Coool Runners - August
 

Wow! What a milestone for me to start an exercise thread!

Goal this month is to do four 5K runs a week - starting today :)

Pushed myself a little farther on Tuesday to do 3.25 miles so that I had done a full 5K. I have decided not to worry about speed, but to build up my endurance with 5K runs. A friend who does triathlons (crazy woman! :lol:) told me that 5.2mph is a very good speed for someone who has been running only a couple of months - and it was good to hear! ;)

Heather :D

Heather, you're doing awesome!! And I want to thank you again for all the support you've given me on the coaching thing! :hug:

Speaking of that, our first practice is tonight. It will be just a short, slow jog and sort of a meeting with the kids, so we'll see how it goes. The problem is that I just had a root canal this morning so I'm not feeling that great!

I still don't have a working computer at home -- this is my work laptop and I'm in a cafe. I miss my running friends on 3FC!! I hope to get up and running at least within a week or two, but who knows? I'm not sure when I can get back online!

I had a great 9-mile run yesterday -- it felt good to get back to a fairly long run. I'm supposed to do 14 tomorrow -- eek!

Good luck tonight, Lisa - and remember: YOU are the coach (okay, assistant!) - don't forget it! :D Rotten luck about the root canal - yuck!

Keep up the great work Heather. Before long you'll be a pro :)

LisaMarie - Good luck at practice! I had a root canal last year, it was no fun. Hope you're feeling better soon.

I wish it weren't so dang hot out! I didn't get more than 5 hours of sleep last night, but I might try to go out for a run after it cools off this evening. Still pretty steamy even after the sun goes down these days though. If not I'll just do my strength workout tonight and get up for an early morning run tomorrow.

Death in DH's family, so I did not run this week. Going at 3 and plan to do as much as I can over 12 minutes, then 2 walking, then run as much as I can, then take two and hopefully get a full 30 in of running. Maybe a bit ambitious since I have not been able to get back in the groove after vaca.

Hello Everyone! Mind if I join this thread?

Heatherangel- Iam with you - My goal for the month of
August is going to also be min. of 4-5ks a week. :carrot::carrot:
also trying to build up some more endurance :D

Monday and Tuesday (July) I did 5ks both days early in the AM
as it is way hot here in Florida. :dizzy: Now yesterday Aug. 01 I
did not make it out as it was raining and lots of lightening. (not
a fan :mad:) Today however, I had somewhat of a stroke of luck
I woke up at 5am for my run and it was raining yet again :mad:
waited a while and it stopped took off on my 5k (completed :carrot:)
walked in the door and the flood gates opened again and are still
open as we speak.:?:

Well good luck to everyone this month and I hope to post often. :hug:

onthetee - so sorry :hug:

7 hot miles this morning - was nice to have a decent run though. I hadnt realized how sleep deprived I was while my mom was visiting.

So....My mom had said she wanted to come up for ds birthday (10/3) and stay through the marathon (10/7) - this past week reminded me in glaring terms that I dont sleep well with other people here. So I am going to either have to put her in a hotel or to come earlier or later. This is not going to be a pleasant conversation.

Onthetee- So sorry for the loss in your family :hug:
take care :hug:

Ran 2 miles this morning. Had to cut it short because I needed to get the kids ready for school. I can't believe that they went back today!!! Anyway, I'm going to need to get up even earlier if I'm going to run before they leave. And that's what I want to do because it gets too darn hot if I wait much later.

Question - Does TOM affect your running? Today was an issue for me and it seemed like my run was MUCH harder than usual. I don't know if it was because of it or just a coincidence.

Tricia - I'll let you know! I'm having a small amount of trouble (:lol:) dragging myself to run - ToM started this morning - makes me sleepy. :(

Stacey - :welcome: Glad you're with us!

Shenanigans - I hear ya - the heat is a real problem!

Ennay - it seems no matter how old we get, mothers are mothers... and hard work! Good luck with THAT conversation!!

onthetee - sorry for your loss :hug: Hope things pick up for you soon - and keep running! :hug:

Heather :D

I Freakin' Broke The 20 Min Barrier!
 

Thanks for the condolences, everyone.

I said it was a head thing, not a body thing. One good People mag to keep me going on the treadmill, and ta-da. I did 20.

