The Running Thread - 2018

[ZellyB]

View attachment 322058

One of my favorite pictures from our last trip!

This is an awesome picture!!

 

[LSUlakes]

QOTD: Do you or anyone you know run during the hottest part of the day during summer? If so why do you choose that time?

ATTQOTD: My dad would run during his lunch break up until about a year ago. His running days are over now as he has started having some knee issues. For him, it was just a convenient time to get in a run. I for one, just cant make myself do it. lol

 

[Slogger]

Congrats @SarahDisney and @michigandergirl for your great runs and PRs this weekend at your events.

Plus a Hello Kitty photo op for @SarahDisney? Awesome!

 

[Capang]

ATTQOTD: I have out of necessity but only a few times. I prefer to run in wooded trails so there is some shade if I have to run in the afternoons in summer. Usually its early morning or later in the evening though. The sun and I aren't friends.

 

[kleph]

ATTQOTD: When I was living in Arizona, the folks I would train with would sometimes to hill or track intervals for speed during the heat of the summer. We're talking 115 degrees plus. The logic being these runs were the only safe way to run in such conditions since they were 'relatively' short workouts and we hydrated quite a bit between hill efforts. They would help acclimate for the heat which was important since even pre-dawn run conditions were brutal in the peak of summer.

 

[JohnFilipoff]

Carolina Brewsfest 1/2 Marathon Race Recap:

Weather was predicted to be hot, 93 degrees. Race start was about 70 degrees and quickly rising.

I had three goals. My main goal was anything better than 1:45, with 1:44:59 being 100% acceptable. My second goal was have all of my split times begin with a 7. My third goal was to podium for my age group.

My strategy was to pace with the 1:45 group until mile 6 then pick up the pace for miles 7 - 11, and just hang on for miles 12-13 as I know from prior years the last two miles are in full sun and uphill.

Miles 1-2: Seemed super easy, I had to hold back to stay on pace. The pace group was large and chatty, I tuned them out, cranked up the music, and locked heels with the the pace leaders. As we approach the mile 2 water station, my brain went into auto and told me to hit the last water person in the line as they will have water. My last big race was last years Chicago Marathon, and at those stations, the first half were handing out Powerade and the second half were water. To my surprise I was handed a Powerade and I did not want to slow down or stop so I had to deal. I only took a small sip and dumped the rest. This would be an issue throughout the entire race as some people put water in their left hand and Powerade in their right, others would do the opposite. Solution from this point forward was to make eye contact and ask for water as I approached each station going forward. Mile 1 - 7:50, Mile 2 - 7:55.

Miles 3-4: Some early hills, pace would drop on the uphills, but then surge on the down to average out. It was during this time, I began crunching numbers and was feeling some of the heat, that I decided to alter the plan and stay with the group longer than mile 6. All I had to do was surge ahead of them in the last mile or so to beat the goal of 1:45. Mile 3 - 7:51, Mile 4 - 7:48.

Mile 5: This is where a group of shirtless sweaty dudes were bumping into everyone. I locked on to the heels of the pace leader since the start, but these guys acted like we were racing for an Olympic gold. We were still going through wide neighborhood streets at this point, but I knew once we entered the long haul through the park that the trail gets skinny and this type of running would not be good. For whatever reason they wanted to lock heels with the pace leaders, so I let them have it and tucked in behind them. At times they would surge next to the pace leaders, then drop back behind them as if to push the group to go faster. Our leader ignored it and kept on pace. Mile 5 - 7:53

Mile 6: We entered the park, the next 3 miles would be on a much skinnier park trail. Keeping the large jumbled group would be difficult. I settled in behind the sweaty dudes as they continued to bump into people. As we complete mile 6 one of the pace group leaders begins to pull off the course. I noticed she was no longer holding the pace sign. At this point there was confusion and some scrambling as the rest of the pace group dodged the pacer as she dropped out. We complete mile 6 and can see a water station up ahead. Mile 6 - 7:57

