TT Running Club

“Good advice, Birch. Go for the glory, Snake Eyes, but don't punish yourself.
I ran my first marathon because I had entered a 10K in the spring and barely finished. After four months of heavy training, I ran the marathon. I kept running 10K's and 5K's after that, but my body began to have one nagging injury after another. I had to take a full month off with only slow runs to fully recover. Like Birch said, when your reserves are tapped, you have to be careful.”

“Looks like a nice weekend here in Mi., might get to 50 degrees!

So, how many miles for the long runs this weekend?”

“Artex - last year they had between 300-400 participants so I would not worry about the 1000 limit yet.”

“I'm going to try to do another 9-10 miler tomorrow. Yesterday I ran my 10k "Hills of Severe Pain" run, and it was more like "Hills of Severe Lethargy." I felt totally dead right from the git-go. My body was probably tired from the XC ski miles I put in over the weekend. I ran it 5 minutes slower than the last time I ran it - man, I felt like a total slug!

During the run I was able to see little piles of accumulated hail along the sidewalks, etc. Here in the Bay Area we normally get hail about once or twice a year, and it's usually very brief and about rock salt sized. Yesterday's was a dump of pea sized hailstones that measured about an inch on the ledge outside our office windows! The streets outside looked like it had snowed - definitely a strange sight for around here. And fortunately, the hailstorm occurred about a half hour before my run, otherwise it could have been painful....”

“Sorry, that should be "...hailstones that measure an inch deep outside..."”

“Pennsy... cool. Yeah, 1000 seems a bit high given the remote location. Half that number makes more sense.

We should call it... The Maineathon.”

“I hate to butt in here, but "remote" location? You are talking MDI right? It's like the most congested place in Maine.

ok, I'll butt back out now.
:)”

“If I can get my 9-10 miler in tomorrow, or even a 5-miler, I'll hit the most running miles for a month since Sept. '01!”

“LeSubtil, my wknd came early this week. I awoke to a furnace that didnt heat. I took a vacation day to fix it. Fortunately it was the hot surface ignitor and the unit is under warranty still (18 months old) so it was free and a 20 minute job.

Soooo, with all my free time I headed out to my favorite local trail and did a 12 mile trail run. It was muddy, icy,slushy and the snow was like mashed potatoes so I didnt expect much in terms of time but was happily surprised that it took me 1hr 50 min exactly, a 9:09 per mile pace not to shabby at all. I was dreading the treadmill tonite and now I am FREE!!!!

I think Sass has 70 minutes on sunday, how bout you?

As a side note I only saw one person and his dog the entire time out. It was a very peaceful run, I would love to run trails daily...:(”

“I think I figured out how to do my running program and have some fun at the same time. When the snow melts and the rivers open a little I will flat X amount of miles down stream and run back to wherever I left my truck. I did this last year only with hiking back. I'm strong enough to start jogging again. Important thing for me is to remember to get the float in early enough that I won't be running in the hot part of the day. I can handle the cold much better than the heat.

I also had a thought of how to in incorporate the marathon into my Trifecta. Do it in the year of my 60th birthday, but before my birthday (March 3rd). That way the sequence will be Marathon - AT hike - ski race. Don't know yet, this needs some tinkering. But, I do want to say I appreciate your feedback re my last post. Thanks.”

“snake eyes, I think the marathon prior to the AT is a much better idea. The recovery from a marathon is a few days, the recovery from the AT may take a touch longer.”

“I ran 70 minites this morning. That is my longest time so far. I thought I was going to die that last 5 minutes but I made it. I didn't keep up with laps or miles, I just listened to my CD and ran. I mighr need something a little slower to listen to though. That electronica/dance music just pumps your a$$ up to run.

birch, congrat on that time in the conditions you had to run in.”

“No skiing today. No working out. My home got to looking so bad that it even transcended my criteria for habitability. Generally, when things got looking too bad, I'd invite some friends over and then have to clean the place just to avoid the embarrassment. This time, what with all my recreational activities and the subsequent exhaustion, I couldn't stand to live here anymore. So I cleaned. Not being too stupid, I mopped my way out the front door and went to the bar to allow the floor a decent and respectable drying time. I have returned, the floor is dry...and so am I (not).”

