The Running Thread - 2016

[camaker]

I know a bunch of you guys live in the Raleigh area. My DD26 just moved to Cary and is trying to get back into her WDW marathon training. Any suggestions for areas close to her that are safe for long runs? Or running groups?

There are a lot of running clubs in the area. Her best bet for getting together with one of them is probably to visit one of the local running stores like Fleet Feet or the Raleigh Running Co and talk to them.

From an area standpoint, the Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, etc area has an extensive network of green ways and running friendly parks such as Umstead and the American Tobacco Trail (the portion south of Durham). Cary is also a great, safe area for running. I can't think of any areas in Cary, Apex or Holly Springs that I would advise against running in.

At any rate, tell her welcome to the area and feel free to put her in touch through PM if there's anything specific I can help with or answer.

 

[CherieFran]

@LSUlakes , could you add these races to the calendar when you get the chance? Thanks!

November 24 - Alexandria Turkey Trot 5 Miler (42:30/N/A)
December 4 - Jingle All the Way 5K (23:50/N/A)
March 11 (2017) - Rock 'N' Roll DC Marathon (4:00:00/N/A)

 

[Dis5150]

There are a lot of running clubs in the area. Her best bet for getting together with one of them is probably to visit one of the local running stores like Fleet Feet or the Raleigh Running Co and talk to them.

From an area standpoint, the Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, etc area has an extensive network of green ways and running friendly parks such as Umstead and the American Tobacco Trail (the portion south of Durham). Cary is also a great, safe area for running. I can't think of any areas in Cary, Apex or Holly Springs that I would advise against running in.

At any rate, tell her welcome to the area and feel free to put her in touch through PM if there's anything specific I can help with or answer.

Thanks so much! I will give her all this info. It's more me being worried than her lol but that's a moms job! She isn't on Disboards but I'll have her pass any questions on thru me.

 

[surfde22]

Ran my second half marathon today, the Hot Cider Hustle. My watch clocked it at only 12.95 miles, but they say the course is certified. I can't find the certification in the USATF site though. My time was over 10 minutes faster than my previous PR. I finished with an official time of 1:53:56. The course was constant rolling hills and pretty nice. The one major issue I had was there were three 180 degree turns, one of which was half way down a hill. That last one was definitely annoying. The race just seemed a little disorganized all around at times. Not sure if I'll do this race again, but it was a good experience.

 

[croach]

Ran my second half mile today, the Hot Cider Hustle. My watch clocked it at only 12.95 miles, but they say the course is certified. I can't find the certification in the USATF site though. My time was over 10 minutes faster than my previous PR. I finished with an official time of 1:53:56. The course was constant rolling hills and pretty nice. The one major issue I had was there were three 180 degree turns, one of which was half way down a hill. That last one was definitely annoying. The race just seemed a little disorganized all around at times. Not sure if I'll do this race again, but it was a good experience.

Congrats on that awesome PR! Those 180 turns always suck. Feels like you lose your momentum.

 

[baxter24]

@Dis5150, I echo what @camaker said about the places to run! There are so many parks and lakes to run around and the greenways are all over the place. My personal favorite running trail is the American Tobacco Trail. It has a wide path, is shaded for the most part, and always has people running, walking, riding bikes. The Raleigh area is also a really good place to find a race to run in too.

 

[JulieODC]

Ran my first 10k today and it went well! My goal was 1:10 and I finished in 1:04:03 - so I was really happy. My first mile was too fast, the course was hilly, but at least it was 65 and drizzly (though kind of humid) and was beautiful with peak foliage.

I also need to be more comfortable with my run walk intervals - I was sort of self-conscious about it, esp near the start of the race. Not sure why really

It was a great run overall and good to get a race under my belt, as it's been awhile!

 

[jele30]

ATTQOTD: Friday is usually rest day, but had to switch things up this week as went to the football game with my husband on Thursday. I ran Thursday's run on Friday to make up for it. It was supposed to be 3 miles, but I looked at my training plan wrong and did 4 miles. That's ok though as my Mon run was a little short so that makes up for it. Today was a cross training day, so took a nice long while my daughter was at her ballet rehearsal. Tomorrow I have a 6 miler scheduled, but her rehearsal is two hours so was debating between doing a nice long rollerblade with my husband. I know it is not the same, but supposed to be sunny and 50's so would be nice do do something with him while we wait. Not sure I could pull of 6 miles and later rollerblade for two hours. Decisions, decisions...