I was sooooo tempted to continue, but sense I have not been a tight schedule, I hated to push it. I went to a really easy yoga class last night, but I see no reason to risk injury. I think I will do the 20 again on Saturday, then pick up the next week of C25K on Monday.

It is like a cloud has been lifted.......

:cheer: Yay onthetee!!!! :cheer:
:cheer2:

Thanks everyone for your marathon advice (on last month's thread). Wndranne, I am definitely doing this for me, not because my friend suggested it - he did put the idea to leave Chicago in my head, but that's because he's heard me talk about having to wait untill next year to do Chicago because registration is already full this year. Gulp - I think I going to do it!

Ennay, I'm very excited to hear we'll be in the same race! I'm wondering if you've run Portland before? One thing I'm a little nervous about is coming from the flatlands of Chicago to a terrain with actual hills. I looked at the course map and it looks like there's only one major hill. But, wondering if you can confirm that from your first hand experience.

Racheel-there is a full marathon and a couple minis a year down here in Indy. Not a bad drive down bleak I-65 and not so crazy competitive either!

Onthetee - I actually looked into the Indy marathon (and believe me, I know that I-65 drive so well - I grew up in Lafayette, and went to college in Bloomington). But that weekend already had something else scheduled that I couldn't move, so I had to find a different alternative. Portland's going to work out fine, because I have some good friends there who I don't get to see much of, so this will be a nice excuse to spend some time with them as well. Perhaps I'll do Indy next year!

I've not run it before but the only REAL hill is the st johns bridge from what I hear. Now I have done races downtown and there are a couple small hills in the middle that coming from chicago might feel a bit like hills. Not steep but long. A little hill work between now and then might be prudent. OR if you cant do hill work, do a little speed work, it helps.

Quite frankly I find gently rolling easier than totally flat, it gives different muscles work during the race instead of always the same ones.

So you are going to do it? Yippee!!! I just registered yesterday actually, decided to get off my can and commit!

Good Day everyone! TGIF!!!!!:carrot::carrot:

Somehow I managed to get my 5k in this morning! :carrot:
I was having a bit of trouble with my Ipod and I am one of those
people that have to have it!!!! No question! But, I got if figured
out and ended up having a great run!
So, for the week I did get in my goal of 4-5k's Yeah!:carrot:
Going to north Georiga on Sunday for a whole week to visit
family and I am going to take my gear so I hope to still get
in my running. Wish me luck! :o Not at all used to running
in the mountians cause here in Central Florida it is flat as
a pancake.:dizzy:

Have a great weekend everyone-and I will check in when
I return from Vacation!!!!!:carrot::carrot::carrot:

Morning all! :wave:

Stacey - I definitely have my Auntie Flo here - I read your post and thought: "flat as a pancake...mmmmm....pancakes..." :joker: Have a great vacation!

Ran 3.25 miles yesterday, and feeling good :) Had lunch with a friend and started asking her about when she thought I should add a fourth run in per week, and she started at me oddly and said: "Heather, just run every OTHER day - that's fifteen runs a month, and 75KM!" :doh: I felt pretty stupid! :o

Ennay and Windy - way to go - you'll have fun, too! :)

Have a wonderful day, all!
Heather :D

onthetee – so sorry to hear about the family loss. But, congratulations on breaking the big 20! :cheer2:

Rachel – A marathon, wow! I don’t know that I’ll ever run a marathon, I am in awe. Good luck with training. So cool that you and ennay will be in the same race.

Stacey – Congrats on making your weekly goal. I always have a hard time keeping up with my routine when I travel. But running in the mountains sounds lovely and scenic if a bit hard. Enjoy your trip.

Heather – I’m still a beginner and prefer to run every other day (I won’t even pretend I literally run every other day, but almost never two days in a row). I don’t know at what point it’s prudent to start running consecutive days. Maybe some of the seasoned runners here have some advice?

3.25 this morning in about 34 min, felt pretty good. Probably my longest run since my little "hiatus". Hoping to get out to picnic point for a scenic run by the lake this Sunday.

I finally got a stopwatch to time my runs (you'd think I would already have one by now, but you'd be wrong). I also got some capri length running pants, so much better than being too hot in pants or dealing with the shorts riding up. I won't say they're flattering, but it's so much more comfortable. Do any of you girls have advice about VPL in tight running clothes?

I also am an IU grad.

