The Running Thread - 2016

[cavepig]

And for as humid as it was for the WDW marathon this year, I was so thankful that it was cloudy, otherwise that would have made for a very miserable first marathon experience.

Yeah, I agree the cloud cover was nice & I usually prefer more sun but with that humidity the clouds were lovely, although if the clouds had lifted would we have had less humidity? Felt like we had a lid on for sure.

I like running in snow and down to even a little below 0 i

Wow, below 0 and liking it, that's brave! I find it painful, like my eyes hurt!

lots of passing fluffy clouds in a blue sky

Yeah, that is more what I would prefer with sun, like Toy Story clouds!

 

[camaker]

That sounds great! I get so hot when I run, it has to be colder than some people are probably comfortable with. I have run in below freezing weather with short sleeves before.

Yikes! I was in long sleeves and gloves for my 58 degree run last night!

 

[LSUlakes]

Switching gears a little bit but I made this little video in the weeks leading up up to Ironman Florida this year. I thought I shared it here but I don't think I ever did. Anyway, enjoy.

Well now I want to run through a brick wall!!! Nice video!

 

[GreatLakes]

Wow, below 0 and liking it, that's brave! I find it painful, like my eyes hurt!

I like running in the snow. The "little below zero" is more of a tolerance meaning I wouldn't skip the race based on that alone.

 

[PrincessV]

Yeah, that is more what I would prefer with sun, like Toy Story clouds!

Exactly!

Yikes! I was in long sleeves and gloves for my 58 degree run last night!

56 here this morning: I wore long sleeves and capris and worried I might get too warm... nope, lol! 5 miles later, I was just right.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Alright all, I went through my personal data and came up with some conclusions on cadence, stride length, and pace. Let me know what you think. Posted in my journal (because, well, it's long...). My overall conclusion is there is no magic number, change your cadence only to prevent over striding, manually changing your stride length by changing your gait may not be a good idea, and both of these things are far down the list of reasons on how to get faster.

Yikes! I was in long sleeves and gloves for my 58 degree run last night!

56 here this morning: I wore long sleeves and capris and worried I might get too warm... nope, lol! 5 miles later, I was just right.

All relative right. Last night's 13 mile tempo run was at about 30-35 and I was in shorts and a tank top. Had some glove though too.

Switching gears a little bit but I made this little video in the weeks leading up up to Ironman Florida this year. I thought I shared it here but I don't think I ever did. Anyway, enjoy.

Great video! Loved the background music (it's one of my favorites).

 

[tigger536]

ATTQOTD: Ideal - 50s- low 60s with low humidity and some cloud cover.

Worst would be freezing rain. I would also rather run in 90+ weather than in 30s temps.

 

[cavepig]

I like running in the snow. The "little below zero" is more of a tolerance meaning I wouldn't skip the race based on that alone.

Gotcha, snow can be pretty to run in.

night's 13 mile tempo run was at about 30-35 and I was in shorts and a tank top

That's like cross country crazy stuff, I did that at State my senior year (as most others did), singlet in 30 & freezing rain, I went out so fast & paid for it by the end as my body shutdown on me. It is tough though when it's cold deciding what to wear as it's so easy to overheat or have like just one part still freezing.

would also rather run in 90+ weather than in 30s temps.

yes glad to hear I'm not the only that thinks this

 

[WhereInFlorida]

All relative right. Last night's 13 mile tempo run was at about 30-35 and I was in shorts and a tank top. Had some glove though too.

Tank top???!!!! Not sure that is relative or a bit crazy.

 

[dis_or_dat]

Gosh, isn't 35-40 super cold?! I couldn't feel my legs or feet when I started a race at 48 degrees. I was seriously concerned I would trip and fall.

ATTQOTD: I guess 50 deg (2 deg less is just too much!) and overcast with a slight constant tailwind. Worst case: extremes (hot and humid or pouring/sleet/hail/headwinds).

 

[CP3uhoh]

Question, any tips on not starting too fast on long training runs? Got my 20 in today and I really tried to start slow but I didn't really? After mile 15 I had no problems slowing down to the pace I wanted the whole time, but I did fade a bit 18-20. Thanks.

