The Running Thread - 2016

[DVCFan1994]

Congrats to everyone who had a race this weekend! A lot of goals accomplished. Keep up the hard work.

QOTD: After a race in which you reached your goal v/s a race in which you did not, how much of a different person are you between the two?

ATTQOTD: If its a goal race that I have properly trained for and all of the starts aligned and I just failed to hit the goal, I don't take it well. Major goal hit... Time to hit up facebook. lol

I am a totally different person depending how the race goes. I am miserable after a bad race, even if there are good reasons for it. But after my last PR 10k in November, I literally skipped with joy to the "Whoopie Pie Wagon" to get my finishers reward

Congratulations to all the racers this weekend. Sounds like some great times and experiences were had!

 

[Miranda]

But after my last PR 10k in November, I literally skipped with joy to the "Whoopie Pie Wagon" to get my finishers reward

I need to know what race has a Whoopie Pie Wagon at the end because that race sounds amazing.

 

[DVCFan1994]

I need to know what race has a Whoopie Pie Wagon at the end because that race sounds amazing.

Oh it was delicious You had your choice of a whoopie pie (Is that a New England thing?) or a breakfast burrito. I was all about the Whoopie Pie! It was the North Shore Cancer Run in Beverly. There is a 5k and 10k. It was in early November last year, but I just went to the page to get the link to paste, and it looks like they've moved it to mid October this year.

Here is the link: https://nsmcgiving.partners.org/2016run It raises money for the North Shore Cancer Center.

 

[roxymama]

ATTQOTD: I tend to over-schedule myself with races (at least one a month) so I always have a "do over" around the corner for not so great outings. For the most part I just get really excited for the finish line every time whether I'm doing poorly and want to get it over with or doing well and want to celebrate. And when I do well I want to tell everyone I know. #bragtime And I ride a cloud of confidence for quite some time.

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

ATTQOTD: My goals are always based on my training. Like I start my training schedule knowing what will push me and also what is attainable. So I have never not met a goal on race day luckily (also, my goals are not always trying to PR or time related). Since I only do a few races a year, race day to me is the culmination of the hard work I have already put in, so I'm not doing anything new (well I usually go a little faster than training just because of race excitement!).

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

QOTD: After a race in which you reached your goal v/s a race in which you did not, how much of a different person are you between the two?

Even when things don't go 100% to plan in a race (namely every race EVER), I look to the good things that happened. One of the worst races I ever had was the WDW marathon in 2014, the back end of Goofy. My legs were toast and I was walking aid stations around the halfway point. Heading into Hollywood Studios I came upon a runner in distress and was able to help him out. That moment made my race for me in spite of how poorly I ran. There's always something good to focus on, so make that your focus!

 

[Miranda]

You had your choice of a whoopie pie (Is that a New England thing?)

Yeah, it's definitely a regional thing... friends from other parts of the country look at me like I'm crazy when I talk about whoopie pies. I adore them.

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

ATTQOTD: I know I am definitely happier when I hit my goal at a race but even if I don't I try not to let it bother me because it is usually one of the only times I get to be with DH w/o the kids.

 

[SueInBoston]

Oh it was delicious You had your choice of a whoopie pie (Is that a New England thing?) or a breakfast burrito. I was all about the Whoopie Pie! It was the North Shore Cancer Run in Beverly. There is a 5k and 10k. It was in early November last year, but I just went to the page to get the link to paste, and it looks like they've moved it to mid October this year.

Here is the link: https://nsmcgiving.partners.org/2016run It raises money for the North Shore Cancer Center.

Whoppie pie at the end of race sounds wonderful, I may have to look into that one.

I have only run it once, last year. I understand the course changes often but last year's was brutal. It was a good race, don't get me wrong. But there was a lot of swearing on the course because every time we turned we went up another hill. I was sore for 2 weeks after this race. Having said that, I am excited to run the 5k with my 2 oldest kids this year followed by the 10K by myself. I didn't spend much time on the field last year because my family was waiting for me but this year I may bring my GoPro and video the race if they allow it. The whole experience was cool though from the prerace to the post race party. Not quite Disney but not far off either. But the 4th at the lake is not a bad time either I am sure.

I've been wanting to do this race for years...this maybe the year!

 

[Princess_Nikki]

Many thanks to you all who responded to my hydration issue! THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

I'm glad most of your tactics were all very similar so now I can try them myself! I did love the Stinger gel the most, that really helped me at the Princess Half!

 

[surfde22]

QOTD: After a race in which you reached your goal v/s a race in which you did not, how much of a different person are you between the two?

