The Running Thread - 2018

[jennamfeo]

What apps/tech/apparel/accessories would you all recommend for a new runner?

I currently use an apple watch. I'm good on shoes (I was fitted for Brooks at a running store) but is there anything else you would recommend a new runner use/invest in?

I agree with @SarahDisney! When I first started running I had my phone to track my runs and some shoes and literally one pair of running shorts that I ran into the ground. I recommend getting into a groove with running before you start spending money on things just because the world says runners should have it.

 

[Miranda]

Definitely buy thing as it comes up that you need/want them, don't just buy stuff you think you might need now. With some workout clothes and sneakers, you are definitely good to start! If you find yourself thinking, "I wish I could carry some water..." or "I wish I had some headphones..." or "I need a better place to put my phone..." we can all certainly help you out then, but it's very easy to buy things you think you might need that you never end up using.

 

[camaker]

What apps/tech/apparel/accessories would you all recommend for a new runner?

I currently use an apple watch. I'm good on shoes (I was fitted for Brooks at a running store) but is there anything else you would recommend a new runner use/invest in?

There are so many options and solutions to the issues that runners come across it's hard to make a solid recommendation at the start. My suggestion is to start running. During/after the runs, you'll inevitably think "I wish I could...". Once that thought hits, look into the options for solving it and find one that looks like it would work for you.

As an example, "I wish I could carry water with me when I run". You then look for ways to carry water and find out there are many ways to accomplish that and have to decide whether you want to try a handheld water bottle, a belt with bottles on it, or a backpack with a bladder (or bottles, even). Try it, see if you like it. If not, try something else. There really aren't that many "one size fits all" answers for new runners, so just enjoy the experiences and discoveries that come along with it.

 

[GreatLakes]

What apps/tech/apparel/accessories would you all recommend for a new runner?

I currently use an apple watch. I'm good on shoes (I was fitted for Brooks at a running store) but is there anything else you would recommend a new runner use/invest in?

Number 1 is properly fitted shoes so you already have that. Most of the stuff runners get is a want as opposed to a need and that includes most of what I get. The only needs in my opinion are properly fitted shoes and something wicking to run in. It doesn't have to be top of the line or expensive but if you get nothing else I would invest in wicking socks for the sake of your feet.

I have also become a big fan of foam rolling and think that is the one suggestion I have beyond the obvious equipment and clothing you might think about.

Lastly, visibility is important so if you run when it is dark or at lower light times of the day some clip on lights like these are a really good idea. Again not strictly a need but anything that enhances safety is good.

 

[rteetz]

QOTD: Who here uses Strava? Do you use it as your GPS for your runs or just a place to share runs with others? If you are a garmin user and have strava, did you pay for the premium package? What does it offer different than Garmin Express? Strava Premium folks do you recommend it and what cool features does it offer?

I am part of the Dis Strava group and another group. I don't use it as my run tracker though. I use runKeeper because that works well with my Apple Watch. It has everything I want in a running watch app.

 

[rteetz]

I don't have a lot of friends on Garmin Connect and Runkeeper so it's lonely over there.

I will be your runKeeper friend!

 

[McNs]

I’m a premium Strava member. I like the sdditional analysis features and especially like the personal heat map!

Question: does everyone use tapiriik to sync between GC and Strava? Is there another way to do it? Anyone paid for the automatic sync that tapiriik has? Does it work as advertised?

I used it to upload all 500 odd older runs from Garmin when I first joined Strava. Couldn’t see any other way to move those apart from one run at a time.

 

[LSUlakes]

What apps/tech/apparel/accessories would you all recommend for a new runner?

I currently use an apple watch. I'm good on shoes (I was fitted for Brooks at a running store) but is there anything else you would recommend a new runner use/invest in?

You have the two most expensive things needed so far, so thats a plus. Shoes though are a repeat expense, but thats ok. One thing I would recommend that you do not know you need it until its to late is body glide! I think a stick of it (think deodorant stick) is $7-10 range.

 

[Miranda]

I don't use tapiriik... I synced all my runs manually when I switched to Strava by exporting them and then reimporting them into Strava. It was kind of tedious, but it was probably a year or maybe a few months less and I only ran 3x a week at most. I'd probably use a service like that if I'd been doing it much longer or more frequently. And once the old stuff was imported, the new stuff just syncs automatically.

 

[gjramsey]

ATTQOTD: Frankly, I don't have a lot of friends on Garmin Connect and Runkeeper so it's lonely over there.

Same here, I have 4 connections on Garmin. Not sure why I don't have more, when compared to Strava.

 

[sylkai]

Note to self: missing the last day of the month means a long thread to catch up on.

