The Running Thread—2023

[surfde22]

ATTQOTD: I choose a goal race, and set up a training schedule towards that goal, and then see if there are local races that match up to the training distances on the schedule.

Upcoming race schedule:
Princess Weekend 2023 (5K + challenge)
Springtime Surprise 2023 (challenge)
Twin Cities Women’s Half (June 25)
TC Loony Challenge 2023 (Sept 30-Oct 1)
Disneyland Half Weekend 2024 (5K + challenge)

Nice to see a fellow Twin Cities-an here. Never done any of the challenges for Twin Cities marathon. Gonna stick with doing just the marathon. I love the course and crowd support for it.

 

[sandam1]

How do you pick your races and make your schedule?
Do you find a race you really want to do and plan around it?
Pick a distance, map out when you want to run it and then find a race that fits the bill?
And if you feel like sharing, what's on your schedule this year (or that you're hoping makes it onto your schedule)?

ATTQOTD

You know, it's funny because I was just talking about this with my friend today.

I need to intrigued by some part of a race to decide to enter. It might be the location, the course, the theme (particularly at Disney), the medal design, the distance or something else. I'm not going to do just the average local 5K on a random Wednesday night.

So far, I've always had one "A+" goal race per year that everything else either builds towards or at least fits around. For me, this is some Disney race simply because of the money spent on those race weekends. Since I'm coming out of Dopey relatively healthy and with a strong training base, I'm probably going to try to race a little bit more frequently than I have in the past and move the goal from "just finish" to some time goals.

I don't have anything on the calendar for this year so far other than Springtime Surprise. I really don't like 5Ks (it usually takes me 2 miles to get comfortable) and I didn't enjoy the training for the marathon so I'm looking for distances between 5 and 13.1 miles. In my area, that limits my options. Add in my first statement "I need to be intrigued by the race" and putting together my schedule is going to be interesting.

 

[fatmanatee]

So here's a question for the hive....may as well make it a QOTD.

How do you pick your races and make your schedule?
Do you find a race you really want to do and plan around it?
Pick a distance, map out when you want to run it and then find a race that fits the bill?
And if you feel like sharing, what's on your schedule this year (or that you're hoping makes it onto your schedule)?

My schedule this year right now and how I decided on the races:

- NYC half: done it before (2018), it’s a great route so it felt like the right time to give it another go.
- NYCRUNS Brooklyn half: I had done the NYRR iteration of this race and to be honest I didn’t really care for it. It runs around Prospect Park and then a straight shot down the parkway to Coney Island (which was cool! I wish the rest was like this). It’s a much more quiet run than I expected. Oh, and it’s in May, so it was hot. More optimistic about what NYCRUNS has put together, that one starts at McCarren and runs along the waterfront, ending at Prospect Park.
- Springtime Surprise Challenge: this is dumb, but… I wanted a run that goes through more of HS. People have heard me talk about this ever since GE opened, I’ve been very annoying about it. Was really jealous about the ToT 10 Miler going through GE, was hoping this year’s theme might be Star Wars, and it’s not! But the theme involves another IP at HS, so I’ll take it. Bonuses: second (I’m assuming) Epcot 5k, hopefully first rides on Guardians and Tron.

I mentioned Vegas earlier and I also looked into New Orleans, which apparently has been cancelled because running a half through the french quarter is a logistical nightmare. But anyway I’m not opposed to the idea of using a distance race as an excuse to go somewhere I wanted to go to anyway.

I’m also starting 9+1 for NYC Marathon qualification (again), done two races and registered for a third next month. I’m not sure if I’ll actually do it again, a lot depends on making improvements on shorter distances. But I want to qualify and have that in my back pocket while I figure things out.

 

[flav]

ATTQOTD: Race are celebrations so they either need to feel like it because of the theme, location or field size or because of the opportunity to run fast and measure my improvement.

Last year, I ran both my races for time without aggressive objectives but I also really like the Ptit Train du Nord setting so I will be doing the half with DH for fun there in 2023.

The two fun races Érables (Maples) and Vignobles (Vineyards) were postponed years after years. I am not sure that I would be adding these in the future otherwise.

Springtime Surprise Challenge is at Disney, do I need to say more on this board?

I like the size and location/culture of the Ottawa Race Weekend. It forces me to drive there for one night so it’s an event and the downtown is buzzing with runners. I have never run the Full and, while at it, I wanted to tackle the biggest Challenge they offer: 2k+5k+10k on Saturday and Marathon on Sunday. That means that I probably won’t be putting time objectives, certainly not on the Marathon, but am ok with my choice because Ottawa is usually hot in May.

