The Running Thread - 2018

[Sleepless Knight]

Disney deferral policy seems particularly onerous. I think you may be right. Because there are so many newer runners at Disney they may have had a higher percentage of deferrals. (It could also be a money grab)

I agree. I liked the ability to defer in case something comes up such as legitimate injury.

Doesn't surprise me at all. Those types of mental motivational images have been proven to help athletes perform better. I have a constant stream of "go to" songs and movie scenes that I use during hard portions of runs or races (Osceola from AK to WWoS anyone?). And now that I've run a lot of races, I also have the mental images of my best races and the feelings at the finish line. Since I don't run with any type of music, this is my constant mental stream. Once you find yours, it is useful in more than just running situations!

That's a major reason why I chose Disney World as my first marathon. I figure there's enough to distract me when it gets difficult. Or at least look forward to along the more mundane parts of the course. I'm also working on my mental game and preparation in advance this time. My plan for my very first race consisted entirely of finish. I gave no thought whatsoever about how to deal with challenges aside from running through them one foot in front of the other. Since then I've more or less kept that same plan. But I know the marathon is a different challenge altogether so I'm working on addressing things beforehand so I have a plan in place on race day.

 

[GollyGadget]

View attachment 366165
There has been a theme the last week or so of people trying things they are afraid of, pushing themselves, or trying new distances. This seems fitting. Once I got out of my comfort zone and tried running that's when everything changed for me. Looking back on it I see the life of a couch potato, who lived in fear, really wasn't all that comfortable at all.

Your graphic reminded me of this one, one of my faves. Sometimes we just need to figure out how to be comfortable being uncomfortable.

 

[avondale]

ATTQOTD: I will run in just about any weather outside, as long as it's not physically dangerous like a sheet of ice or lots of lightning. I dislike running in the heat/humidity much more than running in the cold.

Yesterday was perfect running weather here: mid-40s F and slight overcast so not too sunny. Shorts + t-shirt.

I was the one asking about raingear last week. This was because of the I-pace run I had scheduled for Thursday, for which I did not get said raingear in time. It was about 35 F, drizzle/mist (but better than full-out rain), enough of a head wind on one end of the track to be able to blow off my baseball cap, and a thick layer of slush on the track from the earlier snow followed by sleet, so my feet got soaked in about 20 feet. That was definitely on the unpleasant side and I had a whole mental bargaining thing going on the whole time....one more interval and then I can call off the rest. I made it through all the intervals but did cut the cool-down mile a little short. But I figure...if I can get through that, the hopefully anything on race day will seem good!

 

[Miranda]

On cold early mornings getting up and getting out is harder for me. I know the first couple minutes are gonna stink and that's a deterrent. Heat actually makes the runs much harder but it doesn't seem to provide the same mental barrier that cold does.

I agree... there's something about getting up and knowing you have to put in 3 layers of clothes and hat and mittens and maybe sneaker traction and it's still going to be so cold it hurts, maybe the entire run.

 

[PrincessV]

But I know the marathon is a different challenge altogether so I'm working on addressing things beforehand so I have a plan in place on race day.

I'll chime in with my first-time perspective, if you can stand more from us! I'd always heard, too, that the marathon was a totally different experience... but for me, it wasn't at all. I trained for it and the effort felt equal to training for and completing my first half-marathon, only, you know, longer. Now, I wasn't racing for time, and "finish" was my only real goal, so I'm sure that contributed. And I went in with the idea that I'd simply go for as long as I felt like going - and if that wound up being 13 miles, or 17 miles, or the whole thing, it would be fine. At mile 25, I was 100% OVER spending so much time with other human beings, but physically felt fine and knew without a doubt I could have done Goofy or Dopey. If someone had been standing at the 26 Miles marker with a registration form, I'd have signed up for marathon #2 right there! Finishing was cool and I was proud of myself, but completing a marathon wasn't life-changing or even particularly emotional for me. It's different for everyone!

I guess my advice is to make it what you want it to be and make goals that make sense for you. It's your race and you get to call the shots!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I'll chime in with my first-time perspective, if you can stand more from us! I'd always heard, too, that the marathon was a totally different experience... but for me, it wasn't at all. I trained for it and the effort felt equal to training for and completing my first half-marathon, only, you know, longer. Now, I wasn't racing for time, and "finish" was my only real goal, so I'm sure that contributed. And I went in with the idea that I'd simply go for as long as I felt like going - and if that wound up being 13 miles, or 17 miles, or the whole thing, it would be fine. At mile 25, I was 100% OVER spending so much time with other human beings, but physically felt fine and knew without a doubt I could have done Goofy or Dopey. If someone had been standing at the 26 Miles marker with a registration form, I'd have signed up for marathon #2 right there! Finishing was cool and I was proud of myself, but completing a marathon wasn't life-changing or even particularly emotional for me. It's different for everyone!

