The Running Thread—2023

[camaker]

October was a really strange month for running. I hit my taper for the Cape Fear 24h race just as October arrived and DW and I promptly went to WDW to celebrate our anniversary. That led to a lot of walking miles replacing a few taper running miles leading into the race. The race accounted for almost 60% of my total mileage for the month and my legs have been very slow to recover from it. I’m starting to get concerned about Dopey, given that I haven’t been able to get back into a groove here 3 weeks post-race and an inspection at work next week is going to prevent me from doing any meaningful running during the week. At any rate, here are October’s numbers:


October Training Summary
Running Miles: 106.50 mi
Running Time: 26:28:33
Average Pace: 15:00/mi
Average HR: 141/min
YTD Mileage: 1,228.33 mi

Other
Walking: 62.01 mi
Rolling yearly running: 1,509.45 mi

 

[striker1064]

October Running

Total Miles: 154.0 Mi
Total Time: 23h 56min

And I raced the Marine Corps Marathon.

 

[DopeyBadger]

October Training Summary

Running duration = 28:42 hours
Running mileage = 200.3 miles
Average Pace = 8:36 min/mile (about 90 sec/mile slower than recent HM)
Average HR = 128 (17 bpm less than half marathon)
Strength Training = 0:59 hours
Total Training Time = 29:42 hours

October was a good training month. Starting to get back into things after a summer of weight training. Body definitely isn't race ready yet. Went to the Disney Not So Scary Halloween Party which threw a small dip in the training. Lost some motivation on a cold Fall morning. But all in all, headed in the right direction as I close in on Disneyland in January.

Mike and Marty Wazowski Costume Design recap (it's a long read over several months)
2023 Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party Trip Report

 

[The Expert]

Good article in Runners World today about race organizers (and others) supporting back-of-the-pack athletes:
https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a45684752/how-to-support-the-back-of-the-pack/

I really like the things London is trying, like letting 7:45+ finishers start at the back of the 2nd and 3rd waves to give them more supported course time. And the group of "tailwalkers" at the very back -- kind of an expansion on the balloon ladies. It'll be cool to see if other races pick up on any of these ideas.

 

[Naomeri]

Good article in Runners World today about race organizers (and others) supporting back-of-the-pack athletes:
https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a45684752/how-to-support-the-back-of-the-pack/

I really like the things London is trying, like letting 7:45+ finishers start at the back of the 2nd and 3rd waves to give them more supported course time. And the group of "tailwalkers" at the very back -- kind of an expansion on the balloon ladies. It'll be cool to see if other races pick up on any of these ideas.

That’s really neat. I could see something like that working at the Twin Cities Marathon—they could have the slower marathoners start when the 10 miler does (an hour before the marathon) and then they’d be spread out on the marathon course by the time the elite marathoners get going.

 

[pluto377]

October miles- 52.1

Most of the month was pretty good, but I ended on a sour note with a terrible 5K last weekend. The weather was so hot after a string of cool days and I just couldn't adjust. I don't mix well with heat. So that wrecked my confidence a little.

Then I missed my run yesterday and today because I'm sick, again. As soon as training finally starts going well I feel like something always crops up and ruins the flow.

Was considering adding a turkey trot to my race calendar, but I noticed that my most recent race was number 98 lifetime. So I'm not planning to do any more races until MW so the half there can be my 100th lifetime race

 

[Scootin'By]

Was considering adding a turkey trot to my race calendar, but I noticed that my most recent race was number 98 lifetime. So I'm not planning to do any more races until MW so the half there can be my 100th lifetime race

This is an awesome plan. I love it!

I feel you on October. It was just a weird month. But, we got a new one starting up and I've got a good feeling about November

 

[gosalyn_mallard]

October running total = 65 miles
Avg pace = 10:06 min/mi

Great running month with cooler weather, 2 half marathons and a week off for vacation! Just 100 more miles this year and I'll beat my 2022 total.

 

[kps7795]

October running total = 65 miles
Avg pace = 10:06 min/mi

Great running month with cooler weather, 2 half marathons and a week off for vacation! Just 100 more miles this year and I'll beat my 2022 total.

Good luck beating your 2022 total. Given your October total, I'm certain that you'll achieve this feat!

 

[Grabnar]

October Running Total = <5 mi
October Walking Total = 81.38 mi

Fighting a rough gluteus medius injury and the associated tendon pain. I'm just finally getting up to being able to run some, though, so I'm hoping to start easing into things with my PT's approval soon

 

[dis_or_dat]

Good article in Runners World today about race organizers (and others) supporting back-of-the-pack athletes:
https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a45684752/how-to-support-the-back-of-the-pack/

I really like the things London is trying, like letting 7:45+ finishers start at the back of the 2nd and 3rd waves to give them more supported course time. And the group of "tailwalkers" at the very back -- kind of an expansion on the balloon ladies. It'll be cool to see if other races pick up on any of these ideas.

They did something similar for the SF half I ran. They let the slowest runners go after the first corral so that they had the chance to cross the Golden Gate bridge.

October totals:
Miles: 217.54
Avg pace: 8:49

Was able to hit most of my paces, but my hamstrings still have not fully recovered. NY marathon on Sunday and just hoping I can get through it ok.

 

[kps7795]

They did something similar for the SF half I ran. They let the slowest runners go after the first corral so that they had the chance to cross the Golden Gate bridge.

October totals:
Miles: 217.54
Avg pace: 8:49

Was able to hit most of my paces, but my hamstrings still have not fully recovered. NY marathon on Sunday and just hoping I can get through it ok.

Good luck on Sunday! I hope that you have fun in the Big Apple.

