The Running Thread - 2016

[BikeFan]

ATTQOD: I've come to realize how much I need to work on positive self-talk. Like many others, I can see how far I've come in the 18 months since I started running and it does amaze me sometimes. But man, can I submarine my hard work - especially on long runs. I get so mad at myself when I'm not constantly improving, and then get mad because I got mad.

Working on it...seeing it in other places. So that's a gift.

Sometimes, a little anger is a good thing. It can be a powerful motivational tool to kick complacency to the curb and do the sometimes-tedious work required to improve. We just have to be careful not to discourage ourselves in the process. The struggle is to recognize and even celebrate our past accomplishments while still keeping our eyes fixed on future goals ahead. Jesse Owens said "The battles that count aren't the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself - the invisible, inevitable battles inside all of us - that's where it's at." Progress may come in bits and pieces sometimes, or not at all, but just remember that as long as you're out there moving, still fighting the battle between who you were and who you wish to be, you're improving. As Gandhi said, "Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment, full effort is full victory."

 

[SplashRider]

QOTD: What is the single most important thing you have learned from running?

ATTQOTD: Success doesn't have to be measured in terms of achievement. In most areas of my life I tend to be a perfectionist and I put a lot of pressure on myself to live up to whatever numbers might denote success in various areas. I played varsity basketball through my sophomore year of college, but I lost the love of the game because I didn't measure up to the arbitrary standards I set for myself.

In running I still want to conquer new distances and run for PRs, but my main measures of my success are things like conversations had with people I never would have met, let alone become close friends with, except through running. Or feeling strong and healthy because my muscles and heart and mind have been conditioned over thousands of miles. Or just the pure joy I feel when I'm out on a run when I realize how much I love it and how fortunate I am to be able to run.

 

[LSUlakes]

QOTD: Inevitably, people ask me "how far do you run"... of course, it's not the same every day. So what do you say when they ask you that?

ATTQOTD: I tell people that ask me that question that the mileage varies depending on what I am training for and the day of the week. I let them know that my longest runs take place over the weekend which can range anywhere from 10 to 20 miles and midweek runs can be anywhere from 3 to 12 miles. It just all depends on what event is next.

 

[roxymama]

QOTD: Inevitably, people ask me "how far do you run"... of course, it's not the same every day. So what do you say when they ask you that?

ATTQOTD: I get the "how often do you run" or "when do you run" questions a lot, but people don't tend to ask me about actual distance. Maybe I don't look like a distance runner or maybe they just want to know how I fit it into my busy mom schedule. I'll often talk about the time I take to run (like "I ran for an hour on Sunday morning because the baby was napping.") Usually I end up being self-deprecating and deflect questions to other subjects. That's why I like this board...I can just be honest and don't fear that people don't really care.

 

[rteetz]

QOTD: Inevitably, people ask me "how far do you run"... of course, it's not the same every day. So what do you say when they ask you that?

I usually tell them the longest distance I have run recently. I also tell them that I don't run the same distance everyday that's usually sufficient enough.

 

[RunDisneyDad]

@LSUlakes ....thanks again for doing this...I look forward to these each morning.

ATQOTTD: Mine depends on my audience. If its a fellow runner I'll go into more detail on my answers and try to explain what goes into my total mileage. For non-runners, I'll give a high level answer. Its funny because for non-runners the question I'm asked the most as it pertains to marathon training is, "what's the furthest you'll run during your training".

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

QOTD: Inevitably, people ask me "how far do you run"... of course, it's not the same every day. So what do you say when they ask you that?

I usually just say 10K (as that's the shortest I run and my usual lunch hour run), but that I have run as long as a marathon (and then inform them that is over 26 miles). I usually don't engage in too much running talk with non-runners because more often than not they really don't care and are just trying to be polite...I'll answer their questions without too much detail and do my best not to bore them to death

 

[faneuil]

QOTD: Inevitably, people ask me "how far do you run"... of course, it's not the same every day. So what do you say when they ask you that?

ATTQOTD: I tell people that ask me that question that the mileage varies depending on what I am training for and the day of the week. I let them know that my longest runs take place over the weekend which can range anywhere from 10 to 20 miles and midweek runs can be anywhere from 3 to 12 miles. It just all depends on what event is next.

To basically answer both at the same time, I tell people my weekly mileage. No one who asks me that question is really interested enough for me to break it down any further. But most ppl who ask me are proud of 5,000 steps a day, so once I say I average 27,000 a day, they don't want to hear about my running too.

 

[Chaitali]

I loved reading everyone's answers about what they've learned from running! I think mine is similar to some other people, I've learned that I can do things I didn't think I was capable of if I put in the work.

Today's QOTD - I usually say about 3 miles on weekday runs and that weekend runs vary based on training plans. If the other person's a runner, that's a great gateway to get into talking about different training plans people have used, etc.

 

[derekleigh]

QOTD: What is the single most important thing you have learned from running?

You are capable of more than you think. I remember watching a friend do the 2008 Disney Marathon and swore the next time we did a Disney trip I would run the half. At that point, I maybe had run no longer than a 5K and never did any races. Heck I only ran a few miles a week, if that. I also remember thinking people running the Goofy were just that..goofy!

2012 we returned and I did the half. 3 years after that trip (and several Marathon weekend races later) I ran my first full with the idea of doing Goofy or Dopey at a later date.

Who would have thought?!

 

[DVCFan1994]

QOTD: Inevitably, people ask me "how far do you run"... of course, it's not the same every day. So what do you say when they ask you that?

