The Running Thread - 2016

[roxymama]

We did not. We just kept shifting the pumpkins from position to position. Sometimes it was on my shoulder, sometimes on my head, most of the time in arms. I was worried that if I got my little free pumpkin before running they'd notice it wasn't the pumpkin I was supposed to be carrying since they wrote my pumpkin weight on my bib but after this I realized they probably wouldn't notice and I should have just gotten my little free pumpkin and run with it. The big pumpkin and I are close now. I carried it all that way, it will not sit outside and get eaten by squirrels. A co-worker said I should smash it but I grew too attached.

I love this! So did you name him?

 

[Chaitali]

I did virtual races with NerdHerd running the past 2 years because I liked the theme for the races/medals and I liked how transparent they were about the money, how much went to charity, etc. I also liked the extra motivation for training runs in between real races, especially the first year because that was my first year of running. I didn't sign up this year because I'm trying to save more money and be more intentional about the races I sign up for. But I could see myself doing it again at some point in the future if I really like the theme or am looking for some extra motivation.

 

[Tigerlulu]

Took a little longer to get to my desk with all the conversations of the firing on Sunday. I had a beer to celebrate. It was time for him to go, and even though a part of me feels for the guy, I quickly remember they are still paying him another ~$12 million. Hard to feel bad for a guy who would not change after given a chance with that big of a check hitting his account. If we have any Houston fans here, I think yalls guy is our #1 pick at this time.

We had a little celebration too. Way overdue! Nice guy, wish him well--away from LSU!

 

[JohnRPG]

QOTD: What is your opinion on virtual 5ks? (I think we discussed this at some point, but I have had a few people PM me as a QOTD idea. I figured it worth discussing again.)

ATTQOTD: I participate in the Hogwarts Running Club races. I also use the Charity Miles app regularly as a member of Ravenclaw house. I do it partly because of the charity and partly because of the camaraderie that comes from the social media groups. I haven't done every race since I've joined the club, but the medals are cool. It does feel kind of pointless to get a medal for a training run, but I feel like the charity work more than justifies it.

This was a step-down week for me, so my long run was just under 8 miles. (It was supposed to be 6, oops.) I did learn an important lesson about blisters, though. Apparently, if something doesn't feel right at the start of the run, you should definitely check it there instead of dealing with the consequences at the end.

 

[Anisum]

I love this! So did you name him?

I have not yet. I mostly just call him "Bigggggg Pumpkin" but I say it with the sort of intonation Baymax uses when he says "Hairrrrry Baby".

 

[jhorstma]

QOTD: What is your opinion on virtual 5ks? (I think we discussed this at some point, but I have had a few people PM me as a QOTD idea. I figured it worth discussing again.)

I won't be so kind as others - I HATE 'EM!!! Cost me a trip to Disneyland!!! Just set yourself down and listen to this tale of woe:

So last January after getting back from Disney, DW and I were driving to dinner on our date night when we got to discussing ideas for further race trips. She's a huge Snoopy fan - Snoopy everything for her - so while she drove I searched for Snoopy 5Ks. Lo and behold Knott's Berry Farm in Anaheim has an annual Coaster Run starring Snoopy, complete with awesome Snoopy/Woodstock shirt and medal. I made her stop the Jeep just to show her the pics and she swooned - and agreed that we could fly out for it (she hates flying, so that and the expense made this a big deal). So that night I followed the 2 rules that make up my Code ("given an inch, take a mile" and "ask for forgiveness, not permission") and set up a nice long weekend trip that not only included the Coaster Run (including admission to the park and a tasty slice of boysenberry pie at the finish line), but also accomodations at the Grand Californian and spending a couple days at Disneyland. Our first trip back there Since The 1960s!!! (well, separately - we didn't know each other back then) So my itchy trigger finger is inches away from hitting the Book button when she pipes up with "oh look dear, they've got a virtual option!". So now we're the proud owners of the shirts and the medals, but no Disneyland souveniers/memories.

I think anyone who isn't named Nick Saban, and Urban Meyers are options. Many rumors will surface for months to come.

You just keep your boosters' grubby little paws and fat wallets far far away from Blacksburg thankyouverymuch...

 

[Miranda]

ATTQOTD: I don't have anything against virtual runs like others have said, but they are not for me. I just like the atmosphere of an in-person race.

 

[girliea]

Took a little longer to get to my desk with all the conversations of the firing on Sunday. I had a beer to celebrate. It was time for him to go, and even though a part of me feels for the guy, I quickly remember they are still paying him another ~$12 million. Hard to feel bad for a guy who would not change after given a chance with that big of a check hitting his account. If we have any Houston fans here, I think yalls guy is our #1 pick at this time.

Yes to everything you said! When the hubs told me Les was gone, I was kinda shocked to hear it happened 4 games in, but-yes we need change.....and I wish I got 1/4 of the 12 million he's gonna get, but yeah- he is a nice guy.

As far as your 16 mile run, it is still really hot! I find myself doing more cross training and tm runs-I heard we are supposed to have a cold front this week, we can only hope!

 

[cavepig]

@Anisum - we harvested a ton of pumpkins this week including some huge ones, which got tiring quick so I can't imagine running with one weighing much. Good job! I think I would have started calling it names that weren't so nice!

ATTQOTD - I was one who didn't "get" virtuals either because I love racing real people & the atmosphere.... but RunDisney had their series this summer and so we did it because we are suckers. It was really fun running them together (4 of us). We took it pretty serious I suppose, bibs & all & set the dates for them. I don't see myself doing any others but the RunDisney ones and liked it was just a 5k distance each.

 

[ZellyB]

ATTQOTD: I've never done a virtual run, but think it's a great option for those who want to participate. I've been very tempted by the Hogwarts Running races though, and if the right race/medal came along I might do it.

