Virtual Running Buddies - Week of June 10

[Natasha]

Hi runners!

I don't have anything to report since last night, but thought I'd start the thread and say hello to everyone, and wish you all a good weekend.

What's on tap for everyone's weekends?

Runningly,
Natasha

[Elizabeth B]

Thanks, Natasha, for getting us started!

Also, thanks Les for the temperature chart. I wonder about my heart rate also while running in the heat. My heart rate got up to 177 on Wednesday. It's gotten up to 177 a couple of times before, but following that heart rate formula (220-age (43)), 177 would be my max heart rate and I don't feel as though I'm about to collapse or anything. I guess that it's all good as long as I feel okay, but the number looks a little scary.

I've got a run planned for this evening, but I don't know if the weather will cooperate. It's been really hot with rain showers almost every day, which has been great for my garden but not so good for running. Maybe I'll have tomatoes soon, though.

Obviously, I don't have much to report, but wanted to say hi.

Take care, all!

[ktg0930]

Thanks for starting us this week Natasha.

I ran this morning and boy was it humid! The sky was just hazy and you could feel all the moisture. In some ways, the hot weather helps me get out of bed, because I know the evenings won't be better!

My weekend plans consist of running and studying. I have a midterm next Saturday and will be studying with my study buddy tomorrow night. I plan to run both days and am taking Monday off to work on my big school paper that is due soon.

Kathy

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks for starting us out today Natasha. I was starting to get a little concerned at 2 when I didn't see a new thread. :o

And then I'm checking in without a run today (as usual for Friday). It was a decent day and I did get out for a little bit today and I knocked off from work early. (SHOCK! :o )

Elizabeth - Wow - a 173 HR... that's pretty high really. A couple things come to mind when I hear about HR that high. One is overheating and the other is dehydration. Having suffered from both illnesses neither is one to play with. One of the reasons your heart beats that fast is to help move heat away from your core and the other is to help move "thick" blood during a dehydration event. In both cases I didn't feel bad until I stopped and then didn't really feel bad when I was overheated - my heart was just pounding. The dehydration (which happened in April) was pretty much the same, I didn't feel bad until I stopped. My question is how much are you drinking when you run? And how hydrated are you before you start? I'd be interested to know about how much water weight you lose when you run, especially in the summer. I can lose up to about 3 pounds in an hour when the temp is in the 90s. Just being nosey really but I'd be interested.

Speaking of water and weight loss during summer training our running group is starting a "weigh in - weigh out" regimen this year to see if folks are taking in enough water on their run. My coach believes that dehydration can have an impact on injuries - especially joint injuries. That may be something really. Anyway we'll be running tomorrow morning early (starting at 7am - a nasty hour on Saturday). I'll probably do 10-14 miles slowly. After that it's home to deal with the house painter who will start tomorrow morning. Sunday will be our outside church service and then hopefully weights. But we'll see.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and I'll be in touch tomorrow.

Happy trails,
Les

[TLee4]

Hi Runners! I am better at posting when the thread is still short! :o

Natasha, thanks for starting us out! What's on tap for YOUR weekend..you always seem to be doing fun things! :) Today is DH's birthday. We are celebrating at Red Lobster (he loves the place) with my parents tonight. Then tomorrow we're headed to a state park that I've never been to. We're going to spend the night there and take a vacation day on Monday, to celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary. Here's the link if anyone's bored!
http://starvedrocklodge.com/

Elizabeth, I'm definitely not an expert on heart rates, but I usually figure that if I FEEL good, even though the number is higher than usual, I don't worry about it.

Hi Les. I found your temp chart interesting too. As well as the weighing in thing. So is the goal for your pre and post weigh in to be about equal, because you've drank enough fluids to replace the sweating? I would be interested to try that. I sweat SO MUCH (especially running inside..or I guess you just notice it more there b/c there is no wind to wick it off) but I try to drink plenty also.

