Virtual Running Buddies - Week of June 18

[ktg0930]

I don't have much to report, but thought I'd start us out this week.

I have been unmotivated this week and have only made it out running one day (in my Mon-Sun week which differs from the Fri-Thurs VRB week). I am having problems getting up in the morning, but am planning to run when I get home from work. Tomorrow I have class and then Sunday I have to continue working on my paper for school. I'm traveling to Phoenix and Denver for work Wed and Thurs, but taking my running stuff along with me.

Hope everyone is well and have a wonderful weekend!

Kathy

[Leslie Ferguson]

Wow - what a quiet day. Thanks for starting us this week Kathy. Sorry you've had the funk with running. I bet it will change a little as the weather starts to behave. I hope you have a safe trip to Phoenix and Denver next week and good for you to take your running gear, I always find that I become accustomed to a new place by running to reset my body clock.

No work out today - resting for tomorrow because I'll probably do about 15 miles when all is totaled up. Not that far but far enough to need to be prepared. My Camelbak is chilling in the fridge - I've got 48 oz on tap (so to speak) for tomorrow. I hope it stays like they've forecast for the weekend - warm but mild and no rain because the painter is getting ready to start on trim and borders after spraying the whole body of the house today.

That's all that is fit to print. It's time to wrap up and get some sleep.

Until tomorrow -- happy trails,
Les

[beckms]

Hi everyone!

Ktg--sorry top hear about your funk. I've been in one for what seems lkike months now. Maybe a change of scenery will do you good.

Les--Have fun on your long run today! A Camelbak is one of those things I wish someone would think to give me for Christmas or a birthday...they're so handy! I borrowed one when I went on a bike ride across MA and NY, and it was great to not have to reach down and mess with a water bottle.

I'm in Montana!!!! I can't even tell you how spectacular it is here. Any words I could use to describe the scenery would just be cliche. I'm staying with a friend in Bozeman, and she has views of the mountains from her living room!

Yesterday I convinced her to go running with me, because I wanted to see how the altitude would affect me in preparation for the hike we had planned for the afternoon (I had been noticing a shortness of breath just walking around, which is such a strange sensation!). We ran about a mile (she was out of practice!) and I was totally fine. Our hike was 6 miles round-trip, not too bad elevation-wise, and very enjoyable.

Today we're going horseback riding, and BF arrives tonight. He took his medical board exam yesterday (8 hours!!!:eek: ) and wants to celebrate with us tonight. Luckily for us, beers are only $2.50 each! :D A far cry from Boston, I tell you...

Happy running, all!:cool:

[jenmezzo]

Well hello again!

What a crazy week or so it has been--I have been lurking and trying to keep up reading a bit but crazed with a couple of weddings and being the head musical honcho last weekend at church. This week it was vacation bible school and coming home exhausted after three hours teaching music at preschool fever pitch! Add to that our A/C going out for two days during the hottest muggiest weather we have yet had and now a busted water line in our front yard which will be fixed by DH and running partner's DH on Monday----GRRR what a week. Sometimes I just have to laugh out loud!!!!

Anyway, ran Tuesday in the brutal humidity and eked out 40 minutes--single worst run of the season, just gross the whole time--then got a better 35 or so in this morning with the Dood.

Oh, and the A/C is up and running after DH did some research online and made a few phone calls to track down and replace an $11 part! YEE HAH!! So there is good amidst the annoying:p

Anyway, thanks to Kathy for getting the thread started. Les, hope you had a great long run and that you are enjoying the same break in humidity that we have the last couple of days. Beckms--what a good idea to put a Camelbak on wish list for birthday/holiday gift. And a great idea of something to get runner friends as well.

Hope everyone else is doing great and having a great time out there!

Run on!

[SusanMac]

Happy weekend everyone! Sounds like everyone is having a good weekend, even amidst a few running funks.

Beckms - I've always wanted to go to Montana. It's one of those places where you kind of have to make a reason to go, ya know? I picture the scenery from A River Runs Through It in my head. Have a great trip! And congrats to BF on his exam. Whew.

