runners thread
 

So I ran my first 10K today - at 8am! I don't even wake up at 8am!
I did it just in about an hour - my official time was 1.00.53 - though I think they were wrong - and my pace was 9.48 (again I think the time was a bit off - bc there were no chips or anything I don't think it was that accurate.) But I placed 5th in my category of Athena women - women 165+ - so my goal is to now place first in that category! (when I am 166 :) )

But The 2nd and 3rd mile were all on this steady uphill - not too steep, but to be on an incline for 20 minutes is intense - running down the hill felt so good, and I kicked about a minute 20 off my last mile (.2) to finish and beat the fit looking guy in yellow ahead of me.

I was like - B - you take 2-3 spinning classes a week - you kNOW how to sprint - if anything that is what it was for. And just as I was digging into my last sprint and about to give up some guy at the finish line totally yelled - go go - and gave me the momemtum to finish strong! yay!!!

my friend ran as well and he placed at like 46 minutes - 5th in his age group (24) - go him! now to get my time down to 50 minutes would be awesome!

-B

Wow, bida, that's awesome! Congratulations! :cheer:

I went for a run yesterday, 20 minutes. I did 2 lenghts of the gravel road and a little bit more, only this time I was slower than during my previous run. Next one scheduled for tomorrow, keep your fingers crossed so it doesn't rain. :)

A strange thing is happening: I'm fine running along the road, but as soon as I finish the 2nd lenght, I feel exhausted and have trouble continuing to round the run up to 20 minutes... and that has happened three times now, irrespective of my pace and of how long it took me to run the 2 lenghts (times were over 19 min, 17.5 min and 18.5 min, and the 2 lengths is about 3k). I don't understand... :stu:

What has your other excersize been up to this? Is this your first cardio challenge? (or rather running challenge?)

For people that have not been running for a long time it takes a while to get into it. Also gravel, I believe, is not a stable surface, like sand (and the treadmill), thus it takes a different set of muscles (and thus tires you out quicker) so that you can stabalize and run at the same time.

If you can't run the rest, do you at least walk for another 4-5 minutes to round it up (plus a bit since you are walking?) make sure that you aren't walking really slow - but speed walking - and then maybe you can even, after a 2 minute or so rest, run the 2.5 minutes you wanted to finish up so you ran 20 minutes in total.

good luck - tell me how you do!

(today it was spin class for me!)

Bida, thanks for your reply. :)
I started running in December last year, worked my way up from just 3 minutes to three sets of 3 minutes with walking inbetween to 10 minutes straight and so on. I had a break in January, then started again in February (at 10 minutes and reached to 23-25 min by increasing by half minute each time), then had a bit of a break I think or maybe I ran a bit but not regularly, and then I was travelling for nearly a month and didn't run at all. I just started again, and now I'm running every other day (previously it was every day). The longest I ever ran was 37 min straight.

I'm a bit limited with other cardio right now (no gym access), so just stationary bike and walking over the last months. Normally I figure skate a lot, swim and go to all kinds of fitness classes.

This running out of steam at the end of the second lenght of the road is really weird and has never happened before. It could be due to the fact that the road is hilly and going "there" is a bit on an incline with 4 hills, while going "back" is slightly downhill with just one hill. Also, it's not really gravel - mostly hard dirt with some small stones on the sides, which I keep away from. I find it easier and much more pleasant than running on concrete, asphalt or grass.
I'm going to try a different strategy to reach my 3 lenghts goal - walking to the end of the road first, and then running, so that I end up only doing one lenght uphill and not two. That might make it easier.

Today was my running day, so I went out at 9:30 am. I ran 2 lenghts of the road in 17.5 min again, and again ran out of steam and gave up at 18 minutes. I usually walk for up to 20 min after running, and while I was walking I decided to run some more, and ended up doing nearly 2.5 lenghts in 22 minutes. I'm really happy about it, but can't wait to be able to do 40 min straight! :lol:
Next time I'm going to run elsewhere, on a flat surface. We'll see how that goes. :)

Hope everyone is doing well! :)

Well it has been a long time coming but I finally got my wk2d2 run on my c25k program. Being that I have been such a slacker I boosted my mph up by one so that I would feel it tomorrow. I love feeling sore after a good workout. It motivates me for the next one. I forgot to take your advice and stretch before...I could tell I missed it when my calves started talking to me. The program I am doing calls for you to run 3 X per week but I am a little behind because of work, do you think it would be alright if I ran 4 X this week? I know you should usually give yourself a day off after running, do some other kind of cardio strength etc...what do you ladies think?

bida - congrats on that great place hun. I envy you, I will get there someday I hope. Running uphill *jaw drops* that must be sooo hard, I am a treadmill girl or I wuss out when I do run outside and do it on a flat track.

sushi - That is weird about your exhaustion...think it might be mental? I know sometimes I really have to focus on my beathing when I start to get tired...maybe you need more water or something. Don't ask me lol I am just a baby runner.

