The Running Thread - 2016

[CheapRunnerMike]

My Maine Coast HM went so poorly. I finished, but it was terrible.

We have not been having super warm weather until the past week. Most runs and races have all been in like the 40's and low 50's up until now, and today there was not a cloud in the sky, and since this was on the coast, probably 85+% of the course was completely unshaded beach roads. The temps were up in the 70's by the time I finished in a slug-like 3:05:34 (so so far off my already slow PR of 2:45).

Around mile 10.5 I said f-it and was just going to walk the rest of the way. My walking intervals had gotten longer and longer and longer. I was covered in a salt crust (salt crumbling off me everywhere, face, legs, arms), my calves and the fronts of my ankles kept cramping up, and my Achilles was killing me. Every time I tried to stretch my calves on a curb, the front of my ankles would seize up from going into that position. It was awesome!

But then around mile 11, some ladies that I'd been yo-yo'ing with a little but left behind at the aid station around mile 10 finally came up behind me and were passing me and one of them gave me a hug and was like you got this, and she was encouraging me and asking me if I'd been taking enough fuel or salt (I had run out of fuel, I should have brought a 3rd pack), and she told me to stick with them. She gave me a shot block and really is the only reason I got across the finish line as soon as I did. I was really in a bad place when they came up on me and dragged me into their pack.

Now I am going to go ice my Achilles and question my life decisions that have 2 more HM this spring.

It is awesome hearing people share their race stories and seeing how we can tough it out as runners...and I love the support of those ladies at the end, truly the spirit of running. Our running community never ceases to amaze me!
I had a similar experience in Boston this year; cold winter followed by a sudden hot spell on race day with a completely wide-open shade-free course. I was Mr Salt Crust Face just like you and my head was all over the place by the end and I had some wicked-bad cramping once I was done. Like you, I looked back after a few hours and realized what I had overcome and celebrated a race in the best way possible, also like you...with pizza! Congrats again @Miranda!

 

[derekleigh]

Ran the Stonyfield 5K yesterday. If anyone has a chance to run it, awesome race and the Earth Day Fair in the post-race is so great with a lot of free samples and food, plus free beer for people whom ran the race (and actually like beer). Was hoping to do a back-to-back PR coming off my half last weekend. Sadly, no I missed it by about a minute (finished time was 22:50). Weather was great although a bit hotter than I'd prefer. But I place 63rd overall out of 1170, so not bad.

 

[derekleigh]

My Maine Coast HM went so poorly. I finished, but it was terrible.

We have not been having super warm weather until the past week. Most runs and races have all been in like the 40's and low 50's up until now, and today there was not a cloud in the sky, and since this was on the coast, probably 85+% of the course was completely unshaded beach roads. The temps were up in the 70's by the time I finished in a slug-like 3:05:34 (so so far off my already slow PR of 2:45).

Around mile 10.5 I said f-it and was just going to walk the rest of the way. My walking intervals had gotten longer and longer and longer. I was covered in a salt crust (salt crumbling off me everywhere, face, legs, arms), my calves and the fronts of my ankles kept cramping up, and my Achilles was killing me. Every time I tried to stretch my calves on a curb, the front of my ankles would seize up from going into that position. It was awesome!

But then around mile 11, some ladies that I'd been yo-yo'ing with a little but left behind at the aid station around mile 10 finally came up behind me and were passing me and one of them gave me a hug and was like you got this, and she was encouraging me and asking me if I'd been taking enough fuel or salt (I had run out of fuel, I should have brought a 3rd pack), and she told me to stick with them. She gave me a shot block and really is the only reason I got across the finish line as soon as I did. I was really in a bad place when they came up on me and dragged me into their pack.

Now I am going to go ice my Achilles and question my life decisions that have 2 more HM this spring.

Sorry to read how your race didn't go as planned. The MC Half has been one I've been eyeing for a few years and am interested in the 39.3 challenge as the courses look very nice. While the New England area enjoyed the beautiful weather, it hasn't been that warm this year and trying to run a race, a half at that, without any training during those temps is a hard feat to pull off. I'm very happy to see you finish in the circumstances present. Great job!

 

[croach]

QOTD: A non-Disney and non-running vacation. I actually leave for China on Monday for work, but we are getting about 5 days worth of time between our presentations to explore Shanghai and then Beijing. Should be an incredible trip!

