The Running Thread - 2016

[Anisum]

BTW, is today some sort of holiday I don't know about to have a race on a Monday and Tuesday? Or, did I place these races in the wrong month?

Nope! My race is tonight. It's going to be HOT!! Not sure what sort of holiday it would be but I'll be there getting my 5k in.

 

[Anisum]

I'm pretty down-in-the-dumps, and my training has definitely suffered this weekend because of it.

My initial diagnosis of bursitis ended up in worse news in a follow-up from a specialist.

I always knew that my hips would likely need surgery because of how lopsided my body is, and because of the atrophy in my left calf from all the time I spent in casts because of surgery on my foot. I didn't realize it could happen this quickly.

Chicago will be my last "race". Dopey 2017 will likely be my last "challenge". I'm still working with my doctor on ways that can get me through Dopey 2018 and then I'll hang it all up. At least that's my goal right now. He's been very specific that once I have a hip replacement - be it full or even partial, running just isn't in the cards if I want to avoid future surgery.

I wish I'd started this journey earlier. There are so many places I want to see and races I want to run, and I don't think it's going to be possible for me to ever do them now.

Ouch! How horrible. Sending positive thoughts that you make it through Dopey 2018 and more importantly that you can be healthy long term. You're a great inspiration to me and so many people on these boards so hopefully you'll be able to stick around and perhaps find a way to stay in the running scene.

QOTD: When you start feeling burnout during a big training season, how do you get yourself out the door for training runs?

I tell myself I'll feel better once I do and if that doesn't work I put on my running clothes and complain about how I don't want to go running until I get kicked out of the house.

QOTD: Tell us about your worst race day experience (Finish times do not have to be the determining factor here). What factors leading up to the race made it for such a unpleasant run? Most importantly, what did you learn from that day?

I ran a race where I overdid it in the weather and had trouble finishing because I was a little dehydrated and a lot drained.

Hi All! I think I could be categorized as a fairly new "lurker," but I did post 1 time a few days ago.

I discovered my love of running in college, took too long of a hiatus, and am back! I have been running consistently since February of this year and recently signed up for my very 1st half marathon... The Princess Half!! It will be my hubby's first time to WDW, so that makes it even more exciting!

Congratulations on getting back into running! We're very happy to have you!

 

[Barca33Runner]

ATTQOTD:

I've been fortunate enough to have finished all my races so far. So from that perspective I have nothing to be too disappointed about.

My toughest race was my first marathon. It was the 2013 WDW Marathon and the hot weather and increased mileage killed me. I had run my first half the previous year in 3:20 and had run another one in October 2012 as a training run/viability test and finished under 2:45. I was prepared for a long day, but I felt I was in better shape than October and thought six hours was a realistic goal. I crossed the halfway point in over three hours and I was so angry/disappointed in myself as I was walking through Epcot that I couldn't even appreciate the people cheering or my accomplishment. I summoned up just enough energy to jog across the line in 7:11. It was pretty emotional, but it didn't take long for me to put into perspective what I had done. There would be other marathons to worry about time and all those quibbles, but finishing was really awesome.

 

[Chaitali]

Questions of the day...

When I'm feeling burnout, I try to switch things up to get excited about going out on a run again. I find a new location, I meet up with friends to go for a run together, or I'll even take it to the treadmill with a new show on Netflix. I try to find something new about it to look forward to. Pokemon Go has been getting me excited to get out there recently

My worst race was probably my June 10k. It was hot and humid and I wasn't properly acclimated. So I actually switched to the 5k instead half way through the race.

 

[Baloo in MI]

QOTD: Tell us about your worst race day experience (Finish times do not have to be the determining factor here). What factors leading up to the race made it for such a unpleasant run? Most importantly, what did you learn from that day?

Earlier this year I ran a 10-miler. When I signed up I thought it could be a great day to really push and work on speed and I set a goal at that time that (this was in January, race was in June) I thought I could meet. Well I came into the race hoping to run fast and was smacked in the face with brutal humidity and a glaring sun. I went out too fast and the race turned into a slogfest. It was miserable. I do not care about the time - I was way off my goal. But I was mad at myself for not being smarter and letting my ego control some early decisions. I learned that I need to manage heat better before the race and that I needed to incorporate more hot runs if I am going to race in the heat.

On a positive note I was proud that I finished, because I desperately wanted to call it a day multiple times.

 

[cavepig]

I don't think I've felt burnt out in awhile, if ever, so not much there, but I can talk about worst race EVER!

