The Running Thread -- 2022

[lookingforsunshine]

Should I just buy the best of what they have available that feels comfortable to me, or should I order something online and risk it not fitting well?

Are you a REI member? You can return anything to REI for a YEAR if you’re a member. It’s the best deal I’ve ever gotten. You also get a 10% dividend on all your purchases at the end of the year. I say that so if you’re going to order online they might be a good option.

If there’s one you like at your store, though, then I don’t see a harm in that. I have a Nathan and really like it.

 

[bovie]

Question on hydration packs - I live in the middle of nowhere with access to only one running store, so won’t have an opportunity to try multiple options.
Should I just buy the best of what they have available that feels comfortable to me, or should I order something online and risk it not fitting well? I tried a belt with bottles before, and hated it, so I’m hoping a pack will be better?

Try your local store first, as long as they have an option or two from major brands. If no dice there, order online from some place with a generous return police. Anecdotally, I've loved my Ultra Vesta from Ultimate Direction- bought half off and have gotten so much wear out of it! At one point the zipper messed up, and I sent it back and they repaired it. I really like the option to use soft flasks or bottles depending on what my plans are for the day.

 

[accm]

Are you a REI member? You can return anything to REI for a YEAR if you’re a member. It’s the best deal I’ve ever gotten. You also get a 10% dividend on all your purchases at the end of the year. I say that so if you’re going to order online they might be a good option.

If there’s one you like at your store, though, then I don’t see a harm in that. I have a Nathan and really like it.

Im I’m Canada, so no REI. But we have a similar store here that’ll let you return anything at any time, so that’s an option too.
Hopefully my local store has something I like.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Question on hydration packs - I live in the middle of nowhere with access to only one running store, so won’t have an opportunity to try multiple options.
Should I just buy the best of what they have available that feels comfortable to me, or should I order something online and risk it not fitting well? I tried a belt with bottles before, and hated it, so I’m hoping a pack will be better?

Seconding finding something with a good return policy (as in free.)

I have a Nathan vaporhowe (1.8L) in light blue that fits really well. I like that I can adjust it across my chest and then also cinch down the bottom of the vest for the bottom of my rib cage. The vaporkrar 2.0 (1.6L) which is the Mens version looks very similar. Make sure you pay attention to the size charts for whatever you decide to try.

 

[HangWithMerida]

Question on hydration packs - I live in the middle of nowhere with access to only one running store, so won’t have an opportunity to try multiple options.
Should I just buy the best of what they have available that feels comfortable to me, or should I order something online and risk it not fitting well? I tried a belt with bottles before, and hated it, so I’m hoping a pack will be better?

I’ll throw a recommendation out there in case you end up having to order online. I have the Osprey dyna. Love it! Tons of pockets for flexible storage of food, bottles, phones, etc and the bladder is a good size (1.5L). Osprey has some options with a 1L bladder as well. I use it regularly and it hasn’t chafed anywhere and the ventilation across the back is decent.

 

[HangWithMerida]

Hi all! Believe it or not, we're over halfway through the year which has me wondering...

QOTD: how's everyone doing in their 2022 goals? Any changes to your goals?

ATTQOTD: I can’t find any goals written out for this year. Weird. In another group I participate in I only had that I was planning to sign up for Dopey this year and committing to training for it. So far, doing well with that. I have had my highest mileage summer by a long shot and feel like I am building a really strong base to carry me into my marathon training plan. I don’t usually set annual mileage goals as my mileage is completely dependent on my training plans and I don’t have those mapped out a year at a time.
I was aiming for a HM PR at my race January 2022 and got that, so that’s something. I didn’t have any other PR goals for this year because of the Dopey training. I still want to try for a HM after Dopey, but technically that will be 2023.

 

[DopeyBadger]

FYI, Nike is having a sale with deep discounts on Next%2 and Alphafly. I got a pair of Alphas for $122 off regular price (only $163). The Next%2 can be had for about $140.