“Ewker, congrats on teh run! You are making fantastic progress.”

“Excellent, Ewk! I ran 72 minutes myself yesterday - about 2 minutes faster than the last time on the same loop. Gorgeous day yesterday - looked like you could reach over the bay and touch SF, Mt. Tam, etc.”

“Did a quick 4 miler with my dog tonite, no stop watch or heart rate monitor, just a fun run. Low 40's and perfect for t-shirt and shorts. I cant wait for spring....hit 35 mile sthis week, best one yet.

A 2 min. drop is impresive bowlderman. Lend me some speed would ya?”

“Did my first two raod runs yesterday and Thursday. 5 and 6.5 miles. Much harder than the hamster wheel. I have to get off of that thing....

weather stay nice, weather stay nice, weather stay nice (fingers crossed)

Have gotten my speed up to ten and eleven minute miles, depending on the day. Ten minute miles was my goal, I'll probably stick there for awhile until all this stuff becomes easier.”

“Beautiful day yesterday on the rail trail for a long run. Did 12 miles in 130 minutes and it felt great. Ran in a t-shirt; much different than 2 weeks ago when it was -5 at the start.
I was trying hard to do 10 minute miles but that was the best I could do. I'm slow compared to the rest of you!

Another race this coming weekend in Reese. Another chance to try my first 10K, or do another 5k.

The hardest part of all of this is taking rest days.”

“Off to the chiro today for a long-scheduled check-up, so I'll be out of action for a couple days. Then it's time to get ready for my first real race in a loooooong time, a 12k from Marin County over the Golden Gate Bridge into SF - probably the most scenic race I run. Not sure what pace I'll aim for just yet - more later....”

“LeSubtil, 12m in 130 is great! You are gonna be sooo ready for the run in april. Keep up the training and dont forget to rest :). BTW I wont be able to do the may marathon as of now. I am headed to NC unless something changes, sorry.”

“Twelve miles at any pace is great.

I may have put away my skis for the year (but then again...). I hit the road today and ran a mile. Black top is dry and everything else is slop. This was a trial run and felt great. Pace felt good, endurance good, there was no flabby abdomen bouncing up and down as if I needed a belly bra. I feel pleased that I worked as I did over last summer and this past winter. It feels as if an aging athlete is beginning to emerge from that fat blob. I'll be 59 tomorrow, not that it's anything significant but it just feels good. It's always about attitude isn't it?”

“So, Snake Eyes, did you get your 200 miles of skiing in?

Happy Birthday!”

“Yup, ended with 227. Funny thing, as much as I really love it I found my attention just naturally leaning toward hiking, running and other pursuits. Ain't life a blast?”

“Happy bday and congrats on 227 miles!”

“Happy Birthday, Snake. Glad to hear that you have the energy and attitude. Now, if the body remains cooperative, you have the world by the horns.
Just put in another six over the lunch hour. I'm going to plateau at six for a while, and maybe try a ten on the weekend. What's the latest on the marathon? Should I search past posts?”

“You drank a six pack and lunch and then went back to work? More power to you. Back in the day I couldn't function at work after just 2 beers at lunch. You da man.”

“runadan, i dont think much more was done about a tt mararthon, a reveiw may be in order...”

“Snake eyes - the six is one thing; I wanna see what happens when he does the ten this weekend. And who's gonna drink the other two of the 2nd six?!”

“OK, I just signed up for my first real race in about 2.5 years, a 12k. Hard to believe I've gone this long without running a race like this. [I've "participated" in a couple of races during this time, but really only to get out there, not to try to race....]

In 2000, I ran 48:16 (6:28 pace), then totally flopped in 2001 with a 50:19 (6:45 pace) when I was in better shape than in 2000. So I think, given my condition, I may aim for about 7:15 pace or so, which would be about 54 minutes. Couple of weeks of training left to update that goal, though....”

“#&%!$, I think maybe I might belong in the "TT Trotting Along Club", lol.

I did five miles at 6mph today and didn't have to slow down or stop and I'm feeling tickled over it, then Boulderman has to go and tell us all about his 6:28 pace. ;) That's pretty fast, man!”

