Runner's Forum: The Official: Training Summary Start Up Thread

I just finished running 11 miles. It was 45 F. and sunny. That is a bit chilly for Texas. I ran in shorts, long sleeves, gloves and hat, and just shed the gloves after a couple of miles. My blood has thinned out a bit, if I stilled lived up north, I think this would have been a short sleeve day too for me.

So what temperature do you all start to bundle up? 

16 mile long run today - hit two of the last four miles at 5:20 pace. Some 'I have to use the bathroom' issues prevented me closing the entire last four miles at a that pace.

13 degrees, 6 with wind chill 

Hi All,

Just came back from my 4 mile lunch time run (okay, it doesn't happen at lunch but I do it instead of sitting around at lunch, so...) My time was better by amount a minute and a half than the last run on Thursday so I am feeling better about it. The weather was colder today than on Thursday too. Felt pretty good in all... had energy at the end of the run to give a bit of a kick, which means I should have run faster in the first place.

Since we are all talking about temperature, it is about -6C/22F here in Mass when I ran with a slight wind coming from the northwest but I felt cozy and warm while I was running. Then again, if I was running today where I used to live I'd be running in -22C/-6F weather so I consider this warm and myself lucky!  Somebody always has it worse!

Comments on treadmill running: I feel dizzy too when I finish my run on a treadmill and I also find that doing their preprogrammed 5 minute cool down helps but does not eliminate it. I wonder if it is solely heartrate related or if it has something to do with spending the last period of time running hard but not moving then suddenly not running anymore... kind of the same concept of freefalling if you know what I mean?

Bike night, 50 minutes at an average heartrate of 140 bpm or so I'm going to start wearing my own heart rate monitor, as I don't trust the HRM on the recumbent bikes at our gym.

Given that it's 6 degrees out here in Colorado (we never got above 13 or so today), I'm kind of thankful I'm inside for this period. It will be very interesting to go back outside and run, once I get through with this Achilles difficulty.

12 miles yesterday, I was starting to get sick...I knew it

Today we did:

20m warmup, 4k tempo (13:02 / 5:12 pace), 4x800 in 2:24 (actual was 2:30, 2:32, 2:30, 2:29), 20 minute warm down

I'm definitely really really sick (my heart rate two hours and 45 minutes after the workout is 90), my body hated me the whole way. However, I was impressed I was able to complete the workout like I did 

HEY, The forum is back up!!! Ran 2 miles yesterday with my wife. I pushed our new jogging stroller with both our kids for the whole thing, plus ran at my wife's pace (21:55). It felt good to loosen up my muscles a little after my 7 miler, and teh cold, when properly dressed, was not too bad (16 degrees with a cold breeze). 5 miles tomorrow.

week 3 day 2 (Wed):

4 mls @ 9:21 p/m.....cold/rainy in Big D

shins are getting sore...thinking about slowing the pace a little

Good luck!

 

turns out my cold is a flu...so I might be out a couple of days. I've been feeling better each day, but I might have to miss the race tomorrow if I'm not feeling 100%. Gotta keep the eye on the prize (outdoor nationals), ya know? 

runningdad61 - most shin problems are caused by having the wrong type of shoe for your gait. If you have a running store nearby, I'd say go get your gait checked out and see what kind of shoe they'd recommend

10 miles for me to day at 5: 52 pace it was  a rather balmy 25 out today with a  chilly 10 mph wind but much has improved since last weeks ice age. Well its the end of my third official week of marathon trianing made it to a 40 mile totall and i am pumped. Just curious if any other runners are tired of the snow i can't remeber a day since thanksgiving where it hasn't been snowy and whats even worse the forcast is calling for 9 inches of snow on sunday and snow showers for the rest of the week.

April 13 whidbey marathon yeah yeah

Day of rest today: 5 miles tomorrow (week 3-day 4)

Thanks for the insight Kdogg.  We've got a great running store, RunOn of Texas, that I buy my shoes at (Brooks GTS7 for mild over pronater).  I've used a different store as well just to get a second opinion (had a Dr on staff) and pretty sure I've got the right ones for now.  I think I'm just pushing too hard too quick on the pace of some these runs until I get my stamina/speed back to where it was a year ago (1 min or so p/m faster).

 Keep posting guys (and gals) it motivates all of us!

Freezing rain in Big D today so tomorrow mornings run ought to be a cold one!

Good afternoon, all- look like you had some great workouts. KDogg, how is that flu coming? Way2fast- 10 miles at 5:52? That's smoking!

