Marathon thread

[NancysSummerSip]

Jul 30, 2013 7:40:40 GMT -5 steph08 said:

I did my 25k trail run on Sunday. Let's just say that I am sticking to the 15k from now on. I think it might have been tougher than my marathon. The first 15k has hills and streams/rocks/tree roots that you have to navigate, it is on a single track trail in the middle of nowhere. But the last 10k was pretty hellish. You know it's bad when the "hills" you are climbing are so steep that you have to grab onto trees to pull yourself up! Then you have to cross a spillway twice - and it was up to mid-calf, so you get to run the last 5 miles with soaking wet shoes and socks. My feet were not happpy with me! I was slow - really, really slow. I was like 18 minutes ahead of my desired pace/finish time at the 15k mark and I blew that and a lot more and finished 25 minutes past my goal. I think I came in third to last! It was really quite terrible - I knew it was going to be hard, I just didn't know it was going to be that hard. Definitely a one and down on that! I like running the trails, but I am definitely more of a road/rail-to-trail runner.

I took yesterday off, and my quads are still sore today but I hope to get in my 4 miles at lunchtime. 

It hurts to read your description of that run, steph. Of all the things I hate the most, running with wet shoes/socks totally tops my list.

I got my eight done Saturday, but finished with heat cramps, and that was enough. I did ride my bike Sunday and last night, and it's helping my overall stamina, I think. I swam this morning, tonight is a night off, then tomorrow is a double, Thursday is a double and Friday night is off (going to a Cirque du Soleil performance!). Saturday is a short run/swim day.

[NancysSummerSip]

Jul 30, 2013 13:41:23 GMT -5 Ratchets said:

Not a big fan of running through water like that either.  I was starting to wonder if you'd "lost the plot" when I read that about a 25k off-road race LoL!!  That stuff is tough!!  Congrats on finishing it though, that's realistically probably about as big of an accomplishment as the marathon, so kudos to you .  I think running today is a good idea, several people have advised doing a "recovery run" the day after a race or even a tough long run to help with the soreness, and after finally listening it does help a lot.  Tough to get the legs moving the first quarter mile or so though.  They say it helps flush the lactic acid out of your legs by getting blood pumping through them again, which is too technical for me LoL, I just know you're not as sore the next day .

Did a 5-mile race on Friday night, that coincidentally had a fest at the end of it.  Or what I like to call "the fun part of a race" .  Was really still exhausted from Wednesday's death march long run so didn't too well, think the time ended up being 47:24.  There were a lof of club members at this one, and one guy got a new PB of 29:30 (roughly) at the young age of 54 which was pretty amazing, and also a little sickening LoL.

Also did a 5-mile race on Sunday, which ended up being off-road.  When I signed up it said on/off-road or something like that, multi-terrain.
The last little bit was running across a parking lot and that was the only paved part of it LoL  !!  Being elderly and big-boned (not fat!) I started near the back, and ended up walking the majority of the first half mile because everybody had to funnel down into a narrow trail through the woods.  It was a fun course, just way to crowded and to difficult to seriously consider getting a PB or anything like that.

There is a 10k on Sunday that I signed up for, and my previous time on the only race I've done for that distance is 58:10 so feel confiednt I can get a PB pretty easily if I watch the running a couple days before.  Also one tomorrow night, but on the fence about doing it...been trying to do long runs on Wednesday because weekends are tough to fit them in, and also most races are scheduled on the weekends.

Was really still exhausted from Wednesday's death march long run

When I signed up it said on/off-road or something like that, multi-terrain. I hate these. I signed up for one by accident, and it did not specify that it was multi-terrain. Never again!

