The Running Thread - 2018

[Disney at Heart]

ATTQOTD: Same>

ATTQOTD: For me, I mostly only taper my long weekend run and maybe take a few miles off my weekday runs. I try not to change my normal running routine too much. I do usually peel back quite a bit the week before the race so my body is well rested and strong.

For Marathon weekend, I was relieved when I finished the second 20 miler. It feels good to know I don't have to do another one of those until the races. My daily runs are usually 6-7 miles three times a week and a longer run on the weekend. I cut back to 11 last Saturday and will probably do about 13 this Saturday. The weekday runs won't change much until the last week before we leave and then I'll cut back to 3-5 on MWF.

In reference to taper pain: I can have IT band pain around my knee or hip today, Achilles pain tomorrow, groin pain the next day, shoulder pain after that, and then lower back pain or plantar fasciitis.... I figure that as long as it is moving around from place to place, it is not an injury, but just the part of getting older.

 

[Baloo in MI]

ATTQOTD (previous): I don't usually remember my dreams, but I had one a few weeks before my first 50 miler (a race for which I was terrified). What I remember is that I came into an aid station from the wrong direction and the volunteers took my number and began whispering to each other and pointing at me. Then they would not let me have any of the cookies on the table, so I left pretending that I put some cookies in my pack... Think I was struggling with feeling like I did not belonged in the race.

ATTQOTD (today): Well when I am actually running and training for a race (2019 can't get here fast enough!) I have a love/hate relationship with the taper. I really enjoy the extra time with my family and opportunities to sleep in a bit. But real quick I begin to get panicky that I am not doing enough and will regret it on race day. If I see another runner I imagine they are in my race and will be more ready than me. I can't wait to experience taper madness again.

 

[huggybuff]

Hiya, @LSUlakes !

I'm registered for two races as of now.

Feb 3 - huggybuff - Super Sunday Run X 5K - NG

May 19 - huggybuff - Gold Country Half - NG

I have another one coming up in April but I haven't registered because I'm not sure of the distance that we're going for yet.

 

[Ellie_]

Hi all! I’m running my first half in January and hoping to get some second opinions on my taper plan as I’m new to this. The training program I was using didn’t include a plan for tapering.

I finished my last long run on Sunday 12/23 at 11 miles and was feeling pretty good. My plan for the next 3 weeks is to run 3 times a week, 2 times for 5k and once for 10K. On off days I’ll either rest or do some cross training (weights, walking, elliptical). Is 3 weeks too long to taper for my first half? Should I do another long run this weekend at 2 weeks out or does this plan seem good?

Thank you!

 

[LSUlakes]

Hiya, @LSUlakes !

I'm registered for two races as of now.

Feb 3 - huggybuff - Super Sunday Run X 5K - NG

May 19 - huggybuff - Gold Country Half - NG

I have another one coming up in April but I haven't registered because I'm not sure of the distance that we're going for yet.

Please post these again when I start the 2019 thread. Thank you.

 

[huggybuff]

@LSUlakes Sorry, didn’t realize you were taking January only. Been away for awhile.

 

[flav]

ATTQOTD taper:
I used to like the freedom and enery boast (craziness) that came with taper. Dealing with hunger and craving was hard but manageable. And reading your answers regarding pains, like this one, made me realized that pains can come out during taper, and might not be the end of my running career!

In reference to taper pain: I can have IT band pain around my knee or hip today, Achilles pain tomorrow, groin pain the next day, shoulder pain after that, and then lower back pain or plantar fasciitis.... I figure that as long as it is moving around from place to place, it is not an injury, but just the part of getting older.

 

[michigandergirl]

Okay folks, my training journal is up and running!! I hope I'm not terrible at this! I'm not even sure I know how to link it, but I'll give it a shot.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/running-in-the-mitten-beyond.3725915/

 

[Sleepless Knight]

ATTQOTD: It all depends on when the taper falls and what it looks like. I've had races where the taper fell at the perfect time in that I had a whole let less time to run so the taper fit perfectly. This time around on a @DopeyBadger plan, my 2 taper weeks for Dopey call for 26 miles and 20 miles so they really don't feel like less running.

 

[jmasgat]

Hi all! I’m running my first half in January and hoping to get some second opinions on my taper plan as I’m new to this. The training program I was using didn’t include a plan for tapering.

I finished my last long run on Sunday 12/23 at 11 miles and was feeling pretty good. My plan for the next 3 weeks is to run 3 times a week, 2 times for 5k and once for 10K. On off days I’ll either rest or do some cross training (weights, walking, elliptical). Is 3 weeks too long to taper for my first half? Should I do another long run this weekend at 2 weeks out or does this plan seem good?

Thank you!

