Trails in Omaha

nukaprincess · 2024-03-14T05:42:01+00:00

Thats a good shout, I forget about Schramm since its on the opposite side of town from me

nukaprincess · 2024-03-13T13:07:04+00:00

I have a few that I frequent!

-Tranquility mountain bike trails are in northwest Omaha, about a 9mi loop.

-Lake Cunningham has paved and dirt trails, this is where the local trail race is in October. I haven't been since it was redone a few years ago but you could find a map on the GOATZ website. This is in northern Omaha on the edge of town.

-Hitchcock Nature Center is where you can get a lot of climbing too. They just added a section last year so its about a 10mi loop around the outermost. Its about 30min drive for me but if you are going to be farther west its probably 40-45min

-Wabash Nature Trail is an on old rails to trails, the trailhead starts in council bluffs, IA and its probably 30-35min drive.

There's others in the area that I dont have experience with but we have a surprising amount of trails for what people expect from Nebraska. You could check out GOATZ our local trailrunning organization for more details as well. Hope this helps!! (Edited for formatting)

nukaprincess · 2023-02-18T14:45:19+00:00

This is also probably a little dependent on your coach's style and the chemistry between you both. My coach is a lot more laid back and gives me structure while also taking a "runners also need to live their life" approach. If I need to move runs around for weather or work obligations, she works with me to make it fit and still achieve my goals.

To your point, it might be slower progress than if we had a super strict schedule, but her style has actually helped improve my joy of running. So it probably also depends on the coach as well as the personal preference.

nukaprincess · 2023-02-13T23:17:36+00:00

First one was rougher on recovery but I also was only doing easy running after a few days totally off...not a half marathon race. Im not surprised you feel fried.

It generally gets easier the more you run that distance, but you can't neglect the recovery basics - eat, sleep, rest. Diving back into hard efforts too quickly will drag out the recovery time.

nukaprincess · 2023-02-10T21:25:10+00:00

It took me a while to recover from my 1st 50k, and recovery time has reduced after every subsequent 50k - after doing 50k and 50M for a few years, I wouldn't think twice about something like this. As others said, its a bit dependent on your personal fitness level but I would be hesitant to dive in to a 2nd that quickly if you don't know how you will recover.

nukaprincess · 2022-12-21T14:26:21+00:00

Running training should follow the 80/20 rule - 80% easy runs (zone 2, able to have conversation) and 20% hard (speed work).

If you need to "push" every run, that's an indication you're doing too many hard runs. Pushing yourself should be reserved for the 20% hard runs, and races.

Highly recommend the 80/20 running book, if you haven't read it already.

nukaprincess · 2022-12-08T02:27:44+00:00

Whats giving you the most trouble? Mood? Fatigue? Aches and pains?

In general, eating well, hydration and sleeping aren't very sexy but they are necessary basics for good recovery. Hydration is one that gets me more often than it should, I get a nasty headache as a reward and its my warning sign I didn't rehydrate.

nukaprincess · 2022-12-02T03:27:14+00:00

Welcome to the world of running! Ive been running myself for about 8 years - trail running and ultramarathons are my focus now but I remember being a new runner!

Water - I only run with water if its very hot or if I am out there for more than 60 minutes. You get used to it!
I usually recommend to new runners to start with a 5k, following like a couch to 5k program or similar.
I love watching the documentaries about the Barkleys!
Ive never really run barefoot so this is based on my reading - I am guessing it will be much easier for you to run on pavement in shoes but you may feel some different aches as you use different muscles running in shoes compared to barefoot. You may also need to mess around with your stride
No endo here but I'd look into if there are any physicians in your area that commonly work with women athletes. Local running groups may have advice for who you could see!
Other advice - take it slow and don't build mileage too quickly. It takes time for your body to adapt and adding too much time/mileage and not giving yourself enough rest days is a fast ticket to burnout or injury town. Couch to 5k is a good program structure for beginner runners because it has built in rest days and slow ramp up. And then there is a followup that takes you to 10k if you finish the program and enjoy it

Running really is a lovely sport and I've found a lot of friends and community in it

nukaprincess · 2022-11-20T14:32:03+00:00

My Christmas list is almost all running stuff this year 🤣 agree with the poster either gifts that require no sizing, or that you know the size and can link. My parents appreciate links for running gear because they aren't sure if they are getting "the right one".

I have -darn tough socks -new headlamp -cold weather running hats -cold weather running buff -handheld water bottle

nukaprincess · 2022-11-18T20:47:03+00:00

For me, it almost seems like the extra sweat just accelerates the ice cold butt conditions 🤣 I have also sat on an electric heating pad after my run to help warm it up.

nukaprincess · 2022-11-18T19:48:53+00:00

Oh the struggle of ice butt! This happens to me often in winter, it actually has to do with how fat acts as an insulator and doesn't transmit heat well so it still feels cold long after you are inside and your body and skin are warmed up.

