I Will Go the Distance… just not very fast (Comments welcome!)

[The Expert]

After Saturday's debacle with the vest, I did a deep dive into options for carrying hydration without overheating. I picked up a lightweight Nathan vest at REI today to try out (it comes with one 14oz flask). I may also go for a handheld, but we'll see.

I ran today's speed work on the treadmill in my vest. I filled the flask with a trial run of Skratch POG flavor (yum!), cinched up the straps to what I thought was tight enough and made adjustments during my warmup.

Discoveries made:

• I immediately felt some rubbing on the bottom strap across the chest, so I tightened things up even more.
• The excess strap material is SUPER annoying, so if I keep the vest, I will be trimming and burning those ends!
• I quickly found out that the phone was fine in a front pocket during warmup but NOT at speed -- it was bumping into my ribs with every stride (not bouncing though). It did work in the back zipper pocket, though it feels a bit heavy there.
• Untapped gels and waffles were completely undetectable in the larger front pockets. The waffle also worked really well in the back zipper pocket (without the phone).
• Getting to the flask was really easy, and I was able to sip while running or walking without removing it from the vest. No sloshing at all.

Overall I like the vest. I had it over a shirt, but I will need to try it over my Rabbit pocket crop. I am worried about chafing from that front bottom strap. I think next I will test out a combo of handheld + pocket crop for phone + leggy smashem shorts for everything else.

tl;dr I think this will be a good solution for easy outdoor runs, trail runs and hikes, but TBD whether it's a good option for racing, especially the marathon. I'm going to pick up a handheld to try as I have other options to store fuel and phone if needed.

 

[Herding_Cats]

@The Expert which vest did you try? I have a vaporhowe that I really like, but it's also sort of a lot of fabric, and I bought it 5 years ago so I'm sure the models have changed since then.


It has way more capacity than you'd need, especially without putting water in the back, but I think they made one around the same time that was white and purple that was front-flasks-only. The fabric is tech-feeling with some stretch, so you can really cinch it down. Looks like a Pinnacle might be the closest thing at this point?

I also tried a vaporairess when I was trying vests, and it was too......backpack-fabric feeling? And so much mesh that made me super nervous about chafing.

 

[nancipants]

I ran today's speed work on the treadmill in my vest. I filled the flask with a trial run of Skratch POG flavor (yum!), cinched up the straps to what I thought was tight enough and made adjustments during my warmup.

Discoveries made:

• I immediately felt some rubbing on the bottom strap across the chest, so I tightened things up even more.
• The excess strap material is SUPER annoying, so if I keep the vest, I will be trimming and burning those ends!
• I quickly found out that the phone was fine in a front pocket during warmup but NOT at speed -- it was bumping into my ribs with every stride (not bouncing though). It did work in the back zipper pocket, though it feels a bit heavy there.
• Untapped gels and waffles were completely undetectable in the larger front pockets. The waffle also worked really well in the back zipper pocket (without the phone).
• Getting to the flask was really easy, and I was able to sip while running or walking without removing it from the vest. No sloshing at all.

Overall I like the vest. I had it over a shirt, but I will need to try it over my Rabbit pocket crop. I am worried about chafing from that front bottom strap. I think next I will test out a combo of handheld + pocket crop for phone + leggy smashem shorts for everything else.

tl;dr I think this will be a good solution for easy outdoor runs, trail runs and hikes, but TBD whether it's a good option for racing, especially the marathon. I'm going to pick up a handheld to try as I have other options to store fuel and phone if needed.

If you want to try another brand of vest, I really love the Saloman adv skin liter. It’s super expensive, so I bought it from REI so I could return it if I didn’t like it.

 

[The Expert]

If you want to try another brand of vest, I really love the Saloman adv skin liter. It’s super expensive, so I bought it from REI so I could return it if I didn’t like it.

Thanks for the details! I looked at those when I was at REI but went with this one first: https://www.rei.com/product/228264/nathan-pinnacle-featherlite-hydration-vest in part because the back is mostly mesh. I get hot when I run and don't think I could do the backpack-style material even if it was empty.

I may go back and look again at the Salomons.

 

[nancipants]

Thanks for the details! I looked at those when I was at REI but went with this one first: https://www.rei.com/product/228264/nathan-pinnacle-featherlite-hydration-vest in part because the back is mostly mesh. I get hot when I run and don't think I could do the backpack-style material even if it was empty.

I may go back and look again at the Salomons.

FWIW, I also get extremely hot when I run and I've never had an issue with the Salomon vest being too warm. And I've worn it during a 20 mile long run in August! I like that I can freeze extra soft flasks and put them in the bladder portion to keep me cooler.

 

[The Expert]

Really good to know. And yes, I've seen that suggestion to freeze the flasks. I'll definitely try that! For now, I've ordered this: https://www.runningwarehouse.com/Sa...n_4_Set_Pack_Dusky_Orchid/descpage-SAW41.html

Wasn't really going for pink but I didn't want black, and they had it in stock in my size. I'll probably wait to return the Nathan vest until I get a chance to test this and see how versatile it is. I really like how lightweight the Nathan is and it would work well for dog walks and trails, but probably realistically I don't need two.

