The Running Thread - 2016

[Waiting2goback]

I'm not at 170 the whole run, but I usually do hit it late in the run (say, last quarter of planned mileage) towards the end of a running interval. I'll have to preface this by saying that I know my heart rate in general is higher than most. Genetically I have small red blood cells, if you research Pete Sampras he has the same thing, and I think that has something to do with it (although I have no scientific knowledge if this is true. lol) I think conditioning has a lot to do with it too, so it is getting better. Sometimes just walking at the beginning of my run already has me in the 100s.

Do you have a bike? That may allow you to get more Zone 2 work in and get you to run faster.

When I was in my early 30's I ran too hard virtually every day. I thought that it was the way to get faster, so that is what I did. Then I met a running coach. The goal is to never get out of the zone in which you are running on a particular day - even at the end. But if you do, it should be barely, not by 30-50 bpm. When I started running this way I saw dramatic improvements in my VO2 and in my race times in longer races (10+ miles) - improvements that I simply could not achieve running the same number of miles/week at a faster pace.

Running slower made me a faster runner.

None of it makes any sense. Logic would dictate you need to train fast to race fast but science says otherwise.

Got it. Makes sense.

I think regardless of what "method" we are talking about we are all saying the same thing. Whether we are like dopeybadger and training by feel or we are doing HR training the idea is to run slower more often. But, if you want a book that explains it and helps to understand try a book we mentioned this week, 80/20 Running by Matt Fitgerald. It breaks down all the reasons why you should run slow 80% of the time if you want to get faster.


So, I have been doing some thinking and these QOTD are very helpful. I have come to a conclusion and I am putting it here to once again have some accountability.

When I first started running I lost 30 lbs. I ate perfectly, literally. If God didn't make it, I didn't eat it. I excluded gluten and dairy. I did this for 7 months and I felt like a million dollars. Then I made it to Disney for 2014 ToT and I still tried to eat well, as much as you can down there. But at this point my weight loss stalled. I made it to my annual physical and my doctor couldn't believe the improvement I made in a year. I went from having high blood pressure to being well below the danger zone, on top of other things. I used to have REALLY high triglycerides, like in the 800's. This blood test was down around 150. I am off all meds that I used to be on.

I share this because I think at that point I became "lazy". I stopped trying as hard. My doctor told me I was now healthy and if I didn't lose anymore weight he wouldn't be concerned.

I am sorry if this is getting too long but I have to write all of this to recommit myself. But a I have been feeling crappy about myself lately. Then about 2 weeks ago my future ex-wife told me I need to revisit my diet because it clearly isn't working. So her usual negativity got me thinking again. I now have my sleeping issue identified. I am sleeping with my machine and feel more rested again. But overall I feel like I have been floating, like I am doing good things but not moving forward at the same time. I have been trying to figure out what to do. I have been trying to figure out if I should do Goofy in 2017. Well, on my bike ride today, which was eye opening, I came to this conclusion. It is time to turn to Disney again for the change I need.

I have decided I will not allow myself to book another Disney trip until I hit my weight loss goal of 210 lbs. If I can do it quickly enough I will do the Goofy or marathon, which ever is still open at that time. If I miss out, I miss out. If I haven't lost it by 2018 Dopey registration then I miss out on that weekend too.

I came to this conclusion for 2 reasons. I had my first bike ride this year and despite being in Zone 2 for most of the ride, I was beat. Clearly I am not in as good of shape as I thought. Then I got an email that it was the final chance to get pics from the BAA 10K last year. I had never looked at the pics before so I looked. Seeing how bad I looked in those pics was like a slap in the face. I am still better than I was before I began running but I have a lot of work left to do. I am back to being serious again.

Thanks for letting me get that out there. Tomorrow is a new day for me!!!

 

[camaker]

Do you have a bike? That may allow you to get more Zone 2 work in and get you to run faster.



None of it makes any sense. Logic would dictate you need to train fast to race fast but science says otherwise.




I think regardless of what "method" we are talking about we are all saying the same thing. Whether we are like dopeybadger and training by feel or we are doing HR training the idea is to run slower more often. But, if you want a book that explains it and helps to understand try a book we mentioned this week, 80/20 Running by Matt Fitgerald. It breaks down all the reasons why you should run slow 80% of the time if you want to get faster.


