Hakuna Matada - Spooky October

[Lynn G]

Good evening team!

Good to hear from everyone today!

We had a good day in Denver, Scott bought himself a new bike for a birthday present, a cycle cross bike (cycle cross is really one word, but the iPad will not let me type it that way). He got a great deal on the bike! We also went to the Zoo, had fun there!

Have a great evening all!

 

[Lynn G]

Good evening team!

I will try one more time to post a message, it will be my third time. I am on my iPad at a hotel.

Have a great day all!

 

[Lynn G]

OK, since that one worked , I will try again to post my message - we had a great time in Denver, Scott bout himself a new cyclecross bike for a birthday present to himself at the Veloswap. He got a great deal on the bike! We also went to the zoo and had a great time watching the animals!

It was great to hear from so many of you today - have a great day all. I am not going to push my luck with a longer post.

 

[windwalker]

Good Sunday morning y'all.

I just woke up from a good nights sleep, ready for a wonderful relaxing day. I'm starting off with some writing and then I'll wake Sally for a training walk. It will be an easy hour of brisk walking. We have marketing to do today and maybe either buying a movie or going to the theater to see sonething. I hear Real Steel is good.

This day I'm wondering some things: How many of the people I've come to know through the internet will have life changing experiences next year. Some will be going to the Olympic trials, I wish for them courage and strength, for as we all know it's the heart that makes the champion as much as the legs. Others like me will just try to be better athletes. Some will buckle down and finish projects that they have been working at, like me with my book. Others will find peace and happiness, others will seek new challenges and find more in themselves than they ever imagined. To everyone, a heart felt wish for a fruitful fall season of preparing for what I'm positive will be an amazing year for us all.

We can begin to prepare with first deciding what we want to accomplish. As you get older those desires which have come to be called your "bucket list", are more important than they were when you were younger. There is an old saying that you can't hit a target you can't see so I challenge everyone to start thinking about where you would like to go and do and see. We have but one life and this isn't a trial run. Scott and Lynn are my heroes when it comes to the going and seeing and doing part.

Dave

 

[Piglet24]

Hi everyone! Where are all of you?

Lynn- Glad to hear Scott is off to a good start of his birthday week! So do you both use different bikes depending on where you are riding? Did the zoo have any special Halloween stuff going on? Hope you have a great trip!! My dad has an iPad and they are pretty darn cool I think.

Dave- Enjoy your movie! We saw Real Steel when I was in Idaho and I liked it. LOL, this year was already a pretty life changing year for me! It will be fun to see what the New Year brings for us all though. I say bring it on! So what are your goals for the next year?

AFM, I started my 10 mile run at 6 am and am happy to say I finished it! I was a little grumpy when I started because I’m not a super early morning person and it has become clear to me all future Saturday and Sunday long runs will likely need to happen this early, or earlier since they will only get longer. But it went well and cheered me up (like it always does of course!) I did start to feel pretty hungry about 8.5 miles in, but unfortunately DH and I ran out of GU (more is in the mail from REI and should be here Tues or Wed).

However, I do have a question for all the seasoned racers. I have been putting Body Glide on my feet before I run to prevent blisters. But I am having a particular issue with my right big toe. I put Body Glide on it but when I took off my shoes, I found I still had a blister there. My concern is if I don’t take care of it now, I don’t really want to see what it’s going to look like 26 miles in, or after exacerbating it during the half marathon of the Goofy Challenge to make the marathon the next day miserable. My question is: what have you all found that worked? Should I buy new shoes? Try moleskin? Any other suggestions? Carrying Body Glide to reapply isn’t ideal because it takes time to take off my shoes, apply it, and put my shoes back on and get moving again. I welcome all your input.

Hope everyone is enjoying this Sunday! It’s a beautiful day on the Coast!

 

[windwalker]

Regina you might want to consider getting your favorite running shoes a half size larger. That might be your problem since especially when you are going downhill your toes are pushing against the inside of the front of the shoe and that can cause blisters and black toenails.

You asked about my goals, I dream big but I'm working hard to make them happen also. I want to medal again at the State senior olympic trials in sept and qualify for the National senior olympics for 2013 in Cleveland. In Oct I want to medal in the USATF National Masters Competition and be ranked. Of course I have some race goals also: sub 2:30 half (race walking) and a sub 30 min 5K.

Dave

 

[windwalker]

The interval workout was all I could ask for and more. 4 X 800m walk sprints average 10:50 per mile pace. I didn't quit when I was tired, I quit when I was done! Grrrrrrrrrr!! My thought for next year's training and racing, "That which doesn't kill me, better take off running because it had it's shot and now I'm after it's butt!