Les - Hope your long run goes well today. Not having any pain issues at 15 miles? That is fantastic.

I just got back from rowing practice. I'm not rowing due to my back issues, but cox'd a high school learn-to-row class. It was their very first time on the water ever. I love that moment! Now, I'm headed out for a swim. I did a bikram yoga class yesterday, which felt really nice on my back. The pain's not gone, of course, but it felt good to stretch out. Tomorrow will be a test bike ride. I'm a bit nervous, but will be a good test.

Happy trails & roads everyone!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks for checking in from Montana Rebecca, it sounds like you are having a wonderful time. Is this your first trip to the Big Sky state? It's been a lot of years since I've been there but remember that it was quite beautiful. I hope BF did well on his boards and that you had a good celebration with him. :cool: WTG on your run and hike.
Yep Jennifer we're enjoying a little bit of a break in the humidity here. A little humid for this morning's run but that's to be expected since we run through a swamp (literally). Some days it pours doesn't it. Luckily it was only an $11 part to fix your AC as opposed to a multi-hundred dollar part that had to be installed by the AC contractor ($75 minimum here in Norfolk).
It's good to hear that you had a good yoga class yesterday Susan. Best wishes to you tomorrow as you test out your back. I hope it's something easy to fix or is already fixed.

I didn't wuite get to 15 miles this morning but did get almost 14 in - and no pain. I think we've come full circle - no new orthotics, good cushioning shoes for neutral runners and relatively sane run distances. Oddly, I was very conscious today of water intake (based on weigh-in/weigh-out at the trail). I had 48 oz in my Camelbak to start with and rechaarged with 16 more mid run and drank a 12oz bottle of Gatorade for good measure - in total I drank ~ 72 oz of liquid today (I had left about 4 oz in the bag) and I actually put on about 1/2 pound during the run. Kind of goes to show you that you should shoot for about 8 oz per 15 minutes of running/speed walking - just like they recommend. Gee you'd think they knew what they were talking about... :rolleyes: Just for grins I may go out for a bike ride today - it's so beautiful and only about 81 right now - can't pass that up can I? :cool:

Happy trails and I'm looking forward to some check ins from some of the quiet ones - seathyme, Mary, et al.

Les

[Elizabeth B]

Hello Runners!

Rebecca - Montana sounds gorgeous and it's great that your high altitude run went so well.

Jennifer - Sorry about your home issues - our problems usually happen in cold weather (and when we have out-of-town visitors)!

Les - I'm glad the new "scooters" are working out for you!

We've had a break in the heat and humidity here in Tennessee and the weather has been beautiful! My running partner and I went for a run yesterday (Friday)on our usual running trail and had a great run - it was my fastest time yet for 4 miles. Unfortunately when we got back to the trailhead, we discovered that someone had broken into her vehicle and stolen her purse and backpack. Luckily her credit cards weren't used and they only got $11 in cash, but they stole a $90 pair of Asics and her heart rate monitor (among other things). We have our long run tomorrow. She's been on vacation for a couple of weeks and it's nice to have her back running with me - we have a great time!

Take care and happy runnings, all!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Elizabeth - That's terrible that your running partner's car was broken into. I'd bet it wasn't a runner - don't ask why I think that but I'm used to runners leaving other runners stuff alone. At least they didn't get much and they didn't use her credit cards. Still a bummer to have to cancel her cards etc. I'm glad you have been sharing in the good weather these days. It's been grand down here (over here?).

I couldn't pass up going out for a bike ride. What a beautiful day for a spin around the neighborhoods. It was probably 80 with a stiff breeze out of the east (no big deal except it knocked off a few mph when I was headed in that direction).

I guess... happy weekend runnahs and I'll "see" you all tomorrow.

Happy trails,
Les

[Mimeea]

:o I guess its about time I poked my head in here.

Rebecca- Hope you have a great time in Bozeman. I have a great aunt who lives there, and while I've never gotten the chance to visit, the pictures I've seen have been gorgeous.