So, I have been doing some thinking and these QOTD are very helpful. I have come to a conclusion and I am putting it here to once again have some accountability.

When I first started running I lost 30 lbs. I ate perfectly, literally. If God didn't make it, I didn't eat it. I excluded gluten and dairy. I did this for 7 months and I felt like a million dollars. Then I made it to Disney for 2014 ToT and I still tried to eat well, as much as you can down there. But at this point my weight loss stalled. I made it to my annual physical and my doctor couldn't believe the improvement I made in a year. I went from having high blood pressure to being well below the danger zone, on top of other things. I used to have REALLY high triglycerides, like in the 800's. This blood test was down around 150. I am off all meds that I used to be on.

I share this because I think at that point I became "lazy". I stopped trying as hard. My doctor told me I was now healthy and if I didn't lose anymore weight he wouldn't be concerned.

I am sorry if this is getting too long but I have to write all of this to recommit myself. But a I have been feeling crappy about myself lately. Then about 2 weeks ago my future ex-wife told me I need to revisit my diet because it clearly isn't working. So her usual negativity got me thinking again. I now have my sleeping issue identified. I am sleeping with my machine and feel more rested again. But overall I feel like I have been floating, like I am doing good things but not moving forward at the same time. I have been trying to figure out what to do. I have been trying to figure out if I should do Goofy in 2017. Well, on my bike ride today, which was eye opening, I came to this conclusion. It is time to turn to Disney again for the change I need.

I have decided I will not allow myself to book another Disney trip until I hit my weight loss goal of 210 lbs. If I can do it quickly enough I will do the Goofy or marathon, which ever is still open at that time. If I miss out, I miss out. If I haven't lost it by 2018 Dopey registration then I miss out on that weekend too.

I came to this conclusion for 2 reasons. I had my first bike ride this year and despite being in Zone 2 for most of the ride, I was beat. Clearly I am not in as good of shape as I thought. Then I got an email that it was the final chance to get pics from the BAA 10K last year. I had never looked at the pics before so I looked. Seeing how bad I looked in those pics was like a slap in the face. I am still better than I was before I began running but I have a lot of work left to do. I am back to being serious again.

Thanks for letting me get that out there. Tomorrow is a new day for me!!!

I hope you're able to find a formula that works to motivate yourself. I've been through a similar battle and have found that maintenance can be as hard or harder than the initial weight loss and getting in shape. It's just too easy to relax and indulge a bit because "you're there" on your journey. Then before you know it, 10-20 lbs have snuck back on and it's hard to turn the motivation up again.

The question I would ask is what motivates you more? Is it reaching for a goal, striving to achieve it and then reveling in the success? Or is it the withholding of a pleasure that motivates you to "git 'er done" so you can finally indulge?

You've outlined a path using the second option. I've found the first works better for me because it allows for more recognition of progress and interim gains. The denial of a pleasure as motivation carries a higher risk of frustration if things don't go well. You get frustrated at a lack of progress and that is compounded by a resentment that it is also preventing you from doing something pleasurable. A double whammy, if you will.

If it were me, I'd go ahead and register for Goofy and work towards that as a goal. If you make it all the way to your goal while training for it, fantastic! If not, you'll almost surely make progress during the training that you can look at and take pleasure in being better off than when you started.

One last consideration, too. What happens if you achieve your goal and Goofy is closed out? Will that disappointment set you back with the 2018 Dopey so far off? Will it threaten your positive momentum?

It's not my intention to tell you what to do here. I don't know you or what motivates you. My only intention is to throw out an alternate perspective to hopefully help you make the decision that will work the best for you.

 

[Chasing Dopey]

When I first started running I lost 30 lbs. I ate perfectly, literally. If God didn't make it, I didn't eat it. I excluded gluten and dairy. I did this for 7 months and I felt like a million dollars. Then I made it to Disney for 2014 ToT and I still tried to eat well, as much as you can down there. But at this point my weight loss stalled. I made it to my annual physical and my doctor couldn't believe the improvement I made in a year. I went from having high blood pressure to being well below the danger zone, on top of other things. I used to have REALLY high triglycerides, like in the 800's. This blood test was down around 150. I am off all meds that I used to be on.

