Jiggs, very pleased to see you are here…and there! 1.5 is respectable considering your tests. How did it go? How are you? I hope the results are back quickly and can alleviate your concerns.
You painted a picture that was as vivid as being there, OGF. Only you can make a long run romantic! It seems I will be joining you in the wet and rainy jog department, inevitably affected by Irma, but likely not to get the full brunt (as currently forecasted) of her very bad disposition. A few gray, soaking miles is a compromise I will eagerly and humbly accept.
Today offered a sunny six that I eagerly devoured. I am starting to get a bit of a back twinge at the end of the day which is usually the first sign that it’s time to get new running shoes. Sure enough, a quick look at the soles revealed that my trainers had gone a bit farther than around the clock. The older I get, the more my shoes matter and they are the only thing I buy that I am finicky about - motion control, wider and a half size larger than my other shoes. Picky, picky.
As soon as I sign off I am going to do abs, pushups, and burpees while watching “La La Land." Multi-tasking and making amends to my body for the abuse it took with the very poor diet I had over the holiday weekend.
Very dark and pouring down with rain again this morning, fortunately it’s a rest day so I can sit at the window and pull faces at the weather…The bad news is:- I’ve hurt my neck and am having trouble turning my head so I’ve had to lay off of my daily Press ups (push ups) I think I might have been a bit over enthusiastic yesterday…:-(:-(
That’s no good at all OGF. Sore muscles or locked up? Sounds like Mrs. OGF may have to give you a proper massage while you draw sad pictures on the windowpanes.
You are being a bit hard on that head and neck of yours these days. What did they ever do to you? ::-p;-)
Well, yes, no doubt…runner’s physique and all ;-).
Nagging injuries are frustrating. We won’t even mention the word “disc”.
One of the most pleasurable feelings I ever had resulted soon after waking up with my neck so stiff I couldn’t turn my head from side to side.
Walking to the car a bit like Frankenstein, I wedged myself painfully into the driver’s seat and started to make my way to work. Merging onto the highway, at the last second, I thought I saw someone coming up next to me in my blind spot.
Without giving thought to my stiff neck, I snapped my head left, instantaneously feeling my neck crack in rapid fire, vertebra to vertebra, from the base of my skull to my lower back. I was instantly pain-free and loose as a goose . The surprise and sudden relief of was so satisfying…so pleasurable it was almost as good…
…as a massage .
Today was the first cool run I have had since April, feeling fleet-footed and anticipating the arrival of running new shoes in the mail tomorrow. No excuses now, I’ll have to start picking up pace or distance.
Yesterday, after work we decided to go for a run before our evening meal. Poor Hubby flaked out though, he is on antibiotics for a gum infection. So I had tucked him into bed patted his head and read him a goodnight story until he fell asleep. I didn’t really:-D
But off I went for a run over the fields, feeling good when I bumped into my friend as she was walking her dog. I didn’t stop after exchanging pleasantries but carried on running, well that is until she shouted “ooooo have you heard the latest”.
Of course that was it, I back peddled and continued to walk the way with her as she gave me a most delicious piece of gossip. Well, who would have thought it. :shock:
I’m glad you escaped the ravages of Erma, Surfermom, I can only imagine the ferociousness of such a storm and it’s result. I too had a cool run this morning - It’s beginning to feel a lot like Autumn - but not wet I hasten to add. I managed to shuffle around an eight miler that was quite pleasant until the last two miles when I had to ‘dig in’ a bit…:shock:
Although I wasn’t running to break any records, I was only half a minute shy of my best time on that course. Happy with that…:-)… I was just a little concerned when after returning home I could not find a pulse or a blood Ox level on my ‘Pulse Oxy Meter’ Heart rate was all over the place and practically non-existent, but it did return to normal after about half an hour…I probably dug a bit too deep on the last two…
I have noticed that it takes me longer to warm up and find ‘the zone’ these days, I remembered what my Coronary Nurse told me after my previous Heart Attack; It only takes about ten minutes for the muscles to fill with blood and be ready for action, but it will take twenty minutes for the Heart to reach running speed…And this is what I’m finding…:surprised:
Sunday’s long run of eleven miles is taking a heavy toll on me and it leaves me a gibbering wreck for the rest of the day. I noted that I am out on the road running for over 110 minutes, and when I consider that I used to run over sixteen miles in that time just a few years ago, I realise that it’s getting too long for an old guy to be out running on a Sunday morning. So I shall make some adjustments to my weekly schedule.
I shall limit my three training runs to eight miles, and to keep my weekly mileage up, I shall add a three mile run on a Friday…See how it goes…
Cedronella, how nice that you and your husband usually run together. I have always been a solitary runner and don’t think I could keep pace with anyone else. I hope your OH’s health improves so you’ll both be out there again. How nice that you can run fields and even run across a friend from time-to-time… .
