Virtual Running Buddies - week of July 7

[MaryH]

I guess I start. :cool: That's because I did actually get a run in this morning, about 4 miles. I was doing well on the training until I had five days in LA last week. I packed running stuff but it was so hot and muggy that I never did get any runs in (add to that, that I was across the street from the Burbank airport and had no inclination to run in that area in the mornings.)

My training schedule shows a short 3 mile run followed by a 7 miler on Sunday. Not sure that I should ramp up that fast so I may cut back the long run to 5-6 miles.

FWIW, I have my bib for Wharf to Wharf but I may not be able to go because of other commitments. If anyone would like to go as me (I'm pretty sure it's closed by now), PM me. ;)

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks for starting Mary. You tease me with the potential for the W2W race though. To be able to run in Santa Cruz again... that would be such a joy. Alas, I don't think that I can get there in late July. :(

I'm not running today - bad night last night and need to rest up for tomorrow's run. I'll answer here (and on last week's thread too):

2Hungry - It doesn't flood in Norfolk all that much but there are locations around town that flood often. Mostly they've gotten the flooding confined to streets because they have constructed sea walls (a misnomer - they actually keep the river out) along the Elizabeth River, Lafayette River, and Chesapeake Bay (in places) years ago. When the tides are at their highest the low lying areas in Norfolk flood. Not only are there rivers to add to the mix here but there's also the swamps (the Great Dismal Swamp is on the southern edge of Norfolk/Virginia Beach) as well as some other lesser known swamps.

Pretty much sums up the watery life in Norfolk/Hampton Roads (I guess that's why it is often called Tidewater too :rolleyes: ).

Check you all later.
Les

[SusanMac]

Happy Friday, runners! Is it the weekend again already? :-)

Mary - thx for kicking us off. Hope the b-ball tournament went well. Sorry you can't run W2W this year -- that's an annual rite of passage for you if I recall.

Les - You make riding by the oceanside sound wonderful! Glad you had a good ride. Enjoy your rest day

2Hungry - Your running plan w/DH sounds fun. Glad you guys can finally do it together.

Well, my hips are still quite sore today. Grrr. DH thinks it's just a mild overuse stress. It's not horribly bad, but I am very bummed about the timing. Went on a brief bike spin this morning to shake the cobwebs off. Was planning on a brief run, as well, but decided to play it safe and ditch the high-impact workout. We hit the road this afternoon to head to our race. It's near the in-laws, so will have a nice visit w/them for the weekend.

My race is Sat morning -- 500yd swim / 15mi bike / 5k run. This will be my first one w/separate transition areas, which has me a bit nervous from a planning perspective. Other than that, it will just be fun. Looking forward to a new course. This will also be the first time my in-laws get to watch me race. Not sure when I'll be online over the weekend, but will be sure to post a RR at some point.

Hope everyone has a great weekend! Greetings to the rest of the VRB gang!

[MNGirlTX]

Good luck on your race, Susan!

I ended up not going this morning...a little bit of a sinus headache and a "I don't feel good" phone call from my running buddy at 6:20 a.m. were enough to convince me to stay in bed. HOWEVER, I've got to get back to serious. Four miles on Saturday is no fun when you haven't done anything during the week.

Les, thanks for asking about my feet. They are almost cute, again ;) The blisters are gone. I just have a little bit of dry, peely skin where the 2 worst ones were.

I'll check back tomorrow after my torture - I mean, class :D . (Four miles plus drills if the ground is dry enough.)

Lori

[Kathy B]

Good morning all! Got in just under 4 miles early this AM, too, and the weather was a beautiful....64 degrees!

Sorry you didn't get a chance to run on your trip, Mary, but hot and muggy isn't very motivating. Good for you jumping right back in. I think 5-6 miles sounds perfect for your long run on the weekend as you are getting back into your routine. How was your daughter's tournament?

Les, thanks for posting the pics. Always nice to see the VRB's. :) Hope your back is feeling better. I had to laugh at the name "Great Dismal Swamp"! Sounds so inviting... :D

Elizabeth, your July 4th race and family get-together sound like a really great time. Glad you had so much fun!

Seathyme, nice to hear you were able to do 4 miles without incident. Are you practicing yoga on your own, now, or are you taking regular classes?

Susan, hope you had a relaxing rest day. Seven weeks does go really fast anymore. By that time, my kids will be back in school! I actually took DD shopping for school supplies yesterday. IMO it was pretty early to be doing that, but she got the list in the mail and it couldn't wait another day! "All the good stuff will be gone!" :rolleyes: Is your 1/2 IM over Labor Day weekend? Good luck with your race this weekend, and I hope your hips mend quickly!

Lori and 2Hungry, hope you guys have good runs today!

ETA, Lori, just saw your post. Sorry you didn't get your run in today, but tomorrow will be better. Just take it slow and easy and you will be fine. :)

After reading all the hydration comments, I think I will look into getting something and practice using it on short runs occasionally. If I start doing longer runs I will definitely take it along. But I generally don't run more than an hour, and my average runs are tending to be around 4 miles with sporadic forays into the 5-6 mile range. I also don't tend to run outside if the temps are 75 or more. (So far this summer I have been able to keep to that by running early in the morning). So overall I am not thinking it is essential for me to carry anything unless I start running more than the 6 mile/one hour limit or in hotter weather. But I will definitely keep it all in mind so I don't end up on the casualty list. Thanks for all your input!

Hi to everyone else and here's to a good weekend! :)

[MNGirlTX]

I knew there was something else I wanted to post. We got this in an e-mail from our coach this week, and it fits in well with the discussions we've been having:

HYDRATION

Many of you are new to running 5 days a week outdoors in the heat of the summer. The affects of running in the heat can be severe if you are not prepared in advance. A sedentary person should be consuming 64 oz. of water per day. For all of you, this will be the bare minimum of your daily consumption. What you consume before, during and after your runs should not be counted towards your daily minimum consumption.

