Ran a 10k in June (9 Viewers)

[prosopis]

Not a shorts shorts guy...but usually go with sleeveless tech or a singlet.

I am a short shorts guy when the temps are high. The ones I currently wear do not leave much to the imagination.

 

[prosopis]

Congrats Hang 10!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Ned]

Summer Of Speed Race #2

We lucked out and had the remnants of Tropical Storm Andrea blow through over night and left us with partly cloudy skies - 71/64 (135) suck index. Not ideal, but could've been worse; I was mentally prepared to be running in a downpour.

I lined up at the front with the big boys today and wanted to give'm hell. I learned pretty quickly that I still have some work to do if I want to run up front. My wife/kids rarely come to 5Ks, but today the boys wanted to come watch. They got a kick out of "daddy starting in 1st place".

Mile 1 - Started out around 6th place or so. It was cool running behind the police escort. I looked down somewhere around the half mile marker and saw 5:34. Oh ####. I knew this wasn't going to last so I backed it off and tried to settle down. First mile was in at 6:02/182 Yep, SandedTM the hell out of it.

Mile 2 - I started to do the math in my head. Hmmmm 6:02 is a 18:4x. I'm either going to smash this thing or I'm going to pay the piper. It ended up being the latter. Slowly my pace was deteriorating and I was working harder and harder to keep that slower pace; the tell tale signs of going out to fast. I hooked up with one of the regulars I see a lot and tried to stick with him. He gapped me pretty good on the one lone hill (I shouldn't even call it a hill). Mile 2 split came in at 6:36/189.

Mile 3 - Full survival mode now. Just don't let the wheels fall off and look like a donk in front of the kids. A younger dude pulls up along side of me at the 3 mile marker and pulls away. I had absolutely nothing in the tank to try and counter his move. Struggled to the finish with a weak kick. Mile 3 split = 6:44/190 and final 0.14 = 0:45/191 for a total time of 20:08.

This was a small race. My time was good enough for 8/118 and 2/13 in my AG. The boys were siked to see me get a trophy for a change. So the pain and suffering was worth that alone.

 

[parasaurolophus]

So yeah...possible 5k this Sunday. I say possible because my wife is due with our second child in...oh..about 7 days. So it's a bit difficult to fully to commit to anything at this point but I am registered. Here's the real kicker though...race time is at 2:30PM. Forecast is calling for 90's that day! Also, it's a flat course but only 5% of this race is on paved roads. I really have no idea what a decent time is going to be. I'd love to break 20 min but the conditions aren't looking optimal.

Update:So yeah, no race for me this past Sunday but I do have a new 8lb baby girl in the house! Baby was born @ noon on race day.So the summer of speed is going to be a bit complicated for me going forward. I've got a few races planned for the end of summer but nothing for the near future. I feel fast and healthy...I'm ready to race but there's obviously issues about what I can commit to at this point. Hopefully I can squeeze in a 5k here soon. :fingerscrossed:

Awesome congrats.

 

[SFBayDuck]

Thanks, fellas. Yeah, this is our second. Already have a 5 year old daughter...now we have a 5 day old too! The summer of no sleep has begun!

Congrats! Summer of no sleep indeed!

 

[gruecd]

Nice job on the race today, Ned.

I'm sorry I've been so absent around here lately. I hadn't been running much with the stupid IT Band injury, so the last thing I wanted to do was read about everyone else's running. Selfish, I know. Anyway, I'll try to be better!

I'd been trying to run through the injury, but when I was forced to bail on the track workout last week Thursday, I decided that I'd take some time off and see if that would help. I didn't run at all Friday-Wednesday, hitting up yoga on three of those six days and doing a couple of easy bike rides with the GF. Came back and run 4 miles this past Thursday (7:23/mile), another 5 miles yesterday (8:16), and 7+ this morning (8:28). Leg feels pretty decent. I'm also in the midst of a 5- to 7-day ibuprofen regiment (800MG 3x/day) in the hope that it'll help get rid of that chronic inflammation.