 

[Miranda]

I also need to be more comfortable with my run walk intervals - I was sort of self-conscious about it, esp near the start of the race. Not sure why really

I am self conscious about it too in a race, even after doing races now for over 1.5 years. I usually always skip the very first walk interval, sometimes 1-2 more in a 5K, which always makes my first mile super fast in a race compared to the others. I know it's dumb, but I feel silly for stopping to walk at the start of the race, like people are judging me. Not so much the other runners, but the spectators.

 

[keahgirl8]

I am self conscious about it too in a race, even after doing races now for over 1.5 years. I usually always skip the very first walk interval, sometimes 1-2 more in a 5K, which always makes my first mile super fast in a race compared to the others. I know it's dumb, but I feel silly for stopping to walk at the start of the race, like people are judging me. Not so much the other runners, but the spectators.

Who cares what anyone thinks? It's my race, and I run it how I want to. If people want to judge me for that, it says more about them than it does me.

 

[orangejeepgirl]

I am self conscious about it too in a race, even after doing races now for over 1.5 years. I usually always skip the very first walk interval, sometimes 1-2 more in a 5K, which always makes my first mile super fast in a race compared to the others. I know it's dumb, but I feel silly for stopping to walk at the start of the race, like people are judging me. Not so much the other runners, but the spectators.

I don't use intervals but I know a fair amount of people who do. Nothing wrong with that! What I don't understand is the people who stop to walk directly in front of other runners with no warning.. put a hand up, move over, look behind before stopping, something, idk... Not saying you do this, I'm sure you don't, but I think this is why some people do have a problem with interval runners!

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

Well my half marathon went well yesterday! It was a great course that went down a canyon (like many half marathons here in Utah) into Salt Lake City. This canyon wasn't as steep as the Big Cottonwood Canyon half marathon I did last year, it was just a comfortable downgrade the whole way. A good way to PR I think for someone wanting to (not a PR for me though my time was 2:21 which I'm very happy with!). I didn't use my intervals too much, just because it was easier to coast at an easy jog than walk downhill. I'm always nervous going downhill and doing damage to my knees! At the end of the race there were a couple of uphill parts and it was so hard after running downhill for so long! The Halloween theme of the race was a lot of fun, with lots of creative and cute costumes! This is definitely a race I would do again!

 

[virtuoso1989]

Valparaiso, IN Half Marathon done! Lots of head wind about half of the course but was able to meet my goal and finished at 1:46:48. (Wanted under 1:49 to hopefully get in Corral A for dark side, lol.)

Next stop before Dopey is Indianapolis Monumental Marathon in 2 weeks. Then Dopey. Woooh!!!

 

[Disney at Heart]

Atlanta 10-miler complete. PR'd at the 10 mile distance at 1:41:22, 1826th of 4197 overall and 4th in my (old person) age group. This is only the 3rd 10-miler I've ever done. I think they planned the course to cover as many hills as they could in Atlanta for this one. My phone health app says I climbed 27 floors .
Next big race: AVENGERS 5K + Challenge

Congratulations @virtuoso1989 @disneydaydreamer33 @JulieODC @surfde22 and others who ran this weekend. I only read back the last few posts, so I know I left some out. It's so hard to keep up on this thread with all the awesome people who post here!

 

[Miranda]

HM #7 for me complete! I made my < 3:00:00 goal... 2:54:28. It was very cold and very windy and a lot hillier than I expected. I was doing pretty well up until 7 or 8, then I started really feeling the hills. There was a big downhill for 10 and the last 3 miles were pretty flat but I had no gas left in the tank and ended up walking a lot the last 2 miles. Still, I am pretty pleased with how I did given the weather and hills. It was a beautiful New England fall day, just windy and cold after a huge storm yesterday blew out all the warm weather (it was in the 70's and humid the last couple days of the week!)

I think taht the training plans like the Higdon one that top out at 10 miles for HM training just don't work for me. I did better last year with my runDisney Galloway plans. I just don't have enough left over at the end in any of my HM I have done this year.

