employing a strategy my trainer has talked to me about - run a mile, walk a minute. Something to noodle on for the next 48 hours or so....

Off to spinning. Again, thanks so much.

[Leslie Ferguson]

I'm considering employing a strategy my trainer has talked to me about - run a mile, walk a minute. Something to noodle on for the next 48 hours or so....

Having just done two races like this, although I limited my walking to 30 seconds after each mile, that is a very doable regime. If you choose to do that you'll be in good stead and your legs will be happy - at least mine were when I did the races (and I've never raced like that in the past and with things being what they are I wouldn't have been all that happy physically if I had run the whole race either time).

Have a good spin.
Les

[SusanMac]

Hi gang. Wow, it's already Thurs & haven't posted since Mon, I think. Very strange week with winter coming back yesterday!

Conner's Mom - Motivation is really tough b/c everyone is so different. There's a cool piece in the current Runner's World that has 101 tips to get you out the door. A very fun read, b/c we all deal w/it. Do you have any sense of why you can't get motivated? Do your legs ache? Are you bored? Is it the same scenery you're used to? If you're tapering for the race, that might be it, since it can play w/your mind. I'd actually suggest planning to run, and only doing the run/walk strategy if needed. I've been reading a lot about visualization lately, and if you visualize walking then you're definitely going to walk. That might not be bad, but it sounds like you might be disappointed w/that. Try to visualize running, feeling strong, feeling energized & finishing with a big smile. Come up w/a personal mantra, and find some motivating music for the rest of the week. Good luck! Be sure to check in w/a race report.

Les - More physical tests, eh? I'm sure you'll do fine. Of course, they don't help you get back into your schedule & routine, but that will come.

Betsy - Your new toy sounds fun! I've got a pace/distance monitor, but it's not the GPS kind. I didn't think I needed one, but they are fun & addicting. I'd say that 'close enough' is fine for the measurements. Your swim classes are done now, aren't they? Are you now going to be swimming solo, or do you have buddies to train with?

Tues was a much-needed rest day, even tho it was the last good weather day of the week. Work schedule didn't let me get out to ride. So, with some fresh snow on the ground, I was back to the bike trainer yesterday. Today will be a swim & bike spin. I haven't run yet this week. Hopefully tomorrow.

[badunnin]

Hi all just checking in quickly. Not much running to report. I've been beat lately, and thought it was just work and burnout, etc. Well, while I'm sure that contributed, I went to the gyn on Monday and he thinks I might have endometriosis, which has fatigue as a symptom. I'm kind of hoping that's the case, and that treatment for the endo will take care of some of the other issues I didn't realise might be related.

I'm on spring break this week, but after the week I've been having, I'm looking forward to getting back to work! And, as I start my treatment on Sunday, I hope to be back on the (cold, wet, windy) road next week! I can still do the 10k in June, but might skip it in favour of getting in some more training and building a stronger base.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Welcome back Bethany, at least you might have a good reason for your lethargy and lack of pop. Hopefully your treatments aren't that involved or unsettling. Maybe do the 10k in June as a tempo run or one to put in the books. Do you have any friends running in that race? When are you heading for the Orient (if you still are)? That migh impact your racing ideas too.
Susan - More physical stuff but hopefully this one is the last of the unsettling ones. It's hard to believe the military actually gives you a physical before letting you go. Of course they aren't being altruistic, merely covering their behind. This way if it isn't documented then you can't claim it as a service related disability. Likewise, they also would rather take care of any show stoppers with active duty medicine (more plentiful) as opposed to VA medical (stretched really thin). I'll have to take some time tomorrow to recount the fiasco from today but imagine: ME fasting for over 14 hours for no reason, having to spend 2:40 filling in paperwork then spending time being inspected by the LPN.

No running today - left the office at 9:45 and didn't get back until 2:15. Then I still had to get breakfast/lunch/snacks into my system and try to work. So I put the remainder of my time to good use and completed my Seminary application. Now all I have to get is two photos and mail the thing tomorrow. Due date is 1 May :eek: - I'm early! So that all clobbered getting any exercise in today but I'll be fine with it. There's always this weekend.

Need to roll in - tough sledding last night so I'll bid a fond adieu to this week's thread.

Happy trails,
Les