tPF Running Club!

[gypsumrose]

^^ I can be overdramatic.

bagfreak, where do you live? Thanks for recommending the book. I have plenty of books lined up now for winter break (if I make it!). :)

[artjen]

Yay, I love the running discussion! I agree with you Ali, I'm on the Runnersworld discussions too and they always motivate me! I have my first 8-mile run scheduled for this Saturday. It will be my longest to date! I've done 7 twice in the last couple weeks though, so the 8 should be fine. I keep thinking about the big race day and getting more excited!

[aliburke84]

Thats fantastic artjen!!! Approaching 10 is intimidating isn't it? It's such a mile stone. You'll be WELL prepared for the race though! I know people who basically just wing halves all the time. Whens the race again?

[artjen]

I can't even believe it! When I started this whole training schedule it seemed like a lot to complete 3 miles at once. 3 miles! 3 miles is like a cakewalk. So funny how you can accomplish these goals.

I was talking to someone the other day who is doing the same half as I am. I asked her, so are you running a lot these days? She said, no I really haven't been but I need to start. I though- oh my gosh I've been sticking to this schedule like a drill sargeant and she's going to wing it! But I know I will be so prepared.

I am so into this race- I can't wait! I have read and re-read all the rules, where to be that morning, what to do, about the expo the days before to pick up the bib, etc. I have a whole list for my husband of what to do also! *sigh* I'm excited.

[gypsumrose]

^^^ How exciting! I love reading people's logs of training & how races go. I find it very inspiring. :)

[aliburke84]

Aww artjen I love your excitement!! I have experience similar situations though, well mainly for the marathon - but I would talk to people running it and be like so how far has your longest training run been so far? And they'd be like eh I did 7 miles the other day (and this was when I had already done 20!) so I went into it very confident which was great. I heard that you're most prepared for the first race of each length that you do, which seems to be true to life for me so far. And know that a lot of people are NERVOUS for their first half whereas you just seem filled with excitement! So keep being confident girl! You're going to do awesome!!!

[TokidokiPeanut]

That is awesome ArtJen!

[artjen]

Thank you so much. I got my training schedule through Team in Training. They have what seems like a very good schedule and I try to follow it exactly as written, tweaking or adjusting as needed.

I find other people's training logs inspiring also! I always read them on Runnersworld. It does help to light a fire under you when you are having a tired day.

[bagfreak48]

Aliburke 84- Thanks for the tips. I never considered the post-run recovery and swallowing food after a run is far from my mind but I will force something down my throat. Dairy is out though, am lactose intolerant! As for increasing the distance to 15km, once I get there, then 10km does not seem to much. It was the same when I moved from 5km to 10km but getting to 15km is not going to be easy!!! But I look forward to the challenge!

Gysumrose- I come from hot and humid Malaysia. Where there are no specialist running shops, few running clubs (besides hash harriers and pacesetters) - sigh.

So getting tips from everyone is GREAT and very motivational!

[aliburke84]

^ a glass of soymilk then? it's really just the calcium that's important....

[FrankieP]

Artjen, dangit.. I was about to head off to bed and now I'm all pumped over running just because you're exuding excitement from my laptop screen! Now look at me, I'm pumped! -->



Urgh I need it though, my cranky leg is getting me down and I've not even been getting up for swimming, I feel so flat and tired. Everytime I walk around it hurts and it is draining to constantly have that pain. Stupid leg.

I attended another dirtbike accident though on last weekend where I had three patients who had crashed head-on upon two bikes and all had broken legs. It was really poignant for me to be treating them for what I had, especially given it's only a week from the 2 year mark for me! Despite it still hurting me, and the fact that it always will do, it's still good to look back at how far I've come, just as Artjen was recalling how far 3 miles used to be. I remember taking first running steps when I used to grit my teeth and lurch 5 steps before having to stop and wait for the greyness and the spots before my eyes to fade away before having another go. I remember how thrilling it was that I was closer to running, and then I don't mind so much that it hurts whilst I run now because at least I AM running again! I could have lost the leg so I try to remember those things when it hurts but I've been really really slack in that regard this week.

I still haven't heard anything from the running coach person. Maybe he doesn't want to coach me.


Freak - your next run is only as good as your last recovery, and recovery = intake. *waggles finger*

[aliburke84]

Frankie, are you an EMT or paramedic? Just trying to figure out why you were at that accident. And you were in an accident yourself? Jeeze...glad to see you made such a great comeback!

