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

Very bad day for me today after two good days, but I suppose I have just started. No firm exercise and a chinese take away on day 3. Oh dear! But on the flip side I have done a 10hr day walking on my feet almost non stop, so I guess that balances it out a little!

You all sound like youre doing really well!

KDogg...thanks for the recommendation on the speed training. I am definately, like always so far, going to take your advice and try and keep it fun. 

On that note...I had the crappiest race today.  I think I jumped it too quick in the beginning for the heat/humidity.  I really didn't pay enough attention to how hot it was, because I was late and was running around like a chicken with her head cut off trying to get all the pre-race stuff done.  I did an 8:20 on the first mile (dumb), then a 9:05 (which would have been a normal/somewhat easy pace for me) on the second, then ended up having to walk for almost a mile.  I got a sick stich (which I haven't had in a long while) was nauseous, dizzy, starting getting chills as I was nearing the finish line, got a sick headache in the back of my head...it was all bad. 

After walking a few minutes (which I never had to do during a race so far...arg!!), sipping on water after the water-stop at the 2-mark, I jogged/walked up until the four mile mark.  I then ran the last mile and hoped I would live to tell the tale of my aches and yuckies.  My mom made me go to the first aid tent and I got an iced rag on my neck and face from the nurse.  I sipped on my water and tried not to throw up or pass out.  The chills were really weird, because I knew I was overheated, but all of a sudden I would get really cold and get goosebumps for two or three seconds, then I would be hot again...yeah, it was all bad. 

Somehow, I ended up with a time of 53:04.  I guess considering how crappy I felt, I should be happy with that...but my brother beat me (and for once, I am in better shape than him), so I was sad.  Whatever, I was dumb and should have paced myself based on the heat.  Sorry for all the negativity in my post...I'll feel better tomorrow.

Wow, all you people piling on the miles.  I'm definitely envious.  I hate having been on track and having to start again.  Had most of last week not running again while on site.  Hopefully, I'm home for an extended period and can build back up.

LexB - I noticed a comment a few days back about not being able to map your runs through wooded areas or parkland.  Is that with or without the Satellite / Hybrid view?  I didn't realise for several months after I started mapping runs around a local park that if I turned on the Hybrid view, I could see most of the paths very clearly!  Silly me!

My one run last week was about 6k at a very relaxed pace.  Back into it tomorrow.

1st time reaching 16.24 miles today.  First 8miles and last 3miles were into the wind of 21mph with gusts up to 34mph.  That kind of sucked, but at least there weren't any Deer Flies.  Still on track for Oct. Marathon.

Great Job Aldiara!  Walking or not you still finished 10miles.

Dan, I know your pain.  My BMI still labels me a over-weight and I find that I tend to go through shoes faster than the every 250 to 300 miles that shoes should survive.  I too wear Steel Toes Boots for work; minus the back-up gun.  I found that changing the boots I wear helped, plus buying a new pair every 6 months or so.  I've now found that Timberland's Pro Series seem to be the perfect fit for me.  Plus, like running shoes try them a 1/2 size larger than normal.  Another thing is because of my weight I find myself icing my shins, ankles, and knees after every long run over 8 or 10 miles.  IBprofen helps too.   Last I've found that starting slowly in my long runs and ramping up my pace as I get to mile 2 or 3 seems to help.  I find that I can maintain a faster pace for a long time that way.  Hope some of this might helps.

 Good running to all this week

Good day for me today after a bad day yesterday. My 3rd run so far, and I lasted for a further 10mins than normal which I'm really happy about. And going by the walk run thing, I managed to last 3mins (not much I know, but a lot for me!) without stopping, which I was incredibly pleased about.

Congrats on your race pappypage!

Some good results, some indifferent over the weekend. Aldiara - great to see. 10 miles is terrific, you should be very proud of how far you have come in a short space of time. Dan hope the shins heel up soon mate. If you know a massuer - or soemone with strong thumbs, get them to rub under your shins. It was the most pain I have ever been in, but I havent had a problem for five years - he says touching every bit of wood near him.

