Trails
I'm in spreadsheet hell this week It should taper off next week though. Yesterday was a SRD and today I have 4. It's a cut back week thank goodness.
qotd: Any one ever use a coach? I signed up with Nerd Fitness to help me with nutrition and strength training. Mainly looking for some accountability as I am lazy is left on my own. I'd rather sit and read than work out. I looked at ultrarunning coaches but I don't run and couldn't find anyone interested in an ultrawalker.
Hi all. Walked two miles with the pup this morning and we're both exhausted. Still sick, but feeling better and am planning to run with the brewery group later today. fingers crossed.
qotd: Nope. But then I did sign up for this marathon training program our running club runs. I have a plan, two weekly runs (I'm currently only going to the long run), a cohort (accountability) and group leaders (coaches). Similar in many ways to coaching, but less personalized (and less costly).
Are we there, yet?
Cooled off overnight drastically. 49F when I got up. I'll do a short run-walk this afternoon testing another run-walk ratio, maybe 3:00 run, 1:00 walk.
qotd: Aside from the HS coaches for track and cross country, I've had a coach twice in my adult running career, when I first started and when I switched to running ultras.
When I first start, age 21 and finishing my Junior year in college, I joined a lunch time fitness group designed and organized by a phys. ed. grad student. It wasn't long before we got to talking (I was an anomaly since most participants were faculty and staff), and she sparked an interest in me chasing my HS goals which I never came close to reaching. It was a distinct advantage to have workouts completely personalized and geared to my specific goals and fitness level, and have the face to face experience of the coach being there for the workouts and making on the spot adjustments when needed. It only took two months under her training for me to reach goals that I couldn't reach in 4 years of HS running.
My second experience with a coach was 6 years ago when I made the abrupt switch from racing 800m and the mile on the track to training for my first ultra. Despite having coached myself for 40+ years, and also having coached HS track and xc, I felt out of my depth training for an ultra, so I asked around my circle of ultra running friends for recommendations. On a personal recommendation I asked Ian Sharman if he would be willing to take me on given my age and unusual background for an ultra runner. After filling out a multi-page questionnaire, he agreed and designed a training schedule adapted to where I was currently. It was a fairly aggressive schedule and we had to make a lot of changes as we saw how I was adapting and adjusting to the long runs, but in the end he got me prepared both physically and mentally for my first ultra, a 12 hour race where he said I was ready to run 50 miles. I was a little doubtful of that, but in the end I couldn't have been more pleased with the results. I ran 49.6 miles, only full laps were counted, so he was spot on. He was a bit pricey, so I didn't continue to use him as a coach, but I'd have no reservations about recommending him or any of the coaches in his group.
2024 Races:
03/09 - Livingston Oval Ultra 6-Hour, 22.88 miles
05/11 - D3 50K 05/25 - What the Duck 12-Hour
06/17 - 6 Days in the Dome 12-Hour.
Last night was an easy dog jog shuffle with the Lady out on the rocky side of the lake. About 5 miles, maybe a little more, or at least I hope so based on the time. Pleasant evening, cool for early June but pretty much perfect for running. Lots of mud patches out there from all of the rain last week.
QOTD: Sort of but not really. I did train for my first marathon with a group from my health club and we had a leader, someone who was a personal trainer and had ran marathons. She set up our running schedule and long runs and gave out some advice. After that I looked at Pfitz plans to get faster at that distance and when I started into ultras found some plans and ideas on-line to assist with my training.
In dog beers, I've only had one.
Refurbished Hip
Good morning! I'm always in spreadsheet hell every day.
I'll be resting this week and probably next week too. I'll climb and go on some neighborhood walks, but no biking. Gotta try to get things to calm down in this shitty body. dhuff - can we trade brains or something? I can't sit still for the life of me.
QOTD: Nope.
Running is dumb.
running under the BigSky
4 miles on the trails with Tiny Elvis yesterday- heat training from Hell- we’re not made for anything above 70
sadly will repeat this afternoon (relief coming Friday)
qotd: I haven’t, would probably be a good motivator having someone tell you to do this, then that- especially if you’re paying big bucks
2023 goal 2023 miles √
2022 goal- 2022 miles √
2021 goal- 2021 miles √
Tim
Same weather as George. Fingers were cold on my morning run. Who would have thought I'd need gloves on a June run. Woods were cool and empty, but unfortunately, the cool weather didn't stop the fucking spiders from making webs across the trails.
Time to get organized for our trip. We fly out Sunday. Looks like we might have some snow on the trails still at higher elevations. Wasn't planning on that.
DC - hope you start feeling better soon.
Mandy - I talked to an otho friend who is our hospital hip specialist. He said you should start with the surgeon who did you surgery and if no answers, you need a second opinion and a new MRI. Said you're too young to have that much post-surgical pain.
QOTD: Mostly got training from books early on and then interweb later on (Ultra List, RWOL forums). Now just wing it and make shit up. A coach would probably help me with my speed work, but I hate speed work and would rather zig-zag slowly on twisty trails.
“Paralysis-to-50k” training plan is underway!
Hey, thanks, Tim. It's nice to hear someone say that I shouldn't have this kind of pain. My surgeon is actually retired now. I'm not looking forward to starting this whole spiral of doctor's appointments again. It's like opening a can of worms. I'm not sure I'm quite ready for it all.
