Marathon thread

[Cookies Galore]

Apr 17, 2015 12:52:47 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

My friend is training for a long distance relay race. I promised him I would run his 9 mile training run with him tomorrow. What was I thinking?

Oh I'm sure you did fine!

[Cookies Galore]

Ran our 5 miler this morning. Hubs was worried about his plantar fasciitis and Valley Forge Park is crazy hilly, so we didn't bang out the miles. I am pleased with our 53 minutes. Every big hill we went up I was looking forward to the glorious downhill!

Broad Street Run is in two weeks, eep! Five miles with a lot of elevation are like 10 flat, slightly downward sloping miles, right? Lol.

[ArchietheDragon]

Apr 19, 2015 10:22:12 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

Apr 17, 2015 12:52:47 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

My friend is training for a long distance relay race. I promised him I would run his 9 mile training run with him tomorrow. What was I thinking?

Oh I'm sure you did fine!

Not quite fine. We ended up doing 8.5 averaging 11.5 min/mi. I had to walk a lot. The heat was killing me my legs were dead and my thighs were chaffing like a son of a bitch. We got home. Had dinner and a couple of beers and I fell asleep at 8:30

[TheHaitian]

Apr 19, 2015 12:16:10 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

Apr 19, 2015 10:22:12 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

Oh I'm sure you did fine!

Not quite fine. We ended up doing 8.5 averaging 11.5 mph. I had to walk a lot. The heat was killing me my legs were dead and my thighs were chaffing like a son of a bitch. We got home. Had dinner and a couple of beers and I fell asleep at 8:30

Ouch!

[NancysSummerSip]

My first ever open water swim is done.

I did very well, and I am quite happy with it.
Did the one mile event, finishing 8th out of 12 women in my age group and 300th out of almost 400 swimmers total. Did it faster than I expected, finished at the front of the final 1/3 of the group, felt very good (no seasickness due to calm water). I prepared for it just right; I listened to the experts who suggested eating well (adding a small extra meal) for four days, then going light for two days before the event, making sure to hydrate well. No sweets, fats, dairy or carbs for twelve hours before, and a plain bagel and small banana three hours before the swim. The nutrition advice was perfect; zero stomach upset, though I wasn't really hungry until about an hour after the swim.

I just might have to do it again. I swam wide of the main pack, trying to just get it done and stay out of the way, so I think that cost me some time. Now that I'm more used to it and know what to expect, I'd be less worried about swimming in the draft.

[steph08]

Awesome job Meghan and Nancy!

Archie - ouch! Hope you are feeling better!

I ran yesterday for the first time in two weeks - I got the flu followed by a head cold and had zero energy. Plus I had lost 6 pounds that I didn't have to lose and looked like Skeletor, so running didn't seem like the best idea.

If I can get long runs in this weekend and next, I am probably going to sign up for the Memorial Day half marathon that is taking place on the local trail.

[NancysSummerSip]

I've got a 5K on Memorial Day and one on May 3. That's it for the running season. Plus my triathlon June 27, and a swim meet in July.

I am considering looking for a race while I am on vacation later this year. Not much to look at in the national schedules yet, though.

[flamingo]

I recently signed up for a half marathon this summer (I live in Chicago-supposedly that makes summer running ok), and so thought I'd jump in here for some extra motivation. You guys rock! It's helpful to hear other's training woes and racing highs

This is not my first half, but it is my first half since Feb 2014. I'm easing into training-I technically don't have to start for another month. But the weather here sucks and I didn't run outside all winter, so I'm easing back into it. So far so good, but Spring better get here and stick around soon!!

[NancysSummerSip]

Good for you, Flamingo! DH and I were in Chicago last year and loved it.

Whatever early training you can do, get started, even if it is indoors. Even a few stair climbs is better than nothing, given your awful weather. Mix it up...run, jog, bike, sprint, long slow runs - keep it interesting.

Commit yourself by putting your training plans on paper. I mean literally schedule your workouts. I have my first ever triathlon in nine weeks, and I use a paper wall calendar to map out what I need to be doing. It's also harder to skip workouts that way.

Personally, I don't train well with others. But some people are better off with a partner.

[ken a.k.a OMK]

ArchietheDragon

The heat was killing me my legs were dead and my thighs were chaffing like a son of a bitch. 

Use Vaseline or a cream made for runners to prevent that.