Well, I'm on track with week 2 of my half-marathon training. (It's pretty easy to do these beginning runs..they are short!) Today only calls for a 5 miler, but I think I'll do 6 for good measure.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Terri

[Leslie Ferguson]

Hey Terri Starved Rock Lodge looks like a blast. I hope you enjoy your DH Birthday and your 7th anniversary. I almost remember my 7th - I think we were in Norfolk for that one (I remember them based on where I have live most of the time). As for weighing in, the target should be weighing as much at the end as you did at the beginning or maybe a little more (but not too much). That way you are taking in as much as you sweat out and you aren't either over or under hydrated. Personally, I find it difficult on a long run to weigh the same because of potty stops etc. I was down about 1-1.5 pounds today - less than 1% - so that is pretty good in my opinion. I think my coach would have liked the two weights to be equal though. And I'm the opposite when it comes to heart rate because my resting rate is so slow (something in the low 40s) that if my HR gets anywhere close to 85% I'm starting to get either winded or dehydrated and either way I'm getting very concerned. But then there are people who get to 85% (or higher) without issue. Darn it if people aren't different all around. ;) :D

My running report - we did a leisurely 12 miler today. Shelby (3:15 marathon) and I paced another lady who isn't that fast (and she tends to run her long runs too fast and our coach wanted us to "keep her in check" so she didn't get hurt again) at 9:30-9:45 pace. I know - that may be faster than most (sorry :o ) but based on Shelby and my typical pace that was downright pedestrian.

Off to get some new scooters. I think mine are dead/dying since I've had them for almost 3 months and I've done a bunch of miles and my knees hurt - that is the telling thing that it's time to get new tread on the feet. I may also take a look at bikes since the store is right across the street from my favorite running store (darn the bad luck ;) ).

Check you all later runnahs and swift runs to all,
Les

[beckms]

Ugh. Ugh ugh ugh. It is HOT. And my AC died in my car, so it was a sweltering ride home from work today! All of the animals are just suffering in this heat; I really feel terrible for the poor sheep! Imagine walking around in a wool sweater when it's 90 degrees out!

I have totally gotten out of my routine. After the marathon relay, I suffered badly from the "I just ran in a race, so I can take it easy for a few days" syndrome. Unfortunately it stretched into two weeks!:o :o

So last night I went to the gym and ran 4 on the treadmill, and it went surprisingly well, except that I was totally drenched by the end because it was so humind. I might as well have run outside!:p

Today I'm waiting until the last possible moment to go to the gym for weights...maybe it will cool down a bit.

I'm going to try to get myself back into the swing of things by getting into a training program for a 10K. I'm going to run the Tufts 10K for Women again in the fall.

Next week I'm off to Montana for a week! I can't wait! :D

Happy anniversary, Terri!:cool:

[Leslie Ferguson]

A wool sweater when it's 90 out - no thank you! Soory that your AC is out - that must really suck right now with the weather like it is in Boston. Hopefully the weather breaks soon so you don't have to sweat it (no pun intended). Of course, since you're going to Montana I'll wager it won't be that hot there. Of course I've been known to be wrong. Yuck on having a hot and humid gym too.

I had a very fortuitous "score" this afternoon. I had forgotten that my favorite running store was having its Anniversary sale and EVERYTHING was 20% off! Score. So I picked up a pair of Brooks Radius after trying on NB 764, Asics Gel Cumulus VII, and Nike Pegasus 2005. The Pegs were the worst of the group (and the "upgrade" to the ones I was wearing). After that it was a tough sell but I think I have a good pair of scooters in the Brooks - only time will tell.

I'm interested to hear how the day went for Natasha and the rest of the runnahs. But I guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow so signing off for now.

Happy trails,
Les

[TLee4]

Wow, Les, big score at the running store! And good job on your SLLOOWWW run. :) (Yep, that pace would have been just right for me!)

Rebecca, that is sad about the animals (and you in your car!) My long-haired black Shih Tzu does not appreciate the heat. I keep trying to take her out for a little tiny walk, and she ends up sitting down under the first tree that we come to and looking at me like "you have GOT to be kidding"!!

