The Running Thread - 2016

[surfde22]

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...

I'm looking at the exact same purchase for my next piece of equipment.

 

[Anisum]

For those of you who bike how did you get started? It's not like running where anyone with sneakers can give it ago until they get good shoes/clothes/etc for it. I would like to do tris (I think I've mentioned that before) but not being able to touch my feet to the ground terrifies me (my childhood bike was evidently poorly fitted because I used my feet as brakes) so I don't really want to spend the $$$ on a bike if it's not going work out.

 

[Miranda]

I spin 2x a week for my cross training, does that count?

I would like to do a sprint tri some day, and bought a bike (a hybrid, not a road bike) about 8 or so years ago because I was registered for a sprint tri, but I had to bail out on it because I had some health issues.

I've never fallen over on the spin bike though while trying to unclip, nor crashed! Seems safer!

 

[croach]

For those of you who bike how did you get started? It's not like running where anyone with sneakers can give it ago until they get good shoes/clothes/etc for it. I would like to do tris (I think I've mentioned that before) but not being able to touch my feet to the ground terrifies me (my childhood bike was evidently poorly fitted because I used my feet as brakes) so I don't really want to spend the $$$ on a bike if it's not going work out.

See if there is a shop in your town that rents bikes. We have a place here on our greenway that does that(they even rent adult big wheels). If you decide to buy, think about a hybrid as an entry level. You'll see a lot of those at sprint races.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Race updates-

May
21- chocolate sundae run 5k- goal- sub 38:00

June- AF Canyon 10k- goal sub 1:20

 

[roxymama]

I don't know about your area, but mine has several indoor triathlons. There's one at our local high school that does lap swimming, stationary bikes and track running. It's a sprint distance. It seems like a good way to get into it to see if you like it without the scariness of open water or buying an expensive bike. Something to look into if A) you have a gym to train in with a pool & B) they offer something like that near you.
Side note: I am not a triathlete myself, I just listen to the hubs.

 

[LSUlakes]

Race updates-

May
21- chocolate sundae run 5k- goal- sub 38:00

June- AF Canyon 10k- goal sub 1:20

Whats the date for the race in June?

 

[DVCFan1994]

For those of you who bike how did you get started? It's not like running where anyone with sneakers can give it ago until they get good shoes/clothes/etc for it. I would like to do tris (I think I've mentioned that before) but not being able to touch my feet to the ground terrifies me (my childhood bike was evidently poorly fitted because I used my feet as brakes) so I don't really want to spend the $$$ on a bike if it's not going work out.

I rented a bike for a weekend. I too don't like my feet not able to touch the ground, so it took some getting used to. I can touch with my tippy toes, but my early experiences clipping in were a hot mess. I was getting a bike to do sprint tris. I got a just above entry level road bike from Specialized. I rode 4-5 before I felt like I found the right one. It's late now, but lots of bike stores around here (and I assume elsewhere) have used bike sales in the early spring. I tried that route but had no luck finding anything near my size.

In the end it was the open water swims that ended my tri career. I may give it a go again sometime, but I need to get over my fear of what's lurking in the murky water first I sadly haven't ridden my bike in almost 2 years. My husband brought ours for spring tune-ups. He needed all kinds of stuff, chain, brake pads etc. they said all mine needed was to be ridden more.

 

[Kathymford]

So many things to respond to today! Yay!

This weekend we have the following folks with races! If you would like to adjust your goal, or are no longer racing this weekend let me know. Also, somehow I messed up and don't have a name for who is running the Michealob Ultra Chicago Spring 10k. If you are reading this, please let me know and I will make the correction.

21 - @Chaitali - Semper Fi 5k (35:00 / N/A)
22 - @camaker - NCRC Half Marathon (NG / N/A)

Good luck this weekend!

I signed up for a local little 5k for this Saturday (Torrance Armed Forces Day 5k). Like, really local. Like I should, jog there local ... but I won't. It will be a good time to see what my 5k time is these days.

