The Running Thread - 2016

[keahgirl8]

Get in line for port-o-potty
Use port-o-potty
Get back in line for port-o-potty

No kidding. I am so paranoid I'm going to need to go to the bathroom again. I'm not even sure how many times I go, especially before a half.

 

[Barca33Runner]

ATTQOTD:

Race routine:

-Wake up
-Fight off the urge to go back to sleep
-Re-evaluate the life choices I've made that removed my option to go back to sleep
-Go to the bathroom approximately a zillion times
-Run
-Shower

 

[keahgirl8]

ATTQOTD:

Race routine:

-Wake up
-Fight off the urge to go back to sleep
-Re-evaluate the life choices I've made that removed my option to go back to sleep
-Go to the bathroom approximately a zillion times
-Run
-Shower

Totally accurate. 100%.

 

[tacboze]

I'm just going to say that not all people with flat feet overpronate, not all people who overpronate need stability shoes, and plenty of people with flat feet who may or may not overpronate run, so no quitting! FWIW I technically have pretty low arches, so every shoe fitter that's looked at my feet wants to put me in stability shoes. What they fail to realize because they're not experts in anatomy and physiology is that I also have extremely strong arches that engage when I run like high arches do. So, my point here is to go with the medical expert's opinion over the shoe store people - definitely worth trying stability shoes and see how they make you feel. Maybe you need them, maybe you don't but you'll never know unless you try them! And it's definitely worth Googling to find exercises to build strength in your feet and ankles, as no matter what shoes you wear, keeping that support chain strong is going to make running more comfortable!


This drives me crazy! Tons of elite runners heel strike - it is not the evil some folks want it to be. I happen to land mid- or fore-foot, but that's because it's my natural mechanics. Sure doesn't make me any better - or faster! - than an Olympic runner, lol! Do you have any other running specialty stores nearby? I think it's worth going elsewhere for another opinion.

I think I'll do just that. I have researched other running stores in my area, and while there aren't many, there are a couple I can try. After my podiatry appointment today, I'm going to go to a different store and ask them to actually analyze me and help me find a right fit in a running shoe. Thank y'all so much for your help and advice!

 

[Ariel484]

I envy people that can eat pizza the night before. That is definitely not me. I have to eat like an old person.

It has to be light on the cheese with somewhat thin crust. Naples at Disneyland did not agree with me. Via Napoli in Epcot is perfect.

Also...woohoo for Brooks Adrenalines!

 

[keahgirl8]

I think I'll do just that. I have researched other running stores in my area, and while there aren't many, there are a couple I can try. After my podiatry appointment today, I'm going to go to a different store and ask them to actually analyze me and help me find a right fit in a running shoe. Thank y'all so much for your help and advice!

I kid you not, it will change your life. I actually did it the first fitting when I was just going to be walking and not running. I wore the shoes they suggested as my every day shoes and never had sore feet again.

 

[derekleigh]

QOTD: What is your pre race routine for the morning of or day leading up to a big race?
Todays QOTD is another suggested question which I thought would be important for those who haven't given it thought before a idea of preparations to consider.

Routine:

- Wake-up
- Coffee & breakfast (some kind of shake)
- Bathroom
- Dress
- Bathroom
- Confirm race time
- Bathroom
- Drive to race
- Bathroom
- Bib and packet pick-up (if not done previously)
- Bathroom
- Run
- Refuel

Don't know what it is about race days, but I need to use the bathroom a lot.

 

[cburnett11]

QOTD: I do a lot of what everyone says on here the day before the race and the hours leading up to the race. I'm not too regimented though on everything. My one thing I HAVE TO DO is pin the bib on my shirt the night before my race. For the life of me, I cannot pin a bib on while wearing the shirt. If I have to pickup my bib the morning of the race then it is struggle city.

YQOTD: I never got blisters until recently. I'm a bit of a sock snob and thought this kept me blister free. Perhaps it was my rampup in mileage... maybe it was a newer pair of shoes that while they are the exact same model as the last 4 or 5 pairs I've worn, possibly fit just slightly different? Anyways, I got a blister in between 2 toes that (to me) approached the size of an extra toe. To help deal with it, I got a pair of injinji toe socks. That seemed to help my original blister, but then I got one on my other foot. So I've been battling this a little bit. I'm not complaining though. I watched the Barkley Marathons documentary and now I know I've never had REAL blister issues...

 

[cavepig]

It's always funny cause runner's do have that commonality of the bathroom trips over & over & over. Good ol' nerves & adrenaline & the just to be safe "better go again."

 

[opusone]

...that commonality of the bathroom trips over & over & over.

Now, I finally understand why the lines are always so long... because many folks are going back for their second or third helpings.

 

[IamTrike]

Routine:

Don't know what it is about race days, but I need to use the bathroom a lot.

It's like everything in your body knows how bad the next couple of hours are going to be and so its trying to get out.

