The Running Thread

[vc10um]

Ms. Haven! How's training going!??!

Due to my upcoming nuptuals and the fact that I'm on a very intense 6-month review program at work right now (which I finish exactly 8 days before our wedding...GREAT timing), I was going to hold off on doing a half marathon this year until the fall.

Until yesterday.

I will now be running the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon on May 15 in Fredericksburg, VA. I am not planning on PR-ing this race...it looks quite hilly!...but I'm hoping that if I'm diligent about training like I have been in the past that I'll drop that last 15 lbs I want to lose for the wedding! (The last two summers I've lost 20 and 15 lbs respectively...so fingers crossed!)

Now to decide whether I want to do it in running shoes or Vibrams/barefoot shoes...

I like my Vibrams, but after a few miles, it seems that my toes swell and actually get squished by the toe sockets, and then they get really sore and tender. So I think I either need a different model, or I need to seek out a minimalist shoe without the five toe design. Still love them for walking around, though!!!

 

[EricaR]

I'm slowly but surely getting back into running. My half marathon was last September, then i got bronchitis, pneumonia and a second case of bronchitis all through September, October and into November. Then we were moving over Thanksgiving and it was a madhouse. The last four weeks or so things have settled down and I've been back to it.

I ran the most frustrating 5k this morning. It was poorly organized, there was no start line communication (where did the 5k people go? where were the half marathoners? why is everyone starting to run when we haven't gotten near the start line yet? what in the world is going on???) Once I got past the half mile mark we made a turn then suddenly the cops started yelling at everyone to get on the sidewalk because the rest of the streets weren't closed. What? Why would I pay $40 to run in a race where hundreds of people would be crowded on a sidewalk? I could have done that for free on my own with way fewer people! And lets not forget that there wasn't a single aid station or water at the finish line, contrary to their course map. My husband just called me a race snob, but I guess I just expect a certain number of things when I'm paying to run a race?

I've got my sights sets on another half marathon at the end of May, followed by Disneyland again this coming September.

 

[Haven]

vc10um--That half marathon sounds incredible! I bet it's just what you need to lose the last bit of weight you hope to lose before the wedding.

I'm interested to hear about your shoe choice. I've been running short distances on the treadmill in my Vibrams, but nothing longer than 3 miles. I'm not sure I'd be able to run a longer distance in them. (Heck--I'm not sure I'd be able to run a longer distance, period!)

I know you're super busy right now, but I've always been most productive when I have a lot of things on my plate at once--I hope it's the same for you!

Erica--I don't think you sound like a race snob at all! I would be complaining and demanding my entrance fee back right now.

 

[vc10um]

Ms. Haven! Are you ready for your upcoming race?!?!?

 

[Haven]

Ms. Haven! Are you ready for your upcoming race?!?!?

WE BAILED! WE ARE FAILURES

We picked up our race packets around noon the day before the race, and then DH became all irritable about running the race and by that evening he said he wasn't going to do it. He had some pain in his shoulder and didn't want to make it worse, which I completely understand, but without a running buddy I was lost and didn't go, either. (DH is a muscle specialist so I usually defer to his opinion for these things, but still, I should have run it without him. I definitely learned that I need a buddy.)

My school has a 5K in May so this time I'm not going to sign up until right before the race, but I'm determined to get DH to run one with me. He is SO MUCH FASTER than I am, though, so I have a lot of work to do before then. He's been running at a speed of 10.0 for five minutes on the treadmill, and then 8.0 for five minutes--I'm quite happy at 6.0 to 7.0, thankyouverymuch~

 

[uklfstyle]

i had my last marathon in octomber last year.....10 miles...i was proud of it...i'm not such a good athletic:p

 

[slg47]

I just ran my first 10k and really enjoyed it! FI was supposed to run with me but he ran the marathon a few weeks ago and his knee is really bothering him...he thought it was getting better so he didn't go to the doctor but I told him he has to go.

