The Running Thread - 2016

[Barca33Runner]

Don't forget about the hail! I also did the Cleveland Half this morning. I was on the shoreway where there are no trees for cover when the heavy downpour of hail started. A girl beside me broke down into tears, I yelled over to her "Under a mile to go and we can go home."


Look into the Hermes River Run. The course goes through the Rocky River Metropark and is all down hill. It's where I first broke the sub two hour mark.

I was about to get into my car to drive 6 hours to Cleveland to run the river run two years ago when I passed out (for the first time in my life). Apparently I had a negative reaction to medication for a torn rotator cuff that caused an ulcer and internal bleeding. I spent the next week in the hospital having 3 scopes and one surgery to repair the ulcer, a blood transfusion, and two iron infusions. I still consider myself insanely lucky not to have been driving when it happened and to have had someone in my office who was taking over for me when it happened.

Those two races are the main options I am considering; it might be cathartic to finally compete in the river run.

 

[Chasing Dopey]

I had to miss yet another race today, because I wasn't ready. I know I'm doing the best thing for my body, but it's really hard.

This is tough. For me, a little meditation goes a long way. I'm using that term loosely, though. I just need a couple minutes to tune in, and visualize fibers and sinews reconnecting and healing. You can almost feel it. (I'm not into yoga, but I understand how many get a lot out of it.)

Hang in there! The horizon my never be reached, but it does explode in blinding light every day.

 

[croach]

I had to miss yet another race today, because I wasn't ready. I know I'm doing the best thing for my body, but it's really hard.

Yeah it's always difficult to miss a race you signed up for but you have to do what feels right for you. No sense in getting hurt or making something worse. They'll be plenty more.

 

[camaker]

Ran my virtual hogwarts 'half blood' half today, good gawd it gets warm fast in central Florida! Started crazy early so the first 2 laps were only high 60s- was high 70s for the last lap- still finished just shy of 3:15 which I'll take as a) ran almost even splits and only dropped 90 seconds max a mile b) decent inclines and descents most of the miles..

Congratulations! Did mine last weekend since I have a race next weekend. It was my first virtual/HRC, so not sure how I feel about them yet. I do like the HRC focus on charities, though.

 

[camaker]

One of us... one of us...

Yeah, it started with a half for me, too... Working towards Dopey now.

I'm sure we can all quit any time we want to, right? Maybe after the next race...

 

[keahgirl8]

This is tough. For me, a little meditation goes a long way. I'm using that term loosely, though. I just need a couple minutes to tune in, and visualize fibers and sinews reconnecting and healing. You can almost feel it. (I'm not into yoga, but I understand how many get a lot out of it.)

Hang in there! The horizon my never be reached, but it does explode in blinding light every day.

Thanks! I'm working on it. One day at a time....

Yeah it's always difficult to miss a race you signed up for but you have to do what feels right for you. No sense in getting hurt or making something worse. They'll be plenty more.

Exactly. I thought about just doing it anyway, but I am feeling so good about my progress. I don't want to go backwards (again). Plus, I have a race next month that is even more important to me, and I didn't want to jeopardize that one by doing this one.

 

[Waiting2goback]

I had to miss yet another race today, because I wasn't ready. I know I'm doing the best thing for my body, but it's really hard.

I know it's frustrating. I missed my October marathon last year because of my foot and I was trying to make sure I was OK for Disney in January. I know I did the right thing but it still bothers me to this day to miss it. It bothers me to be missing my training runs right now because of my ankle. It is messing up all my plans for my races coming up next month as well as my yearly mileage goals. But, as I learned last year, it is better to be safe than sorry.

For you New Englanders, have you ever done the Smuttynose 1/2 Marathon on Hampton Beach? I signed up this year because I heard it was a fast course, I was just wondering if you guys have heard anything about it?

 

[FFigawi]

For you New Englanders, have you ever done the Smuttynose 1/2 Marathon on Hampton Beach? I signed up this year because I heard it was a fast course, I was just wondering if you guys have heard anything about it?

Friends of mine ran it a few times and really enjoyed it. Nice course, well organized, and good post-race rehydration options.

 

[Miranda]

The Rockfest course is very flat and I have heard the race is good. I was going to do that one this fall, but we have a wedding to attend in NY that weekend now. I'm also a little hesitant to do more LOCO races. I have heard really good things about them, but I have attended 4 of their races so far, and 2 of them have had issues in the pre/post race department that made the experience less than fun, but the races themselves were fine.

Edit: I guess one of those 2 was not actually run by LOCO, it was run by someone else and only part of their "Will Run for Beer" series. So, I guess I have only had one race with issues.

 

[Anisum]

Hope everyone had a good race this weekend. I had a PR (though my garmin thought the course might have been short) of 37:11 on the 5k. I ran my first 5k almost a year ago and finished at 46 minutes and bit so this is really awesome for me. A while back in the thread I said I would like to consistently run a sub 12:00 min/mi and I'm not quite there yet (I'm usually between 12:00-12:30 on race days and 12:45-13:30 beyond that) but I'm getting far closer than I thought I would be at this point.

