The Running Thread - 2016

[SunDial]

Didn't think about tracking for Mike. Still watching the finish line camera. Awesome job for all of the runners

 

[LSUlakes]

Cheaprunnermike is nearing the end. Looks like the weather is a factor this year.

 

[SunDial]

Cheaprunnermike is nearing the end. Looks like the weather is a factor this year.

What is his bib number? And live streaming just froze for me

 

[DopeyBadger]

What is his bib number? And live streaming just froze for me

Bib Number 3529
Estimated Finish in ~10 minutes (~1:11 pm EST)

 

[SunDial]

Congratulations @CheapRunnerMike on your Boston finish. Great run!!!

 

[opusone]

Yes, @CheapRunnerMike, great job!!

 

[RunDisneyDad]

Congrats @CheapRunnerMike ! Awesome run!

 

[roxymama]

Congrats @CheapRunnerMike I just checked out your time and placement and holy smokes are you speedy! Hope you enjoyed your race and definitely hope you enjoy your celebration/recovery

 

[croach]

@Dis5150 awesome taking in that skinny pup and giving him some help. Too many animals mistreated in this world.

@gjramsey Congrats on the Ragnar. Sounds like some tough legs.

@CheapRunnerMike Congrats on Boston. Very awesome.

 

[Waiting2goback]

Congratulations to @CheapRunnerMike!

 

[DopeyBadger]

Congrats @CheapRunnerMike !

 

[Anisum]

Congrats @CheapRunnerMike I hope you enjoyed your race. You did great!

 

[girliea]

Congrats to you @CheapRunnerMike!

Those times......

 

[Barca33Runner]

Congrats @CheapRunnerMike! I hope the race lived up to expectations. Awesome achievement.

 

[FFigawi]

Well done @CheapRunnerMike

 

[opusone]

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?

Funny, I was just answering this exact question last night during dinner with a group of friends.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Hansons method definitely prepares you extremely well for your race, but it is also not an easy plan to complete. The interesting thing is that I can't quite place my finger on exactly why it was a tough plan to complete. Even though I had heard from others on this forum (you and @IamTrike come to mind) that the program can be tough, on paper, it really didn't seem that bad to me, so I thought "no problem, I just have to wake up a little earlier during the week to get some longer weekday runs in." And in the beginning, it felt pretty good. But, I think your body slowly wears down over the course of the plan (the whole cumulative fatigue concept), and there were definitely days that I had to convince myself to get out-of-bed and out the door. Fortunately, I am a pretty good self-motivator. Also, over the course of the plan, every once and a while I would have a bad speed, strength, or tempo run, and it would get to me a little (like, how am I going to run a half marathon at x pace if I am having difficulty running 3 or 6 miles at x or slightly less than x). Usually, thankfully, the same run the following week would feel great, and it would restore my faith in my conditioning. I even had a bad long run once, and I just couldn't figure out why. As you know, the long runs are at a comfortable pace (albeit slightly faster than easy pace), and I had run that distance two weeks prior with no problems, but for whatever reason, it just wasn't working one day, so I just slowed down for the second half of the run and finished it (i.e. hang on and live to fight another day). I know you always have ups and downs during training, but in the end, I am used to feeling "ready" when I hit the start line. After completing the Hansons plan, I absolutely knew I could make the distance with no problem, but I still wasn't sure if I could keep the goal pace. BUT... within the first quarter mile of the race, I had no doubts, I knew I could keep a good pace, and I was confident. Everything just felt right. It was a pretty amazing feeling. Oh, and by the way, the last mile of the half marathon, I was able to pick up the pace, and it was my fastest mile of the race. I'm not sure I've ever had that happen before.

So, on to your second question, would I use their method again? Yes, in a heartbeat, if I have a race I really want to perform in. If I want to do well, it is worth the commitment, mental motivation, and ups and downs of the plan to achieve the desired results.

Speaking of which, I need to figure out my next race plans...

 

[DopeyBadger]

Funny, I was just answering this exact question last night during dinner with a group of friends.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Hansons method definitely prepares you extremely well for your race, but it is also not an easy plan to complete. The interesting thing is that I can't quite place my finger on exactly why it was a tough plan to complete. Even though I had heard from others on this forum (you and @IamTrike come to mind) that the program can be tough, on paper, it really didn't seem that bad to me, so I thought "no problem, I just have to wake up a little earlier during the week to get some longer weekday runs in." And in the beginning, it felt pretty good. But, I think your body slowly wears down over the course of the plan (the whole cumulative fatigue concept), and there were definitely days that I had to convince myself to get out-of-bed and out the door. Fortunately, I am a pretty good self-motivator. Also, over the course of the plan, every once and a while I would have a bad speed, strength, or tempo run, and it would get to me a little (like, how am I going to run a half marathon at x pace if I am having difficulty running 3 or 6 miles at x or slightly less than x). Usually, thankfully, the same run the following week would feel great, and it would restore my faith in my conditioning. I even had a bad long run once, and I just couldn't figure out why. As you know, the long runs are at a comfortable pace (albeit slightly faster than easy pace), and I had run that distance two weeks prior with no problems, but for whatever reason, it just wasn't working one day, so I just slowed down for the second half of the run and finished it (i.e. hang on and live to fight another day). I know you always have ups and downs during training, but in the end, I am used to feeling "ready" when I hit the start line. After completing the Hansons plan, I absolutely knew I could make the distance with no problem, but I still wasn't sure if I could keep the goal pace. BUT... within the first quarter mile of the race, I had no doubts, I knew I could keep a good pace, and I was confident. Everything just felt right. It was a pretty amazing feeling. Oh, and by the way, the last mile of the half marathon, I was able to pick up the pace, and it was my fastest mile of the race. I'm not sure I've ever had that happen before.

So, on to your second question, would I use their method again? Yes, in a heartbeat, if I have a race I really want to perform in. If I want to do well, it is worth the commitment, mental motivation, and ups and downs of the plan to achieve the desired results.

Speaking of which, I need to figure out my next race plans...

I'm happy to hear that. I agree that it can be a big commitment. I'm glad that the training payed great dividends. It truly teaches your body to run the whole race (the beginning, middle, and end, OR as I like to call it the TEMPO, LONG RUN, and STRENGTH sections of the race).

I think one of the biggest things the Hansons method taught me is what a taper really feels like. Mid-training plan you just become so accustomed to feeling fatigued all of the time you don't completely notice it. But during that last 10 day taper, your body starts to say, "AHHH, this is what normal really feels like". And then raceday just feels completely different than anything training felt like at similar paces.

 

[rteetz]

Congrats @CheapRunnerMike What an accomplishment!

 

[sperkins921]

Congrats @CheapRunnerMike !!!

 

[LSUlakes]

I am way behind for today and the weekend. Played in a golf tourney this morning that I had not originally planned on playing in, which kinda threw off things today. Now back at the office and having to catch up on work stuff. Congrats to all the runners over the weekend and today. I will update everything as soon as I am up to speed.