[Cookies Galore]

Apr 22, 2015 15:58:28 GMT -5 NancysSummerSip said:

I've got a 5K on Memorial Day and one on May 3. That's it for the running season. Plus my triathlon June 27, and a swim meet in July.

I am considering looking for a race while I am on vacation later this year. Not much to look at in the national schedules yet, though.

When are you going to be up here? There's always a race happening in and around Philly!

[ken a.k.a OMK]

Apr 23, 2015 15:07:47 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

Apr 22, 2015 15:58:28 GMT -5 NancysSummerSip said:

I've got a 5K on Memorial Day and one on May 3. That's it for the running season. Plus my triathlon June 27, and a swim meet in July.

I am considering looking for a race while I am on vacation later this year. Not much to look at in the national schedules yet, though.

When are you going to be up here? There's always a race happening in and around Philly!

Also many races around Baltimore and here on the Eastern shore. Pretty flat here.

[flamingo]

Apr 23, 2015 9:29:33 GMT -5 NancysSummerSip said:

Good for you, Flamingo! DH and I were in Chicago last year and loved it.

Whatever early training you can do, get started, even if it is indoors. Even a few stair climbs is better than nothing, given your awful weather. Mix it up...run, jog, bike, sprint, long slow runs - keep it interesting.

Commit yourself by putting your training plans on paper. I mean literally schedule your workouts. I have my first ever triathlon in nine weeks, and I use a paper wall calendar to map out what I need to be doing. It's also harder to skip workouts that way.

Personally, I don't train well with others. But some people are better off with a partner.

My training plan is taped to the fridge Crossing off the week after I finish it is motivating. Plus every time I go in the kitchen I see it. 

And I don't train well with others. Actually, I should probably just say I don't "play" well with others, as most people annoy me   But I love running races with other people. They motivate me to faster/harder/farther. 

Tomorrow morning is my next training run. I kinda like having a longer than normal training plan-it allows me to skip extra cold days (34 this morning) and rainy days (this Saturday). I was able to adjust and run tomorrow and Sunday instead.

[NancysSummerSip]

Apr 23, 2015 20:10:15 GMT -5 flamingo said:

Apr 23, 2015 9:29:33 GMT -5 NancysSummerSip said:

Good for you, Flamingo! DH and I were in Chicago last year and loved it.

Whatever early training you can do, get started, even if it is indoors. Even a few stair climbs is better than nothing, given your awful weather. Mix it up...run, jog, bike, sprint, long slow runs - keep it interesting.

Commit yourself by putting your training plans on paper. I mean literally schedule your workouts. I have my first ever triathlon in nine weeks, and I use a paper wall calendar to map out what I need to be doing. It's also harder to skip workouts that way.

Personally, I don't train well with others. But some people are better off with a partner.

My training plan is taped to the fridge Crossing off the week after I finish it is motivating. Plus every time I go in the kitchen I see it. 

And I don't train well with others. Actually, I should probably just say I don't "play" well with others, as most people annoy me   But I love running races with other people. They motivate me to faster/harder/farther. 

Tomorrow morning is my next training run. I kinda like having a longer than normal training plan-it allows me to skip extra cold days (34 this morning) and rainy days (this Saturday). I was able to adjust and run tomorrow and Sunday instead.

I like the idea of taping it to the fridge. Keeps you thinking about what you eat, too. For my next column (I am doing a series of them on newbie triathlon training for my running club) I will add that, and credit my Chicago-area virtual "friend."

I don't play well with others, either, so I get it. For me, the running, biking, etc. is as much for my own personal mental state as anything else. And sometimes, a partner can be detrimental to training - one person can talk the other person out of training.

[Cookies Galore]

Eight mile training run in an hour and twenty-five. Made sure to go slow and we stopped at mile 6 to stretch. I am excited for the Broad Street run! Awesomely, there is a brewery on the running/biking trail where we live so we are enjoying some beers right now!

[steph08]

Awesome job meghan!

I did a 7 mile run on the treadmill this weekend. Felt fantastic. If I can get 9 in this coming weekend, I will sign up for the half on Memorial day. If I can do 9, I can do 13.

[NancysSummerSip]

I have a 5K next Sunday; weather is supposed to be quite nice - in the sixties, with very mild humidity. The last of my leg treatments was done last week, so it will be interesting to see if they affect my time.

