Comments (31)

By kilax, August 30, 2010 8:30 pm

Amanda (Run to the Finish) wrote a fun “Runners Etiquette” blog post. I recommend checking it out! Those lists are always so fun to read and add to! Item number 3 interested me (taken from her post):

DON’T WEAR THE RACE SHIRT ON RACE DAY: Race shirts state that you have already completed that race, on race day you have not completed that race..stop wearing the shirt! Caveat: If the race gives out bright orange shirts like Pumpkin Run specifically because it’s only Halloween and you will never wear that shirt again, or it’s the Komen walk and you want to promote the cause then it’s ok. End Caveat.

Most of the commenters agreed with her. However, this is something that does not bother me at all. In fact, I have done it! Check out my race recaps page – I have done it quite a bit. I like to be matchy.

Oops?

Of course, now, I realize I need a more “technical” top and cotton’s not going to cut it. But why does this bother so many runners? Tell me what you think!

Do you think it’s wrong to wear a race shirt on race day? Why or why not?

And of course, the poll below, for you guilty culprits to fess up!

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Comments (23)

By kilax, August 29, 2010 1:38 pm

My next race is the Chicago Half Marathon on September 12. I am also training for the Chicago Marathon on October 10.

Don’t forget to enter my ViewSPORT shirt and watch giveaway!

Day 309 | August 23, 2010: 3 m run + strength

Steven and I ran 3 miles around our neighborhood. I thought this would be an easy run, but I felt out of shape during it! I guess I’m still getting back in to the running grove. Frustrating.

Notice our twin-sy shoes in the picture above? Steven got a pair of Brooks Adrenaline 10s! I hope they work – he’s had some serious blister issues with past shoes!

Distance: 3.0 | Temp: 76° | Time: 30:31 | Avg Pace: 10:10 | 1: 10:21 | 2: 10:10 | 3: 9:57

Strength + Stretch (done during my lunch break):

Day 310 | August 24, 2010: cross + yoga

During lunch I rode the recumbent bike. Late in the evening, I did the YogaWorks 45-min Beginners DVD… while making Chex Mix for Christina’s party. Hmm, is that why the Chex Mix got kind of burnt? I thought it still tasted good!

Funny thing – I did this same yoga workout on Sunday but my neck was so sore I could barely move it. On Tuesday though, I felt fine. I wonder if I was tense in my neck during my long run on Saturday. Do you tense up in your neck and shoulders during runs?

Recumbent Bike Time: 40:00 | Distance: 6.34 | Average Speed: 9.51 mph | Set on “Random Hills”

Day 311 | August 25, 2010: 5 m run + strength

These lower temperature (71°) runs are so easy and fun. It’s crazy what a difference the temperature makes! I wish every run felt this invigorating.

We went to the Rollins Savanna. Steven ran 4 miles and I ran 5. The run was really great, except for all of the bugs flying into our faces – that is what you get though, running so close to dusk. Pretty soon, I won’t even be able to make it to these forest preserves in the evenings anymore. They “close” at sunset.

Distance: 5.0 | Start Temp: 71° | End Temp: 66° | Time: 49:48 | Avg Pace: 9:57 | 1: 10:00 | 2: 10:18 | 3: 10:21 | 4: 9:51 | 5: 9:15

Strength + Stretch (done during my lunch break):

Day 312 | August 26, 2010: yoga

I did the YogaWorks 45-min Beginners DVD. I wasn’t multi-tasking this time, but I was distracted.

Day 313 | August 27, 2010: 13 m run

What an interesting run. I originally had plans to hit up the trails at 6:30 am, but my plans changed… and I needed to be out the door at 5:00 am! So I started running in my neighborhood until the sun came up, then made my way to the nearby Nippersink Forest Preserve (two miles away). However, on the way there (mile 7) I started having very strong pain in my left knee. So I only ran one loop there, then came back home, in case the pain worsened. I was able to run all 13 miles, but I immediately took an ice bath and need to keep watch on that knee. It ached the rest of the day.

Run stats: I walked one-minute at mile 3, 7, and 10. I took a vanilla gingerbread GU at 7, and drank less than 32 ounces of water throughout the run. Quite a bit less than last week, but there was about a 15-degree temperature difference. Woo hoo!

Other than the knee pain, this was a great run. Although, I am NOT listening to a podcast about someone having to euthanize their cat again during a run. I started crying at mile 11!

Some of the pretty views on the way back to our house:

Distance: 13.0 | Start Temp: 58° | End Temp: 61° | Time: 2:26:33 | Avg Pace: 11:16 | 1: 11:00 | 2: 11:08 | 3: 11:05 | 4: 11:25 | 5: 11:14 | 6: 10:54 | 7: 11:03 | 8: 11:42 | 9: 11:37 | 10: 11:23 | 11: 12:02 | 12: 11:09 | 13: 10:44

Day 314 | August 28, 2010: rest

Day 315 | August 29, 2010: 8 m run

Steven and I went to bed just before 5:00 AM so I had two choices for this run – sleep for an hour or so and run at sunrise, in the 70-degree temps, or wait until later in the morning/afternoon, when it would get in to the 90s.  So, which would you choose – 9 cooler miles on little sleep, or 9 hotter miles with a bit more sleep?

I had my alarm going off every few hours, but I couldn’t get up for the cooler temps. My run ended up starting just before 11:00. I ran back and forth on a one-mile concrete trail that is just behind Steven’s parent’s home in Kansas City. About half of the trail is shaded, but the open sun parts were very intense, even with a slight breeze. My knee held out great though and I enjoyed the run. Well, until mile 6.5 when I ran out of water and the woman on the podcast was talking about when she was in the hospital and no one would give her any water. That was making me crazy.

Run stats: I walked one-minute at mile 3 and 6. I drank 32 oz of water by mile 6.5 – a sign I need more water when it’s in the high 80s/low 90s. I wore my Brooks Adrenaline 10s without the inserts. I took a cool bath (with a bit of ice) when I got back to the house.

