The Running Thread - 2016

[gjramsey]

ATTQOTD: Have a foam roller that was in the bling from BCS marathon a couple of years back. It is a cheap one and I use it when I am sore in some areas....glutes, hammy, calves. I probably need to get a better one.

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

I use my foam roller after long runs that have left my legs really tired, or if I am sore from another type of workout.

 

[rteetz]

QOTD: Do you foam roll or stick roll or use both? If so, how often, what areas, etc?

I have used them however I don't use them often only when needed. The foam roll and stick seems to have grown in popularity over the past few years. When I got to high school and was playing football they really started to be everywhere it seemed. If I do use them it's on my thighs, quads, or calves.

 

[surfde22]

ATTQOTD: I have a foam roller, but I don't know how to use it. I should probably look that up.

Just remember Google knows all. There are some good videos out there for resources on how to use a foam roller.

QOTD: Do you foam roll or stick roll or use both? If so, how often, what areas, etc?

I have both a foam roller and a stick. I use them both regularly, as in nearly daily. I like the stick a bit better as it allows me to concentrate on more specific areas, but the foam roller has its uses as well.

 

[JohnRPG]

QOTD: Do you foam roll or stick roll or use both? If so, how often, what areas, etc?

ATTQOTD: I have a foam roller that I use just about daily, but I don't have a stick. I had some knee pain when I first started running and foam rolling for my IT Band was part of my PT exercises. I've continued rolling that area and my knees on a regular basis, even though I think the initial issues are resolved. Frankly, I just don't want them to recur.

I also use the foam roller on my back whenever it acts up. I consider it to be the world's cheapest chiropractor.

 

[RunDisneyDad]

ATTQOTD: I have a stick and this homemade roller consisting of a threaded steel rod going through 6 tennis balls I poked holes in. I'm not very consistent with rolling which is unfortunate because for me it works.

 

[Ariel484]

ATTQOTD: I have a foam roller, but I don't know how to use it. I should probably look that up.

Runner's World has great videos!

http://www.runnersworld.com/training-video/foam-roller-video-series
Man does that site have a lot of ads though!

 

[LSUlakes]

I have a question for yall for a idea I have. I was thinking about a way to make things a little interesting on here with the list on the first page. The idea is to have a end of year award type of thing. I can think of several categories for it based on percentage for things like most improved overall race time, and then for 5k 10k 13.1 and full. Maybe other distances if we have enough data to go with... Most races participated in... Most Disney races...
Winners of whatever categories would get on page 1 of the 2017 year thread with the new list of races. So, a full year of bragging for winners...

Let me know what yall think and any ideas for categories..

 

[opusone]

I have a question for yall for a idea I have. I was thinking about a way to make things a little interesting on here with the list on the first page. The idea is to have a end of year award type of thing. I can think of several categories for it based on percentage for things like most improved overall race time, and then for 5k 10k 13.1 and full. Maybe other distances if we have enough data to go with... Most races participated in... Most Disney races...
Winners of whatever categories would get on page 1 of the 2017 year thread with the new list of races. So, a full year of bragging for winners...

Let me know what yall think and any ideas for categories..

Awesome idea... now I just need to invent a very obscure category that I might have a shot at winning... like maybe the "most improved with the fewest races on the flattest courses in the Midwest in the 46-47 year-old range" category.

 

[DVCFan1994]

ATTQOTD: I have a trigger point foam roller, and a trigger point ball. I use both on my calves, and then mostly just the roller on my glutes, quads, IT Band, hamstring and back. I try to roll at least my calves before runs and try to roll everything after runs, but don't always have time. The ball is also good for the piriformis if that starts acting up, as well as the bottom of my foot.

Runner's World has great videos!

http://www.runnersworld.com/training-video/foam-roller-video-series
Man does that site have a lot of ads though!

I used to lover Runners World for videos and even articles with slideshows of workouts, but the ads have gotten to be too much for me. And I don't get why they don't make their videos like "Iron Strength" or "Yoga for Runners" available to purchase digitally, only with DVDS. I trust and have liked their website stuff in the past, but I no longer have a DVD player, I just stream or download stuff.

Awesome idea... now I just need to invent a very obscure category that I might have a shot at winning... like maybe the "most improved with the fewest races on the flattest courses in the Midwest in the 46-47 year-old range" category.

That was my first thought! I was considering "Most cancelled races due to unrelated injuries in the 40 year old female range". I feel like this year has been a game of injury "Whac-A-Mole"!

 

[Anisum]

QOTD: Do you foam roll or stick roll or use both? If so, how often, what areas, etc?

I just started foam rolling. I was actually wondering how long you spend on each spot. So far I've tried most areas at least once but mostly find lower back to be the most helpful. I have a stick but it's not a traditional stick roll. It is a spiky log (in the style of the spiky ball) that allows me to roll over both feet at once.

