The Running Thread - 2016

[disneydaydreamer33]

ATTQOTD: It does get fairly hot in the summer here in Utah (a high in the 90s with a couple days that will break 100), but it is a SUPER dry heat (we are the second driest state in the country), so luckily I don't have to deal with humidity at all.

As long as I get my run in before 8:00, I'm OK in the summer months.

 

[Chaitali]

@LSUlakes sorry for your loss

As far as the QOTD, I try to run as early as possible in the Summer. And after some tough runs at the beginning of last Summer, I decided to stop caring about pace in the Summer. I just get out there and get the miles in. I found that in the Summer, it's just about consistency for me. Last year, my paces were super slow all Summer but the consistency paid off once the weather cooled down and it felt like I was getting faster with hardly any effort at all. And on those days when it is really hot/humid even in the early mornings, I go for the treadmill and Netflix.

 

[michigandergirl]

@LSUlakes Sorry for your loss.

ATTQOTD: Definitely a morning runner, especially in the summer. I find that I can tolerate running in hot weather as long as it's cloudy. The sun just makes it feel 10 times worse for me. My shorter runs I do before the sun comes up on weekdays. On the weekend runs I try to get up as early as possible and do my long runs on the shady rail trail near my house. The only time I ever use my treadmill is when it's below 15 degrees or when it's too snowy or icy.

 

[Anisum]

@LSUlakes so sorry for your loss.

QOTD: Since today is National Running day, how far do you plan to run today? Doing anything else to celebrate?

I didn't run at all on National Running Day. I had initially planned to run in the morning but because I had to put the car in the shop this morning I held out since it meant I got a longer run in.

QOTD: We have made it to June, which means its an appropriate time to discuss running in warmer temps. For those of yall living up north you may feel a bit like Olaf about the seasons changing. For those of us in the south its a different story. For today lets discuss how you deal with running in the heat that is different than the cooler months of the year. Any tips, suggestions, or adjustments you make to your running schedule?

I dislike the winter and the summer in equal measure. This year has been harsh in terms of summer however since we went from 50s-60s to 90s overnight. I've switched to running mornings because I can't run in the sun once it's over 75. At least not without working up to it. Our dreadmill is still stalling out regularly so even if I wanted to (I don't) I can't use it safely. I had a lovely five mile run this morning when temperatures had cooled off after rain. I got a dr.cool headband at PHM weekend for summer and I found that helps immensely especially on shorter runs. Now I just have to keep remembering the sunscreen.

 

[camaker]

QOTD: We have made it to June, which means its an appropriate time to discuss running in warmer temps. For those of yall living up north you may feel a bit like Olaf about the seasons changing. For those of us in the south its a different story. For today lets discuss how you deal with running in the heat that is different than the cooler months of the year. Any tips, suggestions, or adjustments you make to your running schedule?

ATTQOTD: Here in NC, the humidity has already ramped up and the temperatures aren't lagging far behind. This time of year, I'll try to move my runs around to find a cooler time, but ultimately, it is what it is to me and I run when it's best for my overall schedule. I'll take a little more water with me and/or slow down a bit, but having grown up here I don't feel the heat and humidity all that much unless temps get extreme. I'd rather run this time of year than in sub-freezing temps in the winter! The treadmill is not an option for me, either. One of the main reasons that I run is to get out into the fresh air to clear my head. I'd rather chew my foot off than spend time on that contraption!

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

Sorry for your loss Jerry

QOTD: We have made it to June, which means its an appropriate time to discuss running in warmer temps. For those of yall living up north you may feel a bit like Olaf about the seasons changing. For those of us in the south its a different story. For today lets discuss how you deal with running in the heat that is different than the cooler months of the year. Any tips, suggestions, or adjustments you make to your running schedule?

I run at lunch or after work, so I'm dealing with the heat of the day. I cope by wearing the lightest stuff I can, often representing Team Skins. I never carry water with me so I also try to do my best to run routes that I know have water fountains available. Finally and maybe most importantly I try to run based on effort and adjust to the conditions...killing yourself in the heat for a training run makes no sense. There are plenty of gains to be found by running in hot and uncomfortable conditions!