OldGreyFox, your times and distances continue to astound, but you are wise to be listening to your heart that seems to be in a bit of a bad mood. I think your idea to shift your distances around during the week is a great idea, and I am looking forward to hearing how that affects your feelings of well-being. It seems to me that splitting your long run into two long/short days might yield one more day per week of post-run benefits.
What fascinating insights from the coronary nurse.! I never knew about how time determined the heart’s acclimation to the run, but I have noticed that generally, after about two miles…I finally have my wind and can settle into a long, easy pace. Thank you for that information.
I too had to cut back on distances (8-10 miles) when I realized that afterwards I was feeling overly tired rather than rejuvenated. As you know, my age bothers me not at all, but that self-competitive part of my brain is none too happy when I have to yield. Still, every single day I walk out that door, regardless of distance and speed, I am infinitely grateful for. I know you are too :-D.
This is the first day since April that I will be able to run in conditions below 29.4 C…so I am doing a happy dance. Plus…
I am delighted to report that early this morning, stork delivered a brand new bouncing pair of running shoes! A proud and happy mother am I! These mirror twins are none too pretty, but they will be hard little workers.
Lacing up and out into the bright, blue, breezy afternoon…
Walking’s good Steven, even though I mostly run I find it so relaxing and interesting to walk, observing the world at a more leisurely pace and noticing things I had missed while running.
I would also find it difficult to run with someone else Surfermom, although I have in the past attended a running club and trained with other runners of a similar standard. How many times have I met long distance runners who no longer run because of the loneliness encountered on the ‘Long Sunday Run’ any that are still running limit their activities to going down the club with an occasional 10K, I suspect the social side of club running is as much the reason for attendance as is the training. I positively embrace the time spent on my own while pounding the country roads.
I must be wired up the same way as you Surfermom, I give very little quarter to accepting less, believing that to climb down from the lofty plateau of acquired fitness would be the thin end of a very sedate wedge. But at the end of the day, as you correctly point out, being able to continue with my excursions out into Mother Natures Bosom at will, and to converse with other runners who have discovered the secret is a gift not to be taken lightly. Religion? Perhaps…
I have done very little running in temperatures of over 29c except when I competed in the Newark Half Marathon August 2003 when it turned out to be the hottest day on record and for the first time in my career ran over two hours for a half. These days it’s dropping below 20c and welcome it is too…
Good luck with your new shoes, I hope you enjoy many blister free runs, although I can’t remember the last time I had a blister, pain free running comes with experience as I’m sure you’ll testify. I’ve still got a pair of new running shoes in hand, when you find the perfect pair it’s best to stock up before some muppet goes and changes the design.
Hello, Steven. Well done on keeping up your fitness. You will like this thread as we there are a wide variety of activities we choose to stay fit…but choose, we do!’
Ah, yes, OGF, I also squirrel away pairs of running shoes when I find a pair that works perfectly, and I went through a near crisis when they retired my model last year. While I haven’t found the perfect replacement, I am getting close. Today’s pair seem to do the job, but time will tell. Blister? What’s a blister? I haven’t seen one of those in years :-D.
Yes, it may well be a religion, and if so, I was one of the faithful who went to church today. It was pure joy to run mid morning - a welcome change from the summer routine of sunrise or sunset to avoid the high temperatures of the day. At a crisp 70 (21.1) degrees the cerulean sky was my friend today whirling late summer breezes that nudged my back for the first part of the run. Low tide provided a wide, firm surface that I shared with herons and laughing gulls patiently waiting for breakfast. Dotted along the shoreline, surf fishermen offered waves and nods of encouragement, but I otherwise had the length of my course to myself. Checking for surf spots out of the corner of my eye, no waves congealed, so I decided I had the time for distance and pushed it to seven. No pride here, however. The willets and sanderlings put me in my place with their incredible speed and tenacity.
Now it will get interesting with tropical force winds soon upon us. I may have to tack like a sailboat for the second half of tomorrow’s run.
Although I was planning a recovery day, I spent the day running around stowing this that and the other thing from the howling winds. Even so, restlessness settled in and I did a session of step aerobics. It was a good enough workout, but it was indoors so humpf.
Everryone is out of the house for dinner and I have it strangely to myself for the first time in ages, choosing to stay home and watch the dogs. Aaaaah.
I should probably do something celebratory, but will probably settle in with an old movie or a book too-long neglected on the bedside table.
Sometimes a day’s rest is good Surfermom, just go with the flow…
After just lumbering round an eight miler first thing yesterday morning, I spent the rest of the day feeling like I should have gone further. Mrs Fox pointed out that this old eleventh century church was having an open day. It’s always locked up when I run past so I thought it would be a good idea to go and have a look inside. It was full of memorabilia and old photographs of the village, it’s just a pity that I’m going to have to wait until the next open day to read it…I forgot my specs!