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

ATTQOTD: Waiting impatiently for the REI sale that this thread made me aware of. I'm thinking that FR 235 may be mine ... although now the Vivoactive HR looks good too, but since that's pretty new, I doubt that will be on the sale, right?

Also, is that sale just for REI members? I see there is some kind of member sale too ... who me? Stalking the REI website, nah ....

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.

THIS. I have become a true Sparkle Skirt addict as I've found that wearing the least amount of clothes allowable is one of the keys to my overheating. I'm not going to say how many I've bought just in the last few months.

------

In other news, I've been contemplating going back to my old job. They are sweetening the pot by saying they will open a higher level position for me. The old job I really liked, but it had a lot of over time and stress and after 9 years doing it got the opportunity to transfer into my "dream" job. The dream job could of been great, and it has its moments. But micromanagement and terrible leadership has really sapped the joy out of it for me. The morale is low ...

So I have been doing some deep soul searching. And I have discovered that my new-found hobby of running has really helped me learn a lot about myself. It's no coincidence that the time I've actually started training and doing the current job happened at the same time. I was trying to start training while doing the old job, but it was so hard to fit it in, and it felt like a chore. So both this job and running have taught me a couple of things:

• While I CAN do things on my own, I don't really like to. And it's not that I never did things on my own before, but I think I did avoid them. Now, running is my alone time, and that's enough for me. I miss the teamwork of the old job. In my current position, I am the only one doing said job full time (editor of the employee magazine, if anyone is curious)
  
• Being able to keep my running schedule is important no matter what I choose to do. Even if that means I have to run in the morning (another surprise to me). I guess it's true that if it's important enough to you, you will do it.

Anyhow, that's for letting me vent a little; I think I did need to write this down somewhere. Ultimately I'm deciding between the freedom I currently enjoy (can telework, no overtime, free weekends) for general job satisfaction. I'm still deciding, but I think I know my answer.

All of you have had a great impact on me enjoying running also. I have learned so much.

 

[LSUlakes]

I signed up for a local little 5k for this Saturday (Torrance Armed Forces Day 5k). Like, really local. Like I should, jog there local ... but I won't. It will be a good time to see what my 5k time is these days.

I think a little run to the starting line would be a great warm up. And who doesn't think a cool down mile or two isn't useful? You could just add a few more miles and have your long run knocked out of the way and your Sunday is wide open...lol
Edit: I also added your race to the OP. Any goal for this run?

ATTQOTD: Waiting impatiently for the REI sale that this thread made me aware of. I'm thinking that FR 235 may be mine ... although now the Vivoactive HR looks good too, but since that's pretty new, I doubt that will be on the sale, right?

Also, is that sale just for REI members? I see there is some kind of member sale too ... who me? Stalking the REI website, nah ....

I have a friend getting one, and I forgot to tell him about this. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Kathymford]

I think a little run to the starting line would be a great warm up. And who doesn't think a cool down mile or two isn't useful? You could just add a few more miles and have your long run knocked out of the way and your Sunday is wide open...lol
Edit: I also added your race to the OP. Any goal for this run?

Hmm ... let's go with sub 37.00 minute 5k. Why not? Ha.

 

[dis_or_dat]

As @Kathymford said - yes it's the REI sale starting tomorrow (through 5/30) where the garmin 235 will be 25% off that I was talking about. I got an amazing price on the forerunner 15 during their last sale. Anyways, hope everyone finds the running gear they want/need!

 

[keahgirl8]

Phew...I am going to try never to get behind on this thread again. lol

I also always wear my Garmin but try not to use it for pacing - just to verify my pacing afterward. I think that running by perceived effort is the ideal, but (as @DopeyBadger said) it takes some practice if you have specific run/race goals. With almost 4 months off I am just now getting back to the point that I can stop thinking about my pace and still run my desired pace based on how I "feel". By the time the Dopey rolls around, I hope to be back where I was before my injury, when I could run at a desired pace without thinking about it at all during my run. I could totally check out mentally and enjoy the run while still meeting my run goals. That is the nirvana of running - being able to totally disappear into a run without compromising your results.

