The Running Thread - 2016

[CheapRunnerMike]

I think the categories need to be pretty broad, more than simply percentage improvement in a given race distance. There are quite a few people who read this thread but don't speak up because they feel intimidated by all the race and fast pace talk. Giving bragging rights based on races isn't really fair to them. Maybe one approach could be to ask people to self-enter in a particular category once we determine what those will be. The people who want to race can enter the race categories and other who don't can enter ones more suited to them, maybe biggest improvement in training miles/pace or something to allow them to feel proud of what they've done.

Excellent point John...we're Disney people so maybe we can make awards based on Disney characters. Example, the "Nemo" award could go to the runner who seemed to always get caught in the rain, or the "Olaf" could go to one of our northern state runners that runs day in and day out even during the blizzard. I'm thinking something with an Aladdin theme for you John with all your desert training (can't think of anything Disney parking lot related, sorry). Lots of award opportunities with the Seven Dwarfs, I'll nominate @DopeyBadger as Doc ...the possibilities are endless!

 

[LSUlakes]

Can polls be taken on this site within a thread where a question is asked and the poster can create several options and the voters click which one and submit. The poll clicks would keep count kind of a deal?

 

[Anisum]

Can polls be taken on this site within a thread where a question is asked and the poster can create several options and the voters click which one and submit. The poll clicks would keep count kind of a deal?

Yes. Just not sure multiple questions can be asked in a single thread and if they can't you'd either have to create a thread for each question or change the question every few days or so.

 

[roxymama]

I wanted to share a weird milestone with you all. I mentioned it in my journal but I just received my 15k course map. There's a 5k run and a 3k walk too. This is the first time I will be running the longest race on a map!
Many other races I have done there has been a half marathon or a 10k at the same time and I'm always turning off to finish my shorter distance. Now I get to be one of those crazy people that has to keep on running.

 

[PrincessV]

So I went to PT today for my nerve and the guy watched me run to see if that was making things worse. He told me I crossed my feet when I ran and that it can cause IT issues which he said I have along with the nerve problem. Does anyone have experience with this? He told me to use the lines on the road to practice a wider stance and try to strengthen my hips. He also said I'm landing to hard on my heels and to try to soften it. I feel like I don't even know where to begin with that one lol. Any help would be appreciated!

I land forefoot, so I can't help with the heel landing, but yes, due to a spinal deformity my left leg crosses past center when I run or walk. That can't be changed without causing numerous other issues, so for me it's a matter of keeping the entire chain strong and diligent stretching and foam rolling every day!

ATTQOTD: I use a foam roller, wooden rolling pin, The Stick, and a softball. Foam roller takes care of outer thighs and quads, wooden rolling pin comes in if I have a knot along my IT Band for which the foam roller isn't enough. The Stick gets used on my calves, and the softball is for glutes/hips (I started with a tennis ball, but it was too small for my deep pile carpet - softball works better!) I do all of that plus some light stretching every morning and every evening, plus before and after every run.

 

[Anisum]

I wanted to share a weird milestone with you all. I mentioned it in my journal but I just received my 15k course map. There's a 5k run and a 3k walk too. This is the first time I will be running the longest race on a map!
Many other races I have done there has been a half marathon or a 10k at the same time and I'm always turning off to finish my shorter distance. Now I get to be one of those crazy people that has to keep on running.

Congrats! That's such a great feeling.

 

[opusone]

I wanted to share a weird milestone with you all. I mentioned it in my journal but I just received my 15k course map. There's a 5k run and a 3k walk too. This is the first time I will be running the longest race on a map!
Many other races I have done there has been a half marathon or a 10k at the same time and I'm always turning off to finish my shorter distance. Now I get to be one of those crazy people that has to keep on running.

I did the 15k last year, and I thought the course was good, although the out-and-back finger between miles 5 and 6 wasn't the best. I always like being on (or at least near) the lakefront which you are for the last 5k. But definitely don't forget to stay on the right side of the street and go straight when you get to Roosevelt Rd.

 

[roxymama]

I did the 15k last year, and I thought the course was good, although the out-and-back finger between miles 5 and 6 wasn't the best. I always like being on (or at least near) the lakefront which you are for the last 5k. But definitely don't forget to stay on the right side of the street and go straight when you get to Roosevelt Rd.

Thanks for the tips. I see what you are talking about with mile 5&6...looks kind of deceptive on the map, but yep, there it is. How was running 3ish miles on Michigan Ave? I feel like that could be a good thing or a bad thing. Good for zoning out maybe. And, hey, you bring up a good point...I don't have to run up Mt. Roosevelt this year! Instead I just have to run 6.2 more miles, haha!

 

[opusone]

Thanks for the tips. I see what you are talking about with mile 5&6...looks kind of deceptive on the map, but yep, there it is. How was running 3ish miles on Michigan Ave? I feel like that could be a good thing or a bad thing. Good for zoning out maybe. And, hey, you bring up a good point...I don't have to run up Mt. Roosevelt this year! Instead I just have to run 6.2 more miles, haha!

After the 5k turn off, the crowd thins quite a bit, so the next two miles of Michigan Ave is definitely "zone out" territory. Nothing much to see, so you just get into your rhythm, although there is a water station at about mile 4, so you need to pay attention there.

 

[kristabelle13]

ATTQOTD:

I have a foam roller but do I use it?

I mean I have used it. Like the day after walking down 25 flights of stairs twice in one day (seemed like a good idea at the time - couldn't walk for like 5 days lol)

 

[roxymama]

THANK YOU @opusone ! I may pick your brain even more as the race approaches.

