The Running Thread - 2016

[ebradley23]

@CheapRunnerMike - Good luck out there tomorrow! Enjoy the day!

 

[Waiting2goback]

I ran 2013 for American Liver Foundation. Getting a charity bib is far more difficult than I thought it would be. It's like applying for a job. Extremely rewarding experience and was happy to be able to contribute. I am interested in your story if you'd like to share on here or a PM. Whenever you decide to run for charity and need ideas for fund raising I'd be more than happy to give you some ideas.

Yes, it is difficult. You need to be interviewed and show that you can actually run and finish the marathon, in addition to being able to raise the $5000.

@CheapRunnerMike - Good luck out there tomorrow! Enjoy the day!

I second that. I hope you have a great race and a great experience. I hope you give us a detailed report from the expo to the finish. I am dying to hear what you think of it and if it is worth all the work.


I just wanted to say congratulations to everyone on their races this weekend and the great results people are posting. It just goes to show what happens when you put in the hard work to prepare for these races. Running is not easy. Running some of these distances is very challenging. Some people may think its a joke and not take it seriously but those of us that do will reap the benefits.

Here is my story as to why I want to run Boston, since it is tomorrow it seems fitting. My son was born 7 years ago this June. When he was born the doctor was holding him in front of me and something didn't look right. Then they put him on the table to clean him up and something was not right for sure. He had something sticking out of his stomach. It turns out it was his bladder. Not only was it sticking out, it wasn't formed. He was born with a condition called Bladder Exstrophy. The OBGYN didn't know what it was. The on call pediatrician never saw it before. By about 8 pm (things were crazy at this point so I was never clear on times) he was taken away in an ambulance to Children's Hospital in Boston. It happens to be one of the best children's hospitals in the world so we were lucky. Only about 400 kids in the world are born with this each year.

The next day my wife checked out of the hospital and we headed to Boston. At this point we had no idea what was wrong still, we didn't find out until we got there. On day #2 of life he had a 10 hour surgery to form his bladder and do other stuff related to his condition. He spent 3 weeks in the hospital and the care he received while he was there was exceptional. The care he has received since then has been exceptional. He has had 4 total surgeries so far for THIS condition and any time we called with a question, regardless of time, his doctor calls us back within 10 minutes. This world famous surgeon, not his residents or assistants, him. We don't receive that level of care at our pediatrician.

As if that wasn't enough we also learned he has another rare condition called Eosinophilic Esophagitis. We learned this when he was about 18 months old and had been eating table food for about 6 months or so. He would choke on everything, including water. We used to have to thicken his water to be able to drink it. Basically if he eats something he is allergic to his throat closes to the point he can't get liquid down without choking. Over the years he has had to have roughly 10 endoscopies to try and figure out what he can actually eat.

He has some other less severe stuff going on but in total he has 5 specialists at Children's Hospital. Roughly 3 years ago when my wife told me when didn't want to be married to me anymore, because I was fat and lazy, I told myself I would like to run Boston one year and raise money for the people who take such good care of my son (at the point I thought it I didn't really believe I could do it). I know there are kids with much worse problems then my son and each family deserves to have the best possible resources to help their kids. So, if I can raise $5000 to do my part then I know I have to try. I still hope to qualify one day but I need to give back.

I hope I didn't bore anyone, I tried to keep it short.

 

[Baloo in MI]

QOTD: Today is the 3 year anniversary of the bombing of the the Boston Marathon. It's a day in history that I'll never forget. Tell us what you remember about that day and what impact it had/has on running for you.

I was shocked, as many have said. Then I was angry. Running is supposed to be, for me anyway, a means to break from the demands of life. In some ways it is escapism and it is certainly a method for mental wellness. I can remember just thinking how dare them destroy that sense of escape. Not sure it changed my running, but it did feel good to get back out and reclaim the space that felt violated.

 

[keahgirl8]

Yes, it is difficult. You need to be interviewed and show that you can actually run and finish the marathon, in addition to being able to raise the $5000.




I second that. I hope you have a great race and a great experience. I hope you give us a detailed report from the expo to the finish. I am dying to hear what you think of it and if it is worth all the work.


I just wanted to say congratulations to everyone on their races this weekend and the great results people are posting. It just goes to show what happens when you put in the hard work to prepare for these races. Running is not easy. Running some of these distances is very challenging. Some people may think its a joke and not take it seriously but those of us that do will reap the benefits.

Here is my story as to why I want to run Boston, since it is tomorrow it seems fitting. My son was born 7 years ago this June. When he was born the doctor was holding him in front of me and something didn't look right. Then they put him on the table to clean him up and something was not right for sure. He had something sticking out of his stomach. It turns out it was his bladder. Not only was it sticking out, it wasn't formed. He was born with a condition called Bladder Exstrophy. The OBGYN didn't know what it was. The on call pediatrician never saw it before. By about 8 pm (things were crazy at this point so I was never clear on times) he was taken away in an ambulance to Children's Hospital in Boston. It happens to be one of the best children's hospitals in the world so we were lucky. Only about 400 kids in the world are born with this each year.

