The Running Thread--2024

[Herding_Cats]

I'm addicted to running but I wanna ask a question you, guys. Is running everyday a huge mistake? Like...does that affect my results negatively?

I feel safe saying "it depends" but I'll let others with significantly more experience chime in on that. There are a lot of factors to consider.

 

[WillRunForPizza]

I'm addicted to running but I wanna ask a question you, guys. Is running everyday a huge mistake? Like...does that affect my results negatively?

I agree with @Herding_Cats: it depends. What's your experience with running? What do your runs look like each week? How fast are you going on your easy/recovery runs relative to your own race paces? How long are your runs? Do you feel recovered going into the next day's run? Are you doing strength/mobility exercises? Do you get enough sleep? Are you fueling and hydrating properly? I'm sure there are more factors to think about that I haven't listed here, but that's a start.

Is it possible, in general, for someone to run every day and be as successful as they could in racing? Sure. Is it the best choice for most people? Probably not, if your main goal is to race as well as possible. Our bodies need time to recover in order to build fitness. It's possible to use running as part of your recovery, but you have to be very deliberate about it, and you kind of need to be at a certain level of fitness already for that to work.

On the other hand, for some people a run streak is really motivating, and that's what keeps them training consistently. So if your options are running every day or running sporadically, then running every day might be better for you. Which brings us back to the original answer: it depends.

 

[Professor_Cookie]

I'm addicted to running but I wanna ask a question you, guys. Is running everyday a huge mistake? Like...does that affect my results negatively?

This is a YMMV situation

 

[Zutroy]

I'm addicted to running but I wanna ask a question you, guys. Is running everyday a huge mistake? Like...does that affect my results negatively?

What results are you worried about affecting? Do you have a specific goal time you’re trying to hit? How far are you going daily?

Most marathon plans have five days of running, where it’s not uncommon to have consecutive runs of 5, 8, 10 miles and then a long run. If you run 3 miles everyday, then I don’t think that would affect much. The main concern with daily running is that you don’t recover sufficiently to perform adequately for the hard efforts where you build strength and speed. But lots of people run daily if all they want to do is enjoy the run.

https://www.runnersworld.com/runner...s-run-every-single-day-for-the-past-40-years/

 

[Cabius]

I'm addicted to running but I wanna ask a question you, guys. Is running everyday a huge mistake? Like...does that affect my results negatively?

I did a 7-days-a-week plan from January to April, training for a Half Marathon. In reality I ended up missing a day here and there, though I did run over 30 days in a row at one point.

For me, it was still very very effective. I was coming from a place of very low fitness, and saw sharp improvements in conditioning for the first two months. (The chart below shows my HR at various paces, grouped by month, and a power series trendline for each. For example, a 12:30/min mile pace would've had my HR over 153 on average during my first month of my training, but was about 137 on average by April)


I do think it's important that if you're going to add days, you add easy days. My schedule was based on a 5-day-a-week plan, but I didn't have time to do 8-mile easy runs during the week, so I stretched those our over more days. For example, maybe a 5/6/5 instead of an 8/rest/8.

Now, I don't know if it was the most effective route to take. Maybe I would've been even more effective if I'd rested more?

But for me, psychologically, it was helpful knowing that if I didn't get my butt out of bed in the morning, I didn't have a day later in the week to make it up. I'm an all-or-nothing person, so I gave it my all.

(Then I ran my HM and it got hot and I think I've only run 10 times in the past 3 months -- three of them in the last four days -- and regained 10 pounds. I really don't know how to do this thing half-way!!)

 

[sandam1]

I'm addicted to running but I wanna ask a question you, guys. Is running everyday a huge mistake? Like...does that affect my results negatively?

If I ran every day, I know that I would almost certainly get injured. And if I got lucky and somehow avoided an injury, I would wind up burnt out. Running is supposed to be fun and something that I "get to do." Doing it every day would make it into something that I "have to do."

My training plan has me running three days a week, cross-training 2-3 days, and one complete rest day. I need that day off! Originally, I thought that it could be my "adulting/errand" night (my rest day happens to be on Tuesday so I do work during the day), but it's turned into a "get changed into comfy clothes and veg" night.

 

[PrincessV]

Once upon a time, I had the time, interest, and physical ability to do a daily run - no ill came from it. These days I could probably still manage it physically with shorter distances, but I have other things taking up that time. I think it’s just a choice and there is no right or wrong answer!

