Runner's Rambles: Where have all the runners gone?

[Gina O]

Hey Gang! Where have you gone lately on your runs? What have you been up to? Training for any big, small or somewhere in between races? Enjoying ;) the heat?

As for me, I have put smatterings of my progress on other posts, but will ramble for a bit here. After the 5k in over 30 on June 2, I have been making progress. Don't have my log with me right now, but I have got my 5k time below 27, which thrills me to death.

I have run in all sorts of interesting (and tediously boring) places over the last couple months. It is an amazingly enjoyable way to see a new city and I will always try to run whenever I am in a new place in the future.

My current goal is a 10k although, oddly enough I am having trouble locating one nearby. I did find a 5 miler at the end of September in St. Louis that I am considering. Hmmmm, I just remembered that I will be in DC in October, maybe I will check that out as an option.

As for the heat.... I just keep reminding myself how much I really hate cold weather and that this is so much better. (Not that this mental trick it working, but it is worth a try.)

So, let's chat about running! Gina

[KValley]

Gina! I have been thinking/wondering the same and have been meaning to post another Runners' Rambles. I'm so glad you did!

Mid-June-mid-July was a bit of a struggle. I was so happy with my 5K on June 10, then I travelled, my groin muscle was hurting, some hot weather all colluded to get me off track. I never stopped, just slowed down/ran less.

The last couple of weeks, though, I've picked up the pace. I am only running twice a week- just afraid of straining that muscle even further, but DH and I are running a 5K in North Bend on August 11. On Friday, I just ran my best time since June's 5K (28:30). I'm headed out the door in a few minutes for another try!

Happy trails!

Julie

[SusieO]

Hi all! I was also wondering what was up with everyone.

I've been running pretty regularly, still plugging along at a frustrating 10-minute-mile pace. I did manage to get in a 10-mile long run without a struggle on Sunday. That's my longest long run in about 3 months. Getting up before the sun really does pay off!:D

I ran a 10K at midnight on July 4. That was pretty fun.

Made a trek to a specialty running store and bought new shoes that I just love. (Scroll down, Julie: they're Mizunos):p

I went to an informational meeting last night for Team in Training. I think I'm going to sign up, although I'm nervous about asking people for money. But it's such a good cause, and it sounds like a fun way to train. I'm planning to run the Walt Disney World Marathon in January.

How's that for rambling?

[emilycat]

So glad you started this thread, Gina!

Congrats to both of you on your race PR's -- that's awesome!

I've started marathon training again; next up is Portland on September 30, , and I'm making a mini-vacation out of it, so I'm super excited. Since I'm going for two speed workouts a week -- one interval and one tempo -- I'm taking a day off from running each Sunday, either with total rest (yeah, right) or cross-training.

In a couple of weekends I'm doing a 5k, the first I've done in a while, and I'm recruiting my boyfriend to pace me to finish in under 22:00.

As for the heat, it hasn't been bothering me too much; it's actually been kind of mild here -- nothing too much over 90 in the afternoons, and the mornings have been less humid than I remember. Since I'm out there at 6:00, though, it's usually really nice at around 70-75, provided the humidity isn't too stifling. And it sure gets me out on my long runs early on Saturdays -- I know that if I sleep in, I'm very likely to melt into a puddle of Asics and Moving Comfort on the street. ;)

Susie, I just saw your post -- Good luck on your marathon training, and Have Fun!

[KValley]

Originally posted by SusieO
Made a trek to a specialty running store and bought new shoes that I just love. (Scroll down, Julie: they're Mizunos):p




HEATHEN :D Actually I've never heard of Mizunos?!

I just ran across an article in Ladies Home Journal (it was at the gym, I needed something to read on the stairmaster, okay!) It listed 3 websites where you can get athletic shoes at cost. Since I have found the types of New Balance (ahem) which I love, I'd like to get some spares. I meant to tear out the page and forgot. Anybody heard of such a thing? I'll try to remember to grab it tomorrow. I think it's the issue with Julia Roberts on the cover (hah, which one!!) I'm still recovering from her breakup with Benjamin. First Nicole and Tom, now this. What's a film buff and closet celebrity junkie to do?

Oh, ooops WAY OT.

