I have really been enjoying my time in Sacramento, and the weather has been pretty good.  The 90's here feel not quite as hot as the desert 90's in Silver City, NM where I live.  It did get somewhat warm walking around Old Sacramento yesterday but still enjoyable.  Went for a run this morning and covered about 3 miles but did walk part of it.  I stopped for a traffic light in one area and the muscles in my mid-back and waist area started having spasms for a minute or two.  So I decide to turn around and head back.  I ran some more but when I came to the other stoplight I started walking about half a block before to try to keep from the sudden stopping and maybe the muscle spasms.  It did spasm but just a little.  So I walked the rest of the way back, so of the 3 miles I ran about 2.  I think it may have hit me because I was running on the sidewalks which I usually try to avoid at home because of the cement.  I usually do the HS track, dirt trails, treadmill, and if necessary on the streets I go where there's little traffic and try to stay on the asphalt instead of the cement.  But here there was too much traffic.  But it did feel good to run for the first time in a week and I'm fine now.

I head back home on Monday, and will get there Tuesday night.  I'm going over to San Francisco and following the coastline highway down part of the way because I've never seen that area.

Sigh, then vacation will be over and back to work.

DJ:  How often are you running?  Maybe you need a break.  If you have been running daily for a while or every other day, you may want to downshift. Take a break for a week.  Do some walking or strength training every other day in the meantime.

When you start again, build up slow. I took about two weeks off lately and surprised myself when I started up again this morning.

My daughter and I do about three 5K's in Memphis every year with the first being in April.  Finished in 27:09.  I was very excited because it's the first time that I haven't walked at least some in this particular run.  I try to run 3-4 times per week but can never seem to be consistent.  We did another 5K in June and my time was 37.58 - slowest one to date. We started too close to the front and I tanked before mile 1!  And since, it hasn't gotten much better.  It may be mental - just not sure.  I've taken a few days off but not two weeks.  Maybe I just haven't taken enough time.  I teach two fitness classes a week but I've always thought that was a good thing for strength and cross-training.  We do the Elvis Presley 5K in August and I sooooo dread it!

I'm in the high desert of Arizona. Our weather has be hot! hot! hot! the best time to run is probably around 2 or 3 am but who does that? the best I can do is 5:00 am and if its a long run day it still sucks. Its usually 85 by 8:00 am. I ran some last night around 7:30 and it was still hot did not take water big mistake that I was gona die from dry mouth.

Jeff Galloway over at Runners World posted an article on keeping a running log or journal. http://www.runnersworld.com/article/1,7124,s6-369-370--12381-0,00.html

Reviewing you log entries could help pinpoint the source of problems that come up.  I just saw a more recent article on this earlier today, but can't locate it now.  This is something I need to do more consistantly.  So far, these discussion threads have been my log.  It is a little hard to review though.

I ran 6 miles today for the first time in my life!  I had run one of my regular 4 mile routes and just as I was getting to my driveway the long version of  I Heard it Through the Grapevine came up on my i-pod. I decided to run till the song was over (about a mile) then, I kept going till I reached a local park (another mile). By that time my shins and hips were getting a little sore so I walked the remaining 2 miles back to my house.

I went to a sports doctor last Thursday. He took x-rays and said my hip problem was not a bone issue. It was probably strained muscles. He gave me some exercises and some great ointment (Voltaren Gel) that really helps whth the pain. He told me at my age it is really important to spend lots of time stretching. He said to warm up by walking 1/2 mile and then stretching for at least 5 minutes (which I already do) Then after I run to spend even more time stretching. He also said to pre-medicate with the gel and ibuprofen before running.

Welcome back Coolbiker, glad you had a nice break. Lindakay, have a safe trip home. Curtis any news from your doctor?,

Bill I hope your foot is feeling better. Mine is still a little sore but I am able to get a shoe on and run now. My foot only hurt for about the first mile today and then I forgot about it. Maybe it was good to have a tight shoe to keep the swelling down. Plus I took ibuprfen before I ran.

50 and over, 5k and beyond - what are your challenges?

My number one challenge the past week has been the HEAT. 

I can't run in the heat.

So I've taken some time off.  I realize that I should at least go out and walk...

I want to enter a couple more 5K's because they help keep me motivated.  I think I'll sign up for one in August and one in September.

Since I haven't run regularly in at least a month, I need to get started again.  Maybe back to C25K week 5 or 6...

Janet

Skirun that is awesome!  3 miles is still pushing it for me and 6 seems un-doable at this point.  I joined a running club that is training for a half marathon and our long runs are currently at 3 miles. I am dreading the day that it jumps up.  During my 3 mile run yesterday my side started hurting again and my feet felt like I had been walking on them all day (I had not).

The ggod news is that my runs are 30 seconds to a minute faster per mile so I am happy about that.  Good music has made a huge differnce for me.