I had a 5 mile loop mapped... Cooper to Zig Zag to Kenwood to Cooper and a big more on Montgomery. But soon after starting to run, my lower right leg hurt incredibly. It was mostly on the outside, a burning pain. It was annoying but I kept running for a little over a mile, until I started limping. That's no good so I stopped. I tried to stretch but that hurt even worse, like I was going to rip something. So I turned around and started hobbling back to the office.
After a little bit I tried to run again, hoping it would just loosen up. It still hurt, but was manageable. So I went down random roads just running slowly, trying to get some miles in. Sometimes it hurt worse than other times. Hills or any uneven terrain was really bad.
I finally called it and mapped what I had done. Instead of 5 it was about 3.5, so at least I still got some miles in. My only guess to why it was so awful was the trails in Symmes Township. While not feeling sore after that, maybe my muscles needed some rubbing and stretching.
Today I'm going to ride my bike to work. I just installed the light on the seat post. Here's hoping traffic is nice.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Symmes Township Park
Today I finished up taxes - yay. I had some faxing to do to the CPAs, then dropped off the checks, then got my allergy shots. Reward? A nice run. Greg and I went over to Symmes Township Park. I wanted to run kind of long today, but didn't feel like heading out of the neighborhood and trying to make a 10 mile route. Plus, it's been a while since I ran, so all of the sudden doing 10 maybe wouldn't have been good. So I thought the soft challenging hills of Symmes Township park would be good for me.
Greg ran the first ultra-slow mile with me just so he would know the distance since I was wearing my GPS. The loop is 1.6 miles.
The trails is split up by the parking lot. The first section starts out on a mulch path that winds back into the woods with some easy ups and downs. It goes past the dog park the turns right and heads even farther into the woods, changing surfaces: crushed up asphalt-gravel. It winds around and goes downhill for a while, back onto mulch and gravel. Then a long uphill begins with a couple of steep sections, where you feel like you are just climbing stairs on your toes. It was nice. I saw a lot of greenery starting to pop up between the old leaves.
The second section goes to the other side of the park, winding down along the creek on a paved trail. It kind of feels like Sharon Woods here. The path winds along the creek and is pretty. Then it turns left and a steep uphill begins. It levels only slightly before an even steeper uphill happens. Then it is slightly uphill until you pop out of the woods again and there is a bridge. After the bridge you turn left and almost double back on the part you were just on except that now the path is up on the top of the ridge on the other side of the creek. This part is sidewalk, and winds around the small amphitheater and basketball courts. Then it dumps back into the parking lot.
Given all of the changing terrain, environment and running surfaces, the 1.6 miles goes by very quickly! I did three total laps. I know I'm not supposed to be looking at time right now, but I just wanted something to gauge effort as I went along, and also to be a starting point for hopefully improving in the next weeks. So, first lap was 18:27. Second lap was 18:35. After the second lap I was overheated. I felt my face getting really hot and I had a bit of a headache. So I sat in the shade for a few minutes drinking water before going on. Third lap was 19:37, an entire minute slower, which I wasn't surprised about. It was rough and I had to walk up one of the crazy inclines. Greg also did three laps, quicker of course.
Overall, this is an awesome place for a great workout! I think it will be good to whip myself into shape for trail running. The extreme up and downs are like nothing you can get on the road.
I'm hoping to start riding my road bike to work this week. I'd like to start riding my motorcycle too, but first I think I need more exercise. The mornings will be chilly, but the evening will be awesome. It is 7.4 miles to the studio, so 14.8 total for the day. That's nothing on a road bike, but it's rolling hills and sprinting in traffic, and will probably take me a half hour. So that's an hour extra of exercise. It's time to get to work. I really feel like I've lost it. I need some accountability.
Greg ran the first ultra-slow mile with me just so he would know the distance since I was wearing my GPS. The loop is 1.6 miles.
The trails is split up by the parking lot. The first section starts out on a mulch path that winds back into the woods with some easy ups and downs. It goes past the dog park the turns right and heads even farther into the woods, changing surfaces: crushed up asphalt-gravel. It winds around and goes downhill for a while, back onto mulch and gravel. Then a long uphill begins with a couple of steep sections, where you feel like you are just climbing stairs on your toes. It was nice. I saw a lot of greenery starting to pop up between the old leaves.