Emily, best wishes in your training. Susan- a big girl power cheer for your midnight 10K - that is so awesome!!

[Kerri]

Ok, I think I am ready to post again. I have taken some time off mainly because I have been out of town. I had 3 weddings in 3 weekends and had to travel to all of them! Had some good runs though. I ran ~3 miles in Summerville, SC where I run in the neighborhoods and look at the old houses. One day I will live in one! I got to do my favorite ~4 mile double dike run in Clemon, SC. I also ran another 4 miler along the American River in Sacramento, CA. I was also planning on running in the Sonoma wine country, but to much wedding partying prevented that. :rolleyes:

After all these weddings, my husband and I moved into our first house in Carrollton, TX. It has been nice running in the neighborhoods since I was used to running in traffic, but it gets kind of boring after awhile. My longest run has been 6 miles this past sunday. I have been running pretty slow (10:00/mile) because although my hip has been feeling great, I don't want to push it. I have succesfully made the switch to running in the mornings and I love it.

I was reading that kickstart web page that Emily metioned on another thread and got some ideas for reoccuring problems (ie runner's trots) and found it to be a really good resource. I was reading their message board (it didn't mean a thing and I was thinking of you the whole time!) and some people were discussing when you should start training for a marathon. It seemed to me that the opinion was that you need a base of around 30 miles a week and should run the full 26 miles before the race. This concerns me because everything I have read says a base of 15-20 miles/week with the longest run of 20 miles. I guess I was wondering how our marathon runners felt. I haven't decided if I am going for the marathon, but I definately don't want to be under prepared in case I ever do. These people might have just been super hard core.

[Gina O]

Originally posted by Kerri
I was reading their message board (it didn't mean a thing and I was thinking of you the whole time!)

Oh Kerri, that is too funny! :p

I have not run a marathon, but my sister ran her first last year (at 41 y/o). She was running about 3 miles 3-4 times per week when she started training, never ran more than 20 miles and completed Chicago after a 16 week training program.

I too have noticed that much of the stuff I read is very hard core. I am not ever out to win races, except those against myself. I see all this stuff on strides, hill training, ect, and see the value in some of it, but realize that most of it is written for those who are training to compete. Just my thoughts, Gina

[browneye]

I've been suffering from some weird ankle/lower leg injury for several weeks. I was finally pain-free last week, so I tried running on the treadmill finally on Saturday, but it aggravated the pain again, and there is some swelling still today. So, I'm back to just ellyptical trainer until this all heals up. I haven't been to the Dr. or anything, just trying to really back off, take NSAIDS, and wait.....which is difficult, but I am doing it. Meanwhile those machines at the gym are getting pretty boring. Got myself a walkman CD player which helps....
I think I'll check out the Kickstart web page and others to see if any ideas on this particular injury. It is on the outer aspect of my ankle bone, and it hurts to point my toe or stretch my toe in that direction. The redness and swelling initially was all over the outside of the ankle bone.., but the pain ran up the outside of my leg about 1/2 way to my knee....it happened during running, just a normal run, I never recall twisting my ankle or anything like that.
Hmmm. :confused:

[emilycat]

Kerri,

I'm really surprised that the general consensus was to run the full 26 before the race -- I've heard that from one other person only, Jeff Galloway, to whom I don't give a great deal of credit.

Have you checked out RW's myriad of marathon training schedules? I've done loads of research on marathon training, and I've noticed that most programs recommend a foundation of being able to run 8 or 9 miles at a time before beginning training, and working up to between 18 at the least and at the most 25 miles. I work up to 22 or 23, only because for me, mentally, 20 definitely isn't enough.

Truly, where you begin in terms of mileage, speed and experience is a great determining factor in what kind of training you'll have. The other is your goal. You can get by training for a marthon on only 3 or four runs a week in addition to a gradually increasing long run. You may not have the greatest time in the world, but you'll finish. When you're aiming for a time goal, that's when you up the mileage and add speed workouts. Training for a marathon, as with any other race, is entirely relative to your ability level and desires. Running isn't, contrary to popular belief, a cookie-cutter sport. :)

Anyway, sorry to ramble, but I hope this offers at least a little different perspective!

[NydiaC]

Hello everyone! I've been kinda lurking around this thread for a while and thought I'd join in...

