Leave Your Tips On The Table, Please!

I'm hoping you all can help me out. Well, help me help someone else out, actually. And really, it'll help LOTS of people. Soooo ... help.

I know I've been slacking drastically when it comes to blogging, but I've actually been running! Up until this past weekend, I was only getting two runs in per week, but I'm back on the program, y'all, and training for a race (more on that at a later date), so I'm all good. 

I've been slacking because I got big-time hooked on the book I was reading and couldn't bring myself to put it down when I should be updating you all on my progress. (For you historical fiction fans out there, or just fans of a really good story, you must read Fall of Giants by Ken Follett. SO GOOD!)

Anyway, back on track ...

Tonight I helped a friend get started on the tried-and-true Couch to 5K (C25K) program. Mr. C25K -- my buddy, my pal, the reason I succeeded in becoming a runner. And I know the reason some of you have become sucked into this torture device we call running.

So, calling all runners! 

New runners, old runners, seasoned runners, expert runners, runners who still don't know what they're doing but know they're getting better at it. And also those of you who have started, stopped, started again or decided to move on to something else. 

I want to hear from everyone. This won't take too long, unless you want it to.

You've been reading this blog for a while now. Okay, so maybe just this one time. Or maybe since I started it last spring. You know I've been up and down and WAY down and everywhere in between. I've learned as I went, read advice, asked for your advice, and shared advice.

Well, now it's your friggin' turn! I want your tips.

Let's help new runners, like the friend I ran with tonight, together! No matter what you think of yourself and your level of expertise when it comes to running, you've got something to offer -- more than you think. So dish it up! Let's hear it!

What one thing, three things, ten things can you offer as advice, wisdom or even just a random musing?

Whether it's something you discovered on your own, read about in a book, magazine or website, saw on this blog, or whatever -- I want to know what helped you. Was it a goal? A mantra? How did you keep yourself going?

What about finding your stride? How did you figure out how fast to run or how slow to run? How big or small your steps should be? How did you conquer breathing issues, if you had them? Leg cramps? Overheating?

What was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome and how did you do it?

Why did you keep going? What made you want to throw in the towel -- all eight times it happened?

Do you find it helps to read books or magazines about running? Which ones?

I think you've probably heard my number one tip, and I think it's got multiple parts: 

Take it easy on yourself. Don't kill yourself because you think that's what you're supposed to do. Listen to your body and let it dictate how to proceed.

So, for the benefit of this beginner friend, and for the benefit of any other beginners or soon-to-be beginners out there, hit me with your best shot. Leave me one tip, or a list, or an essay. Whatever you like. First thing that comes to your mind.

I know you're all busy, so really, just leave one thing you can think of if you like.

And don't worry if someone else already wrote it. Write it again.

So, whaddaya say? Leave your tips on the table ...

Quickie Update: Juilfs To Donatos

In case you were wondering, it takes me about 23 minutes to run half of the track at Juilfs, through the woods and through the fields of Nagel Middle School, and up Nagel Road to get to Donatos on Beechmont. Know your abilities, right?

I started my run this evening (after a shameful handful of days without any) but got a call from a family member I hadn't seen in a long time. Today is sort of a memorial day for them and they make it a point to visit certain restaurants on this day. Anyway, she asked me to join and I agreed but wanted to finish my run first.

So I continued the normal path at Juilfs but thought, wait a tick, I can just run there! I estimated that it'd be about the same amour of time as my workout, give or take, and it was.

Good story.

Whatever. I ran, I got pizza, I visited with family, and I got a ride back to my car. Ha!

Later dudes!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Foggy Saturday At Armleder

I'm a little behind in my posts, and I apologize for that. But I have pictures!

Saturday's run at Armleder wasn't so good. I had a bit of an upset stomach and it kept me from completing even one loop (1.9 miles). I did finish just about a mile before wandering down to the river to get some pictures. Then I walked about a half mile more after the photo shoot.

Saturday was a sunny, warm morning, but when I got close to the park, I found a thick blanket of fog covering the entire Little Miami River valley, including Armleder. It made for some interesting pictures and kept the sun off my head for a little.

Anyway, on to pictures!  (And I'll post about Monday night's run soon.)

All pictures Copyright 2011 MoreToLoveRunning, so don't steal them, because they're just that good.

By the way, check out this blog entry for pictures of Armleder without the fog, just to see the contrast.

 Fog. And birds in a tree. Exciting.

 Fog. And a car. Check out the sun, though! 

It was about 9:30 a.m. and that sun was BLARING on top of Beechmont hill.

 

After my failed run, I took a walk down to the river.

Sadly, there was no Matt Foley living in a van down by the river, but there was this sweet photo opp. "Whoops a daisy."

(Looking south down the bank of the Little Miami)

Down the river. Some remaining fog.

 Up the river. When I first got down there, a kayaker was "docking" and getting out, but I thought I'd avoid being stalker-y and took downstream pics instead. Sorry if I failed you.

Ah, there we go. Some sunlight.

I just love it here! So pretty!

Just A Picture - Little Miami Scenic Trail

It was real pretty when we was out runnin' last night, y'all. Here's a purdy picture I snapped with my fancy telephone.

Photo Copyright 2011 MoreToLoveRunning

Thank you, Mr. Fisherman, for casting at that very moment. 

(Taken on the Little Miami Scenic Trail overlooking, you guessed it, the Little Miami River.)

Traffic, Books And Running, Of Course

Another quickie!