The second section goes to the other side of the park, winding down along the creek on a paved trail. It kind of feels like Sharon Woods here. The path winds along the creek and is pretty. Then it turns left and a steep uphill begins. It levels only slightly before an even steeper uphill happens. Then it is slightly uphill until you pop out of the woods again and there is a bridge. After the bridge you turn left and almost double back on the part you were just on except that now the path is up on the top of the ridge on the other side of the creek. This part is sidewalk, and winds around the small amphitheater and basketball courts. Then it dumps back into the parking lot.
Given all of the changing terrain, environment and running surfaces, the 1.6 miles goes by very quickly! I did three total laps. I know I'm not supposed to be looking at time right now, but I just wanted something to gauge effort as I went along, and also to be a starting point for hopefully improving in the next weeks. So, first lap was 18:27. Second lap was 18:35. After the second lap I was overheated. I felt my face getting really hot and I had a bit of a headache. So I sat in the shade for a few minutes drinking water before going on. Third lap was 19:37, an entire minute slower, which I wasn't surprised about. It was rough and I had to walk up one of the crazy inclines. Greg also did three laps, quicker of course.
Overall, this is an awesome place for a great workout! I think it will be good to whip myself into shape for trail running. The extreme up and downs are like nothing you can get on the road.
I'm hoping to start riding my road bike to work this week. I'd like to start riding my motorcycle too, but first I think I need more exercise. The mornings will be chilly, but the evening will be awesome. It is 7.4 miles to the studio, so 14.8 total for the day. That's nothing on a road bike, but it's rolling hills and sprinting in traffic, and will probably take me a half hour. So that's an hour extra of exercise. It's time to get to work. I really feel like I've lost it. I need some accountability.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Running from the New Studio
Track night...cancelled again. I can't say I was too disappointed though. I didn't fee like trying to run fast. But I did feel like just running for a while. Aimlessly. Since I was on my own, that's what I did.
I decided to try out a run from the new studio in Montgomery. I went down Cooper and then south on Kenwood into a neighborhood that I've ran in quite a few years ago when I did a training group at Fleet Feet. I just plodded along, not really paying attention to much. It was a hilly route. My legs hurt a lot in the beginning, as they seem to be doing regularly now. This time I knew I wasn't dehydrated because I was careful to drink a lot of water the past few days. Also, my lungs hurt as if it was bitter cold out. Not sure what that was about, unless it's just my allergies. I had a lovely high pitched wheeze on the exhales. Ah spring. No wait, ah anyseasonbutwinter.
The little neighborhood I ran in had a big hill, which was great. This route was really good hill training for the Pig: no flats, just up or down. I was tired and felt kind of sluggish, but the weather was nice and I enjoyed the sun greatly.
When I got back to the corner of Montgomery and Cooper, I checked my phone. I was running the MapMyRun app, which turns out to be pretty awesome. However, it sucks the battery life away. Maybe the screen was on the entire time - I'm not sure, I just stuffed the phone in my pocket. Anyway, I saw 5.4 miles and was pretty shocked. It just didn't seem like I had been out that long. So close to 6...I had to add in more distance to get there. I had guessed the route would have been 4 miles, but apparently it was more. I turned onto Montgomery and at 5.75 my phone completely died, but I knew that was where I needed to turn back to finish up to 6 at the studio.
It was pleasant. I'm sure some of the bliss came from the fact that I am not familiar with the area, so everything went by quickly. But one run in, I really like running in this area...and like it way more than the sparse options I had from Loveland. Maybe I'll run from the new place more often. I already know I can bike pretty easily from it into Indian Hill, thanks to my crazy hilly bike ride I did with the Trek store ride leader on Saturday. That ride was great, but man. Eye opening to how bad of riding shape I'm in! At least it's only April I guess. It was a very fun ride that would have been even greater if I could have handled it a bit better. Soon.
I decided to try out a run from the new studio in Montgomery. I went down Cooper and then south on Kenwood into a neighborhood that I've ran in quite a few years ago when I did a training group at Fleet Feet. I just plodded along, not really paying attention to much. It was a hilly route. My legs hurt a lot in the beginning, as they seem to be doing regularly now. This time I knew I wasn't dehydrated because I was careful to drink a lot of water the past few days. Also, my lungs hurt as if it was bitter cold out. Not sure what that was about, unless it's just my allergies. I had a lovely high pitched wheeze on the exhales. Ah spring. No wait, ah anyseasonbutwinter.
