The Running Thread - 2018

[kski907]

ATTQOTD: We have a lot of fundraiser runs here where you pay to run and support whatever club/organization is hosting. Usually to support school functions. None of the races are official timed and there's normally no perks for the runners. I consider these my practice races. I've done them for 5K, 10K and Half distances. It mimics the big race atmosphere for me as there are additional folks running vs a solo training run. Also there is always the one runner you leap frog with that pushes you. I've actually PR'd on a few of these, which is good and bad. Great that I can do it, bad can't use as a POT.

 

[Miranda]

ATTQOTD: I've never had a practice race, although I've practiced various things like fuel and clothing and water.

February was not a great month for our house. I'm ready to be done with it! A few weeks ago, I started to come down with something... got kind of achy and probably a little feverish, but it lasted 2 days and then I felt ok. SO then came down with it and it turned into a full blown couple day stomach virus for him, plus he got a cold. We started feeling a little better, but his cold was lingering still. Then last week he came back down with the stomach virus again with a vengeance on Wednesday, followed by me on Friday, and then he also finally went to the doc about his cold and found out he had bronchitis. Then to cap off the month, MIL went back into the hospital on Sunday and now their dog is staying here with us. Thankfully our dog has been really chill about it, but it's just one more thing to upset the routine. I have been either not eating or eating like crap because nothing sounds good except junk food and fruit and I'm so thirsty from being dehydrated from the stomach virus that I'm permanently sloshing. I went for my run on Monday and I felt super bloated and sloshy from just having a piece of toast a couple hours before I left. I tried a smoothie and a muffin this morning for breakfast, those seemed to go ok. I am trying a yogurt and a banana before today's run, I already ate the yogurt, so hopefully by the time 6pm rolls around I won't feel too full by all the water I hope to consume before then.

 

[Jules76126]

I will be doing a practice run of the 5K I have planned in April. We live in a hilly area so my DH wants to run the course beforehand so we know what we are getting ourselves into. I don't think we will run it at race pace, more just to know what to expect.

 

[LdyStormy76]

QOTD: Yes, I have done this, and in fact specifically did multiple half marathon distances in December for three reasons: 1) prove to myself I could finish in under the allotted time, 2) make sure clothing did not rub, 3) make sure that the hot spot/tender ares identified during training were correctly taped to prevent blisters / skin irritation in those areas.

 

[ZellyB]

ATTQOTD: I've never really done a practice race. We did during one 6 mile training run where we were pushing pace a bit make a last minute decision to go 6.2 just to see where we ended up, but it really wasn't the intent starting out.

Feb miles: 80

 

[FFigawi]

February's very disappointing totals. Guess this is what happens when it rains most of the month and you're out of town for eight days.

Run: 17 miles
Bike: 201 miles

 

[Bree]

ATTQOTD: Following Galloway he has you running beyond race distance during training. So I guess, yes, it could be considered a practice race when it came to distance. It's also a great time to figure out shoes, clothing, hydration & fuel!

February Totals
Running Miles: 103.67 - 1st time I have ever broken the 100 mile mark!!!
Running Time: 20:48:38
Average Pace: 12:03
Walking Miles: 14.10

 

[jennamfeo]

The medals were revealed for the Magnolia Farms Silo District Marathon and they aren't shiplap and they aren't even their cool Magnolia logo and my FOMO dropped down a little bit.

 

[FredtheDuck]

ATTQOTD: Not quite, but I did most of my long runs during the training cycle leading up to my first half on the path that the race would be on. It helped tremendously to know where the challenging parts of the course were and to have a strategy, especially since it was my first race at that distance.

Feb miles: 76. Missed three runs in the last week or so due to illness, but I'm back at it now. Also had to cut a LR by a few miles to catch a plane. Even still, it was the third highest month I've ever had.

 

[ZellyB]

The medals were revealed for the Magnolia Farms Silo District Marathon and they aren't shiplap and they aren't even their cool Magnolia logo and my FOMO dropped down a little bit.

Can you post the picture here or a link? I'm curious now.

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

February miles: 98.3

Still having a tough time getting back in the saddle. Seems more mental than physical.

 

[SheHulk]

ATTQOTD: I've never had a practice race, although I've practiced various things like fuel and clothing and water.

