The Running Thread - 2016

[SunDial]

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

Like @BuckeyeBama said I want to enjoy everything that I get into but there are couple items on my list. My sister ran a 4:56 marathon in her early 40's. I would like to beat that in my late 50's. Just turned 57.

Not all running but the next big event on my calendar is going to finish my first full Ironman before I am 60. There are a few smaller events doing with friends to have fun with

Qualifing for any of the big marathons is also not on the radar. Lottery would be the only way, but they are also not on a must do list to be happy. The Great Wall of China marathon looked like a really nice one to do too.

 

[Chaitali]

Ultimate running goal - My goal for this year is to improve on my half marathon time and my goal for next year is to train for my first full marathon. I'm not sure which one it will be though. Marine Corps Marathon is one of the options, as is Disney.

 

[gjramsey]

ATTQOTD: In the beginning, I was just running to run. Then I signed up for a race, and did shockingly well, so I started signing up for more. At the time, I told myself and the wife, I had no interest in a marathon. Then Boston happened the day after I ran a race with my family at the finish line. My goal since has been to qualify for Boston. 4 marathons later, it is still my goal, and my next one will probably be my last attempt if I don;t get close to the time needed.

 

[Slogger]

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

MCM was awesome. Can't say enough good things about it. Extremely well run.
Best rendition of The National Anthem that included paratroopers with giant American flags.
The course is not too demanding and you get to see many landmarks in and around DC.
The Flag Mile was very inspirational......I ended up walking a lot of that section just thanking people for the sacrifices made by their family and friends.
Once you cross the bridge at Mile 20 there will be lots of Marines to "encourage" you.

I ran it in 2013 which was the last year before they switched to lottery system. The online entrants crashed the site that year. Expect demand to be high.
The MCM 17.75k event sold out in just a few minutes.

I hope to be there this year and at Dopey 2018.

 

[preciouspups]

ATTQOTD: To actually enjoy running. I find that I never really get the chance to just get in the zone and go. I'm always dodging traffic or looking over my shoulder for creatures to jump out at me. My other goal is a 10 minute mile.

 

[MeridaAndAngus]

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

I like to have a few different goals at any given time to keep myself on-track long term, but also to be able to hit some goals in the short term.

Now that I've hit my goal of completing my first marathon, my next two "short term" goals (i.e., within the next 12 mos.) are to (a) improve my half time and set a PR, and (b) to complete the Goofy Challenge in January 2017.

My longer term goals are to (a) run a sub-5 hour marathon (I'm pretty slow so this will be a serious task for me), (b) to run the MCM in 2017, and (c) to complete the Dopey Challenge in January 2018.

Much longer term goal is to run sub-4 hour marathon, and to complete some marathons overseas--possibly the Berlin marathon, the Easter Island marathon, the Tokyo marathon, pretty much any marathon that'll give me an excuse to travel somewhere interesting!

 

[Princess_Nikki]

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

Mine was to do the Princess Half. Now, it's my goal to do that one EVERY year and do as many other RunDisney races as I can. This year likely Wine & Dine. Next year if like to attempt the pink Coast to Coast medal first. MAYBE the Dopey Challenge in 2018. Honestly, my ultimate running goal is to stick with it!!

 

[Baloo in MI]

Wow! I was only off the thread for two days and I sure missed a lot!

QOTD: I absolutely loved learning more about many of you from your explainations of your usernames. Here is mine - Baloo in MI - Well I am kind of a big guy - 6'2" and 230. I was a football players who thought he was tough, but was always told you are such a nice guy, and was once told if I were a bear I would be Baloo from The Jungle Book. So I just figured I would go with that, plus I live in Michigan.

February miles. I am a bit disappointed in myself and have to report that I was no where near my scheduled miles and finished under 100 for the first time in more than a year. 97 miles. But I plan to make up for it in March.

FFigawi is my hash name

I got to ask, what is a hash name. I must be honest that my years living in Humboldt County had me thinking something very different. Educate me.

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

This is a great question! I look at this in a couple ways I have goals for the next year or so: complete my first ultra and be fit enough to do it under my terms and complete Dopey 2017 in under 8 hours. A bit longer out, like the next 5 years complete a few centuries until I am ready to reach one of two ultimate goals: one, compete in the Western State 100 Miler and continue to run into my very old age. It would be great if I could go for a morning on run on the day I meet my maker.

 

[dmross]

ATTQOTD: ultimate running goal? I'm gonna make one after I read the ideas on here... Hadn't thought about it before. I know I like destination type races, and I know I'd like to do a special half every year.

My first marathon was in Charlestonn, SC. My family and I spent a long weekend doing all the historical tours. It was wonderful.

This year was Disney in January. Next spring, half in Williamsburg with another family history trip. Combining a race with a little local touring is fun.

Good question!

 

[surfde22]

I got to ask, what is a hash name. I must be honest that my years living in Humboldt County had me thinking something

Here is the wiki page on hashing. I had to look it up too. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash_House_Harriers

 

[opusone]

I got to ask, what is a hash name. I must be honest that my years living in Humboldt County had me thinking something very different. Educate me.

