[Better than yesterday]

<p>For many of us, this is the most difficult time of the year to continue lacing them up, day in, day out.  But we do it.  One foot in the other, we do it.  In the dark, in the cold, through snow and slush and biting winds, or maybe toughing it out on a treadmill if outside just isn't happening.  So this week's question is, have you ever come to a crisis point in your running where you questioned if you'd be able to continue?  Not just whether you could continue one workout - whether you'd be able to continue with your passion, running?  </p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.kickrunners.com/user/mcsolar99"><span>mcsolar99</span></a></p>
<p>Need your Tally when you can, Matt</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.kickrunners.com/user/tamster"><span>Tamster</span></a></p>
<p>21.2 miles</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.kickrunners.com/user/evanflein"><span>evanflein</span></a></p>
<p>53.1 miles run, 4 miles walked, 5.58 miles elliptical, weights & core</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.kickrunners.com/user/orangemat"><span>OrangeMat</span></a></p>
<p>47.35 miles, some xtraining, a buncha yoga</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.kickrunners.com/user/hemerocallus"><span>Hemerocallus</span></a></p>
<p>28.3 miles</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.kickrunners.com/user/opie"><span>Opie</span></a></p>
<p>29.22 miles</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.kickrunners.com/user/hally"><span>hally</span></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>6.25 miles; elliptical once; weights twice; CC ski 1.5 hours</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.kickrunners.com/user/happyfeat"><span>HappyFeat</span></a></p>
<p>27 miles</p>
<p><br><a href="http://www.kickrunners.com/user/better+than+yesterday"><span>Better than yesterday</span></a></p>
<p>19 miles</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.kickrunners.com/user/fortunate+one"><span>Fortunate One</span></a></p>
<p>21 miles</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.kickrunners.com/user/jjjessee"><span>JJJessee</span></a></p>
<p>48.40 miles</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.kickrunners.com/user/dove"><span>Dove</span></a></p>
<p>42 miles<br>
 </p>
<p><a href="http://www.kickrunners.com/user/paul"><span>Paul </span></a>    </p>
<p>31.9 miles</p>

 

[Tamster]

<p>Thank you Brian for taking on the daily this week and thank you Heme for last week.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>good question Brian. I haven't had a point like that. But then I started running later in life, so perhaps it's just that I haven't come to a point like that yet. Hopefully I won't.  I have been running for just 4 yrs now and although I experienced a rash of injuries in that first 1.5 yrs or so, I was confident that I'd overcome them. Although honestly, I never felt I would be able to run the marathon distance with the chronic IT issues I had. But I never felt that it would take me completely out of the running picture - probably just limit what distances I could do.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I was supposed to do more mileage than I planned on last week. I never did get in a long run. Since I have a 3 day wknd, I just told myself I could either do it today (Sunday) or tomorrow, but somehow it didn't register with me that Monday is actually the start of a new week. Oh well, I'll probably get in two long runs this week then.  I've finished up my 8 wks of hill work and now it's just a fairly easy paced week for me.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>mon: .... long run ....... 6.7 mi not very long, but also got in a good workout at the gym.</p>
<p>tues: .... rest ............. rest + some stretching/core</p>
<p>wed: ..... run .............. 5 mi RAL</p>
<p>thur: ...... run ............. 0 mi. stretching/foamrolling/core work</p>
<p>fri: ......... rest ............ rest</p>
<p>sat: ...... long run ....... 6.7 miles</p>
<p>sun: ...... rest ............ 0</p>
<p> </p>
<p>miles:   17.4 miles</p>

 

[JJJessee]

<p>Thanks, Heme and Brian.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I do have days that I don't like to face the weather, but usually I look at bad weather as part of the adventure.</p>
<p> I've been fortunate the past few years, most of my running years really, and time has not been an issue. If I had time stress staring at me day in and day out it could get the best of me I'm afraid.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<div><strong>M...  0.00</strong></div>
<div><strong>T... 10.10</strong></div>
<div><strong>W... 0.00</strong></div>
<div><strong>T...  0.00</strong></div>
<div><strong>F... 11.00</strong></div>
<div><strong>S...  0.00</strong></div>
<div><strong>S... 21.70  in the snow, uphill both ways</strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>JJJ...42.80</strong></span></div>

 

[hally]

<p>Thanks Brian</p>
<p>For me it's not just running but getting in some form of exercise. I can't imagine not doing anything and am shocked that people do that. If you don't use it you lose it!!</p>
<p>Of course I am not as tough as some of y'all. I will go hiking or skiing in the nasty wind but not running. Too open here!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Monday=1 mile snowy hike</p>
<p>Tuesday=</p>
<p>Wednesday=2 miles</p>
<p>Thursday= 2miles</p>
<p>Friday=30 min elliptical 15  min weights</p>
<p>Saturday=hiked, not sure how far</p>
<p>Sunday=5.5 miles snowshoeing</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Totals</strong></p>
<p><strong>ran 4</strong></p>
<p><strong>30 min elliptical</strong></p>
<p><strong>5.5 snowshoeing</strong></p>
<p><strong>some hiking in the snow</strong></p>

