This has been a year of fitness milestones for me! Running, then running a 5k... Then a half marathon! I've also done some repsectable distances on my bike and will log over 2000 miles on it over the summer.
I wholeheartedly credit Portland Fit with giving me something to keep me motivated to push farther and harder than I ever would have alone. I truly believe now that our biggest obstacle is our own heads.
What I am dreading though is coming to the end of the events, the end of our running season, and the cold dark rainy weather. I have come so far this year, I do not want to lose my fitness gains over the winter! How will we maintain? I SO do not want to go back to the dreadmill... But I am also a fair weather runner (although I survived Helvetia!).
How do you all plan to make it through Nov - Feb without becoming fat and slow!
Betsy
Full Version: What happens after October 7th?
Betsy,
Set a spirng marathon goal, say Whidbey Island, and buy the right clothes to fend off the weather. Dressed properly, you can handle just about any temps nature throws at you. Oh, and find someone to train with that has the same goal. On those cold December/January/February mornings, you definitely want someone else suffering alongside you.
Another alternative is the Stay-Fit group meeting on weekends. Mileage varies, but the companionship remains the same.
The benefit is that come spring, you'll be literally "miles ahead" of where you would be if you slowed way down and hibernated.
See the GREEN tagline below...
Doug
Set a spirng marathon goal, say Whidbey Island, and buy the right clothes to fend off the weather. Dressed properly, you can handle just about any temps nature throws at you. Oh, and find someone to train with that has the same goal. On those cold December/January/February mornings, you definitely want someone else suffering alongside you.
Another alternative is the Stay-Fit group meeting on weekends. Mileage varies, but the companionship remains the same.
The benefit is that come spring, you'll be literally "miles ahead" of where you would be if you slowed way down and hibernated.
See the GREEN tagline below...
Doug
There are a lot of groups in the Portland area that meet year round. You don't have to worry about being slow because most have runners of all kinds! I also know that quite a few PFitters meet up in the off season to run together and they usually post on this board to keep in touch. Check out these links.
Niketown: http://inside.nikerunning.com/category/portland
Portland Running Company: http://www.portlandrunningcompany.com/ (Look in the bottom right corner for different meeting times/places)
You can do it! Good luck...mol
Niketown: http://inside.nikerunning.com/category/portland
Portland Running Company: http://www.portlandrunningcompany.com/ (Look in the bottom right corner for different meeting times/places)
You can do it! Good luck...mol
Find another marathon to train for. I finished Portland and then signed up for Eugene on 4/29/07. Right now, I'm checking out the marathons that will be in December and January, thinking that I will want to do another one about then. Some place warmer than Portland.
I'm first year Portland Fit, but second year training mostly following the PFit schedule for times and milage last year.
I'm first year Portland Fit, but second year training mostly following the PFit schedule for times and milage last year.
QUOTE(RunDougRun @ Jun 19 2007, 03:34 PM) 
Betsy,
Set a spirng marathon goal, say Whidbey Island, and buy the right clothes to fend off the weather. Dressed properly, you can handle just about any temps nature throws at you. Oh, and find someone to train with that has the same goal. On those cold December/January/February mornings, you definitely want someone else suffering alongside you.
Another alternative is the Stay-Fit group meeting on weekends. Mileage varies, but the companionship remains the same.
The benefit is that come spring, you'll be literally "miles ahead" of where you would be if you slowed way down and hibernated.
See the GREEN tagline below...
Doug
Set a spirng marathon goal, say Whidbey Island, and buy the right clothes to fend off the weather. Dressed properly, you can handle just about any temps nature throws at you. Oh, and find someone to train with that has the same goal. On those cold December/January/February mornings, you definitely want someone else suffering alongside you.
Another alternative is the Stay-Fit group meeting on weekends. Mileage varies, but the companionship remains the same.
The benefit is that come spring, you'll be literally "miles ahead" of where you would be if you slowed way down and hibernated.
See the GREEN tagline below...
Doug
I am pretty ok with cold temps, it's the rain. But out of determination or whatever, I guess a person just has to suck it up. Setting some early year goals will help with motivation, as will finding other people to train with during the bad weather. I'll be looking forward to meeting up with other "Stay Fitters" come fall!
Betsy,
I hear ya on the rain. By late February and early March, I really had to "suck it up" to go out on the rain days. It just got tiresome and dressing more appropriate to not overheat was a little trickier. But....it was good for Mental Toughness. Come raceday, I knew I could run in anything short of tornadoes, locust and plague.
Plan now, because if you choose an out-of-town race location, which is highly likely in the spring, you'll want to get accommodations set up early.
Good Luck!