Well, I'm off to start our Starved Rock trip. Wish I could say I'd be doing some running, but DH is not a runner. Hiking will be great though.

Terri

[Miss Giggles]

TLee thats funny, I had a dog awhile ago and when I took her for a walk and she got tired she'd sit down. We had to carry her back a couple of times.

Rebecca-sorry about the air conditioning.

I got off my lazy butt and walked.. tomorrow I should be able to run on the treadmill (hopefully)

[ktg0930]

Terri, hope you're having a fun time away!

Rebecca, how horrible about your AC! That's horrid in this weather!

Les, good job on the slooow run...it's about my pace too!

Miss Giggles...walking, running, any exercise is good in my book!

I ran yesterday and today. Both days were hot, but yesterday was worse because today there was a nice breeze this morning. This morning, I heard a car slow down next to me and a woman said that she sees me out most days and gave me an "atta girl". It was nice. Then later, I ran by a house where people we sitting outside and heard them say "she's insane".

Hope everyone is staying cool! I'm taking tomorrow off and it's supposed to be hotter than today.

Kathy

[Natasha]

Originally posted by ktg0930

I ran yesterday and today. Both days were hot, but yesterday was worse because today there was a nice breeze this morning. This morning, I heard a car slow down next to me and a woman said that she sees me out most days and gave me an "atta girl". It was nice. Then later, I ran by a house where people we sitting outside and heard them say "she's insane".


Kathy

Isn't it funny how peoples' perspectives differ? I've witnessed the same thing when running on extra hot or extra cold days. Some people are impressed/supportive, while others are disbelieving or sure that I'm nuts. Good luck with the paper writing tomorrow!

Miss Giggles, ditto what Kathy said. At least you got out and walked! :)

Les, that's great about the sale! Very exciting to pick up running shoes and on sale no less. Good luck with the Brooks. BTW, I like the "weighing in/weighing out" idea for summer running.

Rebecca, that's awesome that you're going to get to go to MT next week. Enjoy!

Terri, I guess I've missed you, but how was the lodge?? Happy belated birthday to your husband.

Elizabeth, how's the weather now? Better, I hope :)

This weekend has been good but busy so far. I did get in a run and some "ellipticaling", and the rest of the weekend was spent cross training, in a manner of speaking. My husband and I built and put up two fence posts and gates with our neighbour/good friend and another good friend. It was hard work at times, especially in the heat, but satisfying and fun for the most part. :) Yay team! We also relaxed and socialized, made some tasty but relatively quick meals, did stuff around the house and some gardening, and so on.

Hi Seathyme, Bethany, Mary, Meg, Susan, Laura, Maureen, and everyone else!

Natasha

[Leslie Ferguson]

I'm with Kathy there Miss Giggles - walking, running, hiking, biking - it's all exercise to me and it will all ultimately help you reach your running goals. Just ask Natasha - she did lots of interesting things to prepare for her marathon, snowshoeing for 30 km is one thing I remember and I've done lots of elliptical and other exercise to prep for running so...
I can only imagine how hat it must be up there Kathy because it's pretty beastly down here and it is supposed to be hotter up there. Of course I will probably speak too soon for this week (it's supposed to be in the middle 90s with high humidity here - gotta love the Great Dismal Swamp). It sounds like you've earned a day off tomorrow and I hope your paper writing is without block.
Great cross training Natasha. Putting up fence is a good upper body workout and if you have to dig post holes then you get the bonus leg workout.

My cross training went well - lifted weights again, a little heavy but that's not bad. I think I'm going to start training for something besides Rock 'n Roll half. Another one of my running partners (from last year) is looking at running Kiowa Island in December. Maybe that will be a test run for me (might try the marathon distance based on my last appointment) or if not I'll do the half to pace her a little.

Looking forward to breaking in my new scoots tomorrow. :cool: Happy Sunday and a great week for seathyme, Scout, Mary, Susan, Elizabeth, and...

Happy trails,
Les

[Elizabeth B]

Hello all!