I guess my advice is to make it what you want it to be and make goals that make sense for you. It's your race and you get to call the shots!

Believe me, I truly appreciate the perspective of everyone who chooses to share their experiences with me. I view it as an opportunity to learn from about something I'm still working towards. I loved your thoughts about how it didn't change your life and your counsel to call my own shots. My goal is to finish and have some fun along the way regardless of what race day holds. I'm anticipating 6 to 7 hours depending on how the race goes. If I finish in last place, I still accomplished my goal.

 

[LSUlakes]

Your graphic reminded me of this one, one of my faves. Sometimes we just need to figure out how to be comfortable being uncomfortable.
View attachment 366230

I do not see a castle or mickey ears in the circle to the right, which is of course where the magic happens...

It seemed to easy a joke to not make, sorry. It's actually a very serious discussion.

 

[Slogger]

@Sleepless Knight ......I will not chime in with my first or second marathon experience because they were truly awful. But I kept at it and still running marathons 6 years later.

It really is 90% mental and 21 % Physical.
I have no doubt that you will accomplish your goal of becoming a marathoner. You got this!!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

@Sleepless Knight ......I will not chime in with my first or second marathon experience because they were truly awful. But I kept at it and still running marathons 6 years later.

It really is 90% mental and 21 % Physical.
I have not doubt that you will accomplish your goal of becoming a marathoner. You got this!!

My first half in 2011 was difficult. My most recent half in September was brutal. At times it had me questioning why I registered for the marathon. But I also realized during that race that it was truly beneficial because it exposed training weaknesses that I could address before the marathon in the hopes of not repeating them.

 

[Sanchez]

Back after another prolonged absence. I was sick at the end of October and then went to Vegas for four days through November 4 for the Breeder's Cup - you know, because smoke-filled casinos have exemplary healing qualities. After an overnight flight Sunday night I went straight to work for nine hours. I had planned to head to Miami for the Miami Man Tri on November 10-11 weekend but a combination of work, illness and general exhaustion (and a smart bride who politely suggested that this was all too much for a responsible person of advancing age) made me rethink the plan to load up the car and drive 8.5 hours.

Instead, in an attempt to prove my resilience I decided to run a local 5k. It did not go well.

It was a perfect 60 degrees at race time. The course is through a historic neighborhood and somewhat undulating. I felt sluggish and slow from the start. Not much to say except that I struggled, suffered and swore my way through 3.12 miles. Finished at 21:40. Given my status over the prior two weeks I was not expecting great things but this was 1:10-1:20 off of my predicted fitness level near the end of October.

I did not intend to stay for the awards because acting like a petulant child seemed an appropriate maneuver. I stayed and learned that I did fine. AG result: 1/20.

Lessons learned:
1. Trying is sometimes better than staying home;
2. Second hand smoke may negatively affect your fitness level (there is a distinct possibility that the Surgeon General is correct in this regard);
3. Swearing may not help you run faster but it feels good and may provide entertainment to fellow runners;
4. Marrying a smart person is good.

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

3. Swearing may not help you run faster but it feels good and may provide entertainment to fellow runners;

This could be incorporated into a 'swear test'.

If you can swear in whole sentences, the pace is too slow.
If you can only manage one word swears, the pace is too fast.
Two or three (use your imagination) word swears, the pace is just right.

 

[camaker]

I did not intend to stay for the awards because acting like a petulant child seemed an appropriate maneuver. I stayed and learned that everyone in my age group had a bad day as well. AG result: 1/20.

Lessons learned:
1. Trying is sometimes better than not because others may suck worse than you;

Welcome back. I’m glad you’re feeling well enough to get back to racing. I would, however, respectfully suggest that you limit the dissatisfaction with your performance to YOUR performance and not judge your fellow runners by your own capabilities. To suggest that everyone else in your age group had a bad day and just sucked worse than you did is very disrespectful to them and their efforts. I know I and a lot of others on this board would have finished behind you while setting a 5k PR by a considerable margin. I would be thrilled by a performance like that, regardless of finishing behind you and certainly wouldn’t consider it “sucking”.