Anyway, the 10k was so much fun that I am thinking of doing a 1/2 marathon...it sounds challenging but I think I can do it! I certainly didn't think I could do the 10k and I did it!

 

[vc10um]

slg, I LOVE half marathons. They're SO fun! I hope you've decided to go for it! Half of my half marathons (I've done 6) have been a part of the Rock 'n' Roll race series and though they are a bit expensive, they are SO well organized and have GREAT crowd support...I think they make for a great first half.

Giving this thread a big BUMP and hoping to keep myself motivated through the fall and winter! Just ran the Army Ten Miler today in DC and snagged a PR having next to nil training under my belt! 2:09:30 (unofficial), which is 6:04 better than my best time in this race, which I managed to snag both 2 and 3 years ago! (Yes, EXACTLY the same time back-to-back years.) Made me wonder what I COULD have done with some real training in my sneaks!

I went through a big running slump because, after I decided to start training for that half marathon I was planning on doing back in May, I tweaked my knee just the teensiest bit and couldn't walk very well for 4 or 5 days. Well, that was enough to TURN ME OFF from running until after my wedding! I kept having visions of screwing up a knee/ankle/foot, etc and damm!t I was wearing those Stuart Weitzmans ALL DAY.

Well, now that the wedding is over, the DC reception has passed, and my Trash the Dress shoot is complete, I'm ready to get back to peak form! I plan on running the Virginia Wine Country Half in June of next year, so I'm planning on running 10-15 miles/week all fall and winter before kicking distance training into gear for that sometime around the beginning of March. Getting back out on the pavement felt SO great...I'm definitely glad to be back!

 

[Blackpaw]

slg, I LOVE half marathons. They're SO fun! I hope you've decided to go for it! Half of my half marathons (I've done 6) have been a part of the Rock 'n' Roll race series and though they are a bit expensive, they are SO well organized and have GREAT crowd support...I think they make for a great first half.

Giving this thread a big BUMP and hoping to keep myself motivated through the fall and winter! Just ran the Army Ten Miler today in DC and snagged a PR having next to nil training under my belt! 2:09:30 (unofficial), which is 6:04 better than my best time in this race, which I managed to snag both 2 and 3 years ago! (Yes, EXACTLY the same time back-to-back years.) Made me wonder what I COULD have done with some real training in my sneaks!

I went through a big running slump because, after I decided to start training for that half marathon I was planning on doing back in May, I tweaked my knee just the teensiest bit and couldn't walk very well for 4 or 5 days. Well, that was enough to TURN ME OFF from running until after my wedding! I kept having visions of screwing up a knee/ankle/foot, etc and damm!t I was wearing those Stuart Weitzmans ALL DAY.

Well, now that the wedding is over, the DC reception has passed, and my Trash the Dress shoot is complete, I'm ready to get back to peak form! I plan on running the Virginia Wine Country Half in June of next year, so I'm planning on running 10-15 miles/week all fall and winter before kicking distance training into gear for that sometime around the beginning of March. Getting back out on the pavement felt SO great...I'm definitely glad to be back!

vc10um, hello thanks for reviving this thread, i just saw your post now and would love to get back chatting about running with my PS ladies Haven, are you out there too?!

im going to subscribe to this thread so i can keep track of it better!

vc your wine country half sounds lovely, you could stop for a taste test on the way - i respond well to rewards i checked out the website and the one in napa sounds cool too...and congrats on your PB in the 10miler, thats awesome tell me how many days a week do you train for a half?

i just did my first half last weekend, and was super happy with my race, i beat my goal time of 2.15, did it in 2.08.03. It helped that i live at altitude and went to sea level for the race anyhoo i trained 5 days a week for 18 weeks, and though the program was awesome, it really really improved my running, i feel like its too hard on the body to be doing that all the time.

Anyways i still have post-race glory madness coz im considering a full - the training time will deter me eventually im sure, but im certainly daydreaming about fun halves i could do!!
i just did my first hal

 

[BeachRunner]

Hi ladies!

