Runners: Open Thread
Posted by Carrie on 26 Jul 2008 | Tagged as: Fitness and Health
Well, I just talked about my race, but I just have to say once more just how much fun the Wayne Dannehl cross-country course is to run. It’s totally intimidating to non-runners, I’ll grant; last year this time, I was scared crapless of it. Compared to the little gravel bike path on which I’d trained, the hills are humongous and difficult to navigate. Coming at it from this side of things, though, those hills are exciting, not scary. The scenery is almost enough to make you forget that you’re in a race, and if you’re just doing a training run, it’s certainly enough to take most of the effort out of your mind. A few brief moments of it are run in sunshine (not counting the opening spurt, which is up a big hill in full sun), but the majority of it is run through shady trails through thickly forested areas. When it’s just you, running on your own, time seems to be suspended.
I think enjoyed those last five miles more than I did any other part of the running today. So peaceful, with no other runners around, and nothing left to distract or worry my mind.
How was your running this week?
6 Comments »
on 27 Jul 2008 at 6:46 am
joanneb said …
I finished week 6 of the C25K program yesterday and made it through the 25 minutes without having to stop. I hope I get to the point where I am actually enjoying the run, not just being thankful when it is over. It has been an inspiration following your progress. Thanks for sharing it here.
on 27 Jul 2008 at 7:28 am
Vena said …
Did my “long” run today, 5.5m. After a horrible couple of runs last week, were I had to stop every mile or so to catch my breath, I figured out that a 9 min/mile was too fast for me. Now that I cut back to a 10 1/2 min/mile I was able to go the distance with only one stop and that was the because it’s the killer hill from hell that I hate so much, but I keep trying to conquer. But I digress, the weather here was beautiful, mid 70s and low humidity.
on 27 Jul 2008 at 1:16 pm
Sarah said …
Well……. I did a whole mile and a half
Minimal burning in the shins. Baby steps right ? 
on 28 Jul 2008 at 10:13 am
Travis said …
Just finished week 5 and that bloody full 20 minute run was most intimidating. Until I started it. It felt great! I absolutely adore this program. When I was in the service, I adored running. When I got out I got lazy and became a professional culinarian. I can’t wait to get back to the 13 minute 2 mile run!
on 28 Jul 2008 at 10:42 am
Carrie said …
Sarah, think back to when you started running and tell me if you can still call a mile and a half “baby steps.”
Joanne and Travis - almost there! I remember that crossing the Week 5 marked the peak of the program for me; after that, it was smooth sailing to the end.
Vena - I don’t know how long your usual runs go, but it took me a long time to figure out various pacings for different run lengths. I went from running the same pace for every run to having two paces (”easy” and “hard”), to finally being able to know what I’ll be able to sustain for three miles, five miles, ten miles… Boy, does that make a difference! First time I tried to go all-out for seven miles: ow!
on 28 Jul 2008 at 11:23 pm
Cristen said …
No run for me today. I have bronchitis and labored through my run on Friday all raspy breathing. Right now I’m waiting for my decongestant to set in so I can breathe normally again.