SOSH Running Dogs

[Paradigm]

I was supposed to run a half-marathon last August, but it was cancelled because of the hurricane. During the lead-up to that race, I experienced pain in my IT Band. I basically stopped running in the fall and winter (I don't like running in the cold), but the pain lingered through the winter. As I prepared to get back running this spring, I saw an orthopedist who treats leg injuries and treats competitive runners. He recommended physical therapy but he was unsure if it was an IT Band issue or a lower back issue. Simultaneously, I began working hard to strengthen the hips and IT band using resistance training and some weight training. Since then, the pain has really changed and moved from my IT Band (I think the rest has helped) into the right glute and the right-half of my lower back. So that's where my physical therapist has been focusing. It's been a few weeks, and things are feeling a little better but I'm feeling very pessimistic about this. I know that's the wrong attitude, but I'm getting worried that I'm going to have to spend months treating this and that I'll miss the summer of running.

I haven't had an MRI or any sort of scan, and I'm not entirely sure that's necessary. I"m pretty sure I just have a slipped disc that is pinching a nerve.

I know that running is a high-impact activity and that the same injuries are common for many runners, so I thought others on this board might have dealt with similar lower back issues. Has anyone treated this, or dealt with this issue and made a full recovery? I'm concerned that therapy is going to alleviate the pain for a few months and that it will just return later on. (Also, PT is fucking expensive, and it feels like a scam, but I have no recourse.)

I observe a lot of older people running, and I'm sure that they must have pain, or that they manage injuries. I'm 27 and something like this shouldn't shut me down. Most message boards online are filled with idiots who just want to direct you to their chiropractic website, so I thought you might have some advice. Thanks.

 

[ibrewbeer]

Anyone else running Philly Broad street tomorrow? I'll be there in the "suck it cancer" shirt

 

[rbeaud]

I observe a lot of older people running, and I'm sure that they must have pain, or that they manage injuries. I'm 27 and something like this shouldn't shut me down. Most message boards online are filled with idiots who just want to direct you to their chiropractic website, so I thought you might have some advice. Thanks.

Well, I may disappoint you then. Last August, for no obvious reason, my lower back, right Achilles, and right groin all decided to give me grief. I started by taking time off from running. When that stretched into almost two months, I started the Doctor rounds. I had simple X-rays, ultrasound, MRI, nerve block, and PT. I saw several specialists including two that are active in sports.

Frankly after four months I began to wonder if running was in my future since the groin injury was not improving. On the off chance, my wife suggested I try a local Chiro specializing in sports treatment and Active Release Therapy. While his diagnosis was the same as the Ortho (tight ilio psoas) the more aggressive ART approach was the solution. Within a month I was out running and working to get back in shape.

So my suggestion is to keep an open mind, especially if you are this frustrated.

Cheers and good luck!

 

[Paradigm]

Well, I may disappoint you then. Last August, for no obvious reason, my lower back, right Achilles, and right groin all decided to give me grief. I started by taking time off from running. When that stretched into almost two months, I started the Doctor rounds. I had simple X-rays, ultrasound, MRI, nerve block, and PT. I saw several specialists including two that are active in sports.

Frankly after four months I began to wonder if running was in my future since the groin injury was not improving. On the off chance, my wife suggested I try a local Chiro specializing in sports treatment and Active Release Therapy. While his diagnosis was the same as the Ortho (tight ilio psoas) the more aggressive ART approach was the solution. Within a month I was out running and working to get back in shape.

So my suggestion is to keep an open mind, especially if you are this frustrated.

Cheers and good luck!

Thanks. I've also done a bit of reading about the psychological/physiological connection. I think being frustrated by the situation will only make matters worse; ruminating over anger can allow it to manifest itself as physical pain. So, I'm going to focus on being more optimistic and not frustrated by the pain, follow my strengthening routines, and see how things progress. I think whether that aids the pain or not, the outlook will be a good result.

 

[Gunfighter 09]

I have IT band problems that I have been able to keep under control. For me, the mix of stretching and icing the IT bands prior to any run over 2-3 miles has been very effective. If I run more than 5 miles I wear these:

Which seem to help quite a bit.
http://www.rei.com/product/704435/pro-tec-athletics-iliotibial-band-wrap

 

[crystalline]

Anyone else running Philly Broad street tomorrow? I'll be there in the "suck it cancer" shirt

Just saw this- didn't see your shirt amongst the FORTY THOUSAND runners. I don't think they were ready for the 25% increase this year - how was your experience? Weather was great and it's a fun race. Moderate distance, straight route through the city, good crowds.