Finally, the NYRR Marathon is iconic. I have been looking forward to it since 2020. Back then It was supposed to be a family trip (teens were 12 and 15 then and could miss two days of school) with Halloween in NYC on the Saturday and the Marathon 50th anniversary on Sunday. Could there have been a biggest party plan? I am still super looking forward to running the five burrows, feeling the 50k runners excitement, completing a challenging course, taking pictures along the way and hearing the cheers of the crowd.

 

[striker1064]

ATTQOTD: I mostly pick races I want to do. Sometimes I'll have a specific goal in mind and register for a race with that goal, but much more often than not I'm doing the races I want/that sound interesting. Actually I'd probably be a better and faster runner if I'd set a goal, train, and execute, but schedule rigidity is not something that brings me to running in general. It helps to just have races that are fun.

 

[GollyGadget]

ATTQOTD: When I first got into distance running, I would find spring and fall half marathons that interested me. I would only run if I was actively training and would lose a lot of fitness over the winter. This was also very repetitive and I'd get burnt out easily.

Now I try to vary my training and find races that support those goals. Last year that meant training for a half in the spring, focusing on the 10K in the summer and then switching to marathon training in the fall. I haven't quite worked out what my race calendar will look like in the second half of the year but my first focus is going to be on a mile road race happening in April.

I'll fill in other nearby races that look interesting. I also always look for races that are happening when on vacation. I don't always find one, but the ones that I have run are memorable.

 

[PrincessV]

I was wondering why there was no traffic on the 2022 thread and then realized… we’re 14 days into 2023 lol! Post-Race Brain is real.

I’ll do some catching up, but wanted to share a little something I learned from MW… it turns out (as many of you already know, and told me, but I just did not believe until I saw) that if you’re pretty fit and have been running long distances for a long time, you actually CAN finish a marathon undertrained! In my previous 6 marathons/Dopeys, I’d always gone up to a longest training run of 20+ miles, adding 10%ish to my long runs every other week. This time, for various reasons, I topped out at 16, and that was 7 weeks before the race. My longest runs after that were 13-14. So I had NO expectation of finishing marathon #7 - for a number of reasons, but undertaining was paramount among them. Well, I did finish it! And if I deduct all of the restroom and photo stoppage time, I finished in what is a respectable time for me! AND, this is the crucial point: I felt great, endurance-wise. Totally solid on that front. My only real issue was that I’m already prone to tendon problems due to an underlying disease, and the lack of training mileage on my steeply cambered FL roads resulted in a big ITBS flare-up on WDW’s super cambered roads. I was in a lot of pain by the time I finished, but felt significantly less fatigued than I have following previous marathons! Apparently the consistency of running 4 days a week, plus XT 2 more days, for a few decades is a better base than I thought. That’s exciting!

Anyway, on to 2023 and whatever surprises it may hold!

 

[PrincessV]

So here's a question for the hive....may as well make it a QOTD.

How do you pick your races and make your schedule?
Do you find a race you really want to do and plan around it?
Pick a distance, map out when you want to run it and then find a race that fits the bill?
And if you feel like sharing, what's on your schedule this year (or that you're hoping makes it onto your schedule)?

ATTQOTD: It took a while to figure out that I don’t actually like racing, so now I just don’t do it, apart from WDW races, which I don't actually race - that makes it really easy lol!

For training, I work backward from the race distance, plotting out my long runs every other week working backward until I’m at my base 6 miles I do year-round as a weekly long run.

My only confirmed race so far this year is the Toy Story 10-Miler in April, but I’ll probably register for something W&D weekend. Right now, my sole focus is recovery form MW, getting a diagnosis & treatment plan for an ongoing health issue, and seeing where that takes me.

 

[Baloo in MI]

ATTQOTD:
I have registered for several races in 2023 already and will throw my hat in the NYCM Lottery. I know the odds are super low, but why not. Running it last year was both incredible and horrible, so I would like another crack at it. Here are my plans for 2023:
- Spring Surprise Challenge in April
- Fargo Marathon in May
- two or three summer Halfs around Michigan
- Twin Cities Marathon as my 'A' race of the year on 10/1
- NYCM/Philadelphia as part of a racecation - just depends on what happens with lottery, early or mid November.
- And of course Dopey 2024 (if I succeed in that registration...)

I know I am planning alot of marathons. But only going all out at Twin Cities. Also this is part of pushing my marathon total. For some stupid (emphasize stupid) reason, I have decided I want to get to 60 marathons before I turn 60. And no I am not currently on pace...