Doug
I hear ya on the rain. By late February and early March, I really had to "suck it up" to go out on the rain days. It just got tiresome and dressing more appropriate to not overheat was a little trickier. But....it was good for Mental Toughness. Come raceday, I knew I could run in anything short of tornadoes, locust and plague.
Plan now, because if you choose an out-of-town race location, which is highly likely in the spring, you'll want to get accommodations set up early.
Good Luck!
Doug
QUOTE(RunDougRun @ Jun 21 2007, 07:23 AM)
Betsy,
I hear ya on the rain. By late February and early March, I really had to "suck it up" to go out on the rain days. It just got tiresome and dressing more appropriate to not overheat was a little trickier. But....it was good for Mental Toughness. Come raceday, I knew I could run in anything short of tornadoes, locust and plague.
Plan now, because if you choose an out-of-town race location, which is highly likely in the spring, you'll want to get accommodations set up early.
Good Luck!
Doug
I hear ya on the rain. By late February and early March, I really had to "suck it up" to go out on the rain days. It just got tiresome and dressing more appropriate to not overheat was a little trickier. But....it was good for Mental Toughness. Come raceday, I knew I could run in anything short of tornadoes, locust and plague.
Plan now, because if you choose an out-of-town race location, which is highly likely in the spring, you'll want to get accommodations set up early.
Good Luck!
Doug
Seems like it's never as bad as you imagine it once you get out there!
Winter...I tend to hibernate and I don't recommend that b/c I end up fat in the spring
You do need a goal to keep you motivated. The other I would recommend is switch it up.
When you train for 26.2 you can't focus on shorter run PRs or other activites as much. Tri's, hikes etc.
If you continue your marathon training the same...straight through winter you will most likely end up getting "stale" and your improvement will plateau. Periodization prevents that. PFIT does this in Minute by minute, daily, weekly, monthly and 1/2 yearly basis. Speed days have 60seconds stresss 60 seconds of rest......each week was run days and recovery days.....we increase mileage for 4 weeks or so then have light week....we build to benchmarks and take it easy....our season is built with 6/mo goal in mind...then a rest period. There's a reason we don't start 9months early or run year round. You can still say in shape but mixing up the goal, incorporating variety and rest periods should allow you to improve better/faster overall. I think Roger Bannister ran this <4min mile after a week of rock climbing. (Refer to ESPN "4" for more details or RW Mag)
Stay fit should provide you a fix you need. Definitely get a partner and find people you can train with.
You do need a goal to keep you motivated. The other I would recommend is switch it up.
When you train for 26.2 you can't focus on shorter run PRs or other activites as much. Tri's, hikes etc.
If you continue your marathon training the same...straight through winter you will most likely end up getting "stale" and your improvement will plateau. Periodization prevents that. PFIT does this in Minute by minute, daily, weekly, monthly and 1/2 yearly basis. Speed days have 60seconds stresss 60 seconds of rest......each week was run days and recovery days.....we increase mileage for 4 weeks or so then have light week....we build to benchmarks and take it easy....our season is built with 6/mo goal in mind...then a rest period. There's a reason we don't start 9months early or run year round. You can still say in shape but mixing up the goal, incorporating variety and rest periods should allow you to improve better/faster overall. I think Roger Bannister ran this <4min mile after a week of rock climbing. (Refer to ESPN "4" for more details or RW Mag)
Stay fit should provide you a fix you need. Definitely get a partner and find people you can train with.
I agree. I like to keep going over the winter. I do this best by picking a race to train for, but overall I just don't like to start over in the spring. Winter's biggest goal for me is to stay at a place where I can say, "oh, just 10 miles today? Cool!" I like to be able to run a Half at any time. Not that i have utilized that training recently...
It's really good to mix it up with other activities too like Tony said. I need to do this a lot more since I am really stale. My running is not causing any weightloss which I am kinda needing...
Too much beer I guess. 
Doug is right about the clothes too, it's a matter of staying warm and then it's not too tough to get out there when you have buddies waiting for you!
It's really good to mix it up with other activities too like Tony said. I need to do this a lot more since I am really stale. My running is not causing any weightloss which I am kinda needing...
Too much beer I guess. Doug is right about the clothes too, it's a matter of staying warm and then it's not too tough to get out there when you have buddies waiting for you!
Hi Betsy!
I, like you, HATED running in cold and/or rainy weather. Doug is right: clothing makes a big difference. This last year I decided that I would use the winter to build my base fitness and strengthen my core. I invested in some lined running pants and some long sleeve running shirts, jacket and hat. I also added some additional things to my workout routine like Tony suggested.
