The Running Thread - 2016

[DopeyBadger]

View attachment 207688

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!

Congrats! This is awesome to hear!

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

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.

Great report. Honestly, words fail me; your accomplishment makes a marathon, or a Goofy, or even a Dopey seem wimpy. I raise my glass (actually a can) to you!

 

[FFigawi]

Great report. Honestly, words fail me; your accomplishment makes a marathon, or a Goofy, or even a Dopey seem wimpy. I raise my glass (actually a can) to you!

Thanks! Hope it's a can of something good & tasty

 

[Miranda]

So one of my goals with this winter running group that I joined was to get out of my comfort zone and just run more during my runs. In my solo runs, I get into my Galloway intervals rut and it's easy to convince myself to take a longer walk break or not push myself to try and extend the intervals. I know that goes against Galloway, but I want to run more.

This morning, I made it through my 1 hour group run and I only took 7 ~30-45s walk breaks, and the first one wasn't until 25 minutes in! I was really surprised at how well I did, because my running has been complete POOP for weeks and weeks, verging on months and months. I was already getting sporadic leading up to my HM on 10/23, and then between then and now, I have only run one 5K race, one 2.5 mile run, and one HM between 10/23 and my first group run I did on Wednesday night.

 

[roxymama]

Finished my final race of 2016, The Grant Park Turkey Trot. Ran with friends and we chatted the whole way. Had a blistering 36:12 finish time but was fun to cross the line in a group. My bestie says she'll try again with me in the spring after doing real training, so I'm excited about that
Easy, fun morning. Glad to finally not be sick. Is it spring yet?

 

[Burgundy Rose]

Completed my first ever 10K today in training. It felt wonderful, my body was fine afterwards. I never thought I'd reach that, let alone after 3 months of regular training (3 times a week). It also reminded me of how much I enjoy finishing with a smile as opposed to keeping track of my time. I couldn't tell you how long it took me - I have no idea - I just know that I finished, and I felt amazing.

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

Completed my first ever 10K today in training.

Congrats on the 10k!

 

[DIS-OH]

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

Thanks for sharing the links to your race report! I enjoyed it...made me feel like I was there with you! I might have even yelled "Go, SkirtGuy, go" at one point!

 

[Burgundy Rose]

Thank you so much, that's very kind I just saw that @Keels finished a 10K recently too, way to go!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

After many months wondering if I'd be allowed to start the Space Coast half & earn my year 4 medal and with several days that really threw it into question
was cleared to start and while it was my slowest half by 30+ min (and an hour 10 slower than my last half (@9weeks) happy to say baby girl & I finished!

Much more intense leg cramps & feet issues than ever before but still managed to pass a few people on the final miles..

Race season is over till post baby (9 weeks till that countdowns over!)

 

[camaker]

After many months wondering if I'd be allowed to start the Space Coast half & earn my year 4 medal and with several days that really threw it into question
was cleared to start and while it was my slowest half by 30+ min (and an hour 10 slower than my last half (@9weeks) happy to say baby girl & I finished!

Much more intense leg cramps & feet issues than ever before but still managed to pass a few people on the final miles..

Race season is over till post baby (9 weeks till that countdowns over!)

Congratulations and great job! For the multitude of us not in contention to win anything, the time isn't the most important thing! You started, finished, and earned your year 4 medal despite all the factors arrayed against you. I will hazard a guess that years from now you'll remember this race not as your slowest, but as the one you conquered while 7 months pregnant to keep your streak alive!!

 

[roxymama]

I just read all off @FFigawi race report and it was such a good read. It was fun following along "live" that day, so cool to read all the details. Congrats again

 

[FFigawi]

I just read all off @FFigawi race report and it was such a good read. It was fun following along "live" that day, so cool to read all the details. Congrats again

@Keels, @DopeyBadger, and @CheapRunnerMike did a great job with the live play-by-play coverage. It was fun to read it all afterwards.