1) I sat in stop-and-go highway traffic for about 50 minutes on the way home. My usual commute home takes 30-35 minutes, and that's on medium/heavy days. And apparently this will be going on for awhile.

2) It's beautiful out. That made traffic almost bearable. Plus I know there are worse routes right now.

3) I'm so excited about running in this beautiful weather, especially since I'm doing it for fun. No training nonsense.

4) I refilled a prescription with the new insurance and it was FREE! Woohoo!!!!

5) My book became available at the library. It's "Fall of Giants" by Ken Follett. New author for me. It's 985 pages and weighs roughly 30 pounds.

6) PHENOMENAL run with Caitlin and Emalynn tonight. 2 miles on the Little Miami Scenic Trail. I only stopped to tie my shoe and then made 2 20-ish-second walk breaks on the return leg.

7) Caitlin is now MY rabbit. Muahahahaha!

Good night!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A Weak Week Recap

Hi all, sorry about not posting, but I have been running. I'll just give you a quick recap now and get back to regular programming soon.

I tried running on Wednesday last week at Veterans, but I think a few things kept it from going well. First, last Sunday I tackled the Five Mile Trail and may have had a little too much fun running down the hills. My shins and calves were quite tender last week. Second, I think I laced my shoes too tight. Third, my back was SUPER wonky on Wednesday and I could never really find a balanced stride when I was running. It's weird, I felt like I was lopsided, which, according to what I know about chiropractic stuff, I probably was. Either way, I lasted a solid 15 minutes before giving in and calling it a night. I felt like I was running on stone legs from the knee down. That's not so comfortable.

But I went right out again on Thursday, this time with Caitlin at Miami Meadows. I'm not sure how long we went, but it was good. Caitlin kicked my butt big time, and Emalynn decided that neither of us were going to run much longer when she became very "vocal" about her dislike of the evening's festivities.

Then I hit the road again on Sunday afternoon at Juilfs. I ran for 24 minutes straight, no walking. Yay! That felt good. I even did a little off-path running, just to see how I managed. I like it. It's almost like I was concentrating so hard on not tripping or spraining an ankle that I forgot to be tired. I immediately remembered to be tired when I got back to the paved path. I also remembered I had to pee.

So that's that. The weather is fall-like here in Cincy, and it's making me eager to get down to business. I'm actually excited about it!

Shout out to Mr. Purulent Smile for his major running accomplishment this weekend! Next stop, 5K!

Close Encounters Of The Wild Kind

Today's run post was brought to you by the letters H and W, for Humidity and Wildlife.

I took a midday run on this fine, humid Sunday. The temperature was quite low compared to the 90-100 degree "dome" we've been baking under for the last, I don't know, month? It was somewhere in the 80s and overcast most of the day, so I figured, What the heck, I'll run in the afternoon. One better, I'll do it on the hilly Five Mile Trail. 

Whoo-wee! My lungs got a workout today!

But I'm glad I went when I did. The Five Mile Trail (read my first blog about it and check out some pictures here) is such a pretty path. It's always so green and lush and fragrant. It was even better after the much needed thunderstorm in the wee hours of this morning.

I tackled the trail from the Newtown Road entrance, giant uphill first. I wasn't out to run hill repeats or anything, so I just took it easy and went as far as I could before resigning to walk the rest of the way up. It's real big, folks. Steep and long. But from the crest of the hill, I ran the whole first leg of the out-and-back, save a brief walk at another mini-monster hill at the end of the leg. I turned, ran down the mini-monster, then let myself walk the uphills and run the crests and downhills for the second leg. All in all, considering my freshness in my return to running and considering the milkshake-thick air, I'm pleased.

Now to the wildlife portion of our programming. Turns out I don't do so well with any kind of wild (read: everything but a domesticated cats or friendly dogs) animal. 

Exhibit A: Yesterday after a wedding ceremony, the bride and groom released a small flock of domesticated/pet white doves. It was a magical moment, so naturally, I screamed and ducked-and-covered --twice-- nearly diving to the ground as the beautiful creatures fluttered about overhead. Fortunately I'm not what the crowd was paying attention to, so I don't think more than 8 people saw what I did. Embarrassing nonetheless.

 Wing-ed spawn of Satan (source)

Exhibit B: I had a standoff with a doe on the trail this afternoon. I was trotting down a hill in the middle of my return leg when I rounded a corner and saw a large brown thing. I thought it was a wild dog and prepared to have to kick and scream and fight for my life, but I almost instantly realized it was a deer. Oh, no problem, it'll run away when it hears me. It heard me, it saw me, it did not run. I coughed, I clapped my hands, I stomped my feet while running. The deer was just standing there. And it didn't have the headlights look either. It had no fear in its beady eyes.  I was, no joke, about 10 feet from it before I realized my plan wasn't working.

 It was *almost* this big. Terrifying. (Source)

Don't get me wrong--I am an animal advocate. I love all creatures and abhor hunting and get sad when I see any animal dead on the road. (Except maybe white doves.) But this was a big animal. And it had hooves. And hooves are hard. I may or may not have visualized this doe, standing on its back legs, hoofing me to death, kind of like a kangaroo with boxing gloves.

In case you needed help visualizing. (Source)

But I'm brave and I don't panic at unreasonable things, so naturally I squealed a little and turned and ran in the opposite direction, flailing my arms (again, just a little) hoping it wasn't chasing me. I think the doe was intimidated by my wicked survival skills and sauntered slowly off the trail and into the woods. I swear it rolled its eyes at me.

Whatevs. So now you know how to get rid of a scary deer.