The Running Thread - 2018

[LSUlakes]

Lots of PR's over the weekend! Congrats everyone!!!

I was a DNS for today. Weather was garbage, under trained, and time change...

 

[BikeFan]

Rock n Roll DC Marathon race report:

I've done this full twice before and hadn't planned on doing it again. This is because most of the support has been for the concurrent half, and after the half marathoners finish, the second half of the full is pretty dull and goes through some less-than-scenic parts of DC. The organizers have in the past given nice running jackets to full marathon finishers, and my son was jealous of the two I'd received, so he persuaded me to run it with him in 2018 so he could get his own. Of course, a few weeks before the race, we learned that the Rock and Roll group had discontinued running jackets for full marathon finishers in 2018, so ... yeah. Anyway . . .

Our group consisted of me, my 18yo son Sam, and Ali, a former XC high school teammate of his. Sam had always been a much stronger XC runner than Ali when they both raced, but she'd also trained much more for this full than Sam, who'd barely trained at all. Because this was Ali's first full, we agreed they'd start together with the 4:25 pace group, and see how the race unfolded. Knowing that Sam was running with a pace group, I picked the 3:40 pace group for this race. I was mostly looking to get some training miles, since I wasn't looking to race this event, and I wanted some company on the course.

Beginning last year, the half and full had different start times, with the full runners starting 1.5 hours earlier. Being that there were only about 2000 of us, and 10000+ had registered for the half, the start area was (relatively) deserted when we arrived, which was nice. Gear check was a breeze, and there was absolutely no wait for portapotties - just walk right up! I could get used to that! There were 20+ corrals marked off stretching nearly three city blocks, but we full marathoners only used 5 of them, and they weren't really enforced anyway. The race itself was pretty uneventful - the course was similar to years past, and the series of hills between miles 22-24 again got me, causing me to lose touch with the 3:40 group, which had dwindled from about 15 strong to 3-4 runners following the pacer. The pacer himself was from a local Maryland running club, and he was also going to run a full the next day (Sunday) too as part of his training for a 100 miler in April! I never caught back to the 3:40 group, but kept them close and finished with a 3:40:19. I then found my wife and waited for Sam and Ali. We saw Ali first, finishing alone. She saw us along the final stretch and flashed a big smile as she passed. She got 4:25, a great result for a first marathon. More importantly, she enjoyed the experience and wanted to do another! Sam came in at 4:33, an improvement on his time at WDW in January. He was pretty beat, as you'd expect based on his (lack of) training. Still, he finished and was happy to have run with Ali until mile 20, when she pulled away. We then met up with a few more running friends finishing the half, and headed home. Quick review of the RnR DC race: A much better half than a full. If you want to run a full marathon in or around the Nation's Capital, run Marine Corps instead.

No real tips, just that it’s OK to be slightly overwhelmed! Just take it all in, follow the crowd, get where you need to be early so you don’t stress and then run your race that you trained for!

Yeah, it’s a lot of people but the cool thing is they all have the same goal in common as you - finish the race!

@SarahDisney
Great advice from Keels! I'd also add that 99% of the runners I've met are great people, and happy to chat before, during, and after a race. There's a lot of camaraderie in the shared suffering of a race, and I've always gotten lots of encouragement from fellow runners going up tough hills, etc. Just try to enjoy the experience and if you see someone struggling, share a few encouraging words - it'll probably be as helpful to you as it is to them. Best of luck on your race!

 

[camaker]

I’ve got an odd question I thought I’d throw out to the group. Does anyone have any experience needing two different sized shoes to make up a usable pair? If so, how do you go about getting the mismatched pair you need short of buying two pairs to mix and match?

With the issues I’ve had with recent Brooks Glycerin models and the shinjury that shut me down for 6+ weeks post-Dopey I’ve been looking at diversifying my shoe options. One of the candidates that had popped up repeatedly was the Saucony Triumph, so I ordered a pair in my size. Taking them out for the first run, the right shoe was a joy to run in. Very comfortable. The left, however, just didn’t feel right in the arch and I think I need a half size larger for that foot to have a completely workable pair. This is the first time I’ve run into this situation and I’m not sure how to approach it.

