26/30 Group: Week 2 Nov 8-14

Its week 2!  since you will see this post at the top for the whole week, I'll use the space the remind...1) Please send me pictures of you, or your favoraite trail or route, or anything remotely related to your 26/30 experience.  I challenge all of us to take a camera or phone out on one of our shorter runs this week and take some pics.  2) It was sugested to me, so I will unofficially declare that there will be a unofficial 26/30 group race on Thanksgiving Day, The Run For The Hungry 5k in La Canada. http://www.runforthehungry.com/  Even if you do not race come on out that morning and cheer for your friends.  There are already some of you signed up.  Who are you? Let us know so that we can join you and get some 26/30 group mojo going at the race.  Lastly tell us (and promote) about your race(s) you have coming up as well.  I know there are races locally on Dec 1,2 and 8 that some of us are doing.  Post them on the Event section for everybody to see.  There will probably be some 26/30 banter that continues into Dec-Jan as people report on how they are doing and/or how races went. thats all, now go run!

Ingrid wrote: Does anyone know where to get the best deals for night running gear? I used to be content with just my reflector vest and a flashing light attached to my dog, since the sidewalks in my area are pretty safe. However, I do get quite blinded when a car is coming toward me. I'm looking for a possible running light? So I can see the ground better, and a new reflector vest for me and for my dog. Thanks!

How bout a head strap on type.  All kinds now, mostly LED.  You got that supper-dupper REI store up there Seattle, thats where i got my last one for night time adventue racing.

Day 8: ran w/thurs group, started as 6 people.  others peeled off for shorter distances, Bruce and I were left to go to horse trough (troff) and back. fast finish, sub 8's. felt good.

9.5 mi  1:20

Glad to hear everyone off to a good start for week 2.  I myself, having run 7.26 wednesday, took an easy recovery day today and just ran 4.5.  Well it was supposed to be easy and recovery but I couldn't manage to keep the pace above 9min/mile (supposed to be 10m/m).  I can't figure out why it is harder to keep a slow pace than a faster one!  Oh well I feel better now and am ready for a good one in the morning. 

As for events I will be running the Jingle Bell 5k on 12-1 right here in Nacogdoches, the oldest town in Tx.  I've pritty much devoted this month to traning and trying to get my 5k time respectable.  After that I'm not sure.  I have to wait untill my weekend off work to attempt an event and even then it has to be very close to home in order to get to it in time.  I work at night and don't get off till early Saturday morning.  Otherwise I have to take Friday night off and it's not too easy to do being 1 of only 3 supervisers (only the other 2 can take my place).

Anyway I wish everyone luck with their upcoming events and the rest of the challenge.  And for anyone in Tx or La interested in the Jingle Bell run here is the entry pdf http://www.nineflagsfestival.com/images/forms/Jingle%20Bell%20Run%20Registration.pdf 

Howdy,

   I had a lousy start to week 2, woke with a sore throat and body aches. Had to work and it was all I could do to keep going.  So no run yesterday. That makes 2 days off so far. Ugh. Today I woke with a definite cold but the body aches were gone and felt that it wouldn't be a problem for a short easy day. 

My no-longer-significant-other is on the other side of the planet and still managing to cause me great stress.  So much stress that I ran 3.86 in 31.27 which averages to a 8.06 mile! (I guess he is good for something. HA!)  So much for the easy run, the pent up stuff just made me go faster and harder. It felt sooooo good, mentally and physically.   I'll be off to the gym later this morning for a nice workout. 

Margorita -- congrats on getting out there even though you don't feel 100%! I once kept in touch with a no-longer-significant-other largely because of the motivation it gave me to run faster, train harder(though, I think there are probably better ways to motivate!)

I've been ramping up with the running this week, feeling better but stomach/digestion is still off. Resting heart rate in the morning has been higher than average several mornings, including today, which is not good. Hope that it levels off soon.

Did two thirds of the track workout Wed night, Thurs morning run, and a long-ish run this morning (13 mi). This morning's run felt sluggish for the first 30-40 minutes, and then I was pretty beat at the end. I went a little ways up Brown Mountain on this morning's run and that actually felt better than I thought it would, which was encouraging since I've got some hilly races coming up but haven't been doing many hills lately.  