Les, thanks for your heart rate info. On last Wednesday's run, I drank 8 oz of water and 16 oz of gatorade on a 55 minute run. My weight does fluctuate a lot before/after a long hot run - about the same as yours, around 5 lbs for a 90 minute run. I've been pushing it a little bit lately trying to increase my speed, but I don't feel dehydrated, exhausted, etc.

It was cooler here over the weekend (thanks to Tropical Storm/Depression Arlene). It rained, but the rain kept the temperature down. I ran on Saturday - it was sprinking and the weather report didn't show any sign of improvement so I decided to get out there. I ended up running off the paved trail and got drenched. I found some old black dress shoes in the trunk that I wore home because my running shoes were so soaked. So I arrived home drenched, grass and mud on my legs, with running clothes and black heels. What a picture, huh?

Kathy - I've had people make similar comments, but normally in the winter. And it seems as though it's usually older men who are concerned about my well-being. I've also had some older men tell me I needed to pick up the pace a little, but that's another subject...

Les - That's great that the running store was having a sale. I wish I could figure out when my running store has sales. Running shoes are expensive!

Take care, all. No running for me tonight - strength training class instead!

[badunnin]

Hello all! I finally got out again last night. Man is it humid. But, I was out, I felt good, it's done. It's cooled off a bit today, but it's raining, so still very humid.

I'm off to nap while I can - the wee ones are sleeping (I'm SO not cut out for motherhood!!!!)

[Leslie Ferguson]

Bethany - Your motherhood comment is so funny knowing "what" your children are. Are the kittens getting bigger already. I bet the three of them all have fun personalities and love to get into things.
Elizabeth - I'm glad you got a break with the TS/TD rolling through. Your description of your post run attire is funny. I bet you were a sight to see. For the most part the good running shoe stores around here don't have sales. My favorite only has one predictable sale a year (their anniversary) but otherwise the only way I can get a break is to "talk nice" to the clerk and get a 10% break or to buy shoes off the lucky wall (last year's models that are limited in stock).

I had a good but hot run today. I think the Heat Index topped out at about 95 while I was running. It looks like we could have a blistering summer but we'll probably have lots of rain (thunderstorms most every night in Norfolk).

Back to work but thought I'd report my run. TTFN,
Les

[badunnin]

Originally posted by Leslie Ferguson
Bethany - Your motherhood comment is so funny knowing "what" your children are. Are the kittens getting bigger already. I bet the three of them all have fun personalities and love to get into things.

The stories I could tell. ;) We have 2 rules in this little family now - no butt-sucking (in the absence of a mother, they will try to nurse on each others' anus :o ) and no ball-biting. They are really funny though, still in that tumbly stage where they can't run in a straight line or take more than 6 steps without falling over.

Time to put them back down and go for MY run!

[TLee4]

Hi all. Sounds like you die-hards are running in the heat. Me, I just got back from my 4 miles on the treadmill. It was a lovely 64 degrees in there. :) It's great to be on a training program though. Today is a perfect example of a day I would have blown off my run except that I had to check it off on my training schedule!

Our stay at the state park was great and the lodge was wonderful. We did do some hiking, and got our heart rates up for a few minutes at least, climbing the trails!

Terri

[Leslie Ferguson]

Bethany - ROTFLMAO! Just thinking about 3 kittens doing those things makes me laugh so hard I think I may wet my pants (ok not really but you get my point).
Terri - Running in 64 degree temps - that's heaven. I'm only a glutton for punishment - and I like to prove that running in the heat does take more effort than running the same distance not in the heat. I think I was about 15 seconds per mile slower than Thursday last week. That might not sound like much but it is the difference between 8:00 and 8:15 miles. I'm glad you had a good trip to the park - sounds like a blast!

Did anyone else see the tidbit today about how much more difficult it is to walk or run in the sand? It takes between 2-3 times more effort to walk in the sand and about 1.6 times as much effort to run in it. Now I'll have to take advantage of that training device (we've got tons of sand around here).

Not much to post except that I'm off to never-never land. Until tomorrow,

Happy trails,
Les

[Miss Giggles]

Theres so sand or hills around here... just parking lots.

