The Running Thread - 2016

ATTQOTD: Didn't realize how lucky I was that my local run is next to a gorgeous reservoir/nature preserve. Lots of deer etc. It's fun to watch them grow up from fawns to adults. Ran behind a fox with a mouse in its mouth for a little bit. Grossest was when there was a slaughtered deer right in the middle of the path, probably by a mountain lion. My favorite time is when it's a super still early morning and the water has a mirror-like surface. I've also run along the ocean (at Aulani!) where there were 2 pods of dolphins congregating, which was cool. My least favorite was probably trying to get a long run in while at Maui and running along the highway. It was surprisingly busy at 4:30am.
 
Seriously? Man, that's coldhearted.

Uh---dead bodies?!?
It would NOT be cool to be blocked from a finish line being one second over the time limit!

Coldhearted and not cool it may be, but that's how South Africa handles their two biggest races. If you do not cross the line in under 7:00:00 (Two Oceans) or 12:00:00 (Comrades), you are physically prevented from crossing the finish line. I've seen it happen at both of them, and it is truly one of the saddest sights in running. I'd drive myself crazy for the year until the next race if I missed by one second. That's one less step of walking or part of a stop to tie your shoes or not being one foot closer to the start line when the gun went off.

And yes, dead people. Our hash group in Houston found one in the woods at one of the popular parks during one of our runs a few years ago. Creepy.
 
Congrats to everyone on the great races this weekend! I look forward to reading recaps :)

Congrats @CheapRunnerMike! Awesome job!

Catching up from the weekend and a day off yesterday. I ran my first of two scheduled half marathons this past weekend. Overall, it went really well. I finished in 1:51:04. My goal was under 1:50. I was right on pace through the first 11 miles. The sun was beating down and the course is a FLAT bike path. I don't think I was prepared for either. The sun (and warm weather) got to me and since all of my training was through hilly Pittsburgh, the flatness got to me as well. Oh well, I just wanted to get a respectable time to submit for Dopey, thus mission accomplished.

Wow, I never thought about the fact that a flat route would be difficult after training on hills. I just thought that training on hills would mean a flat race should then be easier. I may have to rethink my training locations for RnR Vegas as I hear that one is flat.

The saddest thing I've ever seen is people getting physically blocked from the finish line because they were one second over the time limit. That was heartbreaking.

That is sad. I saw your second post about those particular races and they are iconic races, so I understand about being strict with the time limit. But it seems like maybe something like not giving a medal but at least letting people cross the finish line would be kinder.
 
Wow, I never thought about the fact that a flat route would be difficult after training on hills. I just thought that training on hills would mean a flat race should then be easier. I may have to rethink my training locations for RnR Vegas as I hear that one is flat.

I wouldn't change your training for a flat course. Flat can be difficult for running (and cycling too for that matter) because your muscles don't get much of a break or much varied use. You're using the same ones all the time in the same way. Stick with your hill training. Hills build strength and endurance which is what you're going to need in any race. Just be aware that flat courses tax the muscles in a different way and consider throwing in a short walk break every so often, like at the aid stations. That will give your legs a brief rest and keep them more refreshed.
 

ATTQOTD: For my long runs, I run along the Charles River and across the Mass Ave Bridge. The view of Boston skyline takes my breath away every time.
Headed to Boston for 2 weeks on Sunday - business trip. Love running along the Charles. Can't wait! :goodvibes
 
I wouldn't change your training for a flat course. Flat can be difficult for running (and cycling too for that matter) because your muscles don't get much of a break or much varied use. You're using the same ones all the time in the same way. Stick with your hill training. Hills build strength and endurance which is what you're going to need in any race. Just be aware that flat courses tax the muscles in a different way and consider throwing in a short walk break every so often, like at the aid stations. That will give your legs a brief rest and keep them more refreshed.
Agree 100%. Unless you are trying to BQ, train on varied courses and terrains. Only running flat routes can be really tough on your legs.
 