 

[Dis5150]

QOTD: We have made it to June, which means its an appropriate time to discuss running in warmer temps. For those of yall living up north you may feel a bit like Olaf about the seasons changing. For those of us in the south its a different story. For today lets discuss how you deal with running in the heat that is different than the cooler months of the year. Any tips, suggestions, or adjustments you make to your running schedule?

@LSUlakes I agree with your options, 100%! We have similar heat/humidity here in Arkansas. Here is my dilemma: I live in the country, on dangerous back country roads with no shoulder and people who drive like idiots. Plus, wildlife! We have already lost a cat this year to some predator and I don't relish the idea of meeting up with one on a run. So I can't run early from home. On my weekend long runs, we drive 15-20 miles to run either the area around my job or at a local state park, both where the roads are better. But I can't get up early enough to drive there, run, drive home and shower for work, then drive back. So, unfortunately the treadmill after work is my only option and as you know, life gets in the way sometimes and these end up being late night runs. If I had somewhere else in my house to put the treadmill I would get up early and run then but I really don't. It's in my bedroom and hubs works long, hard hours so he doesn't appreciate me waking him up at 4:30/5:00. When it isn't hot after work I have stayed late and ran before heading home. But 4:30 in the afternoon in the summer is not the time to be running outside around here.

So, since I DON'T want to give up running, I will run most of my weekday runs on the treadmill. I also find it incredibly boring! I don't have a tv in my room so I usually watch a movie on my tablet, which helps but still SO boring!

I am very lucky in that hubs rides his bike with me while I run outside and he carries water for me.

 

[huggybuff]

The mental game can be just as hard as the physical. That 2/3rds is where plans probably take a toll on a lot of people. I know it does for me sometimes. It kind of almost feels like a job at some point. But you'll get through it and feel good when you cross that finish line strong. Keep that good feeling going to that 5k.

Thanks for the good thoughts! I have trained up to 9 miles previously so that's kind of where my mental stopping point comes into play.

There are a couple of things that I think could help here. First, make sure you are working on a plan that has a slow, gradual increase in your mileage over the course of it and that doesn't have dramatic jumps in mileage. The second suggest is to not look at just the mileage on any given week and let it psych you out. Look at it in the context of what you've just done in the current week. If you can do the what's called for in the current week of the plan, the next week should not be intimidating. With a good, graduated training plan, you should be able to say "I just did x miles this week, doing y miles next week isn't that much more. I can do that!".

That's very true. I'll reevaluate and fine tune my half marathon plan if it has any bigger mileage jumps than I think I can handle.

As a former lurker, welcome to the thread!

Thank you!

@LSUlakes , I'm also sorry for your loss.


ATTQOTD: I'm out the door to run at 4:30am on weekdays/5:30am on weekends. Right now I'm only running 4 days a week so it's not so bad. Our humidity in Northern CA is next to nothing but we've broken 100 degrees a few times this week so there's no way I'm running in that mess after work.

 

[Miranda]

Sorry for your losses @LSUlakes and @dis_or_dat

ATTQOTD: I am an early morning runner when it starts to get warmer. I like to get it out of the way because I will put it off and put it off and then not do it later when the sun starts to go down. It's even better by the end of June when school is out for the year (yes school doesn't get out until mid-June here, or later depending if we have snow days!), because we live in close vicinity of the local high school, middle school, one of the three elementary schools, and a private K-12 school. Traffic around here on weekday mornings between like 7:15-9 is insane between all the traffic around those 4 schools plus all the people just going to work. Since I work at home, getting my run in before work doesn't have to involve super early wakeup calls, but the traffic situation in June calls for some 6-6:30 or so start times so that I am back home before the high school/middle school traffic really gets going (they start school at 7:30).