 

[jofo]

September: On my fourth and final attempt, I finally got my Dopey proof of time! I had set that goal to motivate me to resume training and lose weight (I ended up losing over 30 pounds!) and trained for over a year to get there. My final (successful) attempt was a hot, humid day on a hilly half marathon course but everything finally came together for me on race day. I was so happy when I crossed the finish line that I started crying, which made everyone think I needed medical attention. Lately I've been thinking about how I was never proud of my half marathon PR back in the day, which was a full 26 minutes faster than my recent proof of time -- and yet I couldn't be prouder of my new proof of time. So much has happened in the intervening years that I guess I appreciate it more now and know not to take it for granted. The fact that I was able to get a proof of time at this point in my life is pretty miraculous.

October: I paused my Dopey training this week to do my virtual NYC marathon to get guaranteed entry for next year. I was dreading the virtual marathon and it was awful -- but oddly it also made me super happy at the same time to be out there doing something so ridiculous. My only goal for that was to try to not injure myself or screw up my Dopey training too much (mission accomplished, knock on wood). Now it's reverse taper time to prepare for more ridiculousness in January!

Good luck to everyone running Wine & Dine and NYC! I'm sorry for the heartbreak of Twin Cities and the Dramathon being cancelled, as well as those diverted during Marine Corps.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

October: 5.18 miles all this week.

Considering that one month ago I went to the doctor to see about my back pain issues and soon found myself being ordered to go to the ER and sent to the hospital for a very serious infection.

Terrible timing for Dopey training, but thankfully I am cleared to run the marathon so we'll see how that goes. It could have been a lot worse, so I'm grateful that I'm getting stronger every day on the road to recovery.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

September: On my fourth and final attempt, I finally got my Dopey proof of time! I had set that goal to motivate me to resume training and lose weight (I ended up losing over 30 pounds!) and trained for over a year to get there. My final (successful) attempt was a hot, humid day on a hilly half marathon course but everything finally came together for me on race day. I was so happy when I crossed the finish line that I started crying, which made everyone think I needed medical attention. Lately I've been thinking about how I was never proud of my half marathon PR back in the day, which was a full 26 minutes faster than my recent proof of time -- and yet I couldn't be prouder of my new proof of time. So much has happened in the intervening years that I guess I appreciate it more now and know not to take it for granted. The fact that I was able to get a proof of time at this point in my life is pretty miraculous.

October: I paused my Dopey training this week to do my virtual NYC marathon to get guaranteed entry for next year. I was dreading the virtual marathon and it was awful -- but oddly it also made me super happy at the same time to be out there doing something so ridiculous. My only goal for that was to try to not injure myself or screw up my Dopey training too much (mission accomplished, knock on wood). Now it's reverse taper time to prepare for more ridiculousness in January!

Good luck to everyone running Wine & Dine and NYC! I'm sorry for the heartbreak of Twin Cities and the Dramathon being cancelled, as well as those diverted during Marine Corps.

Kudos on both the qualifying time and the weight loss (saying that as someone who has also been fighting weight for quite some time). Both are great accomplishments.


October Training Summary
Running Miles: 86.17 mi
Running Time: 16:21:10
Average Pace: 11:23/mi
YTD Mileage: 452.27 mi 11:35/mi

And that includes the 26 miles of the MCM. My slacker butt needs to be doing some more training.

That said, my goal for MW is a new PR for the half, and do all my picture taking during the full.

 

[StarGirl11]

Just wanted to pipe back in and say thanks for the reccomendarions. I actually went a bit out of left field and am currently waiting to hear from Grandmas about whether there’s still room in the pushrim division (we have to declare intent to race for Grandmas and then wait to hear if they have a spot before I can register). Which is technically summer but it gives me some time to get in better shape at least and if Grandmas doesn’t work out I now know some backups.

Really hoping I’m not acting too late. Always heard great things about Grandmas.

 

[Naomeri]

I’ll write up a race report later, but my Chocoholic Frolic 10K today was amazing and I highly recommend any race starting/ending at Harriet Island for anyone in the Twin Cities area.

 

[Bree]

October: 5.18 miles all this week.

Considering that one month ago I went to the doctor to see about my back pain issues and soon found myself being ordered to go to the ER and sent to the hospital for a very serious infection.

Terrible timing for Dopey training, but thankfully I am cleared to run the marathon so we'll see how that goes. It could have been a lot worse, so I'm grateful that I'm getting stronger every day on the road to recovery.

Oh my goodness! That must have been pretty scary.

 

[Grabnar]

October: 5.18 miles all this week.

Considering that one month ago I went to the doctor to see about my back pain issues and soon found myself being ordered to go to the ER and sent to the hospital for a very serious infection.

Terrible timing for Dopey training, but thankfully I am cleared to run the marathon so we'll see how that goes. It could have been a lot worse, so I'm grateful that I'm getting stronger every day on the road to recovery.

I'm glad they caught it before it turned into something more serious, I hope that you're doing better!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Oh my goodness! That must have been pretty scary.

It was difficult. I felt a great deal of peace and comfort that I believe came from my faith in God, but it still boggles my mind to think that I went from essentially normal life to almost completely helpless in less than one week. And then when reflect further, one month ago today, I could not walk for 3 sustained minutes and today I went for a 3 mile run without any difficulty.

I'm glad they caught it before it turned into something more serious, I hope that you're doing better!

Me too. The doctor told me that there's nothing I could have done to prevent hospitalization, but that because it was caught early enough, I will probably avoid surgery. So that's definitely something to be grateful for. And yes, I'm doing a lot better. I'm starting to feel a lot more normal and my latest test results show that everything is going exactly as it should.