Tag Archives: long distance running

Goofy for Gasparilla, Part #3

Posted on by Run DMT
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With a bit of knee pain during my 14 mile run last week, I was very nervous about my performance at the Gasparilla Distance Classic.  Last Sunday, the final 5 miles of my 14 miles were the toughest.  I found myself stretching and walking a lot just to get through it.  After the run, I worried that my knee pain would cause some complications for my 16 mile run the following Sunday.

 

As for my plan for last week, I had all good intentions to increase the number of shorter distance runs by trying to get at 3-4 runs in before Sunday.  I believe my lack of running caused my body to resist the longer runs.  However, last week, the mornings were brutally cold for Florida standards.  I just simply summon the energy to run in 27 degrees.  So, instead of running last week, I added more yoga, kickboxing and some cardio tease.  I hoped the core training and stretching would help improve my performance on Sunday.

 

Oddly enough, Tiffany injured her knee and on Sunday, she couldn’t run farther than 2.5 miles. 

 

At 10 miles, I felt good and no knee pain surfaced. 

 

At 13 miles, I stopped for a Gatorade and banana walking break.  No problems or pain surfaced yet.

 

I finished 16 miles with some muscle discomfort, but at least my knee didn’t buckle!  After my run, I stretched for about 15 minutes and the soreness subsided.  Now my confidence is restored and I feel somewhat ready for Gasparilla!

 

This morning, I ran 4 miles.  Tomorrow, I plan to run 6 miles and 4 miles on Thursday.  This weekend, my family and I are camping and I am hoping to get a couple of short runs through the woods.  I will have to fit my long run on Monday afternoon when we return home. 

 

I have two weekends until the Gasparilla marathon and I am not quite sure what distances to run the next couple of Sundays.  According to Hal’s six week multiple marathon plan, I should run 10 miles this Sunday, but that leaves one more Sunday before the race.  Should I run 18-20 miles this week and run 10-12 next Sunday?   I would really love to hear your advice.

The Big Twenty

Posted on by Run DMT
4

“It’s the BIG ONE tomorrow!” read Tiffany’s Saturday night reminder e-mail.  “What time are we meeting?”

 

Realizing it would take approximately 4 hours to run 20 miles, 6:00 a.m. seemed like a reasonable starting time.

 

At the start of our run, a thick blanket of fog hung in the dark morning air, which it made it difficult to see anything, particularly the cars to avoid as we ran in the road.  Condensation saturated our eyelashes and caused us to periodically wipe away our fog tears.

 

Besides Lori, Tiffany and I, there were no other runners this morning, except for the deer.  I suppose other runners don’t like thick fog, but the deer enjoy frolicking through it.  And yes, we did sing again.

 

Last week on the way to the Moms on the Go Christmas party, Lori said she spotted three female runners running along our usual route, who looked similar to us.  It seemed odd to Lori that we’ve never bumped into these other runners. 

 

I replied, “That’s because they are the Bizzaro World Us.”

 

After Lori finished 12 miles, we parted our ways and Tiffany and I continued on our Big 20 mile path.  Running on the road seems to be one of our saving graces when getting into the double digits.  I even prefer running on grass rather than the sidewalk.

 

When Lori ran with us, our average pace sat at 12 minute miles.  Tiffany and I kept a steady pace at 10 minute miles.

 

At 14 miles we stopped for a power bar and Gatorade break walk, which carried us through the remaining distance.  I didn’t hit any walls and felt pretty good during the entire run.  At the end of my run, I could still walk.  There was no need to crawl home or hitch a ride from a neighbor.  Plus, I could climb the stairs in my home without any agonizing pain.

 

End Time: 4:20:42  (Not too shabby!) :-)

 

Even walking at water breaks and stopping to stretch occasionally, I was pleased with my BIG 20 finish time.  Like Tiffany said, “Some people can’t even walk 20 miles!”

I Love You…Infiniti!

Posted on by Run DMT
4

I have a new love and I’ve tossed my old love like a pair of worn out shoes.  

 

My new love gives me the support that I need.  

 

This new love of mine causes me to become hot and sweaty, but doesn’t make me weak in the knees.

 

My new love gives me exactly what I want and can go the distance.

 

I love my new running shoes.

 

After my Sunday run, I felt a familiar pain in my knees.  I rested for 2 days and swore to myself that I would only run if I bought a new pair of shoes.  Since I had reached 300 miles in my second pair of Kensei, it was time for a new pair of shoes.

 

Yesterday, I loaded my two pairs of old running shoes and children (DD#1 home from school yesterday with strep throat) into the Black Pearl and headed to The Running Center, because momma needed a new pair of shoes.  

 

While the gentleman inspected my gait and two pairs of shoes, I told him that I wasn’t completely happy with the performance of my newer shoes compared to my first pair of Kensei.  There was some weird rubbing going on inside the shoes and the shoes felt narrower, which I suspect have something to do with the new asymmetrical lacing. 