Taking tomorrow off!

I was still a little sore today, but I managed to put in a good effort anyway.  I warmed up about a 1 1/4 mile and then ran the Nacogdoches Jingle Bell 5k course.  I had to cut off a block  because the fire dept. had it closed down for some reason, so I added some extra to the end of the course.  I ended up with a 25:19 which was faster than I expected, so I was especially happy when I mapped the course and found out I had added about .2 too much!  So 3.3 at 25:19 is about 7:40 pace,  and that is the fastest I have run anything above a mile since starting back up.  I'm planning on taking it easy tomorrow ahead of my long Sunday run.

David was asking about motivation problems yesterday so I'd like to share my strategy on dealing with them.  I work at night and run in the morning, so some times when I get to the house after work I think man I don't feel like it this morning.  Which automatically triggers the decision making part of my brain. So as soon as the thought creeps into my head I turn my brain's decision making off by telling mysel that there is no decision to be made.  In other words the decision to run has already been made and there is no need worrying about it now.  This method seem to work great for me as there is no need to decide  anything except which course to run!

Hope everyone has a good weekend,  I'll check back Monday night.

Thanks for the support Susan. You're right, there are better ways to motivate. Hope to find one soon!  Sorry about the missed Marathon.  Hope you get to feeling better.

Work today, so that left me with the treadmill. Was able to do 3 miles before getting interuppted but it felt good. Still fighting off a cold. I used to never run when sick, this time I figured that I'm going to be sick whether I sit on my butt or run, so might as well run.

Everyone keep up the good work! It's nice to know we're all in this together.

3.11 miles in 28 min

Just finished my 5th run in a row for this past week! Things are looking much better than when we started this whole thing. Feeling good. Hope everyone is having a great weekend

Nan :-)

Good to hear from you Marta, and great job running, noticed your milege.  Your husband (Haroon) has been bragging about you, in fact he's injured and not running, have him give you massages! 

Day 10: Bike ride, no running

Day 11: 4.23mi in 34:21, neighborhood running trail.

soo tired today, i did what professional endurance athletes get to do, took an afternoon nap.  I've been told that is one of the best thing to do to properly recover.

Hi everyone. 

I think Marta's legs are conspiring with mine.  I think they are starting to revolt.  By the way, I think you may be referring to Lisa Foster for the massage.  She'll even go to you home!  BONUS!!!

Saturday was a rest day for me (even though cleaning the house and working in the yard doesn't exactly sound like rest).  I had to fire the maid and gardener for doing such a lousy job (the maid and gardener are me).

Sunday, I ran two races in the morning.  5K: 20:36 minutes (3rd in age group/35th overall).  The 10K immediately afterwards: 45:22 minutes (8th in age group and 45th overall)  I am changing the rules of this 26/30 group to make "actual race days" count as 2 running days...Okay, I don't have the authority to do it, but at least I can wish.

Total today: 10.8 miles (includes 1.5 mile warm up)

Congratulations, David, on two great races!!

I was feeling pretty achey after Friday's run, but the aches seemed cured by a good night's sleep. Saturday's bike ride was a blast - great weather, good turnout, and my legs didn't feel too dead!

Today I drove down to Santa Monica and did a 7 mile run before playing some beach ultimate frisbee. That worked out pretty well, though maybe 5 miles would have been better.   The ultimate frisbee games were fun, despite the mist that settled in over us during game two.  My feet and ankles were sore at the end -- using some underworked muscles running and changing direction "fast" in the sand -- but I think I'll live to run another day.

I signed up for a couple of races yesterday. Rose Bowl Half, Death Valley Marathon (Feb 2), and eyed the South Pas 10K, but didn't pull the trigger on that one yet (yeah, its only a 10K but it would make 3 races in 3 weekends, and my last name isn't Piper!)

Hope everyone had a great World Run Day!!

