The Running Thread - 2018

[JulieODC]

I’m putting out the bat signal (badger signal??) to get linked into the rumored @DopeyBadger support group! My new training plan starts Monday.....

 

[MissLiss279]

I’m putting out the bat signal (badger signal??) to get linked into the rumored @DopeyBadger support group! My new training plan starts Monday.....

Calling @MommaoffherRocker ...

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

January Totals:
Run: 94.09 miles (nearly half of that was Marathon weekend)

Like others, I'm having a rough January. I'm tired (both mentally and physically) after 2.5 marathons within a month.

My calf is bothering me. I looked back at some PMs and I was complaining about it in June, so that means it's been bothering me for 8-9 months. It doesn't get any better and doesn't get any worse, and after it's warmed up, doesn't really bother me while running. I know I should see the doc, but I doubt he's going to tell me anything I don't already know.

I've got a problem with my foot swelling up after a run. This cropped up after Rocket City. I did go to the doc for that and the X-ray was clean. The good news is that the calf and foot injury are on different sides, so at least I'm balanced.

To top it off, I strained my back (more like my sacroiliac joint) last weekend, causing excruciating pain.

I'm a warm-weather runner, so the cold and dark aren't helping. Overall I just feel lazy.

We all know we should listen to our body. Is this my body telling me to take it easy? Or is it my lazy mind, pretending to be my body, telling me to take it easy? How do you tell the difference?

 

[Waiting2goback]

QOTD: Lets discuss running shoes today. How did you determine what shoes you currently have? Did you try new brands / type as you circumstances change?

ATTQOTD: I went to my local running store and there is a process to get you in the right shoe. I am currently in a shoe that I am probably 20lbs to big to be running in. I like the shoe, but training in them is likely increasing my odds of injury. I have a second pair similar to them that have even less support that I dont want to use at the moment. So this Friday I will likely go get some new shoes and ask for the advice of the employees on what I should do. Buy the same pair again, or get a shoe thats more supportive..

Initially I went with some Asics model I found when I first started running and didn't know anything. It felt best. As I got more into it I tried many others but ended up with Asics Nimbus. I have wide feet so Asics works for me. And they are so comfy. I have also done Asics Cumulus which weren't as padded but still good. Last year I tried this custom fitting thing everyone speaks of. Running store talked me into Hoka's. at first they were great. Then my Achilles pain started and it only happened in those. My doctor said not to use them for running anymore. So it's just me and my Asics and the Hoka's were my park walking shoes in January.

 

[hauntedcity]

January Summary:
Miles: 68.32

(Does anyone know a way to get a good summary from Fitbit? I found where I could set my activity date range, but it was a jumble of all activities, including walks, etc. I had to manually sum all the Run activities)

Dopey was amazing, but knee issues limited me for a couple weeks once I got home. I definitely enjoyed sleeping later (i.e., not waking up at 5am for training runs), but I'm anxious to get ready for my next half marathon in March.

Here's my big challenge for February: I've spent the last 2 years focusing on distance and stamina for Goofy & Dopey and my speed has taken a major hit. I did an 8 mile run on Sunday, and my speed was a full minute/mile slower than my best from 2016, and I was wiped out. I'm trying to remain positive and realize that I'm shifting my training to a different purpose (speed vs distance); however, it was a bit disheartening that I just completed 48.6 in 4 days, but 8 miles wiped me out.

 

[Anisum]

January Miles: 65.15

I'm focusing a bit more on speed for my spring training plan (starts Tuesday) so I'm hoping for some PRs.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Here's my big challenge for February: I've spent the last 2 years focusing on distance and stamina for Goofy & Dopey and my speed has taken a major hit. I did an 8 mile run on Sunday, and my speed was a full minute/mile slower than my best from 2016, and I was wiped out. I'm trying to remain positive and realize that I'm shifting my training to a different purpose (speed vs distance); however, it was a bit disheartening that I just completed 48.6 in 4 days, but 8 miles wiped me out.

I'd actually be very surprised if you trained for stamina and endurance for the last two years that you would be indeed slower. Even the 5k is an 80% endurance/ 20% speed event. So the gains made from the long distance training should be extremely beneficial for the short distance races as well. I'd chalk it up to not yet being recovered from Dopey. I know for me personally, it usually takes 42 days before I'm feeling normal again and usually 10 weeks post marathon to start hitting peak performance. So it's possible that your body is just still in recovery mode and things will return to normal in a few weeks. What kind of speed work do you plan on doing?

 

[Jules76126]

Total Mileage: 30 miles

January started strong, but ended weak. I was pretty busy at work and we had some snow days so I didn't get to the gym as much as I would like. I am starting a new running journal tomorrow so hoping that keeps me on track and motivated.

