The Running Thread - 2018

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

@OldSlowGoofyGuy - 4/28 Tear Drop Half Marathon (1:51:59/ N/A)

@OldSlowGoofyGuy - 4/28 Tear Drop Half Marathon (1:51:59/ 1:51:33)

HM PR. 1st place AG. Race report Monday or Tuesday when I get back home.

 

[cburnett11]

race report...

Ran the Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon this morning. Looks like over 8,000 finishers in the half and close to 1,300 for the full. I always run this half because I consider it the main race of the event. We went years before the full was added... maybe I’ll try it someday here.

Race start was sunny and about 55. The temperature never really increased, but I could certainly feel the sun and it seemed warmer than I care to be. At least considering winter hung around here a long time and this just seemed like a little wake up call. It was also pretty breezy, which felt nice at times but maybe got in my head a little when I was running into it.

My goal was 1:45. I PR’d with a 1:46:47. So I was happy that I took a minute off my previous best half. I ran pretty hard the last half mile to get quite a bit of that minute improvement. I had plans to run pretty conservative early and I think I did. Something happened after I hit 8 miles that just made me feel a little dead-legged... it was weird. I’m not really sure what it was, but it made the race really hard for the last almost 5 miles.

Fortunately, I caught a training partner/friend/“rival” around the mile 9 marker and he was struggling more than me. So that gave me a little energy to pass him (does this make me evil?), although I did encourage him with a “let’s go”. Part of me wanted him to come so we could work together and part of me was glad to know I was staying in front of him.

By this time I knew I wasn’t going to run 1:45-anything, but I had a 13.1 predictor on my Garmin and I was closely watching it vs my PR. I was just trying to manage through 2-3 miles without blowing my opportunity to PR. When I got to the last 2 miles I knew I could get that, and it really became an effort to hold that pace as best I could and just hope I could surge some in the last half mile. I knew the last block was downhill so I just got there with enough left in me to “sprint” (lol, yeah right) or fall and roll down that block. I was passing people, so that energized me quite a bit.

But it hurt today and it was a bit of a battle in my head. I was really happy that I kept pushing because I had a couple moments when I was doubting for sure.

 

[jennamfeo]

@DIS-OH Glad you chose to run it! Hope you’re feeling better. Yay for free pizza and beer!

 

[DIS-OH]

@DIS-OH Glad you chose to run it! Hope you’re feeling better. Yay for free pizza and beer!

Thanks! I’ll be honest..I didn’t ask the Nurse Practioner if I should run or not. I thought I’d start and see how I felt. If it wasn’t going well, I knew I could take the Quarter Marathon turnoff at mile 4 and walk back to the parking garage.

I’m lucky in that antibiotics don’t cause me to have GI issues, so I took two doses yesterday but saved this morning’s dose for after the race...just in case.

 

[camaker]

Race Recap: Owl’s Roost Rumble Trail Half Marathon

Executive Summary:
#holyhillsBatman
#moreRootsthanaTonightShowmarathon

Detailed Overview:
I ran the Owl’s Roost Rumble Trail Half Marathon in Greensboro, NC this morning. I wanted to run somewhere different, have been curious about trail racing and this was the only half that fit into my schedule between now and June, so it checked all the boxes. Greensboro is about 1:45 from where I live so it was out the door at 5:00 to make it to race day packet pickup. It should have been a warning when I got there and the start/finish line was set up right in the middle of a wide open grassy field.

The race was a small one, with ~300 runners who still got split into a two wave start. The “elite wave” consisted of about a dozen runners who planned to finish in 1:45 or less. I took off with the second wave and after ~100 yards we were in the woods on a single track mountain bike trail. The hills were immediate, sharp, frequent and the whole of the trail was loaded with roots. I hadn’t been able to find an elevation profile for the course, so that should have been a warning, too.

I am very much a “rhythm” runner. I like getting up to speed, locking my cadence and pace in and hitting autopilot where I can just disconnect and cruise along. As a result, I was completely unprepared and thrown off my game by a course that required constant focus on foot placement and constant variation of my stride to avoid the roots, rocks and adjust for the slope. In addition to those hazards, we’ve had a wet week in central NC and the slopes tended to be slick with mud flats and standing water in the low points on the trail.