ATYQOTD: When I first started my half marathon training, way back when, 8 miles was my long run for a while. Now it's fuzzy though. I'd probably say double digits, although some of my workouts also hit double digits so who knows? It's always my longest run of the week.

ATTQOTD: I use Strava. And Garmin. And Smashrun. And Runkeeper. Hooray for automated syncing of run data across multiple services. But I look at Strava the most, data-wise. I've considered Premium but haven't gotten it yet. They're teasing some new features or something with it so I'm waiting to see what might come out of that.

I do worry about privacy - I don't like to use my real name online, courtesy of growing up online in the late 90s, and showing my location is anathema - so I have the runs set to upload as private by default. I've got the radius circle set, for when I choose to show a run (typically my long run, since I like to earn my badges). I don't sign up for the distance badges because those would require setting more runs as public. (Private runs don't count for badges.)

July totals: 43 miles at an average pace of 11:39 min/mile. Sigh. Also 197.9 miles on the recumbent bike and 12.21 miles of pool running. I'm building the mileage back up, slowly(ish), and should break 100 miles in August again, which will start to feel somewhat normal. I'm grateful to be back out running at all, given how long four weeks without it felt.

Speaking of which, @LSUlakes, I'm on for a race this weekend. 4 - Summer Breeze Half Marathon (NG/NA). My birthday half marathon, which I was desperate to still get to run and my recovery has gone well enough that my PT is allowing it, if not exactly encouraging it. This was going to be an A goal race before the stress fractures but since I haven't run anything longer than 5 miles in almost two months ...well... even I can make intelligent decisions sometimes.

 

[cavepig]

No Strava here. I use Garmin connect but don't have friends.

 

[LSUlakes]

Was checking out the race list and it looks like we have every week covered except the last two in December. Anyone have a race or thinking of one during that time?

 

[kleph]

What apps/tech/apparel/accessories would you all recommend for a new runner?

I currently use an apple watch. I'm good on shoes (I was fitted for Brooks at a running store) but is there anything else you would recommend a new runner use/invest in?

That's the main things you need for now. Probably the thing to do next is find the apparel you feel comfortable in. Runners typically are creatures of habit so it's a process of finding the items that fit the routine that works for you. shorts, shirts, sunglasses, etc.

Was checking out the race list and it looks like we have every week covered except the last two in December. Anyone have a race or thinking of one during that time?

i imagine that's because everyone is going to be tapering.

 

[SarahDisney]

Was checking out the race list and it looks like we have every week covered except the last two in December. Anyone have a race or thinking of one during that time?

I'm too lazy to look at a calendar - do you happen to know the Sunday dates of those two weeks? I can see what's going on around here, maybe hit up a 5K or easy 10K.
Also ... I'm contemplating a December 31st 11:59pm race, but undecided because a) that Uber ride home ain't gonna be cheap, and b) last year the temperature for this race was in the negatives. Also ... I'd probably be starting after midnight because I'm in a back corral, so I don't know if it counts.

 

[sylkai]

Was checking out the race list and it looks like we have every week covered except the last two in December. Anyone have a race or thinking of one during that time?

I've got a pair of local halfs I could consider on the 31st/1st.

If I do both I get a shiny connector medal too. >.>

 

[Sanchez]

I track all workouts with my Garmin but do not share them on any platform. I have no interest in tracking the workouts of others and am not sure why anyone would want to track my workouts.

I assume that there are practical reasons for sharing information, but mostly it seems there are two camps. There are those who find some social value in running/competing and those who solely view it as a method of escaping from the world and wish to keep it private.

 

[KaitlynJ]

ATTQOTD: I don't use Strava. I'd like to, but I have yet to figure out how to sync my runs from Nike Run Club with it. And I just can't bear to lose 9 years worth of data!

 

[Miranda]

I view Strava as more of a "hey great job getting out there and getting it done" type of social thing than a competition. Sure there are competition things in there like the segments and stuff, but I am never going to win any of those so I don't pay attention to them.

 

[LSUlakes]

i imagine that's because everyone is going to be tapering.

4 weeks out = Last "big long run" 20 miler which falls on Dec 15/16.
3 weeks out = My plan wants me to run a 10k race as pratice and follow up the next day with 16. Looks like I have some research to do. With the holiday approaching I may or may not have a lot of options.
2 weeks out = I completely understand for those running WDW. A race here would not be worth it.

I'm too lazy to look at a calendar - do you happen to know the Sunday dates of those two weeks? I can see what's going on around here, maybe hit up a 5K or easy 10K.
Also ... I'm contemplating a December 31st 11:59pm race, but undecided because a) that Uber ride home ain't gonna be cheap, and b) last year the temperature for this race was in the negatives. Also ... I'd probably be starting after midnight because I'm in a back corral, so I don't know if it counts.

December 23rd and 30th are the Sundays.