The Running Thread - 2016

[Diskidatheart]

QOTD: As our days are getting longer and the temps increase, we have more time to get our runs in outdoors when there is still sunlight out. Do you use sunscreen when you go out for a run?

I probably should wear sunscreen, but I don't. Usually my runs are very early in the morning or later in the evening when the sun isn't quite as brutal as mid-day.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

ATTQOTD: I only wear sunscreen when down south. I sometimes wear a hat because I am balding and have a very short haircut (think military short, not quite Mr. Clean).

My problem with sunscreen is that I sweat in the heat it gets wiped off with my sweat rag pretty early in my runs, making it all but useless on my face and head.

 

[roxymama]

ATTQOTD: I am very fair and wear spf products year round. I'm also a bit makeup and skincare obsessed (more than even running and disney), so I subscribe to some monthly boxes and I've amassed so many awesome spf skin-care sprays and lip balms and "bb creams" and tinted moisturizes etc etc. The only time I am not wearing SPF is when I know I am getting my picture taken (like for a nice event, wedding, Christmas party, etc) because SPF tends to make me bright white in photos. On the hottest days I am running in a hat to save my scalp.
I really like the Supergoop line for their broad range of sprays and creams that don't break out my face...but it runs a bit pricey compared to your drugstore stuff.

@LSUlakes I have a race to add! May 22nd, Michealob Ultra Chicago Spring 10k, Chicago, IL (NA/NA)
No time goal...it's just an excuse to have a May race & to run on the lake front trail with my family. It ends with a breakfast buffet which was the real selling point. There's a half marathon at the same time but the 10k starts in the last corral afterwards..so I'm thinking this will not be a huge field. Should be fun

 

[Miranda]

How much time do you guys usually take off after a half? For cross training and running? I'm anxious to get back out there but I don't want to over do it, especially because Tink is in 2 weeks.

For cross training, I don't change my schedule at all (I do RPM/spin on Mon and Wed). I just don't go 100% on Monday. If it was a Saturday half, I probably wouldn't change yoga either (I go to a beginner class on Sunday late afternoon). I go to that particular yoga class because it's low intensity since it's a beginner class, and I usually long run on Saturday, so it's a good rest/stretch session.

For running, I would probably skip my Tuesday weekday run. Maybe Thursday, depending on how I felt, but I would definitely get back to running by the following weekend.

 

[Miranda]

ATTQOTD: I should wear sunscreen but usually don't unless it's a longer run/race. Shorter ones, I start early in the mornings during the hotter months and the sun is not strong then.

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

QOTD: As our days are getting longer and the temps increase, we have more time to get our runs in outdoors when there is still sunlight out. Do you use sunscreen when you go out for a run?

I am pretty good at using sunscreen only because of my tattoos, I want to keep them looking good as long as possible.

Can you please add me for Goofy in January when you get a chance, Thanks!

And Thank you @LSUlakes, @DopeyBadger and @Miranda for answering my question earlier.

 

[LSUlakes]

This week we have the following races:

23 - @dmross - Kings Mountain Half Marathon (NG / N/A)
24 - @Krynn - Pro Football Hall Of Fame Half Marathon (3:00:00 / N/A)
24 - @Miranda - North Shore 10 Miler (2:08:00 / N/A)
24 - @Anisum - Run the Vineyards 5 Miler (Sub 1:10:00 / N/A)
24 - @dsnyfn1022 - Trolley Run 4 Miler (NG / N/A)
24 - @ebradley23 - Carytown 10k (50:00 / N/A)

Good to luck to each of yall and have a great race. Let me know if you would like to adjust your goal and let us know how it went!

 

[Miranda]

Please put me down for 2:08:00 goal. Goal or no goal, though, I am guaranteed a PR... this is my first 10 mile race.

 

[Chaitali]

Speaking of sunscreen, one of my problems is that it can get into my eyes when I sweat and of course, that burns. Do the sports type sun screens include something that prevents them from running when you get sweaty?

