The Running Thread --2025

[Naomeri]

June Totals
Between starting a new speed training plan that I'm mostly doing on the treadmill and having the Sparkle Athletic #StreakingWithTheCoolKids challenge group on FB to keep me accountable (nothing gets the ADHD out of my way more than gamification and competition), I actually ran or walked at least 1 mile every day in June, and capped it off yesterday with a shiny new 5K PR (at least as far as actual 5K races go--I have a virtual 5K race measured by my watch that's faster). And yes, I did deliberately walk exactly the right distance today to have an even 50 miles for the month

Running
28.99 miles

Walking
21.01 miles

 

[FFigawi]

June totals:
Swim - 120m
Bike - 548 miles
Run - 18 miles

10 days of cycling across Europe with a little bit of running mixed in. Good way to start the summer.

 

[Erika10021]

Is it just me or does everyone else enjoy getting to the first of the month to go back and add up how you did the prior month? Even if the numbers are not where I want them to be, I always enjoy the exercise. While I diligently look every month, I think this is the first time sharing here.

June totals:

Total mileage: 109 miles
Running: 66 miles
Walking/hiking: 43 miles

Annual running miles: 338 I am well on my way to my goal of 500+ miles running this year.

 

[The Expert]

We are here for you @camaker and @garneska so vent away. What's that saying? There but for the grace of God...? We lean on each other when we need to, because eventually it will be our turn. Stay engaged!

 

[pluto377]

June miles- 35

Not where I wanted it to be, but I was sick for about 9 days. July will probably be low two because we'll be on vacation for 2 weeks. We will be hiking, but probably not doing any official runs.

 

[rick1zoo2]

First time posting any monthly stats (Erika had to show me how to find them in the COROS app):

June:
Total Miles: 127.09
Running: 77.80 miles, average pace: 11:36
Walking/Hiking: 49.29

Running included a Half Marathon race on 6/14.

Year-to-date running: 412 miles - the WDW runDisney weekends really add up

 

[jpholic]

June: 93 miles

Starting to ramp up with the training schedules kicking in.

 

[PrincessV]

@camaker if it helps to hear it, I have a chronic high-hamstring tendon “thing” and have also found that the transitions between run and walk can aggravate it. I can’t do running only, but have managed the issue by further shortening my already very short stride and extending the slow down from run to walk. I really have to focus on it when I’m picking up the pace on runs, but it helps a lot! That plus using e-stim when it gets tight from sitting for long periods. Hang in there!

 

[Professor_Cookie]

Of the cool things Red Bull does in my back yard, this probably tops the list, but I really wish they would bring the Red Bull 400 back

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18rADKL8Sw/?mibextid=wwXIfr

 

[JediKnightXan]

June Totals:
69 miles, 13 hours 44 min 11 seconds.

I did not keep the momentum from May going (110), and the vast majority of those miles came in the 10 days or so. Tripped on the sidewalk on my Sunday run, nothing but skinned up hands and my pride, but I guess a fitting way to end the month

In addition to the lower running, I did something to my shoulder, so I have been out of the gym most of June as well. Working with a PT on that, hopefully back at things next week.

Planning for more miles in July, so I can be ready to start a formal plan in late August just need to execute.

 

[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!

I wanted to give an update to this previous post...

My doctor recommended surgery to deal with my sports hernia. He said they don't typically heal on their own. My local hospital doesn't do the surgery, so he referred me to a place in Philadelphia (~3 hours away). Most insurances don't cover the surgery, but mine is one that often does. After weeks of back and forth with the insurance and the institute where I am scheduled for surgery, I received confirmation that my evaluation appointment, another MRI, surgery and post-surgery PT session would be covered. Phew!

I am currently scheduled for surgery next week (July 8).

Now, the interesting development. The injury wasn't bothering me during everyday life; only during running. I decided to test it with a couple of runs. Nothing seemed to get worse. I've now been running the last couple of weeks. Mostly what are supposed to be easy runs (although they are harder than I am used to due to time off!).

I head to Philadelphia Monday morning for an MRI and evaluation, with surgery scheduled for the next day. But I'm having very little/few symptoms. It will be interesting to see what the new MRI and evaluation show!

 

[col1]

I skipped last month's update because I've been so frustrated, disappointed and depressed with my running and (lack of) progress. I've never had a muscular injury linger and take so long to heal as this hamstring has. I've been back to running a while now, but kept having nagging discomfort, when I had a thought about what might be going on and ran an experiment to confirm it.

I'd been using run/walk intervals to slowly build back my fitness, but it struck me that the continual transitions between running and walking were actually increasing the strain on my hamstring through the braking and accelerating processes rather than providing a beneficial effect. I ran a few easy runs without intervals and the hamstring discomfort went away! But hoo boy, am I out of shape.