Susan- Interesting you mention first-time rowing. I had the opportunity when I was in Boston last summer to learn to row for a day. I had never done it before, but it felt great to be out on the Charles river rowing. I was with friends, and it was by no means a workout, but fun, nevertheless.

I did a 6 mile Father's Day Fun Run. I'm not sure why they didn't make in a 10k, but oh well. I wasn't sure how I would do, considering I didn't run at all this week (bad me :o) but I ended up keeping a consistent 9 minute per mile pace throughout the race. I wasn't able to stay for the awards, but I had a nice time regardless.

I put my marathon training schedule into my computer's calendar. I start training June 28! That gives me a week to run without a schedule, but I'm sure I'll figure something out. ;)

I hope everyone has a great Father's Day!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Howdy Meg - good to hear from you. I'm glad you had a good run today and isn't it odd how we've become conditioned to run metric events (with the exception of marathon and half-marathons) that when we run a "mile" event it sounds funny? I hope you have a fun last week of runing for yourself before training starts. But I would recommend trying to keep your perspective of running as something you are doing for you and your honoree rather than a "schedule" thing - then the miles aren't that "hard" to stomach.

Today was a cross train day (as always) and I got a good weight set in this afternoon. I may be feeling it tomorrow a little, especially in my right shoulder (gotta love Arthur-itis).

Off topic but I'm really proud of this - for lots of reasons that are too difficult to explain, my father took and passed his EMT-Basic test in Appomattox VA this past week. He's been a volunteer ambulance driver for a couple years but because he wasn't an EMT they always had to wait for 2 EMT before he could depart on a run (he lives and works only 1 mile from the Rescue Squad). So now my father the Father is the oldest (I'd bet) EMT in Appomattox at age 66. Just goes to show you that you can do whatever you set your mind to. Ain't that grand?

Hope everyone had a great weekend and that the week brings lots of good runs and cross training days. Also hope that Susan is feeling better this week.

Happy trails,
Les

[MaryH]

Good morning all. I am now officially on vacation. (I have four weeks, the longest I've taken in a number of years.) I do have to get in my mini-rant of the morning though. So, the gym I belong to opened another location about 10-15 minutes away. I figured I'd try their spin class this morning because I am not all that enamored with the person who teaches the one at the gym I usually go to. (They have two good instructors but they teach maybe a total of three to four classes there in a week.)

OK. First off, if you're going to teach a spin class - GET on the BIKE! It's 5:30 in the morning, not social/happy hour. (Sorry, I am not really that social that early.) Do NOT worry about your makeup and stop chit chatting. Oh, and cadence is something you should figure out. Just because you can spin really, really fast, does not mean much. Stop dancing throughout the room. I could go on, but I think I got most of it out of my sytem. My challenge was to just try to focus on the music and enjoy. Needless to say, I won't be going back to THIS class. (Which is why, Terri, I appreciate so much when you have a really good spin instructor - yes I include you in that group. :) )

But other than that I am in a good mood. Got my workout done. Don't have to really be anywhere and next week we leave for the caost for a week in Cambria. And after that it may be off to the Northern California coast (Eureka/Arcata and the redwoods).

[MaryH]

And to show that I REALLY AM in a good mood, I give you this for your morning enjoyment (courtesy of www.coolruuning.com).

YOU KNOW YOU'RE ADDICTED TO CYCLING WHEN:

Your surgeon tells you need a heart valve replacement and you ask if you have a
choice between presta and schrader.

A measurement of 44-36-40 doesn't refer to the latest Playboy centerfold, but
that new gear ratio you were considering for your Cobra.
A Power Bar starts tasting better than a Snickers.

The bra your significant other finds in your glove compartment belongs to your
Trek and not the cute waitress at Denny's.

You wear your heart monitor to bed to make sure you stay within your target zone
during any extracurricular activities.

The funeral director tells you "NO!" you can't ride your Cannondale in the
funeral procession, even if you keep your headlight on.

You experience an unreasonable envy over someone who has bar end extenders
longer than yours.

You're too tired for hanky-panky on a Friday night but pump out a five-hour
century on Saturday.

