VRBs week of September 11th

[Robyn1007]

Guess I'll get us started for the week!

Yesterday was a rest day so I went shopping after work to avoid the temptation to munch all evening. I've done great all week with my calories so I didn't want to kill it out of boredom! Tonight is another story though, I'm heading to ladies' night with a bunch of co-workers at one of their homes so I'm excited. Making Greek Salad Bites to take as well.

Today I did a 40 minute run on the trail behind my condo. Did 40 minutes without any walking! It was slow but not as slow as the last outdoor run I did so I think the work on the treadmill is helping.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks for starting Robyn. I'm glad you had a good rest day yesterday. I hope you get the snow you're hoping for, even if just a little. Nice job on your run today, 40 minutes w/o stopping is great.

I had a good rest day yesterday and a fairly-well composed day, all things considered. That's odd that I made it through without issues, the first year in a few that I've been able to - still remembered my friend and all who have been effected by the way the world is these days.

I took off for a nice ride today. I ended up with ~24 miles, I rode all the way to Georgetown and back. A little tough into the wind at times but a nice ride none the less. I start back at my field education site/internship tomorrow morning for my last year of parish work as a Seminarian. I'm looking forward to the day, even if it means I have to drive 35+ minutes to church and spend most of the morning and early afternoon there. I just hope it's not raining tomorrow.

Happy trails,
Les

[Elisabeth13]

Hi everyone! Sorry I dropped off the thread towards the end of last week...I started grad school on Thursday and have been a little overwhelmed with it. But, even though I didn't get a chance to post on the thread, I did keep my running up all week long, and felt SO much better for doing it. I've started running on grass, which has really helped with the achy calves I was feeling the first couple of weeks I ran.

Les, I read about the man that died during the marathon you ran. How sad for his family! Congrats on such a great run for you. I just noticed you live in Alexandria...my sister and her family live in Purcellville, just outside of Leesburg. I visit them at least once a year - I love it out there.

Robyn, I love those Greek Salad Bites. And a 40-minute run is impressive! I can't wait to get beyond 3 minutes. Hope you have fun at Ladies' Night!

Laura, that story you told about the man pushing his son in the marathon was so great. It made me tear up a little just imagining it. Congrats to your son on the marathon!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend! I'm snuggling in with a movie for the night.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Elisabeth13

Hi everyone! Sorry I dropped off the thread towards the end of last week...I started grad school on Thursday and have been a little overwhelmed with it. But, even though I didn't get a chance to post on the thread, I did keep my running up all week long, and felt SO much better for doing it. I've started running on grass, which has really helped with the achy calves I was feeling the first couple of weeks I ran.

There's no problem dropping off for a while - especially with classes beginning. It's neat, there are three grad school students who post (at least once in a while): you, me, and Carrie (I can't remember her screen name now). What are you studying in grad school? I just started my third year of Seminary - I'm studying to become a priest in the Episcopal Church.

Originally Posted by Elisabeth13

Les, I read about the man that died during the marathon you ran. How sad for his family! Congrats on such a great run for you. I just noticed you live in Alexandria...my sister and her family live in Purcellville, just outside of Leesburg. I visit them at least once a year - I love it out there.

That was a sad day at the race. That's too funny too, I know where Purcellville is. Some day I hope to ride all the way from Arlington to Purcellville on my bike on the W&OD bike trail. Next time you're in town (as long as it's before next June) give me a shout and we can meet IRL.

Originally Posted by Elisabeth13

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend! I'm snuggling in with a movie for the night.

I hope you have a great weekend too.
Les

[Robyn1007]

Elisabeth, don't worry about dropping off on occasion, we all do it! Life is just busy for most of us. Hope you enjoyed your movie.

Les, how was worship this morning?

I had a nice time at ladies night last night getting to know my new coworkers a little better. The food was so yummy all night too so I definitely had to ride today! I got in about 27 miles in just over 2 hours with a little climbing but not much compared to what I have been doing.

[Leslie Ferguson]

It was great being back at church yesterday. The church is so welcoming and I had a blast worshiping there. It's hard to believe I've only been there a year and will be gone in ~8 months. Still, they treat me like family.