This years Disney Marathon, my trip report has more on it, but basically I was sick from food poisoning/illness the night before & up all night so was a mess come race time. What I learned was don't eat anything from condiment bars before races & stick to safe foods! During the race what I learned is truly how mental running is. Physically I was checked out with nothing in my system and nothing staying down, but mentally I was determined to finish under the 7 hours (16 min pace) - - so Mind over Matter is so important in running and I finished in 6:50, everything hurt & I didn't even sweat I was so dehyrated. Worst race ever but maybe my proudest if that makes sense.

 

[IamTrike]

My worst race was this years tobacco road marathon. I was slightly undertrained, but 2 or 3 weeks ahead of the race I had done a 19 miler on the race course just slightly ahead of goal pace, so I thought there was still a reasonable chance of hitting my goal. The day of the race came and it was much hotter than expected. I went out with a pace group, but the pacer started out 15- 20 seconds ahead of the target pace. By mile 4 I knew I something was wrong so I dropped away from the pace group and everything fell apart. I tried pushing on at an adjusted pace, but I think I got dehydrated and then my body flipped out. From mile 12-about 20 I had to visit the PoPs 5 times and wound up walking and drinking everything I could get my hands on. I wound up finishing almost an hour behind my goal pace and I hope no one ever has to go through a race like that.

 

[surfde22]

Congrats on the PR!

Thanks, though running a distance for the first time makes it easy.

QOTD: Tell us about your worst race day experience (Finish times do not have to be the determining factor here). What factors leading up to the race made it for such a unpleasant run? Most importantly, what did you learn from that day?

My worst race was the 10-miler I did just a few days ago on 7/23. You can read the high- and mostly low-lights here

 

[baxter24]

My worst race was a 15k I did almost two years ago. Basically everything went wrong for me. I started out too fast trying to get around people for the first two miles. Miles 3 through 8 had no shade whatsoever and the heat killed me. At some point during the race, I aggravated my IT Band. I ended up having to hobble/run/walk the last two miles. My pace went from in the high 9's for most of the race to averaging in the 12's the last two miles. The walk back to the car was really painful. My plan had been for this race to be my proof of time for my upcoming Disney race and a good warm up for a half marathon I was doing 6 weeks from then. Learned a few lessons that day and hopefully this will continue to be my worst race experience ever!

 

[Slogger]

ATTQOTD>worst race experience? I have not fared well with any of my marathons but unfortunately the MCM Marathon was probably the worst experience.
I L-O-V-E this event. From opening ceremonies to having a Marine give you a medal at the finish and all of the inspiring things in between, it's amazing and highly recommend everyone should try if they get the opportunity.

By now you are probably wondering why an event that I truly enjoy would go down as my worst experience. It's my fault. I undertrained. I stuck with a pacer that clearly did not have a set plan and took us out too fast through the first 6 miles. I stepped in a pothole running under a bridge and twisted my ankle badly around mile 9 and ended up walking the last 6 miles of the event. It took 2 hours to go those last 6 miles on a swollen ankle but I was determined to finish.

Hope to run it again. I will have my revenge!!!!! (evil laugh)

 

[The Expert]

BTW, is today some sort of holiday I don't know about to have a race on a Monday and Tuesday? Or, did I place these races in the wrong month?

Yesterday was a fairly big state holiday here in Utah - Pioneer Day. It's actually the 24th, but because that fell on a Sunday and it's related to the Mormon settlers (which I am not affiliated with in any way), the celebrations were held on Monday. The race I was in is one of the biggest in Salt Lake - a full marathon, half, 10K and 5K all on one day and through downtown along the parade route, so the last two miles are amidst thousands of spectators waiting for the floats. It was pretty cool! (It's also almost entirely downhill, so we get a fair number of out-of-state folks who come in trying to BQ.)

 

[ZellyB]

ATTQOTD:

I've been fortunate enough to have finished all my races so far. So from that perspective I have nothing to be too disappointed about.

My toughest race was my first marathon. It was the 2013 WDW Marathon and the hot weather and increased mileage killed me. I had run my first half the previous year in 3:20 and had run another one in October 2012 as a training run/viability test and finished under 2:45. I was prepared for a long day, but I felt I was in better shape than October and thought six hours was a realistic goal. I crossed the halfway point in over three hours and I was so angry/disappointed in myself as I was walking through Epcot that I couldn't even appreciate the people cheering or my accomplishment. I summoned up just enough energy to jog across the line in 7:11. It was pretty emotional, but it didn't take long for me to put into perspective what I had done. There would be other marathons to worry about time and all those quibbles, but finishing was really awesome.

My first marathon was the 2013 WDW Marathon as well and that heat was NO JOKE!! The fact that it was my first marathon and my first runDisney event is the only thing that keeps me from saying it was my worst run.

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

Just noticed we have folks with races early this week. So, starting earlier than normal this week I wanted to let everyone know we have the following folks with races this week!

