Born To Run - March 2 Edition

[ironbaby]

*I didn't see this posted yesterday, so forgive me if this is a dupe.*

This is a weekly thread for runners who are TTC, that is posted on Mondays. All who run--or who want to start running--are welcome, regardless of mileage, pace, ability, size, shape, or terrestrial status. This is a place to talk about running while TTC, training, runs, races, gear, recovery, nutrition, and whatever else we can think of.

>>> Anyone who posts here regularly should feel free to start the thread on Mondays if it seems to be missing. <<<

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspirational quote: If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you. - Fred DiVito

How were your runs this week? Lay it on us...

GTKY: When is your happiest time to run? Early morning, afternoon, evening, etc. Why?

[ironbaby]

Last week the calf injury continued to plague me, though I thought I was on the mend. It is tanking my self-confidence. Maybe it would be better if I could step away for a while, but I am a coach for a local group, so I am actively engaged in it 3 days a week, on the sidelines. Most of my friends are runners, so it's especially hard. Tonight I am trying another short run after a big warmup/strength session, so hopefully that will allow the calf to relax and let me get some miles in.

I have almost always been a right-after-work runner. I am not a morning person, and running before having to come home and interact with MH makes me a happier, more relaxed person. I do LOVE late night runs, too, though.

[mugster]

ironbaby thanks for starting. I had some kind of stomach bug in the middle of the week and only ended up running twice. The second run, I did a speed workout on the treadmill which was kind of fun. I'm not a very fast runner, and I don't normally like speedwork, but I don't seem to be making advances in that department by "just running" anymore, so I'm trying to push myself out of my comfort zone.

GTKY: My happiest time to run is probably late morning/pre-lunch. I like to eat something in the morning and wake up a little, but a 10am run is kind of the bees knees. I feel so good the rest of the day. I hate running after work (but I still do it most often). If I sit down at home, I don't want to anymore.

[singingsea]

I just started up again last night. So I'm new to this thread.

How were your runs this week? Last night was the first time I've ran since October. So it was lame but still I made the effort. 1.3 miles in 20 minutes. Next one is Wednesday and then Friday.

GTKY: When is your happiest time to run? The only time I can run is after DS goes to bed. So It's usually 8-8:30. There's no time for morning runs.

[ironbaby]

mugster, I love speed work. It will make you see gains pretty quickly. You can get a lot of effort in a shorter time without just cranking out miles. I hope you keep them up.

singingsea, welcome back to running!

[joy]

How were your runs this week? Lay it on us... Eff. I think I'm 50/50 on this half marathon on 3/29. My migraines are bad right now and exercising exacerbates them. I did 5 miles on Saturday and 3.5 miles last night. Next up 7 miles on Thursday or Friday.

GTKY: When is your happiest time to run? Early morning, afternoon, evening, etc. Why? I love running after work. I've had all day to eat and hydrate. It's also after the warmest part of the day so it's cooler, sun is low, and I'm less likely to overheat.

I'm still extremely unclear how to run early in the morning. I haven't eaten or drank anything all night, but I'm expected to get up and run for miles? ::does not compute::

[ironbaby]

Mar 3, 2015 9:53:11 GMT -5 joy said:

How were your runs this week? Lay it on us... Eff. I think I'm 50/50 on this half marathon on 3/29. My migraines are bad right now and exercising exacerbates them. I did 5 miles on Saturday and 3.5 miles last night. Next up 7 miles on Thursday or Friday.

GTKY: When is your happiest time to run? Early morning, afternoon, evening, etc. Why? I love running after work. I've had all day to eat and hydrate. It's also after the warmest part of the day so it's cooler, sun is low, and I'm less likely to overheat.

I'm still extremely unclear how to run early in the morning. I haven't eaten or drank anything all night, but I'm expected to get up and run for miles? ::does not compute::

I had to learn to run in the early (like, 5am) mornings when I was training for Ironman. It sucked. I am not a morning person at all. It took practice, but I found food I could eat (Honey Stinger Waffles). I would just do one of those, then go for my run. If it was less than an hour, that would be it, and eat a nice breakfast after the run. I do not handle food well until I have been up for a while, so it took lots of adjusting.

Now...actually removing yourself from bed and moving? I just had to force it.

[joy]

Mar 3, 2015 10:16:43 GMT -5 ironbaby said:

I had to learn to run in the early (like, 5am) mornings when I was training for Ironman. It sucked. I am not a morning person at all. It took practice, but I found food I could eat (Honey Stinger Waffles). I would just do one of those, then go for my run. If it was less than an hour, that would be it, and eat a nice breakfast after the run. I do not handle food well until I have been up for a while, so it took lots of adjusting.