I ended up going out way too quickly and by the time I hit the first hydration station at mile 3 I felt like I had run 10 miles already. There were only two hydration stations on the entire course, at miles 3 and 11 or so. They were good about advertising this in advance, though, and ensuring that you brought your own accessory hydration, if needed. I cannot overstate how much more fatiguing the trail conditions were compared to road running, both physically and mentally. At that point, I adopted a strategy of walking a lot of the uphills and running the downhills and flat sections.

The other factor that was very notable was the isolation. I had a few conversations with other runners as we passed like ships in the night, but ended up spending a lot of the race with no one in sight in front or behind me. That added a layer of additional complication to the race. In addition to having to pay attention to every footfall because of the slope, roots and rocks, I had to also look for infrequent small black and yellow arrows attached to trees to ensure that I stayed on course.

I really think the amount of concentration required played into the fatigue that built much more quickly than usual. That fatigue came back to bite me in the 12th mile. I was going a bit too fast on a downhill stretch and caught my toe on a root and down I went. On the plus side, I think I rolled downhill faster than I was running at that point!

Ultimately I came in at 2:31:44. Not what I was hoping for, not even close, but I don’t think my expectations were realistic for the conditions of the race. The course measured only 12.21 miles on my Garmin, but given that almost the entire race was deep within tree cover I think the gps just couldn’t accurately handle the conditions, either.

Thanks for bearing with me, if you’ve read this far. I don’t want you to think this was a negative experience, despite the tone of the recap. I learned a lot about single track trail running and how it works (or doesn’t) with my running style. I got to practice adjusting to adverse conditions on the fly. And, ultimately, it was great to be outside running a race, regardless of what type.

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

does this make me evil?

Nope.

Running a downhill half marathon for a PR, peeing on the side of the road, drinking 15 beers at the finish, and asking for a 'real' hot dog, but 'tell me it's vegan' makes you evil.

Don't ask me how I know.

 

[McNs]

I am very much a “rhythm” runner. I like getting up to speed, locking my cadence and pace in and hitting autopilot where I can just disconnect and cruise along

I’m the same, and this was hammered home when I ran/swam/rock hopped 33km of Auckland’s coast line. The mental aspect was tough, and highlighted just how much I enjoy getting in the running rhythm and just zoning out.

 

[BikeFan]

Question/Opinions? Mostly for the ladies but would like guys opinions too. Do you take a (female) runner seriously when they run in a skirt, Sparkle or otherwise? Someone made a comment to me that a "serious" runner wouldn't be caught running in a skirt, that they are just for fun/recreational runners and have no place in "real" races. They weren't directing it at me, just looking at race pictures but now I am wondering if that is what people are thinking of me when I run in a skirt? I know I shouldn't care what other people think but it has me questioning wearing my new black Sparkle Skirt for my marathon next weekend. I had planned on running in my Oiselle shorts which have great pockets but bought a new Sparkle Skirt in a smaller size so I would have even better pockets because I carry a bunch of crap when I run!

Just FYI, Yuki Kawauchi, winner of this year's Boston, ran a half marathon in a panda suit earlier this year. Oh, and his time was 1:10:03. In a panda suit. Including Boston, he's already won four full marathons this year. You can't say he's not a serious runner, and he ran a half in a panda suit.

If running in skirt makes you happy, just do it. Personally, I like seeing other runners in costumes or interesting outfits - makes me smile seeing other people having fun out there. You can be both a serious runner and still run in an outfit that makes you happy (and research shows if you're happy when you're running, you'll likely run faster too). Wear what you want in your race and good luck!

 

[Miranda]

For me, running skirts aren't just about looking cute, although I do like to have cute patterned skirts. They are just practical. I am not comfortable wearing booty shorts and between my height and weight, my thighs eat regular running shorts if I can find any to fit. The running short clothing company sizing is not kind to the fluffy and the tall (I am about 6'0"). A skirt lets me wear booty shorts and have all those wonderful thigh pockets, but covers up my trunk junk so that I am not so self conscious.

 

[JulieODC]

Race report...

Plymouth 26.2 team relay - so much fun, perfect weather, course along the ocean, great team/friends, good beer....and a PR!

I mentioned that we had 2 teams but lost some runners - well we managed to recruit 2 more runners we didn’t know (solo runners we got hooked up with through the race organizers) - so I didn’t have to do 2 legs. I did leg 3, and it was 4.37 miles.

