The Running Thread - 2016

[bumbershoot]

QOTD: What is the most expensive item have you purchased for running? The least?

Garmin 235.

Pair of "throwaway" running gloves for R&R Vancouver 10K. $1. Canadian. And I refuse to throw them away.

@bumbershoot Fellow crew person right here? What school did you row for?

University of Puget Sound. They were desperate at the time. I was 5'3" in college (an inch taller now thanks to yoga), but can get STRONG. I was in the openweight boat for nearly 2 years; one full year (in bow seat) my stroke person was 6' tall. I had abs of steel that year, LOL. She was one of my roommates that year, as the coaches urged me to drop to lightweight; she was *skinny* at 180 and looked incredible at 200 lbs, and I had to get to 128 while we were working out the same! Oh the horror. We were a no-drop team, but they had an openweight person of a more appropriate height, so they wanted me in the lightweight boat. It was that or have no seat. (I'll never be light enough to be a coxswain, nor did I want to be)

Instead of walking at graduation we went to Regionals near/in Sacramento. Due to problems in our race and some boats dropping out, we took 4th out of 4. There were medals for 4th place that year. After that they decided to NOT give them if there were only 4 boats, but I was glad to get one that year, LOL. (no surprise that I'm cool with finishers medals being renamed as "participants" medals, eh?)

I recently was wearing one of my old sweatshirts and found out that a woman I do yoga with rowed for Gonzaga. She and I have commented on how similar our body types are before, and now it makes even more sense that we were both muscular shorties in a taller person's sport!

Sometimes I think about joining one of the Masters crews around here, but the idea of getting back onto an erg machine makes me nearly throw up. My last erg test in college was so, um, challenging that it's like a "tequila drunk"; I just have NO interest in doing it again, LOL.

I also had a short lived sophomore career as 2 on the men's lightweight boat to replace an injured guy...(got a second place once as a "guy".)

I love how co-ed Crew is and can be.

Cheapest was 1$ for throw away gloves at a marathon expo this past fall. I kept mine though. I can still totally use them and a dollar is a dollar.

See above with the Canadian dollar gloves.

The most expensive was a yearly gym membership. I paid cash for the whole year ... I think I ran 7 or 8 times on the treadmill at the gym....The first day we had clear of snow I ran 6 miles outside without any pain, I never stepped foot in the gym again. LOL

Youch!!!!!



Last 5K of the 15K today just made me laugh and laugh. My feet haven't been that wet since Wine and Dine 2014, and the rain felt like hail in my face b/c of the wind. Made me think about one regatta in college when we got out to the start, took off our outer clothes so we weren't burdened (we knew we would warm up fast) and it started to....SNOW. (should mention that Crew is not a winter sport!) Sometimes all you can do is laugh!

I did well, though, in terms of time, for me. Fast group of fellow runners, though. And a last-10-minutes bathroom break caused me to be in the last corral instead of second to last. (and I probably should have been a corral or two further up, but I overestimated my total time when I signed up) Really decent, if cold and wet and HILLY, run!

 

[Slogger]

Answers to the QOTD: most expensive item would be my running shoes: Brooks Glycerin with custom inserts

Unless you count my Dopey bib, with HM bib for wife, 10k for DD, and 5k for DS, lodging and meal plan and parkhopper tickets for 4 days....I'm not sure I really know how much that cost and probably don't want to know. But the experience was priceless.

.

 

[Slogger]

ATQOTD: Ever used a running coach?

No, not yet. But seriously thinking about it. I continue to make the same training mistakes, reinjure myself, and suffer through the longer runs.
After a 3 week self imposed "no running" sabbatical ends next week, I am going to make some changes. Be smarter. Crosstrain. Eat better.
I have an appointment with a Wellness Center for 3 sessions that include V02max test, gait analysis, meet with a nutritionist, and even get a massage.

Hopefully that will be the jumpstart I need to enjoy running pain-free again.