ATTQOTD - I have been running for so many years that it would be tough to name any one thing. My list:

Love morning runs along the Charles in Boston
Love running along the levee in Louisiana (early morning, to somewhat beat the heat)
Love running on flat beaches (do not like running on loose sand or canted beaches)
Love seeing so much wildlife on trails (well, maybe not the bears)
But my #1 would probably be running anywhere that I can see sunrises or sunsets - especially over water
 
QOTD: Scenes that you've seen while running. Could be beautiful, ugly, strange, descriptive, etc.

At the moment, I do most of my runs around my apartment parking lot - so nothing particularly interesting to see. The sunrise is usually quite pretty though, and I enjoy getting a start to my day before many are up and about.
 
QOTD: Scenes that you've seen while running. Could be beautiful, ugly, strange, descriptive, etc.
My training runs mainly happen in the afternoon so I don't get anything really out of the ordinary. Now as for my races mainly all Disney of course there have always been interesting scenes. The 5K through Epcot you get to see interesting backstage areas. I know during the 2015 10K I saw the construction of the third soarin theater. During the half the view of running towards Cinderella castle never gets old. The only other race I have done would be the Susan G. Kohen race for a cure 5K in Milwaukee and that starts out right along Lake Michigan and has some nice views with our art museum which has the Calatrava an extraordinary piece of architecture.
 
QOTD: Scenes that you've seen while running. Could be beautiful, ugly, strange, descriptive, etc.
Last week I saw a squirrel whose lower legs seemed to be paralyzed. Not sure if it had a run-in with a car or what. It was making out okay and crawled at a quick pace away when I got close. I considered calling animal control but the squirrel left my view while I was looking up the best number to call.
 
I wouldn't change your training for a flat course. Flat can be difficult for running (and cycling too for that matter) because your muscles don't get much of a break or much varied use. You're using the same ones all the time in the same way. Stick with your hill training. Hills build strength and endurance which is what you're going to need in any race. Just be aware that flat courses tax the muscles in a different way and consider throwing in a short walk break every so often, like at the aid stations. That will give your legs a brief rest and keep them more refreshed.

Agree 100%. Unless you are trying to BQ, train on varied courses and terrains. Only running flat routes can be really tough on your legs.

Great, thank you! I figured running on hills should be good to keep in my training :)

As far as things I've seen on a run, my favorite are those Winter mornings with a light snow when things are really peaceful. There was one time when I was running at the track with a group and a family of deer jumped the fence, ran around a bit, and then ran across the track and jumped over the fence on the other side to leave. That gave us some excitement :)
 
ATTQOTD: we have moved around quite a bit, so I've been fortunate enough to regularly run by the produce farms of the Central Valley in CA, the desert beauty of AZ, the green rolling hills of the Shendoah Valley in VA, and now looking up at the mountains of Utah- I love seeing the diverse beauty of America while running! I agree too runnning during a sunrise is a pretty spectacular thing.
 
Looking for a little feedback from my fellow runners. I am working out a long term plan to get a sub 3 hour marathon. (Very Long Term) the question I was wondering is what approach should I take. Should I work on speed to hit 5k and 10k goals the equate to a predicated marathon equal, then work my way up to a 10 miler and half marathon. (For example a 18:46 5k = 2:59:59 full, and 39:08 10k. And then on and on... Or should I just put in as many miles as possible and the sped will come? I tend to think that perhaps a combination of the two may be ideal, but I am not sure exactly how to approach it. My running has been lacking for a while now, so I am currently working on just building back up to a decent base. Any and all suggestions are welcomed. TIA
 
QOTD: Scenes that you've seen while running. Could be beautiful, ugly, strange, descriptive, etc.

I run in very pretty, wooded areas, sometimes at the state park along Degray Lake and sometimes at the dam by my work. Have never seen anything ugly or scary, lol, but the most beautiful thing I think I have seen was the Osbourne Lights at W&D last year. That was my first long race (even if it was shortened), my first Disney race and my very first time seeing the Lights. Rounding the corner in DHS and seeing the Streets of America all lit up was awesome! We went back on that trip and viewed them again but it wasn't the same as running thru them at night.
 
ATTQOTD: I don't really have anything that sticks out in my mind.

