The Running Thread - 2016

[croach]

Thanks, this is really great and easy to follow. I've switched from Galloway to the type of training you've described just because I wanted to try it. Even for me as an interval runner, the easy paces seemed slow. But now that I'm in my 5th straight month or so of formal training I find that I appreciate the slow paces when they come around that week. I had NO IDEA that running could be so technical, and I'm enjoying learning more about the physiological changes that are taking place. HOWEVER, I still have one mystery: why do my legs feel so tired after I run up the stairs at home? Shouldn't this be easier by now? And like someone posted in the last couple of days (can't find original post)... it STILL takes me 30 minutes to warm up.



Run/Walk definitely led me safely into longer distances. I'm lucky that I've met Jeff at a Disney expo--- he is so awesome!!

In my experience running doesn't correlate to climbing stairs getting easier. Different muscles I'm guessing but I know used to take the stairs at my previous job and I could still winded easily.

 

[FFigawi]

I've gotta ask...is there actually 14K in the Big 10 10K???

That would be fantastic!

Good tips from John already. I have an Elite Fluid trainer as well as a Tacx Vortex Smart trainer (which is mag). The feel of the fluid trainer is so nice, but I also love the smart features on the Vortex. Ultimately I would recommend fluid, if for no other reason than it just feels much smoother. Mag is okay once you get used to it, but I really notice a difference going between the two. If you do get a trainer you should try out Zwift...it is an online virual cycling world that sounds like it really helps pass the time. I'm going to ride there this winter, and I know John does a lot of his training in Zwift as well.

I love Zwift! It's the best way I've found to hit all of my workout targets while simultaneously keeping me entertained for hours on end. From the excellently drawn up virtual courses to the races and group rides, there's no better way to bike on a trainer than with Zwift.

 

[Chaitali]

Where are we thinking/where should I put it? I put glide on my thighs. Is it meant for feet too? I will be wearing moisture wicking socks, for sure.

I put it on my feet, top and bottom. Like you said, thighs. I also put it on the inside of the arms where they rub against my shirt and under the band of my sports bra. I learned that one the hard way. I had some pretty bad chafing there after my last half. Though that could partially be because it was an ill fitting sports bra. But, now I go with better safe than sorry.

 

[opusone]

I've gotta ask...is there actually 14K in the Big 10 10K???

This is awesome!!

 

[Miranda]

Woah! So you're running a 5:30 pace? Maybe I should rethink intervals!

No no, I just meant that I am running for those amounts of times all in one stretch! I run 90/30 intervals, so if I skip the first 2-3 walk intervals (i.e. run through them) at the start of a race, I just meant that I am running 5:30-7:00 non-stop.

 

[Dis5150]

Where are we thinking/where should I put it? I put glide on my thighs. Is it meant for feet too? I will be wearing moisture wicking socks, for sure.

I err on the side of caution and put glide everywhere the edges of material touch skin. Plus between toes, edges of feet where they rub against your shoes. Glide is relatively cheap compared to the benefit of not having blisters or chaffing.

 

[opusone]

@Tardisblue & @doctorintheTARDIS: not at all running related, but when I went downstairs this morning, my son was playing Lego Dimensions, and he was flying the TARDIS around the game. Anyway, it made me think of you two.

 

[Kathymford]

@dis_or_dat I'll be at Light Side for the 10k!

 

[Baloo in MI]

Where are we thinking/where should I put it? I put glide on my thighs. Is it meant for feet too? I will be wearing moisture wicking socks, for sure.

I've never had any issues with nipples before (to me, the idea that nipples chaff is insane! Probably because I (obviously) wear sports bras? but obviously it does happen!!!)

They do! I learned this the hard way... I have used glide on my feet. Felt wierd for a bit when I put socks on but I even with totally soaked socks and shoes I had no blisters or hotspots at all.

I have also heard people use glide between their upper arms and torso. Can't speak to that personally.

 

[ZellyB]

They do! I learned this the hard way... I have used glide on my feet. Felt wierd for a bit when I put socks on but I even with totally soaked socks and shoes I had no blisters or hotspots at all.

I have also heard people use glide between their upper arms and torso. Can't speak to that personally.

I do this on long runs. My chicken wing upper arms have gotten chaffed before when it's really hot out and it's a long run.

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

I've gotta ask...is there actually 14K in the Big 10 10K???

Haha, there probably should be!

 

[Miranda]

Man the weather is just not cooperating for me this spring/summer for races. My first HM in May was unseasonably hot, we went from cool New England spring weather bam into 80+ temps, and I wasn't ready for it. Then my second one in early June, it poured. I was out in the rain for probably 4.5 hours between waiting at the start area, the race, spending a few min in the post race area getting some Cabot grilled cheese and a cup of ice cream, then walking back to the car.

