The Running Thread --2025

[mary_jones]

I am trying to get in shape for the summer, so running is one of the ways

 

[dobball23]

I've been relatively healthy for five or six years. I consider myself lucky. Unfortunately, I've hit a speed bump recently.

In late March/early April my hip flexors and groin started bugging me. Shortly after, my lower abs. I took some time off with no improvement and embarked on physical therapy (which I enjoy!). After 13 sessions (and still no running), my injury morphed into just an ab issue. I scheduled an appointment with an orthopedic doctor who I have a good relationship with. After a consultation, he ordered X-rays (looked good!) and an MRI.

I received results from the MRI this week and it mentions a sports hernia (which, interestingly, is not actually a hernia). It also notes some bilateral labral tears, hip arthritis and tendonitis and tears at the origin of my hamstring. I'm hoping those are just ever-present in runners and active people.

Dr. Google seems to indicate possible surgery to take care of the sports hernia. I'll find out more during a follow-up conversation with my doctor on Tuesday.

Until I can get back out there, I'll be living vicariously through all of you. Fingers crossed any surgery or extended rest will still allow me ample time to train for Dopey 2026!

 

[Tygerlilly]

I signed up for the Route 66 half in November. I did it last year as my first half and was pretty undertrained but was doing well until mile 9ish when I was coming down a hill and slid on some leaves and twisted my knee. I gimped the rest of the race but finished. Now I want redeption.

 

[GuinnessRunner]

Always fun when you discover nice running areas near your neighborhood. In looking for a 5-K for later this summer I stumbled upon a park about 10 minutes from my house that has a 3.1 mile rubberized running path that is 98% flat with nice bathrooms, parking and water fountains if needed. The rubberized surface is getting a bit worn and the majority of the path is exposed to the sun, but a great alternative when my other flat path gets flooded (which happens often since its a greenway park in a flood zone). @Mr. lncredible its Cauley Creek Park near McGinnis Ferry.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Always fun when you discover nice running areas near your neighborhood. In looking for a 5-K for later this summer I stumbled upon a park about 10 minutes from my house that has a 3.1 mile rubberized running path that is 98% flat with nice bathrooms, parking and water fountains if needed. The rubberized surface is getting a bit worn and the majority of the path is exposed to the sun, but a great alternative when my other flat path gets flooded (which happens often since its a greenway park in a flood zone). @Mr. lncredible its Cauley Creek Park near McGinnis Ferry.

I’ve been there once or twice, but have not in a number of years. And just north of there is another park that is called Chattahoochee point and it’s right where the river makes a sharp left turn. I did either a 5K or a 10k there once and it’s sort of a trail run in that it is dirt and gravel, but fairly flat. The nice thing is to walk down next to the river and feel the temperature drop a good 10° due to the coldness of the water. (for anyone not familiar, the Chattahoochee River is stupidly cold where it comes out from underneath Buford Dam, and for the next seven or 8 miles.)

 

[accm]

Thank you to everyone for the tips for the 5k. The weather this morning was perfect. 11C with a T+D of 101, which is a bit warmer than I'd prefer, but with it being overcast, it wasn't an issue. I also lucked out with the rain stopping about an hour before start time.
I went in with the goal of keeping a pace of between 8:05 and 8:10, and worrying I wouldn't be able to maintain that. For reference, my original goal when I asked @DopeyBadger for a training plan was sub 25.

I finished in 24:25, completely surprising myself! Also a huge surprise - I finished first in my division! I went in hoping I'd make top 3, and was shocked when I saw I finished first.

 

[col1]

Thank you to everyone for the tips for the 5k. The weather this morning was perfect. 11C with a T+D of 101, which is a bit warmer than I'd prefer, but with it being overcast, it wasn't an issue. I also lucked out with the rain stopping about an hour before start time.
I went in with the goal of keeping a pace of between 8:05 and 8:10, and worrying I wouldn't be able to maintain that. For reference, my original goal when I asked @DopeyBadger for a training plan was sub 25.

I finished in 24:25, completely surprising myself! Also a huge surprise - I finished first in my division! I went in hoping I'd make top 3, and was shocked when I saw I finished first.

Fantastic, Great result Well done on the division win

 

[RuntheMouse]

Thank you to everyone for the tips for the 5k. The weather this morning was perfect. 11C with a T+D of 101, which is a bit warmer than I'd prefer, but with it being overcast, it wasn't an issue. I also lucked out with the rain stopping about an hour before start time.
I went in with the goal of keeping a pace of between 8:05 and 8:10, and worrying I wouldn't be able to maintain that. For reference, my original goal when I asked @DopeyBadger for a training plan was sub 25.

I finished in 24:25, completely surprising myself! Also a huge surprise - I finished first in my division! I went in hoping I'd make top 3, and was shocked when I saw I finished first.

Great job! Told you you’d surprise yourself.

 

[SarahDisney]

Thank you to everyone for the tips for the 5k. The weather this morning was perfect. 11C with a T+D of 101, which is a bit warmer than I'd prefer, but with it being overcast, it wasn't an issue. I also lucked out with the rain stopping about an hour before start time.
I went in with the goal of keeping a pace of between 8:05 and 8:10, and worrying I wouldn't be able to maintain that. For reference, my original goal when I asked @DopeyBadger for a training plan was sub 25.

I finished in 24:25, completely surprising myself! Also a huge surprise - I finished first in my division! I went in hoping I'd make top 3, and was shocked when I saw I finished first.

Amazing! Huge congrats on the great time and the division win!