 

[Jerrygarciaparra]

My last long run before the marathon : 21 miles, 3 hours 39 minutes.

Now I rest up and do my best

 

[steveluck7]

ran my 2nd 1/2 yesterday. My goal was 2:10, my stretch goal was sub 2. Started out way too fast. First 5 miles: 8:30, 8:42, 9:02, 8:40, 8:55. Hit a wall around mile 10 and ended with a few miles over 12:00. Kinda disappointing but i knew that I started too fast and intended to immediately slow my pace to around 9:45, just didn't.
I was surprised because I've been remarkably consistent with training runs and staying with my pace. my previous 3 runs; 10 miles @ 9:47, 10 miles @ 9:52, and 12.8 miles @ 9:47 again.
Frustrating but my hope is that maybe now I can use 9:00/mile as a pace and stretch myself out at that pace before my next race

 

[Kremlin Watcher]

My last long run before the marathon : 21 miles, 3 hours 39 minutes. Now I rest up and do my best

The most important thing to do before a big race is rest. The fresher and more rested you feel going into race day, the better you'll perform.

Go get 'em man!

 

[Jerrygarciaparra]

These long runs have really left me with a lot of aches and pain, so yeah, I'm looking forward to taking it pretty easy.

 

[ibrewbeer]

Ran the Philly Broad St 10 miler Sunday
33k people. Was fun..... Pretty much downhill but, it's still 10 miles

Was able to beat my training pace by 30 sec per mile.

 

[Traut]

Good luck, Jerry. Can't wait to read about your race. Your training has been stellar.

 

[pedro1918]

I ran the MCM Historic Half on Sunday in Fredericksburg, VA. It was my first half in over a year due to hip problems. Things went better than I expected, as I finished in 1:43:49 with no pain in the hip. I was exhausted, but pleased. I feel pretty good today.

I'm running the NYC Marathon in the fall. I think I have a long way to go, but I have some time to get there.

Things are looking up!

 

[TallerThanPedroia]

Great race, Pedro!

 

[Jerrygarciaparra]

Nice run Pedro!

Thank you all for the encouragement and the good advice in this thread, and on dailymile.com

I feel as ready as possible. I'm just going to do my best and not stress

Not sure who will be hanging around their computers on Sunday morning but I'm told you can track the race here :

http://results.bazumedia.com/event/results/event/event-1217

I'll be Bib # 2022

 

[Jerrygarciaparra]

4:02 ... I'll take it!

 

[Traut]

4:02 ... I'll take it!

Awesome work, Jerry! How'd you like VCM?

 

[Jerrygarciaparra]

So a friend put me up in Burlington, so the wife and kids wouldnt have to be there for the whole 4 hours. Got plenty of sleep, pasta dinner the night before the whole deal.

I was walking distance from the starting line so I got over nice and early so I wouldnt be so nervous.

I started off with the 4:15 pace group but moved up to the 4:00 group.

Man it was hot! The weather report called for 55 -65 but it was at least 80 out there.

The crowds are great, really great supports and tons of specators.

I came up a little short on my goal of 4:00, but i have to say, I feel pretty good.

I kind of can't believe I did it

 

[pedro1918]

4:02 ... I'll take it!

Congrats! Awesome work!

I kind of can't believe I did it

I know the feeling!

 

[bosoxgrl]

You should be so proud of yourself. Awesome job!

 

[Kremlin Watcher]

Great run Jerry! Congratulations!

 

[TallerThanPedroia]

Great race Jerry!

My half marathon history:

2007 Run to Remember: 1:58:16
2008 Run to Remember: 1:51:15
2008 BAA Half: 1:45:24
2011 Run to Remember: 2:01:20 (taking it easy after three years of injuries)
2011 BAA Half: 1:41:38
2012 Run to Remember: 1:35:42

Really wish I'd discovered VFFs in 2008... I might have BQ'd before they changed the times. As it is, I think the likely time is next year. Do the BAA Half and then RtR next spring, get my time down to 1:28 and then get my BQ at the 2013 Baystate Marathon in Lowell.

 

[grsharky7]

Ran my first ever race on Saturday. Our incoming senior class held a 5K at the school to raise money for a local family. Finished in 23:27. I was happy with the time. I have always enjoyed running but I did it for fun and to stay into shape. The course was pretty easy and I had a blast doing it. I think I'm going to sign up for another race or two this summer.

 

[Jerrygarciaparra]

Thanks everybody.