Today's total was 5 miles. I need to get a few 9 and 10 milers in soon. Trouble is I have to work evenings every day this week and then a 4 mile race Saturday. Might do a little extra on Sunday.

How is everyone else's training plans going?

Dave

 

[rubato]

Hi team. I've been trying to keep up with everyone's posts, but didn't want to jinx myself by posting. But, I managed 5 runs this week and a zumba class!!!!! The leg is sore, but it's not terrible, just achy. I had one decently fast mile, but the rest were kind of easy because I don't want to push myself. I managed 4 miles without stopping today and am even entertaining the idea that I actually can do my ultra in April. We'll see. Harrison (my son) and I have started his training again. I gave him the option of doing another 10k, a 10 miler or his first half. He picked 8 miles. There are no 8 mile races, so we're just going to create our own. Frank is going to drive ahead and set up refreshments for us along the way.

Dave: I'm really enjoying your inspiring words. You have such a positive outlook on everything. You must be at a really great place in your life right now.

Regina: Yes, getting up early to run is a toughie. But, like you, it makes me happy, so I get over the grumpiness pretty quickly. I used moleskin during Goofy this year. It worked well and in exactly the location you are talking about. I ended up with a few blisters anyway, but when running 39.3 miles, you've got to expect a few. That water shut off stinks, but at least you got to go out to eat.

Lynn: I had to google Cyclocross bikes. Very cool! I think that would be a great choice when I finally bite the bullet and get serious about my riding again. I like the option of riding off the pavement if I so choose. Does your husband do the races? They look really interesting. Don't know if we have anything like that here, but imagine so.
Glad you're having fun on your trip.

Eva: How did your runs go this weekend? Boy, 18 seems like so much to me now. Hard to believe it wasn't that long ago. How was the Halloween festival?

Mike: How did the race go? Great time on the 5k!

Emily: I keep meaning to take the family to the apple orchards around here, but we never seem to make it. I love baking, but would worry about the apples going bad by the time I got to them. I've only been to California once, but it's amazing to me how diverse the state is. I'm glad you had a good time.

Vicky: How's everything going? You must be pretty busy right now.

Yesterday was a big day for me. I gave up being a vegetarian. I just couldn't deal with the limitations of going out to eat anymore. I am so sick of zucchini and summer squash. We have tried the vegan and vegetarian restaurants around here, but the guys just don't like it at all. So, I ate 2 pieces of fish and a tiny piece of chicken. It'll certainly be easier for me to get my protein in now, but I just don't like it. I also think it'll be easier to get these last pounds off. Chicken and fish are a lot leaner than dairy products.

Big test tomorrow, so I'm off to study. Hope everyone has a great day.

 

[windwalker]

Yes I am at a good place in my life. You wouldn't know it after the kicks life threw at me over the last couple of years but I don't give up easily. Marriage problems, injury, financial problems and illness have all had a shot at keping me down. There is no quit in the Panda and I don't plan to let life's trials beat me.

Dave

 

[Motomiker]

Hi Team!

Dave~ As Tandy said, thank you for all your inspiring posts. Also, the times you listed for the Goofy races will be about my bare minimum. (2:40, 5:45) Chicago almost killed me at 5:47. I'll be happy if I finish before the course closes. Alot of it will depend on my ongoing training, which is about to become more difficult with winter coming and our business at work picking up because of the holidays.

Regina~ Like Dave said, try a different size shoe. If not a half size bigger, than try the next size wider. For me, different shoe models, even from the same maker, can fit differently. Also, try changing to a different kind of socks. I CANNOT wear any kind of technical sock. Every pair I have worn have given me hot spots or blisters. I stick with cotton ankle socks and have absolutely no problem. I know, I'm weird! Mole skin will also work wonders and can be cut to fit.

Eva~ You are doing great on training! I'm so glad that Jordan is out there with you. It's so much better with support from your spouse. A few of Liz's friends tell her how their husbands don't like them being gone for training. Silly fools!
So, do you think that one day we will see Gage and Robert out there on a WDW course, running together?

Tandy~ Good luck on your test! Sorry, but I forget, what are you studying?
Liz and I are proud members of the other PETA (People for the Eating of Tasty Animals).

Lynn & Scott~ Have fun! Have a Altunmeister (or two...) for me in Germany, and then ride Test Track. It's really fun when you are a bit buzzed.

AFM~ Does anyone want to to the Hoop de doo musical Revue with me during their marathon trip in January? It's a blast, with all you can eat and drink (beer and sangria included). Appropriate for the whole family...