Last year I had a plan to buy a hydration pack for summer training, but I never got around to it. I am going to get one this year, though... I'm actually trying to decide which one I want now. Some of them are such terrible ugly colors! Up here in New England, we don't really have a lot of outdoor fountains or anything, so even though I have a handheld 20oz Nathan bottle that I carry with me, I need to refill it at least once, sometimes twice, on longer runs, which means I need to plan my routes so that I'm going past a convenience store or Dunkin Donuts at an appropriate point in the run to go in and buy a bottle to refill it with. That is really limiting for route planning.

 

[cburnett11]

I'm very sorry for your loss @LSUlakes

Also just want to thank you for keeping this discussion thread so fresh with questions and words of wisdom.

 

[Slogger]

QOTD: For today lets discuss how you deal with running in the heat that is different than the cooler months of the year. Any tips, suggestions, or adjustments you make to your running schedule?

Option 1: The Sunrise Run - Who doesn't like watching the sun rise? So waking up at 4:30AM doesn't sound like fun... Well here are a few reasons why you should. It's unlikely to get any cooler at any point during the day. (Yes rain could cool it off. more on this later) The road surface you run on is at its coolest in the morning. You start your day off with a positive note and you then have your afternoon to spend doing other things. You are more likely to make healthier choices throughout the day. No sunburns. Most races start at or before 8AM, and if your training for a Disney race you have one less new thing to deal with.

ATTQOTD>Right now I am 117% signed up for Option 1. I get up at 4:55 am and out the door a few minutes later to start running. It's still warm and humid but upper 60s/70s with no sun beats 80s/90s and all sun. It has been nice starting my day off on the right foot. Now if I could figure out a way to do this without waking up my wife it would be a perfect plan.

 

[Slogger]

@LSUlakes .....sorry about the loss of your stepdad. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

 

[camaker]

Thanks for the good thoughts! I have trained up to 9 miles previously so that's kind of where my mental stopping point comes into play.

That's very true. I'll reevaluate and fine tune my half marathon plan if it has any bigger mileage jumps than I think I can handle.

If you've gotten up to 9 miles, you're practically there! Just to clarify my original advice, don't look at the whole program right now and ask if there are any mileage jumps that you can't handle. It's way too easy to look at a plan at the start and say "there's no way I can do that Week 10 mileage!". You have to evaluate it when you get to that point in the program. Right now, at the start, sure, that mileage is way too much and you may not be ready to run it next week, but when Week 9 rolls around and you accomplish that week's goals because you're now well into the program and in much better shape than when you started, Week 10 won't look so bad...

I'll throw out one big caveat, though. You have to select a plan that will work for your schedule and that you are comfortable with the rate of increase along the way. In the past, I have used Higdon's Novice 2 program for half marathon training. The long run mileage never goes up by more than a mile/week. To me, that is very mentally manageable: "My long run was 9 miles this week. What's the big deal about one more mile next week to make it 10?!" If the plan you're working with has big jumps, maybe you need to look at an alternative plan that you will be more comfortable with.

 

[huggybuff]

If the plan you're working with has big jumps, maybe you need to look at an alternative plan that you will be more comfortable with.

Yes, this is what I was agreeing with you on. Sad to say I really haven't looked at how the plan is laid out that far down the line. I'll be checking it for any big mileage increases from week to week since that seems to be a red flag in my previous training.

 

[Dis5150]

@LSUlakes I was just looking at the Navy 10NM facebook page and pictures from last year! Was all that pizza, Krispy Kreme donuts, pulled pork sandwiches, mac and cheese, etc. available at the post race party? For free?? This makes me even more excited lol!

 

[cburnett11]

QOTD: We have made it to June, which means its an appropriate time to discuss running in warmer temps. For those of yall living up north you may feel a bit like Olaf about the seasons changing. For those of us in the south its a different story. For today lets discuss how you deal with running in the heat that is different than the cooler months of the year. Any tips, suggestions, or adjustments you make to your running schedule?

I don't enjoy running in the summer nearly as much as I do in the winter. But I signed up for a fall marathon, so I'm gonna learn to love it. I'll definitely choose mornings every time. I'll take near-zero degrees most days over anything warm and humid... and I define warm as 70 and above if the humidity is there too. I am in Kentucky and am impressed by those that can handle the real heat in the deep south all the time.