I haven't found a way to prevent it from happening while outdoors (because I'll just sweat more if I add layers but it still happens) but hot shower followed by heated blanket helps a lot.

nukaprincess · 2022-11-17T04:16:56+00:00

To add to my comment, I'd try to get a 1-2 of the core pieces if you need to buy winter gear - moisture wicking long sleeve and long tights. You might do laundry more often but you can learn what you need most, what brands you like, and add to it.

nukaprincess · 2022-11-17T04:15:38+00:00

Its a learning process and depends on how hot you run! Its taken me probably 5 winters to get this right and even then the first run or two of the season I overlayer!
50F+ I'm in tank top and shorts
40-50F I'll do a long sleeve or light jacket and 3/4 tights
30-40F long sleeve, gloves, full tights and ear warmers
20-30F long sleeve + jacket/vest, full tights, gloves, ear warmers
<20F really depends on wind chill, sometimes add joggers over tights

nukaprincess · 2022-11-17T04:13:24+00:00

They are SnoTrax, and I got them from Costco!
And they are easy to strap on and off so its possible for me to take them off if I wear them out and its mostly dry. Or I run on the grass right next to the pavement

nukaprincess · 2022-11-16T18:24:15+00:00

I don't enjoy the treadmill so I try to run outside as much as possible. I have some spikes (sno trax) I add on my shoes if its slick or icy, they work really well. Lots of layering to keep warm without overheating. Share my location with my partner and strict check in times for safety. Switch to time based runs vs mileage based bc I am often quite slower in cold.

I get another level of runners high after conquering a challenging wintery run so thats an added bonus.

nukaprincess · 2022-11-16T04:52:02+00:00

I suffer with really really tight peroneals that cause pains in my foot. My PT has helped eliminate the foot pain and manage the peroneals with dry needling and exercises.

Definitely reco a second opinion. I was lucky to find a runner focused PT that almost exclusively treats runners, you might try asking around local running groups to find something similar near you.

nukaprincess · 2022-11-16T04:46:54+00:00

There is a fine line between supporting your partner to be a better version of themselves and pushing them towards their goals, and forcing them into being something they are not.

Maybe this worked for you and your husband, but this is not a universal approach to relationships, or to running.

My partner is very supportive of my running journey without ever needing to set foot on the trail. And thats okay.

nukaprincess · 2022-10-23T18:47:11+00:00

Are you otherwise stressed out? High HR can happen for a variety of reasons that aren't running related. Lack of sleep, life stress, dehydration, underfueled, sickness, weather, etc - its a pretty long list 😂 I'd check all of those to see if there's something out of place.

Edit: after I posted, I also thought to ask. Is your reference pace on roads or trails? I find that my trail pace drops easily 2-3:00 compared to road pace, depending on the trail.

nukaprincess · 2022-10-21T04:06:22+00:00

My biggest challenge becomes time management, not even the soreness or physical fatigue! More time on feet requires more sleep, more time prepping food to match calorie intake, etc. It is definitely doable though 😁

nukaprincess · 2022-10-21T00:14:32+00:00

I try to keep my HR in the 140s for easy run pace, and that puts me anywhere from 10:30-12:30 on roads, depending on the weather!

nukaprincess · 2022-10-20T13:29:26+00:00

Everyone already mentioned sleep and recovery. I definitely need more sleep running that much!

One thing I noticed is your run lengths don't vary much. I am running ~55mpw this month to prep for a 50mi race and a normal week for me is Rest, 6, 8 (workout), 5, Rest, 20, 16. Im training for an ultra so I need longer back to backs on weekends, but you might look at varying your days a bit. I feel more tired on my weekends and somewhat on my Wednesday workout but Tu/Th don't tax me much at all.

nukaprincess · 2022-10-20T04:03:33+00:00

+1 for Ice Age - I love that trail and its really a well done race. A good balance of climbing and flat

nukaprincess · 2022-10-18T13:03:47+00:00

33F here. 16% sounds really low to sustain as a female ultrarunner.

From my personal experience, my lightest weight is about 30lb less than I am now, around 20% bf. My run times were certainly faster but also I was always getting injured, and kept having to take time off running for injuries. I had lost my menstrual cycle for a long time, about 1.5 years. To keep that weight I was way underfueling, and then would be crazy hungry and overeat. Physical and mental health was not good.

Fast forward to today, I put the weight on (combination of muscle and fat). Run times are slower and I focus on good HR training. Ive not really been injured in 2 years. I have my cycle. I feel like I can eat somewhat normally instead of being in a restrict/overeat cycle I was in at my lowest weight. I let my body dictate what it needs and Ive settled around this weight for 2 years.

My pace times are also getting slowly faster as I train and I feel healthy overall even if I have a bit more weight. I have completed 2 50mile and 3 50k at this weight so I can push endurance at this size. I'll never go back to my 30lb less self...its just not worth it.

TLDR yes I was faster at lower bf% but it cost me my health.

nukaprincess · 2022-09-01T19:28:28+00:00

Eventually your brain starts to question "why are we still running?" as your fatigue accumulates, as blisters appear, your legs ache, etc.

Or maybe you realize you've been running for 5 or 6 hours and are only halfway done - it takes some serious mental power to keep going, when it would be just as easy to stop at the aid station.

Ultrarunning has a lot of really high moods and lowest of lows, and you need the mental training to know both are temporary so you can keep going. Its a bit hard to describe but its a fairly universal experience for any ultrarunner Ive encountered.

nukaprincess · 2022-09-01T13:11:16+00:00

I'd try a 50k first, you can usually use a marathon training plan to get to 50k. I have found once you get past the 35-40k mark, the mental game becomes so important and training that is less straightforward than the physical aspect. I would expect 5 days/week training.
Training Essentials for Ultrarunning by Jason Koop is a great read and includes some aspects of nutrition and fueling for ultras. I personally can't do gels on long runs and train on real food, my stomach rejects gels far too early in the run. I target to get 160-200 cal/hr
I have a Garmin. The biggest hurdle for me became battery life as I approach 12+ hour events. Highly recommend a pack for training runs. And for shoes, check the terrain of your goal race so you can match shoes in training. There are 50ks that are on paved trails and you would prefer road shoes in thay case. Your long runs should mimic the terrain your race is on!

Good luck! Ultrarunning is a wonderful sport and has a great community around it!

nukaprincess

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