The Running Thread - 2016

[clemsondisneygirl]

QOTD: What is your ultimate running goal? (running a distance you've never tried before, to qualify for Boston, something else)

I would love to grab a Coast to Coast because that would mean doing more than one "long" race in a year! (and extra disney trips!)

I also have the goal of decreasing my average pace...right now I am doing run/walk at about 13:00-13:30 per mile, but would love to be closer to 12:00 consistently!

 

[FFigawi]

I've hashed a few times! Never a dull moment! The ones in Florida are pretty wild, lol, so I've only done about 3 trails.

It's a great way to have an instant group of friends anytime you move somewhere else. Good times and good fun too.

QOTD: What is your ultimate running goal? (running a distance you've never tried before, to qualify for Boston, something else)

I have two. First, complete a 100-mile race, preferably in 24 hours or less so I can get a buckle. Two, qualify for Boston, which means I need to age 20 years and not slow down any.

 

[roxymama]

QOTD: What is your ultimate running goal? (running a distance you've never tried before, to qualify for Boston, something else)

I think I have already achieved my initial ultimate goal of making myself proud of myself (not easily done for a self-doubter) and making my family proud was a nice off-shoot of that.

But Hmmmm...I think I have two new ones now. One will be easier than the other.
1) Run through a Disney castle (whether DL or WDW.) Which means I need to pick a race that goes through the castle.
2) Get an age group award. I don't care in what distance or how old I will need to get. Or if it just happens once.

 

[DVCFan1994]

Running a bit behind schedule today.

QOTD: What is your ultimate running goal? (running a distance you've never tried before, to qualify for Boston, something else)

My ultimate running goal is to do a full marathon. I started running in earnest (meaning more than once every few weeks) in 2013. I always seem to get injuries toward the end of my training cycles for half marathons. I said I'd do a full when I made it through a cycle injury free. That basically happened leading up to Avengers in November of 15. But, then I had major calf issues the next month. I have finally decided I don't think I'll ever be 100% injury free, so I am shooting for a full this fall.

Speaking of which, anyone here have experience with the Marine Corp Marathon? I used to live in DC and Northern VA. Back then I wasn't a runner but was still in awe of the runners I saw. I have some local New England races I'm considering, but I'd love to do MCM. Just curious, for the more experienced runners here, how hard is it to get into the MCM? I understand the lottery process, but how big is the demand? I was looking around trying to find numbers of applicants vs. lottery spots and couldn't find anything.

Edited to add: If I complete a full this fall I suspect my goal will then become Dopey 2018 like everyone else

 

[Miranda]

QOTD: My goals are to just keep getting better. This year I have a goal to qualify for Half Fanatics as well. I was going to qualify last fall, but one of my HM was W&D, and I didn't get another one in. I don't know if I ever want to run a marathon. As a lifelong New Englander, Boston has always been a Big Deal, and it's been in the back of my head that I'd like to run Boston, but I do not think I will ever be able to qualify, and I don't know if I want to do the charity thing.

 

[Dis5150]

QOTD: What is your ultimate running goal? (running a distance you've never tried before, to qualify for Boston, something else)

ATQOTD: My current goal is to qualify for Half Fanatics, which I will do this weekend, barring any unforeseen problems. After that it is to train for and run a marathon. DD and I were going to do one on Oct. 9th but we just changed it to one right near her house in Colorado Springs on Labor Day (Sept. 5th). Currently working on adjusting my training schedule.

 

[michigandergirl]

Username QOTD: Well, I am a female from Michigan and we call ourselves Michiganders.

Ultimate goal QOTD: Dopey Challenge 2018 - I would love to say qualify for Boston, but not holding my breath, maybe when I'm 80!

February mileage: 58.5 miles - not very good for me, life got in the way this month (Beerfest got in the way last weekend).

 

[FFigawi]

@DVCFan1994 If you get a chance to run Marine Corps, take it. It's one of the best organized & most enjoyable races in the country. Great for first timers and veterans alike. Gorgeous course too.

 

[camaker]

Running a bit behind schedule today.

QOTD: What is your ultimate running goal? (running a distance you've never tried before, to qualify for Boston, something else)

My running goal is a bit, shall we say, non-standard. My running goal is to create a sense of dissatisfaction with one or more of my current running situations (distance, time, pace, etc...) in order to generate a new near to mid-term goal.

The reason is a lot less complex. Most of you have read my backstory in one post or another. 335 lbs, lost 150 lbs in a year, now kicking around in the 185-200 lb range depending on the time of year. I have found that it is a lot harder to keep the weight off than it was to lose it in the first place. In order to maintain the physical activity level needed to keep that weight off or drop just a bit further, I need a goal to be reaching for. Staying the same just does not work as a motivational goal. For me, at least. There needs to be progress. Forward motion of one type or another.

