The Running Thread - 2016

[PrincessV]

I could use some post-Dopey training input, please...

7 weeks after Dopey, I have a 15K race. I am currently without a PoT for future races, so I'd love to be able to nail this one. I know I want some time off running entirely immediately post-Dopey, so I'm planning to take 2 weeks of no running - I'll continue to do yoga, Pilates, Ballet and strength training and if I start getting antsy, I'll throw in some non-power walking. So figure 5 weeks to prepare for the 15K. Any thoughts on strategy? I typically do a 2-week training cycle with alternating long run/cut-back runs on Saturdays, 4 days running week 1, 3 days running week 2.

 

[CP3uhoh]

Just a tip for those who don't want to be called a "jogger". If someone calls you that simply respond, "You keep your heart rate from 140-160 for 4-5 hours and you can call me whatever you want, for now runner is good."

 

[WhereInFlorida]

I could use some post-Dopey training input, please...

7 weeks after Dopey, I have a 15K race. I am currently without a PoT for future races, so I'd love to be able to nail this one. I know I want some time off running entirely immediately post-Dopey, so I'm planning to take 2 weeks of no running - I'll continue to do yoga, Pilates, Ballet and strength training and if I start getting antsy, I'll throw in some non-power walking. So figure 5 weeks to prepare for the 15K. Any thoughts on strategy? I typically do a 2-week training cycle with alternating long run/cut-back runs on Saturdays, 4 days running week 1, 3 days running week 2.

I use a modified version of Pfitz's plan as I have another marathon in March, but also a half that I typically run 4 weeks after marathon weekend that has always been my best half times because of the fitness from the marathon training. Might be able to modify something like this to meet your needs.

 

[JulieODC]

QOTD: Jogger doesn't bother me all that much.

I had a high school cross-country and track coach who very obviously only cared about the "star" runners on the team. He had a decent coaching record when he retired, but I wonder if he put a little more effort in training and working with all of the athletes, whether some more "stars" could have emerged. Also, not everyone is going to be a star, but if kids show up day in and day out and participate and are an active part of the team, its kind of crappy for a coach to not give them the time of day.

 

[Keels]

Yes. I think it's cool. It's like bringing a little Disney magic to that person. I don't think anyone would advocate being a JA to any volunteer. That being said I think Disney could offer a 10 minute class on things volunteers should and shouldn't say to people during a race especially past mile 20 of the marathon.

FOR REAL.

I was getting my volunteer shirt for my Expo/Packet Pick-Up shift and I told the gentleman handing out shirts what size I wanted. His response - "Are you sure? You must like your shirts real tight!" WTFEver, dude.

 

[cburnett11]

ATYQOTD: I wear a couple different light jackets during the winter to run. I have 1 from Brooks I really like when it's cold out... but I mainly will use it for easy runs. I also have 1 from Asics that is silver-ish and it has some LEDs in it that make me a little more visible (although today I had a couple people that either didn't see me or decided it would be funny to hug the edge of the road to scare me while I was trying to do finish up my strength work). It's thin and I'll wear it if it is cold but need to run a little harder than easy effort. I just wear a light shirt under it to not get too warm. It has pockets, so I can keep my phone in it as well as I can stash any removed gloves or hat. I tend to start a little overdressed and then end up looking for relief by putting stuff in my pockets and/or simply tossing things onto my car if I'm just doing loops at the park.

QOTD: Does it bother you if someone calls you a jogger (or reference running as jogging)?

It depends on the tone. It probably shouldn't bother me. I used to use the term all the time, but didn't understand that it could be taken negatively.

Bonus QOTD (BQOTD): What is the worse thing a coach or similar type role has said to you?

Not to me, but about me. When I got cut late in tryouts from varsity basketball in high school, I was puzzled. I had just had my best shooting day of my life and felt REALLY good about myself. The next day, I was listed on the cut sheet. A classmate happened to be the niece of the head coach. She was with him a couple days later and asked him why I didn't make the team. He said I was "un-coachable".

 

[tigger536]

FOR REAL.

I was getting my volunteer shirt for my Expo/Packet Pick-Up shift and I told the gentleman handing out shirts what size I wanted. His response - "Are you sure? You must like your shirts real tight!" WTFEver, dude.

***? My response to that would have been "keep your eyes up here, dude!"

 

[baxter24]

Did anyone else immediately think about the line from Anchorman about jogging when they read the question? Maybe just me! I don't think I have ever been called a jogger but I don't think it would bother me.

I had a high school basketball coach, who during the middle of a timeout, asked me if I had put on weight since tennis season. Mind you, I finished tennis season in the fall then started basketball the following day. I just starred at him with this look of shock on my face till he moved on. He did teach me a lot about playing basketball but more importantly taught me how not to talk to people, especially kids, when you are frustrated with their performance.

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

Did anyone else immediately think about the line from Anchorman about jogging when they read the question? Maybe just me! I don't think I have ever been called a jogger but I don't think it would bother me.

I had a high school basketball coach, who during the middle of a timeout, asked me if I had put on weight since tennis season. Mind you, I finished tennis season in the fall then started basketball the following day. I just starred at him with this look of shock on my face till he moved on. He did teach me a lot about playing basketball but more importantly taught me how not to talk to people, especially kids, when you are frustrated with their performance.