Monday will be 12 weeks from the No Frills Marathon in Minocqua on Labor Day Weekend, so I think I'm gonna try the Pfitz 12/55 plan. I usually max out closer to 70-80 mpw, but coming off injury like this, I think I need to play it safe. The first few weeks have relatively low mileage and frequent rest days, and I think I need that. I'm also going to continue with my hip/glute exercises and yoga. Gonna need to tighten the diet back up, too. Ugh. Just hoping that the ITB holds up OK. Time will tell.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

 

[SFBayDuck]

Not a shorts shorts guy...but usually go with sleeveless tech or a singlet.

I am a short shorts guy when the temps are high. The ones I currently wear do not leave much to the imagination.

I typically wear what I think are technically tennis shorts. I like both side and back zippered pockets to carry stuff on trail runs. I can't stand running shorts with the built in marble bags, and I always go compression shorts under. I do have 2 pair of combo running shorts with compression underwear built in, those are ok but only have a single zippered pocket. And I feel like you have to be fast to wear a singlet......so I don't have any!

 

[SFBayDuck]

Nice job on the race today, Ned. I'm sorry I've been so absent around here lately. I hadn't been running much with the stupid IT Band injury, so the last thing I wanted to do was read about everyone else's running. Selfish, I know. Anyway, I'll try to be better! .

Agreed, great race Ned!And I feel you, grue. Today is the first time I've been here in a week or two. Glad I had some time to catch up this morning, some good stuff going on. I did manage a 10 miler on Monday, so I keep slowly upping my mileage again. Followed that up on Tuesday with my now regular 5-mile hike up 1000+' and back down again. Saw the torture Doc later that day, he said I looked like one of those squeeze toys with the eyes that pop out while he was Graston-ing my ITs, but they're improving. Headed down to Orange County for a couple of days for work and was reminded why I hate roads so much - nothing like waiting 1-2 minutes for a light to turn so I can cross the street, all the while inhaling the sweet smell of car exhaust. A mile in I got to a wildlife preserve and got my feet back on dirt again, that was much better. Quick 4-miler, but its always a win when I actually get a run in while on the road. Planning to head out for 10-12 tomorrow, if I can get through that with minimal pain I'll consider this a pretty good week!

 

[sho nuff]

Summer Of Speed Race #2

We lucked out and had the remnants of Tropical Storm Andrea blow through over night and left us with partly cloudy skies - 71/64 (135) suck index. Not ideal, but could've been worse; I was mentally prepared to be running in a downpour.

I lined up at the front with the big boys today and wanted to give'm hell. I learned pretty quickly that I still have some work to do if I want to run up front. My wife/kids rarely come to 5Ks, but today the boys wanted to come watch. They got a kick out of "daddy starting in 1st place".

Mile 1 - Started out around 6th place or so. It was cool running behind the police escort. I looked down somewhere around the half mile marker and saw 5:34. Oh ####. I knew this wasn't going to last so I backed it off and tried to settle down. First mile was in at 6:02/182 Yep, SandedTM the hell out of it.

Mile 2 - I started to do the math in my head. Hmmmm 6:02 is a 18:4x. I'm either going to smash this thing or I'm going to pay the piper. It ended up being the latter. Slowly my pace was deteriorating and I was working harder and harder to keep that slower pace; the tell tale signs of going out to fast. I hooked up with one of the regulars I see a lot and tried to stick with him. He gapped me pretty good on the one lone hill (I shouldn't even call it a hill). Mile 2 split came in at 6:36/189.

Mile 3 - Full survival mode now. Just don't let the wheels fall off and look like a donk in front of the kids. A younger dude pulls up along side of me at the 3 mile marker and pulls away. I had absolutely nothing in the tank to try and counter his move. Struggled to the finish with a weak kick. Mile 3 split = 6:44/190 and final 0.14 = 0:45/191 for a total time of 20:08.

This was a small race. My time was good enough for 8/118 and 2/13 in my AG. The boys were siked to see me get a trophy for a change. So the pain and suffering was worth that alone.

Nice job Ned...wondering if you could have held it on a bit of a cooler/less sticky day.

You are getting damn fast.

 

[sho nuff]

Not a shorts shorts guy...but usually go with sleeveless tech or a singlet.