I share this because I think at that point I became "lazy". I stopped trying as hard. My doctor told me I was now healthy and if I didn't lose anymore weight he wouldn't be concerned.

It's well known that the vast majority of people who have this kind of transformation eventually return to their previous condition, for the reason you mentioned: a sense of having succeeded. (past tense)

I tell you, it's a daily commitment, just like everything else in life in which we seek success, however that is defined. Being an Alabama fan, I'm lucky that I have Nick Saban's press conferences as regular reminders about focusing on the individual actions and choices necessary to succeed. Folks around here love to talk about The Process. (All his PCs are exactly the same, too. After a while, you know the answer to every question.) But he always uses the word success. He almost never says the word 'win'.

That's one of the things I like about running. The races themselves serve as defined, specific markers to remind me of what I need to do today, if I wish to succeed on that day in the future. "Staying in shape" has never had the same effect to help me stick to a plan. I've done more, and stayed more consistent, in the past year than I ever have before.

 

[FFigawi]

I came to this conclusion for 2 reasons. I had my first bike ride this year and despite being in Zone 2 for most of the ride, I was beat. Clearly I am not in as good of shape as I thought.

Keep in mind your heart rate zones are not always the same for cycling and running. My max HR is almost exactly the same for both, but the zones are very different. Your zone 2 effort running could be zone 3 or 4 on the bike.

 

[bellrae]

So, I have my next half in about 6 weeks. I haven't run since my last half three weeks ago because I came down with a nasty cold a few days later that I haven't been able to shake. Despite some really good training for the last run, I didn't get anywhere near where both my coach and I thought I would be time wise, which was disappointing. I don't want to slip ever further backwards on the next one.

I am doing the best to look after myself (sleeping, eating the right things and drinking lots of water). As with any cold, Dr just wants you to take it easy and wait it out. Does anyone have any suggestions of some light exercise that will help retain some fitness during this period? Prefer nothing that will impact too heavily on breathing as the cough is currently the most prominent symptom.

 

[FFigawi]

I am doing the best to look after myself (sleeping, eating the right things and drinking lots of water). As with any cold, Dr just wants you to take it easy and wait it out. Does anyone have any suggestions of some light exercise that will help retain some fitness during this period? Prefer nothing that will impact too heavily on breathing as the cough is currently the most prominent symptom.

Cycling is probably your best bet. You should be able to get an easy ride in without having to breathe too strenuously. Swimming might be an option too as your cough recedes.

 

[Waiting2goback]

I hope you're able to find a formula that works to motivate yourself. I've been through a similar battle and have found that maintenance can be as hard or harder than the initial weight loss and getting in shape. It's just too easy to relax and indulge a bit because "you're there" on your journey. Then before you know it, 10-20 lbs have snuck back on and it's hard to turn the motivation up again.

The question I would ask is what motivates you more? Is it reaching for a goal, striving to achieve it and then reveling in the success? Or is it the withholding of a pleasure that motivates you to "git 'er done" so you can finally indulge?

You've outlined a path using the second option. I've found the first works better for me because it allows for more recognition of progress and interim gains. The denial of a pleasure as motivation carries a higher risk of frustration if things don't go well. You get frustrated at a lack of progress and that is compounded by a resentment that it is also preventing you from doing something pleasurable. A double whammy, if you will.

If it were me, I'd go ahead and register for Goofy and work towards that as a goal. If you make it all the way to your goal while training for it, fantastic! If not, you'll almost surely make progress during the training that you can look at and take pleasure in being better off than when you started.

One last consideration, too. What happens if you achieve your goal and Goofy is closed out? Will that disappointment set you back with the 2018 Dopey so far off? Will it threaten your positive momentum?

It's not my intention to tell you what to do here. I don't know you or what motivates you. My only intention is to throw out an alternate perspective to hopefully help you make the decision that will work the best for you.

I appreciate the different perspective. The reason why I am not just going to register for Goofy and just work toward my goal has a couple reasons to it. I haven't been sure signing up for Goofy is the right thing to do for me anyway. With an impending divorce money is an issue. While I win gift cards at work for contests they have, and I have enough to stay at a value resort already, making the trip already "paid for", there are still costs associated with the trip from food, to flight, to parking at the airport, etc... It's a small amount so that's why I wouldn't feel wrong if I went but it's still money and I am a very practical and conservative person. I always lean on the side of not having fun when in doubt. The second reason is my ankle. I am still waiting on the MRI results from Monday. But, even if there is no damage (and I don't think there will be) the fact remains that my ankle still hurts. Do I want to do the training needed for Goofy, and then run a 1/2 and full back to back with an ankle that already hurts?