Your wife tells you the only way she'll let you ride across the country is over
her dead body and you tell her, "If that's the case, you'll be my first speed
bump!"

You no longer require a hankie to blow your nose.

You have stopped even trying to explain to your spouse why you need two
bikes...you just go buy another one and figure it will all work out in the
divorce settlement.

You buy your crutches instead of renting.

You convert your car's brake and gas pedals to clipless.

You see nothing wrong with discussing the connection between hydration and urine
color.

You find your Shimano touring shoes to be more comfortable and stylish than your
gunboat sneakers.

You refuse to buy a couch because that patch of wallspace is taken up by the
bike.

You have more money invested in your bike clothes than in the rest of your
combined wardrobe.

Biker chick means black spandex, not leather, and a Marinoni, not a Harley.

"Four cheeseburgers and four large French Fries" is for you.

You see a fit, tanned, Lycra-clad young woman ride by, and the first thing you
check out is her bicycle.

You empathize with the roadkill.

Despite all that winter fat you put on, you'll skim weight by buying titanium
components.

You use wax on your chain, but not on your car.

Your mud guards are made out of milk jugs.

Your first course when you eat out is a large banana split.

When driving, you yell "On Your Left!" on passing another car.

You yell "Hole!" when you see a pothole while driving your car.

Your bike has more miles on its computer then your car's odometer.

You wear your riding gloves when driving your car.

You wear your bike shorts swimming.

You wear Charles River Wheelmen T-shirts all the time, including under dress
shirts.

Your bikes are worth more than your car.

You buy a mini-van and immediately remove the rear seats to allow your bike(s)
to fit.

When you move to a new area the first thing you look for is a bike shop.

You have more bike jerseys than dress shirts.

You take your bike along when you shop for a car - just to make sure the bike
will fit inside.

You use the Yakima or Thule 'Fit Catalog' to pick your next new car instead of
Consumer Reports.

You start yelling at cars to "hold your line."

You're comfortable bumping elbows with step vans.

You view crashes as an opportunity to upgrade components.

You clean your bike(s) more often then your car.

You're on the Board of Directors for a Bike Club.

You spend weeks during the summer spraying arrows on the sides of roads.

You and your significant other have and wear identical riding clothes.

You mount a $600 cap, on a $1,000 pickup truck, so your $3,000 bike doesn't get
wet.

You can't seem to get to work by 8:30 AM, even for important meetings, but you
don't have any problems at all meeting your buddies at 5:30 AM for a hammerfest.

You can tell your spouse, with a straight face, that it's too hot to mow the
lawn and then bike off for a century.

You regard inter-gender discussion of genital pain as normal.

You know your cadence, but you have no idea what your speed is.

When driving your car you lean over the steering wheel, just like an aerobar.

Your car sits outside your garage because your garage is full of bikes and
cycling gear.

You tailgate a semi-trailer to get the drafting effect.

You know your Bike Nashbar customer number by heart.

You hear someone had a crash and your first question is "How's the bike?"

You smile at your evening date, and she politely points out that you seem to
have bugs in your teeth.

[Laura]

MaryH, I think that list describes a lot of people in CO that I know. I drove up to Winter Park CO on Saturday and was just amazed at the people riding their bikes up those passes! My exciting news is that I ran 5 miles on Saturday. What is even better is that I had only planned on running 3, but I felt good so I kept going. Mind you, it was on the treadmill as it was way too hot to run outside, but I haven't run 5 miles since February. The key was that I started really slow (I mean really, really slow), but it kept my legs and lungs from tiring too early. Hope everyone has a great week ahead. Mary enjoy your vacation -- 4 weeks, I am so jealous!

[SusanMac]

Happy Monday runners!!

MaryH - *Love* your list! So much of it is true for us (except for the divorce settlement ones!! We need to add something about shaving legs in there. And, we never, ever match clothes, although I see a lot of other people doing it). It sounds like you got an avid ex-Jazzercise instructor for your spin class. With 4 weeks of vacation, this kind of stuff will just roll off your back by the end of it.

