Virtual Running Buddies - 5/9 (or 10)

[Leslie Ferguson]

Ok, I'll bite since it is Saturday late and there's no thread and I ran today. I hope that everyone isn't off the running wagon for the weekend and only just away from the computers for travel reasons.

I got my last long run in before next weekend's race in Fredericksburg. In all it was about 1:15 of running and I'm not sure how far. I'm definitely as prepared as I can be for the race on Sunday next although I'm probably not too well prepared. I had to go out and see how well I could pace myself for a 1:45 half (since I may be pacing someone) so I went to a track and ran 3 X 400m on the clock and know that I can pace myself at between ~7:50 and 8:03 (which is the race pace) although I don't know if that will be something I can hold for 13.1 miles. Today I finally found the track after about 40 minutes of up and down hills so I'll just have to claim preparedness and offer to pace on Sunday.

OT - down to one last paper and 2 finals between now and the 19th - so life is good by those standards. For the car: old one -- dead, new (used) one picking up on Monday (got a good deal).

Hope everyone has a good week and gets plenty of runs in. Have a great remainder of the weekend and happy trails,
Les

[aggie94]

Hey Les,

It impresses me to death that people can be so consistent in their running as to pace others through a half-marathon/marathon and actually finish right on goal time. My running buddy ran with a pacer at this year's Rock & Roll half in an attempt to finally make his goal of 2:00, and his pacesetter got him there with 2 seconds to spare. :eek: Hope you have a great (and steady) race!

I did a fast 20 minutes on the treadmill yesterday, then had a GRUELING personal training workout. At first I was feeling bad that I wasn't running for longer, but the PT more than made up for my short run.

Tomorrow I'm meeting up with my running buddy for a possible 5-miler. He tells me he hasn't run in weeks, though, so we may go shorter if he's not up for it.

Hi to everyone else, and hope everyone is having a great weekend!

[SusanMac]

Happy Monday! (definitely not ready for that :-)

Les - thx for kicking us off! Congrats on cranking out those papers. I also can't imagine being responsible for someone else's pace. It sounds like a blast, tho.

Aggie - when do you find out whether you got into the NY lottery? (did I remember incorrectly? did you submit applications to the lottery, or do you already know you're in) OT - I was thinking of driving down for your Chicago klatch this month, but we're headed to the Quad Cities for DH's grandfather's birthday. Harumph!

Fri I got in a really good run. I've been feeling steady lately (although my legs feel kind of heavy. I just got new shoes, so am hoping I just need more time & consistency)

Sat I got out with the sculling group again. This was my 2nd & longest workout so far. 2 hours! I was zonked for the rest of the day. But it was an absolute blast. And I didn't flip the boat (a bonus!)

Sun was rest day w/rainy weather. Today is gorgeous & I"m planning to get out & hit the bike.

It was a nice, minimal-PC weekend. Did everyone else have good ones??

[SusanMac]

Woo hoo! Back to backs. This means I have a workout to report.

Just got back from a great bike ride. It's sunny, clear & 60-deg outside. Really beautiful day. We got in 22 miles. My legs were a bit stiff, so it was good to get moving.

Hope everyone had a good day! My work day was boring & I'm in a funk, so the bike ride definitely helped.

[aggie94]

Nice job, Susan! 60 degrees sounds heavenly. :)

The lottery "winners" (yes, thousands of people will "win" the opportunity to pay $155 to run 26.2 miles - how messed up is that?! :p) are drawn in mid-June. I broke the news to DH that if we don't get in, we'll do San Antonio in November instead. Surprisingly, he was fine with it.

[SusanMac]

Mid-June -- we'll keep our fingers crossed. I remember looking into NY marathon pricing once. They charge you for everything (like....there's an extra fee for the shuttle to the start, yet you're not allowed to drive to the start, so there's no other option) I'm sure it's all worth it, tho! Glad you'll still do a marathon either way. Once you're psyched for it, it makes sense to find a sub. I'd be the SA one would be fun.

[newsomz]

Les - Guess you'll be taking it easy this week as you come closer to your race - Good luck! I'm glad to hear you got the car situation figured out. I know it must be a relief to know you'll have a car to get to your internship.

aggie - Great job on the TM run! How was the 5-miler?

