The Running Thread -- 2022

[steph0808]

May Running Totals

Miles: 85.77
Time: 15:07:14
Avg HR: 150
Avg Pace: 10:36

Not a bad month as I just plod along until Dopey training starts in the fall. I gave blood on May 6th, and it basically screwed up my training for 2.5 weeks. I'm not sure why, but the last few times I have donated, it has seriously affected my performance beyond just needing to slow down for a few days. My resting HR was up above 70 for that time period, I felt out of breath whenever I ran, etc. I dropped 5 or 6 VO2 max points that I am slowly making some headway toward regaining. I've decided no more donating blood until after Dopey in January!

I crossed off a new state in my running list in May - Illinois! I went to Chicago for a work conference and ran twice on the lakefront trail. Would have loved to have gone a third time / done a longer run, but it was in the middle of my blood donation-induced weird feelings!

 

[lookingforsunshine]

Here is the song my DH made up to sing when we were backpacking Grand Island. We sang it as we walked:

Bears, bears, big black scares! Hiding in the forest and we don't know wheres!

 

[_shiny_side_up_]

Got my Peachtree Road Race number today: time group C.

I'm also in group C! I was hoping for B ... gotta get faster for next year.

 

[lookingforsunshine]

I have had two great runs recently and am feeling really happy because I thought I would hate running after my bike trip.

I am currently training with a triathlon group and I am by far the slowest one there (although not the most inexperienced— I actually have more tri experience than everyone I think).

Training with people who are twice as fast as me is quite motivating!

Today we did a track workout and I ran 4 miles with an average pace of 14:11. This included two half mile runs with no walking. Those were at about a 12:30 pace. I did the same thing on a treadmill recently at a 12:00 pace so I feel like there’s room for growth outside. Hooray!

Also today’s run was in the rain and I always feel so cool running in the rain. Literally and figuratively.

 

[kps7795]

I have had two great runs recently and am feeling really happy because I thought I would hate running after my bike trip.

I am currently training with a triathlon group and I am by far the slowest one there (although not the most inexperienced— I actually have more tri experience than everyone I think).

Training with people who are twice as fast as me is quite motivating!

Today we did a track workout and I ran 4 miles with an average pace of 14:11. This included two half mile runs with no walking. Those were at about a 12:30 pace. I did the same thing on a treadmill recently at a 12:00 pace so I feel like there’s room for growth outside. Hooray!

Also today’s run was in the rain and I always feel so cool running in the rain. Literally and figuratively.

That's really great! I live by the adage "Do your best and forget the rest." Let faster runners/bikers/swimmers inspire you and not intimidate you. I am envious about your training. Hopefully, I can be back to form in a couple of months. I look forward to starting speed training, but that won't be until the end of September.

 

[jpeterson]

I have had two great runs recently and am feeling really happy because I thought I would hate running after my bike trip.

I am currently training with a triathlon group and I am by far the slowest one there (although not the most inexperienced— I actually have more tri experience than everyone I think).

Training with people who are twice as fast as me is quite motivating!

Today we did a track workout and I ran 4 miles with an average pace of 14:11. This included two half mile runs with no walking. Those were at about a 12:30 pace. I did the same thing on a treadmill recently at a 12:00 pace so I feel like there’s room for growth outside. Hooray!

Also today’s run was in the rain and I always feel so cool running in the rain. Literally and figuratively.

That's awesome that that group is motivating for you! I'm not sure if I would be motivated or discouraged. It would be a hard call. So great that it's helping you!

 

[lookingforsunshine]

Let faster runners/bikers/swimmers inspire you and not intimidate you.

That's awesome that that group is motivating for you! I'm not sure if I would be motivated or discouraged. It would be a hard call.

It's definitely helpful that they're all kind and encouraging, but not in a condescending way. I've also ran with groups where that was not the vibe. It also probably helps that I bring a certain skillset to the group, too, as I have done triathlons before and can offer advice from my experiences that you can't really prepare for until you've done a triathlon-- no matter how fast you are in training!

 

[FFigawi]

It's definitely helpful that they're all kind and encouraging, but not in a condescending way. I've also ran with groups where that was not the vibe. It also probably helps that I bring a certain skillset to the group, too, as I have done triathlons before and can offer advice from my experiences that you can't really prepare for until you've done a triathlon-- no matter how fast you are in training!

 

[azrivest]

Elsewhere in Canada...

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/man-wins-marathon-pushing-stroller-1.6480357

 

[striker1064]

If anyone is into podcasts, I highly recommend yesterday's (June 9, 2022) Stuff You Should Know. It's a great history of the 4-minute mile, and how so many people worked so hard to achieve it. A really fascinating story!

 

[jmasgat]

Elsewhere in Canada...

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/man-wins-marathon-pushing-stroller-1.6480357

Wow! 2:33 while pushing a stroller!

