The Running Thread - 2021

[Rogue224]

QOTD: What is your current running routine? Days/week? Targeting monthly mileage? Following a training plan? Morning v. Evening?

My routine hasn’t been as routine as I intend. I set a goal this year of 1,500 miles (I did 708 in 2019 and 1,208 in 2020). My plan was to do the average weekly miles to reach the goal but doing back to back longer weekend runs to get ready for my first Dopey in 2022. Last weekend I did 13.35 on Saturday and 14 on Sunday. However I am not doing well with the mid-week maintenance runs. Reading other people’s plans I am going to do more hills and speedwork to change things up. I have always followed the runDisney Galloway plans to prepare for our Wine and Dine challenges with success. And I’ll use the Dopey plan as a guide as time gets closer. That’s my plan anyway - hopefully it sounds reasonable. I am definitely a morning run person.

 

[xjillianpaige]

QOTD: What is your current running routine? Days/week? Targeting monthly mileage? Following a training plan? Morning v. Evening?

I'm currently training for a half marathon at the end of March/early April (just deciding which one to run - probably the March one). So I'm running on Tues/Thurs and a long run on Saturdays (or Sundays). You can read all about it in my training journal (peep the signature).

My Tuesday runs are a night run with my club. My Thursday runs are when I can fit them into the day (usually morning or afternoon) and my weekend runs so far have been on Saturday morning with my run club.

My training plan is loosely based on the runDisney half marathon plan. I used to run/walk, but lately I've been running straight.

 

[avondale]

Awesome, I have so many hills from the gentle 4-5% to the "I-guess-I'm-basically-walking-up-this-hill-but-I-swear-I'm-trying-to-run" painful 14.5% grade.

@avondale what vests do you like?

Work kept me away from here yesterday - sorry!

This is the first hydration vest that I got: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OBVOAPA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 That was in 2016. It wasn't really that expensive - this is the old model, so the few that are left have a jacked-up price.

I really, really like this one. I like the style of the pockets on the front straps - they are mesh with a stretch drawcord around the top. I can fit a lot in these - I keep my phone in one. It has a watertight pocket, but not big enough for today's phone. (My phone is water resistant anyway.) It has a 1.5L bladder. I bought a second bladder a couple years later that was for the new model of this best, and it fit just fine. This vest fits my frame well and it has held up to being soaked in rain many times and soaked in sweat many times. It is starting to fray around the edges. I thought about getting the new model of this vest, but I don't like the pockets as much.

The larger vest that I got is this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0785FF7GS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I got this in 2019 before my second marathon so that I could bring all of my own hydration. It is 2L. The front pockets are also roomy and the waterproof pocket is bigger.

However, this is intended more for trail running and so it is a "pack" and not stripped down as much as a "vest". It's a bit bulkier and has a small backpack compartment outside of where the bladder sits.

The biggest problem I've had with this is getting it to fit me well and not shift around during a run. The two connecting straps across the front only get so small, which is not small enough for me. I have tried to compensate by adjusting the various straps in the bottom rear, but it just doesn't quite do it. The pack has a tendency to shift to my left while running so that the right shoulder strap rubs on my neck.

I don't recall if I could have sent this vest back, but I do recall that I didn't really have enough time before my marathon to get another one and test it before the race. So my bad procrastination.

 

[avondale]

ATTQOTD:

After my marathon in early November 2020, I decided to change to trail running for my weekend runs and hopefully future races. I had done some trail running off-and-on and realized that I really liked it a lot, especially since I felt like I wasn't progressing in road running.

So while I was tapering before my marathon, I got a couple of books on trail running and ultras (ambitious!) and used the guidance there - along with what I've absorbed from multiple DopeyBadger plans - to write my own 11-week plan that had 3 weeks of easy recovery running after my marathon and then 8 weeks of base-building. I'm on the penultimate week of the plan this week - the peak week - and will have a cut-back week next week.

My plan had me doing 3 weekday runs on very close by paved trails and sidewalks in the neighborhood. For the first 6 weeks, one of the "runs" was a power hiking workout on my treadmill at 15% incline to practice power hiking up hills on trails. For the remaining weeks, that run has been hill repeats. I've been training on this plan by time, and the weekday runs go up to 60 minutes in length - which is usually 5-ish miles.