Susan - I agree - totally not ready for another Monday :) We held a graduation party on Saturday so the weekend flew by as we prepped then recovered from that. Sounds like you have been getting some great workouts in!

I got in a 6.4 mi run on Saturday morning. I was hoping the morning would be nice and cool but I wound up running in 80 degree (and humid) weather - yuck! Luckily, it cooled down again so my run this afternoon was quite nice. I got in 30 min and it felt quite easy... so that was good. I'm taking a few classes this summer so hopefully I can keep up the workout routine I've established. We'll see :)

[Leslie Ferguson]

Great ride Susan, it sounds like a grand day to ride 22 miles. Pacing is part of how I keep myself from burning myself out in longer races. I find it almost more challenging to pick a pace and run that then I did to run hard all out.

Carrie - I'll think of you as you start into classes this coming summer and try to keep your workouts in too. I hate running in humidity but in Norfolk that's all I get and I haven't really had a chance to run here in the humid part of the year but I bet it will be the same as down there.

Hey aggie I'll be thinking of you in mid-June as NYC lottery comes out. I bet you'd enjoy running in SA too.

I didn't run today - it was a weird night and needed to whack out the remainder of my take home final that's due on Friday so it was spin time for 50 minutes. I'll have to run a coupld more times but hopefully nothing too strenuous as I need to save my legs for the weekend but I also need to figure out what my running plan will be.

Take care all and just 1 more week until classes are over and no more actual instructional classes. :cool: But a final to study for and the finishing touches on one paper (90% written now just need to smooth it).

Happy trails all,
Les

[VictoriaL]

Les, here's to you getting through the next week of classes. Then you have 1-1/2 weeks before the internship begins, right? Light at the end of the tunnel! :D

Eva did you run the entire 5 miles? Hope that you had less heat and humidity than Carrie is experiencing.

Susan, nice to be home this week? ;) Today we have your rain from yesterday, and the gorgeous weather which you experienced today is on tap for tomorrow. How did the bike ride go this evening? We may get out on Wednesday morning for the same.

Carrie, heat and humidity. I'm not ready for that to start up! I don't see how you can do it since your h&h days are about three times more numerous than ours are. Ick.

Well, today was a better Monday than most even with rain and cool temps. I did a very good 45 minutes on the EB then, because I felt badly for the unused piece of equipment next to the bike, I did a very looooong 5 minutes on the NordicTrak. And I thought that the EB was boring! But 50 minutes of exercise, and the pollen count seems to have dropped dramatically, so all is good. :)

[Leslie Ferguson]

Vicci - not a fan of Nordic Track are you? ;) Never was a fan of skiing machines - I'd rather bike or row than ski any old day. I'm glad that your pollen count is down - we're in the same boat here but probably not for the same reasons (we've had tons ~3-4 inches of rain in the last 2 days). Maybe you'll be able to get back outside without issues.

Reporting that I turned in my take-home final not two minutes ago. It's grand to have a digital blackboard where you can pick up and deliver take home finals now. Woo Hoo!

Happy trails,
Les

[aggie94]

Man, I totally forgot to mention my run yesterday! I met up with Mike at the Y, and he was all set to run a 10K. :eek: Fine by me, but he did mention again that he hadn't run in about 2 months. We do an out-and-back trail, and sure enough, at the 2.5 mile mark, he was ready to turn around. :) So we did manage to squeak out 5 miles. Even though we started when it was nice and comfortable at 6:00 a.m., it was hot by the time we were done. :( Definitely not humid, though - Carrie, that humidity sounds miserable!

Susan, NYC must have changed its practice because, as I understand, the entry fee does now include transportation to the start. Of course, they close the bridge to get to Staten Island at least an hour before the race, so you have to get there nice and early and stand around. :rolleyes:

Vicci, remind me what EB is? :o

[Kathy B]

Popping in to say the Mother's Day run was quite fun (as usual)! Even though the conditions were not optimal ...temps in the low 40's and windy with gusts up to 40 mph!! :eek: At least the one time we were dead on into the worst of the wind it was slightly downhill! And a few times the tailwind really helped. I heard one little girl complaining "Mom, it's PUSHING me!" :p Anyway, when you are running with 2000+ women and girls, it's much easier to just go with the flow, because we were all in the same boat.

