The Running Thread - 2018

[rteetz]

QOTD: We have discussed training for a race, pre race plans, post race plans and so on, but we havent actually discussed much about during the race. How do you make sure you are going to reach your goal during the run? Do you use race provided pacers, GPS watch, other methods?

I use my watch, and the timing chips provided by the race usually. I like when they send text alerts so I have an idea where they have me at.

 

[PrincessV]

For all our running costume/fashion mavens does Serena Williams in the US Open make it cooler now to perform athletic feats in a tutu? Are we going to see a tutu resurgence the next few seasons? Full disclosure I have a drawer full of running skirts but no tutus.

As a Recovering Ballerina, my response to running in a tutu is "HECK NO!" Those things are hard enough to dance in - no way do I want to deal with it while running! If an outfit requires it, I'll do a Sparkle Athletic skirt, but mostly try to create outfits using my usual Skirt Sports running skirts.

Hope everyone had a great weekend! It's been a rainy weekend here but good times were had. For those along the gulf coast, I hope you will not be affected by the storm heading this way. Looks like the tropics are getting active with a few systems out in the Atlantic. Lets hope they stay out at sea.

QOTD: We have discussed training for a race, pre race plans, post race plans and so on, but we havent actually discussed much about during the race. How do you make sure you are going to reach your goal during the run? Do you use race provided pacers, GPS watch, other methods?

ATTQOTD: If I'm aiming for a particular time, I use a plain old watch in chronograph mode and a pace bracelet (printed form Word, cut out, "waterproofed" with packing tape) with my target times per mile. During the race, I can check my watch as I pass mile markers and compare to the times on my pace bracelet to see if I'm on target. Hasn't failed me yet, though it's getting harder and harder to see the numbers on my watch as my eyes continue to age - I need a longer arm, lol!

 

[ZellyB]

ATTQOTD: I usually know the pace I need to hit for my goal time. I've used the pace bracelets before so I don't have to do #math while I run. We've never really run with a pace group per se, although we have run near them and just sort of tried to keep them in our line of sight to tell how we are doing. But mostly we just watch average pace on our watches and shoot to hit that goal pace as best we can.

 

[MarBee]

ignore speed. how long you are running matters more than how much distance you cover. and, even more important, building a strong routine is the best way to reach your goals.

You are doing great! You and your body know best what motivates you. For me, getting to the distance was my first goal, even if I had to walk some to get there. But like what @kelph said, the amount of time you spend running matters the most. Not just per session, but per week/month. The more/longer you run, the better you will get. I started right where you did, 1.5 years ago, even a mile jog was too much. And now I am setting sub 2 hour half marathon time goals.

If your goal is a Disney 5k then focus on distance first because I have never heard of anyone getting swept at a Disney 5k. Once you know you can get to the 5k distance then you get that mental hurdle out of the way and you can focus on speed in my opinion. But you still have plenty of time to do both. And racing is different than training.

My girlfriend ran her first ever race in June. It was a 10k. Her training runs were always in the 14-15 min/mile pace. We ran the race together and she finished in 13:26 pace. I'm not saying she was the fastest on the course but she took over a minute + off her training pace. She was so excited and proud she signed up for a second 10k at the end of this month. My point is, don't worry about pace yet.

Thank you all! Distance focus it is. Lately I’ve been trying to run for an extra .1 or .2 every few days. I’m hoping to keep that pace

 

[GreatLakes]

Hello! Newbie question for you experienced runners. I just started running a couple months ago. I am still super out of shape but definitely getting better. I started by doing C25K. At first I could barely run for a minute, but now I’m able to run 2 miles with little difficulty. The problem is I run super slow. On the treadmill I keep it at 3.3 MPH speed. So it takes me over 30 minutes to run those 2 miles. I’m attempting to work up to the Princess 5k in February.
My question is- when should I working on primarily: increasing the distance I can run or my speed?
I’m not sure if it’s better to wait till I can hit the 3.2 mile mark and then try to speed it up, or if I should focus on getting to the 2.0 mile mark at a speedier time, then increase the distance.
I’ll take any advice. You all have been so helpful to me in the past! Thanks in advance!