As for the run this weekend 59:59 is probably an overoptimistic goal given that my fastest 5miler was 1:01 and change and the 8k is only 0.03 miles shorter and the course seems a little worse but we'll see how it goes.

I would like to propose person who raced in the worst conditions or some other subjective category that people have to have crazy stories to win.

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

I use a foam roller regularly, probably not every day but certainly 4-5 days a week. I focus on my calves and my hamstrings and will hit my shoulders and lower back after my long rides on the trainer. My weekend afternoon ritual is basically climb into my recovery compression gear, roll out the tight spots, and fall asleep on the couch.

You forgot the beer, which likely played a part in the falling asleep on the couch (along with the workouts of course)

I have a question for yall for a idea I have. I was thinking about a way to make things a little interesting on here with the list on the first page. The idea is to have a end of year award type of thing. I can think of several categories for it based on percentage for things like most improved overall race time, and then for 5k 10k 13.1 and full. Maybe other distances if we have enough data to go with... Most races participated in... Most Disney races...
Winners of whatever categories would get on page 1 of the 2017 year thread with the new list of races. So, a full year of bragging for winners...

Let me know what yall think and any ideas for categories..

Cool idea!

 

[Mickey Momma]

ATYQOTD: When I was training for last January's marathon, I tried to do some very light strength training twice a week, usually after my easy runs. I think it made a huge difference in the actual marathon day for me. My overall time was slower from my first marathon two years before, but I think it is because I stopped for most of the photos and rode Everest. The strongest indicator that the strength training helped, however, was the much shorter recovery time afterwards.
In February, I started going to the gym with the intention of doing something more in-depth when it came to strength training. That lasted about a month until a stress fracture forced me into a boot and I haven't been back since. This winter I am looking for a half-marathon PR, so I am going to try and get serious about some strength and cross-training again.

ATTQOTD: I have a stick roll that I used fairly religiously while marathon training last year. Since the marathon I have only picked it up when I have a specific hot zone.

 

[Chaitali]

I have a foam roller but I only use it when I'm experiencing sore muscles or tightness. I need to get better about using it proactively.

 

[roxymama]

ATTQOTD: no rollers for me (only for lack of knowledge on how to use them...I will check out videos though.) I don't often get too sore...though I realize I've now jinxed myself.

I like the awards idea. And I'm digging all the "obscure categories" so you should definitely think about adding some of those. Can I nominate the red-sparkle skirt guys for the " best costume" category?

 

[baxter24]

ATTQOTD: I have both. I use the foam roller for soreness. I used to use the stick a lot back when I had bad IT Band issues. But now that I have figured out how to properly stretch around there and got better shoes, I find I don't use it much.

 

[Miranda]

ATTQOTD: I have a TriggerPoint grid roller and a Tiger Tail stick. I never use the stick, as I don't feel like it's doing anything. I do like the grid roller but like everyone else, I should use it more. I only end up using it when something really hurts.

 

[RunDisneyDad]

I have a question for yall for a idea I have.

Great idea!

 

[cavepig]

ATTQOTD - I have been trying to really use my stick roller to work out my tight calf and shin these last few days, I think it is helping maybe. I watched videos and it said like roll for 2 minutes so I've been doing it longer on my calf & shin of my problem leg & only after I run. It does hurt on my shin, like not a bad hurt so I don't think I'm doing any harm, but it isn't the best feeling. I do use it on my quads/hamstrings and glutes some as well just not as long. I don't do it before I run, but I'm wondering if that would help with the tight calf & shin? I was the question asker on this one FYI as I'm just not sure if rolling too much is bad or before a run is bad?

 

[FFigawi]

I have a question for yall for a idea I have. I was thinking about a way to make things a little interesting on here with the list on the first page. The idea is to have a end of year award type of thing. I can think of several categories for it based on percentage for things like most improved overall race time, and then for 5k 10k 13.1 and full. Maybe other distances if we have enough data to go with... Most races participated in... Most Disney races...
Winners of whatever categories would get on page 1 of the 2017 year thread with the new list of races. So, a full year of bragging for winners...

Let me know what yall think and any ideas for categories..

I think the categories need to be pretty broad, more than simply percentage improvement in a given race distance. There are quite a few people who read this thread but don't speak up because they feel intimidated by all the race and fast pace talk. Giving bragging rights based on races isn't really fair to them. Maybe one approach could be to ask people to self-enter in a particular category once we determine what those will be. The people who want to race can enter the race categories and other who don't can enter ones more suited to them, maybe biggest improvement in training miles/pace or something to allow them to feel proud of what they've done.

You forgot the beer, which likely played a part in the falling asleep on the couch (along with the workouts of course)

I know not of what you speak