The Running Thread - 2016

[Anisum]

So, does anyone experience panic attacks or little bouts of paranoia when they run?

I am to some extent. I usually run alone so when I see cars pass multiple times I'm suspicious and when people stop their cars and park right when I'm running past. I'm most paranoid about the sound of dog collars jingling because I've been chased and snapped at more than once by dogs who aren't kept fenced in or leashed. And when the owners come out it's always "Oh they would never actually hurt you!" but like your dog already scared the hell out of me. I am not comforted.

I do know that the cops patrol very regularly around town (I usually see at least two on my run) so I should be pretty safe.

 

[croach]

So, does anyone experience panic attacks or little bouts of paranoia when they run?

I used to have BAD bouts of paranoia late last year when I was training for Dopey (mostly triggered by this story - not for the faint of heart - and the constant coverage of it: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/crim...ndom-on-white-rock-creek-trail-police-say.ece), and then I had a subtle panic attack in the corral the morning of the half marathon during Dopey ... but that was largely because I'd never done a large race at WDW before (both DLH and W&D pale in comparison to the Half), but I know that was largely due to just the sheer number of people and overall massiveness of everything.

Lately, I've been noticing I'm becoming a little more paranoid on my solo runs - especially when I don't take a dog with me. Like, I tend to notice cars I see more than once pass me during the two-mile loop I do in my neighborhood. Things like that.

Surely, I can't be the only one that feels this way from time-to-time, right?

In the few tris I've done I get small panic attacks at the start because the look of the swim distance gets in my head. Embarrassingly I walked off the start line one time it got so bad.

I don't get paranoid or scared for my safety while running but I'm a guy and am a lot less likely to find any trouble. Unless it's a bear on a trail run. Guessing they don't discriminate.

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

With all that said, I've watched one too many episodes of Criminal Minds for my own good. I can freak myself out if I start thinking about it too much. I usually run through scenarios of what I would do if grabbed (I'm going for their eyes, throat and/or groin BTW) to shake myself out of the morbid thoughts. I also jokingly say to myself that bad guys always grab joggers, and I'm not a jogger ... I'm a runner. It's a stupid thought, but it makes me laugh which snaps me out of the morbid thoughts.

I always thought it was the runners that found the bodies, not the ones being snatched. I get a bit paranoid when I find myself on the trail and it's getting dark...every little noise is a coyote in my mind.

I haven't tried it yet because I wanted to make sure the upgraded pool algorithm fixed the missing laps issue. After two big swims this week, the watch has only missed one lap out of 320, so I'd say that problem has been resolved. I'll tinker with loading a workout later this week, but I'll still have my ziplock bag just in case.

Tried a swim workout last night...success. It worked very well, pretty slick and easy to use. Still not ready to ditch my ziplock though

 

[DVCFan1994]

So, does anyone experience panic attacks or little bouts of paranoia when they run?

I used to have BAD bouts of paranoia late last year when I was training for Dopey (mostly triggered by this story - not for the faint of heart - and the constant coverage of it: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/crim...ndom-on-white-rock-creek-trail-police-say.ece), and then I had a subtle panic attack in the corral the morning of the half marathon during Dopey ... but that was largely because I'd never done a large race at WDW before (both DLH and W&D pale in comparison to the Half), but I know that was largely due to just the sheer number of people and overall massiveness of everything.

Lately, I've been noticing I'm becoming a little more paranoid on my solo runs - especially when I don't take a dog with me. Like, I tend to notice cars I see more than once pass me during the two-mile loop I do in my neighborhood. Things like that.

Surely, I can't be the only one that feels this way from time-to-time, right?

I do it too. I run routes that are a mix of busy and isolated. I live on the outskirts of Worcester, the second biggest city in Mass, and near home I'm usually fine, but when I get to over 5 mile runs I'm into the neighboring town with nothing but woods on one set of routes, and factories/distribution centers (some abandoned) in the other direction. I often get paranoid someone is hiding waiting for me because I hear stuff. I try to vary my routes and times, but I am limited to free time I have during school hours so I can't vary much. I think it's natural. I don't worry about worrying if you know what I mean. My fear worsened a few years ago when I read a news story about a woman who was murdered while out for a run, forget where, but the Midwest somewhere I believe.

 

[LSUlakes]

QOTD: What are your top 5 Bucket List races in order of importance? They can be any distance for any reason.

