The Running Thread - 2016

[SueInBoston]

QOTD: Tell us about your first race and how did it go? How much have you improved since then?


I started running in 2014, I ran a couple of 5ks and 10ks that were not memorable. I had ONE half marathon on my bucket list so I registered for the 2015 WDW 10k and Half. I'm not a diligent runner and I don't train (I know, I know)!! On a Thursday in November 2014, a friend called to tell me that he had unknowlingly double registered for a local half marathon and asked if I want his extra bib. I figured it will be a good way for me to see if I can really do a half. Only problem is the race was that Sunday so only 2 days away. Race morning, I went totally unprepared. I didn't know about hydration (it was a cold November), I was afraid to drink cuz I didn't want to use the porta potties. I didn't know to pace my self so I started running full on...by mile 8, I was cooked. My calves were cramping so bad that I would've stopped if there was a med tent nearby, but it was a small local race and med tents was few and far away. I finished among the last 5 and basically crashed to the ground at the end. I remember limping to the car and thinking that I’ll have to forfeit that 2015 WDW 10k and Half. One year later, I ran the same half marathon as my 10th half. My time is still not good but now I know how my body works and I recover much, much quicker.

 

[bellrae]

QOTD: Tell us about your first race and how did it go? How much have you improved since then?

Mine was a half. I had done all the training, and traveled to a really beautiful spot for the weekend to do the race. When race day came it was over 100F, and humidity was in excess of 80%. I had to take a walk break after just 3kms. The first 5kms were on a beach at sunrise, which was amazing, but I got sand in my shoe (didn't realize at the time) and by the end of the race both feet were covered in the worst blisters I had ever seen. I couldn't wear enclosed shoes for a week. The heat was so bad I ended up with heat stroke. I finished (in 3:07), though I had to walk a lot of it just to try to manage my heart rate in the heat, which was off the charts. It ended up taking about 4 days and a trip to the doctor to get the heart rate under control after that race. The heat stroke hit me so badly I couldn't eat for two days and spent most of it sleeping. I had massive cravings for coca-cola and crisps as all my body wanted was sugar and salt.

All in all - a disaster. I ran the inaugural Star Wars weekend two months later and the cooler temps made it so much easier. I shaved a half an hour off my time and was actually functional after the race. I now actively avoid any race with the possibility of those kinds of conditions.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

It is our first. He arrived at 1:02pm central today, and is currently sleeping soundly. He weighed 7lbs 8oz and was 20.5 inches long. Mom had a rough go of it, but is slowly getting better. Before long it will be time to start his training for the diaper dash in January. Thanks to everyone for the well wishes.

Awesome news, and congratulations again!

Now for the bad news - about that sleep that you used to get - it is a thing of the past.

 

[surfde22]

Awesome news, and congratulations again!

Now for the bad news - about that sleep that you used to get - it is a thing of the past.

That sleep thing has t really been happening lately. I think one of our dogs decided he needed to get us ready and has been randomly barking in the middle of the night for months now.

 

[GreatLakes]

QOTD: Tell us about your first race and how did it go? How much have you improved since then?

My first race was in 2005. I had done all of my training on the treadmill and was pretty sure it would be one and done for me. I decided to do one outdoor run before that race so I was better prepared and the difference between that and the treadmill was night and day. I had the goal of running the whole thing and went out really slowly. I came in at just over 30 minutes and was hooked. I went home and found a race a month later and signed up again. Managed to come in around 24:00 for that one. My current 5K PR is 17:40 but right now I'm running in the low 19's and high 18's.

 

[cavepig]

wow, great memories of first races! My first distance race would have been freshmen year cross country (1994), girls ran a 4k then, can't remember a thing about it except I was hot and I didn't do so great. So, then maybe first marathon 2006 I think), it's pretty much a blur now except I know I had Gatorade sloshy stomach but was well hydrated at least and finished in 4:24 with out too much trouble surprisingly. I haven't improved time wise, but training wise I think I have gotten smarter even in just the last 3 months to overcome and avoid injuries/problems I've developed.

 

[SueInBoston]

This is the forecast for my half on Sunday.

Time / Temp / Feels Like / Dewpoint / Humidity / Conditions / Precip. / Liquid Precip. / Wind / Cloud Cover / Pressure

@Miranda - I'm praying for rain to stay away along with you...my son's HS graduation is tomorrow!!