Apparently I'm subscribed to this thread and even though I haven't posted in forever, I can ALWAYS talk about running!

First off, congrats to vc10um for your Army 10 miler PR! I hear that's a fabulous race! I too, like Rock n Roll races but I think they are becoming a little too pricey. I've run Denver two yrs in a row and it's always a fun time.

Blackpaw Congrats on your first half marathon! What a great time too! Which race did you run? There were a lot of them on 10/9! I also live at altitude and have never raced sea level. I'm dying to see if I can feel the difference. When I finished my first half I immediately wanted to run the full...and 5 months later I did. They. are. addicting.

I just finished my 5th half marathon on 10/9. I've been injured most of summer w/ shin splints so I never got to incorporate much speed work or running in general. I'm happy just to have maintained my current level of fitness. I plan on taking it easy, really heal my shins, then start training in January for a May marathon.

Best of luck to all the runners out there!

 

[Blackpaw]

Hi beachrunner wow thats so amazing that you ran a full after your first half, and that you've run 5 halfs!!! i really admire people who finish a marathon, i know from 21ks that that's pretty hard in itself so to run twice that distance is amazing

i did the Victoria BC race, and it was a really nice one. Flat and the weather was cool which is a must for me to have a happy run! I think you should definitely do a sea level race, im sure it helps. I wont say that i felt like i had heaps of extra air or that running just felt easier, but from my 10k split i know that i had to be having an easier time of it, because if id been doing that pace at home id have hit struggle town then or before

how did you find the jump from the half to the full? and what sort of training do you do? sorry for the qs! i found the training really hard on my body, so im not sure how to get back into it - before the race i felt like i needed to give my body a rest (i have a lot of muscle soreness from it would seem, have done since probably week 6 or so of the program) for awhile but i feel a bit antsy so my friend and i are running tomorrow like you say. its. addicting!

ETA: oh and which half did you run?!

 

[vc10um]

Hi blackpaw and beachrunner!

blackpaw...the wine country half actually has a wine mile (I believe mile 10?) with lots of tastings and whatnot and then a huge wine fest at the end. YUMMMMM. I won't be going for a PR in that race because VA wine country is HILLY...but I'm hoping to manage one anyway, LOL. When training for a half marathon, I run 3-4 days per week, cross-train for 2, and rest 1-2. You ran your half marathon faster than my 10-miler! You're pretty darn speedy! My current half marathon PR is 3:00:15 (STUPID 16 SECONDS. GAH!)...I've done 5 half marathons as well but haven't even gotten the urge to do a full since I'm SO SLOW and training would be SUCH a timesuck.

beachrunner...sorry to hear about your shin splints! Good luck with healing. Take it easy, and then come back kick that May marathon's butt! (Which one are you running?)

AFM...I'm FINALLY feeling normal! YAY! My quads have been OUT of commission since the race on Sunday...that's what I get for not training and doing the race anyway! But it totally reminded me why I enjoy running, so I'm planning on going out on Sunday morning and running until I'm tired. No times, no distance, just ENJOYING it.

 

[BeachRunner]

vc10umI'm running the Colorado Marathon in May. It is all downhill race. Unfortunetly, I learned the hard way that all downhill races aren't that easy. I ran a half over the summer starting at 10,000ft and ended around 8,000ft. OUCH. It is NOT as easy as it sounds. But, I think the downhill grade is equivelent in both races, so I have 26 miles to decline ~2000ft; I should be OK

blackpaw One day I'll make it to sea level for a race! I find myself going up into the mountains to race; oof. Now, that hurts! I found that marathon training takes up a lot of time. I ran 5x/wk w/ my half training and also with full training too. But, the runs are longer and that long run takes up a lot of time! You can't go out or stay up late the night before and you have to be in check w/ your nutrition. It is pretty intense and you have to really be dedicated to training. I didn't do much cross training/strength training, which was dumb. I used Hal Higdon's program; check em out! If you have anymore questions, ask away! Oh, I ran Rock n Roll Denver.

