Sometimes it's probably a good thing that I don't always remember to check the weather in the morning! I'm not sure I would have gotten out there today if I'd known how cold it was.
I've said before that it's definitely one of the things I appreciate about both summer running and my usual pattern of doing speedwork Jan. through April. In the summer, no thought whatsoever is required on my part about what to wear. It's always a singlet and shorts (since I'm way too self conscious to go in just a sports bra, though I've done it once). And when I did speed class in the winter-spring, I could wear every single piece of running clothing I owned if I wanted and it was no big deal. Since we were at the track, I could take off and add layers in between repeats and it was perfect. I would always be way over-dressed when I started, but that made it so much easier for me to get out in the cold and then warm up gradually.
This marathon season, we're doing mostly loop courses during the week. And I need to plan my outfits accordingly, though I guess it's not too tough right now -- it's cold and that's not likely to change for the next month or so! But still, to me there is a huge difference in what I wear if it's 45, 35, or 25 (but no difference between 65, 75, and 85).
But this morning I didn't bother to check before I headed out, though I'd seen a forecast a day or two ago. I was guessing it would be in the upper 20s. What I didn't bank on was the wind! Ugh.
Wind chill they said was between 5 and 15. Yikes! Is this Texas or Minnesota???!!!
If I'd known it was that cold this morning, I might have stayed in bed in hopes of nursing this upper respiratory infection. I'm now losing my voice and suffering through lots of "productive" wracking coughs.
But instead I layered up and got out there for a 6.5 mile loop, not so bad after the first half mile or so of wind and warm-up. The pace was about 15 secs per mile faster than last week, which may have explained why it felt tough -- though it was probably also this infection. Ugh.
I'm ready to feel better!
Big race on Saturday, and I need to be ready. Doing a 10k (hopefully with my new heart rate monitor which had better get shipped today since those eejits at Beach Camera apparently haven't been able to do anything right w/r/t my Dec. 29 order!!!). Our coach is going to use our heart rates from the race to set all our training heart rate zones.
I need to think a bit more about Saturday's race. The course kind of sucks. It's the same one where I got my 5k PR, but it's a double out-and-back, and there is also a 5k, which means 10k runners will be finishing alongside 5k walkers (much like at the end of White Rock, where marathoners were finishing next to half marathoners going at about half their speed). I hate dodging people when aiming for a strong finish. Wasn't a big issue for me at White Rock since I wasn't racing, but Saturday's race needs to be a strong performance.
This course is a bit downhill from the start, then a sharp turn, then up and down a pretty big bridge (for Dallas!), then a u-turn, then back up and down the same bridge, sharp left turn (probably won't be able to cut the tangent at all), slight uphill to the 5k finish, then apparently the 10k people just turn around and go back out to repeat the exact same thing. Not fun.
But hubby is working on Saturday I think and will be near the race, so he's hopefully going to be able to come watch. But I'm not going to be in the running for any age group awards or anything. I'm not expecting great things, particularly based on how I felt this morning. Basically, we did 6.5 miles today at a pace about 30 seconds per mile slower than my current 10k PR. I did not feel like I could have gone 30 seconds per mile faster!
I haven't raced very many 10ks. It's actually probably the least-raced of the main distances for me. I've done about 100 road races since I started running as an adult, and only 5 of them have been 10ks. I've done about 15-20 half-marathons, about 12ish marathons, about 15 15ks, and about 25 5ks. I've even done more of each 4 mile, 5 mile and 8 mile races than I have 10ks. It's not such a common distance here, and even when they have it offered, I guess I usually lean toward whatever the other option is, whether it's longer or shorter.
Anyway, back to my five 10ks. One in 05 (guaranteed PR at my first), two in 08 (both PRs), and two last year. In both the 10ks last year, I was trying to beat Adam's 10k time (and of course get my own PR, which would be automatic if I beat him). The first 10k attempt sucked -- it was a course run on a levy so tons of up and down, mostly on gravel, and there weren't any mile markers. And it was beating down sun with not a tree in sight. I tanked and didn't even PR, missed my time by over a minute. Then I tried again three weeks later and did manage to get a PR (on roads, on a real course with mile markers and no crazy ups and downs). But I missed Adam's time by less than 15 seconds.
So I need to bring it on Saturday, whether I'm sick or not! Pain is temporary, a PR is forever, right? I just have a feeling this race could be ugly, especially if I'm still hacking up my lungs...
