Anyone else training for a race?

So, is anyone else out there training for a race?  I have a 4 mile race coming up in about 4 weeks that I've been training for.  I guess things are going pretty well.  I ran 7.1 miles on Saturday, my longest run to date, at a 10:57 pace - slower than usual, I guess that's why I felt so good at the end of it.  Then, yesterday I ran a short 2.57 mile run at 9:21 pace, nice and fast for me :)

How's your training going?  Maybe we can encourage each other as our races  approach?  In the meantime, have a great run!

It sounds like you are in great shape for a race!  I am working in KM rather than miles.  I should remember this from school, but I can't remember how many km are in a mile...7.1 miles must be close to 14 km, is that right?  Jeez I feel like I'm in math class again! 

Do you usually train by running farther than your actual race?  I'm finding it hard to find the time to run for more than an hour.  I usually sneak in a 5KM run each day between work and picking the kids up from school.  I have also started doing sprints in my longer runs (ie.  I will run for about 2KM at my normal pace then sprint for about 30 seconds then back to my normal pace) I do that for about 5KM about 3 times a week.  It really helps build up a faster pace for me.  But it is really hard!!!  Have you been training on hills at all?  I started them last week and I feel pretty strong which is good!

I am having trouble with my hip joints so I'm hoping to get in to see my doctor this week.  A runner friend of mine suggested glucosomene(spelledx!) but I don't want to try anything without my doctors ok.

Keep up the great work!  I would really like to keep in touch with you and for sure encourage each other!  If you want I'll add you to my friend list and then we can chat through CC as friends.  Let me know.

Reba

I'm terrible at converting miles to kilometers too.  I do know that 5K=3.1 miles and therefore 10K=6.2 miles.  Perhaps my 7 mile run was about 11K?

I went to the library and took out some books on training so I'm loosely basing my training on a book called The Complete Book of Running for Women.   So, once a week, I plan a long run.  Another day during the week I've been doing a pace workout, kind of like you were describing where I run for 1-1.5 miles then speed it up for a quarter of a mile, then slow back down for 1/8 mile, etc, for about 4 reps, and then finish with another easy mile or so.  I think that workout may be more difficult than my long run.  The other days I go for shorter runs or cross train on the bike or elliptical.

Mostly I run on the treadmill at the gym but I do try to run twice a week outside.  I live at the top of a hill so pretty much all of my outdoor runs involve hillwork.  In fact, I'm a little nervous because my race next month starts with an uphill section and I'm used to running downhill first.  We'll see how that goes.

I'll definitely add you as a friend.  Do you have an upcoming race as well?  Good luck with your doctors appt. this week.  My hips tend to bother me after my longer runs but I think it's just muscular - it goes away in a day or two.  Anyway, good luck and I look forward to staying in touch with you.

Maureen

Hey Maureen,

I had alot of problems with my hips when I started running too and I worked with a trainer to come up with some strength building exercises for my hips... as you said, it was more muscular than an actual physical problem. I'll try to describe them here, but they are kind of strange, so we'll see how it goes:

1. Fire Hydrant. Get on all fours. Keeping your leg at a 90degree angle, lift it directly to the side and back to the ground (think of what a dog does to a fire hydrant, and you'll understand the name!). Do 3 sets of 10 on each leg everyday and you will definitely notice a difference!

Here's a rough sketch: http://www.vokurka.com/exercise_13.htm

2. Hurdle drills. Get on all fours. Extend one leg straight out behind you so that it is parallel with your body. Then swing around to the side, keeping your knee parallel with your body, and then back to the starting position. If you think of the motion that a hurdler's hip makes (circular) this should help you. Do 3 sets of 10 on each leg everyday.

Both of these drills will tire you out at first, but they make a HUGE difference!

Good luck...