 

[Chasing Dopey]

Holy cow do you people work?! Forget about leaving slow runners behind, what about us slow readers??

Injinji for me!

ATTQOTD: Give me 50 and overcast, I think. There is a lot of 35 degree folks here, and maybe you know something I don't, but sheesh! Although I do get @DopeyBadger going for gloves before a jacket. That actually makes sense to me.

Has anyone ever had their wrist-based heart rate monitor fail to register because it was too cold? That happened on my last long run. It was somehow picking up my cadence as my HR until it warmed up some. I have skinny wrists, so I wonder if that has something to do with it.

Question, any tips on not starting too fast on long training runs? Got my 20 in today and I really tried to start slow but I didn't really? After mile 15 I had no problems slowing down to the pace I wanted the whole time, but I did fade a bit 18-20. Thanks.

This is a great question! For me, I had to start out looking at my Garmin a LOT (say every 20 paces or so) until I kinda got a feel on my own for how fast (or slow) I wanted to start out. After a while, you develop a sense for it, but it's still tough, since the beginning is so easy.

 

[The Expert]

I've given up on catching up after three weeks out, but happy to answer today's question!

ATTQOTD: Ideal weather is in the low 50s and sunny. Nightmare weather would be 80+, sunny and humid. I don't mind cold at all but my body can't handle heat.

 

[NurseRunner]

Swiftwick FTW

I used to run exclusively in feetures, but on a whim last week the wife convinced me to try a pair of swiftwick, and I love them even more than feetures.

 

[NurseRunner]

Gosh, isn't 35-40 super cold?! I couldn't feel my legs or feet when I started a race at 48 degrees. I was seriously concerned I would trip and fall.

ATTQOTD: I guess 50 deg (2 deg less is just too much!) and overcast with a slight constant tailwind. Worst case: extremes (hot and humid or pouring/sleet/hail/headwinds).

A couple years ago I had the misfortune to run in a half that was 40s and downpour...Never doing that again. There was a poor woman around mile 7 that had an asthma attack from the cold and rain and was pulled by EMS. I felt so bad.

 

[camaker]

Question, any tips on not starting too fast on long training runs? Got my 20 in today and I really tried to start slow but I didn't really? After mile 15 I had no problems slowing down to the pace I wanted the whole time, but I did fade a bit 18-20. Thanks.

I like to set my Garmin to auto-lap every 0.25 mile. I go out the door knowing my target 0.25-mile time, so I get pretty quick confirmation of whether I'm at, above or below my pacing and am able to adjust before getting too far off track. After the first few "laps" I typically have the desired pace dialed in for the conditions of the day and just cruise from there.

 

[keahgirl8]

Yikes! I was in long sleeves and gloves for my 58 degree run last night!

58 degrees sounds pretty good to me!

All relative right. Last night's 13 mile tempo run was at about 30-35 and I was in shorts and a tank top. Had some glove though too.

I wouldn't be wearing shorts and a tank top, but definitely short sleeves and capris! I do wear gloves though. That's the part of me that gets cold and stays cold.

ATTQOTD: Ideal - 50s- low 60s with low humidity and some cloud cover.

Worst would be freezing rain. I would also rather run in 90+ weather than in 30s temps.

I've never run in freezing rain, but I have run in cold rain. It was probably the most miserable I've ever been on a run.

 

[WhereInFlorida]

I also set GPS to shorter intervals when trying to maintain certain pace. Usually for every tempo or intervals, not usually for long runs though. I try and use feel more.

 

[DopeyBadger]

That's like cross country crazy stuff, I did that at State my senior year (as most others did), singlet in 30 & freezing rain, I went out so fast & paid for it by the end as my body shutdown on me. It is tough though when it's cold deciding what to wear as it's so easy to overheat or have like just one part still freezing.

Yikes! Yea, cold is so hard to judge. So many variables to choose what to wear and be comfortable.

Tank top???!!!! Not sure that is relative or a bit crazy.

