Virtual Running Buddies - 6/20

[Leslie Ferguson]

Well, I'll bite since it's Saturday evening and there isn't a new thread yet. I hope this isn't ominous that no one has posted yet (hopefully they're busy with family and friends). I found out something that I should have remembered from the past - running late in the summer is not my best time to run. I definitely didn't have as bad a run as last week but I started at ~5:45 and struggled a little. Could have been the hills, could have been 84+ degrees out (heat index), it could have been a little dehydration, it probably was a little lack of running. Still plunked out a 7.5 miler which was better than last week's run. Not enough to make a dent in my running deficit for the half at the end of August but this too chall pass.

I hope that everyone has a good week and I'm still wondering how seathyme, Legolas, Meg, Betsy (Elizabeth), and MaryH are. We haven't heard from them in a long time... Good wishes for to the gang including tabbykat and Sprouts (the newest members...).

Happy trails,
Les

[Kathy B]

Hi, Les! Thanks for starting the thread. And good job on a 7.5 miler....especially with the summer heat!

I just finished some AM yoga and HOPE to get to the CC after lunch for a quick round of weights before I head back in to work. I have been down there daily since Thursday, and I am back today and tomorrow helping the staff figure out the new computer charting while they are busy with patient care. Feeling a little sluggish with no real exercise in days, but just hanging on until Tuesday when I can get back to my normal schedule (sort of!:p).

Hope everyone else is having a good weekend, and starting off the week with some great workouts! :)

[MaryH]

How funny you should ask Les. :) I haven't been on the boards in over a month or so but thought I'd check in this morning. :cool:

No real running to report here. Six weeks or so ago I tried to ramp up and was alternating between walk/runs to Starbucks and treadmill interval runs, except that on the treadmill run I apparently grabbed the old pair of shoes. Although they seemed fine when walking around in them, running was not a good idea. My heel was hurting pretty bad for two to three days after that. So I slacked off (again:o). Because I changed jobs (after 9 years) I am finding myself much more tired and although my body will want to wake up early, I keep finding excuses to go back to sleep. So.... I need to find my mojo again. It's ironic that the heat (was 110 here yesterday) will probably be what gets me going - because the ONLY time I will actually do anything outdoors in this type of heat is at 5-5:30 a.m. when it "drops" :eek: to 73.

But hello to everyone. I'm sure you all have been running consistently and enjoying every minute of it. ;) I too am off to yoga this morning and here's to hoping that this week my actions actually match my intentions. :p:cool:

[Natasha]

Les, thanks for starting us off! Nice work on that 7.5 miler in the heat.

Kathy, hang in there 'til the craziness abates a bit on Tuesday! Did you make it to the CC after yoga?

Mary, great to hear from you :) Good luck with the new job and a week of good workouts.

I have a couple of rides and a run to report from the long weekend :) Today was my new best ride ever (again, that's still not saying much ;)). The run I just finished wasn't too shabby either. Friday's ride wasn't the best but I think that was due to not having had enough sleep the night before, and not having completely destressed yet.

Now for an early dinner of DH's famous pasta, which we'll probably enjoy on the porch.

How's everyone else doing? Good weekend?

[newsomz]

Hi All -

Glad to hear everyone is doing well. I was out of town last week but did manage to get one run in on Monday! Less than I'd hoped for but better than nothing :) However, once I got home I promptly came down with something. Darn :( No more running for me anytime soon.

Natasha - Dinner on the porch sounds fabulous. And congrats on your rides/run this weekend.

Les - Great job on the 7.5 miler!