My half is next week and I wanted to use this as a test of my race pace (since my last tempo run left me feeling less than confident). It was 60s and pure sun, so perfect for tailgating but warmer than it’s been all spring. Despite that, I managed 8:45 pace, and an unofficial 5k PR of 26:50 (1 min 10 sec over my last unofficial PR). Having a team to perform for definitely helps - not to mention Coach @DopeyBadger’s awesome training plan!

My half pace next week is supposed to be 9:09, so this is making me feel like being in that ballpark could be possible. So this was the perfect confidence boost.

First relay experience - was SO much fun. Already looking forward to next year!

 

[dis_or_dat]

Loving all this race reports! You guys are awesome.

I'll admit that when I started, I snobbishly thought costumes meant you weren't a serious runner. Then my butt was easily handed to me several times over by those same people, so I've humbly changed my opinion and will defend anyone wearing whatever they want!

 

[FredtheDuck]

Pike’s Peek 10K time was 1:11:49. I’m not going to write a recap because I did this as my long run and not a race. Only thing I’ll say is that my time was 10 seconds faster than last year even though last year I ran hard (last years was my first 10K). So I’m glad to have a nice easy run be a good sign of improvement.

 

[flav]

Long race report Marathon des Érables 5k and first DD 10 y.o. race!


Choising a race and registering

I am a runner. I truly became a runner (not just a mom) in the eyes of my two DD when I announced them in summer 2017 that I was going to run at Disney... Without them.


They saw me leave them to train and to race, they saw me coming back happy. They saw me reading about running, they saw me excited about what I was accomplishing.


It came with no surprise that my youngest DD came to me last winter and ask if she could register to a race.

She even wanted to pay her registration, I guess it is part of a true commitment to oneself.


We choose the Marathon des Érables because it was early enough in the season without risking being in a snowstorm and for its Sugar Shacking theme.


As for the distance, she would not hear about less than a 5k (I really tried to convince her for less).


So we registered before the price hike and to encourage her, DH (non runner but in very good shape) registered too!


Training for a first 5k when 10 y.o.

I prepared an 8 weeks, three times a week season start to 5k program that was starting during Spring break in Mexico.


March was though, she had to run in her winter coat and was still cold. I made it very clear that training was not optional: I was not going to bring her to a race without it because she wouldn’t have any pleasure running and/or she would get injured.


We started having fun sharing those moments together (DH, DD and me).


Her longest training run was 35 min at her leasure pace. She ended up finishing a 5k in 37min. She was so proud.


That brought us to goal setting (it is an officially timed event) and pacing during a race. She was now aiming to finish between the 30min and the 35min Bunnies.


Getting to the race start

Originally, the 5k was supposed to start at 9AM. That was moved to 8:30AM and the parking logistics also changed multiple times. Bottom line is that this event grew too big for the size of the area. I woke up at 4:30AM and was stressed all the way to the race start. There was traffic as cars and Marathon runners had to share the same roads, there was a slow bus ride, a long bib pickup line and a congestion at the port-a-potties.


DD was so happy though. We tried to stay positive around her: Hey look how fast they run! Wow those golden pins for your bib are great!


Then, after my pit stop, I dashed to the start and, for a while, was the annoying person on her phone trying to find her DH and DD at the starting line (sorry) but all she remembers is that her mom made it with a minute to spare. She would not have ran the same race otherwise.


GO! (km #1 in 6:09)

The smile. It is happening, we are here. 30 seconds warmup and GO!

We were surrounded by a few pre-teen so we were not that slow. After a few hundred meters, I had two coats and a shirt in my hands. I am a runner and a mom after all.


Finding your rythm (km #2 in 6:05)

Somewhere in the first km, the 30min bunny passed us. DD adjusted her pace to his. We are running her race.


We had now left the little town and were running in the fields at the bottom of the hill called Mont St-Grégoire. The course was pretty flat as advertised. People from the Sugar Shacks (where they make Maple Syrup) were cheering. I was surprised by a water and electrolyte drink station at km #2.


The turnaround point, never look back (km #3 in 5:34)


We were now talking to the bunny who was very steady but also very happy to be appreciated by a 10 y.o. and her team.


DD was glad that this race had a turnaround. She did not like loops during training because she never knew where she was with respect to the end.


When we turned around, she passed the 30min bunny. She had assessed her situation and taken a decision: She was not going to see that nice bunny again!