I stay indoors.. I give up with the sneezing, rain , tornadoes, etc.

For now :D

[SusanMac]

Hi all! I've enjoyed tracking everyone's workouts & updates this past week. I just haven't had much of a chance to post anything myself.

Had a great ride last Sun. My last long one (64 miles) before my next tri, which is 2 weekends away. Over this past week I've somehow gotten a horrible back & abdomen ache. It wakes me up each night. Not good. Have no idea what it is. I swam today, which felt really really good, even though it didn't help work out the pain at all. I'm kind of afraid to bike or run. Will need to bite the bullet & call the dr. today to hopefully get an appt.

Stay cool! Stay dry! Keep running! Good luck with the kitties :-)

[Leslie Ferguson]

Originally posted by SusanMac
... Over this past week I've somehow gotten a horrible back & abdomen ache. It wakes me up each night. Not good. Have no idea what it is. I swam today, which felt really really good, even though it didn't help work out the pain at all. I'm kind of afraid to bike or run. Will need to bite the bullet & call the dr. today to hopefully get an appt...
Yikes! I'll say one for you too. I hope it isn't anything too drastic that could take you out of your race. I'm sure it's something simple.

Boy was it hot here today but it really wasn't that bad at lunch today but I didn't run. I think the Heat Index was about 105 - survivable if I have my Camelbak (but I didn't). And even though the thermometer showed 96 (at 6:45) when I started the breeze that was present coupled with my forward momentum was sufficient to make a decent 15.7 mile ride. It felt good and I was well spent by the end of the ride. Now all I need for the perfect day is to fall asleep faster tonight than last night (finally fell asleep by ~1 am).

Happy trails,
Les

[Natasha]

Susan, good luck at the doctor and feel better soon!

Les, good going on the ride. Do I ever believe that about sand, based on my experiences with running and walking on it. Oh Bethany -- want to go running on the sand with me when we come visit you this summer? :) :D

Hi to everyone else. Gotta go. Have a good day!!
Natasha

[badunnin]

Originally posted by Natasha
Oh Bethany -- want to go running on the sand with me when we come visit you this summer? :) :D



The trails at the State Park are actually pretty sandy. One of the reasons I like them. ;)

[Natasha]

Originally posted by badunnin


The trails at the State Park are actually pretty sandy. One of the reasons I like them. ;)

Bring 'em on! Whoo hoo!! :D

[Leslie Ferguson]

Ok ladies - let us get a word in edge-wise. :cool:

Reporting in on my run today. It was a little cooler (I think) than yesterday and I actually got out for a run. The Heat index was between 93 and 95 (darn - that's not that hot) and I carried my Camelbak. Felt it a little in my legs but still pushed through an hour's work on the road. Feels good to have it off the scope for the rest of the day.

Happy hump day all and until later...

Happy trails,
Les

[SusanMac]

Another good swim today, followed by a sit in the whirlpool.

Les - when your got your pre-Boston injury, I know you did a ton of x-training, mostly pool running. Remind me how many days a week you kept up aerobic activity. Did you still feel strong going into Boston?? I can't get in to see the Dr. til Wed (3 days before my race). My back is feeling better, and I'm itchin' to run, but am thinking I should just stick with the non-impact stuff for a few more days at least. Luckily, my goal at this race is to finish, but it is my target race of the season so would like to feel good about it. Would love any recap & lessons learned from your Boston marathon experience.

[Natasha]

Originally posted by Leslie Ferguson
Ok ladies - let us get a word in edge-wise. :cool:



Les

Sorry Les. I wasn't trying to monopolize the conversation :o Good going on the run! Thank goodness for those Camelbaks, huh?

Speaking of heat running, I took the June Runner's World out of the library and enjoyed the article on just that. It was mostly common sense, but still had some good anecdotal stuff and we can all use a reminder now and again about what to do/not to do when running in heat (at least I know I can use the reminder!).