 

[Baloo in MI]

Got around to watching it last night. I enjoyed it. DW is telling me I have a Disney problem because of the amount of time I spend reading about the park and whats going on... I also got 4 miles in on the TM last night after the retirement party for my boss. I stayed for the first hour, but was just in a down mood. 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. I had a really good 4 miler this morning around my neighborhood. Didn't really set out with any goal other than to get he miles in but ended up with negative splits and a average pace around 7:35. Hope this is a good sign for the race this weekend, but I am not sure how long I can hold that pace at this time. I have been lacking long runs.

So sorry to hear about your loss @LSUlakes.

 

[Baloo in MI]

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?

So I spent the majority of my life in Santa Cruz, California and then in the Northern part of the state up in the redwoods. I always thought of myself as a warm weather person. Then I moved to Michigan and froze for awhile. I guess my blood has thickened? The winters are long here! However, don't be fooled the summers can get very hot and humid here in mid-Michigan. I do not handle heat or humidity very well anymore. For this reason I do try to run early in the morning.

I follow a couple rules. Any run over 5 miles and I carry water. I always dress in wicking clothes and wear a hat. I slow down on the hot runs. The day before a particularly long run I am very careful about drinking more water and laying off the dehydrating things. I also focus on rehydrating after those runs.

This helps but I am still fighting through heat at times. Is there something I am missing? Very open to suggestions!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

So found another 5k when im back in utah in a few weeks that would be fun, mentioned it to my family (of non runners) and EVERYONE wants to join me. So excited as i never thought id ever get to 'run' (walk) a race with them!

Aqotd: this is my first year trying to run through summer outside so still figuring it out...

 

[Dis5150]

Cool swag for my Navy 10NM race tomorrow! And got some Navy merchandise at the expo cuz my son is Navy. AND hotel gave us free upgrade to a suite.

 

[Baloo in MI]

It is our first. He arrived at 1:02pm central today, and is currently sleeping soundly. He weighed 7lbs 8oz and was 20.5 inches long. Mom had a rough go of it, but is slowly getting better. Before long it will be time to start his training for the diaper dash in January. Thanks to everyone for the well wishes.

Congratulations @surfde22! Fatherhood will change your life for the better in so many ways!

 

[Baloo in MI]

My first distance race would have been 7th grade Cross Country, that was looooong ago. It was around the time of the discovery of fire and the invention of the wheel....

I have run off and on for most of my life but I think I would say my first real race will have to be the 2015 WDW Goofy Challenge. This is when I began to really recommit to running and add in training for races. For that race I followed the Goofy Challenge Galloway Plan to the letter. I did not even have a POT to submit so I ran out of the P Corrall. No goal time, no idea of what racing 13.1 and then 26.2 was going to feel like. Really had a good race weekend outside coming to understand about the importance of submitting a POT! It was so painful to hear the start of the race at 5:30am and not even move until 6:00am, let alone not get to start racing until like 6:20ish! I was so anxious, but I ended up doing ok and suppose I set two PR's that weekend! I did get hooked and have since run 5 - 5k's, 2 - 10k's, 9 - HM, 1 - 25k, and 3 - Marathons. Can't wait for Dopey!

Good luck to everyone racing this weekend!

 

[dmross]

There are still 2016 marathon slots open. This is a problem because:
1. I said, "I'm not going to do another marathon" in front of lots of people.
2. It would be a solo trip which seems selfish when I have offspring that love Disney.
3. I'm going to the World in October anyway.

I keep watching the site hoping it will just sell out and stop tempting me.

One of you dear Disney runners please recommend a different East Coast Disney race that I can aim for... Princess? Star Wars? 2017 W and D?

Help! Don't want to make an impulse registration!!

 

[singastory]

Hello all! I need some advice. I'm signed up for the Disney half in January. Training has been great up until this point, I made it to 7 mile long runs. However, summer weather has hit my area. I had been running in 55-65 degrees in the evenings. Now I'm trying to run in the mornings (coolest part of the day) in the 70s and I've been really struggling. This morning was the worst, I could only do 20 mins of my planned 60 min. Was I naive that I could change up my running schedule abruptly? Any advice? Is this normal? It's so hot My current plan is to start my training over and try to work back up.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Hello all! I need some advice. I'm signed up for the Disney half in January. Training has been great up until this point, I made it to 7 mile long runs. However, summer weather has hit my area. I had been running in 55-65 degrees in the evenings. Now I'm trying to run in the mornings (coolest part of the day) in the 70s and I've been really struggling. This morning was the worst, I could only do 20 mins of my planned 60 min. Was I naive that I could change up my running schedule abruptly? Any advice? Is this normal? It's so hot My current plan is to start my training over and try to work back up.