 

[Baloo in MI]

So my goal today was to just finish my 10k- yeah my legs had another idea and wanted to runnnnnn... Finished in 1:25:10 with a 13:44 avg.. Faster than my Last race so very happy..

Congratulations!

QOTD: Have you ever used a coach (online or in person) and how was your experience?

I have never had an official coach (outside of high school and college) but I did run with a running group for awhile that included coaching. I found the tips and suggestions more helpful than the workouts.

Good luck on the house sale!

Super happy with my Half time today! Was aiming for 2:55 (even went old school with a pace band!) and finished in 2:50:50! That beats my PR by 8:00!

That is awesome, 8 minutes is huge. Congrats!

 

[FFigawi]

I have oftentimes wanted to get a coach, but every time I look at some of the online coaching websites, I get frustrated because you seem to have to sign-on to their specific training plans (i.e. Run S.M.A.R.T Project coaches use Jack Daniels training plans, Hansons Coaching Services of course use Hansons training plans, Run Coach uses their own plans, etc). It seems to me that a coach should be able to coach you using any training plan as a starting point (and switch to a different training plan the next cycle if the prior plan didn't seem to work for you). Now, I would expect that he/she (along with your input) would want to make changes to any training plan you use based on his/her philosophies as well as your current fitness level and strengths/weaknesses, but I don't think you should be restricted to only use their plans. To me, it feels like they are basically just taking their off-the-shelf training plans with the only individualization being calculating the right training paces based on your recent races. I can do that without paying all the $$$.

I fully admit that maybe I just don't understand coaching since I've never had one, so I look forward to hearing other's experiences.

An independent coach should be willing and able to use any kind of training plan for you. I wouldn't expect this of the ones you mentioned, though. Hansons is not going to use other plans; that's like McDonald's selling a Whopper. Rather than searching for the bigger coaching companies, I'd recommend looking for ones that are in your local area or that are used by people you know and trust. You're likely to get more personalized service that way. My coaches have only 10-15 clients, so we get their full attention.

 

[DVCFan1994]

ATTQOTD: I haven't used a coach. However I am considering using one going into marathon training for the fall. My PT a ironman finisher many times over, with times I feel like the 112 mile bike road alone would take me He has coached many triathletes and runners to great finishes. He is certified as a coach. But, he generally trains people with a time goal, BQ seekers and such. I can't decide if its worth it one not. It is certainly not cheap. But I feel like the marathon distance may require a more tailored plan for me, and I know he could do that. Going to see how my spring running goes and decide in the fall. I'd be going for the finish, not a time goal.

 

[gjramsey]

ATTQOTD: I have not used an official coach. The Running club has coaches, but they are very high level and generic, so it sorta fits a large group of members at the different levels in the club.

 

[LSUlakes]

QOTD: What's the most embarrassing moment that you have experienced or witnessed during a run?

ATTQOTD: I haven't had anything happen to me, but the best I have seen was a girl on riding a bike and had no idea how to stop the bike and rode it into the lake. I did stop running to make sure she was ok, and helped her out of the lake and got her bike out as well. Good times!

 

[roxymama]

QOTD: Have you ever used a coach (online or in person) and how was your experience?

Virtually I've used apps like C25k and Nike+ challenges if that even counts but they never quite fit right into my schedule. Recently I politely asked dopeybadger to make me a training plan and it's been working out really well so far. If I survive my upcoming races maybe I need to send him a coach shirt or mug or something My father-in-law also helps me with a lot of running questions too since he's been running a lot longer than me.

Garmin 235.

University of Puget Sound. They were desperate at the time. I was 5'3" in college (an inch taller now thanks to yoga), but can get STRONG. I was in the openweight boat for nearly 2 years; one full year (in bow seat) my stroke person was 6' tall. I had abs of steel that year, LOL. She was one of my roommates that year, as the coaches urged me to drop to lightweight; she was *skinny* at 180 and looked incredible at 200 lbs, and I had to get to 128 while we were working out the same! Oh the horror. We were a no-drop team, but they had an openweight person of a more appropriate height, so they wanted me in the lightweight boat. It was that or have no seat. (I'll never be light enough to be a coxswain, nor did I want to be)

Instead of walking at graduation we went to Regionals near/in Sacramento. Due to problems in our race and some boats dropping out, we took 4th out of 4. There were medals for 4th place that year. After that they decided to NOT give them if there were only 4 boats, but I was glad to get one that year, LOL. (no surprise that I'm cool with finishers medals being renamed as "participants" medals, eh?)

