The Running Thread - 2016

[roxymama]

As I mentioned a few days ago, a friend talked me into a 10K race Saturday. And by talking me into it, I mean she asked and, since I haven't done a road race since February, I said yes. Anyhow. This weekend was my planned Dumbo practice. I originally planned a 4-5 miler Saturday and a 10 miler for Sunday. Obviously that 4-5 has turned into a 10K.

My plan for Dumbo in a couple weeks is to take it super easy for the 10K so I am ready for the half the next day. I was planning to go super slow for the 10K this weekend, but my inner-runner keeps whispering things in my ear. I had a 6 miler with 4 miles at HMP on the calendar this week. (It was supposed to be today, actually, but I have moved things around a bit.)

So my question is what would you do: Should I stick with my plan this weekend with an easy 10K followed by an easy 10 miler OR do I do a bit of racing (with myself) and pick up the pace a bit since I already had something on the calendar? Dumbo is just about two weeks out.

Hopefully that made sense.

I like opusune's suggestion. You could also do the first 3.1 miles "easy" or a little easier than HMP and then start turning on your engine a little bit to get up to HMP during the final 3.1. Would make you feel like you aren't over-doing it but also like you start racing at the end. But I'm not super-qualified for this kind of advise

 

[r2d2_runner]

I will almost certainly not reach my t-shirt goals. This is the race where the t-shirts are only available to a certain percentage of the field in each age group.

I think I'll set a conservative goal of 1:15:00.

I am doing the Saunders 10k today too! Super nervous because it is my first 10k race and I have mostly avoided running in the heat all summer (and looks like it will be 80 tonight)! Good luck with your run!

 

[Waiting2goback]

As I mentioned a few days ago, a friend talked me into a 10K race Saturday. And by talking me into it, I mean she asked and, since I haven't done a road race since February, I said yes. Anyhow. This weekend was my planned Dumbo practice. I originally planned a 4-5 miler Saturday and a 10 miler for Sunday. Obviously that 4-5 has turned into a 10K.

My plan for Dumbo in a couple weeks is to take it super easy for the 10K so I am ready for the half the next day. I was planning to go super slow for the 10K this weekend, but my inner-runner keeps whispering things in my ear. I had a 6 miler with 4 miles at HMP on the calendar this week. (It was supposed to be today, actually, but I have moved things around a bit.)

So my question is what would you do: Should I stick with my plan this weekend with an easy 10K followed by an easy 10 miler OR do I do a bit of racing (with myself) and pick up the pace a bit since I already had something on the calendar? Dumbo is just about two weeks out.

Hopefully that made sense.

Your body is capable of much more than you think it is. I would personally run the 10k hard and do the 10 miler the following day at an easier pace. I would challenge yourself. It will give you confidence going into Dumbo.

 

[WhereInFlorida]

Your body is capable of much more than you think it is. I would personally run the 10k hard and do the 10 miler the following day at an easier pace. I would challenge yourself. It will give you confidence going into Dumbo.

That is what I would do as well, 2 weeks out is not bad to race a 10k and recover nicely but understand the reluctance for something that close to race weekend. It will give you a great read on your fitness for choosing your paces for the races.

 

[Mickey Momma]

Since you already had a HMP run scheduled, I think you should do the entire 10k at your goal HMP. It definitely wouldn't be all out racing, but it will still be at a good pace. I did this for the 10k on Star Wars Dark Side weekend, then raced the half marathon the next day. The 10k at HMP gave me good confidence for my half marathon pacing.

I like opusune's suggestion. You could also do the first 3.1 miles "easy" or a little easier than HMP and then start turning on your engine a little bit to get up to HMP during the final 3.1. Would make you feel like you aren't over-doing it but also like you start racing at the end. But I'm not super-qualified for this kind of advise

Your body is capable of much more than you think it is. I would personally run the 10k hard and do the 10 miler the following day at an easier pace. I would challenge yourself. It will give you confidence going into Dumbo.

That is what I would do as well, 2 weeks out is not bad to race a 10k and recover nicely but understand the reluctance for something that close to race weekend. It will give you a great read on your fitness for choosing your paces for the races.

Thanks all. You talked me into it.