 

[ZellyB]

QOTD: As our days are getting longer and the temps increase, we have more time to get our runs in outdoors when there is still sunlight out. Do you use sunscreen when you go out for a run?

ATTQOTD: I don't use it for our shorter maintenance runs because we are usually running in pre-dawn and dawn early light. I do usually put some on for our longer runs on the weekends which tend to start a bit later and actually get us into some real sunshine.

 

[dis_or_dat]

How much time do you guys usually take off after a half? For cross training and running? I'm anxious to get back out there but I don't want to over do it, especially because Tink is in 2 weeks.

I feel like I'm in the same boat as you, although my half was on 4/3. For some reason, I misjudged the timing and ramped up my training so that I jumped into a 13 mile run on Monday and then an 8 mile run yesterday and noticed my pace was much slower than usual with positive splits. I've probably overtrained and need to figure out how to recover properly but be prepared for Tink. I was thinking about doing another 13 on Friday because I have no time to run this weekend, but maybe that's not a good idea? I already had poor sleep last night, so I feel the insomnia is creeping in. I'm only doing 3 miles today and probably 6 tomorrow.

ATTQOTD: I always wear sunscreen and a hat when running unless it's pre-pre-dawn or super overcast/rainy since clouds don't block all the UV rays. Even though I only tan in the sun and never get a sunburn, I'm pretty religious about sunblock.

 

[camaker]

QOTD: As our days are getting longer and the temps increase, we have more time to get our runs in outdoors when there is still sunlight out. Do you use sunscreen when you go out for a run?

You can add me to the "should, but don't" crowd.

 

[Anisum]

I should be right on track for that goal. I've been doing sub 13:30 ever since I came home from Princess (I was usually at 14:00 before I left) but the course is apparently tough so I'd like to give myself some wiggle room.

 

[opusone]

Training/Racing Questions

Okay all you smart training guys and gals, I finished the Dark Side Challenge this past weekend, and as I'm taking a few days off for recovery, I am struggling to figure out what is next for me. This is both a training question as well as a racing question, and I think I am spinning in circles...

1. I first ask myself, "what should my training plan be now that I'm done with my race, and therefore, my last training plan?", so I go online to look for training plans, but picking a training plan depends on what my goal is, so then...
2. I go online to find local races, but as I see the long list of possible events, I start asking myself, do I want 5ks, 10ks, half marathons, or some combination? And, roughly how much time should I schedule between races? Well, the spacing of races might depend on the length of my training plan, so this sort of gets back to a training question... go to #3
3. Do I use a separate training plan for each race (given that 5k/10k/half marathon training plans are quite different), or should I develop some master training plan that incorporates all intermediate races, and if so, again, how far in-between races? But when I start looking at training plans, they all start by targeting some key race, but I don't really have a key race, so back to looking for races... go to #2

I think my problem is that I have a completely blank slate; there isn't a specific race out there that I am focused on nor that I have scheduled. I just have a good base from training for the Dark Side Challenge, so (i) I don't want to lose my base, and (ii) I would like to try to improve my running performance.

Maybe I should just pick two half marathons (probably my favorite distance) roughly six months apart as being the "key" races each year, and then from a training perspective that takes care of 2 x 18-week plans (so, 36 weeks total), which leaves roughly 8 weeks after each race and before the next half marathon plan starts up. But what type of training should I do for the ~8 weeks after a race and before the next plan starts (since that is where I am now)? Some sort of base work, or an 8-week 5k or 10k training plan?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. How would you schedule your training and races if you had a completely blank slate with a main goal of improving running performance?

 

[Chaitali]

I pick a goal race for the Spring and a goal race for the Fall. Then I'll choose other races based on training. So if there is a 6 mile run scheduled on the plan, that would be a good day for a 10k race. Or if there is a 5k race I want to do but it's in an area I can tack on some miles before and/or after, I could add that in. I generally like to see if I can find a 10 mile race for when I have a 10 mile run in my training plan.

I'm between training plans right now. So I'm trying to work on speed and doing shorter runs but don't really have a plan. I just do three runs per week - an easy 3 mile run, some track work, and a weekend run of at least 6 miles. I also use this time to concentrate on strength training.

