The Running Thread - 2016

[CheapRunnerMike]

 

[roxymama]

You are CRUSHING it @DopeyBadger ...that's a huge month and some great paces too

This really explains all the shoes he owns.

 

[dis_or_dat]

Would anyone be willing to share some race etiquette with me? I'm guessing it's just general common sense stuff, how I feel like with every sport I've played there's a few "unspoken" rules that everyone needs to know or will eventually learn

I'll give it a shot with a few of the "rules of the road" that I have picked up and seen violated the most:

1. If you run/walk (or just walk), do your walk intervals on the right side of path to allow faster folks past.
2. If you run/walk, put your hand up before you slow to your walking interval so runners behind you don't run over you or have to dodge on short notice.
3. If you are with a group (or even just similarly paced folks), don't spread out in a line across the path. This keeps faster runners from passing and is very aggravating.
4. Keep your elbows in when you run. Nobody wants to get popped by a flailing elbow.
5. When coming up on a slower runner in a congested area, give an "on your left" heads up as you get ready to pass. Note: I'm bad about not following this one.
6. Not sure if it's a rule or not (but it should be): When coming to a water station, get ready before the station. I don't know how many times I've been cut off (and actually run into) by someone veering over for a cup at the last second. After the station, make sure of where you're tossing your cup. I've gotten half a cup of water poured down my leg by someone who didn't look before they tossed.

A lot of it really just comes down to being courteous to the other runners around you and not running like you're on the sidewalk alone at home! Everyone is trying to have a fun time out there and most of the issues that I have seen come from people worried exclusively about "their" fun and experience without regard to the thousands of people around them.

I agree with @camaker but would like to add: please don't crowd a fellow runner during a race when the field is wide open - it's not track!

Although I've made plenty of etiquette mistakes: I still use headphones (I still need my music!!!), sometimes pass on the right (usually because the left is too crowded), and because of my poor coordination tried to toss my cup into the trashcan but ended up missing and spraying other runners with water - thankfully it was water and I profusely apologized

 

[roxymama]

National holiday or excuse to stay home and watch the hockey free agent frenzy? I've always wondered.
(I work for a Canadian company and I am all by myself being American alone and with my box of 50 donut holes (timbits to you) going uneaten at my desk)

 

[camaker]

National holiday or excuse to stay home and watch the hockey free agent frenzy? I've always wondered.
(I work for a Canadian company and I am all by myself being American alone and with my box of 50 donut holes (timbits to you) going uneaten at my desk)

If you have a box of donut holes and the donut holes are going uneaten, you are doing it wrong!

 

[roxymama]

If you have a box of donut holes and the donut holes are going uneaten, you are doing it wrong!

Well I did run 3 miles last night and 2 of them were at tempo...sooooooooo that's at least equal to 40 donut holes??? Because math?

 

[camaker]

Well I did run 3 miles last night and 2 of them were at tempo...sooooooooo that's at least equal to 40 donut holes??? Because math?

That sounds about right to me. But to be sure, we should have @Keels check the math for us!

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

National holiday or excuse to stay home and watch the hockey free agent frenzy? I've always wondered.
(I work for a Canadian company and I am all by myself being American alone and with my box of 50 donut holes (timbits to you) going uneaten at my desk)

Would you believe I don't really like hockey? In fairness my "local" team is the Maple Leafs so that explains the lack of enthusiasm...although my truly local team, the London Knights, just won the Canadian Junior Championship. Also produced talent like Pat Kane...
Feel free to send those Timbits my way!

 

[LSUlakes]

So run at like 6:00 in morning when it's 66 with 100% humidity or in the afternoon when it's 88 with 37% humidity?? Thoughts?

To get my morning runs in, the time often varies, but starting at 5 AM is where I am for now. Coming up soon when the runs are a but longer I'll have to start around 4:30. Waking up at 4 - 4:30 in the morning isn't a whole a lot of fun and for those runs a warm up mile is really a must. I am usually still half asleep for it. 66 in the morning sounds like a dream right now. Our normal low is at beast 74 with 100% RH, but the afternoon high is in the mid 90's, and RH% probably around 50-60%. If im lucky for an afternoon run, it will rain during or right before! I wont see 66 until October It's kinda of a pick your poison for AM v/s PM runs. Cooler and muggy, or hot and drier. If its hot for a few days without rain, the asphalt feels like it never cools down, adding to the misery of the morning run. Either way, the summer miles will make for a much more pleasant fall/winter race season.

