The Running Thread—2023

[Bree]

I hear you, but asking people to be up in the middle of the night for absolutely no benefit other than the fun of standing for hours, and *then* telling them they still need to pay big $$$ to spend a day in the park also seems off putting.
Especially since if they are in the park later that day, they are still spending money on food and drink and souvenirs. Presumably, if they don’t get enough volunteers, then Disney has to pay cast members to show up, and I would think that a park pass is trivial compared to paying cast members. So I do not see an issue with offering volunteers, some sort of perk, whether it is a T-shirt, a jacket, or in this case a park pass.
Just my 2 cents.

Volunteer shirt for W&D


It sounds like not enough for water stops….again. They will pull from other areas to man all the water stops, but it just might be fewer people handing the cups to runners. They had a shortage last season for the water stops, but they were able to keep us runners hydrated!

Kind of unrelated, but they don’t have enough volunteers for the Special Olympics 11/10 & 11/11 at ESPN WWOS either. I’ve been getting a lot of emails lately with volunteer shortages for all sorts of events

 

[camaker]

I hear you, but asking people to be up in the middle of the night for absolutely no benefit other than the fun of standing for hours, and *then* telling them they still need to pay big $$$ to spend a day in the park also seems off putting.
Especially since if they are in the park later that day, they are still spending money on food and drink and souvenirs. Presumably, if they don’t get enough volunteers, then Disney has to pay cast members to show up, and I would think that a park pass is trivial compared to paying cast members. So I do not see an issue with offering volunteers, some sort of perk, whether it is a T-shirt, a jacket, or in this case a park pass.
Just my 2 cents.

I'm not commenting in any way on whether there should be perks to volunteering or what the right level of perk might be. I'm just commenting on the incongruity of the statement that volunteers should be paid.

 

[Herding_Cats]

contemplating when's the "right" time to end my dog's life.......

big hugs to you. Are are in a very similar situation with one of ours and it sucks

 

[GollyGadget]

Sitting here with a miserable cold that bloomed in full in London (thank god for Sudafed and business class to get me home okay), have done nearly no running in the last 2 weeks (see: massive storm in Scotland that canceled my race + sick), contemplating when's the "right" time to end my dog's life.......I am so not into thinking about running NYC marathon next weekend.

Sorry for the moan, but I figure you guys get it. Life throws you curveballs--in the scheme of things, these are minor. Right now, they just get me down.

Sorry life threw you so many lemons at once

 

[Bree]

Sitting here with a miserable cold that bloomed in full in London (thank god for Sudafed and business class to get me home okay), have done nearly no running in the last 2 weeks (see: massive storm in Scotland that canceled my race + sick), contemplating when's the "right" time to end my dog's life.......I am so not into thinking about running NYC marathon next weekend.

Sorry for the moan, but I figure you guys get it. Life throws you curveballs--in the scheme of things, these are minor. Right now, they just get me down.

Sorry about your pup. It’s never easy to make that decision.

 

[GreatLakes]

Sitting here with a miserable cold that bloomed in full in London (thank god for Sudafed and business class to get me home okay), have done nearly no running in the last 2 weeks (see: massive storm in Scotland that canceled my race + sick), contemplating when's the "right" time to end my dog's life.......I am so not into thinking about running NYC marathon next weekend.

Sorry for the moan, but I figure you guys get it. Life throws you curveballs--in the scheme of things, these are minor. Right now, they just get me down.

I'm sorry. We just went through that about a month ago. It is hard to know when it is time and even though we felt 100% it was the right time for our guy there are moments of second guessing. How honest is your vet? We had one that would never make a commitment about the life/death decision but our new vet was way more honest. When we asked what they would do they didn't hesitate to give us their honest opinion.

 

[kps7795]

Just wanted to share that Saucony is having a 31% sale at their website with free shipping for orders over $75. If I hadn't purchased 4 shoes during the Amazing Prime sale, I would definitely be getting myself some more Triumphs.

