The Running Thread - 2016

[disneydaydreamer33]

I have asics running jacket I like quite a bit. It is very stretchy along the sides and then there is a more water resistant material along the front and back. It has zip pockets and thumb holes to keep my hands warmer. It has definitely become a staple of winter running!

 

[ebradley23]

I've been doing ART massages since before I got hurt - and man, they feel like my massage therapist is taking a baseball bat to certain parts of my body. He'll literally see me wincing/tearing up in pain, tell me to count to 10 and then he's going to start again. But I always feel SO amazing afterwards!

But I also LOOK like he's taken a baseball bat to my legs and thighs afterwards, so I'm with you on the bruising.

So I had to google ART. Sounds intense. I'm going for an SI (structural integration) massage tomorrow. I now wonder if I'm subjecting myself to more (good) torture.

ATTQOTD: I love mine. It's has enough stretch that it doesn't feel binding, and it's super thin. I usually break it out when the gems fall below 30 especially if it's damp out. My husband had to use his this weekend for the first time this season. He raved about it again. His is a Sugoi Firewall.

 

[PrincessV]

It's kinda like foam rolling on steroids. Even while he was doing it I could feel areas which had adhesion clear up. The tool was running more smoothly over them. It really didn't hurt that bad while he was doing it. I just bruise easily by nature and my pale skin really shows them off.

Know what works pretty well as DIY Graston? Wooden rolling pin: roll on it the same way you would on a foam roller, putting as much weight on it as you can. That always does wonders for me if things get too tight!

QOTD: What do you like in a running jacket? What do you dislike? Which lines are your favorite and why?

I like anything that zips and comes to me from the clearance rack at Target for less than $10. Because if I'm buying a running jacket, it's to to use as a throwaway layer for a race, lol! Otherwise, my upper "winter" attire consists of a long sleeve shirt.

 

[tigger536]

I ran the JG 13.1 yesterday and Barb's 5K saturday to get the "Double G" medal. Super cold (by Atlanta standards - upper 20s/ low 30s) for both races. Both were fun courses though (Barb's 5K is almost entirely in Piedmont park).

I did not quite meet by goal of 2:15 for the half (but this was VERY ambitious for me so I'm not at all disappointed). I did get a PR of more than 6 minutes finishing in 2:17:36!!!

And another example of Why Runners Are Awesome (although we already knew this): I started lagging a little around mile 5/6. I was feeling like I was going to drop off my pace, hard. Shortly after that, I started to notice that me and this other lady were doing the exact same interval on almost the exact same cycle - seriously our timers were matched as if we had done it on purpose. She noticed it too and we asked each other what our goals were. She was trying to beat her PR time of 2:18 and I was trying to get anywhere in the teens at that point. So we decided to run together and push each other and it worked! She ended up beating her PR by over a minute in what was going to be her last half for awhile (she wanted to move to tris). Talking to her made the time go by faster and it was so cool helping each other get our goals! I could not have done it without her pushing me on. Runners are awesome!

 

[JulieODC]

QOTD: Good timing, as I literally bought one yesterday off the Target clearance rack for $10.48. I ran in the morning and felt like I needed a light jacket/windbreaker - and happened upon one while shopping later. Normally I'd just add an extra shirt layer, but this coat might be good for a windy day, or if its drizzling.

 

[RunDisneyDad]

ATTQOTD: No running jacket for me either. If i were to get one I would think I would want something bright with those reflective strips.

 

[Miranda]

ATTQOTD: I don't really wear running jackets very often. I have running jackets, like the jacket from W&D 2015, or a fleece jacket that was the swag for one of the HMs I did this fall, but I don't wear them running. They are cozy things to wear to/from the gym or to take the dog out on chilly spring/fall mornings.

The only jacket that I have for actually running is my New Balance Women's Windblocker Jacket. It was like a $160 jacket that I got for Black Friday last year for like $75, which made it a little easier to swallow, as I'm normally all about the clearance or Target C9 stuff. I only use it when it is very cold, like this past weekend for my 19F plus windchill group run. Usually I just prefer to layer a shirt under a half zip, but I realized last year that I did need some kind of more substantial jacket for those 10-25 type temps. It is definitely not a jacket I wear if I think I need to push the sleeves up or anything, as it's very form fitting and the arms are quite tight, especially the wrists. It's got this whole padded/insulated tight thumbhole situation with some reflective wind shielding panels that are meant to go over the backs of your hands, especially if I pull the thumbholes over my thin Smartwool gloves.