 

After listening to my complaints concerns (price included), he recommended the Asics Kayano and the Brooks Infiniti, which were both in the same price range.  To me, the Kayano had a lot of the same support and cushion as the Kensei, but the side of the shoe hit me in a weird spot on my ankle, which is what my second pair of Kensei did.  Then, I tried the Brooks and the shoes fit like a glove.  I was sold!

 

The Infiniti are very similar to my first pair of Asics Kensei 2.  When Asics changed the laces on the Kensei to an asymmetrical lacing system, I swear it changed the fit of the shoe.  The Brooks Infiniti may not have all the high-tech, gel-cushion of the Asics Kensei, but it certainly feels like it does.

 

Today, I ran 4 miles in my new Brooks Infiniti and LOVE them!   I feel bad that I dumped my Asics for my new love, but I guess since we hit a sore spot in our relationship, it was time for me to move on.

 

Brooks Infiniti, you complete me.

 

i-heart-brooks

Sunday Running Log #15

Posted on by Run DMT
9

Without hesitation, I ran 18 miles on Sunday and honestly, it wasn’t that bad.  It was no different than any other hurdle I faced in the past, except that I wore my shnazzy SPIbelt with a sports bar tucked inside to refuel at the 13 mile mark.  My pace was decent, but I didn’t try to set any new records with my time (3:39:30).

 

It certainly was an interesting run.  Tiffany and I saw two doe, two deer, two female deer, which funny enough was followed by ray, a drop of golden sun as we ran into the sunrise.  This led to me, a name I call myself, and Tiffany singing “Do-Re-Mi“.  We’ll do whatever it takes to make it through, because we certainly had far, a long, long way to run.  (Thanks for the inspiration, Tiffany.)

 

Then, after our first water break after a 5 mile run, a fast walking gentleman passed us and made a comment about our water bottles.  “So, you’re the ones with the bottles?” 

 

“Yes, it’s us and we need to rehydrate”, I replied in a sing-song voice.

 

Then, I looked at Tiffany with a puzzling look.  “Is he the one who pinched our bottles a few weeks back?  Do you think he’ll return them since he knows it’s us?”

 

I really do miss my 12 oz. lovely ergonomic sports bottle. *sigh*

 

Along with my usual running, this week’s plan also includes a hunt to find new shoes.  My once new shoes are now shot and I am beginning to feel that familiar pain in my knees.  Hopefully, I can find a reasonably priced pair this week.  I need to break in a pair in the next few weeks before I can even think about running in new shoes in a marathon.

Sunday Running Log #14

Posted on by Run DMT
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Tiffany injured her foot on the massive hills during the Turkey Trot and was unable to join Lori and me for our Sunday run.  Still hung over from my foma, I don’t think I would have made it if Lori didn’t guilt motivate me into running on Sunday.  Although, this week’s distance had me running 16 miles, my lack of drive thought 10 miles would be sufficient.   

 

Then about mile 3, my adrenaline kicked in and I decided to go the distance.  I hurdled over my wall at 13 miles and felt suprisingly well.  I knew I could finish last 3 miles strong.  Keeping my pace at 11 minute miles, I completed 16 miles in 3:10.

 

Like last week, I felt some soreness but with some stretching, I felt fine.  I didn’t have enough nerve to try an ice bath, but maybe after my 18 mile run next week!

 

With the holidays fast approaching, I’ve reviewed my training schedule and I’ve decided to modify it a bit.  Like I mentioned before, I plan to run 18 miles because this Sunday allows the time to do so.  The following Sunday, we have our Moms on the Go Christmas party in the morning, so I will have to run in the late afternoon and that will be the week I arrange to do a step-back run.  On the 21st, I will run 20 miles.  The week of the 27th, I will be vacationing in North Carolina for New Years, and I anticipate running in the snow covered mountains.  We will return on Jan 3rd and I plan to run 8-12 miles on the 4th, which will put me back on route with my training schedule.

Sunday Running Log #12

Posted on by Run DMT
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My training had quite a set back this week due to the funk I caught.  Terrible aches all over caused me to spend most of the week lying on the couch.  It hurt just thinking about standing, so running was out of the question.

 

Saturday, my legs felt as if I ran marathon.  Can you get sore from sitting around doing nothing?  I tried some yoga to help stretch out the soreness and to ready my muscles for a long run the next day.  The yoga definitely helped with the soreness. 

 

Then, a cold snap hit on Saturday night.  With my body not fully recovered from the funk combined with the cooler weather, I overslept on Sunday morning and only ran 6 miles.

 

The roads were unusual quiet for Sunday morning.  I didn’t spot another runner and there was no church traffic or sleeping it off tailgating traffic.  I suppose a lot of people overslept.  Cold snaps have a tendency to cause everyone to start hibernating.

 

This week, I plan to get back on track with my training.  Today, I will do some yoga with my BFF Sharon Mann.  Tuesday, I will 3 miles.  I will run 7 mile on Wednesday and 4 miles on Thursday.  On Sunday, I will attempt my longest run yet: 15 miles. 

 

I heard my running partner, Tiffany, didn’t make it to 15 miles this week either.  Hopefully, next Sunday we will both be back on track.