Virtual Running Buddies - Week of October 5

[Natasha3]

Hi runners! How's life? How are the trails treating you?

I got back from my run not long ago. It was very windy at times, but still fun and the run seemed to go by very quickly. I enjoyed the scenery and the fresh air and now am enjoying leftover lentils and rice to replace those glycogen stores! We've had a very busy weekend of socializing and entertaining so far; in fact, I got to meet several wonderful people from the boards yesterday! :D Today is my day to get things done around the house and other such mundane activities. ;)

What's up with you?

Natasha

[MaryH]

Hello Natasha,

Got in about 6.5 yesterday and today was 10. (Something about being out there for 2+ hours makes me wonder just what exactly I am doing and/or why. :cool: :D :) )

And yes, today is one of those "try to get stuff taken care of" days.

[Kristilyn1]

I did nine inside today----my butt is killing me though! Yesterday I ran the basketball toss game for the Harvest Festival at my son's school and it was 4 hours of bending down, picking up the ball, bending down, picking up the ball......yikes!

Otherwise, other than the 1/2 piece of chocolate mousse cake, it's been a pretty good eating day as well.

Kristi

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks for starting us Natasha. This week is the next in the lengthening mileage. I'm six weeks from Richmond (15 November) and the scheduled mileage is growing to about 52-54 miles this week:
M 7 x hills (just over 7 miles probably)
T 5 easy (closer to 7 with warm-up etc.)
W 50-60 minutes of tempo (close to 8)
H 10 miles at race pace (12 total)
F OFF
SA 22 miles long

I have the feeling this is the water-shed week for me. We'll have to see.

Really fabulous weather these days in Norfolk - never wondered why I like to run here in the fall, mid 60s for training is perfect.

Peace to all,
Les

[SusanMac]

I have 2 followon topics from last week:

1) Did anyone find a URL that shows different lacing techniques (and the benefits of each one)? would love to see that. Ever since I got my new shoes (Brooks), my feet slap the ground when I run. DH calls me the "loud runner." Never did that before. He wondered if changing how I laced my shoes might make a difference. Does feel badly, but it just bugs me!

2) Anyone interested in doing the Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis Foundation in your area? Find out if it's in your area at http://www.arthritis.org/events/getinvolved/jbr.asp

Great workout weekend for me! Nice, easy run on Sat (DH is helping me keep my easy runs easy. that sounds like a no-brainer, but it's really hard. It should improve my speed over time but is tough getting there). Had a rowing regatta yesterday, complete with perfect weather and a silver medal! Yea! (not running...but thought I'd share anyway :-)

[Leslie Ferguson]

Originally posted by SusanMac
1) Did anyone find a URL that shows different lacing techniques (and the benefits of each one)?

No luck. I looked just about everywhere except Galloway. Maybe there as a last resort.


2) Anyone interested in doing the Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis Foundation in your area? Find out if it's in your area at http://www.arthritis.org/events/getinvolved/jbr.asp

We've got one in Norfolk already. I may be able to participate in this one - but that depends on my training status.


Great workout weekend for me! Nice, easy run on Sat (DH is helping me keep my easy runs easy. that sounds like a no-brainer, but it's really hard. It should improve my speed over time but is tough getting there). Had a rowing regatta yesterday, complete with perfect weather and a silver medal! Yea! (not running...but thought I'd share anyway :-)

Congrats on the silver and hey success is success regardless of the sport (not always limited to running here). Don't I know how HARD it is to run slower. I understand the theory, mostly not beating your legs to death on the long runs and training your body to use other sources of fuel, but that doesn't make it any easier for an 8 min/mile (or faster) runner to slow down to a "long run pace" of 8:40-9:10.

Big mistake lifting yesterday. I think I lifted too heavy which made my run today 7 hills (2 were .3 miles and 5 were .25 miles) on the treadmill of 5% incline at 8.6 mph with equal rest at 7.1 or 7.2 mph in between. Needless to say, my stumps were just that and complaining very loudly. Remember, lifting heavy is a no-no within 6 weeks of your race. :rolleyes:

Hope to hear from the rest of the group...

Happy trails,
Les

[MaryH]

Originally posted by Leslie Ferguson
I understand the theory, mostly not beating your legs to death on the long runs and training your body to use other sources of fuel, but that doesn't make it any easier for an 8 min/mile (or faster) runner to slow down to a "long run pace" of 8:40-9:10.

That one just makes me laugh (in a good way). I was sort of skimming through and all I really saw was that the "slow part was 8:40-9:10 " and I thought, wow for me that's a FAST run. But I know what you mean. :cool: :D ;) :)

[Laura]

Uggghhh. I haven't run since the race. I am finally feeling well enough that I am going out for a short 3 mile run tonight. My running partner and I are going out for a longer (7-8) mile run this week as she moves on Sat. :( I will probably try to do a speed workout as a third run as well. Then I need to get back to lifting.