Here is a week I copied from my training log in December:
Monday- 1 hour on the treadmill or bike trainer
Tuesday- PT Workout at the gym (core, lower body)
Wednesday- Swim class and/or Yoga
Thursday- PT Workout at the gym (core, upper body)
Friday- 1 hour on the bike trainer
Saturday- run with StayFit or run on my own
Sunday-rest
It looks like a lot because I had a workout 6 days a week. But I was only doing about 3 hours/week of cardiovascular and the rest was core work and weight training. Also, my Tuesday and Thursday workouts were done in the morning so after work I didn't have anything else planned. It almost felt like a rest day. I, like the others mentioned, picked a spring 1/2 marathon. This kept me pretty motivated to stay in the gym and on the dreadmill, even when I didn't feel like it.
A training partner is essential. I had a coach and personal trainer last winter but this year I am going to try to find someone to train WITH me. After seeing the results and improvements that RunDougRun had after hooking up with a training partner, I'm convinced that the accountability is key in keeping up the workouts in those cold, dark months.
Good luck and watch this discussion board over the winter. StayFit is a great way to keep up your fitness, even if you didn't add the extra workouts during the week!
Sharon
I, like you, HATED running in cold and/or rainy weather. Doug is right: clothing makes a big difference. This last year I decided that I would use the winter to build my base fitness and strengthen my core. I invested in some lined running pants and some long sleeve running shirts, jacket and hat. I also added some additional things to my workout routine like Tony suggested.
Here is a week I copied from my training log in December:
Monday- 1 hour on the treadmill or bike trainer
Tuesday- PT Workout at the gym (core, lower body)
Wednesday- Swim class and/or Yoga
Thursday- PT Workout at the gym (core, upper body)
Friday- 1 hour on the bike trainer
Saturday- run with StayFit or run on my own
Sunday-rest
It looks like a lot because I had a workout 6 days a week. But I was only doing about 3 hours/week of cardiovascular and the rest was core work and weight training. Also, my Tuesday and Thursday workouts were done in the morning so after work I didn't have anything else planned. It almost felt like a rest day. I, like the others mentioned, picked a spring 1/2 marathon. This kept me pretty motivated to stay in the gym and on the dreadmill, even when I didn't feel like it.
A training partner is essential. I had a coach and personal trainer last winter but this year I am going to try to find someone to train WITH me. After seeing the results and improvements that RunDougRun had after hooking up with a training partner, I'm convinced that the accountability is key in keeping up the workouts in those cold, dark months.
Good luck and watch this discussion board over the winter. StayFit is a great way to keep up your fitness, even if you didn't add the extra workouts during the week!
Sharon
Just to let you in on a little secret, but it hardly ever rains while we are running throughout the winter. For some unknown reason (at least by me, maybe Mr. Zaffino knows), but there seems to be a window from 0800-1030 where the rains just seems to stay away while we maintain our winter fitness through StayFit, meeting at CNF. Hopefully I didn't just jinx us for this coming winter...
Cory
Cory
I agree it seems that most of the mornings at Van-stayfit we avoided the rain; but when it was raining it's no big deal. The rain is much easier to adjust to than the hot weather; you put on a extra layer or just have a water-proof running jacket and your pretty well set and if real cold, gloves etc. Also it seems more enjoyable to all get together for coffee after a rain run than days like we have in the summer. I encourage all to come out and participate in the low key fun stayfit; and as Doug says something like "it's easier to stay fit than to get back into shape."
Consider Vancouver; it always rains less here and the coffee shop is only 100 feet away.
Consider Vancouver; it always rains less here and the coffee shop is only 100 feet away.
Are there walkers in the VanStayfit group?
QUOTE(Wendy Kizer @ Jul 12 2007, 11:43 AM)
Are there walkers in the VanStayfit group?
Yes, AC John, AC Barb and I keep walking through the winter months. We like to do the RnR AZ mararthon and we need to stay up with the mileage. Hope you come out and join us during the off season. Sure makes the beginning of the next season easier than thinking...3 miles!
Hi Wendy! Angela and I do Stayfit Vancouver too! It is a great time and to be honest with you....on some occasions we meet and just have coffee!
Consider it!
Randy
Consider it!
Randy
Hey thanks guys! Count me in.....I don't want to start all over! Coffee sounds good too!
Hey Randy, hope you and Angela and the younguns' had a fabulous celebration last night! Look for Angela's pic's from the 4th....they didn't have any of her, me or my friend.....hum....too fabulous to publish?
See ya Saturday
Wendy
Hey Randy, hope you and Angela and the younguns' had a fabulous celebration last night! Look for Angela's pic's from the 4th....they didn't have any of her, me or my friend.....hum....too fabulous to publish?
See ya Saturday
Wendy
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.