 

[The Expert]

It's been a week and it's only Tuesday night. I had mid-plan time trial today and my head and heart just were NOT into it. I've been preparing to leave for my organization's national conference back in Salt Lake early on Wednesday, so it was already a busy week. On top of that, my oldest cat Audrey, who is almost 25 years old, starting showing some concerning signs last week. She randomly loses her appetite or gets a bit picky or extra tired, but with some enticing foods, meds and extra care she has always bounced back. This time felt different, and by Monday evening she was vomiting, stumbling around and clearly in distress. We knew it was time, and we were able to get into a 24 hour vet to quietly let her go. We've had this cat through most of our married life and DH was especially close to her, so while it wasn't a shock, it sucks and the timing is terrible. DH is going with me to SLC, so I guess the positive part is that at least we were here when she decided to go.

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

So yeah, my head was NOT into the time trial today, but somehow that worked in my favor. Catching up on the training plan...

Apr 27 - May 3 (Week 4 of my 8-week "get faster" training)
Monday 4/27: Strength train. Went to Pilates this morning.
Tuesday 4/28: 4 x 400 m @ Interval Pace with 1 min (walk) Recovery, 4 x 200 m @ Repetition Pace with 200 m (walk) Recovery. You guys, 400s are HARD! I got it done and found the right paces, though.
Wednesday 4/29: Strength train. I did squeeze in a short workout with bands.
Thursday 4/30: 40 minutes conversational pace + 4 x 30 second strides. I drove down to Boston (and back) for a Sony Alpha photography event I was invited to. It was great, but a very long day of driving and walking around in the rain.
Friday 5/1: REST. 40 minutes conversational pace + 4 x 30 second strides. Did this on the treadmill with minimal walk breaks. I think I've finally retrained my body not to want to stop and walk every 2 minutes!
Saturday 5/2: 60 minutes conversational pace. REST.
Sunday 5/3: Optional cross-training. 60 minutes conversational pace. I toyed with doing this outside and testing my new Salomon vest, but the wind was problematic. Instead, I tested a new sports bra on the treadmill. Side note: I really love Rabbit gear!

May 4 - 10 -- CURRENT WEEK
Monday 5/4: Strength train. Went to Pilates class.
Tuesday 5/5: Time trial. 10 minute warmup, 1 mile run, 20 minute cooldown. I've done two of these before, and the typical approach is to break it into 1/4 miles, starting out at a relatively easy pace, working up to full send. I usually stress, over prepare and over think these, but with everything going on I barely gave it a thought. I didn't even really fuel all that well. But I knew I had to get it in before leaving tomorrow, so when it popped up on my calendar, I jumped on the treadmill, turned on the music, and just went for it. Innately my body just knew what to do, and I just kept tapping the speed up every time it felt like I had it under control. I finished and really had no feeling for how it went. It felt good to just run it out, tbh. My first time trial back in November was a 9:03, which I was SO pleased with. When I started this training block five weeks ago, my time trial was 8:00 and I was THRILLED and a bit amazed. You guys, this time trial, with my brain shut off, was 7:49! I literally have no words. Okay one word: HOW? How is this me?? I still feel like the other shoe is going to drop at any moment and I'll find out it isn't real. Even if it turns out my treadmill calibration is WAY off, the relative improvement is real. And I'm so so so happy with it.
Wednesday 5/6: Strength train. I fly out to SLC at 7am, so unlikely this gets done.
Thursday 5/7: Rest day. I switched the end of the week around a bit to accomodate conference.
Friday 5/8: 50 minutes conversational pace + 4 x 30 second strides. I'm leading a morning "fun run" for attendees in my old stomping grounds, so that should be fun!
Saturday 5/9: Optional cross-training. Unlikely to happen with the last day of conference and the closing party. Perhaps I'll get some dancing in?
Sunday 5/10: 70 minutes conversational pace. We have a down day in SLC since we aren't flying home until early Monday, so I will take advantage and do my run there.

 

[GollyGadget]

Sorry to hear about Audrey. You had so many good years & memories together.

 

[jmasgat]

RIP Audrey. You were so very clearly loved during your long life.

Hugs to you and your DH (and congrats on your speedy mile. I’m going to stop reading soon because your speed is reminding me of my younger (50’s) self.)

 

[marty3d]

So sorry for your loss - it sounds like Audrey had a great life and certainly found the right family!

 

[marty3d]

Oh - and congrats on your mile trial! Ok - I'm not sure you're allowed to use "not so fast" anymore. 7:49 is faster than I can run a full mile. That's amazing progress - I may need to steal your training plan because the way you're going I think you'll finish Chicago before me!

 

[nancipants]

So sorry about Audrey.

And I'm sorry, you're gonna have to be kicked off Team Not-So-Fast soon.

 

[The Expert]

That's amazing progress - I may need to steal your training plan because the way you're going I think you'll finish Chicago before me!

I'm not entirely convinced the actual speed is accurate, but I'm really going to try and do the next one outside as a check. I do know what different speed efforts feel like, so I'm somewhat confident it's close. I don't know if it's the plan or the coach or both, but it's working!

And I'm sorry, you're gonna have to be kicked off Team Not-So-Fast soon.

I know, I know!