Marathon thread

[Deleted]

Apparently it is national running day. get out there and run!!!!!!!!

[steph08]

I did 3 miles today, though on Monday and Tuesday, I had run extra miles so I technically didn't have to run! But you can't skip National Running Day. <br><br>And my new running shoes came today! Thank goodness - mine are worn out and starting to give me a blister on the side of my foot in a very weird spot.

[NancysSummerSip]

I ran last night, had no clue it was National Running Day. Starting to see the seconds drop off my speedwork distance, which is good. It was a bit drizzly and overcast last night, which helped. Today is just a soggy mess thanks to TS Andrea hitting the state. We're on the eastern side of this, but still getting soaked. I'm hoping it will clear out by Saturday morning, so I can get 8 miles in. I will see my half-marathon friend for lunch and check on his progress.

[steph08]

I just registered for my next RunDisney race - I am so excited!!!

In February 2014, I will be doing the Glass Slipper Challenge - which is the Enchanted 10k on Saturday morning, followed by the Princess Half Marathon on Sunday morning!  I can't wait! 

Now I just need to register for all my local races, including a full marathon that I plan to do in November. Guess I will be training all winter again! 

[wvugurl26]

I think all of my injuries are slowly healing. I'm getting released from physical therapy in two more weeks. I'm going to ease back in and see what happens.

[steph08]

I did 12 miles on the local trail today and the weather was just perfect. Mid-high 50s, overcast. I wore a light jacket for the first three or so miles when it was slightly raining, but then tied it around my waist for the rest of the run.

I felt great! I finally got new shoes and those made a lot of difference. I did the last 3 miles at marathon pace and felt pretty good. I averaged around 10:35/mile and that is pretty good for me - especially for just a lazy training run. I hope to run 10:18s in my marathon in November, but realistically will probably shoot for 10:45s.

I have been debating on whether to choose the 15k or 25k option for a trail race that I am doing at the end of July. This run helped me feel that I am definitely ready for the 25k. I have not run more than 7 miles since January, but I did 10 last weekend and then 12 this weekend and feel good.  It's amazing what you can do once you train your body and your mind.

[NancysSummerSip]

I planned for 8 miles today, but got 7.25 done. Timing was an issue, as was the extreme humidity (100%, with temperature around 78 degrees at 6 a.m.). I finished all the Gatorade/water mix I brought with me. Drank an entire protein shake, and had a plum after that.
Next Saturday will be about 4-5 miles (I have a new swimsuit to try out next week, and I think a short Saturday swim after the run will be perfect for it), then I am going to take a shot at 8 1/2 to 9 miles on the 22nd.

Saw my Disney half-marathon friend for lunch today. He looks very good and I noticed his eating habits have improved from our last lunch. Today, just a chicken parm sandwich, no fries or sweetened tea or soft drink with it. And before heading to work, he was stopping at home to pick up his dinner (he could have easily ordered another restaurant meal, but instead, went home to get his protein and salad and veggies). And no, saving half his sandwich was not really an option. He's a big guy, and half that sandwich would never have been enough for him.

[Deleted]

I ran a 5k on Saturday. It is a race that I have done every year since it started 5 years ago (the primary sponsor is the firm I used to work for). I wasn't sure how I would do only 2 weeks out from my marathon, but I ended up running a personal best of 21:10 and got 1 out of 10 in my age group (they do 5 year age groups). I was running neck and neck with some 19 year old kid, but he out kicked me at the end. We ended up with the same official time, though.

[NancysSummerSip]

Archie, nice job (for an old guy)! That's showing the whippersnappers some spunk!

[NancysSummerSip]

OK, we found Ratchets again....all is right with the world!

It's speedwork Wednesday for me. I'm going to try doing it early and before dinner, like I did last week. I'll feed DH and get my gear together for tomorrow, then go run and eat a small dinner when I come back. We are now in long course swimming season, so I will be curious to see how this works out. I need to get a few times tomorrow morning for my next swim meet, and then mail that application in.

No road races coming up until at least the end of September. I have a short run (4-5 miles) and a swim planned for Saturday.

[NancysSummerSip]

That looks like fun, Ratchets. No way you could find a race that long around here in July. The up-and-coming thing is these "hero" races, or "muddy" races, where you do an obstacle course and get very dirty doing it. Um, heck no.

[NancysSummerSip]

OK, it's the doggie days of summer (well, for some of us, anyway).

What's everyone doing with their running?

I've got my usual speed practice tomorrow, and a long run early Saturday. I have to attend a car-related event with DH, so no run and swim combo.

[steph08]

In the midst of half marathon training - well, it is a 25k at the end of July, so more like 15.5 miles training.

I have built up the last three weeks for the long run 10/12/14 and this week I am dialing it back to 8 miles, so that will be nice. The 10 and 14 were hot/very humid and my pace was about 30 seconds slower than I wanted it. The 12 was awesome.

Summer training is for the birds! I did my marathon training in the fall/winter and it was so much better - even with it snowing on me sometimes! (Now I just have to remember that come winter when I am training again!).

Did 6 last night with the local running club - those dudes are so fast (compared to me). 3 miles at lunch today.

[NancysSummerSip]

There's a 10-miler in October that I am looking at. It's the week after a major swimming event, but I think I'd be OK. I gave up that distance last year, but I am tempted to take a shot at this, just to see where I stand before a half-marathon.

[NancysSummerSip]

I think so, Ratchets. I've done the distance before, but not in over a year. Starting to see some more races hit the calendar for the fall/winter season, including a new half-marathon just south of here. It starts in one county, runs into another and comes back.

