Runners' Rambles: Week of 5/14

[KValley]

Checking in to see how everyone's weekend went...Emcat, how's that hamstring? Eva, are your shin splints still troubling you?

Yesterday started off badly. I awoke to full-blown PMS- tired, bloated, grumpy. I had planned to run before church, but ended up falling asleep in a hot bath (I never take a.m. baths!) and skipping both the run and church. Later I fully intended to accompany DH on a hike, but got myself into a cleaning frenzy- I think DH just wanted to get out of the maelstrom and was glad to go alone.

FINALLY, at 4:00 I set out. It was exactly what I needed. I ran 3 miles and felt really good. My lower esophagus/upper stomach was burning at one point- probably just PMS acid, or the tofu in spicy black bean sauce I had for lunch. But my legs felt great and I ran a great time (for me)- 10 minute miles. Again, I wanted to run farther, but I put the brakes on.

Came back to do a session of my new Yoga for Strength video. The run provided a total attitude and physical adjustment- I felt so relaxed.

[emilycat]

Oh, how neat -- my thread title stuck! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

Thanks for starting it this week, Julie, and for asking about my hamstring. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Actually, it's much better! After taking 3 days in a row off to cycle instead, and following my workouts up with stretching, I tried running yesterday, making sure to take short strides and keep my form normal (it's hard not to limp because of the mental fear of hurting it; isn't that funny?). I ending up going about 6 miles, so I was really pleased. This week I'm following my normal schedule, sans the speedwork -- just "bread and butter" runs all week, making sure to stretch and ice my leg 15 minutes afterward.

So my weekly goal is to have this thing healed and be able to do a long one on Saturday. Not aiming for too much, am I? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

Julie, I'm sorry your day started off so badly -- that's great that you pulled yourself out of it and got in a good run anyway!

How's everyone else's going?

[LIsaP]

I ran my second 5K ever this weeknd-it was a fun all women's race. I did better than I did in my first 5K back in November, and would have had an even better run if not for my stupid water pack (see other thread!).

I am reinspired after that and got up today for 3 miles. I am now planning to run in the Race for the Cure the first weekend in June.

[aggie94]

I took a few days off to let my shins recover, but the pain was back as soon I started my run on Thursday. I ended up running through it (I know, I know) for 3 miles and had a really good run despite my aching shins. I have decided to take a break from running for a little while. I have an appointment with my doctor this morning to get a PT referral (the hassle of dealing with an HMO). Hopefully I'll get some better suggestions on how to ease back into things soon. I really feel like I lose alot that I've worked up to when I have to take any significant time off. In the meantime, I'll keep kickboxing and cross-training on the EFX, stairmaster, or bike. But I'll miss the runs. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif

Hope everyone else is having a good week!

[SusieO]

Julie, good for you for pampering yourself when you needed it, and running when you felt more up to it. Glad you had a good run.

Emily, glad your hamstring feels better. Yea!

Lisa, my first 5K was the Race for the Cure last September in St. Petersburg. It's a really neat race. (And they should have water stops!)

I struggled through ten miles yesterday morning, but walked probably about 2 of them. I was feeling pretty disappointed with myself for giving up, but then I realized I was enjoying walking. It was a nice day, and the trail is very pleasant. And next week, I'll try again.

Eva, good luck with the PT. Hope you solve this problem so you can enjoy running again!

[Kerri]

Happy Monday!

I ran 3 days last week, doing 3 miles each time. My hip bothered me a little bit, but not to bad. The thing that I have been noticing is that I haven't been able to get in my "zone" when I run. My legs are just exhasted and I feel like I barely finished. Last week I ran 3 miles with no problems and I am wondering what the difference is this week. It could be the fact that I am running at 5:30 and it is getting pretty hot here in Dallas and I am just not used to running in the heat and humidity. However, I ran Sunday morning hoping to run 6 miles and had to quit (hate that!) because of the same thing. I have taken a lot of time off so I don't think I am burnt out and I don't feel like my diet has changed. Very strange.

Keep it up everyone and stay injury-free!