Edit for clarity: I’m not asking for where or how to buy two different sizes of shoes when I’m looking for a new pair. I don’t have this issue on a routine basis. I’m asking for advice on how to make the pair of Saucony I’ve already got usable, short of buying and paying full price for a 2nd pair to get the size I need for the left foot.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I’ve got an odd question I thought I’d throw out to the group. Does anyone have any experience needing two different sized shoes to make up a usable pair? If so, how do you go about getting the mismatched pair you need short of buying two pairs to mix and match?

With the issues I’ve had with recent Brooks Glycerin models and the shinjury that shut me down for 6+ weeks post-Dopey I’ve been looking at diversifying my shoe options. One of the candidates that had popped up repeatedly was the Saucony Triumph, so I ordered a pair in my size. Taking them out for the first run, the right shoe was a joy to run in. Very comfortable. The left, however, just didn’t feel right in the arch and I think I need a half size larger for that foot to have a completely workable pair. This is the first time I’ve run into this situation and I’m not sure how to approach it.

Pretty Sure @Keels does this.

 

[LilyJC]

With the issues I’ve had with recent Brooks Glycerin models

Interested to see this as I’ve really been struggling with the Glycerins as well. I’m really bummed as it seems the 15s won’t work for me at all.

 

[camaker]

Interested to see this as I’ve really been struggling with the Glycerins as well. I’m really bummed as it seems the 15s won’t work for me at all.

I've been in Glycerins since the 5s. The 14s were a complete disaster for me, causing knee and ankle/foot pain right out of the box. As best I can tell, they took too much support out of the arch area in an attempt to make the shoe more cushioned through the midfoot transition. The 15s have been better than the 14s, but I'm not sold on them, especially after this shin issue cropped up shortly after I increased their usage. I went from ~20-25% of mileage in 15s with the rest in 13s from July to mid-November to 40-50% of mileage in the 15s from mid-November through Marathon Weekend. I started feeling discomfort in the shin shortly after Christmas and it flared badly after Marathon Weekend. If you're looking for other options to try, the replacement suggestions that running stores have made repeatedly for me are the Brooks Ghost, Saucony Triumph, NB 1080 and Mizuno Wave something (can't remember as Mizuno's don't fit me well). I've gotten a pair of Brooks Launch to try for speed work and I'm currently auditioning the Triumphs and 1080s as Glycerin alternatives. Good luck finding one that works for you! Or maybe the Glycerin 16s will revert to what we're used to.

 

[LSUlakes]

QOTD: In the area that you live, is there a period of time in which there are not any organized races?

ATTQOTD: With the warm summers here, the last 5k is usually around the end of May, and they dont really start to pick back up until September. There is a handful of random events, like the freedom mile during the 4th of July weekend, and a few 2 mile races during the middle of the week, but for the most part a lot of nothing. Races with longer distances (10+ miles) will end this month and resume in October.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Half Marathons are only done here between November and February.

Most other races don’t happen after Memorial Day until October save the Firecracker 5k. It’s too hot and too humid.

 

[sourire]

Hey all! I think I left off somewhere around page 100...the winter work and life schedule has been a little crazy, so just jumping back in today to say hi, that I've missed reading along, and congrats to all on the recent races and PR crushing!

what is your favorite character meal that you have been to? What is one that is on your to do list?

Fave character meal in DL was def Plaza Inn!!!
In WDW, favorite was Tusker House, though I haven't been back there in several years.
Chef Mickey's is usually on the to-do list. For those who aren't fans of character meals, DH said that the 2 mimosas he had there really helped him to get through it. He was happy to be our photographer, though I think Goofy talked him into getting a photo, so at least there is evidence of his attendance at said meal.

 

[run.minnie.miles]

QOTD: In the area that you live, is there a period of time in which there are not any organized races?

Basically all year. The town I work in hosts 1 half marathon each year in June, but it really has no appeal to me. There are also a few very small charity based 5Ks, but I am not sure they would even be chip timed. For bigger races, I need to travel 2.5-3 hours (one way).