Mile 7: At the very beginning of this mile, I find myself running right next to the pace group leader. As we approach the water station he starts to slow, which he didn't do on the prior stations. This station only had two people working it, our group caught the tail end of another group. Because of this the leader slowed and stopped to grab water from the table. Rather than running again he walked while consuming the water. I made a split decision and decided the keep going and not wait for the group. My initial plan was to leave the group at this time, so I altered the plan once again and just kept going. Mile 7 - 7:40

Miles 8 - 9: Most of these miles are shaded. I was alone, but people were falling back to me. Every 1/4 of a mile or so I would pass someone. At this point we left the park to a large downhill, then a turnaround to head back into the park. So the downhill became an uphill. During the turnaround we popped into a neighborhood with full sun. Yikes the temps went up a lot while we were running in the shade. Mile 8 - 7:35 Mile 9 - 7:26, Yikes that's 10K pace and it's hot. I'm going to pay for those miles.

Mile 10: I can feel the heat now. Brain was telling me to slow down or quit. Had to push through. I was able to see all the other runners going the opposite way. I wasn't sure how far ahead I was of the 1:45 group. I tried to keep an eye out for them. I see a sign, it's the 2 hour group. Somehow I missed the 1:45 group. Oh well keep plugging away. Only a 5K to go. Mile 10 - 7:46

Mile 11: As you leave the park and begin to head back to downtown, you can feel the sun cooking you. I know you are never supposed to put time in the bank as it will hurt you in the long run, but I knew from running this race before that the last 3 miles are brutal. Total sun and nothing but uphill. Time to see if all that hill work paid off. I just needed to hold on. Mile 11- 7:56

Mile 12: This one is the worst. The entire thing is uphill. I feel like I'm crawling. Somehow I passed two people during this climb yet I knew my pace had slowed. Mile 12 - 8:23 There goes one of the day's goals

Mile 13: Still uphill until the very end. I passed one more guy, I can see others in the distance but there's no way I could catch them. I'm trying to kick, but I'm sucking wind. Just need to hold on. Mile 13 - 8:04

I turn the final corner, I can see my wife and kids cheering. I can see the finish line. I was focusing so hard those last few miles, I lost track of my total time. I had bumped the Garmin on mile 10 to only display heart rate. I was fairly sure I hit the 1:45, but I couldn't see the clock, it was behind the finish line. I sprinted with everything I had left. Was it enough?

@LSUlakes 1:42:50 - PR - Second Place for my age group.

My kids ran the 5K, and placed 1st and 3rd in the 14 and under class.

Time to hit up @DopeyBadger to help me get my Wine and Dine time in the ~gasp~ 1:30's?

 

[camaker]

QOTD: Do you or anyone you know run during the hottest part of the day during summer? If so why do you choose that time?

I will run during the hottest part of the day during summer, if that's the only time that fits my schedule. Most of the time I'm running from 6:00-8:00 during my weekday runs which is close but not quite the hottest part of the day. I just can't get up early enough to run in the mornings and I don't like pre-dawn runs. So that leaves just after work so I can get the run in prior to eating dinner. This past Friday I tried to go out at 3:00 for a 10 mile run that didn't end so well. It was T+D ~151 and I'm not yet acclimated to the increased heat and humidity as the season is just turning over now. The first half of the run was fine, but I faded fast and ended up having to cut it short at 7 miles. It will be fine once I get acclimated, though, and suffering through the heat now will pay off with faster times in the cooler fall racing season.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Time to hit up @DopeyBadger to help me get my Wine and Dine time in the ~gasp~ 1:30's?

Challenge accepted!

 

[roxymama]

ATTQOTD: In the summer I really like to run at dusk if I can so that it's still light out but not direct sunlight. On weekends I will wait until before dinner to go out (we eat a little on the late side in our house.) It takes me awhile to get used to the heat like @camaker mentioned above. So I find I can handle it better the further into summer I get. If I know I have a summer race I try to force myself to run on the sunny side of the street off and on because I'm a masochist.
And I slow down if I don't feel right.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

ATTQOTD: My husband does but usually it is when he's in one of his 'I'm Overweight' mind phases and he thinks it will make him lose weight faster.

 

[ZellyB]

I try not to run at the hottest time of day. Heat absolutely kills me during runs. We know someone who has recently started running some 100 mile races and he often runs during the hottest part of the day - says it helps him with his training. UGH.