 

[matt and beth]

I need a reality check if I’m being unreasonable in my expectations. I’m working on trying some new shoes out because I don’t love how squishy NB 1080s have gotten (I’ve been wearing 1080s for 3 years.) DS2 wears the same size shoe as I do, so I will sometimes test-run his when he gets a new pair.

Last year I tried his endorphin speed 3s (too narrow the the toe box) and today I tried a pair of saucony ride 16s. These are very different from my 1080s in that there feels like there’s almost no cushion. They didn’t feel bad, but they also didn’t feel great.

What I like about the idea of rides: they come in a wide variety of colors, and I can get them for a pretty good discount off Amazon on older models.

What I didn’t like: they felt like they had no cushion. But I understand that this isn’t a highly cushioned shoe and I’m used to a pretty soft shoe.

How do I reconcile “these are too squishy” and then not like a shoe that’s literally not squishy? Is there an adjustment period I need to allow for? Or should I just look for a more cushioned shoe and not mess around with rides at all?

I’m fighting this exactly. Used to love my 1080s. But they’ve felt terrible lately. The 880s feel better. Tried Saucony triumph and they were a brutal fit, then the rides and that was meh, but the guides are actually okay for long runs. Pro 3 are fantastic for races. Ordered the supercomp trainers to try but also curious to try Hoka

 

[Herding_Cats]

I’m fighting this exactly. Used to love my 1080s. But they’ve felt terrible lately. The 880s feel better. Tried Saucony triumph and they were a brutal fit, then the rides and that was meh, but the guides are actually okay for long runs. Pro 3 are fantastic for races. Ordered the supercomp trainers to try but also curious to try Hoka

The v4 ones?? Ooooh. You’re gonna have to report back on those because I big puffy-heart love the v1. Except that they’re plated and that’s not a great choice for everyday running.

I’m still rebel v4-curious, but of course my local stores don’t carry them.

I did run in the rides again today, this time with the factory insoles and not the ones my PT had me get 2 summers ago when I was dealing with PF. They were better from a cushion standpoint, but it’s still not love. I feel like I’m gonna end up trying on a million pairs of shoes when I do get around to getting new ones.

 

[prncssjas]

I’m still rebel v4-curious, but of course my local stores don’t carry them.

You will have to report back if you ever try these! I am loving (like really loving) the rebel v3 and have it in 3 colors. I keep seeing the v4 online but worried NB changed them too much or I won't like them -- and I hate to spend $$$ before knowing this.

 

[Herding_Cats]

You will have to report back if you ever try these! I am loving (like really loving) the rebel v3 and have it in 3 colors. I keep seeing the v4 online but worried NB changed them too much or I won't like them -- and I hate to spend $$$ before knowing this.

are the v3s super bouncy? my sc trainers (the v1) are like running on trampolines. I need that kind of bounce in my life.

 

[prncssjas]

are the v3s super bouncy? my sc trainers (the v1) are like running on trampolines. I need that kind of bounce in my life.

LOL! I would say they are a nice squishy feel with bounce. But not OVERLY bouncy. I will train in other neutral shoes (like the Ghost or Mizuno Wave Rider) but I love going back to the v3 of the rebels. They are getting harder to find now (especially in my size). I go up a half size in NB typically.

 

[kps7795]

If anyone is a fan of college sports AND Goodr sunglasses, they introduced a new college line. I placed my order for a pair of Florida Gators sunglasses earlier today.

https://goodr.com/products/gators-chomp-goggles

 

[dobball23]

If anyone is a fan of college sports AND Goodr sunglasses, they introduced a new college line. I placed my order for a pair of Florida Gators sunglasses earlier today.

https://goodr.com/products/gators-chomp-goggles

My sunglasses just broke and I need a new pair. Unfortunately, I am not seeing Syracuse sunglasses as a selection.

 

[PrincessV]

On the shoe topic, I ordered a pair of Ghost Max to see if all the hype is right… and I’m stumped. They are honestly the most UN-cushioned shoe I’ve ever tried on! Yes, an enormous stack of foam is there, but it has NO give whatsoever. I jumped up and down with as much force as I could and… nuthin’. No compression at all. They feel like wooden clogs to me, despite the big word “Cushion!” printed on the sock liner. Clearly Brooks and I have wildly different ideas as to what “cushioned” means.