 

[dis_or_dat]

@jmasgat I’m so sorry my to hear what you’re going through. Biggest hugs to you.

 

[garneska]

@jmasgat i am so sorry about your fur baby. It’s a hard decision. No advice just big hugs.

 

[avondale]

I'm late to the night-running gear... I have a reflective vest (neon yellow plus reflective material) and LED lights that I clip on front and back. When I did Ragnar in 2018, that's what they required - they specifically would NOT allow Noxgear vests for whatever reason. I also have knucklelights (rather than a head/chest lamp). The LED clip-on lights use one of the thin circular watch batteries, and they last a long time. The latest generation of knucklelights are USB rechargeable. I've been told that I am quite visible by residential drivers who just parked.

One thing I like about this set-up is that I can gradually turn the lights on as the Sun sets, if I start running before sunset. I turn on my back LED light immediately, but then I can wait on turning on the front LED and my knucklelights until it's dimmer. Also, I can carry my knucklelights in my running belt until I need them.

 

[mmm_texas]

I have a fueling during training question. Previously, on long training runs (for me over 8 miles) I had been using gel packs. However, I informally follow Jeff Galloway's run-walk training, and recently heard someone on a podcast say that the long, slow training runs are helping train your body burn fat more efficiently, as opposed to it getting used to only using simple carbs. Would this mean that I should avoid or cut back on gel-type fueling during those training runs?

Thanks!

 

[Zutroy]

I have a fueling during training question. Previously, on long training runs (for me over 8 miles) I had been using gel packs. However, I informally follow Jeff Galloway's run-walk training, and recently heard someone on a podcast say that the long, slow training runs are helping train your body burn fat more efficiently, as opposed to it getting used to only using simple carbs. Would this mean that I should avoid or cut back on gel-type fueling during those training runs?

Thanks!

Glycogen depletion training is an actual thing, but it is never recommended for long runs since it defeats any of the aerobic benefits. The point is to get your body more efficient at switching from glycogen to fat at the end of a marathon. Your body stores glycogen in the muscles, which is rapidly depleted, and in the liver. The average liver can store between 88g to 160g of carbohydrates, which is typically exhausted by mile 20 of the marathon. This is why people “bonk.” What I’m assuming the podcast was talking about is that high intensity cardio uses glycogen, while low intensity uses fat for energy. While I don’t think you need gels for anything under 20 miles, having them won’t hurt you.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Sitting here with a miserable cold that bloomed in full in London (thank god for Sudafed and business class to get me home okay), have done nearly no running in the last 2 weeks (see: massive storm in Scotland that canceled my race + sick), contemplating when's the "right" time to end my dog's life.......I am so not into thinking about running NYC marathon next weekend.

Sorry for the moan, but I figure you guys get it. Life throws you curveballs--in the scheme of things, these are minor. Right now, they just get me down.

Sorry to hear about all of it, especially your dog. Been there and done that more than a few times, and it is never fun.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

I have a fueling during training question. Previously, on long training runs (for me over 8 miles) I had been using gel packs. However, I informally follow Jeff Galloway's run-walk training, and recently heard someone on a podcast say that the long, slow training runs are helping train your body burn fat more efficiently, as opposed to it getting used to only using simple carbs. Would this mean that I should avoid or cut back on gel-type fueling during those training runs?

Thanks!

I recently did a half marathon that absolutely kicked my butt. While the warmth may have been a factor, it was more than that, and I think a lot of it was a lack of carb loading (on top of a low carb diet for the past 2 years) and lack of fuel during the race. Truly, I do not think I’ve ever felt that bad during or after a race.

For some of my longer runs of late, I have been experimenting with different fuels and have generally felt much better during and after the run.