So, first it was "can I run a half marathon". Then it was "can I run a half in under 2:00". And so on. Currently, I am dissatisfied with the 5:49 first marathon that I ran at WDW Marathon Weekend as part of 10k + Goofy. So I am working towards 2 goals in tandem: First, run a marathon for time on its own (initial goal <5:00, stretch goal ~4:30). Second, complete a Dopey Challenge.

At this point, I am 45 years old and have a history of knee problems, so the bigger goals like BQing are not realistic, so I stick with the 6 to 12 month-based goals. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy and celebrate meeting my interim goals. They are accomplishments. I just have to find an aspect that I can "do better" after the celebration is over.

 

[cavepig]

My current ultimate running goal is probably have a healthy WDW marathon, not sure when I'll be running it again, but it would nice to not be sick for it after 2015 flu and 2016 food poisoning & injury. To be injury free which hasn't been for over about 3 years now, so I guess if I'm healthy then would love to see my marathon time back under 5 like my first one (it was nondisney though).

 

[flvy]

@flvy - I had blistering problems decades ago when I was getting used to running. I used Wright socks to overcome the blistering. Wright socks have 2 very thin socks within one another. The idea is that the friction takes place between the two layers of sock rather than against your skin. It worked for me until I found the right shoes (heck, I had no idea how important shoe fit was back then). Now that I know how to find shoes that fit properly I can use any socks - blistering has not been a problem for me in decades.

I believe that the real key is finding running shoes that fit properly, keeping them tied with appropriate tightness, and paying attention to your feet every day after your runs. My feet are baby soft, so it is not the presence of calluses that helps me today - it is my shoe fit.

@flvy - I've had similar issues and will also endorse Wright Socks. They made a huge difference.

You could also try using KT Tape or similar in the area affected, even a Band-Aid just to see if it helps.

The other suggestion already mentioned would be about your shoes. Have you been to a running store to make sure you have a good fit and shoe for your running style? Inserts might also be helpful.

I'm pretty sure when I went to get fitted they went for cushion only with me because I was just starting out and a few extra lbs. I fully plan on going back and getting fitted again, and bringing up my issues.

Wright socks are already ordered.

QOTD:

Ultimate long term goal is an ultra. Of course that's about 5 years away from being something that can happen. Shorter term goals include finishing my marathon in September.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Running a bit behind schedule today.

QOTD: What is your ultimate running goal? (running a distance you've never tried before, to qualify for Boston, something else)

Good question. Goals are my favorite. Like yourself, my ultimate goal is to run a sub-3hr marathon and qualify for Boston. But I set that goal 4 years ago now when I was barely running at all. I set that goal thinking I will probably never reach it, but it gave me something to strive for. Now that I see a glimmer of it being possible, I know that once I reach that threshold I'll come up with a new ultimate goal. Other out there goals for me are to run 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days (way too expensive for me to do now in my life) or to win 1st place in a moderately competed in race.

 

[DVCFan1994]

@DVCFan1994 If you get a chance to run Marine Corps, take it. It's one of the best organized & most enjoyable races in the country. Great for first timers and veterans alike. Gorgeous course too.

I am definitely entering the lottery. I may go the charity route if I don't get in. I looked at their Charity list, and one I actually have professional experience with, Fisher House, is on the list. I would feel really good about raising money for them. And if my first full isn't at Disney (I can't do January 2017 due to conflicts) then DC to me seems like a great place since part of me still feels like that's home.

 

[Anisum]

QOTD: What is your ultimate running goal? (running a distance you've never tried before, to qualify for Boston, something else)

I have two. I want to consistently run sub 12:00 minute miles and run a marathon. Not necessarily at the same time.

 

[surfde22]

QOTD: What is your ultimate running goal? (running a distance you've never tried before, to qualify for Boston, something else)

That's a tricky question. Right now my ultimate goal is getting ready for Dopey, and beating my brother's time from his 2014 Dopey. After Dopey I will reevaluate my goals. If I find I like marathons and longer distances I will want to find more marathons to run, ultimately complete each of the 6 World Marathon Majors. If I find marathons aren't my thing I'll focus on shorter races that I like the distance of.

 

[bumbershoot]

Barca-For FC Barcelona, my favorite football team. The "c" pronounced like an "s"; or with a lisp to sound a bit like "th" if you want to get super technical or are actually from the region.

I got that one! One of our friends is from Spain, and we spent time with him when dh (and the Spanish guy) were sent to England and Ireland for work and we got to follow him. So I just went with that soft S sound when I saw your name.

5150 - in CHP code means "mental case"

Learned that from Britney Spears' problems some years back....

Fun question of the day - - Cavepig is for the warthog pigs on Big Thunder...When my siblings and I were younger we called them cavepigs and said they roamed the caves of Tom Sawyer Island...so we would snort our way through the caves saying cavepigs were hiding.

