Does anyone else do a short run the day before a race?  I read it in a few places, so that's what I did for the 5k, seemed to work well, rest two days before the race, then a 20min run the day before.  Did it again this week for the 8k, had my short run today, we'll see how it goes tomorrow. 

Deb - Thanks!! I've really enjoyed being here so far! LOTS of very nice, friendly people here! 

So I ran my second 2 mile run of the week last night and did it in 18:37, which was :43 faster than my previous best time!! The best part was, I felt SO strong and could've continued for another couple of miles....but didn't since I have a 4 mile slow run tomorrow. Next week is when the fun starts.....Tues - 2 miles, Weds - 3 miles, Fri - 2 miles and Sat - 7 miles!! Far and away the most I'll have had to run in a week since I started running! This half marathon training is gonna kill me before it's all over!!  (Dear Lord - please give me the strength.....yada yada.....Amen.)  

Good luck to anyone racing this weekend!! And have a good, safe run if you're going to be out training!

hi again! You guys are so busy, I can't keep up but have read all posts. Much Thanks to those who encouraged me!! JD, fear not. I will be the slowest here. I've taken advice though and made an appointment with Cardiology. Thank you! When I first read the suggestion it scared me a lot but that's just because I'd already had the some thought and was hearing my fear confirmed. So, I ran to the gym and ran a relatively easy 4.5 at race pace with no breathing issues. Still, there must be a reason I am still so slow and weak 6 months of 20+ mi weeks. Also am putting off the bike purchase a while to sign up with a trainer for cross training days indoors building core strength. Can't hurt and involves a/c. Friend wrote me about a trail HM that is a month earlier than I was planning for my next HM. Thought he had registered so I considered it and figured if I hit a wall, I'll have someone there for support, and registered. Found out he had not decided to do it and was just???. Ugh. So went out last night to run the course for my next race - 4 mi. Only actually ran 1 and walked 3.5. Another bust. It was hot and a little humid but this is just plain ridiculous.

Snerb, I was running 5 min this time last year and completed 2 HMs in May. 5 mi. is a solid start for HM training. Pick one and go for it! The best way to start going longer is to use intervals, via the Galloway or other methods.

JoshuaTree, I'm 63 and constantly amazed at how great I feel and what my body is giving me. Love running so its nice to hear about folks doing it so long. Hope I'm there, too.

Deb, Hey! Loved your race site! Sorry to hear your calf is still screaming. Just scheduled PT appt for my knee. I really thought it would heal after the races but it's actually feeling worse, probably because I'm using the new shoes that I think caused it to begin with. Why? because I was trying to figure out whick pair was the culprit. One made it hurt so I switched to the other and it made it hurt. Then I went back to the old Asics and knee eased up. May go get a minimalist pair today.

az1414, so sorry about your friend! That must be hard. Can't empathize with 9+ trail run in 2 hrs. I would have been jumping for joy but I know how disappointing runs feel. They happen so often we need a verb for them. Anyone?

degregorious, when you said BIG, you meant it! Enjoy the journey of training and anticipation of your first HM! Pace yourself and you'll get there eventually.

Keep running and smiling!

mkayc wrote:

 

Snerb, I was running 5 min this time last year and completed 2 HMs in May. 5 mi. is a solid start for HM training. Pick one and go for it! The best way to start going longer is to use intervals, via the Galloway or other methods.

 

I'm not worried about finishing one, I'm worried about being able to walk for the next four to five days.  Anything over a 10k causes me to hobble around for the next two or three days. 

I'm just being smart with my knees.  As much as the two pervious surgeries helped, I don't want to have more. 

But thanks for the vote of confidence.

Cheers!!!

Specifically to MelodyLea but generally to everyone else who clearly understands the joys, sorrows, disappointments associated with running.  I just am so motivated by your desire to run. It makes me want to run and do better than ever.

Last run was today (My 9.06 mile route).  As usual, it was along the Douglas Trail here in Rochester, MN.  Severe t-storms came through last night with torrential rains and wind with some gusts in the 50s and 60s.  This left the trail littered with debris.  There were 4 or 5 spots where large trees impeded my running.  For these, I simply stopped timing, climbed over, under, or around the tree and began timing again.  First 4.53 miles in 35:02 (7:44 m/m) second 4.53 miles in 35:00 (7:43.6 m/m) for a total of 1:10:02; 22 seconds faster than my previous best, which, for the record, I thought was a fluke!  Felt good, but drenched after the run since humidity was in the upper 70s.

Question:  Have any of you heard of "fasted runs"?  I just recently learned about this in Runner's World magazine and found it to be an interesting concept.  What do you think?

Dtothe2nd,

Just stretch before the race.. Get there in plenty of time to get everything ready to go and do some good stretching. My last PR I ran two days before and then the Day of the Race, just stretched for a good 45 mins before. walked around talking and stretching. Legs felt good to go out and stick with my fastest pace for a race ever.

I run fasted runs two times a week. The trick is to run a recovery or short 3-4 mile run fast. Don't run a quality workout on empy. The best way to burn fat is long runs. I start dropping wt. like crazy when I start running 20 mile runs.

mkayc wrote:

 

I asked my trainer about running in the morning before eating. He believes it will cause a person to lose lean muscle mass instead of fat because muscle tissue is easier to break down. Idk if this is accurate. Going to read up because I might be able to do it, too.

That's a good question.  I'll be interested to see what you find.  I've always been told you burn mostly glycogen(carbs) and fat, with the fat percentage increasing as you go slower.  I wonder if your body might have to decide it's in starvation mode to start burning muscle.  And what would it take to get to that point?  I do most of my long runs in the morning before eating, so it's of interest.

Len