Week of Sep 4 - 2006 Half-Full Marathon Info/Training Thread

[Tiger Lily 03]

Hi Everyone--Haven't posted in a while because I still haven't been running. Weird calf/hamstring pulls or spasms. Really have no clue what I did to them! I'm getting nervouse though--are they going to heal?? I've already taken two weeks off and then tried slowly running and it feels exactly the same as when I first injured it. Not better at all. I don't even know who to go see about it?? Any ideas of what to do? I've been stretching and doing yoga like crazy to try to make it better but no luck. Hmph!

I'd maybe consider going to an ortho doc, preferably one who "understands" runners. Good luck with getting it all figured. Hope it comes out ok.

Me, I did a LOT of carb loading...everyone here says it's too early to do that. I'm thinking I am doing it JUST in time...to remove it all before it gets too serious after I return.

It is Castaway Cay in the morning. Weather is great right now.

Seems like the new storm may be interfering in our coming into port. It is expected to be where we will be docking at the same time. Captain just sent us a note saying they are monitoring the situation....

Good night all.

 

[littlegreydonkey]

morning all - just a quickie on my travels. Still in England, it's my last day of holiday at my mums today, I go up to London to start work this morning. CAn't say I'm hugely looking forward to it, but it has to be done. Glad to see everyone's working hard - my training is going okay, I'm kind of forcing myself out there but I've only missed one short run and my long runs have been about 7 miles so not so bad - this weekend will be funny, got to do a 90 minute run, then go to my brothers wedding, then go out dancing till the early hours with a friend - Sunday will be sleeping I think. Anyway, gotta go as my mum's just come back from walking the dog and I have to pack. Helen

 

[wtpclc]

Lily - Glad you are having fun! I am sooo jealous! I'll keep my fingers croseed that you can get to CC. We never made it there on our trip and it's a real bummer to wake up to the ship trying to dock and then to teh When you wish upon a star notes saying that you're havin gan at sea day. I've lost my taste for that song, as it interrupted my sleep and tended to bring bad news. I really hope it goes well for you!

Helen - Thanks for chekcing in. Glad you are keeping up with your workouts. Enjoy the wedding!

 

[Jodi]

Hi Everyone!

It sounds like you all are doing well with your training. Thanks for all the "Nightmare New Orleans Trip" well wishes. I'm glad I got to see the place before it permanently changed, but glad I was able to get out. What a shame...

Sounds like everyone is doing well w/ their training! Decreasing times in 5ks, having cruddy days but then perservering the next time out. Awesome & inspiring stuff to read.

Those of you who are having a bad time of it & having "second thoughts", hang in there. As someone pointed out, we have a few months of training ahead of us, you're bound to have bad days & doubts creep up here & there. It'll be ok. I'm the queen of bad days/weeks/months, I know!

After taking 2 weeks off of running 'cause of my stupid knee, I went out this a.m. & ran 2.5 miles with this cheesy knee brace thingy on & it felt ok. However, a few hours later, I can definitely feel my knee protesting. What the heck?? I thought 2 weeks was enought rest time. I'm sick of going to the gym everyday & doing the elliptical or bike for 40 mins. There's no substitute for the real thing. Oh well, we'll see how I do Fri. when I try to run again. Who knows, I may be walking the 1/2 w/ my mom instead of running it. I hope not, though. It's really been a goal of mine to run this thing & anything less I fear will be a disappointment.

Ya know what? I just read what I wrote & kinda feel like a jerk. Here I am, complaining how I might be only able to walk a 1/2 marathon, blah, blah, blah, and there are people out there that had their whole lives destroyed last week...I'll shut up now.

Jodi

 

[wtpclc]

jodi - don't be so hard on yourself! We all feel horrible about what's happened down there, but our lives must still go on. Yes, I pray for them and give financial support, but everyone's lives cannot stop. It does help to put things in prespective, but we stil have things that frustrate us. We're here to support you when tehy revelove around our common goals.

 

[plutosmyfav]

Hi Everyone!

Ya know what? I just read what I wrote & kinda feel like a jerk. Here I am, complaining how I might be only able to walk a 1/2 marathon, blah, blah, blah, and there are people out there that had their whole lives destroyed last week...I'll shut up now.

I've had many of these moments. All of the sudden our daily complaints seem so trivial in comparison. I think its perfectly natural to feel this way.

As for me, I'm pleased with my running right now. I'm taking advantage of absolutely perfect running weather and avoiding the TM at all costs!