 

[roxymama]

This may seem small to all the treadmill warriors out there but I just got home from running 6 miles at the gym on the treadmill. I've never gone past 5 miles on a machine cause I have a mental block with distance on the machine and have been running outside in all kinds of crazy conditions to avoid it. But tonight at 7 when given the chance to go for a run I wanted to stay home and finish my tea party with my daughter. So gym at 9pm it was. And I discovered it actually shuts you off at the hour mark, so I just started it back up for the final minutes.

Just realized this is not my journal, but the running thread. Eh, I'll leave it here...gotta be others that can understand my lil victory. Gonna run outside for my long run this weekend because I'm still me.
(And it was a tempo run....stupid dumb hard tempo runs!

 

[Miranda]

I am doing the Saunders 10k today too! Super nervous because it is my first 10k race and I have mostly avoided running in the heat all summer (and looks like it will be 80 tonight)! Good luck with your run!

I hope you had a good race!

It was a little too hot for me on the first half, plus I had to pee the whole time. I picked the wrong potty line at the finish area and had to bail out before my turn to go make it to the starting line (for others, the starting line is a little over a quarter mile from the finishing area). I did manage to make an ok second half of the race before I just ran out of gas in the last mile. Helped along by the fact that the front half of the course is net uphill and the back half is net downhill (although it's very minor in both directions, it's like 60 feet of climbing over 3 miles, then the same on the way down).

 

[Anisum]

Good luck this weekend everyone!

I have 2.5 quick questions.

First, does anyone carry a hydration pack or running belt with some sort of fuel on it? If so what brand do you recommend? I'm currently looking into them for my long runs because I hate running back home to refuel even if I can't really be trusted with a consistent source of water.

My second question is, for those of you who have multiple pairs of shoes waiting to be added to the rotation how to select which ones you plan to use next?

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Good luck this weekend everyone!

I have 2.5 quick questions.

First, does anyone carry a hydration pack or running belt with some sort of fuel on it? If so what brand do you recommend? I'm currently looking into them for my long runs because I hate running back home to refuel even if I can't really be trusted with a consistent source of water.

My second question is, for those of you who have multiple pairs of shoes waiting to be added to the rotation how to select which ones you plan to use next?

I have a 70 oz Camelbak and put my Sports Beans in a ziplock back tucked into the waist band of my running shorts/pants.

My running shoes are numbered and mileage tracked. New ones are numbered and put into the bottom of the rotation cycle. I run in the shoes in numerical order.

 

[FFigawi]

First, does anyone carry a hydration pack or running belt with some sort of fuel on it? If so what brand do you recommend? I'm currently looking into them for my long runs because I hate running back home to refuel even if I can't really be trusted with a consistent source of water.

I don't use one much these days, but when I do, I use a four-bottle Fuel Belt. I've had it for years and it carries plenty of water and has a pouch for gels too.

My second question is, for those of you who have multiple pairs of shoes waiting to be added to the rotation how to select which ones you plan to use next?

When my primary pair hits 250-300 miles, I begin rotating a new pair in. When the older pair is worn out, they get retired and the process begins again. The exception I make to this is for a key race. I'll use a brand new pair for 20-30 miles before a race, maybe one or two long runs, and then use that pair on race day.

 

[Slogger]

Good luck this weekend everyone!

I have 2.5 quick questions.

First, does anyone carry a hydration pack or running belt with some sort of fuel on it? If so what brand do you recommend? I'm currently looking into them for my long runs because I hate running back home to refuel even if I can't really be trusted with a consistent source of water.

My second question is, for those of you who have multiple pairs of shoes waiting to be added to the rotation how to select which ones you plan to use next?

@Anisum....can't help you with the first question because I don't carry hydration packs but I do use E-gels and Cliff shots for fuel. I typically loop back by my house or car and leave a water bottle or cooler for quick pit stops.

I tend to hang on to shoes too long but I did buy 3 new pairs this year to join a pair I already had and a pair that earned a place in the retirement village (the "closet") Started using one pair for treadmill workouts in April, the 2nd pair with my short easy runs in June before switching to my 2 longer runs each week in July, and just started the 3rd pair with my short easy runs last week. All mileage is tracked on Strava and Garmin and once I get to 400-500 miles per pair, I will have to buy more shoes. It's easier for me to transition to a new pair over time than it is to start using all 3 pairs at once but I'm sure everybody has a different method and good advice for how they do it too.