I finished the Moraine Hills -Run for the Hills half marathon in about 2:29. The course is really tough and I was having some pain in my left leg near my achilles from the hills. After the race we headed over to a local running store to have our pictures taken with all of our medals from the year, for their race wall. Rick met us up there and we had a great time hanging out. We even got goodie bags with socks and gloves!

- Mike

 

[Villains_Rock]

Helllllloooooo HAKUNA MATATA!!!!

Mike - Part of why I run is to set a good example for Gage. It would be awesome if our kids would be out there running together one day! I know my dad inspired me...he used to run when I was little! Don't think we can afford the Hoop De Doo this time around. We are really trying to watch our spending. Jordan wants a new motorcycle next year and we also might try for baby #2!

Tandy - I love the idea of the 8 miler and the "on course" refreshment tables being set up. Seems like a great thing to do...anything to keep the young ones interested!!

Dave - You are a strong Panda who keeps on kickin! I almost forgot about your Cleveland 2013 visit! You will have to let me be your Rock Hall guide when you come!!

Regina - My weekend runs went great!! 27 miles total between Sat and Sun...makes Goofy seem not so scary now. I know I have a long time til then and 4 more long runs to go, but at least I can say if I had to go out there next week I don't think I'd die! LOL Also regarding the toes...I find that I have to just leave mine alone no matter what they do. I have calluses, blisters, my baby tow cuts into it's neighbor. Every time I try to fix the problem I make it worse. And the body glide made some of my probs worse too! I just learned to leave them alone. They are UGLY though let me tell ya! I had a doctor tell me that I needed to take care of my calluses and I told him that they help my running and he gave me a sidewards stare like I was an idiot...lol. I'm sure there are other options...that's just what works for me.

OK guys...back to work...getting calls. I hope everyone is doing good!

OH...I also wanted to ask if any of you are on Daily Mile....????

 

[Lynn G]

We had a good day today, started out at Animal Kingdom for early opening, then to Epcot, now back at condo for dinner before heading out to MK for a late evening.

Mike - sorry, neither of us drink beer, could try on some wine lol

Tandy - yes, we have cyclocross races in Cheyenne, I also like the looks od cyclocross bike, but already have a hybrid. good luck on your test!

Emily - I love the iPad for travel, just harder to type on than regular keyboard.

Have a good evening all!

 

[RunRookie]

Emily - I love the iPad for travel, just harder to type on than regular keyboard.

I use my iPad for practically everything now. In fact, I don't think I have ever posted on this board using anything other than my trusty iPad 2!

 

[windwalker]

There is an old, I believe Glen Campbell song, that has this line in it; "There's been a load of compremising on the road to my horizon". That has such deep meaning for an adult athlete trying to stay healthy and trying to keep life from having it's way with them. God knows I've had my share and I'm sure that most of us have. Sometimes you just want to run screaming into the night. But we don't we keep on plugging away. We get sick we get better, we get hurt and we heal, we get kicked down by life and we stand back up and get ready for another round with fate. But through all this that little spark remains, we may try to keep it repressed for years, but it's always there. We are never truly happy unless we are fanning that spark into the flame that is us. We are unique, we are special, yea maybe we are crazy, we are athletes. Grrrrrrrrrr!!

It was a chrisp 36 degrees this morning when I drove to the park before sunrise. After warming up for a few min I took off walking, I'm alone except for the birds, the bushy tails and the rabbits. The watch is off because this day needs no accountability. I see a small bird at the very tip top of the tallest tree, like he's saying "This day is mine, I'm king", I'm thinking 'yea bird, me to". My body is finally warming up and I can feel the warm blood flowing into my muscle fibers as my steps get quicker and lighter. just as I'm warming into a comfortably quick race walking pace the sun begins to rise over the park. Yes this day and this moving body are mine, all is right with my world.



Have an amazing day y'all.

Dave

 

[RunRookie]

I added something new to my runs today -- my first Hill Workout. Oh my!

My trainer and I went out at 6am this morning (it was still dark outside) to do some hill work. Well, I was doing the work while she provided the encouragement.

She chose a hilly road in the neighborhood close to where we live. I don't even like to 'drive' this road, much less run it! It is a third of a mile stretch that winds upward to the left and then to the right. The elevation between the bottom and the top is 250ft. I calculated this as a 6% incline.

I have never done this before so here is what Meghan had me do:

1) Jog a 10 minute easy run just to get warmed up.
2) Then I did three reps of:
- walk down the hill
- run up the hill (about a 10:30 pace)
- take a one minute rest, and repeat
3) Then she had me do a 3-minute hard run through the neighborhood, followed by a 5-6 minute walk back as a cooldown.

The whole workout took about 50 minutes to complete. I surprised myself by actually completing all three uphill runs! It was tough! And the 3-minute hard run at the end actually felt good (flat road) at a 9:00mm pace (I felt fast after running those hills)!