Look who I saw:

I also saw a baby deer, but he passed two quickly for me to snap a picture! (When I told Steven I saw a turtle and a deer, he asked if they were traveling together. I told him yes, that the turtle was riding on the deer. Steven then asked if they were on their way to a car show. I think Steven needs more sleep! Ha ha. He cracks me up.)

Distance: 8.0 | Start Temp: 83° | End Temp: 92° | Time: 1:32:49 | Avg Pace: 11:35 | 1: 10:57 | 2: 11:06 | 3: 10:57 | 4: 11:43 | 5: 11:20 | 6: 11:46 | 7: 12:31 | 8: 12:24

Week Summary: 29.00 miles

I was really happy with the workouts I got in this week – I did everything I wanted to except maybe a long bike ride. However, to fit that all in, I did a few two-a-days. I am not sure if that is something I can stick with, so I will just have to do it when I can!

The knee pain on Friday morning really worried me. But then, I realized it’s not that important. Me being able to run anyway. It feels really important to me, but there are more important things in life, so I can only do the best to take care of myself and see where that gets me!

Comments (13)

By kilax, August 22, 2010 6:54 pm

FYI: There are a bunch of pictures in this post – please let me know if they show up in your reader! They sometimes don’t in mine.

My next race is the Chicago Half Marathon on September 12. I am also training for the Chicago Marathon on October 10.

Running Highlight of the week: New PDR – 16 miles! (Yes, 16 slow miles – I wonder if I should not have registered for the 10:30-11:00 pace group for the 20 miler)

Day 302 | August 16, 2010: strength + stretch

Pectoral Fly: 2 x 15 @ 45 lb, 15 @ 60 lb
Arm Curl: 3 x 15 @ 25 lb
Lat Pulldowns: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x 15 @ 60 lb
Shoulder Press: 3 x 15 @ 20 lb
Biangular Lat Row: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x 15 @ 60 lb
Hip Abduction: 3 x 15 @ 115 lb
Hip Adduction: 3 x 15 @ 55 lb
Biangular Chest Press: 15 @ 30 lb, 2 x 15 @ 50 lb
Leg Curl: 15 @ 30 lb, 15 @ 40 lb, 15 @ 20 lb
Seated Leg Press: 15 @ 90 lb, 15 @ 110 lb, 15 @ 130 lb

Day 303 | August 17, 2010: 6 m run

Whoa, what’s this?

71°?! That was was unexpected!

This started out as speedwork, but quickly became a normal run after my legs started acting up (behind left knee and in stress fracture areas) and Steven’s hip flexors started giving him problems. We got two speedwork miles in around 9:00, then ran at a normal pace.

This run felt SO GOOD and SO EASY. I like this kind of weather!

Distance: 6.0 | Time: 1:00:46 | Avg Pace: 10:07

Day 304 | August 18, 2010: strength

Rope Pushdowns: 3 x 15 @ 30 lb
Pectoral Fly: 2 x 15 @ 45 lb, 15 @ 60 lb
Arm Curl: 3 x 15 @ 25 lb
Biangular Chest Press: 15 @ 30 lb, 2 x 15 @ 50 lb
Biangular Lat Row: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x 15 @ 60 lb
Hip Abduction: 3 x 15 @ 115 lb
Hip Adduction: 3 x 15 @ 55 lb
Shoulder Press: 3 x 15 @ 20 lb
Leg Curl: 15 @ 30 lb, 15 @ 40 lb, 15 @ 20 lb
Seated Leg Press: 15 @ 90 lb, 15 @ 110 lb, 15 @ 130 lb

Day 305 | August 19, 2010: 5 m run

This run started out hard… and never got easy.

Sweaty crotch alert!

I thought my run would be better if I went back to the trails (went to Nippersink Forest Preserve) and wore my Adrenaline 9s with inserts. I had been running on paved trails in my Adrenaline 10s for the past 4 runs.

No such luck. My legs were still bothering me, it was hotter (80s), and I felt like there were bugs all over me. I called the run short at 5 miles. Boo.

At least Steven was there to keep me company on his bike!

Distance: 5.0 | Time: 54:48 | Avg Pace: 10:57 | 1: 10:46 | 2: 10:58 | 3: 11:07 | 4: 11:09 | 5: 10:46

Day 306 | August 20, 2010: cross

Recumbent Bike Time: 40:00 | Distance: 5.55 | Average Speed: 8.3 mph | Set on “Forest Ride”

Day 307 | August 21, 2010: 16 m run

I was nervous about this 16-mile run, after my legs were bothering me so much on Thursday, but it went great! I felt good and strong, and didn’t want to die until mile 15. I remembered to go nice and slow and not start out too fast like I did the week before. I would have liked to have gone a bit faster, but hey, I would rather feel good than go fast!

I did my normal walk-a-minute every 3 miles, and ran on the Des Plaines River Trail. I listened to podcasts until the last 3.5 miles, and that kept me entertained (I was by myself!).

Fueling: I ate oatmeal (with flax and sugar) and a banana with strawberries before my run. During, I had some jelly beans at mile 6, and a GU that Kim (my blogging TWIN* – check out her blog!) sent me at mile 9. It was my first time trying a GU! After the run, I forced down some grapes and a small PB sandwich.

Hydration: I wore all four of my 8-ounce water bottles. I only used one in the first 5 miles, but I quickly drank all three before 10.5 (was returning to my car at 12). Wheels Go Round was sponsoring a bike ride and I passed their fuel table at 11, so I asked for some water and they gave me a whole, cold bottle. I drank it all before mile 12, and filled up all four bottles at the car again! I ran back to the table and gave Wheels Go Round a small $3 donation (the ride benefited the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center (LCCAC) and the Zacharias Center (Z-Center)). It was so nice of them to give me some of their water!

So… I drank at least 64 ounces of water plus whatever is in a water bottle! Is that a lot? How much water do you drink while running?

I liked having more water with me, but seriously, that belt weighed me down and made my butt hurt!

After: guess what I did?