ATTQOTD: I tell people that ask me that question that the mileage varies depending on what I am training for and the day of the week. I let them know that my longest runs take place over the weekend which can range anywhere from 10 to 20 miles and midweek runs can be anywhere from 3 to 12 miles. It just all depends on what event is next.

I don't think I have ever been asked that, like @roxymama I think I've only been asked about frequency. I guess my answer would be pretty non specific, because it would depend if/what I was training for. I'd probably say I do short runs of 30-45 minutes during the week and a long run of over an hour on weekends.

 

[roxymama]

Anyone ever use stabilicers or yaktrax? I didn't know these existed until I read an email communication from upcoming race. I don't plan on running with anything new this weekend, but wondering just for future Feb/march running outside what people think of these. I've googled to see what they look like. Does it feel like you're are wearing cleats?

 

[LSUlakes]

QOTD: Inevitably, people ask me "how far do you run"... of course, it's not the same every day. So what do you say when they ask you that?

ATTQOTD: I get the "how often do you run" or "when do you run" questions a lot, but people don't tend to ask me about actual distance. Maybe I don't look like a distance runner or maybe they just want to know how I fit it into my busy mom schedule. I'll often talk about the time I take to run (like "I ran for an hour on Sunday morning because the baby was napping.") Usually I end up being self-deprecating and deflect questions to other subjects. That's why I like this board...I can just be honest and don't fear that people don't really care.

I'm the guy who tells them enough to where it isn't actually technical, but they feel it is. For some reason or another, they keep coming by and asking about it. Our office is paying our entry fee for a local 5k in March, so I have been trying to get some folks to run. I need 4 for a team, and including myself I only have one other, and he is currently a smoker. Hoping to get him to take up running and put down the smokes. He was already thinking about running the MCM. I would be very excited to see him make the transition.

@LSUlakes ....thanks again for doing this...I look forward to these each morning.

ATQOTTD: Mine depends on my audience. If its a fellow runner I'll go into more detail on my answers and try to explain what goes into my total mileage. For non-runners, I'll give a high level answer. Its funny because for non-runners the question I'm asked the most as it pertains to marathon training is, "what's the furthest you'll run during your training".

I enjoy the responses from everyone. I find it very interesting how some answers are very similar and some are unique.

To basically answer both at the same time, I tell people my weekly mileage. No one who asks me that question is really interested enough for me to break it down any further. But most ppl who ask me are proud of 5,000 steps a day, so once I say I average 27,000 a day, they don't want to hear about my running too.

I don't run with my vivofit, so my runs aren't part of my total, but I only get ~6,000 steps a day during the week. I sit behind a computer all day, so that's the reason for that.

 

[Anisum]

QOTD: Inevitably, people ask me "how far do you run"... of course, it's not the same every day. So what do you say when they ask you that?

I tell them what I ran most recently but that it varies day to day and that my longest run this week will be x amount.

 

[LSUlakes]

Anyone ever use stabilicers or yaktrax? I didn't know these existed until I read an email communication from upcoming race. I don't plan on running with anything new this weekend, but wondering just for future Feb/march running outside what people think of these. I've googled to see what they look like. Does it feel like you're are wearing cleats?

I had to google what that was. We don't get snow or ice, but maybe once every few years. Unless I move north, that is one item I will not have to buy.

 

[DopeyBadger]

QOTD: Inevitably, people ask me "how far do you run"... of course, it's not the same every day. So what do you say when they ask you that?

I usually stick with either what I did last night, or tell them what I ran in the last week/month. For most, that is a sufficient answer, and for others who want more detail I usually leave it up to them to ask more questions. It all depends on the audience.

 

[RunDisney Crazy]

LSUlakes, cool site! Just another B.R. runner that likes the Disney races!

 

[faneuil]

Sometimes, a little anger is a good thing. It can be a powerful motivational tool to kick complacency to the curb and do the sometimes-tedious work required to improve.

Totally different kind of anger, but I usually run over my lunch hour. If I've had a frustrating morning, or I'm annoyed with bureaucracy, I always run faster and harder. It makes the afternoon better too.

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

Anyone ever use stabilicers or yaktrax? I didn't know these existed until I read an email communication from upcoming race. I don't plan on running with anything new this weekend, but wondering just for future Feb/march running outside what people think of these. I've googled to see what they look like. Does it feel like you're are wearing cleats?

Haven't tried either, I just use a good trail shoe, but a lot of people around here make their own "screw shoes". Basically you just add small hex screws to the soles of your shoes and they give you grip on snow and ice. Here's how it is done...

1) Purchase 20 3/8-inch hex-head sheet metal screws (size #8 or #10) for each pair of shoes. (Hex-head screws work best because they have jagged edges.) Total cost will be about $5.

2) Position screws around the perimeter of the outsole—six around the forefoot and four in the heel. Avoid areas that might poke feet upon impact with the ground. (If you’re spiking a pair of shoes with thicker foam midsoles, you can get away with putting spikes directly under your foot, but be careful. You might not feel the tip of the screw when you try them on, but you still might feel it poke through when you’re running hard downhill.)

3) Twist screws into the outsole rubber. (Pre-drilling with a 1/16 drill bit will help.)

4) Run with confidence over anything that is slippery, wet or frozen. (Note: They’re most effective on ice and small amounts of snow on roads or hard-packed trails.)

Read more at http://running.competitor.com/2014/01/news/diy-snow-running-spikes_91843

 

[Diskidatheart]

QOTD: Inevitably, people ask me "how far do you run"... of course, it's not the same every day. So what do you say when they ask you that?

I usually tell people my current weekly mileage, but depending on where I am in my training, I will let them know that I will be running more miles as I get closer to the race or I am near peak miles because the race is coming up soon.