I am a short shorts guy when the temps are high. The ones I currently wear do not leave much to the imagination.

I typically wear what I think are technically tennis shorts. I like both side and back zippered pockets to carry stuff on trail runs. I can't stand running shorts with the built in marble bags, and I always go compression shorts under. I do have 2 pair of combo running shorts with compression underwear built in, those are ok but only have a single zippered pocket.And I feel like you have to be fast to wear a singlet......so I don't have any!

I usually cut the liners out of my running shorts and wear compression under...have found it lessens the need to lather up too much body glide (or not be much of an issue if I forget to put any on).

 

[2Young2BBald]

Nice hardware grab for the kids Ned!!! Those HR readings would have scared me into backing off, but I know that's just a day at the office for you (wasn't it you someone referred to as a humming bird?).

 

[sho nuff]

GL getting through that injury Gru...and I know what you mean about not wanting to check in...it was a hard 8 weeks for me while being out with the hernia. Though, at one point before realizing I had the injury I was feeling a bit burnt out at times. For me, and I am far different than you in this....the thread kept my motivation there for when I could run again, I was ready to get going.

For me...finished up a nice week (well, nice for just getting back...felt like the first full real week of running again)

M - 5 mile GA run (stupid TM...the sucking of having my wife working some extra hours and both kids being home during the day)

T - Core and light weight work.

W - 5 miles (with 6 X .25 hill intervals during the middle 3 miles...again on the TM)

T - 4 recovery miles

F - Rest

S - 7.5 squishy miles...started out too late this morning...was going to get 8 in...but at the bottom of my neighborhood I was sapped of energy. Was up too late last night, and once the fog and clouds cleared...the sun killed any energy I had left and I walked the last half mile up to the house. 72/66 this morning for a nice 138 suck index) Though my shirt and shoes are at 100% humidity.

 

[Ned]

Nice job on the race today, Ned.

I'm sorry I've been so absent around here lately. I hadn't been running much with the stupid IT Band injury, so the last thing I wanted to do was read about everyone else's running. Selfish, I know. Anyway, I'll try to be better!

I'd been trying to run through the injury, but when I was forced to bail on the track workout last week Thursday, I decided that I'd take some time off and see if that would help. I didn't run at all Friday-Wednesday, hitting up yoga on three of those six days and doing a couple of easy bike rides with the GF. Came back and run 4 miles this past Thursday (7:23/mile), another 5 miles yesterday (8:16), and 7+ this morning (8:28). Leg feels pretty decent. I'm also in the midst of a 5- to 7-day ibuprofen regiment (800MG 3x/day) in the hope that it'll help get rid of that chronic inflammation.

Monday will be 12 weeks from the No Frills Marathon in Minocqua on Labor Day Weekend, so I think I'm gonna try the Pfitz 12/55 plan. I usually max out closer to 70-80 mpw, but coming off injury like this, I think I need to play it safe. The first few weeks have relatively low mileage and frequent rest days, and I think I need that. I'm also going to continue with my hip/glute exercises and yoga. Gonna need to tighten the diet back up, too. Ugh. Just hoping that the ITB holds up OK. Time will tell.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Hope the ITB cooperates. I think the 12/55 is a wise choice. :fingerscrossed:

 

[Ned]

Nice hardware grab for the kids Ned!!! Those HR readings would have scared me into backing off, but I know that's just a day at the office for you (wasn't it you someone referred to as a humming bird?).

nah that was Sand calling wraith a humming bird. I remember seeing his HR numbers. I think he was routinely hitting mid 190s on intervals sessions. Sho nuff - it definitely played a role, but what can ya do? I was dripping for 30 minutes after the race. I almost forgot to post the best part! Pancakes, sausage, and DD coffee.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Nice job, Ned. It's got to be cool to bring home some hardware in front of the family.