[NancysSummerSip]

I did it....got my 2.75 to three miles last night! I think it might have been the two tablespoons of peanut butter that I snacked on about 2 hours before my run. Well, that and the Gatorade chew. Those things are not bad, if you can get past the texture. The taste is fine, it's just that they are like a doggy chew toy a bit. <img src="http://images.proboards.com/new/grin.png" alt=" " text=""><br>

[NancysSummerSip]

Aug 1, 2013 12:41:37 GMT -5 Ratchets said:

Aug 1, 2013 8:33:15 GMT -5 NancysSummerSip said:

I did it....got my 2.75 to three miles last night! I think it might have been the two tablespoons of peanut butter that I snacked on about 2 hours before my run. Well, that and the Gatorade chew. Those things are not bad, if you can get past the texture. The taste is fine, it's just that they are like a doggy chew toy a bit. [img alt=" ">

Is that your half-hour speed training sessions, Nancy?  If so, that's really good!  What huge increase...congrats!!  You've really been kicking some butt on the runs lately, huh?

I did a 10k last night.  It was the same course as the only other 10k I've done, that was the first in the 3-race series and this was the third one.  Too bad I didn't do the middle one as they were giving T-shirts out if you did all three that were actually pretty nice.  My previous time was 58:10 so was really trying hard to beat that, thought getting a new PB would be motivational since it's been awhile for that.  The official results aren't out yet, but my phone app said 6.24 miles in 58:16...so it's close!  The app is always off by a little bit from the  official times, so it's possible...this race took forever to get the results posted, was the following Monday on that first one .

I found a new website called runbritain.com that's pretty cool.  It does have some US races in it's database also.  Basically once you make a profile, you can link up races you've done and it will give them a grade based on how hard the course is and the weather and all that, and average them out to give you a handicap...neat way to see if you're improving.

I signed up for another 10k on Sunday, and it's supposed to be a pretty fast course.  A guy from the run club who is coming back from an injury offered to pace me on it, will have to think about that.  He was giving advice on the way back after the race last night, and was cracking me up...the British (Norfolk) accent is what did it..."You need to stourt roight up frooont mate!  Make them outher foickin' blokes run 'round you mate!"  haha...it would be about 150 other blokes running around, so maybe I won't start "roight" up front .

Yes, that was the speed session. Danged hot out there, too. I needed 32 ounces of water post run.

I like the Norfolk man's idea of starting up front. Of course, I can't do that. If I did, I'd get run over and look like a wet spot on the pavement after everyone went by!

[NancysSummerSip]

Take a rest, Ratchets. Pain is a sign that things need a bit of healing. And that's coming from someone with a really high pain threshold. I hate admitting defeat at the hands of my own self. But it happens.

Speaking of which, I did my longest bike ride to date on the new bike. A half-mile from home, things really hurt. I got home, but I need a rest myself.

[steph08]

I got a 12 mile run in yesterday, first long run since the terrible 25k trail race. I felt pretty good. My Garmin GPS watch was acting screwy, so I ran without it and just used my iPhone to track. It was actually nice not to be checking my pace all the time and just run at a comfortable level. I still finished with an average pace around 10:35, so that is good. That is an improvement of about 40 seconds over my long run pace during marathon training. Let's hope I can keep it up during this training cycle.

I have a 7k on Saturday and I'm aiming for between 8 and 8:30/mile pace. I did 8:18 on my latest 5k so hopefully I can keep it up. Last year I pulled my hamstring during this race and was in pain most of the time and still finished around 9:30 average.

I went to the chiropractor last night and had him manually adjust my lower back. During marathon training last year, my right leg and lower back would hurt - switching from lower back to butt to hip to leg, etc. It was actually painful to sit! Turns out I had a pinched nerve or something. Well, it's been happening again, so I went back last night and oh my, you should have heard the cracks that came out of my right side! It hurt a little afterwards, but within an hour, no leg/back pain! So nice!

[NancysSummerSip]

I'm planning a 10 mile run tomorrow, likely the last long run prior to surgery. Not sure if I will swim or not afterwards, though it's tentatively my plan to do so. I have my usual stuff to do in the morning, plus an 11 a.m. appointment at a new chocolate shop in town (they roast their own cocoa beans and make their own bars). Tough gig, I know. 

[NancysSummerSip]

The shop is a brand-new one, not officially open yet, hence the need for the appointment. I also want to get some photos for my blog, specifically of the owner making a batch of chocolate.