 

[azrivest]

Wow! 2:33 while pushing a stroller!

I know, I can barely do that running a Half, imagine a marathon. And running with a stroller is soo much harder since you can't move your arms as much.

 

[garneska]

RACE RECAP: Hotlanta Half Marathon

This morning I did the Hotlanta half marathon and it lived up to its name. This was my attempt at POT for Marathon weekend. My goal was 2:07. The start temp was 74 with a dew of 69, so 143 uff, and i think it finished around 149. It was HOT. When I stepped outside I knew that 2:07 was basically out of reach but i was going to try. I hung good, probably too fast for conditions good though 8 miles. During mile 9 I tanked. Sun was out. It was hot. The hills were killing and i was THIRSTY. Once i broke i sort of gave up on the hills but i finished it. I have done this course once before and said i hated it and i concur with that sentiment again. I finished in 2:13 and it was actually a tad short per garmin.

I did this race only because it was local, i could walk to and from the start, and it fit in the timeline. I was injured coming off MW 2022 and happy i actually ran this pretty pain free. Right now my knee is sore but when i was running back, knee and hip were good. It was just SO HOT. If you remember back for MW 2022 training I was also having issues with my dad being sick and in and out of the hospital. Well this training was no different. I started it in April and Dad also spent the first 4 days of it in the hospital but came home. I got through my last long training run and then Dad was back in the hospital on May 31. He was there 10 days with only 2 being ok kind of days. He started in ICU, went to floor medicine, and then on Wednesday night June 8 back to ICU. He was bad on thursday and the hospital suggested it was time for Hospice. We moved him to Hospice on Friday. At hospice, the entire family was able to spend the day together. Dad was calm and with it. He could participate in conversations. We left friday night with a great memory. On Saturday morning, Dad passed away. I got up and ran this race because he would never let me quit. I was hoping i could get POT but the conditions were hot and i was pretty exhausted.

No i plan to never do this race again.

 

[jmasgat]

@garneska Kris, I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I am glad your family was able to spend time with him and that he could inspire your race.

 

[DopeyBadger]

@garneska

 

[camaker]

RACE RECAP: Hotlanta Half Marathon

This morning I did the Hotlanta half marathon and it lived up to its name. This was my attempt at POT for Marathon weekend. My goal was 2:07. The start temp was 74 with a dew of 69, so 143 uff, and i think it finished around 149. It was HOT. When I stepped outside I knew that 2:07 was basically out of reach but i was going to try. I hung good, probably too fast for conditions good though 8 miles. During mile 9 I tanked. Sun was out. It was hot. The hills were killing and i was THIRSTY. Once i broke i sort of gave up on the hills but i finished it. I have done this course once before and said i hated it and i concur with that sentiment again. I finished in 2:13 and it was actually a tad short per garmin.

I did this race only because it was local, i could walk to and from the start, and it fit in the timeline. I was injured coming off MW 2022 and happy i actually ran this pretty pain free. Right now my knee is sore but when i was running back, knee and hip were good. It was just SO HOT. If you remember back for MW 2022 training I was also having issues with my dad being sick and in and out of the hospital. Well this training was no different. I started it in April and Dad also spent the first 4 days of it in the hospital but came home. I got through my last long training run and then Dad was back in the hospital on May 31. He was there 10 days with only 2 being ok kind of days. He started in ICU, went to floor medicine, and then on Wednesday night June 8 back to ICU. He was bad on thursday and the hospital suggested it was time for Hospice. We moved him to Hospice on Friday. At hospice, the entire family was able to spend the day together. Dad was calm and with it. He could participate in conversations. We left friday night with a great memory. On Saturday morning, Dad passed away. I got up and ran this race because he would never let me quit. I was hoping i could get POT but the conditions were hot and i was pretty exhausted.

No i plan to never do this race again.

I'm so sorry to hear about your dad, Kris. It's tough to lose anyone, but it's especially tough to lose a parent.

Kudos to you on multiple fronts for the race, too. First, good for you just for getting out there and starting given everything that's happened lately. Second, good for you for bailing out of max effort once it was apparent you weren't going to hit your goal. It's early in the hot season, even there in GA, so I'm sure you're not fully acclimated to the summer heat and humidity. So many bad things can happen if you try to maintain max effort under those conditions. Better to dial it back and take the partial win of another completed half marathon than push it and put your Peachtree at risk.

Hang in there!

 

[SheHulk]

@garneska I'm very sorry for your loss.

 

[The Expert]

Wow @garneska that's tough. I'm so sorry about your dad and the tough race weather. But good for you for getting out there and making adjustments when you needed to.

 

[FFigawi]

@garneska I'm sorry for your loss

 

[azrivest]

@garneska My sympathies for your loss, and congratulations on a great race result in adverse conditions