Classes call.
Les

[Robyn1007]

Just a short 30 minute easy paced run and some strength work for me tonight. I didn't sleep very well last night so I was beat but since tomorrow's my massage I needed to make sure to get to the gym. And I signed up for a very small 5k in Berthoud this weekend (fundraiser for the local elementary) just for fun. Looking forward to it!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Another short workout here. I rode for ~40 minutes before heading to sign language class this evening. It was a fun class but it really whacks me on tuesday - I don't get home until after 10:00.

Happy trails all
Les

[Elisabeth13]

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

I went for a run Sunday and Monday, and was really hurting by the time I finished up on Monday. I don't seem to be able to handle running two days in a row very well...my knees and calves just ache by the second day. Does anyone else have this problem? I'm wondering if it's just a beginner's thing that will go away with time, or if I'm always going to have to plan a "rest day" in between running days.

Les, I'm getting my masters in Holistic Health Studies with an emphasis on nutritional wellness. I just started the program last week, and am hoping to be done in three years...although that may be overly ambitious, since I'm working full-time while I go through the program. When will you be finished with Seminary? That's very cool. I'm hoping to be in Purcellville over my winter break sometime in December/January. I'll definitely let you know... are you moving in June? Where are you going?

Robyn, I hope your massage today is fantastic! Hope everyone is having a great week so far.

[Robyn1007]

Elisabeth many people feel, especially in the beginning that you shouldn't run 2 days in a row. I stlli hold to that most of the time and do other forms of exercise on the in between days.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Elisabeth - To your question first. I'm torn on how to respond to your question about running on back to back days. Technically, without any underlying issues like arthritis or chronic injuries, your body should be able to withstand back-to-back run days. However, as Robyn said as you start you need to build slowly. One thing that pops to mind when you say calves and knees hurting after the second day is shoes. I know that when my knees start hurting after running that's an indicator that my shoes are breaking/have broken down and need to be replaced. In the past, before I got fitted properly, I used to get sore knees and legs after a second day's run because the mechanics of my shoes was bad. One other thought is speed - when I used to have big problems with knees/legs after runs was when I tried to run too fast on the second/subsequent days. Not saying that any of those are your issues - just thinking aloud. You might want to work a cross-training day in between runs. Cross-training can consist of cycling, swimming, or just walking - something that doesn't put the same stressors on your legs. I hope it passes quickly.

Your degree sounds interesting. Interestingly, one of the folks in the class after me is a practicing holistic medicine doctor. I don't know about doing a degree while working full time, my graduate degrees have come as my full time interest (military "paid" for the past as my assignment) and this one, I couldn't work more than part-time with the load I'm carrying. I'm expecting to move in June and hope to move back to my "hometown" - Norfolk VA. My wife and I own a house and there are lots of churches in the area. If not Norfolk/Virginia Beach/Williamsburg then who knows where.

I had a good ride this afternoon (again). I had planned on running but the humidity was up and I think I'll be rained out of riding for the remainder of the week so I picked up a ride today. I can run in the rain and might even find some mud too.

Off to study bioethics... hope all are having a good Tuesday and happy trails,
Les

[Robyn1007]

Thanks for expanding on my thoughts Les! I was posting while waiting to have my massage. Shoes are an important point! Most people I think over wear their running shoes and often are wearing the wrong ones for their feet. If you can, go to a running store and get fitted. My cross training consists of things like cycling, swimming, turbo kick boxing, pilates, strength and skiing. If I liked yoga I'd add that too but I really don't like it.

[Robyn1007]

Reporting in on a 46 minute run (although about 8 minutes was walking). Not sure why but this one just didn't feel as good as other recent runs. I thought there was a pilates class at my gym tomorrow but I'm wrong so not sure what I'm going to do. Not sure I can handle another treadmill run tomorrow. We'll have to wait and see.