Race report:
Today I ran the Grand Rapids 25K River Bank Run. I went into the race very anxious as I have not been running enough and the time goal I set in January was just not realistic. I decided this week to scrape that time and simply run the race by feel. I wanted to run it hard but smart. I am excited to say I ran my first negative split in quite awhile with my last two 5k's being faster than the first two! I finished with a time of 2:16:23 and actually passed the half marathon mark at a pace that I beleive is my second fastest! The last two miles I felt very strong. I think the weather helped some in that it was freezing, and I think I run better in cold weather. The only bummer of the day is that I talked my family into coming to the race and did not take into account the impact of the weather. It is about an hour and a half from my house and they had to leave pretty early. They stationed themselves at the finish and somehow I finished and they do not see me and I did not see them. My youngest daughter heard my name over the speakers but no high fives and hugs at the finish. And then the skies opened up and in the 40 degree weather it just began dumping rain and hail. When I finally connected with my family they were soaked and freezing! Beautiful course though, I will run this one again!

Congrats on your race. It's funny how sometimes the races where we just forget about a goal can be some of best runs. Guess it takes some of the pressure off and allows you to just run.

 

[DopeyBadger]

QOTD: A non-Disney and non-running vacation. I actually leave for China on Monday for work, but we are getting about 5 days worth of time between our presentations to explore Shanghai and then Beijing. Should be an incredible trip!

Race report:
Today I ran the Grand Rapids 25K River Bank Run. I went into the race very anxious as I have not been running enough and the time goal I set in January was just not realistic. I decided this week to scrape that time and simply run the race by feel. I wanted to run it hard but smart. I am excited to say I ran my first negative split in quite awhile with my last two 5k's being faster than the first two! I finished with a time of 2:16:23 and actually passed the half marathon mark at a pace that I beleive is my second fastest! The last two miles I felt very strong. I think the weather helped some in that it was freezing, and I think I run better in cold weather. The only bummer of the day is that I talked my family into coming to the race and did not take into account the impact of the weather. It is about an hour and a half from my house and they had to leave pretty early. They stationed themselves at the finish and somehow I finished and they do not see me and I did not see them. My youngest daughter heard my name over the speakers but no high fives and hugs at the finish. And then the skies opened up and in the 40 degree weather it just began dumping rain and hail. When I finally connected with my family they were soaked and freezing! Beautiful course though, I will run this one again!

Vitrual High-Five!

Something to consider going forward is doing more races by feel rather than pace. For this race, it seems to have worked quite well for you. I've had all of my best results with this method. Have fun in China!

Congrats to all of the other racers this weekend!

 

[Barca33Runner]

It freaking snowed! On May 15th.

Just finished the Rite-Aid Cleveland Half Marathon in 2:09:35. Didn't hit my goal of 2:00, but did I mention it snowed? I will post a full recap on my journal in a couple days. I am super stoked on the time considering the extra poundage of soaked clothing I was carrying because of the weather. I know I'll hit that magical 2 hour mark soon.

 

[preciouspups]

Yesterday a friend asked when my next 5k would be this summer. Um, no! It is already in the 70's at 6:00 a.m. and most of our races don't start until after 9:00, when the sun is fully out and it is humid as H-E-Doublehockeysticks. My friend and I did the Color Run two weeks ago and had to walk it because it was so hot.

Speaking of the Color Run... I wore my t-shirt to a baseball game the other night (two weeks after the race) and this woman walking past said to me "your shirt isn't very colorful for a color run." Um, that's because I WASHED it!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Ran my virtual hogwarts 'half blood' half today, good gawd it gets warm fast in central Florida! Started crazy early so the first 2 laps were only high 60s- was high 70s for the last lap- still finished just shy of 3:15 which I'll take as a) ran almost even splits and only dropped 90 seconds max a mile b) decent inclines and descents most of the miles..

 

[Kathymford]

Ran my virtual hogwarts 'half blood' half today, good gawd it gets warm fast in central Florida! Started crazy early so the first 2 laps were only high 60s- was high 70s for the last lap- still finished just shy of 3:15 which I'll take as a) ran almost even splits and only dropped 90 seconds max a mile b) decent inclines and descents most of the miles..

I haven't even signed up yet! Ha. I need to do that soon. Not sure if I'm going to break up my run or hold until later, since I just started training for Dumbo!! Good job!

 

[Miranda]

Sorry to read how your race didn't go as planned. The MC Half has been one I've been eyeing for a few years and am interested in the 39.3 challenge as the courses look very nice. While the New England area enjoyed the beautiful weather, it hasn't been that warm this year and trying to run a race, a half at that, without any training during those temps is a hard feat to pull off. I'm very happy to see you finish in the circumstances present. Great job!