I don't ever plan to run a marathon, even with a year to prepare. :)

Well, I finished out week 5 of C25K today with a 20 minute, 1.5 mile run (no stopping) and was pretty amazed I didn't pass out, throw up, or trip over myself! It was a struggle at about the 10 minute mark but I put a magazine that I had no intention to read over the screen on the treadmill and guessed that after 2 songs I would be close to done, and I was right I only had about 3 minutes left at that point and what's 3 minutes after 17?

So onto my question. I have two pain spots - my lower back is on fire with pain and my right hip. When I run I don't feel either, but any other time I do. Is this just because of my weight, or should I be scheduling a doctor's appointment. The back pain is so bad, and I am not one to complain much about pain, but it's been 2 weeks of this and it hurts! The hip is more of an annoyance, like getting in and out of the car, stairs, or getting up from the chair, couch, etc. If anyone has exercises even that I can do to stretch and strengthen these areas, I am all ears!

Thanks everyone for listening. I swear if I didn't have this awesome site I would have quit running the second it got hard or I had any pain! I love you guys!

Hmmm - I am no expert, but that doesn't sound good... the running 20 minutes does! :bravo: but not the pain :(

Are you doing any strength training? Do you stretch? I find when my lower back hurts a bit (though it hasn't from running) I lie on the floor and do the pelvic twist, but this may not help you - depends what hurts and why. I think you might want to ask a doctor? I'd be especially concerned about the hip...

Heather :hug:

I know! I totally feel like I am geting old prematurely or something. My husband didn't seem too concerned and said it might just be from the shock of going from no exercise (or very little) to all this running and the kinks will work themselves out.

I stretch religiously every day and especially before and after the runs and I do weights twice a week. So I don't think it's lack of stretching. I really wish I had enough money for a sports massage at the gym or a chiro appt to pop my back. I will figure it out though. So far I am still mobile, so I am not going to freak out over it.

Well, good luck Cakses, you sound like you are absolutely doing everything right - and of course continue to be sensible - if it starts to hurt too much, get thyself to the doctor! :)

I signed up for a 5K in mid-October - doing it with a friend who is currently on week 6 of C25K... kind of exciting!

Another 3.25 miles today. Going to stick to running every other day.

Heather :D

I started back running a little while ago. I'd been walking for a long time before that. The road that I'm on is a 1.9k/lap and I'm doing 3+ laps (I go a bit further to make an hour). I'm up to mostly running although I still need to walk a bit every so often.

My question; Is there something more/different I should be doing to get faster/have more endurance? Should I continue with this until I feel really good running the full hour. I'm new to this so any help you can give me would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Hi Denise! :wave:

I'm a no expert - I've only just finished the C25K programme, and I would strongly suggest doing what you are doing until you feel you can do more... it doesn't always have to be comfortable, but it shouldn't hurt! :) If you aren't already doing so, break your time up into clearly timed running sessions and walking sessions, then add 30 seconds or a minute to your running every few days, and decrease your walking by the same amount.

You'll find you're running farther, for longer, in no time at all!

Heather :D

Hello, I've been quiet recently with not running, so welcome to any new faces who have joined the thread while I've been giving it the silent treatment!

I'm kind of back on track. I did 17 miles today, which I should be pleased with I suppose, but I was hoping for more. I think because I used to be able to run more than that I sometimes forget that I need to build back up again. It feels like I should be able to do it, just because I could a few months ago. anyway, I got to 17 and decided that I could either stop there and know I ran all the way, or carry on for another couple of miles but probably need to take walk breaks. I figure I've got enough time before my marathon that I can get some good long runs in, so I called it a day.

This is one way to do it but not the only way. Running until you need to walk, then walking until you're ready to run again is just as valid a way to build running fitness.

An hour is really ambitious for a beginning runner. Any reason you've chosen that as how long you should be running on a regular basis?

I agree with Maria - either way will work; it was just one suggestion! :)

crud - today was supposed to be my 20 miler and I am sick sick sick. Thank god its the weekend. With breaks to nurse ds - who I suspect is also a bit sick, I slept until 10:30. dh has just taken both kids to the park.

Next weekend is the last one I can reasonably do a 20 until after hood to coast, so I guess my 10K next weekend is gonna get bumped. Pooh. Unless I feel miraculously better by this evening.