 

[DopeyBadger]

Thank you to everyone for the tips for the 5k. The weather this morning was perfect. 11C with a T+D of 101, which is a bit warmer than I'd prefer, but with it being overcast, it wasn't an issue. I also lucked out with the rain stopping about an hour before start time.
I went in with the goal of keeping a pace of between 8:05 and 8:10, and worrying I wouldn't be able to maintain that. For reference, my original goal when I asked @DopeyBadger for a training plan was sub 25.

I finished in 24:25, completely surprising myself! Also a huge surprise - I finished first in my division! I went in hoping I'd make top 3, and was shocked when I saw I finished first.

An absolute massive improvement over expectations. The average VDOT gain over baseline is about 20-25% over a lifetime, and you just gained 7% in this single training plan after years of previous effort. Looks like we found your trigger workouts. Now into the 1:52 HM possibility range.

 

[avondale]

Just ran into this story: https://run.outsideonline.com/trail/stephanie-case-wins-ultra-trail-snowdonia-while-breastfeeding/

Stephanie Case was the female winner of the Snowdonia 100k on May 17 at 43 yo, 6 months postpartum, and took breaks at 20k, 50k, and 80k to breastfeed her baby. She finished in 16:53:22. Talk about amazing!

 

[jmasgat]

Just ran into this story: https://run.outsideonline.com/trail/stephanie-case-wins-ultra-trail-snowdonia-while-breastfeeding/

Stephanie Case was the female winner of the Snowdonia 100k on May 17 at 43 yo, 6 months postpartum, and took breaks at 20k, 50k, and 80k to breastfeed her baby. She finished in 16:53:22. Talk about amazing!

Fantastic! She can say what she wants (and sounds pretty modest/centered), but that was amazing. And a beautiful area to run--I've hiked up Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa on one of the trails they used a portion of (Rhyd Ddu). Weather up there can be gnarly--it was totally fogged in when we reached the top and touched the marker (and stopped for coffee/snack!)

 

[accm]

An absolute massive improvement over expectations. The average VDOT gain over baseline is about 20-25% over a lifetime, and you just gained 7% in this single training plan after years of previous effort. Looks like we found your trigger workouts. Now into the 1:52 HM possibility range.

Thank you! I couldn't have done it without your help!

 

[The Expert]

If anyone has been looking at the wireless Shokz earbuds, they are on GMA deals today for $95. https://gma-shokz.myshopify.com/

Edit to add: They also have weighted vests in different weights. https://gma-adurosport.myshopify.com/

 

[sandam1]

If anyone has been looking at the wireless Shokz earbuds, they are on GMA deals today for $95. https://gma-shokz.myshopify.com/

Funny enough, I have been looking at upgrading my headphones, but the Shokz have me totally confused. What is the model that they are selling? I'm looking for an over the ear style, but it absolutely has to have buttons to control the volume and song selection (i.e. no tap once for this, tap twice for this, tap three times and spin in a circle to do this). I'm thinking that these are not what I'm looking for, but can anyone help me confirm this.

 

[Stitch&Co.]

If anyone has been looking at the wireless Shokz earbuds, they are on GMA deals today for $95. https://gma-shokz.myshopify.com/

Edit to add: They also have weighted vests in different weights. https://gma-adurosport.myshopify.com/

Any suggestions on a good starting weight for a vest for a woman? I like the look of these but I would like one that has adjustable weights.

 

[The Expert]

Funny enough, I have been looking at upgrading my headphones, but the Shokz have me totally confused. What is the model that they are selling? I'm looking for an over the ear style, but it absolutely has to have buttons to control the volume and song selection (i.e. no tap once for this, tap twice for this, tap three times and spin in a circle to do this). I'm thinking that these are not what I'm looking for, but can anyone help me confirm this.

If you click the link, it shows they are the OpenFit Earbuds. Looks like they released a new version and these are the previous model. Amazon still has them, and the specs and reviews are listed: https://www.amazon.com/SHOKZ-OpenFit-Headphones-Microphone-Compatible/dp/B0BYSQDWRT?th=1

 

[flav]

May 2025 totals
Distance: 165km (103mi)
Average pace: 6m42s/km (10:50min/mi)
YTD: 824km on 2025km

The nature is gorgeous at this time of year.

Hot, cold, rain or shine, I was proudly able to follow my new training plan. All paces are slower than before but is is currently focused on improving my speed on short distances. I developed a back of the knee pain in the last few days (probably an overextension during my sleep ) but it seems manageable so far. I might skip one speed session to be sure it recovers.

 

[jmasgat]

May: Well I finished the 5k plan I was doing but have no intentions of doing a race at this point. Now that "summer" is here (what a joke--it's 50F), I will switch to easier running, but maybe some more distance.

My main May "event" was (my annual physical and) discovering that my "drug free" days are over. I made it 66 years without really needing to be on meds, but my familial history of Hypercholesterolemia has finally caught up with me and statins it is! I now know more about Lp(a) and apoB than I knew in the past, as well as the fact that there aren't yet drugs to deal with some of this yet, so more to look forward to.

One of the reasons I run is to keep the effects of aging at bay. It's still a worthwhile pursuit. It's just not quite enough. I guess I should take some comfort in knowing that I made it this far.

 

[princesspirateandrunner]

Any suggestions on a good starting weight for a vest for a woman? I like the look of these but I would like one that has adjustable weights.

A good rule of thumb is 5-10 percent of your body weight. Starting on the low side and gradually working up is recommended, especially if you’re running with it. I have two weight vests, but I don’t run with them. I already had one, and bought a heavier one recently. I recently had a bone scan and it showed osteopenia, so I’m trying to get more weight and resistance work in. I’ve started wearing the lighter (8 lb) vest when I walk the dog, then leave it on for a while as I go about my day. The other vest I have is 15 lbs, but I’m going to use it for much shorter stints, since that’s a significant weight jump.