Next up :

http://www.mainemarathon.com/

I think I'm hooked!

 

[Traut]

PR'd a half marathon yesterday by 14 minutes. Finished in 1:45:50. Felt good throughout. The Paleo diet has made all the difference for me. Didn't wear a watch yesterday. Ran by feel. Locked in at a decent clip and decided I was going to hold it and not let go.

 

[underhandtofirst]

[quote name='Trautwein's Degree' timestamp='1338818067' post='4169489']
PR'd a half marathon yesterday by 14 minutes. Finished in 1:45:50. Felt good throughout. The Paleo diet has made all the difference for me. Didn't wear a watch yesterday. Ran by feel. Locked in at a decent clip and decided I was going to hold it and not let go.
[/quote]

Fantastic performance. Keep up the momentum!

 

[Kremlin Watcher]

That's tremendous work Traut. Over a minute a mile faster over that distance is serious stuff. Well done.

 

[Traut]

I'm really looking forward to trying with everything I have to break 4 hours in the marathon this fall.

 

[bakahump]

Bakette asked me to post here. Recently she and I (mostly her) have been participating in some 5ks and a "Dirt Challenge". They have been fun....except for the running

She saw an event called a "Color Run" down in Mass and has signed up. She really wants to have one in Maine so it could be more of a family event. When she contacted the organizers they told her to get out the vote for her location.

If you guys would be willing please vote at http://thecolorrun.c...-for-your-city/

Location is "Maine" or "Southern Maine"

If you want a Maine Zip you can use 04101 (Portland).

Thanks

 

[Kremlin Watcher]

Triathlon season is finally here! Did the Hyannis Sprint Triathlon this morning. A beautiful day at Craigville Beach. Had a really nice race: 1:06:36. Decent swim (around 6:30), fast T1, a very nice bike (under 30 minutes; over 20 mph), scorched T2 (less than 30 seconds), and a respectable negative split run. Was feeling a bit fatigued from a very difficult training schedule, but managed to gut out the run to finish strong.

Now it's on to Lakeville and the Patriot Half Iron distance race next weekend.

 

[Jerrygarciaparra]

So one year ago I ran my first race in 20 years : my local 10 K.

I ran it in 55:26 and placed last in my age group (men 40-49)

I ran it again today and got a 46 flat. Not sure where I placed yet

I feel good.

 

[Traut]

Nice work, Jerry. Making such gains feels great. The best is yet to come for you.

 

[Kremlin Watcher]

[quote name='Trautwein's Degree' timestamp='1339265916' post='4181200']
Nice work, Jerry. Making such gains feels great. The best is yet to come for you.
[/quote]
Yeah - seriously, Jerry. Seems like you are making huge fitness gains lately. Well done. 10 minutes in a 10k is a lot. Good luck with the marathon training.

 

[TallerThanPedroia]

Great job, Jerry. It's when you repeat the same races that the improvement really shows.

 

[Jerrygarciaparra]

Thanks everybody. I feel pretty good about my performance, although I was still only 10 out of 17 in my age group. Still room for improvement for sure.

 

[Kremlin Watcher]

Just got back from the Patriot Half, a half-iron distance triathlon in Freetown, MA. Beautiful day for a race. Was expecting to do reasonably well, as my bike and run training has been excellent so far this season. Guess I need to spend some time on the swim now as well: a disastrous swim (didn't even bother timing it, it was so bad) set me up for a difficult start to the bike, but I eventually recovered and had a decent bike leg, overtaking most of the people who had passed me on the first half of the bike. Felt very strong the last two-thirds of the bike, and am happy with how I bounced back after such a horrible start to the race. Decided to barefoot the run, as putting on the VFFs in transition can be pretty dodgy, often takes too much time that could be spent running, and can provoke cramps, which I am still having problems with. First three or so miles of the run were excellent, sub-8:00 pace, but the middle miles were punctuated with three long-ish sessions of easing out the catastrophic leg cramps that erupted during those miles, killing my average pace. Eventually worked them out, and the last three-four miles were again at my new-found but-8:00 pace. Ended up something well under 6:00, which is a personal best by a bit for me over this distance, so I can't be displeased. Perhaps my early-season expectations were too high, but I was disappointed in the swim, so I need to do a lot of work on that.

But I was very happy with the way I was able to keep my energy and intensity level high throughout the race, and by my bike and run speed once I got into the groove. Especially happy with the strength I had at the end of the bike and the run, indicating that my speed endurance work is starting to show dividends.