 

[apdebord]

ATTQOTD: I do my shorter distances at lunch just because that’s when I have the time. I work on a naval base, so I have a couple of good routes to beat the heat. One is down Admiral’s Row which is completely shaded. The other is along the piers, but that’s full sun. I only choose that one if it’s windy because the breeze from the water is amazing.

 

[FredtheDuck]

ATTQOTD: I used to, but I was only doing a 2 or 3 miles for those runs. I switched to AM running last year, and that has the added benefit of getting me out of the worst heat/humidity on any given day.

 

[run.minnie.miles]

ATTQOTD: No way!

 

[GreatLakes]

Since @LSUlakes is probably tending to a sick DS again today, I thought I would pinch hit with this weeks Fun Friday Question of the Day. I dug hard and deep for this one so have mercy!
FFQOTD: Today is National Foam Rolling Day. Do you incorporate foam rolling in any part of your workout, pre or post? Do you utilize other methods to ease leg muscle tightness? I realize that this may not actually be a fun question but at least it's a foam question. So I provided a bonus!

And just your luck, today is also National Twilight Zone day!
BFFQOTD: Are you a fan of the Twilight Zone? If so, what is your favorite epsiode?

I do foam roll but need to get into a routine of doing it daily. It makes me feel so much better.

I love the ride but have only seen a few episodes of the show. I can't say I have a favorite.

QOTD: Do you or anyone you know run during the hottest part of the day during summer? If so why do you choose that time?

Not on purpose but if that is what fits the schedule that is when I run. The humidity around here is worse than the heat and some days that is not much better at other times of the day.

 

[chuckille]

Carolina Brewsfest 1/2 Marathon Race Recap:

I turn the final corner, I can see my wife and kids cheering. I can see the finish line. I was focusing so hard those last few miles, I lost track of my total time. I had bumped the Garmin on mile 10 to only display heart rate. I was fairly sure I hit the 1:45, but I couldn't see the clock, it was behind the finish line. I sprinted with everything I had left. Was it enough?

@LSUlakes 1:42:50 - PR - Second Place for my age group.

My kids ran the 5K, and placed 1st and 3rd in the 14 and under class.

Time to hit up @DopeyBadger to help me get my Wine and Dine time in the ~gasp~ 1:30's?

Awesome recap...I could feel the pressure, pain, and satisfaction from the race! And amazing job by your kids as well!

 

[FFigawi]

QOTD: Do you or anyone you know run during the hottest part of the day during summer? If so why do you choose that time?

Not me, but I know @Keels does

 

[JohnFilipoff]

Awesome recap...I could feel the pressure, pain, and satisfaction from the race! And amazing job by your kids as well!

Thanks. I put a lot of effort into training on this one. My goal was to improve my speed/time. Previous PR was 1:46 (unofficial) and that was during a training run last fall. So my official timed race PR, prior to this race, was this race two years ago at a 1:49:42. I placed 20th overall out of 455. I was super happy with that performance. Now for the dreaded summer running in NC. Maybe this is a good time to work on my aerobic base as the temps and humidity will get unbearable at times.

 

[Miranda]

ATTQOTD: Only if I have to because it's during a race.

 

[BikeFan]

ATTQOTD: I'd never deliberately choose to run during the hottest part of the day here in Virginia during the summer. We can get into the 100's here some days and with the humidity, that's just borderline dangerous, IMHO. I don't race for time in the extreme heat, so I don't feel a huge need to train in it either. I'll just retreat to the air-conditioned gym and run on the treadmill. There's a difference between challenging yourself and harming yourself, and IMHO, training in extreme heat is far closer to harming yourself. Unless you're training for the Badwater Ultra (ultramarathon in Death Valley in July!!), I don't see a benefit to doing it.

A few more races to add (thanks @LSUlakes !):
May:
20 - BikeFan - Marine Corps Semper Five Miler (NG / N/A)
20 - BikeFan - Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon (NG / N/A)
27 - BikeFan - Alexandria Half Marathon (NG / N/A)

June:
2 - BikeFan - Ran It with Janet 50K (NG/ N/A)