Kali's Woman Beast Log

[KaliBaby]

Hello all! I was searching around several vegan resource groups and stumbled upon Vegan Fitness. How convenient since I need some running advice!

I'm about to start week 8 of my half marathon training. Before I embarked on this training journey, I had never actually run for the purpose of preparing for a race. I haven't picked which half marathon to run in yet but I'm shooting for one in the fall so I have the whole summer to continue training.

Anyway, despite me being on week 8- I still haven't brought myself to run more than 5 miles! I try to vary my mileage per day so that I don't get overwhelmed. My 5 mile time has significantly improved but I still can't manage to push myself to run farther. Any advice?

Also- I've encountered some issues while running.... 1) my shoulders get really tense and hurt after the first 2 miles or so. What gives? 2) I noticed the last time I ran this week that the inside part of my legs near my knees kept touching uncomfortably. This had never happened before. Was I just tired?

One last question... after a day of class and running.... how do I curb late night eating?!?!!?

Thank you so much for your time! I can't wait to hear from you!

~Kali (pronounced Kay-lee)

[Konstantin]

Hi and welcome. I'm no expert but have blundered through 2 HMs and am not a natural runner, so maybe I can help.

With distance, make sure you are having rest days. If I run more than 50% of the maximum distance I can run, or I do an intense speed session, next day has no running for me. Those rests are essential.

To increase distances you're running, I think you need to bring your speed right down. I find it hard to run really slow, but you have to force yourself. Aim to run maybe 800 metres more than last time - you should add no more than 10% each time. I ask myself what the purpose of each run is. Is it intervals (short distances, top speeds)? Is it distance - no pressure on speed, just a long plod?

Not sure on the eating, but make sure you get some protein and carbs after running. My easy way s cook cous cous and throw in lentils and other beans.

Shouders came up on the Runners sub forum a while back, take a look. Basically you need to flex them and extend your range of movement while you run.

Hope that helps, let us know how you get on.

[spike]

Hi Kali, Welcome to Vegan Fitness.
I can't answer any of your questions as I've been running about as long as you. Sounds like you're doing really well with it so far though.

[erske]

Welcome!

Like Papaya said: realy hold back on speed on at least the first half of a long run. I aim to have one longer run per week and 2-3shorter runs during the week at slightly higher speed.

5mile runs also seems lika pretty good distance for it only beeing your 8th week of training. especially if your aiming at a hm in the fall, youll get ther well prepared...

Don't worry about late night food intake, The important thing is that you replentish your glycogen stores

[KaliBaby]

thanks so much fellow veggies!

guess what... I RAN 6 MILES TODAY!!!!

[KaliBaby]

Yesterday:

6+ miles
Ab workout

Today:

10 min jog/run on an incline

weights:
30 leg curls
30 hamstring curls
30 seated rows

25 min xt on elliptical

30 chest presses
20 lunges with weights
20 vertical pull-downs
30 reps mixed arms exercises with 10 lb dumbells

10 min ab workout with medicine ball

I figured if I split up my cardio and put weights in between I would see more benefits.

Tomorrow's goal: 6 miles again and maybe sprint intervals at the end?

[gms]

Your training looks good. And congrats on the 6 miles.

[KaliBaby]

Today:

5 miles and abs
I PRed by almost a minute!!!!!! I was too tired to do the sprints I wanted.

I might do some resistance training after I do my errands. I like working with bands. I feel like I'm using more muscles in my body to do moves and my muscles look more toned vs. bulky.

Hope everyone else's day is going as good as mine!

[gneva]

Hey Kali! Good work!! I'm just about where you are, and I'm training for a whole marathon (not that I'm very smart to be doing that, but my goal is just to survive the thing rather than win it).

What has helped me to increase distance is to give myself permission to walk for maybe two or three minutes and then keep running after that. Also, I've stopped worrying about speed completely. I run as slowly as 10 or 11 minute miles. But lately I haven't had to have walking rests. (After this Sunday that might no longer be true!)

Ugh...the eating thing. Have you tried vegetable juice (like V-8)? It can be kind of salty and lead to a temporary water gain, but in the long run it keeps me from eating between meals. Also, the vegetable stir fry is one of my favorites!

Today I went to buy running shoes and the store owner was an ex-high school women's coach. He watched me run and said I was carrying my arms too high and too much in the same plane as my body. He said that could lead to shoulder and neck stiffness. I have no idea whether you do that, but I tried changing it for a fast mile today and feel pretty good around the shoulders and neck.

Hang in there! You're doing great!

[KaliBaby]

Gneva- that is exactly what I keep doing! I sometimes catch a glimpse of myself running in the mirror and my shoulders keep coming up and my arms are higher than they should be. My neck definitely gets stiff and the only solution I've found is to hunch my back a little... which I'm sure is bad for breathing.

As happy as I am about getting my time faster, I need to keep my eye on my real goal and run more! I'll take your advice about running slower while upping mileage.

Do you have a marathon in mind that you are shooting for?

[KaliBaby]

This weekend I went to a wedding up in North Jersey so the only real exercise I got was dancing

Today I only had time for 30 minutes on the elliptical and a quick ab workout. Tomorrow I def need to get back into running.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH I am so tired!!!!

[KaliBaby]

45 minutes on elliptical

50X leg press
30X leg curl
30X leg extension

30X back extension

30X chest press
30X lat pull down
30X row back

100X sit-ups/crunches on an incline

I don't have classes tomorrow so I think I'm going to see how long I can run for.... this could be interesting

[KaliBaby]

60 minutes on a bike in the gym while I studied for a quiz.

Ab work out.

Maybe after my quiz and midterm tomorrow afternoon I will go for a run. It was really deceiving today. The sun was shining but it was so cold! I want to be able to run outside without getting sick!!!!

[KaliBaby]

65 minutes on elliptical

weights:

20X leg curl
20X leg extension
20X back extension
20X chest press
20X chest fly
20X lat pull down
20X upright row

ab workout

maybe if I focus more on cardio and do less weights I'll be more lean and more fit for running. I feel like if I bulk up it will affect me negatively. Any thoughts?

[shellie]

It makes sense to train specifically to the sport you want to focus on. Saying that, I have not long completed a half marathon (albeit very slowly) and have done more weight training than running - I only ran once or ocasionally twice a week.
It looks like you are doing high reps with the weights so this deffo won't make you bulk up. I suppose it just depends on how much you enjoy weight training and how seriously you take the running.

Also, looking at gms's log, she is very good runner and does weights too so I guess it must be ok - she will probably know more about this.