I don't have a lot of races under my belt in recent years, but I know from experience playing soccer that if I miss my goal I will be a royal pain in the butt the rest of the day. I'll try to set reasonable and achievable goals going in, but I know I will at some point over estimate where I am and not meet my goal and be in a bad mood the rest of the day.

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

I guess I should have clarified that my goals are not that lofty at all. Hopefully your guys' ambition will rub off on me a bit, and I will set some bigger goals for myself!

 

[rteetz]

QOTD: After a race in which you reached your goal v/s a race in which you did not, how much of a different person are you between the two?

So far I haven't run in a race where my goal wasn't just finishing. I've finished every race so far and I've felt good after each race so I don't think much has changed.


For anyone wondering I survived opening day! Lol 44,000+ constant line I smell like cinnamon, and I need a nap.

 

[Chris-Mo]

QOTD: After a race in which you reached your goal v/s a race in which you did not, how much of a different person are you between the two?

My first marathon was in 2009 and I totally mismanaged the run. Like most my first 10 miles were way too fast and I hit the wall at 20 and fought my way to the end and finished with a 4:46. I always felt like I did not accomplish what I wanted because my goal was a 4:30. I figured this was as good as it was going to get as I was never going to run another marathon. A few years back my wife and I started using the Galloway method and since I have completed 5 marathons. This last November I decided I wanted to try and get a PR using the run walk run method, using this method, I as able to log a 4:25 time. I was excited to have gotten a PR but I was on a 4:15 pace through 22 miles and then I hit the wall with a just a little more than 5 k to go! Like I said it felt good but somehow I managed to set a new goal of 4:15 while I was in the middle of the run and now I feel like I did not reach my goal!! Who does that? Now I feel much better that I did in 2009 but I was just so close to the new goal!

 

[Waiting2goback]

Ran North America's oldest road race yesterday, the Around the Bay 30K...122nd edition (2 years older than Boston!)

It was below freezing at the start and there was a pretty decent wind whipping up making it feel even colder. The sun was out though so that made it feel a lot better. I went with shorts and had a lot of looks, but I was happy with the decision once we got going. I was shooting for sub-2:10, and the way this race works is that if you break 2:00 you get a gold medal, under 2:15 is a silver and all of the other finishers get bronze. I figured that Gold was a bit too rich a pace for me as I didn't know exactly where my race fitness was having not done a proper road race in 11 months. A few kilometres in though I realized I was clicking along pretty good and I was closer to the 2:00 finish than 2:10 so I decided to see how long I could hold on without pushing too hard (keeping in mind I have to run Boston in 2 weeks). At the 10K turn we hit the shore of Lake Ontario and the wind with it...I found a pack of 4 or 5 guys to run with and did a good job of tucking in, but their pace was dropping just a touch so I took the lead (and the wind). I urged the other guys to tuck in behind me, but as they were 6' and I am 5'8" it wasn't much of an advantage for them. The last 10K we hit some decent rollers and that is where the race is won or lost...I've been doing serious hill training and it showed as I just ate them up and posted some of my fastest splits on the homestretch. I even managed to post a 1-minute negative split despite the wind and hills on the back half. I cruised across the finish line with a time of 1:58:32 and a sweet Gold Medal! I was 58th overall (out of over 5000 runners) and best of all I felt great afterwards and still feel good the next morning. I honestly never felt I went too hard and I am now super pumped for Boston in 2 weeks!

Congrats, that is a great story and a cool medal. I can't wait to hear your recap of Boston in a couple weeks.

Good job to everyone that ran races this weekend! I sadly did not run my half this weekend It was raining and the trail conditions were muddy and slippery. I didn't think they were safe for me since I was untrained on trails to begin with. So I decided discretion was the route to go here and I took a pass. I have a couple 5ks and 10ks I'm planning on for the Summer and then I won't start training for another half until July or August. I'm looking forward to just running for fun for a bit

It's always hard skipping a race but I think you made the right decision. If you had more experience running trails it might have been worth the risk but I would say it wasn't worth injuring yourself and missing any time this year.

I've been wanting to do this race for years...this maybe the year!

I would encourage you to do it but then watch it be 90' and 90% humidity and then you'll want to kill me.


QOTD: I am usually VERY hard on myself. I beat myself up on a regular basis over a lot of stuff. But, in the case of running I don't do it. I don't know why but I don't. I have a time goal for a race but if I don't meet it I am able to accept it and move on. I don't know if it's because I am still pretty new to running (March was 2 years since I began) and I realize I have so much to learn. I also think part of it is knowing that even if I don't do well I know I am improving myself and a bad race is always better than a day on the couch. And, I struggled for years to find a hobby I truly enjoy and I finally found it so I am at peace with whatever happens I guess.

