Runners! April 25 to May whatever!

[Babe Ruthless]

Hey Hey Hey! Where are all the runners today!

I had a great run today - 7.3 k which is my longest run todate. I'm working my way up to 8k by the end of May 30, hopefully before, because I have a triathlon and the run distance is 8k. I am trying not to get to 8k too fast as I don't want to get injured but I get carried away on the treadmill and try to go just a little bit farther each time (not neccessarily faster!)

I have not run outside for the last week because of the wind. Last night it got really windy and gusty just before my run so I stayed in and watched "What Not To Wear" instead. But today, I went to the gym and had a great run! I tell you though, the spring allergies are bad enough this time of year without the wind cramming dust in my eyes and nose! Blah!

I'm working my way up to 10k as I plan to enter in the 10k event for the World Masters Games in July 2005. Ambitious - for sure, out of the range of possibility - nope! I don't have to win the race, I just have to finish! besides, its likely my only chance at competing in a word class athletic event!

So, what have all you other runners been up to? TreeSaw, Tall Cool One, Running Girl, Bears, JenJen?

[ April 24, 2004, 11:34 PM: Message edited by: Babe Ruthless ]

[Kanis]

Can I join in here? I recently signed up for a Learn to run 5km. I'm not much of a runner but decided to give myself a goal - plus I'm getting married this summer and going to Greece. I want to look better in a bathing suit!

I'm only in my 3rd week of training and boy did I find this week hard. We ran 3mins and walk 1 x7. My legs were dying by the end. I'm going to write that off to the fact that I didn't leave a day of rest between my runs. I had to run on Friday evening on then on Saturday morning I had the clinic where we increased our time. Boy was I bushed.

Tell me, does it get any easier? Is it gradual? Or suddenly one day, you feel great doing it? I really want to enjoy running but so far, it's been a bit of a labour.

Christa

[JalepenoAnn]

Hi everyone. I've finally started to get my energy back and am getting into my old running form again. I started taking an iron supplement, which seems to have kicked in. I didn't know how tired I was till I started feeling good again. I'm still not planning on any racing for the time being....just keeping my long run up to around 14 miles or so and then running 3 more days a week.

Next week, I'm going to go out and do a trail run to try to get my confidence back on the trails. With all the falls and sprained ankles I've had lately, I'm running scared every time I do a trail.

Babe~~ That's exciting about the World Masters Games! Running in the wind is something I don't like either. It's just plain hard work---like running up hill all the time but no payback of a down hill.

Christa~~ Hang in there. It sounds like you're not giving yourself enough rest in between runs. I've been working with a woman from my WW group. She started out a non-runner the end of Janurary and will be doing the Vancouver Half Marathon next weekend. She will be walking part of it, but she can now run 40 minutes straight, whereas in early Feburary, she could barely run 1 minute. It takes awhile and some days will be better than others, but keep putting one foot in front of the other!

Run happy!

Ann

[Babe Ruthless]

Hey Runners! Time to bump up this thread!

Speaking of wind, I ran a 5k Fun Run today in the wind, with a runny nose, congested lungs and a stiff hip! Somehow I managed a 36m finish but I really wanted to finish in under 35. I had to walk a few times near the end (other than my scheduled walks) just to stretch out my hip and catch my breath. Allergies suck! I hope we get rain soon so that I can breath easier. Oh well, I finished and 36 minutes is really not too bad. If I can run my 8k bit of the triathlon at that pace, I'll meet my target finish (for the run) of under one hour.

Jalepeno Anne - yes, running in the wind is brutal! At least it was a really good workout! I'd like to go for a ride today too but we'll see how I feel after my post-race nap.

Kanis - it is important to have rest days if you want to prevent injury. I run 4x per week at the most and NEVER 3 days in a row. I might walk or do something else like dance or yoga on day 3 but never run!

I was watching the kick off to the Bloomsday 10K Race in Spokane this AM - it looks like fun. Assuming I make it up to 10k, I'd like to do that race next year!

Where are all the runners?

[JalepenoAnn]

Hi everyone. Where ARE all the runners? Good question. Had a few great runs the past week. It feels so good to feel GOOD again. I had my first run back in the trails since my sprained ankle. I went with one other friend so I wouldn't feel pressured to keep up with the group. It was a fabulous run. A few more like that and I should have my trail legs and confidence back. Did a really good run this morning. We did about 18 miles. It was a pretty big jump for me, but felt ok for most of it. I still have no desire to race, but at least I am back to where I WANT to run again. If I stay at this level, I can bump up the training easily and pick a race at the last minute.