The visit wasn’t wasted though, Mrs Fox enjoyed it and it was a three mile walk to get there and back. Unfortunately, the wind and rain that sent me to sleep last night was still apparent this morning, so any chance of a quick impromptu run was abandoned, but tomorrow is a scheduled eight miles, so come hell or high water it will happen. I resumed my forty pressups (pushups) on Saturday and thus far have had no adverse reaction, so the stiff neck must have been something else…And no, it wasn’t as a result of anything rude thank you…
Right, rains stopped, so I’ll take this opportunity to take my prescription to the surgery and perhaps fit in a walk along the canal towpath…Laters…
Tuesday morning and here I am ‘lurking’ around the ‘Exercise and Fitness’ thread…
This morning’s eight mile run went without a hitch, although the time could have been better. Decent enough for an old bloke, and it has left me dazed but not wiped out, more than enough energy to accompany Mrs Fox around Meadowhall…(A great big shopping Mall just outside Sheffield if you were wondering Surfermom) I only go because food is in great quantity and varied…Yum Yum…must dash now…
This is such a spectacular time of year to run, OGF! How wonderful that you enjoyed every mile of the eight and still had enough energy to carry all those shopping bags to the car! Thank you for the elaboration on the mall too ;-).
Today was one of such perfection that it was the stuff of fairy tales. With nary a cloud in the sky above the emerald sea, we mere mortals thronged outdoors to take in the vivid colors of the rain-washed world. Cool breezes lifted the flags and danced around the arms and legs of dedicated runners and beachgoers soaking up the late summer sun. Smiling as they passed, some waved while others offered words of encouragement. Running along the ebbing shoreline, I plucked shells from the sand and offered them to young children, rubbed the ears of a happy, jumping dog, and tossed out hellos like flowers. I am sure I spoke to a dozen or more people along the way.
Feeling unusually light and energetic, I pushed well beyond the usual six miles and stretched the distance to a lucky seven…at least I thought it was lucky…
…Until, glancing in the mirror upon my return, I came to the horrifying realization that while speaking to the entire population of Florida over a long stretch of beach, I had been wearing my running tank top…inside out. http://www.pic4ever.com/images/4fvgdaq_th.gif
Oh God! I was there Surfermom, while reading your post my mind wandered to a sun soaked beach of fine white sand with palms and other exotic flora lining it’s edges…I shouldn’t worry about your running tank top being inside out, back to front! now that would have raised a few eyebrows…:shock::shock::shock:
While competing in a marathon some years ago an ample bosomed friends wife crossed the finish line as one popped out…:shock:…The sound of camera shutters clicking was deafening…I’m happy to report there was no lasting damage and I’ve still got about half a dozen pictures of the event…:-D:-D:-D
Sufermom, glad to see you are fine. I smiled when I read you had run with your top inside out as something similar happened to me. My old very tight jogging bottoms were stretched to the brink of disaster but I thought I could get one more run out of them. Wrong!!
Lets just say a lot of people saw more of me that day than was intended:blush:
Anyway, I thought I might make my husband drive me a couple of miles away today and I run back home with these gusty winds behind me, I should break all my records:-D:-D
Cedronella, how very, funny about your shorts! I suspect we wear the same style, so I know how disastrous that must have felt. What a wonderful idea to be driven to a place that will give you a sailing effect home…congrats on what must have been trophy-worthy times! ;-). Do you run on the roads or off road most of the time?
OGF, my gosh, in thinking about your friend’s wife’s marathon finish (has she left the house since?), I must confess I have had similar experiences out in the water falling or jumping off the board. This is why we surfers are very, very particular about buying “technical” bikinis - surfer speak for “keep the girls covered” bikinis .
Enjoy your last home run tomorrow. I had another happy, long run with no pressing appointments causing me to cut distance or time - something I admittedly dislike very much. Without question, running is the most selfish thing I do. I guess there are worse things .
Thanks Surfermom (I always seem to be thanking you just lately) It was a while ago since my friends wife had her unfortunate incident and since then she is no longer my friends wife - She now lives, by herself, across the road from me - and I haven’t seen my friend for ages. Mrs Fox and me look out for her but it would still embarrass her, I’m sure, if I was to remind her…And point out that I mentioned her on the forum which is accessible to thousands of people… Which I wouldn’t…
This mornings eight mile run was like an Oasis in a Dessert of poor runs…No aches or pains - other than a slight rubbing where my heel has worn away the inside of the shoe - but I’m sure a nob of Gorilla Tape will correct the issue. Hardly any after effects, and quite a decent time to boot…
You are right about running being selfish, but what the hell, this life is not a rehersal for the next, so go out and do what you do best, and then make up for it afterwards…Do you like flowers?
So look out North Wales, the Fox is on his way…I’ll make hurricane Irma look like a summer breeze…Wine…Women…Song…And Running…well!..One out of four isn’t bad…:-p
. The surprise and sudden relief of was so satisfying…so pleasurable it was almost as good…
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