Mary, I hear you on slowing down the long runs. If I slowed mine down any more, I would be walking. :rolleyes: :p

[Leslie Ferguson]

Originally posted by Laura
Mary, I hear you on slowing down the long runs. If I slowed mine down any more, I would be walking. :rolleyes: :p

(and MaryH) Okay - I'll keep my mouth shut from now on. ;) I can take a hint. Of course I'm told by my coach and the run/walkers that they do their long runs slower by decreasing their run interval. Not so much running slower just running for less time per running interval.


Uggghhh. I haven't run since the race. I am finally feeling well enough that I am going out for a short 3 mile run tonight. My running partner and I are going out for a longer (7-8) mile run this week as she moves on Sat. :( I will probably try to do a speed workout as a third run as well. Then I need to get back to lifting.

Sorry to hear about your running partner. I think I've been through about 4 or 5 in the past three years. And it is hard to "break in" a new partner. Hopefully your run on Saturday is enjoyable - as a parting present. Where is your partner moving to? I seem to remember you said Virginia but I may be mistaken. Here's to getting back into your workout routine too.

Happy trails and peae,
Les

[MaryH]

Originally posted by Leslie Ferguson
(and MaryH) Okay - I'll keep my mouth shut from now on. ;) I can take a hint.

Nah, then I wouldn't have that goal to go after. :D

[Leslie Ferguson]

Originally posted by MaryH


Nah, then I wouldn't have that goal to go after. :D

Touche. Okay, but I'll just keep it a little quieter.

Legs are still tired from yesterday (okay I was pretty tired physically so...) luckily today's run is just 5 easy miles. I'm not sure I could get through a tempo or a pace run today. :(

Happy trails,
Les

[msxy75]

Hey gang,

Well I had a good laugh too at the slow run time/mile, yeah I would have to agree with Mary and Laura that if I run any slower the walkers will pass me.:p Anyhow I have been trying short runs and picking up my pace a bit, which has kept me motivated to increase speed and distance slowly. I tend to increase distance too quickly and then pay for it later.

Susan I checked out the Arthritis run too, I may do it if I'm here in Seattle at the time. As soon as I know if I will be here then I will try it.


michelle

[Laura]

No, No Les, don't keep quiet about your race pace, I think it is inspiring! I just laugh because my "race pace" is not a whole lot faster than my long run pace. That said, I went on a short run this morning and I clocked in around 9:20 miles!! That is blazing for me :D, it was so weird, my legs just didn't want to go slower.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Originally posted by Laura
No, No Les, don't keep quiet about your race pace, I think it is inspiring! I just laugh because my "race pace" is not a whole lot faster than my long run pace. That said, I went on a short run this morning and I clocked in around 9:20 miles!! That is blazing for me :D, it was so weird, my legs just didn't want to go slower.

Okay - I won't be quiet, just discrete. Funny how after a while you can really get into faster paces for shorter runs.

Here's to hoping that yesterday's slower run was enough to work the kinks out of my legs for my quality (tempo) run today.

Happy trails and pleasant running conditions for everyone,
Les

[msxy75]

Les thought of you as I ran through the rain and mud this morning, was fantastic and made me think of being a kid again playing in the rain. :D It was great to have some mud splashing up, the temperature was great too so that I didn't get cold or anything. The run today wasn't too bad at all.

michelle

[Leslie Ferguson]

Originally posted by msxy75
Les thought of you as I ran through the rain and mud this morning, was fantastic and made me think of being a kid again playing in the rain. :D It was great to have some mud splashing up, the temperature was great too so that I didn't get cold or anything. The run today wasn't too bad at all.

michelle

You tease me! ;) :D We haven't had any good mud for weeks - Hurricane Isabel didn't make good mud, just tons of it.

Off for my 60 tempo run this afternoon. I've gotta stop doing this - it will do bad things to me in the long run (no pun intended).
Les

[Natasha3]

Hi all!

Les, how did the tempo run go yesterday? I hope you get to take today as an easy/rest day; sounds like you've earned one!

I've been fitting in the runs and strength exercises amid everything else in a crazy week, and hope to go out later today for another run. The weather here this week has been spectacular! High 70s and sunny. Whoo hoo!