I feel you and I'm learning to accept I'm slower now than I was 2-3 months ago because I'm working harder in the heat. I think it was Galloway that said you should slow down 30 seconds a mile for every 5 degrees over 60? Using that logic I'm right on pace. The way I see it a slower mile now in harder conditions should benefit me greatly when it's back cooler as my 'effort' will be less so there will be 'more to give' I am focusing more on improving intervals and distance more than time and not beating myself up when a 14 min mile in 82 degrees with crazy humidity is 'running hard' cause a few days later on a cool morning I'll run it in 12.5...

 

[Waiting2goback]

There are still 2016 marathon slots open. This is a problem because:
1. I said, "I'm not going to do another marathon" in front of lots of people.
2. It would be a solo trip which seems selfish when I have offspring that love Disney.
3. I'm going to the World in October anyway.

I keep watching the site hoping it will just sell out and stop tempting me.

One of you dear Disney runners please recommend a different East Coast Disney race that I can aim for... Princess? Star Wars? 2017 W and D?

Help! Don't want to make an impulse registration!!

What makes you want to do the marathon over one of the other races? I don't think the marathon will sell out any time soon based on last year. But if you are trying to avoid signing up then just don't sign up and say it is for me. I won't allow myself to sign up until I get to a certain weight. So by you not signing up you are leaving my spot open for me.

Hello all! I need some advice. I'm signed up for the Disney half in January. Training has been great up until this point, I made it to 7 mile long runs. However, summer weather has hit my area. I had been running in 55-65 degrees in the evenings. Now I'm trying to run in the mornings (coolest part of the day) in the 70s and I've been really struggling. This morning was the worst, I could only do 20 mins of my planned 60 min. Was I naive that I could change up my running schedule abruptly? Any advice? Is this normal? It's so hot My current plan is to start my training over and try to work back up.

Where do you live? Is it more humid now as well because I wouldn't think the temp difference between 55-65 and 70 would be that much different if no added humidity went along with it. I guess I don't understand what the changes are that you were referring to either. What changes in your schedule are you referring to, the time of day you run? Why would you start your training over if you are at 7 mile long runs? You have plenty of time to train, why not just take your runs slower to deal with the heat and when the fall comes you can worry about speed once the temps drop.

I guess more info is needed to give a better recommendation.

 

[FFigawi]

There are still 2016 marathon slots open. This is a problem because:

It's really a problem because the 2016 marathon finished several months ago. You'd just be getting ripped off if you signed up for it now.

 

[Kathymford]

Love the current QOTD, so here goes mine.

Way back in 2012 I was becoming a crazy pin trader/more like collector. Somewhere along the line I was Googling some pin and I saw the C2C medal. And I HAD to have it. When I found out you had to run a half marathon to get it, I said forget it. But then I started researching all the medals. "I could do a 5k" i told myself. And then I found out that that was a rubber medal (boooo! lol). And then lo and behold, they announced the inaugural Disneyland 10k. ME! I'm in! It didn't help that we went to watch our friend run the Tinkerbell Half and just the Disney spectacle of it all, I knew I wanted to participate.

So I found a 5k that was a few months before my first Disney 10k. I figured this would be a great half way point to see how my training was doing. So I signed up for my first 5k ever for May 2013. Problem was ... I had run exactly one time. ONCE. For 1.19 miles. Needless to say, the 5k didn't go great, but I had a friend dragging me along. Luckily it was one of those nighttime "fun run" glow run things, so I wasn't alone. I finished in 46.23 and I'm shocked it was that fast. haha.

I have been steadily improving ever since. I was never a runner. I was a dancer in high school and was always allowed to not run when the others had to because I blacked out the first time they tried to make me. HAHA. It was the beginning signs of my dehydration/overheating issues. Who knew? I would never have believed that I would enjoy running like I do now. Even when I'm terrible at it, I keep going. And what a great community.

Congrats @surfde22!! Very exciting times. Would love to see photos if you wanted to share.

 

[michigandergirl]

My very first race was about 12 years ago, a 5K in July. It was soooo hot!! I really struggled and wanted to walk the last mile until a guy blew buy me pushing toddler triplets in a stroller. I was in awe and it inspired me to keep running. At the finish I almost passed out and felt like puking, but I remember feeling a great sense of accomplishment and knew that I would try it again.