The Running Thread - 2016

[Barca33Runner]

QOTD: How has your running or racing been influenced by anything you have read on this forum?

This thread helps keep me thinking about running and improving on a day to day basis. It mainly provides inspiration and motivation, but I have also gleaned some practical things that I have transferred to my training. The primary thing that comes to mind is varying my training distances and effort level.

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

ATTQOTD: Oh man, where do I begin? I've learned a lot about the science of running and improving running performance for sure! The 80% easy and 20% hard of training was something I had never heard before. Also, running by heart rate. Reading about people's experiences coming back from an injury have been inspiring, but also taught me a lot. But the biggest thing for me, is that running has stayed on my mind in a super positive way. Reading this thread in the morning, really makes me want to fit in my run for the day!

 

[DopeyBadger]

I want to say a few things to any of the shy runners lurking here and not saying anything. I am one of you. My fastest time remains 3:05 in the Disneyland 1/2 although I don't consider that my PR since it contained no stops whatsoever and every race since has contained multiple picture and/or character stops. Don't be intimidated by how fast you aren't. Instead, take advantage of the opportunity to learn from some very fast runners who don't care how fast you aren't.

I can honestly say that my first 1/2 marathon was not a "fun" experience. It was something I had to overcome, endure, and accomplish. But every race since then has truly been fun. And part of that fun came from learning from runners here about how to cope with the mental part of the game and see the bigger picture. Don't let your fear of how fast you aren't hold you back. Because at the end of the day if you're wearing your medal around Disney, nobody cares that you were "slow." I've tried to persuade many who admired the medal that earning it wasn't the impossible task their mind made it out to be.

Difficult, yes? Impossible. Never. Walt Disney said it best: "It's kind of fun to do the impossible."

Well said and

Don't forget that the Muppet's are isney as well...you would make an excellent Dr Bunsen Honeydew. You just need to find someone to act as your Beaker

Well correct if I'm wrong, but doesn't Dr. Bunsen Honeydew "invent" things. And then Beaker is persuaded to use/try said "inventions". Sounds like I know a few candidates for being my Beaker, and trying out my "inventions" (i.e. training plans). Although I'd like to think I have a few more successes to my name than Honeydew seems to have as I typically remember most of his "inventions" end in disaster. Poor Beaker...

 

[NJlauren]

First time answering a question of the day!

ATTQOTD: I just started running, the Disneyland 5k was my first ever race and the training was the first time I ever ran! This forum has really helped me want to continue even though the race has come and gone!

So thank you everyone for that!

 

[Disney at Heart]

QOTD: How has your running or racing been influenced by anything you have read on this forum?

ATTQOTD: Encouragement, encouragement, encouragement! Just had my first 40 miles in 7 days!
Getting ready for a slow but steady Dopey in January with everyone's support.

 

[RunDisneyDad]

ATTQOTD: This thread is great because reading everyone's perspectives and experiences reminds me running is a journey. That has had a huge influence on keeping me going and having something to look forward to.

 

[rteetz]

QOTD: How has your running or racing been influenced by anything you have read on this forum?

It helps keep me going. If I wasn't involved on this board my training would likely suffer. Seeing everyone's training, the strava group, etc. it keeps me going and training so I can achieve my end goal.

 

[roxymama]

QOTD: How has your running or racing been influenced by anything you have read on this forum?

Can my answer be..."Yes, Everything"? Sometimes people give me running magazines and I'm always like "yep, I learned that on dis-boards."
But I wasn't a runner until early 2015 when I joined the WDW marathon weekend thread and so literally I was a blank slate that you all have scribbled all over. So hearty thanks for all the advise and support. I also don't think I'd have been so aggressive in signing up for so many races and so many outside my comfort zone if I didn't see how much fun you all were having.

Honestly, I may still be in cotton t-shirts, wearing my old walking shoes from kmart, getting blisters, lining up at the back behind the strollers, trying to sprint for .5 a mile before giving up and sulking the rest of the way, being sore, then only running once a week too fast to like it, getting scared to try another race and then quitting altogether... if it weren't for you all.