I was playing single dad this week (wife had wicked, wicked virus) and so have not been online, let along working out. So after getting evaluated and fitted for orthodics today I went to the gyn and did 30 minutes of recumbent bike cardio (pushed fairly hard, heart rate at 155-164 the whole time) along with my PT prescribed ab/adductor workout and other leg strengthening exercises.

The Phys. Therapist asked what my goals were for the next year, and I answered "getting back to running ASAP and running the Chicago marathon." As I thought about it I realized that, while I'm very happy with what I accomplished in running over the last 9 months, I also have a lot of work to do in becoming a better runner. So I'm going to hit this rehab and recovery phase very seriously, and when I'm fit I'll get back to training, hopefully smarter and more effective than every before.

 

30 degrees today and it looks like good temps ahead up here in the Green Mtns.  The temps are predicted in the mid to upper 20s for the rest of the week.  I know these good temps we're having right now won't last.   I can't wait to get through Feb. and see the temps start to rise each week.  Just got done a quick 6 miler.  I was able to just wear 2 layers instead of the three and four I was wearing.  Feels better to not be so bundled up.

  I had to take a couple of days off, because my ankles and shins were killing me.  I know I'm over-weight at 6'0 / 229lbs; so I worried about having shin splints.  Luckly I took the time to rest and didn't keep pushing it.  I feel really great after this run.  My first 1/2 marathon of the year is just 10 weeks away now with the 2nd one just 7 weeks after that. 

 Hope everyone's meeting their goals for each week

Till next week,

Nahtus out...

Great thread.  Just got on the site to check the distance for my last run (5.75 mi) and stumbled across this thread.  Congrats to all who have been posting and thanks for the motivation. 

KDogg, Bet it feels good to start running again. Take care of the cough, though. 129?!?! I'd love to weigh in below 200 again!!!

Changingground, Keep putting in the work on the bike. Let that injury heal, You'll be at it again before you realize it. Has your PT said anything about an elliptical machine? It's a pretty low impact exercise, and it more closely mimics running.

Nahtus, I feel your pain being 6'1" and weighing in at over 220 myself. Remember to stretch those calves well, and I've found that icing them after a run helps.

Welcome to the club jcrumley, hope to see more of you.

My run today was a 7+ miler (about 7.18), finished in 1:21:28. Not the best pace for me, but I'm looking for distance, not speed. Nice temps (~35 deg F), but it started raining at about 5 miles. Plus there was a pretty steady south wind, plus lots of slush and water from the melting snow (got a few inches over the last week, on top of the SEVERAL inches already on the ground).

FYI, three more days till registration opens for Chicago '08!!! Maybe some of us that are going to be in town to run it can get together while we are there and meet in person.

pxsnowboarder, check your local running store for Mizuno BreathThermo gloves. They look like glove liners, but they are really comfortable. I've worn them on runs with temps in the low single-digits and have stayed warm. The only downside is they are not wind resistant at all. When it is cold and the wind is blowing (think sub zero wind chills), I think a pair of windproof shells over them would do the job. Good Luck, Dan

Hey hey! Its been really cold here and I came down with a bit of a cold so I had to take three days off from the running.  But I was back at it yesterday (easy three miles) and today (four miles).  Its still too cold to be outside, we have a blizzard warning tonight, so I'll be stuck inside for a few more days. I'm looking forward to warmer days, anything over 27 F, is good enough for me.

Happy running!

Dan - It does feel good to be running again. Borderline great even. Nothing is worse than sitting around knowing the fitness you have accumulated over the past months is deteriorating because you are unable to run. I hate when stuff is out of my control like that. But at least I am well enough to run now

Monday I hit an easy 12, then yesterday I had a bad workout (since I am still a bit sick) and today I hit an easy 11. Tomorrow I am gonna be doing a workout 6x1000 at threshold pace or so.

I'll tell you guys what though, I am so ready to get fully healthy and be hitting the times I am supposed to be hitting

Another weekday, another 4 miles.  I feel as if I am not even beginning to challenge myself anymore.... stuck in a rut!  But, on the bright side I seem to be trading my weekend runs for days skiing and, as I look back skiing WAS the reason I started going to the gym, working out, and running so, I guess it isn't all that bad.

There is something that I don't hear mentioned here very often, that is: I think I now run not for the sake of running but for the great feeling I end up getting when I know I can do other things better because I run.  I mean, I do love running and I will run at least a half marathon in the next while (maybe this summer but not this March, it turns out the one my coworker was talking about is quite far away from where I am..) but for now I am savouring my fitness level on the slopes and appreciate how I feel doing a myriad of other things.

When I am not skiing  on the weekends I am going to lengthen my runs and enjoy doing that too.