I run on trails on both days on the weekend, following DopeyBadger's guidance of working up to 90 min on Saturday and 150 min on Sunday. The Saturday run is at an easy effort (on trails, this is usually a 13-ish minute/mile pace for me) and the Sunday run has some on/off (hard/easy) intervals, along with being longer.

This has been a lot of fun! I love the variation in terrain and surfaces and being more in the woods - often along water. Fortunately while I do have to drive to non-paved trails, there are still a number within a close distance. I'm lucky that our area doesn't get much frozen precipitation in the winter (I have doomed us!), but I have been out on the trails in my microspikes a couple of times.

I'm planning on doing a Yeti 24-hr Challenge on Feb 6/7. After that, I will have another recovery period and I've written another plan with a slightly different emphasis to lead into a 10-mile trail race that is supposed to happen in the last week of April. I'm looking forward to both events!

 

[Baloo in MI]

ATTQOTD:
After completing the virtual Dopey I have been in maintenance mode, with a few long runs for a February marathon that (for now anyways) remains in person. Then I am beginning a 30 week training plan for my intended ‘A’ race of the year. The plan calls for hill work and lots of time on feet. It is a challenging plan that will eventually build to a phase of 75 mile weeks. I will be doing more mileage than I have in the past but it is a smart plan with recovery weeks every fourth week and integrated walking. This is all pointing to my intended 100 miler in September. I am very excited to embark on this challenge!

After that I will rest and recover for two weeks and then jump into a Dopey plan for Jan 2022.

 

[Bree]

QOTD: What is your current running routine? Days/week? Targeting monthly mileage? Following a training plan? Morning v. Evening?

Five days a week for me (M, T, W, F, long run on Sat). I'm a morning runner or it doesn't happen. Right now I am just keeping it easy and building endurance back up after a crummy 2020 getting beat up by horses and not making time for me. My goal is to run 100 miles a month and I’m on track for January!

 

[RunDopey]

ATTQOTD:
I am running 5-6 days a week with an average of ~70mi/wk. I try to do 35 mi on Sat-Sun and spread the rest out in a way that fits around my like/work schedule. I ramped to this number when running the GVRAT last summer. I kept it going for different races that I had scheduled but they all got virtualized or cancelled. My mileage has helped with my contribution to the CRAW team.

I joined a group core/glute/strength workout in April. We meet twice a week for 60-90 minutes. It has been hugely helpful for me, especially to stay accountable. It is also nice to get out of the house and see people (in a socially distanced, outdoor setting).

My biking has tapered as my running has ramped but I hope to pick that back up eventually.

 

[gjramsey]

ATTQOTD: I am trying to hit 4 days a week currently, MWF and either Sat or Sun. Usually between 30-35 a week. Still no races planned, but trying to have one workout be either a speed or tempo. I am still an early morning runner for the most part.

 

[rteetz]

My current running routine is all over the place. Winter is so hard in WI.

 

[FFigawi]

ATTQOTD: my running is zero at the moment (thanks covid!). I’ll be back at it soon enough.

 

[GreatLakes]

First race of 2021 today. It was a trail race on frozen ground but it was good to open the 2021 account. It is the same trail running company that did the ones I raced last year and the start was the same. You got assigned a starting time and still started single file in your slot. The opening portion was through a field so you could pass without being right on anyone and it was easy to stay away from people for most of the race. The only time I really was near anyone was when passing or being passed but with the staggered start that didn't happen much. The trails were open and the majority of people I saw were hikers and families going the opposite way on a few of the trails.

 

[Herding_Cats]

My vest came today and the color is so much better than in the pictures. But I think it’s too big. It’s safe to assume that filling the bladder won’t take up inches in the lower part of the vest? Also, are these intended to fit so high on the back of the neck? I have no point of reference (and my local store doesn’t have any in stock for me to try) so I’m just trying to get a sense of where things are meant to land.

 

[Rogue224]

Hi everyone. As a follow up to the hill training that has been shared, I have a question for the group. A cemetery down the road from me has some good hills for training. I’ve gone through them before in mornings so I wouldn’t see people or could avoid people there and be respectful. I’ve read before about running ethics and staying away from cemeteries. I just wanted to see what you all thought.