I'm ready for spring!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Born to Run Review: Barefoot Running
When I went home for Christmas, I started reading Born to Run by Christopher McDougall, which I've posted about before here (along with some of my other current reads at the time). I posted a brief overview of it there. Going in, I kind of knew it was a book kind of about barefoot running, but as of Chapter 22 (where I was when I last posted about it (at that last link)), there really hadn't been much of anything said about it. Yes, it was clear that the people in this Indian tribe don't wear running shoes, but it focused more on their remarkable endurance rather than anything specific about what they wore on their feet.
Well, apparently I was right on the cusp of the big barefoot discussion (though to me, it wasn't the overwhelming theme of the book). There's lots of stuff about how we weren't born wearing shoes and how well our feet and bodies adapt to running long distances over uneven terrain. He mentions that humans are "the only tailless running biped." It was interesting but I'm not converted. I've never tried running barefoot (or with Vibrams), but I don't think it's really an option for me for several reasons.
First, I run with a group and follow the group routes (which I do not choose) and those are run 100% on streets or paved trails, so running in the grass (which is how barefoot running should be done apparently, there's no claim we were born to run barefoot on asphalt and concrete) is not a workable option for me. I suppose there are some places I could run in the grass or on the dirt right next to the running trail, but I'm guessing I'd step in dog $hit within a mile -- both the lake and the trail that have grassy areas next to the path where people run are popular dog-walking spots. To run in the grass alongside the dark streets where I run would invite more dog $hit, or sprinkler heads, or newspapers, or curbs, and about a million other perils -- just no idea really how or where I'd do it most of the time.
Second, I don't seem to be particularly injury prone while wearing shoes. The author says running shoes work well for people with good form but make people with poor form have even worse form, primarily in the sense of heel strike. I definitely do not have good form, but I'm not a horrible heel-striker either most of the time. I've definitely had a few years where I've had injuries, but very few have put me out-of-commission for very long, some (like the sprained ankles) would have happened with or without shoes, and I don't think I've had more injuries than a normal runner. There are always an ongoing series of tight muscles, aches and pains, and I feel like maybe 1/3 of the time, something is nagging a bit and I watch it to see if it turns into an actual injury (and try to ice and stretch if it's isolated), but for the most part, it never does. I think that comes with running. I could certainly sit on my couch pain-free, but that would lead to another series of problems. Running doesn't seem to beat me up too much. My chronology of injuries impacting my running (first comprehensive list I've maybe made ever of these):
Fourth, the "more natural" theory doesn't really matter to me. We're not born wearing clothes, but I put them on when I'm cold. I also tend to think these elites who primarily grow up running without shoes according to the book would choose to wear shoes in races just for sponsorships or some other unspecified reason. Like if Kenyans run barefoot growing up, why do some of those same Kenyans now choose to wear shoes to race? Honestly, I put a lot of credence in the fact that so many people wear running shoes. All the data used in the book about random programs or people here or there who don't wear shoes aren't statistically significant when looking at the big picture -- track meets all over the country at various levels, marathons all over the country, etc. Maybe if I ran in the outback on soft grass, barefoot would be the way to go, but for places and events that I run, I don't see those who are most successful choosing to forgo shoes. And I really think they would if that minimized their injuries or could make them get faster.
Fifth, I value the comfort of running shoes. The author basically admits that running shoes make bad form more comfortable and it feels like you're running on cushions. I don't like pain, and I don't want running to be painful. Even if my shoes encourage my poor form, it doesn't seem to be hurting me. I finished a 15k in July (the day I got the flat tire) and in my finish line photos, I was right next to a guy who was running in Vibrams. We'd talked a bit over the last mile and I could tell how much he was hurting. Well, looking at the photos, his form was absolutely atrocious and he's pretty much grimacing with every step. I'm not certain at all that he would not have been in pain if he'd been in shoes, but I am pretty certain I'd be hurting too if my feet were slapping the pavement the way his were.
And finally, I'm not convinced barefoot runners really have fewer injuries. I've yet to run with someone who completes an entire marathon training season injury-free not wearing shoes.
So I'll keep my shoes on. I'll replace them whenever I think it's needed. I'll probably still chuckle at how silly the barefoot shoes look (but I'm sure others chuckle at my mismatched outfits, my bad form, whatever). But I'm certainly not one to give advice to anyone else -- if barefoot shoes seem to work for you, go for it! I'm very live-and-let-live about that stuff and it has no impact on me, so I couldn't care less. But I think for right now, shoes are the right choice for me. Who's to say whether that will still be true a few years from now, but for now, shoes have been good and are working well for me.