 

Hi all,

  It's been a hectic week, but just got in a late night 6miler tonight at 19 degrees out.  We just had a warm spell with rain and sleet.  The sidewalks were icy and the yaktrax worked most of the time.  Got a 3miler tomorrow with an 8miler to look forward to on Sunday.  Looks like snow and sleet for the next 4days so it should be interesting.

 

Hey all,

 Sounds like everyone is staying healthy....Welcome pdx!

I missed the last two days due to business travel to San Diego, but got a good 4 miler in tonight around the hotel area.  Knees a little sore but other than that, good run, easy pace, felt good.

week 4 - day 3: 

4 mls @ 9:19 p/m

50 F and dark....

PDX: my gloves were purchased at a Dick's Sporting Goods. They are made by The North Face and I really like them.  They're thin but very good for warmth on the cold (20-30F) days in Dallas.

 

33 degrees and feezing rain won't keep me from training for my 1/2 in April.  I only put in 3miles tonight at 9pm, because I ran my 6 miles yesterday.I also took the dogs with me too.  I think they're starting to get fat, plus they're bored with the Northeast "East Coast Ice Box".  I hope I won't need my ice skates for my 8 miler on Sunday.

Runningdad61, when I started out I had problems with my knees.  I was extremely over-weight ( more so then I am now) and I was using the Addias Mega Bounce.  I read in Runner's World that if  you have pain in your knees, ankles, or legs you should take off a day for every mile you ran before they hurt.  So, for example my knees started killing me after I ran my 1st 7 miler; I took 7 days off and they have never hurt since.  Not sure if this helps or not.

We'll for all of those in the area experiencing the snow, sleet and freezing rain be safe.

Till next time..

Dan- I think you're a super hero (putting it on the line for all of us careless slugs), and I definitely say you qualify as a runner, at least in my book. To my mind, anyone who runs and is serious about their training is a runner. Not everyone races, or qualifys for Boston, but if you're into it, and (oughta be) committed, then you're a runner.

I'm still on the bike- Yesterday for 32 minute (155 bpm), and today for 30 (148bpm), so four times this week. Our Rec Center limits CV machine workouts to 30 minutes when it's really busy, so I got kicked off. I can't wait for a 2 hour run, but that'll be some time. I'm also trying to be dilegent about doing all of my new exercises, as I want to come out of this experience stronger and more flexible.

There's some discussion on the Running Times forum about the bad effects certain antibiotics (Fluoroquinolones) can cause. It appears that their use can (not will) lead to tendon failure (rupture). Since both of my tendonitis flares have occured in conjunction with the use of these anitbiotics (Levaquin in one case, Cipro in  the other) I'm going to have my orthopedist check into whether or not I should be concerned. Apparently an MRI is a good  tool for diagnosing these injuriies, but MRI's are expensive. So, of course, is tendon repair.

Long story short, if you are prescribed an antibiotic, check first to see if it is a floroquinolone, and then try to find an alternate. At the least, do some reading, and make an informed decision about what you're going to put into your body.

Well, managed to get a longer (5.6 mile) run in this weekend, which is a bit of a milestone since I have missed my weekend runs for a while now and only been running my 4 miles three times a week over lunch.  It felt great and pretty easy.  I should have run either faster or farther but I did what I did.

Dan--great stuff, congratulations!! Good luck with the training and prep.  Keep us all posted.

Missed a day again this week due to business travel and meetings that ran late.  It always feels good though when I run in San Diego...

Week 4 - day 3:  3 miles @ 9:15 very easy pace, just struggling with the knees. 
Since I missed a day I'm gonna have to do my 9 miler tomorrow (Sun) without a rest day first.  At that point I'll be back on track for week 5 of Hal Higdon's plan

Congrats Dan!  Good Luck--------Thanks for the tip nahtus

30 degrees and overcast, but my 8 miler is down and tomorrow's a rest day.  Avg. pace was 9:43 and my avg. speed was 6:18 mile/hr.  Not bad considering that I had to run in frozen slush and wait several times at intersections.  I'm just hoping I'm on pace to beat my 2hr 2mins time for last September's 1/2 marathon.  9 weeks to go.

I'm training using Runner's World Smart Coach.  It seemed to work last time.  I also would recommend the March '08 issue; if you haven't read it yet.  Get articles, plus the RW Shoe Lab's guide for 27 new shoes and socks.  Anyone tried the Injinji socks yet?  I love my Darn Tough socks so it might be hard for me to switch. 

Anyway, my you all be safe this Superbowl Sunday.  And Dan, if you have to work I hope the drunks don't get you down.  There's aways TVo or DVR.