The next day my wife checked out of the hospital and we headed to Boston. At this point we had no idea what was wrong still, we didn't find out until we got there. On day #2 of life he had a 10 hour surgery to form his bladder and do other stuff related to his condition. He spent 3 weeks in the hospital and the care he received while he was there was exceptional. The care he has received since then has been exceptional. He has had 4 total surgeries so far for THIS condition and any time we called with a question, regardless of time, his doctor calls us back within 10 minutes. This world famous surgeon, not his residents or assistants, him. We don't receive that level of care at our pediatrician.

As if that wasn't enough we also learned he has another rare condition called Eosinophilic Esophagitis. We learned this when he was about 18 months old and had been eating table food for about 6 months or so. He would choke on everything, including water. We used to have to thicken his water to be able to drink it. Basically if he eats something he is allergic to his throat closes to the point he can't get liquid down without choking. Over the years he has had to have roughly 10 endoscopies to try and figure out what he can actually eat.

He has some other less severe stuff going on but in total he has 5 specialists at Children's Hospital. Roughly 3 years ago when my wife told me when didn't want to be married to me anymore, because I was fat and lazy, I told myself I would like to run Boston one year and raise money for the people who take such good care of my son (at the point I thought it I didn't really believe I could do it). I know there are kids with much worse problems then my son and each family deserves to have the best possible resources to help their kids. So, if I can raise $5000 to do my part then I know I have to try. I still hope to qualify one day but I need to give back.

I hope I didn't bore anyone, I tried to keep it short.

Thank you for sharing your story. I hope you are able to run Boston someday.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Yes, it is difficult. You need to be interviewed and show that you can actually run and finish the marathon, in addition to being able to raise the $5000.




I second that. I hope you have a great race and a great experience. I hope you give us a detailed report from the expo to the finish. I am dying to hear what you think of it and if it is worth all the work.


I just wanted to say congratulations to everyone on their races this weekend and the great results people are posting. It just goes to show what happens when you put in the hard work to prepare for these races. Running is not easy. Running some of these distances is very challenging. Some people may think its a joke and not take it seriously but those of us that do will reap the benefits.

Here is my story as to why I want to run Boston, since it is tomorrow it seems fitting. My son was born 7 years ago this June. When he was born the doctor was holding him in front of me and something didn't look right. Then they put him on the table to clean him up and something was not right for sure. He had something sticking out of his stomach. It turns out it was his bladder. Not only was it sticking out, it wasn't formed. He was born with a condition called Bladder Exstrophy. The OBGYN didn't know what it was. The on call pediatrician never saw it before. By about 8 pm (things were crazy at this point so I was never clear on times) he was taken away in an ambulance to Children's Hospital in Boston. It happens to be one of the best children's hospitals in the world so we were lucky. Only about 400 kids in the world are born with this each year.

The next day my wife checked out of the hospital and we headed to Boston. At this point we had no idea what was wrong still, we didn't find out until we got there. On day #2 of life he had a 10 hour surgery to form his bladder and do other stuff related to his condition. He spent 3 weeks in the hospital and the care he received while he was there was exceptional. The care he has received since then has been exceptional. He has had 4 total surgeries so far for THIS condition and any time we called with a question, regardless of time, his doctor calls us back within 10 minutes. This world famous surgeon, not his residents or assistants, him. We don't receive that level of care at our pediatrician.

As if that wasn't enough we also learned he has another rare condition called Eosinophilic Esophagitis. We learned this when he was about 18 months old and had been eating table food for about 6 months or so. He would choke on everything, including water. We used to have to thicken his water to be able to drink it. Basically if he eats something he is allergic to his throat closes to the point he can't get liquid down without choking. Over the years he has had to have roughly 10 endoscopies to try and figure out what he can actually eat.

He has some other less severe stuff going on but in total he has 5 specialists at Children's Hospital. Roughly 3 years ago when my wife told me when didn't want to be married to me anymore, because I was fat and lazy, I told myself I would like to run Boston one year and raise money for the people who take such good care of my son (at the point I thought it I didn't really believe I could do it). I know there are kids with much worse problems then my son and each family deserves to have the best possible resources to help their kids. So, if I can raise $5000 to do my part then I know I have to try. I still hope to qualify one day but I need to give back.

I hope I didn't bore anyone, I tried to keep it short.

Thanks for sharing your story.

@CheapRunnerMike Good luck out there today! Enjoy the experience.

To all who had races this weekend (including those persuaded by the Dark Side), congrats!

 

[FFigawi]

@CheapRunnerMike - Good luck out there tomorrow! Enjoy the day!

Couldn't have said it better myself!

 

[SunDial]

@CheapRunnerMike - Good luck out there tomorrow! Enjoy the day!

Good luck today @CheapRunnerMike Watching from Disney.

