Let's train together/Running Crab

“I want to do another half marathon. A Spring race is the perfect thing to put on the calendar to remain active these last few cold months. Who wants to train for it? I am eyeing the Running Crab 1/2 marathon in Hampton, VA. It is on April 26th (which gives us plenty of time for training). This will be fun! Who wants to join me? I'll set you up with a sample training program if you are interested. I'd love to have a trail talk training partner.”

“This sounds veeeeeeeeery interesting. I don't want to commit just yet, but I am definitely intrigued.”

“I should mention that the lure of this particular race is the awesome little running crab that will surely adorn the t-shirts.”

“Don't you just LOVE it when you screw up a thread title? LOL”

“On closer reading....nevermind...”

“Did you think I was refering to me-self?”

“so, how long is a half-marathon? just idle curiosity...”

“13.1 miles”

“wow, that's long! you go girl :-)

(too funny about the crab T-shirts!!)”

“I'm up for it. I've never ran more than 4 miles at once though, but I live just a stones throw away in Virginia Beach so why not.”

“running girl, I am actually training for a half-marathon for the last wknd of april (prolly the same time as yours). I will pretend that I am runnin with my fellow TTers...train hard to all who participate!And enjoy it”

“Dang I did it again, that was me not Sass.”

“Hey Sassy Birch,

Finding a race in your area is one thing that I thought about last night. We could all still train together and then do races close to home. Spring time will be filled with races every where. Although I would love to meet fellow TTers it would be easier for everyone to stay close to home. I need to put this on the calendar and bust a move. I have really bad cookie-body from the holidays and it is driving me crazy.”

“I am shooting for the Broad Street Run (10 miler in Philly, early May) and the Phila. Distance Run (13.1 miles, September.)

These are both "classic" races, large and well-organized. I would love to meet any TT'ers who plan to run those races.”

“Fritz, seeing as Philly is only about an hour and a half away from me, I'd be up for both of those.”

“Cool! How are those endorphins rockin and zoomin for ya these days? And what kind of pace are you running? I had my two longest runs in the past five years, last week. Ran 6.4 on Wednesday and 8 on Saturday, both at 8:17 pace. Not what I did when I was a young stud like you, but I am pretty happy with where I am right now!”

“I would do the Running Crab Run just for the T-shirt!”

“Hey there, I'm sad to report that I haven't ran in the past few weeks. The streets and sidewalks in my area have been big time icy, but luckily most of it has been melted or cleared, so I'm probably going to go for a run tonight.

Most of the time I run, I go at about an 8 minute pace, on the button, but there are LOTS of hills in neighborhood, which makes a huge difference. I'll occasionally push myself, and have done sub-7 minutes for a 3.7 mile route.

Very cool to hear your keeping up with the running, Fritz! Yes, we must definitely do some races. Pennsy Hiker is getting back into running also, we could do a Philly Trail Talk run perhaps. :-)”

“Artex, it's bizzare this winter in Montana- totally dry and 40-50 degrees. It's been great for running. I wish I was doing Boston this year since it's so nice. The hardest part about those early races is getting some decent training in. I still have Boston 2004 rolling around in the back of my mind!”

“Yeah, I think you're cold weather and snowstorms have moved our way, aero. We've had below normal temps and above average snowfall every month so far this winter and later fall. I absoulutely love it, but the drawback is it makes running quite tricky and dangerous. When I run tonight, not as much ice and snow on the ground, but it'll be in the lower to mid 20's by the time I get home from work, Yikes!!!”

“You'll have to try the "sheet metal screws in the bottom of your shoes" trick. I end up using them when it gets really icy.”

“Y'all are crazy. You know that?!!”

“I'm in Canada(west) so wouldn't be able to join you. Also I've just started the 13 week walk/run program.(I'm definitely not marathon material, but hey, who knows by next year?) I'm looking forward to going in the 10K times colonist run in Victoria in April. If you have any advice I'd appreciate it. I'm looking for a local running club and hoping I can get some helpful tips there. I was posting over on Backpacker.com under the name nancy(that name was already taken here).”

“It has been only 2-1/2 weeks since I was thrilled about doing 10k on a treadmill at just under a 9 min/mile pace.

Last Wednesday, I ran 6.4 miles, my new "long run" for this running life, at an 8:17 pace.

I was thinking about running a 10k on 1/26, with a goal of being faster than 8 mins/mile. I figured that was a good stretch goal for me. Didn't know if I could do it.

Saturday, I ran 8 miles, still at an 8:17 pace. This wasn't really pushing it. The first half, I was consciously trying to hold back. The second half, I was just running.

Today, I ran the same 6.4 miles as last Wednesday, but I definitely pushed it towards the end, to see what I could do, and I actually finished with an average pace of 7:53!

(So, there's my goal of a 10k under 8 mins/mile!)

This run was 4x around a loop road, which is a little dull but there are no stop signs, no traffic lights, no ice, little traffic, and I can get exact splits to guage how I am doing.