The Vancouver Marathon and Half Marathon was today. One of the women in my WW group did it as her first race. She asked me last Janurary if I would help her train. I've been working with her once a week since then. She walked/ran it and when I talked to her a little while ago she told me in spite of having her asthma bother her after 5 miles, she completed the half in 3:11. She was so sure it would take her at least 4 hours, but I told her I was sure she'd be just over three. She said she got a great medal and she can't wipe the smile off her face right now. LOL I'm really proud of her, but think she now has the running bug. LOL

Babe Ruthless~~ The Bloomsday has always looked like a great event. I've heard it's very well organized, but it's always the same day as Vancouver Marathon. We are thinking of getting a group together to go for next year though. Congrats on your race. It's so hard to run when allergies and every other part of the body are rebelling. I'm not looking forward to the cottonwood season. That always gives me fits.

Run happy.... smile.gif

Ann

[treesaw]

Howdy folks!

Glad to see the runners' thread up and... RUNNING!

My training for the half is going really well -- in fact, I ran the whole course yesterday! Now I know that I can do it, so I'm much less stressed about race day. Hard to believe that it's less than a month away. I feel like I've been training forever! Any advice from the seasoned distance runners on when I should start my taper? And how much I should scale back during the taper? Thanks in advance!

I've decided to postpone my inaugural triathalon until after the half. With all the running, I just haven't been able to give my swim training the attention it needs. So, I'm going to do the Ottawa Early Bird Duathalon instead, as a warm-up to the half, then do a sprint tri at the end of June.

Babe: Sounds like your tri training is going really well -- congrats. Looking forward to reading your race report after your triumphant finish!

Kanis: Yup, it does get easier and more enjoyable! A year ago I was training for my first 5K, now it's a half marathon. And the best part is I really love running now. So stick with it -- its worth it!

Ann: Glad to hear you're back on the trails and healthy! And congrats on your star pupil! It must make you feel very proud that she finished the half, and so much faster than she expected -- you must be a great teacher!

graemlins/wave.gif Teresa

[chiefkays]

I was too intimidated to post on this thread a couple months ago when I started running. I've been training for the Revlon 5K that's actually this weekend. And last week, I ran 3.0 miles for the first time ever. It took forever (48 minutes) but I did it. And then Sunday, I ran 2.5 in only 33 minutes, so I'm thinking I might actually finish the 5K in 45 minutes. And the best part is, I love running now. Not the first mile, I hate that one. But by the end of the second, its like I enter this state of nirvana and I'm not thinking about anything else except the here and now of running. Sounds goofy, but its the truth. Anyway, now that I've posted once, I'll keep coming back.

[runninggirl]

Hi guys,
Glad to hear everyone's training is going well. I just got back from running the Vancouver half marathon on the weekend. I did alright- didn't get the time I wanted, but I felt good throughout. I've been struggling with some nagging injuries, so I was happy to do it pain-free.
Good luck with training everyone,

[JalepenoAnn]

Hi buddies. Good to seem some action on the runner's thread again. I had a great run yesterday. A couple of friends and I ran a hill workout on the ravine trail, then came home up another big hill. It just feels so good that everything is not a huge struggle any longer. I don't know what was sapping my energy before, but I'm sure glad it's back. Anyway, we got in around 9 miles....just got home and the skies opened up. Is that lucky or what?

Teresa~~ I would do my last long run 2 weeks before the race. Then a week before, maybe just 10K or so. In the last week, just run enough to keep you from climbing the walls. LOL Maybe a couple of 5K easy runs would do it. You're gonna have a great race.

Kristen~~ No matter how long or how many miles you run at a time, that first mile is always the worst...for everyone. It takes at least that mile and often more, for your body to warm up and start to get into the flow of things.

Diane~~ Glad you were able to do the Vancouver Half pain free. Those nagging injuries can really set your training back, but you did it. Congrats on your race!

Christa~~ IT band pain can come on from doing too much too soon. Do the stretches like crazy, they will definitely help. I had a severe IT band problem 5 weeks before I ran Vancouver marathon a few years ago. I did the stretches LOTS, iced the knee and took ibuprofen. Within 2 weeks, I was pain free again. Really brought home how important it is to stretch. Good luck!

Run happy! graemlins/wave.gif
Ann

[Kanis]

Okay, so this running thing is starting to stick. I'm actually enjoying it! Who would ahve thunk it? ;) I had a great run on Saturday - beautiful day in the park, but today was a struggle. It was 6s and 1s x4. It was raining so I was inside and on a treadmill (boring!).

Question: The outside of my knee begins to hurt after running for a period of time. My clinic leader said it's a very common pain and that it is associated with the IT band. She provided stretches for it but is there anything else I can do?

