The Running Thread - 2016

[roxymama]

I have a question about shoes!

I'm registered for the 5K in January - it will be my first race. At this point I'm just working on making a habit of walking 3-4 times a week, so my walking shoes are fine. But I plan to begin Couch to 5K in October, when the heat & humidity here in Texas starts to wane. Should I buy cross training shoes for that, or can I stick with my favorite, well fitting walking shoes? It's nice to think I'll run the entire 5K, but reality is I'll probably run/walk it! TIA!

Hi!! I am you from last year I signed up for the WDW 5k for 2016 and did Couch 2 5k leading up to it as well. You can read about my ups and down in my journal if you would like to (link below.) I would highly suggest getting a pair of running shoes. I was exactly saying what you are thinking to the guy at our local running store and he wisely told me that running in walking shoes wouldn't be as good as walking & running in running shoes. I ended up with a pair that I loved for both. Be super honest about how you are just starting out and what your training right now and through the next 100-300 miles might be (hey, you may find out you love running like I did and wear those suckers months past WDW weekend!!)

Good luck btw...I was so scared but also excited and that fact you are already walking will make C25k that much easier for you.

 

[opusone]

QOTD: Its the end of the month and time to post your monthly mileage! If you swim or bike, feel free to include that information as well.

June Training Summary
Total Miles: 134.3 miles
Total Time: 19:41:50
Average Pace: 8:48/mi
Average HR: 144/min

 

[roxymama]

Track and Field Olympic Trials Start Tomorrow!!!

Here is a link to the television schedule: Schedule

Personal can't misses:

Friday July 1st @ 9:15pm ET- Mens 10K (Can Galen Rupp make it to Rio in both the marathon and the 10K? Hassan Mead or Ben True, and what about Lagat?)
Saturday July 2nd @ 2:04pm ET - Womens 10K (Emilys Sisson and Infield and what about Molly Huddle? She's the one to let up at Beijing last year and got 4th instead of Bronze)
Monday July 4th @ 8:42pm ET - Womens 800m (Super tight race with anyone possible, 12 women qualified within 1 second of each other)
Monday July 4th @ 8:51pm ET - Mens 800m (Boris Berian vs Nike, Donavan Brazier recently breaking 50 year old collegiate record, Clayton Murphy)
Thursday July 7th @ 10:48pm ET - Womens 3000m Steeplechase
Friday July 8th @ 8:23pm ET - Mens 3000m Steeplechase
Saturday July 9th @ 8:20pm ET - Mens 5K
Sunday July 10th @ 7:28pm ET - Womens 5K
Sunday July 10th @ 8:00pm ET - Womens 1500m (Two high school girls: Aragon and Murphy vs the seasoned vets Rowbury, Simpson, and Martinez)
Sunday July 10th @ 8:20pm ET - Mens 1500m (Too many to count, I think this one will be the most fun)

Yay Yay Yay Yay Yay!!! A change up from swimming (even though I still love to watch that too.)


ATTQOTD: I totally didn't even properly keep track of my miles this month. I was a total slacker in regards to all that. But it was on the low end for me since everything was centered around 5k races. It's gonna creep up big time in July though as my long runs are getting longer and I have my spreadsheets back in use

 

[Mickey's sweetheart]

QOTD: 101.6 miles for the month. I'm looking forward to my massage today.

 

[cburnett11]

Nice job to both of you! I don't know how yall are doing it during the summer. I ran 8 miles yesterday afternoon with cloud cover and still dropped 7lbs of water weight during the run. That's a lot of water to try to take back in and hold before the next run.

I complain about the heat/humidity, but I'm sure it's much worse where you are. I always run in the morning. I'm amazed at all the people that can handle running in the afternoon. We do seem to have our share of humidity here, but the heat could be worse. THIS morning was a nice break though. 62-65 vs. the 70s and higher.

 

[roxymama]

I'm doing a happy dance because we added one more night onto our run-cation hotel stay for Rock N Roll Chicago in a few weeks and Grandma is taking kiddo an extra day. So I can be a relaxed lump for an extended period of time (in between all the running that is)

 

[Baloo in MI]

View attachment 178319

Yes! In my opinion this is the essence of running!

 

[michigandergirl]

Junes miles: 73.3 miles - would have been more had I remembered to bring my running shoes on vacation with me...not going to make that mistake again!

