Running Buddies

06 July 2008 @ 07:40 pm

Race Report, Running Across America, Celebrity Encounter

On second thought, I'll chat about these in reverse.

( Running Celebrity )

( Running Across America )

( Claremont Village Freedom 5000 )

A well-made, patriotic blue souvenir t-shirt, a wide selection of fruits, waters, sports drinks, bagels and juices in the finish tent, a gu and a bunch of useful coupons in the goodie bag, and a confidence-boosting PR - not bad for a morning's run.

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aehs
[gymrats]

06 July 2008 @ 02:14 pm

P90X

I think I saw a post about this once before but was unsure how to dig it up..

Anyone who is on this community ever try P90X? I'm on day 2 and already can tell that if I'm doing this for 90 days i'll see huge results.

9 comments | Leave a comment

brianrunner
[runners]

06 July 2008 @ 01:34 pm

Mystery Pain

Okay, so the guy who never gets injured suddenly has a mystery pain that he's trying to narrow in on. I ran 102 miles last week, and followed that up with 90 more this week. In general my body feels great. Legs are not sore at all, no metal fatigue, and I basically feel like I can maintain this kind of pace for a few more weeks until the point where I plan on backing off in order to freshen up for the next race. In fact, i feel as if I could actually continue to add miles if I really wanted to.

Anyhow, a couple days ago a mystery pain showed up during a run. I think it was on Wed when I did 5 miles in the morning and 15 in the evening followed by an easy mile in Vibram FiveFingers, with the pain first emerging during the 15 mile segment. The location of the pain is on the outside of my right foot about an inch forward from the heel, and confined to the side just where the soft flesh wraps around, so i guess its mainly on edge of the bottom of the foot...part of the arch I suppose you would call it.

The pain was mild for about another 30 miles, but then increased during my second of two 10 mile runs on Friday. I adjusted my foot placement in order to alleviate the impact on that part of the food in order to make it home. (I think I tend to pronate with that foot a little when i get tired anyhow.) Also, taking into account that the cause could be all the miles along the edges of crowned streets, I took to the sidewalks to avoid the uneven ground.

There is no visible swelling or bruising. Using my hand to examine the area I would say that the pain is probably in a ligament/tendon rather than bone. As usual i've used ice and ibuprofen

At any rate I took a quick job around the block this morning in my NB 908's. They are a lightweight stability trail shoe. My last three pairs of trainers have been either 708's or 908's. I find that trail shoes hold up a little better than most road shoes (running lots of miles can get expensive), and work great in the winter as well. The 908's have probably a little under four hundred miles on them, but are not in need of replacement just yet. The pain was not unbearable, but once again was there, so I returned home for ice.

I get anxious when I don't run, so my ambition got the best of me at noon today and i went to the track. I did 3 miles at an easy 7:30 pace in my Vibram FiveFingers Sprint, totally pain free. I've been slowly building up my time in the FiveFingers in order to improve form and strength by simulating barefoot running and walking. But obviously I can't lot all my miles in them, as at this point going "barefoot" is quite a bit more difficult and would no doubt result in injury. But on the other hand it could be possible that the barefoot work is doing what I had hoped (though its only been few weeks so that’s doubtful), and so might actually be rendering my usual shoes impractical for my particular feet and form.

Thoughts?

7 comments | Leave a comment

uisrunnergirl
[runners]

06 July 2008 @ 11:22 am

Re: Sorry one more question...about bowels...

I have a fairly severe case of IBS. It's kept in check with a healthy diet and good stress management. For the past 8 years, I've been very fortunate and have had only minor flare ups. I've mentioned more than once being worried about having to use the bathroom while running and I've gotten some good tips. (thank you!) Today I ran 9 miles, my longest run to date and since I finished, my intestines have been cramping and I've been to the toilet 6-8 times in 3 hours. My diet hasn't changed. I felt comfortable running... Is this normal for running when you have stomach/intestinal troubles?

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apple2peanut
[gymrats]

06 July 2008 @ 11:27 am

DB pullovers & delts/triceps question

A couple of weeks ago, I started to do dumbbell pullovers when I saw a young guy at the campus gym demonstrating it for someone else. Admittedly since the first time I started doing these, I have felt 'good' soreness and improvement in my general upper arm area.

For reference, here is exrx's video on the dumbbell pullover:
http://exrx.net/WeightExercises/PectoralSternal/DBPullover.html

( details )

Since I have no muscular definition yet and still learning about my own anatomy, I haven't figured it out. I'd love the input of this comm if I might be on track to think the pop/switch is maybe the triceps (long head?), or even the posterior deltoid.

I'm wondering about this because :

(1) I want to make sure this is *not* related to my old injury of 10 years ago, that this is not an indication that I am injury-prone in this area, or that there is any other potential impact on me, short-term or long-term. (NOTE: I am have no medical insurance or coverage, otherwise seeing a doctor then as now would be a reasonable option for me on this.)

