Trails in the woods are quite different from roads, let me tell you!
Just did my first trail workout today so I can relate to this! It was a hill run--short, walk back, medium, walk back, long, walk back--for three sets. I'd never done any hill work before, and I'd never run on a "natural" kind of trail before. You really have to watch out for those tree roots. As my training person said, it's easier to fall uphill than it is downhill. Gee, thanks, that made me feel better.
We've just switched back to roads at running club, and it's taking some getting used to at the moment.
I did just under 10 miles this evening, in the end no-one wanted to do the half marathon route so I didn't have to decide whether to do it or not. I'm planning to run into work in the morning anyway, so I thought that doing 16 (the half plus running up there) would be a bit much and was trying to persuade myself not to be tempted by it.
According to my running log, so far this year I've spent 7 days, 0 hours and 26 minutes running! That's what I call a week well spent...
I am still nursing and re- hurting myself. Rinse and repeat. I was told to do some weight training to fix my thigh and shin tears, so that plus some walking and some water jogging is what I am praying will fix me. There is nothing worse than spending $2k for a treadmill then staring at it folded up! Arghhh!
Cat - I'm so sorry you are still in pain - how awful!
Helen - amazing. You are one of my heroes! I'm trying to figure out when I can start running MOST days... even now I find I can't comfortably do EVERY OTHER day - so most weeks I'll do something like Monday, Wednesday, Saturday... and I really WANT to find a fourth day in there...
When did you long-distance runners add an extra run - just when you felt 'ready'? To be fair, I am increasing my distance - SLOWLY - and I am happy with that!
Heather...I added an extra day when I was a) consistant with the other days and b) finding the other days didnt cause me an overly high amount of fatigue or pain. c) I really craved it.
Start by adding in the TIME...walk on the 4th day, dont run. Then increase that 4th day just as you did the other days.
Really, for overall health and fitness once you get to 4 days running, looking for a cross training activity is better than adding a 5th or 6th running day. It helps prevent overuse injury. I am just now to the point after consistantly running for several years that I feel comfortable adding a 5th day and I feel it. I would be better served biking or swimming on the 5th day if I could.
Well I felt better this morning, so I dusted off the treadmill and got on. Did a 1 mile run and just sort of lost energy and was a little sore, so I thought it best not to push it. Tomorrow I will walk and then Saturday I will try for 1.2 miles and just add in a little bit each time I run. I ran 4 days in a row last week because I was so excited to get the go-ahead from the doctor, but I think I forget I am still a beginner and overweight so I just about killed my body doing that. So back to the easy approach and add in the miles and just run 3 times a week!
the first time I did marathon training, my schedule had me running 5 days and I really felt it. I struggled with my easy runs because I hadn't got enough time to recover. The second time round I found it a lot easier, and now I've been running for long enough to compare the two feelings I kind of know when it's better to take a rest or when I'm OK to back up. My approach doesn't tend to be terribly scientific or rule based, it is very much based on how my legs feel and past experience. I guess it's something that comes with time.
I ran 3.8 miles with my cross country team tonight. Had to run practice myself, without my husband, and I have to tell you...by the end of practice I was seriously pretty angry. I can't seem to get my girls (and a few of the guys) to put forth enough effort. It's really unacceptable to me that they're doing any walking on these easy runs we do in practice. I know it's hot outside (I'm out there too, and I'm 20 years older...) but they should be running or at least lightly jogging! I try to be patient with them, but I just don't know how to motivate them any more than I have already. I have several girls who are just on the team for the social aspect and honestly don't seem to care about how well they do. Ugh! We don't want to make cuts but the team is pretty big now and we may have to!
I'm exhausted! I did my long run this morning and had a vague idea of a route that I thought might be about 20 miles, I measured it when I got back and it was actually 22. That's the furthest I've ever run in training so far, and the furthest I'm going to run, but it feels good to have got a run that long under my belt. (It also feels good to know I've got the rest of the weekend off now!)
19 this morning....and now I get to be mommy again! yee..hah. I only have to do shopping and cook for friends who are coming over tonight....and probably run around in the park and play a little.
Helen, when is Amsterdam? Next week is my LAST long run for Portland and then it is taper time.
Amsterdam is 22nd (?) October. It's not for a while yet, but my taper might be a bit longer than normal because I've got a half marathon the weekend I'd normally do my last long run (31st Oct), so I think I have another two long runs left now. It seems to be creeping up on me really quickly this time.
Well done on your 19. I've had a bit of a lazy afternoon, but I'm planning to get stuck into the garden tomorrow, which might not be much of a rest day!
Feel a but toolish following up 22 and 19 miles from the pros, but I was able to add on a measly .20 miles to make a 1.2 mile run this morning. I could have done more, but I was hesitant to because I am just starting to feel better and I don't want to ruin it. My leg still hurts in the morning after not moving all night until I get some exercise in then it feels better. Going to take the kids for a swim tomorrow and do some water aerobics while they have fun, then try for 1.5 miles on Monday.
I only have to do shopping and cook for friends who are coming over tonight....and probably run around in the park and play a little. 
