The Running Thread - 2020

[C.beara]

April Summary

50.6 miles
My new goal of just increasing my mileage seems to be going pretty well I think. I also somehow managed to PR my 5K, 5M, and 10K without intending to. Which I guess means either my fitness in general is better than I think it is, or I’m really terrible at pacing myself (or a combination of the two) (or that I’m just super slow and it’s not that difficult to improve on my old times!!)

Plan for May is more of the same: running 3-4 times per week, increasing my long run distance some more (currently hovering at 10K), and continuing strength training twice per week with some yoga every once and a while.

 

[JulieODC]

April was 64.2 miles for me - and I hit every strength and XT on my training plan. I also walked 10.8 miles, and did 3 yoga classes. It was a good month! Especially since I dropped back when my half was canceled.

Speaking of, I wasn’t originally planning to, but I’ve decided to do the virtual version of my half weekend. I had a great 10 miles last weekend, weather looks decent, and it will get me a break from the kids for a few hours!

 

[TheHamm]

April Miles: 45
April Pace: 12:53 min/mile

These stats are identical to last month. While I felt like I was floundering, the pace is slow but the miles are similar to what I have been doing all winter. I have been doing laps around our college stadium to laugh at the students taking non-graduation selfies so getting in some solid hill work, and about half of my runs were in 15-20mph winds, which wore me down and resulted in me sitting it out a few days. The highlight was Kid A got so good on her pedal bike she asked me to ride with her and we put in 3 miles, and Kid B told me she wants to be my running buddy so she can be ready for a longer Disney race. Her real motivation is that the 10K at princess and W&D are the only places we have seen her favorite character, Marie from Aristocats, and she is determined to meet her. We have a few years until she is old enough for a 10k, but I admire her determination!

Also...just saw this.

https://www.shopdisney.com/face-masks/?CMP=ILC-DPFY20Q3wo0423200429200023F

As they had a version of these when I was at Tokyo Disney last fall, I am surprised it took this long AND that it is only preorder. I wonder if this indicates that guests, not just front line staff, will be wearing masks in US parks this year.

 

[CDKG]

March Miles: 80.6
Average Pace: 11:03/mile
2020 Miles: 315.8

Today, I finished week eight of WFH and it’s looking like I won’t be returning to the office until late June... at the earliest. Strange times! I have stuck to my running schedule. But, since I’m not officially training for anything, my miles have remained low. While my hamstring still isn’t 100%, I did graduate PT on the 21st! I learned a lot and do my exercises every day. Hopefully my hamstring will eventually recover!

 

[CDKG]

I saw these too!! Disney has on the website:


• Disney's cloth face masks align with the FDA's recommendations on non-surgical, non-industrial grade face masks.**

However I also read an article this morning that cotton face masks don’t work. The material breaks down. But that study is specifically aimed at HCW who are in close contact with infected people for prolonged periods of time. I'd like to know at what point the moisture renders the masks useless. I'd wager you're still better off wearing them during your 25 minute trip to the grocery store or more importantly my 5 minute trip to the liquor store. Yet not sure how they affects a full day at a theme park. Lol.

Just a quick reminder that cloth face coverings (like the ones Disney is offering) do not protect the wearer from particulates or viruses. They are intended to protect others from your droplets and are currently recommended by the CDC since so many people may unknowingly have the virus and be able to spread it to others.

 

[Guidman]

April Totals
204.54 miles
7:20 avg/mi

Based off of March and April, I might aim for that as my new monthly mileage . The legs have held up pretty good for the most part.

 

[FFigawi]

Me three and i am not a good swimmer but i love my friday recovery swim before i kick of running on the weekend.

Me four! When we went into lockdown, wetsuits were on the borderline of not being needed for our sea swims. By the time we get out, whenever that may be, it’s highly likely to be too warm for swimming.

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

Hey @garneska and @Disney at Heart and all you other Peachtree runners: they announced today that the race is Thanksgiving.

I'm not thrilled with a Thanksgiving race. In fact I gave up the Atlanta Half because it was always so cold and windy AND the DW hated it.