 

[Baloo in MI]

I have been thinking about several of the posts today and yesterday about running, ettiquette, medals, community, etc. The problem is that many are out there for the wrong reasons. I feel that running is a journey that really has no true destination. Some races offer medals, or shirts, bumper stickers and so on, but none of those things make you a runner. They symbolize a piece of the journey, an accomplishment along the way.

I do keep my medals, I am proud of them. I bought a medal rack and hope to fill it and need another. But I am not a runner because of those medals, or for the stickers on my car.

I am a runner because I run. I want to have goals and work toward them and then I want new goals. There won't be a final destination, just another run to do. I think this is where it becomes about the self. My medals, shirts, stickers are for me. I can't be motivated by what others think of those things. That doesn't matter. Because even without any of those things if I lace up my shoes and head out the door I am a runner. And it is the running itself that has the most meaning for me.

 

[croach]

ATTQOTD: 154 miles for June after I get my 3 in later today. These afternoon runs are killing me though. Need to switch to morning running.

 

[IamTrike]

Attqod:
96 miles this month. That's way short of my goal of 170. I need to really pick my training back up. My weekly average for the year is about 10 miles short of my goal.

I have been thinking about several of the posts today and yesterday about running, ettiquette, medals, community, etc. The problem is that many are out there for the wrong reasons. I feel that running is a journey that really has no true destination. Some races offer medals, or shirts, bumper stickers and so on, but none of those things make you a runner. They symbolize a piece of the journey, an accomplishment along the way.

I do keep my medals, I am proud of them. I bought a medal rack and hope to fill it and need another. But I am not a runner because of those medals, or for the stickers on my car.

I am a runner because I run. I want to have goals and work toward them and then I want new goals. There won't be a final destination, just another run to do. I think this is where it becomes about the self. My medals, shirts, stickers are for me. I can't be motivated by what others think of those things. That doesn't matter. Because even without any of those things if I lace up my shoes and head out the door I am a runner. And it is the running itself that has the most meaning for me.

Well said. I kind of wonder if this, the princess topic and the slower marathon weekend sell out thing are all kind of related. Back when you had a smaller number of race weekends, marathon weekend was really a great way to get people into running. You had people of all shapes and skill levels coming together to run. The vibe in the parks and around the resort in the days after the races there was a lot of encouragement. I know for me, seeing all the different types of people with Goofy medals on Sunday gave me the motivation to want to do my first marathon and challenge. Marathon weekend had this really cool overlap of people that we into running (who are usually a pretty encouraging group) and put them at the happiest place on earth. The bling and merchandise were neat, but they weren't the primary focus. I think as they've gotten more specialized in the races, it's become more about the bling and merchandise than the actual running. As that's changed it's changed the dynamics of the crowd. Part of it may be that the size of the field has doubled too. When you double the people in a race your bound to wind up with more people that are outside of the running community. Its sad to think that some of these people are getting an experience that may push them away from running or to think that there are some people that don't really want to join that community.

 

[Barca33Runner]

ATTQOTD: 120.7 Miles this month. Gives a number to aim to beat in July.

 

[Kathymford]

I actually went right as it opened, and talked to other who were there at the same time. They told me all of the crazy things that happened (people getting punched, people getting things ripped out of their hands, glasses getting broken, etc.), but I saw none of it. Either they were exaggerations, or I had tunnel vision!

WOW. That is ... just ... unacceptable. Princess is on my list, just because I think I want to do all of them at least once, but wow.

They aren't runners, and this is the most important part, because they aren't part of the running community.

I found most of you on the thread for Marathon weekend 2016 and that was the first time I experienced the running community. I don't think ... in fact I know ... I wouldn't have stuck with running or have gotten into it as much as I have if it wasn't because of you all. I had a few friends that run, but we don't "talk" running. We just sign up for races together and have breakfast after the fact (lol). Reading, responding, getting advice from runners at all different phases really opened my eyes. And it has been great.

June Totals
Total Miles: 38.8
Average Pace: 14:41/mi

The number of miles is decent considering the time off I've taken do to injury. The pace is down (May was 12.37), so that really shows my injury I think. At least I know I wasn't crazy. I felt like I was slower, but didn't know why. I'm feeling pretty good, but taking it easy. I'm most sore in the morning now ... maybe that's when the Advil wears off. LOL I'm determined to wait a full 3 weeks before doing any kind of jogging/running.