 

[kps7795]

FYI, Nike is having a sale with deep discounts on Next%2 and Alphafly. I got a pair of Alphas for $122 off regular price (only $163). The Next%2 can be had for about $140.

Wow! That's a pretty big discount.

 

[kps7795]

ATTQOTD:



Gaining Health: I’ve lost another 5 lbs so far, so that’s progress

Exercise Goals: My average pace is down about a minute/mile, as is my fastest pace, and I’ve increased my running from 3 days/week to 4 days. I’ve done a little over 175 hours of dedicated exercise so far this year, about 83 of which is running time.

Enjoying runDisney: I had a blast at Princess and Springtime Surprise, and I’m excited for Wine & Dine.

Congratulations on your progress thus far!

 

[NYC_MW]

ATTQOTD:
so far so good on 1 and 2, keeping expectations low leads to success
feels like i've made friends on the disboards too so yay

Keeping mine simple:
-get back into strength and cross-training (pandemic-related gym leeriness fuels my lazy tendencies)
-train well so I'll be a happy camper doing the Chicago Marathon and Dopey 2023 (fingers crossed to get in)
-make new running friends (anybody else here in NYC?)

 

[SarahDisney]

ATTQOTD: I don't remember setting goals for 2021 and I can't find any on the 2021 thread, which is probably a good thing because 2021.

In terms of 2022, I have two goals:
1 - Run or walk 400 miles (Preferably mostly running but I don't want to dismiss the possibility that I won't want to run and would rather walk instead)
2 - (Tentative) If I do the race I signed up for in March (its questionable for personal reasons, outside the scope of this thread), finish in under 3 hours. This race was actually my PR in 2018 (2:27:50), but I'm nowhere near that shape now (nor do I want to be), so while 3 hours would be a PW by a bit, I think it's a good assessment of where I want to be in my life right now.

1 - I think I'm at like 190ish? So a little behind schedule. About equal walking and running, but it will be more walking then running going forward. I'm mostly done with running and I'm happy with that.
2 - I did the race. I don't remember my exact time but it was under 3 hours. Like 2:52ish or something? So I hit that goal.

Okay now someone go make me take a walk or something.

 

[FFigawi]

Goals for 2022
1. Add more running to my swimming and cycling
2. Keep up with the stretching
3. Add something to my event calendar on top of the Oceanman swim and Ride London 100
4. Keep my yearly streak of a half under 2 going

ATTQOTD:
1. I'm doing well with this thanks to having signed up for some long distance tris this fall
2. Stretching? Check. Done after every run no matter how long, and after most long rides too. Need to add more strength & conditioning activity to this.
3. I added a 70.3 in Sept, the Oceanman worlds in Oct, and a full IM in Dec. Think I'm good here.
4. Nailed this one too with a 1:56 at the Dubai 70.3 in March

 

[Herding_Cats]

Realistic goals:
1.) Figure out a way to incorporate consistent running into weight training. SIL and I usually do weight training programs together for accountability, so we will see what we decide on and how running can reasonably fit into that choice. I do not want to lose my running base and have to start over.
2.) Run at least 3 in-person races.
3.) Improve my 5k and half marathon times from last year.

Stretch goals:
1.) Run 100+ miles in a month (which is probably almost 23 hours of running...that's a big time commitment for me)
2.) Get my half marathon time down to 2:30
3.) Get my V02max above 42 (I've been stuck at 39 for ages)

From my "realistic" list:
1. I'm still figuring this out. I sort of managed it in late winter, but then with all of the ankle/achilles stuff that popped up training in general really got derailed.
2. I've run 2 so far (SS 10k and the local Firecracker 5k) and am planning on running a half in September and maaaaaybe a "just for run and definitely not for time" 5k in October, and probably a Turkey Trot in November. I don't think that's what I had in mind when I made the goal, it was probably more like RACE at least 3 races, but whatevs.
3. Big nope on that so far.