Laura - Good to hear from you. Congrats on the long run. I've really enjoyed reading your other "experiment" thread about losing inches.

Les - Very, very cool about your dad! Have you picked any other tris for the summer?

Meg - Enjoy your last week of non-training-schedule running!

I am in a very, very good mood because I've now had 2 days with no back pain! Woo hoo! I know I need to be cautious this week, with my race on Saturday, but I'm feeling much more confident. I rode 17 miles on Sunday, then later in the afternoon when my back still felt good I ran 30 minutes (my first run since the tri on 6/5). Geez, my legs felt tired! DH & I rode our bikes out to a nearby triathlon where some friends were competing. It was fun to just watch, and definitely a good mental booster for this weekend.

Today is a little trip to my favorite nearby lake for an open swim. Then tomorrow, I want to try a brick workout.

Hello to everyone else....Natasha, Elizabeth, MissG, Jen, TLee, Bethany, where is Seathyme??

[Leslie Ferguson]

Susan - That's great but like you said - take it easy this week, your race is Saturday. Still it is good to hear that you got a pain-free ride and run in yesterday. I know how big a boost that is. I know my Dad is stoked about his EMT-B certification too.
Mary - I always love the "you know you're a runner when..." posts. ROTFLMAO! :D
Laura - Good to hear from you too.

What a day... the heat broke and it was quite windy but I still had a decent run at lunch :eek: . I'm feeling my legs a little from yesterday but that seems to happen often. Maybe tomorrow I'll get out at lunch again - all good except my running group is running hills tomorrow beginning at 6:30 which I think is too late to start running so I'll shoot for something at lunch. Of course everything can't be perfect and so it follows that the only annoying thing as I started my week is I either tweaked my right shoulder or aggrevated my arthritis yesterday/last night because it's been really hard to move it today. Ah well - the signs of a well spent youth in my book.

I too am wondering where the wayward VRB might be. Has summer really taken over already?

Oh well until tomorrow happy trails,
Les

[jenmezzo]

Hi Gang!

The water is flowing again at Chez Seiger and I can't believe how excited I am to be able to clean and do laundry!!!!

LES--Glorious weather we are having! Yesterday evening was downright cool, and though I ran after 10 am, Doodle and I had an easy time zipping through 5 miles along the greenways and around the lake. So we enjoy it while it lasts! And congrats to your dad! How incredibly cool

:cool:

Susan--Glad your back is feeling better and just in time for the next big event! That is nifty getting to cox the youngsters their first time out.

Mary--love the list! And enjoy the vacation--how wonderful to be able to have such a chunk of time.

Laura--WTG on the 5 miler! I am a firm believer in starting slowly--especially in races where the crowd and the excitement can make you go way too fast too soon. I'm gonna check out the other thread Susan mentioned too!

Well, have a great day--need to get out while the air is still dry and sorta cool here--later!

[TLee4]

Originally posted by MaryH
(Which is why, Terri, I appreciate so much when you have a really good spin instructor - yes I include you in that group. :) )


Hi all! I'm just back from a little trip to Reno (and a day in the Bay area) and I'm catching up on the thread. How nice to see this compliment from Mary! :) (I could use any help I can get today..got home late last night and am dragging myself through the day, wishing for a caffeine drip!!)

Only have a minute here, so won't respond individually, but it's great to hear about all of the running going on. I did get in a 4 miler around a lake near my parent's house yesterday, which was great. I'm pretty much right on schedule in the half-marathon training program.

Happy running, all!
Terri

[SusanMac]

Howdy gang.

I played hooky a bit yesterday & did an open swim in a beautiful lake nearby. Kind of blew off much of my mid-day, which meant I had to work late when I returned. Can't complain, it was worth it. Beautiful, clear water, no motor boats & quite warm. I swam for 30 minutes, and am feeling much more confident about that leg of my race this weekend, which will be 1500m.

Today is a 1-hour bike ride, followed by a 30-minute run. Back is still doing OK, although I'm taking daily Alleve just to be safe. Keeping my fingers crossed that everything stays healthy.

