The Running Thread - 2016

[virtuoso1989]

Congratulations to everyone who raced today! I missed out on my local turkey trot today because it was already full when I tried to register the other day.

I did do an 8 mile run, and I tried gazelle running as discussed here a few days ago and I actually ran faster! I typically take small steps, which i started after having a severe hip problem after fartlek running before. I will see if this works, as I will start doing more speed work after Dopey.

 

[dis_or_dat]

Hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving carb-loading!

Finished my Gobble Wobble this morning. I felt like I had it in the bag since it's an area I run in on my speed and tempo days.... but I was wrong! I got to the starting line late, so was near the back and ended up having to weave around strollers and kids quite a bit. Unlike @opusone and @CherieFran , I did not have negative splits. 6:52, 6:54, and then 7:10(!!), but 6:50ish for the last 0.1 miles. I run hot and it was a cold morning, so I stood out wearing a singlet (InknBurn holiday sweater vest, many compliments given!) and shorts. I couldn't even feel my legs or feet for the first 0.5 miles. As I mentioned before, it's an area I know well and pretty flat, but this course actually had us on "hills" for the last 0.5 miles. It's pretty negligible elevation, but I wasn't expecting them and they felt like mountains and my pace suffered dramatically. (looking at some of the faster ladies, I saw their pace also dropped to 7:30-7:40 on the hills, phew!) Also didn't expect the narrow gravel path that led to the turn around so it was hard to pass people without running into others going the other way. Anyways, enough excuses! The hubby ran too and he did awesome: 28:00 exactly! He probably runs 2-2.5 miles once a month if he's lucky. Our little guy ran the kids dash, he was so cute and proud of himself, but not as proud as I was!

Official time: 21:20

Oh man! I just realized I sort of placed by default in my division! I'm 5th in my division, but the first 2 women in my division were 2nd and 3rd place overall ... so in a way I'm 3rd place in my division!!!! I know that's not how it works, but I choose to believe it in my carb delirium.

 

[FFigawi]

Oh man! I just realized I sort of placed by default in my division! I'm 5th in my division, but the first 2 women in my division were 2nd and 3rd place overall ... so in a way I'm 3rd place in my division!!!! I know that's not how it works, but I choose to believe it in my carb delirium.

Take the podium any way you can

 

[Disney at Heart]

Congrats! A little warm, but mostly good conditions for the half? Beautiful day here in Atl/N. Georgia.

Did the PT for a bunch of years in a row. Didn't go for the triple peach, and now I'm jealous! I got turned off from the T-day half after a cold, windy one a couple of years ago.

It was a great day for a race! About 52 at start and a little warm for running by the end, but pretty cloudy, so no direct sunlight. Last year was also good weather -- 40-45ish at start. I ran it 10 minutes slower than last year. I think it was because I ran an "almost Dopey" training at the end of last week, culminating with a 23 mile run on Sunday. I knew I was sluggish before I started since I had no taper, so I took it easy. Just a training run with around 7-8000 of my running buddies! Also, for the first time ever, I completed 55 miles in a 7-day period yesterday (have only topped 40 in a week 2-3 times before), and today I am feeling it. Time for a few days off!

 

[opusone]

Oh man! I just realized I sort of placed by default in my division! I'm 5th in my division, but the first 2 women in my division were 2nd and 3rd place overall ... so in a way I'm 3rd place in my division!!!! I know that's not how it works, but I choose to believe it in my carb delirium.

Actually, that's exactly how it works. Overall is a different division where age is ignored, so you truly placed 3rd in your age group. Congrats!!

 

[dis_or_dat]

Actually, that's exactly how it works. Overall is a different division where age is ignored, so you truly placed 3rd in your age group. Congrats!!

Really?! Wow! I've never placed before! Yay for those women for being super fast. I didn't stick around for the 5k results. Top 3 finishers in each division receive a $25 gift certificate, should I contact the race director (local running store) or is it forever lost because I wasn't there?

 

[opusone]

Really?! Wow! I've never placed before! Yay for those women for being super fast. I didn't stick around for the 5k results. Top 3 finishers in each division receive a $25 gift certificate, should I contact the race director (local running store) or is it forever lost because I wasn't there?

Yes, contact the race director. You should still get the award regardless of you not sticking around. I have received awards in the mail before when I didn't even know I placed in my age group.

 

[Kathymford]

Hi everyone! Just popping in to say hello! I miss this thread, but I just can't do it from work right now. LOL. I've been trying to get my runs in, but I'm finding it difficult. You'd think that a Light Side 10k looming would do it, but nope. LOL.

Speaking if which, I should probably go run now. HA!

 

[Miranda]

Anyone get any good Black Friday gear deals?

I picked up a Tracer360 vest for me and one for my doggy for $79.92 total. They are on sale for a BF deal from the noxgear website for $44.95 each, but then I saw they had a link that said that it was also available on Amazon Prime, so I checked there because I didn't know how much shipping from noxgear would be and I have Prime. It was a little more at $49.95 each on Amazon, but also $9.99 off each if you bought 2 items, plus the free shipping I had with Prime!

I was going to get some blinkies for my reflective vest but I remembered people in this thread seemed to like the Tracer360 vest. Now I just need to find a better headlamp. My Tikka Petzl we have for taking the dog out at night is too heavy.

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

Now I just need to find a better headlamp. My Tikka Petzl we have for taking the dog out at night is too heavy.