I recently was wearing one of my old sweatshirts and found out that a woman I do yoga with rowed for Gonzaga. She and I have commented on how similar our body types are before, and now it makes even more sense that we were both muscular shorties in a taller person's sport!

Sometimes I think about joining one of the Masters crews around here, but the idea of getting back onto an erg machine makes me nearly throw up. My last erg test in college was so, um, challenging that it's like a "tequila drunk"; I just have NO interest in doing it again, LOL.

For fear of taking over this thread with all crew talk...Awesome to chat with a fellow rower! If I remember correctly our 1&2 seats were on the shorter side but were powerhouses. I was always a "meat seat" person in the middle until I was given a try at stroke and although it was a lot of pressure I really liked it. As a former dancer I had the rhythm part down. We had two types of boats and the one with the cox in the front in my face...we became best friends and enemies...man I loved throwing her in the lake whenever we won. So you were correct in choosing to be a rower, haha.
And yeah our teams were very coed. We did not have many mixed boats (maybe just a couple head races where we'd send off our best guy and girl in a 2 person skull.) BUT we travelled in the same busses and vans to everything except maybe the regional/sectional, etc. I am happy to have some collegiate state championships under my belt but we never got too far after the southern champs. The closest I got to advancing past that round in Nashville, the girl in 2 seat had her seat break and we went from first to second to last real fast. Was a huge bummer, but we got to row the repechage and killed it. Still a bummer.
Also I hate ergs and always have. Especially the kind that attached to each other end to end...talk about sea sick. I joined the Lincoln Park rowing club for awhile after college but it was just too hard to keep up with the schedule. I was in a mixed boat and they wanted me on my off side and it just didn't work out. I should have stuck with it longer.
Last story so I don't completely bore everyone here. While I was in labor my husband hung my marathon gold medal on the tv screen in front of my bed and said "well you got through that"...the nurses loved that and I appreciated it
Man I wish I was in shape like that now!

 

[rteetz]

QOTD: What's the most embarrassing moment that you have experienced or witnessed during a run?

I guess maybe when I almost tripped on myself. Luckily no one was around but I haven't seen or experienced anything that was embarrassing really.

 

[Barca33Runner]

QOTD: What's the most embarrassing moment that you have experienced or witnessed during a run?

I think I have been relatively fortunate and haven't had anything too embarrassing happen. I've had to make a beeline for a restroom a couple times; but outside of the general discomfort of using a port-a-john in the middle of the race there was nothing overly embarrassing about the experiences.

 

[roxymama]

QOTD: What's the most embarrassing moment that you have experienced or witnessed during a run?

This one is easy. At the gym I was walking and dropped my water bottle, stepped on it, and face planted...all in plain view of all the people on their treadmills and ellipticals. I may have made some sort of loud "aaack" noise as well. Got a nice carpet burn out of it. A beefy weight dude came over to see if I was alright and we both laughed but on the inside I wanted to run away and never come back. But instead I just got on a treadmill and did my workout and died internally for 30 minutes.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

QOTD: What's the most embarrassing moment that you have experienced or witnessed during a run?

I have never been embarrassed, but have experienced a few mishaps. I have fallen many times on trail runs - so often that I always carry a clean rag with me to clean scratches (generally limited to my hands).

Witnessed: When in the Army I saw many of my buddies vomit while running in formation after drinking too much the night before. More recently, I have seen a few people experience "potty" problems when running.

