Runners Unite! It's soaring with the eagles season...

[Colleen]

How are all my fellow runners doing? Staying on track (so to speak)? Anything out of the ordinary happening in your running world? This is eagle season in my neck of the woods. We typically see at least half a dozen eagles each day, perched in the trees outside our house, along the river. The other day there were close to two dozen bald and golden eagles taking advantage of something in a field just down the road. I love, in this season, to do my shorter runs on a farm track that runs next to the river because I'm witness to such incredible gifts of creation. Yesterday, I ran past five or six trumpeter swans; observed a great blue heron fishing; and stopped beneath a cottonwood to peer up at a couple of bald eagles perched over me. This is why I'm an outdoor runner!:)

Aside from those avian encounters, I've been pursuing the normal routine each week: A couple of shorter runs (3-4 miles); a couple of mid-range runs (5 miles); and a long-ish run, usually on Saturday. I'm running too fast during my training runs. Not super fast, mind you, but faster than I should, given my pace. I just don't have enough time to get in those longer runs, so I tend to speed up in an effort to cover more miles in less time.

I'd thought to do a short (4 mile) race this Saturday with my boys, but we may be down at my parents' place. It's such fun to do races; if we miss this one, maybe we'll go for the Runnin' O' the Green later this month.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

[chickenpatty]

I've fallen off track recently - sick one week, and dd's diabetes diagnosis last week. But, seeing as I'm signed up for a 10k in early April, I think I'll be hopping back on the treadmill ASAP.

Your outdoor running experience sounds so wonderful! We just finished listening to The Trumpet of the Swan, so when you mentioned trumpeter swans, I felt like you had seen someone famous! :) Louis? Serena? Say Hi to them for us.

Cheyenne:cool:

[Colleen]

Of course, I'm partial to anything by E.B. White. I'm sorry to hear you've been sick; it's so frustrating when these bodies of ours don't cooperate with our agenda ~ as evidenced daughter's diagnosis. What a shock! But you will go on, she will go on; it will be all right. I have a good friend (connected closely to Ree the Pioneer Woman, btw) who was diagnosed with diabetes as at age 18 or so. Took him by complete surprise, of course, but he learned to manage and is a really active, outdoors-oriented guy. Still, I am sorry for your family, having to deal with this learning curve. ((( ))))

[CindyPTN]

I'm trying to build up my mileage per week. I finally hit my first 5 miler and felt awesome on Sunday. The rest of the week is filled with a couple of 3.5 and a 2 miler. There hasn't been much running outside though, so the treadmill has been getting a workout. It's just too cold for the Southern girl in me!

[Elaine]

I have had a cold and running with a stuffy nose is less than attractive when it begins to run.:rolleyes:

In addition to nasal issues, it's been cold here. My body has acclimated to the warm climate because now I am cold when it's 55 degrees out.:eek: I used to run in 10 degrees with a wind chill of -20.

The old gray mare...;)

[Diann]

The last couple of weeks I've run 5 days/week. This week, I've had more interruptions in my schedule, so it looks like I'll only get 4 runs in this week. It's strange, but I find I really miss running even if I only miss one day. Running isn't easy for me, but I like it.

Diann

[JudoMom]

I hit 28 minutes for running this week, but I'm slow so my distance isn't as far as I'd like. I'm still not sure if I'm a runner, but I'm going to keep at it until I do a 5K this spring. Maybe I'll like it by then :rolleyes:. My bum muscles are not hurting anymore, and I think I can see some change in my calves and inner thighs, so that makes me happy :).

[Miss Peregrine]

The snow is melted around our lake so I am back at it this week... uh, sometime:)

[Rose in BC]

Because since that post the weather has been fairly cooperative. The snow has let up and I've been able to get out most days on reasonably dry pavement (at least not icy). Last week I ran 6 out of 7 days -- 5 kms each time (1 km up a fairly steep grade). I am trying to do weight training twice weekly as well. I am trying to loose weight -- I need to lose 40 pounds to reach my goal weight. All that exercise last week resulted in a five pound drop. Yeah!! (This is significant since I've been on a weight loss journey for 14 months so it's not like I just started last week. I had been kind of a stale mate for awhile so I feel like this has really helped.)

I am really enjoying the great feeling that comes with running. I do run with someone most days. She is much more athletic than I am so she really pushes me, which is what I need. (She's the one that's making me run up the steep hill!)

Rose

[Colleen]

I finally hit my first 5 miler and felt awesome on Sunday.

Good for you!:)

[Colleen]

Sorry you've had a cold ~ ugh! I was battling that last month. I hear you on the weather thing, too. I can not believe I used to run in Houston; think I'd keel over now if I tried that.:eek:

"Old gray mare" my a--. You rock, woman!

[Colleen]

Great quote; I'm with you!