I've got to dig deep in the memory banks for this post:

Wednesday, Oct. 31 - First run in a couple of months, my pre 26/30 warmup.  easy 3.5 miles in my neighborhood.

Thursday, Nov. 1 - Joined the group for the 5k loop and kickoff breakfast.  3.25 miles.

Friday and Saturday - Two really busy days and right off the bat I'm screwed.

Sunday - Easy 3.5 miles in the evening around the neighborhood.

Monday - About 4 miles from JPL to the dam and back after work.

Tuesday - Met Peter and ran 4+ easy miles in the morning.

Wednesday - ZERO free time.  SCREWED again!

Thursday - Ran an easy 3.5 miles in the morning.

Friday - About 45 minutes on Brown Mountain Rd.  Not sure of the mileage, I'm guessing around 3.5.

Saturday - 4.5 mile easy neighborhood run in the evening.

Sunday - Pre-dinner 3.5 mile run in the neighborhood.

Lookin like 30 miles over 8 runs in 11 days.  Physically I feel OK with some minor aches and pains due mainly to almost 3 months without running (no running in the 508!). 

 I'm slowly getting back to my routine of getting up early, doing some meditating and getting out to run, hitting the gym or yoga mat before the sun comes up.  The running legs are coming back slowly but surely, have 3 days before the Rose Bowl Half deadline so it's decision time...

Keep crankin folks,

Roberto

No time to run yesterday. That makes 3 days missed. Ugh.

Today ran 3.8 in 33 min. Long run tomorrow morning. Can't wait. I miss the long ones.

Marvin: I'm charging the batteries in the camera. Hoping to get a post run pic tomorrow.

I plan on racing a Turkey Trot in Ky when I'm up there for the holiday, just trying to decide on which one.  One of them is a 6 miler close to the house, the other is a hilly 5 miler further out. It's going to depend on my hill runs this week, I guess. 

David,

I'm not a heart rate expert (nor do I play one on TV...) but I read once that your heart rate during a race is almost always elevated from what it would be during a just a plain old workout of comparable effort. The author explained that people's heart rates are almost always up due to race day excitement and/or nervousness.  So it makes sense that one way to lower your heart rate is to work on running as relaxed as possible during the race. And the only other way I can think of is to slow down...

No run for me today. Swam and biked and didn't think doing a third workout was the best idea. Means I'll need to get in two runs either tomorrow or Wed. I'm a big fan of 2 rest days from running (especially since I've had some overuse running injuries and so know I'm not made from the same stuff as Dean Karnazes...well, I guess I always knew that...). Will see how the two-a-day thing works out this week.

Hi everyone,

I am very envious of those of you who are getting massages. I can't find a good massage therapist or the time to get a massage. Drat! I did discover that by running the minimum this weekend (2.5 each day) my legs and other aches and pains have recovered. I also bought a second pair of shoes so I could rotate. I think that helped. I was stuck with the treadmill today because my almost four year old son was home with me, but I pounded out 3.5 no prob and still had steam left. I decided to save that left over steam for a long trail run tomorrow (Tuesday) with the doggies.

So, 11 runs over the past 12 days. Thanks everyone for sharing your inspirations and struggles. I don't think I could do this without reading all of your posts. You guys rock!

-Ingrid

Drift, sorry to hear about your grandpa.  That can't be easy. Congrats on your weekend runs and good luck with tomorrow's run. I am always amazed by people who can run that far (12 miles). I was supposed to run my first half the Sunday after Thanksgiving, but was rear ended last month (totalled my car) and the whiplash stalled my training just enough to not be comfortable signing up for the race.

What do you, and others, tell yourself after say, mile seven...to keep yourself motivated? Do you just make sure the route is interesting enough to keep your attention? Just curious...My longest distance is about eight miles and right now it's five. I'm ready to train though, and build up to much longer runs.

-Ingrid

Tyler (drumjester) - I'm sorry to hear about your injuries.  Try to keep a positive attitude and you'll get through it.  Yea, it sucks not doing any lifting or running, but the most important thing right now is for your body to heal.  Nothing else.  Let yourself heal.

