Wednesday, February 10, 2016

WWU - A Short Long Run

I'm taking advantage of my time between races, and am not running very far - and it feels pretty good, I must say!  My "long" run on Saturday was all of 3 miles, which, let's face it, is almost how far I run on a normal Tuesday.  The rest of my crew ran 5 miles, but they are doing a half marathon this coming Saturday, while I'm only wisely doing the 10K option - so I was good with the short long run.

I ran by myself for the long run, and it was OK, if not a little boring.  Hey, I'm in it for the socialization, what can I say?!  But several people from our group were busy doing other things, so that's how it worked out.  Ever since Houston, I've been running 2:1 intervals for my long runs and it's definitely taking some time to get used to that - you wouldn't think going from 1:30/1 to 2:1 would be that challenging - after all, it's only an additional 30 seconds of running per interval - but it is.  Or else, I'm still a little tired from all of the January mileage.  Who knows?  I can't figure out running!

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Speaking of races, we each received one free download of our pictures from that Texas 10 Series race, which was a nice bonus!  I still haven't purchased any of Jeff's or my pictures from Houston because not only are they super-expensive, but the shipping cost (which can't be combined) is ridiculous.  Anyway, here's my freebie:
Remember when I wrote that I stepped on it and passed a woman in the finisher's chute?  That would be her, in the blue, behind me.  Poor woman, she had no idea she was in a RACE race!

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One of the things I'm trying to work on more consistently with my running is stretching.  It seems like none of my injuries ever really go away; rather, they change from major hurting to minor twinges.  My latest one was massive pain on the right side of my upper hip - it came on in one day and got so bad that I went to the doctor, who, after X-rays to rule out anything broken, diagnosed sacroiliac joint pain.  Luckily for me, after one visit with a physical therapist, I was able to get it under control and felt much better, but I do notice it (just a twinge) when I wake up the morning after I've run...so, now I have SI joint stretches added to my hamstring stretches.  It's not a bad thing, this stretching - but it's a habit that I find hard to stick to.  One more thing to work on, I guess!

21 comments:

  1. I love the happiness in your finish photo!

    After all the hard training, a short long run is well deserved if you ask me. Enjoy your race next Saturday.

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  2. Free race pictures is always a plus!!! When you are training for halves do you increase your mileage each weekend or do you alternate (one weekend a long run, one weekend a short run, next weekend a long run)? I think that's were I messed up during marathon training. I kept doing longer and longer runs until I was left exhausted.

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    1. We usually do an increase, increase, fall back, increase, increase, fall back...you need some "easy" long runs in there to give your body time to recover and adjust to everything that you're asking it to do.

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    2. Yea, I had a friend tell me that when I was at the end of my training. When I told her I was doing 13, then 15, then 18, she said "no wonder you are so exhausted"...lol. I guess I'll know better next time!!

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  3. I know I feel better when I stretch after runs, but just can't seem to make a habit out of it! I guess I'm usually just so happy to be done and then focused on what's next (eating, shower, etc.).

    Awesome picture, and what a cool perk!

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    1. Just got back from my run and what am I doing? Sitting at my computer instead of stretching, ack! (off to stretch now)

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  4. Stretching is such a great thing to do, but I find myself passing on taking the time to stretch on an off day. I will stretch on a day I workout, but to add stretching as a daily routine is hard for me for some dumb reason.

    Love the picture....those little mind tricks are what gets me through all my workouts even if I am working out to a DVD. LOL!!

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    1. I am right with you on the mind tricks to get through a hard workout!

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  5. That finishing picture is so awesome! You should frame it and put it above your wall of medals :D

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  6. I love that picture! All your running joy is captured there.

    I have some basic stretches I do right after I run (calves, hamstrings, quads, IT band) but what I've found that works for me is to take a day when I'm not running, and do some general stretching, foam rolling, stick rolling. Wouldn't it be nice to be an elite runner and have someone do that FOR you every single time you run? LOL!

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    1. I remember watching Deena Kastor being stretched after her run, in the movie Spirit of the Marathon, and thinking how fabulous that would be. Sadly, since I'm not a professional, I have to take care of it on my own...

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  7. That is an AWESOME finish line picture!

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  8. What a great finish line picture. You have a fantastic smile!

    And I'm with you on the stretching. I know I need to do it but it's the thing that always seem to get cut short when I workout.

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  9. I'm with you on the stretching being good, but not doing it. I give it a passing glance most days. It always feels good when I do it, but it takes so LOOONNNNGGGG :)

    That's a great finish picture, but the best part is that the woman you beat is in the background. A special memory!

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  10. That's a great finish line picture!

    I have a lot of twinges and aches and pains, which is why I do yoga regularly. I don't think I'd be running anymore if I didn't.

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  11. I love this picture! You so happy and I love your little running skirt! :)

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  12. That is the best photo!!!

    That's great about stretching. I wish I could convince myself to take the time to do it.

    I am lazy!!

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  13. Great pic!!!

    Good for you for working on making stretching part of your routine. It's hard!!! (cause it's so boring? LOL)

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