Thanks smile.gif

christa

[Kanis]

Another question everyone smile.gif - if I'm running on a treadmill, I run at 5.1 at an incline of 4, and my neighbour is running on it flat at 6mph, who is getting the better workout? Me - slower at an incline or other - faster and flat? Should I be running on an incline? I hear that you need to in order to simulate outdoor running. :D


Thanks Ann. What kind of stretches do you do for your IT?

christa

[treesaw]

Howdy Kanis,

There are some really good exercises for your IT band on this website (http://www.sportsmed.buffalo.edu/info/iliotibial3.html)

I managed to fix myself by doing these exercises daily.

Good luck
Teresa

[Babe Ruthless]

Originally posted by treesaw:
There are some really good exercises for your IT band on this website (http://www.sportsmed.buffalo.edu/info/iliotibial3.html)
TreeeSaw - Thanks for posting the link to these exercises! I had been struggling with bursitus in my right hip last year before starting running and I can feel my hip tightening up again. SO I have printed out the stretches and exercises and will work on getting things back to where they should be!

Jalepeno Ann - the allergies have died down a bit but I'm sure they will be back! Its been cool and windy which drives the pollen right up my nose. But at least its not 30 below right now and I have the gym where I can run without the pollen bugging me!

So I am up to 8k finally - I did 8k for the first time on Wednesday. I only did 6k on Friday but I also had a 1 hour yoga/pilates/tai chi class right after that I had to save energy for. My mom bought me 12 sessions with a personal trainer for my birthday (not for 3 more weeks) and we are going to focus on upper body strength for now as well as abs. I am starting to get very sore from yesterdays workout!!! I didn't run outside today - too cold and windy and I really needed a day off!

Its great to see the Runner's thread up again! Congratulations to everyone on their hard work and respective races - its hard to keep track of what everyone is doing! So, keep posting and more importantly, keep on running!

[chiefkays]

Woohoo! My 5K on Saturday went great. It was kinda annoying how we stretched and then lined up, but they kept jabbering for another 30 minutes so I was all stiff by the time the race started. But I ended up finishing in under 41 minutes, when I had aimed for 45. So it was great. I just found another 3 mile race at the end of May that I'm gonna do. And I found a 10K in September that I'm going to train for.

All you people doing 8K and half marathons, all I have to say is WOW! You are all my running inspiration!

[flower girl1]

Mind if I join in. I have been running since about February, gradually increasing my miles. Most runs, I do about 5 miles, inside or out. This weekend I ran 6 miles for the first time, was so excited. I want to train for a 10k sometime this summer, just ran a 5k in April. My sister and SIL ran a half marathon last Thanksgiving, I might try to train for that this year. Kristen, I did the same as you, I trained for the 5k and thought I would be lucky to finish in 40 minutes, going from how long it took me on the treadmill. I finished in 31:38, I couldn't believe it, I think the other runners pace, made me faster. It felt good. Happy running.

[stonegrey]

hi I have just started running after 5 years away....it is so slow geting back in form.....UGH

[sriesub2]

Hi everyone

Christa, I was told that if you are running on a treamill you should always have it set at at least 1.0 incline to simulate outdoor running. As far as who is running at a faster pace or which is better is hard to say, because no 2 treamills are the same, I've noticed that with my treamill and then going to a gym and using another one. The speeds are never the same. I go by time on the treamill not distance, this is something that my fiance has drilled into my head over and over again. The slower you run the more fat you burn and you are building your endurance. I am training for 2 half marathon's this summer and this seems to have helped me a lot. Last year I was running with a heart rate monitor but not paying attention to what my heart rate was, and I didn't loose any weight, this year I am keeping an eye on my heart rate and so far I have lost weight. Yeah I run slower but I know that I am doing my body good.
Not sure if that answers your question or not, but that is my 2 cents graemlins/crazy.gif

[chiefkays]

Hi everybody. I just joined active.com. It's so cool, it has schedules of all sorts of races and you get to log in your training calendar. I signed up for another 5K at the end of May and I've started an 8-week 10K training program. I've decided that I'm going to run a half marathon at the end of the year, so I'm getting a nice long head start.

So, all you people who run on treadmills...I know that running outside is harder, but is it a significant amount harder? My friend wants to do a 10K when I do the 5K, but she only uses a treadmill to train. She wondered if she should train with more miles or something. I'll tell her about the 1.0 incline, but what do you guys think?

[Kanis]

Whew! I made it. Today we ran 15-1 x2 and boy, the last 4mins of the run, I was dying! But I did it and that's what counts. :D I asked my clinic leader if I should set a goal of 40mins for the 5k run, but she said that I should be able to finish it in 30mins. Well, I don't know about that but I'll compromise - my goal for my first 5k is to complete it in 35mins. I think that's realistic. I hope it is.