The half course was nice although it was a little confusing. The roads were not closed and with all the out and backs, there were runners on both sides of the roads at a lot of points with local traffic also trying to make their way down the roads, and to make things more confusing, there were points in the race where we were supposed to switch sides across the road and there were not always race marshals there. Like at one part of the course somewhere between miles 7-8 on the way out and 10-11 on the way back, both sides were running with the traffic, but at some point about halfway down that road we were supposed to swap sides and be running against the traffic, and I totally did not realize it until I was dodging people running straight at me on their way back while I was still going out. The volunteers were terrific but I think they may have been a little bit short, and the narrow roads and traffic caused a lot of confusion in spots, but it was a really nice course overall. Lots of scenic ocean views and nice houses.

 

[DopeyBadger]

It freaking snowed! On May 15th.

Just finished the Rite-Aid Cleveland Half Marathon in 2:09:35. Didn't hit my goal of 2:00, but did I mention it snowed? I will post a full recap on my journal in a couple days. I am super stoked on the time considering the extra poundage of soaked clothing I was carrying because of the weather. I know I'll hit that magical 2 hour mark soon.

I mean really. I'm sure you signed up months ago and thought to yourself, "Well for sure we'll be done with winter by then." LOL! Just think, you had snow, someone else wind, and someone else a heat/humidity wave. Sounds like mother nature wreaked havoc this weekend. Congrats on making it through it and yes that 2-hr barrier will come down soon enough.

 

[keahgirl8]

I had to miss yet another race today, because I wasn't ready. I know I'm doing the best thing for my body, but it's really hard.

 

[GreatLakes]

I ran the Rite Aid Cleveland half today and got to run through sleet. Fun stuff. I did the 8K/Half challenge and absolutely love the challenge medal. I had been responding for years on the race surveys that they need to do a multi-race challenge so I felt like I had to do it.

To be honest most of the race was not that bad. Yes, it sleeted a few times but most of the time it just felt good and cooled me down. There was one stretch where we turned around and ran back west into the sleet that actually hurt a bit but the cool temps meant I managed to get in just under 1:33 and I knocked 6 minutes off of the half I did two weeks ago in Cincinnati. About 5 minutes after I finished it started to rain and since I got downtown late this morning and roads were closed I had to park way away from the finish line at CSU. That 1.5 mile walk in the 30 something degree rain, in shorts, was the most miserable 20 minutes of my life as far as I can remember.

All that being said I'd pick this 100 times out of 100 over the mid 80 degree race we had a few years ago.

It freaking snowed! On May 15th.

Just finished the Rite-Aid Cleveland Half Marathon in 2:09:35. Didn't hit my goal of 2:00, but did I mention it snowed? I will post a full recap on my journal in a couple days. I am super stoked on the time considering the extra poundage of soaked clothing I was carrying because of the weather. I know I'll hit that magical 2 hour mark soon.

Congratulations man. You earned yourself a beer (or whatever your poison is). I know you are a (proper) football fan, can you believe what happened at Old Trafford today? I hope it was not a bomb and they were just being overly cautious but I don't want to see that crap anywhere and any club.

Are you from Northeastern Ohio? If so, or if you are close, check out the Rock Hall Half in August. I ran it last year and love the course. As crazy as our weather is I can personally guarantee you won't get sleeted on in August.

 

[Barca33Runner]

I ran the Rite Aid Cleveland half today and got to run through sleet. Fun stuff. I did the 8K/Half challenge and absolutely love the challenge medal. I had been responding for years on the race surveys that they need to do a multi-race challenge so I felt like I had to do it.

To be honest most of the race was not that bad. Yes, it sleeted a few times but most of the time it just felt good and cooled me down. There was one stretch where we turned around and ran back west into the sleet that actually hurt a bit but the cool temps meant I managed to get in just under 1:33 and I knocked 6 minutes off of the half I did two weeks ago in Cincinnati. About 5 minutes after I finished it started to rain and since I got downtown late this morning and roads were closed I had to park way away from the finish line at CSU. That 1.5 mile walk in the 30 something degree rain, in shorts, was the most miserable 20 minutes of my life as far as I can remember.

All that being said I'd pick this 100 times out of 100 over the mid 80 degree race we had a few years ago.



Congratulations man. You earned yourself a beer (or whatever your poison is). I know you are a (proper) football fan, can you believe what happened at Old Trafford today? I hope it was not a bomb and they were just being overly cautious but I don't want to see that crap anywhere and any club.

Are you from Northeastern Ohio? If so, or if you are close, check out the Rock Hall Half in August. I ran it last year and love the course. As crazy as our weather is I can personally guarantee you won't get sleeted on in August.