From my stretch list:
1. I'm optimistic that a 100mi month will happen in the fall with Dopey training.
2. Doubtful because I'm not doing any speedwork whatsoever, but maybe I'll surprise myself in September?
3. There's a chance I will get my VO2max up to 42. It's been 40 for a few weeks now, and I've only been running regularly for a few weeks again. It jumped up to 41 for a day, but that was a day I had massive GPS issues, and the tracking was not close at all.

 

[Bree]

Goals for 2022
- Strength train on a regular basis
- join a barre or yoga studio

Yes on strength training.

No on barre or yoga. Not sure this will happen. I’m already spending 2+ hours a day with running, PT exercises, stretching, foam rolling and strength training. I try to do a yoga video from YouTube on Sunday, but naps usually take priority

 

[Herding_Cats]

but naps usually take priority

I think you meant to say that you've been doing great at Savasana pose on Sundays.

 

[azrivest]

ATTQOTD:

1. Run my first runDisney races. And had the best time!
2. Run a 10k in under 1h And assuredly not in 2022. I'm training for longer distances this year.
3. Continue with my S&C I guess? Did it for the Princess Half and for my current marathon training, but not for my previous Half in June
4. Eat sensibly. I guess? I'm practically at the same weight now as when I started weighing myself in January. So no loss, but no gain either. I was hoping to lose 5-10 pounds, but I don't restrict my calories enough, and I'm not sure I want to.
5. Run my first marathon Green means go!

 

[garneska]

ATTQD: Goals for 2022. First I failed at everyone of my goals for 2021. I may have to come back and read this often so i hit one of them.

1. Weight I need to lose 10 pounds.
2. Get myself back to injury free and staying there.
3. Do my first overnight hiking trip in a tent.
4. Get back to yoga once a week (this is a tough one but the reason i think i ended up injured in 2021). I vow that even if i have to do it via youtube after the marathon yoga once a week.

1. It is down but not the 10 I am looking for, it is 5 at the moment so i guess i can still hit that with half the year over.
2. Injury free at the moment and still running. I am feeling a little burnt out and my knee and back still bother me at times but not enough to pull the plug. Seeing PT once a month is helping.
3. Nope did not make that happen yet. Not sure if it will with a Whisky but maybe. Definitely want to get her hiking soon.
4. Again nope on this, but I have managed to add strength training twice a week to my routine so i am calling it a win.

 

[flav]

My 2021 goals were great so I will repeat them for 2022, except maybe the BQ, unless coach is convinced otherwise. And I am adding 5). So…

ATTQOTD: I want to stay healthy and have fun while doing so. That gives me the following sub-goals.
1) Run 2022k in 2022. It is really an engagement to prioritize running.
2) Keep accelerating using a personalized training plan. If BQ is theoretically attainable and in-person racing resumes by October, then go get it!
3) Work on strength and flexibility. That is essential if I want to achieve the other goals and definitively my weakness right now.
4) Eat sensibly. Instead of putting a weight loss, slow eating or sugar reduction goal that I know I will resent, I will try to mostly be consistent and not exaggerate. Food is one of the pleasure of life and appreciating it with moderation is important to me.
5) Keep enjoying this positive running community, thanks.

1) Not quite at half of the distance but marathon training is coming up so ok
2) Hard to say at this point
3) I am terrible at this
4)
5) Yes, and thank you

 

[lookingforsunshine]

Did y’all know you are in the midst of greatness? I am now officially a local legend.



lol. But in all honesty, I surprisingly enjoy track workouts and speedwork. I can’t do the full workouts yet (I am slower compared to the group) but I am seeing improvements, particularly in how long I can run without walking— at a decent (to me) pace!

Also, how do I easily find what my goals were? Is there a search feature?

 

[azrivest]

Did y’all know you are in the midst of greatness? I am now officially a local legend.

It's an honor to be in your company