My first ice bath! My legs felt pretty sore right after running. I stretched, but knew I needed to do an ice bath when I got home. It made my legs feel great!

Guess who kept me company?

Oh, Beyonce!**

P.S. Do you think I actually burned 2310 calories like the Garmin says? I mean, it knows my weight and birthday, and I had the heart rate monitor on…

*Same name, both runners, both have a cat and we started our blogs on the same day!
**Inside joke

Distance: 16.0 | Starting Temp: 72° | Ending Temp: 77° | Time: 3:08:30 | Avg Pace: 11:46 | Avg bpm: 173 | 1: 11:04 | 2: 11:34 | 3: 11:45 | 4: 11:51 | 5: 11:56 | 6: 11:39 | 7: 12:07 | 8: 11:29 | 9: 11:38 | 10: 12:01 | 11: 11:54 | 12: 11:13 | 13: 12:12 | 14: 11:52 | 15: 11:33 | 16: 12:33

Day 308 | August 22, 2010: yoga + cross

I did the YogaWorks Beginners AM/PM DVD first thing in the AM to stretch out my sore legs. It helped!

In the afternoon, Steven and I went to Van Patten Woods, a forest preserve we have never been to before, and is the trail head of the 31-mile Des Plaines River Trail!

We explored Van Patten Woods, which had a beautiful lake as well as some shaded paths (not all were shaded though),

and explored down to mile 4 of the Des Plaines River Trail. I would love to ride all 31 miles someday! (Hint, hint, Steven!)

P.S. I LOVE my new bike!!!

Bike Time: 1:27:50 | Distance: 13.58 | Average Speed: 9.3 mph

Week Summary: 27.00 miles

This week I was reminded of the emotional toll running takes on me. I felt great after an easy run on Tuesday, but crushed and worried on Thursday. After I completed 16 miles on Saturday with no pain I was on top of the world. But jeez, this emotional roller coaster is stressful! Does anyone else feel like their emotions are tied too directly to the perceived success of their runs?

I wish I would have fit in more yoga this week. I would really love to do the yoga DVD 2-3 times a week. I just feel so lazy when I get home. Ha!

Some links:

Ha ha, no matter what you think about the Vibram Five Fingers, the comments on this article about them are pretty funny.

I found this article in Runner’s World about last minute marathon (and other distances) training pretty encouraging: Training Tips for a Late Race Entry.

Comments (22)

By kilax, August 16, 2010 5:32 pm

I found an article on the Well blog today that really hit close to home – When Repeat Injuries Can’t Dim an Athlete’s Passion. The article tries to answer the question so many of my friends and family are wondering  – why do runners keep running when they repeatedly get injured?

We met up with friends this weekend, and after telling someone about my three stress fractures, they respectfully said, “I think your body is telling you it doesn’t want to run.” And I honestly disagreed. What they said to me doesn’t compute in my head.

Yeah, I am crazy.

The article was short and interesting. Here are their hypotheses about why athletes will not give up their sport of choice when they get injured:

1. They have a psychological problem. The athlete is compulsive, let’s their ego get in the way, and persists beyond all reason.
2. They don’t want to give up their social life. The athlete’s friends participate in the same sport and that sport has become part of their identity.
3. They don’t want to give up the pleasure of the sport. The sport produces a pleasurable experience at both the psychological and physiological level that makes it difficult to transition in to another sport.
4. They don’t want to give up winning. The athlete does really well in their event, often winning trophies/placing, and they don’t want to give that up.

I can relate to the first three of those, and I’d like to add another reason it’s hard to give up a sport – you rely on it to keep your body at a consistent weight! My weight goes way up when I stop running because I eat like I still am.

Have you ever suffered from injury that made you sit out on your favorite sport? Did you not want to give up and relate to any of the reasons above? Or did you move on to something else?

As fun as I think biking is, I am not sure if I could ever love it as much as I do running.  Even with my new pimp bike.

Okay, maybe I could. Maybe.

Comments (17)

By kilax, August 15, 2010 5:14 pm

My next race is the Chicago Half Marathon on September 12. I am also training for the Chicago Marathon on October 10.

Funny running moment of the week: On Saturday, Erin and I saw a guy running in the NUDE (shoes only) on a forest preserve trail. With a lot of people on the trail. He came toward us and I saw he was holding a shirt or something by his crotch so I turned around when he passed, and sure enough – BARE butt. Ha! I wish I would have taken a picture. My mom told me I should ask Steven to reenact, but I didn’t even bother.

So… why was he running in the nude, is what I wonder. That’s how he likes to run? Something wrong with his pants? (My mom thought maybe he pooped them – ha!). Have you even seen anyone running in the nude?

Day 295 | August 9, 2010: strength + stretch

You guys aren’t going to believe it – I actually hauled my a$$ down to the office gym during lunch to do some strength and stretching moves. I was surprised I even remembered my locker combination!

Rope Pushdowns: 3 x 15 @ 30 lb
Hip Adduction: 3 x 15 @ 55 lb
Hip Abduction: 3 x 15 @ 115 lb
Biangular Lat Row: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x 15 @ 60 lb
Biangular Chest Press: 15 @ 30 lb, 2 x 15 @ 50 lb
Shoulder Press: 3 x 15 @ 20 lb
Lat Pulldowns: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x 15 @ 60 lb
Arm Curl: 3 x 15 @ 25 lb
Pectoral Fly: 2 x 15 @ 45 lb, 15 @ 60 lb
Leg Curl: 15 @ 30 lb, 15 @ 40 lb, 15 @ 20 lb
Seated Leg Press: 15 @ 90 lb, 15 @ 110 lb, 15 @ 130 lb

I think the MP3 player helped. Otherwise I would have been bored, bored, bored!

Day 296 | August 10, 2010: 5 m interval run – 2 x (4 x 400)

Tuesday marked two months until the Chicago Marathon and my first week back at the FIRST training plan. Back to speed work!