Mary - Good luck at the new job... and good luck getting up early to run! I really need to get up in the mornings to make running even halfway appealing but I haven't been able to peel myself out of bed yet.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Mary - Sorry that you got whacked by your shoes and then a little funk. I can also understand what a new job will do to your energy - even if it's something - it always takes time to reconfigure your clock to a new schedule, even if you are working at the same time as you did in the past. I'd be one to go out early if it finally gets down to 73 at 5 am. :eek:
Kathy - I think I know what your new charting program is (Children's DC just started a new program too) so I hope that it doesn't go too badly for you as you try to get your arms around PowerCharting. I hope that you get your life back to some semblance of normalcy too.
Nat - Ditto here on dinner on the porch - wish we could do that here but either the bugs, humidity or (for now) thunderstorms normally preclued that. Great double today with a good ride and run.
newsomz - Welcome back - travel always does a number on your running even if you plan on running while you're gone and you're in a place to do lots of running. Hope you get back to a routine shortly too.

I rode today and had a good ride - it wasn't too hot and I beat the thunderstorms home - a good thing. I think I'm going to have to change my focus if I run after work in the future - it won't be for speed that's for sure. Tast test: I drank some PowerAde Zero today (I was having cramps - an after effect from yesterday) and it tasted ok (if you like strawberry drink) and wasn't too chemical-tasting. Maybe I've found a good electrolyte drink to flip-flop with when I'm running in the summer.

Gotta go - a little reading to do before bed so until later... happy trails,
Les

[tabbykat]

Hey guys! keep up the great work
Sprouts: I buy Nuun locally at REI but there are many places online you can get it. Check out www.nuun.com and see what they have to say on ordering, I think you can buy it right from their site. If you are only biking/running a short distance (under an hour) you don't need electrolytes and calories like GU or chewies. I usually stick with just one GU packet, or make sure I have consumed a decent meal two hours before my run/bike, then all you need is water. Electrolytes are for warm, sweaty weather or long excursions. Doing both is just adding extra calories and is overkill. I usually can't consume solid foods during and right after my runs. Don't fret about the calories you are eating. Just keep track of ins vs outs and make sure you aren't overdoing the ins. You will burn those calories quick and will continue to burn even after the workout. On an average you burn 100 calories per mile for running. So even if you are running three miles and taking in one GU pkt you are still burning 200 calories. You will see the weight come off, slower is better than all at once. It is unhealthy to lose weight quickly so be patient:) Good luck on your ride.

Leslie- are you a fellow nurse? What type of nurse/unit? Codes are my favorite- sorry for y'all that think I am twisted...medical humor. We are the ones that discuss poo while eating dinner. Have you ever tried a night run (after 8ish?) They are my favorite, especially on a full moon night, as long as it is a relatively safe area or have a friend to bike next to you.

Went for an absolutely beautiful 8mile mountain trail run thursday, then had a bike commute to work 20 miles each way the following day, then 5 miles each way the next two nights....so am pretty sore.
I am doing my first triathlon this weekend- Denver Danskin Triathlon. Wish me luck:)
TK

[Leslie Ferguson]

Leslie- are you a fellow nurse? What type of nurse/unit? Codes are my favorite- sorry for y'all that think I am twisted...medical humor. We are the ones that discuss poo while eating dinner. Have you ever tried a night run (after 8ish?) They are my favorite, especially on a full moon night, as long as it is a relatively safe area or have a friend to bike next to you.
No, I'm not a nurse I'm a Chaplain Intern at Children's Hospital in Washington DC. My regularly assigned units are Surgical Care (which includes orthopedics, burns, and pre- and post-operative care) and Neurosciences (including seizures, cerebral palsy, and other neurological issues) but I can be on call in the Emergency Department or any other unit in the hospital (including 4 ICU and Hemotology/oncology) from time to time. We discuss all kinds of things too. As for running late - my only issue with running at 8 pm is that I get up at 5 am and by running that late I wouldn't be able to get to sleep until close to midnight after cool down, shower, and unwinding but I've run as late as 9:00 pm in the past. I've got a nice place to run around here with good lighting and a relatively even pavement/trail which is nice in the winter when it's dark by 5 pm.
Went for an absolutely beautiful 8mile mountain trail run thursday, then had a bike commute to work 20 miles each way the following day, then 5 miles each way the next two nights....so am pretty sore.
I am doing my first triathlon this weekend- Denver Danskin Triathlon. Wish me luck:)
TK
Sounds like a great run and ride this weekend. Hope you have a good tri - I bet you'll do fine.