Here is the wiki page on hashing. I had to look it up too. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash_House_Harriers

"drinkers with a running problem"

 

[FFigawi]

I got to ask, what is a hash name. I must be honest that my years living in Humboldt County had me thinking something very different. Educate me.

Here is the wiki page on hashing. I had to look it up too. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash_House_Harriers

"drinkers with a running problem"

There's running, usually drinking, and always a lot of fun to be had. Plus, it's a great way to see parts of a city or area that you never knew existed since many of the trails are set in the woods, jungle, swamp, or unusual parts of cities.

 

[SunDial]

There's running, usually drinking, and always a lot of fun to be had. Plus, it's a great way to see parts of a city or area that you never knew existed since many of the trails are set in the woods, jungle, swamp, or unusual parts of cities.

Now this all sounds like a lot of fun. Never heard of this before.

Tri-hash-thon. I would love to do this one.

 

[Diskidatheart]

ATTQOTD: I would love to qualify for Boston and once I turn 50 next year, I may possibly put in the training to try and drop my time to meet that goal. However, my ultimate goal is to complete every race that I start. I often hear about people dropping out with injuries during a race, but I'd love to be able to say that I have always finished every race that I started. I'd also like to complete a Coast to Coast challenge one of these years. Possibly Dopey and Dumbo in the same year. That's a lot of bling for two challenges.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

My goals... First run a half sub 3- then get a new PR (2:49) then goal is 2:30.. From there who knows

 

[LSUlakes]

Good morning folks! We have had a lot of good answers to our QOTD this week. Todays question will likely create some lengthy responses, or will at least for me.

QOTD: What rough times has running helped you through?

ATTQOTD: If any of yall have read my journal I kept leading up to WDW marathon this January, then you have heard this story. For those who haven't, here it is. In March of 2013 I was on the back end of training for the Boston Marathon, running as charity runner for the American Liver Foundation. Training was hard, and raising a little over $4,000 was also a challenge. But neither compared to the events leading up to and the marathon itself. The first life changing event is a good one. Early in March, everything was stable and just living the American dream. I learned that I was going to be a dad and we couldn't be happier! That same week my boss leaved the company I was working with along with some other key guys. The next week they brought in his replacement and I knew my time there would be short. Within a week I was let go. We went from such a high to such a low in a very short time. Still I had my running to help deal with the stress of the situation. I started the process of finding a new job and missed on a few desirable positions, but still had a few good options. The day before we left I accepted a position and would start after returning from our trip. Everything is looking up! We arrive in Boston April 13 for my first marathon and head over to the expo. The expo itself is amazing and the city has the feel of a big event, it is all very exciting. April 14 I go out for a little run along the Charles River and then meet some friends to watch the 5k. The 5k times are some of the fastest I have ever seen. We sat in the grandstands and watched as all the runners made their way to the finish line. While there, one of our friends had passes for grandstands the day of the marathon and offered my wife one. So for race day she would be able to watch me finish and get some good pictures. April 15 started at 3:00 AM to get ready and get one the bus. Its a long ride from downtown to the starting line, and even a longer wait once you arrive. I had never been at a race this large and was just amazed at everything going on. Since I was a charity runner, our start time was much later in the day. Like Disney, you have about a mile walk to the starting line, but very little waiting time once you get into your corral. Around mile 3-4 I caught up with a friend that I trained with and we ran the next 10-12 miles together. I had a bit of a stomach issue developing and figured before I started going over the Newton Hills I should take care of that. So my buddy ran on. The crowd support is amazing for nearly the entire 26.2 mile route, the scream tunnel, the biker bars, the various small towns along the way all offer something different. The Newton Hills chewed me up and spit me out. You go over the last hill, Heartbreak Hill around mile 20. The last 10k is just a massive block party, the Red Sox game is ending and all the folks from the game join in on the party. Meb has won the race being the first American to do so in many years. Its an amazing day all around, and then suddenly I am told to stop. At the time I had no idea why, and me and many other runners just wanted to finish the race. According to my Garmin I was at mile 25.7, so I had a 1/2 mile to go and I was just moments away from finishing. So we stood there waiting, a 100 or so at first, then 500, and then many more. At first we where told there was an explosion at the finish line, and they where trying to figure out how to get us to finish. I just figured it was some sort of water line or a gas line that ruptured. I never heard any noise because of the crowds and I did not have a phone (although during this event, cell service was bad at best). I then discover what is actually going on, and panic. My first thought is of course that of my wife roughly 2 months along sitting in the grandstands. I am terrible with phone numbers and only remember a handful, which of course doesn't include my wife's number (I know terrible person). I call my parents house, and although I cant clearly hear them I can gather they can hear me. So I keep it short, "A bomb has gone off at the finish line, please find out if (Wife's name) is ok, and tell her I am a 1/2 mile from the finish. Tell her to meet me at our hotel". I hear a ok I got it and I then hang up. After a while, they lead us towards the buses which is behind the finish line where our check bags are. I had a phone in mine and knew I needed it incase I couldn't get to our room. As we are walking basically parallel to the finish line, someone says hey one block over is the finish line and we just crossed it. From the time I got the phone call to I actually talked to my wife was about 3-4 hours and another 2 hours before I was allowed into our hotel. Due to its location near the finish line I was not allowed near it. When I was allowed in a small group of us were escorted in by the police and told if you leave, you will not be allowed to enter again. I was stopped by a guy while walking around trying to get to our hotel in street clothes, when he approached me he shows his FBI badge and asked what I saw. The whole experience was crazy. Seeing my wife again as I walked into our hotel was a very emotional experience, and as I learned about her day I was amazed and grateful she was fine. She was taking pictures of runners as they crossed the finish line and captured a few pictures of the explosion and then turned on her phone to record her experience. I was sick to my stomach as I watched the video and could hear how afraid she was. I mentioned earlier about running with my friend, come to find out, if I would have stayed with him I would have been on Boylston St just as the second bomb went off. From his description of the things he saw, I was never happier to have to have stopped for a bathroom during a race.