Oh I also meant to respond to your comment about Central Park and carrying mace with you! I was nervous at first too, but I think the danger gets really hyped up in movies and shows like Law & Order. Sure...I don't recommend being there after dark, but there are SO many people on the roads in the park at any given time that it really feels quite safe. Central Park isn't for trail running and although there are some trails I suppose, most people (runners, bikers, cars, pedicabs, dog walkers, tourists) all stick to the one main road that circles the entire park. I know there are PLENTY of people who go there to run or walk before work when it's still dark out and also after work when it's dark out also. There are frequent discussions on runnersworld.com about people who have no choice but to run at 9:00pm. Being small and snatch-able, I don't really feel comfortable with this but if I was running with someone else I would most likely be okay. My mom was nervous about me running there at first as well, but when I tell her about it she feels more comfortable. Running at 4pm you're surrounded by people at all times and I actually look forward to the north end of the park by Harlem where there are less people. That isn't even the busiest time in the park! I hear its much more crowded between 5 and 7...similar to running in a chaotic road race! But anytime my mom tells another one of her friends that I run in Central Park she always get the "" response too

[Cristina]

Originally Posted by artjen

Yay, I love the running discussion! I agree with you Ali, I'm on the Runnersworld discussions too and they always motivate me! I have my first 8-mile run scheduled for this Saturday. It will be my longest to date! I've done 7 twice in the last couple weeks though, so the 8 should be fine. I keep thinking about the big race day and getting more excited!

Woohoo! I'm excited for you, you'll do great! Each mile added onto any run is such a breakthrough, and an awesome accomplishment.

I ran 3 easy miles this morning. Stayed at BF's house unexpectedly and had to hightail it to the gym, do a quick workout then run home and get ready for work. Usually I bring a gym bag, shower and get ready in the locker room.

Had a good weight training workout yesterday. I think a lot of runners forget how critical weight training is, especially for the legs. I did squats on the smith machine, set to 105 lbs., and straight legged deadlifts for my hamstrings, as well as upper body. This week I'm scheduled for 10 miles on Friday as I begin to taper off for my race.

Okay, so I have a dilemma that maybe you seasoned runners can help me with. I know (I can feel it in me) that I want to run a marathon next year. Seeing as how Washington, DC, is my absolute favorite city (I'm a history and politics junkie), I would love nothing more than to run the Washington, DC, Marathon as my first.

However, I just looked at the information and it's March 21, 2009, only 3.5 months after my half marathon. There is a half marathon, too. It would be a great year to go up there, because my cousin is interning in DC at an accounting firm and I could crash with her for free Also, BF's birthday is March 27, and I have been thinking about surprising him with a trip up there March 27 - March 31, during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The marathon is before the festival, but the cherry blossom trees just might be in bloom!

Here's my dilemma. After recovering from the half marathon in Palm Beach, is it possible for me to train enough to participate in the Washington, DC, Marathon? Should I participate in the half instead? Or should I choose another race? The Marine Corps Marathon, which takes place in Arlington, VA, is on October 25, and the course goes right into DC.

Any help would be appreciated!

[aliburke84]

Before I started training for my marathon I couldn't even fathom how people could run half marathons within a month of eachother.

Let me put it this way, you will be FINE and even look back and think this was kind of a silly question, once, and if, you start training for the full (but I'm not saying its silly at all!! i just look back on when i thought this too and kinda laugh at myself). Once you get into the training you will be doing 13+ miles every single weekend and even 13 or 14 miles will be your LIGHT run. I wanted to participate in a grand prix of halves in NY which is one in each borough and I could not FATHOM why they would make the first two within two weeks of eachother. I was like HOW can ANYBODY do that?! But once I started my training I saw very clearly that with proper training you can do that and much more! I enjoyed running organized halves during my marathon training as well because even though the distance was always 5 or so miles short of what I was supposed to be doing that weekend, I enjoyed getting the speed practice in (I always end up running faster in organized races).

And....you don't have to choose between the DC marathon and the Marine Corps marathon (which looks like its on my birthday next year! maybe ill do that too!). You have plenty of time to recover after DC, then start training from scratch again for the MCM. But the great thing about all the training and racing is that if you keep going with it (ie. make plans for another marathon a few months down the road) you don't really lose you stamina and the trainign for the second should be much much easier.

I hope that all makes sense!

and I LOVE all your planning!! You can DEF do all of this!

[Cristina]

^ Hey, Ali!

Yes, it does make sense what you're saying. I think

I am quite a planner, ha! I'm just not the type that can say, "Hey, I'm going to run a marathon in a few months!" and not think about it constantly. Goal setting to me becomes obsessive.

I found this training schedule online - http://www.marathontraining.com/marathon/m_sch_2.html

What do you think? If you know of a better training program, I'd love to see it!

A little while after my half, I can probably pick up that schedule. How long do you recommend I wait before jumping back into training? Maybe a week of total cross training?