The most interesting thing I found by pulling these numbers is my yearly total though. Right now it's at 273.9 miles. All of 2015 was 302.1! Now THAT is progress!!

 

[derekleigh]

ATTQOTD: I believe that a different type of runner is interested in WDW races. I know a few "serious" runners who scoff at the idea of running in a rD event. The events are really not set up in such a way as to allow serious runners with a long background in the sport of even having a chance at a PR. The only serious runners who run at Disney are also fans of Disney and see it as a chance to combine 2 passions.

I also don't think that the rD marathon has sold out in quite a while. They used to post it as sold out when they hit the last day of availability, but it often went from 90-92% full to sold out on that day, so not really "sold out". If I had to guess, I would say that most rD runners really are not interested in the distance, and most will never run another marathon elsewhere.

Finally, I believe that most rD runners really are not consistent runners. This is a cool box to check off, then they move on with their lives.

You bring up a good point and I agree with for the most part. for rD races, unless you are in the first corral or two, it's difficult to race at a PR level simply due to the large number of people involved. I wouldn't scoff at running a Disney race, but I know unless things come up my way, these races are definitely more for the experience rather than a time.

This.

And on 10K day this year (I did all three races), as I approached sweep spots (and the accompanying Parade Bus) - I witnessed SO many women just waiting for the bus. Standing in line, sitting on the ground, etc. And this was before the 5K mark and I was in Corral C for the 10K. It was downright pathetic to me, especially when the 10K sells out SO quickly. I'm not going to post it here, but I took a picture on the run as I passed the 5K mat and there were easily 50 women waiting in line for the "Parade Bus" and the race officials there were telling them they weren't opening the bus for another 60 minutes and that they could finish the race, but these ladies chose to stand there. It was ridiculous.

Also, some of the super b!+chy on-course behavior I witnessed from people was, not only appalling, but completely unacceptable. Like yelling ugliness at an overweight woman struggling to keep moving while her pants were falling down, and that they "were blind" having to watch her - meanwhile these hags were walking with heat sheets wrapped around them, so ...

This is rather sad and pathetic. Even walking these women could make the finish line. It's one thing to stop because of injury or illness, but to just give up at the half way point is mind numbing. Princess Weekend is probably the least event I'd like to do, but it's very likely the only other rD event I can do (outside of Marathon Weekend). However, part of me feels like I need to see these battle royals and trash talking. It also helps that I'm a male too... Or maybe that doesn't help.

I know someone who would fit right in with these ladies. I'm not saying she has ever sat on the side of the road waiting for the "parade bus" but she doesn't exactly take it all that seriously either. I helped her run the BAA in 2015. Her pace was 15:46/mile. If that was her best effort, no problem. But she told me half way through the race she hadn't trained. This year she signed up for a bunch of Disney races. She got swept at Dark Side. Then she went on Facebook and told people she finished and accepted all the congratulations that were thrown her way. She did Tink and avoided being swept somehow. Her pace was 17:06/mile. She tells people she is a runner and yet she has gotten slower from the day she told me she didn't train for our race. The only conclusion is that she still isn't training, right?

My whole point is this, if someone has the money to go on these "runcations" just to basically buy a medal, all the power to them. The medals are nice but I wouldn't pay $200 for one. They clearly aren't runners. They aren't runners because they aren't even trying to finish the races. They aren't runners, and this is the most important part, because they aren't part of the running community. They don't understand the support that comes along with it. They may accumulate medals. They may be able to hang a bunch on their wall for attention, or post them all over social media. But they aren't getting the benefits that come with doing the actual running. So many people on just this thread alone have said how much running has changed their lives, they are missing out on all of that. I feel bad for people doing it for all the wrong reasons.

It's one thing to go buy medals for attention but it's another to make fun of a lady who may actually be trying to changer her life. If I was on the course and heard that those ladies would be sorry because I would have definitely put them right in their place.

I cannot stand phony people. I know it shouldn't bother me, but people like the person you referred to in your post drive me absolutely nuts! Those people are a very small percentage of people, but it's rather sad they take no pride in their activities and rather enjoy the few minutes of attention or the "Likes" and comments on FB. Truly perplexing.