 

[DVCFan1994]

I know it's frustrating. I missed my October marathon last year because of my foot and I was trying to make sure I was OK for Disney in January. I know I did the right thing but it still bothers me to this day to miss it. It bothers me to be missing my training runs right now because of my ankle. It is messing up all my plans for my races coming up next month as well as my yearly mileage goals. But, as I learned last year, it is better to be safe than sorry.

For you New Englanders, have you ever done the Smuttynose 1/2 Marathon on Hampton Beach? I signed up this year because I heard it was a fast course, I was just wondering if you guys have heard anything about it?

I know tons of people who have done Smuttynose, though I haven't. I was planning on doing it this year with my sister who lives in NH, but I opted for MCM at the end of the month instead. Everyone I know who has done it has said it was well run and they enjoyed it. It is flat and lots of my friends have gotten good PRs.

 

[LSUlakes]

My Maine Coast HM went so poorly. I finished, but it was terrible.

We have not been having super warm weather until the past week. Most runs and races have all been in like the 40's and low 50's up until now, and today there was not a cloud in the sky, and since this was on the coast, probably 85+% of the course was completely unshaded beach roads. The temps were up in the 70's by the time I finished in a slug-like 3:05:34 (so so far off my already slow PR of 2:45).

Around mile 10.5 I said f-it and was just going to walk the rest of the way. My walking intervals had gotten longer and longer and longer. I was covered in a salt crust (salt crumbling off me everywhere, face, legs, arms), my calves and the fronts of my ankles kept cramping up, and my Achilles was killing me. Every time I tried to stretch my calves on a curb, the front of my ankles would seize up from going into that position. It was awesome!

But then around mile 11, some ladies that I'd been yo-yo'ing with a little but left behind at the aid station around mile 10 finally came up behind me and were passing me and one of them gave me a hug and was like you got this, and she was encouraging me and asking me if I'd been taking enough fuel or salt (I had run out of fuel, I should have brought a 3rd pack), and she told me to stick with them. She gave me a shot block and really is the only reason I got across the finish line as soon as I did. I was really in a bad place when they came up on me and dragged me into their pack.

Now I am going to go ice my Achilles and question my life decisions that have 2 more HM this spring.

Sorry to hear the run didn't go great, but the positive thing is you gutted it out and finished. You story also shows that our running community is awesome.

I had an awesome race today at the Fifth Third River Bank Run 25K! My official time is 2:42:54, which I'm very happy with. Also my half marathon split was a PR at 2:17:48!! My friend and I ran a very consistent 10:29 pace from start to finish - we both felt great the entire race, well except for a downpour at mile 13, but it was brief. The weather was certainly interesting. I think the crowd support was lacking this year due to the weather. My family opted to stay home and I don't blame them. It was barely 40 degrees at the start and we had wind gusts up to 30mph. Rain showers were forecasted but fortunately we only had the one. My hands were super frozen after the rain so I didn't stick around for my free beer post race, but I think I'll have one now.

Congrats!

QOTD: A non-Disney and non-running vacation. I actually leave for China on Monday for work, but we are getting about 5 days worth of time between our presentations to explore Shanghai and then Beijing. Should be an incredible trip!

Race report:
Today I ran the Grand Rapids 25K River Bank Run. I went into the race very anxious as I have not been running enough and the time goal I set in January was just not realistic. I decided this week to scrape that time and simply run the race by feel. I wanted to run it hard but smart. I am excited to say I ran my first negative split in quite awhile with my last two 5k's being faster than the first two! I finished with a time of 2:16:23 and actually passed the half marathon mark at a pace that I beleive is my second fastest! The last two miles I felt very strong. I think the weather helped some in that it was freezing, and I think I run better in cold weather. The only bummer of the day is that I talked my family into coming to the race and did not take into account the impact of the weather. It is about an hour and a half from my house and they had to leave pretty early. They stationed themselves at the finish and somehow I finished and they do not see me and I did not see them. My youngest daughter heard my name over the speakers but no high fives and hugs at the finish. And then the skies opened up and in the 40 degree weather it just began dumping rain and hail. When I finally connected with my family they were soaked and freezing! Beautiful course though, I will run this one again!

Nice job on the negative splits!

Ran the Stonyfield 5K yesterday. If anyone has a chance to run it, awesome race and the Earth Day Fair in the post-race is so great with a lot of free samples and food, plus free beer for people whom ran the race (and actually like beer). Was hoping to do a back-to-back PR coming off my half last weekend. Sadly, no I missed it by about a minute (finished time was 22:50). Weather was great although a bit hotter than I'd prefer. But I place 63rd overall out of 1170, so not bad.

With only a week to recover a 5k PR would have been difficult. I doubt that race time is a reflection of your current level of fitness. If you have a 5k this weekend you should be recovered enough for a solid outing!

It freaking snowed! On May 15th.