I'll echo what everyone else said about training for distance. Once you get to the distance you can work on time but any new runner will start to get some speed improvements with just the bio-mechanical adaptations your body makes to the running. You mention the treadmill here but I wanted to make sure you are also running outside. The treadmill is a good tool to use but it will not train you properly for actual outdoor running in isolation. I would make an effort to get the majority of your miles on the road as opposed to the treadmill.

QOTD: We have discussed training for a race, pre race plans, post race plans and so on, but we havent actually discussed much about during the race. How do you make sure you are going to reach your goal during the run? Do you use race provided pacers, GPS watch, other methods?

If I have a goal pace I'll use my GPS in conjunction with a pace band so I know where I am on a mile by mile basis. If I am very close to my goal (either just above or just under) I will keep an eye out for the pace group that is pacing that time to give me an idea of when I cross over that goal in either direction.

 

[Kazrak]

QOTD: We have discussed training for a race, pre race plans, post race plans and so on, but we havent actually discussed much about during the race. How do you make sure you are going to reach your goal during the run? Do you use race provided pacers, GPS watch, other methods?

Previously, I've been using a smartwatch working with my phone's GPS. (Fitbit Blaze, typically.) While I don't trust the GPS speed, the timing is still mostly accurate, and I can estimate how far off it is so I know where I am on the course.

For the Disney Halfs I've run, I pretty much spent the whole thing tracking how far ahead of the sweepers I was. ("I started in the second-to-last corral, and they're launching at 10 minute intervals, and I've maintained a 15 minute pace for four miles so I have fourteen minutes of slack.") My goal for my next one is to be fast enough that I'm not tracking it like that.

 

[AFwifelife]

ATTQOTD: I’m a just happy to be here runner so a watch is really all I need to keep an eye on my time. Now I have the Garmin so I’m armed with a lot more info but not really necessary for me.

 

[AntimonyER]

ATTQOTD - I have only run one race so far (a 5k). I had my phone tracking, and when I got that first mile notification and was way under my PB, it really spurred me on to a great finish. However on a longer race, if I got the same notice I may pull back a little to make sure I don't run out of juice.

 

[TheHamm]

As a Recovering Ballerina, my response to running in a tutu is "HECK NO!" Those things are hard enough to dance in - no way do I want to deal with it while running! If an outfit requires it, I'll do a Sparkle Athletic skirt, but mostly try to create outfits using my usual Skirt Sports running skirts.

I would like to know criteria for 'if an outfit requires it'

QOTD: We have discussed training for a race, pre race plans, post race plans and so on, but we havent actually discussed much about during the race. How do you make sure you are going to reach your goal during the run? Do you use race provided pacers, GPS watch, other methods?

Having run only a handful of races, I am interested to see what other ideas you all have. I had run several totally blind and only had a rough target. The don't melt 5K I ran for the 4th of July there was a pacer close to the time I thought was achievable, so I stuck near her for most of it and would do that again if there was a pacer my speed (not usually). Thanks to people on here I learned about the manual lap button and have been using it on a track and found it helpful. My hope was to use it when passing the mile markers Sunday and try to be consistent or at least feel less anxious about my speed. I had hoped to race for time this weekend but I am reevaluating this based on not following my ad hoc plan last week.

Opinions, Anyone? Do I go for the PR on Sunday having taken week -2 off from running? Do I do a long run and two short one this week as opposed to the three easy runs I had planned? I had been holding the LR in the 6-7 mile range and was roughly at my previous PR, so two weeks ago I was confident I would be faster than the previous PR. Now I am not so sure.

 

[PrincessV]

I would like to know criteria for 'if an outfit requires it'

When the outfit needs a color that Skirt Sports doesn't offer - like when I needed yellow for a Snow White theme, or pale blue for Cindy.

 

[Slogger]

ATTQOTD: My race day strategy depends on the distance of the race. If it's a 5 k or 10k, I rely on my watch to track pace and goal. I do a lot of math in my head to see how far ahead or behind I am (it's a great way to keep your mind occupied).

For longer races like a half or full, I start out the race by sticking with a pace group that is slower than my overall goal pace. That way I can intentionally get warmed up with a couple of slower miles before I unleash the speed.

I make adjustments to my race goals on the fly when weather and fitness dictate the need to do so.

 

[MarBee]

I'll echo what everyone else said about training for distance. Once you get to the distance you can work on time but any new runner will start to get some speed improvements with just the bio-mechanical adaptations your body makes to the running. You mention the treadmill here but I wanted to make sure you are also running outside. The treadmill is a good tool to use but it will not train you properly for actual outdoor running in isolation. I would make an effort to get the majority of your miles on the road as opposed to the treadmill.