Running so fast that I could be a unicorn (km #4 in 4:59)

Those were her words.

And I never told her what I was seeing in terms of pace on my phone. That was beyond any speed I ever saw her run.


A cramp and a finish (km #5 in 5:23)

With about 500m left, DD had a sudden stomach cramp. I said, ok, walk. After 10sec, I suggested a slow jog. It partially passed and, when someone by the side of the road said the end is around the next corner, she picked it up. When she saw that finish line, she sprinted.


Statistics and Post-race fun

@LSUlakes please update the first post:

28 - flav - Mont-St-Gregoire Maple Run 5k (DD 35:00/ 28:27)


The forecast had called for rain all morning and, in the end, the weather held. We had a few rays of sunshine for the post race pictures.


The medals (same for all distances) were gorgeous with sparkly maple leaves on a tree.


DH got our gears back and we tried our nice tech shirts that came with the race. They all fitted perfectly.


I was going to look at the games and vendors when DD asked: Aren’t we supposed to stretch now? Yes, we are now three runners in the house!


The provided post-race meal was good. We were starved.


Looking at statistics on the return bus we saw that we were in the 15% first overall (873 participants) and in the 10% women. DD was a bit puzzled by her placement in her category (still in the first 20%) until I explained that the category is all women 19 and under!


This was an impressive performance: A first 5k in less than 30min at 10 y.o.

Well worth every efforts.

 

[Waiting2goback]

Fun Friday QOTD: Which attraction at WDW do you think has the best queue that helps tell the story of the attraction you are about to ride?

ATTFFQOTD: I could think of a few that do this really well, but I my vote goes to Tower of Terror. Without the theming this attraction would not be anywhere near as popular is it today. Ill add that I did ride FOP twice on my most recent trip, but did so using FP+. In that line, you miss all of the really cool stuff so I have yet to see it.

ToT and 7DMT I would say are the best.

Question/Opinions? Mostly for the ladies but would like guys opinions too. Do you take a (female) runner seriously when they run in a skirt, Sparkle or otherwise? Someone made a comment to me that a "serious" runner wouldn't be caught running in a skirt, that they are just for fun/recreational runners and have no place in "real" races. They weren't directing it at me, just looking at race pictures but now I am wondering if that is what people are thinking of me when I run in a skirt? I know I shouldn't care what other people think but it has me questioning wearing my new black Sparkle Skirt for my marathon next weekend. I had planned on running in my Oiselle shorts which have great pockets but bought a new Sparkle Skirt in a smaller size so I would have even better pockets because I carry a bunch of crap when I run!

If you are able to write a sentence that says, "my marathon next weekend, you are a serious runner, unless you are planning to run a mile and sit and wait for the sweeper bus. Whether you run 5k's or ultra's, if you are out there doing the training, trying to improve, helping support fellow runners, then you are a serious runner. Wear whatever you are comfortable in. I'm pretty sure I have seen Meb run with people in skirts. He was giving high fives to people at the BAA 10k finish last year whether they had a skirt or not. I listen to the MTA podcast. Angie (co-host) is a marathon maniac, has run 52 full marathons, and has BQ'd. She runs in a skirt. She seems pretty serious about running.

I think that's what they are saying... it's not the gimmick type races that are causing a decline in participation in regular races, people are signing up for fewer races because they are spending money on fitness classes.

I am definitely running way fewer races this year than I have in previous years. In 2015, I ran 13 races. In 2016, I ran 17. In 2017, I was injured for like 4 months and still ran 10. This year, I have run 1 and I only have plans right now to do 4 others: my May HM, a June 5K or 15K (haven't decided which to do yet) that is a fundraiser that my friend is the race director for, Beach to Beacon 10K in August, and Wineglass HM in September.

Although cost of fitness classes only has partly to do with it... cost of my other hobby (dog agility) is another factor, as is just time in general. Before I started doing more trialing in agility, I had more time to do races. Also running so many races, most of them short because they were part of a couple of local series, even though I love them, makes it hard to fit them in around training for longer races. I don't really like doing the race at a long run pace, then going back out to finish a long run without having fun at the end with my friends. But cost is definitely a factor... between Orangetheory and my yoga studio, I could do probably at least six 5-10K's or a couple of HM's a month.

How do you like Orange theory?

