The Running Thread - 2016

[roxymama]

Thanks guys. I think the one mile listed on a race website with other events looks innocent and "easy" but then when really thinking about it, might just be more intimidating than your standard 5k or 10k even.
I'd only ever sign up for something like that if like you said above, I was training for it...and the race crowd wasn't too "scary fast."
My focus currently is on my upcoming distances so it's about consistency over the distance... and just finishing. And not getting injured.
I used to be a college rower so I remember fully what head races vs sprint races feel like. And puking after was a sign of great triumph, that you gave everything. Just not sure I'm willing for that feeling/or able to in this body at this current moment in time. But I love testing myself.

 

[IamTrike]

I have enough friends that run that are around my pace that we've formed our own pseudo running club. On most weekend runs we have 3-5 of us running together. We just have a text chat where we scope out the next weekends runs. Several of us our doing Hanson's so we usually run in the 20- 30 mile range on the weekends.

 

[Baloo in MI]

QOTD: Do you prefer to run alone so you can set your own pace or with others? If running with others do they have to be of the same pace or do you mind slowing down for them? If your pace varies to much for the person running with you, how to you go about letting that person know?

I prefer to run alone. As many have shared, I too see this time as "my time". I use it to process thoughts or zone out. It is my stress relief and I find that it helps me most when I am out solo.

I get a little jealous of the couples/families at races, too. I often go to my races alone. SO doesn't run and we don't have kids, and while he's come to support me at some races, I know he gets bored waiting for me, so I don't make him go. I don't think he minded it at Tink... he got the ChEAR Squad package with the breakfast and the special seating areas, so he had plenty to do to keep him occupied with that and going back and forth from MK to the finish. But I know he gets bored at the local races where there's nothing much to do but wait.

In my family, besides my youngest daughter, who is 8, I am the only runner. And as much as they like to cheer me on I know it is boring to stand around for hours waiting for me to run by. So I do a lot of races solo; leaving the big ones to ask them to come. This year I did Dopey solo. I was pretty nervous about it but it was a great time and forced me to be more social with strangers - push my comfort zone a bit. Next year will likely be solo too.

A lot of great questions and answers for the past week. Been busy. There are no expectations for this weekend other than to have a great time running the GSC with my daughter who wanted to do it. I am themed as Ariel and my daughter (29) will be themed as King Triton. To share my costume with y'all



So you see this is all about having a great father/daughter weekend.

This is Awesome! Both the costume and that it is part of a father/daughter experience! As a dad to two girls this gives lots of hope for future trips with my girls. I hope I am as lucky! Have a great time!

QOTD: Has anyone been a part of an organized running club? What was it like? How often do they meet and around what times? Do you have to pay or is it is a free service?

I have been part of a running club in the past. The benefits were mutual accountability and the opportunity to talk running with other people just as into as me! But I find I am most happy as a solo runner; not a hermit though. Seems all my responses are I run/race alone. I do like people! I have been thinking about joining a local club for the summer to help me in my prep for my September Ultra. There is a local group that a few friends are part of and it has a any distance/any speed focus. I like that.

Good luck to those racing this weekend! Kill it!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

This is gonna be totally random and off topic because I'm deep in random thought today.
I realized I have no idea how fast I could push myself if I only ran just one mile. I was looking at our local race calendar today to help my husband pick out his "march race" and there a quite a few St. Patrick one-milers. Some with beer, but most without. Don't really have the urge to sign up but I am feeling like I have this odd urge to go run only a mile sometime soon to see what I'd come up with...like empty the tank. Wondering how that would go.
Guess I've never just ran only a mile now that I think of it.

We had our own "olympics" a few times back when I was in the military. I participated in the track events, and one of the events was the mile. The trick - you had to finish as a team - cross the finish together. We trained for about 6 weeks for the events, and since I was focused on shorter distances (the mile was my longest event) I could really focus on speed work. I was also very young, so I could do speed work every day and recover while not having to worry about injury. I finished the mile in 4:34 (the slowest member of my team).

I still do some short distance training (speed work). I really hate it - push yourself until you puke stuff - but it works on different muscle fibers and improves my over-all running. My biggest concern is my age. Speed work now produces way more injuries for me than it used to, so I have to limit my speed work which limits my over-all performance.

Getting old sucks, but not as much as the alternative.

 

[cavepig]

ATTQOTD - If you count High school cross county then yes I was part of an organized running group, but that was many moons ago! Now, nope no group, nothing close enough, it would be great to have one but I would have to drive an hour each way to get to them.

 

[LSUlakes]

QOTD: Do you stretch either before or after your runs? Does your routine vary for a race?

ATTQOTD: I normally stretch after a run. For race day I'll warm up and stretch before the race and then my normal routine after.

Good luck to the racers this weekend and safe travels.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

QOTD: Do you stretch either before or after your runs? Does your routine vary for a race?

Neither - for me, stretching causes injuries, so I only do very specific stretches, and only when doing other workouts (like yoga or P90X).

When I run, I do warm-up exercises and a lengthy cool-down walk. For me, this is the key to injury prevention and recovery.

The science around stretching isn't very "scientific" and there is a lot of conflicting data out there. You just have to figure out what works for you and go with it.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I get to go for my first run/walk tomorrow, with almost all of the time walking (at doctors orders). If things go well this coming week, I can get back to running next weekend. So stoked - getting tired of my elliptical.

Good luck to our racers this weekend!

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

QOTD: Has anyone been a part of an organized running club? What was it like? How often do they meet and around what times? Do you have to pay or is it is a free service?