The schedule called for 2 sets of 4 x 400s, with warm-up, recovery intervals, and a cool-down. The recommend pace was 10K pace minus 45 seconds… yeah, we have not run a 10K in a long time and had no idea what our pace should be! So we decided to aim for a 8:45 overall pace.

And we mostly hit it! Of course, Jack (the Garmin) was being funky, so a lot of these times are for more than 400m (those marked with an asterisk*), but you get the idea.

We did walk a lot of the recovery intervals. It was just too freaking hot (upper 80s) and brutally sunny. You’ll have that.

I wore my Adrenaline 10s sans inserts to see how my legs felt. So far, so good.

So sweaty!

After the torture run, we attended the last free Tuesday night summer concert at Independence Grove. I was so sweaty I could feel sweat dripping down my butt. Steven did not think it was appropriate that I said that in public (in front of a young kid – I don’t think the kid heard me!).

Distance: 5.0 | Time: 52:14 | Avg Pace: 10:27

Day 297 | August 11, 2010: strength + stretch

Whoa. I actually made it down to the gym twice this week for strength. That’s impressive for me (especially since my chest and upper abs were KILLING me from Monday’s workout!).

Rope Pushdowns: 3 x 15 @ 30 lb
Seated Leg Press: 15 @ 90 lb, 15 @ 110 lb, 15 @ 130 lb
Leg Curl: 15 @ 30 lb, 15 @ 40 lb, 15 @ 20 lb
Hip Abduction: 3 x 15 @ 115 lb
Hip Adduction: 3 x 15 @ 55 lb
Biangular Lat Row: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x 15 @ 60 lb
Lateral Raise: 15 @ 25 lb, 15 @ 37.5 lb
Biangular Chest Press: 15 @ 30 lb, 2 x 15 @ 50 lb
Shoulder Press: 3 x 15 @ 20 lb
Lat Pulldowns: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x 15 @ 60 lb

Day 298 | August 12, 2010: 8 m run

Awesome run?

Well, it went really well until mile 3 when I drank some powerade and it made my stomach hurt. Then I kind of hit the wall at 6.75. Ugh.

I ran the first 5 miles with Steven riding the bike behind me. I walked a minute at mile 3 and ate some jelly beans. Then we stopped at the house at mile 5 so Steven could get off his bike and run the last 3 miles with me.

It surely went a lot better than I thought it would, considering the heat (and we started around 7:00, when it was starting to cool down), but I am disappointed that drinking powerade during the run bothered my stomach so much.

Distance: 8.0 | Time: 1:22:23 | Avg Pace: 10:17 | 1: 10:28 | 2: 10:06 | 3: 9:46 | 4: 10:17 | 5: 10:15 | 6: 10:30 | 7: 10:33 | 8: 10:22

Day 299 | August 13, 2010: rest

Day 300 | August 14, 2010: 12 m run + cross

I am trying to keep track of my walk breaks and how I am feeling, so I apologize for all the boring details!

Erin and I ran together at Busse Woods Forest Preserve. Neither of us had been there before, but we had been thinking about doing the supported 20-mile run there. The park is pretty! Lots of trees. Lots of trees = lots of shade = me likey.

Sorry for the blurry pic!

When I left my home in the morning, I was feeling pretty good about this run. I even saw a rainbow and figured that was a good sign!

We started off and I felt great. Maybe a little too great, because we took off and ran the first three miles around 10:00, which, unfortunately, is NOT my long run pace. I think I was just having so much fun talking to Erin that I was not paying attention to my feet. Oops.

We walked a minute at mile 3. I started to feel pretty blah and somewhat out of it around the 5 mile mark, so we walked two minutes at 6 miles, and I ate some pretzels and drank some water.

We kept going, and I was feeling sort of good. At the turnaround point, I asked some nice TnT people if I could fill up one of my water bottles with their water cooler. I brought three 8-ounce bottles for the run, and I had used all but one. The TnT people were super nice and told me to go for it. We kept running, and walked a minute at 9 and I still had a water left. But I ran out by mile 10, and when we passed a pump we stopped to try to fill – no luck. So… we walked for two minutes, in the hot sun, which had just appeared (it was supposed to rain, and never did, but we were enjoying that it was cloudy – but not enjoying the temps in the 80s!). Then I tried to keep running and had to walk another two minutes during mile 11. And I had to steal water from Erin.

Stupid sun!

Ugh. I was beat. My body felt mostly okay (jello quads by mile 10, heavy legs) but the heat was really getting to me. I felt so thirsty again. And I felt bad, because Erin was doing great and my pace was all over and I don’t think I was really talking coherently. She’s nice to stick with me!

When you get worn out at the end of a long run, do you start to get kind of… delirious and out of it? I sure do.

I finally got to the car and ended the 12 miles and got my bike to ride with Erin on her last 4. The sun was still out, and I felt crappy even on the bike! Jeez, what was that about?

But we did pass the nude guy that I mentioned above, and I found that humorous.

Erin finished really great for being in the awful sun and we sat in the shade for awhile. I drank two powerades and ate some grapes. I finally felt better after we had sat for awhile.

Erin recommended drinking something with electrolytes the day before a run. What do you guys do to stay hydrated? I drink about 120 ounces of water a day, if not more. Shouldn’t that be enough?

Ha ha. During our run, I said “I am not sure how I can run 26 miles if I cannot run 12 well.” But Erin had felt the same way a few weeks ago then had a great run at a longer distance. So… blaming it on the weather.

And I still had a lot of fun running and talking to Erin! What a treat!

(Can you tell I wrote this after the run – I think a bit of the incoherent-ness is in this post!)

(Oh yeah, during our run, we were talking about blisters that you get on the top/end of your long toe. We both had old ones during the run. At one point, I told Erin I could really feel my blister. See below. No wonder I felt that!)

Distance: 12.0 | Time: 2:09:00 | Avg Pace: 10:45 | 1: 10:24 | 2: 10:04 | 3: 9:53 | 4: 10:30 | 5: 10:11 | 6: 10:30 | 7: 11:14 | 8: 10:31 | 9: 10:36 | 10: 11:01 | 11: 11:52 | 12: 12:10
Bike Time: 57:47 | Distance: 4.00 | Average Speed: 4.1 mph

Day 301 | August 15, 2010: cross + yoga

Steven and I rode our bikes 11 miles at the Moraine Hills State Park, then had a little picnic lunch.