Mandy when I'm out of remission, when my Graves antibodies are active, I can't sit still for the life of me. My entire life I've been considered hyperactive but until my daughter was in the car accident and stress became extreme I didn't realize it was part of my thyroid condition. As long as I'm in remission I can actually sit for an hour but after that I have to get up and do something. Usually let the dogs in/out...lol. I actually found that the ultra training has kept me just tired enough to relax on my rest days.
George, that's interesting on the ultra coach. I've been looking at either CTS or David/Megan Roches SWAP (Some Work All Play) and yes they are certainly pricey as is the Nerd Fitness. My reservation with CTS or SWAP is I walk and don't run but maybe a tiny bit so I'm not sure they'd fit. There's no one local and no run clubs nearby that I could join either.
I've already made it clear that once we retire I do NOT want to continue living here. I would love to move to AZ or UT for some trails and nice warm weather. If necessary I'll be moving myself
Sue
Our long run Sunday was extreme climbs with descents and everyone in our group is suffering sore quads...the old marathon walks .. hard to seat on the toilet snd go down stairs. Except Rose who claims it’s because she does cross fit....she is also an avid biker. So maybe there’s something about cross training. I did walk my dogs for 2.5 hours yesterday. Today....hmmm maybe a jog.
Oh finally submitted those retirement papers but DH has to sign off on them it’s my money... WTF
Qotd: nope...I already know what I need to do to get better but still don’t do it. But I can see where paying someone lost of money might make you actually do it.
Mandy/Duffman: I have no problem doing nothing...all day. It’s a problem when you have a husband who is consistently moving and thinks you’re a sloth. That was my biggest fear with retirement...him watching me read for a few hours
AT: We cancelled a run route because there was still snow there. I told them we should probably still do it as there was snow on the course last year. Looking forward to seeing you guys.
Traildc: Running with YOUR pup....how perfect. Glad you are feeling better.
warden: It was 82 yesterday and I was dying...I used to run in SoCal at noon when it was 100 full sun and on the streets. Now I hate anything over 70 unless a lake or river is involved.
05/13/23 Traverse City Trail Festival 25K
08/19/23 Marquette 50 dns 🙄
I lost my rama
Mandy - I know it's a huge step to consider. Not sure who said it in a prior post, but you'd probably wish it were done sooner if you decide to go forward. It's been pretty tough to watch you struggle doing the things you love and want to do. In any case, wishing you the best.
runtrail - Hope you get out later and glad you're feeling a bit better.
wc & AT - Enjoy the cooler weather this time of year! Cold fingers and spider webs and all.
warden - Me thinks you need to visit LB2 or Sandy for a new temp reference. But not for TE.
I love spreadsheets. I wouldn't know how to live without them. Probably another Stop & Shop run after work today. It's fairly warm, but the humidity is low, which makes a boat-load of difference. Not sure if it's the meds, but my running motivation is shot to hell. Didn't run all weekend or yesterday. Just sat on the couch and watched TV.... stupid shows. Such is the nature of these types of meds. My BP was near normal this morning though, so I guess that's good.
QOTD: My last coach was when I was in HS Track & Field. However, I HATED running, so I was in the Field part as a thrower. At 145 lbs I was the smallest shot put, discus, and javelin thrower on the team. My coach admonished me for using an Olympic javelin instead of a high school one (different balance points) but I threw it better. That's the last I remember about being coached.
3/17 - NYC Half
4/28 - Big Sur Marathon DNS
6/29 - Forbidden Forest 30 Hour
8/29 - A Race for the Ages - will be given 47 hours
Slept in this morning and then did a pretty good 5 mi once I got up. I did drag myself up so I could get it done while the temps were still in the 70s.
Now I'm working from home before I head to the airport this afternoon. Headed to London for 10 days for my yearly regulatory safety committee meetings. It's a drag, but there is one benefit...... even with the rain.
qotd: Hal Higdon, about 20 years ago, but actually I only used his intermediate marathon training schedule.
tbd.
Sandy - if you have a window seat on your flight, maybe you'll see this on your approach to Heathrow Airport. An 18 yo cut it on his father's land to welcome the President. Supposed to be visible on approach.
I ran somewhere between 2.5 and 3 miles this morning. I added a little loopty loop to my normal morning route.
QOTD: Haven't ever had a running coach, only drill instructors in Marine Corps boot camp, except for one instance below:
Bert-O and I are similar in that we both hated running in HS, and chose to do the Field part as throwers. I was a shot putter. I think I weighed 170, but I had a very strong bench press. I think squats would have been more beneficial, but I could always hurl that thing far enough to make the final round. There were some talented individuals at other schools that always seemed to beat me and the other Neanderthal on my team. At one district meet, we were a man down in the 400 relay. I was asked to run the lead leg in a pair of borrowed shoes that almost fit. The coach said, "Run as fast as you can when the gun goes off and give the baton to the next guy." That was the extent of the coaching. I did what he asked, and I never lost a step to the others. I was the first one to the next runner, and we won the race. Had we lost that race, I don't think we would have advanced to the state meet where we eventually won the 1986 state championship for the Louisiana Independent School Association (LISA). They gave me a trophy or something at the athletic banquet and said they wished I had competed more in sports during high school. I only "ran" track and field my senior year.
LB2
That's funny!!! I guess the are also flying the Trump Baby.
They have the HMS "Belfast" sitting in the Thames as a museum, maybe they should have re-named it the USS "John McCain" during his visit.