Before you head out the door for your next run, you should consume at least 16 oz. 15-30 minutes prior. During your runs, you should be consuming 4-6 oz. every 15 minutes or so. A mouthful of water is about an oz. The amount you consume after a run depends on how much was lost. The only true gauge is to weigh yourself before and after your run. For each pound of weight lost, 16 oz. of water is needed to make up the difference.

[seathyme]

Hi all,

Susan, good luck with your race! I hope your hips loosen up with the rest you're giving them. I know how important that Half IM goal is to you.

Mary, I *wish* I could hop out to CA for W2W! If only it weren't 3000 miles away... and, we will be in Michigan by then where I hope to be running in the lovely, COOL mornings.

Lori, good luck with your torture tomorrow. :D It's for your own good, of course! Actually, I'm sure you'll feel a great sense of accomplishment when that workout is complete.

Kathy, I take a yoga class once a week from an excellent local Kripalu teacher, and the rest I do on my own at home. I took a private session with this teacher last February, at which she suggested I do the same practice daily for six months. At the time that sounded impossibly repetitive, but it's turned out to be wonderful. Every now and then I notice I've made great progress in balance or strength or flexibility, and the overall sense of health and well-being I've gained has been tremendous. The problem I've got is that I haven't been able to maintain equally strong focus on both yoga and running. One or the other ends up being primary at any given time, which shortchanges the other one. But in general I feel great, and have had minimal injuries (knock wood) for a couple of years -- which at age 44 I greatly appreciate -- so no real complaints. What is your yoga practice like?

Les, sorry about your bad night. I hope tonight is better, and that you have a good run tomorrow!

Hello to everyone else, and happy new VRB week. :cool:

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks all - I don't have the energy to really respond to your comments and the night is getting late. Great stories and posts and hopefully tomorrow evening (more later) I can really comment on some of your reflections/questions.

As I mentioned earlier I successfully rested today and went through some reflection on why I slept so poorly last night. Kind of irrational behavior or maybe a little downward spiral behavior. It seems that when I get frustrated with people (and I was very frustrated yesterday afternoon) I get angry. And when I get angry at other people I bottle the anger up which makes me more frustrated which makes me more angry which... I think you get the picture. It was so bad last night I had an exceptionally tight trap (left side) and a knot in my lower back. I think in total I was up 4 times last night (in ~6 hours sleep). Doesn't make for a lot of fun or sleep. Hopefully tonight is better.

Tomorrow will be a busy day. I'm starting with a run in the swamp (WOO HOO!) then I'll work from whenever I get to the Fabric store my wife works at until 6 pm. They are having the once a year sale and I'm going in to restock the bolts of fabric. They do more business in a day than they typically do in 5 weekends - and that's at 30-50% off. :eek: Anyway, the ladies cut fabric and ask us husbands to come in and tote bolts of fabric back to their general areas. I've been doing this for the past 4 years and it's nice to help. And it makes for a good upper body workout. That and I have a lot of fun helping the ladies pick colors (and I'm really pretty good - you can ask my wife).

But with that I need to hit the skids and sleep tonight. Until tomorrow evening (maybe) have a great one.

Happy trails and great and pain-free runs for the group,
Les

[Elizabeth B]

Hello all!

Susan - I'm excited to hear about your tri and nice that your in-laws will see you race. And yes, I was having problems with my hands/wrists while biking. They weren't numb, but they were sore, which is getting better.

Les - I'm sorry you were having problems that hindered your sleep. Every now and then, I lay awake at night and replay things that happened that day to figure out how I could have handled them differently, which isn't much fun. I think I remember you working at the Kathy's store for the annual sale last year, too. I'm sure she appreciates your help.

Lori - Thanks for your post on hydration. I'm trying to stay better hydrated in general, not just before runs and that has worked out well. I always welcome advice from the experts on the subject.

We're enjoying a little break from the heat the last few days and I'm loving it. Thursday night's run was very comfortable and I took advantage of that by pushing my pace a little. Today we ran for an hour and then biked for an hour - a challenge for me. The run was great, but I'm having trouble keeping up on my little sale bike and that is frustrating. I'm pedaling like Elliot in "ET" and the others riders are coasting past me.

Next week, DH and I are headed to a cabin on a nearby lake for a few days of R&R. Of course, I will be bringing my running gear. I'm hoping to work on my swimming while I'm there too. But other that that, loads of R&R, I promise.

Take care, all!!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Great post Elizabeth and quite interesting mental pictures of the little kid from ET peddling his bike for all he's worth. :D I hope you enjoy your R&R and get some good runs and swims in.

I "lied" yesterday - I'm not really in any condition to post a long response again tonight. My run this morning was good and the conditions were better than they had been in a long time. We ran 12 miles and felt really good. Still a little humid but the temp was only in the low 70s - something I can certainly take. :) Then for the fun of the day... I think I'd rather run another 12 miles instead of working at the fabric store. That was 6 1/2 hours of standing on a carpeted concrete floor. My hooves are tired and LW hit the hay early tonight (and I'm not far behind). She was up at 3:30 this morning and they opened the doors at 6:00 am. In all, she worked with the rest of the folks from the store and a lot of us temps until 6:00 pm. She is justifiably tired. After my run, standing on concrete and the upper body workout today I'm beat too so I'll call it quits and see you in the norning (hopefully).

Happy trails,
Les

[seathyme]

Elizabeth, perhaps Susan can tell us whether a "brick" is bike then run, or whether run then bike is also a brick. (Or perhaps a kcirb... :rolleyes: ) In any case, it sounds like a killer workout! Have a great vacation next week.

Les, I agree that all the hours in on the concrete floor could be tougher than the 12 miler. Good job on the run, and I'm sure LW appreciated your help.