Thanks for the IT band advice. On the past few runs, there has been significantly less discomfort. And in fact today, I had no pain at all other than your run of the mill "My legs are dying" muscle pain.

One great thing, I bumped into a friend I hadn't seen in a while at the gym today and mentioned the running clinic I was in. She's always wanted to learn how to run too so we've made a promise that we're going to try to get together 2x a week for a run. smile.gif It'll be nice to catch up with her.

christa

[ May 15, 2004, 02:50 PM: Message edited by: Kanis ]

[Babe Ruthless]

Bumping up the Runners thread! I'm trying to talk myself out of a run as I am tired and still stiff from Thursdays workout with the trainer, but now that I am posting this thread I feel better and less likely to back out of my run. Did I mention that it is cold and windy today as well? Oh well, why should I expect nice weather on the Victoria Day long weekend!

Only one more week until the Triathlon and I guess I am as ready as I can be. I know my time will not be great but I WILL finish the race and that is what is important to me. This year anyways. Next year I'll try to have a better time than the 80 year olds!!!

Where are all the runners? What's new? How is everyone?

[flower girl1]

I ran early this morning, 6:30, and boy did I sweat. We are in to the hot humid days, already 68 degrees when I got up. I was very wet when I finished. I had a pretty good run, about 6 miles. Have been averaging about 20 miles a week.

I have been thinking of adding in some type of class to my exercise routine. Right now I am mostly just running, does anyone have any suggestions as to what they do to cross train.

[Babe Ruthless]

Woooo! I'm back from my run and I feel great. Its funny how the runs that I least want to do and have to drag my butt off the couch to do end up being the best runs of all!

I had my longest run of all today - 9.4 k! And it was by accident, I took a wrong turn on the 8k route I had paced out on my bike and added an extra 1.4 k to the run! I just got back from a bike ride to measure the run on my odometer! It was a pretty slow pace (7.5 min per k) but that includes my 1min walk breaks. So I am really pleased.

Flower Girl - I weight train 2x per week (1x per week with trainer) and I am amazed at how much stronger and fitter I feel. No toning for me - I lift as heavy as I can and to failure. So I recommend adding strength training to your routine!

[chiefkays]

Hey runners! My second 5K is coming up this Saturday. I feel completely ready for it. I'm hoping for a slight improvement in time compared to the last one. Maybe under 40 min? Anyway, I'm doing it with a friend, so at least I'll have someone to chat with at the end. I say the end, because she's much faster, but good for her! smile.gif

Babe Ruthless: That's awesome that you went ahead and ran, and that you ended up running almost 1/4 farther than you planned. I never thought about taking my bike out to measure routes. Do you have to get a mile counter?

flower girl: I play volleyball twice a week and I do interval training at a Curves-type gym twice a week as well. I've only been going to the gym for a month, but I've noticed that my arms and legs are way more muscular and defined.

[ May 26, 2004, 03:43 PM: Message edited by: chiefkays ]

[Kanis]

Kirsten,
Good luck on your 5k. I'm going to be running my first 5k on June 6th! I'm so excited and a little scared. I just hope I can make it to the end. smile.gif

Kathy,
Like Babe, I strength train about 3x a week. It's really amazing how much more powerful my legs feel. Last week in our training clinic, I sprinted the last 30secs of the run and actually zoomed past the faster runners. I couldn't believe it! I really feel like the weight training contributed to it.

Babe,
Congrats! I hope to continue with my running after my 5k. My goal is to run 8k at the Turkey Trot in Oct this year. I'll be gone for a month on holiday in July, do you think this will totally disrupt my running? Plus, I'm in a place where it'll be too difficult to run (too hot and too foreign).

Christa

[flower girl1]

Hey runners, had a really good run yesterday morning, a little more than 6 miles, it was very humid. I didn't run much last week, work was kind of intense, I work outside too, so get some points for that. Thanks for all the advice on cross training, I am thinking of getting some Firm tapes, have heard a lot of good about them. I am also considering a yoga class.

Kristen: hope that you had a great 5k.
Christa:Where you are going on holiday probably has fitness centers, I have been on two vacations since I started OP and exercising, I got more workouts in then than I do when I am at home working. If it is too hot outside, find somewhere inside.

Happy running.

[Kanis]

Christa:Where you are going on holiday probably has fitness centers, I have been on two vacations since I started OP and exercising, I got more workouts in then than I do when I am at home working. If it is too hot outside, find somewhere inside.Hey there Kathy. I'll be in Greece for three weeks for my honeymoon ;) . I'm sure that they'll have some sort of fitness centre around but I think I'll be getting most of my exercise either walking (doing the tourist thing) or swimming. smile.gif Maybe I can get a run in on one of the Olympics tracks! ;) LOL.