For tomorrow’s marathon, I will be taking in fuel approximately every 4 miles and it will be a mix of Gu, Glukose, Maurtens, and Clif gels, plus the applesauce and jellybeans that the race hands out.
I will try to post a race report in the Marine Corps Marathon thread. The report may not be until Monday however…

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

One of the sons plays football and has this on the back of a team shirt:
“
Nobody cares
No excuses
Train harder”

I know, it is not terribly sensitive and is not always applicable, but I do like the message, especially when any of the kids are complaining, and are simply being lazy and wanting to make excuses.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

If I may wax a little poetic, I really love the atmosphere around a race weekend. Whether it is here at the MCM or at Disney, just seeing all of my other fellow runners (and their shirts with all the other races that are out there) and sharing a bit of camaraderie, however tenuous, for what we are about to do.

Also, the DW will (I hope) see me running for the first time. It turns out the race route comes within a couple of blocks of our hotel, and hopefully, even with her bad knees, she will be able to walk over and wave at me.

While I have managed to slim down some, and I’m not the slowest runner out there, it is still difficult not to be a little envious of some of the guys that have managed to make it to my age while maintaining very low body fat and looking like a runner. My friends and coworkers know that I do this, however, every now and then I still get someone who sees my race shirts and has a confused look on their face because I don’t look the part.
OK. Enough of waxing poetic and contemplatively. I just finished my 20 minute run around the block and getting my MetroCard, so nothing else to do other than get supper and get some rest.

 

[mmm_texas]

For tomorrow’s marathon, I will be taking in fuel approximately every 4 miles and it will be a mix of Gu, Glukose, Maurtens, and Clif gels, plus the applesauce and jellybeans that the race hands out.

I'd been using Clif gels since I started running longer distances (about 3 years ago), and was really bummed that they've discontinued them. I switched to Gu, which so far has worked out okay (although I do miss the tear-top that leaves the top attached, so there's no separate little piece to keep track of until you find a waste receptacle).

 

[gosalyn_mallard]

Monumental Half Marathon Quick Summary
Indianapolis, IN Saturday October 28

- Huge race with 10,000+ runners and the worst porta potty lines and corral layouts I've ever seen.
- Basic, boring expo.
- Fun crowd support on much of the course.
- Course goes through downtown Indy and some neighborhoods. Too many pot holes and cracked pavement to watch out for.
- Amazingly flat course!!! It was glorious.
- I got a PR! Beat my previous PR (from 2020) by almost 4 mins! 10:01 pace down to 9:44. Super proud of myself!
- I'm local, but there are lots of hotels and restaurants within walking distance.

IMO, it's not a destination race, but I'd recommend this race to anyone wanting a super flat course with likely cooler weather.

 

[FFigawi]

Monumental Half Marathon Quick Summary
Indianapolis, IN Saturday October 28

- Huge race with 10,000+ runners and the worst porta potty lines and corral layouts I've ever seen.
- Basic, boring expo.
- Fun crowd support on much of the course.
- Course goes through downtown Indy and some neighborhoods. Too many pot holes and cracked pavement to watch out for.
- Amazingly flat course!!! It was glorious.
- I got a PR! Beat my previous PR (from 2020) by almost 4 mins! 10:01 pace down to 9:44. Super proud of myself!
- I'm local, but there are lots of hotels and restaurants within walking distance.

IMO, it's not a destination race, but I'd recommend this race to anyone wanting a super flat course with likely cooler weather.

View attachment 805938
View attachment 805939

Congrats on the new PR

 

[GollyGadget]

Monumental Half Marathon Quick Summary
Indianapolis, IN Saturday October 28

- Huge race with 10,000+ runners and the worst porta potty lines and corral layouts I've ever seen.
- Basic, boring expo.
- Fun crowd support on much of the course.
- Course goes through downtown Indy and some neighborhoods. Too many pot holes and cracked pavement to watch out for.
- Amazingly flat course!!! It was glorious.
- I got a PR! Beat my previous PR (from 2020) by almost 4 mins! 10:01 pace down to 9:44. Super proud of myself!
- I'm local, but there are lots of hotels and restaurants within walking distance.

IMO, it's not a destination race, but I'd recommend this race to anyone wanting a super flat course with likely cooler weather.

View attachment 805938
View attachment 805939

Congrats on the pr!