I'm hoping to make an early night of it tonight. Just dinner, grocery shopping and bedtime.

Saturday update - well, I got nine miles in. Screaming, stinking hot. 48 ounces of water in 90 minutes of running, and so help me, I haven't stopped since.

[steph08]

I had my 7k race tonight - clocked in at 36:17, approximately 8:16/mile, which is 2 seconds/mile faster than my most recent 5k PR!

It was pretty humid. I was glad around mile 2.5 when a running buddy caught up to me and stayed to talk. He really pushed me to stay on pace.

At the very end, there was a guy behind me and I am almost positive that his girlfriend, who had finished and was cheering him on from the sidelines, whispered to him to beat me. I could hear his pace pick up, so I kicked it into high gear, and beat him by 1 second.  Silly men.

[NancysSummerSip]

Aug 10, 2013 21:17:53 GMT -5 steph08 said:

I had my 7k race tonight - clocked in at 36:17, approximately 8:16/mile, which is 2 seconds/mile faster than my most recent 5k PR!

It was pretty humid. I was glad around mile 2.5 when a running buddy caught up to me and stayed to talk. He really pushed me to stay on pace.

At the very end, there was a guy behind me and I am almost positive that his girlfriend, who had finished and was cheering him on from the sidelines, whispered to him to beat me. I could hear his pace pick up, so I kicked it into high gear, and beat him by 1 second.  Silly men.

Two truer words never spoken!

[steph08]

I got in some unplanned speedwork today. Went out for my normal lunchtime 3-4 miles, and while it was really dark out, the area that I run in was still nice and sunny. Ya, that didn't last long! I was around 1/1.25 miles when I decided to turn around and hurry back to work! I did get rained on, but it wasn't 2/3 minutes after I got in the building that the downpour started! Glad I made it in time. So only got about 2.5 miles in instead of 3 today.

Also, my Garmin GPS watch has been acting up for about as long as I have had it. However, lately, it freezes up whenever you even push one button and it is really annoying - especially when I need it for races. So today I finally got them to take it back and send me a new (refurbished) one. I am so hoping that this one doesn't freeze up. Otherwise I will be shelling out $$ for a new one!

[NancysSummerSip]

I'm heading out on the bike tonight after dinner. There's a 35-mile bike ride coming up Sept 1, sponsored by my bike shop. That's three days after my second eye surgery. Not sure what the doctor will say about it. He might let me ride, if I wear a shield.

[NancysSummerSip]

Ran earlier than normal last night, and the heat was brutal, even for 30 minutes. I keep telling myself, this will pay off in the long run.

I'm itching to start signing up for organized runs, but I need to wait and see how the surgery goes.

My Disney half-marathon friend has now added gym workouts to his routine, which is good. No races yet, which is not good. There is a last-chance (for him) 10K in late October, just four days before the Disney deadline. They offer free beer at the end of the event. I told him I'd run it with him, and he could have my beer.

[NancysSummerSip]

He needs the 10K as the Disney qualifier, so he has to find one somewhere and get it done before 11/1/2013. And you make my point - he only needs one. He's just afraid he won't be "good enough." Arrrgh. At least do a 5K in the next few weeks, get the fear factor out of the way. He's running in 7 to 8 mile stints, so it's not like he's incapable.

I mean, isn't beer at the end of a race enough incentive?

[steph08]

Ratchets - I wouldn't do two long runs in a week. I would either do the 10k or keep it under 6 miles. More isn't always better. I do two short runs (3-5 miles), a medium run (6-8 miles) and a long run (10-20 miles) during marathon training.

Nancy - Your friend doesn't technically need a 10k for the Disney race. He needs it to get put into a better corral. If he doesn't submit one, he is put in the last corral. As long as he keeps a 16 minute/mile pace, he will be fine and not get swept, though he might encounter crowds since all the other runners started before him.