As for my 5k training, I had one of my longer runs yesterday (16-1x2) and I found that my outer thigh really began to ache at about 20mins. I think it all goes back to my IT Band. I really gotta stretch that puppy out! It was an okay run. Problem is is that there are only a few people in my group (4 altogether including the leader) and two are really fast and one is slow and I'm in the middle. Usually I kind of run with the slow girl but yesterday she was sick so I spent most of the run on my own. It was okay except I needed a little more encouragement as my legs got heavier!

Anyway, I hope to keep up my running after my 5k. Any suggestions on how I can increase my distance to 8k? How would I go about doing that?

Christa

[Babe Ruthless]

Hey Runners!

I completed my first Triathlon and I only have one thing to say (many times) I did it!!! Woo!

My legs now feel like dead weight and my shoulders are killing me but I DID IT! The swim was okay, better than expected actually but I'm not sure of my time. The bike course was brutal because of a stiff wind that was blowing 30k all day and gusting up to 50k. The bike course was two laps of 12.5k - the way out was into the wind and very very hard but the way back was easy because the same nasty wind on my back on the return trip. I really really struggled with the wind and was glad to be done the bike course and it took about 1hr 25 min (was hoping for 1hr 10min).

The run was okay, 8k and it took me about 1hr and 1min. I wanted to be done in an hour or less so I am happy with that. My legs hurt for much of the run because I had had to contend with the wind on the bike course. However, I finished and I feel great aside from every muscle in my body hurting!

Kanis! I hope you have a great time in Greece. I think if you are walking every day you will be okay and will not suffer too much when you get back to running. You could try a Google search and find out about running tracks or trails in the area you are staying in. Does your DH or DF run too??? As for increasing your distance, just keep at it. Pace off longer courses on your bike or in your car and just slowly add to your distance. I started out slowly and even though I can do up to 10k now, I still do my 10and1's.

[flower girl1]

Babe, great job on the triathlon, I don't know if I could do all that. I have been thinking of trying a half marathon at Thanksgiving. My ds and sis in law ran it last year and I am thinking of trying to do it with them this year.

Christa: I am sure you will get a lot of exercise in walking, you might really enjoy running in Greece. If you check out RunnersWorld.com, you might find some info on some cool runs. Are you doing all your running on a track? That might be contributing to your leg hurting. As to adding miles, you just do it gradually, takes time.

Happy running.

[Kanis]

Babe! graemlins/thumbup.gif Congrats on completing the triathlon! Wow what an accomplishment. You must feel so proud of yourself. :D

christa

[runninggirl]

Hi guys
Congrats on completing Coronation Babe!! I saw you finish, but my friend finished just after you, so by the time I had congratulated her, you were nowhere to be seen. Great job under tough conditions.!!!!!!!!!!

[chiefkays]

I managed to finish my 5K in about 37 1/2 this time, a 3 minute improvement. I'm gonna do about one 5K a month to keep me motivated and training for the 10K in August and the eventual half marathon at the end of the year.

Babe: Awesome job on the triathlon! Sounds like you met or beat all your goals, and what could be better? Take it easy for a few days, cuz you deserve it!

[Kanis]

I did it! I ran my first run (5k)! Plus I made my goal. I set a goal of 30 mins and I snuck in at 29:44! smile.gif Yah! Next goal - Turkey Trot 10k in October. :D

christa

[chiefkays]

Christa, congratulations! Finishing in under 30 is awesome. Good luck training for the 10K!

[chiefkays]

Not sure where all the runners are, but I'll post anyway. I just decided to run a marathon...not any time soon of course, but the LA Marathon is next March. There's a 30-week training program that starts at the end of July that I think I'm going to join. Well, I hope everyone's running is going well!

[Babe Ruthless]

HI Kristen!

Good for you! I think a marathon is a great goal and I know you will succeed!

As for my running, I am doing well, getting ready for a 5k on July 1 and an 8k on July 18. My asthma has been bad the past few days so I am taking it a bit easy. I will go to the gym to meet my trainer and lift weights but I think running is out of the question today.

I might have trouble with weights today though - I was not feeling well last night so I took myself for a walk (4.2k). I don't know how, but somehow I lost my balance and fell on some gravel. I have a puncture in my hand and my knee is pretty raw. I think I can handle the gym but it will be a real challenge. I'm too stubborn to cancel my appointment because of it!

Hope everyone is having a great running day!