I will have to check out the Arthritis runs. We do have Jingle Bell runs but I never knew that they were associated with the Arthritis Society. Hopefully I can join you guys and do such a run. Thanks, Susan, for the idea. :) Oh, and also, congrats on the silver! How's your husband's Ironman training going? I know it's early to train hard for an event next year, but still thought I'd ask. :)

Speaking of other sports, two interesting things: first, the world road cycling championships are being held not far from here, this week and weekend. I'm debating going down to watch something this weekend, figuring that it's the most convenient way to see world-class road racing. But we'll see if we get around to it. Actually, apparently the teams train around here, since we have excellent hills and country roads for riding, but I have yet to see any national teams. Maybe I should change my running routes so I can see some! :p

Second, is anyone following the women's World Cup in soccer? Canada is in the top 4 and is meeting the U.S. on Saturday in the bronze medal game. I'm so excited about that. I had a feeling that Canada's women were set for a good World Cup, but this rocks! I may have to cave in and visit someone with TV on Saturday, in order to see the game. ;)

May good running vibes be with you all,
Natasha

[Leslie Ferguson]

Originally posted by Natasha3
Hi all!

Les, how did the tempo run go yesterday? I hope you get to take today as an easy/rest day; sounds like you've earned one!

The tempo run went well yesterday. I think I've finally broken the code on my shoes and my legs are still holding their own. I can't say that yesterday's tempo was easy - just went well. There's no rest for the weary/wicked yet. Today is probably the hardest workout for the week - 10 miles at race pace (+1 warm up and 1 cool down). I think this will be harder than 22 on Saturday (much slower pace Saturday). Tomorrow is a rest day - and I think I'm going to try and get in with the chiropractor tomorrow too - lots of junk going on in my upper back. :(


I've been fitting in the runs and strength exercises amid everything else in a crazy week, and hope to go out later today for another run. The weather here this week has been spectacular! High 70s and sunny. Whoo hoo!

Glad to hear that your week is shaping up so nicely. Looking forward to a little breather really.

Happy trails all,
Les

[Natasha3]

Hey Les,

Good to know that the tempo run went well. I don't envy you that run tonight. Wow. You will definitely enjoy that day off tomorrow!!

I did my run at lunch and these are some of the things I saw/experienced. Nothing untypical of my normal runs; I just thought it would be fun to tell you all some of the things I observed:

Ran through a couple of neighbourhoods. Saw a very cool '30s Ford that I always like gawking at; saw the lovely old homes; and enjoyed gazing at the nearby hills, which are gradually turning bright fall colours. Reached the oldest part of town, witnessed the renos on a 175-year-old home, and took a detour onto a trail beside a pond. The trees beside the pond were almost all red and orange, and they were breathtaking on their own and reflected in the water. (They were so distracting that I'm lucky I didn't fall in the pond. :p) Shared the trail with a lot of squirrels and birds. Ran by some high schoolers on my way back on the narrow trail, and they fell in a line so I could pass, and started marching comically in sync with the kid in front, and we all had a bit of a laugh at that. Ran through town and for the first time ever witnessed an icky-smelling truck driving by in town. Tried not to breathe for a good minute afterwards. :eek: Exchanged pleasantries with others enjoying the fine weather, and noticed a '50s Chevy in mint condition, all shiny black with flames painted on it. Didn't see any national-level cyclists but I did see a bunch of construction workers. Does that count? :rolleyes: I think not.

Anyway, that was my run in a nutshell. I could have sat at home for 45 minutes, or I could have witnessed all that. Is it any wonder that I love to run so much? Besides my A-type competitive nature, and the great exercise that running is, etc., etc., it's just plain fun sometimes. :D Know what I mean?

Anyone else want to tell us what they saw on a recent run? It need not be extraordinary; as you can see, I didn't see anything all that incredible. It's just that the tiniest things can amuse me. :)

Natasha

[scout1222]

I run through a neighborhood, so I see lots of houses.

But since it's coming on Halloween, there's this one house that's got an inflatable pumpkin with 2 ghosts popping out on their front lawn. It's made of parachute type material, and it's lit. That's an important detail, because I run in the AM when the sun isn't up yet. So here I come, running by, and see this HUGE lawn decoration!

I had to actually stop and check it out because it was pretty cool looking.



I've been so busy at work, and I'm moving this weekend that I've had no time to browse and post around here! I'm running, just don't have time to talk about it much right now!

Hopefully in a few weeks things will improve....

[Leslie Ferguson]

10 at race pace - done! Tomorrow a much earned rest in preparation for 22 on Saturday. Feeling pretty beaten up right now but the end (the race) is in sight.

I'll try to fill in about my impressions of running before and after Hurricane Isabel. Kind of surreal running the night before the hurricane hit and then going out 2 days after and seeing all the damage in the neighborhood.

sout - Glad you're still out there. Where are you moving to this weekend? Hope the event is safe and without issue.

Now... off to bed to let my body recover.
Peace,
Les