TLee - good to hear from you. Glad you're on track for your goal race.

Les - be careful on your midday hbnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn nnnnnnnnnnnnngggg (he, he! A message from my cat, Jake. I keep telling him he can't type). I was going to say be careful on your midday run & don't overheat.

Greetings to overyone else. Happy running!

[badunnin]

Geez you guys! STILL no running on my front. :( I've been such a slug lately! Mentally psyching myself up to go for a walk tonight. Really. I am.

On the personal front, I think I'm looking for a house. Due to a SNAFU on my part *blush in a big way* immigration will be delayed for another year. :( :( So, hopefully by the end of the summer now, I'll be a homeowner with 2 kittens and WILL NOT BE LIVING WITH MY PARENTS!

Happy trails...

[Miss Giggles]

Happy house hunting Bethany! Good time to buy ..

I haven't been running more than a few minutes at a time either.. had family in from out of town this week.. but things will get back to normal tomorrow..

[Leslie Ferguson]

Busy day...
Susan - I really do understand cat. It kind of looks like my "asleep at the keyboard" typing and makes about as much sense. Even if I hadn't had all the fun at Boston this year I always take it easy and hydrate correctly in the summer especially. I normally carry water in my Camelbak but there are fountains strategically placed around the base so I can find water about every 10-15 minutes. But after my IV after Boston I now completely realize the necessity of keeping an appropriate amount of fluids in my body during my runs. Take it easy on your back too - there's no need to hurt anything this close to your race. Answering your question from the other day I think I'm going to do the Sandman Triathlon in September as long as it doesn't interfere with my goal 1/2 marathon which is being run 1 October. Sandman will be interesting because the swim is in the ocean with surf and everything. They've actually called the swim on a couple occasions in the past couple years because of the conditions.
Jennifer - Isn't it grand the weather we're having these days? I know the other foot is going to hit and it's going to be thoroughly nasty soon. But I'll take low humidity around here any day.
Terri - Thanks for the check in. I'm glad you enjoyed your trip to the West including SF/Bay Area.
Bethany - I think I'm confused (which isn't that difficult). Regardless, have a good house hunting expedition - they don't move that fast so you don't have to bring out the big guns. ;) A good run (any run) will come soon enough - don't fret about it.
Miss Giggles - Howdy and like I said to Bethany - your runs will come when there are good and ready.

Speaking of which, I had a decent hill workout at lunch. As much as I don't mind a treadmill I think hill workouts are especially hard on the mill. I did 5 x 1/4 mile (6.0% incline) at my 5k pace and 1 x 1/4 (-3.0% incline) at the same pace. Quite an interesting workout but one that makes you feel great - especially when you are done. :D

Looking forward to hump day and the wrap-up of the week. Hope everyone is well and I'm wondering where seathyme and Natasha (especially) are.

Happy trails,
Les

[Angelina]

Goodmorning all!!

I am still nursing my heel spur and have had to give up on my little race tonight. Maybe I will just hang out in my company's rest area so that I am still involved somehow. :) Alas, I can barely walk! I am so sick of this. You guys think I can run on my toes? That wouldn't hurt! Or would it?

I have lost 25 pounds in the last couple of months, and I have energy to burn. Keeping in mind that I do not have access to a gym and have no special equipment at home, can anyone give me any ideas on what I can do? I want to start a weight training regimen and I want to split it up in days, as I would not have enough time to do it all in one day. How do I split up the areas of my body? Arms, legs, buns, back, shoulders, belly...I have too many body parts...:( ;)

Sorry for ranting on and on. Any ideas are appreciated!! :)

Angela

[SusanMac]

Angelina - We haven't heard from you in a while. Sorry that the heel spurs are still not fully recovered. You mentioned wanting to start weight training, but don't have equipment at home. So, I assume you're thinking of things like pushups and squats? There is a lot you can do, but darn it if I can't seem to ever be diligent enough to do them regularly! I'd suggest getting a balance ball, since they're cheap & offer a good variety of exercised to keep you interested. There are also a lot of good videos for balls or pilates that will walk you through a good list of exercises & are typically designed to be 30-minute workouts. I tend to be good at doing these during the winter, when I'm not working outdoors as much, but in the summer it all goes to heck.