 

[Blackpaw]

Ouch, beach, a downhill marathon would HURT the next day you must have quads of steel!! im sure you'll do awesome do you find you get stitches on downhill? i often do, though its been less since i started training properly...or maybe thats just that i started avoiding hills!

ive had a quick gander at Hal's training plan, i was thinking of trying the novice2 program, i like that it has a day of cross-training in there, and only 4 days running! that said im still not sold, i would have to do a full in the fall as winter training is a bit tough, but then that means that i have to give up another summer to running when i should be using it for hiking! its a 7-8month winter here so you gotta take advantage of the sun i did the running room program for the half, and apart from 5 days being tough i cant fault it, it really improved my pace and got me used to the distances...

vc10um oh my gosh wine tastings at mile 10??? that's AWESOME on the race on Sunday a lady and her husband were standing out the front of their house handing out beer shots so i had one - i dont drink beer but i was getting into the spirit of it all please have some for me, surely it will help? or at least it might make you forget the hills (hills suck!)

im so looking forward to running today and not having a distance or pace to keep. although its always the runs im looking forward to that i suck at...

 

[vc10um]

Blackpaw, if the hike was long/intense enough, I would just sub a short day of running with a hike! But then again, I'm a rule breaker when it comes to training for races because I plan my training around my life, and not the other way around. Oh, and I'm all about the people who hand out beer shots. ALL.ABOUT.IT. I hope you have a great run today!

beachrunner...that's a LOT of altitude change...holy cow! I think the most I've ever experienced over a whole race is a couple hundred feet. MAYBE! And I thought THAT was a lot!

I was thinking about squeezing in the Richmond Marathon's 8K this fall...but I just looked and there's no hotels remotely close to the start/finish available. I'm still mulling it over, though...it's only an hour drive from here!

 

[Blackpaw]

VC, i would go for it for the 8k if its only an hour away! a half maybe not, but an 8k for sure if it will be a fun race

im still mulling over my next steps...my run on friday was good (although i reckon i noticed the altitude coming back up - or maybe its just all the junk ive been eating since the race ) but i decided to be lazy this weekend and just couched about.

Ill run this week, at this point i think ill just be keeping up some running fitness in case i do decide to jump onto a program.

BC and VC i hope you have fun runs this week

 

[vc10um]

VC, i would go for it for the 8k if its only an hour away! a half maybe not, but an 8k for sure if it will be a fun race

im still mulling over my next steps...my run on friday was good (although i reckon i noticed the altitude coming back up - or maybe its just all the junk ive been eating since the race ) but i decided to be lazy this weekend and just couched about.

Ill run this week, at this point i think ill just be keeping up some running fitness in case i do decide to jump onto a program.

BC and VC i hope you have fun runs this week

I'm still thinking about it because I realized 1) I have Friday off before the race so I won't have to fight traffic to get down to Richmond for my packet (I'm in Alexandria, VA) and 2) it was only the RACE hotels without rooms...there are plenty of hotels within a 5-10 minute drive of the start, which reportedly has plenty of parking, that still have reasonable rooms available.

The only thing holding me back is the 7 AM start in the middle of November. It'll be COLD and I don't DO cold. LOL. But the swag for $35 is almost too hard to resist!

I was right with you on the lazy...overnight on Saturday my nose was replaced by a faucet I couldn't turn off, and I was just so uncomfortable that I couldn't fathom running. I'm going to try to get in a short run or two this week and then probably make a decision on Richmond.

Have a great week, ladies!

 

[Blackpaw]

Yay for swag, VC, i say definitely do it for the half i didnt really get any good swag but the technical shirt is really awesome, and i carried my finishers medal around like a baby's blanket for a few days

its funny you say you dont do cold...i dont do hot! if it gets above 20 where i live i melt, actually probably if it gets above 15

i was looking at the full marathon in San Francisco on July 29, but i worry it would be too hot for me...not to mention possibly hilly which i also dont do! though the shirt might be nice...