I’ve also got a Novablast 3 and Nimbus 25 coming to try, and if neither of those are good I’ll load up on Cumulus 25s and hope for a big change in running footwear direction next year.

 

[AaronB]

are the v3s super bouncy? my sc trainers (the v1) are like running on trampolines. I need that kind of bounce in my life.

I am an all NewBalance person, and I find the Rebel's (any version) to be the closest you can get to bouncy without it being one of their plated shoes. There is the SC Pacer line now as well, which is plated too; they are lighter, with a lower stack height. NB seems to be placing the Pacer as something for faster/shorter runs, 10K/Halfs.

My rotation is usually the SC Trainer for long runs, SC Elite for speed work and Marathon day, and then 1080's to chew up other mileage days like tempo runs. I usually scout out Amazon for the previous generation of whatever NB is currently released, because you can often get them at a nice discount.

 

[Herding_Cats]

I am an all NewBalance person, and I find the Rebel's (any version) to be the closest you can get to bouncy without it being one of their plated shoes. There is the SC Pacer line now as well, which is plated too; they are lighter, with a lower stack height. NB seems to be placing the Pacer as something for faster/shorter runs, 10K/Halfs.

My rotation is usually the SC Trainer for long runs, SC Elite for speed work and Marathon day, and then 1080's to chew up other mileage days like tempo runs. I usually scout out Amazon for the previous generation of whatever NB is currently released, because you can often get them at a nice discount.

Thanks for the comparisons! That’s helpful. I tried on the sc elites last year and they just felt too narrow in the toe box for me, and I didn’t love the tongue (or maybe it was that I couldn’t lace them with a heel lock?) or something because I returned them. I like to scout for the “like new” through “good condition” returned shoes too. And that’s how I ended up with 7 pairs of 1080s at one point last year

The fact that NB carries almost all of their shoes in the various widths is a huge selling point for me. So frustrating that other companies will only carry 1 or 2 colors (which always seems to be black!) outside of their standard width lineup.

 

[Zutroy]

On the shoe topic, I ordered a pair of Ghost Max to see if all the hype is right… and I’m stumped. They are honestly the most UN-cushioned shoe I’ve ever tried on! Yes, an enormous stack of foam is there, but it has NO give whatsoever. I jumped up and down with as much force as I could and… nuthin’. No compression at all. They feel like wooden clogs to me, despite the big word “Cushion!” printed on the sock liner. Clearly Brooks and I have wildly different ideas as to what “cushioned” means.

I would say most max cushioned “super trainers” I’ve run in have dense foam out of necessity. This doesn’t mean that they’re not cushioned, but that they don’t deform easily. The last thing I would want is 40+ mm stack height shoe with a mushy midsole. It would be unstable and I would roll my ankle at the first turn I made. This is why a lot of the early super shoes stuck a carbon fiber plate in the foam, because otherwise there would be no rigid structure keeping you from flopping over (see the Vaporfly 4%).

 

[PrincessV]

I would say most max cushioned “super trainers” I’ve run in have dense foam out of necessity. This doesn’t mean that they’re not cushioned, but that they don’t deform easily. The last thing I would want is 40+ mm stack height shoe with a mushy midsole. It would be unstable and I would roll my ankle at the first turn I made. This is why a lot of the early super shoes stuck a carbon fiber plate in the foam, because otherwise there would be no rigid structure keeping you from flopping over (see the Vaporfly 4%).

Makes sense. My issue is that it’s nearly impossible now to find anything that isn’t full of foam other than very low stack: there seems to be virtually no middle of the road cushioned shoes*. I just need to ride it out until trends swing again… or quit running, which right now in mid-Florida summer is pretty appealing TBH.

*that also fit my feet and have the drop I prefer

 

[accm]

Makes sense. My issue is that it’s nearly impossible now to find anything that isn’t full of foam other than very low stack: there seems to be virtually no middle of the road cushioned shoes*. I just need to ride it out until trends swing again… or quit running, which right now in mid-Florida summer is pretty appealing TBH.

*that also fit my feet and have the drop I prefer

We have a short trip scheduled for the first weekend of August, and I blocked it off from my training plan. I enjoy running too much to make myself suffer trying to do it mid summer in Orlando.