 

[OrangeMat]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Better than yesterday</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/72190/the-weekly-january-17th-through-january-23rd-2011#post_1977194"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>...have you ever come to a crisis point in your running where you questioned if you'd be able to continue?  Not just whether you could continue one workout - whether you'd be able to continue with your passion, running?</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</div>
<p>This is exactly how my running has always been, regardless of the weather. I knew, deep down, that I loved running, but just didn't <em>how</em> to love it because I hadn't found the freedom of movement yet in my body. This past summer I broke through that supposed ceiling. So I think I'm good to go for a while now.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks Brian, and Heme for last week. Plan to emerge as the week progresses.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Mon..... yoga</p>
<p>Tue...... 7.5 miles</p>
<p>Wed.... 5.5 miles</p>
<p>Thur..... 5 miles</p>
<p>Fri....... 0.5 mile walking (ouch! hamstring is unhappy <span><img alt="sad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad.gif">), 30 min stationary bike</span></p>
<p>Sat...... 2 miles run-walk (stationary bike decided it was on strike!)</p>
<p>Sun..... 15 min stationary bike (until it crapped out again, ugh), 5 miles (TM at 2% incline = no hamstring pain!), home yoga practice</p>
<p> </p>
<p>totals: 25 miles, some stationary biking (machine needs to get repaired), yoga</p>

 

[Hemerocallus]

<p>Thanks so much for taking over, Brian.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Interesting question!  I must say that I've had some moments where I wondered.  My first goal when I got back to running a few years ago was to be able to get back to running up to 10 miles.  For almost 4 years, every time I got close I acquired a new injury that would set me back a minimum of 2 months.  I was starting to wonder if my body was trying to tell me something and I really wasn't cut out for running after all.  Now that I've finally gotten past that milestone and figured out how to stay relatively healthy, I don't worry so much.  All the injuries taught me the joy in cross training, so I know I have options regardless.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This week... actual will depend on weather.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>M............... <strong>4 easy TM</strong></p>
<p>T................ <strong>spin 45 min/core 15 min</strong></p>
<p>W............... <strong>5.6</strong></p>
<p>T................. <strong>6</strong></p>
<p>F................. nada</p>
<p>S................ <strong>10</strong></p>
<p>S.................<strong>rest</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Total:  <strong>25.6</strong> miles</p>

 

[Opie]

<p>Great question!  I'll echo the others.  There have been several times when I've wondered something along these lines, "Well, I can keep running but I'll never be fast so I'll just do a lot of marathons slow," or "Hey, I'm getting faster at these short distances but I'm not sure I'll race another marathon with this da*n injury."  These bumps seem pretty insignificant in the big picture.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Day.................Plan.............................................................................................................................................................................Total</p>
<p>Monday....2 mi. + circuits + 2 mi.; maybe yoga later......................................................................................................done-4.01 mi. plus all the rest</p>
<p>Tuesday...Warmup, strides & drills + 400m x 8 with 400m recoveries + Cooldown & 2 final strides..........................................................done-6.26 mi.</p>
<p>Wed........2 mi. + circuits + 2 mi................................................................................................................................................done-4 mi. but no weights</p>
<p>Thurs......Progression Run 5 miles with the last 3 tempo.......................................................................................................................done-5 mi.</p>
<p>Friday....rest......................................................................................................................................................................................done</p>
<p>Saturday...5k race.....................................................................................................................................................done-warmup, 5k PR & cooldown for 5.6 mi.</p>
<p>Sunday...rest & walk with Honeybee....................................................................................................................................................done</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Total.......24-25 mi.........................................................................................................................................................................done-24.87 mi.</p>
<p>Here's my average weekly pace for about the last year:</p>
<p><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/73677/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="Avg. pace - Week.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="16051" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/16051/width/400/height/240" style="; width: 400px; height: 240px"></a></p>

 

[HappyFeat]

<p>I've absolutely never questioned continuing to run.</p>
<p>I've wondered if I could continue to live if I couldn't run.</p>
<p>It's a life-sustaining activity - no stopping it now without dire consequences.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The week ahead will depend on my tummy issues, but here's the plan.</p>
<p>Monday:       5 miles........................................................................DONE slowly</p>
<p>Tuesday:      4 miles depending on how the doctor's appt goes......DONE</p>
<p>Wednesday: 8 miles........................................................................DONE slowly, yet felt fast, some leg complaints</p>
<p>Thursday:     4 miles........................................................................DONE</p>
<p>Friday:          Rest Day</p>
<p>Saturday:      10 miles......................................................................DONE strongly; no problems with the run.</p>
<p>Sunday:        Rest Day.....................................................................1 slow mile with DH</p>
<p>Total:            32 miles</p>

 

[Fortunate One]