25 - @disneydaydreamer33 - Temple to Temple 5K (NG / N/A)

BTW, is today some sort of holiday I don't know about to have a race on a Monday and Tuesday? Or, did I place these races in the wrong month?

Yesterday was a fairly big state holiday here in Utah - Pioneer Day. It's actually the 24th, but because that fell on a Sunday and it's related to the Mormon settlers (which I am not affiliated with in any way), the celebrations were held on Monday. The race I was in is one of the biggest in Salt Lake - a full marathon, half, 10K and 5K all on one day and through downtown along the parade route, so the last two miles are amidst thousands of spectators waiting for the floats. It was pretty cool! (It's also almost entirely downhill, so we get a fair number of out-of-state folks who come in trying to BQ.)

Yup that was the reason for my 5K yesterday too. We had a family reunion over the weekend, so we had 20 of us family members "running" the race (actually only my 19 year old nephew and 15 year old niece truly ran it). Since we had toddlers and strollers and lots of family members who do not run, we all just walked it together. It was fun, but it was hot!
@The Expert - I didn't realize that The Deseret Classic joined the parade route. That's kind of a cool experience! I may have to remember that for another year. Although fall is my favorite time to do longer races for the better temps

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

ATTQOTD: I guess my worse race experience was a triathlon that I did as part of a team with my husband's cousin (she did the cycling), his uncle (he did the rowing), and myself (I did the running). It was about 5 miles of running from what I can remember and it was very chilly and drizzly (and I'm a baby about being too cold when I'm not dressed for it) and EVERYONE there at the race ran really fast! I'm usually OK going my own speed and not caring, but because I was part of a team I felt some pressure. I found out later that usually these relatives win first place every year, but with me we did not haha

 

[The Expert]

@The Expert - I didn't realize that The Deseret Classic joined the parade route. That's kind of a cool experience! I may have to remember that for another year. Although fall is my favorite time to do longer races for the better temps

The 5K, 10K and most of the Half runners get that experience. If you're fast enough to hit that part of the route on the Half and Full before 9am when they start the parade, you also get to run that part. If not, they route them around to finish the last few miles.

 

[rteetz]

QOTD: Tell us about your worst race day experience (Finish times do not have to be the determining factor here). What factors leading up to the race made it for such a unpleasant run? Most importantly, what did you learn from that day?

Worst race experience... I don't know if I have had one. Maybe my 5K last week because of the heat and the fact the course was short of the distance it was supposed to be. I still had a nice time though. The heat was pretty bad and they only had 2 water stops where the water wasn't cold.

 

[kristabelle13]

Hi,

I've been totally lurking here since Feb when I signed up for DDD at Disneyland. It's my first challenge and first half. So it's a bit daunting but you all are so inspiring and have some great info! The stuff last week about Galloway's Magic Mile was life. changing. So, thank you.

Krista

 

[Barca33Runner]

My first marathon was the 2013 WDW Marathon as well and that heat was NO JOKE!! The fact that it was my first marathon and my first runDisney event is the only thing that keeps me from saying it was my worst run.

It is the only time I've ever seriously been tempted to just give in, find a medical tent, and admit defeat. I wasn't super happy after about the first three miles of this year's marathon, but I never seriously considered quitting. When I came out of WWOS in 2013 and there wasn't anyone headed in I somehow found the determination to make sure the balloon ladies would not catch me. Overcoming the temptation to quit is what I look back most fondly on from that day; and that day has a lot of really great memories.

 

[CherieFran]

QOTD: Tell us about your worst race day experience (Finish times do not have to be the determining factor here). What factors leading up to the race made it for such a unpleasant run? Most importantly, what did you learn from that day?

I actually think this question is tough for me. I've had a number of races where I struggled or had low points but I think in the end I was glad I did them all. My first half marathon was in early December in Dallas and it was rainy and in the 40s. I felt pretty good during the run itself but once I stopped running I was miserable. So cold, so wet, and so far from home! I threw the heat sheet away after a few minutes because the post-run area (gear pick-up and food) was indoors and I didn't think I needed it. But I had to take the light rail to get home, including changing to another line, and I was seriously wishing I could have it back. Also, even though my phone was in an armband, the sound card got fried by the rain and I had to replace the phone. That was an expense mistake! So I learned:
(1) Never, never throw away the heat sheet. Rookie mistake. Now I hold on to them for future races to keep warm before the start.
(2) The phone goes in a ziplock bag inside the armband if there's the slightest chance of rain!

 

[Tasmen]

Bit of a lurker and also newish to running. Though I would finally intro myself! I started about a month ago and already have run my first 5k. Really hoping to run the Dark Side 10k this coming April.