The Running Thread - 2018

[KevM]

ATTQOTD: Favorite character - Chewie. Favorite scene - I’ve been thinking on this and I can’t decide.

 

[txdisneygrl]

ATTQOTD: Growing up it was definitely Princess Leia and I loved her and Han's neverending arguments. Now... see avatar lol. Jyn Erso. My favorite scene is her and Cassian in the hangar and the "welcome home".

 

[flav]

ATTQOTD: Growing up it was definitely Princess Leia and I loved her and Han's neverending arguments.

This just reminded me that as a kid I had asked my mom to do my hair like princess Leia: Braided with a ribbon in and around my head (not on the sides). She must have been my favorite... Now, I don’t know. The family had a blast posing with Chewbacca.

 

[DIS-OH]

Totally a Yoda fan here...

 

[camaker]

It must be the beginning of summer training. Just loaded up my Amazon cart with a new box of Huma (gonna run out before my HM), some Nuun, and a fresh stick of Body Glide, as the applicator part of mine popped out of the tube this morning after I turned it a turn to make it come out further. I didn't realize it was almost gone! Hopefully I can make it last through tomorrow's run, I'm going to need it as I'm already chafed up from today even though I put some on! I have pretty much permanent chafing at my bra strap on the back through the summer months.... ouch.

Today's run was pretty darn miserable-y sweaty! T+D is temp + dew point right? That was like 135 this morning while I was doing my 6. YUCK. Tomorrow should hopefully be a tiny bit better... it's looking like it should be about 96 T+D when I start my run. My group is running 90 min tomorrow, and I've got ~145 min to do (2.5 WU/6 @ HM/2 CD), so I'm going to shoot for starting about 70 min earlier than them, so about 7:15. I better find what's left of my Nuun for my handheld water bottle. Between the handheld and having some water back at my car when I finish up my pre-miles before the group heads out and the water stop we put out on the group run (the group runs an out and back), hopefully I'll be good water wise and not need to break out my Orangemud Single Barrel. I really wish I could get that thing to work better for me, it's pretty much ideal, it sits so easy on my back up high, doesn't bother me, easy to get the bottle in and out... except that it chafes me so badly under my arms. I have an unused Double Barrel still with tags attached that I should probably just try and sell... there's no way I'm going to wear that one when I can't get the lighter Single Barrel to not chafe.

I had the same problem with the Single Barrel strap set up. It was just never comfortable under my arms. Have you looked at their Vest Pack (VP) versions? Adding the front pockets completely relocates the straps and I find it extremely comfortable.

If you’ve still got the one with tags, give Orange Mud a call and see if they’ll exchange it for a Vest Pack, even if you’re past a return window. I’ve found them very accommodating and easy to work with.

Alternatively, I love their Gear Vest 1L. It’s small and comfortable and holds plenty of water for short to medium runs.

 

[beatlecat42]

QOTD: Morning runners and afternoon runners, how early or late do you run? When do you prefer to run?

Not a morning person. At all. For anything.

Fun Friday QOTD: Tell us about a favorite character or scene from any of the Star Wars films.

"Mos Eisley spaceport. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious."

(seriously, though, all of the original trilogy. Loving the new ones, too. Leia has always been a favorite, but Holdo made my life. Between Last Jedi and Ellie Sattler from Jurassic Park (aka the greatest movie ever made), I want to be Laura Dern when I grow up.)

And Greedo never shot Han.

 

[Miranda]

I had the same problem with the Single Barrel strap set up. It was just never comfortable under my arms. Have you looked at their Vest Pack (VP) versions? Adding the front pockets completely relocates the straps and I find it extremely comfortable.

If you’ve still got the one with tags, give Orange Mud a call and see if they’ll exchange it for a Vest Pack, even if you’re past a return window. I’ve found them very accommodating and easy to work with.

Alternatively, I love their Gear Vest 1L. It’s small and comfortable and holds plenty of water for short to medium runs.