 

[sho nuff]

Nice hardware grab for the kids Ned!!! Those HR readings would have scared me into backing off, but I know that's just a day at the office for you (wasn't it you someone referred to as a humming bird?).

nah that was Sand calling wraith a humming bird. I remember seeing his HR numbers. I think he was routinely hitting mid 190s on intervals sessions. Sho nuff - it definitely played a role, but what can ya do? I was dripping for 30 minutes after the race. I almost forgot to post the best part! Pancakes, sausage, and DD coffee.

Oh, I know it...nothing you can do when it gets like that.

At least you made room for the pancakes (damn...pancakes sound good...might have to hit up Cracker Barrel for lunch today)

 

[2Young2BBald]

Nice hardware grab for the kids Ned!!! Those HR readings would have scared me into backing off, but I know that's just a day at the office for you (wasn't it you someone referred to as a humming bird?).

nah that was Sand calling wraith a humming bird. I remember seeing his HR numbers. I think he was routinely hitting mid 190s on intervals sessions.

I gotta get a better notebook.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Summer of Speed 5K Race #4

Nice day for a race. Temperature was about 60 at race time. Calm winds. Everything felt right about having a good race: good conditions, flat course, new shoes, slept well and felt well rested, and got in a nice warm up with Tri-man before the race.

1st half mile 2:51 max HR 169

This was a decent sized race (773 finishers) and we got off to a fast start. As usually some of the little kids started out in a near sprint and started fading early but there were a number of fast teenagers. I’m probably about 25th or so. I think this was the fastest start of any of my 5Ks and I feel OK. I get a mental boost from knowing I’ve already banked a decent number of seconds in my sub 19:00 hopes.

1 mile 2:59/171

Still feel OK and passed a group here.

1.5 miles 2:57/174

I know this is the key mile for me. In my fast few 5Ks I’ve finished the first mile under 6:00 but can’t hold it here. I feel like as long as I can keep around 6:00 min/mile pace for this mile, I can gut out the last mile.

2.0 miles 2:58/177

I’m really starting to get winded but notice I’m under 12:00 at this point. I’ve done what I had struggled to do in the other races. I’ve put myself in a good position and it’s just about willpower and gutting it out for the last mile.

2.5 miles 3:09/180

OK, this gutting it out is hard! I’m breathing hard and loud. I feel my pace slowing and there isn’t much I can do about it. I know I’ve banked some time, though, and this pace is OK. I also tell myself that if I just push myself here I’ll make my goal and don’t have to put myself through this pain again if I don’t want to.

3.0 miles 3:03/181 last .13 on Garmin :45/181

I pass a 13 year old boy that I’ve been behind for a while and I can sense him being pissed . When we see the finish line he passes me back but I don’t care. I offer him some encouraging words and he returns them. I finish reasonably strong.

Final official time: 18:41. 18th out of 773. 3rd out of 31 in division.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Nice job, Ned. It's got to be cool to bring home some hardware in front of the family.

Congrats, Ned. Even if you didn't PR this one, it's a nice training run for Summer of Speed Race #3.

 

[tri-man 47]

Run for the Stars 5K Race Report

20:15 (6:31/mi), 175 avg. HR

2nd in AG

A great day for a race - temp in the mid-50s, just a bit of a cooling breeze. Everything clicked fine leading up the race ...good sleep and morning routines, easy drive out (picking up Juxt on the way), comfortable warm-up, and we were off. The course was super ..generally a big rectangle through a neighborhood by Wheaton College with a bit of undulation. Juxt and I had noted a nice downslope about a third of a mile from the end with sights of the finish line right after that. It was set up for a strong finish. I didn't have a clear race strategy, so I just took off comfortably and settled into my pace.

Mile 1: 6:34/mi ..HR 163

Mile 2: 6:33/mi ..HR 178

Mile 3: 6:33/mi ..HR 184

Last .1: 5:48/mi ..HR 185

"In" before Sand suggests I should have Sanded the start. I was really pleased that I was able to hold that pace throughout given the lack of taper and lack of true 5K training. I can't do much more with the HR (well, except Sanding the start), but the striding felt good. I was really striding strong into the shoot. But the best part of all was seeing Juxt after the finish and seeing his fantastic sub-19:00 time! He destroyed it ...very cool.

 

[sho nuff]

Some nice 5ks out there today.