I would do a 2 week taper, but that's just me. I would try a 10 miler this weekend and 8 the following. But if you have any injuries, for sure rest. It also depends on what your goals are. If it's just to finish, then a 3 week taper would likely be fine. At this point, it sounds like you're ready.

 

[Ellie_]

I would do a 2 week taper, but that's just me. I would try a 10 miler this weekend and 8 the following. But if you have any injuries, for sure rest. It also depends on what your goals are. If it's just to finish, then a 3 week taper would likely be fine. At this point, it sounds like you're ready.

Thanks for the confidence boost! Surprisingly I feel ready, no injuries to report knock on wood. I’ll give 10 miles a shot this weekend and scale back the following.

 

[beatlecat42]

happy winter break to all, and sympathies for those sequestered with crazy family members...

QOTD: What did you find to be the most difficult part of running when you first started? What do you find to be the most difficult now?

getting off the couch...and getting off the couch.

QOTD: Race day preparation. Do you review the course route and try to learn it or just glance it over before the race? Do you prefer not knowing and the whole thing be a surprise instead?

no surprises. I review the course map before even signing up, and then study it in detail -- like others, have been stuck out on a course alone before. For safety, if nothing else, I feel reassured that I know (roughly) where I'm going and where the water stops should be. Of course, it doesn't help when the race doesn't actually follow the course map...that one was awful.

Its finally Friday and time for our Fun Friday QOTD!!!! With today being the last working for most of us before the holiday, what are your Christmas plans over the weekend and into early next week? Any unique traditions? How do you fit in your runs with so much going on over the next few days?

Does bickering/fighting count as a tradition? No plans for walking at the moment, as I managed to fall ridiculously sick yesterday, and have mountains of work to do anyway. Looking forward to getting back on track for the new year, though.

The other question about the taper...I haven't ever tapered for walking, but it was definitely my favorite part of swim season.

 

[kleph]

ATTQOTD: anxiety about getting sick surpassed only by getting sick itself.

 

[LSUlakes]

QOTD: Today is likely our last QOTD of the year. DS is getting tubes put in tomorrow morning and we have another bust weekend plus NYE. So for todays question I want to know what are you doing for NYE and NYD? Also, do you have a New Years resolution?

ATTQOTD: for NYE, DW will be working, so the kids and I will get a gumbo going and make a trip to the firework stand. NYD we will probably BBQ for the LSU game and then back to work for a short week. After that its 4 more work days and we make our way to WDW on 1/11/19 with a goal of getting out the door by 4:00 AM for our 12 hour trip. Hopefully this all goes as planned but I seem to be coming down with a sinus cold or something thats getting worse each morning. I just hope its not one of those colds that stick around for weeks.

BONUS QUESTION:

DW and I are brainstorming a few ideas around for our 10 year anniversary in June. We have a few ideas but a new one came up last night that I thought some of yall may be able to help with. We are looking at maybe hitting up Cedar Point. My question for those who have been is how many park days tickets should we get to ride all the big attractions? The other part of the question is what else can we do in that area (within a few hours drive)? Are their any cabins or resorts for a nice little get away? Some hiking opportunities... Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Our other two ideas are going to Punta Cana, which seems to be losing steam. The other idea is likely a little over budget but consisted of going to Disneyland for 2-3 days and then wine country for 2-3 days with maybe a day in San Francisco. I like the Disneyland part, but not much a wine drinker. The only time I drank much wine was when I smoked a pack a day. I don't think it's worth picking up the habit again for the sake of wine.

 

[baxter24]

ATTQOTD: We don’t have any plans for New Year’s Eve or day. We still have one more Christmas to do with my family on Friday so I haven’t even started to think about next week.

Yesterday’s question: Taper madness hasn’t set in yet. The past two taper periods for me have coincided with Christmas so the reduced mileage is a great thing. The doubts tend to set in right before I leave for the race.

 

[Dis5150]

ATTQOTD: I will be working on New Year's eve day, then working on our house remodel that night and New Year's Day since we both have it off.

I've been off here for a while other than a like or two. We are doing a MAJOR remodel on our home and I have completely stopped running. I just don't have time or energy. I won't even be able to run my rescheduled half on the 12th. But we have been planning this remodel for a very long time and it is exciting that it is finally happening! My mom has lived with DH and I since 2008 when my dad died. We are turning a portion of our home into an in-law-suite for her so we all have space of our own. She will have a bedroom, bath and a sitting room with tiny kitchenette. We have moved her into DH's office for now and are currently tearing up her bedroom. What a mess! Our house is a 1940's farmhouse. We took out a window and added an exterior door in her bedroom and when we pulled up the hardwood in that area we discovered that there is NO SUBFLOOR under the hardwood! Seriously, the hardwood is sitting on the joists! In the whole house!