Simmo - probably looking at 3.05-3.15. I did 3.42 last year. I dont do a lot of races, but I have done a 14km and a half this prep, both at 4.30min/km pace, both on hilly courses. I have 3 months to improve that average up to full distance. My training is varied - consists of a long run on the weekend which I am slowly building up - This week was a shorter one, but I am at about 25km at the moment. I have my two speed sessions during the week, and I will start with another shorter quicker run. ALso riding 160-200km a week on my commute, and I have no doubt that is making a difference.

gfinkelde, thanks for the advice. Just to clarify, you said rub under my shins? Like closer to my ankles? or toward my calves? or deep-tissue pressure on the tibialis anterior (shin muscle)?  At this point, I'm willing to try anything. I had shinsplints really bad while I was in the Army. The only way I could fix it was to not run for a few months (not really an option at this point, already paid for Chicago).Thanks. Dan

7 miles last night - with only a few walking breaks.  felt good, time could have been better (approx 11mins/mile) but now just happy to do the distance. 

gfinkelde - that sounds like a great time to be aiming for.  My best ever was 3:24:10 and that was around 15 years ago.  Here's hoping you can stay consistent with your training and you should hit the mark!  I still haven't decided on the 10k or the 1/2.  Another couple of weeks and i should be able to make an informed choice.  Either way, it'll be just for a finish, no great times will be forthcoming.

Today's run was a little over 5k at about 5:45 / km.  Nothing particularly stunning.

Ok got to catch up my weekend training....

Saturday-8 miles. I finished in 1 hour 23 minutes...a little over 10 minutes per mile...which is about the time I'm supposed to be running for my long runs. Only problem is I had to walk a quite a few times. I think I was a bit dehydrated during the run. I probably drank 4 or 5...maybe 6 glasses of water after running. And of course looking back, I dont' remember drinking much water during the day before running. (it was in the mid 90's as well...that probably didn't help)

 Sunday-3 miles. Ran a nice easy recovery pace, and finished around 27 minutes.

Today-20 minutes weight training, and 40 minutes on the stair master for crosstraining.

xxemmaxx, Great job on increase of your stamina. Keep at it!

SimmoT, I was expecting to be really sore yesterday, the day after my 16 miler, but it was not that bad at all. And today I was eager to run again. Because I have stretched Higdon's 18 week plan to 20 weeks this will be a step back week for me so we won't be on the same week. I won't be going 17 miles for my long run this week. I plan to do 4 mi today, 8mi Tues, 12 mi Wed, Rest Thurs., 4 Fri, and run my home town's 5K on Sat, rest on Sun. I can't remember when your marathon is. Mine is Oct 11th.

aldiara88, I did a half last fall (my first ever long race) and I know what you mean about nervous. Just stick with your plan and you'll do fine. My goals have always been (1) avoid injury with conservative training (2) finish the race (3) a finish time the is well within my capabilites . . . oh yeah, and HAVE FUN keeping in mind all the great benefits of staying fit and the comaraderie of the running family.

Did 4 miles on a track today. The rubberized surface was easy on the feet compared to pavement and the dirt/gravel roads I normally run on. First time I have run on a track for training. It was nice to keep an eye on my pace. LexB, maybe this would help you with "learning" a medium pace. I did 2 miles at a comfortable which turned out to be about 8:15/mile, pushed for the next mile with a conscious effort to increase leg turn over a bit, and the pace was about 7:45. Took it easy for next 3 laps (3/4 of mile) and then pushed the last lap (1/4 mile). Final time was 32 minutes, then walked a lap. Felt good to push for a mile and to be able to recover falling back into a comfortable pace and feel that I could keep running a long way if I had wanted to.

lexb ,  i used to hav problems keeping my pace over winter when i was running on an ancient treadmill.i wanted to keep track of my pace and progress,so what i did was too pick out some "songs" that keep a good solid rythm, and then i would run to that beat to keep a consistent pace,and on a couple "snow free" days i went to the track and ran laps using the different songs and timed my pace..its corny,but ever since, when i run i start the first mile with a "known" song  (which is also a known pace), and then can adjust during my runs with others to increase or decrease my pace,.i dont use an ipod its just in my head, but it also helps me to "dis-associate" while on my long runs,.