 

[opusone]

THANK YOU @opusone ! I may pick your brain even more as the race approaches.

Definitely... pick away.

Also, I almost forgot, but on Michigan Ave after the 5k turn off, there will likely be a blue line on the pavement, which I thought was the shortest route line. However, as I was running down Michigan Ave, it didn't seem to make sense because it was slightly angled away from the next turn direction. I finally figured out that the blue line was indeed a shortest route line, just not for this race, but for the Chicago Marathon which was run a few weeks before Hot Chocolate. It's not a real big deal because Michigan Ave is straight, but no need to follow the blue line.

 

[Mickey's sweetheart]

AQOTD: I use my foam roller almost every day. I have the orange nubby trigger point one. I also lay on a tennis ball if I get knots in my shoulders.

 

[keahgirl8]

You can come here to vent all you want. Any runner who has even had the slightest injury understand to a degree what it is you feel and we would like to support you in any way we can. I hope things improve soon for you and glad to read you are doing what you can until that time.

Definitely.

And what is a great way to keep your core, pelvis, and glutes strong and stable? Yoga!

You missed my weekly yoga plug, didn't you?

I honestly am planning to start next week. I've really missed it.

QOTD: Do you foam roll or stick roll or use both? If so, how often, what areas, etc?

Todays QOTD is from a fellow poster on the board as well as yesterdays. Thanks to both of you for the suggestions. If anyone else has a question they would liked asked, feel free to send it to me via PM.

ATTQOTD: I have the stick roller and use it on occasion. It is one of those hurt so good things. Not exactly how effective it actually is but I do feel better a little while afterwards. Could be up there with compression socks...

I have a foam roller and an Addaday roller. I used the foam roller a lot back when I was first injured. I felt like it didn't do anything, and maybe even made the pain worse. I started PT and she never recommended it. I haven't really done it since. I do like the Addaday for working out knots.

The gumbo cookers of the south or by no means hot dog experts. But we do gumbo well! I did read it was a healthy gumbo, but gumbo is not meant to be healthy. There is good reason why Louisiana is near the top ranking for obesity in this country. We know how to cook and none of it is healthy for you, but its good for the soul.

Man...they have good food there. I went on vacation there a couple of years ago, and thought they might have to roll me home.

Awesome idea... now I just need to invent a very obscure category that I might have a shot at winning... like maybe the "most improved with the fewest races on the flattest courses in the Midwest in the 46-47 year-old range" category.

Agreed!

 

[roxymama]

Has anyone ever used those vibratey machines that you sometimes see at expos? I literally have no idea what they are called, but they look like sanders for your car. My father-in-law volunteered me to get a demo from a guy at the booth last year and it was very strange yet kind of awesome. He used it on my "It band" area which at the time I didn't know existed. They were like hundreds of dollars though.

 

[dis_or_dat]

Thanks for the tips @surfde22 and @Ariel484 ! I actually youtube'd some videos after reading the QOTD. Then I fell down the wormhole of how to release tight hamstrings. I also youtube'd how to drink water and run at a water station, I think the disposable cups I have for practice are the wrong size. Oops.

About the ads, I have an adblocker extension on chrome and I didn't see any ads. I prefer ublock over adblock and it's made surfing the web so much easier.

 

[CherieFran]

ATTQOTD: I try to use my foam roller pretty much every day. I use it for my quads and IT bands mostly. Sometimes a little bit on hamstrings and calves. I think I definitely don't use it long enough on each spot, though. I get bored.

 

[The Expert]

Has anyone ever used those vibratey machines that you sometimes see at expos? I literally have no idea what they are called, but they look like sanders for your car. My father-in-law volunteered me to get a demo from a guy at the booth last year and it was very strange yet kind of awesome. He used it on my "It band" area which at the time I didn't know existed. They were like hundreds of dollars though.

It's called a TINS unit, and they really do work if you use them properly. My husband has one and we'll use it with a foot attachment after a long day of walking the parks. In 15 minutes it feels like I never took a step! I've also used it for muscle tightness and pinched nerves and it really does work well. Shop around though - sometimes it's not the best deal to buy at an expo.

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

Excellent point John...we're Disney people so maybe we can make awards based on Disney characters. Example, the "Nemo" award could go to the runner who seemed to always get caught in the rain, or the "Olaf" could go to one of our northern state runners that runs day in and day out even during the blizzard. I'm thinking something with an Aladdin theme for you John with all your desert training (can't think of anything Disney parking lot related, sorry). Lots of award opportunities with the Seven Dwarfs, I'll nominate @DopeyBadger as Doc ...the possibilities are endless!

Haha I love this!
I think that this is a great idea overall @LSUlakes I think the only award I might win is "average runner in her 30s who just really enjoys 'talking' with fellow runners and Disney fans" Hmmm, I'm thinking that won't be a category though!

 

[DopeyBadger]

Excellent point John...we're Disney people so maybe we can make awards based on Disney characters. Example, the "Nemo" award could go to the runner who seemed to always get caught in the rain, or the "Olaf" could go to one of our northern state runners that runs day in and day out even during the blizzard. I'm thinking something with an Aladdin theme for you John with all your desert training (can't think of anything Disney parking lot related, sorry). Lots of award opportunities with the Seven Dwarfs, I'll nominate @DopeyBadger as Doc ...the possibilities are endless!

LOL, thanks Mike! I see myself more as a Ludwig Von Drake (more science/kooky/wordy, less doctor). You're easily Dash from the Incredibles (fastest Disney character?).