“It's all relative, Sass. Even when running that 6:28 pace, 183 men and 23 women beat me, including at least a dozen guys in their 50's. BTW, that 6:28 sounds really fast to me now, too!”

“6:28 is very impressive. I doubt that I will ever approach it unless you take my pace for the 100 yard dash and extrapolate it out to 12k. The good thing is that you just do left, right, and keep repeating the process. Over time we all improve. It's idiot proof, thank God, or I'd be doing something else. Know what I like about this thread? It pretty much sticks to task.”

“The only way I could do a mile in 6:28 was if I was being drug behind a car. Ditto on the 5 miles at 6MPH.”

“Sass, I will be right there with you in the trot along club. We run at the same pace. At least we can chat as everyone passes us.”

“Glad to see the lot of you hitting the pavement! I ran yesterday, first time in a week because I was sick. Still recovering from this stupid minor flu deal.”

“What amazes me is these guys who can run a marathon in under 5:00 a mile. Then you have the best 12k runners going at a faster pace than my all-time best in the mile. Ouch.”

“Glad to know you can feel my pain, BM...lol...”

“LMAO, no way Ewk! I'm too busy gasping for air at that pace.”

“I was able to do another trail run today, my 9.2 mile route. Thats the 3rd trail run in 3 weeks. I wish it were closer its such a mellow way to run.

6:28, geez bowlderman, I FELL that fast once...”

“I'm going to have to post on a slower thread from now on. This 6 minute talk has my head spinning.
Hey, Bowlderman, I used to live in San Rafael, so I know just where you are running. Have fun. Wish I could join you.”

“San Rafael: ugh! The site of my ankle sprain in '01 (China Camp State Park).

Last year's 12k race had to be moved because there was a "condition orange," so they couldn't let people run across the bridge.

Did a tempo run last night in the hills. 25 minutes at my target HR range of 160-165 BPM. I was over the range a fair amount because of the uphills, but I also realized I can run quite a bit faster on the downhills and still recover somewhat. That will be key in the 3/21 race, since there's a steep uphill near the beginning, then lots of gradual downhill later.”

“Bowlder, not to belabor the point, but I once did a training run around China Camp. Started at the 101 overpass downtown and finished at the Civic Center. OK, now I will quit talking about that.
I hope that the wind on the bridge isn't too strong on race day.”

“I have mixed feelings about China Camp because I really like the XC course they run there. But remembering the pain and the 2+ years of recovery kind of sours my view of the place.

The two times I ran the race-formerly-known-as-Houlihan's were probably to two calmest, clearest days in SF history. Made you want to just stop on the bridge and say screw the race, look at the damn view!”

“Longest run ever (again, lol). 8 miles, 80:40. My time is getting a tad bit faster again. No soreness at all today, except in my chest and shoulders where I lifted weights last Friday. Ouch.”

“Congratulations, Sass! Ten is great.
I was going to attempt a ten this weekend. I put in 7.5 on Saturday, then didn't run yesterday. However, I'll be back to my usual six today. I feel that I'm still on track. Long Slow Distance, for now.”

“I think this recent weather is God's way of encouraging cross training. If it snows: gotta ski. Snow starts to melt: gotta run. Snow melts and it gets warm: gotta swim, bike, kayak and run. Today: (cold and snow): gotta do Pilates and then ski. Rough life.”

“The weather was pretty nice this weekend. I showed up at the trail parking lot a little before 7 on Saturday and there were about eight people from my usual running group milling about. A handful of us put in 13. It felt good to be back on the trail. Four quick miles this morning before coming to work.”

“Sass, congrats on your run and time. I won't be able to keep up with you now.”

“Great run, sass!

Beautiful weather here over the weekend, but kitchen remodel duties kept me from running at all. Ugh. I think I'll try my official "Hills of Death" run after work - the 8-miler through the very hill cemetery (best view of SF Bay, though)....”

“Thanks guys! I can't wait to get out on some of our local trails for runs. We have a little nature trail that's about 2.5 miles, and actually nicely wooded with a river and a stream or two (that you get to leap over ) in our city. I'd hoped to run there Sunday morning but it was 34° w/ the wind chill and the wind was raging. Maybe next weekend....”