I don't really use it for pacing either, unless I'm making sure I'm well within the minimum pace. I run for fun, really, so I just run as fast as I am comfortable with.

I am to some extent. I usually run alone so when I see cars pass multiple times I'm suspicious and when people stop their cars and park right when I'm running past. I'm most paranoid about the sound of dog collars jingling because I've been chased and snapped at more than once by dogs who aren't kept fenced in or leashed. And when the owners come out it's always "Oh they would never actually hurt you!" but like your dog already scared the hell out of me. I am not comforted.

I do know that the cops patrol very regularly around town (I usually see at least two on my run) so I should be pretty safe.

Isn't that ridiculous? I don't care whether you think your dog will hurt me. First of all, no one can be sure of that (not even me, and I have the sweetest dog on the planet). They are animals. Second, they are in my space and making me uncomfortable. That is unacceptable, whether they will hurt me or not. I say this as a HUGE dog lover also.

QOTD: What are your top 5 Bucket List races in order of importance? They can be any distance for any reason.

*Todays QOTD was another great suggestion by a fellow poster of this thread. Thanks for the suggestion!

Hmmmm....

1. A Glass Slipper Challenge where I don't get hurt. That's definitely on the bucket list.
2. Tinkerbell Half (Gotta have that pink C2C!)
3. Disneyland Paris Half
4. RNR Las Vegas Half
5. Something in Hawaii would be awesome...or Big Sur...or Nashville RNR...or Wine & Dine...I can't decide on the 5th one!

I agree the 5k distance is a uncomfortable race. I normally feel like I am about to vomit at some point or another during the race. I have only actually done so once before though...

Not uncomfortable for me! Could be because I don't race for time. Ever.

Do you find the vibrations effective? I tend to zone out when I run...I'd love this feature though; pretty sure I look dumb glancing at my wrist all the time for intervals.

Absolutely. Especially for Disney races, I find it helpful to know what is my watch and what isn't. There are so many beeps, I'd never be able to tell.

I understand completely. I have been sitting here for a few days icing my ankle as I read the thread and type my responses. I ran yesterday because I just couldn't skip that many days in a row. I have my doctor's appointment set for Thursday but I put in my miles for yesterday into my spreadsheet and I can see myself headed for another month of disappointing mileage and it is so frustrating. My yearly mileage goal is slipping away with each passing day and I am just hoping my doctor says there is no major damage. If I am unable to run for any length of time I will be very upset. So I feel your pain, believe me.

I kind of want to hug you right now, because I so understand. I hope you get good news from your doctor.

QOTD: How do you feel about running doubles? Do you run them because of a lack of time to get the total miles required for a day? Training plan calls out for doubles? Only need for high mileage runners (60 MPW or more)? If you do run them what is your approach?

I've never done it and I don't think I'd want to, unless I was training for multiple races in one day. If I need to do that many miles in a day for training, I feel like I want to do them all at once to know if I can.

Please don't kick me off the board, but I have to confess that I neither like nor drink beer.

I don't drink any form of alcohol; I'm entirely out of place. So many free drink tickets left unredeemed.

YES! You are my people!

Besides injury prevention…

View attachment 169730

Awesome! So I'm in good shape then. All of my runs are "easy."

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

Hard to say...I don't really need anything. I would kind of like to not have to wear a watch and a Fitbit, but I like my Fitbit and I don't really need a new watch... These are the things I think about.

I highly recommend fitletic for water belts. They put grippy stuff (that's the technical term) on the back, so theirs don't budge. I don't ever have to adjust mine mid-run - even during the marathon.

I have heard that from so many people, and it just wasn't my experience. I have two, because I tried two different kinds, and I am thinking of selling them. Both of them slid everywhere. I have tried everything suggested by customer service, and even talked to the owner of the company at the expo. No luck. I want to throw them out into the street, but it would probably be better to sell them. I have read so many great reviews though! It must just be me. I'm a Flipbelt girl.

