The Running Thread - 2016

[Miranda]

ATTQOTD: I have a lot of gadgets and gear already. Right now the only things I can really think of that I am semi-eyeing are 1) Scosche Rhythm+ HR band to go with my Garmin 220 and 2) more sneakers.

For #1, I don't know how much I would get out of HR stuff, as I am so slow and do run/walk for 90/30 intervals. So that is just kind of something I'm not really seriously looking at.

For #2, I do all my running in Altra Olympus, but I've been wondering if I should get some different shoes to rotate in and try out. It's so hard to find shoes though. Once I settled on Altras, I was so happy to not have to try/buy new shoes. I have been wondering if I should get some shoes with some drop to mix things up, though. I'm not looking to give up my Altras, maybe only add some other ones to the rotation. I don't know where to look next, though... maybe Saucony. I tried NB 1080's in 2014 and did not like the cushioning (it felt like there was none), and I tried Asics Nimbus 17's last year. I love to walk in them, they feel great, but I don't like how flexible the sole is when running. It feels too bendy in the midfoot. I tried some Brooks Glycerins a couple years before the NB 1080's, and had the same dislike of the cushioning, although that was so long ago now I am guessing the shoe is different. But with Brooks and Asics, I also run into width problems... they don't seem to offer a wide variety of their women's shoes in D widths.

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

My plan WAS to not buy anything! Being a gear junkie, I stocked up in the first year, and I have more than I need. So I'm good now, but a bike and the new 735XT might be in the pipeline in about 8 months.

Saw you had posted about Ironman aspirations yesterday and meant to reply back and warn you what you're getting into Have you done any tri's before? Triathlon is an AMAZING sport and I found it really helped me with my running as well with all of the cross-training. It is addictive, expensive and very time-consuming though, so good luck and consider yourself warned! Also if you are looking for any sort of advice, just ask and I'm sure either @FFigawi, myself or a few other tri guys on the board can help out. Our advice may be crap, but we'll share what we can!

ATTQOTD: I'd love to have a treadmill in my house, but it may not be feasible with our low ceilings in our basement. For something more attainable, I'd like to finally get over my fear of running shorts and buy a pair. I currently have some longer spandex "bike type" shorts and then everything else is capris. In my head I'm still bigger than I really am right now. #beinghonest

I understand about the shorts. I tried on a pair of the ultra short split shorts that those super skinny zero-percent body fat elites wear and I felt extremely self-conscious in them...couldn't do it.
Bummer about missing the race too @roxymama...any chance you can ride the bike with your husband while you're taking it easy? My wife and I rode quite a bit last year and had a lot of fun getting out together.

 

[Miranda]

For something more attainable, I'd like to finally get over my fear of running shorts and buy a pair. I currently have some longer spandex "bike type" shorts and then everything else is capris. In my head I'm still bigger than I really am right now.

Last year I only ran in capris because I am only about halfway through my weight loss goals (and really stalled the past year ) and I was too embarrassed to wear spandex shorts, even though I would wear the compression capris all the time. The shorts are just shorter versions of them, so I don't know, but for some reason wearing the shorts was too embarrassing. And I was always always so hot in the capris in the summer. I cannot wear regular shorts, they just bunch up between my legs and I'm constantly tugging them down. Anyway I developed a wicked SparkleSkirt habit last fall and now I run in them all the time. They have bike shorts with lots of pockets covered up by cute skirts, so I am not self conscious about the bike shorts part.

 

[roxymama]

Bummer about missing the race too @roxymama...any chance you can ride the bike with your husband while you're taking it easy? My wife and I rode quite a bit last year and had a lot of fun getting out together.

Confession: I don't have a bike! My hubby has a roadbike that I don't even want to talk about the money he has put into it (well, you probably already know.) He's tinkered with it quite a bit. I think he went through several seats before he landed on one that didn't make him "go numb" etc. But my string of bikes I used to own when living downtown got stolen one after another after another after another (one was off a third story balcony and it was locked!!!) and I just never got around to buying one now that we have a house. He has a dock in the basement he plugs it into and rides for forever when the weather is bad. Maybe I need to finally get one (not as expensive as his though!!!)
OH, but our city now has City bikes that you park at all the different docking stations...I forgot about that! Maybe we need to go on a city date soon. Lake front trail but not running??!!! hmmmmmm

 

[LSUlakes]

Took a little time this morning to update the OP and get everyone that has told me with correct dates for WDW marathon weekend as well as an update on races completed so far. The half marathon is very popular on this board! I am curious to see how things shake out over the warmer months as the option for longer races decrease and 5k and 10ks increase. Just thought it was interesting. If anyone else wants to add there info for upcoming races, let me know. I should have time today to get everything up to date as its looking like a slow day at the office. (fingers crossed)

 

[camaker]

ATTQOTD: With all this zone talk, I'd love to get a Garmin 235, but it's too expensive and I think it would dwarf my wrist.

Edited to add: I see that there's going to be a big sale on the Garmin 235 starting tomorrow (am I allowed to say where here?), but reading the reviews of the HR monitor makes me second guess it. Also ... it's still too expensive with 25% off!