Those days have been the most difficult times I have ever experienced, and through it all I had running and our running community to help us along the way.

 

[Barca33Runner]

QOTD: What rough times has running helped you through?

Running was my way out of my self-imposed tough times. I have been overweight and had low self-esteem as a result for virtually my entire life. Running has helped me to make a change in my appearance and gain confidence in myself and my abilities. I am still trying to improve myself and have a long way to go, but running has been the catalyst for many of the positive changes I have made in my life.

 

[ZellyB]

@LSUlakes Wow! I had not read that story and didn't realize you were at that race. That must have been so frightening. I just can't imagine. I'm so glad that you and your wife are both okay.

ATTQOTD: I mentioned this earlier, but shortly after completing my first half-marathon and training for my first marathon, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was an aggressive tumor and I had a bi-lateral mastectomy followed by chemo. After digesting the obviously devastating news of my diagnosis, I quickly was distressed at the prospect of having to give up on my dream of running the WDW marathon. Those days after a diagnosis are a bit of a whirlwind, but I had told my husband that if there was any way possible to do it, I still wanted to try and run the marathon.

Luckily for me, my surgeon is a runner and has completed the Boston marathon a few times. When I asked him if I could run the marathon in slightly less than 8 weeks after my surgery, he was fully supportive. The trickier sell was to my oncologist, but ultimately he told me that the delay in starting chemo would be fine as long as I promised to start as soon as we returned.

So, we headed off to Disney for the run. My longest run ever was a 20 miler we had done right before my surgery. The furthest I'd run since that time was 10 miles and at a very slow pace. But, the day of the marathon I felt good and my husband wrapped up my chest in a support wrap and we headed out. It was marathon weekend 2013 and the weather ended up being VERY hot. By the time I got to mile 20, I was lightheaded and honestly afraid I was going to pass out. We pretty much walked from there on and at mile 22 or so, my husband got me a bag of ice from a med station for my neck and that helped get me through. Somewhere around mile 24 when I knew I could finish, I told my husband I was one and done, and I was never so happy to finish that race and get my medal.

As promised, the day after we got home, I started chemo. Every time I felt like I just couldn't take the misery of chemo one more day, I'd remind myself of the accomplishment of that marathon and that if I could do that, I could get through chemo. Today I'm cancer-free and about 3 1/2 years out from my initial diagnosis. I feel great and have completed 4 marathons and 7 half marathons. Running means so much to me and it represents a watershed moment in my life.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

QOTD: What rough times has running helped you through?

First, thanks to those who have shared their stories and I look forward to reading those of others who choose to share.

I have lived a blessed life - not because I have never struggled or been in danger, but because I have managed to come out the other side each time without losing myself along the way.

A few things that my family and running have helped me manage:

I served in the Army (10th Mountain Division) and I worked on the 97th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Both my military service and 9/11 changed my life. I have lost hundreds of friends.

I really don't want to get into details about either, but survivors guilt is a very real thing.

 

[rteetz]

Good morning folks! We have had a lot of good answers to our QOTD this week. Todays question will likely create some lengthy responses, or will at least for me.

QOTD: What rough times has running helped you through?

Well I haven't had many rough times through my still short running career. I think most recently with my half training, it helped me take my mind off of my grandma who is currently battling pancreatic cancer. Running for me is a great time to clear my mind and think about things. My grandma has always been a big part of my life. She has also beat cancer once already, she had breast cancer over a decade ago. This cancer seems to be because of the treatment from the breast cancer. My grandma's prognosis isnt very good either and she has good days and bad days. They have a treadmill at their house too and I don't so going over there to run helps me with getting to see her and my grandpa. Anyways whenever I run I seem to think about her, and my family, and what she has done for my family. We obviously hope she is here for much longer than some of the predictions given but you have to make the best of the moments now. My first running event marathon weekend 2015 I got to go to WDW with her and my grandpa which is very likely her last time there. That memory is something that will stick with me forever. That trip is just something that will always be one of if not the best ever.