Now...actually removing yourself from bed and moving? I just had to force it.

My body is - for lack of a better word - intensely sensitive.  I need the right number of calories in me and the right amount of hydration in me before running.  Otherwise, I'll bonk the run or end up with a migraine.  The end of the day running means I get two solid meals in as well 1.5 liters of water.  I'm fueled, hydrated and ready.  Yesterday?  I only got about 1 L in me and a small lunch so my 3.5 mile was too much.  Seriously - it's a nightmare to juggle the logistics.

Early morning?  I can't possibly get that level of hydration or fuel unless I go to bed with an IV of glucose.  My intention had been to work on this during training.  I wanted to do shorter runs on a weekend morning and I'd fool with what to eat/drink and how I feel.  But the cold messed that up since everything was so icy in the mornings.

BLAH.  I feel in over my head right now, but I need to get a few more long runs in I'll start to calm down and logically bang out the variables. 

[ironbaby]

Mar 3, 2015 10:45:19 GMT -5 joy said:

Mar 3, 2015 10:16:43 GMT -5 ironbaby said:

I had to learn to run in the early (like, 5am) mornings when I was training for Ironman. It sucked. I am not a morning person at all. It took practice, but I found food I could eat (Honey Stinger Waffles). I would just do one of those, then go for my run. If it was less than an hour, that would be it, and eat a nice breakfast after the run. I do not handle food well until I have been up for a while, so it took lots of adjusting.

Now...actually removing yourself from bed and moving? I just had to force it.

My body is - for lack of a better word - intensely sensitive.  I need the right number of calories in me and the right amount of hydration in me before running.  Otherwise, I'll bonk the run or end up with a migraine.  The end of the day running means I get two solid meals in as well 1.5 liters of water.  I'm fueled, hydrated and ready.  Yesterday?  I only got about 1 L in me and a small lunch so my 3.5 mile was too much.  Seriously - it's a nightmare to juggle the logistics.

Early morning?  I can't possibly get that level of hydration or fuel unless I go to bed with an IV of glucose.  My intention had been to work on this during training.  I wanted to do shorter runs on a weekend morning and I'd fool with what to eat/drink and how I feel.  But the cold messed that up since everything was so icy in the mornings.

BLAH.  I feel in over my head right now, but I need to get a few more long runs in I'll start to calm down and logically bang out the variables. 

Wow. I am sorry it's so complicated for you. At least you have found one combination that works for you. Who says you have to change it?

On the other hand, I hope with trial and error you will be able to find alternatives so you can vary your routine.

[spaghettioh]

joy I hope your migraines ease up for your half! I'll be thinking of you when I'm racing on the same day

How were your runs this week? Lay it on us... Not bad! Got a solid 15km in on Sunday, and a few 6.5kms last week. Plan to do another 6.5 today on the dreadmill and then some weights.

GTKY: When is your happiest time to run? Early morning, afternoon, evening, etc. Why? I love to run in the middle of the day, when the sun is high and it's nice and bright out. In the summer when it's icky hot out I put off my runs until late afternoon/early evening when the heat is bearable.

[kariann12]

Mar 3, 2015 10:45:19 GMT -5 joy said:

Mar 3, 2015 10:16:43 GMT -5 ironbaby said:

I had to learn to run in the early (like, 5am) mornings when I was training for Ironman. It sucked. I am not a morning person at all. It took practice, but I found food I could eat (Honey Stinger Waffles). I would just do one of those, then go for my run. If it was less than an hour, that would be it, and eat a nice breakfast after the run. I do not handle food well until I have been up for a while, so it took lots of adjusting.

Now...actually removing yourself from bed and moving? I just had to force it.

My body is - for lack of a better word - intensely sensitive.  I need the right number of calories in me and the right amount of hydration in me before running.  Otherwise, I'll bonk the run or end up with a migraine.  The end of the day running means I get two solid meals in as well 1.5 liters of water.  I'm fueled, hydrated and ready.  Yesterday?  I only got about 1 L in me and a small lunch so my 3.5 mile was too much.  Seriously - it's a nightmare to juggle the logistics.

Early morning?  I can't possibly get that level of hydration or fuel unless I go to bed with an IV of glucose.  My intention had been to work on this during training.  I wanted to do shorter runs on a weekend morning and I'd fool with what to eat/drink and how I feel.  But the cold messed that up since everything was so icy in the mornings.