[Laura]

I had a good trail run/walk on Saturday (before my injuries - see other post) I went for about an hour but have no idea how far I went. I also walked more than I anticipated but there were a ton of hills and it was pretty hot. Still it was good to get and it is such a beautiful location that I was glad just to be out there.

[waddle]

Aggie- I am sure you have heard this a million times but you need to stretch. If you still get shin splints you probably aren't stretching enough. Seriously, I took a year off from running when I would literally be limping and crying home. I eventually saw a sports med doc and realized I need to stretch more. Stretch warm muscles ( for me that was hard - I mean start then stop to stretch?) and don't forget to stretch after your run. Hope this helps.

[aggie94]

waddle --

You're right in the sense that I probably don't do enough stretching. But I don't think that affects my shin splints much. It appears that my problems (posterior shin splints vs. the more common anterior ones) are due more to physiological issues than to bone or muscle weakness, namely my flat feet and my severe overpronation. I've done tons of exercises that my PT recommended, none of which help (but none of which I followed up on for very long either). From the research and reading that I've done, and from what my general practitioner physician says, I've done everything right. She says not everyone's body is meant for running, and I may just have to accept the fact that it's something I may just not be able to do. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif

I'm hoping that my new PT, who is a marathoner and I think much more experienced than my last, has some other options for me to explore.

With that said, it's not to say that I couldn't benefit from more stretching. But to be honest, experience tells me that stretching alone won't do much to help my shin splints.

[mightyh]

I've been hesitant to post cause I don't think there's much interesting about my running, but now I have a few questions for you http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

As background, I'm a pretty new runner and have done a few 5ks. I usually run on a 1.5 mile loop trail near my home, though if the weather is bad I'll run on the treadmill at the gym (but why do they make those 20 minute machine limits??). I run somewhere between a nine and ten minute mile. :/

I'm finding that my feelings toward running vary day to day... I'm now training for a mythical 10K (none near me when I want to do one) and had my first timed run for 40 minutes on Sunday which I was nervous about. Turns out I did fine with it--felt great and ran without stopping. But today I was just running my "normal" 3 miles and I felt totally lousy and like I almost might not make it.

Granted, today was about ten degrees hotter, much more windy, and I was pushing the baby jogger (with a cranky baby inside, of course).

Do you think the baby jogger makes that much of a difference for my run? I notice I tend to clench my arms into position to push the stroller, so maybe that stresses my body more? It's not hard to push it per se...

Also, do you find yourself affected by the weather much? I've been lucky to be running in 60-70 degree weather so far and the 80s are killing me. What can I do to help this? And what about rain? Do you run in the rain? Any tips on how to make this bearable? It just seems so....wet... to me--like it would be drippy and uncomfortable the entire time.

Help! I want to keep this new hobby up, but fidn that some days I just lose any motivation... and start looking for excuses.

[emilycat]

mightyh,

I know what you mean about making excuses -- especially at 5:20 in the morning after getting 6 1/2 hours of sleep. I think I've just gotten to point where I just say to myself, "No questions asked; I'm going!" Not going is not an option.
That said, all runners definitely have good and bad days -- sometimes you're full of energy, legs ready to take off, and you feel like running forever. Other days, you're wondering why your body has such a chip on its shoulder.

What time of day do you run? I run before work every morning, so without the sun out at 6:00, I don't ever have to worry about temperatures. But high ones can definitely undermine your effort, making you feel as if you're having to work harder than you are. Maybe running earlier would help?

As for the rain, I love running in it -- when it's not cold outside. During training a several months ago, I remember one particular 20-miler I did in the rain, not driving pelts, mind you, but I got nice and wet.It was about 60 degrees. And it was soooo refreshing.

I have a Mizuno ad on my office wall that shows a picture of a guy running on a road in the rain, and it says, "Dedication: It's what separates you from the pack."
I love it http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

You sound like you really want to like running, though, and that's awesome that you've run some races. Once you get more sucked in, those excuses won't seem so nagging anymore http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Anyway, I hope some of this blabber helped at all!