Whaaat?? I know I'm not experienced enough with the sports world, but that seems totally uncalled for! Why any adult would think that would be OK to say to a teenage girl is beyond me!

 

[baxter24]

Whaaat?? I know I'm not experienced enough with the sports world, but that seems totally uncalled for! Why any adult would think that would be OK to say to a teenage girl is beyond me!

Yeah it was pretty bad. It happened my freshman year. Myself along with a couple of girls actually didn't show up to tryouts the following year because of the way he spoke to us. He ended up apologizing to us all and was much better the following season. I flat out told him, as well as our athletic director, that I wouldn't play for him again unless he learned to talk to us better. He never said it, but it was implied that he was told that he would have to learn to speak better to the athletes or he would find employment elsewhere.

 

[JeffW]

So you learn something new all the time with running and injuries, and it just happened to me in the past week. Thought I would post, because I've never quite had a situation like this.

Last Thursday it was -9 outside, so I decided to move my 10 mile interval workout inside to the treadmill (I dislike treadmills, but that temp was just pushing it) Later that evening, I felt my achilles getting a bit stiff, but that has happened on and off many times in the past in the last month of marathon training. I did some stretching and went to bed. Woke up Friday, and the stiffness was worse, with some pain right where the achilles first touches the heel bone. I've experienced mild achilles tendinitis, but those have always been halfway up the tendon, not this low. I didn't run Friday, woke up Saturday and the stiffness was now accompanied with severe pain, so another day of no running. Wash, rinse, repeat for Sun and Mon, and now I'm starting to contemplate a doctor visit and wondering if I tore something.

So a co-worker, who also runs marathons, noticed me limping on Monday and asked why. I explained the above, and all he says is "Soleus trigger point. Google it and learn about it". So I did, and found instructions on how to find the lower point and work on it. And I kid you not, the pain is gone. From barely being able to get out of bed in the morning, and limping around during the day, to a pain free 4 mile run within 24 hours. Mind you, maybe you think I'm just a wimp when it comes to pain, but I've dealt with all the other typical running ailments (ITB, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, etc) and fought them for weeks or months to get equivalent pain relief.

Has anyone else had experience with this? It just seems too good to be true, but I am not complaining

 

[LSUlakes]

Anchorman about jogging

For some reason I immediately think of this scene anytime Anchorman is discussed.

 

[baxter24]

For some reason I immediately think of this scene anytime Anchorman is discussed.

These are the times I wish there was a "love" button on the boards.

 

[Miranda]

For some reason I immediately think of this scene anytime Anchorman is discussed.

I always think of the street fight.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I am also a product of the 80s, so for me jogging = running, same thing. Kids in my son's generation don't even have the word "jog" in their vocabulary. I think that the term really dates the person using it. It certainly doesn't mean "running slowly" or anything like that. If you ran 6 minute miles in the 80s, you were a jogger.

As for the coach thing - nothing running related, but my HS football coach was a real child born out of wedlock. He said more mean and cruel things to all of us than I thought was possible - a constant barrage. But it prepared me for my drill instructors in basic training.

 

[rteetz]

Bonus QOTD (BQOTD): What is the worse thing a coach or similar type role has said to you?

I'm probably not the best person to ask this question. I am a coach, a son of a coach, and a grandson of a coach. Coaching is often a thankless job. I find today's society to put all the blame on coaches even when it's the players fault. In my 8 years playing football I had never been seriously injured and have always hustled my butt to do what I am supposed to. I never told my coach no, never questioned what they did or said. I feel lucky to have had great coaches in my lifetime.

 

[rteetz]

As for the coach thing - nothing running related, but my HS football coach was a real child born out of wedlock. He said more mean and cruel things to all of us than I thought was possible - a constant barrage. But it prepared me for my drill instructors in basic training.

I think that's a product of that generation. My grandfather has been coaching for 53 years. Even when he thinks he's seen it all he hasn't. He said in teaching teachers used to be able to have a student up against a locker, you simply can't do that today.

 

[Keels]

but my HS football coach was a real child born out of wedlock.

My 2017 resolution is to be more of a lady and curse less ... this is brilliant! I'm going to start using it now!

 

[Chasing Dopey]

Pacers ARE allowed in USATF events (hence why I was originally going to disagree), so the act of drafting is perfectly legal in running; however, all pacers MUST START at the beginning of the race.

Exactly. They may break 2:00 for 26.2, but there's a difference between that and running a marathon under 2:00, if you get my meaning. Think about it... If someone ran an actual race under 2:00, there would be no pacers. They would have to be in front for at least half of it, I would think.

ATTQOTD: Jogging? (maybe it's a soft 'j').... Meh. Whatevah, you seen my medals?

 

[Wendy98]

QOTD: No one really calls me a jogger but I do have a pet peeve about people who call themselves that. I have helped countless newbies get a start in running over the years and so many women will say "I'm not a real runner, I am just a jogger." I don't care what the pace is, please don't discount your efforts.

BQOTD: Do bad gym teachers count? I dressed for gym every time and was always eager to participate. I remember one middle aged male gym teacher from grade school who only gave the time of day to the "athletically gifted" which wasn't me. He never gave me an "A". This was also during the eighties when teams were picked by 2 kids. I was always near last and sometimes picked last. Fast forward to the present: I ran two sub 3 hour marathons, won three 5ks, a 10k, and a half marathon--all in this year alone.