I'm a little worried about the Vest Pack with it's front straps due to it going across my lady chest, but maybe it would be ok. I am definitely outside the return window on the Double Barrel, I bought it about a year ago, but maybe I'll give it a shot.

I'll have to look at the Vest Pack and the Gear Vest. The main appeal of the Single/Double Barrel, or the Vest Pack, was the removable water bottles. I drink a lot when it's hot, easily going through 60+ oz in a run, and I liked the idea that I could refill the bottles at stores along the way (we don't have any outdoor fountains around here) or put Nuun in it without worrying about the bladder getting icky.

 

[jmasgat]

Wixom Derby Day 5k race report

So I've spent the winter since Dopey (mostly) following a 10 k plan as a way to stay running-focused. It just ended and I decided to race to close things out. But for me, the 10k is the utkatasana (chair pose) of races......I have yet to make peace with it. So I wimped and did the 5k instead. The race helps benefit a charity involving horses and kids with cancer, so that's a good thing.

Nice day here, low 60's at the start. Flat course through neighborhoods, and a head wind starting mile 2 or so. Went out apparently fast and then settled in, which I guess in retrospect meant slowed down. Didn't see too many women in front of me and caught one close to mile 3, which was nice because nerves or whatever made my stomach flip-floppy. I decided that sub-25:00 was necessary (for my ego, I admit) and frankly, hoped for better. I ended up with 24:37 (way off a PR) and the women's win. So overall, okay. Guess this business about transitioning away from racing is going to take a little longer than I thought. Much like chair pose, and 10k's, I need to make peace with running slower. Nice swag though .....

 

[FFigawi]

Well done!

 

[Miranda]

6 yesterday and 10.5 today closes out my last big week before my HM on 5/20. I'm ready for some rest and an ice cream today and some more rest and some yoga tomorrow.

 

[Princess KP]

ATTQOTD: Was hoping to PR my HM this Sunday but my toe has been hurting the past couple of days

PR’d my half this morning!! Had gone to see my physiotherapist on Thursday who worked his magic.

So as I’m racing towards the finish line, this guy comes up from behind to pass me...barefoot. I had to do a double take lol. Like he had no shoes no socks on. Ran a HM barefoot! I get annoyed when the seam of my sock isn’t straight, couldn’t imagine running barefoot!

 

[Novatrix]

Race Report: Broad Street Run - 10 miler

It was a lovely day in Philadelphia as the country's largest 10 mile race kicked off. Runner's could not ask for better weather, as the start was in the low 60s and overcast, but despite the forecast there was no rain. Course was slightly downhill overall, with gentle rises and and falls, so was great for a fast pace. The start of the course is a bit boring in terms of both crowd support and scenery (although there was a gentleman trying to enliven interest by parading amongst the spectators naked in a bathrobe), but the true energy came once you reached center city and saw the crowds thronging along the main street and you ran past the capital building. Overall, the course itself was an 8/10 due to lack of hills, interesting historical landmarks and for the finish in the Naval Yard.

Mini-rant: What was not so great about the run was the corrals were a mess. My only other corralled races have been with Disney (halfs + marathon), but those were so much better organized compared to Broad Street. For starters, there were no volunteers preventing people from starting in whichever corral they felt like and a lot of people took advantage of it. I'd been placed in a slower corral as I'd estimated my time at registration based on an older half marathon, so I lined up closer to the front so I wouldn't be caught behind too many people at the start. To my astonishment, a group of women from an even slower corral lined up behind me and started loudly talking about how they were injured and probably going to walk significant portions of the race and how they hadn't really trained. Why line up then in a faster corral towards the front of it then? Looking around at bib colors, there were quite a few others who decided to give themselves an upgrade to what corral they should start in. It was pretty obvious throughout the run as I kept passing people from earlier corrals that lots of people lied about their predicted finish time, this wasn't just a few people having an off day. Considering the number of people who take part in this run, and how congested it got at points, why risk getting trampled? And why don't the race directors verify proof of times?

Anyway, I did have fun seeing Philadelphia in a different way and finished in 1:20:38 despite weaving like a goalie all over the course to get around people. If I ever run it again, I'd switch my expectations to "fun run" instead of one I was trying to get a PR in.