So, I figured, if I lose the weight it could only help the ankle. And, by the time I lose the weight I will know if my ankle is better or would it prevent me from being able to run the race at all.

As for if the race is sold out. I would be OK with that. I don't think the marathon will be sold out though. My friend signed up in November last year. Goofy may be sold out by then but if I want it bad enough I am sure a travel provider will still have bibs. I was getting emails last year from some that I had contacted that they still had Goofy and Dopey bibs in December and they were 1/2 off registration because they were just trying to unload them at that point. They weren't even requiring you to book a room with them.

I understand what you are saying about signing up and letting the training take care of the weight loss but I haven't lost any weight since September of 2014. I recently added 5lbs back on because a chip here and there adds up. But I have pretty much stayed the same this whole time. But I still have about 30 lbs to lose and staying the same just isn't cutting it. I figure with my indecision about marathon weekend in 2017 I have just made my decision easy actually. If I lose the weight I will sign up, if I still can, and won't feel guilty about it because it's a reward. If I don't lose it, I don't deserve to go.

What motivates me? I don't know. I used to think it was fear of failure but I think if that were true I'd be further along in my career. I know my wife's negativity pisses me off and I feel the need to prove her wrong. She told me I was a fat, lazy, slob so I lost weight and ran a marathon. She told me I would never get under 200 lbs again, so I will do that eventually too. But her saying that my diet isn't working, along with already feeling crappy with my recent efforts, it woke me up a bit.

I began thinking of the recent QOTD. My bucket list races, the self doubt question, summer goals, etc.... Thanks to LSUlakes for coming up with the idea of even having a QOTD. My #1 bucket list race is Boston. Well, I am not acting like it. In order for me to qualify I need to work a lot harder than I am. And even if I do the charity route (the raising money thing scares me to death) I will need to be focused either way. It is one thing to write these answers on a forum, and for some people the internet is a fantasy land where they can say all the right things but live a completely different life in the real world (I am referring to someone specific here and they know who they are) but I come here for other reasons, to help and be helped. I am not sure if I help anyone but I know you guys help me. For me, this is real. Just because I don't meet you guys in person doesn't mean it's a fantasyland for me.

Don't get me wrong, I am still proud of what I have accomplished so far. I turned my life around with running and I just got comfortable where I was for to long. Now it is time to take it to the next level. I believe I have the physical ability to qualify for Boston if I put in the work so now it is time to put in the work and see if I am right. It may not be this year but I will start with this reasonable goal. I have roughly 17 weeks to lose 15 lbs. It should be possible and with a trip to Disney on the line you better believe I will do my best.

And, if I make all this happen, then I will look much better for my picture in front of the castle holding my medal!!!!

Sorry for another long post!

It's well known that the vast majority of people who have this kind of transformation eventually return to their previous condition, for the reason you mentioned: a sense of having succeeded. (past tense)

I tell you, it's a daily commitment, just like everything else in life in which we seek success, however that is defined. Being an Alabama fan, I'm lucky that I have Nick Saban's press conferences as regular reminders about focusing on the individual actions and choices necessary to succeed. Folks around here love to talk about The Process. (All his PCs are exactly the same, too. After a while, you know the answer to every question.) But he always uses the word success. He almost never says the word 'win'.

That's one of the things I like about running. The races themselves serve as defined, specific markers to remind me of what I need to do today, if I wish to succeed on that day in the future. "Staying in shape" has never had the same effect to help me stick to a plan. I've done more, and stayed more consistent, in the past year than I ever have before.

I don't think I will ever get back to where I used to be. I have seen the light of this new lifestyle and going back to 260 lbs scares the life out of me. I'm stressed with 5lbs right now. And as you may know, Nick Saban is friend's with Bill Bellichick so we hear similar stuff from him up here. It makes a lot of sense.