[flamingo]

I got an 8 mile training run in this weekend. Felt pretty good and it was a decent time for a training run. I'll be happy when the weather finally warms up enough I don't have to wear running gloves!!

May starts the month of fun family togetherness and less time for weekend long runs. Good thing I started training early. My mom is going to be in my town for work for the first two weeks of May, including a weekend. Then I'm visiting my DH who is currently out of town for a weekend, then I'm visiting parents and extended family over memorial day. Which means: 10 miles this coming weekend (skipping my 9 miler), then whatever I can get in the rest of May. I should still be ok for a July half, as I've done this before and will have all of June to really buckle down. Plus, I'm not going for a stellar time. If I could even do it just 1 minute faster than my previous one (2:04) I'd be happy. And, so far, my training is telling me I can do that.

[NancysSummerSip]

I've started looking at the fall and winter racing schedule; I might have to go north for a race in Pensacola later this year. Looks like a fantastic setting (running along Apalachicola Bay) in October. Never been up there. Might be a nice weekend trip.

[Cookies Galore]

I AM SO AMPED FOR TOMORROW!!!!!!!!

[NancysSummerSip]

May 2, 2015 10:58:37 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

I AM SO AMPED FOR TOMORROW!!!!!!!!

We're all amped for you!!!!!  I just have a little 5K to run tomorrow; nothing compared to you. I'm trying to rest a bit; our weather here should be perfect for it.

[Robert not Bobby]

This is wonderful...I like how you are all taking care of yourselves and being active.

My routine is a two mile jog about three times a week...eat healthy (but not boring), that is the other side of the equation.

[NancysSummerSip]

<<Checking in to see if Cookies is OK>>

A bit disappointed in my 5K. I know every time cannot be a new personal best, though. About 30 seconds longer than my PR time, but the wind was quite strong (we have a subtropical front moving this way, with heavy rain coming by Tuesday, and this wind is the outer edge of it).

One more 5K scheduled for Memorial Day.

[NancysSummerSip]

Ratchets, how much of an altitude change was it? That alone might have done it. I am a flatland coastal runner for the most part, only getting new scenery when I run on vacation. This year, my vacation will be near the coastline, so I don't anticipate any issues. But when I do change elevation, even a small amount, I notice a problem.

[flamingo]

I wish I could blame an altitude change on my breathing troubles today. Alas, I just overran. It was a 10 mile training run and the whole time I kept thinking, WTH why can't I breath. When I finished I looked at my running app and it told me I had run a 10 mile PR-by more than 4 minutes!!! ACK! I mean, in general, that's really good, but it's a training run FFS. I shoulda been going slower.

On the other hand, if I keep up this training pace, I could easily hit/beat my goal of a 2:00 half in July. I'm starting to think the heat and humidity of central Florida affected me more than I thought. I've been doing much better in my new midwestern city.

Ratchets: be careful! If running outside is causing you problems for any reason, find an indoor activity. It's not worth the potential health hazard!!

[ken a.k.a OMK]

Ratchets, I have a similar problem with breathing. Since retiring in 2010 I've put on 30# and stopped running. Now even a little exertion tires me out. As an experiment my doctor gave me an inhaler in December (thinking sports asthma) but I don't use it much and see no improvement. My annual physical is tomorrow so I'll see.

[steph08]

Ratchets - are you under a lot of stress as well? I had a bad period a few years back when I just couldn't catch my breath, even just sitting around. I Google diagnosed myself with something like stress induced hyperventilation, I can't remember the actual name. It was horrible, but once the stress went away, so did the breathing trouble.

9 mile run in the books so I plan to sign up for the Memorial Day half. I won't PR but that is okay. Now to do 11 miles next weekend when we are really busy.

[Cookies Galore]

It was so fucking hot today! My shoulders are red as hell. My thigh was hurting by mile 7 so i had to stop and stretch a few times so our time sucked. But we did it!

ETA: So much beer was imbibed.

[NancysSummerSip]

May 3, 2015 16:53:42 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

It was so fucking hot today! My shoulders are red as hell. My thigh was hurting by mile 7 so i had to stop and stretch a few times so our time sucked. But we did it!

ETA: So much beer was imbibed.

Aw, you two are so freaking cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[flamingo]

www.csnphilly.com/blog/700-level/message-runners-everywhere-shutttttt-uppppppp

I shared this on facebook, but it's funny and I thought you'd all get a kick out of it. And probably relate more with it than my random group of fb friends.