 

[ebradley23]

Training/Racing Questions

Okay all you smart training guys and gals, I finished the Dark Side Challenge this past weekend, and as I'm taking a few days off for recovery, I am struggling to figure out what is next for me. This is both a training question as well as a racing question, and I think I am spinning in circles...

1. I first ask myself, "what should my training plan be now that I'm done with my race, and therefore, my last training plan?", so I go online to look for training plans, but picking a training plan depends on what my goal is, so then...
2. I go online to find local races, but as I see the long list of possible events, I start asking myself, do I want 5ks, 10ks, half marathons, or some combination? And, roughly how much time should I schedule between races? Well, the spacing of races might depend on the length of my training plan, so this sort of gets back to a training question... go to #3
3. Do I use a separate training plan for each race (given that 5k/10k/half marathon training plans are quite different), or should I develop some master training plan that incorporates all intermediate races, and if so, again, how far in-between races? But when I start looking at training plans, they all start by targeting some key race, but I don't really have a key race, so back to looking for races... go to #2

I think my problem is that I have a completely blank slate; there isn't a specific race out there that I am focused on nor that I have scheduled. I just have a good base from training for the Dark Side Challenge, so (i) I don't want to lose my base, and (ii) I would like to try to improve my running performance.

Maybe I should just pick two half marathons (probably my favorite distance) roughly six months apart as being the "key" races each year, and then from a training perspective that takes care of 2 x 18-week plans (so, 36 weeks total), which leaves roughly 8 weeks after each race and before the next half marathon plan starts up. But what type of training should I do for the ~8 weeks after a race and before the next plan starts (since that is where I am now)? Some sort of base work, or an 8-week 5k or 10k training plan?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. How would you schedule your training and races if you had a completely blank slate with a main goal of improving running performance?

I don't always have races in mind when setting my running goals. I'm a bit of a crazy person, but I hate the idea of training to run a distance I've already completed. My goal after I finished my first half marathon was to complete a 13.1 mile or greater run each month for a year. I said I wasn't going to have this mindset about marathon distances, but I lied to myself. While I'm not running 26.2 each month, I am trying to maintain up to either 18 or 20 miles once a month. By doing this, I know I don't have to build my distance up when I want to train for a specific race. Instead I can focus solely on improving my time.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

@opusone - I don't plan races just to train. I have, over the years, built a "maintenance" plan. It has 2 basic goals, maintaining a base weekly mileage and incorporating strength training.

I found that when I was always training for a race, I got burned out. Too much pressure when every run is pointed toward something larger. I love to run, and I don't need a reason beyond that to get out the door, so that is the key for me. To keep it fun, I keep my plans simple most of the year and just have fun out there.

That said - I wasn't building toward something bigger, like a BQ. What you do has to fit in with any larger plans that you may have.

 

[FFigawi]

@opusone - if I didn't have a race on my calendar, I'd work at two things. One, maintaining a strong base through running and cross-training like swimming or cycling. if you're going to focus on an A race later this year that is a full marathon (just a guess on my part), you should give your legs a break now. Reduce the mileage on the road and add in more aerobic workouts from other areas so you keep your overall fitness. Two, I'd use the running workouts to work on speed in a 5k or 10k. You can get faster in those events without putting in huge volumes of miles, and the speed you develop will come in handy when you begin your major training later on. It's also probably something you don't normally get a chance to do and should be a nice mental break from months of long runs.

 

[croach]

What @FFigawi said. Having a plan is great because it gives you structure but as we all know it can be a grind. Use being off a schedule to do things you maybe wouldn't do while on a plan and enjoy the freedom to skip a day if you just feel like.

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

Speaking of sunscreen, one of my problems is that it can get into my eyes when I sweat and of course, that burns. Do the sports type sun screens include something that prevents them from running when you get sweaty?

My mom has a terrible time when sunscreen gets in her eyes (it would burn for hours no matter how much she tried washing it out) so I asked her and she said she switched to baby sunscreen and uses it sparingly.