Hey hi :)
Guess what - I ran for 45 minutes today and covered some 7 km... :cheer:
I went to this trail along the river, as I knew it was 5 km, and told myself "that's it, Sushi, you're doing it." No stopping, no walking, no turning back till you get to the end of the 5k. And when I got there 32 minutes later (I reckon that's not a bad time!), I thought that this wasn't enough running for the day and did a few circles around the cricket ground. :) It's nice to officially know how long it takes me to run 5k. :)

I think the mystery of running out of steam will be solved the day after tomorrow... it might be the incline that the road is on. I'll try doing 3 lenghts but starting from the far end, so that I only have to do the incline once, and I'll see how it goes. :)

i'm kinda annoyed. april 3rd i ran an 8K with almost NO training. i wasn't really even working out 3 weeks before it. well, i just tried to run today (after doing 3.5 miles on the elliptical) and i could barely run a mile! and i've been working out! i wonder if the momentum of the race made me able to run, but i have not been able to run without pain since. i can do the ellipical for hours, but running....nothing. grrrr. i'll keep on trudging along and hopefully one of these days things will fall into place.

Chicagoposter: I found some good tips for starting out called www.coolrunning.com. You may have just overdid it to your body when you ran that 8k, and mentally you over-ran your actual physical capabilites.
Running is really hard on your body, so take it slow....eventually you'll be running a 8k again!

great job sushi! See u could do it! no reason to beat ureself up over it - sorry i was away so long - darn finals ;) I am finally done for the semester though - that is the great news!

Stephie - to answer your question - I know there are people out there that fun every single day! Like EVERY SINGLE DAY - and they have been doing this for 10+ years etc - so to put it into perspective - if your body is great - its prob just fine to do 4+ or 5+ - you are asked to do that when you train for a marathon.

I do not though, because I have to be careful of my knees - I think i'm in for it with arthritis if I do - which I why I do more cross training then running (spinning 2x a week) - going in a few minutes in fact! - I had an acl operation - and am missing the cartelidge between my left knee bones - so I just am careful that I don't stress it out too much - since I basically don't have any shock absorber.

Chica - good job on the 8K - running in a group is a huge motivator - perhaps you like that group activity to keep you going? when I started to train for the marathon I ran with a group (from road runners) and it was really great for training and for keeping me motivated. Maybe you want to try something out like that again?

Side note - I have not worked well with just one other running parther.

Ran again today. Kept at the higher pace I set for myself yesterday. Was winded at the end but again such a sense of accomplishment. I can feel it in my calves and my knees tonight. I think I should take tomorrow off. I am officially back on track as far as the c25k program is concerned. Tomorrow I have a **** of a day busy busy busy but I should be able to make it to the gym tomorrow night. Hoping to put in some time with the spinning bike.

sushi - thats great that you finally know your time. Why dont you keep running the trail along the river? Maybe you just need a change of scenery.

chicago - I could see being more motivated to run in the pressence of a race and other runners. Have you considered going on a running training program. I am similar to you...I can do the eliptical or cross trainer forever but running is so hard for me. I think for me it is mental. Being on a program tricks my mind into accepting I can run past a certain amount of time...build me endurance.

spill - what week are you on of the c25k prgram? I am just entering week 3. I fell a little behind.

bida - Well I took your advice and ran again today. I think it would be wise for me not to make it a habit though...I can feel my knees a little more today. I think I will also be taking your advice and doing spinning on my off days to build my endurance.

I got myself a proper stop watch today! :cheer:
After the battery in my boyfriend's watch died (why? because Sushi ran too much! :lol: ), I've been using my cell phone, and it's a flip one, so it's not very handy for running. Hopefully the stop watch will be ok... last time I took my iPod shuffle with me, and it kept on bouncing, so I had to carry it in my hand all the time... hopefully the stop watch won't bounce... :cross:

I'll be testing the new gadget tomorrow, as long as weather is good. Please please please for good weather please... :cross: :cross: :cross: today was horrible - rain, wind, cold... And very timely indeed - just last night I had a question pop into my head: what am I going to do when it's just plain impossible to run outside? I don't have a treadmill or access to a gym... :?:

Re - running along the track by the river... I could, but probably not every time, since it's not as close as the road where I usually run. Maybe I could do it right now, but surely not once I start working (which will hopefully be soon...). And I do like the dirt road where I usually run, it's very beautiful there and the hills are probably good for my endurance.