We haven’t been to this state park since November! But it’s really close to our house (just over 10 miles!) and really beautiful. Just a bit on the hilly side though. My quads were burning. I am pretty certain I will not be running there anytime soon!

And some of the hills were actually kind of scary to ride down. But scary in a fun way.

That’s me shaking my fist at the “Hill” sign.

We went to a BBQ at Steven’s friend’s house on Saturday and they sent us home with leftover homemade seitan, so Steven used it to make some yummy sandwiches for our picnic. Kind of makes me* want to make seitan again.

After we got home (and walked Data and sat on our porch for a bit) I did the YogaWorks Beginners AM/PM DVD to try to stretch out my tight legs.

*I should say us – Steven would be the one making it.

Bike Time: 1:00:15 | Distance: 11.00 | Average Speed: 11.0 mph

Week Summary: 25.00 miles

I am actually really pleased with my workouts this week! I felt like I got a good balance of running, strength, cross, and a bit of yoga.

I just wish I could figure out why I’ve been starting to feel so blah during my runs. Is it just an endurance issue? Or am I not fueling properly? Am I not eating enough pre-run? What do you eat the day before a long run?

Comments (11)

By kilax, August 8, 2010 7:57 pm

My next race is the Chicago Half Marathon on September 12. I am also training for the Chicago Marathon on October 10.

Day 288 | August 2, 2010: 5 m run

On Monday I was at the McDonald’s Campus in Oak Brook for a conference so I decided to check out the surrounding paths. I felt like I started this run off on someone else’s legs – I took off, and fast, for how slow I’ve been running!

Ha. I quickly slowed down though (blaming it on the less than 6 hours of sleep!) I took a one-minute walk break at 3 miles, then huffed and puffed until I hit 5.

I still averaged a 9:50 pace, which I think is pretty good for this short of a run (and 80° temps). I wish that was my LONG run pace though!

Distance: 5.0 | Time: 49:16 | Avg Pace: 9:50 | 1: 9:54 | 2: 9:42 | 3: 9:43 | 4: 10:16 | 5: 9:34

Day 289 | August 3, 2010: rest

Day 290 | August 4, 2010: yoga

My body was feeling pretty tight, so I did the YogaWorks Beginners AM/PM DVD. Do you ever feel like you need to do some yoga or something to stretch out your tight body?

My left hamstring had been tight since the previous Saturday, and it was not until I got home to my yoga mat and foam roller that I could work on it! I need to start traveling with those things.

Last week when I was on my shopping spree at Kohl’s* there was a workout top I really wanted to buy but they only had in XS (I know you are surprised but that is not my size). I was in a different part of town on Wednesday and looked for the top in my size and found it**! Plus another top that was on sale for $5!*** Does anyone else love Kohl’s as much as I do?

*I got three workout tops, two shirts and a pair of capris with my $100 gift card and still had money on the gift card, PLUS they gave me $10 in Kohl’s cash.
**Well, it’s a big large, but oh well.
***And they gave me another $10 to spend at Kohl’s. They really know how to keep me coming back!

Day 291 | August 5, 2010: 3 m run

I was not looking forward to this run (even though it was perfect – low 80s with a breeze!!!). I originally planned on running 8, but just felt too exhausted. So, when we were running at the Rollins Savanna and Steven said his hip flexor hurt a bit, I was more than happy to take a walk break at 1.5 miles, and call it a day at 3. For him, you know. Ha ha.

Steven thought my gait was off when I started running. He said it looked like I was limping a bit with my left leg. My left hamstring did still hurt (in the area right above the back of my knee) but I don’t think I was overcompensating for it. Of course, I was thinking about how crazy it is that my right calf has not hurt at all, and when we were walking to warm up it got all tight. Sigh. What am I doing wrong? No really, please tell me – how can I keep my muscles from getting so tight?

Distance: 3.0 | Time: 31:05 | Avg Pace: 10:21 | 1: 10:13 | 2: 10:41 | 3: 10:09

Day 292 | August 6, 2010: 5 m run

I made up Thursday’s 5 missing miles on Friday night. At 8:00. Right after dinner. It was mostly dark, and I had to keep my mouth closed the whole times so bugs wouldn’t fly in to it. And the whole after dinner thing? Had me running to the toilet at the 1.75 mile mark. At least I was close to home.

But, 5 miles finally does not feel like a long distance! It was so discouraging to be running up to 5 miles, when that used to be a “short” run. It’s starting to feel like an easy short run again. I even almost got in to full on “robot in the running groove” mode!

P.S. I know I should not be running on the sidewalk, but it is SO MUCH EASIER than the trails. So much.

I am putting the picture below in so my mother-in-law can see one of the new Kohl’s tops I got with the giftcard she sent me.

Distance: 5.0 | Time: 49:21 | Avg Pace: 9:51 | 1: 9:57 | 2: 10:00 | 3: 9:51 | 4: 9:48 | 5: 9:39

Day 293 | August 7, 2010: rest

Day 294 | August 8, 2010: 10 m run

In the morning we had perfect running weather – overcast, a bit rainy and only 70°!

Of course, I ran closer to 5:00, when it was sunny and 85°, because that’s how I roll.

Actually, my brother and his fiancee were in town for a car show, and I wanted to spend the morning with them, so I pushed my run back to the late afternoon.

Steven made sure to start with his helmet on:

(not sure why he came out of the bedroom wearing that – but he totally cracks me up!)

and end with one on too:

Ha ha.

We ran in our neighborhood again. We stopped for a 1-minute walk break at 3 miles, then stopped at home at 3.75 so Steven could get his bike and I could get more water and my MP3 player. Happily, it became very cloudy after we stopped and the sun was not as intense.

