The Running Thread - 2026

[lookingforsunshine]

I have a 10-mile race tomorrow. I was hoping to renew my PoT for the half distance but it’s going to be very windy, warmer than I’d like, and humid so I don’t think that’s going to happen. My new goal is to PR (my 10-miler PR is from like 2015 and my easy pace these days is faster than it so I think that should happen) and to just practice getting a feel for actually racing longer distances since I’m used to taking most of my long distance races easy (PR in fun!).

I missed a few runs this past week due to a medical issue, but overall my training cycle has been fairly consistent. I have been running 3-4 days a week, doing strength 2-3 times a week, plus adding in 1-2 days of swimming and cycling each as I work to build up a base before I start 70.3 training in May.

Now I just need to decide what to wear!

 

[Naomeri]

Now I just need to decide what to wear!

That's always the hardest decision for non-themed races

 

[accm]

Very cool! I sometimes forget all the work that goes into putting these on! I also never thought about the fact that they have to keep us from breaking an ankle on the tracks in MK!

Of course I now have FOMO that I'm not doing Springtime Surprise

That was a big thing that stood out to me. I've never noticed that they do that to the tracks in MK, but of course it makes sense.

I also never noticed that they have sponsor banners at the finish line

 

[PrincessV]

I also never noticed that they have sponsor banners at the finish line

Same. And the marketer in me wants them to know this because it’s not working lol!

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

I was just surprised to see them driving on Main Street USA in something other than a vintage double-decker bus or firetruck. And I need to get my name in the queue for motorcycle duty....

 

[lookingforsunshine]

That's always the hardest decision for non-themed races

Update: I am going to wear my Colors of the Wind Crowned Pocahontas skort. Bc wind. lol

 

[The Expert]

Same. And the marketer in me wants them to know this because it’s not working lol!

That's one of those things you put on the inventory sheet to pad it out, knowing nobody will ever notice anyway.

 

[Naomeri]

I also never noticed that they have sponsor banners at the finish line

I’m guessing that the sponsor banners aren’t really there for the runners but to be potentially visible in all the pics the runners post. The same reason they plaster the names all over the backs of our race shirts.

 

[FFigawi]

I was watching for her and somehow still missed it. What timestamp??

2:35

 

[jmasgat]

Remember those race dreams you have where you find yourself running inside buildings, malls, stairs etc? Well here you go…..

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news...il-race-halifax-historic-buildings-piece-hall

ETA: I’ve gone down the rabbit hole looking at possible urban trail runs, and while it’s not an indoor race, I did find a race happening in Montmartre while I’m in Paris in September. It includes the steps on Rue Foyatier—familiar to anyone who has seen John Wick 4.

 

[Stitch&Co.]

Remember those race dreams you have where you find yourself running inside buildings, malls, stairs etc? Well here you go…..

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news...il-race-halifax-historic-buildings-piece-hall

ETA: I’ve gone down the rabbit hole looking at possible urban trail runs, and while it’s not an indoor race, I did find a race happening in Montmartre while I’m in Paris in September. It includes the steps on Rue Foyatier—familiar to anyone who has seen John Wick 4.

That is so cool. What a great idea. I would totally be in for something like that.

 

[Naomeri]

Remember those race dreams you have where you find yourself running inside buildings, malls, stairs etc? Well here you go…..

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news...il-race-halifax-historic-buildings-piece-hall

ETA: I’ve gone down the rabbit hole looking at possible urban trail runs, and while it’s not an indoor race, I did find a race happening in Montmartre while I’m in Paris in September. It includes the steps on Rue Foyatier—familiar to anyone who has seen John Wick 4.

St Paul had a skyway 5K in February. I probably would've signed up, if it hadn't been during Princess Weekend

 

[RuntheMouse]

On today’s 10 mile run….

• Fog
• Sleet
• Snow
• Rain
• Sun
• My favorite neighborhood dog

But I crushed it

 

[jpholic]

So I took a long sleeve UV shirt out on a 45-minute test run: 87º, full sun, but only 47% humidity, and…

OOOOH ABSOLUTELY NOT! NEVER AGAIN!!!!!

Like being wrapped in Saran Wrap and left in a sauna. Couldn’t tear the shirt off fast enough once I got into the AC. Sunscreen is nowhere near that bad! There’s a reason I never see other FL runners in long sleeves in summer.

I felt this the moment the CAPS were turned on. Sleeveless loose top/run singlet and shorty shorts chicknlegs/half tights.

I'm not a vest wearer either. Below is my Summer option but I do have to position it so the bottle hits on my hip to stop the bouncing. It is a lifesaver for long runs in the heat but is a PITA to put back in the holder. I have yet to master this without stopping. The zipper pocket is kinda useless for anything but keys and chapstick, you might get a gel in there if you're lucky.

 

[PrincessV]

I felt this the moment the CAPS were turned on.

Absolutely brutal!

 

[lookingforsunshine]

A quick race report:

I raced a 10-miler yesterday with the intention of running for effort because often I do longer runs to “PR in fun.” The last few times I have tried to race a half marathon, I have had a panic attack around mile 9 because I get in my head. No panic attacks yesterday which was good!

I let go of some expectations before even crossing the start line because of the weather. It was in the upper 60s at the start with 80% humidity and wind and 77 when I crossed the finish line. So much for my hopes for a cool spring race! I am pretty bad in humidity/wind so the conditions weren’t in my favor. I did a Peloton meditation earlier in the week which had the mantra “let’s see what happens” so I decided to adopt that for the race.

I started off strong in the first half. I did 90 second run, 30 second walk intervals. My first mile was a little fast but I was getting out of the crowd and it started with a downhill. I got hot very quickly, and by the time I reached the turnaround I felt like I was struggling and changed my intervals to 60:30. There was a small amount of elevation during the run in short bursts (344 feet total), and I had to walk a lot of the inclines. I was disappointed that I was struggling but still finished.

For nutrition I ate a Maurten solid in the car, drank pre-workout and ate half a bag of gushers 15 min before, and then during the race had 2 scoops of Tailwind in my 18 oz bottle and tried to eat 1-2 noogs every other mile. I usually eat them every mile but it was hard for me to eat in the heat. I also ate a couple of Salt Stick chews. They had a few water stops and I had a cup of water at each (wish there were more stops tbh).

My finish time was 2:04:06 which was slower than expected but still a 15-minute PR (2:19:11 waaay back in 2015). So that’s something to be proud of! I wish the weather had been cooler so I could really see what I can do but I raced what was given to me.

 

[Naomeri]

Good job!! I hate it when race day weather won't cooperate.

I've gotta ask: What's the story with that deer sculpture??

 

[lookingforsunshine]

What's the story with that deer sculpture??

No idea… there’s a few anthropomorphized deer sculptures on the trail! I think they were commissioned. The river they’re on is the Scioto which is derived from a Wyandot word meaning deer.