Happy trails,
Les

[Natasha]

Good luck this weekend, Tabbykat! Sounds like you are well prepared.

Les, sounds like a fun ride yesterday. Thanks for the taste test tip.

I thought DH and I had a broad range of topics to discuss at dinner (and otherwise) but maybe not ;) There are some limits in our household! :p

Well, time to train. It's threatening to T-storm (weird weather patterns here, apparently since before I got back from my trip) so it'll be an indoor spin and core and weights day. Looking forward to it.

Hope everyone is well. I'm looking forward to hearing how Susan liked Montreal! (I chose red and blue because they're the Montreal Canadiens' colours ;).)

Going back to Les' first post of this thread, I'm also hoping that those who haven't posted in a while are well: Betsy, mgs, Legolas, ktg, kwormann, and anyone else I've missed.

Editing to report a 55 minute spin with intervals and drills. Fun stuff, though I was soaked afterwards! I also did core but opted not to do weights because I forgot I also need to do yoga before bed! So much to do, so little time... ;)

[Leslie Ferguson]

Editing to report a 55 minute spin with intervals and drills. Fun stuff, though I was soaked afterwards! I also did core but opted not to do weights because I forgot I also need to do yoga before bed! So much to do, so little time... ;)
Busy, busy, busy... ;) I bet you and DH have fun conversations over dinner I can only imagine but bet they are stimulating (really). I hope you got your yoga in tonight.

Thanks for the reminder of the others too - I hope our friends are ok... Tonight was... oh well, tonight. I needed a break (that's my story and I'm sticking with it) so I took and unscheduled one. :cool:

Have a great week all and I'll be seeing you. Happy trails,
Les

[SusanMac]

Bonjour, runners! Yes, we had a really fabulous time in Montreal. My work event was a big success, and DH & I had a great weekend exploring the city & relaxing, as well. Too short, as always. Made me anxious to plan a proper vacation, instead of just a long weekend.

Got in 2 runs on the trip. Less than I typically like, but good ones. One run w/DH was 90 minutes from our hotel up to Mont Royal, a huge park with lookouts of the entire city. Took my camera. Stumbled across a drum concert while there. Did tons of hiking/walking the other days, so don't feel too guilty about the lack of official workouts. We visited the Olympic stadium & pool, but were too zonked to workout there (plus, the Euro2008 game had already started ;-)

TabbyKat - Good luck on your tri this weekend!! You'll have a blast. Hope you're tapering a lot. Look forward to a race report

Les - I haven't tried PowerAde Zero, but thx for the rec (and the Nuun rec, TK). I'd like to find a lower-calorie energy drink now that I"m doing less mileage/endurance this season

Nat - Tonight we are making *my* DH's famous pasta for dinner. Small world

Mary - So good to hear from you. It's been ages. Funny how a change in work can zap you, even if it's not more hours. That means you were really ready for a change. Hope you like it & can get into a workout groove soon (running, yoga, whatever works)

Picked up Bode from his very first "sleep away camp" this morning & went for a run at the dog park. Only 30 min, but felt good.

[Natasha]

Welcome back, Susan!! Glad you enjoyed Montreal. It's a great city, isn't it? Good too to hear that Bode survived his camp experience ;)

Speaking of the EuroCup -- GO SPAIN! :)

I'm also following EcoPrimalQuest, the big expedition adventure race that started yesterday. I don't follow it in depth (nor do I follow the Euro to any great extent) but it's fun to keep tabs on these things.

What a day. Spent a lot of time driving, which was not at all anticipated. And I had some technology challenges. But I got in a gentle 40 minute run at the end of the day, and enjoyed it thoroughly.

Les, sounds like you enjoyed your well deserved off day yesterday! Tomorrow will be an off day for me, except maybe for some core and weights.