[Colleen]

Good job sticking with it! It'll be fun to cross that finish line when you do the 5K race.:)

[Colleen]

nt

[Colleen]

Last week I ran 6 out of 7 days -- 5 kms each time (1 km up a fairly steep grade). I am trying to do weight training twice weekly as well. I am trying to loose weight -- I need to lose 40 pounds to reach my goal weight. All that exercise last week resulted in a five pound drop. Yeah!!

That is AWESOME! I'm excited for you!!!:D And impressed that you're trucking up a steep grade. Hills are so not my thing!

[JennifersLost]

first jog after a three-month "winter break" over the weekend and it felt good. I'm so lame compared to all of you, though....I'm still doing the run/walk program. I was up to running 3 minutes and walking 7, (repeating 4 times), but I think I'm more like 2/8 right now.

You all are inspiring!

[Sixmeadows]

:pI am doing walk /run as well. I know it is better that sitting around doing nothing! keep up the great work!:D

Cheri

[Sixmeadows]

on the treadmill. Does it hurt anyone elses knees when they have been on the treadmill? But I did it 4 times last week. My oldest is very encouraging and asks me when the next time I am going to run/walk?

i am looking forward to this week getting back outside and seeing some deer.

cheri

[Rose in BC]

first jog after a three-month "winter break" over the weekend and it felt good. I'm so lame compared to all of you, though....I'm still doing the run/walk program. I was up to running 3 minutes and walking 7, (repeating 4 times), but I think I'm more like 2/8 right now.

You all are inspiring!

I had been walking for fitness for over a year -- pretty much the same route I run. Then I began running the same way -- run, walk (actually walk, run would be more accurate.) It's only been this last month that I've broken into a more consistent running pattern. The hill I'm running at this point includes some walking -- I run the first quarter, then from that point we run one telephone pole, walk one telephone pole. My friend tells me we're almost ready to run the whole thing (I think I might do a face plant onto the pavement though.)

Keep it up.

Rose

[Jennifer in MI]

Well, being that we just got another 4 inches of snow and there is still ice all around, I haven't started running outside yet. I am still doing exercise videos inside (Walk Away the Pounds - running in place when she walks, and a balance ball video). But, I hurt my ankle a week ago or so, so I've been resting it (and doing the balance ball video instead). I've found that if I'm up on my feet for any length of time, it hurts again.

Someday I'll be running again. I envy your sightings!! We have a lake a couple blocks away that has a beautiful running trail. We've had swans there this winter. Aren't they gorgeous?!

[CLHCO]

Just last night I found an Iron Girl 5K race in May. If we're very faithful to the couch to 5K program, we'll be ready. I spoke with my daughters last night and they're up for it. DH will watch the younger set 3 times a week while we go run. I'd like to add a 4th of light work if possible.

I mentioned I need a goal to get me out there so I'm pleased to find what I think will be a fun one for us all to do.

We start Monday! I need to find all our clothing and make sure their shoes are still in good shape so the extra few days will be welcome.

[lynn]

I am not on my 10K training trak due to weird schedule, wanting to um...unplug the treadmill and dh being out of town about 3 days a week I get in almost 6miles and go for 2-3 3 days a week. plus min2 days weight training and 1 taebo. Not kicking myself or maybe I should:D. Is it okay to go 1mile at a time 5x's throughout the morning when I just can't get motivated:rolleyes:

[lynn]

I appreciate the push to keep at it. For my b-day I am going to the running store and getting some "real" running shoes. I like my new balance but my curious is up to see if being fitted to something will make a difference. Any ideas on what brands to actually stay away from or what brands may be pushed because of the price but are not necessaily better?

[Amy in MD]

It was slow - 10 min. mile pace but my goal right now is distance, weight loss and to finish a half marathon with no injuries.

We are training for a half-marathon on March 8th. There's only 13 people signed up so far and they need 15 to make it a go. I would prefer to dissolve in the crowd (so I am not the only one in the rear!) but this is a convenient event. It's cheap ($8 entry fee) and basically in my back yard. Two of my friends will be running with me.

This week, my goal is two more 30 min. runs, one weight lifting session and an hour run before our 8 mile run on Sunday. My time has been inconsistent with when I run so I am hoping to have a better game plan versus just hour by hour of when I exercise.

Amy

[Jennifer on Earth]

I mostly see either the front of a treadmill or the backs of houses.

I haven't been able to run as much as I would like lately (sickish last week, husband out of town a lot, etc.), but I'm still gearing up for the 10K. I've run the Capitol 10,000 in Austin before and it's so much fun. First of all, you get to run downtown and around the capitol and across "The River" (now called Lady Bird Johnson Lake). It's really nice. But the vibe is the best part -- just a bunch of crazy, costumed Austin "weirdoes" either cheering us on or running themselves. And live music is everywhere along the route -- I've even seen some runners run with their guitars! I love Austin for things like that.

What I don't get is why I can run 5.5 miles one day and feel fine and run 3 miles the next and feel like I've never run in my life. I know I should probably be more hydrated when I run, but I can still feel lousy sometimes when I am hydrated. Does anyone know what the magic pill is that I can take to feel consistently good when I run?