I really liked having Steven ride behind me while I ran. It was nice having him there, even though we didn’t talk too much. I was feeling really hot and thirsty. I took another 1-minute walk break at 6 miles, and kept asking Steven to fill up my water bottles. I think I drank about 32 ounces of water during this run, and I sure was feeling it in my stomach at about the 8 mile mark. The water wasn’t exactly sloshing around, but I could feel its presence. And it didn’t feel good.

I tried to keep good form throughout this 10-miler, but it was hard. It took awhile to get in to the groove (my left hamstring still aches), and then once I did, I just felt hot and blah. Oh well. I made it through! First double digit run in 3 months!!! It would have been nice to be a bit faster, but I am sure I will get there.

Ha. I thought my MP3 player was a bit tight!

(Another Kohl’s top – the $5 one – to show my mother-in-law)

Distance: 10.0 | Time: 1:53:02 | Avg Pace: 11:18 | 1: 10:50 | 2: 10:49 | 3: 11:08 | 4: 11:30 | 5: 11:31 | 6: 11:19 | 7: 11:43 | 8: 11:16 | 9: 11:31 | 10: 11:18

Week Summary: 23.00 miles

Next week, I am going to try to jump back in to the FIRST training plan, and start doing intervals and tempos again. I should also be almost caught up in the long run as well.

But, I think if I am planning on doing that, I should really make an effort to do more yoga and cross training. I’m just being lazy at this point.

I am thinking I may need to start wearing my Adrenaline 10s. The 9s are getting worn out! Think I land on the outside of my heal much (see pic below)? I think those inserts are pushing my feet that way.

Comments (6)

By kilax, August 1, 2010 11:59 pm

I am currently getting back in to running so I can run the Chicago Half Marathon and Chicago Marathon.

Day 281 | July 26, 2010: rest

Day 282 | July 27, 2010: 7 m run

On this Tuesday it had been 4 weeks since I started running again and I finally felt like my body was starting to cooperate with me. Even though it was about 86° and sunny out, I felt like I was flying, and felt pretty good! I averaged a 10:15 pace for 7 miles (and had almost negative splits) which is actually a faster pace than I would want to run the marathon (would hope for 10:30s).

Steven and I went to Independence Grove again to run then go to the free Tuesday night concert (this week is was an Elvis-ish/Johnny Cash-type band). We ran 3 miles, walked 1 minute, then ran 2 more miles, and walked another minute. Steven stopped at 5 miles, and I did the 7. I actually found it harder to keep the pace up when he wasn’t running with me! I think because I was focusing more on my breathing and how hard it felt.

I was pooped.

Just kidding!

I felt good, but wanted to lay down instead of sit up like a normal person during our picnic.

Ha, when we were looking for a place to lay down our blanket, Steven said we had to find something “away from people” because he was really stinky. Ditto. I know now my summer sweat smells like corn chips (so does Steven’s, strangely). TMI? Nah. Maybe TMI would be telling you I am always hungry for corn chips after I run now. Seriously. I’ve been thinking about buying some to keep in my car.

Am I the only one who has different smelling sweat in the summer than in the winter? Is anyone going to answer that weird-o question?

Distance: 7.0 | Time: 1:11:51 | Avg Pace: 10:15 | 1: 10:31 | 2: 10:19 | 3: 10:14 | 4: 10:25 | 5: 10:01 | 6: 10:18 | 7: 9:57

Day 283 | July 28, 2010: rest

Well, I planned on doing yoga when I got home, but I had a headache and… I had a $100 Kohl’s gift card waiting for me from my in-laws! I had to go buy some new running tops!

Day 284 | July 29, 2010: 5 m run

I thought we were being smart, getting to the Nippersink Forest Preserve at about 8:00 am, when it was only about 75°, but the bright sun was still brutal, and we were about half awake (as Steven is demonstrating in the photo below)…

… so, the run was tough. We took a 2-minute walk break in the middle of the third mile, and stopped at the car once to get water. I was planning on running 7, but felt spent at 5.

Wow, so much shade.

At least I got to wear one of my new Kohl’s tops I got the night before!

Distance: 5.0 | Time: 52:19 | Avg Pace: 10:27 | 1: 10:15 | 2: 10:18 | 3: 11:09 | 4: 10:25 | 5: 10:09

Day 285 | July 30, 2010: rest

Day 286 | July 31, 2010: 8 m run + cross

I didn’t know I was going to get to run with Erin on Saturday (my birthday!) and it was an awesome surprise!

We tried to be extra diligent and go to bed “early” the night before our run so we would be well rested. We even had my mom drive us to where we were sleeping so the boys could continue to play a game at my parent’s cabin and we could go to bed. Oops, we ended up talking until the boys got back! Ha ha!

But, we still got up early (well, what felt early) and made it out the door at 7:30, right as the clouds were parting and the sun came up.

We ran from where we were staying, along the local highway, and in to town.

There is a path that goes along the river. It’s pretty, but there’s no shade!

We ran along the river for quite some time, took a one-minute walk break at 3 miles, and turned in to town shortly thereafter. We could literally run down the middle of the streets and there were no cars there to bother us!

We ran around the streets until we got back to the highway. We took another one-minute walk break at 6 (both were my request, I should note), then ran to a turnaround point where I got on my (new!!!) bike and Erin kept running for 5 more miles.

It was fun running with Erin and showing her all of the stuff in town. Even though it’s a small town, it’s cute! And I really think running with her helped my pace. We averaged around 10:22 for 8 miles! I think that is pretty good for a warm summer morning (upper 70s?). I wish we could run together more often!

After our run, we spent the day at the beach! Perfect post-run reward!

Distance: 8.0 | Time: 1:23:04 | Avg Pace: 10:22 | 1: 10:31 | 2: 10:20 | 3: 10:17 | 4: 10:20 | 5: 10:08 | 6: 10:13 | 7: 10:23 | 8: 10:45
Bike Time: 58:50 | Distance: 5.01 | Average Speed: 5.1 mph

Day 287 | August 1, 2010: rest

Week Summary: 20.0 miles

I had a feeling this was going to be a “3-run” week. I was too busy to fit anything else in. Oops.