Things I like about it:

• It's a pain to get your hands situated into the thumbholes because as mentioned, they are very snug with gloves, but it doesn't let cold air in at the wrists at all.
• It's got 2 good sized front pockets with zippers, which is nice because then I don't need to wear my SPIbelt.
• It's got windblocker panels in the front/back and down the outside of the arms, which are not forgiving at all, but it's got thick stretchy fabric on the sides and insides of the arms so you don't feel quite so much like a stuffed sausage

Things I don't like about it: It's very form fitting, even with the forgiving side panels, and my butt is not flat, so the longer back that is supposed to be shielding my butt kind of rides up in the back and I am usually tugging at it every few minutes.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I like my running jackets loose and thin. I wear them to break the wind on really cold and windy days. the air trapped inside can get really warm, but a quick unzip for a few minutes solves that problem . Running outside here would be impossibly dangerous without one during the worst part of winter, especially if you run off road like I do.

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

ATTQOTD: I only wear my running jacket in the worst conditions. I think mine is actually a biking shell. It is allegedly water resistance, but much more than a mist and it soaks right in.

The one feature I need is a 2 way zipper, so you can zip it up or down. That makes it more adjustable.

 

[Slogger]

ATTQOTD: What's a running jacket? LOL

I don't own one and use zip up sweatshirts or long sleeved shirts to layer over/under a regular shirt. This is a great time of year to use all of the long sleeved cotton shirts that come from running events.

 

[michigandergirl]

ATTQOTD: I have a c9 jacket from Target that I wear when the temps dip below 25 degrees. It's fleece lined with a somewhat water resistant outside (good for snow, but not rain), and it has zippered pockets. I also like that it doesn't have thumbholes, which I find to be annoying.

 

[ZellyB]

I ran the JG 13.1 yesterday and Barb's 5K saturday to get the "Double G" medal. Super cold (by Atlanta standards - upper 20s/ low 30s) for both races. Both were fun courses though (Barb's 5K is almost entirely in Piedmont park).

I did not quite meet by goal of 2:15 for the half (but this was VERY ambitious for me so I'm not at all disappointed). I did get a PR of more than 6 minutes finishing in 2:17:36!!!

And another example of Why Runners Are Awesome (although we already knew this): I started lagging a little around mile 5/6. I was feeling like I was going to drop off my pace, hard. Shortly after that, I started to notice that me and this other lady were doing the exact same interval on almost the exact same cycle - seriously our timers were matched as if we had done it one purpose. She notice it too and we asked each other what our goals were. She was trying to beat her PR time of 2:18 and I was trying to get anywhere in the teens at that point. So we decided to run together and push each other and it worked! She ended up beating her PR by over a minute in what was going to be her last half for awhile (she wanted to move to tris). Talking to her made the time go by faster and it was so cool helping each other get our goals! I could not have done it without her pushing me on. Runners are awesome!

That's so cool that you found someone to partner with. How did you like the JG race? It's one I'm thinking about doing at some point in the future.

 

[preciouspups]

QOTD: What do you like in a running jacket? What do you dislike? Which lines are your favorite and why?

ATTQOTD: I have a black half zip from Athleta that I love. I don't wear it to run for very long but it is comfortable. The neck comes up high enough to keep me warm. It has thumbholes that are large enough for gloves. It has vented sides and pockets on the front. It is fitted and stretchy. And it has a longer back that covers my tushie. Best part... it was $20 marked down from $100!

I don't know about those massages but they sound similar to something my therapist has done for me when my sciatic nerve was poking through the muscle. She pushed, poked, proded and made me cry. I had giant bruises on my butt and my husband asked if she had beaten me with a bat!

So I have this pain in my knee. Only not my knee. It is the spot right in front of the kneecap, just before the shin. I don't even know what it is called to look up a diagnosis on the interwebz. LOL! It started hurting after I bent over the other day and it hurts when I walk, but not when I run.

 

[opusone]

QOTD: What do you like in a running jacket? What do you dislike? Which lines are your favorite and why?

I've only ever bought one true running jacket (i.e. it was made specifically for that purpose), and it is a Sugoi running jacket. I don't remember the exact type, but I bought it over 14 years ago, and it is still in use as part of my running arsenal today.