I have a Black Diamond Sprinter that I love. It's rechargeable and the batteries are in the back to even out the weight; although it is heavier than the Petzl (105 vs 85 g).

Looks like they're on sale and free shipping:

http://blackdiamondequipment.com/en.../sprinter-headlamp-2016-BD620620ULBLALL1.html

 

[croach]

I didn't buy any running gear(yet) but I got a pretty nice deal on some luggage through Amazon today.

I use this instead of a headlamp.

http://www.runningwarehouse.com/Nathan_Zephyr_Fire_100_Hand_Torch_Flashlight/descpage-NZF1HT.html

I think it's easier to manage and more comfortable.

 

[camaker]

I have a Black Diamond Sprinter that I love. It's rechargeable and the batteries are in the back to even out the weight; although it is heavier than the Petzl (105 vs 85 g).

Looks like they're on sale and free shipping:

http://blackdiamondequipment.com/en.../sprinter-headlamp-2016-BD620620ULBLALL1.html

Black Diamond are definitely good headlamps to look at. I use the Storm.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Anyone get any good Black Friday gear deals?

I picked up a Tracer360 vest for me and one for my doggy for $79.92 total. They are on sale for a BF deal from the noxgear website for $44.95 each, but then I saw they had a link that said that it was also available on Amazon Prime, so I checked there because I didn't know how much shipping from noxgear would be and I have Prime. It was a little more at $49.95 each on Amazon, but also $9.99 off each if you bought 2 items, plus the free shipping I had with Prime!

I was going to get some blinkies for my reflective vest but I remembered people in this thread seemed to like the Tracer360 vest. Now I just need to find a better headlamp. My Tikka Petzl we have for taking the dog out at night is too heavy.

Got myself a Garmin 235 for $180. Couldn't pass up the deal.

You'll love the tracer 360! I use this as a supplement for light in front of me.

Target Bike Light

I just strap it on the tracer 360 in between the tube and the clip. It works well, but probably not as well as a super bright headlamp. I typically run where there are street lamps so I don't rely on the bike light too much. I'm not sure how much the light would move on someone else though, as I have it pinned up against my chest so it doesn't rotate.

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

Black Diamond are definitely good headlamps to look at. I use the Storm.

I need to look at the Storm. Trade-off appears to be rechargeable vs distance (almost triple for the Storm, 80m vs 30m)

You can't have too many headlamps/flashlights!

 

[cburnett11]

Anyone get any good Black Friday gear deals?

I'm not sure how much of what I bought today was considered a "Black Friday deal", but I did get some fun things. I got a couple pair of Brooks Launch 3 ($75) from their website and they threw in a free "ugly sweater" long-sleeve technical t-shirt. I also bought a Scosche Rhythm+. And then I bought 2 pair of Plantronic Backbeat Fit Bluetooth headphones at Costco for a couple runners in my family as gifts.

 

[Keels]

I'm back!!!

After over two months off, I ran my first race on Thanksgiving - the 10K as part of our local race weekend.

This race is my current 10K PR, and while I didn't beat that this time around - I was actually three minutes slower - I DID get my first Top-10 finish in my age group (thanks, incredibly small 10K field!!).

It was REALLY cold, at least for where I live in Texas for this part of the year. 41 with a strong wind at 8 a.m. that made it feel like 34. I'd been wearing a fleece zip-up that I planned to have on the whole race, but about five minutes before race start the overcast skies burnt away and the sun came out in full force. I made the mad dash back to my SUV for sunglasses (and had to run in my metal-rimmed aviators, which were the only polarized sunglasses I had in my truck -- I would advise against for anyone thinking that those would ever be appropriate running eyewear) and made the decision to ditch my fleece and run in my short-sleeved tee.

After the first mile, I was most definitely warm and happy (I love being warm, and do not mind running in the heat), however ... the cold had already gotten to me - despite constantly drinking water, my throat was dry and "sore" from breathing in the cold air. Around Mile 5.5, I was done. I felt like I had sticker burrs in the back of my throat that wouldn't go away, no matter how much fluid I drank or how much I swallowed. I've only experienced this feeling one other time - at the Hot Chocolate 15K in February when it was 29 degrees ... I had a hoodie then that I could pull up to cover my mouth and still breathe through and things got better. But on Thanksgiving? That woulda been overkill.

Cold really just is my kryptonite.

So, anyway. A 1:09 10K for me. I would've liked to have been closer to 1:06, since I'm hoping for a 1:02 or better at Dopey. So, a little disappointing on that front, but nothing to be super upset about.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

I'm back!!!

Keels, congrats on the race AND the swag!

I took 4 months off for ankle surgery a couple of years ago, so I know how important that first race is, both mentally and physically.

Sounds like you're on your way to another Dopey!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

11 mile run this morning, then time for some great college football.

Roll Tide!!!

 

[camaker]

I need to look at the Storm. Trade-off appears to be rechargeable vs distance (almost triple for the Storm, 80m vs 30m)

You can't have too many headlamps/flashlights!

I think the waterproofing on the Storm is a bit better than the Sprinter, as well. I get caught in downpours regularly so I like that extra security.

Just saw, too, that REI has the Storm 50% off this weekend.

 

[FFigawi]

If anyone's feeling bored this morning or afternoon, my IMFL race report is finally finished. It's in two parts because I got a little wordy.

Part I - https://jmsenger.blogspot.com/2016/11/imfl-race-report-part-i-pre-race.html
Part II - https://jmsenger.blogspot.com/2016/11/imfl-race-report-part-ii-race-day.html