Good job Juxt and Tri.

And damn you Ned...was trying to eat a bit healthier but you put pancakes on my mind and I caved...wife had wanted Cracker Barrel too...so there I sat chowing some mighty tasty pancakes.

I figured I earned it with the run...and the yardwork im about to do the rest of the weekend though (time to mow and mulch the front as well as add about 10 huge bags of pine bark nuggets to the kid's play area)

 

[gruecd]

Final official time: 18:41. 18th out of 773. 3rd out of 31 in division.

Great race today, Jux!

Still gotcha by 5 seconds...

 

[tri-man 47]

Final official time: 18:41. 18th out of 773. 3rd out of 31 in division.

Great race today, Jux!

Still gotcha by 5 seconds...

LOL ...he was wondering about that after the race.

 

[beer 302]

Summer Of Speed Race #2

This was a small race. My time was good enough for 8/118 and 2/13 in my AG. The boys were siked to see me get a trophy for a change. So the pain and suffering was worth that alone.

Summer of Speed 5K Race #4

Final official time: 18:41. 18th out of 773. 3rd out of 31 in division.

Run for the Stars 5K Race Report

20:15 (6:31/mi), 175 avg. HR

2nd in AG

But the best part of all was seeing Juxt after the finish and seeing his fantastic sub-19:00 time! He destroyed it ...very cool.

You guys are all so money right now. Ned bringing home hardware in front of the family, can't imagine it gets much cooler than that. Juxt just crushing 5k's, good lord that's fast and tri-man just plodding along at 20:15, hanging on the podium. . .ho hum.Great day of racing for you all. It's been really cool to see this challenge take shape. AWESOME job today guys!!!

 

[beer 302]

2013 Splash & Dash 10k

Never run a 10k for time and this fit perfectly into my race plan (it was $20, 10 minutes away & I had nothing else to do). After I signed up for it everyone began to tell me horror stories about the River Hills subdivision the race is run in. Started to get me nervous about it but I thought if they are worse than what I train on now I'll tip my hat to the course and never run it again. Weather was questionable thanks to Andrea so wasn't sure if it was going to rain or be clear, regardless it was going to be a humid #####. Goal was to come in under 60.

Got there early, signed in and ran into some of the local old timers, had a great conversation with them and really set me at ease about the race. About 240 runners total since they started the 5 & 10k together. We eventually split off but the first 2 or so were with the pack. Started up front to avoid the rush, wished everyone well and didn't see them again until they looped back

Mile 1 8:51 - Quick little uphill to start then roller coaster-like downhill. As I'm flying down almost out of control I wonder should I try to get myself under control, slow down just a bit and not wipe out half the peloton when I biff. . .nah. Sadly this was my speed highlight for the race. After coming down Everest there was a spiffy little uphill and I was beginning to think that 5k option is looking pretty good right now if this keeps up. Luckily it turned into slow rollers after this.

Miles 2-5 were up & down 9:06/9:43/9:19/9:40 but this is were the fun started. Throughout the race all I kept thinking was you gotta scale that billy goat mountain at the end to finish. As I'm contemplating my ascent strategy the pack thins until I'm essentially by myself. Around mile 4 I hear it, the pitter patter of some fool thinking they can run me down. We are beginning to get into a few steeper hills and while I fought off the charge on two earlier ones, on the third, the upstart challenger passes me. I keep remembering Mt. Kilimanjaro thinking they will die a slow death on the east slope and I will pull my best Ned, passing them easily and crushing any bit of hope them have. I considered a snicker as I passed them but then thought that might be in bad taste so I quickly nix'd that.

As I run through these scenarios, the upstart continued to pull farther ahead. I justified it as overconfidence on their part and told myself, run your race, crush them at the end, see them driven before you and hear the lamentation of their women.

Towards the end of mile 5 the tide began to shift and I began to slowly reel them in. I know they were skipping along in their head not knowing the utter defeat I was about to unleash on them and this encouraged me further. Don't pass too soon, savior the moment. . .