 

[PrincessV]

ATTQOTD: Nothing personally (yet), but I did run a large part of a half marathon behind a woman whose black pants were completely see-through, showcasing nicely her multi-striped underwear... and a piece of toilet paper hanging out of the underwear, but tucked in the pants. I mentally went back and forth about whether or not to say something: nothing she could do about the underwear showing in the middle of a race, right? So why make her think and worry about that for the rest of the race. But she could do something about the toilet paper, and I'm pretty sure I'd want to know, if it were me... finally, I decided to say something, since it didn't appear that anyone else had - and as I started to pick up my pace to get to her, she picked it up, too! I picked it up some more, and she sped up again. This went on for about a mile before I gave up, lol!

 

[Chaitali]

Congrats to everyone who had a race this weekend! I had a 10k that I was trying to treat as a training run. But it's so hard to do that when you get all the race excitement going and I ended up with a 20 second PR Plenty of rest for me this week before the Rock and Roll DC Half on Saturday.

I've run with a running group that has pace coaches but I've never used an individual coach before. I'm thinking I might do that if I train for a full marathon.

I've never really seen anything too embarrassing out there on a run, just falls for both me and other people.

 

[opusone]

QOTD: What's the most embarrassing moment that you have experienced or witnessed during a run?

For me: I face-planted about a month or so ago. I thought all ice had melted, but I guess there was a small patch when I transitioned from road to sidewalk during a tempo run. I went down fast, before I even knew what was happening, slid forward about a foot or so, and was smelling the dirt/grass on the edge of the sidewalk when the slide stopped. Fortunately, no injuries, and even more fortunately, nobody else saw it, so I guess it wasn't really embarrassing.

As witness: during The Golden Gate Relay a few years ago, there was a lady who evidently really needed to use the bathroom, but there were no bathrooms around, so she stopped just off the side of the road, dropped her pants and squatted in full view of other runners and other cars going by. She could have ventured a little further off the side of the road to slightly hide behind some trees/undergrowth, but I'm not sure she had the time.

 

[Slogger]

MOST EMBARRASSING?!!!!

Unfortunately this happened to me.
I was Participating in an 8k Shamrock run with family and 10,000 of our closest friends.
Nature calls.
Spot a row of port-a-potties ahead.
They are strategically located on top of a curb.
Entry was no problem.
Exiting was a bigger issue.
A simple miscalculation of where street met curb met elevated step from port-a-potty.
Took a nice tumble and rolled over on my back right in front of oncoming runners.
Like I was a turtle turned upside down.
It all happened so fast.
Got a rowdy laugh from the crowd and I was on my way again.
Hoping every day that this was never captured on YouTube

 

[Anisum]

QOTD: Have you ever used a coach (online or in person) and how was your experience?

I have not. I've found plans online that work for me and my goals and I follow them. I've considered it though. I may if I continue to struggle with improving my time or when I finally decide to do a marathon.

QOTD: What's the most embarrassing moment that you have experienced or witnessed during a run?

Experienced? Going to the bathroom near Journey Into Imagination on the Princess 10k. We should have just held it for the last 0.5 mile or whatever. I wasn't paying attention so I didn't realize how close we were.

I feel like I've witnessed some embarrassing ones too but none come to mind right now.

 

[roxymama]

Off topic but I had to share. Yesterday I told my husband I want to run through the castle and so that would be at least a half marathon. And he said "you can just run through the castle anytime you are at disney." I laughed because it is kind of true. So I said one day I won't be home and there will be a note left for him "decided to run through the castle today." He said he was fine with that.

 

[cavepig]

embarrassing - falling...probably the worst was in a high school cross country meet so at least that was eons ago.

I saw someone in the WDW marathon 2015 wipe out hard and slide after MK on a black slick area, she went down hard right after saying "this is nice to run on". I'm not sure if it was over the railroad track or what but it was a little slick. It had to hurt and I would have been embarrassing.

At a local 1/2 this lady started pulling her pants down heading into someone's yard only a couple miles in....everyone was surprised and embarrassed I think seeing that.