rememberely is right aldira88, i ran my first 1/2 this may, actually it was my first race ever, i was so nervous,.but after the first mile you just settle in and will be grinnin from ear to ear, just concentrate on finishing and enjoying the race and  the people there with you,. its a HUGE rush,

remebereley i know you are running hartford,. and i am runnin steamtown  pa on oct 14,. but which marathon are you running simmoT ?.

i will  be doing 17 mile this sun,for my long,.and then a quick local 5k race next weekend,. after that no more races till marathon, i want last 2 months of concentrated training with no other distractions.

and thx to all for the great advice and support here!.

I've now taken a full week off running trying to get the knees to quit b******g at me. Sounds like everyone else is going strong. Gotten in a couple of nice long bike rides including about 35 miles this evening. I had been looking forward to a nice long group ride Saturday, but decided that I didn't want to table with a thunderstorm.

Burgalurg - sounds like your mom had the right idea sending you to the med tent at your race. Those sound like classic symptoms of heat exhaustion. You don't want to mess with that. once you blow your heat regulatory system, you cna get in big trouble fast.

congrats on the weight remembereley, thats great,  i hav plateaued too  junkie_99, stuck at 190 and it doesnt seem to budge,.i need to drop 20 lb more but it is going really slow.

tried my new , new balance 859's today.. sweeet,. much better then the nb 892's i hav been using.

new balance rep at race last week recommended these for my foot type and running form.  what a big difference. i never knew there was such a difference in shoes.

 i was sent to west virginia today and there weren't any good roads to run except this 3/4 mile 12% grade hill,. and the truck stop parkin lot,.so i did a 25 min hill work out,(up and down 3 times). and then 25 mins of wind sprints (around 100 meters each, thru truck stop parkin lot)..not much fun but at least i got a workout in. .... and few crazy looks from 400 lb plus truck drivers..lol..guess i dont fit the typical truck driver stereotype.

cross training last night, so swam for 30mins, followed with a lovely hot relaxing sauna!

Interval session tonight.

Didnt run for 2days and then did a 35min run/walk, increasing my time. Managed to get up 3mins running twice at the end, felt I could have done more, but I keep reading not to do too much too soon. Consciously tried to run 'heel to toe', as I have been told running as I was (on the balls of my feet) would do me a lot of damaged, despite it feeling easier!

Did 3.17 miles before work this morining. =) I'm beat, but we're half way through the week.

ex-k1w1: I take my black lab with me on all my weekday runs. He's good for about 3 miles. That's when he starts needing me to motivate him! LexB: its awesome that you borrow pups for your runs. I bet they love to see you coming for them. Hope everyone has a great wednesday!!

Well, KDogg, not sure if it is the new shoes, or the hard training or just pure fluke, but today I dragged my butt out of the house for a morning run. Wasn't sure about going at first as my knee was a little sore - and well frankly I was feeling very lazy. But I thought I nice little run with some trails would be fun so went out for one of  my usual shorter routes. 3.84 miles was aiming for a tempo run at about 40mins or so.  Instead I did it in 31'19'' (8.10 pace) which I think is my all time best (?). I realise that's an easy pace for some people on this forum but hey, we all gotta start somewhere right?! I was just steaming along and loving it - BRILLIANT fun! Very happy bunny today! just had a nice cold shower (was quite hot) and a big bowl of yoghurt, banana, granola and honey as a reward!  : )

Brooklyngrrl - the advice I received when I first started was to not concentrate on the weight loss but focus on your training. As your training steps up the weight will begin to come off as your body sorts itself out at it's own pace. Also take it slow - don't go crazy on mileage or you'll burn out/lose momentum again.  Weight/strength training (esp. core and upper body) will help no end with running and with weight loss (well fat loss - building muscle may mean you don't 'lose' weight).

LexB - dang girl, thats a really good run

I ran a 15 mile medium long run today (starting at 5:45 am...uggggggh). I started with a couple of my teammates. Then I met up with a female friend and ran with her for a couple miles and then I ran a couple more miles on my own.  

I'm gonna come back with an easy five miles this evening