[Elisabeth13]

Thanks, Les and Robyn, for the advice. I do have good running shoes, I think - I went to a local running store and they watched me walk, had me try on a bunch of different pairs, etc. I just bought them 3 weeks ago, so they're definitely not worn out yet. I think it might be a combination of not being strong enough yet (once I'm a more experienced runner, I should be capable of running two days in a row without a problem), and possibly running too fast as Les mentioned. When my legs were hurting on the second day, it did help considerably when I slowed down. For now, I think I'll just plan on having my running days spaced out and alternate with walking days in between...that's what I have been doing for the most part, just needed to cram in one more day of running last week and couldn't make it fit in without going back to back.

Les, Norfolk must be the home of Crab Norfolk, which I love, love, love and make sure to eat at least once every time I'm in VA.

Thanks again for the advice, sage runners!

[SusanMac]

Bonjour runners! We got back from Paris last night. I did well & stayed relatively low-PC/electronics while on vaca. So had to go catch up on last week's thread.

Les - Congrats on another great RNR VB! Sounds like you really paced yourself well and had a good time w/your buddies. How many years is it now for you? So sad about the young man who died!

Laura - Not sure if you're still around, but congrats to your DS, too! That's really fantastic that he hung in there during a tough race, and can now say he's a marathoner!

Robyn - Awesome job on your tough bike ride. It sounds like a great achievement, and you even have a bit more to tackle for next season. Very cool about your run progress, too

TKay - we haven't been following the Vuelta while we were gone, but I bet your household has :-)

Elisabeth - Welcome! It sounds like you are off to a great start with your running. You will eventually be able to do back to back run days. Keep taking it steady so you stay healthy. Runners World recently began a great monthly column about just getting started in running, and it's really entertaining. Not sure if it's posted online? The author is now up to 3 miles. He's very funny

Paris was completely, totally & absolutely fantastic! I think we walked every square inch of the city :-) The VRB update is that I got in 2 runs -- one through Luxembourg Gardens by myself, and another with DH along a very cool converted viaduct near the Bastille. I envisioned Carrie running the marathon through the city streets. It must be a fantastic race.

We visited 2 food market neighborhoods while there. And at the end of most every day purchased cheese, wine & fruit from our neighborhood shops to enjoy on our apartment balcony. We had some incredible cheese! And I turned my FIL on to fresh figs (he had never had them, and they are really cheap there).

I also tried a new fruit called Maribelles. Have you guys ever had them? They are orange with pits, and look like overgrown grapes. They taste similar to persimmons.

I'll try to post a few photos later.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Welcome back susan, I'm glad you had a good trip to Paris. Running, eating, pictures, what else do you need on a trip (sounds little like a trip to Cincinnati)? This year's RnR was the 8th for me (out of 9 years).

Elisabeth - The conventional thought on running is no more than 10% of your total weekly mileage should be "fast." I put that in quotes for a reason, in my case that was sprints or 1/2 mile repeats when in training, now I would consider those "hard" miles where I'm really pushing myself. The other running days should be at a more leisurely pace, not walking but definitely slower than your all out pace. Part of building endurance is logging miles and time on your feet rather than outright speed. I'll try to post a few more thoughts when I have a moment or two.

I had a good run today in the waning rain. It was really pleasant ~65-67 and overcast and not humid. Claiming an hour which is a good midweek run. Feeling a little run down right now and I'm anxious, we've had a confirmed case of H1N1 on campus. Is my tickle and achy shoulders the onset of H1N1? I'm not going there.

Still, I need to do some writing, my first two papers are due next week - nothing terrible but something that will take time to write.

Happy trails all and I'll see you on a new thread tomorrow.
Les

[Robyn1007]

Welcome back Susan! Paris sounds lovely.

Elisabeth yep it sounds like you just need to give your body some time to rest between runs. Recovery is just as important as the run in building your fitness level.

Les Your run sounds nice! I can't wait until it cools off here. I have my eyes on a new North Face hoodie that has these fold down sleeve caps to act like mittens when it's chilly.

I'm claiming 40 minutes outside today. Had some issues along the way but kept a good pace for me overall. Tomorrow is a rest day in preparation for my 5k on Saturday. And I'm going to see my first ski flick of the season!