Emily

[mightyh]

Thanks for the inspiring words, Emily http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

I'd love to run earlier (cause I'm an a.m. kind of girl), but am usually here by myself with the baby and he has his own ideas about schedule... Haha! Maybe on the days my dh is home in the mornings, I can fit it in.

I will definitely have to try running in the rain sometime... You make it sound like fun.

I am hoping to get sucked into the running culture... I'd love to have a real hobby that was also so good for my mind and body. As I posted earlier, right now I have good days and bad... Need to get more of the good. It's just so discouraging to get totally psyched by running one day and then start your run the next and hate a large portion of it.

I'll keep plugging though--in hopes of separating myself from the pack http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Thanks.

[SusieO]

I also like to run in a light rain, as long as I'm taking off from my door and don't have to drive anywhere. Sitting in the car in wet clothes, even for a short drive, is way too uncomfortable.

I got on the treadmill last night to run up some hills. It was really fun. I forced myself to stretch before and after even though I was at the gym and it was crowded. I'm more proud of myself for that than for anything else I've done this week.

Oh, and Emily, when I got home I ate about 2 tablespoons of peanut butter straight from the jar. Yum! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Gina O]

I have to add that I too love to run in the rain. By far some of the most enjoyable runs I have had have been during rain showers. This spring has been so incredibly dry here that I have not had much opportunity yet this year.

A world on my life/running plans. If everything goes according to plans, I will sleep in my own bed 4 nights during the month of June, the 1st, the 2nd, the 11th and the 30th. The reality of it is that for nearly a month I will only be home one night. So, after our run on the 2nd, I hope to post one note about how it went, then will be around sporadically the rest of the month.

Where will I be? Well, the June 3-11 I will be in the Carribean (mainly in St. Croix, USVI, but with side trips to other islands) with my 13 y/o niece. Then June 12 - 30 I will be traveling for work. I am one of two key presenters for an eleven city two day training. We will cover six cities during those 18 days, and decided yesterday it would make more sense just to stay on the road than to try to come back for weekends. So, if you are in Lincoln, NE, Scottsbluff, NE, Kearney, NE, Niobrara, NE, Des Moines, IA, Souix City, IA, Waterloo, IA or Cheyenne, WY, let me know and we can go running together. A couple of those sites are places that we decided to spend the weekends between trainings. Glad to be home right now, Gina

[KValley]

Originally posted by Gina O:
A world on my life/running plans. If everything goes according to plans, I will sleep in my own bed 4 nights during the month of June, the 1st, the 2nd, the 11th and the 30th. The reality of it is that for nearly a month I will only be home one night.


Gina! I wish you were coming to the Northwest- i'd love to run with you (hah- I wish I were going to the Caribbean!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif I travel a great deal for my job as well- which is one of the reasons I wanted to get into running- I can't depend on decent gyms in hotels and it's such a great way to get to know a new city. My heavy travel doesn't start again until Fall, so I want to use the summer to really develop my chops.

Looking foward to your updates next month from the road.
mightyh - YOU are such an inspiration to be out there running with your baby. I'm cheering you on!

And everybody- I have discovered Wigwam athletic socks- about 70 percent synthetic material. SUPER comfortable for running- miles ahead of cotton gym socks, which were giving me blisters. Also, LOVING my new New Balance running shoes....

Julie


[This message has been edited by KValley (edited 05-16-2001).]

[Gina O]

Julie - Oooooo, I too wish I was headed for the Northwest. I have always wanted to travel to that area but have never had the opportunity. The closest I will get this year (that I know of so far) is San Francisco in September. Not that I have anything against Nebraska and Iowa, it just doesn't seem quite the same to me!!!

I understand what you mean by hotel workout rooms. If they have a treadmill, it always seems to be broken.

We will have to keep track of one another's traveling schedules, maybe we will wind up in the same city together someday. That actually happened to me once two years ago when my sister's boyfriend and I were both in Minneapolis on business at the same time. Gina

[mightyh]

How nice is it to log onto a thread and hear that you're inspiring http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Just gives me a wamr fuzzy feeling all over... Thanks, Julie!! I'll try your "race trick" during my next run and see if it spurs me on http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif