Marathon thread

[NancysSummerSip]

Holy crap, Archie is back among the running.

I'm in swim meet mode at the moment, but running season is in full force in eight weeks. I got back into it yesterday. Not pretty, either.

[steph08]

I am back to running as well. Just 2-3 mile jaunts on the treadmill while the baby naps or quietly plays in her bouncer. I am super slow but I will get there.

I am hoping for a November half, but that means training darts next week and I just don't know if I can get the miles in.

I had been on bedrest since the end of May, then nothing for six weeks after giving birth. Plus I hadn't really run since April. So I am out of shape and still about 9 pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight. Not sure if I can drop the pounds while breastfeeding. I think my boobs are holding an extra 2-3 pounds.

[NancysSummerSip]

I've got my first race coming up in October, but I have an appointment with a vascular surgeon in mid-September. My varicose veins are at a troublesome point now. I need to have them removed (they will likely have to be stripped, rather than lasered). My parents had this done, and back then, the surgery was very rough. I think things have improved in forty years, and I hope the downtime will not be too long.

[ArchietheDragon]

11.5 mile long run this morning.  Started out feeling terrible but warmed up and felt better a few miles in.   I don't think I will break and personal records at this coming 1/2, but I should be able to run a respectable race.

[NancysSummerSip]

Sept 15, 2014 14:56:51 GMT -5 Ratchets said:

I forgot about this thread  !

Have you thought more about a November race, steph08 ?

Good luck on your upcoming 1/2, ArchietheDragon !

NancysSummerSip , this may be a stupid question, but what do you mean about removing varicose veins?  They just take them out?  Doesn't that cause circulation problems?

Well, time to fess up.  My running took a serious nosedive while deployed.  I got some kind of virus that severely limited my running for about three weeks, and never really got back into the swing of it.  I think most of it was psychological to be honest, I found it very difficult to be motivated there.  But, the good news is that I made it back safely and hopefully that will be the last deployment!  I took a week of R & R time, then found out I was safe from the forced retirements in December.  So switched over from R & R to leave and we took a 20 day vacation in Europe.  We got back from that and started in at work about three weeks ago.  I had to do a PT test after being back for about 10 days, and it was AWFUL!  I passed it but it wasn't pretty.  Apparently eating your way across Europe does not make one healthy .  Having drinks with my wife every evening after the kids went to bed probably didn't help much either.  But it was all good stress relief and a nice way to reconnect with the family.

Anyway, that's the history of the last 4-5 months or whatever LoL...sorry if it was boring.  I started running again about 3 weeks ago, and have worked up to a 4 mile long run last Friday.  I'm feeling very enthusiastic about running at the moment, and trying to push either the pace or distance every time.  My wife has also gotten into it, so I'm running with her about half the time.  She's really doing well with it - she got a PB last Saturday for the 5k on a pretty tough course, so was pretty thrilled with that.

My current goals are:

- Get to running 6 miles regularly and 10 mile long runs

- Do the Norwich half-marathon in mid-November and beat last years time (which was awful so shouldn't be a huge problem)

Another thing possibly in the works is an ultra-marathon on Oct 4th.  It's 50 miles around a peninsula in Wales that is some sort conservation area of natural beauty - it's called the Gower 50.  That would obviously be walking, not running.  A friend  is pretty keen on doing it, and I'm probably dumb enough to go along LoL.

Welcome back, and you can always get back into running. You do lose some when you don't run, but you must be in good shape, considering your deployments, so we have faith in you.

The old way of dealing with varicose veins was to strip them out, or remove them. Rather brutal method, but for years, there was no other way. My parents both had this done. Now there are chemical and laser methods available for killing off the veins. Smaller veins can be lasered, and larger ones can be injected with a solution. The veins die off and just disappear. No more actual surgery. That's what I'm hoping for. I need to get it done, though. Aside from being ugly, the veins can cause circulatory and pain issues. My first appointment with the surgeon is Wednesday.

And ETA: varicose veins are not part of the regular venous system. They are problem veins that develop later in life. Left untreated, they can cause DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) which can be life-threatening. They can develop due to other conditions, or they can be inherited.

Meanwhile, I have my first race of the season Oct. 5, a five-miler.

[steph08]

Still contemplating the November half. Been doing 2/3 milers and feeling ok, just super slow. I have to see how training goes. If I can get to 10 mikes, I will feel good.

[NancysSummerSip]

Sept 18, 2014 13:10:45 GMT -5 Ratchets said:

Does it feel like your training is progressing quickly though, Steph? I've noticed that it seems easier to get back to doing something you were doing, than to progress into new distances or whatever goal. I don't know if it's muscle memory, or maybe psychological, or even both.

I don't know about the good shape part Nancy! Was actually in worse shape coming back from this last one then before I left, in the running department.  It's too bad, because I had set a pretty high goal of wanting to run a marathon when I got back and didn't even come close. So there are some regrets. But so much of training is your attitude and motivation, and they just weren't there.

But the one good thing was swimming. I got into that since it was a billion degrees every day, and the water was cool at the indoor pool. Started out doing 2.5 laps pretty slowly and ended up being able to do 10 laps. Still had to rest at each end of the pool for 20 seconds or so though. And I'm sure my form is awful since I've never had swimming lessons or anything like that...but that just makes the workout better .

Good luck on your 5-mile race!

We (my wife and I) signed up for a 5k on Sunday, it's basically a fun run from the sounds of it.  It's offroad/trails, I guess going along and over some dyke that was built in medieval times.  I like the trail runs though so looking forward to it.

Been there, did that. Took swimming lessons at age 40. If I can learn, anyone can. And yes, the swimming and running will help each other.

Sheesh, you'll be a triathlete before you know it.

[ArchietheDragon]

12 miles this morning.  Felt pretty good.  I haven't quite kept up with the amount of training I wanted to but I still feel like I should be pretty good on race day, 3 weeks from today.

[NancysSummerSip]

OK, I swore I was done with distance races. But I'm wondering if I should reconsider after the treatment for my legs is done. The longest race I have currently planned this season is the Seven Mile Bridge Run next April, with an 8K just before it, and some 10K races as well.

[NancysSummerSip]

We have those sprint triathlons here, too. Very short distances for all three events, like 1/4 mile swim, 10 mile bike and 3.1 mile run. I'd start with one of those as my first one, if I were to do one.

Speaking of triathlons, a good friend and her husband are doing an Ironman triathlon next week. She's done them before. As for the husband, well...this is not only his first Ironman, it's his first triathlon. Can you say, holy what were you thinking, Batman??

[steph08]

I've been getting faster each run, but I am still slow. But I seem to get 10 seconds/mile faster each time. But I'm still in the 11:00/mile range. I used to run easy 9:30s over the lunch hour at work! I'm getting there. I really shouldn't complain since I have done absolutely nothing but sit on my butt since June, and just a few miles/week walking since January.

Not sure if I'll make the November half. The weekday runs at work are easy, but getting out on the weekends is tough since the baby still naps whenever she wants, so I can't anticipate whether or not I will get out for a run.

I think I'm going to try for a 4-mile run this week. Egads!

[ArchietheDragon]

It will be nice when the baby is strong enough to go in a jogging stroller.    That is what I am waiting for.  I think a couple more months.   Of course then it is the dead of winter... 

[NancysSummerSip]

In preparation for my first race of the season, which includes a drawbridge (out and back), I did bridge sprints this morning. My little bridge is not as steep as the one we will be on for the race, but at least it's a bit of elevation practice.

Oh, and as for this:

I've been getting faster each run, but I am still slow. But I seem to get 10 seconds/mile faster each time. But I'm still in the 11:00/mile range. I used to run easy 9:30s over the lunch hour at work! I'm getting there. I really shouldn't complain since I have done absolutely nothing but sit on my butt since June, and just a few miles/week walking since January.

  I have no clue what an 11:00 mile looks like, personally.

[NancysSummerSip]

Sept 23, 2014 14:30:21 GMT -5 Ratchets said:

Keep up those bridge sprints and you will though!

They should make the race more interesting by raising and lowering the drawbridge at random times ?.

OMG, don't say that! We had someone actually get stuck walking on a railway drawbridge here. I mean literally, clinging to the bridge as it went up! She was fine, but yikes!
 Well, she was charged with trespassing, since railway property is federal property.

[ArchietheDragon]

10 mile long run this morning. 2 more weeks to go. taper time, just a little bit.

[NancysSummerSip]

Soooo...I've got a pinched nerve in my foot. I am on day 3 of having it taped and padded. Still running and biking (no swimming, because of the tape). Who the heck pinches a nerve in their foot? Doctor wants to check it Wednesday; the tape/padding comes off tonight. And yes, I still have a race in a week, and yes, I'm still going. Did elevation/bridge running yesterday to prepare for it.

[NancysSummerSip]

And now the vein specialist has good and bad news:

Good news: fewer treatments than I expected (16, as opposed to 30). Time frame will be 6-8 months, which I already knew.

Bad news: one vein in each leg is very bad, and will have to be removed surgically. I'm scheduled for having them done in November, a week apart. Aside from no swimming for a few days each time (due to the bandages) that should be the two worst treatments. The other 14 will be quick, in-and-out of the office. I was hoping for no surgical intervention, but it is what it is, as they say.


I know...cry me a Gatorade river. People who come back from combat missing legs would be glad to have this problem. I keep telling myself that this really is a first-world problem, and that I am one of thousands of people to face it. Oh, and I can run on Thanksgiving Day; good thing, since I already signed up for that one. After the first two treatments, in fact, there is no down time and no physical limitations.

[NancysSummerSip]

Sept 29, 2014 13:11:25 GMT -5 Ratchets said:

Hope you enjoy your race Archie, and get a time you're comfortable with.

I dunno Nancy, getting a vein removed from your leg doesn't sound very appealing! But if it needs to be done obviously should. I'm surprised there isn't more downtime involved to be honest.

We did a parkrun (free 5k race every weekend) on Saturday. I ran with my wife since she was pretty stoked up to get a PB, and she did (37:15 I think was her time). Then I talked her into doing a 10k on Sunday.  That was the first time she'd run more than a 5k and I was around 4 miles on my long runs too, so it was a challenge.  I'll just say both of us have a lot of room for improvement LoL.  We ran our own paces, think my time was 1:04:15.

Did sprint session tonight at the track, and then going to use tomorrow as a rest day.  Trying to use Monday as an effort session, then Wednesday and Friday as long run days to build the mileage back up a little quicker.  There is a 10k on a British base nearby on Wednesday, and since that is in the current area of a long run I may go do it.  Partly because it will get me out of half a day of work too .

The vein that will be removed (two of them, one per leg) are no longer useful. The other veins are already working in place of the bad ones. Left in the leg, they can ulcerate or cause blood clots. Not a good reason to leave them there.

And who runs to get out of work? Oh, wait....

[steph08]

Great job ratchets!!

Nancy, that vein removal sounds like no fun at all. Glad you shouldn't have too much downtime though!

I am doing okay here. I ran 3 miles last week with a coworker who pushed my pace so ran those miles at like 10:17/mile then did 4 the next day at 10:47/mile so getting back on track. Got 2.5 on the treadmill today. Trying to get the baby to nap in the crib results in just 45 minute naps. She is asleep on me now - sleeping for almost an hour. Damn kid this results in me getting nothing done. Oh well. Some day she won't do this and it already breaks my heart to think about!

[NancysSummerSip]

Sept 29, 2014 15:58:00 GMT -5 steph08 said:

Great job ratchets!!

Nancy, that vein removal sounds like no fun at all. Glad you shouldn't have too much downtime though!

I am doing okay here. I ran 3 miles last week with a coworker who pushed my pace so ran those miles at like 10:17/mile then did 4 the next day at 10:47/mile so getting back on track. Got 2.5 on the treadmill today. Trying to get the baby to nap in the crib results in just 45 minute naps. She is asleep on me now - sleeping for almost an hour. Damn kid this results in me getting nothing done. Oh well. Some day she won't do this and it already breaks my heart to think about!

Enjoy that little girl child while you can. Soon she will be keeping you up at night for totally different reasons.