 

[ZellyB]

@Waiting2goback thank you for sharing your story.

 

[roxymama]

Good Luck to all the Boston runners and to @CheapRunnerMike !!!
Watching from work is not possible, but I did pack my lunch so I could watch highlights later today.

 

[ZellyB]

Forgot to add

@CheapRunnerMike good luck today!!!

 

[opusone]

My Dark Side Results for Page 1
10k - 48:22
Half - 1:42:17 (a new post-40 PR for me!)

@CheapRunnerMike: good luck, and most of all, have fun out there!

 

[FFigawi]

I forgot to add my race result from last weekend for page 1. Thanks for the reminder, @opusone

Galveston 70.3 - 6:37 (though if you subtract the 25 minutes it took me to deal with a flat and a dropped chain, I came in under my 6:15 goal. #moralvictories

 

[DopeyBadger]

My Dark Side Results for Page 1
10k - 48:22
Half - 1:42:17 (a new post-40 PR for me!)

@CheapRunnerMike: good luck, and most of all, have fun out there!

Here's the big question, how did you feel the Hansons half marathon method prepared you for this race? Now after the race is complete, would you use their method again for another upcoming race?

@FFigawi Congrats!

 

[Dis5150]

Good Luck @CheapRunnerMike!

 

[Miranda]

Watching the live coverage in one of my browser tabs while I work. Good luck @CheapRunnerMike!

 

[Dis5150]

Very disappointed with my long run this weekend. Had a 9 miler scheduled and ended up only running 5. We drove to the state park for the run, about 10 miles from home and when we got there I realized I forgot my knee band. Did not want to go all the way back home to get it (already went back to get my Garmin when we were 1 mile from home ). So I decided to just run and see how it would go. Well after 2 miles I could feel it but it didn't hurt. At 3.5 it was starting to hurt and I was at a point to either turn right and do a 3 mile total out and back to bump my total mileage up to 9 or turn left and go the 1.5 miles back to the car. Made the, probably smart, decision to go back to the car. Total miles 5. My knee was sore but not totally in pain.

Considering I almost blew the whole run off on account of being exhausted from no sleep, I guess I should be glad I got some mileage in. And didn't injure myself. Yay for grown-up decisions??

On another note, the reason I got no sleep was because a skin and bones beagle puppy showed up at my house Friday. We live out in the country and people dump their animals out there all the time (plus my closest neighbors are vets who own the animal hospital in town and people know where they live so dump their animals there). He is a total sweetie, but not house trained and I was up taking him out all night Friday night. Saturday we bought a crate and are working on crate training. So now we have 4 dogs! Ugh! Vet said he is healthy but very malnourished and wormy (no heart worms though!). Plus a little beat up, probably got into it with some animals in the woods. We named him Hunter. If I could figure out how to attach a pic I would. He is adorable.

 

[Dis5150]

Terrible pic but he doesn't like to hold still.

 

[Chaitali]

Aww... he really is adorable! That's sad about people abandoning animals out there It does sound like you made the right decision this weekend on your run! Better to not risk injury if you were already feeling pain in your knee at mile 3.5.

 

[gjramsey]

I am tracking 11 folks today....no I am not a stalker!

Good Luck @CheapRunnerMike

Ragnar Relay Race report. Texas Hill country is named so for a reason. Egads, that was a tough relay race! My first leg started at 4:33pm, and nice clear sky with temps around 80. My leg was 6.67 miles mostly downhill, but had two big hills in the first 4 miles. It was a No Van support leg, so Ragnar had two water stations on the leg. The first one was about half way up the second hill....thanks Ragnar. I don't think anyone was going to stop for water there. I controlled my tempo and finished the leg in just over 55 minutes. Total elevation gain of 325 ft. I passed one runner (relay race term - Roadkill), and

My second leg started at 12:38am and was about 67 and the wind getting stronger. This leg went up and up and and up and up for 7 miles and gave all that elevation back in the last mile. Muscle soreness and time of day made for a 1:17 leg. Total elevation gain of 443 ft. 3 roadkill and was passed by 2.

My third leg was supposed to be the easiest of the three, distance and elevation wise....it hurt the most! This leg was on the outskirts of Austin and narrow roads with not much shoulder. My scariest leg of the three. I started at 10:23am and it was very humid and 68 degrees. At this point we were starting to catch up with the teams that started much earlier than us. I had 4 roadkill and was passed by 2. Just under 5 miles in just under 49 minutes. 249 elevation gain

As a team, we finished 68th out of 181 teams, in just over 29 hours. First place finished in 23 hours, and the last couple of teams finished in just over 35 hours.

It was a blast and even though it was much harder then the Texas Independence Relay I ran a couple of years ago, we will probably do this one again....with much more hill training!

 

[opusone]

@CheapRunnerMike Boston Marathon Update

He just arrived at the halfway point at a time of 1:31:18 (6:58/mi avg pace). Awesome job so far!