And there it was, after rounding a turn and small downhill, the rock, the temple mount, call it what you will but I knew full well it was my defining point in the race. But wait! There, faintly at first then louder, another pursuer trying steal my mojo! They pull along side of me and the battle is on!!! As we labor up Mt. Hood we easily blow by the fool that thought passing me was a good idea 3 miles ago and then with a burst of Juxt-like speed I leave the second challenger in my wake. I can't help but smile as I cross the line well ahead of the winners of the female age group 50-54 and 30-34. VICTORY!!!!!

So I'm thinking next year maybe targeting (in no particular order) my gender & my age group Had a great time, got to meet a lot of the local running royalty I see around but don't know and felt pretty good about the race. Finished at 59:09 51/82 overall and 9/12 in AG. My age group is just stupid fast around here so I have no aspirations of ever making it to the top but the next closest guy to me was at 54 and that's doable. I felt like I left some on the course not knowing what to expect and always having that finishing hill in the back of my head. Probably could have/should have broke 58 if I would have expended a little more energy in the middle.

 

[tri-man 47]

And that's why a lot of chicks don't like beer. Well-played ...well-played. Put us flat-course Chicago boys on hills like that and we'd be wimpering with the ladies. Well, not Juxt, 'cause he's fast, and not Annyong, 'cause he's Gumby dammit, but me for sure.

 

[Prince Myshkin]

now that was a race report! (damn the "sorry but you have posted more images" message of death)

congrats Beer302!

 

[Annyong]

And that's why a lot of chicks don't like beer. Well-played ...well-played. Put us flat-course Chicago boys on hills like that and we'd be wimpering with the ladies. Well, not Juxt, 'cause he's fast, and not Annyong, 'cause he's Gumby dammit, but me for sure.

Gumby don't like hills either

 

[Juxtatarot]

Nice race, Beer!

(And, no, I don't like hills. In fact, I doubt I'd even sign up for a race like that!)

 

[Prince Myshkin]

i know it's been discussed numerous times in here, but i'm too lazy to look it up at the moment...

can somebody give me some advice on hydration belts???

any thoughts on maybe this vs. this? other brands better? 2 bottles enough or go for 4?

 

[Juxtatarot]

i know it's been discussed numerous times in here, but i'm too lazy to look it up at the moment...

can somebody give me some advice on hydration belts???

any thoughts on maybe this vs. this? other brands better? 2 bottles enough or go for 4?

Nathan is a fine brand. I think the one I have is this one. One 22 ounce bottle situated on my back works well for me but it's really just a matter of personal preference. I also don't mind looping back home and refilling on really long runs.

 

[beer 302]

i know it's been discussed numerous times in here, but i'm too lazy to look it up at the moment...

can somebody give me some advice on hydration belts???

any thoughts on maybe this vs. this? other brands better? 2 bottles enough or go for 4?

Nathan is a fine brand. I think the one I have is this one. One 22 ounce bottle situated on my back works well for me but it's really just a matter of personal preference. I also don't mind looping back home and refilling on really long runs.

This Nathan hand held is what I carry when I carry, in that very color btw (the woman hate that when I blow by them). Have never been a fan of the belts, probably going to invest in a vest sometime this year or next.

 

[beer 302]

http://hurryslowlybuthurry.blogspot.com/2009/05/raceology-405.html

This explains so much, my bib number today? 5750 :mindblown:

 

[SFBayDuck]

i know it's been discussed numerous times in here, but i'm too lazy to look it up at the moment...

can somebody give me some advice on hydration belts???

any thoughts on maybe this vs. this? other brands better? 2 bottles enough or go for 4?

Nathan is a fine brand. I think the one I have is this one. One 22 ounce bottle situated on my back works well for me but it's really just a matter of personal preference. I also don't mind looping back home and refilling on really long runs.

This Nathan hand held is what I carry when I carry, in that very color btw (the woman hate that when I blow by them). Have never been a fan of the belts, probably going to invest in a vest sometime this year or next.

I carry the same handheld in green (I own three of them, then newer ones are great because the pocket is wide enough to hold an iphone). On longer runs where I won't be able to refill at least once an hour I add a waist pack with a 22 oz bottle and just swap them out. If I'm out for over 2 hours and won't be able to refill then I throw on the 2L Race Vest.