Elizabeth

I am running a half marathon on the 19th. Even though I have done quite a few halfs over the last few years I am very excited and hope I do well. My last half marathon, I ran a 11:16 pace, but over the last few months, with some more serious training, and in turn weightloss, I am hoping to finish it with an average of an 11 min/mile pace (deep inside I am hoping for a 10:50 average, of course lol).

I would recommend the "The Complete Book of Running for Women" to anyone. It is a great book and I keep it as a reference guide. Another good book is "Running for Mortals" by John Bingham. Any of his books are very inspirational and easy to read AND follow.

9:21 is a great pace in my opinion! Keep up the great work and you'll see it pay off in your upcoming 4 mile race!

Hi there! I LOVE "The Complete Book of Running for Women!" :-) So where have you done halfs at? I did Indianapolis in May and am training for Memphis on December 6th (and then Washington DC in March)... sounds like you are right on track! Do you use a training program or do you just train on your own? I have used Hal Higdon's and I think it's really manageable!!

I have done halfs mainly around Columbus, Ohio, but I also did the Indianapolis 500 in May as well. What a crowd, huh? What did you think about running around the speedway track? I must say I was glad to get back off it, even though coming up to it was a rather great feeling. That was a great looking medal, don't you think? I must say my favorite so far.

My training has been with a group called Marathoners in Training (MiT). They provide the schedule based on your running level, etc. It's been fun, but I think for next year when I train...here goes my big mouth...for the Columbus marathon again I would like to train with Team in Training. I think that would be very inspirational, but I am not sure what to expect.

I have looked at Hal Higdon's training schedules, and you are right they are managable. If the Team in Training thing doesn't go as well as I hope then I'll be using his training program, plus what I have learned over the last few years to get me ready.

How many halfs have you done? Sounds like you like to travel to get to yours. What do you do to get yourself out the door during the long runs when you really don't want to go?

After the Columbus 1/2 this year I am looking forward to running the Flying Feather Four Miler in Dublin, OH in November and then try to raise as much money as I can for the Columbus Jingle Bell Run/Walk (5k) in December.

Hey there! I actually just got into the long distance thing... actually, I really just started running about a year ago! Anyway, Indy was my first half, and I LOVED it!!! I'm going to have to travel for most of the longer distance races because they just don't have any distance races where I live... I am in Lexington KY. The closest half and full marathons are in Cinci and L'ville. No worries, though, since I love traveling! I had a blast in Indy this year... you're right, it was a huge crowd! The track was awesome, except that it got SO hot... that, and it was sad to know that you were only half way done and the winners had already finished! :-) Anyway, since I'm just getting started, I would love to hear any tips of the trade that you might have... anything you wish you knew then that you know now? :-)

I have participated in the Flying Pig Marathon (Cincinnati) as a spectator 2 years in a row now and really would love to run it one of these years. Maybe in 2010; I am reserving '09 for the John Bingham Columbus 1/2, which is now on the same day as the Flying Pig. I think once I'll become comfortable with running races away from home without my 'support staff' (meaning running friends or hubby) I think I'd like to venture out and run races else where. I think a Rock n Roll would be fun to do.

I am going to create another thread, so not to steal this one and will answer your question about "what I didn't know then, but know now" there. Perhaps some other runners could give their input as well.

Speaking about dreaming about/planning for future marathons, has anyone out there run the Disney marathon or half marathon?  How was it?  I see you get a Mickey Mouse medal if you complete the marathon and a Donald Duck one for the half marathon.  They also give out a Goofy medal if you run their "Race and a half" where you run the half marathon on Saturday and then the marathon on Sunday.  Yikes!!!  You'd have to be pretty fit to even attempt that, let alone complete it.

I haven't ever done the Disney half or full marathon, but I was at the park once when the race was going through... it was awesome... everyone was cheering for the runners and the people running really seemed like they were having a good time... I have a long term goal of running the Disney full marathon in January 2010... we'll have to see how 2009 goes, though!  I have an old college roommate who was actually crazy enough to do both races in one weekend... mad props to her, but I couldn't even imagine! She did say that she was completely overwhelmed with all the training she had to do, so I don't know if she'll do it again!