Running club no, but Triathlon club yes...been a member for a few years now. It is great having a good group of people to swim bike & run with as well as having a club coach to help with your training. The cost is around $60 a year, but it includes membership to the Provincial Triathlon governing body, which is required to race, so the actual cost for the club is only $5. Money well spent, especially during these winter months when you rely on others to motivate you.

QOTD: Do you stretch either before or after your runs? Does your routine vary for a race?

I'm lousy for stretching...if my GPS doesn't sync up right away before a run (it usually does though), then I might stretch out my shoulders, quads and thighs (cold muscles, I know I know...). Otherwise no. After a run, almost never.

 

[camaker]

QOTD: Do you stretch either before or after your runs? Does your routine vary for a race?

I'm with @BuckeyeBama. After a lifetime of being told that you had to stretch prior to sporting activities, I found that my incidence rate of injuries in both Ultimate Frisbee and running went down when I stopped doing extensive stretching beforehand. Now I will do some dynamic range of motion exercises just to get the blood flowing prior to races (not so much prior to training). On my rest days, I'll do some stretching and strengthening exercises, though.

 

[surfde22]

QOTD: Do you stretch either before or after your runs? Does your routine vary for a race?

I very rarely stretch before or after any runs. I occasionally stretch after run, and have various stretching and strength exercises I do for physical therapy on my ankle that I've had a history of problems with. That's about all I usually do for stretching though.

 

[Miranda]

QOTD: I don't really stretch. I tend to just start running and take it easy through my first 2-3 intervals (I do 90/30 intervals). In warmer weather I might do a couple quick static stretches before I start (quads/hip flexors, hamstring, calf) but in cold weather I just want to get moving, plus the rock wall that I use to do my stretches is covered in snow. My quads and hip flexors are so tight that I cannot grab my foot and pull it towards my butt, I have to turn backwards to something up off the ground, put my foot up on it, and lean back into the quad stretch.

I am trying to do more yoga now, though, to work on my general flexibility. My hamstrings are actually not that bad... it's my quads and hip flexors that are just the worst.

 

[rteetz]

QOTD: Do you stretch either before or after your runs? Does your routine vary for a race?

I don't not stretch prior to a run. I typically use the Galloway method and I know he doesn't strongly believe in stretching before a run. I may a stretch a little after a run but that is it. My routine doesn't change for a race.

 

[roxymama]

QOTD: Do you stretch either before or after your runs? Does your routine vary for a race?

I do not stretch before a run but I like to be a little loose so I often will walk a bit or do a light warm-up jog before hitting go on my garmin. I will jog a teeny bit before a race that I'm trying to go for speed. Like a .5 mile.
Then I like to walk for at least 3-5 minutes after a run.
I'm a fan of yoga so after some runs and while I am trying to cool down/stop sweating/etc, I will do dynamic but easy/not straining yoga movements. I will not hold stretches or poses like I would during a yoga class, as I like moving through the movements and concentrating on my breathing. It's more a soothing thing for me.

Pre-race if I'm in a corral or waiting for the start I tend to hop around a bit because I get so anxious and I can't help but move if there is music on. To an outsider it may look like stretching...but it's just being a spaz.

 

[Diskidatheart]

QOTD: Has anyone been a part of an organized running club? What was it like? How often do they meet and around what times? Do you have to pay or is it is a free service?

I am a member of a running club. In fact, I was a mentor/pace leader for the 9:00 minute group last year. I decided not to be a mentor this year because of life issues that were getting in the way. Anyway, they do charge an optional fee of about $45, which gets you discounts at their running store, entered into weekly raffles, free coaching advice, etc. I opted to not pay this year and just run with them. It has worked out great as it motivated me to get up on some of these cold Saturday morning to get my long runs in. Great questions BTW!!!

 

[roxymama]

I just saw @Keels pic on instagram (that makes me creepy right?) of her Disney princess 5k medal. So Congrats to all the Princess 5k finishers! I am supremely jealous that it's an Ariel medallion. I feel compelled to go stalk that thread for updates even though I'm not there.

 

[roxymama]

I am a member of a running club. In fact, I was a mentor/pace leader for the 9:00 minute group last year. I decided not to be a mentor this year because of life issues that were getting in the way. Anyway, they do charge an optional fee of about $45, which gets you discounts at their running store, entered into weekly raffles, free coaching advice, etc. I opted to not pay this year and just run with them. It has worked out great as it motivated me to get up on some of these cold Saturday morning to get my long runs in. Great questions BTW!!!

Forgive me for taking over this thread too much. I am just unmotivated to do anything else right now.
What is being a pacer like?

 

[RunDisneyDad]

@roxymama I'll try to quickly dilute your presence with my answer to the ATTQOTD:

Like most, I probably should incorporate more stretching. I've been dealing with a tender achilles so I will stretch it if it starts feeling tight or flaring up.

Okay, that is all. Continue.

 

[Keels]

I just saw @Keels pic on instagram (that makes me creepy right?) of her Disney princess 5k medal. So Congrats to all the Princess 5k finishers! I am supremely jealous that it's an Ariel medallion. I feel compelled to go stalk that thread for updates even though I'm not there.

Creeper! Hee hee.

Fun race this morning! I was done and back home by 7, showered, breakfasted and back asleep by 7:30.

 

[cavepig]

ATTQOTD - I never stretch before running and I was stretching after runs, but have basically stopped...I may have overstretched a few areas trying to help an on-going injury. I didn't really think overstretching would happen but I think I did, it's hard to know although stopping stretching hasn't made anything worse, only better it seems. Instead I'm incorporating more walking after my run which seems to be better for me personally.