I am happy to report another pain-free run yesterday. Like some of you, our weather has moderated a bit and running is *much* more enjoyable. Yeah.

Hi to everyone and happy Sunday.

[Natasha]

Hi all,

Les, I hope you've been sleeping better since that one night, and that you and LW got a good rest after the hectic day at the fabric store! Say hi to her for me too, will ya? :)

Susan, how was the race and how was your trip? Hope the hips are feeling better. I bet the ILs enjoyed coming out and cheering you on - that must have been neat for them! :)

Elizabeth, sounds like you've been getting in some high-quality workouts. Have a wonderful vacation, with just the right balance of RnR and exercise.

Hi Kathy, Mary, Seathyme, Lori, and everyone else!

Better-than-average week of training here - just one of those weeks where I've been feeling motivated every day (which was decidedly not the case through some of June!). The most recent workout was the approx. 15 mile run I did this morning. Most of it was with the running group. I met some different folks today, got to speak some French, and had a good time overall. It's another hot one, though, so I'm glad to be done. I'm also looking forward to a more sedentary afternoon ;) :o

Edited to add: As many of you already know from last week's thread, I had a lovely visit from our own Bethany earlier this weekend. It was great to see her again and to catch up on life, the universe, and all the rest ;)

Happy trails to one and all,
Natasha

[MaryH]

Not Susan, but a brick is typically a bike ride followed by a run. (There are duathalons where you run, bike, and then run again.) For some reason, it is coming off the bike and trying to run that really does something to your legs (getting on the bike after a run is not nearly as taxing - unless of course you have to pedal like ET to keep up, in which case it may be harder - :D :) ).

Susan, congrats on the race and I also hope the hips are not sore. (Been there, done that, and it is just not pretty.)

Seathyme, happy Sunday as well. Sounds like most all is well and that is a good thing.

Natasha, but that I had some of your energy. :) And I keep wondering if you were speaking French during the run, or after. (Probably diuring.... :D ) Me, I'd be doing someting like un, deux, trois, ... trying to keep up. ;)

Les, two words - no running. Try to rest. :D :D

Hello to Bethany, Scout, Lori, and anyone else I missed.

Although my schedule said 3 miles yesterday with a "long" run today, because I ran on Friday, I did strength training at the gym yesterday and got my 5 mile run in this morning. Although it seems harder in terms of the running part if I skip a day, experience has taught me that running on alternate days usually pays off with no injuries. Well, it's off to Sacramento Monday afternoon. I'll be there through Friday, so I need to find a place close to the hotel to run. (If push comes to shove, I know of a good route by the hotel I normally stay at, and it's only 5 miunutes or so driving from where I'm staying. So I'll get "in the car" to go run. :D )

[Natasha]

And I keep wondering if you were speaking French during the run, or after. (Probably diuring.... :D ) Me, I'd be doing someting like un, deux, trois, ... trying to keep up. ;)



During. Not for the whole run, though! :D

I'm with you about the alternate running days to save my body. My biomechanics are just not good enough to run too many times a week. Oh, well. Have a great time in Sacramento and I look forward to the next instalment of your Running on the Road (aka: You Know You're a Runner When...) series :D

Natasha

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks all, LW and her boss were thrilled to have me working there yesterday. As you can imagine I'm fairly dependable and willing to put in real work.. That and I do know about both fabrics and colors (or is that colours :D ) and can actually get the bolts of fabric back onto the shelves in the right place (I do know the difference between linen, silk, wool, cotton, and the blends like viscose/linen and poly/wool).

I'm wondering how Susan's race went yesterday. Hopefully it wasn't too weird with the separate transition areas.

Mary - Absolutely no running today - only lifting. Will probably do a light run in the morning before it gets too hot (which may be before I wake up :rolleyes: ). I'm also looking forward to a couple new "You know you're a runner when..." from your trip this week. :D

Natasha - Done - LW is waving back in your direction. Glad you got your run in before it got too hot today. Are you all in for "bad weather" for the rest of the week? Hopefully not - I'd like to think that I'll be the only one in the steam room this week thank you. I've been sleeping the sleep of the dead recently after that bad night. Once I got a handle on what was going on to bug me things just kind of came together.

seathyme - It sounds like life is treating you well and your body is holding up after your off running time. There might just be something to that yoga stuff. :D

I had a good lifting session this afternoon. No coach (again) but bumped into him about an hour before I was done - it seems he missed/owed a client a session and this afternoon was the only time they could work it in so business before pleasure. And for those who might have wondered, I got a few pictures from the reunion. Here's one with me and my parents. Such a glum group of people no? ;)
http://images.kodakgallery.com/servlet/Images/photos2142/3/97/34/74/5/6/605743497303_0_BG.jpg?a=2
There will be more to come but that's a good one to start with.

Time to head to the kitchen for dinner - hope everyone is having a great Sunday and has a good week.

Happy trails,
Les

ETA: If the first link doesn't work (and it probably won't) try this as a link to the picture of Les and his parents at the reunion (http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=1AZNWjJk0ZMXPA&notag=1) . This one better work (or in my best Marvin the Martain voice...) or I'll be very angry.

Les

[2HUNGRY!]

Hi everyone!

Les, its a good thing I didn't know about that sale before hand or I would have driven down. I'm not too good with sewing but I'm always buying yards of fabric with the idea of sewing something. I'll have to look at your pictures.

Susan, I hope your race went well!

Mary, have fun in Sacramento. Good luck finding some place to run.

Natasha, sounds like a good week. Don't you love it when you're just "in the zone"?

Seathyme, glad you had another pain free run.

Hi everyone else!