(2) Yesterday, Saturday, I had a morning workout and then early afternoon (barely two hours later) I suddenly noticed in the bathroom mirror that I saw a newly prominent bulge in the back of my arm, that looked to correspond to the region that *seems* to have the pop/switch. (This only happens briefly after a workout so I think this is the start of my firsthand experience with post-workout pump, heh.)

Understandably I am making a lot of assumptions, am imprecise in adequately perceiving and describing my symptoms, but any thoughts are helpful.

Thanks!

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tina722
[runners]

06 July 2008 @ 10:08 am

Rest Days

I've been scheduling my rest day to coincide with a hard day of work, or the day of a deadline. The idea would be that I can use the extra time to be better prepared (I also usually get very little sleep on this day - maybe 3-4 hours). However, maybe this isn't the best idea...I'm usually stressed out all day, from not excercising/having assignments/presentations due. I've really noticed it because I'm trying to clean up my eating habbits and this is the day I CAN"T handle. I'm definetly a stress eater and I get snappy - my roommate, the dog.... Perhaps I should run anyways, even if I don't feel like I should take time away from studying/preparing. I guess another idea would be to rest the day before and just do a short run on my packed days.

Any ideas?

For those of you that have weekly deadlines: how do you handle this? Also, any thoughts about sleep deprivation. I'm currently getting about 6 hours a night and usually do ok, but for these deadlines, when I have more work and get less sleep, I feel like everything just culminates (sp?) and I turn into someone else completely.

What makes you feel better: running in the morning - start the day fresh or the evening - and get everything 'out'?

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travelogger
[runners]

06 July 2008 @ 10:34 am

Training Week Ending July 05-06, 2008

Greetings, runners! Please tell us about your past training week and upcoming goals

**This is a weekly thread maintained by myself, posted every weekend. Runners of all ages and abilities are encouraged to use it to document their training and goals. Feedback is also encouraged, which helps keep a sense of community - thanks!

47 comments | Leave a comment

uisrunnergirl
[runners]

06 July 2008 @ 08:01 am

Re: Water and eating questions...

Today I completed my longest run ever, a 9 miler. WOOHOO! It took about 1h 28m to completed, including having to stop and walk across some busy streets (there have been numerous runners and bikers hit in my area). I'm not working on pace, just finishing. How often should I drink on the longer runs? At what distance to I need to begin eating shots or gu while I run? I felt fine, other than some leg fatigue near then end (which could be due to the 3 miler I did yesterday combined with 45 minutes of pilates and an hour of Zumba). What signals does your body give that it's time to fuel it. Next week is a 10 miler...not sure if I should try some shots or not...

Current Mood: accomplished

30 comments | Leave a comment

vorpalbla
[gymrats]

05 July 2008 @ 10:29 pm

Crunch machine issue

I've been doing ab work with a crunch machine. I'm having a problem, which is that at a certain weight it takes me a Herculean effort to get started (i.e. move my back from the starting position), but then I can go on to do 15+ reps.

Anyone had a similar problem? Should I abandon the machine and do jackknives or something?

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kind_nepenthe
[gymrats]

05 July 2008 @ 08:55 pm

noob with a question.

Hi, I'm new to this community and I have a few question. I've been reading back entries but I haven't found the answers to what I want to ask.

I have one of those scales that you put in your height and age and it gives you your weight, fat%, muscle%, water%, and bmi. Now I'm not really sure when to figure out that it's giving me the most accurate results. The thing that confuses me is that sometimes my water weight is at 53% and it shows that my fat% is around 24 and muscle is around 37. Then there are times when my water weight is at 56% and my fat% drops to 22 and my muscle jumps to 39. The entire time my weight will stay around the same, maybe 1/2 lb difference.

I remember reading about doing a body fat% analysis at a gym but I can't remember if it said to do it before or after a workout. It would make sense to me to do it before a workout but I'm not sure. I just remember reading that your feet should be slightly moist when doing it, hah.

Also, can anyone give me an easy to read chart or something that gives me what the appropriate fat%, and water% would be for females? I saw a chart somewhere that said 20-25% is athletic/lean but then I see forums where women are posting about having 15% body fat - which is in the "not good range" on the same chart. So, more confusion.

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craftyredhead
[runners]

05 July 2008 @ 04:21 pm

I'm registered for my first race woo hoo!!

I just signed up for my first "real" race, a 4 miler in Central Park on July 19! I actually did do a very casual walk/run when I first started running out in California in 2005 (and I was 80 lbs heavier). I think my time was very pokey like 15 minute mile, and now I'm running like an 11 minute mile, so I'm sure to top that personal best!

This will be the first time I'm running with a chip!!

I've been running for fun and fitness so I'm happy I finally nailed a goal down! Now I just have to be ok with running pokily with the fast people!

Any other New Yorkers doing that race?

5 comments | Leave a comment

shikamboo
[runners]

05 July 2008 @ 02:05 pm

treadmills

Hi! I get the impression that most people here aren't too fond of treadmills, but if anyone can be of help, that would be great!

