The Running Thread - 2016

[cavepig]

I was considering wearing one of those on my lower back as it is constantly sore and I'm afraid I will hurt it when I get too cold.

I did it all December leading up to Dopey, the trick was sticking it so it didn't slip. I think it helped my butt muscle for sure so I could so my run/walks being hurt. I bought like a huge box full on amazon as I also use them to put by my phone when it's really cold so the battery won't die fast.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

~sigh~ That was a rough one and I'll admit that I stopped watching halfway through the 3rd quarter. Part of me wants to throw a Jan Brady-like tantrum and yell "All I ever hear about is Bama, Bama, Bama!" but I'll do my SEC duty and throw my support... Roll Tide!

Trust me, we understand. During the Spurrier years at Florida it was all Gators.

 

[Dis5150]

I did it all December leading up to Dopey, the trick was sticking it so it didn't slip. I think it helped my butt muscle for sure so I could so my run/walks being hurt. I bought like a huge box full on amazon as I also use them to put by my phone when it's really cold so the battery won't die fast.

I think I have some of the hand warmers at home. I may try wrapping one in something and using KT tape to hold them on my lower back.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I need some suggestions though from people that run in the cold: My biggest problem after dressing appropriately for the low temps (long sleeved tech shirt, running jacket, beanie, gloves, running tights) is my butt! It gets so frozen and numb! Has anyone figured out a solution to this (maybe some type of thick biker shorts underneath the running tights?) I wouldn't want more than one layer of tights b/c I feel like it would constrict my range of motion.

It sounds like you are not engaging your glutes when you run. If you are engaging our glutes, they will warm up. They are behind you, so no wind issues. I get arms and thighs getting cold because they swing and break the wind, but your glutes should not be getting cold.

 

[Miranda]

I must not engage my glutes, either, because my butt is always freezing.

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

I have been known to use those heat packs for hunters and tape them to my butt when I had piriformis syndrome bad last winter.

This is a great idea!

It sounds like you are not engaging your glutes when you run. If you are engaging our glutes, they will warm up. They are behind you, so no wind issues. I get arms and thighs getting cold because they swing and break the wind, but your glutes should not be getting cold.

hmm . . . I guess it's possible, but I find it hard to believe I'm not engaging my glutes, especially bc so many of my running routes have lots of inclines. Also one of my mental tricks to get me through a long run is to picture my glutes powering me through (hey, no judgement on weird mental tricks, right?!) Definitely something to keep in mind on my next run though!

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

@cavepig @Miranda I found another runner who shares our pain There's really not any suggestions in this article, just a plea to running apparel companies to put something on the market that addresses this problem haha http://www.ydr.com/story/life/welln...1/19/frozen-running-cold-butt-blues/79013058/

 

[keahgirl8]

A treadmill

ETA: Sorry if that's a bit glib. I couldn't resist

It's true though! I mean...I can do cold. The most I usually wear is a lightweight jacket, longer pants, and a headband or hat, but that would have to be REALLY cold. If there is ice or snow on the ground, I'll go with the treadmill. I don't want to slip and fall.

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

ATTQOTD: What's this cold of which you speak? I'm in south Florida and we might get a couple days or weeks each year with lows in the 40s. At that point, like @Ariel484 I'm all about the layers up top and tights down low. The weather at this year's WDW half/full felt glorious to me since we hadn't caught a break from heat/humidity all that fall and winter, and that cool down was most welcome. Which I realize is all relative.

(Also, just so you don't think I'm a complete pansy about cold, I grew up in WI, track season started in February so I've also run my fair share in cold/sleet/snow)

 

[LSUlakes]

Slight tangent ahead...and I realize that this is just my opinion and not everyone will agree. Apologizes for the "me me me" of this post. Just some thoughts.

When it comes to running in less-than-ideal weather, I use the treadmill as a total last resort - it has to be crazy cold (like single digits), lightning, icy, etc. for me to go inside. Because what if there are less-than-ideal conditions on race day? Then what do you do when the treadmill isn't an option anymore?

For me, I NEED to know that I can run in less-than-perfect conditions. Relating this to Disney races...because while Disney is super magical and all that, they can't control the weather just yet...

- In 2010, most of us know that it snowed/sleeted during Marathon Weekend - snow/sleet in Florida. What if you had never done a run in snow/sleet? You'd panic, right? That's what training is for - you need to know that you can handle those conditions. Running is mental enough without adding in the pressure of running a loooong race in conditions you have never experienced before.
- Or how about Splash & Dash (Wine & Dine 2014)? Almost 13.1 miles of steady rain. I had run in the rain before, and while it wasn't what I would prefer, I knew I could do it because I HAD done it before - there were times during training where it was raining, and sometimes I'd avoid those days, but there were other times when I DID do training runs out in the rain. So the race was fine...I wish I'd had a hat with me, but overall, not a big deal.
- Or how about 2015 Marathon Weekend when we had a wind chill warning - temps in the 30s like we're discussing right now? Again, I knew I could do it, knew what kind of clothes to wear, because I had done it before, and it was fine.