<p>Thanks for the thread and question, Brian.  I've never considered stopping, although I realize that my body might give out some day.  So far, my "young legs" (running only 5 years) are doing fine.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Mon.....<strong>3 M</strong>, including January's shirtless mile (temp around 30F with light wind)</p>
<p>Tue......volleyball</p>
<p>Wed.... <strong>4 M</strong></p>
<p>Thur.....travel to Maui</p>
<p>Fri.......bask in the sun</p>
<p>Sat......bask some more</p>
<p>Sun.....<strong>26.2 M</strong> slowly to savor the experience: 4:33:35</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Total:  <strong>33 M</strong></p>

 

[Labduck]

<p>I have no plan to share with anyone since my running schedule is at the whim of my PT, but the question posed by Brian is very much at the forefront of my current view on running.  I am at that crisis point now with my knee.  When you're missing more than half of your medial meniscus, running becomes at best a 50/50 proposition.  I seem to be stuck in the undesirable half.  If the next six weeks of PT doesn't reduce the pain(s) in my knee, I'm probably done with running for a very long while; possibly for good.</p>

 

[evanflein]

<p>I just hate to think of Labduck not being able to run. It's just not right. But I can certainly understand why you'd say that.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Crisis point? Well, not really yet. Even faced with weeks of marathon training in the dead of winter here, I've always found a way. But I can't help but feel there will come a time when I can't keep beating up my foot and still be able to function. It's doing ok now, but towards the end of summer and fall, after several months of hard running, it starts to feel like a limiting factor. But we're doing ok so far, and learning to adapt to it so I can keep on running.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Cutback week...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Monday: 5.1 easy miles on the treadmill, .4 mile walk</p>
<p>Tuesday: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(68,68,68);">17:25 min. on elliptical (2 miles), 18 minutes upper body weights</span></p>
<p style="color:rgb(68,68,68);font-family:Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:1em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;">Wednesday: 9.1 mile progressive pace run on the TM, 8:30 avg pace (8:57 to 8:06), .4 mile walk</p>
<p style="color:rgb(68,68,68);font-family:Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:1em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;">Thursday: 12 min. elliptical (1.4 miles), 20 minutes weights, .5 mile walk; 5.3 miles run and .6 mile walked after work</p>
<p style="color:rgb(68,68,68);font-family:Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:1em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;">Friday: 3.5 easy miles, .66 mile walk</p>
<p style="color:rgb(68,68,68);font-family:Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:1em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;">Saturday: </span>9.2 miles with 6 @ MP, .66 mile walk</p>
<p style="color:rgb(68,68,68);font-family:Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:1em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;">Sunday: 13.5 miles on the treadmill. (egads) .7 mile walk</p>
<p style="color:rgb(68,68,68);font-family:Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:1em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;"> </p>
<p style="color:rgb(68,68,68);font-family:Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:1em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;">Totals: 45.7 miles run, 3.5 miles walked, 3.4 miles elliptical and 2 x weights</p>

 

[Better than yesterday]

<p>I'd hoped to ramp up from last week's planned 41 to about 45, but off to a slow start and 40+ might not be a good idea for me right now even under the best running conditions.  Would like to get into the 30's this week though.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Monday................................stretch, core, 5 miles.................................<strong>0</strong>, stretch, core.</p>
<p>Tuesday...............................stretch, 5 miles.........................................<strong>5</strong>, stretch</p>
<p>Wednesday..........................stretch, core, 8 miles (dbl) ........................<strong>5</strong>, stretch, core, 33:00 on elliptical, swimming.</p>
<p>Thursday..............................stretch, 5 miles.........................................<strong>0</strong>, stretch</p>
<p>Friday..................................stretch, core, 6 miles.................................<strong>6.5</strong>, stretch, core</p>
<p>Saturday..............................stretch, 13 miles</p>
<p>Sunday................................stretch, core</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Plan.................................42 miles</p>
<p>Execution.........................</p>

 

[Paul]

<p>BTY, thanks for the thread.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>M - 8 miles</p>
<p>T - 5 miles</p>
<p>W - 10.8 miles</p>
<p>Th - 7.7 miles</p>
<p>F - rest day</p>
<p>Sa - 2.1 mile warm-up, 5K race, 10 mile run</p>
<p>Su - rest day</p>
<p>_____________________</p>
<p><strong>Total - 46.7 miles</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Paul</p>

 

[Dove]

<p>Thanks BTY,</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Whenever I'm in a slump I take a few days off, maybe volunteer at a race. Watching others run is a sure way to put the sparks back into my legs.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Monday: rest</p>
<p>Tuesday: rest</p>
<p>Wednesday: 11 miles</p>
<p>Thursday: 7 miles</p>
<p>Friday: 6 miles</p>
<p>Saturday: 7 miles with a xc 5k embedded</p>
<p>Sunday: 5 miles</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Total: 36 miles</p>

 

[fred-urie]

<p>Around 10 hours of running with 1 interval workout on an indoor track and 2 hard hill workouts.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Mentally I overcame whining about the cold and icy sidewalks, and got in some</p>
<p>tough strength work which is good base in January.</p>