I've been running regularly since about January. I started with walk/run combinations and did a 12 week intermediate training program that RunTex has on their website. By the end of the 12th week, I had had actually completed a 10-mile long run which is further than I have ever gone in my life! My new goal is to run a half-marathon in January. Right now I'm working on the RunTex advanced 12-week training program. Then I'm going to do one of the half-marathon training programs from the Runner's World website. I'm really excited! That will be a major accomplishment for me. See, I'm thinking that the running goal might actually help me reach my weight loss goal (40 more pounds). I've already lost 20 and am feeling great!

Have a wonderful day everyone!

[Gina O]

NydiaC-

I am soooo impressed by your running and weight loss accomplishments. It sounds as if you are doing terrific! Keep us posted on your progress, Gina

[SusanMac]

Yea! I'm so glad that Runner's Rambles are back. I enjoy reading this thread more than HLSG (just a personal interest).

I've really gotten into running more this summer than last, the endorphines are flowing and I feel pretty good. My last race was a July 4 10K and I promised myself that if I completed with a 9-min-mile pace I'd buy myself new running shorts. I finished with an 8:53 pace! (haven't bought the shorts yet, though). My next race is a 5 mile coming up in 3 weeks. I find if I keep a steady flow of races, it's much more fun on a daily basis.

I guess since the main question was "where are you running" I should answer. I've been running Wisconsin. Just moved here in April, so am checking out local races and some new spots on weekend outings. No business travel for me lately, so I don't have anything more adventurous than that.

Kerri -- I found a great book when I did my marathon training. It's by Gordon Bakoulis (a woman, despite the name) called "How to train for and run your best marathon."

[aggie94]

I haven't wanted to post for awhile. I can absolutely relate to Emily's signature lately. It's been a painfully slow transition back to running after the whole shin splints fiasco. After a month of just walking, with no pain, my PT put me on a schedule: 2 weeks of 2:1 walk/jog intervals, 2 more weeks of 1:1 intervals, 2 more weeks of 1:2 intervals, then all-out running. No need to check in with him again unless I'm experiencing pain.

After the first two weeks, I realized that my body was going to need a much slower transition than that. After the history of injuries, I couldn't trust that two weeks was enough. So instead, I've been doing each of those for at least a month, if not more. In another week, I'll be ready to move to 1:2 walk/jog intervals. Come October, I might be able to run without having to stop to walk! It's been SO frustrating, as most of you guys can probably understand. Every time I do it, it takes everything I have to stop myself at the end of an interval. At this rate, I feel like it will be forever before I'm back up to the base I was at before (which wasn't even that much!).

On the up side, I think my speed is improving. I can really crank the speed up on the intervals that I'm running, since they're still really short. Hopefully, when I'm back to running in October, I will have established a faster base pace than I was at before.

That said, I've set a goal for myself to keep me motivated since the progress is SO slow. There's a fundraiser run every February to benefit the non-profit that DH works for - the Truffle Shuffle (this fabulous chocolate shop in town donates truffles for all the finishers and trophies made out of chocolate to age group winners - yummmmm!). It's a 2 or 4 mile race - I've done the 2 mile for the past two years. Last year, I hadn't been running all that long and had been sick for a couple of weeks before the race. I finished in 19+ minutes, but I had to stop to walk during the second mile. That was a big disappointment for me. This year, the weather was miserable. Typical February weather (raining, bone-chilling cold (40s)), but I had been spoiled by the beautiful (and completely out of character for February) weather that we had the year before. I did finish the race without stopping, but it took me significantly longer, almost 22 minutes. Also disappointing.

This year, I plan to enter the 2 mile and finish in 17 minutes. Hopefully, as it gets closer to February, I can drop that time down even further. For now, I'd be happy just to finish without having to walk and without having any pain the next day.

That's it for me! Sorry to ramble (although that IS what the thread is all about...)

[SusieO]

Eva,
Good to see you back. Sounds like you're doing the right thing by taking it slowly.

You know, I don't ever see myself entering a race to win, but a chocolate trophy sure would motivate me to improve my time!

SusanMac: Amazing job on your time! Way to go!

NydiaC: Good work! Where do you plan to run the half-marathon?

browneye: Feel better! Soon!