What I like: thin, waterproof for rain, windproof for extreme cold, and zippers (armpits, two front vents, and along the lower back) for when I am getting a little warm.

What I dislike: even though it is thin, it is too hot to use if it's raining in warmer weather (even with all the zipper vents unzipped).

I don't use it a ton, but I'm really glad I have it when the following situations occur: rain with temps below about 45°F, cold weather (<20°F) when I need a third layer, cooler weather with higher winds when I need an outer layer of wind protection

 

[croach]

ATTQOTD: I have a black half zip from Athleta that I love. I don't wear it to run for very long but it is comfortable. The neck comes up high enough to keep me warm. It has thumbholes that are large enough for gloves. It has vented sides and pockets on the front. It is fitted and stretchy. And it has a longer back that covers my tushie. Best part... it was $20 marked down from $100!

I don't know about those massages but they sound similar to something my therapist has done for me when my sciatic nerve was poking through the muscle. She pushed, poked, proded and made me cry. I had giant bruises on my butt and my husband asked if she had beaten me with a bat!

So I have this pain in my knee. Only not my knee. It is the spot right in front of the kneecap, just before the shin. I don't even know what it is called to look up a diagnosis on the interwebz. LOL! It started hurting after I bent over the other day and it hurts when I walk, but not when I run.

My first thought if the pain is below the kneecap is Runners Knee but that would obviously be a total guess. Here's some info

http://www.runnersworld.com/tag/runners-knee

 

[tigger536]

That's so cool that you found someone to partner with. How did you like the JG race? It's one I'm thinking about doing at some point in the future.

Thanks!! Yes, it was totally random that we found each other, but it worked out great.

I love this race! Its my second year doing it (its three years old). I'm from Atlanta, so its local for me. Highly recommend. Its hilly, but that's Atlanta. Its a little less hilly than some of the other big halfs here - such as the Publix full/half and the ATC Thanksgiving half. Also its a smaller race - there were only 1000 people (1500 capacity but I think the cold kept some away) so less bobbing and weaving. Also sinces its Jeff's race, lots more people do run walk run than other races, so its easier to do this witout getting run over. And all the pace groups do it of course. It is a very scenic course through midtown, the beltline, the Virigina Highlands and Piedmont Park, so lots to look at. You should definitely come!

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

QOTD: What do you like in a running jacket? What do you dislike? Which lines are your favorite and why?

I have used the same jacket for what is now winter #5...it is an Adidas Climawarm (I think?) and it is fleece-lined and form-fitting. I love that it has a high-zip neck and a hood, and of course thumb holes. Gotta have thumb holes. I will break it out once we get down around -10ºC and I'm comfortable in it despite it's light weight all the way down to -40º

 

[baxter24]

I wear a Brooks running vest when it is really cold out. It is incredibly lightweight, blocks the wind, and keeps my core warm. The only thing I wish it had was an additional pocket. I wore it in the half I ran this past Saturday and it really did the job. The temp was in the low 20s at the start and in the mid 30s at the finish. I know that isn't that cold for some of you guys but it's pretty cold to me. Really felt for the volunteers that morning. Standing in the cold for a couple of hours is a much worse feeling than running in it.

 

[Miranda]

I wear a Brooks running vest when it is really cold out. It is incredibly lightweight, blocks the wind, and keeps my core warm. The only thing I wish it had was an additional pocket. I wore it in the half I ran this past Saturday and it really did the job. The temp was in the low 20s at the start and in the mid 30s at the finish. I know that isn't that cold for some of you guys but it's pretty cold to me. Really felt for the volunteers that morning. Standing in the cold for a couple of hours is a much worse feeling than running in it.

I always feel bad for the volunteers during cold races, too, and make sure to give out extra thanks.

 

[camaker]

My first thought if the pain is below the kneecap is Runners Knee but that would obviously be a total guess. Here's some info

http://www.runnersworld.com/tag/runners-knee

Runner's Knee is the common term for patellofemoral pain. That's pain on top of the kneecap at the meeting with the thigh, not the bottom of the kneecap near the shin. It also tends to do the opposite of what was reported: no pain on walking and increasing during running. Not sure what @preciouspups has, but it doesn't sound like the Runner's Knee I've been fighting.