Virtual Running Buddies w/o 4/24

[Leslie Ferguson]

Ok, Saturday morning and although I don't have a run to report fromtoday I did ride last night outside. It was a glorious afternoon for a ride and I'm looking forward to today, although it's supposed to be in the middle 80s this afternoon (wasn't it in the 50s last week?).

I don't think we have any races this weekend (because we have a "runner down") but plenty of races in the process.

Here's to a good spring weekend and a great week to come.

Happy trails runnahs,
Les

[SusanMac]

Thx for kicking off the new week, Les.

Thurs I had a great run with the team. 4.5 miles, and I knew I was pushing a tempo pace. In the end, I was much faster than usual, pretty much 10K race pace. Much thanks to the really fast girl who slowed down to run w/me & chat. She made for a great workout.

Fri I decided to do my long run b/c the next 4 days are forecast for rain. Well, I head out the door & immediately knew I need to change plans. My legs are soooo sore! I think it's the combo of the tougher than usual bike & tempo run. So I logged just over 6 miles at a very sluggish pace.

Today is a rest day, aparently much needed. I'll have to play Sun & Mon by ear depending on weather. Keeping my fingers crossed that Sun morning is decent enough to do my long run w/the running club.

Otherwise, I'm actually enjoying all the rain. Getting stuff done around the house, finishing up my eco-bag swap stuff, and doing lots of reading. Hope everyone else is having a great weekend!

[VictoriaL]

"Runner Down" reporting in...

I had expected to be so much better by now! :rolleyes: I woke this morning, looked at the clock, and thought "I should be running the race soon." Then I realized that, oh joy, it was almost time to use the inhaler. *sigh* I simply do not remember recovering from an asthma attack taking so long or being so... miserable. I guess I will be thankful that it only happens every few years, then.

BTW, this morning: 68 degrees, breezy, partly sunny at race time
wah!

Okay, I'll stop... :o

Les, yes it was 50 a few days ago! Our high temp went from 58 on Thursday to 84 yesterday. So glad that you're able to get out to do anything in this glorious weather. :)

Your rest weekend sounds well-deserved Susan. Although a pop-out for a run in non-rainy conditions would be good, too (provided your legs are feeling up to it!)

I shall spend my weekend doing the same thing I have been with slow activities (organizing paperwork and recipes, which I've been meaning to do for a long time), breathing, and maybe, wa-hoo, a walk around the yard. ;)

Have a great weekend, all, whatever you are doing!

[Robyn1007]

Vicci I'm so sorry things are progressing so slowly for you. :(

Les Oh, your ride sounds so nice! I called my dad for his birthday yesterday and it was so nice here that I told him I wish we could go for a ride together to celebrate. Alas, we're only a couple thousand miles apart.

Susan I hate it when I'm mentally all set for a workout and the legs just won't cooperate. Hope today's rest did you some good!

I'm so excited about today's workout. I did a full tri practice with my coach. We're talking full race suit stuff. Did a 750m swim in the pool, headed out for the stationary bike where we did a killer 15 miles (killer because no coasting on a stationary and my partner and I are convinced it's not accurate and we rode much further) and a 4 mile run around the indoor track at the gym. I was worried going into the run after the rough bike ride and knowing that 4 miles would be pushing it for me. But I started off. My legs felt a little weird but eventually the settled in for the 37 laps around. I set mini goals along the way for no walking and then before I knew it I was at 36. I pushed the last lap hard and came to a stop without having walked at all. New PR for distance run with no walking. Looked at my watch and OMG I just ran that in a 10:30 min mile pace. :eek: That's nearly 2 min per mile faster than my 3.75 miles earlier this week. :D:D:D Major happy dance for me today. Now I feel like maybe I will be able to run the entire Bolder Boulder which is exactly one month from day.

[VictoriaL]

ROBYN ROCKS!!!

What an accomplishment-- and you actually sound ready for the Bolder Boulder now!

[Robyn1007]

Thanks Vicci!!!! I'm still flying pretty high from yesterday.