I jogged/ran 1.5 miles yesterday.
Not sure if that counts.

Sure it does Maja :)

Well, after an awful, gloomy, rainy day yesterday, today was lovely! :cheer:
I went for a run along the dirt road and expected to see lots of walkers, dog walkers, runners etc., but there was nobody! I enjoyed having the whole road to myself. :)
The new stopwatch is cool, but it bounces, so I have to keep it in my pocket or carry it in my hand if I don't have any pockets.

As planned, I first walked to the end of the road, and started there. And I did do 3 lenghts! :cheer: And felt quite good at the end. So it was the incline that was the problem, and that means I have something else to work on: conquering the incline! :)

stephie: I'm not following a program now. Just listening to my body. I was following a running to five miles program I found in my Shape magazine...but it started out with running 3 miles 3times a week, and I was almost handicapped(couldn't walk straight for a few days after that week)

so now, I'm just listening to my body, and trying to run as much as possible, without over doing it. My ultimate goal is to run five miles.

I just finished week two of the c25k program today, starting with week 3 monday!

Stephie, it sounds like you're in about the same place, maybe we can help keep each other in check here

You gals are all so inspiring, thanks for posting your progress!

I never used to be a runner in any shape or form...long distance that is. I'd sprint...LOVED and was very good at sprinting but distance runners were like a foreign species to me lol.

I started walking and loved that and my pace was always very fast (about 8kms/hr or 5mph) And then quite randomly one day I just FELT like running and so I did and just kept going and going...I guess now i'm running about 10kms most days and absolutely loving it (takes about 50mins).

I'd go further but unfortunately it's going into the dark months down here and by the time I get home from work its already pitch black. Having said that there is something very soothing about running in the dark. It feels even more like it's just you out there...very relaxing.

I never ever thought i'd love running this much!

I ran 1 mile without stopping last night!
That is soo much for me.
About a month ago i couldn't even do 1/3 of a lap without getting winded.

Doesn't it suck when your lungs keep you from going longer, but your legs aren't tired...the story of my life!!! I'm going for a run now...adios!

Good run this morning, improved my times. :) I was going strong, did the incline twice and was aiming for the 4 lenght when a horrible stitch struck... :( Which is a shame, I was doing so well.

Hopefully the weather will be good on Wednesday morning again, I have a chance to get to the trail by the river again, and I'd like to make use of it! :)

Well wk3day1 of the c25k program for me. I have been sticking with my goal of taking at least one of my weekly runs outside. This week should be no different. I am going to get a run in today. If it is nice enough I would love to go run at the trail down by the river. Everytime I have wanted to run outside it seems like the weather has been so iffy so I have had to do it on a track at the highschool so as to be near to my car if it started pouring. The great news it that my feet no longer bother me when I run and I can really feel my endurance improving. It makes me so proud...I am a RUNNER! I still cannot believe it.

maja - ofcourse jogging counts. Thats awesome you got in a mile non stop. I am right there with you girly...But doesn't it feel so good when you are done BECUASE it is so hard. Also After I run I feel like all the places I am trying to target are sore...feels better than other forms of cardio.

sushi - That sucks the stopwatch still has to be carried. I am saving up for one of those watches that charts your prgress , keeps track of your heart rate etc...Thats awesome you figured out the problem, now you can get back to normal. I read on a running site that stitches are usuallly from irregular breathing. If you keep running at a slower pace and really focus on normal sized rhythmic breatsh they will go away. I try to focus on my breathing and hardly ever get them now.

spill - yeah I have noticed even in their strength training workouts Shape seems to assume their readers are in muuuuuuch better shape than they really are. SOme of their stuff is super hard. Sounds like you have a plan for yourself though.

denise - YAY I am starting week three this week as well. I would love to hold each other accountable. Do you do your running outside on on a treadmill?

lyria - what a pretty username btw. I wish that I could just start running and be great at it lol, seems like an uphill battle for me.

pilatesgrl - love your avatar it is so summery...