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?

Your whole foot, or random toes? I say that because I had two toes constantly fall asleep when I ran. My doctor said it was an inflamed nerve. He told me to put a blister pad on the bottom of my foot, kind of between the two toes. I did that for a few weeks, and it went away.

As far as the lacing goes, have you tried the high instep one? That helps me a lot too.

Hrm, socks is something I need to work on. My Thorlo Experia's have been letting me down lately. Three long runs/races now in the past month where I've gotten a blister. I got a big blister on the bottom of my right big toe during a long run and then again during my 10 mile race, and then at my half last weekend I got the beginnings of an irritation/blister in that location (only the beginnings because I put a bandaid there and it mostly stayed put) and also got a large blister on the tip/bottom of my 2nd to last right toe.

Balegas! I won't wear anything else.

 

[croach]

So many things to respond to today! Yay!


I signed up for a local little 5k for this Saturday (Torrance Armed Forces Day 5k). Like, really local. Like I should, jog there local ... but I won't. It will be a good time to see what my 5k time is these days.



ATTQOTD: Waiting impatiently for the REI sale that this thread made me aware of. I'm thinking that FR 235 may be mine ... although now the Vivoactive HR looks good too, but since that's pretty new, I doubt that will be on the sale, right?

Also, is that sale just for REI members? I see there is some kind of member sale too ... who me? Stalking the REI website, nah ....



THIS. I have become a true Sparkle Skirt addict as I've found that wearing the least amount of clothes allowable is one of the keys to my overheating. I'm not going to say how many I've bought just in the last few months.

------

In other news, I've been contemplating going back to my old job. They are sweetening the pot by saying they will open a higher level position for me. The old job I really liked, but it had a lot of over time and stress and after 9 years doing it got the opportunity to transfer into my "dream" job. The dream job could of been great, and it has its moments. But micromanagement and terrible leadership has really sapped the joy out of it for me. The morale is low ...

So I have been doing some deep soul searching. And I have discovered that my new-found hobby of running has really helped me learn a lot about myself. It's no coincidence that the time I've actually started training and doing the current job happened at the same time. I was trying to start training while doing the old job, but it was so hard to fit it in, and it felt like a chore. So both this job and running have taught me a couple of things:

• While I CAN do things on my own, I don't really like to. And it's not that I never did things on my own before, but I think I did avoid them. Now, running is my alone time, and that's enough for me. I miss the teamwork of the old job. In my current position, I am the only one doing said job full time (editor of the employee magazine, if anyone is curious)
  
• Being able to keep my running schedule is important no matter what I choose to do. Even if that means I have to run in the morning (another surprise to me). I guess it's true that if it's important enough to you, you will do it.

Anyhow, that's for letting me vent a little; I think I did need to write this down somewhere. Ultimately I'm deciding between the freedom I currently enjoy (can telework, no overtime, free weekends) for general job satisfaction. I'm still deciding, but I think I know my answer.

All of you have had a great impact on me enjoying running also. I have learned so much.

Best of luck in your job decision. Those can be hard choices but hopefully you'll figure out what's best.

 

[Waiting2goback]

Thanks for the detailed replies @opusone and @DopeyBadger. I did some adjusting in the Garmin to reflect my resting HR and left my max at the value it has been using based on my performances so far (a little higher than 220-age). I also switched the Garmin from setting zones by max HR to %HRR. My resting rate isn't quite "still in bed in the morning", but it's an average over about a week of taking BP & HR as soon as I get to work in the morning. It may not be strictly accurate, but I don't think I'm going to be much below the calculated 56 bpm, if at all.

In light of the new plan, I may play around with going back to full running and dropping the intervals at least for a while to minimize the complexity of managing the HR zones. I've got a race this weekend, so it'll be next week before I can start putting the plan into practice.