I had an interesting ride today. I met my coach at her house and we loaded both bikes onto her car and headed for a town just south of us (Parker for those that know the area). We had a route from www.mapmyride.com that someone else had plotted and had the written directions with us. We headed out in cool weather and I thankfully decided to wear my arm warmers. The first bit was a challenging climb at any level and as the first thing I did after yesterday's tri I was definitely suffering. But we made it to the top and were rewarded with a beautiful view over rolling hills, horse country and Pike's Peak in the distance. Next up, fun downhill and then an immediate left turn at the bottom and right back up. :rolleyes: After some more rolling hills (and some cursing from me as my quads talked sternly to me) we turned into a neighborhood. I took the next turn and expected to find the next road. Nope, just dirt. Hmmm, must have taken a wrong turn? Grabbed the iPhone and plotted a different route to the road. A few more hills and we were there. And greeted by more dirt. What the route didn't indicate was that this road was dirt. :rolleyes: Okay, quick re-plotting and we turn around, attack some more hills and head south. We grabbed the next turn and it was nerve wracking as it had little shoulder, some cable guard rails and a fair amount of traffic. The reward for me was the coming down hill. My coach isn't a big fan of down hill but I loved this so I took off. I maxed at 34.6 mph and would have gone faster except that their was head and cross winds so I had to reign myself in a bit. A few more miles of high traffic nerve wracking riding and we found a multi-use trail that would get us back to the car. We are really glad we rode this route today as we'd planned to use this on our group rides this summer (and there are some developments with this which I'm hoping I'll be able to share next week ;)) and we know we'd have some people mutiny on us on this sort of ride so now we can avoid. But my coach and I really enjoyed it!

Oh, one tidbit for my gearho friends. Lucy is offering $10 off a pair of bottoms if you bring a worn pair of bottoms in for donation to charity through the end of the month. The new runner in me decided I needed some to running duds and I picked up these:

http://s7d2.scene7.com/is/image/Lucy/213070_ss09lcy001?$detail$

[oceanjasper]

Les - Your bike ride sounds wonderful. We have also been having a beautiful weekend here. Even though it is only mid to high 50s, the sun is out and it is heavenly. My nieces and nephews were even out on the slip and slide yesterday! Them crazy Canadian kids.

SusanMac - You deserve a rest, for sure! Hope those leg muscles are feeling better and that the sun came out for you this morning.

VictoriaL - So sorry that you missed your race today. What a bummer to still not feel well enough to run. I hope things clear up for you soon.

Robyn1007 - What an accomplishment indeed! I read '37 laps' and thought that would be enough to do me in; forget about the swim and bike beforehand. :) At the rate you are going, you won't have any problem with your race in a month.

Well, as for me, I have actually been out running a little bit. I finally callibrated my nike+ipod running gadget, so that I could track my time and distances off-road.

On Thursday evening, I went trail running with a friend. The sun was low in the sky and filtering in through the trees; it was almost surreal. That was until I saw some kind of animal running low to the ground through the trees. At first I thought it was a dog on a nearby trail, but there was no trail. Best not to think too hard about what it really was! I highly doubt you will catch me running there on my own anytime soon... Anyway, here is the info my gadget tracked:

Distance: 6.82 km (4.24 miles)
Time: 44:50
Pace: 6:34 min/km (10:34 min/mile)
Calories: 435

This afternoon I did a shorter run along a sandy/rocky road; uphill one way and downhill the way back (just the way it should be, if you ask me :)). I have had a busy weekend with family, so it was nice to get out in the sun and do something good for myself. Here is my data:

Distance: 4.40 km (2.73 miles)
Time: 27:09
Pace: 6:09 min/km (9:54 min/mile)
Calories: 281

As for the recovery of 'the leg', I had a bit of swelling after Thursday's run and it took a couple days for it to come down completely. The swelling was followed up by a little bit of discomfort - not too bad at all. Only a little bit of swelling after today's run and I don't expect it will feel any worse. I am planning to get out there again on Tuesday. Feel's good to be back on track.

Have a great week everyone!

[oceanjasper]

I admit it. I am a gearho. I have never heard of Lucy before, so of course, I am intrigued! I recently bought a pair of Lululemon crop pants that I have been running in. They are sooooo comfortable. And they can seriously make any butt look good. :)

[Robyn1007]

That's how I feel about all my Lucy bottoms. I have 3 pairs of workout pants, 1 pair of knee length runner shots (the ones I just bought), running skort, 2 pairs of casual shorts and a pair of casual pants. I love them so much! Comfortable, wear well, pack well, and look great on! www.lucy.com

[SusanMac]

Vicci - keep breathing!