[NancysSummerSip]

Steph, that's just it. He says he wants to do well at Disney and does not want to be in the last corral. Fine, I said. Get one qualifier and get acclimated to the idea of racing. He has yet to do ANY racing. At all, period. Not a 5K, much less a 10K. OK, you could argue that in theory, doing any race before a race does not matter. He could line up and do 13.1 and finish. If he were a younger guy accustomed to the possibility of running in extreme heat or cold (and let's face it Disney's weather could go either way, or it could be perfectly in the middle), I'd say the heck with a qualifier, just go do it.

But realistically, he needs to get out a find out what it's like to run in a crowd and keep a fast pace over a long distance. I'm not worried about him finishing, and I don't think he is, either. I'd like to see him finish well. And I know he wants to finish well. Her keeps putting off doing his first 5K because he thinks he's not good enough yet. But you don't know what good enough is until you get to the line and the countdown begins.

Anyhoo, he's got a boys' long weekend out of town coming up, so whatever race he does, it won't be before then.

[NancysSummerSip]

Aug 18, 2013 12:21:13 GMT -5 Ratchets said:

I only did about 3 miles today - wasn't in the mood for a long run.  Maybe I'll try tomorrow or Tuesday, and then do one Sunday.  The Sunday after that is the half-marathon.

Nancy - The thing I worry about with him starting out doing such a long race, is that he won't pace himself well and get tired really early in the race.  A 5k is a lot more forgiving, because it's fairly short distance, but I can imagine being tired after 3 miles and still having 10 to go would really suck.  And that's not a "dig" at him - there are really experienced runners in this club who do it every single time (start too fast).  It's just a hard thing to avoid with being excited and the atmosphere. 

Ratchets, you have it exactly right. His daughter will be there and so will close friends. My concern is that he will run the race they expect, not the one he expects. I mean, why would anyone pay that kind of money for a race, your very first one, no less, only to fall off the pace and be swept off the course by Goofy? (I know...they don't sent people "in character" out to do that.)

[NancysSummerSip]

Aug 21, 2013 13:57:12 GMT -5 Ratchets said:

I can definitely see where that could happen.  Do you know if he has a GPS app for his phone or GPS watch?  You might suggest that he comes up with a plan beforehand, like running pace during the race.  Everything I've read (and experienced) is that running the end of the race faster than the beginning is best - because of the mental aspect of "finishing strong."  So maybe suggest he use the watch and check it to make sure he's doing 11 minute miles through mile 8, then increase to 10 minute miles.  Or whatever his pace is, that was just an example.

Tried to do a long run last night, but my running partner developed some kind of calf problem a couple miles out and we had to turn back.  We did sprints at the run club session Monday night, so I wasn't too disappointed about turning back LoL.  Looks like I won't be doing that half marathon on September 1st anyway though - we got a four day weekend so going up to Scotland.  I'm cooking something up in my mind right now though for the trip...something even BIGGER than a half marathon.  Something that may involve being rescued by a helicopter...

He has a phone app that does the pacing thing and he uses it. His pace is good, but he has not done anything close to 10 miles yet, and has done nothing under race conditions in any kind of weather conditions. That's the big issue. He could run Disney in perfect weather, or it could be in the eighties with very high humidity. And then there is the issue I like to call "race gut." No, it's not related to beer gut. It's getting used to what you should and should not eat before a race, and how it affects your digestive system. I had my share of issues with that early on, and there is trial and error in getting it to the point that you know what works for you.

Helicopter rescue, eh?
<<Makes sure Prince William is on duty that weekend>>

[NancysSummerSip]

Well, despite the eye surgery, I've been running, including both days right after both surgeries. Not bad, considering only one eye worked after day 1. .

Today was much better. Second surgery was yesterday, and I ran this morning. World looks amazing in 20/20! I can make plans for races again. I even got an eye shield for running and biking (the optometrist who works with my eye surgeon is a triathlete, and knew exactly what I wanted!) in the early morning and late evening hours. Still no swimming for another week, and I miss it, but I did agree to that restriction, so I'm sticking with it.

