<p>I’ve gotten cramps in my side the last two times I’ve gone running for the first time since starting in May 2012. I ate more food before the run and ate it closer to the time when I went out running, so I’m going to go back to being more careful about that. Also, based on this article, I can try to breathe deeper and check when I’m exhaling and see if that makes a difference. Other recommendations would be appreciated!</p>
<p>Deb, I used to get cramps once in a while, then I figured out what was causing them for me - a cup of coffee was not a good pre-run hydrating drink. I hope you figure out what’s causing them for you!</p>
<p>So do I. So do I. Definitely craziness on the push presses. I also could not snatch a 35 lb KB. I only clean it. I can snatch a 35 lb DB (although not well), but a KB is more difficult for me at this point.</p>
<p>Core/ strength/stretch/strength. Plus weights. 15 minutes of water running. </p>
<p>Got showered an dressed end realized the 1 dollar bill that was in my suit was missing. Looked in the pool and saw it was at the bottom of the pool. Decision. Do I get it or don’t I? Being the true Scot I went back to the locker changed back into the wet suit, jumped into the pool again to get the dollar bill. Showered again and changed back into dry clothes. Couldn’t have lived with myself if I would have walked away!</p>
<p>Bromfield- congratulations! Incredible progress.
Deborah- I bet it’s the food too close to running. That’s a frequent cause of side stitches.</p>
<p>I’m alive and home. The good thing about having started and finished Blister in the Sun Marathon is that nothing I ever intend to do will feel as hard. The combination of the very hilly course, the 5 figure 8s which gave you lots of opportunities to quit, and the hot, humid weather was just killer. I am SO glad I took the early start option. I finished in 4:56, which is an excellent time for that race and much better than I expected. I think I executed pretty well- lost time at my cooler every lap and then even some 1/2 laps getting salt, Huma gel, Pepsi. They had cold watermelon at one of the turnarounds and it was excellent! No stomach problems today, and I wasn’t careful with my eating yesterday and even had a beer at the Marathon Maniacs dinner last night. Our finish award is a neat little bowl (cereal, rice???) with a little spoon to match with the race logo on it. I beat a lot of people. It was quite the walk-fest. I did some walking myself- up the hills after the 3rd lap and even some of the flats. I am SO glad that is over. </p>
<p>Wore a skirtsports pink skirt that matched my Maniacs pink singlet. I earned a 2nd Maniac star (which is nothing compared to a lot of these idiots) today by completing 8 marathons in 365 days (Oct 3 would be my 365). </p>
<p>Pizzagirl- you are doing so great. Congratulations on the physical progress and the mental shift!</p>
<p>Wow, MOfWC - that is a super excellent time! Congratulations on a well done race. I would have probably died on that course. </p>
<p>Bromfield - awesome! Double congrats. </p>
<p>I would probably sell my soul to the devil for a slice of juicy, cold watermelon right now! Just finished my run. Hot, sweaty and tired. More tired than after 20 miles!! I had a late start - baby kiddo was flying out of Amsterdam at 4 am, and of course I could not fall asleep! I will probably not see her again for at least 6 months! Then I had to go to that place called work to figure out the plan for my “night shift”…</p>
<p>Great working out and running all! MoWC, BB, PG (yikes, 7 mph!). Bromfield–that’s great news on the weight drop. </p>
<p>S2 and I have a temporary Y membership in the midwest. We went today. I did 20 plus minutes on the treadmill (turtle pace of 5 mph followed by a weight machine circuit and the 2 dress sizes metabolic workout. Whew. And this on top of eating a bratwurst for lunch. I, too, had a side stitch for the first time in a long while. Yesterday I did run/walk for 3.5 miles on the hillier terrain. I’ve noticed that my HR is up about 10 bpm here. Is it possible that going from hot, humid normal sea level to this chilly, hilly, elevated midwest is capable of doing that? What a wimp I am. I had a class reunion and it felt great to be there in good shape. I haven’t been in my hometown for a couple of years–since we started working out much more seriously–and I’ve had lots of positive feedback on how well preserved I am. At least I think that’s positive, LOL.</p>
