The Running Thread - 2016

[opusone]

QOTD: How far (Miles/Time) is it to your nearest specialty running store? What's the name of that store?

The Runner's Soul - 2.5 miles from my house

 

[Anisum]

When we walk Max, we have a concentrated citronella spray that our greyhound adoption group recommended. That way, if the wind is wrong, you don't pepper spray yourself. I've only armed it twice, I think.

I keep meaning to ask which adoption group you went through. I had greyhounds growing up and we always went through NGAP but looking at the races you're running your further out towards York. I was wondering what greyhound groups were out that way.

Random Question: How much faster could I expect to run in a race v. by myself? I know there are SO many factors that could go into this answer! I ran 3 miles last night in 32:09 and am really wanting to be at a sub 30 min 5K (again...). Think I'd be close in a race?

I'm usually 2-3 minutes total off my race pace for a 5k but it's different for everyone.

 

[Mickey's sweetheart]

AQOTD: Altitude Running is 5 miles away and Runners Roost is about 7 miles.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Random Question: How much faster could I expect to run in a race v. by myself? I know there are SO many factors that could go into this answer! I ran 3 miles last night in 32:09 and am really wanting to be at a sub 30 min 5K (again...). Think I'd be close in a race?

It's possible, but like you said there are too many factors to say definitively. The difference between a 32:09 and 29:59 is roughly 40 seconds per mile (or 7% less). That's a significant drop from one race/training run to the next. I guess you have to ask yourself whether the 32:09 was an all out effort regardless of the existence of other runners? I'm a big believer in the mental aspect so potentially race running would boost your time slightly. If the 32:09 was an all-out effort, then with a good training plan and staying healthy you could potentially run sub-30 in about 5-7 months (there are lots of factors that influence how likely this guess is).

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

ATTQOTD:

Random Question: How much faster could I expect to run in a race v. by myself? I know there are SO many factors that could go into this answer! I ran 3 miles last night in 32:09 and am really wanting to be at a sub 30 min 5K (again...). Think I'd be close in a race?

I typically drop about 30 seconds per mile off my training pace for a race, but I never expect. I always go into hoping to just run as fast as my training pace and then I'm always happily surprised by my race pace. I don't want to expect a faster run, because of all the factors you alluded to. You never know what race day will bring.

 

[DVCFan1994]

ATTQOTD: I have three running stores within 15 miles, my preference is Marathon Sports, which is about 5 miles away. I have had good service, and last year when Brooks changed the Ghost and I hated it, they helped me find a good match and I probably spent almost 2 hours trying on 12-15 different models and taking the ones I was considering on a test run. They have a 30 day exchange policy, so if I don't love the ones I got I can bring them back and try a different model. A second store which is still close but a little further, PR Running is also great, and they are who first fitted me for shoes and helped me figure out when I went from a severe over pronator to a neutral runner. That said, their return period is only 2 weeks and my health insurance has a deal with Marathon that gets me 15% all regular priced shoes, so I tend to stick with Marathon.

 

[baxter24]

ATTQOTD: There is a Raleigh Running Outiftters the next town over (Cary, NC) that is a little over 10 miles from my house. I don't go there often but did get fitted for shoes and that has made such a difference in my running, especially my knees!

 

[LSUlakes]

Another one, just over 10 miles away, is called Marathon Sports -- right on the Boston Marathon course -- gets great reviews, and I've been meaning to check it out.

Marathon Sports is probably as famous of a running store as running stores can get. That's not saying much, but you get the idea. I went the day after the 2014 marathon and it was packed. I did pick up a few cool items and the very bright orange marathon jacket for that year. It is kind of a small store so it was very busy when we went, but I would imagine that it's a cool place to go on a normal type day.

ATTQOTD: I actually had to google the closest store to me and it looks like it's 65 miles. My favorite stores are the Red Dirt Running stores in Lincoln and Omaha. They are about 2.5 hours from me. I just visited the Lincoln location for new running shoes (asics again!) and also came home with a pair of amazing flip flops (super feet).

Random Question: How much faster could I expect to run in a race v. by myself? I know there are SO many factors that could go into this answer! I ran 3 miles last night in 32:09 and am really wanting to be at a sub 30 min 5K (again...). Think I'd be close in a race?

That's a far drive to go buy some shoes! About your question. I think you would be very close for a race but here is some things to consider. was the 3 mile run done at a very hard pace or was that a general aerobic type run? If the pace was easy then you are looking good. The race environment will help as well, but make sure not to go out to fast during the first half mile. Also remember you have another .10 miles to add to that and most 5k's really range in the .10 to .15 range. that could add anywhere from a minute to 90 seconds to your time. I think you can do it and good luck!

 

[roxymama]

Random Question: How much faster could I expect to run in a race v. by myself? I know there are SO many factors that could go into this answer! I ran 3 miles last night in 32:09 and am really wanting to be at a sub 30 min 5K (again...). Think I'd be close in a race?

We sounds like fairly similar runners...I'm always hoping for sub-30 and sometimes I get there and sometimes not. My two pieces of advise are to A) It's ok to be faster with people around but do not start out waaaaay too fast off the start line. Instead of trying to run all 3.1 miles at pace way below your training...try to stick with your normal pace out the start and accelerate as the race progresses. It will help avoid the mile 3 "bonk." B) don't forget about that .1 at the end when you are doing your math. It's a sneaky time-adder. But if you don't start out too fast you should have enough in the tank to speed through that last .1

Also, I find with my group of runners (the 28-32min crowd) you will get a lot of people at a lot of different paces all at the same time (run/walk people included), so RUN YOUR OWN RACE and don't get too upset if you need to do some weaving. You'll be surprised how many people that pass you...you will eventually pass them. Sometimes back and forth even. GOOD LUCK!