I can see that possibly Labor Day was too soon, but it seems like a non-holiday weekend would have been preferable, rather than messing up holiday travel plans.

 

[garneska]

@OldSlowGoofyGuy funny just read my email, saw the news and came here. Yeah thanksgiving, so what happens to the half normally on thanksgiving? the weather could be crap. i may just defer till next year. Will have to think about it.

Not looking good for Boston.

 

[camaker]

April ended up being a lot more active than I had originally expected. Between trying to keep my mileage at a consistent level, running the distances I would have for SWRR, and walking at lunch, it was a solid month.

April Summary
Running - 145.78 miles
Running Time - 25:32:44
Avg Pace - 0:10:32/mile
Avg HR - 143 bpm
Walking - 67 miles

 

[ANIM8R]

April 2020
All running
Miles: 67.87
Avg. Pace: 9:23

Still working my way back from a pinched nerve in my back from 1/30. Running with an Ace back brace on any runs over 4 miles. Luckily (?) it's been colder than normal (yesterday was 50 and rain / "feels like" said 41), so the brace isn't too uncomfortable. I've got to get better before the 80-90 temps appear!

My short-term target race (Cap City Half) was postponed from 4/25 to 8/29. Long-term is still the Space Coast marathon in late Nov. I'm signed-up for the Half...I hope to switch to the Full if my training continues to go well.

 

[huskies90]

Just a quick reminder that cloth face coverings (like the ones Disney is offering) do not protect the wearer from particulates or viruses. They are intended to protect others from your droplets and are currently recommended by the CDC since so many people may unknowingly have the virus and be able to spread it to others.

I actually think the CDC recommendation is misleading and possibly does more harm than good because many folks believe the cloth mask will protect them. And consider the logical flip side: if moisture can get in to infect you, it certainly can get out to infect others so it is not really protecting them either. The theory on masks is that they minimize the transmission and every little bit helps. But I think the CDC would be better off saying they have minimal impact and should stress that touching, washing and keeping distance has a much more significant value in reducing spread.

 

[Disney at Heart]

Hey @garneska and @Disney at Heart and all you other Peachtree runners: they announced today that the race is Thanksgiving.

I'm not thrilled with a Thanksgiving race. In fact I gave up the Atlanta Half because it was always so cold and windy AND the DW hated it.

I can see that possibly Labor Day was too soon, but it seems like a non-holiday weekend would have been preferable, rather than messing up holiday travel plans.

Saw the postponement on the Fox 5 news ticker, but no email for me or DH yet. I even checked spam, but nothing!

I am sad that it is bumping the Thanksgiving Day Half. I wonder if the half might be made virtual just for Triple Peach purposes. And what about the Atlanta 10 miler in October? I am trying to keep up training so I'll be ready when races come back.

April total: 104.92 mi
Duration: 19.93 hours
Pace 11:40
17 runs

 

[Krandor]

Saw the postponement on the Fox 5 news ticker, but no email for me or DH yet. I even checked spam, but nothing!

I am sad that it is bumping the Thanksgiving Day Half. I wonder if the half might be made virtual just for Triple Peach purposes. And what about the Atlanta 10 miler in October? I am trying to keep up training so I'll be ready when races come back.

April total: 104.92 mi
Duration: 19.93 hours
Pace 11:40
17 runs

Triple peach is now PTRR, 10 miler, and Publix 2021 Half.

 

[PrincessV]

I'd like to know at what point the moisture renders the masks useless.

Mile 7 in FL, 78*, 95% humidity. That is the point at which a Buff is rendered useless for breathing, period, due to 100% saturation with sweat.
I was trying to wear a Buff on my 9 mile run two weeks ago to filter out the pollen, but those suckers trap moisture like crazy. I pulled it down for a while, then tried pulling it back up over my nose & mouth around mile 7 and it was like trying to breathe underwater. Literally impossible. So I have very little faith that using a cloth mask in FL in Aug. for hours on end outdoors is remotely possible.