As a new runner and new race runner....

Would anyone be willing to share some race etiquette with me? I'm guessing it's just general common sense stuff, how I feel like with every sport I've played there's a few "unspoken" rules that everyone needs to know or will eventually learn

I try my best to do the right thing, but I don't wanna be "that person" you're walking about after the race! Hahaha

A lot of good ones mentioned already. I'll add some things and maybe mention again some listed.
- Do not stop at the water station. By that I mean continue running and grab a cup, but if you have trouble drinking and running, make sure you clear the water station and stay as far left or right (depending on the water station location) before stopping.
- For races without corrals, try to line up with people with similar goals. For most of us this is behind the sub 6 min/mi folks and before the folks with strollers, non typical running clothes, beer in hand groups. Be friendly while waiting and talk to those around you about their goal to judge if you need to move up or back.
- If you push a stroller, line up in the back no matter what. If your pushing a stroller, it isn't a PR type of day anyway, so just enjoy the run.
- If you see someone struggling offer words of encouragement and if they look like they are having a very difficult time check with them to see if they need assistance. ( I've had races that just weren't my day or part of a training run. I come up on a person who is running a goal race and having a hard time for the last mile or two and I have slowed to talk them into getting back on pace and help them finish below their goal. After the race that person came and found me to thank me for pushing them through the hard time. It's a win win for both parties)
- If you listen to music while you run, try just using one ear plug so you may be more aware of your surroundings. (People trying to pass with the "on your left", any course announcements, and cheers from supporters.

Hope some of this makes sense..

 

[roxymama]

Would you believe I don't really like hockey? In fairness my "local" team is the Maple Leafs so that explains the lack of enthusiasm...although my truly local team, the London Knights, just won the Canadian Junior Championship. Also produced talent like Pat Kane...
Feel free to send those Timbits my way!

Would you believe that I like hockey too much? Have hawks season tickets and before running took over would go on hockey pilgrimages frequently. Including a fun trip to Toronto to see the Leafs & the hall but also some Jr hockey including the Knights & Missasuaga (back when they were the Majors) Cause if I like something...I have to be a geek about it.

 

[LSUlakes]

QOTD: With a lot of talk about various topics, I figured I would expand on one topic. What piece of advice would you give to a first timer one what to do from the time you get to the race and the start of the race?

ATTQOTD: Depending on length I would suggest warming up for anything 10k or less with a easy run, for longer loosen up but a warm up mile or two may or may not be best for you. For a half or full, stay off your feet if you have a hour or more wait for as long as you can. The other most important thing I can suggest, bring your own TP! You cant count in it being their when you use the restroom. I put some in a ziplock just incase.

 

[camaker]

Would you believe that I like hockey too much? Have hawks season tickets and before running took over would go on hockey pilgrimages frequently. Including a fun trip to Toronto to see the Leafs & the hall but also some Jr hockey including the Knights & Missasuaga (back when they were the Majors) Cause if I like something...I have to be a geek about it.

We used to have season tickets to the Carolina Hurricanes here. That got to be a depressing slog a few years after they won the Cup (we were at Game 7!!!), though, and it got to the point where it felt like work going to the games. So we dropped the tickets and just go to a few games a year now.

 

[camaker]

QOTD: With a lot of talk about various topics, I figured I would expand on one topic. What piece of advice would you give to a first timer one what to do from the time you get to the race and the start of the race?

Use the bathroom as close to race start as possible! Keep an eye on the porta-potty lines so they don't get too long and jeopardize the start, though. There's not much worse for jarring you out of a nice race rhythm than having to start scanning for and then using a porta-potty once the race starts.

 

[Baloo in MI]

Forgot to put in my miles for June. Since I am old school (no garmin) I really just track distance and figure out pace on fast run days. Otherwise my focus is the distance.

June: 192 miles.

This month I will go over 200 for the first time. Going to be a challenging month. Good luck to everyone racing this weekend!