ATTQOTD:
1. Boston w/ a BQ
2. MCM
3. Ney York City Marathon
4. Big Sur
5. Grandma's Marathon

*Todays QOTD was another great suggestion by a fellow poster of this thread. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[LSUlakes]

I think had the races been switch, things might have been different. Either way it was a great race and run event. I'm actually at a point where I don't like 5Ks because I know they will hurt. Feels great when it's over but during the race it will hurt. My ultimate goal is to hit a solid sub-7:00 MM 5K. My best time is 7:02.

I agree the 5k distance is a uncomfortable race. I normally feel like I am about to vomit at some point or another during the race. I have only actually done so once before though...

 

[ZellyB]

QOTD: What are your top 5 Bucket List races in order of importance? They can be any distance for any reason.

I got behind on this thread, so just going to jump back in today! My bucket list has a tendency to be a moving target...

ATTQOTD:
1. Dopey 2018
2. Disneyland race to qualify for Coast to Coast - probably Tink
3. Chicago Marathon
4. 26.2 with Donna (marathon for Breast Cancer research)
5. NYC Marathon

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

QOTD: What are your top 5 Bucket List races in order of importance? They can be any distance for any reason.

1) Kona (Ironman World Championship)
2) Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon
3) Challenge Roth Triathlon
4) Comrades Marathon
5) Dopey Challenge

 

[Flossbolna]

3) Challenge Roth Triathlon

Hi! I am usually just a lurker here on thread, but just saw this and wanted to say that this is my local triathlon! (Not that I would ever take part in it, but I have friends who are starting this year.) I am impressed to see it come up here on the DIS, I had no idea that it is so internationally known!

 

[ebradley23]

I always thought it was the runners that found the bodies, not the ones being snatched. I get a bit paranoid when I find myself on the trail and it's getting dark...every little noise is a coyote in my mind.

Oh, trail runners do find the bodies. Joggers or people walking their dog get snatched by serial killers. They stop them to ask for directions or some other similar ruse (according to my extensive research of Criminal Minds episodes).

 

[gjramsey]

ATTQOTD:
1. Boston w/ BQ
2. Berlin
3. Chicago Marathon
4. NYC Marathon
5. Disney World Dopey


Any of you tri folks up for something like this? http://www.akxtri.com/

 

[camaker]

QOTD: What are your top 5 Bucket List races in order of importance? They can be any distance for any reason.

I'll cheat a little bit and throw out six (with a tie to make it look like five):

1. London Marathon
2. Paris Marathon
3. Berlin Marathon
4(tie) Complete Dopey (scheduled)
4(tie) Complete Disney Coast to Coast Challenge (scheduled)
5. Half or Full Marathon in Hawaii

 

[roxymama]

I've rambled about this in my training journal a bunch, but a down-side to running weeknights at a Planet Fitness at night is all the screens are tuned into crime or hospital dramas. And you can't change the channels. It's people dying left and right. And then try being a woman walking outside in the dark parking lot after that!
I've only had a few slight panic attacks before races in corrals, one stemming from the "omg, what is my stomach doing" and the other was "omg my phone froze and isn't working." They usually go away once I start running.

In regards to the 5k discussion...I totally understand what people are saying about 5k actually being a tough distance when you are competitive about time. A 10k or half gives you lee-way to just "complete the distance", but with a 5k when you know you can complete the distance easily it can end up being all about "how fast can I possibly push myself." I'm coming back from a minor setback with my foot and was missing out on races while my family ran them, and I saw a sign for the Run for the Zoo at the Lincoln Park Zoo and it's three weeks from now. I hemmed and hawed since there was a 5k and a 10k. I was thinking the 10k because with the 5k I'd be too tempted to go out too fast and then I realized I don't HAVE to do that. And no one said I HAVE to only run the longest offered distance now. So to not risk more injury I registered for the 5k today. I can see how I'm progressing by then to see how fast or not I go. There's no medal and nothing fancy about the race...but you get to run through the ZOO!!! I love the zoo and used to live across from it and frequented it often. It appears that it is very heavy in fun-walkers (you can sign up as just a walker with no time, but I signed up for timed runner.) No pressure.
@LSUlakes please add roxymama, Run for the Zoo 5k, June 5 2016, Chicago, IL goal TBD

ATTQOTD:
1) Walt Disney World marathon (ack, did I write that? This can be when I'm like 60...doesn't have to be anytime soon)
2) Tink or DL challenge weekend
3) Hot Chocolate 15k
4) Flying Pig marathon relay with family
5) Wine N Dine

 

[PrincessV]

So, does anyone experience panic attacks or little bouts of paranoia when they run?