Robyn - awesome job on finishing your 4 mile run w/out walking! Huge milestone. I also freaked when I saw 37 laps. Not sure my brain would do well with that one.

OJ - looks like you're loving the new Nike+. Very cool

I've recently decided that I like running in compression shorts much better than the loose kind. So, all my floppy shorts are now relegated to general hanging out shorts. One day I'll find a running skirt that fits my shape, I'm sure.

Decided to take Sun as a rest day, too. Just some core work. So, today is clearing up & I'll be headed out for a run later. Much needed after making Ina Garten's homemade parmesan crackers this weekend!

[Robyn1007]

Susan most of my stuff isn't compression per say but does add a bit more control than the floppy running shorts of which I have 1 pair. Enjoy your run today! The parmesan crackers sound delicious!

Y'all thought you freaked when you saw 37 laps. When she emailed us with the plan I about fell out of my chair. :eek: Seriously, when you're only at 5, 10 or 15 it feels so far away. But, on the other hand because they're short laps you're counting quickly and it starts to go by quickly. This indoor track isn't exactly oval either so it keeps you on your toes. There's a fast lane and a slow lane which of course I had to vary between. I was slow compared to other runners but fast compared to the walkers. And of course there was one woman doing the run/walk thing who refused to move from the center of the track. Seriously, she'd be walking behind two people in the slow lane and instead of just tucking in behind them she'd stick her self out in the center so I'm having to weave and dodge. Especially fun when I'm being passed by a faster runner at the same time. :rolleyes:

[Kathy B]

A little over two miles outside this AM. DH encouraged me to go outside and run since the rain had let up. Guess it was just a brief lull, though, I was pretty soaked by the time I got home. I thanked him for the advice! :p

Quite a busy weekend, and I have not been getting my workouts in very regularly at all, so I am hoping today will kick off getting back to a routine. We'll see how it goes, but at least I'm off to a start... The good news is that my ankle achiness was minimal during the run. I think the "rest days" were good in that regard. I haven't started the ankle exercises yet, but I will!

Robyn, your ride sounds great! Nice that you had someone with you to troubleshoot and share the views with. And congrats on your trial tri! That has to be exciting. Way to go!

Vicci, I hope you are better. Did you get anything fun for your BD? And also, is there another race anytime soon that you are eyeing since this last one didn't come to pass?

OJ, glad to hear that things are moving along with your recovery. I am sure it feels good to get back out. Nice workouts, too!

Hi to Les, Susan, Natasha, Carrie, Julie (hope things are going well!) and TKay. Have a good week!

[TKay]

Happy Monday, everyone.

Les - Thanks for starting out the thread. Glad you're enjoying some decent weather.

Susan - Did you get in your run? I'm also a fan of compression shorts. I've never been able to wear the baggy ones. They bunch up and make me miserable.

Vicci - Hope you're breathing easier soon. Organizing paperwork and recipes is probably a good thing, though I know you'd rather be out and about.

Robyn - Wow! I agree with Vicci. You are ready now. Following your recommendation, I've shopped at Lucy.com many times now, but only purchased a pair of pants for my recent camping trip (which I love, btw).

Oceanjasper - Love the reports from the new gadget.

KathyB - Sorry about the soggy running conditions. Glad your ankle's feeling okay.

I had a really busy weekend, complete with a wedding one day and a funeral the next. I ran the day of the wedding and then danced a long while at the reception. Consequenltly, I was beat yesterday. I took a nap in the afternoon before driving 70 miles to the funeral. Ended up feeling kinda cruddy this morning and can't determine if it's fatique or a cold coming on. I'm still in my workout gear, but have yet to climb on that TM. Thinking yoga might be a smarter option.

Here's to a great week.

[SusanMac]

Kathy - geez, from reading your posts it seems like you've been working out a lot. You are always on the go!

Tkay - good to hear from you. Nice run this weekend. Dancing definitely counts, too, in my book

I made it out yesterday for my long run. 10 miles this week. It started off feeling kind of tight & sluggish, but loosened up quickly. A bit of a new route, as well, which was nice. Found it on mapmyrun -- someone else had posted it in the Madison section

[TKay]

Glad you got that run in, Susan. Me? I'm out with a migraine today. It's so frustrating, but you all know what that's like. Feeling better already, just have the vision disturbance. I'm off the computer for a bit.

Hope you're all enjoying some fine spring weather and excellent exercise today.