ATTQOTD:
My favorite store is a little farther than the closest, but I go there because it's not a chain and it's next to one of my favorite restaurants (The Harvest Room...so gooooood.) It's called Running for Kicks in Palos Heights, IL. 7.7 miles
They give awesome coupons in our local race swag-bags and also give discounts on race registrations. Same couple salespeople are always there. Some are the guys constantly winning our local races.

 

[roxymama]

@LSUlakes & I sharing a brain there with the same advise. Well, I guess I'm learning if I'm using the same suggestions as the veterans here

 

[Disney at Heart]

QOTD: How far (Miles/Time) is it to your nearest specialty running store? What's the name of that store?

Nearest specialty running store is 36 miles/46 minutes, and one state away! It is small and the two times I was there, it was staffed by one college student who had little experience and no treadmill/ technology to assess running form. I generally order running gear off the Internet!

Edit: tried to fix quotation

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

Well, after 3 days in a row of running, I'm taking a rest day today before my 10K tomorrow. I have to go pick up my packet later this afternoon (after a job interview - ahhh, nerves!). We may be dodging some rain showers in the morning - they're still talking about a chance of rain (some sites are saying storms while others are just saying showers). So I guess we'll see what happens. At least there probably won't be sun to deal with!

ATTQOTD: There's a running store called Performance Running Outfitters about 10 minutes/probably less than 5 miles from my apartment. I've only been there a couple times. The same store has another location about 5 minutes from my parents' house.

 

[jhorstma]

We sounds like fairly similar runners...I'm always hoping for sub-30 and sometimes I get there and sometimes not. My two pieces of advise are to A) It's ok to be faster with people around but do not start out waaaaay too fast off the start line. Instead of trying to run all 3.1 miles at pace way below your training...try to stick with your normal pace out the start and accelerate as the race progresses. It will help avoid the mile 3 "bonk." B) don't forget about that .1 at the end when you are doing your math. It's a sneaky time-adder. But if you don't start out too fast you should have enough in the tank to speed through that last .1

Also, I find with my group of runners (the 28-32min crowd) you will get a lot of people at a lot of different paces all at the same time (run/walk people included), so RUN YOUR OWN RACE and don't get too upset if you need to do some weaving. You'll be surprised how many people that pass you...you will eventually pass them. Sometimes back and forth even. GOOD LUCK!

I'm exactly this - hovering around 30, with sub 30 and even sub 29 on good runs. My goal is to pick up the pace for the last mile and to sprint the finish, hopefully with motivating numbers counting up on the clock. Weaving is a real time-suck and distance-adder though - I try to scout the course in advance, and if if it pinches early on (like funneling all 500+ runners down a single lane for the first mile) then regardless of my capabilities I push to be towards the front to avoid the walkers/strollers/groups. I then focus on running my pace and being as precise from turn-to-turn as possible to minimize distance.

 

[sourire]

There's a Track Shack just about 2 miles away, but it's not safe to try and run there due to highways/dangerous crossings, unfortunately. Love the staff there!

 

[dis_or_dat]

ATTQOTD: There's one less than 5 miles away from me. A Runner's Mind. They sponsor a lot of local/smaller races and do a bunch of group runs/track runs over the week including one at the trail I like to use, but it's too late in the day for me. Recognized one of the co-owners breezing by at a half I was doing. He looked like he was running a 1:30 and using it as an easy run since he was chatting with a friend. Makes sense since he ran a sub 3 marathon a month later. Yeesh!

 

[FFigawi]

QOTD: How far (Miles/Time) is it to your nearest specialty running store? What's the name of that store?

There aren't any running stores over here, which isn't really all that surprising. When I'm in the US, the closest one to our house is the Running Zone in Melbourne, about 10 miles away. Great store with very knowledgeable staff. In Houston, I shop at Fleet Feet because they sponsor the training team I used to coach.

 

[Ariel484]

ATTQOTD: Fleet Feet 3.5 miles away.

Went to yoga today for the first time in a couple of weeks...man did that feel good!

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

ATTQOTD: 1st Place Sports Running is my closest store and it's about 8 miles from my house.

Just got back from the doc and it turns out what I thought was a hamstring problem is actually sciatic nerve pain. So it looks like I get to do PT for the next month or so. Thankfully it won't really affect my training.

 

[kristabelle13]

Whew! Don't ever let anyone tell you you can't catch up on 50 pages. I totally introduced myself and then didn't come back for a month (what a moron). But now that I'm done Dumbo - I feel a lot less stressed about running and am looking forward to hitting the road again this weekend or early next week!

@Keels - yikes! Sorry to hear about the injury! No fun - hope it's as easy a recovery as possible!

ATTQOTD: Running Room is my local running store - I live exactly 12km from two locations. There might be a closer location downtown - but not when you factor in parking and traffic

 

[surfde22]

Whew! Don't ever let anyone tell you you can't catch up on 50 pages. I totally introduced myself and then didn't come back for a month (what a moron). But now that I'm done Dumbo - I feel a lot less stressed about running and am looking forward to hitting the road again this weekend or early next week!

@Keels - yikes! Sorry to hear about the injury! No fun - hope it's as easy a recovery as possible!

ATTQOTD: Running Room is my local running store - I live exactly 12km from two locations. There might be a closer location downtown - but not when you factor in parking and traffic

Welcome back, but it looks like your forgot to answer a question of the day or two.