I had a not so great weekend running wise. Saturday I could just never get into the groove of things. I cut my running short because things just weren't working. Then Sunday I woke up with pain in my knee so bad that I decided on a day of rest. Tonight I have my underwater jogging/weight training class, and Tuesday is weight training and a tap dancing class and then I'll try the treadmill again on Wednesday. Its a hectic week for me because we go on vacation next week. I'm excited for our trip though because we will be spending part of the week in Ohio with my in-laws so I'll get to do a practice run of my tri course, and then the other half of the week will be spent on Cape Cod with my family where my Mom will have her bike, and there will be a pool so I can actually work on all three parts of the race at once.

Have a good week everyone!

[scout1222]

Hey runners!

I made it through the weekend. 8 miles on Saturday, and it was hot. You would all be grossed out at the amount of sweat I wrung from my tank top and jogbra. :eek: Sunday was a good swim/gym workout, and then I ran this morning.

Next training group starts up soon. Actually, they had signups on Saturday, but I didn't go because I registered online and wanted to run more than "just 3 miles". Heh. I'll probably meet up with them in two weeks or so when they hit 5 miles.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Sorry this weekend was a bust 2Hungry but it was probably smart to curtail your run if things just weren't working. Hopefully you can find your groove and get back into training. Enjoy your vacation and getting a chance to run/bike/swim on the course where you'll be doing your tri. FWIW you wouldn't believe what the store looked like during the sale so these (http://www.fabrichut.com/earlybird/index.php) are the pictures from the opening salvo of the sale. Can you believe what happened to the store in just 6 minutes? :eek:
scout - Good seeing you and good that you had a good swim. Sorry about the hear (come join me though). Which race will you be training for when you start?

I got out, not as early as I'd like but I did get out today. I ran the 8.6 mile out-and-back. Felt pretty good, not fast but good. Negative split the run (but that's not too hard to believe considering I had dead legs from lifting yesterday). Kind of wonking a little right now and need to head towards home because I need to pick up a cake for my boss' birthday that is tomorrow.

Take care and I'll see you later this evening.

Happy trails,
Les

[scout1222]

I don't know. I might just be running with the training group just to have a group to run with.

[SusanMac]

Hi gang! Thanks for all the great race vibes! It's been a really hectic day -- back to back meetings, plus a last minute trip to the vet. Sigh. I need to hit the roads tonight (& already slept through swimming this a.m. - doh!), but probably won't. I have a *serious* time getting back into the swing after a race.

So, I'll keep the RR short (or at least easy to read :-)
* Separate transitions was no big deal at all
* MIL/FIL had a really fun time watching both DH & I race at the same time. I'm so glad they had fun & it was great to have them there, BUT....
* It's impossible to concentrate during transitions when your MIL is asking you to pose for pictures & wants to help you ("John, can she get her bike off the rack?" "John, can you pick up that bag for her?" "Susan, smile for the camera"!) LOL! Luckily, it made me laugh.
* Good news -- I hit my goal of improving the swim. I took more than a full minute off my time, and the swim was longer by 60 yds. Woo hoo!
* Not so good news -- strong wind in my face for half the bike
* Worse news -- I rode an entire 15 miles w/out my left foot clipped into the pedal. That sucker just wouldn't clip in. I was frustrated for 1/2 mile, then realized I just had to go & not worry. I guess it's quite the accomplishment in an odd way. My pace wasn't too horrible.
* My hips weren't sore, but my legs felt spent the entire race. Just no gas there at all.
* Got to T2 & someone put their bike in my spot, so I had to take extra time shifting everyone around to make room.
* By time I got to the run -- I just ran & didn't worry much
* Oh, with just 1 mile to go on the bike I heard screaming. Looked over & in the yard of one farm was a bunch of little kids w/banners & noisemakers cheering their hearts out for everyone. It totally made my day.
* Last but not least -- they had separate feminine-cut v-neck tshirts for the women. One of my favorite race perks I've seen yet!

Whew - that's it. Next race in 2 weeks. Kinda tight schedule -- whose idea was that??!

Glad to hear everyone's having some good runs!

Later

[Leslie Ferguson]

Susan - Thanks for the race report. It sounds like a wild race for you. What a bike ride, not getting your foot into the pedal must have been maddening but it sounds like true to form you got around it. Although I'd say better to not get your foot clipped in as opposed to my trick these days (sporadically) not getting my cleat out of the pedal. I've got to laugh at your MIL in the transitions too. Funny thing, I can see my mom doing the same thing if she were to watch a tri I competed in. Isn't it grand to have a cheering squad that lifts your spirits? WHat is your race coming up in 2 weeks? That kind of schedule sounds like something I'd pull (like 3 races in 4 weeks last summer). I hope you bounce back quickly.

scout - got it... signing up to motivate yourself to run. Of course there are plenty of great races in California (both south and north) that are fun to run in the fall/winter so you do have a good group to choose from.

Nothing more for me today - kind of laid low after the warm run. I'm looking at helping coach a track/hills group tomorrow evening. Not a favorite time for me to run (6:30) in the heat but I told my coach I'd try to be there so one of us can watch the track folks (we run track at the ballfield in downtown Norfolk) and one can watch the hill folks (the hill is a pedestrian bridge from the ballfield towards Portsmouth). I think he wants me there to coach one of the new faster runners on her first hill workout.

Take care all and I'll see you on the 'morrow once I figure out what I'm going to do.

Happy trails,
Les

[2HUNGRY!]

Hi!

Susan, your story with your MIL is cracking me up. Like Les, I can see my family doing the same thing. Congrats on taking time off your swim.

Scout, how did you find your running group?

My underwater class went well last night. No running again for me tonight because I am taking a tap dancing class with a friend :eek: She talked me into signing up for a class last winter and now I keep doing it because I bought the shoes! I am so bad though. Oh well, I enjoy it. Its only a three week class and I miss the middle one for vacation, so it won't cut into my training too much. Tomorrow, back to the dreaded treadmill!

[MaryH]

:D You know your a runner when.......