The little neighborhood I ran in had a big hill, which was great. This route was really good hill training for the Pig: no flats, just up or down. I was tired and felt kind of sluggish, but the weather was nice and I enjoyed the sun greatly.
When I got back to the corner of Montgomery and Cooper, I checked my phone. I was running the MapMyRun app, which turns out to be pretty awesome. However, it sucks the battery life away. Maybe the screen was on the entire time - I'm not sure, I just stuffed the phone in my pocket. Anyway, I saw 5.4 miles and was pretty shocked. It just didn't seem like I had been out that long. So close to 6...I had to add in more distance to get there. I had guessed the route would have been 4 miles, but apparently it was more. I turned onto Montgomery and at 5.75 my phone completely died, but I knew that was where I needed to turn back to finish up to 6 at the studio.
It was pleasant. I'm sure some of the bliss came from the fact that I am not familiar with the area, so everything went by quickly. But one run in, I really like running in this area...and like it way more than the sparse options I had from Loveland. Maybe I'll run from the new place more often. I already know I can bike pretty easily from it into Indian Hill, thanks to my crazy hilly bike ride I did with the Trek store ride leader on Saturday. That ride was great, but man. Eye opening to how bad of riding shape I'm in! At least it's only April I guess. It was a very fun ride that would have been even greater if I could have handled it a bit better. Soon.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Track Night
We tried a different track- Sycamore. It was cold and windy. That's nearly all I remember.
Ok, not really. There were a whole bunch of little kids there practicing, which was entertaining but kind of scary at the same time. They just don't watch what they're doing and move so irregularly!
I ran a mile to warm up with Roman. Then I did 4 x 400...in lane 8. So I guess it was more than 400, but it doesn't matter. By the third one I was very down about the experience and so freakin' cold and grumpy. I felt like a snail. I didn't take a watch, still continuing with just worrying about effort rather than any times. I tried to tell myself I was at least pushing and working hard. But I just felt crummy. I did the last 400 anyway, because I knew I'd be really upset if I didn't. Then I cooled down a mile. Then I sat in my sun-warmed car and thawed my legs. Man it was cold!
Today is beautiful though. Not getting out today, but hopefully tomorrow after work? Work is just nuts. I can't wait for this week to be over.
Ok, not really. There were a whole bunch of little kids there practicing, which was entertaining but kind of scary at the same time. They just don't watch what they're doing and move so irregularly!
I ran a mile to warm up with Roman. Then I did 4 x 400...in lane 8. So I guess it was more than 400, but it doesn't matter. By the third one I was very down about the experience and so freakin' cold and grumpy. I felt like a snail. I didn't take a watch, still continuing with just worrying about effort rather than any times. I tried to tell myself I was at least pushing and working hard. But I just felt crummy. I did the last 400 anyway, because I knew I'd be really upset if I didn't. Then I cooled down a mile. Then I sat in my sun-warmed car and thawed my legs. Man it was cold!
Today is beautiful though. Not getting out today, but hopefully tomorrow after work? Work is just nuts. I can't wait for this week to be over.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Awesome weather, less awesome run
I am tired. I have spent the last few days moving the studio, lifting things, on my feet more than usual, blah blah blah. I'm beat! But I wanted to run 6 miles today. Actually, I wanted to run 10. However, after spending all day at the new studio again, my feet and legs told me why don't you start with 6 and see how that goes? Those feet and legs... they're always right.
It was a horrendous run, lol. Painful, slow, painful... But I chugged along and was happy to be outside in the sunshine. I think I have windburn on my face! It was super windy coming back.
So, 6 miles is still OK. I picked it up at the end and pushed, which felt good.
It was a horrendous run, lol. Painful, slow, painful... But I chugged along and was happy to be outside in the sunshine. I think I have windburn on my face! It was super windy coming back.
So, 6 miles is still OK. I picked it up at the end and pushed, which felt good.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Speedwork in the 'hood
Tuesday was supposed to be track night. But Roman and Greg were both too tied up with work stuff, and Erin has hurt her back. Since it was just going to be me, I decided I'd just run in the hood, doing some repeats on the street. Something different.