Not panic, and I wouldn't say paranoia, but I was carjacked as a young adult and have been in heightened awareness mode ever since. I've learned to trust my gut, and my gut sends little flickers of "pay attention!" when anything seems out of the ordinary. Could be a person who does't fit with what I'm used to seeing in a particular place - maybe a man in a coat on a warm day at the park. Or a dog that looks at me a certain way and her owner allowing too much slack in her leash. A car that's moving too slow - or too fast. Little things I can't even articulate at the moment, but cause me to identify a next move, if necessary - jumping on something high, or dialing my phone, being ready to scream "FIRE!" And since the Boston marathon bombings, I definitely am far more alert and aware during races. I remember being very uncomfortable with the look of a man wearing a backpack at a Disney race; I couldn't' tell you why he struck me any differently than any of the bazillion other spectators with backpacks, but something got me... I went ahead and moved to the other side of the corral and kept an eye on him and a minute or so later, a K9 officer stopped by him and the dog sniffed around - found nothing, all smiled and went on their ways, but it was encouraging to see that whatever it was I saw was also seen by a police officer.

QOTD: What are your top 5 Bucket List races in order of importance? They can be any distance for any reason.

ATTQOTD:
1. Loch Ness Marathon
2. Angkor Wat Half
3. Grand Canyon Half

That's really it! Unless I include Leadville 100, which is more fantasy than bucket list, lol!

 

[rteetz]

OTD: What are your top 5 Bucket List races in order of importance? They can be any distance for any reason.

Top 5? Hmm I don't know.

1. Walt Disney World Marathon (signed up)
2. Boston (I don't know if I'll ever do it but it would be cool.)
3. Coast to Coast Kessel run (I need that millennium falcon medal)
4. Chicago (this one is a maybe because it would only be a couple hours from Milwaukee.)
5. Disneyland Half (this I'll probably eventually do)

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

So, does anyone experience panic attacks or little bouts of paranoia when they run?

Surely, I can't be the only one that feels this way from time-to-time, right?

No definitely not! I am the queen of paranoia! I only run during daylight hours, so that helps out a ton.

QOTD: What are your top 5 Bucket List races in order of importance? They can be any distance for any reason.

1. WDW Marathon
2. Dopey Challenge
3. Coast to Coast Challenge
4. NYC Marathon
5. Kauai Marathon or Half

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

Hi! I am usually just a lurker here on thread, but just saw this and wanted to say that this is my local triathlon! (Not that I would ever take part in it, but I have friends who are starting this year.) I am impressed to see it come up here on the DIS, I had no idea that it is so internationally known!

Lurkers are always welcome @Flossbolna glad you jumped in! Roth looks amazing, I can't imagine how awesome it would be to go up Solar Hill!

ATTQOTD:Any of you tri folks up for something like this? http://www.akxtri.com/

That looks really cool @gjramsey ...looks like it is put on by the same people that run the Norseman Triathlon http://nxtri.com/ which could very well be #6 on my list. I had also considered the Barkley after watching the documentary, but that's just nuts

 

[Barca33Runner]

QOTD: What are your top 5 Bucket List races in order of importance? They can be any distance for any reason.

I don't really have any races that have any special importance to me outside of the Dopey Challenge, so my list might be a little different

1. Every Dopey Challenge- For as long as it exists and I am able
2. Run a Boston Qualifying Time-Running the actual Boston Marathon isn't a necessity, but I'd like to keep improving and eventually achieve a qualifying time
3. Run a Marathon with my wife-This is purely theoretical as it requires finding a woman who will, at minimum, tolerate me and convincing her that getting married isn't a bad idea. The Marathon would be the easy part.
4. Running a Marathon in Hawaii, Australia, Europe-Really anywhere that seems cool and could have a bit of a fun vacation added on
5. Winning a race-It may be a 50 meter crawl and I may be the only person entered, but it would be fun to finish first at some point

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

ATTQOTD:
1. Loch Ness Marathon

My Mum is from Scotland and is going back for the first time in nearly 40 years in just a couple of weeks...she'll be running her first ever marathon and it is in Edinburgh, her hometown. Yup, I'm very proud

 

[Chaitali]

I love seeing everyone's bucket list races Here are mine.

1. Disney World Marathon
2. Marine Corps Marathon
3. New York marathon
4. A half or whole marathon in Hawaii
5. Flying Pig half marathon