 

[michigandergirl]

I ran the Grand Rapids marathon today and managed a 22 minute PR! Official time was 5:23:13. It was a beautiful, sunny day, with temps in the low 40's at the start and about 60 at the finish. My lifelong friend & I ran the whole way together. The course starts downtown and makes it's way out to a couple of large interconnecting parks. We both started struggling at mile 19 - I had a groin and hamstring issue and my friend had some GI discomfort. Then at mile 22 we decided we both felt much better walking, so we walked the majority of the last 4 miles. As we were heading back downtown towards the finish, we could hear the crowd and the announcers, and we decided to run the last half mile. Our families came to support us along the course and my 13 year old son ran the last .2 with us down to the finish, where we rang the PR bell. Someday we would like to get closer to that 5 hour mark, but proud of our effort today.

And now I can't stop stuffing my face with donuts & cider!

 

[LindseyJo22]

I know a bunch of you guys live in the Raleigh area. My DD26 just moved to Cary and is trying to get back into her WDW marathon training. Any suggestions for areas close to her that are safe for long runs? Or running groups?

Not sure about running groups, but there is a decent Greenway system around Maynard and High House Road where I used to live - not sure how good it would be for long runs since I didn't run when I was there The Art Museum also has a pretty extensive trail around it, though that's more in town than she might want to go.

 

[Baloo in MI]

I ran the Grand Rapids marathon today and managed a 22 minute PR! Official time was 5:23:13. It was a beautiful, sunny day, with temps in the low 40's at the start and about 60 at the finish. My lifelong friend & I ran the whole way together. The course starts downtown and makes it's way out to a couple of large interconnecting parks. We both started struggling at mile 19 - I had a groin and hamstring issue and my friend had some GI discomfort. Then at mile 22 we decided we both felt much better walking, so we walked the majority of the last 4 miles. As we were heading back downtown towards the finish, we could hear the crowd and the announcers, and we decided to run the last half mile. Our families came to support us along the course and my 13 year old son ran the last .2 with us down to the finish, where we rang the PR bell. Someday we would like to get closer to that 5 hour mark, but proud of our effort today.

And now I can't stop stuffing my face with donuts & cider!

Congrats @michigandergirl! It really was a beautiful course. Happy to hear you had a PR!

 

[Baloo in MI]

Race Report:

So today I ran the Grand Rapids Marathon. I totally recommend as it was a beautiful course and organized very well. I had three goals going into the race and sadly it was not a good day! I had a time goal of 3:45; this was my A goal and then B and C goals were to finish sub 4 hours and PR, respectively. I achieved none of the above...

I bonked, I think I now understand what real bonking is. I experienced cramping in my legs like nothing I had even imagined. The race started strong. I went out with a pace group that I thought would keep me in check and at mile seven I left them behind feeling really good. About mile 11 my legs just began to feel very heavy and I was struggling up hills that normally are not a huge issue for me. That pace group caught me at the half marathon point and I thought I could hang with them; by mile 16 they were pulling away, by mile 17/18 I saw them coming back from a out and back turn around. Shortly after that I was passed by the next pace group. Then I began cramping, then really cramping - I seriously struggled to move my legs at all. I came to a complete stop. I tried to stretch them out and walk, but running was out of the question. By mile 24 I was running again and managed to finish feeling not horrible. So my time was 4:25! That is 21 minutes off my PR. So it was a tough day.

But the positives - it truly is a beautiful course; I learned a lot today (pickle juice really helped, I think I may electrolytes were off); the medal is really awesome and even though my time was no where near what I wanted or what I can do, I finished. I wanted to quit like I never have, ever. I stopped, I walked, but I got going again and finished with a time that was better than both of my other marathons in 2016. Oh yeah, now I have more motivation to get after it with Dopey coming up!

Congrats to everyone who ran this weekend, sounds like people really had some great races!

 

[Keels]

Training starts in the morning - and I'm so excited! I'm like a kid on Christmas Eve ... which, I know sounds weird.

But it's been a pretty rough week. We made it out here to Florida, but my oldest dog basically died in my arms on Thursday morning and my husband had to give him CPR - and while he's still here, and is totally fine at the moment, the multiple vets we've seen have NO idea what's wrong with him and it's just very stressful. I'm not sleeping well, and I'm just following him around making sure he's fine - I'm sure he's annoyed by me stressing out over him too. It's just a crap situation all around.

Hope everyone has a great week!!