February was not a great month for our house. I'm ready to be done with it! A few weeks ago, I started to come down with something... got kind of achy and probably a little feverish, but it lasted 2 days and then I felt ok. SO then came down with it and it turned into a full blown couple day stomach virus for him, plus he got a cold. We started feeling a little better, but his cold was lingering still. Then last week he came back down with the stomach virus again with a vengeance on Wednesday, followed by me on Friday, and then he also finally went to the doc about his cold and found out he had bronchitis. Then to cap off the month, MIL went back into the hospital on Sunday and now their dog is staying here with us. Thankfully our dog has been really chill about it, but it's just one more thing to upset the routine. I have been either not eating or eating like crap because nothing sounds good except junk food and fruit and I'm so thirsty from being dehydrated from the stomach virus that I'm permanently sloshing. I went for my run on Monday and I felt super bloated and sloshy from just having a piece of toast a couple hours before I left. I tried a smoothie and a muffin this morning for breakfast, those seemed to go ok. I am trying a yogurt and a banana before today's run, I already ate the yogurt, so hopefully by the time 6pm rolls around I won't feel too full by all the water I hope to consume before then.

You need this

 

[jennamfeo]

Can you post the picture here or a link? I'm curious now.

I should have just done that to begin with, haha.

 

[FredtheDuck]

I should have just done that to begin with, haha.
View attachment 305545

Ummm. I kind of hate these. I still have FOMO about the race, but at least now I don’t have medal envy too.

 

[Bree]

Those medals aren't very exciting and now I don't feel so bad about not being able to go! Maybe they will be prettier in person?

 

[avondale]

February running miles: 121. Now starting to taper for my HM on March 10.

February # of hours of tennis played: 22; 9 matches - 5 W, 4 L. Just to mix up the stats a bit.

 

[flav]

ATTQOTD:
I wanted my first half to be at Disney so I had not even completed the full distance before. Typically, I do not race outside of official races except yesterday: My husband left with the car from the train station to pick up DD at school while I ran... and I thought, can I beat him home (5k)? Go! Well the answer is no.

February totals:
Total Distance: 83.88km (52 miles)
Average Pace: 6’27’’/km (10min23s/mile)

 

[CDKG]

February Miles: 65.1
2018 Miles: 127.2

Last month training for my spring races was well underway (with race #1 of 4 scheduled for this Sunday). With the return of long runs starting at 6-8 miles, I expected an increase in mileage from January. But, my total was only 3 miles more! Weeknight runs were between 3-5 miles most with at an average pace of 11:04 and 3 runs at race pace (10:26). I ran my first long run at 11:27 before deciding a slightly slower 11:40 pace felt like my long run sweet spot.

My March miles should increase once again (and hopefully by more than 3 miles ). I have 2 races (15k and 10k) scheduled then plan on adding a 5th day of running per week. With a PoT opportunity in April and another in June, I hope to set myself up for success.

 

[SarahDisney]

February Totals:
Distance: 65.47 mi
Time: 13:58:24

Also ... did you guys know that if you go to the monthly calendar thing on the Garmin Connect website, it has your total distance/time for the month on the bottom? This was news to me...

 

[Wendy98]

I typically try to get a 20 mile dress rehearsal in, 2-3 weeks before a goal marathon. I run very close to my marathon pace, wearing something similar (cause you never know what race day weather you will get), and maybe eat a gel (I don't eat much on long runs). This is a huge mental booster for me and still limits time on my feet to less than 2.5 hours.

I will try to get in a half marathon race about a month before a goal marathon. I really think if you want to get faster in races and set PRs, you need to race. Running race pace in a controlled environment is ok, but you need to learn how to adapt to crowding, less than ideal weather, uneven terrain, and whatever else a race can throw at you.

February miles: 265.27
Average pace: 7:18/mile

I will admit, this has been a struggle. What used to feel "not too hard" has been a lot harder. I am fighting to get back to where I used to be. I have a few races coming up and know that I will not be setting any PRs. I am full of anxiety at the thought of racing so I am making myself just do it. I am going to try to back off the pace on my runs because I am afraid I will get in the burned-out rut. I have 4 marathons scheduled for this year: Boston, Flying Pig, Chicago, and (as of last weekend) NYC.