Day 1 of P90X in the books, Chest and Back and 1/2 of AB Ripper X. I am going to be SORE tomorrow.

Congrats to everyone who ran a race this weekend!!!!

 

[Baloo in MI]

Congrats to everyone who had a race this weekend! A lot of goals accomplished. Keep up the hard work.

QOTD: After a race in which you reached your goal v/s a race in which you did not, how much of a different person are you between the two?

I would love to say that I act mature and simply focus on my effort and the expereince and let the times go; but I would be lying! I tend to get tunnel vision on a goal and then really beat myself up if I don't meet the goal. My half PR is 1:50:28. When I got it I beat my previous PR by almost 6 minutes. However, my goal that day was to go under 1:50 (still a goal...). Anyway, I was excited about the PR, but for the next few weeks my thoughts always went back to where I could have picked up those 28 seconds. Ok, my thoughts still go back to those 28 seconds.

Yeah, I need to work on this. I have issues.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

ATTQOTD, My goal is to finish with the best possible result for me on that particular day. I don't allow myself to get down if that doesn't happen, but I am certainly happier when it does. This whole thing gets easier as you get older so long as you realize that you have gotten older. ;-)

 

[Disneyland_emily]

aqotd: only had one horrible race- hadn't trained at all and it was 13 miles of miserable with a miserable finish time. It was more a 'come to Jesus' moment than anything...

Other 'bad' races I was happy to have simply finished because of health issues (really shouldn't have ran with a nasty upper respiratory infection, or vision issues) or just bad days etc. each one is a learning step

 

[LSUlakes]

QOTD: Are any of your family members runners as well? Do you run with them? How competitive are you with them?

ATTQOTD: My dad and step mom run, but my dad had to hang up the running shoes. My step mom used to run religiously, but suffered an ankle injury (non running related) that may not allow her to get back to everyday running. Rarely ran with either of them since we live in different parts of the state. The last time my dad ran was a beer mile we had at my house, and shortly after that a old knee issue ended running for him. He seemed to have really enjoy the beer mile...

 

[DopeyBadger]

ATTQOTD: Lots of runners in the family with many of them starting around when I did or after I did.

Wife - Runner. Started before me in 2012, but I believe I completed a race before she did. We have done several races together since, but never running together. Before my daughter was born we used to train at the same time. We would figure out a set distance we could both do in the allotted time and then race to see who would get home first. It was a good training moment for learning to kick at the end. She is a noncompetitive runner and just enjoys the run.

Daughter - Runner. Only 2 years old, but she has completed two races in Disney so far. She seems to enjoy it, so we'll keep doing it as long as she likes it. She can be a super competitive little girl.

Sister - Runner. Completed her marathon in Summer of 2012 before I did and was part of my inspiration to say if she can do it, then so can I. That was her only marathon. She has completed several halfs and a tri or two since. She was training via Hansons for her spring cycle, but had to put things on hold for a little bit. Enjoys running, but isn't real competitive with me.

Mother - Runner. She started running when I was in high school (2002-2003) and used to do ~5 miles 2-3 times a week. Only competed in one race, a 5K at the time. When I picked up running, she got re-interested and has started training more seriously lately. She has done the 5K, 10K, and half in Disney now in consecutive years (2014-2016). She hopes to attempt her first marathon next January in Disney. She has been training using Hansons for the half and will do so again for the full come summer. Ultra competitive. She does as I do, by checking the previous years results to see where her goal time fits in to age awards. She was hoping to age award at Disney for the half in January, but things didn't go her way. A learning lesson.

Uncle-in-law - Runner. My wife's uncle used to be a marathon runner back in his day. He completed 9 marathons, including Boston, and ran a lifetime best PR of 3:00:01. Just one second from a major milestone for him. He suffered a knee injury and was also part of a race where someone died of dehydration and I believe that took the spark out of him. He is strongly rooting for me to reach my goals, and really wishes he was born in this day and age of information as he believes he could have been even better knowing some of the things we know now.

BIL & SIL - Runners. Both runners of different abilities. Both started a few years ago, but neither are super competitive people with me. Both prefer to race shorter distances (5K/10K) so we don't often race the same races. We are all considering running a 5K/10K in June for competitive reasons, but I have to wait and see how my body recovers after my May marathon.

Cousin-in-law - Runner. Ran cross-country in high school. Came with us to Disney to run the 5K with my wife this past January. She wants a metal medal, so she hopes to return to Disney to run a 10K in January.