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

@Keels, @DopeyBadger, and @CheapRunnerMike did a great job with the live play-by-play coverage. It was fun to read it all afterwards.

He has a point @Keels & @DopeyBadger ...we really should get all of the credit for @FFigawi's Ironman, the play by play coverage was a lot of hard work

 

[Anisum]

My Tikka Petzl we have for taking the dog out at night is too heavy.

If you haven't gotten one yet we had Nathan at our local running store the other week with the Neutron Fire and it was very light weight while also being very bright.

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

Still reading through the first part but I've learned a lot so far, like how to spell tchotchkes.

 

[DopeyBadger]

He has a point @Keels & @DopeyBadger ...we really should get all of the credit for @FFigawi's Ironman, the play by play coverage was a lot of hard work

I'll admit it. After @FFigawi's Ironman, I took the next day off from work. I was exhausted from typing so much...

 

[LSUlakes]

Good morning everyone and hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and weekend. Congrats to all those who raced over the holiday!

QOTD: Give your thoughts on core strength training. How much gives you most of the benefit? Which exercises should we do (or do you do)? Is it helpful?

ATTQOTD: Since I really haven't made this part of my routine I don't have any solid answers to this question but was curious what are some of yalls routines.

 

[Miranda]

If you haven't gotten one yet we had Nathan at our local running store the other week with the Neutron Fire and it was very light weight while also being very bright.

Thanks... I'll check that and the Black Diamond ones out today. I was waiting for Cyber Monday to see if there were any more deals.

ATTQOTD: I am terrible at doing core training so I try to just do yoga and call it good. Unfortunately, I fell off the yoga wagon earlier this year. We got a new puppy on Leap Day and for a few weeks that was a lot of work and I stopped going, then when I was finally ready to get my butt back to the studio, the schedule changed for the summer (my studio is in a college town) and my favorite time was gone. I have really no excuse for why I didn't go to other classes on the more reduced schedule. I finally went back yesterday, though! It was just ok. The instructor for the class that I like to take on Sunday afternoon has changed. It's a beginner class, which is what I like for Sunday afternoon... I just want to do some gentle stretching and not have a full workout. I didn't really have that nice stretched out noodly feeling at all from this lady's class, which was disappointing. I am pretty sore today, but not in the places you would think. My wrists and the fronts of my knees are super sore because I lost all my toughness for kneeling and downward dogs.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

QOTD: Give your thoughts on core strength training. How much gives you most of the benefit? Which exercises should we do (or do you do)? Is it helpful?

I do a lot of core strength training and have been for about 10 years now. When I started running so many years ago, I was in the Army and push-ups and sit-ups were just a part of our normal day. I had no idea how much it helped with my running until I got out of the Army. After some time off I started running again, but without the core work. During that period of running I didn't realize it, but my core had become so weak that my legs were forced to do ALL of the work on my runs. It made it harder to progress, and it made minor injuries all too common an occurrence. It also resulted in a few lower back injuries.

So, about 10 years ago a new product came out that aligned with my goals - P90X. I decided to give it a try after a friend told me how much it helped him and have never looked back. P90X is as much a part of my weekly routine as running. I don't love it like I do running and, even after all of these years, it is REALLY HARD, but it does a great job strengthening the areas not touched by running while making my running easier. I have tried a number of other things through this period and nothing works as well for me.

I turn 50 years old in March and feel much younger. That was not the case when I was only running.

 

[FFigawi]

QOTD: Give your thoughts on core strength training. How much gives you most of the benefit? Which exercises should we do (or do you do)? Is it helpful?

I hate it but it is extremely beneficial. When you begin to feel exhausted, a large contributor is your core getting worn down. The stronger it is, the longer you can go without feeling tired even if you are, especially when running uphill. I find yoga to be the best for core strength for me because it's enjoyable. Sit-ups and crunches and other exercises don't interest me. With yoga, you get core strength, body strength, and flexibility all at once.