I had definitely wondered about your name!

@DVCFan1994 If you get a chance to run Marine Corps, take it. It's one of the best organized & most enjoyable races in the country. Great for first timers and veterans alike. Gorgeous course too.

My brother liked it. Then he got on Metro to get to his car and sat down, then the Metro broke down and he was on the train far longer than expected, and when he finally got to his stop he nearly missed it because he couldn't stand up. Poor guy.

The reason is a lot less complex. Most of you have read my backstory in one post or another. 335 lbs, lost 150 lbs in a year, now kicking around in the 185-200 lb range depending on the time of year. I have found that it is a lot harder to keep the weight off than it was to lose it in the first place. In order to maintain the physical activity level needed to keep that weight off or drop just a bit further, I need a goal to be reaching for. Staying the same just does not work as a motivational goal.

Maintenance is SO hard. So so so hard.




Qotd: thinking of usernames, thought of area festivals. "Folk Life" and "EthnicFest" didn't sound quite right so "Bumbershoot" it was.



Working on two things with runs.

1. Increase speed of running intervals and decrease speed of walking so it's an actual recovery period.

Also, and almost opposite...

2. Decrease speed of running to a middle of the road pace so I can just keep on running. I do intervals because of my lungs and it has just taken me a long time to really get this all in gear, but doing the princess 5k with my newbie-runner cousin who set a deliberate, slower, sustainable pace showed me what it could be like.



Last night I had a terrific indoor track run following #1 above AND I deliberately didn't use my inhaler beforehand (I did finally cave in and start using a steroid inhaler semi regularly, but I also fixed some problems in my house so I've been feeling better) AND didn't need it during the run, so I'm feeling terrific today about it.

 

[RunDisneyDad]

ATTQOTD: I'd love to go sub 3:00 in the Marathon and get a belt buckle for completing a 100 Miler. Both of these are far off, but I'll give them a shot and have fun doing it.

 

[pclvnmcky88]

My ultimate running goal is to do a full marathon. I started running in earnest (meaning more than once every few weeks) in 2013. I always seem to get injuries toward the end of my training cycles for half marathons. I said I'd do a full when I made it through a cycle injury free. That basically happened leading up to Avengers in November of 15. But, then I had major calf issues the next month. I have finally decided I don't think I'll ever be 100% injury free, so I am shooting for a full this fall.

Speaking of which, anyone here have experience with the Marine Corp Marathon? I used to live in DC and Northern VA. Back then I wasn't a runner but was still in awe of the runners I saw. I have some local New England races I'm considering, but I'd love to do MCM. Just curious, for the more experienced runners here, how hard is it to get into the MCM? I understand the lottery process, but how big is the demand? I was looking around trying to find numbers of applicants vs. lottery spots and couldn't find anything.

Edited to add: If I complete a full this fall I suspect my goal will then become Dopey 2018 like everyone else

I was looking into doing MCM this year, but I want to run the Army 10 miler so being out of state it might be a quicker than I'd like turnaround! My parents live in Northern VA, that's where I grew up about 20 mins from DC. I love the Mall so running any race in there I would love. I will be 30 in Sept of 18 so I said that that would be the year that I ran the WDW Marathon and the DL Double Dare (the Half Marathon will fall on my birthday!) As always though, I get other things in my head and now am debating if I want to run a marathon next year haha. We'll see what happens but I think that either the WDW Marathon, MCM, or the Space Coast Marathon will be my first!

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

QOTD: What is your ultimate running goal? (running a distance you've never tried before, to qualify for Boston, something else)

I'd have to say that right now my goals are more focused on triathlon than running...would love to qualify for Kona but that seems like a far-off goal. Best to at least get one Ironman under my belt first

Any of my current running goals aren't what I would call "ultimate" right now...same as some here have mentioned, such as Dopey (2017 I hope) and basically having fun with the sport. I'll be crossing off one goal this year when I get to lead a pace group for my city's half marathon...will be great to help others reach their running goals!

 

[PrincessV]

So, I need to pick your brains about blisters... (snip)

Caveat: I almost never get blisters - I don't know if that's because what I do works, or I'm just not prone to them in the first place! The one time I did was in a shoe that was too narrow for my forefoot; ditched that shoe and never had a problem again. But I run in FL where humidity is always high, and my feet are often soaked thanks to our summer monsoons... I put on a good coat of Vaseline before long runs, and wear Smartwool socks. That's it.

QOTD: What is your ultimate running goal? (running a distance you've never tried before, to qualify for Boston, something else)

ATTQOTD: I think it's really just to keep running happily for as a long as I can! I've never cared all that much about how far or how fast; I just love getting out there to run, so if I can continue doing that well into old age, that's goal enough for me