 

[Chasing Dopey]

Is there a way to ask Disney to move up corrals? Will I know my corral ahead of time (ie: when I sign up?) so that I could submit a proof of time or something (even though I know I don't need one for a 10k)

Yeah, just put in a time a little faster than what you think you will actually get. Everyone will over-estimate so don't worry about that, plus you've got plenty of time. Just don't forget to put it in! (You have until November, but I would put something in now. You can always change it later if you find you're faster than you thought.)

Not sure how Princess works, but from my 2 races, the back 3 or 4 corrals are the only ones that have serious overcrowding problems.

 

[LSUlakes]

A somewhat funny story about my run yesterday. So I put the workout in Garmin and transferred it to my watch. (BTW, this is the way to go if you are doing different paces for various lengths of time/distance) Well the run starts off with 2 miles warm up and then a series of 200m and 400m runs at one pace and recovery at another. At the end I had another two miles to recover. So i'm finishing up the hard part of the run (Another note, the watch beeping at me for going to slow or fast is more annoying than the uncomfortable feeling of speeding up, that I end up finding the pace) Well it beeps for the last segment and I se 20.00. I though, oh I must have put just 20 minutes in, well that's fine. About 5 minutes later I check the watch to see how far I traveled and it was now 19.xx. I had to look much closer and noticed I must of accidently typed 20 miles instead of two. I thought, man another 19 miles to go..... nah I don't think that's going to happen.

I know CSB. it was very funny to me at the time.

 

[dis_or_dat]

ATTQOTD: (after finishing my morning run!)
Total miles: 149.79
Total time: 22:50:37
Average pace: 9:05
Average HR: 163 (a lot of zone 3, boo)

Weird that when I checked garmin before my run, it said I had run 150 miles and then after my morning run, I ran 149.79. And then strava (that's connected to my garmin) shows 142. Oh well. There's 50 min and 7.8 miles floating in the ether somewhere ...

 

[opusone]

A somewhat funny story about my run yesterday. So I put the workout in Garmin and transferred it to my watch. (BTW, this is the way to go if you are doing different paces for various lengths of time/distance) Well the run starts off with 2 miles warm up and then a series of 200m and 400m runs at one pace and recovery at another. At the end I had another two miles to recover. So i'm finishing up the hard part of the run (Another note, the watch beeping at me for going to slow or fast is more annoying than the uncomfortable feeling of speeding up, that I end up finding the pace) Well it beeps for the last segment and I se 20.00. I though, oh I must have put just 20 minutes in, well that's fine. About 5 minutes later I check the watch to see how far I traveled and it was now 19.xx. I had to look much closer and noticed I must of accidently typed 20 miles instead of two. I thought, man another 19 miles to go..... nah I don't think that's going to happen.

I know CSB. it was very funny to me at the time.

Good story! If you were training for a 100 mi race, maybe a nice 20 mile cool down would be appropriate.

I was annoyed as well when I tried the pace alarms with workouts, so I only put in the distances without any alarms, then I just display the pace (using "lap pace") to make sure I'm at the correct pace for each section.

 

[doctorintheTARDIS]

Yeah, just put in a time a little faster than what you think you will actually get. Everyone will over-estimate so don't worry about that, plus you've got plenty of time. Just don't forget to put it in! (You have until November, but I would put something in now. You can always change it later if you find you're faster than you thought.)

Not sure how Princess works, but from my 2 races, the back 3 or 4 corrals are the only ones that have serious overcrowding problems.

Thanks!

 

[huggybuff]

Your goal is realistic so with hard work and consistent training I think it is very possible. Especially with what everyone was saying about going faster during a race than in training normally.

Glad you think it's doable. I think so too.

Also, some of the super b!+chy on-course behavior I witnessed from people was, not only appalling, but completely unacceptable. Like yelling ugliness at an overweight woman struggling to keep moving while her pants were falling down, and that they "were blind" having to watch her - meanwhile these hags were walking with heat sheets wrapped around them, so ...

Whaaaaa? That just makes me sad. Sad for the poor woman who was the target of their nonsense and sad for the women doing the bullying.

Yeah, and I was right there to witness the face-punch over an armful of 'Princess Up!' jackets.

Wow. They were cute but I wouldn't punch someone over that jacket. People! I definitely saw rudeness during my time at the Princess Expo (people pulling wine glasses out of the box while the CM was still holding it) but thankfully nothing that would be covered under misdemeanor battery.

ATTQOTD: JUNE - 27 miles