Comments (9)

By kilax, July 25, 2010 12:21 pm

I am currently getting back in to running so I can run the Chicago Half Marathon and Chicago Marathon.

Day 274 | July 19, 2010: rest

Day 275 | July 20, 2010: 6.1 m run

Steven and I went to the Independence Grove Forest Preserve to get our run in before the free Tuesday night concert at 7:30. Steven ran 3.75 miles and I did 6.1. At about mile 4 I really started to feel good and kept it around a 10 minute mile pace for most of that mile… then I slowed back down. I can’t wait to speed my pace back up. The pace I am running at doesn’t feel right to me. Of course, it would help if it was cooler! I thought it was a nice change to be running in the low 80s for this run, but I prefer the high 40s!

Steven doesn’t always cooperate with my picture taking!

Distance: 6.1 | Time: 1:05:37 | Avg Pace: 10:45 | 1: 10:40 | 2: 10:32 | 3: 12:01 | 4: 10:54 | 5: 10:11 | 6: 10:15 | 7: 00:59

Day 276 | July 21, 2010: yoga

I did the YogaWorks Beginners AM/PM DVD.

And was bored out of my mind.

Day 277 | July 22, 2010: cross

Steven and I took a two-mile walk around our neighborhood. I should have run, but wasn’t in the best of moods when I got home (work issues).

Day 278 | July 23, 2010: 5 m run

Yay. I’ve always wanted to feel like I was running in a sauna!

I did this run in our neighborhood, so in the case I passed out, I would be close to home. The humidity has been killer in the Chicagoland area lately. If I was smart, I would watch the weather, and at least run with the temps are cooler, but no… I was too cranky to do that (on Thursday night). So. The humidity.

This run felt like… hmm… complete and utter crap. Not “why did I sign up for a marathon?” crap, but “how could I ever run a mile?” crap.

Even though there were clouds blocking the sun (and thunder was rumbling) this run still felt awful. Not in my bones, but just on my skin. I’m blaming it on the heat. And hoping it doesn’t happen again.

There’s that optimism again… it always gets me in trouble.

Distance: 5.0 | Time: 56:57| Avg Pace: 11:23 | 1: 11:09 | 2: 11:18 | 3: 11:33 | 4: 11:24 | 5: 11:29

Day 279 | July 24, 2010: rest

Day 280 | July 25, 2010: 7 m run + stretch

Super Runner!

I did the “AM Wakeup” portion of the YogaWorks Beginners AM/PM DVD in the morning, then Steven and I ran in the Grant Woods Forest Preserve. We didn’t start running until 9:30, but it was only 75° and felt pretty decent, especially in the shade!

Unfortunately, Steven started to get the chills around the 4 mile mark, so we took a break in the shade, then ran back to the car so he could sit in the shade and drink more fluids. It was warming up pretty fast.

He ran about 5.15 miles, and I finished out 7.

You know, I would be so happy if I could find a trail out here that was ALL shade. Wow, would that be a dream come true. The sun has just been so intense lately. I seriously felt like I slowed down every time I was in the direct sun during this run.

(I should note that my average pace for this run was an entire minute faster than Friday’s run – the lower heat makes a difference)

Distance: 7.0 | Time: 1:13:14 | Avg Pace: 10:27 | 1: 10:35 | 2: 10:40 | 3: 10:25 | 4: 10:32 | 5: 10:39 | 6: 10:10 | 7: 10:10

Week Summary: 18.10 miles

I kind of had an off week, personally, and it seeped in to my running world a little bit. I was lost in my head on a couple of these runs, and it wasn’t as pleasant as I remember from past runs. It inspired me to make some super playlists for future solo runs. Even though I will be using the music as a crutch, it will help me get through the rough runs. Any song suggestions? I really like upbeat music!

Comments (27)

By kilax, July 22, 2010 5:15 am

There was an interesting article on the Well blog yesterday about whether or not running shoes should be fitted based on your foot type (low arch, normal arch, high arch).

According to the article, the military began analyzing new recruits’ foot type a few years ago and assigning specific shoes to them to prevent injury.  However, studies they did show almost no correlation between wearing the “right” shoes and preventing injury. Injury rates were high among runners, and highest among those who received shoes for their foot type.

In another study, experienced women distance runners were given shoes based on their foot type rather than arch shape (underpronators were given cushiony shoes, overpronators motion-control shoes and so on). They then followed a 13 week half marathon training course, and by the end, a third had missed days due to pain, with the majority of these runners being those who received specific shoes for their foot type (the motion control shoes were the most injurious).

The article concluded that we cannot simply buy shoes based on our arch and foot type. While the shoes often do what they say they will do (motion control shoes help control motion), scientists don’t know if pronoation is the actual problem and they admit that they don’t fully understand the biomechanics of the lower extremities.

So, what do they advise? Try on a lot of shoes, even the salesperson says you need a specific type. And get the shoes that don’t give you any aches or pains.

Well, I definitely believe the part that not much is known about the lower extremities! But I only say that because my sports medicine doctor could not come up with a reason for my stress fractures. Just “it’s you.” (What?!)

And I do think that some sales people seem to be really pushy about getting people to buy a certain kind of shoe (motion-control, neutral, etc). One salesperson kept pushing the Brooks Beast on Steven (a super heavy shoe) so Steven tried them but immediately had knee pain that he never had before.

The truth is, I don’t know what to think about shoes anymore. I have been looking for excuses for my injuries and my gaze has tended to head down. But really, I think runners get injuries for a lot more reasons that their shoes, so I am not sure if these studies actually mean anything at all!

Tell me about your running shoe experience! Do you think the “right” shoes can prevent injury? Or do you think injury-prevention depends on the runner’s entire approach to running? Do you swear by a certain “type” of shoe?

I would be really interested to hear from my friends who sell running shoes. I bet they have a lot of experience and advice to share!