I have really liked having the HR monitor to provide additional information on my runs. The controlled reviews (like dcrainmaker's) that I've read indicate the HR monitor is pretty accurate for running applications (he gave the HR monitor a B+, overall). Most of the complaints that I've seen focus around its difficulties with reacting to high intensity intervals, which seems to be a common issue among optical monitors. Overall I found the 235 to be a huge improvement over the 220, but only you can answer the pricing question!

 

[camaker]

Took a little time this morning to update the OP and get everyone that has told me with correct dates for WDW marathon weekend as well as an update on races completed so far. The half marathon is very popular on this board! I am curious to see how things shake out over the warmer months as the option for longer races decrease and 5k and 10ks increase. Just thought it was interesting. If anyone else wants to add there info for upcoming races, let me know. I should have time today to get everything up to date as its looking like a slow day at the office. (fingers crossed)

I find it frustrating how the halfs totally dry up over the summer here around NC. I don't mind the heat and humidity and would like to have the option to race without having to travel. Oh, well...

I've been remiss in getting races communicated for the original post, too. Can you please add the following for me?

June 18th camaker - Race 13.1 Roanoke (2:05:00 / N/A)
Sept 3rd camaker - Dumbo Double Dare 10k (NG / N/A)
Sept 4th camaker - Dumbo Double Dare Half Marathon (NG / N/A)
Jan 5th camaker - WDW 5k (NG / N/A) Dopey
Jan 6th camaker - WDW 10k (NG / N/A) Dopey
Jan 7th camaker - WDW Half Marathon (NG / N/A) Dopey
Jan 8th camaker - WDW Marathon (NG / N/A) Dopey

 

[Chaitali]

I'm still planning on my 5k for this weekend but not sure I'm going to make the goal. It's supposed to be really rainy and windy so we'll just see how it goes. As far as the question of the day, I'm really trying hard not to buy more running stuff. I'm saving money for traveling at the moment

 

[croach]

Took a little time this morning to update the OP and get everyone that has told me with correct dates for WDW marathon weekend as well as an update on races completed so far. The half marathon is very popular on this board! I am curious to see how things shake out over the warmer months as the option for longer races decrease and 5k and 10ks increase. Just thought it was interesting. If anyone else wants to add there info for upcoming races, let me know. I should have time today to get everything up to date as its looking like a slow day at the office. (fingers crossed)

Add me in for Dopey please. And thanks for keeping up with all the races!!

ATTQOTD: not looking to add any new gear right now other the occasional new clothing item. I should probably buy a roller of some sort but I'm terrible about post run stretching, etc.

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

Took a little time this morning to update the OP and get everyone that has told me with correct dates for WDW marathon weekend as well as an update on races completed so far. The half marathon is very popular on this board! I am curious to see how things shake out over the warmer months as the option for longer races decrease and 5k and 10ks increase. Just thought it was interesting. If anyone else wants to add there info for upcoming races, let me know. I should have time today to get everything up to date as its looking like a slow day at the office. (fingers crossed)

I just took a peek at the OP to see all the races and all I can say is WOW! So many great people running great races! Also super excited about the number of us doing Dopey and any of the other rD races on Marathon Weekend...amazing representation!

 

[croach]

Awesome! Montreal is a wonderful city for anyone that hasn't been before, one of the jewels of Canada. Enjoy your time in la belle province

Well it's a time trial for my November half but let's be honest - it's really an excuse to travel somewhere I've never been. Really looking forward to it.

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

Took a little time this morning to update the OP and get everyone that has told me with correct dates for WDW marathon weekend as well as an update on races completed so far. The half marathon is very popular on this board! I am curious to see how things shake out over the warmer months as the option for longer races decrease and 5k and 10ks increase. Just thought it was interesting. If anyone else wants to add there info for upcoming races, let me know. I should have time today to get everything up to date as its looking like a slow day at the office. (fingers crossed)

Ooh, sorry to give you some more additions:

November
05 - Mimsy Borogove - Disney Wine & Dine 10K (TBD / N/A) Lumiere's Two Course Challenge
06 - Mimsy Borogove - Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon (TBD / N/A) Lumiere's Two Course Challenge

January
07 - Mimsy Borogove - WDW Half Marathon (TBD / N/A)

Hope you get that slow day at the office.

 

[princessallison71]

Help!

I've been running for years and in the past couple of months I've had a huge issue with my feet falling asleep/going numb 2-3 miles into my runs! I bought new shoes in a larger size, and I've tried different ways of lacing my shoes with no improvements.

Has anyone else had this problem and solved it?

 

[FFigawi]

Confession: I don't have a bike! My hubby has a roadbike that I don't even want to talk about the money he has put into it (well, you probably already know.) He's tinkered with it quite a bit. I think he went through several seats before he landed on one that didn't make him "go numb" etc. But my string of bikes I used to own when living downtown got stolen one after another after another after another (one was off a third story balcony and it was locked!!!) and I just never got around to buying one now that we have a house. He has a dock in the basement he plugs it into and rides for forever when the weather is bad. Maybe I need to finally get one (not as expensive as his though!!!)

You absolutely need to get one. As everyone knows, the proper number of bikes to own is n+1.