As for the Born to Run discussion of my thoughts on the book's point about why a vegetarian diet has worked best for history's greatest runners (as a vegetarian runner, the subject is near and dear to my heart), I'll do a separate post on that hopefully in the next couple days.
Well, apparently I was right on the cusp of the big barefoot discussion (though to me, it wasn't the overwhelming theme of the book). There's lots of stuff about how we weren't born wearing shoes and how well our feet and bodies adapt to running long distances over uneven terrain. He mentions that humans are "the only tailless running biped." It was interesting but I'm not converted. I've never tried running barefoot (or with Vibrams), but I don't think it's really an option for me for several reasons.
First, I run with a group and follow the group routes (which I do not choose) and those are run 100% on streets or paved trails, so running in the grass (which is how barefoot running should be done apparently, there's no claim we were born to run barefoot on asphalt and concrete) is not a workable option for me. I suppose there are some places I could run in the grass or on the dirt right next to the running trail, but I'm guessing I'd step in dog $hit within a mile -- both the lake and the trail that have grassy areas next to the path where people run are popular dog-walking spots. To run in the grass alongside the dark streets where I run would invite more dog $hit, or sprinkler heads, or newspapers, or curbs, and about a million other perils -- just no idea really how or where I'd do it most of the time.
Second, I don't seem to be particularly injury prone while wearing shoes. The author says running shoes work well for people with good form but make people with poor form have even worse form, primarily in the sense of heel strike. I definitely do not have good form, but I'm not a horrible heel-striker either most of the time. I've definitely had a few years where I've had injuries, but very few have put me out-of-commission for very long, some (like the sprained ankles) would have happened with or without shoes, and I don't think I've had more injuries than a normal runner. There are always an ongoing series of tight muscles, aches and pains, and I feel like maybe 1/3 of the time, something is nagging a bit and I watch it to see if it turns into an actual injury (and try to ice and stretch if it's isolated), but for the most part, it never does. I think that comes with running. I could certainly sit on my couch pain-free, but that would lead to another series of problems. Running doesn't seem to beat me up too much. My chronology of injuries impacting my running (first comprehensive list I've maybe made ever of these):
- In 05, I pulled a groin/hamstring muscle (not while running) less than a month before the NY marathon (but I was still able to run it). Far and away the most serious injury I've ever had. I ran NY, ran a couple more disastrous races before the end of the year, and then did not walk normally for months. Running was out of the question. Got back into it in the spring of 06, and was completely healed by then. But seriously, several months of zero running (and minimal walking) was necessary. The most amusing part of this, I met my now in-laws for the first time in January 2006. I was still injured but never discussed with them. When I met them for the second time (months later, after I'd healed), my now mother-in-law exclaimed that she'd thought I was disabled! Oh my. It was definitely a bad time for my running!
- In 07, I strained my upper gastrocnemius (a calf muscle) about a week before Chicago (still able to run it), but was fine shortly afterward. My doc wanted me to wear a calf compression sleeve thing during the race, but I'd only run about 3 or so marathons by that point and I was too nervous about trying anything new on race day, so I declined. A week or so off after the marathon was all I needed to recover.
- In 08, I tripped on a pothole and sprained an ankle mildly. On crutches for a day, running again about a week later. Felt like it was easily strained when I stepped at a weird ankle for a couple months, but it didn't get seriously injured again.
- In 09, I had some pain on the outside of one of my feet and my doc told me it was my peroneus longus tendon that was inflamed (he recommended orthotics, I never got them, it went away on its own and I also got new shoes around that time).
- At the very end of 09 (12/29), I fell (at the SAME intersection as in 08, but a different part of it) again and sprained my other ankle pretty severely. Crutches for several days, insane swelling. No running at all until 1/11/10 (did a long walk on 1/10 to make sure it would hold up).
- In 10, it was the plantar's (see below). Also resolved, all while wearing shoes.
- Also in 10, I wiped out at work (fell down the stairs) and twisted my ankle, but it was mild and I was running two days later. I was wearing flats at the time, but blame my overloaded arms and not watching my step.