I take my finishing times/results a little too seriously. I am trying to relax and get more enjoyment out of running but I am too competitive (as if people really care about racing results for old dudes.) However, my personal shortcomings are directed at me and do not extend to what others are doing. People run and compete for all sorts of reasons and there is plenty of room for elites to walkers and it does not affect me as to how they choose to run, walk or sachet on the course. There is no room for people who believe that only serious runners (as they define it) should be permitted to compete.

I will say that there are two things that bother me - and certainly not significant enough to ruin my day. First, when people do not understand and practice basic running etiquette. Stopping in the middle of the course to take a drink, forming a human chain with friends, starting in an incorrect corral, spitting amongst a crowd of runners, and pushing a stroller in a crowded race among other things. The second is the "look at me" crowd. I know that I shouldn't care about this but I am really put off by those who feel compelled to post every glorious achievement on social media. But what really chaps my undercarriage are those who finish the race and then choose to cool down by running back on the course so us poor slobs still running witness their heroic accomplishment. "Look at me! I finished and you are still running!"

I will take my pills and settle down now.

Running etiquette, or lack of it bugs me too. Every year I run the BAA 10k I get caught off by someone who just runs in front of me and stops just so they can take a selfie. I'm not a small guy and last year I barely avoided steam rolling a woman, she is so lucky I was able to miss her. I just shake my head and keep going. 10,000 people on the tight streets of Boston and you just stop. You're right, you're probably the only one around.

There are some people I don't mind posting on social media. Some people do it with tact, while others are clearly just about attention. Then there is this one girl I know that I have mentioned on here before. She runs to get swept at a Disney races, posts the medal, and walks around the park after accepting congratulations. Obviously all for attention but such a sad way to live.

 

[Waiting2goback]

 

[jmasgat]

@flav I'm not sure what impresses me more....that your daughter ran the 5k at that pace, or the way you prepared her so thoroughly to race. Congrats to both of you!

 

[LSUlakes]

QOTD: Its the end of the month and time to post your monthly mileage for todays QOTD.

ATTQOTD: ~5 miles... Such a waste with such nice weather this month.

 

[gjramsey]

ATTQOTD:

April totals:
Total Miles: 137.46
Total Time: 19:18:23
Average Pace: 8:26 min/mile
Average HR: 142

the weather in Houston was almost spectacular in April. As hot/humid most mornings we had in Feb and March, April was the opposite. So many cool mornings to run in, and my miles, pace and HR show the difference. Many runs ended up being a little longer than planned. Also had a really good race that I had not trained hard for. I am going to miss this as the summer months start to really kick in.

 

[DopeyBadger]

April Training Summary

Running duration = 18:10 hours
Running mileage = 132.9 miles
Average Pace = 8:12 min/mile (Marathon Pace + 84 seconds)
Average HR = 137 bpm (68% HRR, or about 14% less than Marathon Pace)
Indoor Virtual Biking duration = 8:40 hours
Indoor Virtual Biking mileage = 183.6 miles
Total (training) duration = 26:50 hours
Total (training) mileage = 316.5 miles
McMillan Core Routine = 20 min x 7 times = 2:20 hours of Strength Work

April was mostly a recovery month for me. I spent the grand majority following the Daniels Recovery routine from my fibula stress fracture in January. After 6 weeks of recovery, I was finally able to return to training last week (April 24th) for a possible HM attempt in June (8 weeks). I was so excited for the first run back I was out the door near 5am. It was good and I feel relatively close to where I was way back in December. That unfortunately was short lived. I got stung on the foot by a wasp on Tuesday evening just mere hours after returning from recovery. Looks as if I may be allergic to wasps as my foot swelled up like a balloon. So alas, I had to take the rest of the week off... But I'm hopeful I'll be able to get back out the door tomorrow as there is only minimal residual swelling left this morning. These obstacles in my way are only going to make victory taste that much sweeter!

Also had 18 runners finish up training plans this month, and I'm so very proud of each and every one of their accomplishments!

 

[PCFriar80]

QOTD: Its the end of the month and time to post your monthly mileage for todays QOTD.

April was the start of a rebound for me after hernia repair in February and hardware removed from my left elbow the first week of April. The hernia recovery was the worst in pain and duration so I'm just glad to be back at it.

Run: 29 Miles
Bike: 46 Miles
Elliptical: 7 days/7 hours

Looking forward to more miles in May and beyond, not to mention the start of lawn mowing season!