 

[JulieODC]

I PRd my half today as well!

I took 8 min off my last PR (from Tink a year ago) and came in around 2:05:30.
Thanks so much to @DopeyBadger for the training plan that helped me accomplish this.

Quick race review of the Providence Half - weather was overcast and upper 50s without humidity (ie perfect). The course was mixed - some nice sections, some not so scenic - and relatively flat, but a few loooong hills at mile 7 and 11 kicked my butt a little (my average pace dropped 20 seconds). My DH and DDs were able to cheer at a playground that was at mile 5 and 8, so super convenient. I’ve never had them at a race, so this was just awesome.

Nice medal and T-shirt with the city skyline, excellent local and free beer at the finish (along with donut holes and pizza), well organized, easy parking, etc.

My phone decided to freeze at the starting line when I tried to start the GPS app the race was using for tracking. And wouldn’t restart no matter what I did. I tried not to freak, but was sad about the prospect of no podcasts to entertain. BUT, literally as the gun went off, it magically turned on - so I scrambled to get the gps app going and my podcast restarted. And all went fine. Darn phones!!!

There was also a marathon option - it started 30 min before the half and shared the last 3 miles. I got passed by the lead male around mile 12 (but he was the only marathoner I saw on course).

Finally, there was a woman down at mile 12.8. She was with someone, and I flagged some cops who were around the corner, but I hope she’s ok. Not sure how to find out, but she’s on my mind.

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

DH here:
Shameless plug for our Training Journal. DW's Dark Side Half Marathon race report just went up.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/our-journey-to-the-dark-side-dw-race-report-5-6-18.3645885/

Highlighting something for everyone that she wrote:
Thank you to everyone on the DIS for your support and encouragement. Reading the race reports of others motivated me to set a goal and keep working towards it.

DW did a lot of reading in 2018: Many of your race reports, trip reports, and @DopeyBadger plan summaries. All these things inspired and motivated her. This was her 4th attempt at a half marathon. #1 was derailed by Mother Nature (half a half W&D 2015). #2 and 3 by injuries. And then #4 almost undone by another injury.

 

[Wendy98]

Quick Race Recap: Flying Pig Marathon 2018

I don't usually have time to do these so soon after a race, however, my butt is happily parked on the couch (for the past 2 hours!)

I was very apprehensive going into Pig this year after the miserable Boston experience. Today's weather could not have been more perfect (for me). It was mid/upper 50s at 6:30 am start and only went up. I like warm conditions. For most of the race it was overcast and the sun made an appearance the last 5-6 miles (I don't even remember).

There are 3 different events starting: full marathon, half, and relay (4 people doing the full). It is easy to get caught up with faster people because you don't know which event they are doing unless you look at their bib. As usual, I went out hard. Cincinnati is a tough course. Hills start around mile 6 and they can be rough. Even when you think you are done with hills, they send you down so you have to go back up some overly steep tiny hill. Course is beautiful--well most of it. Half marathon breaks off around mile 8.5. If you are ever looking for a nice negative split, do the half. Last 4 miles are all downhill.

Anyway, I seemed to run with the same group of guys. They weren't together, we just all seemed to have a similar pace. We would all trade leads back and forth. I talked to one guy off and on and a few others recognized me as last year's runner up. I was in 5th place most of the race--trust me if you don't know, EVERY person tells you that. I was fine with that because I was had a good race going and knew podium wasn't in the cards today. There is one part where you run out and come back on a divided road. As I entered I saw what I assume was 1st female. Holy smokes was she flying! I saw a male runner I knew in front of her and I know his pace which meant she was running in the 2:40s (note--she did win in 2:46).

I saw my husband and kids twice on the course and her the finish. Love doesn't even begin to describe those moments. I make sure to give high fives and smile (no matter how bad the hurt). Around mile 18, pain and fatigue were becoming a little more apparent. A couple of the guys I ran with were stopping and slowing down because something hurt. I passed the guy I had been chatting with around mile 19-20. My hamstring that bothered me in Boston was starting to give me a little trouble. I just wanted to muster through the last miles and finish the best I could.