I actually do like running on treadmills. I am hoping to become more of a runner (right now I go maybe 2 miles, one a week), but I always find excuses not to go: my neighborhood is scary in the morning (5:30 before work), I'm too tired after work, it's too hot, too cold, too buggy, too rainy, etc etc etc. I want to purchase a treadmill because I think I will go running on it.

Does anyone have specific recommendations for treadmills? I want something that changes incline automatically, folds up, and has a good warranty (ideally lifetime frame and motor). Right now I'm looking at this one and this one. Something under $1000 would be super.

Thanks in advance!

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erismichelle
[runners]

05 July 2008 @ 12:10 pm

Today's long run on South Mountain

We finished week seven with a long run on South Mountain. We went up from about 1340 feet to 1633 feet, down to abut 1210 feet, and then turned around and ran back to the start. The average ascent grade was 3.7%, although there was one section that was 10.8%. Because it's an out and back, the descent grades were the same. Elevations ranged from 1,233 feet to 1,626 feet.

As I trudged up the hill from mile five to mile eight, I was very discouraged; I walked almost those entire three miles. I started thinking about possibly switching to the half marathon or maybe switching to the PF Chang Rock and Roll Marathon in January 2009 instead of Nike.

However, when I finished the run, and checked my times, I was surprised to see that I did the ten miles about 45 seconds per minute faster than I had done eight miles on the same course two weeks ago. All that doubt and discouragement vanished in a flash.
10 miles ~~3:17:34.83~~ 2:17:34.83 (13:45 pace)
Splits:
13:29
14:47
13:18
11:38
11:14
15:13
15:50
16:31
13:19
12:12

Crossposted to

erismichelle

4 comments | Leave a comment

darcenciel
[runners]

05 July 2008 @ 10:24 am

knee brace question?

Hello all,
I have a friend who recently developed runner's knee, and I was trying to find a knee brace to recommend to her. I had runner's knee for a while a few years ago, and I remember that I had a knee strap back then that was very helpful in supporting my patella. Unfortunately, I cannot for the life of me remember what it's called or which company makes it. This band was one of those that was very long with a velcro at one end, and it wrapped around and around your knee so you could make it as tight or loose as you wanted to by pulling it tight while wrapping. It was beige colored and kind of springy. And that's as much as I remember.

Even if you don't quite know the exact brand I'm talking about, any recs for similarly made knee bands would be awesome.

(just as a note, I'm NOT talking about the Cho-Pat in any form; that's what I have now, and while I like it, I don't think it's as supportive as the band that I had before. After my old knee band died, I bought the Cho-Pat on recommendation from someone and don't like it as much as my first one, which was made by a different company)

Thanks!!

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shayenne
[runners]

05 July 2008 @ 09:35 pm

Skins/Compression Pants

Anyone use Skins/Compression pants?

I have a friend (of similar middle-aged years) who reckons they got her through the cricket season, turning her into Shane Warne (but without the stubble). Other people say they do run faster wearing them.

I'm not expecting to turn into Cathy Freeman, but I'm seriously considering shelling out about A$120 for a pair of compression running tights.

Thoughts, oh great runners?

Current Mood:

chipper

1 comment | Leave a comment

vasha_tetya
[gymrats]

05 July 2008 @ 10:23 am

invitation

Hi ppl,
Open Israeli Bench press Championship will take place at August 16 at Haifa, Israel.
WPC version.

more info here :

We will be glad to see you among participants/guests.

10 comments | Leave a comment

feeble_knees

05 July 2008 @ 12:20 am

Heat

Yesterday I ran the 2 miles home from work in 99 degree heat. No problem. Talked to Dakota for a bit, then headed out for another 4 miles, still 99 degrees. Hot, but no real issues.

Today I postponed running for so long, despite not having to really be anywhere or do anything today, that I ended up heading out in 101 degree heat. I thought well, Michelle can do it, and it's not as if I'm a heat newbie, I should be fine, I'll just take it slow.

First two miles, no problem.
Third mile, not so fun.
Fourth and fifth mile, I was dead set on stopping to walk, and was thinking of cutting short at 5 miles, until a decent song came on the ipod.

The last mile was SO HARD.
More a matter of will than anything, and I forced myself on.
Made it home ok, had some gatorade, some water, and jumped in a nice, cool shower. Which I had to turn off after about 30 seconds so I could sit on the floor in the shower and...rest. I felt like I was going to pass out, and like I just needed to SIT DOWN.

So I rested for a minute or two, showered (never before has a cold shower felt SO GOOD!), and then flopped on the bed. I was wiped out for a few hours, but pretty much recovered to normal.

I lost 3.4 pounds of sweat in the 58 minutes I was out running.

I totally feel that running in the heat is ok, as long as you acclimatize your body to it, and learn to recognize the warning signs of heat exhaustion or other serious issues. Today I learned that when every step starts to seem impossible, and when I get to the point where I'd like to cry, go home, or both, I should really just go home.

There is no way I could have done any more than 6 miles in this heat.
I guess somewhere around 100 is my limit, based upon distance and exertion...

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