Keep in mind your heart rate zones are not always the same for cycling and running. My max HR is almost exactly the same for both, but the zones are very different. Your zone 2 effort running could be zone 3 or 4 on the bike.

Now I feel stupid John. Why would they be different? I have only read the books on running and HR so this is news to me. I figured HR is HR, why would it matter the activity? Is it calculated differently? I was consistently between 120-130 during my ride, which was stressing me out because that's the lower end of my Zone 2 for running but I convinced myself it was OK because I felt like I was working harder than the numbers showed.

 

[FFigawi]

Now I feel stupid John. Why would they be different? I have only read the books on running and HR so this is news to me. I figured HR is HR, why would it matter the activity? Is it calculated differently? I was consistently between 120-130 during my ride, which was stressing me out because that's the lower end of my Zone 2 for running but I convinced myself it was OK because I felt like I was working harder than the numbers showed.

Don't feel stupid. I didn't know either until last year when I started my tri training. I couldn't understand why for the same level of perceived effort, I could never get my bike HR to the same level as my run HR. Turns out most people have this difference too. It stems from a few things, the primary of which is that running uses more muscles and puts more stress on the body, including the heart and circulatory system, than does cycling. More muscles working means more demand for blood and oxygen, increasing the work being done by the heart. Another factor more applicable to people switching or adding additional sports is the relative performance ability one has in their foundation sport. I'm a much better runner than cyclist, for example, and can get much more work out of my body when running than biking. My muscles simply aren't accustomed to working as hard when biking as they are when running. Sure, I can get them to exhaustion, but it takes more to get my legs to the same point when running because they've been trained and developed to do that over a longer period of time.

 

[DopeyBadger]

FYI, some great line-ups and storylines at today's Prefontaine Classic event today. Including a great men's 5K, women's 1500m, and the highlight is two separate mile events with 3 high schooler's going for sub-4 min or Alan Webb's HS record of 3:53. It will be on NBC and NBCSN today, check it out! Could be a historic meet!

 

[croach]

I appreciate the different perspective. The reason why I am not just going to register for Goofy and just work toward my goal has a couple reasons to it. I haven't been sure signing up for Goofy is the right thing to do for me anyway. With an impending divorce money is an issue. While I win gift cards at work for contests they have, and I have enough to stay at a value resort already, making the trip already "paid for", there are still costs associated with the trip from food, to flight, to parking at the airport, etc... It's a small amount so that's why I wouldn't feel wrong if I went but it's still money and I am a very practical and conservative person. I always lean on the side of not having fun when in doubt. The second reason is my ankle. I am still waiting on the MRI results from Monday. But, even if there is no damage (and I don't think there will be) the fact remains that my ankle still hurts. Do I want to do the training needed for Goofy, and then run a 1/2 and full back to back with an ankle that already hurts?

So, I figured, if I lose the weight it could only help the ankle. And, by the time I lose the weight I will know if my ankle is better or would it prevent me from being able to run the race at all.

As for if the race is sold out. I would be OK with that. I don't think the marathon will be sold out though. My friend signed up in November last year. Goofy may be sold out by then but if I want it bad enough I am sure a travel provider will still have bibs. I was getting emails last year from some that I had contacted that they still had Goofy and Dopey bibs in December and they were 1/2 off registration because they were just trying to unload them at that point. They weren't even requiring you to book a room with them.

I understand what you are saying about signing up and letting the training take care of the weight loss but I haven't lost any weight since September of 2014. I recently added 5lbs back on because a chip here and there adds up. But I have pretty much stayed the same this whole time. But I still have about 30 lbs to lose and staying the same just isn't cutting it. I figure with my indecision about marathon weekend in 2017 I have just made my decision easy actually. If I lose the weight I will sign up, if I still can, and won't feel guilty about it because it's a reward. If I don't lose it, I don't deserve to go.

What motivates me? I don't know. I used to think it was fear of failure but I think if that were true I'd be further along in my career. I know my wife's negativity pisses me off and I feel the need to prove her wrong. She told me I was a fat, lazy, slob so I lost weight and ran a marathon. She told me I would never get under 200 lbs again, so I will do that eventually too. But her saying that my diet isn't working, along with already feeling crappy with my recent efforts, it woke me up a bit.