Had a really good brick workout yesterday. My legs don't feel as strong as I'd like, but better than I expected, if that makes sense. My run felt really strong. My HR was high....but I don't know if that means I was really going faster, or just tired! Today, I've got a 30-40 minute run planned.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Howdy Angelina and Susan (and everyone else) I seem to have lost track of time and need to turn in but thought I'd post to "log" my workout. No running today but I had a decent bike ride around town this evening ~ 15 miles and felt great. My shoulder seems to be getting better so it was probably muscular but I'll still take the aspirin - just in case.

Oh well, I'm well past my bed time so until morning -- happy trails,
Les

[SusanMac]

My run yesterday went well & felt really good. I did 45 minutes, with a series of about 6 fartleks in the middle. Nice weather. Little humidity, which makes things more enjoyable.

Hoping to swim today, but the schedule is pretty hectic. And, with summer here, my gym has fewer times available for adult lap swim. Oh well. I feel prepared either way. We leave this afternoon for the long weekend & race on Sat. Judging from the website, they won't be posting immediate results. But, just in case anyone wants to check it out.....www.dutchmantriathlon.com

Have a great weekend everyone!

[Laura]

Just a quick hello to say that I got a quick 30 minute run in last night. I have discovered that when I start really slow, I actually enjoy my runs. Who knew??? ;). After my marathon I wasn't sure I would enjoy running again. Anyway, I went for a long walk this morning and probably won't run again until Sunday or early next week, but thought I would pop in to say hello.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Susan - Thanks for sharing the triathlon website. The race looks like it will be a lot of fun. Just take it easy getting there and also take it easy between now and Saturday even though it sounds like you are pretty much on top of your game and healed (or at least healthy).
Laura - Thanks for checking in and I'm glad that you are finally getting back to running and enjoying it. I was kind of worried after your race that you may have sworn off running for the duration.

I had a good run today at lunch. The conditions were grand - just a nice breeze and about 73-74 out. I ended up doing about 32 minutes at race pace (~7:15-7:20) and enough extra mileage to have about an hour of running. All total I think I did about 7.2-7.3 miles. And it felt good. :D

Looking forward to a little rest tomorrow but for now it was a good work out day.

Until later,
Les

[seathyme]

Hey runnahs,

My apologies for being MIA for quite awhile. It was an unplanned BB break. Just lots of stuff happening IRL -- not bad, but full -- you know how that is.

I have been running but with less intensity than before. And some mornings I even decide to walk :eek: instead. Most late afternoon or early evenings I am exploring yoga and still loving it.

Thought you might be interested in this article from today's NY Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/23/fashion/thursdaystyles/23Barefoot.html?
You have to register with them to read it, I suspect. If you'd prefer I'll post the whole thing. It's about running with and without shoes, starting with the curious fact that despite huge advances in shoe technology in recent years, injury rates among runners remain as high as ever. They claim that 65-80% of runners at all levels are injured each year. Some coaches believe that increased shoe stability has resulted in weaker feet, since feet don't have to do as much as before. Incidence of PF has gone up, apparently. Nike has now developed a super-thin shoe which Paula Radcliff is testing on about a third of her 140 (!) weekly miles. Some teams do sprints barefoot. Anyway it's foot food for thought.

Greetings to all -- hope you're well.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Welcome back seathyme, there was a lot of discussion at the symposium my coach attended in Boston at the Marathon that talked about the impact of shoes on runners. I didn't read the article yet but it seems that most of the Africans run at home without shoes and until they started racing outside Africa they didn't have foot injuries but since they've started wearing shoes they are injured almost nearly as often as everyone else. (Of course that may be what the article says...). My coach is trying to get me to run once a week without shoes - but I have to get to the beach or a place where there's soft grass to run in (no stickers).

A good day today and time to head in but I'll "see" everyone in the new thread tomorrow.

Happy trails,
Les