Here's today's run:

12:52 (12:52) 8:03
25:45 (12:53) 8:03
38:26 (12:41) 7:56
50:30 (12:04) 7:33

So, I am very happy!

Someone please stop me before I self-destruct....

Thanks to all of you for the inspiration, you guys and gals are great!”

“I made my schedule today. There is lots of time. Anyone who has a base of 3 miles or so could do this! Fritz and Artex will be
sa-mokin' me!! I am more like running slow girl. On a GOOD day I am just under 9 minute miles. Anyhoo, broken, are you still interested? Anyone else?”

“Hmmmm... maybe I can talk Artex and Fritz into a weekend roadtrip for this run. Many moons ago, I did the St Patty's Day Virginia Beach Marathon 3 consecutive years. Always a fun weekend.

I used to be married to the log book, tracking every mile and pace, but now I just run for fitness. I have no clue what my pace is these days, but I think I can hang with Artex and Fritz. We'll do a TT 'training' run one of these weekends.

I wanted to run after work today but I'm still there. *sigh*”

“Fritz, OUTSTANDING pace on your 10k run.That is really hauling the mail. I just started adding a long day to my weekly runs. Last week an 8, this week a 10 and so on till 16. The adventure racing club I belong to is doing a 2-15.5 mile trail run in a few weeks. I am hoping to do the long one.

Its really great to see that you folks love I love to run as much as you folks. Maybe I'll make it to a race with ya...

BTW if anyone wants a great read about an ultramarathon, endurance and inner drive check out To The Edge by Kirk Johnson. It is quite motivating.”

“Shure, on a good day I do three miles in 24 min.”

“Sorry bout that gibberish in the middle of my post. The jist of it was I am happy that so many people here like to run as much as me. Dang I cannot type somedays...”

“I got the jist of it Birch. You must REALLY like running. My speech gets slurred when I get excited about something, but slurred typing? j/k

Thanks for the heads up on 'To the Edge.' When I started running, Jim Fix was my guru and I read his books with passion. Then the guy drops over dead of a heart attack while running. Of course all my skeptic friends said "see what that running that will do." Of course they didn't understand that Fix had heart disease (which he never knew) and would have probably died years earlier if he hadn't been a runner.”

“runninggirl -- nothing at all wrong with 9 minute miles! You're doing great!

birch -- thank you!

Pennsy -- it's worth a try; I might be talked into it :)

broken -- 3 miles in 24 IS a good day! Keep at it!

Artex -- sub-sevens, that's terrific! I used to do that; those were the days (like, 16 years ago, 10k PR was 37:45)!”

“Pennsy, odd thing about Jim Fix. When he had a his fatal heartattack while running he fell and ended up with his torso elevated, Doctors have speculated that if he had ended up landing with his feet elevated he may have lived...go figure.”

“jivin,

I am sure that there will be a local running club with lots of advice! And don't be intimidated if you are a walker/runner--there will be all levels in a running club and LOTS of advice. Do you have email? You can email me at mccracdb_1@msn.com if you have any specific questions. And good luck!!! Running can make life so much better...”

“
www.active.com is a good place to lookup running events in your area. It has pretty good training tips as well.

I have a few half marathons under my belt but it's been a couple of years since my last one. I've been thinking about getting back into it....never did stop running but only 3 miles every other day.

good luck!!
”

“okay broken--i sent your schedule via email. get busy!”

“Birch - Wow, that is odd about Jim Fix. I did not know that part.

You guys got me inspired. I ran the last 2 nights in the dark with temps in the high teens, when I could have bailed and used the stairclimber.

I got to cross train as well, as I fought off a pit bull that decided to use my right arm as a toy. Thank goodness for 3 layers of clothing.”

“Pennsy, you may want to run by the pitbull again tommorrow. This time,however,go by in the opposite direction so it mauls...er...I mean excercises the other arm. You would look silly with you arms being different sizes.”

“LOL! Now where was Artex with his camera when you need him?

The dog was actually on a leash as I passed the guy walking him. You'd think he would have pulled him closer to him, but nooooo....”

“com'on Pennsy, don't be a sissy . . . ATTACK!”

“Spent my gift certificate at Running Fit ( a local shop) last night. Picked up 18 packs of vanilla orange gel stuff, a sports nutrition book and a CD ROM called "Your Virtual Running Book". I havent checked it out yet but will this wknd. Signed up for my trail half-marathon too. Man I am sooo geeked about running lately.”

“That's great, but um....so how far did you RUN yesterday? :-)

Just kidding....I'm glad you are stoked and hope you are getting some miles in.”

“Fritz, actually on thursday (the day of my purchases) I ran 10 miles, and did 5 last night. Today is my off day, thanks goodness!

I have been trying all kinds of drinks and food to eat while I run, I may have found some favorites,boiled potatoes (chilled and salted) and a bit of warm flat cherry coke (water too of course).”