As for Darkside, I had an awesome race. My time was way slower than I had hoped for but I have my first half under my belt now and I'm sure my time will only improve. I did a recap in my training journal (link is in my signature)

I'm also super excited I just signed up for the Disney marathon! I decided to go ahead and do Goofy, DH said he would run the half with me, I hope I'm not going to regret it. I have a lot of training ahead of me.
 
I have a beagle, and have to say they are hard headed animals. Love that dog to death, but if she gets out from the yard she taking you for a journey. That nose picks up a scent and everything surrounding her doesn't matter and shes off. At least now, the running after her isn't as bad as it was before I started running. Good luck with the dog and bless you for taking care of it.

Thanks! Yes the first couple of times we took him out not on a leash (we live in the country on 100 acres of pine and meadow land and have no fence) he was fine and stayed with us. The next time he scented something and took off into the woods. DH got to run him down lol! He had found something and was circling and howling. Now he goes out on the leash only! It was funny to hear him bark because up until then he hadn't made a sound. Now he has whined a couple of times when he gets put in the crate in our room for the night but he still hasn't barked again.
 
Looking for a little feedback from my fellow runners. I am working out a long term plan to get a sub 3 hour marathon. (Very Long Term) the question I was wondering is what approach should I take. Should I work on speed to hit 5k and 10k goals the equate to a predicated marathon equal, then work my way up to a 10 miler and half marathon. (For example a 18:46 5k = 2:59:59 full, and 39:08 10k. And then on and on... Or should I just put in as many miles as possible and the sped will come? I tend to think that perhaps a combination of the two may be ideal, but I am not sure exactly how to approach it. My running has been lacking for a while now, so I am currently working on just building back up to a decent base. Any and all suggestions are welcomed. TIA

My opinion would be to work towards the marathon goal. I wouldn't worry about the 5k and 10k goals unless those are just something personal you want to do. Speed work will incorporated into marathon training so I would think you can bypass the smaller distance goals. Using a half as a barometer might be a good idea though. Give you an idea on how the training has prepared you for a longer distance. And you said very long term so do a training plan to get your time down and then another cycle to continue the progress. I could be way off but just my thoughts. There are some smart folks here though so I'll be interested to see what others say.
 
Looking for a little feedback from my fellow runners. I am working out a long term plan to get a sub 3 hour marathon. (Very Long Term) the question I was wondering is what approach should I take. Should I work on speed to hit 5k and 10k goals the equate to a predicated marathon equal, then work my way up to a 10 miler and half marathon. (For example a 18:46 5k = 2:59:59 full, and 39:08 10k. And then on and on... Or should I just put in as many miles as possible and the sped will come? I tend to think that perhaps a combination of the two may be ideal, but I am not sure exactly how to approach it. My running has been lacking for a while now, so I am currently working on just building back up to a decent base. Any and all suggestions are welcomed. TIA

I guess my advice is essentially what I'm trying to do. I've spent the last year building a base of running 40-60 miles per week and peaking around 63. Over 80% of the time spent training is at paces slower than my current marathon pace (3:26 or 7:52 min/mile). My focus this coming summer/fall cycle will be to do as many 90 minute runs per week per day that my schedule will allow (I believe 90 minutes is a golden time for endurance training). During Spring 2017, I will alter my focus on working on speed (running efficiency and the such) at necessary paces that will allow me to run a sub-3. However, my tentative plan on working on speed is only based on how the rest of the time between now and then goes. If I find myself at sub-3:10 marathon pace by Spring 2017, then I will likely continue on with endurance work for the Fall 2017 goal.

What I've found from this past year of building my mileage is that the speed comes on its own because I've built up my endurance so much. My 5K/10K/Half times have all dropped dramatically without actually doing much training at any of those paces. In fact my 5K time at Disney this past January, I did zero training (as in not even 200m) at it prior and yet ran it for 3 miles. The closest I ran to that 5K race pace for more than 400m was about 20 sec slower per mile. Now with the marathon endurance is king (99% of the energy used during the marathon comes from the aerobic system if trained appropriately). That's how I would approach it.

Edited to change that 80% of current training is 30+ seconds slower than marathon pace.
 
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