I began thinking of the recent QOTD. My bucket list races, the self doubt question, summer goals, etc.... Thanks to LSUlakes for coming up with the idea of even having a QOTD. My #1 bucket list race is Boston. Well, I am not acting like it. In order for me to qualify I need to work a lot harder than I am. And even if I do the charity route (the raising money thing scares me to death) I will need to be focused either way. It is one thing to write these answers on a forum, and for some people the internet is a fantasy land where they can say all the right things but live a completely different life in the real world (I am referring to someone specific here and they know who they are) but I come here for other reasons, to help and be helped. I am not sure if I help anyone but I know you guys help me. For me, this is real. Just because I don't meet you guys in person doesn't mean it's a fantasyland for me.

Don't get me wrong, I am still proud of what I have accomplished so far. I turned my life around with running and I just got comfortable where I was for to long. Now it is time to take it to the next level. I believe I have the physical ability to qualify for Boston if I put in the work so now it is time to put in the work and see if I am right. It may not be this year but I will start with this reasonable goal. I have roughly 17 weeks to lose 15 lbs. It should be possible and with a trip to Disney on the line you better believe I will do my best.

And, if I make all this happen, then I will look much better for my picture in front of the castle holding my medal!!!!

Sorry for another long post!




I don't think I will ever get back to where I used to be. I have seen the light of this new lifestyle and going back to 260 lbs scares the life out of me. I'm stressed with 5lbs right now. And as you may know, Nick Saban is friend's with Bill Bellichick so we hear similar stuff from him up here. It makes a lot of sense.




Now I feel stupid John. Why would they be different? I have only read the books on running and HR so this is news to me. I figured HR is HR, why would it matter the activity? Is it calculated differently? I was consistently between 120-130 during my ride, which was stressing me out because that's the lower end of my Zone 2 for running but I convinced myself it was OK because I felt like I was working harder than the numbers showed.

You'll get there. It's good that you have a goal and know what you want to do. Now just make a plan and put in the time to get there. I know that might just sound like rah- rah stuff but I really applaud you putting yourself out there and hope you get to where you want to be. I will happily buy you a celebratory beverage of your choice at WDW when you accomplish your goal.

 

[Waiting2goback]

Don't feel stupid. I didn't know either until last year when I started my tri training. I couldn't understand why for the same level of perceived effort, I could never get my bike HR to the same level as my run HR. Turns out most people have this difference too. It stems from a few things, the primary of which is that running uses more muscles and puts more stress on the body, including the heart and circulatory system, than does cycling. More muscles working means more demand for blood and oxygen, increasing the work being done by the heart. Another factor more applicable to people switching or adding additional sports is the relative performance ability one has in their foundation sport. I'm a much better runner than cyclist, for example, and can get much more work out of my body when running than biking. My muscles simply aren't accustomed to working as hard when biking as they are when running. Sure, I can get them to exhaustion, but it takes more to get my legs to the same point when running because they've been trained and developed to do that over a longer period of time.

John, everything you said makes perfect sense about it being harder to get your HR up on a bike. I get all of that, and feel even more stupid now. I pedal and pedal on the bike and it feels like my legs are going to fall off (the quads are sore today) and the HR won't raise. I'm swearing to myself trying to figure out what I am doing wrong and it turns out I am working too hard. I went right on the internet and started reading up on the differences and now I need to do a whole set of calculations for my bike rides.

What makes no sense is why the zones are different based on activity. One article said it is even lower for swimming. WHAT? When I swim I feel like I am going to die, you would think it would be the highest as your holding your breath and your whole body is moving. But, my point is, your cardio system, and HR rate, is a beat per minute (for example). Why would it matter to your heart if it is running, riding, or swimming as far as building your cardio efficiency? A beat per minute is a beat per minute, isn't it? Am I making sense? I am hoping your coach explained this, or that you known of an article that explains it? Not that I doubt you but it is easier to get behind when you understand it. One thing I know for sure is the first two summers I ran and I rode my bike too. I saw dramatic improvements in time quickly. This year I hadn't used the bike yet and my times weren't moving. I am sold on the bike, now I just need to maximize the time.

You'll get there. It's good that you have a goal and know what you want to do. Now just make a plan and put in the time to get there. I know that might just sound like rah- rah stuff but I really applaud you putting yourself out there and hope you get to where you want to be. I will happily buy you a celebratory beverage of your choice at WDW when you accomplish your goal.