Sunny

 

[panthergirl]

Jodi - Are you icing after every run? That might help. I had a big problem with knee pain that was caused by running on the treadmill in my case. I iced after each run and also did alot of strength work on my quads which seemed to help. I am pain free now but no more treadmill!

 

[Disneefun]

For anyone who is still thinking of registering for the full or adding the full to go Goofy, the Disney Marathon site is now reporting that registration is at 97% capacity. So if you're still thinking, better think fast!!!!

 

[solotraveler]

Sounds like everyone is doing well w/ their training! Decreasing times in 5ks, having cruddy days but then perservering the next time out. Awesome & inspiring stuff to read.

Those of you who are having a bad time of it & having "second thoughts", hang in there. As someone pointed out, we have a few months of training ahead of us, you're bound to have bad days & doubts creep up here & there. It'll be ok. I'm the queen of bad days/weeks/months, I know!

Jodi

Jodi- Thank you for writing this today. I just got back in from my run today and it was dreadful. I felt awful the entire time. But I did learn a few lessons:

1. Do NOT run in 88 degree weather. (Seriously, though, this is Michigan--- it's never this warm this time of year...)

2. Do NOT expect to run well when you completely decide to throw your entire healthy eating plan out the window at lunch. (Patty melt + Fries= Extremely bad pre-run meal.)

So, 25 minutes into my 40 minute training session, I decided I was doing more potential harm than good and decided to hang it up for today. (For those who care, it was another 3 min run/2 walk day... I averaged 10:02/mile pace) I don't know whether or not to try and get the other fifteen minutes in later this evening or what... kind of at a loss. I may crosstrain tomorrow since I kind of only half did it yesterday, before my 7-miler on Friday. I'm trying not to let it get to me, but it's frustrating because I made bad decisions today which cost me being able to finish my run. I could have gotten up before work like I had planned, I could have eaten right at lunch, etc.

Guess I will have to get after it again tomorrow.

Happy training all!
Solotraveler

 

[wtpclc]

That does not bode well for my 40 minutes today. Yikes!

 

[MelRhoads]

Hello all - have not started my official training program yet. I have been kayaking a ton. I did do a 10k this labor day. When I got there, the batteries on my garmin were dead and i was at a total loss on how to keep my pace. I had to use my watch!!!!! I ran 4 more miles with my neighbor that evening (with batteries replaced, whew!) Pace for the 10k was 8:59 which is good for me. it was a very hilly course. Sadly, I probably place near the end in my age division (man those ladies are speed maniacs!)

I rode with the boy at the military park yesterday (13miles) plus he got to meet the civil war reinactor which he loved. he took pictures of the man with his gun using his "own very camera"

Did a 40mile bike w/o boy today! Nothing else to report. Am going to go on a 60mile ride/picnic this sat with a bunch of girlfriends! The real running starts next week! So does pre-school! Isn't that great timing

 

[monte]

Did my walk on Vail pass today and was able to walk 10.45 miles, which is not too bad. I wasn't able to make it to the top of the pass, but came close. Now if I could do a 10 ml. walk everyday....

 

[chimera]

Monica...you'll be great! Vail pass sounds cool...any photos?

MelR...our kayaks miss us...haven't really been much since the wild todd was born. We need to get her an itty, bitty life vest so we can start going again.

Solo...I'm there with ya...healthy eating has not even been in my head since we were out of town the past two weekends Great pace on the part of the run you completed!

Helen...I think dancing counts as cross-training....especially if you dance like this guy

Lily...I think carbo-loading is required on a cruise, especially at the midnight dessert buffet.

Colleen...the only way I can prevent chafing without goo is wearing compression shorts under my running shorts. I need the running shorts for all the pockets to carry my cell phone, etc...I thinking it may be time to graduate to a pack

Carrie...great long run! I won't tell anyone about I-75 if you don't
We live near I-75, too, but not close enough that I'll be on it for any of my runs.

Kath...sorry 'bout the ear thing. Take care of yourself! That Marine race sounds tough! Didn't we have someone else training for that?

Minnie...ouch! Sciatica is no fun! Take care!

Kathy...glad to hear you're healing well after surgery. Thanks for sharing the photos of Lynne and her bike!

Lynne, Erin...where are ya?

Susan...great pace on your 5.3 miles!

Kelly...I think if you're not noticing improvement after two weeks, you might want to see a sports medicine specialist.

Colleen...I've been wanting to try yoga...there's classes at the Y here. Have you taken a class or do you prefer the video?

Jodi...I think we're all having more bad days right now because of the weather. It's just too hot/humid/gross to be outside.

From stonker to stupendous...