I'm in a better place mentally about all of this. I need to get the treatment done. I'll have outstanding legs by the time my next birthday comes. And I will far less likely to die of a blood clot, suffer a leg ulcer or end up with DVT on an airplane after this.

Yanno Steph...the part I have the most trouble with is those four days of no swimming. I will be able to walk with the bandaged leg. Running is going to be somewhat problematic (it's a thick, heavy bandage). Cycling is a possibility, except the bike shorts I have are the binding type. I just hate losing time when I have no control over it.

[NancysSummerSip]

Ratchets is a running fool, y'all! At this rate, we may have to ask the board powers-that-be for a running emoticon.

Doc checked my foot yesterday, and I have some temporary arch supports. I ran with one in last night. Not bad, but it was a short run.

[NancysSummerSip]

Races here are expensive, especially the "name" races, like the Rock and Roll races. There's a lot of advertising and swag involved, so there's a lot more expense.

And for really expensive, check out a Disney race. Sheesh. I did a triple take on those prices!

[steph08]

Disney races are worth every penny to me. best experience of my life! Well, before I had my kid (also I thought giving birth drug-free was easier than running that marathon with the flu).

[ArchietheDragon]

That is a nice weekly mileage number! Sounds like a nice 10k. Enjoy the fall runs.


I did 5 last night and 8 this morning, along some of the half route. My plan is to do 15 or so miles this week with the half on Saturday. Supposed to be nice and cool on race day.

[NancysSummerSip]

First race of the season over a done. And five minutes faster than last year. Of course, the temperatures were a good fifteen degrees cooler, and it was overcast. That helped a ton.

[ArchietheDragon]

Oct 7, 2014 12:15:22 GMT -5 Ratchets said:

Wow, that's quite a difference Nancy! Congratulations on your race time!

Are you all set for Saturday, Archie?

I have to pick up my bib on thurs or Friday.   I want to run 10 - 15 miles between tonight and Friday night.    Trying to eat well and maybe shed a pound or two and that should be it.   I also have to find out how I am going to get to the starting line.  Last year I rode my bike down, but last time I checked I don't think my bike is in working order.   Hmm.. maybe I can carpool with a neighbor. 

And for race day I think I am going to try running with a pace leader.  I haven't done that before, but I want to make sure I don't start out too fast.  Last year I ran my first 6 or so miles too fast and that totally killed my at the end. 

We'll see.  I am getting excited, though. 

[NancysSummerSip]

You'll be fine, Archie. Just remember your running shoes this time!

I'm heading to a swim meet out of town this weekend. I plan to do some running tomorrow night when I arrive; nothing major, just a light run. I need to sign up for a race early next month (a 5K I've done for a few years). I'm already set for another race on Thanksgiving; my doctor says I should be fine to do it even after leg surgery.

Still thinking about a 10K in late October. Never have done this run; it involves beer and ribs at the end of the race. -drool-Yup, beer and ribs in the early morning.

[ArchietheDragon]

Race completed. It was cool and rainy, which was not bad for running weather. Although it made hanging out after not fun. I ended up running my best half so far at 1:46:41. I started with the 1:50 pacer, but she went too fast early on for my taste. I ended feeling really good with my last 4 miles under 8 min/miles. My nips are a little sore, though.

[damnotagain]

Great motivation thread. Was training for half marathon up untill about two months ago. Something bit me on the ankle could hardly walk .
Was running 8 miles three times a week and working on 10 miles on the fourth day. 
Then some family issues knocked me completly off my feet.
Great read. Start back at it in the morning.

Thanks , sometimes all it takes is to see others step up their own game. 

[steph08]

Awesome job Archie!! It is hard to run with pacers that don't run the way you want to - I like pacers that run even splits that you get the time you want. Others will run faster than the needed pace at the beginning to try to "bank" time. I don't like that.

I was supposed to do 7 miles today in my plan to build up to the half marathon in November. Didn't happen - even though the baby took an unexpected 3 hour nap in her crib! She never sleeps more than 30 minutes in there so I just sat around, did laundry, etc., waiting for her to wake up. I should have jumped on the treadmill!

I could have jumped on the treadmill tonight but I'm too tired.

Hopefully I can do it tomorrow morning!