Rah-rah is good, even if that's not how you meant it. I have heard so much negativity all my life and how I wouldn't be able to do things that hearing someone tell me I will is very much welcome!!! I'm fine putting myself out there, it makes me focus. I am more worried about boring people with long posts. You're going to be at marathon weekend 2017? My drink of choice is water but I'll still take you up on that if I make it there. Thanks again!

 

[LSUlakes]

Just a little update. My stepdad has shown signs of improvement and the family has delayed removing him off of life support for now. It's a wait and see things as they try to treat him. Thank you so mic for all of yalls support!

Ran a local 5k today with a time of 22:42 (missing my goal by 12 seconds) coming out 17th overall and 2nd in my age group!

 

[croach]

Rah-rah is good, even if that's not how you meant it. I have heard so much negativity all my life and how I wouldn't be able to do things that hearing someone tell me I will is very much welcome!!! I'm fine putting myself out there, it makes me focus. I am more worried about boring people with long posts. You're going to be at marathon weekend 2017? My drink of choice is water but I'll still take you up on that if I make it there. Thanks again!

Yep I'll be there in 2017. I'll buy you one of the expensive Smart Waters when you DO make it there!

Just a little update. My stepdad has shown signs of improvement and the family has delayed removing him off of life support for now. It's a wait and see things as they try to treat him. Thank you so mic for all of yalls support!

Ran a local 5k today with a time of 22:42 (missing my goal by 12 seconds) coming out 17th overall and 2nd in my age group!

Glad to here things are better for now and congrats on your race!

 

[DopeyBadger]

Just a little update. My stepdad has shown signs of improvement and the family has delayed removing him off of life support for now. It's a wait and see things as they try to treat him. Thank you so mic for all of yalls support!

Ran a local 5k today with a time of 22:42 (missing my goal by 12 seconds) coming out 17th overall and 2nd in my age group!

Glad to hear things are going better with your stepdad.

Way to go on the 5K!

 

[opusone]

So, I ran the Tower Trot 10k this morning. I was a little to a lot disappointed with my race. It definitely took a lot out of me. I'm not really an excuse kind of guy, but I think I didn't properly adjust my effort for the heat/humidity (71°F with 80% humidity), or maybe it was just a bad day. The first two miles felt pretty darn good, but then it quickly went downhill on the third mile. I was redlining on my HR, and mentally I was beat. Even during this third mile when I realized things were not going my way, I tried to keep my goal pace, and this probably hurt me more than my pacing on miles one and two. The downward spiral really happened quite quickly. Anyway, at the end of mile three, I finally gave in and slowed down, but since I had been at redline for a bit, I had to slow down by about 40-45 secs/mile to get in a zone that I could maintain. My mile splits were: 7:20, 7:20, 7:26, 8:02, 8:07, 7:56

I'm not sure why I am so down on myself. My ending time wasn't so horrible (only about 1:15 over my goal). I think it was just that the last 3.5 miles were so painful, and the amount I had to slow down was significant. Even if I finished with the same time, but did it in a more consistent and less painful way, I probably would have been fine with it.

Anyway, here is the update for page 1:

May
28 - opusone - Western Springs Tower Trot 10k (46:00 / 47:13)

 

[DopeyBadger]

So, I ran the Tower Trot 10k this morning. I was a little to a lot disappointed with my race. It definitely took a lot out of me. I'm not really an excuse kind of guy, but I think I didn't properly adjust my effort for the heat/humidity (71°F with 80% humidity), or maybe it was just a bad day. The first two miles felt pretty darn good, but then it quickly went downhill on the third mile. I was redlining on my HR, and mentally I was beat. Even during this third mile when I realized things were not going my way, I tried to keep my goal pace, and this probably hurt me more than my pacing on miles one and two. The downward spiral really happened quite quickly. Anyway, at the end of mile three, I finally gave in and slowed down, but since I had been at redline for a bit, I had to slow down by about 40-45 secs/mile to get in a zone that I could maintain. My mile splits were: 7:20, 7:20, 7:26, 8:02, 8:07, 7:56

I'm not sure why I am so down on myself. My ending time wasn't so horrible (only about 1:15 over my goal). I think it was just that the last 3.5 miles were so painful, and the amount I had to slow down was significant. Even if I finished with the same time, but did it in a more consistent and less painful way, I probably would have been fine with it.