[VictoriaL]

OJ, I enjoy my occasional wildlife sightings while I run the trails. The most “dangerous” was a fox, and it certainly sped away when it saw me. Although, now that I think of it, I believe that it was last year where a bunny actually chased me! ;) Of course, that scene from a Monty Python movie is running through my head now…

Although I am as far from being a gearho as anyone has probably ever seen, if Robin keeps up with this type of posting I may have to actually buy something!

Kathy B, start those ankle exercises (yes, just try to find a spare 15 minutes in your day!). Did DH at least meet you at the door with a nice fluffy towel after he sent you to run in the rain???

TKay, I hope that the migraine passes quickly and tomorrow finds you feeling more sprightly.

Susan, good for the long, loose run! Glad that you’re back at it after those parmesan crackers… ;)

Okay, Kathy asked, and I will have to admit that I had a really difficult time coming up with anything that I really needed for my birthday. I’m somewhat minimalist by nature, and poor DH finally had to ask friends. And he hit gold. I have been coveting a friend’s chef jacket, which she got for Christmas last year. It wouldn’t do me a lot of good in really warm weather, but around the holidays when I am cooking up a storm my long sleeves are just not protected when I wear my bib-style aprons, and I am not the neatest of cooks. So he researched, made a nice card (drawing of me in the kitchen sporting a personalized chef jacket), gave me options, and now I get to choose. :) I also got an enameled cast iron Dutch oven and a set of speakers for the screened-in porch so I can listen to music from the stereo receiver rather than haul the boombox out from the kitchen. A friend made me a gorgeous bluebird house, and my parents gave me earrings (gold multi-hoops with carnelian drops in the center). All in all, a very nice birthday (with the exception of being in the doctor’s office for a couple of hours…).

Today I walked some letters to the end of the driveway to put in the mailbox (300 yard slight incline) then took a short walk with Spooky. Although I’m not terribly short of breath, my chest still feels tight. And last night I got five whole hours of uninterrupted sleep with nary a coughing attack! I hope to be running next week. Can’t wait! :)

And, today I used the weight machine for 15 minutes. Lighter weight than usual, and a couple of coughing fits, but otherwise a welcome option to sitting and breathing!

Hi to everyone else, Nat, Carrie, Les, Meg, and all others whom I’ve (very temporarily) forgotten.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Life is spinning out of control... 10 things besides classes this week (3 down)... 3 weeks until classes are over...
I'm vicariously running and riding with you -- thanks for keeping me honest or at least remembering that I'm here.

See you sometime, maybe after a run tomorrow.

Les

[oceanjasper]

TKay - I hope that you are feeling better since your migraine.

KathyB - Way to go on getting out there in the pouring rain!

SusanMac - I am impressed by your 10 mile run. I will be super stoked the day I ever run 10 miles!

VictoriaL - I can't believe you got chased by a bunny. :D Happy Birthday! Enjoy all your lovely gifts!

Les - Hang in there, Les. I'm sure the light at the end of the tunnel is shining brighter every day!

This evening, I ran some dirt roads/trails around a local golf course. Lots of people out walking and enjoying the spring weather. Here are my stats:

Distance: 6.95 km (4.32 miles)
Time: 42:13
Pace: 6:04 min/km (9:45 min/mile)
Calories: 443

Hope you all continue to have a great week!

[Kathy B]

Hi, all! Nothing yet today, but yesterday I finally got to the CC for weights and 40 min on the TM. Long walk with DH and the dogs last night, too. I hadn't been able to get to the CC for quite a while, and I guess that is why I felt like I was falling out of my routine. Felt good to get back at it. Planning some TM time today, but it will have to wait until this afternoon.

Good job on your run, OJ. Glad to hear you are getting out and enjoying the weather!

Les, I heard a mantra the other day that might help you..
"I am in control!" :cool: (Just keep saying it, over and over and over.) Hang in there!

Vicci, Wow! A very good BD for you! :) Sounds like you are slowly getting back to normal. You hang in there, too!

Susan, nice job on your 10 miles. I have never used mapmyrun to find a route, only to map one I have done. I'll have to check and see if there are any in our area. Do you post routes on there that you have done?

Tkay, hope the migraine is long gone by now. Do you get them very often?

Hi Natasha (you must be keeping busy!), Carrie, Robyn and Julie (check in when you can!).

Take care all!