You use www.mapmyrun.com to figure out where to run and then (BEFORE checking in to the hotel) you drive along and discover a running/bike trail that takes you right into the park. :D So you have your run planned out the night before.

You get up at 4:45 a.m. to run. :eek:

You have a really nice run, except near the end when you forget why it is that you always told yourself, do NOT run on sidewalks. Your hip, knee, elbow and hands are now reminding you (it's because it's uneven silly).

The hotel staff doesn't bat an eye when you come in all sweaty and ask for some bandaids and antiseptic cream.

You get to go to work feeling like you look like your DDs - bandaids and all. :eek: :p ;) (Thank goodness for dresses and pants.)

[Leslie Ferguson]

That's too funny Mary and I'm sorry about the spill. Luckily the hotel was prepared to provide first aid support. I wonder how often they get requests like that...

Getting hot here and looks to get even hotter. I'm not sure running at 6:30 tonight is going to be any where close to sanity. I may have a fit of common sense and bag running but might still go down and help my coach (since he's been so good to me over the years and I am his assistant anyway). But I'll have to wait and see how I feel later.

Happy trails and stay cool out there runners,
Les

[scout1222]

Finding a running group -

The group I joined is called West Coast Road Runners. It was started a few years ago by a guy who was involved in the San Diego chapter of USA Fit (another training group that I'll discuss shortly). There was a schism among the group, and he broke out and formed his own. Since I was already in USA Fit, I knew the guy, and knew he was setting out on his own.

But how did I find USA Fit? I heard about it from a coworker. I started a new job, was already running and thinking about joining a training club. This coworker found out I was a runner, and told me about the group. He was a pace-group leader and had some handouts that he was passing out, so told me about it.

I also knew there were groups around San Diego, because the person who got me in to running was involved with the San Diego Track Club. They have a training group, as well as a messageboard - people post looking for training partners there, so that was also a source of information.

Anyway, if you asked because you're looking for a group to train with, you can see if USA Fit has a chapter where you live (www.usafit.com) or google to see if your town has a road runners club or a track club. Even if they don't have a training program (though I'd think they would) they probably know people who do.

[seathyme]

Susan, thanks for a great report! Congratulations on your swim time, and on completing a race with heavy legs and "helpful" in-laws! :D

Natasha, congrats on another long run with your new group. Sounds like they're giving you a good challenge. Oh, and like Mary, I'm guessing the French was spoken *while* running. And I'm impressed!

Mary, great YKYARW story, but sorry about the bandaids, etc.

Les, I don't envy you living in the south these days, I confess.

Scout, nice workouts last weekend!

2Hungry, I can imagine tap dancing is fun, but I suspect I'd be a true klutz!

Hi to Elizabeth, Kathy, Bethany, Lori, Eva, and anyone else out there...

I ran in the muggy morning today. Not bad, but not stellar either. Success was just getting out there to do it; you know those days?

And glad I did, because tomorrow morning we get in the car at 5am to begin our drive to "da UP"! Michigan, for the uninitiated. Very excited. I usually get in some great runs there if the weather behaves as it should, so I'll drop in from Otter Lake in a few days and say hello!

[2HUNGRY!]

Thanks Scout!

[Laura]

Quick post to say that I got 4.4 miles in in 50 minutes (yes, I was on the treadmill), which I was pretty happy as that is down right speedy for me.

I plan to take advantage of the oxygen at sea level this week as I travel to Seattle and Vancouver and try to run for 70 minutes.

Have a great week everyone, I will check in next week.

[SusanMac]

Mary - I always love your stories! Very cool that you got out to run on your trip, regardless of the bandaids.

Scout - I don't know that group. Will have to check them out.

Seathyme - I can totally relate to the accomplishment being getting out there. That will be me today, in fact. Enjoy the UP.

Laura - Hadn't heard from you in a bit. Thx for the update.

Here is my day - rain, rain, rain, rain, sprinkle, rain, dentist appt, rain :-)

[Natasha]

Hi gang!

Susan, thanks for the race report. Sounds like a fun time, and kudos for dealing with the recalcitrant clip in fine form :) Ah yes -- the rain. I wonder if that's the same system we had pass through here yesterday? It kept clearing up and just when you thought you were safe it would POUR again :eek:

Les, good job on the run the other night. Did you go help out your coach tonight?

Laura, have a fun trip! Ditto to Seathyme - say hi to da Yoopers for me! ;)

Mary, great story :D (but ouch too). Happy rest of trip.

Hi to everyone else. Crazy busy but good past couple of days here. My husband and I plan to head out for a run fairly soon, with our weekday run group. Looking forward to it. :)

Take care, runpeople!
Natasha

[scout1222]

In actual running news, I failed to get out of bed for this morning's run. If all goes well, I will salvage this by running tonight. Tomorrow is my rest day, so exercising at night won't cause I "I just ran last night, I can't run this morning" fiasco.

Is anyone else like that? If you run one afternoon, do you have trouble running the next morning? For me, it's not enough time, which is why I try to consistently work out either in the AM or the PM in any given week (most of the time it's AM).

[Natasha]

Is anyone else like that? If you run one afternoon, do you have trouble running the next morning? For me, it's not enough time, which is why I try to consistently work out either in the AM or the PM in any given week (most of the time it's AM).

Hi Scout,

Hopefully you got in your run, and enjoy the rest day!

In response to your question, yes, I'm like that too... or at least sort of. I don't even regularly run 2 days in a row (darn biomechanics ;)), so am pretty sure my body wouldn't be too thrilled if I tried to run one evening and then the next morning on a regular basis (though I have done it on occasion). What I do notice is that even if I do a hard run one evening and a hard cross-training workout the next morning - or vice versa - that can occasionally be a bit challenging, though other times I can do it without any problem. So I can certainly see why the runs 12 hours apart or so would be tough.