I don't understand how you get this kind of valuable (in my mind) experience by going to a treadmill at the first sign of less-than-perfect weather, or by doing ALL runs on a treadmill - similar to how a treadmill doesn't prepare you for having to keep pace on your own (without the help of a machine), or running on a not-soft distance, or slight changes in elevation (unless you use the incline, I guess), or wind resistance, etc. If you're training for a road race, you need to know that you can run on the road and that your body can handle it - no matter the weather. Yes it sucks to run in crappy weather, but if you don't do it, how will you know that you can when you HAVE to do it (i.e. on race day)?

End tangent, and apologies for the novel.

EDIT: Not talking about potentially unsafe conditions or if someone is not physically able to run in super cold weather.

I think a book could be written about the post you made here to agree / disagree with your statements, and a compelling argument could be made for both sides.

 

[keahgirl8]

Slight tangent ahead...and I realize that this is just my opinion and not everyone will agree. Apologizes for the "me me me" of this post. Just some thoughts.

When it comes to running in less-than-ideal weather, I use the treadmill as a total last resort - it has to be crazy cold (like single digits), lightning, icy, etc. for me to go inside. Because what if there are less-than-ideal conditions on race day? Then what do you do when the treadmill isn't an option anymore?

For me, I NEED to know that I can run in less-than-perfect conditions. Relating this to Disney races...because while Disney is super magical and all that, they can't control the weather just yet...

- In 2010, most of us know that it snowed/sleeted during Marathon Weekend - snow/sleet in Florida. What if you had never done a run in snow/sleet? You'd panic, right? That's what training is for - you need to know that you can handle those conditions. Running is mental enough without adding in the pressure of running a loooong race in conditions you have never experienced before.
- Or how about Splash & Dash (Wine & Dine 2014)? Almost 13.1 miles of steady rain. I had run in the rain before, and while it wasn't what I would prefer, I knew I could do it because I HAD done it before - there were times during training where it was raining, and sometimes I'd avoid those days, but there were other times when I DID do training runs out in the rain. So the race was fine...I wish I'd had a hat with me, but overall, not a big deal.
- Or how about 2015 Marathon Weekend when we had a wind chill warning - temps in the 30s like we're discussing right now? Again, I knew I could do it, knew what kind of clothes to wear, because I had done it before, and it was fine.

I don't understand how you get this kind of valuable (in my mind) experience by going to a treadmill at the first sign of less-than-perfect weather, or by doing ALL runs on a treadmill - similar to how a treadmill doesn't prepare you for having to keep pace on your own (without the help of a machine), or running on a not-soft distance, or slight changes in elevation (unless you use the incline, I guess), or wind resistance, etc. If you're training for a road race, you need to know that you can run on the road and that your body can handle it - no matter the weather. Yes it sucks to run in crappy weather, but if you don't do it, how will you know that you can when you HAVE to do it (i.e. on race day)?

End tangent, and apologies for the novel.

EDIT: Not talking about potentially unsafe conditions or if someone is not physically able to run in super cold weather.

I totally agree. I have to feel like it will be unsafe for me to run outside in order for me to skip it because of weather. For example, I (ideally) do a "dress rehearsal" so to speak for my Glass Slipper weekends. I train with a 5K/10K/half on back to back to back days wearing exactly what I'm going to be wearing for the races. On my first one, when I got to the half day, it was pouring rain sideways. I really really didn't want to go out in it, but I knew there was a chance it might rain, and I wanted to train in bad weather. It was the most miserable conditions I've run in. Freezing (not literally, thank goodness) cold and pouring rain. I was so cold and wet by the time I was finished. I know I didn't have hypothermia, but I have to wonder if it felt like the beginning of it! Anyway, as miserable as I was, I was glad I did it. I knew that even if there was really bad rain, I could handle it.

 

[cavepig]

If you are engaging our glutes, they will warm up. They are behind you, so no wind issues. I get arms and thighs getting cold because they swing and break the wind, but your glutes should not be getting cold.

Sorry, but that's one of the silliest things I've read (the wind part). Wind freezes my butt off when it's pushing me from behind, so there are wind issues, 30 mph+ wind gusts don't just stop if I change direction, it blows right though me. So I wear layers & layers so I can engage my glutes otherwise my butt would be even stiffer, I don't want to be pulling any muscles if I can help it. My arms are actually usually pretty warm & sweaty by the end.

edited:so based on the link @dis_or_dat posted after this this makes sense :
“Though there is typically a significant layer of fat over the glutes, fat is inactive tissue that does not generate heat" So, it's my fat staying cold!

It does also mention "actively engaging the glutes when running might help somewhat by generating significant heat under the fat to offset the effects of the cold on the outside of the fat,”" I haven't found it to matter if I run easy, hills or speed, my butt is still cold if I don't wear enough layers.

 

[preciouspups]

I must not engage my glutes, either, because my butt is always freezing.

Same here! Especially in a tail wind.