 

[TheHamm]

Yes it is our first!
Thank you, this is a reminder I seem to need too often about being more kind to myself. I’ve been worried about getting back to normal, so I appreciate your words of wisdom

I found that 'getting back to normal' was rather defeating, but 'finding a good spot' was a bit more empowering. Life changes, and we cannot go backwards. Sometimes the forward is much better than we could even imagine!

QOTD: What is your current running routine? Days/week? Targeting monthly mileage? Following a training plan? Morning v. Evening?

My routine has been 3-4 runs/week, always on Wednesday and Saturday, other days are flexible. I want to target 60miles/month, but have yet to make it. I found a way to make it to 50/month, but the January weather is killing me. The cold, windy, icy sidewalks are not a great choice and I have noticed the decrease in running has impacted both my physical and mental health (as has the overcast grey we will live with for the next month). I am more seriously considering a TM as an option, but realize by the time I can get delivery the weather will shift to be a bit more bearable.

 

[MissLiss279]

Hi everyone. As a follow up to the hill training that has been shared, I have a question for the group. A cemetery down the road from me has some good hills for training. I’ve gone through them before in mornings so I wouldn’t see people or could avoid people there and be respectful. I’ve read before about running ethics and staying away from cemeteries. I just wanted to see what you all thought.

So... I’m not sure what is really best or not, but I will share that back in high school/jr. high, there was a cemetery right behind the high school. I believe track used to run through there all the time, and I think we did in basketball as well. This was small town America and over 20 years ago, so I don’t know if things have changed.

 

[MissLiss279]

My vest came today and the color is so much better than in the pictures. But I think it’s too big. It’s safe to assume that filling the bladder won’t take up inches in the lower part of the vest? Also, are these intended to fit so high on the back of the neck? I have no point of reference (and my local store doesn’t have any in stock for me to try) so I’m just trying to get a sense of where things are meant to land.

The weight of the bladder will help the pack sit a little lower on your back. There should probably be a little gap between your neck and the pack. If there aren’t any straps on the sides to help secure the pack, you probably do need a smaller size. The front chest straps should slide up or down as needed - I’m thinking the top one would need to come down a little if the back of the pack is to lower some (with water bladder weight).

 

[Herding_Cats]

The weight of the bladder will help the pack sit a little lower on your back. There should probably be a little gap between your neck and the pack. If there aren’t any straps on the sides to help secure the pack, you probably do need a smaller size. The front chest straps should slide up or down as needed - I’m thinking the top one would need to come down a little if the back of the pack is to lower some (with water bladder weight).

I didn't see any straps except for the ones on the front, so I'll check again. I have the front straps tightened down as far as they can possibly go and it's still pretty loose around the bottom of the vest. Looks like I'll need to keep looking for a deal on vests.

 

[MissLiss279]

I didn't see any straps except for the ones on the front, so I'll check again. I have the front straps tightened down as far as they can possibly go and it's still pretty loose around the bottom of the vest. Looks like I'll need to keep looking for a deal on vests.

I don’t remember exactly which vest you got, but I watched the fit video on Amazon for the Nathan VaporAiress and it showed side strap adjustments inside the front pockets??

 

[flav]

Hi everyone. As a follow up to the hill training that has been shared, I have a question for the group. A cemetery down the road from me has some good hills for training. I’ve gone through them before in mornings so I wouldn’t see people or could avoid people there and be respectful. I’ve read before about running ethics and staying away from cemeteries. I just wanted to see what you all thought.

In Montreal, we have a 343 Acres cemetery that is part of the mountain. I looked it up to answer your question and it is listed as a top 10 place to run in some running guides for the city. I did run through it myself for long runs: It is scenic and incorporates well with the rest of the park. So I’d say that if you respect grievers, give them space to mourn and do not go running with huge noisy groups, it can be acceptable in that setting.

 

[Herding_Cats]

I don’t remember exactly which vest you got, but I watched the fit video on Amazon for the Nathan VaporAiress and it showed side strap adjustments inside the front pockets??

Oh man I got SO EXCITED for a minute there. Mine does not have those adjuster straps. And the bottom clip isn't moveable on mine either, so it must be the previous model. I REALLY wanted this to work because it was so darn cheap.