I hadn't had any water on any NON-race runs since my training for the WDW Marathon. So far this year, I hadn't bothered with carrying a water bottle or stopping for water during any of my training runs. Either the run was easy, or my long runs were done when it was cooler and I hadn't really felt the need. Probably a bad habit, but it was nice to not carry anything like I did last fall during many of my runs. This morning it was 70 degrees with 90% humidity and zero breeze. I barely got through a 5-mile tempo run. I'm sure it was a combination of the conditions, a run with real effort, and needing some fluids because I really didn't bother to take anything more than a swig of gatorade as I walked out the door. Whatever it was, that'll be my last non-water run this summer. Lesson learned.

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

Up here in New England, we don't really have a lot of outdoor fountains or anything, so even though I have a handheld 20oz Nathan bottle that I carry with me, I need to refill it at least once, sometimes twice, on longer runs, which means I need to plan my routes so that I'm going past a convenience store or Dunkin Donuts at an appropriate point in the run to go in and buy a bottle to refill it with. That is really limiting for route planning.

I have stopped at Starbucks and McDonald's during runs and they will give you ice water for free...I'm sure DD would do the same. I just try to keep my sweaty distance in the lineup

 

[Kathymford]

ATTQOTD: To be honest, this will be my first summer with consistent training (she said with conviction. lol). Part of why I never got all my runs in (usually slacking on the weekend run) was the heat. I am not a morning person. My "early" runs this winter on the weekends were 9 a.m., sometimes 10 a.m. That is something I need to work on this summer. In addition, since I will be taking that other job (eventually), I need to get used to becoming an a.m. runner anyway. It's the only way to guarantee I can still be a runner and do that other job. So, I have some work to do. So we shall see. I still need to find a place for the those morning weekday runs

I have to run with water on anything over 3 miles. lol. I have a handheld Nathan bottle that I love/hate. I like the simplicity, but hate holding it when my hands get sweaty. For longer runs I have a Fitletic belt with two water bottles. Between dumping on my head and in my body, the water goes quickly. I'm naturally dehydrated (ok, I don't drink enough water naturally lol), so the heat really has an effect on me.

My toe is still pretty swollen so i am going to skip running today and Saturday for sure. I will hopefully be good for Tuesday.

I am really enjoying reading about everyone else's progress, its motivating me, so i hope to stick around here and follow along!

I'll be honest, threads like this is what really got me into running more than before. The people here are full of information and super inspiring!


@CheapRunnerMike Your "rooster" pic made me almost spit out my coffee this morning.

My step dad passed yesterday around lunch time and as one could imagine I was not in a very social mood. The run helped and the movie kept my mind from wondering to much.

So sorry for your loss!

that Taylor Swift iTunes commercial is basically what I think will happen if I give it a go!

So. Much. This. No treadmills for me!

 

[ZellyB]

@LSUlakes so sorry for your loss.

We are early morning runners at all times of the year, so that stays true in the hot summer months as well. I hate the treadmill and avoid it at nearly all costs. We do try to focus a lot more on being well hydrated before heading out and we also naturally slow down on pace when the heat and humidity hits.

 

[Chasing Dopey]

@LSUlakes prayers your way

QOTD: We have made it to June, which means its an appropriate time to discuss running in warmer temps. For those of yall living up north you may feel a bit like Olaf about the seasons changing. For those of us in the south its a different story. For today lets discuss how you deal with running in the heat that is different than the cooler months of the year. Any tips, suggestions, or adjustments you make to your running schedule?

Last summer, I missed June, half of July, and half of August with injuries, so I spent most of the season indoors rehabbing. I went for a run this morning to test my knee a little too late and it was AWFUL for the last half mile. (ITB on the knee. Better, but not there yet.)

So, definitely early morning for me, even though the humidity is oppressive. I don't like treadmills as they simply don't feel right, but they might be a necessity this summer. I may also get a gym membership nearby that has an indoor track.