Hey there everybody, I talked to my stepdad who is a doctor and told him i was doing a jogging program. He said it is VERY VERY important to make sure you do plenty of strengh training for your quads (to avoid runners knee injury). He recommended sets of leg lifts and that sort of thing. Just thought i'd let anyone (especially beginners like me!) know who aren't aware of the knee injury thing.

Stephie- i did w3d1 this morning, it went well, i definately could feel the increase! I always jog/walk outside (no treadmill), but i really enjoy outside anyway. I also try to walk or hike on my "off" days. Do you have anything specific you do on non-running days?

stephiewilliams - Haha. I love how my butt and thighs jiggle when i run. As funny as that sounds. That's when i know i am getting a great butt/thigh workout. They are nice and tight the next day.

Stephie: It appears as though I could just start and be good at it but the truth is I did a LOT of hard and fast power walking for a long time before attempting to jog.

Walking may be less intense than jogging but it sure does increase your fitness significantly over time and is much easier on the joints. I guess that I can go from walking to jogging with no apparent difficulty is testimony to the power of the humble walk!

Lyria

Oh...and thankyou about the name lol, Lyria was a character in a story I wrote years ago!

Ok so I am done with my w3d1 training run. I am such a baby...I kept telling myself NOT to look down at the countdown on the treadmill as I was doing the longer running intervals...it just makes it so much worse when you know how much longer you have to go. This workout was really challenging for me. When I hopped off the treadmill I was covered in sweat. I can workout for like an hour on the eliptical and not break a sweat. I tell you girls this is going to be great for me if I can master it. The sense of accomplishment I get after I complete a training run....is awesome. Also it feels like a commitment to me and much less than an exercise program. Man I thought my schedule was getting back to normal...I had no idea what crazy was. I will stick with this though.

denice - ok w3d1 in the bag for me too...Man I have to be honest after the last interval of running I was about ready to die. Nice change of pace from last week when the workout wasn't near as challenging. This week is going to be tough though.

maja - Thats so funny, I love that jiggling to makes you aware the right parts are getting their metaphorical butts kicked.

lyria - I am a big fan of walking, however if I could conquer running I would be a workout goddess :)

hahaha.

I got in at 11:55 for my mile yesterday. WooooHooo!!! :woops:
First time under 12 minutes in years.
I was red as a beet. :faint:

Ok wk3d2 over and done with. Took it outside yesterday. Man oh man, I always underestimate how hard it is running outside. I can feel it everywhere but especially in my tush this morning. I was once again winded and dying by the end of the last running interval. I hate to say it but I may have to repeat this week. Maybe I will have a peek at what is in store for next week. If it is a gradual challenge I may be up for it.

denice - nothing specific, usually just whatever my schedule permits. If there is a class I want to do I do that, if strength training is needed for the week then I do it. I am going to try to do spinning on my days off if I can ever get this schedule back to normal.

maja - you go girl, I think running may be a destresser for you :)

I got w3d2 jog in yesterday evening also, yeah, i got my butt kicked a bit too, i did the loop I always do, but in the reverse direction and it somehow seemed like more uphill than the other direction-oh well. Hopefully i'll get d3 in tomorrow. Also, my arms and legs have been really achy after running, it doesn't even feel like muscle soreness, just achy, does anyone else experience this?

Hi everyone!

I hope I can jump in here on this thread.

Im in week 3 of a 6 week 5k programme. Its going well so far. I can definetly feel my endurance increasing. This morning I was able to run for 24 minutes with only 3 minutes of walking during that. Thats a record for me! A couple of months ago i couldn't even run for 1 minute without getting winded!

I've also signed up for a 5k run on the 4th June which coincides exactly with the end of my 6 week programme. Its great motivation to keep going but im very very scared at the same time!

EEK!

OK I am behind, god isn't this the story of my life? I need to get wk3d3 in today and then squeeze wk4d1 in tomorrow. That way I can run tues, thurs and sat and have days off in between wk4 sessions. I know I am going to need them lol I am already expecting to get my butt handed to me. Should be good though I need a kick in the pants with my cardio and I am actually looking forward to it. Onward and upward right? Its ONLY running - lol if this were only true. This is a battle, a hard one for me and I am **** bent on winning. How is it going with you ladies?

denice - ready to get to those week 4 runs! Not me, but I am going to suck it up and progress :) Are you stretching before you run and making sure to do the 5 min warmup? Might be your muscles are cold when you are running - that can make them sore/stiff

done idle - jump right on in girly! A 6 week program eh? I am on an 8 week one that is kicking my butt currently. Thats so awesome that your 5k is on the same date as your being ready according to your program.

