Runners & Walkers: 8/11- 8/17

It didn't rain and I had so much fun!!! It was so nice to run at night with the cool air. Most people at the race did a very slow jog/walk so I passed a lot of people which felt good because in the real world I'm a slow runner. lol I was proud of myself for having trained so well that I could run this whole thing so easily unlike my last 5K in May. It was weird to do a race at night, I felt like I was waiting the whole day for the big event.

so here's my question/quandry....I'm at a point in y 10k program where the runs are too long to get them done in the morning and get the rest of my morning done too. Today's was 53 mins (5 walk/20run/3 walk/20 run/5 walk) and they go up from here. Yesterday's was much easier (5 walk/40 run/5 walk, and i was even at the point where i could run the whole 45 at the end!). I would mentally rather work up to longer durations of running, probably longer runs on the weekend, than do longer runs per the program every single day - plus the program has you work up to the longer runs by adding a lot more walking breaks which i'm not a fan of. SO -- all of that to say, i think i'm at a point where i can customize my workouts myself, what do y'all think?

I've probably left out a lot of important details or am not making much sense, so ask away if this doesn't make sense!!

First, today was back to Walter Reed to the cast clinic. They cut off my cast and gave me a literal STACK of gauze wipes soaked in alcohol to clean my hand/wrist/forearm - I was in heaven! And the when they took me back to X-ray, I could feel the wind/air ruffling the hairs on that arm. Ahhhhh! Good news, nothing has shifted out of place. Bad news, nothing has healed yet either. So, a new cast for another 3 weeks and then surgery to remove it if the chip still hasn't healed. Good news, I got a red cast this time to coordinate with my Minnie Mouse running outfit for the Disneyland Half.

Second, MaryPea, the program I've been following has two 45 minute runs (inc 3 minutes warm up and 3 minutes. Old down) during the week, and then an increasingly long run on the weekend.  You really don't need to run more than 3.5 miles each run during the week, and then a gradually increasing long run during the weekend. No working person really has more than an hour during week days to devote to a run, so look for a program that doesn't demand that of you.  There are plenty out there! 

I got the job!!! Free gym membership for me. I am soo excited. Not sure if I'm more excited about the job or the free membership?! Priorities and all. LOL I start next Monday. It will be so nice to have somewhere to go when the weather is too cold this winter and still be able to get my miles in.

:thumbsup: I'm not a fan of running in the heat. Much prefer a crisp winter day!

Enjoy your week, everyone. Hope all your runs go well

congrats! 

I've been doing what I can -- part running, part walking, and part elliptical. I just try to make it add up to 45 minutes. That's a LOT more than I was doing last year (by 45 minutes ha ha.) I'd like to work myself up to a 45 minute run -- I have no idea how long that will take me. When I increase too fast, I start having too much pain.

Elaine -- what kind of pace do you run and walk to average 10 min/mile? That's got to be a really fast run and a really fast walk! Why do you think that combination helps you to go so fast? Is it the break to catch your breath or maybe release the tightness in your legs or something else?

I'm working on the myrtl exercises. I'm kind of sore (in a good way) so I think I must be weak in that area. It takes me a while to do them -- I keep having to peer at videos to figure out the correct form. I keep getting the forward and backward exercises mixed up

MaryAnn, I actually run 11-13 minutes per mile, although my last full mile in the Pittsburgh Half was 10:54! (I was so happy to run faster at the end) Here is what I wrote last week:

"For me, at 51 years old, my pace is between 11:00-13:00 per mile, depending on weather, hills, hydration, etc. Since I am a run-walk-runner, my running pace ends up being around 9:00 mile and my walking is probably around 14:00 per mile, and it averages to that 11:00-13:00 mile."

Some of my running intervals are actually in the 8:00 range, but overall it is around a 9:00 mile pace. I definitely know that the walking intervals allow me to keep up that pace because it allows my legs to flush out that lactic acid, so my legs don't burn.  Even at the end of long runs - after mile 8 - my legs don't burn, they just get tired. It is very energizing in big races to pass younger runners who are stopping to stretch and deal with cramps because they were running with no walk breaks and I'm just my slow and steady self keeping consistent. 

I try really hard not to focus on my time because as Anna said, finishing injury free while having fun is my goal. It does get a little discouraging sometimes when runners pass or you finish towards the back of the pack, but the finish line is the finish line no matter how fast or slow you go.

On a fun note, I ordered a new running skirt last week and just got it in the mail yesterday! Yipppeeee! It is so cute, and I plan to wear it tonight for my track workout. It is red/white with a sorta chevron pattern and will be so cute for Christmas/Valentines Day races. I'm all about the cute racing outfits. I grabbed another pair of digital camo tights for the Army 10 Miler and the Marine Corps 10K a few days ago. Cute running clothes totally motivate me especially when I get to buy them in a smaller size.

Kymberlee can you post a pic! I just bought this shirt today. For those of you who like run skirts, they have the same print in a skirt.

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Me, wearing a running dress by runningskirts.com. I love their stuff! They just had an amazing sale.

It was pouring most of the day here, so I couldn't run, until a break in the weather at 4:30. I normally don't mind running in the rain, but this stoopid cast makes it impossible. I only had time for 3.5 miles, but they felt good. ?