 

[roxymama]

ATTQOTD: Run the race that you have been training for! So if you have been training for 10 min miles, now is not the time to try for 8 min miles at the last second. Don't let the athletic looking people around you intimidate you into scrapping whatever your plan is. The adrenaline and excitement can naturally make you faster which is okay and an exciting by-product of the race environment, but if you realize out the gate that you are huffing and puffing way more than in your training it might be a good idea to back yourself to the feeling of effort you get when you are doing your normal neighborhood runs. You can then save the big push in pace for the final mile(s) and strong finish.
It takes practice...I'm still learning that lesson
Oh and YOU WILL GET A PR no matter what! That's the best part.

 

[DopeyBadger]

You are CRUSHING it @DopeyBadger ...that's a huge month and some great paces too

LOL, thanks Mike! July will be new territory for me - 288 miles and 41:18:11 in training. Words can not describe how excited I am to put in this level of training. Kudos to you as well! Exciting to hear that your Ironman is getting so close. I'm excited for you.

This really explains all the shoes he owns.

LOL, yep. I just bought 8 new pairs of shoes and estimate they'll last me roughly 3100 miles or until October 2017. More miles means I need to find more shoes deals!

 

[ebradley23]

ATTQOTD: My best piece of advice is not to worry about the miles you have left to run. Focus on the mile you're in. The others will be there when you get there.

For me that means, I have always remained in awe of how far I've come in the last 3 years. When I ran my marathon last year, I kept reminding myself I had gone further that ever after mile 20 (that was my longest training run). I didn't think about having to run another 6.2. I was just happy to get to 21 then 22 and so on. I have also been known to say, out loud "3 years ago, you could barely run 60 seconds" to myself. It's funny when I've slipped up and said it out loud, people around me usually chime in with their own accomplishments. It's wound up being a moment when we've encouraged each other.

 

[croach]

Every. Single. Race. Plus the lady who spit her water behind her. On me. Twice! Wearing headphones and completely oblivious. So there is another etiquette rule - If you wear headphones, don't listen to your music so loud that you can't hear the people around you. Or just wear them in one ear.

I always head for the last person on a water stop. That way I can just move over to the side and get out of the way. Plus reduces chances of someone chucking there water on you.

I would go with lower temp and higher humidity even though I have come to realize that humidity does affect me a good amount. For some reason, the runs always seem more comfortable in the morning with lower temperatures, plus not having the sun pound down on me is huge.

Well I went out this morning and I have to agree that the sun not beating down helps. See @dmross picture from last night. Still drenched with sweat but a little more enjoyable. As to @LSUlakes - I admire your dedication because I'm not getting up at 4:30 for much of anything.

 

[LSUlakes]

Just a few comments I'd like to share:
- A lot of you have put in some serious work in the month of June, so I just wanted to say congrats!
- I also have enjoyed reading the supportive comments and solid advice that has been shared over the last few days. It has been helpful to our newer runners/posters as well as the experienced folks.
- When I first came up with the idea for this thread, I never thought it would get this much attention. I more or less thought it would end up turning into a type of journal with my comments making up 50% of the text. I can promise you no one wants to read that much stuff from me. lol
- Looks like everyone is really starting to gear up their training, and even though not everyone is running a race @ WDW this January, most of us still have a goal race near that time frame. The timing works out well as we all get to experience each others highs and lows that come with training.

A few questions I would like to ask:
- For those with the Garmin 235, have you tried out the "Finish Time" function? Does it track your race like a normal run? If the race is long or short what happens? Is it safe to assume it saves your run like a normal run?
- In a effort to continue to improve this thread and the topics discussed within, what suggestion would you make to change something? Maybe more of less of something... idk I'm just looking for suggestions/ideas for the thread.
- How do you feel about the sharing your race results for races listed in the OP? You are not obligates to share them, I am just curious as to why you may not want to.

I believe that is it for now. Thanks again for the feedback.

 

[opusone]

QOTD: With a lot of talk about various topics, I figured I would expand on one topic. What piece of advice would you give to a first timer on what to do from the time you get to the race and the start of the race?

Not all in the time period specified, but...
- put your bib on your shirt the night before
- nothing new on race day (food, clothing, shoes, pre-run routine)
- do not drink anything in the last hour before a race - you are already hydrated, and this will only cause extra bathroom stops
- even if you do not feel that you need to use the bathroom, stand in the porta-potty line and try - there is nothing worse than realizing in the first mile that you should have tried
- don't go out too fast - most people do, and the starting pace often feels pretty good even if you go out too fast, so about 10-15 seconds after the start, try to take your pace down a notch, and you will likely be at about the correct pace then