Fourth, the "more natural" theory doesn't really matter to me. We're not born wearing clothes, but I put them on when I'm cold. I also tend to think these elites who primarily grow up running without shoes according to the book would choose to wear shoes in races just for sponsorships or some other unspecified reason. Like if Kenyans run barefoot growing up, why do some of those same Kenyans now choose to wear shoes to race? Honestly, I put a lot of credence in the fact that so many people wear running shoes. All the data used in the book about random programs or people here or there who don't wear shoes aren't statistically significant when looking at the big picture -- track meets all over the country at various levels, marathons all over the country, etc. Maybe if I ran in the outback on soft grass, barefoot would be the way to go, but for places and events that I run, I don't see those who are most successful choosing to forgo shoes. And I really think they would if that minimized their injuries or could make them get faster.
Fifth, I value the comfort of running shoes. The author basically admits that running shoes make bad form more comfortable and it feels like you're running on cushions. I don't like pain, and I don't want running to be painful. Even if my shoes encourage my poor form, it doesn't seem to be hurting me. I finished a 15k in July (the day I got the flat tire) and in my finish line photos, I was right next to a guy who was running in Vibrams. We'd talked a bit over the last mile and I could tell how much he was hurting. Well, looking at the photos, his form was absolutely atrocious and he's pretty much grimacing with every step. I'm not certain at all that he would not have been in pain if he'd been in shoes, but I am pretty certain I'd be hurting too if my feet were slapping the pavement the way his were.
And finally, I'm not convinced barefoot runners really have fewer injuries. I've yet to run with someone who completes an entire marathon training season injury-free not wearing shoes.
So I'll keep my shoes on. I'll replace them whenever I think it's needed. I'll probably still chuckle at how silly the barefoot shoes look (but I'm sure others chuckle at my mismatched outfits, my bad form, whatever). But I'm certainly not one to give advice to anyone else -- if barefoot shoes seem to work for you, go for it! I'm very live-and-let-live about that stuff and it has no impact on me, so I couldn't care less. But I think for right now, shoes are the right choice for me. Who's to say whether that will still be true a few years from now, but for now, shoes have been good and are working well for me.
As for the Born to Run discussion of my thoughts on the book's point about why a vegetarian diet has worked best for history's greatest runners (as a vegetarian runner, the subject is near and dear to my heart), I'll do a separate post on that hopefully in the next couple days.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Diagnosis
Ugh, definitely sick. Husband is STILL home sick from work, but I've unfortunately been pretty busy at work and had to go in to the office on Sunday. But Sunday afternoon, we both went to an urgent care place. When I was talking to the "provider" (not entirely sure that means he was a doctor), I could hear hubby coughing through the wall from his room next door. They did a blood test and my white blood count was completely normal, giving them no indication if it's bacterial or viral, and my flu test came back negative.
Eventually they moved us into the same room, gave us both steroid shots in the upper butt area, gave us both steroid dose packs, and sent us on our way with instructions to rest and get lots of fluids. Diagnosis: upper respiratory infection.
Well, the weather here has been INSANE, at least if you believe our local weather folk who are probably from Texas. Yesterday morning our long run was cancelled because of freezing rain. I planned to do it later in the day in the cold (the precip turned to big fluffy snow flakes), but between wanting to get the house in order a bit, it being so cold out, not feeling well, and needing to bill some hours at work, it just didn't happen.
I set my alarm again today with thoughts of cranking out 14 miles before work, but opted to keep sleeping instead (again, icy roads, a dusting of snow that remains in places, bitterly cold for someone who has enjoyed adapting to Texas weather). I feel somewhat better and will head out for my group run tomorrow morning, but this is going to be an unplanned low mileage week for me!
Eventually they moved us into the same room, gave us both steroid shots in the upper butt area, gave us both steroid dose packs, and sent us on our way with instructions to rest and get lots of fluids. Diagnosis: upper respiratory infection.
Well, the weather here has been INSANE, at least if you believe our local weather folk who are probably from Texas. Yesterday morning our long run was cancelled because of freezing rain. I planned to do it later in the day in the cold (the precip turned to big fluffy snow flakes), but between wanting to get the house in order a bit, it being so cold out, not feeling well, and needing to bill some hours at work, it just didn't happen.
I set my alarm again today with thoughts of cranking out 14 miles before work, but opted to keep sleeping instead (again, icy roads, a dusting of snow that remains in places, bitterly cold for someone who has enjoyed adapting to Texas weather). I feel somewhat better and will head out for my group run tomorrow morning, but this is going to be an unplanned low mileage week for me!