Well, we went for the group run and it was fabulous - even more fun than usual, it seemed. The running store owner always has treats for us, so today I brought in cookies for the group and those were well-received, though they were nothing special. Diggin' those group runs, I am, though the next run on my schedule is hill intervals all by my lonesome. It should do me good :)

I'm very chatty today, it seems. Enough rambling for today! :eek: ;)

Natasha

[MNGirlTX]

Hey, all!

Scout - My running class is through a branch of USAFit (DallasFit)! And, if I run at night - which I was doing on Tuesday nights for a while - I don't run the next morning.

Mary - Ouch!

Yesterday's lesson: After your run, pay attention when you sit on the curb to rest...don't put your foot in a hill of fire ants. They WILL get all the way into your sock. I have 4 bites and they itch like heck!

Today's run was all right - it was fartlek day, so a 10 minute warm up, 8 30x30 fartleks, 10 minute cool down. Since Monday's run really sucked (right calf cramps), I took my jogging really, reeeeeeeaaaaalllly slow. Made it through, tho.

Hope everyone is good!

Lori

[Leslie Ferguson]

...Is anyone else like that? If you run one afternoon, do you have trouble running the next morning? For me, it's not enough time, which is why I try to consistently work out either in the AM or the PM in any given week (most of the time it's AM).
I'm with Lori and Natasha, back in my crazy running days I had difficulties running in the evening one day and before lunch the next. Now, if I run late then I will normally ride the next day if I go early (or earlier) becuase less than a day between runs (I'll call it less than 18 hours) is hard unless I'm doing two very short runs within a couple hours of each other (and those days are pretty much gone now). I hope you had a good rest day today and that you get up in the morning and run tomorrow.
Lori - YIKES! Fire ants are NO FUN and I hope that the bites aren't too bad tomorrow (my recollection of fire ant bites isn't pleasant - dug up a bunch laying sprinkler pipe in Portland TX years ago). Good job on your run (slow or not) yesterday and great job on the fartlek today.
Natasha - Where'd all that come from? ;) I'll trade you H&H for rain, especially a good downpour. All the more fun to splash around in. :cool: Aren't group runs fun? (rhetorical question).
seathyme - Have a fun trip to the UP. I'll trade with you too. One of the reasons I really did like Monterey CA - chilly summers.

What a night. Let's just say that I felt sucky (hope that stays) and didn't want to go to the ballpark. But I figured that I promised my coach I'd be there so I bucked up and went down. Then to top it off the girl I was going to show the hills and coach a little didn't even show (nor did she call and tell the coach she wouldn't be there) <<frosty stare>>. So for all that and a late supper (after 8 by the time all was said and done) I got the chance to give encouragement to a bunch of the running group (so a night not wasted) and caught a little sun. I think the sucky feeling stems from sinuses that are either infected or just stopped up (slightly elevated temp - not too high but high for me). Took a decongestant tonight (I hope it doesn't wire me for sound :rolleyes: ) so that I might be able to sleep without issue. I'll try to run tomorrow morning (no, really this time) since it is supposed to be 93 tomorrow. :eek:

Speaking of sleep (and not missing any) time to head that way so I'll see you tomorrow. Have a wonderful hump day runfolk and swift runs and safe travels.

Happy trails,
Les

[scout1222]

So it looks like I'm "normal" then. Good! ;)

I did make it out for a run last night and holy mother did it suck. It was obviously warmer than when I run in the AM, and by the time I finished I was sweaty! When I got inside and looked in the mirror, my face was beat red. It wasn't pretty! Normally I return from a run and do some situps and arm weights. But the run was tougher than usual, so I just sat down in front of the fan and cooled down. Screw the weights!

Remind me never to blow off a morning run and make it up later during the summer. And I don't even live anywhere really HOT!

Rest day today, thankfully.

[SusanMac]

Scout - Yup, you're normal re: pm/am runs. I also try to alternate workouts when doing that (run pm/bike am). Ahhh....I remember my days in CA where I could run in cotton tshirts & not sweat :-) Sorry about your sucky heat. I'm sure it will be short-lived. Our sucky heat hasn't arrived yet. Looks like this weekend, tho.

Les - Yes, apparently "sucky" passes the safe-web-word test :-) Glad you got a good run in, despite the various challenges. My cat has sinus problems right now. It's so sad to watch the little guy sneeze!

Natasha - Your new running group sounds so cool. Good luck w/those hills! I haven't done a specific hill-running workout in a while. I'm definitely overdue.

MNGirl - Nice job on the fartlek run. I love fartleks & intervals....mainly b/c it gives you a great excuse to slog ever so slowly during the rest periods !

Well, yesterday was 40 min on the bike trainer. I did intervals the whole time to keep my mind off the boredom. This a.m. was swim class. It felt so good. Why did I blow it off on Mon again? Going for a long run later today. It will be hot, but I don't have any other options in my schedule. Why does work have to get in the way of training, eh?

[SusanMac]

Oh, I almost forgot......here are pictures from my tri last weekend, if anyone's interested (and able to open it)
http://www.shutterfly.com/view/pictures.jsp

[Natasha]

Then to top it off the girl I was going to show the hills and coach a little didn't even show (nor did she call and tell the coach she wouldn't be there) <<frosty stare>>.


Ohhhh -- how annoying is that? Things like that make me nuts. How was your run in the heat? We're expecting the same heat wave for the weekend as Susan is.

Susan, your poor cat. Hope he feels better soon! How was the long run today? Glad you had fun at swim class :) I was definitely interested to see your pictures, but it didn't seem to work for me. I got a page to create an account. Maybe I'll give it a try tomorrow and see if it works then. You never know with computers! ;)

We got tons MORE rain today. I did lower body weights and did just over 40 minutes on the bike trainer. I also got a weird stomach ache for a short while, which fortunately went away, but for a few minutes there I thought I'd have to bag the biking.

