The Running Thread --2025

[Professor_Cookie]

I’m in Dublin and got in a 4 mile maintenance run this morning. AQ is a 1. Back in Chicago it’s 120. Great run along the Liffey this morning. Also on the 60’s too. Perfect.

Stopping by the Shelbourne?

 

[The Expert]

Have not used it. From looking at it, I would worry about brushing my elbows against it every time I swung my arms. I am also short waisted, so I agree with that concern, too.

Still the best solution I have found is a running hydration vest. I use it mostly with the reservoir on the back and only add the front flasks as needed. Then I can use the front pockets for everything else.

I didn't even think about elbows! I definitely don't think my arms would clear this if it had absolutely anything in it. So that's a deal-breaker.

I know I need to just try a vest, but I get hot easily so I've hesitated to add a layer. I just need to bite the bullet.

 

[garneska]

I got 3 weeks into restarting my run at very small intervals and then last week on Sunday….bam Covid… felt the worst Monday. It hung around so now I start over with my 30 second run interval this week

 

[nancipants]

I didn't even think about elbows! I definitely don't think my arms would clear this if it had absolutely anything in it. So that's a deal-breaker.

I know I need to just try a vest, but I get hot easily so I've hesitated to add a layer. I just need to bite the bullet.

I was hesitant to try a vest for the same reason, but I got a Salomon from REI (figured I could return it if I didn’t like it) and it was a lot more comfortable and lighter than I thought it would be. So far I have used it only with the included front flasks, not the bladder, and it’s worked super well. I’m probably going to stick to a handheld/Flipbelt for races with lots of water stops (aka Disney), but it will let me do longer training runs without having to plan stops around water too much.

 

[avondale]

I was hesitant to try a vest for the same reason, but I got a Salomon from REI (figured I could return it if I didn’t like it) and it was a lot more comfortable and lighter than I thought it would be. So far I have used it only with the included front flasks, not the bladder, and it’s worked super well. I’m probably going to stick to a handheld/Flipbelt for races with lots of water stops (aka Disney), but it will let me do longer training runs without having to plan stops around water too much.

@The Expert - this above. A vest is definitely much lighter/smaller than what you might be thinking about for something like a hiking backpack with a hydration reservoir. The vests can be pretty minimal.

I use a small belt for 70 min and less, and then then vest for longer. (I generally don't carry liquids for 70 min and less.)

Sizing can be a bit tricky with vests, so if you're ordering it without trying it on, read carefully about size suggestions and maybe look at others' reviews. The women's Salomon sizes tend to run small in the armholes, for example.

 

[KCO5988]

Very late to post, but we just got back from a week-long vacation super late Saturday night and Sunday was spent doing all the things.
July Mileage: 130.4
Total Time: 21:50:16
Longest Run: 12 miles

Also, in July I embarrassingly started a running instagram page. It was something that I've wanted to do for a while as a hobby of sorts, and all it took was some wine at book club for my two friends to convince me to do it hahaha.

 

[The Expert]

Thanks @nancipants and @avondale -- great info! Thankfully I have a local REI with decent stock for this type of gear, so I'll try on a few options and see how it goes.

 

[camaker]

July has to go down as a pretty positive month for me. I was able to return to running my normal 5 days/wk cadence and crossed the 100 mile/month threshold for the first time this year, even if I'm running 2+ min/mile slower than normal right now. There are still some twinges in the hamstring and I haven't been the best at consistently doing my stretching and strengthening exercises, but so far it's holding up.

The downside to July was running in the sauna of central NC. Even with my reduced pacing, I've had to add walking intervals back in just to keep my HR down a bit in the heat and humidity. Garmin was scoring everything as a tempo effort, otherwise. The most important thing is to get the miles in right now, though. Here are the numbers for the month, with a bonus chart of what my T+Ds looked like last month:

July Training Summary
Running Miles: 120.06
Running Time: 26:03:53
Average Pace: 0:13:03/mile
YTD Mileage: 363.98
Walking Miles: 8.46

T+D # Runs
<140. 0
141-150 3
151-160 4
161-170 14

 

[RuntheMouse]

Decided to put together a quick Disney trip in early September. I’m looking at the calendar and realizing it’ll be during my peak marathon training week. I’m still game….we’ll just stay at Saratoga Springs so I can run there! Priorities

 

[nancipants]

Decided to put together a quick Disney trip in early September. I’m looking at the calendar and realizing it’ll be during my peak marathon training week. I’m still game….we’ll just stay at Saratoga Springs so I can run there! Priorities

We're staying at Disney over my son's birthday weekend so I can do my super long run on Disney property while they go to the parks.

 

[Jules76126]

OPA 5K - Ocean Park, ME

This was my first race since 2019 and first time running outside since December 2020 so it has been a hot minute.

Little backstory - since January 2021, I have been more focused on growing my family than running. I have miserable pregnancies so my running has not been consistent to say the least. We are done having kids so I am able to finally get into a groove. We have a treadmill and I do most of my runs there as it’s the most convenient option with small children.

My husband and I signed up for this 5K in May. We had already planned to be in ME that weekend (we live in MA) for my MIL birthday and the in laws agreed to watch the kids.

This was a Friday race at 7 pm. We took the day off work and planned to drive up after our oldest got out of camp at 12. Normally, the trip is 2 hours, but the traffic was horrendous. We also had to stop for bathroom/bottle/charge our car(we have an EV) breaks so it ended up taking us 4.5 hours. The weather was also very hot. It was 85 degrees and 80% humidity. By the time we got to my in laws, the race was looking like a bad idea.

We could walk to the start and finish lines (less than .5 miles from my in laws house). We collected our bibs and shirts and got ready to start. It is a smaller race so I figured I would be near the back of the pack. The race started right at 7.

Ocean Park is a beachside vacation community so the crowd support was amazing. Many people lined the roads, stood outside their houses, or on their decks. After about 2 minutes, I knew i was undertrained and this would be a slog. My plan was to run as long as I could. Initial goal was a mile, but I made it 1.5 before I needed a quick walk break. After that I alternated run and walk as needed.

It was great to see my kids at multiple places along the route. The crowd support really kept me going. There was also ample water stops as well as people with their sprinklers on to run through.

I finished at 39:44 for a pace of 12:47. I was 342 out of 361. It was my worst time to date, but I was glad just to finish. We are talking about running the race again next year - it’s a very convenient location or we may do beach to beacon if we can get.

 

[jmasgat]

@Jules76126 Congrats on you return to racing!