I warmed up a mile, running to the end of Townsley and back. Then I started at the mailbox and ran the other way down Everett (to where it dead ends) and walked back. I did that 4 times. On the fourth time, I jogged back, then kept going toward the end of Townsley again, picking up the pace, to get another mile in. So it was about 3 miles total.
I think it was beneficial. I'm not sore today, so maybe I could have done a few more. I haven't done any "speed work" yet this year, so I just started with 4 repeats. I'm happy with how strong I felt.
I warmed up a mile, running to the end of Townsley and back. Then I started at the mailbox and ran the other way down Everett (to where it dead ends) and walked back. I did that 4 times. On the fourth time, I jogged back, then kept going toward the end of Townsley again, picking up the pace, to get another mile in. So it was about 3 miles total.
I think it was beneficial. I'm not sore today, so maybe I could have done a few more. I haven't done any "speed work" yet this year, so I just started with 4 repeats. I'm happy with how strong I felt.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Busy Week
Last week was a busy one with work since Christen was on vacation. But I survived. I was pretty exhausted by the end of the week and didn't make it to the run Friday morning. I was dressed and everything, but my body said no.
Saturday morning I ran with Kristie. She came to the house and we went on a two mile run-walk. I said for her to set the pace and we could of course walk whenever she wanted to. I think we made it almost to a mile. She did great and we talked for about an hour and half afterwords too, which was awesome, about running, mountain biking, and just general funny stories around those subjects. It sounds like she wants to want to go again some time. I'm not sure what her running plans are. But, I look forward to going again with her.
Sunday I ran 8 miles. Greg and I went out to Miami Whitewater. I don't think he wanted to go that far initially, but decided that he could probably run at my pace that far and be fine, even a week after the race. So he chugged along with me. It was a rough run for me. Started out really bad, one of those 'how am I going to do this for 8 miles' kind of runs. At about mile 4 I finally loosened up and thanks to some downhills got my breathing under control. The rolling hills there are nice. I pushed it when I could and slowed down when I felt I needed to. Again, like at Sharon Woods, no watch. I have mixed feelings about the run. It was hard. I tried to push when I felt like it would be a good time to push, and I suppose I paced it ok that way. There is a long steep hill at the end which really took it out of me, like hills always do. So that was a bit demoralizing, but all in all, I guess the 8 miles was a healthy and fun 8 miles. And, it was a lovely sunny day! The wind was c-c-cold, but the cut of the land around the trail blocked it sometimes. A lot of the wildflower grass areas have been burned back. Not sure why that is. It was very stinky through those parts though.
Great start to the week, the 8 miles! But I think I'm getting sick... bleh.
Saturday morning I ran with Kristie. She came to the house and we went on a two mile run-walk. I said for her to set the pace and we could of course walk whenever she wanted to. I think we made it almost to a mile. She did great and we talked for about an hour and half afterwords too, which was awesome, about running, mountain biking, and just general funny stories around those subjects. It sounds like she wants to want to go again some time. I'm not sure what her running plans are. But, I look forward to going again with her.
Sunday I ran 8 miles. Greg and I went out to Miami Whitewater. I don't think he wanted to go that far initially, but decided that he could probably run at my pace that far and be fine, even a week after the race. So he chugged along with me. It was a rough run for me. Started out really bad, one of those 'how am I going to do this for 8 miles' kind of runs. At about mile 4 I finally loosened up and thanks to some downhills got my breathing under control. The rolling hills there are nice. I pushed it when I could and slowed down when I felt I needed to. Again, like at Sharon Woods, no watch. I have mixed feelings about the run. It was hard. I tried to push when I felt like it would be a good time to push, and I suppose I paced it ok that way. There is a long steep hill at the end which really took it out of me, like hills always do. So that was a bit demoralizing, but all in all, I guess the 8 miles was a healthy and fun 8 miles. And, it was a lovely sunny day! The wind was c-c-cold, but the cut of the land around the trail blocked it sometimes. A lot of the wildflower grass areas have been burned back. Not sure why that is. It was very stinky through those parts though.
Great start to the week, the 8 miles! But I think I'm getting sick... bleh.
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