Friday, January 7, 2011
Sick but Strong?
I'm reluctant to post this for two reasons. First, I do not like to admit that I'm sick and fear that admitting it may in some ways make it come true and/or magnify it. Second, I do not like to admit that my legs are feeling strong because I fear admitting that is setting myself up for some major pain or soreness.
Hubby is sick, sick, sick. He actually went to the ER on Wednesday because he was having so much trouble breathing. He's home in bed today, still feeling miserable. I'm definitely not that bad.
I am coughing a lot sometimes "productively" (eww), and my nose is crazy runny when I'm exercising. But I'm worried I'm right on the cusp of heading down the road hubby is taking. He apparently has an upper respiratory infection. Last year that happened to both of us more than once, so I'm hoping to dodge the bullet this cold season.
But my legs are crazy right now. The new group that I'm training with does not stop for water during weekday runs, you just carry your own and sip as needed. That means the runs are tougher for me. I'm used to having a little break every couple miles. Tuesday I felt like I was really struggling. Our pace felt significantly faster to me than it actually was. But then yesterday, I don't know what it was, and our pace was actually a few seconds faster than Tuesday, but I felt good. Sure, I could have happily stopped to walk at any point, but I was fine with continuing. Our route on Tues was 6.7 miles (counting our slight detour when we got off track), and our route Thurs was 7.3 miles.
Tues I seemed to have my normal aches and pains. My left hamstring has been tight for weeks. But Wednesday I went to boot camp (without hubby who was already feeling bad) and felt great afterward. Thurs was the real change though. I stretched after my run as usual and got home and still felt awesome. No achiness had settled in during my drive home. I tried to stretch my hamstring while I was getting ready for work and that twinge that had become so familiar seemed to be gone.
I went back to camp this morning, again solo, and am still feeling great.
So lungs and nose are ranking around a 4, legs are around a 10. If only it weren't so cold out, maybe this cold would go away and I could be having some complete 10 days.
Oh, and I'm contemplating something crazy for Sunday. We have a 14 mile run on the schedule. We start at 6:00 and should be done by 8:30 at the latest. I'm actually considering going from there straight to a special two-hour spin class. I haven't done a spin class in years and a friend is trying to convince me to do this one. And I'm not sure it's a bad idea, though I'm not sure it's a good idea either! Hmmm... what to do?
Hubby is sick, sick, sick. He actually went to the ER on Wednesday because he was having so much trouble breathing. He's home in bed today, still feeling miserable. I'm definitely not that bad.
I am coughing a lot sometimes "productively" (eww), and my nose is crazy runny when I'm exercising. But I'm worried I'm right on the cusp of heading down the road hubby is taking. He apparently has an upper respiratory infection. Last year that happened to both of us more than once, so I'm hoping to dodge the bullet this cold season.
But my legs are crazy right now. The new group that I'm training with does not stop for water during weekday runs, you just carry your own and sip as needed. That means the runs are tougher for me. I'm used to having a little break every couple miles. Tuesday I felt like I was really struggling. Our pace felt significantly faster to me than it actually was. But then yesterday, I don't know what it was, and our pace was actually a few seconds faster than Tuesday, but I felt good. Sure, I could have happily stopped to walk at any point, but I was fine with continuing. Our route on Tues was 6.7 miles (counting our slight detour when we got off track), and our route Thurs was 7.3 miles.
Tues I seemed to have my normal aches and pains. My left hamstring has been tight for weeks. But Wednesday I went to boot camp (without hubby who was already feeling bad) and felt great afterward. Thurs was the real change though. I stretched after my run as usual and got home and still felt awesome. No achiness had settled in during my drive home. I tried to stretch my hamstring while I was getting ready for work and that twinge that had become so familiar seemed to be gone.
I went back to camp this morning, again solo, and am still feeling great.
So lungs and nose are ranking around a 4, legs are around a 10. If only it weren't so cold out, maybe this cold would go away and I could be having some complete 10 days.
Oh, and I'm contemplating something crazy for Sunday. We have a 14 mile run on the schedule. We start at 6:00 and should be done by 8:30 at the latest. I'm actually considering going from there straight to a special two-hour spin class. I haven't done a spin class in years and a friend is trying to convince me to do this one. And I'm not sure it's a bad idea, though I'm not sure it's a good idea either! Hmmm... what to do?
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