BLAH.  I feel in over my head right now, but I need to get a few more long runs in I'll start to calm down and logically bang out the variables. 

Just out out curiosity, what do you do when you run races? They're usually early-ish morning right? Most half marathons I've done start at 7am. Do you get up crazy early to eat and hydrate?

[joy]

Mar 3, 2015 10:51:50 GMT -5 ironbaby said:

Wow. I am sorry it's so complicated for you. At least you have found one combination that works for you. Who says you have to change it?

On the other hand, I hope with trial and error you will be able to find alternatives so you can vary your routine.

The - uh - race officials who set start times of 7:30am

[joy]

Mar 3, 2015 11:53:24 GMT -5 kariann12 said:

Just out out curiosity, what do you do when you run races? They're usually early-ish morning right? Most half marathons I've done start at 7am. Do you get up crazy early to eat and hydrate?

This is my problem.

[tina515]

Decided to sign up for my second half marathon as a motivator to get back to running and get in shape for TTC. Half is on April 12th, and the longest I've run so far is 5 miles. I don't think I'll get my total mileage in before the race, but I don't' think I'll die. So that's a positive.

How were your runs this week: Crazy cold weather and visiting family really put a crimp in my miles the last couple of weeks. Finally put our treadmill in the basement though (was waiting for renovations to be finished), so that should help.

GTKY: I really like to run in the morning on weekends, getting on the road before 10am. I just feel like it starts the day off so nicely, and I feel awesome the rest of the day. But with work, I always end up running in the evening. Not so bad in the summer, but when it's pitch black at 6:30, that blows so hard.

[ironbaby]

Mar 3, 2015 12:00:43 GMT -5 joy said:

Mar 3, 2015 10:51:50 GMT -5 ironbaby said:

Wow. I am sorry it's so complicated for you. At least you have found one combination that works for you. Who says you have to change it?

On the other hand, I hope with trial and error you will be able to find alternatives so you can vary your routine.

The - uh - race officials who set start times of 7:30am

Duh. Fail on my part.

[joy]

Mar 3, 2015 13:06:28 GMT -5 ironbaby said:

Mar 3, 2015 12:00:43 GMT -5 joy said:

The - uh - race officials who set start times of 7:30am

Duh. Fail on my part.

hehehe.  No problem.

[cnf2013]

I only ran once last week. I did four miles, three in heart rate zone 2, one at base pace. I also swam twice (sort of) with my tri club and rode my trainer twice. My second swim with my tri club was so frustrating. My brand new, VERY expensive tri watch got water in it and died so I bailed early because I was so mad. I had to send it back to Garmin today. They're sending me a new one, but it won't be here until Saturday, so I'm totally lost this week. I mourned CD1 by signing up for Ironman 70.3 Syracuse and it's 16 weeks out, which is the typical training time frame for a 70.3. But I just don't even know what to do with myself this week. I haven't trained without data in years. And since it's fucking snowing, again, I'm stuck inside, so stealing my H's unused 310XT won't even do me any good since it doesn't work with any of my 920XT gear. I'm just... lost.

Early morning, before the sun comes up. I can't do that anymore with my teaching schedule unless I feel like running at 430am. My other happy time for running is at night, but only if the snow is falling. But tonight we're getting sleet and the snow mounds are like 12 feet tall, so it's too dangerous to run outside.

[ceejay]

How were your runs this week? Lay it on us...
Again, I didn't actually run this week. It's still freezing outside and piles of snow are covering the roads and sidewalks. I've been doing the stairmaster a few times each week (I really should get a treadmill...) and have been longingly looking at the 10-day weather forecast which includes multiple 40+ degree days next week (!!!) which should get rid of some of the snow!

I did sign up for a 10k on April 25! So at least I thought about actually running this week.


GTKY: When is your happiest time to run? Early morning, afternoon, evening, etc. Why?
I'm not an early morning person so I very rarely run before work. I usually run after work in the early evening. I love a nice twilight run in the spring/fall with the sun just starting to set and a coolness in the air. I also enjoy running on Saturday mornings - that's when I do my long runs and I like getting them done in the morning (but not too early since it's the weekend!) and then having the rest of the day to relax and recuperate. 


QUESTION - I'm planning to sign up for a half marathon in mid June (June 13). I'm obviously not pregnant currently but if I were to get pregnant this cycle, I would be about 4 months along for this half. The general consensus from my internet research is that it's okay to run this distance (cautiously) at that stage of pregnancy, but I'm not sure I would want to. Should I wait to sign up for another month or two to be safe (and pay the higher registration fee... price increases after next week), or just go ahead and sign up now, knowing that I might need to run the race at a slow, easy pace if I were to get pregnant before then??? 