Comments (17)

By kilax, July 18, 2010 10:10 am

I am currently getting back in to running so I can run the Chicago Half Marathon and Chicago Marathon.

Day 267 | July 12, 2010: rest

I was feeling pretty bad about the previous week’s runs (pace, difficulty) so I looked back at my October training log, because I also had to start all over in October. And guess what? I was hitting about the same times when I restarted in October (and that was in cooler temps!), and it took me about 1-1.5 months to get my pace under/around 10:00.

So that gives me hope!

(Of course, in October, I was not trying to train for a marathon!)

Day 268 | July 13, 2010: 5 m run

Steven and I ventured out to the Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve for our 5-miler. This particular forest preserve is mostly open. As in… wow, we were burning up in the hot summer sun (it was in the 80s).

But – we ran the entire 5 miles! There was a bit of “I’m running out of steam,” “you’re running too close to me,” “I need to slow down” coming out of my mouth, but overall, we did really well. We won’t be venturing into negative split territory anytime soon, but we were definitely in, “I don’t feel like I am going to die” territory. Running actually felt natural (even if it doesn’t look natural, see below).

After the run, we got in our Maserati and drove home.

Ha! Just kidding. I just took a picture of this Maserati because we thought the back end looked really nice. Front? Not so much. (And wow, awful parking job and BAD parking spot)

My stomach was a bit upset after the run. That whole “do I need to run to the toilet right now?” feeling. I always thought that was a sign I was pushing it too much, so… oops?

Distance: 5.0 | Time: 55:03| Avg Pace: 11:00 | 1: 10:36 | 2: 10:56 | 3: 11:10 | 4: 11:11 | 5: 11:05

Day 269 | July 14, 2010: yoga

Ah, yoga, why do I neglect you so? I haven’t done yoga since May! Ha! I could say “Oh, I will totally start doing it now…” Yeah, not going to make THAT promise.

I did the YogaWorks Beginners AM/PM DVD. It’s about 45 minutes of basic moves. You know it’s basic when you feel out of breath doing a downward dog. Oops!

And I forgot how much yoga focuses on breathing (duh). I wonder if that will help me with my running.

You know, if I stick with it.

Day 270 | July 15, 2010: 5 m run

Steven and I did an exploratory run and checked out TWO new (to us) forest preserves!

We take a picture of the two of us before and after every run – guess it’s a running ritual

We started in McDonald Woods Forest Preserve (which turned out to be quite hilly and BEAUTIFUL)

then went through a residential neighborhood

until we ended up in Bonner Heritage Farm

and had to stop and take a few goofy photos

You’ll have to zoom in on that one!

we kept running into another neighborhood, then turned around and went back through Bonner Heritage Farm and through McDonald Woods.

We took a quarter mile walk break at 3.25 miles, but still finished this 5-miler 8 seconds faster than Tuesday’s! And it was still hot, in the 80s. Maybe the walking helped. Or the change of scenery!

Distance: 5.0 | Time: 54:55 | Avg Pace: 10:58 | 1: 10:49 | 2: 10:45 | 3: 10:48 | 4: 11:49 | 5: 10:41

Day 271 | July 16, 2010: yoga + cross

I did the YogaWorks Beginners AM/PM DVD then rode my bike about 4 miles to our garden to water it. I got there and was immediately attacked by mosquitoes. I thought about leaving, but some nice gardeners, Bob and Susan (have to write their names down or I’ll forget), sprayed me with repellent. We talked quite a bit until they left.

The 4 mile ride home was hard. It was hot (87°), super sunny, and I was riding in to the wind. I was pooped when I got home! I always thought biking would be the easiest part of a triathlon… maybe not?

Bike Time: 34:38 | Distance: 7.74 | Average Speed: 13.4 mph

Day 272 | July 17, 2010: 5.8 m run + cross

Guess who I got to run with on Saturday?

Two of my favorite bloggers – Erin and Mica!

Erin and I went to Champaign-Urbana with our husbands so they could do some autocross racing (in Erin’s husband’s Mazda RX-8). Erin and I both had runs scheduled, so of course, we had to ask Mica to join us!

The run was a lot of fun (aren’t they always when you are running with friends?). We started in a residential area then went to a park that really reminded me of the prairie forest preserve we run in. We were chatting so much that I didn’t really even notice how freaking hot it was… okay, that’s a lie! I was still sweating buckets, and I cherished the functional stops we had to make and even requested a short walk break just before mile 4. But running with friends made the heat much more bearable (especially on our way back when I said “why doesn’t anyone have their sprinklers on?!” and Erin proceeded to find a house with their sprinklers on for me to run through (another lie – stand in)).

Running with Erin and Mica really pushed me, in a good way. I think I averaged around a 10:30 pace for this run, whereas my other runs this week have been around 11:00. I did have to fall back a bit at the end, but not because anything felt wrong – it was just the heat. And I am happy they went ahead of me! (And thankful they hung around my slow-ass for as long as they did!)

Erin was great and planned out a course that allowed us to run about 6 miles, then loop back so I could grab my crappy wonderful bike and she and Mica could continue to run 4 more. I wish I could have run those last 4 with them, but it just isn’t in the cards for me… yet.

Runs like this are a luxury for me. And they make me feel a bit sad because I don’t get to do them that often. I wish I got to run with good friends more often!

Distance: 5.8 | Time: 1:01:08 | Avg Pace: 10:32 | 1: 10:28 | 2: 10:30 | 3: 10:19 | 4: 10:42 | 5: 10:36 | 6: 8:30
Bike Time: 46:26 | Distance: 4.26 | Average Speed: 5.5 mph

Day 273 | July 18, 2010: rest

Week Summary: 15.80 miles

This was an awesome week for running! I did a whole 5-miler without walking, Steven and I got to explore some new places AND I got to run with friends! Can every week be this great?

And, I actually did some yoga and a little bit of cross training. I hope I can keep that up.

Thank you for all of your advice on the long run (in marathon training) this week! The overwhelming suggestion was to take walk breaks, so I think I am going to work on a plan to fit them in.