DD had a good time, too, and actually decreased her time by quite a bit over last year. She may turn into a runner yet!

Leaving in 5 min for another day at work. Yesterday was really my scheduled day, but things just don't seem to be letting up so I am back again today. I'll try to catch up with everyone later. Have a good one! :)

[SusanMac]

Kathy - That is just so cute that you did a Mother's Day fun run w/your daughter! Makes the cruddy weather worth it, I'd think.

Les - Nice job hitting another school milestone. How will you guys all celebrate the end of semester? I suspect it's time to get the hats out!

Aggie - EB is exercise bike. Too funny about Mike underestimating the run distance.

Just got back from a nice 40-min run w/Bode. We were running through the neighborhood, so had him on leash. I just know I'm doing something horrible w/my stride & back trying to run & correct him at the same time. Hoping nothing gets too out of whack! He's quite good, actually, just an enthusiastic sniffer. I know you all can relate.

Speaking of dogs.....where the heck has Seathyme been lately??

[Leslie Ferguson]

Hats and bubbles once finals start in earnest (Thursday, Friday, and Monday). And quite likely, a squirt gun (not the super soaker though) for after the last final as celebratory fun. :cool: :D A 40 minute run, maybe this afternoon if I get this paper done in the next 2 hours.

Have a great day all and happy trails,
Les

[Natasha]

Hi all!! Hope everyone has had a great couple of weeks. I've been busy with work, vacation (mostly lovely R&R at home, with a couple of great day trips), and life in general.

Les, good luck with your half this weekend!! Let us know if you decide to pace 1:45. On another note, almost time for finals already? It makes sense, since it's mid-May, but wow, where did the time go? I can sense your excitement starting to bubble to the surface :)

Eva, very cool that your DH is on board to run a marathon (whichever one it ends up being) with you!

Susan, sounds like you've been busy travelling - bet you're enjoying DH, pup, and kitten time at home and those fun bike rides!

Kathy, the Mother's Day run sounds fun! Glad you and DD enjoyed it. That's cute about that little girl's comment. :D

Vicci, great work on the EB & NordicTrack session.

Carrie, hang in there with the triple "H" (hot, hazy, and humid) weather.

My training has not been as regular as it was before my half marathon, but such is life. I've still been doing what I can fit in :)

Take care, everyone,
Natasha

[Leslie Ferguson]

Welcome back Nat, it's good to hear that you had a good R&R time. Just what the doctor ordered isn't it? The end is in sight, at least for academics. Then 9 days after my last final I head off for the practical work at Children's Hospital. But you are right, I'm getting a little excited. I hope you get back to regular workouts soon. I'm pretty much set of 1:45 this weekend - I think I can swing it too.

Kathy B - Ditto on the Mother's day run with DD. I hope your day wasn't toobusy and you feel like you had a productive day.

You can tell I'm winding down and I've finished my last paper so all that's left is to print and turn it in tomorrow. Now there's just one test - Old Testament on Monday. Ruined my planned run today as I picked up my car and had to clean out the old one. Oddly it was kind of a melancholy moment as I realized that the old beast was no more. Funny that I was kind of missing the 15 year old car - at least until I fired up the new one then... all that was behind me. But in all the flailing around I missed my run. So I'll try to run a little tomorrow and be a good boy for the rest of the week.

Have a great hump day all and happy trails,
Les

[Robyn1007]

Just a drive by, I skied hard 2 days this weekend but have spent the last 2 days relaxing. Back to the treadmill tomorrow. :)

[SusanMac]

Robyn - glad you had a great final ski weekend. Sounds like a much-needed rest.

Nat - good to hear from you again. Glad you had a good break.

I've come down with a fast, crazy cold last night out of nowhere. Have no idea where I could have picked it up. It's not too horrible (mostly sinus & sore throat), but I'll probably take a rest day (despite stellar weather). I'm usually a big fan of letting your body focus on what it needs to do, which is get rid of this bug fast. I'm itchin' to run, tho. Oh well.

