skypilot77

Props to you for being able to run on trails. I do not even like to run on the grass. Just last summer I was on a sidewalk and passed a couple taking up the width of the walkway, and ran onto the cut grass to get around them. As I did I stuck my foot into a divot hidden by the flat, cut grass. My ankle hurt for a month.

I too have taken to running with a purpose each time out -- even if that purpose is to just run for fun. I used to want to run a personal best each day of training no matter the distance. That is too exhausting.

RunbikeSki

Whew, boy, did I have a lousy run this afternoon. I knew I wasn't fully rested from a long run on Sunday (11 miles at a pretty hard pace - hard for me that is). Thurs, Fri, and Sat were pretty active too and yesterday I went to yoga which was moderately challenging, but not exhausting.

So, today's run called for a 5 mile "tempo run" at a hard, but reasonable pace. I managed to do the first 2.5 miles at the target of 9:13 - barely, and completely bonked on the way back. It was a nice run/walk anyway, no regrets, but there was a lesson to be learned here:

Since I am in the final 2 weeks of my diet and have the 140lb goal in sight I am really sticking to 1100 cals or less. Between the lack of energy from food and the already tired muscles there just wasn't enough fuel in the tank.

Guess I had better take it easy for a day or 2.

I hope everyone else is building their strength and endurance - sure is nice to see spring!

Pam

pboumansour

Pam...Congrats on your weight loss but 1100 calories or less per day is far too few given your level of activity and can just some back to bite you when you move back to a regular diet and/or slow down on your activities. Much better to eat a little more and lose weight more slowly. Besides, not enough fuel results in a crummy performance as you found out.

I am a 5'4" 126 lb female and eat 1800 - 2000 calories per day when I am training either for a cycle event or a running event. If I want to lose weight I drop my intake to 1500 calories/day but no less than that and certainly not while I am training.

Good luck with your training and weight loss but up those calories a tad.

Pat

RunbikeSki

I am actually on a doctor supervised program. Since my overall eating and exercise habits were pretty good and I didn't need a lot of retraining in those departments, we decided to do a pretty intense calorie reduction/active exercise routine for a relatively short period of time - 12 weeks for 30 lbs.

You are definately right, 1100 for a sustained period is no way to train for a PR! But all in all, the reduction in pounds I used to carry around have balanced out the energy required to run. So even with the limited calories I have been able to increase speed and endurance. However, I may have reached my limit!

In about a week and a half I'll go up to 1600 cal for a month, then back to the 1800 - 2000 which is a just a bit less than I burn when training hard.

Thanks again... happy trails.

Pam

skypilot77

Completed a half marathon today. 1:59:50. Just broke the 2 hour mark.

RunbikeSki

That's awesome

I was going to title this the joy of new socks until I saw skypilots news.

Anyway, I finally got around to replacing my old ratty running socks with some new spiffy padded (my shoes are a little too big now) running socks and my-oh-my did I have happy feet on my long run Sunday. No blisters, no hot spots, and no bruised toes. OK, so my feet were pretty tired by the time I hit the finish line, but no sustained injuries!

pboumansour

Congrats Skypilot!! I could only hope to break the two hour mark but that doesn't stop me from trying...lol. Good Job!!

esler11

Hi All,

I too am an avid runner! I love running...and not necessarily the act of running but what I have gained from running and how I feel after the fact! I have met sooo many new friends from running (I belong to a runner club) and my hubby and I travelled quite a bit for races. Our goal is to do a race in every state whether it be a a 5km, 10km, 1/2 marathon, marathon or triathlon! I love to track my milage too as well as keep track of my race times b/c it keeps me motivated!

Congrats to all of you new runners out there! Watch out...it's addictive!

Leanne

taylormaries

In addition to changing my diet, I've been running to help loose weight. It's been working for me; Already lost two pounds.

Kay_in_PA

lesson learned . . . I haven't run in quite awhile, and I wanted to get back into it, but this time around, I wanted to do it in minimalist shoes because 70% of my issues while running are footwear related.

I found a pair of minimalist shoes by New Balance and went for a run on Wednesday evening. I'd read about easing into the barefoot running, but I figured (1) I wasn't running barefoot, and (2) I wasn't transitioning from running in shoes. I was starting fresh. Besides, I've always been someone who prefers barefeet, so I figured I was already at least somewhat conditioned for this.

Instead of doing the suggested 1/4 mile to start out and building up distance by 1/4 mile a week, I started off with a mile.

Fast forward to Friday. Hello delayed onset muscle soreness! If I keep moving I'm not too bad, but if I sit for any length of time, I end up hobbling when I try to walk again.

My feet feel pretty good but my calves are very sore. Lesson learned. Will I keep at it? Absolutely. It was a great run, but now I know first hand that I need to ease into it. Live and learn.