Because of the nice weather, crowd support was fantastic. I high fived people, thanked volunteers and police, and really had a good time. It was so great to be cheered on by groups of young girls--I hope I inspire them some way. You have no idea how different this was from Boston where I hated life. You could have wrung my shirt out from sweat today instead of the icy rain 3 weeks ago.

My last 4 miles were a bit of a struggle, but coming down to the finish line was awesome. They changed the start/finish this year (something else that gave me anxiety--don't change things!). The last mile seemed to have so many more spectators this way. Around the last 1/3-1/2 mile, the half marathon and full come together (although still separated by a barricade). I crossed the finish line in 3:05:53 and 6th place (I got passed after mile 18? and man, this girl was flying. I have no idea where she came from and how she was running so fast at this point. I think she passed a couple other women ahead of me also).

I have been downtown 3 days in a row for Pig events! Friday night, dh and older ds ran the one mile race. Yesterday, all my kids did the 5k. I paced my youngest (8) because he wanted to break 30 minutes. He did it in 28:09! My oldest PRd the 5k with 22:36. And dd? She just had a good time and wore her new donut compression calf sleeves. She hadn't trained at all (my fault and my injury's fault) but still finished in 34:41. I just love that they get excited as me about this weekend!

Some pics from today:



This was with maybe 1/3 mile to go--so excited to see my family one more time! You can see half marathoners on other side of street.




After the CRAP spring we have had, Cincinnati weather got it right today.


Because it is the 20th anniversary of The Pig, all full marathon finishers received a finishers jacket. It's OK, but I prefer the one I got last year for 2nd place (last year's jacket is a really nice ASICS with Pig logo).

 

[Kerry1957]

Great Western HM Race Report (Sycamore to St. Charles, IL)

So to misuse an old saying.... the headline was "Cleanup in Aisle (mile) 11".

Bottom line is I missed my PR by 2 seconds.

2 @&$%!*> seconds!

@DopeyBadger and I came up with a target of 11:51 per mile average (2:35 finish time) given the expected conditions (a bit cool and wet.) It rained for the entire 1.5 hour ride to the start line, but just before the start the sun came out. I din't like it at first because it got much warmer (mid 70s) and more humid than I expected. But I don't worry about things I can't control so off we went. The first 10 miles were right on plan; I averaged 11:53 with a low of 11:43 and a high of 12:15 (quick porta-potty stop). Although billed as a trail race the first 6-8 miles were run on a paved surface on top of the old railroad bed before turning a mixture of asphalt and dirt. Call it a bicycle path trail race. I often ran just off the path in the dirt because that is what I like and train on even though the surface was crowned.

Unfortunately during mile 11 I stepped funny on a branch (it was really more like a twig, but that does not fit my story line as well). I twisted my knee a bit but tried to keep hobbling along. I ended up having to walk most of the rest of mile 11 (13:01) and most of mile 12 (13:57). I was watching my watch and saying to myself, "damn, well there goes the @DopeyBadger plan" and then "damn, well there goes my PR". At the 12 mile marker I decided to just run on it anyway and deal with the results later. Mile 13 was 12:06 and the 13.1 was 1:06, for a finish time of 2:39:10. I must of looked bad/pathetic/in trouble because as soon as I sat down in a heap 20 yards past the finish line a paramedic came over to check on me. (Full disclosure...when I told my wife I didn't think I looked that bad, she said I not only looked terrible but the paramedics almost always come over to check me out after my HM trail races).

It wasn't until I got home that I checked, and my PR is 2:39:08 at last fall's runDisney W&D HM. It may sound funny but I was not focused on the PR time but on the @DopeyBadger plan so I really could not remember the exact PR time while on the course.

So the good news...the @DopeyBadger plan not only worked, but worked extremely well right up until my self inflicted just-off-course stumble, and that has nothing to do with the merits of the plan. I would have finished around 2:35 otherwise, right on schedule. Perhaps I just need to learn how to pee 3 seconds quicker if I just want to PR. Sorry.