[TKay]

So nice to be back in the land of the running. I am much better today, thanks everyone for asking. I don't get migraines often (maybe four or five times a year), but they're never fun. Planning to get back on the TM today. I've missed it and my body is ready to move.

KathyB - Great going on the workout and walk yesterday. Enjoy your TM time.

Les - You can do it! You can do it!

Oceanjasper - I just love those run reports. Sounds like you're doing great.

Vicci - Dh hits a homerun with the b-day gift. Nice! Sounds like a great day (minus the doctor's visit, of course). Glad you're able to move around more. Here's to complete recovery--and soon.

Hello, Robyn, Natasha, Carrie, Aggie, Susan, and all the other runnahs.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks all, I know I'll make it - just keeping things balanced between here and there. Funny thing Kathy, I'm almost drwan to I'm not in control more than being in control. Because when I try to be in control the wheels fall off the wagon.

Great runs all and my claiming event of the day was a 45 minute spin (I wanted to ride inside to try and read a book for tomorrow).

Blitzing on friends...
Les

[Robyn1007]

Tkay glad you're over the migraine. I get them as well and they are not fun!

Vicci your birthday sounds wonderful. I hope that stupid asthma let's go of you, I can't imagine how bad it must feel to be this restricted suddenly. :(

Les I know what you mean about the control thing. Good luck, you're almost there!

Kathy I agree you are always on the go!

Well, I got out for 4.5 miles yesterday. Not as good a showing as I'd hoped as I did have to walk a bit. My asthma kicked again and I hadn't used my inhaler before hand. I think right now my plan of action is going to always use it for outdoor runs as that seems to be when it bothers me. I actually had to stop and sit on a bench when I got lightheaded suddenly. Oops. I still came in at 12 minute miles for any moving time (so I stopped the watch when I had to stop) which is pretty good all things considered.

Nothing on the schedule today as I have a procedure on tap at my doctor's office and I'm not sure how I'll feel afterward. And it's looking like my ride in Boulder with my coach might get rained out this weekend. :( I'm sick of this stuff we have gorgeous weather during the weeks and then it goes to the dogs for the weekend. :mad:

[Kathy B]

Robyn, I think all of the rain is kicking up allergies and respiratory issues for a lot of people. I had to start DD on Claritin for the first time ever this year. A big ditto from all of us....we are tired of this weather, too! Good job on your 4.5 miles. I know you wanted more, but hey, you did get 4.5 miles! :)

Good for you getting in a spin with your hectic week, Les! See, you ARE in control of some things! :D

Tkay, hope you got your TM run in yesterday, and glad to hear the migraine didn't hang on and on!

Weights at the CC along with 40 min on the TM. Feels good to get back on my weight lifting schedule. For some reason, that gives me a kind of base to my workout week. Anyway, I won't tell you what we have going on today, because you will all just roll your eyes at me, but I will post a picture in a week or so when we are done. ;)

Hope your weeks are all winding up well.

[TKay]

Les - I also understand the "out of my control" thing. I like the "one foot in front of the other" mantra. Or "baby steps." I get really overwhelmed if I'm too big picture about things. Glad you're hanging in there.

Robyn - Sounds like your run and your time were great. I'm sorry the asthma got in the way and kept you from feeling your best. I hope the rain stays away. Ugh! That must be so frustrating.

KathyB - Here's my response to your photo in advance: :rolleyes:
Good going on the CC workout. I'd have to agree about the weights, now that you mention it. I feel much better the way my arms stay toned when I'm doing weights. I may not be doing things that much differently, but I feel like I'm making more progress.

Nothing to report for me. I ended up feeling achy and not so good yesterday, so I skipped the TM. Today, I'm definitely coming down with something. We have company this weekend for dh's birthday, so the timing is really bad. Plus, I want back to my workouts! Going to take it easy anyway. Have a great day, all.

[SusanMac]

Tuesday, DH & I went out for a bike ride. Super, super windy, but still beautiful & I'm glad I got out. 22 miles. Yesterday I was supposed to run but had a few work firedrills, so the run went by the wayside. Headed out to run with my running team tonight.

Vicci - fab birthday gifts!

TKay - glad to see you around here more often. I loved your comments on the mantra thread about setting a good example!

Robyn - that's OK about the run. At least now you absolutely know you can do it w/out walking, even if it doesn't happen every time.