Full disclosure it is pace related. This evening was a similar weather condition (28-33) and I wore thermal long sleeve, thermal columbia tights, hats and gloves. But the pace this evening was for 6 miles and relatively easy compared to marathon tempo for 13 miles. When I run fast, I generate a lot of heat and thus I like to stay as cold as I can tolerate when trying to run fast.

Although I do get @DopeyBadger going for gloves before a jacket.

Jacket temps for a tempo like run would probably be down under 10. For a slower run maybe 15-25 ish. I guess it really depends on the wind. Guess I'll re-find out as next week looks like the windchill is going to get down to 1.

 

[Waiting2goback]

That is a good one! Hoping this month provides the healing you need and you can lace on the running shoes very soon.

The doctor told me 6-8 weeks to recover from the screw being removed. That could actually let me start mid December. I am being conservative and I am waiting the full 8 weeks. Provided I am not sick or the kids aren't sick, I will be putting on my running shoes and starting on the treadmill. The PT told me not to expect to last more than 5 minutes the first few days but I'll do my best.

QOTD: What is your ideal weather conditions for a race? What is your worse case scenario weather wise for a race?

ATTQOTD: Ideal weather would be 35 at the start, winds out of the north around 5 mph, partly cloudy and low RH (Low for Louisiana). Worse case would be above 75, no wind, 100%RH, and sunny and not a cloud in site.

Ideal is 40-55, cloudy, and light wind. Worst case would be hot and humid. Humidity sucks the life out of me.

Its been a busy week at the office so I am running a bit behind with posting our upcoming races for this week. I apologize for the delay. This week we have the following folks with races this week!

03 - @Chaitali - Race 13.1 Baltimore Half Marathon (2:57:00 / N/A)
03 - @GARUNMOM - Ugly Sweater 5k (NG / N/A)
03 - GARUNMOM - Lights of Life 5k (NG / N/A)
03 - LSUlakes - Baton Rouge Beach Half Marathon (2:00:00 / N/A)
03 - @mrsgryphon - Tinsel Fun Run 2 Miler (NG / N/A)
04 - @RunDisneyDad - San Antonio RnR Half Marathon (1:30:00 / N/A)
04 - @CherieFran - Jingle All the Way 5k (23:50 / N/A)

If you would like to revise your goal or for some reason unable to run this weekend, just let me know and I will make the adjustment. If anyone wants to be added to the list, feel free to let me know and I will add you to the list as well. Good to luck to everyone and have a great race!

I decided to run my half this weekend. It is not going to be pretty, but I wanted to keep the streak alive. This year will be my 5th consecutive run of the BRB1/2. It could also end up being my slowest, but I am not overly concerned about it as I know where I am at training wise.

Good luck everyone, have fun!

After Princess last year, I was diagnosed with bursitis and ITBS and started PT. It's much better than it was, but because of various health issues that I've had, I keep having to start over with mileage. Now I have a weird work schedule and I've been sick, so I'm already late on Princess training for next year, and I'm having to start over yet again. At least I'm doing the 5K/10K instead of all 3 next year.



That sounds great! I get so hot when I run, it has to be colder than some people are probably comfortable with. I have run in below freezing weather with short sleeves before.

I hope you can turn things around have a healthy year in 2017. And don't worry about Princess. It's better to be under-trained than over-trained.

I have a recommendation if anyone needs a stocking stuffer and likes to read. Not many people on here subscribe to HR training. I am a fan of it. I don't like the grey area that comes with perceived effort. But, the fact remains, the body only works one way and regardless of how you monitor the effort of your runs I think understanding the science behind how the body works is helpful. I have read 80/20 Running by Matt Fitzgerald and it was good. But, during my absence from running I read, "Total Heart Rate Training" by Joel Friel. It was a really good book about HR training but the information about the science behind why you should run most of your runs slow was broken down so much better than in 80/20 Running, in my opinion. I know Billy is a fan of perceived effort but when reading it I kept thinking he would love this book because of the science behind it.

Once I began riding my bike I started my Zone 2 work right away and I have seen huge improvements and I haven't even started running yet. I am dying to sign up for a race in the late spring and seeing what kind of times I will get with the Zone 2 work I am doing, along with cross training.