Although I did not PR I'm calling it a statistical dead heat and I will feel better about it tomorrow. This is only my 6th HM and each one before has been a new PR. That streak could not last forever.

A huge THANKS! to @DopeyBadger for all his support.

 

[McNs]

Waiheke Island Half Marathon Race Report

Waiheke Island is a 40 minute ferry from downtown Auckland. It is a place I know well - every summer holiday has been spent there, and is where my parents now live. I ran this race last year and enjoyed it, plus I've done LOTS of running in the area so knew what to expect.

Bib collection was a bit of a mess - most people had caught ferries across in the morning - and there was a big line when I arrived. To collect your bib and chip, you first needed to get your race number from a board, and this is where things got messy. People would arrive at the front of the line without first getting their number, and the people handing out the bibs and chips had their list sorted by race number only. There were a few angry runners and exasperated volunteers... I got my stuff with still 20 minutes to spare, so was fine, but I'm sure plenty of people missed the start.

The course is two loops, with the second loop including a nasty hill. Weather was perfect, overcast and mid 50s. I was close to the front so no issues with the start. Once again I went out faster than I should, but was feeling really good. I was keeping an eye on HR to make sure it didn't get too high, and consciously slowed down a bit to keep it in check. This resulted in being chomped a bit but payback would come later!

Once the first couple of kms were out of the way I settled in to a pretty good rhythm. The course was undulating (as expected) with a couple of nasty hills - one coming at the end of each lap (horrible at the finish) and a short sharp climb on lap 2 only. The second lap was where I was able to dig in - I was feeling good and hills ween't an issue for me as so much of my training is up and down. I got past a couple of people up the hill then really pushed hard down, picking up quite a few more. The chomping carried on for most of lap two, and with 3km to go I really started pushing. I still had to be careful as there is a nasty climb to the finish. I was starting to really feel it at this stage, and was relieved when I got to the congested finish chute. I crossed the line in 1:37:59, 2 mins better than goal and less than a minute slower than my PB set 13 years ago!

Final placing was 31/486 overall, and 5/42 for age group.

Post race analysis, I reckon I have a bit more pace in me. I wasn't completely destroyed at the end (though the last hill was tough) so will give some thought for the next race on what I should be aiming for.

 

[Dis5150]

I’ll post a race recap later but we are still in Waco having fun. Did not PR but happy to not die lol! Hot, sunny, no shade and only water (no Gatorade) available at the first 4 water stops contributed to a 5:58:49 finish. Threw up 2 times after mile 22 and then just walked after mile 24. Just happy to finish.


ETA: This was advertised as a “flat, fast course.” This is from Strava. Probably also contributed to my wanting to die!

 

[LSUlakes]

Congrats to all the races this weekend and thanks for your race reports!

QOTD: For those of yall who live in a mostly flat area and have a race that has a lot hills, how do you train for hills when you do not have them?

ATTQOTD: To train for hills I have a few options with only one being a good solution. Option one is to run on the treadmill, which I do not see a great solution. Option two is to run up and down the levee along the Mississippi river. The flaw here is the levee is only so high and wouldn't really prepare me for long hills. The same for the overpasses that are runner friendly. The last option is actually a great solution but is around 1.5 hour drive away. Plenty of long rolling hills in the country. I have trained here for hilly marathons and it worked well.

 

[MissLiss279]

ATTQOTD:
I don’t, normally. When training for Pike’s Peak, we did a lot of extra stair workouts and extreme incline on the treadmill, but that’s 13 miles of non-stop uphill. We call the 20+. mph wind here ‘Kansas Hills’. We have a few little rolling hills that I run on consistently, but other than that I just do my best on hills and try not to wear myself out. Oh, I also go to OrangeTheory and we do a lot of leg work and occasionally do extended runs at an incline, so that helps too.

ETA: The ‘little rolling hills’ around here only have 30-50 ft elevation gain. Most people would probably call it flat.