So much learned from this race, a stepping stone to Ironman Cozumel in November. I needed to know what this race told me so I can get to work on my weaknesses and keep building my strengths. And I just love to race. Next up is another half-iron distance in August, although I may add an Olympic-distance race in July to keep the racing legs fresh.

 

[smastroyin]

So here's another dumb question from my quiver of them. First let me congratulate all the real runners here for all of these achievements, you all have been kicking ass this year.

I have now been running pretty consistently for the past 5 months. I have not done any official races or anything but I have taken about 3 minutes off my 5k time and I have extended my distance (a few times) up to 5 miles at a 9:30 pace. I don't mind being slow, but what I do mind is the effort that comes with running. Basically, my cardio maxes almost every time I run, even if I try to take it "easy." This is limiting in terms of trying to extend and also in trying to get faster. Not only does it spike while running, but my recoveries are really slow after running compared to other activities that raise my heart rate. I realize it is stupid to compare running (where I haven't even worn out my first pair of proper shoes) to cycling (where I have something like 10000 lifetime miles) but cycling I can easily regulate my cardio and actually my cardio tends to outperform my legs (i.e. my legs start giving out before I feel like I am gasping for air, etc.).

Now, let's face it, I'm also heavy for a runner at 235 and that matters more for running than for other cardio, but I'm just curious how others did when they were getting into running and if this kind of thing is normal. I understand it being normal when going from couch potato to exercise but generally I am in pretty good cardio shape for everything but running. And what it basically comes down to is that this stress keeps me as being the guy who grudgingly runs as opposed to the guy who looks forward to it.

 

[Kremlin Watcher]

Smas - if I understand you correctly, you have an issue with very high heart rate when you run as compared with being on the bike. This is common; running is much harder than cycling in the sense that it requires more effort and more energy to generate a running step than to push a bike pedal. It's just biomechanics and muscular conditioning - your body is currently more conditioned to push a bike than to run. And at 235, that difference is magnified quite a bit. Your body is more accustomed to a certain effort level doing the motions and work associated with cycling, and less accustomed to the muscular efforts associated with running, so your heart rate is higher when running.

My advice: it seems to me that you are focusing on your cardiovascular fitness at the expense of muscular fitness. As odd as this may sound, the muscles, not the heart, are the key to better fitness. From what you are saying ("my legs start giving out before I feel like I am gasping for air"), it appears that you cycle long distances at a low % of Max HR because you are in good bike shape. That is a fantastic cardiovascular workout, but not a great muscular workout. A relatively low % of Max HR doesn't force your energy pathways and muscles to extreme levels of fatigue, or use and process higher levels of lactic acid, so the muscles stay in a relatively static state of fitness. Good bike cardiovascular fitness doesn't necessarily translate into good run fitness because the muscular effort level of running is so much greater than in cycling. So yes, it is perfectly normal for a well-conditioned cyclist to have difficulty running because the muscular effort level is so much greater. But I think you are confusing the fitness here - you have good cardiovascular fitness, full stop. What you seem to lack is highly developed muscular fitness for running.

But you have taken a minute per mile off your running time, which is significant, so clearly you are making progress. And it seems like a ton of work, because it is. Running is a big effort. The short answer is that if you want to get faster and more comfortable on the run, you have to run. A lot. The body will adjust your fitness to get used to running, but it does take time. There are things you can do to shorten that amount of adjustment time, depending on how much you want to run, but transitioning from bike-only fitness to bike-and-run fitness does require a certain amount of muscular adaptation.

PM me if you want some more specific tips on bike-to-run fitness.

 

[steveluck7]

So here's another dumb question from my quiver of them. First let me congratulate all the real runners here for all of these achievements, you all have been kicking ass this year.

I have now been running pretty consistently for the past 5 months. I have not done any official races or anything but I have taken about 3 minutes off my 5k time and I have extended my distance (a few times) up to 5 miles at a 9:30 pace. I don't mind being slow, but what I do mind is the effort that comes with running. Basically, my cardio maxes almost every time I run, even if I try to take it "easy." This is limiting in terms of trying to extend and also in trying to get faster. Not only does it spike while running, but my recoveries are really slow after running compared to other activities that raise my heart rate. I realize it is stupid to compare running (where I haven't even worn out my first pair of proper shoes) to cycling (where I have something like 10000 lifetime miles) but cycling I can easily regulate my cardio and actually my cardio tends to outperform my legs (i.e. my legs start giving out before I feel like I am gasping for air, etc.).