Regarding gear, I've got all the running gear I need except for a few new pairs of shoes to get me through the year. All my gear money has gone into a power meter and new race wheels for my bike, and I'm sure there's still more to come.

 

[DVCFan1994]

Thanks - most people fail to reach their potential because they simply run too hard every time out. They think that running is too hard, but it is really that they are running too hard for their bodies to develop properly. Sure, you need to run hard sometimes. But for real development and improvement, you need to run slow. This is important for all runners, including world class athletes. At some point a Zone 2 run might mean 7 min/miles - but only if you allow your body to develop properly. It was for me when I was in the Army (though we just called them easy runs). Right now it is about a 10 min/mile effort, but that is improving, and it is improving with me only running "hard" once/week.

Thanks for that explanation. That sounds like what my coach says. He says I show signs of being able to be significantly faster than my half times so far. But I always end up injured about a month before my half races thanks to running too hard too often. It is just hard to believe slowing down so much (about a 60-80 seconds than my previous paces) is going to eventually result in faster times. He set my heart rate intervals for me using my RHR, maxHR and looking at my training history and some of the data from my runs. He doesn't want me touching zones 4 or 5 -- he didn't even define them for me! So 1 is 109-129, 2 is 129-149, 3 is 150-169. My max is 195 (shows the 220 - age totally doesn't work for me, that would be 180!) I'll trust the process. Thanks to everyone here sharing how it worked for them.

QOTD: What piece of equipment, or running accessory, do you not currently have that you want or plan to buy next?

ATTQOTD: Well I currently have a GPS watch and there really isn't anything "wrong" with it, but a new shinny forerunner 235 looks like a solid purchase...

Well, hopefully I will be successful exchanging my Garmin for a new one at REI this weekend. I need another bottle for my hydration belt. I have 3 but the hydration needs my coach calculated for me from several sweat tests show I need to drink more, a lot more. Last think is another pair of capris. My favorite have huge pockets on the legs, that hold my iPhone 6s on one side, and all my fuel on the other. They are fabulous. I have two pairs, but I need a third now that I am going to be running more days and some doubles.

Let me tell you, those running shorts you are referring to aren't all they're cracked up to be. All they are going to do is take you to wedgie town with their built in, ill-fitting undies. I wear shorts, but they are still the tights kind. I love these Saucony shorts. I stalk Amazon almost daily to look for sales. I have found these as low as $15 a pair on several occasions. They have a 5" inseam, so they don't wind up crawling up while you are running. I bought a pair of similar Mizuno shorts, and I'm pretty sure they started choking me from the bottom up around mile 2 of a 16 miler. It was awful!

So true! I keep trying especially for the summer, but no. They just do not work for me. Wedgies, chafing in problematic places, riding up until they look like hot pants. Just no. I do have a pair from Athleta that are spandex, with pockets on the legs, and those I like. I may look into the Saucony you recommended thanks!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

ATTQOTD: Just had 3 new pair of shoes delivered yesterday, so I am set there. I have more than enough running clothes for all weather conditions, so set there. If there is one thing that I would like to upgrade it would be my music. My iPod Nano is about 4 years old and has to be recharged once/week now, so the battery is on its way out. And I haven't added any new music since I got my new laptop about a year ago.

 

[princessallison71]

Took a little time this morning to update the OP and get everyone that has told me with correct dates for WDW marathon weekend as well as an update on races completed so far. The half marathon is very popular on this board! I am curious to see how things shake out over the warmer months as the option for longer races decrease and 5k and 10ks increase. Just thought it was interesting. If anyone else wants to add there info for upcoming races, let me know. I should have time today to get everything up to date as its looking like a slow day at the office. (fingers crossed)

I have 2 upcoming races!

May
30 - princessallison71 - Memorial Day Veterans 10K - (1:00 / N/A)

November
06 - princessallison71 - Disney's Wine and Dine Half Marathon - (TBD / N/A)

 

[Slogger]

ATTQOTD: Probably a new water belt. And another pair of last years model of shoes that are currently my favorite. Brooks Glycerin.

Big fan of the Glycerin. Just got the Glycerin 13 on sale at a local running store.
The "14"s come out in early June, but the 13 model will be new to me.

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

You absolutely need to get one. As everyone knows, the proper number of bikes to own is n+1.

Regarding gear, I've got all the running gear I need except for a few new pairs of shoes to get me through the year. All my gear money has gone into a power meter and new race wheels for my bike, and I'm sure there's still more to come.

I just tried to count the number of bikes in my household and despite an obscene number I still find myself scoping out new road bikes. n+1 indeed.

I've considered a power metre but can't bring myself to drop the cash on one yet...my trainer has power built into it which worked pretty well through the winter but now that I'm getting out on the road I don't have a power source to work off of. I have a general idea of my watts based off of speed and cadence...I always try to spin pretty easy and use cadence as the my basis of my effort on the bike. Would be nice to have a power meter one day though.

 

[michigandergirl]

ATTQOTD: I would love a Garmin watch, but it's not in the budget right now. With marathon training soon I'm going to get another pair of shoes for rotation. I also need a water belt - I've had trouble finding one I really like.