All this brings me to the next couple of questions on the topic. First, what constitutes a Zone 2 workout? I know that sounds silly, but what percentage of time needs to be spent in the zone (50%, 75%, 85%, ...) to maximize benefits. Second, I've always measured progress based on a combination of the average paces I've been able to achieve during training runs and races and the distance of my long runs/weekly mileage. How do you measure progress based on HR-based training?

Zone 2 is a certain % of your max heart rate. It is different for each person. Depending on how it is calculated, as there are several theories, I should be in the 120-135 bpm range. As for how long you should spend in that zone, the recommendation is around 80% of your workouts. There is a book about this called 80/20 Running, by Matt Fitzgerald. All the science of it is broken down in this book. I don't think his is book is about heart rate training per se (it's been a while since I read it) but it is about the ease of your workouts. It's like dopeybadger was saying, where he trains based on feel. As for how to measure progress. It can take a couple of months of this training to see the results but they will come in the form of better times in your races, quicker recovery times, and less injury.

This weekend we have the following folks with races! If you would like to adjust your goal, or are no longer racing this weekend let me know.

21 - @Chaitali - Semper Fi 5k (35:00 / N/A)
21 - @Disneyland_emily - Chocolate Sundae Run 5k (38:00 / N/A)
22 - @camaker - NCRC Half Marathon (NG / N/A)

Good luck this weekend!

Good luck this weekend!

Hi @LSUlakes
Related to the foot injury, I have a question for the board...it's probably plantar fasciitis and my doctor's appt is 5/31 so I won't know 100% until then what it is and what my treatment will be. My family has a history of it apparently and my sis used to sleep in a foot brace to help the tendon for a few months until it would resolve itself (this is something I just found out last night after talking to her.) But anyways, my question is: What do I do with myself between now and my dr. appt on 5/31??? Walking doesn't seem to bother my foot, only running. So will I be messing myself up by taking walks? Or should I instead use my gym membership to hit the stationary bikes?
I have a "fun-run" on 6/5 that is looking like it will be a "fun-walk" now.

When I had PF my foot hurt while walking as well. It hurt even when I was off my feet. But I would just keep walking if it doesn't bother you. Jeff Galloway says the mileage from walking is just as effective as running because it is time on your feet.

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?

Yep, happens to me too. It's always around mile 3. I stop and shake them out for a minute and get back at it. Once I break through the 5 mile threshold and my long runs increase then it stops. It only happens to me when I first start ramping up the miles. So, I just basically push through it and eventually it goes away as I get stronger.

Oh man I just read this and had to laugh...I'm working from home today and here's the view from my laptop at the dining room table. My living room has been converted into a makeshift bike shop

I have an observation that I have been wanting to say and kept putting off but this made me break my silence. Your name is "cheap"RunnerMike and yet you are a fan of Disney (not cheap), you ran Boston this year (not cheap), and you have probably a couple thousand dollars in bikes in this picture. None of this has the makings of someone calling themselves "cheap".

There are two kinds of cyclists. Those that have fallen and those that will. It's kind of inevitable that sooner or later you'll crash or fall over. It's why you wear a helmet. Even zero speed falls in the parking lot can hurt.

That's how I bent my front wheel last summer. At the bottom of my hill I turned, hit some sand, and down I went. About 10 cars were driving by, I felt so stupid.

I kind of want to hug you right now, because I so understand. I hope you get good news from your doctor.

I am a hugger. I can always use a nice hug!


I had my doctor's appt today. I have to get an MRI to make sure I didn't tear a tendon in my foot/ankle. He doesn't think so, he just thinks it's inflamed because of the way I run but he wants to rule it out. If it is torn I need surgery. He told me to try and stick to the bike for now but told me I can run if needed and just to take it easy until we know. So, I went to the bike shop and ordered a new front wheel, it will be in next week. This will serve to reduce the impact on my body and also help with my Zone 2 training as I camp out there during my bike rides.

He did say I may need orthotics. I think there was talk on this thread about them previously so my question is, does anyone have them and does anyone run with them? Don't they move around when you run?