 

[Naomeri]

Nice to see a fellow Twin Cities-an here. Never done any of the challenges for Twin Cities marathon. Gonna stick with doing just the marathon. I love the course and crowd support for it.

ATTQOTD:
I have registered for several races in 2023 already and will throw my hat in the NYCM Lottery. I know the odds are super low, but why not. Running it last year was both incredible and horrible, so I would like another crack at it. Here are my plans for 2023:
- Spring Surprise Challenge in April
- Fargo Marathon in May
- two or three summer Halfs around Michigan
- Twin Cities Marathon as my 'A' race of the year on 10/1
- NYCM/Philadelphia as part of a racecation - just depends on what happens with lottery, early or mid November.
- And of course Dopey 2024 (if I succeed in that registration...)

I know I am planning alot of marathons. But only going all out at Twin Cities. Also this is part of pushing my marathon total. For some stupid (emphasize stupid) reason, I have decided I want to get to 60 marathons before I turn 60. And no I am not currently on pace...

Gosh, I might have to stick around after I finish the TC 10 Miler to cheer for you guys

 

[MissLiss279]

ATTQOTD:
I have registered for several races in 2023 already and will throw my hat in the NYCM Lottery. I know the odds are super low, but why not. Running it last year was both incredible and horrible, so I would like another crack at it. Here are my plans for 2023:
- Spring Surprise Challenge in April
- Fargo Marathon in May
- two or three summer Halfs around Michigan
- Twin Cities Marathon as my 'A' race of the year on 10/1
- NYCM/Philadelphia as part of a racecation - just depends on what happens with lottery, early or mid November.
- And of course Dopey 2024 (if I succeed in that registration...)

I know I am planning alot of marathons. But only going all out at Twin Cities. Also this is part of pushing my marathon total. For some stupid (emphasize stupid) reason, I have decided I want to get to 60 marathons before I turn 60. And no I am not currently on pace...

I really enjoyed Fargo! I thought it was a great race (at least before the pandemic).

 

[striker1064]

I know a few people here use Strava premium. Lots of reports the price is increasing by as much as double, but communication has been... lacking. Here's a DC Rainmaker post on it.

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2023/01/strava-raises-prices-doubling.html

 

[NYC_MW]

So here's a question for the hive....may as well make it a QOTD.

How do you pick your races and make your schedule?
Do you find a race you really want to do and plan around it?
Pick a distance, map out when you want to run it and then find a race that fits the bill?
And if you feel like sharing, what's on your schedule this year (or that you're hoping makes it onto your schedule)?

ATTQOTD: I look for fun races or ones friends are doing and add local races if they fit the training schedule. Generally try to not repeat races and semi aiming for 50 states, but realistically won't get very far.

On the docket for 2023:
Jan: Marathon weekend 4 races ✔
Feb: Princess weekend 10k + half
Apr: Skyline half in Dallas (this would make it races in 10 states)
Sep: added self to waitlist for Berlin but not holding out much hope

And maybe another half sometime in the fall

 

[avondale]

So here's a question for the hive....may as well make it a QOTD.

How do you pick your races and make your schedule?
Do you find a race you really want to do and plan around it?
Pick a distance, map out when you want to run it and then find a race that fits the bill?
And if you feel like sharing, what's on your schedule this year (or that you're hoping makes it onto your schedule)?

My answer is a bit different from the others that I've seen. I do choose races partly based on my goals. But the overriding consideration is that the race conditions have to be COLD. Preferably T+D ~ 100, lower is better. I've found from experience that if the T+D starts reaching 120 (and higher) that races turn into the march of death for me. Even though I consistently run all summer here near DC with the hot and humid weather.

Given the weather requirements and the fact that training plans take awhile, I usually run two goal races per year: one in early winter and one in late spring. I'm willing to travel and so typically I go north for the late spring race.

Regarding my goals...currently I'm looking to increase my race distance on trails. In December, I ran a trail 30K. My late spring race will be a trail marathon, and I want to do my first 50k by the end of the year. (I turn 50 this year!)

I'm looking at the Hurt the Dirt Trail marathon on April 22 in Grand Rapids, MI. I am still undecided on the 50k toward the end of the year.

There's a lot of time between April 22 and the end of the year, even for training for a 50k, so I may try a local trail 5k or 10k without the intention of racing them in June/July. Or maybe even look to PR my road 5k. Then hunker down for the humid summer weather that just kills me.