Now tomorrow is going to be rain/thunderstorms, and the high is going to be 62 according to Wunderground, but the race starts at 7am... usually due to the heat! So it's going to be much cooler than that at the start. I was fundraising for this race for an animal rescue organization, and I am supposed to wear the tank top, but now I don't know if I want to, it's going to be cold! Maybe it'll be better to not have sleeves to get weighed down with water? My outfit (short sleeved tech shirt, SparkleSkirt) was so waterlogged and heavy during my June race.

 

[JeffW]

Man the weather is just not cooperating for me this spring/summer for races. My first HM in May was unseasonably hot, we went from cool New England spring weather bam into 80+ temps, and I wasn't ready for it. Then my second one in early June, it poured. I was out in the rain for probably 4.5 hours between waiting at the start area, the race, spending a few min in the post race area getting some Cabot grilled cheese and a cup of ice cream, then walking back to the car.

Now tomorrow is going to be rain/thunderstorms, and the high is going to be 62 according to Wunderground, but the race starts at 7am... usually due to the heat! So it's going to be much cooler than that at the start. I was fundraising for this race for an animal rescue organization, and I am supposed to wear the tank top, but now I don't know if I want to, it's going to be cold! Maybe it'll be better to not have sleeves to get weighed down with water? My outfit (short sleeved tech shirt, SparkleSkirt) was so waterlogged and heavy during my June race.

A little late for this type of suggestion, since you never want to try anything new on race day. I've found, dealing with highly variable weather in Colorado, that arm and leg compression sleeves are a great way to deal with an unknown forecast. I use Zensa, but there are many brands out there. Since they are compression sleeves, they don't tend to hold much water and give a good bit of additional warmth even when wet. If things get too warm, they are easy to yank off and tuck inside of a water belt or waist band.

Good luck tomorrow, and make sure you take the obligatory giant garbage bag with you to the start line!

 

[Miranda]

Thanks! I thought of arm sleeves too but it is of course too late now. The tank is already something new on race day, I've never worn it before!

 

[mrsgryphon]

Where are we thinking/where should I put it? I put glide on my thighs. Is it meant for feet too? I will be wearing moisture wicking socks, for sure.

I put it all over my feet for rainy runs, even with wicking socks. Rub it on my fingers to put it between my toes. I also put it all around under where my bra band goes. After my first half the center back and front areas under the band were rubbed raw. I haven't had an issue since I started using the glide there.

 

[mrsgryphon]

Now tomorrow is going to be rain/thunderstorms, and the high is going to be 62 according to Wunderground, but the race starts at 7am... usually due to the heat! So it's going to be much cooler than that at the start. I was fundraising for this race for an animal rescue organization, and I am supposed to wear the tank top, but now I don't know if I want to, it's going to be cold! Maybe it'll be better to not have sleeves to get weighed down with water? My outfit (short sleeved tech shirt, SparkleSkirt) was so waterlogged and heavy during my June race.

Sorry you're getting cruddy weather again. I did a half early June where it was steady rain the whole time and wore a tank. I thought short sleeves sticking to my arms would drive me crazy and was glad I went with the tank. I think race time temp was about 62F for mine and I was really comfortable. How much cooler are they predicting for your start time?

 

[opusone]

Where are we thinking/where should I put it? I put glide on my thighs. Is it meant for feet too? I will be wearing moisture wicking socks, for sure.

I've never had any issues with nipples before (to me, the idea that nipples chaff is insane! Probably because I (obviously) wear sports bras? but obviously it does happen!!!)

Nobody ever complains about using too much body glide nor about using it in too many places, so I would suggest overdoing it (anyplace that might rub with another body part and anyplace that might rub with clothing).

 

[mrsgryphon]

I have a few races to add.

July 9 - mrsgryphon - Red Dress for Women 5k (NG / N/A)
September 17 - mrsgryphon - Gulf Beach Half Marathon (2:12:09 / N/A)
October 8 - mrsgryphon - Hartford Half Marathon (2:12:09 / N/A)

 

[DopeyBadger]

Man the weather is just not cooperating for me this spring/summer for races. My first HM in May was unseasonably hot, we went from cool New England spring weather bam into 80+ temps, and I wasn't ready for it. Then my second one in early June, it poured. I was out in the rain for probably 4.5 hours between waiting at the start area, the race, spending a few min in the post race area getting some Cabot grilled cheese and a cup of ice cream, then walking back to the car.

