Last week I again attempted to run. The prescription was 1 minute on, 1 minute off, for 15 minutes. I didn’t so much stick to the minute part (more like :30 on, :45 off, 1 min on, 3 off…etc), but after 30 minutes I was so done. My legs hurt in all kinds of weird places, mostly my shins and groin, some hips. Basically all the leg muscles I don’t use cycling.
After that sorry little episode, I was sore for 4 days. 4 days. From about 15 minutes of running. Wow. I knew I needed to run again soon, so I could get into a groove and actually build something up. Sadly, it wasn’t until yesterday that I found some time. This time, I actually did 1 minute on, 1 off for a little over 25 minutes. Thankfully, it wasn’t as horrible as the time before, although I was still very tired afterwards (although thankfully NOT sore today!). It was really hard, I couldn’t believe how high my heart rate went up during the efforts.
Keeping in mind of course, that this was no walk in the park (ok, it was actually in a park). I am instructed to run *fast*, and to simulate a bit of something like self-ass-kicking, focusing on a quick foot turn over and picking up my feet higher. More action in the back, less in the front (stop lifting my legs up and bringing my feet in front of me). It’s really, really hard to have that super fast leg turnover, and concentrating on landing *softly* with your feet directly under you, and also trying to keep your arms going forward and backwards in a straight line, rather then side to side…yes, a LOT to think about. Which is why I can’t say at this point running is very fun. However, I’m trying to keep my eye on the prize(s):
- Being able to rock cross
- Running free on Wildwood and Tryon for hours (ok, the hours part might take a while…)
- Doing an off-road Triathlon
So… a concrete goal? Be able to run 4.5 miles straight by August 1. How can I achieve this? um…
- be able to run 3 miles by July 1
- crap…be able to run 2 miles by June 15th
- super crap… be able to run 1 mile by 2 weeks from now
Um…possible? Not sure. Here’s a plan from Runner’s World for a beginner’s 5K:
My doc said to start out running only twice a week, so this will be modified to run less. And I certainly won’t be doing any walking. Sheesh. But it gives me hope it might just be possible.
Rad!
I’m glad to see you getting back into it! I’m trying to convince Aislinn to long distance train with me…right now I’m running with no purpose. I am starting a half-mary training program in July though. SCARY. (I will be slogging slowly along through the Leavenworth half come October, if all goes well. And if I do that, then I am driving down to Portland for the Marathon the next day, because Rick’s aunt Sue is running it. So maybe, if all goes according to plan…I can see you!)
Oh half-marathon is my favorite distance. I wish I could run it!!!
Yay! you have to come to P-town! October…Sunday…CYCLOCROSS! Oh joy! If you’ve never witnessed a cross race, it is so very much fun. Much more fun if its raining and horrible out, although I wouldn’t want to wish that on the Marathon runners
Oh, man, I would LOVE to see a race! Richard and I have a friend who works at a bike shop up here and is really into racing, in fact he’s doing a mountain bike race this weekend – it’s brutal! He’s trying to get Rick into it…scary, but cool. Bike racing looks so wonderfully muddy, I would absolutely love to watch if I could.
The Leavenworth half is on October 4th, and then PDX is on the 5th, and then I think we’d stay in town a few days after that. (I can’t see Sue running a marathon and then wanting to sit in a car for 5 hours immediately after so she can go to work the next day!) I’m pretty excited to try a half, and this one is right in Leavenworth’s Oktoberfest celebration, too…so beer and a long- run along the river. YUM.
mmm beer…
Now I’m remembering the one 1/2 marathon i did…Foot Traffic Flat on Sauvie Island, 2005…came in at 2:01:03, 1 min 03 over my goal time. Ah well. You’re making me want to run again!!! Although now I refuse to pound the pavement. Dirt and mud only, please.
Start with a 5k that some friends are doing too!
Once you do that, you’ll be like, “I bet I can do a 10k!”
It degenerates from there until all of a sudden you’re at mile 21 of a marathon wondering what the hell happened to your sanity and how/why you ever started running in the first place!
Good luck with the running. With your cycling fitness, I’m sure the running will progress nicely once your body is over the shock. I have been both running and cycling consistently for the past couple of years. I try for three running days and three riding days each week, with one rest day – unless the weather is really nice then screw the rest day! Right now, I’m running with a Foot Traffic group training for the Sauvie Island half-marathon on July 4th. Our run distance is now up to 11 miles, so we’re getting close. My goal for the half is 1:40. If the half doesn’t kill me I’m going to continue on training for the Portland Marathon. Although I enjoy cycling more, I keep up with the running for the following reasons:
-Running is weight-bearing whereas cycling is not.
-Running works different muscles.
-Running is better if you’re pressed for time or traveling.
-When the weather is really nasty you can still run. I would much rather run outside than ride a trainer.
Marc–that’s great, that was my first 1/2 marathon…although after the portland marathon, I have to say one marathon is quite enough for me.
Does anyone actually ever get a rush from running? Running is OK, but I never really feel the same enjoyment from it that I do from time on a bike. It is not that one is easier either than the other necessarily. Speed. It is all about the speed.
By the way I posted an answer to the Scat CX question on my blog. But bottom line–If the price is right, it is a nice ride.
A running rush ? No, I can’t say running will ever be like shooting down hill on a mountain bike wondering if you will survive without a concussion….however, I do find sprinting on Wildwood, leaping over rocks and roots and huge mud puddles, can be quite a blast. I miss those days.
The most of a rush I can think from running though is during a cross race
Mr. Flynn,
I never have experienced the so-called “runner’s high.” To me, biking is more fun than running. I like running ok, but it’s more about the exercise than the fun factor.
K,
If I successfully complete the PDX marathon, that will probably be it for me as well. I have always wanted to do one, and I think my running fitness right now is as good as it’s going to get. 26.2 miles is a long way to run – I don’t think I want to make a habit of it!
I am starting to think that I should have signed up a marathon instead of this half ironman tri crap.