TKay -- you still out there? Pls check in when you can, even if you're not running. We'd love to hear what you're up to. Business, kids, dogs, beach strolls, etc

[Kathy B]

Making up for a few lost days today, I guess. I got up and did yoga this AM, then later went to the CC center and did 45 min on the TM plus weights. This afternoon, I was forced to take a nap! I think that was my favorite part of the day so far. May have to mow this evening, so I'm not feeling too guilty.

Sorry to hear you are under the weather, Susan. DH was popping zinc lozengers last evening and this AM, too. Must be some spring viral thing going around. Hope it is short-lived and you get your run in soon.

Les, I totally understand about having fond feelings for your car. Even when they have been less than reliable of late and costing money. When you have had them for a while, you kind of bond, I think. Hope you can get ready for your test early so you don't have to spend the whole weekend studying.

Glad you have had a nice break, Natasha....it sounds like it was very refreshing! Do you have another race planned any time in the summer?

Vicci, I used to LOVE the Nordic Track, but DH hated it and we didn't have room for it AND the TM, so it is gone. Nice of you to give the poor thing a workout, though! :p

Good job on your workouts Robyn, Eva and Carrie! Hope you are all having a good week and even some good weather!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Welcome back Robyn, it sounds like you had a good ski weekend and a much needed rest. I hope you got a TM run in today.

Susan - I'd say that taking it easy is a good thing for you right now - I'm a big fan of listening to my body and if you're coming down with something then that's a good sign to take a break.

Kathy B - Welcome back (ish). Yeah for naps - gotta love them. :D I know that I do. Great workouts this morning too. I'm busy studying for my test on Monday and I should be well prepared by Friday so I don't have to do much except review on Saturday and Sunday when I'm out of town running.

Speaking of which, I ran today and felt much better. I can tell that I'm not running as frequently as I did in the past because I actually had to stop and stretch about 10 minutes in. I tried to do an hour easy and was pretty goo about that. Maybe another run tomorrow but in the 30-45 minute range. I am really down to one test - I turned in my last paper today and got started in earnest on Old Testament.

But the books call so I'll see you tomorrow.

Happy trails,
Les

[newsomz]

Hi All,

Just a quick drive-by to report a 30 min run this evening. I had hoped to get out this morning, however, I couldn't pull myself out of bed. My allergies had me zonked out! I think the grasses or something are starting up :( Anyhow, I'm planning another 6-miler this weekend.

Happy trails!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Quiet day... hopefully that's not a bad thing. Carrie sorry your allergies were kicking this morning and I hope you get your 6-miler in this weekend.

I went for a ride today and hit about 45 minutes. I felt good after yesterday's run so I guess I'm about as ready for the run as I'll ever be. Hopefully I'll be ready for the test (and I think I will be).

Take care all and happy trails,
Les

[aggie94]

All I've managed this week is 20 minutes on the treadmill yesterday. :eek: :(

It's been a crazy busy work week, with lots of day trips out of town, which make it hard for me to get to the gym. I am hoping for another Sunday run with my running buddy to make up for the lack of much activity this week.

Happy weekend, all!

[Robyn1007]

I've managed 2 TM runs this week. Today is off because I'm headed up to Mcgeiger's graduation party after work tonight. :D Weekend will be cycling and back to running on Monday.

I'm at a total running time of 24 minutes right now plus around a 4.5 min warm up, 3 2 minute walk segments between runs and about 3.5 minutes cool down so I think right now I'm going to start concentrating on shortening my walk segments between running so that I can link up that time and then once I'm running for the whole time without walking I'll start extending the total run time. Does that sound reasonable?

Les, good luck with that last test!

Susan, hope you feel better soon.

Kathy, I got to take a nap on Tuesday and it felt so indulgent and good. :D

[TKay]

Hi all - Popping in to say hello. It's been awhile (thanks for the shout out, Susan).

No workouts or runs to report. I've been in sloth mode. My back is acting up now (gee, wonder why?), so I'm really not doing any exercise. It's been bad since Wednesay. I can't straighten up completely. How many clues do I need before I get back to regular workouts? :confused: :D

I'm happy to lurk and see what you have been up to. Keep up the great work, everyone. Hopefully I'll become a regular poster again soon.