 

[Miranda]

For me, I think there is probably some truth to the glutes thing, although I agree that weather is a factor, too. I have often felt that I do not engage my glutes enough.

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

We are all an experiment of 1: my butt is cold, yours is not. I chose to run on a treadmill, you don't. I launch snot rockets, you don't. I run with headphones, you don't. (Not all factual statements.)

BUT, I can learn from you.

 

[dis_or_dat]

Interesting, googling "running cold butt" brings up a lot of people with similar issues! Yes, that's how I google. I feel you guys, but my Raynaud's is my limiting factor for cold runs so I never run in butt freezing (literally) temps.

Here's a quick explanation about why that area gets so cold and also some recs:
http://www.shape.com/fitness/cardio/why-does-my-butt-stay-cold-during-run

 

[Miranda]

Interesting, googling "running cold butt" brings up a lot of people with similar issues! Yes, that's how I google. I feel you guys, but my Raynaud's is my limiting factor for cold runs so I never run in butt freezing (literally) temps.

Here's a quick explanation about why that area gets so cold and also some recs:
http://www.shape.com/fitness/cardio/why-does-my-butt-stay-cold-during-run

Well that would certainly explain why my butt is so cold! It is well padded!

 

[Waiting2goback]

YEP. I just keep reminding myself...38 seems cold, but it's gonna get a lot worse!

Now, who would urge you to do that?.....



....oh.

One bright side to my injury, I will probably avoid most of the cold weather runs this year. I will be stuck on the treadmill for January at least and if the roads are bad I am not risking any injury running on snow and ice covered roads. But, I hate the treadmill so that could change.

Slight tangent ahead...and I realize that this is just my opinion and not everyone will agree. Apologizes for the "me me me" of this post. Just some thoughts.

When it comes to running in less-than-ideal weather, I use the treadmill as a total last resort - it has to be crazy cold (like single digits), lightning, icy, etc. for me to go inside. Because what if there are less-than-ideal conditions on race day? Then what do you do when the treadmill isn't an option anymore?

For me, I NEED to know that I can run in less-than-perfect conditions. Relating this to Disney races...because while Disney is super magical and all that, they can't control the weather just yet...

- In 2010, most of us know that it snowed/sleeted during Marathon Weekend - snow/sleet in Florida. What if you had never done a run in snow/sleet? You'd panic, right? That's what training is for - you need to know that you can handle those conditions. Running is mental enough without adding in the pressure of running a loooong race in conditions you have never experienced before.
- Or how about Splash & Dash (Wine & Dine 2014)? Almost 13.1 miles of steady rain. I had run in the rain before, and while it wasn't what I would prefer, I knew I could do it because I HAD done it before - there were times during training where it was raining, and sometimes I'd avoid those days, but there were other times when I DID do training runs out in the rain. So the race was fine...I wish I'd had a hat with me, but overall, not a big deal.
- Or how about 2015 Marathon Weekend when we had a wind chill warning - temps in the 30s like we're discussing right now? Again, I knew I could do it, knew what kind of clothes to wear, because I had done it before, and it was fine.

I don't understand how you get this kind of valuable (in my mind) experience by going to a treadmill at the first sign of less-than-perfect weather, or by doing ALL runs on a treadmill - similar to how a treadmill doesn't prepare you for having to keep pace on your own (without the help of a machine), or running on a not-soft distance, or slight changes in elevation (unless you use the incline, I guess), or wind resistance, etc. If you're training for a road race, you need to know that you can run on the road and that your body can handle it - no matter the weather. Yes it sucks to run in crappy weather, but if you don't do it, how will you know that you can when you HAVE to do it (i.e. on race day)?

End tangent, and apologies for the novel.

EDIT: Not talking about potentially unsafe conditions or if someone is not physically able to run in super cold weather.

My first year of running I stayed on the treadmill until it warmed up. Last year I started on the treadmill and then hated it so I was outside from December on. I ran in temps as cold as 8' if I remember correctly. I ran during a snow storm. I have run in pouring rain and extreme heat. Some of those runs stink but I still love them because every time I do one of those runs it shows me how much I have changed. I used to look for any excuse to sit on the couch and now here I am running in all kinds of weather conditions. It's this type of pride that running gives me and why I love it so much.

For me it's not about preparing for a race, although it makes sense. For me it is about testing myself.

QOTD: I wear compression pants under my running shorts. I could do without the shorts but nobody needs to see my goodies in the tight pants. On top I wear a tech t-shirt, a long sleeve shirt, and my running jacket. I wear my heavy duty gloves, and i have a hat. My coldest part of my body is my feet. I can feel the air going through the material on the sneakers and always forget my wool running socks. I will also cover my face in Vaseline to prevent dry skin, as much as possible. I still get it but it helps.

 

[Waiting2goback]

Oh, the Princess medals were revealed today. They are different than years past. It is encouraging that they seem to paying more attention to medal design the last few races. Did anyone else see them and have an opinion?

 

[Waiting2goback]

In honor of Walt's birthday today it seemed only fitting that he gets the quote of the day! Happy Birthday Walt!