Take care, all!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Welcome back Susan, it sounds like you got bitten by the Montreal bug during this trip. When is the return trip? ;) How did Bode fare on yhis sleep away camp?
Natasha - I did need the break yesterday but it would have been a good day to go out for a run - it's been unseasonably cool (only ~80) and low humidity for the past couple days. The quest sounds fun, is there a link for it? I hope you enjoyed your rest day like I did yesterday.

Work is still going great! I got home early enough (ish) to go for an hour's ride tonight. It was great going out and I even got to my comfort level for speed (~35 mph :eek: ), I figure I can survive falling off my bike at that speed (and walk away) but not much faster so I try to keep it below ~30. Having hills like that make rides fun. Hope everyone has a good week - we're supposed to have a good day again tomorrow, a little warmer (middle 80s) but still no humidity. Maybe...

Happy trails,
Les

[Natasha]

The quest sounds fun, is there a link for it? I hope you enjoyed your rest day like I did yesterday.
Les

Hi Les! Glad work is still going so well!!

The link for the expedition race is http://www.ecoprimalquest.com

Bye, all! :)

[Kathy B]

Glad to see you back, Susan! Nice that you had time for fun stuff even though it was a work trip. I'll bet Bode was really glad to see you!!

How is work going, Les? Have you had to take call yet? Good job on your ride!

Natasha, DH is avidly following the Eurocup. He called home today to ask me to record the afternoon game, because he forgot to set the DVR. World Cup is a whole 'nother story!! :p Glad you had such a nice run to wind up your day.

Good job on your yoga, Mary! Keep it up, and the rest will come back, too. It's hard to get going when it's so hot out!

Good luck on your tri this weekend, tabbykat! Hope you have good weather!

Back to work tomorrow after a couple of days off.....and still no workout to report. I'm in the same boat as you, Carrie. :( I've picked up a bug, and I swear it is the exact same one I had a few months ago. The symptoms are identical, except not quite as severe this time. Just trying to ride it out. (Figuratively speaking of course, not in an exercise kind of way!) Maybe by the weekend.... Hopefully you are feeling better soon, too!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks Nat, that's pretty cool to see the detail of the race. Isn't technology amazing?

Sorry you're under the weather Kathy B and I definitely hope that you are over the crud soon. I haven't been on call yet but my week "in the barrel" comes soon enough. I'm up the week following the 4th of July (7-13) and I hope that there aren't as many trauma calls as we've had in the past couple days - gotta love the summer and kids on bikes.

Laid low for today - not planned but needed. Hard to explain but I'm sure you can imagine how the days go. And tomorrow's another day.

Happy trails all,
Les

[SusanMac]

Quick fly by for me, as well. I got in an hour bike ride yesterday, as I had to run an errand & decided to ride to downtown instead of drive. 2 birds with one stone, which is nice. Whenever I ride in town, I don't have the benefit of hills, but it's still a nice x-training change from running.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Fly by and thought I'd share an article (http://www.marathonguide.com/news/newsviewer.cfm?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ehonoluluadve rtiser%2Ecom%2Fapps%2Fpbcs%2Edll%2Farticle%3FAID%3 D%2F20080625%2FSPORTS21%2F806250414%2F1032%2FSPORT SFRONT) about the winner of the Honolulu Marathon in 2007 who was disqualified for opiates. Pretty serious in my book.

Have a great running day...
Les

eta: I'm noticing that it's odd at the hospital and that it's kind of funny: it's tiring and hard on my knees and ankles to work at the hospital. It's almost like I'm running in broken down shoes. Maybe my shoes are broken down and I need to get new ones/resole these. My excuse tonight is I went to an Episcopal Ordination (two of my friends became priests in the Episcopal Church today). The service started at 7 and we got home at 9:30 so I blew into the house at 6:40 to go directly to the church. Not complaining, it was great to see folks I haven't seen since May.

Time for a little personal maintenance (sleep) so I'll see you tomorrow and happy trails,
Les