Did my speed training last night, in spite of dental surgery yesterday morning. Felt OK afterwards, though. A light meal and some Aleve helped. Swam just fine this morning as well. Still planning a long run Saturday, no swim, due to a commitment late Saturday morning (a picnic I'd prefer not to attend; it's DH's idea). 

[NancysSummerSip]

Jun 21, 2013 14:24:20 GMT -5 Ratchets said:

You've got quite a bit of time to prepare for it too, which is nice.

Do you like doing the speed training, Nancy?  The folks at the run club swear by intervals to increase speed in races, and I have to admit that it seems to be really helpful.  It can hurt though LoL!!  They did 5 x 1k last Thursday, and that seems such a loooong time to maintain a quick pace!  But always feel "stronger" afterwards, so it definitely helps.

Did 8.15 miles tonight at a 10:26 pace - the exact same as the 10 mile run a week or so ago ironically.  I really felt sore too, not as much in my legs but across my shoulders, upper back and neck.  I really wanted to do 10+ miles as prep for the upcoming half-marathon, but just didn't feel well enough so quit at a reasonable point.  Think what the plan is now, is to try another long run Sunday and make the decision on the half marathon then.  If I'm still feeling rough that day then I'll assume the prep wasn't good enough and look at one further out. 

I'm learning to like the interval training. It really does work. The results show every week. Can't say that I loved it right off the bat, as I am not built like your average speed demon.

[steph08]

It is so hot here in PA! It was a step-back week so me so long run was only 8 miles.  I kept a good pace - 10:14/mile - but miles 2 and 7 sucked because it seems that is where the horse flies lived and they were terrible! I kept getting bit and followed by them! Ugh! 

I was out early - got to the trail at 8 am and was out by 9:30 and it was already almost 80 degrees.

Next Saturday I have to run 15, and I am going to have to get to the trail by 6:30 or 7 in order to beat the heat.  

I wanted to clean and wash my car today, but I just haven't been able to get myself outside.   

[NancysSummerSip]

Steph, you and I seem to be on opposite weeks. Next Saturday is my step-back week. . No way we could start by 6:30 here in the summer, though. I have to start a long run by 5:30 and be off the road by 8 a.m.

Not sure what to do on July 4. I am off, and will swim, but practice is later in the morning. I may stick with my usual routine of speedwork Wednesday night, sleep a bit later Thursday and swim. Or just combine the speedwork run and swim Thursday.

[steph08]

Only reason I have been able to start then is the nights have still been fairly cool - getting down to 65-ish.  I am definitely going to have to get out early this week. By 8 a.m. I can already feel the humidity. Argh!  Fall/winter training was so much better!

I was planning on doing a 15k on July 4th, but it doesn't start until 8 a.m. and it is in the middle of town on all paved roads. I think the weather is just going to be too hot and I would cook on the pavement!

[NancysSummerSip]

8 a.m. on July 4th? Are the race organizers completely batty? Or are their brains already pre-fried??

[steph08]

Jun 24, 2013 13:59:50 GMT -5 Ratchets said:

Sounds like both of you are having some good training sessions!  I did an 8.15 mile run on Friday and 9.3 on Sunday...felt pretty good on both but Sunday's was better.  Only problem was when I looked down and the front of my shirt was all bloody  !!  I don't know how long it had been like that, but it would explain the odd looks...thing were a little "tender" today so no running for a couple days.

You need to invest in some band-aids!

[steph08]

A lot of people use Body Glide - for nipples, blisters on toes, etc. I would just think it would get rinsed off with sweat after a while, but I don't know.

[wvugurl26]

I don't know how well they'd work for you Ratchets but Band Aids makes one for blisters that stays on pretty well. They are in a sealed silver box.

[Deleted]

I lubed my nips before the marathon. Worked well. My running partner lubed up, too, and one of his nips had a nice bloody ring around it anyway.


I need to start running consistently again. I have been very bad and I went "camping" over the weekend, which is nothing more than an excuse to eat as much meat as I can and drink as much beer as my body can possibly hold.

[NancysSummerSip]

The Body Glide product seems to work well; I know a number of triathletes who also use it for ocean swims.

[steph08]

Nice job on the 5-mile race!  As for the 10k, you could always do an extra 4 miles after the race, or if you really race it all-out, it will probably be around the same effort as if you had done a 10 mile long run.

My long run got messed up this week. I was supposed to be off today but ended up having to work, so can't make it to the trail. Saturday I have a funeral, and Sunday I have to work my part-time job.  So what's a girl to do? Hop on the treadmill for a 15 mile run on a Thursday evening after work. I did 7, then had to feed my dogs, did 4, then had to feed myself, then did another 4. The breaks weren't that long so didn't really interupt the run at all. Basically I treated them as walk breaks or bathroom/water breaks when I'm on the trail. My legs and feet were still tired at the end!  That is the longest I have done on the treadmill. Thank goodness I had three shows on the DVR to watch and then watched Indiana Jones when I finished with those. It sucked, but I am glad I got it in and didn't just skip it or do a shorter run.

[NancysSummerSip]

I've got a short run/swim combo tomorrow, then a freelance assignment right after that. By short run, probably looking at 4 - 5 miles.

So...I had my eye surgery pre-op today. Still have one more test to do Monday, but all the signs are good. I need a lot of correction (nearsighted, farsighted, astigmatism and cataract removal). Good news is that new corneal lenses can fix the first three, and doctor can get the cataracts. No swimming for two weeks, however, since each eye must be done separately, one week apart.  However, running and cycling during recovery are fine and can be done the next day.

[steph08]

I hope your surgery goes well, Nancy!

[NancysSummerSip]

Thanks Steph!

[wvugurl26]

Good luck Nancy!