 

[ZellyB]

ATTQOTD: Encouragement, advice and inspiration! All in one lovely package. And, honestly, just fun to talk to others who love to run and are genuinely just good folk!

 

[dis_or_dat]

As someone else who has just recently come out of lurkdom in this thread...bravo!!

I lurked on your training journal, but it was definitely an inspiration with a lot of info. Now that's it's ending, I'm so happy you're posting here!

ATTQOTD: Many people have answered more eloquently, but I would like to say the support is awesome. A lot of other running forums are really intimidating with how fast some people run and sometimes devolve into petty arguments. But this forum is like a warm hug. I love this community and look forward to coming to it (let's face it) multiple times a day. It's also gotten me to try new things like different fuel, yoga positions, and foam rolling. And I've received lots of great advice, especially from @DopeyBadger !

 

[Ariel484]

I lurked on your training journal, but it was definitely an inspiration with a lot of info. Now that's it's ending, I'm so happy you're posting here!

Thanks! I appreciate that!

I'm finding it hard to stay away from that thread, so I may do monthly updates or something like that.

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

Thanks! I appreciate that!

I'm finding it hard to stay away from that thread, so I may do monthly updates or something like that.

Yay!

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

ATTQOTD: When I first started running I hated it! Coming on the boards helped me to appreciate it more, it has become something I enjoy doing and not something I have to do.

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

QOTD: How has your running or racing been influenced by anything you have read on this forum?

I don't bother reading any other running forums, what's the point? I get all the inspiration and advice I can handle here This is an amazing group of talented, dedicated runners and y'all continue to inspire me on a daily basis.

 

[surfde22]

QOTD: How has your running or racing been influenced by anything you have read on this forum?

This forum has been a daily check in and reminder to get my butt in gear for the day. I have definitely changed the paces and types of runs that I do during training. There's been lots of inspiration and knowledge gained from runner fast and slow, new and old.

 

[gjramsey]

ATTQOTD: Daily check-in! I have learned more about fueling from this thread and what others do and see what I need to try for my next marathon.

Also by seeing what training plans others use, has made me look into other plans and propelled me to try Hanson's (mmmBop!) plan.

 

[opusone]

QOTD: How has your running or racing been influenced by anything you have read on this forum?

I have a renewed passion for running again after finding this forum. I have always been a runner (or triathlete), but sometimes it's tough to focus and motivate yourself. This is usually due to the fact that running just falls further down on the priority list of life at times. However, having a community of like-minded people that not only enjoy running, but also strive for continuous improvement and discuss interesting questions, thoughts, and stories on a daily basis, keeps running at the forefront of my mind, and therefore, remains a constant priority in my life which is what I want and need.

Also, similar to @dis_or_dat, I like trying new things that I hear about here. For example, I had never heard of the Hansons Marathon Method before coming to this board, and now, it's the main training program I use. Also, I am trying new fueling options, rotating my shoes, and being more thoughtful regarding my pre-run and pre-race routines. Some things work, some don't, but at least I am given ideas to try, and this moves my running forward.

 

[cavepig]

ATTQOTD - Besides my family no one cares about my running so coming here feels like I have "running friends" so in my running I don't feel alone Also, reading everyone's stories & advice helps me reevaluate my running to keep it fresh or motivate me to try something new with all the plans/products/etc mentioned.

 

[JulieODC]

QOTD: This was such a great thread to discover -- so much positivity and encouragement, love the diversity of pace/experience/viewpoints, and that everyone is always willing to answer a question!

 

[DVCFan1994]

ATTQOTD: This forum has helped me in a few different ways. First, I feel less alone in my running struggles. Most of my running acquaintances have not gotten into distances >5k and have not had injuries, I am not equating the two, just saying I had no one to commiserate with when dealing with injuries or facing a long run at a new distance. Sometimes that made me feel like it was me, and I should give it up, but seeing here that everyone has their struggles and finds way to deal with them and move on has helped. Second I have learned a lot and gotten reassurance about training ideas. I had really been struggling with my running coach's suggestion to do 80% of my running easy to super easy but people here reassured me that it would benefit me in the end to slow down and build a better base.

And last but not least, I just did my 3rd yoga workout in the last 2 weeks