Now tomorrow is going to be rain/thunderstorms, and the high is going to be 62 according to Wunderground, but the race starts at 7am... usually due to the heat! So it's going to be much cooler than that at the start. I was fundraising for this race for an animal rescue organization, and I am supposed to wear the tank top, but now I don't know if I want to, it's going to be cold! Maybe it'll be better to not have sleeves to get weighed down with water? My outfit (short sleeved tech shirt, SparkleSkirt) was so waterlogged and heavy during my June race.

Good Luck tomorrow!

 

[Waiting2goback]

I live in Iraq which means nearly all my rides are done on a trainer in my living room. I have a CycleOps Jet Fluid Pro and love it. It's not the quietest trainer in the world, but it's reliable, handles a wide range of tires and bikes, and is very smooth when increasing or decreasing power during my rides. It's fairly inexpensive too, maybe $450 or so from Amazon. If you're not going to be riding on a trainer for 6-8 hours a week like me, I'd highly recommend it.

All that said, if I had known how much use I'd be getting out of it, I would've bought a direct drive trainer instead. Those are ones where you take off your rear wheel and connect your chain directly to the trainer. They're more expensive but are smoother, quieter, and are able to be controlled by most of the bike training software and online environments currently available.

You can get reviews of the current trainers in the market from DC Rainmaker. He's the best resource for news, tips, and advice on all running, biking, and triathlon gadgets.

http://www.dcrainmaker.com

I've gotta ask...is there actually 14K in the Big 10 10K???


Good tips from John already. I have an Elite Fluid trainer as well as a Tacx Vortex Smart trainer (which is mag). The feel of the fluid trainer is so nice, but I also love the smart features on the Vortex. Ultimately I would recommend fluid, if for no other reason than it just feels much smoother. Mag is okay once you get used to it, but I really notice a difference going between the two. If you do get a trainer you should try out Zwift...it is an online virual cycling world that sounds like it really helps pass the time. I'm going to ride there this winter, and I know John does a lot of his training in Zwift as well.

That would be fantastic!



I love Zwift! It's the best way I've found to hit all of my workout targets while simultaneously keeping me entertained for hours on end. From the excellently drawn up virtual courses to the races and group rides, there's no better way to bike on a trainer than with Zwift.

Thanks guys. I have made note of these and I will look more into them as the time gets closer. My plan is to really work on my Zone 2 HR during the winter so when it does get warm next year I can hit the ground running, literally and figuratively.

Man the weather is just not cooperating for me this spring/summer for races. My first HM in May was unseasonably hot, we went from cool New England spring weather bam into 80+ temps, and I wasn't ready for it. Then my second one in early June, it poured. I was out in the rain for probably 4.5 hours between waiting at the start area, the race, spending a few min in the post race area getting some Cabot grilled cheese and a cup of ice cream, then walking back to the car.

Now tomorrow is going to be rain/thunderstorms, and the high is going to be 62 according to Wunderground, but the race starts at 7am... usually due to the heat! So it's going to be much cooler than that at the start. I was fundraising for this race for an animal rescue organization, and I am supposed to wear the tank top, but now I don't know if I want to, it's going to be cold! Maybe it'll be better to not have sleeves to get weighed down with water? My outfit (short sleeved tech shirt, SparkleSkirt) was so waterlogged and heavy during my June race.

Being from New England you know it could be perfectly sunny tomorrow. It's nice to have a plan but I wouldn't worry about it until you wake up and it's raining. I didn't hear rain for tomorrow at all.

I have a few races to add.

July 9 - mrsgryphon - Red Dress for Women 5k (NG / N/A)
September 17 - mrsgryphon - Gulf Beach Half Marathon (2:12:09 / N/A)
October 8 - mrsgryphon - Hartford Half Marathon (2:12:09 / N/A)

I have heard the Hartford 1/2 and full are a really nice race. I almost signed up this year but my goal race for the year was on 10/2 and it would have only given me 6 days to recover, which I didn't think was enough. I can't wait to hear how you like it.


I thought I quoted the post about the wireless headphones yesterday but I didn't. I have Plantronics back beats. I wear them in the rain all the time. I have had them over a year and have never had a problem. The wireless beats should be fine too and if you do wear them and there is a problem they are under warranty for a year. I wouldn't worry about wearing them. (Of course with my luck you'll wear them and have a problem and then I'll feel bad)

I got up for my run this morning and my headphones were dead. This was my first ever training run with no music or podcasts to listen to. It wasn't that bad. The run went well, which means I can probably keep running for the time being. I got a new tube for my bike today too so tomorrow will be a bike day. I have been grumpy the last few days and after my run today I felt so much better.

Good luck to everyone with a race this weekend.