Now, I finally understand why the lines are always so long... because many folks are going back for their second or third helpings.

If you are eating in there you are doing it wrong.

For the NY Marathon 2 years ago it was really cold and windy. The only warm spot was the port a potties. The buddy and I that I was running with kept taking turns in them to warm up.

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

If you are eating in there you are doing it wrong.

 

[dis_or_dat]

ATTQOTD: Pretty much what everyone else has said here. I'm pretty tired of stuffing carbs in my face by the day before the race, but will still try to eat a few more carbs, but dinner I try to keep more normal. Lots of water although I know now to mix it up with some electrolytes in the water too now since I start getting a headache if I don't. Also no alcohol. Someone mentioned eating salty chips the night before a race and so I tried it this time too. Not bad! Since most races start early in the morning, I try to get as much sleep as possible and get as much ready so I don't need to wake up earlier for that: clothes, bib, garmin, socks, hat, warm up clothes, post-race refreshments...

I will look over the course to see elevation changes, but a video tour is best if I'm expecting lots of hills.

For my last race, I tried a bit of toast with almond butter in the morning. Coffee (always! Gets things moving). Some water but not too much and a few sips before the race since I get a bad case of dry mouth before the race. Lots and lots of bathroom time. And at least twice at the porta potties if I have time. I'll have a few bananas as well right before the race.

At the starting line, I take some real slow deep breaths to help calm my nerves. Otherwise I'm fiddling with my watch and phone making sure I've got my race playlist going!

It's nice to see others also have that twinge of regret right before a race. Like, why did I sign up for this crazy thing?!? I always have a lot of self doubt the days leading up to the race and regret registering and even training thinking I had been wasting all my time. And I always have imposter syndrome lining up. This is why I take the deep breaths.

 

[keahgirl8]

It's always funny cause runner's do have that commonality of the bathroom trips over & over & over. Good ol' nerves & adrenaline & the just to be safe "better go again."

It's true! I don't like taking the time to go during a race, so I try to get completely empty! You know what else is funny? The fact that runners have no issue talking to total strangers on the internet about their bathroom habits.

 

[keahgirl8]

ATTQOTD: Pretty much what everyone else has said here. I'm pretty tired of stuffing carbs in my face by the day before the race, but will still try to eat a few more carbs, but dinner I try to keep more normal. Lots of water although I know now to mix it up with some electrolytes in the water too now since I start getting a headache if I don't. Also no alcohol. Someone mentioned eating salty chips the night before a race and so I tried it this time too. Not bad! Since most races start early in the morning, I try to get as much sleep as possible and get as much ready so I don't need to wake up earlier for that: clothes, bib, garmin, socks, hat, warm up clothes, post-race refreshments...

I will look over the course to see elevation changes, but a video tour is best if I'm expecting lots of hills.

For my last race, I tried a bit of toast with almond butter in the morning. Coffee (always! Gets things moving). Some water but not too much and a few sips before the race since I get a bad case of dry mouth before the race. Lots and lots of bathroom time. And at least twice at the porta potties if I have time. I'll have a few bananas as well right before the race.

At the starting line, I take some real slow deep breaths to help calm my nerves. Otherwise I'm fiddling with my watch and phone making sure I've got my race playlist going!

It's nice to see others also have that twinge of regret right before a race. Like, why did I sign up for this crazy thing?!? I always have a lot of self doubt the days leading up to the race and regret registering and even training thinking I had been wasting all my time. And I always have imposter syndrome lining up. This is why I take the deep breaths.

So do I. I have to remind myself of all of the reasons I signed up and how much I will enjoy it once I'm doing it (and finishing it).

 

[Slogger]

ATTQOTD: Great responses so far about pre race preparation.

Port-a-potties....so true.

About the only thing I can add is to check The Weather Channel frequently the day before and morning of race. Sometimes conditions can change and I want to dress accordingly.
Otherwise I will be saying things like "I didn't know it wasn't supposed to rain" when I am halfway done with the course.

 

[IamTrike]

It's true! I don't like taking the time to go during a race, so I try to get completely empty! You know what else is funny? The fact that runners have no issue talking to total strangers on the internet about their bathroom habits.

Strangers in target get weirded out when you try and bring it up.

 

[keahgirl8]

Strangers in target get weirded out when you try and bring it up.

The nerve... How rude of them.

 

[NJlauren]

It has to be light on the cheese with somewhat thin crust. Naples at Disneyland did not agree with me. Via Napoli in Epcot is perfect.

Also...woohoo for Brooks Adrenalines!

Funny because they are the same owners... I'm going to say it's the water

 

[Miranda]

-Wake up
-Fight off the urge to go back to sleep
-Re-evaluate the life choices I've made that removed my option to go back to sleep

Yesssss.

When I get those super early alarms, I am always like *** am I doing, this is stupid.