Like others @Keels run would be one I'd consider for sure!

 

[Flossbolna]

GERMANY!?!?!, had no idea we had people from that far reading this thread. Since October is around the corner, please send beer! Thanks for reading along with us!

Here is the beer: (of course this smiley is all wrong in shape and beer color... But it will have to do for now).

Maybe if I had announced my race for next Monday with its real name instead of translating it (Nürnberg Stadtlauf) you would have realized it sooner where that race was taking place. And I already had some nice chats with people on here about the Challenge Roth, which kind of would be my local triathlon if I were that crazy. But that was pretty obscure as well...

I am happy to be part of thread! Thanks for keeping it going!

Oktoberfest is in full swing already. It typically ends the first weekend of October. You better get your beer now.

It is indeed. This year it will be extended though until Monday, October 3, as that is a public holiday in Germany.

 

[LSUlakes]

You just keep your boosters' grubby little paws and fat wallets far far away from Blacksburg thankyouverymuch...

I don't think this is the direction the program is looking to go to, but you never know. We will see in the coming months how big the wallets really are. The only exception of seeing just how big would be if coach O runs the table... then it would be a discount.

As far as your 16 mile run, it is still really hot! I find myself doing more cross training and tm runs-I heard we are supposed to have a cold front this week, we can only hope!

It is a bit warm now, but cooling off. The early morning are much more pleasant lately, but it does get warm fast. Looks like midweek we are going to get into the mid 60's and Saturday morning will be in the 50's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Anisum]

@Anisum - we harvested a ton of pumpkins this week including some huge ones, which got tiring quick so I can't imagine running with one weighing much. Good job! I think I would have started calling it names that weren't so nice!

I would have felt terrible. It's not the pumpkin's fault that there weren't smaller offerings.

 

[MyFavEeyore]

The stitch is from one thing - your breathing. You must be changing your breathing. Breath slow and deep and you will never get the stitch again. If/when you do, just remember to slow your breathing and it will go away. You don't even have to slow down or change your stride - just slow your breathing.

Awesome! As I sat down and thought about it, most of the time it happens when my DS is running with me. He @ 23, and me @ 4?, always throw challenges at one another to keep each other going in life. So I would be willing to bet I get off my game breathing when I know he's out there and ahead of me. Good to know I won't have trouble if I just remember to keep my breathing pace. Thanks!

 

[Keels]

QOTD: What is your opinion on virtual 5ks? (I think we discussed this at some point, but I have had a few people PM me as a QOTD idea. I figured it worth discussing again.)

I did Hogwarts RC "races" last year as carrots to get me through Dopey training during the summer. I'm glad I did them, but I most definitely wouldn't do them again. When I went to finish up my medal wall in the stairwell, I actually felt bad about all the medals. They're buried on the back of my medal rack behind all of my "real" medals for races with a start and finish to them. I think I'll ultimately end up donating them to Medal for Mettle before all is said and done, or at worst give them to my friend that is in charge of her elementary school's running club (they're a very low income school, so the medals could be a nice perk for the kiddos). At the time, HRC wasn't 501(c) compliant, which meant that you really couldn't write off the entry fee on your taxes - so $30-35 for a medal was ultimately ridiculous if they couldn't guarantee the money was going to the charity and I couldn't get the tax deduction.

Plus, some of the people on the HRC Facebook groups REALLY started to annoy me, so ... I moved on.

As far as the RunDisney virtual runs, I vacillate between thinking they're an egregious cash grab and that at least they're getting people out there to be active. I wish they required more accountability - some race weekends that I've seen do Virtual Options require the participant to send in a time verification ... like a RunKeeper or Garmin screengrab showing completion of the distance. Cocoa Beach Half and the Galloway Half are two that do that - and I'm very much on-board with that. I also hate that the Virtual Shorts medals were like twice the size of Dopey, but that's probably just me being bitter ...

ATTQOTD: I would only do it for @Keels ' 5k!

I would 100% do an @Keels virtual run to support her though, no question.

Like others @Keels run would be one I'd consider for sure!

Oh, I'm definitely working on a Virtual Option!

 

[ebradley23]

If you're running a fall marathon, take a look:

http://blog.strava.com/back-half-ch...campaign=2016_09_26_Strava_Backhalf_Challenge

It's worth trying to do it, right?

 

[roxymama]

@Keels Just an FYI that I think Dopey medals should be the size of large salad plates. (Says someone who hasn't even sniffed a race with the word marathon in it yet so thinks being Dopey needs extra extra extra bling-size.)

 

[DVCFan1994]

ATTQOTD: I'll echo many others. I have no interest in virtual runs, there is a slim chance I would participate in one for a specific charity, but that is about it. But, I live somewhere where on any given weekend I can find a five 5k nearby, and most weekends a 10k, 10 miler or half. But I think for those who are starting out and intimidated by actual races, they could be a good motivator.

I was actually cold on my long run this weekend -- yeah!

 

[DopeyBadger]

If you're running a fall marathon, take a look:

http://blog.strava.com/back-half-ch...campaign=2016_09_26_Strava_Backhalf_Challenge

It's worth trying to do it, right?

Totally my plan, but I'm October 2nd.... Great incentive though for others if they can pull it off. Thanks for sharing!

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

ATTQOTD: The only virtual race I've done is the Orlando One 5K. I just really felt helpless in my desire but inability to help out after those shootings; it was definitely worth it for me! I actually kind of forgot about it after signing up and running the 3.1, until the medal and shirt showed up in the mail (like a month or so later?). It felt like a fun bonus to get those things!

I agree with what has been said, that if this motivates you to run then more power to you!