Ratchets, you better bring me back a kilted dude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NancysSummerSip]

OK, I did it. I am registered for the Daytona Beach Half Marathon. . DH is excited. There will be race cars.

I am also doing a fundraiser five-miler in honor of my friend's son (the guy doing the Disney half-marathon). His 19-year-old son passed away one year ago this week. I am doing a benefit run next month and I set up a donation page. The race benefits the Boys and Girls Clubs. If you know me on FB, the link is there. If not, and you want to see the page, let me know and I will PM it to you.

[steph08]

Nancy - send me a PM. That is nice of you.

Not much on my front. I did skip out on my long run this weekend.  I was only going to do 10 anyway. I got on the treadmill and it just wasn't in me, so I did 3.5. And then we were out Saturday, Sunday, Monday so I just never got around to it. I did 7 today though, so back on track.

My 50k relay is this coming Saturday. It's a 2 person relay, so we will each be doing around 15.5 miles, but it is 4 legs and you have to alternate. So I am doing legs 1 and 3, and my partner is doing legs 2 and 4. I was I could just run 15.5 and be done! Oh well. It will be interesting with the 1.5 hour break in between.

Other than that, I do need to sign up for my October half marathon and November marathon. I am in training and haven't signed up for either yet!

[NancysSummerSip]

Steph, I have a hard time imagining running, then stopping, then starting again. -faint-Never mind the mileage part.

I've been running and biking daily. Fingers crossed for my doctor appointment Friday, that he lets me back in the pool Saturday.

[Deleted]

I am finally getting back into some consistent running.    I went way too long not running on a regular basis and I was eating horribly.   last night's run felt pretty good, though.  I haven't signed up for the half in October yet, but I might soon.  

[NancysSummerSip]

I'm doing the 5 miler and a 10 miler in October, to start off the season. Hey, why not get things going big?

Also have a 5K and a 4 miler in November and one 10K in December (I have to find something else for that month, if possible). There is a half-marathon locally in early December. I'm considering it, even though the event is not managed well.

[ilovedolphins]

Sept 4, 2013 11:35:38 GMT -5 NancysSummerSip said:

I'm doing the 5 miler and a 10 miler in October, to start off the season. Hey, why not get things going big?

Also have a 5K and a 4 miler in November and one 10K in December (I have to find something else for that month, if possible). There is a half-marathon locally in early December. I'm considering it, even though the event is not managed well.

Are all these races local or do you travel a lot to get to them?  The closest we have here are 2 hours away.

[NancysSummerSip]

Some are close. The five miler, the fundraiser race, is about 45 minutes away, just over the county line. The 10 miler is about 25 minutes away.  The closest race I do has a starting line that is walking distance from my house; that's the November four-miler.

The half-marathon is three hours away. I live in a medium-sized metro area, so we get a decent choice of races in the tri-county area. I don't race in June, July, August or September due to the extreme heat.

[steph08]

I had my 50k relay today - surprisingly, it was a lot of fun! I did the first leg of about 7 miles, then my partner did the 8.5 loop, then I did the 8.5 loop, and then he did the last leg (which was just the first leg backwards).  There were some bad hills (more like mountains), but they were fairly spread out and everything else was fairly flat/downhill or just a slight uphill. We did about 1.5 hours each leg, and I think our finish time was around 6:15.

I was worried since my last 25k didn't go so well, but I felt good running and still feel pretty good. Well, body-wise, because tonight my husband's cold finally decided to spread to me. Not cool.

[NancysSummerSip]

Ow, Steph...nothing like a good run topped by a bad cold. Especially one hubby gives you.

I did six miles today, with some hills. Not as long as I had planned, but it was raining and miserable out there.

[ilovedolphins]

Today I went to the gym and ran 1 mile without stopping.  I am just a newbie so I have little endurance built up.   There is a 5k run/walk in a couple of weeks about an hour from me.  I can't decide if I want to give it a try or not.  I can walk the 3 miles but not run it.

[NancysSummerSip]

Dolphins, that's fine. Do the walk. You have to start somewhere.