Now, let's face it, I'm also heavy for a runner at 235 and that matters more for running than for other cardio, but I'm just curious how others did when they were getting into running and if this kind of thing is normal. I understand it being normal when going from couch potato to exercise but generally I am in pretty good cardio shape for everything but running. And what it basically comes down to is that this stress keeps me as being the guy who grudgingly runs as opposed to the guy who looks forward to it.

I am (was) a lot closer to where you seem to be than where some others here may be so let me tell you what worked for me.
I was around 220 or so when I really started running. Like you, I started looking to run 5ks. I "trained" for those but I also stalled out with my distance. What really started to get my distance up was to to just go for it and not worry about 1.)time and 2.) walking a bit during the run. When I started running 5 miles, I wouldn't care if I had to stop at mile 3 or 4 or wherever and walk for a period of time, sometimes 2 or 3 times during a run. That actually helped me set up intermediate goals... If I "ran" 5 miles on day 1 and walked a 2 times, totaling say 1/2 mile, my goal for day 2 would be to do the same but only walk one time or a max of, say, 1/4 mile. Then on day 3, try to run straight through. This has helped me stretch myself out to where I'm at now. I've run 2 half marathons. To this day, while "training" I don't convcern myself with time and I listen to my body. If i set out on a run and my knee, ankle or something is bothering me, I'll give it about a 1/2 mile, if it still feels weird, i stop and go home. I'm pissed about it but know that, ultimately I'm in it for the long haul so having to pull back for a day or 2 isn't the end of the world.
If you're doing this to get yourself into shape and to live a healthier life, there's no reason to totally push yourself to the point of danger, you're not training for the Olympics, you'll get "there" when you get there.

 

[smastroyin]

Thanks guys.

To be clear, I don't think I'm in any danger and getting faster is just a product of needing goals to maintain interest. My real frustration is the lack of progress on the :"running fitness" I know I haven't run a ton but outside of a 3 week lull while I was gearing up for a century ride I have been running 3x per week pretty consistently since February. A lot of that is treadmill time due to circumstance (mostly, wanting to run at lunch but having weather issues on top of hating the roads around here) but still, it's basically the same muscles, and I don't really feel like I have made a ton of progress in the last couple of months. And what's especially frustrating to me is that I can't seem to dial down to a comfortable pace that I feel I could do indefinitely. Obviously I won't ever be able to just run forever, but just as an example, if I am going for speed (20 mph+) I can only do about an hour. At under 15 mph I feel like I could ride all day. In running, as soon as my pace is at the point where I'm really picking my feet up off the ground, I feel like I'm at that level that I can only do for relatively short times.

But, it's good to know I'm not doing anything horribly wrong, at least. I do wonder if the cycling is holding back that running muscle development a bit, but of course I won't be stopping the cycling anytime soon, as it is still my preferred exercise if I have the time to put in.

 

[Jerrygarciaparra]

There's a one mile race before the parade tonight.

I think I'll go for it!

 

[04101Seadog]

Hey all - bumping this back up for a bit of knowledge about GPS and training gear. I started running last year doing 5k's and this year have continued with the 5ks and a couple 4/5 milers, with the goal of a couple 10ks next summer and a half to end the summer. Like smas, I'm a bigger guy (in the 230 range) so running is a bit more of a chore for me, and I haven't hit a sweet spot yet in terms of feeling comfortable out there. I've made some good progress in that I'm consistently beating my times from last year by about 6 minutes, but I've still got a long way to go.

One of the things that I keep coming back to is that I'm trying to find a good way to track my runs and gather data. I'm currently using google maps and a stopwatch as many of the Phone based or iPod GPS apps are real hit and miss and I have got some real off results in the last year. I've heard good and bad things about the Garmins and the Nike+ systems, so while I go back though this thread from the beginning, does anyone have a recommendation that they would like to put out there for what works for you?

 

[underhandtofirst]

Hey all - bumping this back up for a bit of knowledge about GPS and training gear. I started running last year doing 5k's and this year have continued with the 5ks and a couple 4/5 milers, with the goal of a couple 10ks next summer and a half to end the summer. Like smas, I'm a bigger guy (in the 230 range) so running is a bit more of a chore for me, and I haven't hit a sweet spot yet in terms of feeling comfortable out there. I've made some good progress in that I'm consistently beating my times from last year by about 6 minutes, but I've still got a long way to go.