Hi to Lori, Scout (good idea to skip the weights after the hot run!), and everyone else!

Natasha

[Leslie Ferguson]

Alas, I felt the better part of valor yesterday (7/11) was to rest and not run in the heat - definitely a good call. I think a lot of my junk can be attributed to my body trying to fix itself and the electrolyte base. It was great reading your posts Susan and Natasha and if I could keep my eyes open I'd respond to them - so I'll do a little cut and paste (and edit) and sign off... I didn't run this morning because I had a bunch of stuff to do early so running wasn't in the cards. And like up there, it was pretty nasty when I went out for the paper this morning at 7 am. :rolleyes: So I ended up doing a bike ride this evening. Some of the great things about riding is the wind is alway in your face which is quite cooling when it's 97 out like today. Definitely fading fast - I had to delete that past sentence so it's time to turn in.

Take care all and I'll be in touch.

Happy trails (sleepily...),
Les

[MaryH]

Good morning all, still here in Sacramento (I am so ready to go home).

Susan, your post about California and not sweating cracked me up. I am one of those people who sweat buckets NO MATTER WHAT. For example, this morning it may have been about 55 degrees (maybe a little cooler) and by the time I'm done, I look like a drowned rat. :D

Did basically the same run this morning as on Tuesday but with no sidewalks jumping out at me this time. This also happens to be a combination of the route I did when I completed my first tri (the one where I fell off the bike because they were trying to put a lei around my neck :eek: ). The run actually covers part of the bike course and part of the run course.

[MNGirlTX]

Natasha - I wish you'd send some rain here! Not only haven't we had anything significant for ages, it's supposed to hit 102 degrees today!!!

Mary - Glad to hear today's run didn't involve any band-aids.

Les - Hope you're feeling better!

This morning's run was a short 25 minutes. And, I'm happy to report that, for the first time since the marathon, I felt good about it! I ran the whole way...again, slowly...and felt really good the whole short little way.

Hi, to everyone else....

Lori

[Kathy B]

Mary, I would have given anything for 55 this morning! It was 76 and very humid when I left the house at 6:45 AM! I was definitely a lot sweatier than usual and it was a tough 3.5 miles. Usually I keep thinking I can go a little further and do, but today I had to convince myself not to stop early. Are you heading home tomorrow?

Susan, sorry to say I couldn't open your pics, so you'll just have to tell me....did you smile for your MIL's camera? :p Thanks for sharing the details. It sounded like a great experience and a good time as well. Glad the family could be there to cheer you on. What kind of race are you doing in 2 weeks?

Seathyme, I know well about trying to do both yoga AND running. Right now yoga has the back seat, but I am trying to increase it. I have done it sporadically for 3-4 years, although it has been almost entirely from home with the TV. I started with a program called Yoga Zone that was a great introduction, and now I have several tapes of Inhale (Steve Ross) that I really like. He has a dry sense of humor, and his philosophy about yoga is "Just do it!" which suits me just fine. I took a class once, but it was very geared toward seniors and though I did enjoy certain aspects, I have pretty much just gone back to doing my own thing at home.

Lori, I know what fartleks are (although I have yet to incorporate them into my running :o ), but what is 30x30? DOes that mean 30 sprints at 30 seconds each or something else? Either way, 30 sounds like a lot. Great job!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Kathy B - Jumping in ahead of Lori... I think 8 30x30 fartleks would translate to 8 repeats that are 30 seconds fast and 30 seconds not so fast - at least that's how I'd read it.
Susan - Ditto on the pictures - I got to the sign-in screen but couldn't see any pix of you.
Natasha - Nuts is a good word to describe it. My coach, even though he wants to help her improve her speed for running races and also train for multi-sport events (I'd have a challenge if she hangs in), is going to let her go until she is more consistent (he gets burned often because lots of his trainees "try" to make workouts).

It's another hot one today and I'll probably go out after my spiritual direction and ride again. Still not completely on it so no need to wreck myself right now.

Check you all later -
Les


For reference: the "try" comes from the Movie "The Empire Strikes Back" when Yoda and Luke are sitting in the swamp and Yoda tries to get him to lift his X-Wing fighter and Luke complains that he can't because it's too big and Yoda replies to Luke with -
Do or do not there is no try.

[scout1222]

Do or do not there is no try.

I did this morning. Phew! It was a much easier run than Tuesday night's hot debacle, thankfully.

Weather is expected to be warm this weekend (maybe only a few degrees warmer than it has been) but we get the extra value of humidity too! It's still not going to be as humid as say NYC in the summer, but remember...we're all delicate flowers here in San Diego! ;)

[2HUNGRY!]

Hi everyone! Not much to report. The wather has been awful (again) and its hard to find the motivation when its so hot that even walking accross the parking lot to the car wears you out! I've been faithfully attending all of the classes I take, but haven't run yet this week. I'm thinking with my knee pain this might be a good thing, but I hope to do at least a quick jog on the treadmill tonight. I have to make a huge cookie platter for a family party on Sunday though and tomorrow night I have a bachelorette party to go to (my second one in a week :eek: ) and we leave for vacation on Sat. morning at 8 am, so its going to be tough. I'll let you all know in a week if I stick to my run every day while on vacation rule!

[SusanMac]

Hi gang. Had a great run yesterday -- just short of 2 hrs -- hadn't run that long in several weeks. Felt good to shake off some stress.

Sorry the online pics didn't work. Might try something else if I get a few minutes.

Question for the group.....
I'd love to get some new running shorts w/a pocket in the back. Have you seen them? A little zippered pocket perfect for a gel, or a hotel key when I travel later this month. Got any recommendations for a brand you particularly like?? My current fav shorts are Brooks, but I haven't seen any w/rear pockets.