Anyway, here is the update for page 1:

May
28 - opusone - Western Springs Tower Trot 10k (46:00 / 47:13)

Looks like it was a tough run. I can relate that it's always tough having to adjust for heat/humidity, especially this early in the summer racing season. Do you have another race coming up that can lift your spirits back up?

 

[opusone]

Looks like it was a tough run. I can relate that it's always tough having to adjust for heat/humidity, especially this early in the summer racing season. Do you have another race coming up that can lift your spirits back up?

Yes! I have a 5k in two weeks.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Yes! I have a 5k in two weeks.

Sweet! Go crush that!

 

[Waiting2goback]

Just a little update. My stepdad has shown signs of improvement and the family has delayed removing him off of life support for now. It's a wait and see things as they try to treat him. Thank you so mic for all of yalls support!

Ran a local 5k today with a time of 22:42 (missing my goal by 12 seconds) coming out 17th overall and 2nd in my age group!

Great news on both fronts. Keep us posted.

Yep I'll be there in 2017. I'll buy you one of the expensive Smart Waters when you DO make it there!




Glad to here things are better for now and congrats on your race!

Deal!

So, I ran the Tower Trot 10k this morning. I was a little to a lot disappointed with my race. It definitely took a lot out of me. I'm not really an excuse kind of guy, but I think I didn't properly adjust my effort for the heat/humidity (71°F with 80% humidity), or maybe it was just a bad day. The first two miles felt pretty darn good, but then it quickly went downhill on the third mile. I was redlining on my HR, and mentally I was beat. Even during this third mile when I realized things were not going my way, I tried to keep my goal pace, and this probably hurt me more than my pacing on miles one and two. The downward spiral really happened quite quickly. Anyway, at the end of mile three, I finally gave in and slowed down, but since I had been at redline for a bit, I had to slow down by about 40-45 secs/mile to get in a zone that I could maintain. My mile splits were: 7:20, 7:20, 7:26, 8:02, 8:07, 7:56

I'm not sure why I am so down on myself. My ending time wasn't so horrible (only about 1:15 over my goal). I think it was just that the last 3.5 miles were so painful, and the amount I had to slow down was significant. Even if I finished with the same time, but did it in a more consistent and less painful way, I probably would have been fine with it.

Anyway, here is the update for page 1:

May
28 - opusone - Western Springs Tower Trot 10k (46:00 / 47:13)

Those painful runs do take a toll on you mentally. But, the humidity sucks the life right out of you. When it is that hot AND humid you need to adjust expectations. I would kill for that time so you clearly still did very well, even in those conditions. Try not to let it get you down. We all have bad runs and races try to put it behind you and move on to the next one.

 

[FFigawi]

What makes no sense is why the zones are different based on activity. One article said it is even lower for swimming. WHAT? When I swim I feel like I am going to die, you would think it would be the highest as your holding your breath and your whole body is moving. But, my point is, your cardio system, and HR rate, is a beat per minute (for example). Why would it matter to your heart if it is running, riding, or swimming as far as building your cardio efficiency? A beat per minute is a beat per minute, isn't it? Am I making sense? I am hoping your coach explained this, or that you known of an article that explains it? Not that I doubt you but it is easier to get behind when you understand it. One thing I know for sure is the first two summers I ran and I rode my bike too. I saw dramatic improvements in time quickly. This year I hadn't used the bike yet and my times weren't moving. I am sold on the bike, now I just need to maximize the time.

Yes, a beat per minute is a beat per minute know matter what you're doing. The key is to remember that it's rare to be able to hit the same max heart rate in all three sports. With a different starting point, your zones are going to be different as a result. Here's a few articles I found that talk about the issue and offer some ideas how to increase performance on the bike.

http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/coachcorn/cyclingrate.html
http://www.220triathlon.com/training/run/best-heart-rate-zones-for-running/8100.html

For reference, here are my two main zones for running vs cycling. As you can see, there's about a 10 bpm difference between the two.
...........Bike.......Run
Zone 2 115-139 150-159
Zone 3 140-157 160-168