If I have a goal pace I'll use my GPS in conjunction with a pace band so I know where I am on a mile by mile basis. If I am very close to my goal (either just above or just under) I will keep an eye out for the pace group that is pacing that time to give me an idea of when I cross over that goal in either direction.

Thank you! It’s just been soooo hot out that I’ve been in the treadmill. I was thinking that in the Fall I would start outside.
Any tips for the transition?

 

[flav]

ATTQOTD race strategy:
I used different approaches for different distances or goals but am looking for advice.

For 10k and under, if there is a pacer close to my goal, I’ll follow for the first portion and, if I feel good, I’ll pass. I also look/listen to my phone at the markers to see if I am on track. I try no to faceplant while doing so.

I never had a speed goal for my Half so far so I was ok to use a pacer for a while to manage my energy.

My next goal is to run a HM under 2:00:00. I am training with a pace for a taget time of 1:52:00. I know that I will walk the water stops, go to the bathroom once and cannot pace myself without risking a fall looking at my iPhone. Do I start with the 1:50 pacer and sprint before and after each stops so I stay with him as long as I can thus building a buffer or do I start with the 2:00 pacer, sprint all stops and hope to have energy left to push at the end? Suggestions? I will look into pace bands.

 

[garneska]

ATTQOTD: My race day strategy depends on the distance of the race. If it's a 5 k or 10k, I rely on my watch to track pace and goal. I do a lot of math in my head to see how far ahead or behind I am (it's a great way to keep your mind occupied).

I am the same i like to do the math in my head while running. It keeps me occupied. I know some on here are like NO MATH, but for me i do it all the time to keep myself occupied.

 

[roxymama]

ATTQOTD: My strategy is based on my goal for that race. Like if I have one or not! But I do tend to snoop my watch on a limited basis. A) the GPS signals in Chicago get so screwed up that there is no use crying over false data and B) miles pass faster the less I look.
So in a 5k for speed I'll be snooping at my watch and mile marker signs way more than in longer races where I prefer the zone out and just keep basing on how I feel method.
If I'm really focused on a very specific outcome and PR there's a lot of turning on the engines at specific pre-planned points in the race. And I'm looking to be PUSHING HARD HARD after the final engine fire spot.
TLDR: trust my training, go by effort, stare at mile markers, laugh at terrible GPS maps afterwards because Chicago is silly.

OR Just make @DopeyBadger be your human stopwatch and follow him. You will need to will yourself to keep up!

 

[GreatLakes]

Thank you! It’s just been soooo hot out that I’ve been in the treadmill. I was thinking that in the Fall I would start outside.
Any tips for the transition?

Not really other than it is a much more enjoyable experience IMO.

 

[roxymama]

Sub QOTD for all you DCL cruise veterans out there. I just put a deposit on our spring break 4 night Dream sailing for 2019. Eeeeeee!!!! Whether I talk any other family into doing the same is up in the air.
But what is all of your strategy for arrivals before embarkation? Do you stay on disney property a night, do you stay at the airport hotel the night before. Do you roll the dice and arrive via a plane the day of?
We kind of don't want to spend a bajillion by tacking on WDW because we sprung for a room with a balcony. And we like to get places early. And we have a DCL transfer to the ship from MCO. So I'm thinking maybe fly in night before and stay at airport hotel?
Please help me; my logistically inclined friends.

PS Once I know the exact Castaway Cay day I'll add my 5k race for April 2019 @LSUlakes

 

[flav]

Thank you! It’s just been soooo hot out that I’ve been in the treadmill. I was thinking that in the Fall I would start outside.
Any tips for the transition?

Choose a safe path, be sure that you are/stay hydrated, put sunscreen (day), be visible (night) and enjoy!

 

[Keels]

QOTD: We have discussed training for a race, pre race plans, post race plans and so on, but we havent actually discussed much about during the race. How do you make sure you are going to reach your goal during the run? Do you use race provided pacers, GPS watch, other methods?

I used to have goals but now pretty much my only goal is don’t die.

 

[TheHamm]

I used to have goals but now pretty much my only goal is don’t die.

Good Target.
Was this not a goal previously?