 

[Chasing Dopey]

My second question is, for those of you who have multiple pairs of shoes waiting to be added to the rotation how to select which ones you plan to use next?

I'm less organized with my shoe schedule. I try to keep the rotation consistent, but it will depend on the type of run. Some do better than others depending on the distance or tempo I'm targeting. Some stick better to a wet road. One pair is specifically for the really long runs, but gets thrown into shorter runs on occasion.

Part of it is also figuring out the right shoe for the right situation. That can take a lot of experimenting, and can affect which pair I reach for next.

 

[dis_or_dat]

Good luck this weekend everyone!

I have 2.5 quick questions.

First, does anyone carry a hydration pack or running belt with some sort of fuel on it? If so what brand do you recommend? I'm currently looking into them for my long runs because I hate running back home to refuel even if I can't really be trusted with a consistent source of water.

My second question is, for those of you who have multiple pairs of shoes waiting to be added to the rotation how to select which ones you plan to use next?

I bought a handheld water bottle thing that comes with a pocket for fuel a few months ago, but haven't used it yet. Now I see it has mixed reviews. Waah!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F4BAKI..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=ACNS4FFT1T538N1CA4S2

I have a pair of shoes for outdoor runs (I add another outdoor one once it starts raining so they can dry out) and one for treadmill. I've realized when holes form, it's time to let go. But I've also now added the shoes on strava and garmin to track miles.

 

[r2d2_runner]

I hope you had a good race!

It was a little too hot for me on the first half, plus I had to pee the whole time. I picked the wrong potty line at the finish area and had to bail out before my turn to go make it to the starting line (for others, the starting line is a little over a quarter mile from the finishing area). I did manage to make an ok second half of the race before I just ran out of gas in the last mile. Helped along by the fact that the front half of the course is net uphill and the back half is net downhill (although it's very minor in both directions, it's like 60 feet of climbing over 3 miles, then the same on the way down).

Thanks! I also needed to use the restroom right before the start and luckily found a couple of port-a-potties across the road at the marina (I will remember that for next year!). I felt pretty good for most of the race but my legs started to feel like jello around mile 5. My goal was just to finish and I managed to do that and keep a pretty consistent pace throughout. My time was just under 1hr 10min, which I was pleased with for my first 10k. I was a bit horrified at the start when they announced that their database was messed up and our times might not be recorded correctly (I mean, I was primarily doing this race for POT for the Star Wars Lightside Half Marathon in January!), but thankfully my time seems to have been recorded just fine. Anyway, I am super happy to have finished my first 10k and I am really grateful to all the advice I have read on this thread … I am not sure I would have made it this far without it! Thank you all for the great discussions here

 

[DopeyBadger]

I bought a handheld water bottle thing that comes with a pocket for fuel a few months ago, but haven't used it yet. Now I see it has mixed reviews. Waah!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F4BAKI..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=ACNS4FFT1T538N1CA4S2

I have a pair of shoes for outdoor runs (I add another outdoor one once it starts raining so they can dry out) and one for treadmill. I've realized when holes form, it's time to let go. But I've also now added the shoes on strava and garmin to track miles.

I have that one as well, except I don't use the race cap. I use the other cap style:

http://www.runningwarehouse.com/Nathan_10_oz_Push-Pull_Cap_Flask_2-Pack/descpage-NA10PF2.html

I just use my teeth to open the cap and am able to get almost everything out. And yes they do occasionally leak, but overall I find it does that maybe 3-5% of the time I run. I can typically fill it up to 10oz at the start but usually at a water station mid-race I can only get 7-8 oz in there without it spilling (mind you I'm still running). I like it because it's light weight and I train with it everyday to the point that I don't even know it's there. Training days I don't wear the sleeve though, only carry the bottle. Only races do I wear the sleeve.

 

[Anisum]

Thanks for all the input. I think I'm going to get a Camelbak or similar brand because I don't like carrying things around my waist and I'm mostly tired of running back to my house because then I'm tempted to go inside and not finish my run.