[MNGirlTX]

Kathy - Les interpreted my 8 30x30 fartleks exactly right. 30 seconds fast/30 seconds slow...repeat 8 times.

I like the 30 second ones the best....don't so much like the ones that have minutes in them :rolleyes: .

Lori

[badunnin]

Hi gang. Had a great run yesterday -- just short of 2 hrs -- hadn't run that long in several weeks. Felt good to shake off some stress.

Sorry the online pics didn't work. Might try something else if I get a few minutes.

Question for the group.....
I'd love to get some new running shorts w/a pocket in the back. Have you seen them? A little zippered pocket perfect for a gel, or a hotel key when I travel later this month. Got any recommendations for a brand you particularly like?? My current fav shorts are Brooks, but I haven't seen any w/rear pockets.


Hey all ...

Susan - try Title Nine. I found these (http://www.titlenine.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=1102&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=6&iSubCat=616&iProductID=1102) there, and there might be others. :)

Trying to get myself up for another race. There is an 8k at the end of August. I just don't run well in the heat. Ack.

Off to pit cherries on my front porch!

[aggie94]

Hey runners!

I know it's been awhile. I briefly skimmed the thread - sounds like everyone is busy now that most of the country has great running weather. Unfortunately, I am banished to the treadmill for the summer as it is WAY too hot to run outside anymore, even at 5:00 in the morning. :(

I've been AWOL for a few weeks - first, vacation in China, then the usual post-vacation madness, including preparing for a trial at work, and now, no more excuses. DH & I are doing a sprint tri in Flagstaff this weekend (700m swim 18k bike, 5k run), and while we both feel sadly out of shape having basically taken three weeks off our regular exercise routine, we've been trying to get back into the swing of things and will have fun no less.

I promise to try to participate more!

[Natasha]

Hi gang!

Mary, a run at 55F -- ahhh. Sounds lovely :)

Lori, good job on that run!

Susan, glad to hear that the long run went well. :) Have you seen these shorts? They might do the trick.

http://www.brooksrunning.com/prod.php?p=BSIWR220&k=24388&PHPSESSID=04ae9f4a0ebecf000af3a096e5b79e5f


Looks like the same shorts are available here, for a few dollars less:

http://www.nationalrunningcenter.com/store/prodinfo.asp?number=BWR220&variation=&aitem=1&mitem=36

Here are a couple more that may be also somewhat along the lines of what you wanted.

http://www.runningunlimited.com/asp/product.asp?pid=138

http://www.runningunlimited.com/asp/product.asp?pid=136

http://www.runningunlimited.com/asp/product.asp?pid=884

http://www.runningunlimited.com/asp/product.asp?pid=134

If you have luck finding something that you like, please let me know! I've had more than my share of runs clutching a hotel key, or else wearing a jacket or vest even when it's a bit hot for one, just for the pockets.

Welcome back, Eva!! Glad you had a great time in China.

Today I did my hill training, but on the treadmill. I've been better about running outside lately, but didn't feel like running outdoors this evening with the humidex in the 90s. I did 45 minutes of running, of which 10 minutes or so was uphill (4.5 to 5.5 incline). It was not the most inspired run: I was more than a little tired and was still in workbrain mode, but it got done.

Hi to Kathy, Seathyme, Bethany, and everyone else.

Take care, everyone, and happy trails!

[Leslie Ferguson]

<<<Waving>>> I'm here -- your virtual non-running buddy. Don't ask except I'll start with I'm looking for the old guy in town looking for two mosquitoes or Norfolk water-slugs. ;) :p

Good luck and swift run/swim/bike this weekend Eva. Three weeks off of "regular" training - you should be fine just be especially aware of your body and its reaction to the heat that's due.

Susan - Sorry, I don't have any recommendations on external poacketed shorts but I'll kind of give the rest of the running group a gander this weekend and see what they say. Just under 2 hours on the road -- that's great! Bet that was confidence building for the coming race too.
Natasha - Smart call moving inside with the weather like it has been up your way - it's almost like you've moved down here the way things have been shaping up weather wise up there. I'm with you too - 55 degrees is a temperature I'd almost kill for to run in these days.
scout - I know all too well what it can be like in SD when it is hot - 110 is a number that sticks out from my high school years. YUCK! Way to do it too!
Welcome back from lurking Bethany! What kind of cherries were pitted this evening? My favorites are Royal Annes and Black Republicans (my grandfather owned a cherry orchard with 4 types of cherries -- the two listed and Bings and Lamberts). I'll cheer you on in your 8k training if you'll think about me and the RnR half the first weekend in Sep.

I wish I had a good excuse for not running today. Lots of reasons but an excuse might be hard to come up with. But I had a successful day today. I got a lot of sundry necessary things taken care of out of the office and around town. All of which kept me from working out until it would have been nearly noon before starting (not a smart thing in Norfolk). Later, during my spiritual direction (kind of individual therapy with a decided spiritual bent and leading me in defining my call to ordained ministry) I had a great time. Nothing that I could put down as an "ah ha moment" but just very affirmed and thinking even more clearer.

On the down side, during the spiritual direction it started raining, thundering, and lightening-ing. I thought about trying to squeeze something in when I got home but the wind was blowing so badly and the streets were wet and puddly I took another bye and didn't ride or run. Not too bad in the long run because I needed for me to process the counseling/direction.

Tomorrow will probably be a lot of fun as long as the weather blows through as predicted. We're up for a command picnic with lots of fun things going on. In fact I'm in the dunk tank for 15 minutes (the most senior person in the tank) and I'll be loving it.

I've had a pretty bad run/ride week but I'll live with that -- I'll call this a week of active recovery. Funny thing though, I'm getting more sleep still and I'm more tired now than 3 weeks ago... go figure. :confused:

Time to turn in -- more sleep is calling so until tomorrow friends -- happy trails,
Les