I have run exclusively in Nike Pegasus. Just bought my 4th pair this morning. I love the wild colors and pick the loudest ones. Once I retire a pair, they become my walking shoes, so I always stand out. I have really enjoyed these shoes so far, but I mainly run distances of less than 5 miles. Curious to see if I may need to change once I hopefully up my mileage this year.

 

[ZellyB]

Total January miles :74
Most of those were Dopey since I took 2 weeks off running after that, but back to training again now.

 

[BikeFan]

January mileage:
209.5 miles
30:10:47
Average pace: 8:39

Finally getting my race schedule together as well.

March
10 - BikeFan - RNR Washington DC Marathon - (NG / N/A)

April
8 - BikeFan - B&A Trail Half Marathon - (1:29:XX/ N/A)
16 - BikeFan - Boston Marathon - (NG / N/A)
21 - BikeFan - Star Wars Dark Side 10k (NG / N/A)
22 - BikeFan - Star Wars Dark Side Half Marathon (NG / N/A)

 

[Sanchez]

January Totals:

Run: 98.3 miles (7:25 avg)
Swim: 7.8 miles
Bike: 86 miles

Immediate Goals:
2/3 Half Marathon followed by transition to more intense tri training
3/2 5k
3/10 Sprint Tri

 

[Dis_Yoda]

January Mileage: 0

(I suck)

 

[dis_or_dat]

January:
Total: 98.48
Pace: 8:20

Add me to the calf pain club. I find the pain is better if I do lunges beforehand, but my mileage and pace have done a free fall.

 

[TheHamm]

January Miles 25.7+x
Average Pace: 12.32
For 'cross training' purposes: Ice Skating lessons- 3, Yoga classes 3

Reflection: I had targeted to run a minimum of 3x/week 3 miles. As I had committed to other physical activities that should support running, I thought that was a reasonable goal. I have learned that (1) I will not run when it is less than 8F (2) I have a hard time running 3 miles on a treadmill whereas it is actually enjoyable outdoors. (3) If I want to count treadmill miles I need to log them manually, hence the x in the above mileage (4) I can hit 3x/week when I am in the office, I cannot seem to pull it off when traveling for family or work. (5) Runkeeper and Fitbit cannot agree on distance, even when outdoors and both using the same GPS from my phone. I understand the estimation, data point collection frequency difference, I have simply been surprised that the distance (and therefore pace) are so different. I am also surprised at the lack of precision. I suppose I could be cutting corners differently, but the route from one day to the next is also quite variable.

 

[jennamfeo]

Calling @MommaoffherRocker ...

Add me too, please!

 

[jennamfeo]

I like this idea!! My husband has been running a little lately and I’m realizing we won’t be running any races together for several years....

Like maybe not for a half or a marathon, but 10k and under a kid's area could be easily managed. Next month my husband and I are running a 5k in Carlsbad and I'm a little stressed about what we are gonna do with our kid during our race. I have an internet friend that lives in the area and I am trying to decide if it's weird to ask her and her DD to come hang out during the race. Hahaha.

(I suck)

No you don't!

 

[cburnett11]

@LSUlakes
I have a few races to add to 2018, please:

Anthem 5k Fitness Classic, March 10, 22:XX
Rodes City Run 10K, March 24, 48:XX
Papa John's 10 Miler, April 7, NG
Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon (13.1), April 28, 1:45:XX
Chicago Marathon, October 7, 3:48:XX

Thanks!

 

[jennamfeo]

Papa John's 10 Miler, April 7, NG

OMG. Papa John's hosts a 10 miler?! And there is pizza at the end. I will literally run any race for free pizza at the end.

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

Anthem 5k Fitness Classic, March 10, 22:XX
Rodes City Run 10K, March 24, 48:XX
Papa John's 10 Miler, April 7, NG
Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon (13.1), April 28, 1:45:XX
Chicago Marathon, October 7, 3:48:XX

Based on your signature line, 3 out of 4 of your goals are PRs.

You sure you don't want to change the 5K goal to 21:XX?

 

[hauntedcity]

I'd actually be very surprised if you trained for stamina and endurance for the last two years that you would be indeed slower. Even the 5k is an 80% endurance/ 20% speed event. So the gains made from the long distance training should be extremely beneficial for the short distance races as well.

That's what I had expected! I have read that to get faster you should go slower on long runs and build up endurance. I think there are other things at play, including that I unfortunately gained weight over my Dopey training.

I'd chalk it up to not yet being recovered from Dopey. I know for me personally, it usually takes 42 days before I'm feeling normal again and usually 10 weeks post marathon to start hitting peak performance. So it's possible that your body is just still in recovery mode and things will return to normal in a few weeks. What kind of speed work do you plan on doing?

My "speed work" (if it can even be called that) is very basic. I just use the Galloway cadence drills and acceleration gliders during my weekday maintenance runs. I'm also going to work on adjusting my run/walk intervals back to my old ratio, because I had modified them to run Dopey with my wife, who enjoys a shorter run interval.

Thanks,
Doug