Good luck with quitting smoking.  I know where you're coming from.  I used to smoke almosts two packs a day.  Everyone wanted me to quit, but until "I" made the decision to quit, nothing worked...pills, patches, New Year resolutions, nothing.  Quitting has to come from inside of you.  You will truly quit when you are ready.  Don't beat yourself up if you backslide.  I did it many times until I was able to quit cold turkey.  To tell you the truth, when I TRULY made the decision in my mind to quit smoking, I never had withdrawel symptoms.  Almost 7 years now and haven't looked back.

William (drift) - One of your previous posts really struck a cord with me about having motivation to run.  It somehow finally clicked in my little brain that there is no decision to be made about running except which course to take or which outfit to wear (I'm a fashionista).   Thanks for finally turning on that lightbulb.

3.5 miles yesterday that included a hellish steep hill at the beginning and end.

Hello! Just finished a 5.13 mile run. I even ran all three hills, something I've never done before. William, I kept thinking about what you said in your earlier post...about how when I get used to running longer distances, a 5 miler will seem like a walk in the park. I can't wait until what I did today becomes a walk in the park! Actually, I forced myself to run a bit slower (I tend to push too hard in the beginning) and it was much easier than I thought. Perhaps someday I'll be writing about my "12 miler."

Hope everyone is doing well today. Happy running!
-Ingrid
(12 runs in 13 days and counting)

Hi, I am still running. It is great to read your comments. I am having a little difficulty getting motivated myself , it helps to hear from you.

By the way, it was dark and YOU were NOT  wearing your make up, but, was it  you running at the Rose Bowl today, Allen??? Sorry I did not stop.

I wish I could run in the morning with you guys on Thursdays but I start work at 7:20am. Is there any chance of a group run in the evening around the Rose Bowl one day ?

marta

Hey Marta:

I've been running the Rose Bowl on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 6:30 P.M.   I commute in from Simi Valley on the way to Glendora and it is a great breaking point for a run.....

Now my disclaimer.........I'm slow........getting faster, but I'm still slow.  I've been out on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the last three weeks.  Not sure what time you start, but we can at least say "Go" and cheer each other on......ya want to try and lap me?  Teeheeteehee! 

Rich

Cyclingmaniac2004@Yahoo.com

I had the most perfect run, great weather, lots of energy. It felt sooooo good. Ran a longer hilly run with tons of energy left at the end. Wasn't sore or achy after. Why can't they all be like this?

8.61 in 1:20:55 

Hi everyone!

So on Monday I did my 7th run in a row. I have been noticing some pain in my left Achilles and it was not until yesterday that I realized how much. Seems that the pain I had back in '06 for which I received PT for has returned. I missed last night as a result so I have already utilized my 4 free days. As much as I don't want to say this the 26/30 is not going to happen for me this year. My goal is to try and run every other day until the end which will give me 18 runs for the month. So that is my new goal!

Have fun training everyone!

Nancy

Karen, thanks for your honesty we've all been there sometime(s) and will be there again.  Are you available to run w/us tomorrow morining, 6:30, RoseBowl?  I've always found it harder to no-show on others then just myself.

Nancy, take care hey i'm proud of you for getting out as you have.  We are here to cheer you onto your new goal.

Day 14: easy run 3.12mi 28:18

Week 2 summary: 6 runs 28.65 miles,  14 day weight delta +0.0 lbs, back up to 131.5 (probably that $1 Scoop Tuesday's at Baskin Robins Icecream I had last night) feeling good, no issues.  Week 3 goals: 30 miles, eat better.

Way to go everyone!! and thank you.

At work again today, so that means the dreaded treadmill. I was able to do 1.33 miles before the interruptions began and that was the end of that. But It lifted my spirits and woke me up a little, so it was worth it.  Not sure how long it took but I'm trying to get closer to a consistent 9 min/mile or less and the machine keeps me at it better than I can on my own. So that's my treadmill goal. Anything to make it more interesting. 8 more days till T-Day.

Long run again in the am!  My fave :) 

Happy Running!!!   Margo