<p>Congratulations, MOWC, BB, and Bromfield! Fine work, all!</p>
<p>Home workout today. Had access to a new piece of equipment when I was out, too, and tried a few pullups (each try separate) and a chin-up. I can do a pullup (singular) or a chin-up (singular) if I jump up part of the way and pull myself up the rest. I don’t know how much assist that would be. It would be interesting to know.</p>
<p>Deborah: Yay! That’s a big step towards push ups and pull ups…</p>
<hr>
<p>PG: Glad to hear that you are rockin’ some strength training. It is so good for you in so many ways…</p>
<hr>
<p>Craziness for me. 18 minutes in the basement doing four rounds of my little kettlebell circuit. Sheesh, that wears me out. Getting better at the KB cleans. Push presses are still tough.</p>
<p>Totally screwed up my lunch. Planned to have bacon and eggs. Got the bacon all cooked, went to the fridge for eggs, only to find that I had eaten them all! So, bacon, some cheddar cheese slices, and a Fuji apple for lunch…</p>
<p>4 mile walk in an hour with H today. That is as fast as my knee would let me go on the hilly sidewalks. Trying to stay outside rather than the gym until weather forces me inside. Trying to build mileage stamina for my October trip to Europe.</p>
<p>Wow, where to begin? MOWC, you are a rock star, but we already knew that…
PG – I am so excited about your “transformation”. I think we have a lot in common – I believe we are the exact same age — never seeing ourselves as athletes earlier in life. I probably was even less athletic than you, since not only did I not exercise in high school or college, I was kind of a bad girl, and spent a lot of time smoking in the parking lot, rather than working out or even going to class… I still don’t see myself as an “athlete”, but working out and fitness have become part of my identity. Just as they are now part of yours.</p>
<p>Broms – so glad that things are working for you!</p>
<p>Thanks, Deb and ohio and whoever else posted on the sprints. Just so you know, Deborah-- I am not planning any races or longer distances, just working on the sprints for now Am eager to hear how your next event goes, though. Ditto for BB.</p>
<p>Ohio, I will be following your suggestions and let you know how I fare.</p>
<p>Great race MOWC. NM–4 miles an hour is a good pace.</p>
<p>Did an urban hike today–walked 6.9 miles in the Presidio (park area) in San Francisco. Walked on part of the Bay Ridge Trail (really hilly and woody–hard to believe it’s in the city). Walked through several different areas in the park. Started by walking up one set of killer steps: Lyon Street Steps and ended by going down another set that were equally as steep–Baker Street Steps. I think going down was almost as difficult as going up. Probably 200 steps in each stairway. Going back east on Tuesday.</p>
<p>Ended the day w hot yoga and did crow pose - for maybe 2 seconds! Am getting better at the poses though. </p>
<p>H and I are doing a 2 hr tandem bike ride to start the day - tomorrow from 5-7 am. We have really good conversations on the bike. Talking about planning an active vacation. He had heard of the Isle Royale mentioned upthread, but not sure if we are campers. I think we are - hikers/walkers who want to end the day with a restaurant and a decent hotel!</p>
<p>3.49 mile walk/run this evening. Felt good to run again! I may pay for it tomorrow though </p>
<p>This afternoon I spent time stretching and doing some exercises on the Power Plate. Will begin phase 1 of Show and Go again tomorrow. Time to start over!</p>
Then I had to go to that place called work to figure out the plan for my “night shift”…</p>
followed by a weight machine circuit and the 2 dress sizes metabolic workout. Whew. And this on top of eating a bratwurst for lunch. I, too, had a side stitch for the first time in a long while. Yesterday I did run/walk for 3.5 miles on the hillier terrain. I’ve noticed that my HR is up about 10 bpm here. Is it possible that going from hot, humid normal sea level to this chilly, hilly, elevated midwest is capable of doing that? What a wimp I am. I had a class reunion and it felt great to be there in good shape. I haven’t been in my hometown for a couple of years–since we started working out much more seriously–and I’ve had lots of positive feedback on how well preserved I am. At least I think that’s positive, LOL.</p>
Am eager to hear how your next event goes, though. Ditto for BB.</p>