I had a eureka-moment before my 'run' today. I discovered that my MP3 player fits nicely on the Garmin strap. I've never used the MP3 player during a 'run' before...man, I had no idea what I was missing! I had such a good time I did 10 intervals instead of 8. The hardest part was trying not to keep my pace in time with the music. My Sharona has a great beat, but you just can't run to it (apologies to Dick Clark ). How do y'all keep from singing and dancing along to the music?

 

[wtpclc]

DH bought em a present today. One of those walking towels. It's like a shamois, but sythetic. Very nice. A little awkward on teh neck, but helped with the heat today. Still not a great run, but better than most as of late.

Oh, this walking towel, you run cold water on it, squeeze out and throw on your neck. Stayed cool for the whole 40.

 

[NYcpa]

Mel - Lynne is busy with school and does not yet have internet access at her apartment. She is riding, swimming or running most days and sometimes does all 3. She is going to do at least one more tri this fall. Erin is waiting to get into PT for her knee. She has had trouble with it since last fall. Her DR wants to schedule an MRI but the insurance company insists on 6 weeks of PT and 4 weeks on anti-inflamatories before they will allow it to be done. We are now jumping thru the necessary hoops.

I started PT today for my shoulder. According to the surgeon, I cannot lift weights for at least 3 months to give the biceps tendon a chance to completely heal. The therapist told me when he was stretching the shoulder I could use the other arm to punch him if he got too agressive with the stretching. He didn't get punched but the shoulder hurts more tonight than before PT. NO PAIN NO GAIN

Have to motivate myself out the door every night after work to walk. Finally got my orthotics yesterday. It seems nice to no longer be walkng on my little toes. Have to decide if the right arch is too high or if it had shifted back in the sneaker too far.

Everyone seems to be doing well with their training. Keep up the good work. Will try to post more often and hound Lynne to post also.

 

[TiffJ]

Our weather has started to get a little milder(at least cooler in the a.m. & less humid during the day) which is making morning walks very pleasant. I did 30 min on the bike yesterday for xt. Today is my off day. However I need to clean the whole house(another form of xt)

I do have trouble not singing & walking to the pace of my music. I keep catching myself doing it. It would be great if it was faster, but it is usually slower than I want to go. Also- it's hard to keep pace when you are moving your arms & shaking your booty! I love my mp3. Now just to get a Garmin!!!

 

[solotraveler]

So, I finished that run last night!!

Once I let the weather cool down a bit, it was OK. I was pretty ticked off about the earlier run, so I pushed it. For those last 15 minutes, I ran 1.65 miles for a 9:03/mile pace!! So all totalled, yesterday's 40 minutes came out to 4.15 miles at 9:38/mile pace. That said, I'm glad to have a rest day

Carrie- Good to hear you got through the whole 40-- and cool nonetheless! Great job!

Tiff- That's precisely why I don't use an sm3 player wile I run. I get distracted and next thing you know I'm barely moving!

Happy training all!
Solotraveler

 

[Minnie]

I have no training to report whatsoever. My sciatica is still causing me pain especially in the evenings so I can't imagine running on it. I was told to use my heat massager and rest it which is not what I want to do

I've considered going back to walking only no run to at least get some miles in. Does that seem reasonable for should I just keep waiting? I'm getting real worried about the lack of training

 

[monte]

No sorry Mel, no pictures....will try to remember on my next walk.

Minnie - Does the doctor think walking would be a good idea, or cause furthur injury? Good luck with that.

 

[Jodi]

Hey guys;

Panthergirl - I'm going to start icing my knee ASAP. ?'s, how long did you ice it for, & what particular excercises did you use to strengthen your quad?? I've been told to do this b/c my quad is not anchoring my knee properly cause it's too weak. How long did it take to get better, I'm going nuts!

Solotraveler - Way to go, see, just keep plugging away. The way I look at it, it can't get much worse than the previous run/walk, so get out there & do it again. Great times.

Minnie- I would think walking, if you can stand it, would be the best thing!! That's what I'm doing. Of course, check w/ a DR.

Monte - I'm jealous, wish I could walk around Vail.

Chimera - Way to GO! I'm thinking of taking yoga, too. Any thoughts anyone?

MelRhoads - 40 miles??? Holy cow, you rock!

BTW, my hats off to all you walkers out there. Because I've been only running, my body was in total shock when I started walking for 40 minute stints. Man, it's not easy!! In some respects it's harder than running for me! Each sport deserves its kudos, I suppose. Hello to our new racewalker member! That must be a sport to conquer!

Good day all & please, more info. on knee injuries from anyone that can help me out. Thanks!

Jodi