 

[lookingforsunshine]

ATTQOTD:

My goal this year was the marathon this past weekend. I am also signed up for PW. After these I had hopes of just doing fun things for the rest of the year (maybe RAGBRAI, backpacking trips, a small triathlon or two) but now that I didn’t get to do the marathon I am re-thinking what my next year should look like as I will def be back for vengeance next year.

Part of me is really frustrated at waiting another year to do a marathon but I also really want my first marathon finish line to be Disney. Sigh. I don’t know.

that being said, I told my friend I would run the half marathon piece of a half Ironman relay. The real problem with that race is running in Augusta, GA at the end of September probably between 2 and 4 pm.

I did this 70.3 and can confirm that the run was super duper hot.

 

[garneska]

Thanks @lookingforsunshine. It will make summer training essential.

I went for a hike today. Only 900 ft of gain but I did feel that in the knee, however it felt ok by the end of the hike. Will definitely be doing more hiking to get ready for our vacation to Yellowstone NP and Grand Teton NP. Plus Whisky is tuckered out.

@Novatrix after driving home from Disney, I checked the availability and now i have 2 nights at Canyon Lodge and two nights at Old Faithful Inn. @The Expert we are flying into SLC and driving to Yellowstone first, then down. I think you have done this before , any tips? We are going the week before Memorial Day.

 

[The Expert]

@Novatrix after driving home from Disney, I checked the availability and now i have 2 nights at Canyon Lodge and two nights at Old Faithful Inn. @The Expert we are flying into SLC and driving to Yellowstone first, then down. I think you have done this before , any tips? We are going the week before Memorial Day.

How fun! That is a great time of year to go. It could still be cold enough to snow so bring waterproof layers and warm things. There should be lots of bear activity so travel in pairs, make noise and carry bear spray on the trails!

The drive up to Yellowstone is best done via I-15 through Idaho and up into the west entrance at West Yellowstone. You can basically divide the park into four quadrants, driving distances are LONG and SLOW due to tourists and wildlife, so plan on one day per loop to make all the stops if you're able. (I'd do the two northern loops while you're at Canyon and the two southern when you're at OFI.) Spend at LEAST few full days in Grand Teton as well. I actually like the hikes and wildlife spotting better in Teton than Yellowstone, though spring is hard to beat up there.

As for the trip back down, if you have some time buffer I highly recommend taking 89 all the way down to Evanston and then I-80 via Park City back to SLC. It takes a little longer but is much more peaceful and scenic.

Hit me up via DM if you want detailed tips or have questions -- I could write a book!

 

[Novatrix]

ATT(Yesterdays)QOD:
My racing schedule is a mixture of tradition and luck of the lottery gods. While I keep up with running routinely, I'm not really one who keeps to a defined training cycle, unless I have a marathon on the docket. And I really enjoy races, as I love the energy and getting to run in different surroundings from my hometown/treadmill.

There's a couple of races I now try to do every year (Broad Street 10miler and a half in my state) which I use as a rough judge of my fitness level.

This year's schedule so far:
Jan - Dopey Challenge
March - NYC Half Marathon (finally!!! This was after 5 years of lottery entries...)
April - April Fools Half Marathon and Broad Street 10 miler
June - Philly Runfest Half Marathon
Sept - Berlin Marathon

As always, I'm going to enter the NYC marathon lottery, but the odds aren't in my favor. I might decide to add some other fall races as we get closer to the season.

 

[Novatrix]

ATTQOTD:
Part of me is really frustrated at waiting another year to do a marathon but I also really want my first marathon finish line to be Disney. Sigh. I don’t know.

This is my totally unsolicited opinion, feel free to ignore, but I think you should capitalize on your current training fitness and try and do a marathon this year once you recover. Don't wait for next year's Dopey.

Crossing that finish line at the Disney marathon will always be special whether it's your first or second marathon. By completing another marathon before then, there will be so much less pressure on you at next year's Disney marathon and you can truly soak in and enjoy the experience.

There's no other marathon you can ride a rollercoaster, get photos with characters, cross the finish line with a margarita, whatever else will make the race special to you. Let another race be the painful first marathon, have the Disney marathon be a victory lap.

 

[accm]

ATTQOTD:

2023 goal - train for a half POT race, and as a stretch goal, see if I can manage a sub 2hr half.
Also figure out a way to train for more than 3-4 months without my body getting mad at me.

Races for the year:
Jan - Dopey (done!)
May 28 - I’m thinking I might try the local 5k. I’ve never done a 5k for time, so it might be cool to train for.
September - Georgina half. This is where I’m hoping to get the POT
Jan 24 - 2nd Dopey