 

[vc10um]

Yay for swag, VC, i say definitely do it for the half i didnt really get any good swag but the technical shirt is really awesome, and i carried my finishers medal around like a baby's blanket for a few days

its funny you say you dont do cold...i dont do hot! if it gets above 20 where i live i melt, actually probably if it gets above 15

i was looking at the full marathon in San Francisco on July 29, but i worry it would be too hot for me...not to mention possibly hilly which i also dont do! though the shirt might be nice...

The race is only $35 and for that we get a long-sleeve tech tee, the medal, I think a cinch bag, and then free McDs coffee at the start and tons of food and massages at the finish!

I'm trying to priceline a hotel for the night before the race...my bid yesterday wasn't accepted, but I'll try again today and hopefully it will be! If it is, I'll register (because then I'll have no excuse!)

As for not doing cold vs. hot, I have some residual exercise-induced asthma. It gets better every year, but super cold air in my lungs (below about 45 degrees) = owie. But I can run in 80, 90, even 100 degrees if I have water and I've built up to it.

 

[vc10um]

I registered! I got the hotel for $40+taxes and fees on priceline, and you have to prepay, so no excuses!

Hopefully I can get in a few good runs before the race...I'd LOVE to beat my 5 mile split time from the Army Ten Miler! (Which was something like 1:01:30)

 

[Blackpaw]

Nice work, vc! it sounds like it will be a fun race, im sure you'll do awesome

i wussed out of running today, oh well, next weekend!

 

[Blackpaw]

Yay for running Jainsley im not what you'd call a 'natural' at it, but i started from scratch like you, ie, couldnt run for more than a minute or two at a time...id say after a month or so i could run half an hour without stopping (running three times a week-ish) and after the summer i could run an hour without stopping. I worked my way up to a 10k race, then the next year (this year) i did a training program for a half marathon that really helped my pace and stamina. That said i ran/walked it and it was so good for me to be able to have those breaks...

cant wait to hear about your running! what i love about it is that its such a personal thing, you're only competing against yourself, so i found every single week i was getting better and could feel that

 

[vc10um]

Hi jainsley!

I love my Vibrams, just as a word of caution: start slow, and read up on proper barefoot running form to avoid injury. My feet swell when I run, so I can no longer wear my Vibrams for long distance, but I love them for short runs and cross training! I am looking into getting a pair of minimalist shoes without the toe separators for longer runs sometime soon!

Also, to increase endurance, I recommend a program like Couch to 5k or Couch to 10K. They both employ walk-run intervals which gradually increase the amount of time you're running until you're running the whole time! Since you're not exactly a couch potato, you might be able to start a few weeks in to the program and just pick it up from there!

AFM: 8k is next Saturday! Eep! Been getting some workouts in, but not nearly as many as I'd like. We'll see how it goes...but I got my bib number! It sure is nice not to be in the last corral!

 

[jainsley]

Thanks VC! I just downloaded a phone app for running. Please let me know which shoes you get for distance running!

 

[BeachRunner]

Hi runners!

jainsley Hello and welcome! Congrats to you for taking on the challenge of running! Couple important tips. Make sure you have adequate running shoes. Get fitted at a running store. They will analyze your gait to ensure you have the proper shoes on your feet. I would also recommend the couch to 5k program. It's great for getting you to run 3 miles w/o stopping. I'd say that after someone can comfortably run 3 miles w/o stopping then you can move on to increasing mileage, adding speed work, etc. Lastly, running is not easy so don't get discouraged with yourself! It IS challenging and I think that's why it's so rewarding. Don't try to do too much too soon. It takes time to build up distance/endurance. Running is also very individualized so go at your own speed and just enjoy it!

vc10um I've never had the Vibram itch! I've seen people run halfs/fulls in those shoes! Whatever works. If you want a little more shoe I'd look into the Saucony Kinvara or the Brooks Pure line; still both minimal shoes. I know runners that swear by the Kinvara and although the Pure line just came out, a lot of people like them.