This also means my goals for the year are basically shot as far as my yearly mileage goal because I will be doing more bike miles than I planned. So I just need to come up with a new total mileage goal once I know if my ankle is OK or not. Thankfully that got scheduled quick, it is next Tuesday.

QOTD: I really don't need much this year. I bought tons of stuff last year, including my GoPro, so all I needed this year was new sneakers. I bought one pair already but will add to them when sales, and funding line up properly. I did go by a new book today though. I haven't bought a running book in a while so it was time.

 

[Keels]

There are two kinds of cyclists. Those that have fallen and those that will. It's kind of inevitable that sooner or later you'll crash or fall over. It's why you wear a helmet. Even zero speed falls in the parking lot can hurt.

Don't talk about me like I'm not here!

 

[Baloo in MI]

QOTD: How do you feel about running doubles? Do you run them because of a lack of time to get the total miles required for a day? Training plan calls out for doubles? Only need for high mileage runners (60 MPW or more)? If you do run them what is your approach?

ATTQOTD: I don't mind them, but rarely do them. The school of thought on my end is its a way to achieve high number of miles in a week. I am not at that point at this time so I rarely run twice a day. On occasion I do, usually the second run is at a much more relaxed pace and treated as a recovery run. Today for example I ran 6 this morning. I will work out legs during lunch, and then after work I will try to get another 2-3 miles in to help with the soreness. So my total for the day isn't that high whereas a runner getting 70 miles in might run two 10 milers in one day. One reason it could be useful for a non high mileage runner is if you are training for a relay endurance race (Ranger type). Then you are just preparing your body for multiple runs a day to prep you for race day/days.

I have very rarely run a double. But my ultra plan has some in an effort to build strength with running on tired legs. Beginning to wonder about the logic of running an ultra; sounded cool when I signed up though!

 

[FFigawi]

Don't talk about me like I'm not here!

My very first outing on my tri bike was at a tri training camp for novices. I managed to clip one foot in, with some difficulty, and promptly fell over. The third time I was out on the road, I stopped at an intersection and promptly fell over. It's not just you.

 

[Keels]

My very first outing on my tri bike was at a tri training camp for novices. I managed to clip one foot in, with some difficulty, and promptly fell over. The third time I was out on the road, I stopped at an intersection and promptly fell over. It's not just you.

At least you were clipped in!! I'd just been to two breweries.

 

[keahgirl8]

I am a hugger. I can always use a nice hug!


I had my doctor's appt today. I have to get an MRI to make sure I didn't tear a tendon in my foot/ankle. He doesn't think so, he just thinks it's inflamed because of the way I run but he wants to rule it out. If it is torn I need surgery. He told me to try and stick to the bike for now but told me I can run if needed and just to take it easy until we know. So, I went to the bike shop and ordered a new front wheel, it will be in next week. This will serve to reduce the impact on my body and also help with my Zone 2 training as I camp out there during my bike rides.

He did say I may need orthotics. I think there was talk on this thread about them previously so my question is, does anyone have them and does anyone run with them? Don't they move around when you run?

This also means my goals for the year are basically shot as far as my yearly mileage goal because I will be doing more bike miles than I planned. So I just need to come up with a new total mileage goal once I know if my ankle is OK or not. Thankfully that got scheduled quick, it is next Tuesday.

QOTD: I really don't need much this year. I bought tons of stuff last year, including my GoPro, so all I needed this year was new sneakers. I bought one pair already but will add to them when sales, and funding line up properly. I did go by a new book today though. I haven't bought a running book in a while so it was time.

1. Me too! If we ever meet in person, we'll have to get hat hug! Virtual ones will have to do for now.

2. I'm glad the news was not too bad. Sounds like you can be cautiously optimistic for now. Just take it easy. Don't go out too hard or you can end up doing more damage. You probably already know that, but I know I can use someone telling me that at times.

3. I wear Superfeet. I don't notice that they are there at all. They are just like the insole that comes in your shoe, only better.

4. Ooh...what book did you get? I started to order one the other day, but decided I should probably read the ones that are piling up on my Kindle first.