I'll be honest, the combination of weight picked up during the recovery process, how far out of shape I've fallen and the effort it's taking trying to ramp up my efforts in T+Ds almost entirely in the 155-170 range have had me thinking about giving running up entirely. There's just no joy in it right now. What has been a major stress reliever and escape from work stresses has become just another source of stress.

But here I am, trying to stick through it and hold myself accountable by posting my numbers for the month. I'm about 700 miles below where I should be for the year. Hopefully a corner has been turned and I can start ramping back towards my normal volume in July, but I desperately need a cool snap. Here's what I got done in June:

June Training
Running: 64.55 miles
Avg Pace: I can't bring myself to look
Avg HR: All available BPM
YTD Running: 216.78 miles
Walking: 22.55 miles

Thank you for coming to my self-pity party. I know many of you have had (and still have) it worse than I do. I'll work on being more positive in July.

Hang in there. I hope you get a break in the weather soon. Funny you mentioned that about run walk and the stress it may place on the body, I have just recovered from a recurring knee issue I have dad for last couple of years and that same though came into my mind on my last run.

 

[The Expert]

As someone who has done 90% run/walk since I started running 10 years ago, I've definitely had to adjust my technique. It's almost like doing strides, where you're ramping up and down. If I'm not paying attention during a race, sometimes I'll find myself doing more abrupt transitions. I think it is because a lot of my training is on the treadmill, where that transition is controlled. Maybe mixing in some run/walk on the treadmill would be a good way to test this theory?

 

[nancipants]

As someone who has done 90% run/walk since I started running 10 years ago, I've definitely had to adjust my technique. It's almost like doing strides, where you're ramping up and down. If I'm not paying attention during a race, sometimes I'll find myself doing more abrupt transitions. I think it is because a lot of my training is on the treadmill, where that transition is controlled. Maybe mixing in some run/walk on the treadmill would be a good way to test this theory?

One of the drills that Galloway promotes, both in the general training plan and in the Customized group, is acceleration gliders. I've only been doing them a few weeks, but they really help with keeping your transitions smooth.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Hmmm. I don't normally look at the monthly stats, but since you guys brought it up...

June:

Run: 46.2 miles
Time: 9:27
Calories: 6,828 (sure doesn't seem like it...)
Steps: 303,218 for a total of 159.4 miles

 

[Herding_Cats]

Speaking of transitions....I had to train myself to not always push off with my left leg when I moved from walking to running. I found myself using my left leg a lot more to get the initial push to increase my speed and, unsurprisingly, if I have trouble with anything with my legs it's usually my left leg that bothers me first.

 

[KSellers88]

June: 121 miles

I have not done this all year, so here are the rest:
May: 131
April: 123
March: 120
February: 120
January: 150

765 for the year so far.

 

[sandam1]

One of the drills that Galloway promotes, both in the general training plan and in the Customized group, is acceleration gliders. I've only been doing them a few weeks, but they really help with keeping your transitions smooth.

I was just going to come here and post the same video. Acceleration gliders are a HUGE help with learning how to properly transition and what it should feel like.

 

[col1]

June Total 20.1

Missed 12 days due to injury but even so a poor effort on my part.

Yearly Total 238.7

Having not got in to London Marathon I had applied to the London Landmarks Half but did not get in. I am now waiting results of second Ballot round, not many spots in that so not expecting to get in.

 

[WillRunForPizza]

QOTD: Apparently today (July 2) is exactly halfway through the year! If you had goals for 2025, how are they going? If you didn't come up with any running new year's resolutions, do you have any goals for the rest of the year?

ATTQOTD: I decided I wanted to have time goals this year. So far, so good!

Arbitrary numerical benchmark #1: Double-digit half (i.e. <1:40 or 100 minutes).

I ran a 1:33 at the Princess Half!

Arbitrary numerical benchmark #2: 5K pace that starts with a 6.

Two spring 5Ks under 7 min/mile average.

Arbitrary numerical benchmark #3: sub-75 minute 10 miler.

Unofficially, I did do this at Princess. Officially, still theoretically possible as long as my fall HM keeps the timing mat at 10 miles and I run fast enough. So like half a check mark.

Arbitrary numerical benchmark #4: sub-45 10K.

No 10Ks on the calendar this year, but technically I did achieve this officially by running like a 43:XX from 5-15K at Princess.

Arbitrary numerical benchmark #5: sub-6 mile.

Nope. I did run a 6:05 mile during Princess training, which is faster than I was expecting, so still possible.

(Not-so-)arbitrary numerical benchmark #6: BQ (sub-3:30 marathon as of now).

Will have to wait until October to see!