 

[camaker]

QOTD: In the area that you live, is there a period of time in which there are not any organized races?

Races in my area pretty much disappear after the first week in June and don't reappear until mid- to late September. Sometimes you can find a race in the mountains during that time frame but that's a little further than I'm willing to go for a local race. So from June-September it's pretty much train, sweat, die, repeat for me.

 

[SarahDisney]

QOTD: In the area that you live, is there a period of time in which there are not any organized races?

Not particularly. We're pretty much year-round ... although I don't think there are many longer races during the summer. But there might be some that I don't know about. (Plenty of shorter races during the summer, though)

 

[KSellers88]

ATTQOTD: Surprisingly, we have races pretty much year round. Our local running club does a Winter Series, Summer Series and Distance Series that normally covers the fall. The Summer Series never has good weather (talking 90 degrees and 500% humidity, LOL) but they do a good job of providing water stations, frozen sponges/towels, and nice cold post race treats. March and April are really the only times they don't have a true Series going, but there are tons of 5Ks here during that time.

On another note, I added a new running buddy (hopefully) to my family this weekend. Introducing Barkley!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

On another note, I added a new running buddy (hopefully) to my family this weekend. Introducing Barkley!
View attachment 308451

Adorable!

We get our new running buddy in 2 weeks! Then we get to wait 10 months before actually training with him because of growing!

 

[apdebord]

ATTQOTD: There's races year-round. Typically 5K-10K in the summer, but Rock n Roll Virginia Beach is always Labor Day weekend. I'm running it for the first time this year; I've always been nervous about the weather, but if I'm training it it, I'll be fine. Fingers crossed for no hurricane.

 

[Miranda]

ATTQOTD: Nope, we are crazy in New England and run year round in the snow/cold and the heat/humidity. There is a dry spell of half marathons in January and February, and just a general lack of 8-10K compared to the number of 5K's year round, but there are races every month of the year. And if you are missing the half distance in Jan-Feb, you can always do the Boston Prep 16-miler in January... what's another 2.9 miles.

 

[KSellers88]

Adorable!

We get our new running buddy in 2 weeks! Then we get to wait 10 months before actually training with him because of growing!

I know! The waiting is going to be torture! Excited for you too!

 

[Jules76126]

Nope. We have races year round. There are definitely less Halfs and Fulls in the winter here, but plenty of 5Ks. I find that December and January are the most quiet when it comes to races. I have a few that I want to run next winter. But you do need to be prepared to run in snow and freezing temps.

 

[Miranda]

ATTQOTD: Surprisingly, we have races pretty much year round. Our local running club does a Winter Series, Summer Series and Distance Series that normally covers the fall. The Summer Series never has good weather (talking 90 degrees and 500% humidity, LOL) but they do a good job of providing water stations, frozen sponges/towels, and nice cold post race treats. March and April are really the only times they don't have a true Series going, but there are tons of 5Ks here during that time.

On another note, I added a new running buddy (hopefully) to my family this weekend. Introducing Barkley!
View attachment 308451

Adorable!

We get our new running buddy in 2 weeks! Then we get to wait 10 months before actually training with him because of growing!

YAY puppies! I love taking our pup Penny to run! She's actually surprisingly good at it even though she's usually kind of a spaz... it takes her a quarter mile or so to settle down and stop zig zagging, but then it's like she knows she has a job and just trots right along just ahead of me.

I was excited to take her running when we got her (she was 7 months) but also so paranoid about her growth plates closing that I waited until she was almost 2 to take her running, and even then I didn't take her again until last month! She turned 2.5 at the first of the year.

 

[Chaitali]

I think March through April and October through November are the busiest months for races here. Generally, we don't have too many long races after the beginning of December until the end of February. There are still 5ks and a few 10ks during that period of time. The same with June through August. There are a couple local 8ks I do during those Summer months that I enjoy. The one in August does have a half marathon distance too but I always stick with the shorter distance in that heat.