The other option I considered is seeing if my babysitter is willing to come ridiculously early on wednesday or thursday and I could do it midweek. Do teenagers get up that early? They would have to be here by 7 I think so dh could go to work.

I guess I've always done an hour of walking, biking, so it just seemed to be what to do. I don't feel I'm overdoing it. I think my body would 'speak up' if I were.

Thanks to you and Heather for your responses. ;)

My mom and her best friend used to walk in the mornings. I would get there at 7:20 to watch her kids, so I know teens used to get up that early. The earliest I have asked my sitter to come is 8.

Sorry you are sick and baby as well.

Equipment failure...
 

Ran 15 walked 2 ran 5 today. Had some clothing issues, which I have never experience in years and years of walking.

My regular shorts were in the wash, so I grabbed a pair of 14s (I am now an almost-10). By the end of my run, I had a huge welt at my underwear line, inner thigh; almost 2 inches long and 1/8 inch wide. It was like a bikini wax gone wrong. Plus, I had a bunch of other welty marks on all around the area. With the sweat, it stung like &*%$#.

Obviously, I won't wear those shorts again, which solves the problem, but how long will it take something like this to heal? I can't just sit around all day with no panties, letting it heal.

Morning all - I ate like a :moo: last night when we went to a neighbour's for dinner, and am up a pound and a half this morning - probably salt :(

I might run today, even though it is not a 'running day' - just boost the old body and have a little run... I figure it will lift my spirits...

And I refuse to change my ticker!! :stress:

Heather

Ahh the terrors of chafe. Bodyglide or vaseline can help you get through until it heals but keep a close eye on it. If the skin is broken you may want to do a bit of preventative neosporin. Whenever you can keep it clean, dry and aired out. Which means commando at night for sure.

Chafe in the bikini line is particularly susceptible to infections - bacterial, fungal, yeast. If it gets worse instead of better a mix of gynelotrimin (anti fungal) monistat (anti yeast) and neosporin (antibacterial) will clear it up.

Cakes - sorry about your pain. I also had hip pain that I self-diagnosed as sciatica. I've got a good friend who is an occupational therapist and she gave me a stretch which cured me! :) I'll see if I can explain it at all.

My pain was in my left hip so here is what I do. I get on my knees and hands, face down. I then take my left leg and bring it in front of me so that it is kind of indian style....the ankle in front of my right knee. Then I start to slide my right leg back so my entire body is moving to the ground and it stretches my left hip further into that indian style or butterfly stretch. I can't tell if I've described it at all in a manner in which you could attempt it but if you are feeling what I was feeling this could help!

Hello coolrunners - sounds like a tough weekend all around. I had some stomach issues today, but managed to ride it out and get through my 17 miler. It was also quite hot and humid today, so to say this was a challenging run is to put it mildly. But, I made it through.

And, most exciting news of the weekend, I am officially registered for the Portland marathon!

Yay, Rachel - great news!! (the registering, NOT the feeling ill!!) :cheer:

I did an hour on the treadmill - ran my 3.25 miles and felt a WHOLE lot better about my :ink: last night!

Heather :D

Well, today was my first run after having the flu and while it was a short one (only 2 miles) it was quicker than usual. I ran 12.4 min/mil. That's quick for me! :) I'm glad to be back in the game! It was a little tough, though, and my stomach hurt most of the time I was out there. I'm feeling better now, though, and am glad I went ahead and did it.

Well, I am sick and it is raining, so my backside is firmly planted in the chair. I'm debating on work. I feel like a train wreck.

So my goal this week was to run MWF, swim either T or Th, and then get a long bike at least once on the weekend. I'm cutting myself some slack for the sickness, but I need to get more consistent. Can I ask for an official :kickbutt: on Wednesday? ennay?

I'm also signing up for my anniversary 5K, which is on Sept 16 this year. The first race I ever ran, back in 2003. Race on calendar = instant motivation.

Rachel, congrats on registering for Portland. I know you'll do great!

onthetee, we use LOTS of Bodyglide around here. Collar bones, upper arms, around HRM and bra, liberally in the nether regions, DH puts it on nipples! Anywhere there is even the potential for chafe. We should buy stock.

Hi everybody else, I'll try to be more social and interactive when I get myself together. I think I'm calling in sick. Ugh.

Anne