It is 11:30am now and I am beginning to feel it in my glutes. I did my usual post-run stretching and foam rolling but I definitely will be doing more stretching and foam rolling when I get home from work.

This new routine will now be a monthly occurrence in my training. (Whether I like it, or not). LOL

 

[windwalker]

Welcome to our insanity Rick.

Dave

 

[Piglet24]

Hi Team!

Dave- I think those are great goals and I’m looking forward to hearing you have reached them as they happen for you. Glad you had an awesome training run yesterday!

Tandy- Congrats on completing 5 runs and a zumba class! That is awesome news!!! LOL, I wonder what made Harrison decide on 8 miles. It sounds like his race will be a fun one though! I’m sure the decision to give up being vegetarian was difficult for you. I hope you are happier with that decision.

Mike- What exactly is the Hoop de doo musical revue? How long does the show last? Congrats on your great finish on your half!!

Eva- I am happy to hear your weekend runs went so well! That is fantastic!!

Rick- Glad your first hill workout went so well and you felt so great after!

AFM, Thanks everyone for all the feedback on the blister situation! You’ve given me some good suggestions and I appreciate it. I will do some experimenting and find out what works best for me.

I have a 4 mile run tomorrow and we have changed up our running days this week as we will be doing a wine tour this weekend and DH and I are not so sure we will feel like getting up and doing a long run on Sunday morning after it. So better to do both long runs before it so we can really enjoy Saturday!

Have a great Wednesday team!

 

[windwalker]

Cold and rainy here today and I have a 12 hour shift at the store so good day for pandas to rest. I need a rest day since saturday is a 4 mile race.

Hope everyone is doing good and looking forward to the magic in January.

Dave

 

[Motomiker]

Hello team!

Regina~ The Hoop de doo is a really fun (but corny) dinner show held at Fort Wilderness. I believe it is the longest running stageshow in the world. It's a musical in an old western setting and about an hour and 45 minutes with dinner being served before the show, dessert during. They have a really great song that covers the states that visitors come from.

Rick~ I know of this hill. You will soon be a Jedi.

Dave~ Do you have any major races planned for next year?


AFM~ Busy week again! I didn't get any runs, so this weekends race will be interesting. Its a costumed halloween race and I'm dressing in a prisoners outfit that I wore on our honeymoon at the MK during MNSSHP. I figure it will be like running in my pajamas.
We are thinking of doing the Little Rock, Arkansas marathon in March of next year. It has a huge honking medal that could probably stop a bullet. A local running store has a map of the United States that has a medal in each state, completed by the owner of the store. I saw a past medal from the race and have to posess it! The travel cost is what is holding us back, but we have to make a decision this weekend before the race cost goes up.

- Mike

 

[rubato]

Good morning team. TGIF for sure this week. I wasn't sure I'd get through it mentally.

Mike: People have justified races for a lot less than an awesome medal. If you can swing it, you should. I am running my ultra in April for 2 reasons: It starts and ends at a brewery and it's on April Fools Day! Plus, Arkansas is beautiful. Well, not Little Rock, but the state itself.
I am back in school to get my RN degree. Right now, I'm taking 16 credit hours, which is fine, but the anatomy/physiology is killing my brain. I have another semester of basic classes while I wait to find out if I get into the RN program. They only take 64 people per year, so it's really competitive.

Dave: You have earned that rest day. We all need them. Of course, working a 12 hour shift is not a rest day, but you know what I mean.

Regina: Harrison chose 8 because he'd already completed a 10k and I expected him to push for more (he knows his mom well) and he didn't want to run a 10 miler (he truly hates running), so he was smart and picked something in between.
I don't think I'd be up for running the morning after a wine tour either.

Rick: Sounds like an awesome hill workout. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to run hills. Not during, of course, but afterwards. There's no better endorphin releaser to me than hill runs.

Lynn: I can't wait to hear more about your trip. I'm sure you're having an awesome time!

Eva: Fantastic mileage last weekend. What do you have planned this weekend? I'm sure you're ready for Goofy. Take it for a veteran (ha, I've done it once). It was actually easier for me on the day of the full than the half. And, the races were easier than my last 2 months of training runs.

AFM: I took Harrison out for a little 1.5 miler yesterday. He hated it so he ran as fast as he could. He has 2 tomorrow, so he'd better get used to it. I'm inspired by Rick and will be doing a 4 mile hill run today. Then, I have some lifting to do. I have a paper to write, a test to study for and my entire house to clean. Then, leaf raking tonight with Harrison. He has his first boy/girl party tonight, and is "in love" with the little girl giving the party.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.