I tend to hang on to shoes too long but I did buy 3 new pairs this year to join a pair I already had and a pair that earned a place in the retirement village (the "closet") Started using one pair for treadmill workouts in April, the 2nd pair with my short easy runs in June before switching to my 2 longer runs each week in July, and just started the 3rd pair with my short easy runs last week. All mileage is tracked on Strava and Garmin and once I get to 400-500 miles per pair, I will have to buy more shoes. It's easier for me to transition to a new pair over time than it is to start using all 3 pairs at once but I'm sure everybody has a different method and good advice for how they do it too.

I almost fell over at the mention of the retirement village because I am currently building one of those myself. Pairing them up sounds like a great idea because if I had done that I would know which of the new pairs I wanted to start with. I'm encroaching 250 miles on my current pair so I gotta start breaking the next pair in. Really, this wouldn't be a problem if the shoes didn't go half price when the new model came out.

 

[camaker]

Thanks for all the input. I think I'm going to get a Camelbak or similar brand because I don't like carrying things around my waist and I'm mostly tired of running back to my house because then I'm tempted to go inside and not finish my run.



I almost fell over at the mention of the retirement village because I am currently building one of those myself. Pairing them up sounds like a great idea because if I had done that I would know which of the new pairs I wanted to start with. I'm encroaching 250 miles on my current pair so I gotta start breaking the next pair in. Really, this wouldn't be a problem if the shoes didn't go half price when the new model came out.

I have been on a "hydration quest" over the last year or so. Here's what I've tried and found out along the way:

Hand-helds: No thanks. Don't like running with anything in my hand

Hydration belts: I've tried the Nathan Trek (22oz bottle) and Trail Mix (2xsmall bottles. The Trek was good for walking, but a bit bouncy for running. The Trail Mix is pretty good, but I have problems with the bottles wanting to rotate around my waist as I run. Also, I had to add an extra pouch to it to hold my phone. Not an ideal solution.

CamelBak Marathoner: Very comfortable and easy to run in. No problems with sloshing or bouncing. Great running solution hampered by being a PITA to clean. If it was as easy to clean as a bottle, I'd've stopped here.

Orange Mud HydraQuiver (Single Barrel): This is what I currently use. Very comfortable to wear and the bottle is surprisingly easy to access. Generous storage for phone and nutrition. Downsides are the sloshing of the water can be distracting until you get used to it and tune it out and the price.

Good luck finding something that works well for you!

 

[michigandergirl]

Good luck this weekend everyone!

I have 2.5 quick questions.

First, does anyone carry a hydration pack or running belt with some sort of fuel on it? If so what brand do you recommend? I'm currently looking into them for my long runs because I hate running back home to refuel even if I can't really be trusted with a consistent source of water.

My second question is, for those of you who have multiple pairs of shoes waiting to be added to the rotation how to select which ones you plan to use next?

I have tried many hydration belts and my absolute favorite is a 2-bottle one from Fitletic. It is an adjustable belt and it stays put. It also has a decent sized pouch that fits quite a bit (clif bar, shot bloks, phone). On really long runs I have to refill the bottles, but that's not an issue for me as there are parks on my route I can refill at. I've tried 4-bottle belts, but I find that having the bottles on my rear end caused bouncing.

 

[PrincessV]

First, does anyone carry a hydration pack or running belt with some sort of fuel on it? If so what brand do you recommend?

I carry an Amphipod handheld that I refill along my runs. I don't use its pocket for gels, but I could - I'd guess I could stuff 2 in there.

My second question is, for those of you who have multiple pairs of shoes waiting to be added to the rotation how to select which ones you plan to use next?

I always have a variety of shoes in rotation and choose based on the type of run and what I feel like I need on any given day. I buy when I see a good price on the shoe I want and just throw it into the mix - no pattern to when I wear what, really. When it's time to retire a pair, they just go.

 

[Slogger]

Hey @LSUlakes .......Hopefully the water issues have improved and it is no longer a threat.

I totally forgot to have you add the races I 've been signed up for since March......

Doing the 8k/Marathon Challenge!!!
Saturday, November 12th --- Outer Banks 8k (using as an easy run warmup for marathon...no goal)
Sunday, November 13th -------Outer Banks Marathon (sooooooooo reluctant to provide an actual goal but let's go with 4:10)

Good luck to everyone this weekend with races, or flood waters, or heat advisories, or injuries.