Oh, and I forgot to say (to pbmyers)... I am a total  independent runner... I hate having people I know see me sweat/ struggle while I am running, so I train at a time when no one I know can be there and I love out-of-town races, so I can just head out on my own... wierd, I know!!! But, it works for me... I am hoping to have some friends head down to Memphis with me to sightsee, but the rule is, absolutely no cheering or gawking at me as I run... :-)

I think my body would tell me to leave if I tried that! lol

If it wasn't so far away I would consider it. There is no way that the family would let me go to Disney world without them, and taking them all would require a second mortgage on the house! ;)

My hat goes off to all that have tried it.

Original Post by lizzie6580:

Oh, and I forgot to say (to pbmyers)... I am a total  independent runner... I hate having people I know see me sweat/ struggle while I am running, so I train at a time when no one I know can be there and I love out-of-town races, so I can just head out on my own... wierd, I know!!! But, it works for me... I am hoping to have some friends head down to Memphis with me to sightsee, but the rule is, absolutely no cheering or gawking at me as I run... :-)

I know what you mean...I am pretty much the same way, but it is nice at mile 19 to see my father in law cheering me on. At that point I don't care if I look like death warmed over, I am just happy to see a familiar face.

I do most of my training by myself. I like my own company. Kind of silly, I know, but I enjoy going to races with friends as long as they are running them too.

Original Post by lizzie6580:

I haven't ever done the Disney half or full marathon, but I was at the park once when the race was going through... it was awesome... everyone was cheering for the runners and the people running really seemed like they were having a good time... I have a long term goal of running the Disney full marathon in January 2010... we'll have to see how 2009 goes, though!  I have an old college roommate who was actually crazy enough to do both races in one weekend... mad props to her, but I couldn't even imagine! She did say that she was completely overwhelmed with all the training she had to do, so I don't know if she'll do it again!

 See, now that totally makes me want to run that race - it sounds like so much fun.  I don't know that I'd be able to run a marathon but a half marathon is probably within my reach.  I would have to bring my family down there with me but my parents and brother both live in Florida so we go down there every couple of years anyway.  Maybe January 2010 for me too?

By the way, I also love The Complete Book of Running for Women.  I took it out of the library a couple months ago and have been using her training schedules to prepare for my race this weekend.

New to the site. I have run for many years, but pounds have crept up a bit lately, so I need to monitor things. Menopause is part of the culprit.

Now for racing. I have done the Disney for the people who have asked. It can be hot or like my year-36 degrees at start time. It's fun, but the best part is the vacation before and after and yes the cool medal. I am running the Marine Corps marathon on Sunday and in taper mode.

Looking forward to this site and advice.

Tahnks

Kathy

Welcome to the site Tiggerunner and good luck with your marathon this weekend!

Welcome and good luck with your race this weekend. Run smart and strong!

Welcome to our group Kathy!  I'm new to marathon training and I have found Lizzie, Penny and Maureen have been great with info and inspiration!  So my next question may sound stupid to you guys but here goes---what is taper mode?

Reba

The last 2 weeks of training for a long distance race you start to do shorter distances. The last week really slows down and you hydrate and eat protein and then carbs the last few days.

For alot of people it's hard because you have trained for so long and now you are told to slow down. Runners just seem to grump about it, but I know for me it's because my nerves start acting up.

Kathy

That is the time when you really feel that you need to give it just one more last effort to run long and far, but your body really needs the time to heal up from all the training to be most efficient for the long race.

You start doubting your training, drive everyone around you nuts by constantly talking about your upcoming race, and have all this extra energy and nothing to do.

This is also known as "taper madness".

1/2 marathons usually have a 2 week taper and full marathons a 3 week taper.

Everyone at my work is very happy once I have run my race, because then life can go on! lol