Just finished the Rite-Aid Cleveland Half Marathon in 2:09:35. Didn't hit my goal of 2:00, but did I mention it snowed? I will post a full recap on my journal in a couple days. I am super stoked on the time considering the extra poundage of soaked clothing I was carrying because of the weather. I know I'll hit that magical 2 hour mark soon.

Snow sounds fun... Congrats on the race and keep working at it and you will go sub 2 in no time.

Finished the Diva Half in 2:48:35. Not too far off my goal. I'm happy with it as the course was brutal with hills! My slowest mile was that 6.6% downhill grade for 1/2 mile! It killed my knee. I actually did better on the uphill parts. I'll post more about the race later - headed to Golden Corral to pig out now lol!

Congrats. Hills are overrated imo.

Hope everyone had a good race this weekend. I had a PR (though my garmin thought the course might have been short) of 37:11 on the 5k. I ran my first 5k almost a year ago and finished at 46 minutes and bit so this is really awesome for me. A while back in the thread I said I would like to consistently run a sub 12:00 min/mi and I'm not quite there yet (I'm usually between 12:00-12:30 on race days and 12:45-13:30 beyond that) but I'm getting far closer than I thought I would be at this point.

Congrats on a big PR!

 

[Waiting2goback]

I know tons of people who have done Smuttynose, though I haven't. I was planning on doing it this year with my sister who lives in NH, but I opted for MCM at the end of the month instead. Everyone I know who has done it has said it was well run and they enjoyed it. It is flat and lots of my friends have gotten good PRs.

Excellent, that's what I was hoping for. Hopefully I can figure this ankle issue out soon and get in my training. I am hoping for a fast time at this race for POT.

 

[LSUlakes]

QOTD: What type of device do you use to track your runs? What do you like and dislike about it?

ATTQOTD: Currently a Garmin Forerunner 620. When I first got it I loved the Bluetooth/wifi features, as well as the race predictor, virtual running partner, and all the other data. What I dislike is I am always having some sort of issue with it and after it loaded my run Saturday it turned off. Got home to charge it and it wont take a charge. It does for about 10 seconds and then stops, stats looking for a GPS signal and then turns off. Very frustrated!!!!

 

[opusone]

QOTD: What type of device do you use to track your runs? What do you like and dislike about it?

I've used a long line of Garmin products for running, but I currently use a Garmin Forerunner 225, and I love it. The biggest likes of the 225: the optical heart rate monitor (no more chest strap!!), the battery life, the physical size. My dislikes are very minor: only 3 data items per screen (would really like 4 like the 235), and sometimes it can still take a little while to acquire satellites.

 

[camaker]

QOTD: What type of device do you use to track your runs? What do you like and dislike about it?

I'm currently using a Garmin Forerunner 235. I stepped up from the Forerunner 220 last Christmas and love the 4 data fields and on-wrist HR monitor. It is also much faster than the 220 when it comes to acquiring satellites. I also love the ability to set run/walk intervals and customized auto-laps so I get data-smoothed pacing information. Bluetooth syncing with my phone is also very convenient. The only nit-pick I've had with it so far has been that the optical HR monitor has turned itself off before a couple of runs, so I missed out on that data. Overall, I highly recommend it for a running watch.

 

[gjramsey]

ATTQOTD: Garmin 920xt. Had the Garmin 305 previously. The upgrade to the 920xt was for tracking the Philmont trek last summer as well and running and some biking. I don't believe I ever will use the triathlon features of the watch. I am not big on the swimming piece of a tri.

 

[rteetz]

QOTD: What type of device do you use to track your runs? What do you like and dislike about it?

Well I currently have an Apple Watch and a Fitbit Charge. I wear both when I run. to get full function of my Apple Watch I carry my phone with me which is okay so I can listen to music. However during my half it really seemed to drain the battery on my watch so I've been looking into getting one of the cheaper garmins instead for running while just wearing my Apple Watch for everything else.

 

[FFigawi]

QOTD: What type of device do you use to track your runs? What do you like and dislike about it?

I use a Garmin 920xt, and I love it. It is such a huge upgrade from the 910xt I used to use and from my 305 before that. The screen is clear and easy to read, the data fields are highly customizeable, and the battery holds a charge much longer than previous models. Plus, the multi-sport mode is built in as one of the main activity profiles; no more hunting through several menus to set it up before a tri. The swim mode is vastly improved too by the addition of a timer for drills, rest screen for intervals, and the ability to build workouts in Garmin Connect and send them to the watch. The auto-upload via WiFi is pretty slick too. The one thing I don't like is how it no longer works with the Garmin Communicator web plug-in, causing me to have to upload my workouts to Daily Mile manually.

 

[dis_or_dat]

ATTQOTD: I used the runkeeper app for years, but once I started listening to podcasts during my long runs, I got annoyed hearing the pace announcement disrupt the podcast. So I recently bought the forerunner 15 on super sale since I just wanted to be able to glance down and see my pace. The most annoying thing is that sometimes it takes forever to find my location. Recently I ran 1.5 miles before it could find me. Since I wear headphones, I can't hear it beeping when alerting me to my miles.