One of the things that I keep coming back to is that I'm trying to find a good way to track my runs and gather data. I'm currently using google maps and a stopwatch as many of the Phone based or iPod GPS apps are real hit and miss and I have got some real off results in the last year. I've heard good and bad things about the Garmins and the Nike+ systems, so while I go back though this thread from the beginning, does anyone have a recommendation that they would like to put out there for what works for you?

I've had a Garmin 405 for a couple years and I love it. There are some bad reviews about the bezel, but it has never been an issue for me unless I was in a downpour or running in 70+ dewpoints where I was sweating insane amounts which made changing screens tough. I've run in temps down to -8 and it worked well. About 30% of the time it messes up the location of the beginning of my run by about .01-.03 miles but it gets back on track within 1/2 mile, usually sooner. This is more an issue with it syncing up with satellites quickly. For a 5 mile run I'll see differences of .02 miles from day to day which isn't bad. I've run on measured courses and the GPS is within a few feet. The GPS really doesnt work well on a track, I find it is off by about .01 per lap so you'll get distance of .76-.78 for 3 laps around the track. A couple years ago I tried the Garmin footpod and hated it. If you vary your pace at all the distance gets messed up even with calibration. The reason was I calibrated it at 8:30/mi pace and if I ran slower or faster my stride was slightly different so the final number was off.

 

[TallerThanPedroia]

Garmin Forerunner 305. Love it. 405 seems too small of a screen, and my sister had one and hated the bezel.

 

[Kremlin Watcher]

I used to run with a Garmin 310 XT, and it worked pretty well within the limits of GPS technology. Stopped using it because I got too obsessive about using technology. Went back to a stopwatch and Google maps. It's a big investment but worth it if you are really going to use the hell out of it.

 

[wutang112878]

Before you invest any money give iMapMyRun a try. My only complaints are that the 'current pace' isnt always accurate, and I cant see my pace from mile to mile, but its free. And what I find most valuable is that you can set updates, so I have mine setup so that every 5 minutes it tells me how long I have been running, total distance, average overall pace and current pace. I have found the average pace to be a huge help because it keeps me from going out too fast.

 

[wutang112878]

Speaking of gear, does anyone have any suggestions for a device to connect to a droid to control music? When I run I have an arm-band thing I wear and put my droid in it, and its completely fine unless I want to change to another playlist or album. A while back I saw a Nike device that allowed you to fastforward, rewind songs or adjust volume, but I was hoping for something that might allow me to scroll through playlists/albums and I could wear it like a watch so I wouldnt have to take my phone out of my arm-band thing to change playlists or albums.

 

[Kremlin Watcher]

The thread has been dead lately - did you all stop running, or just stop posting about it?

Anyway, I did the Timberman Ironman 70.3 triathlon today up at Lake Winnipesaukee. Had a great race, setting a personal best of 5:29:51.

Official splits:
Swim - 35:48. Kind of not totally happy with this split, but conditions were weird on the lake today, and most everyone had slower swim splits than expected, so I can live with it.
T1 - 2:42. Very pleased with T1, a huge improvement over previous transition times.
Bike - 2:59:52. Had a great first half of the bike (21 mph) on a very, very difficult bike course, but dialed it back on the second half (17 mph) due to concerns about catastrophic leg cramps at high levels of fatigue on the bike. So finishing the bike strong, but not too strong, was the priority. Very pleased to crack 3:00 on this course while taking it easy on the back end.
T2 - 2:21. Really happy with T2. Threw the bike on the rack, tossed the helmet and ran straight out without even putting my shoes on. Fastest T2 for me ever.
Run - 1:49:08. Just killed the run. My goal in this race was to break 5:30, and I needed a strong run to do it. By taking it easy on the back end of the bike, I saved enough in my legs to run hard the whole way. Passed a lot of the bike studs who blew by me late in the bike but who ended up walking the last half of the run - that always feels great. Did it barefoot to save time in transition, and that was perhaps decisive in breaking 5:30 - it would have taken me more than nine seconds to put something on my feet.

I'll post a more detailed race report later.

 

[Gunfighter 09]

Ran the America's Finest City half in 1:55:10.

Slowest ever, probably a mix of getting the flu earlier this week and the 80degree heat w/ high (for San Diego) humidity.


I have another one in a month to try and get back on track.

 

[TallerThanPedroia]

The thread has been dead lately - did you all stop running, or just stop posting about it?

Anyway, I did the Timberman Ironman 70.3 triathlon today up at Lake Winnipesaukee. Had a great race, setting a personal best of 5:29:51.

You're amazing. And I didn't realize you could run that far barefoot. I've never made it more than three miles without abrasion. How much building up did that take?