stephie-i did w3d3 today, finally! I hadn't run since last wednesday and it was sooo hard today :( I've been really sore the last few days, I went hiking on saturday with my husband and a few friends and we got lost and ended up hiking about 7(?) miles! I think i'm going to do w3 pattern this week again, i really feel like i had a hard time today and need to do 2 more days like this. good luck with your w3d3!

how can I not be so self-conscious? I want to try out the couch-to-5k program, but I don't have access to indoor running anywhere. So outside it must be. I admit the only reason why I don't walk out that door right now and start it up is because I'm afraid I'll look stupid and other people will see me and think, "why's the fat girl running?" BAH. I know I'm not alone with these thoughts, how do you get over them? I have the drive and motivation.... I want to walk out the door.... But when I look outside, there's always some reason for me not to keep going. Gr.

denice - great job on getting that last day in. I still have yet to do mine :( I do not want to fall behind. I too am thinking of repeating wk3. I don't think I can squeeze in 4 runs this week 3 of them being the dreaded wk 4...

brito - You know I was self conscious too. No one ever showed me how to run so I thought for sure I was going about it all wrong and if any 'runner' that I passed saw me they would chuckle and think to themselves I looked stupid. But you just kind of have to get over it. Are there any places where there are not a ton of people to just kind of get used to it. Like not running in a neighborhood but running on a trail...or a high school track? Or a time of day where there aren't many out, like early evening or during the workday.

Jaime-I was also feeling really self conscious about the whole running thing like i was some unfit fraud trying to be a runner, but you know what? the place i jog/walk/run, there are people of all sizes and shapes out there walking and running, I think you'd be suprised, its not all super duper fit olympic athlete looking people getting into running. you might also inspire some others to get out there too! and i agree with Stephie, try and find a place that isn't as crowded and just get out there! Good luck! Also, the couch to 5K program is great, you should join us :)

Hi all.

Jamie I think everyone admits to being a bit self-conscious at first. Running certainly didn't feel natural to me when I started. I find that listening to music helps me to block out whats going on around me.

Stephie - im not sure why my 5k programme is 6wks. But its sure as **** working! I did my wk4d1 on monday which ended up being 4k. I didnt feel too tired at that point so i continued on to 5k. I was really really chuffed. Lets hope i can keep it up.

Thank you guys for your motivation and advice.... I think my goal today will be to walk around my neighborhood as much as possible to see if I can chart a do-able running path. People aren't the only problem in this neighborhood: it's also very, very hilly. Last thing I want to do on my first day trying to run is to hit a giant hill running! I also just don't know the area very well, it's not laid out intuitively, and I've gotten lost walking before. There could be a giant part a half mile away and I'd never know it.

I always feel happy whenever I see someone running who doesn't look like a super-athelete. Someone older, someone heavier... Good for them that they're taking control of their lives. Damn self-esteem keeps me from believing others will say this about me! But I'm determined! By the end of the week, I will put in my first run, I promise!!

Sad to say my run has still yet to be done. I had been feeling really under the weather BUT....I'M BACK! So count me in to get this thing done. God I miss it, I just could not bring myself to exercise - I was completely drained!

denice - I always think it is hilarious when I am winded after like 3 minutes and then someones grandma passes me on the trail running waaaay faster that I have, you can tell she has run her entire life. Just shows you what you can do if you stick to it.

bone idle - I bet you can keep it up. Sounds like you are doing great, 5k already after only 4 weeks. I am on my fourth week right now and not nearly as far on my progress.

brito - Get out there and chart a path hun, if the kills won't kill you they WILL make you stronger :) Maybe try walking/running intervals.

10-k tomorrow girls...wish me luck!

Good luck liz! you are an inspiration!

Stephie-i've been a total slacker this week, i'm planning on doing a w3 run tomorrow morning then moving on to week 4 on monday. how has your week been? I totally know what you mean by being passed up by a granny hauling ***, its cross between totally embarassing and inspiring :)

Could look Liz - let us know how u got on.

I think i did 5k again today. I did it outside and mapped it on the gmap pedometer. Is that pretty accurate? there was one hill that nearly killed me! But i refused to let it beat me and ran/crawled/dragged my way to the top.

I've been reading a lot recently about interval training and read somewhere today that you should even incorporate into your 5k training. Is interval training basically a few mins slow/easy pace followed by a few mins fast/hard pace repeated? Does anybody do this?

I cant believe i just wrote "could look" instead of "good luck"!!
Whats up with me today?!