Susan, I'm not Les (obviously!) but my humble opinion would be to agree with your inclination to stick to non-impact for now. You're so close to your race and have invested so much time and energy training for it - so if I were you I'd play it safe. I think you might be surprised at how much cardio you'll retain since it's not that long between now and then, and as you said your goal is to finish. I've had to resort to non-impact now and again while nursing an injury (okay, I know we all have) and have never regretted having played it safe. Good luck, and good going on the swim!!

Natasha

[Leslie Ferguson]

Susan - Pre-Boston I was off for about 3 weeks. I ran 10 of 22 miles 3 weeks out and pool ran that day for almost 2 hours. A typical week's training schedule was:

Mon Elliptical 45-60 minutes (or off)
Tue Bike ~ 60 minutes
Wed Elliptical or off
Thu Bike ~ 60 minutes
Fri Rest
Sat Bike with the runners then pool run for ~ 2 hours
Sun Weights

The worst thing for me was elliptical days - too close to a running motion in my ankle - so if any day was off it was an elliptical day. If I felt the need for training I did a bike ride.

Based on your symptoms I agree with Natasha - stay away from biking and running. You won't lose that much fitness in the next couple weeks. I also recommend that if you can swim then do that maybe even alternate with pool running if you are able. I'm for soaking in the whirlpool or spa every chance you get. One way to look at it (and I can tell you already have) is that you will finish, but right now what you do will most likely have an impact on how you feel when you finish. Rest as much as you need to and non-impact is the key to training for the duration (of course I'm neither a doctor nor a running coach/trainer).

Please let us know what you choose and how your cross training goes.

Let me mull a little more too - I may be able to come up with some more stuff in the morning.

Good evening all...
Les

[SusanMac]

Well, my biking club is out riding right now. :-( I want so badly to be with them, but decided to stay home. I keep remembering Les' & Natasha's advice to be safe & not tempt fate. They are doing interval workouts tonight. And I know that no matter what I told myself ahead of time, I wouldn't be going a nice safe pace tonight. Working out with a group just always makes you push a little bit harder.

I will try going out for a spin on my own tomorrow and see how I feel. I'm also going to a local bikram yoga class that I like to see if that will help stretch out my back & get a few toxins out. DH is worried that I'll strain something, but I actually think the regimented stretching will be useful.

Did another 1500m swim today, and felt the strongest of all week. Since my last race I decided to bag the drills & focus on endurance/consistant swimming. I can already tell a difference.

Miss G - have you been swimming lately?
TLee - the weather is fantastic this week! Have you ventured off the mill & made it outside for a run yet?
Seathyme - are you settled back into work mode yet? keeping up with either running or yoga in your new schedule?

[Miss Giggles]

No.. maybe tomorrow.. I keep changing my mind .. I've been lazy and only going 3 times a week to the gym..

[Leslie Ferguson]

Susan - You were good to not go out with the group, especially when they were doing intervals. I know it is hard to not "do something" but riding/running with a group is difficult when you are trying to nurse an injury/body misalignment. I don't think that your yoga class will be bad either - you'd have to work pretty hard to strain something. Have you thought of massage therapy or chiropracty? Either one may be the trick to help you over the hump (as it were). I agree with your trying to do steady swimming as opposed to drills right now. 1500m is a good swim too. I hope something good comes from your rest - drink plenty of water to help flush your system too.
Miss Giggles - Well at least you've been at the gym 3x a week. Just think how easy it will be to turn one of those days into a swim day.

We had a track workout on the schedule tonight but I skipped it for lots of good reason not the least of which was no food in the house to speak of. It wouldn't have done to not eat after a hard workout so I stopped at the groc then came home and rode 19+ miles. Funny, I didn't finish until about 8 pm and had no issue eating at 8:30 (which would have been the same time I would have sat down if I had run - go figure). Still, 19 miles in the heat and over all the bridges and rough road was a blast! :cool:

Hello seathyme and the rest of the gang...

Looking forward to a new week tomorrow and will probably take a rest day before running 15 (I think) on Saturday. Until tomorrow - happy trails runnahs.

Les