 

[Sanchez]

Welcome back. I’m glad you’re feeling well enough to get back to racing. I would, however, respectfully suggest that you limit the dissatisfaction with your performance to YOUR performance and not judge your fellow runners by your own capabilities. To suggest that everyone else in your age group had a bad day and just sucked worse than you did is very disrespectful to them and their efforts. I know I and a lot of others on this board would have finished behind you while setting a 5k PR by a considerable margin. I would be thrilled by a performance like that, regardless of finishing behind you and certainly wouldn’t consider it “sucking”.

I am sorry you feel this way and can see how it might not be viewed as humorous. Hopefully, I corrected the parts you disagreed with to your satisfaction. Rest assured, I am aware there are many people on this thread faster than me and many slower. We all run for our own reasons and have our own standards. Regardless of time, it can be frustrating when you work hard and come up short.

 

[PkbaughAR]

QOTD: How much does the weather impact your daily runs? Does running in one set of conditions have a bigger mental impact than running in others?

To be honest, I haven’t had to do many long runs, or any runs for that matter, that I couldn’t rearrange due to unfavorable weather. I’m so new at this that I did my first “feels like” below freezing run 2 weeks ago...and survived! (And was too hot truth be told!) I did my first run in the rain this August...and realized I could do it (But laces get tighter as they get wet, go figure!) I ran 10 miles for the first time yesterday and felt like a beast for finishing! Lol I would try to avoid running in cold rain, but at this point I still want to try just to prove to myself that I can do it, no matter what Mother Nature throws my way!

 

[Waiting2goback]

QOTD: How much does the weather impact your daily runs? Does running in one set of conditions have a bigger mental impact than running in others?

ATTQOTD: I think mentally one set of conditions v/s another has a huge mental impact on a particular run. For example, this weekend I was told to run 15 miles! I thought to myself, well there is no way I this is going to go well. Then I looked at the weather and I thought, well at least thats in my favor. I took it very easy and was able to run, with some walking the 15 miles. Now, if it would have been a bit warmer I would have had a lot more doubt and would have talked myself out of all 15 miles. So for me at least, the weather can change my mind about a particular run.

I don't love getting up at 5:00 and running in the pitch dark in 20' temps. I don't love running in 90% humidity either. But I tell myself that I can't control conditions on race day so I just force myself to run in whatever is out there. I don't run in icy conditions because I don't want to get injured. But if it's not too cold I actually enjoying running in the rain, I find it relaxing and peaceful.

I agree. I liked the ability to defer in case something comes up such as legitimate injury.

That's a major reason why I chose Disney World as my first marathon. I figure there's enough to distract me when it gets difficult. Or at least look forward to along the more mundane parts of the course. I'm also working on my mental game and preparation in advance this time. My plan for my very first race consisted entirely of finish. I gave no thought whatsoever about how to deal with challenges aside from running through them one foot in front of the other. Since then I've more or less kept that same plan. But I know the marathon is a different challenge altogether so I'm working on addressing things beforehand so I have a plan in place on race day.

A full marathon is no different. One foot in front of another until you finish. It just takes longer and hurts a little more.

Your graphic reminded me of this one, one of my faves. Sometimes we just need to figure out how to be comfortable being uncomfortable.
View attachment 366230

Yep, another good one.

 

[Waiting2goback]

 

[IamTrike]

Our kids our out of school for this week and we are travelling to see family. While we travel I am doing DS's off season workouts for track with him. I'm still not back to 100% of where I was pre knee injury, but I can see that it's not going to be long before I can't keep up with him. From talking with slightly older friends that are runners I think I realistically have a couple more years where I can set PR's and then I suspect my performance will start to degrade.

It's weird getting to the point that your kids can legitimately beat you at stuff.

 

[Bree]

Believe me, I truly appreciate the perspective of everyone who chooses to share their experiences with me. I view it as an opportunity to learn from about something I'm still working towards. I loved your thoughts about how it didn't change your life and your counsel to call my own shots. My goal is to finish and have some fun along the way regardless of what race day holds. I'm anticipating 6 to 7 hours depending on how the race goes. If I finish in last place, I still accomplished my goal.

Even if you finish last you are still a marathon finisher. Not too many people in the world can claim that title.

 

[croach]

Even if you finish last you are still a marathon finisher. Not too many people in the world can claim that title.

Apparently finishing last at a Disney race is a big deal.

 

[Waiting2goback]

Even if you finish last you are still a marathon finisher. Not too many people in the world can claim that title.

And at Disney they also set off the confetti cannons for the last runner, so its kind of cool to be last at Disney. But yes, to finish a marathon whether you are first or last is nothing to be ashamed of. There are A LOT of people who sign up with the intention of getting swept just to get the medal and say they did it.