AFM, I'm just running I'm not on a training plan...yet but do plan for a spring marathon so I gotta get on top of that to develop a plan.

Happy running to all!

 

[vc10um]

Thanks, for the shoe recs, BR! I've always run in Brooks shoes...they just seem to fit the shape of my foot the best...so maybe I'll check out the Pure line! I know Vibrams also sell their platform to Merrell, so I was thinking about trying them as well.

8K is next weekend. I'm definitely not as well-prepared as I hoped I'd be, but running and some surprise pre-Halloween snow threw a monkey wrench in my training plans! Oh well, if I get a few miles in this week I'm sure I'll be fine. Hoping to come in right around an hour. If that's the case, I'll have my 8K PR by I think 5 minutes.

 

[Blackpaw]

VC, you're gonna do awesome on your 8k!! i can feel it lots of luck for next weekend!

Im running a few days a week at the moment, just shorter runs. Im a bit worried that i need to try and get in a long run once a week so i dont lose the endurance or whatevs...but its a difficult time of year for me work wise with the ski season starting (i work in that industry). BR, how long do you typically train for a full, do you do the kinda standard 3-4 month programs? im still thinking ill go for my first marathon in the fall, but its so far away it feels like a lot of time to kill before i start properly training!

Re shoes, Jainsley, VC you guys run in vibrams, i cant believe it! i would love to try a more minimalist shoe but i pronate quite a bit on my left ankle so i have the asics kayanos, and they're good but i think the they might be slightly too narrow for me. Not sure, i would kinda like to try sauconys as i hear they're wider but i just bought a new pair of kayanos (it was easier than traipsing miles and miles to try on other shoes). Still the next pair i get id definitely like to try another brand, or at least another shoe...

 

[BeachRunner]

vc10um Good luck on your race! I'm sure you'll get that PR.

blackpaw You work in the ski industry? How fun! I live in CO and we're ready to go! We bought our ski passes so we'll try to go as often as possible. I'm going to use skiing as my xtraining day! As for training plans, I used Hal Higdon's training plan for my half and full; I believe they are 18wks long. I'd suggest building a base now. My biggest suggestion for full marathon training is get as many miles in as you can. For a first timer, I think that's most important. Maybe you can train for some spring 1/2's then you'll be ready to jump into full training w/ no problem!

Happy running, ya'll!

 

[vc10um]

Thanks, BP and BR for the encouragement! It's going to be a little colder than I'd like at the start of the race on Saturday (about 35 degrees! eek!) but I think I'll manage just fine. Just have to remember that there's pizza and beer at the end (at 8 AM!)...

jainsley! YAY for you! I'm glad we can be an inspiration! I still suck at continuously running, LOL. I could probably run for a few miles steady pace, but I really really really suck at pacing myself. It's actually MORE work for me to run slower, because I have to hold my body back from what it really wants to do. So while I don't all-out sprint by any stretch of the imagination, I run at a pace that isn't sustanable for long periods of time for me, because it actually SAVES me energy. Weird, I know. But I'll run at whatever pace my body likes for about 5 minutes, walk for 2, repeat. It seems to work for me, and I don't mind being a run-walker. Now I just need to get faster at both...or start walking less.

 

[Blackpaw]

Hey VC, hope you have a fantastic run tomorrow, im sure it will be awesome - picture the pizza cant wait to hear all about it, please!!

BR, yep im pretty lucky to live in a spot with mountains all about, what are your fave hills to go to? i went to Vail, Beaver Creek and Keystone about 6 or so years ago, but it was kinda a waste as it was my first time seeing snow and i didnt really get off the bunny hills (except for one green and one blue that both kicked my a*@!).

AFM, ive been doing 40mins to 1hr each day and have really been enjoying it, its like the running is just fun, then when im finished i dont feel it at all - but today my hamstrings are killing, think i overdid my stretching in yoga yesterday. So im having a second day off and will run on the weekend!