We are installing an outdoor, propane, tankless hot water heater because we are adding my mom's bathroom in the space our current tank hot water heater is. Well, DH is moving the water and hooking that and the electricity to it, then we are having a plumber do the propane. If anyone has any experience with tankless hot water heaters, indoor or out, please share!

 

[Capang]

QOTD: So for todays question I want to know what are you doing for NYE and NYD? Also, do you have a New Years resolution?

We are maybe hitting up a noon years eve event with friends then we usually spend the night with those same friends. Nothing super exciting there. Jan 2 my daughter, mom and I leave for WDW for an girls trip. That's our big New Years plan.

BONUS QUESTION:

DW and I are brainstorming a few ideas around for our 10 year anniversary in June. We have a few ideas but a new one came up last night that I thought some of yall may be able to help with. We are looking at maybe hitting up Cedar Point. My question for those who have been is how many park days tickets should we get to ride all the big attractions? The other part of the question is what else can we do in that area (within a few hours drive)? Are their any cabins or resorts for a nice little get away? Some hiking opportunities... Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Our other two ideas are going to Punta Cana, which seems to be losing steam. The other idea is likely a little over budget but consisted of going to Disneyland for 2-3 days and then wine country for 2-3 days with maybe a day in San Francisco. I like the Disneyland part, but not much a wine drinker. The only time I drank much wine was when I smoked a pack a day. I don't think it's worth picking up the habit again for the sake of wine.

CEDAR POINT IS AWESOME! Seriously, that park is my first love. If you want big thrills that's the place to be. I'm lucky enough to live 40 minutes from there and I have been a passholder off and on forever. Are you going with kids? If so, use rider swap. You could knock out all the rides in 2 days, maybe 1 day if you buy Fast Lane, but that's pricey, imo. Are you looking to do the waterpark as well? That could add another day on. CP has a couple resorts and all offer ticket packages as well, but I'm not sure of the prices since we never stay overnight. Midweek is less busy. Weekends are a bit crazier. When in June? There are run and ride races early in June at Cedar Point.

There are some cabins nearby, but nothing wonderful, really. Hocking Hills is within a few hours drive and that is pretty nice and has some great hiking and reasonably priced cabins. The Lake Erie islands are fun, too, and you could catch a ferry close to Cedar Point. Put-In-Bay is family fun during the day and crazy at night. PIB has 2 small caves and Perry's Monument as well as a state park for camping. Kelley's Island is a bit more relaxed. They are known for their glacial grooves park and island wine. Both are fun options. Feel free to message me of you have questions about CP.

 

[Chaitali]

I used to love Cedar Point when I was a kid, we used to go every Summer I haven't been since then though so no specific tips but this blog might help with basics too. http://cpfoodblog.com/

As far as New Year's, no big plans here. We have an out of town friend who will be visiting so one of our other friends is hosting a small get together NYE for everyone to be able to re-connect. Other than that, running and Netflix binging. Also cleaning, going through the closet to get rid of clothes we don't wear any more, and finishing up my outfit for the marathon!

 

[Slogger]

BONUS QUESTION:

DW and I are brainstorming a few ideas around for our 10 year anniversary in June. We have a few ideas but a new one came up last night that I thought some of yall may be able to help with. We are looking at maybe hitting up Cedar Point. My question for those who have been is how many park days tickets should we get to ride all the big attractions? The other part of the question is what else can we do in that area (within a few hours drive)? ... Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hey @LSUlakes .....I don't live in Ohio so factor that in when you read my response about Cedar Point. I'm sure folks on here have better intel than me.

Cedar Point is located in Sandusky, Ohio, right on the lake. They might have the best collection of roller coasters in the country. Usually the tallest, the fastest, the steepest, etc.
Also a water park located nearby. Lots of other attractions and things to do in the park. You could do it all in a day or stretch it out over a couple of days depending on if it's just you and DW or if kids are coming too.

Cedar Point is sorta right between Cleveland and Toledo. Cleveland has the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Christmas Story House (and museum and gift shop), West Side Market, Museum of History and Natural Science, and up and coming food, brewpubs, and nightlife going on. Toledo is much smaller but I know a great taco place if you head that way.

We wanted to go to Hawaii for our 10 year but couldn't make it work (it took 15 more years!) so we chose Idaho for a combo lake/hiking/spa long weekend at Coeur d'Alene.
It was amazing!

 

[KevM]

ATTQOTD: For NYE, Right now my only plan is dinner with my parents. Nothing else set yet and I kind of like the thought of staying in and doing nothing. That’s because my plan for NYD is running a 5K in the morning.