Yeah, it wasn't so much the snow/sleet (that really just added a laugh factor to the race) it was the cumulative effect of wearing extra clothes and getting those clothes and my shoes soaked that hurt me during the back half of the course.

I don't currently live in the area but my sister does and much of my extended family is here, so I run in Cleveland a couple times a year. I am looking for an August or September race to get that sub-2:00 time so I might look into that one. I think my sister may have run it last year.

Watching the end of the BPL season was the plan for when we got back and my brother-in-law is a United fan so we were planning to watch that game while keeping an eye on City. Seems like it was mostly precaution, but better safe than sorry especially with that many people in close proximity of the stadium. We watched City make the replay of that game largely a moot point; I'm pretty sure United doesn't have a 19-0 in their back pocket.

 

[Barca33Runner]

I mean really. I'm sure you signed up months ago and thought to yourself, "Well for sure we'll be done with winter by then." LOL! Just think, you had snow, someone else wind, and someone else a heat/humidity wave. Sounds like mother nature wreaked havoc this weekend. Congrats on making it through it and yes that 2-hr barrier will come down soon enough.

It had been in the 70s on Friday, so looking ahead at the forecast it was difficult to believe the weather would actually make it to the 30s. As everyone from the Midwest is well aware the weather changes on a dime and nothing should be surprising, but I would have much happier just cooling down to the 40s and forgoing the precipitation.

 

[Dis5150]

Finished the Diva Half in 2:48:35. Not too far off my goal. I'm happy with it as the course was brutal with hills! My slowest mile was that 6.6% downhill grade for 1/2 mile! It killed my knee. I actually did better on the uphill parts. I'll post more about the race later - headed to Golden Corral to pig out now lol!

 

[Mad Stitch]

It freaking snowed! On May 15th.

Just finished the Rite-Aid Cleveland Half Marathon in 2:09:35. Didn't hit my goal of 2:00, but did I mention it snowed? I will post a full recap on my journal in a couple days. I am super stoked on the time considering the extra poundage of soaked clothing I was carrying because of the weather. I know I'll hit that magical 2 hour mark soon.

I ran the Rite Aid Cleveland half today and got to run through sleet. Fun stuff. I did the 8K/Half challenge and absolutely love the challenge medal. I had been responding for years on the race surveys that they need to do a multi-race challenge so I felt like I had to do it.

To be honest most of the race was not that bad. Yes, it sleeted a few times but most of the time it just felt good and cooled me down. There was one stretch where we turned around and ran back west into the sleet that actually hurt a bit but the cool temps meant I managed to get in just under 1:33 and I knocked 6 minutes off of the half I did two weeks ago in Cincinnati. About 5 minutes after I finished it started to rain and since I got downtown late this morning and roads were closed I had to park way away from the finish line at CSU. That 1.5 mile walk in the 30 something degree rain, in shorts, was the most miserable 20 minutes of my life as far as I can remember.

All that being said I'd pick this 100 times out of 100 over the mid 80 degree race we had a few years ago.



Congratulations man. You earned yourself a beer (or whatever your poison is). I know you are a (proper) football fan, can you believe what happened at Old Trafford today? I hope it was not a bomb and they were just being overly cautious but I don't want to see that crap anywhere and any club.

Are you from Northeastern Ohio? If so, or if you are close, check out the Rock Hall Half in August. I ran it last year and love the course. As crazy as our weather is I can personally guarantee you won't get sleeted on in August.

Don't forget about the hail! I also did the Cleveland Half this morning. I was on the shoreway where there are no trees for cover when the heavy downpour of hail started. A girl beside me broke down into tears, I yelled over to her "Under a mile to go and we can go home."

I am looking for an August or September race to get that sub-2:00 time so I might look into that one.

Look into the Hermes River Run. The course goes through the Rocky River Metropark and is all down hill. It's where I first broke the sub two hour mark.

 

[princessallison71]

Joining in!

I'm registered for the W&D half marathon, and I'm registered for a 10k at the end of May to use for corral placement!

Memorial Day Veterens 10K - May 30th, 2016 - 1:00

 

[croach]

Joining in!

I'm registered for the W&D half marathon, and I'm registered for a 10k at the end of May to use for corral placement!

Memorial Day Veterens 10K - May 30th, 2016 - 1:00

Welcome aboard!

 

[Chasing Dopey]

Joining in!

I'm registered for the W&D half marathon, and I'm registered for a 10k at the end of May to use for corral placement!

Memorial Day Veterens 10K - May 30th, 2016 - 1:00

One of us... one of us...

Yeah, it started with a half for me, too... Working towards Dopey now.