 

[Princess_Nikki]

Mile 7 in FL, 78*, 95% humidity. That is the point at which a Buff is rendered useless for breathing, period, due to 100% saturation with sweat.
I was trying to wear a Buff on my 9 mile run two weeks ago to filter out the pollen, but those suckers trap moisture like crazy. I pulled it down for a while, then tried pulling it back up over my nose & mouth around mile 7 and it was like trying to breathe underwater. Literally impossible. So I have very little faith that using a cloth mask in FL in Aug. for hours on end outdoors is remotely possible.

Agreed. I'm absolutely not looking forward to *most likely* needing to wear them at a park all day! Ugh yeah I could never run in one for sure!

 

[Krandor]

So here is some interesting things in the AJC article on the PTRR which may give some hints on what races may look like in the future.

"The race will include changes to attempt to account for health risks. Normally, nearly the entire field is grouped into 21 start groups that start every five minutes. Participants in this year’s Peachtree will be separated into more groups and spaced further apart. The water stations will also be reconfigured, and the track club will work with MARTA on a transportation plan."

 

[kleph]

I actually think the CDC recommendation is misleading and possibly does more harm than good because many folks believe the cloth mask will protect them. And consider the logical flip side: if moisture can get in to infect you, it certainly can get out to infect others so it is not really protecting them either. The theory on masks is that they minimize the transmission and every little bit helps. But I think the CDC would be better off saying they have minimal impact and should stress that touching, washing and keeping distance has a much more significant value in reducing spread.

initially, there was not a recommendation to wear masks for this exact reason. the message was that masks that provide true protection need to be directed to health care workers. they acknowledged other masks were of limited help in protecting one's self from the virus -- particularly when most people don't know how to properly wear them. (case in point: just today i saw a guy in the store with an N95 mask on... but he had it pulled down so his nose was exposed.)

that was updated because, while masks are of limited use, their impact is not zero. the lack of direction on masks prompted criticism since, given the gravity of the current situation, every effort to protect ones self is helpful. that said, every medical professional i've seen commenting on this has emphasized the need to use masks as well as other precautions such as hand washing, not touching one's face and social distancing.

so while i'm unsure of how much my mask is protecting me or others, i find there are several very practical reasons to continue using them.

first; it makes me far more conscious of my behavior. without a mask i'm very likely to touch my face without thinking. with it, i tend to think about it when the urge to do so occurs. second, it's a signal to others that i am taking precautions. i find folks are more likely to give you extra space when you have them on. lastly, there is an aspect of social acceptance. the more folks that wear them, the less stigma there is for folks that absolutely have to wear them in public.

and to tie this topic back into our running interests, there have been concerns about people outside exercising without masks in places that have been particularly hard hit. this story gives a good summary with links to other articles that have been written about it (but be ready for quite a few curse words): https://slate.com/technology/2020/04/runners-masks-coronavirus.html

bottom line: most experts say the criticism is unfounded and the risk runners without masks pose to others is minimal if nonexistent. personally, i will wear a mask when i will be in close contact with other people (like when grocery shopping) but not when running where i can put a significant distance between myself and anyone else (i try to keep at least 10 feet from other folks). in both cases i try to go out stupid early when the number of folks i will encounter is minimal.

EDIT: there/their

 

[FFigawi]

So here is some interesting things in the AJC article on the PTRR which may give some hints on what races may look like in the future.

"The race will include changes to attempt to account for health risks. Normally, nearly the entire field is grouped into 21 start groups that start every five minutes. Participants in this year’s Peachtree will be separated into more groups and spaced further apart. The water stations will also be reconfigured, and the track club will work with MARTA on a transportation plan."

The mechanics and physical challenges of increasing spacing in starting areas is outlined nicely in this article. Quite a challenge for race directors with large fields.

https://runsignup.blog/2020/04/21/starting-line-bottleneck-analysis-post-covid-19/

 

[Disney at Heart]

Triple peach is now PTRR, 10 miler, and Publix 2021 Half.

When is the Publix 2021 Half? Still no email here, and as we are one of the "orphan counties," our tv news comes from Greenville/ Spartanburg, SC and Asheville, NC except for Fox 5, which never mentioned PTRR, but only put it on the ticker below! (I guess I could look it up, but you are knowledgeable! LOL)