[cnf2013]

Mar 3, 2015 18:01:52 GMT -5 ceejay said:

How were your runs this week? Lay it on us...
Again, I didn't actually run this week. It's still freezing outside and piles of snow are covering the roads and sidewalks. I've been doing the stairmaster a few times each week (I really should get a treadmill...) and have been longingly looking at the 10-day weather forecast which includes multiple 40+ degree days next week (!!!) which should get rid of some of the snow!

I did sign up for a 10k on April 25! So at least I thought about actually running this week.


GTKY: When is your happiest time to run? Early morning, afternoon, evening, etc. Why?
I'm not an early morning person so I very rarely run before work. I usually run after work in the early evening. I love a nice twilight run in the spring/fall with the sun just starting to set and a coolness in the air. I also enjoy running on Saturday mornings - that's when I do my long runs and I like getting them done in the morning (but not too early since it's the weekend!) and then having the rest of the day to relax and recuperate. 


QUESTION - I'm planning to sign up for a half marathon in mid June (June 13). I'm obviously not pregnant currently but if I were to get pregnant this cycle, I would be about 4 months along for this half. The general consensus from my internet research is that it's okay to run this distance (cautiously) at that stage of pregnancy, but I'm not sure I would want to. Should I wait to sign up for another month or two to be safe (and pay the higher registration fee... price increases after next week), or just go ahead and sign up now, knowing that I might need to run the race at a slow, easy pace if I were to get pregnant before then??? 

Most races have a cancellation/refund policy. Double check it before you register. Some will refund you in full before a certain date or let you roll your registration over to the next year/different race. If not, I'd wait a bit. I told myself no race registrations before three months out this season for that very reason, which sucks, but it's keeping me honest and in check. 

[joy]

Is there a min/mile minimun for the half? I signed up for one at the end of March and you have to do at least a 16 min/mile. I can walk that! So, I said that I'd run as far as I felt comfortable and walk the rest if pregnant.

[ceejay]

Thanks for your responses and advice, cnf2013 and joy! I've also been trying not to register for things more than 2-3 months in advance, but I just hate how expensive these longer races become the closer it gets to the event date.

I checked the race's website and it does say that people can defer their registration to the following year's race "with a doctor's note to prove medical need." Do you think being (potentially) 3 or 4 months pregnant would count as medical need?

The minimum pace for the half is 16 min/mile. It'd hurt my pride a bit to walk a half marathon, but that would be a good option if I still wanted to do the race while pregnant and wasn't comfortable running.

[ironbaby]

ceejay, I have always planned to run through pregnancy. Women have run fulls and given birth later that day. It's entirely up to you if you're willing to risk potentially not being being able to run versus saving a few dollars on registration fee increases. Just my personal opinion, I'd sign up. I do know women who have had to reduce or cut out running due to pregnancy, but it's not always the case. You don't know which you will be until you actually are pregnant and try. The training would be a fun distraction from the TTC anyway, right?

cnf2013, I'm sorry about your watch. I was very intent on always having mine during IM training, so I feel your pain. People always say it can be nice to unplug, and it is, but when it's on your terms. I am hoping your Garmin gets back to you quickly.

[ceejay]

Mar 4, 2015 8:21:31 GMT -5 ironbaby said:

ceejay, I have always planned to run through pregnancy. Women have run fulls and given birth later that day. It's entirely up to you if you're willing to risk potentially not being being able to run versus saving a few dollars on registration fee increases. Just my personal opinion, I'd sign up. I do know women who have had to reduce or cut out running due to pregnancy, but it's not always the case. You don't know which you will be until you actually are pregnant and try. The training would be a fun distraction from the TTC anyway, right?

cnf2013, I'm sorry about your watch. I was very intent on always having mine during IM training, so I feel your pain. People always say it can be nice to unplug, and it is, but when it's on your terms. I am hoping your Garmin gets back to you quickly.

Thanks ironbaby. I've always planned to run through pregnancy as well, but I'm just not 100% sure if I want to commit to a race of this distance when I could potentially be pregnant for it - I was originally planning to stick to 5k's and 10k's this year. But I love training for and running half marathons (and I'm still not pregnant after 6 months of trying), and I would hate to miss out on doing something I enjoy because of a "what if". It's very possible that I won't be pregnant at all in 3 months so then it wouldn't be an issue anyway.

I'm leaning towards registering for the half and doing a run/walk combo if I happen to get pregnant before then. Thanks to everyone for your advice!