 

[Prince Myshkin]

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm liking the single bottle waist pack option - seems like it would stay balanced better. How easy is it to replace the bottle in the holster on the run?

 

[Juxtatarot]

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm liking the single bottle waist pack option - seems like it would stay balanced better. How easy is it to replace the bottle in the holster on the run?

It will be easy enough after getting used to it for a few runs.

 

[Annyong]

Ran a pretty fast (for me) 4.5 miles on Fri 7:30 pace and was all excited for my run this morning. Don't know if it was the 12 Busch Lights or the 3 extra spicy chicken boobs I grilled up last night, but my legs felt like concrete. Clocked in at 7:55/mile for 5.2 miles. Which I guess isnt horrible, but i was pretty disappointed in myself since I cut my run shorter than planned. Just wasn't feeling it today.

Also, why cant i just carry a plastic bottle of water? Why do i need one of those $30 handheld ones, my shorts have pockets.

 

[sho nuff]

i know it's been discussed numerous times in here, but i'm too lazy to look it up at the moment...

can somebody give me some advice on hydration belts???

any thoughts on maybe this vs. this? other brands better? 2 bottles enough or go for 4?

Others are helping you on Nathan...

I have a fuel belt 2 bottle pack....and a Salomon Twin something or other (2 bigger bottles...for the longer runs).

Have not had much of a bouncing issue with either (though, the Salomon is a bit heavy when you first start out with the big bottles).

 

[2Young2BBald]

This website needs to catch on: http://iruntodrink.com/

 

[Hang 10]

Mini rant here...

These tough mudder races are such a joke. Now, I got nothing against anyone doing them and I'm sure if you did one with the right group, it could be fun but man oh man...these things have some serious problems. For one, the hype and marketing behind these races is out of control. I think half the people I know on facebook "like" the tough mudder and most don't even really run. They've created such a monster that they can basically just walk all over their customers.

Take the most recent tough mudder Virginia Beach. For one, they start registration LONG before they even pick a race site. The fine print says it can be anywhere in a 90 mile radius of VB. Less than 2 months before the race, they announce that it's in BFE VA 89 miles from the Beach. Not only that, but they change the date by a week and then offer a very limited window for refunds or transfers.So anyways, the race was supposed to be this weekend but because of tropical storm andrea, the race was canceled for Saturday early yesterday and then they canceled today last night. NO REFUNDS. They only option they give you transfer to east coast TMs for 2013. Now, you might say that TM can't control the weather and while that's true, rain should not cancel a race. I mean, the tough effing mudder was canceled due to mud...no lie. (BTW, it was sunny in VB yesterday)

This is the second time(Fredrick, MD got canceled last year) in the past twelve months TM has picked a race site that gets ruined by the rain with no contingency plan. Hell, they had similar problems with this exact site at the most recent spartan race. It was basically just a parking issue. You can't park thousands of cars in a wet field with a ####load of them getting stuck. Way to think it through TM.

It's really the greed of the TM corp that gets me the most. $140 to run, $20 for spectators ($40 on race day), $10 for parking and $5 to check an effing bag. Are you kidding me?

Oh, and you aren't a badass because you got some stupid shirt or headband. 20 thousand people get them every weekend. If you want to really do something "tough", go run a 10k as hard as you can. That's a helluva lot tougher than taking 5 hours to go through 10 mile course. Oh but you do get a little wet and run past some burning hay bales.

 

[Prince Myshkin]

Mini rant here...These tough mudder races are such a joke. Now, I got nothing against anyone doing them and I'm sure if you did one with the right group, it could be fun but man oh man...these things have some serious problems. For one, the hype and marketing behind these races is out of control. I think half the people I know on facebook "like" the tough mudder and most don't even really run. They've created such a monster that they can basically just walk all over their customers.Take the most recent tough mudder Virginia Beach. For one, they start registration LONG before they even pick a race site. The fine print says it can be anywhere in a 90 mile radius of VB. Less than 2 months before the race, they announce that it's in BFE VA 89 miles from the Beach. Not only that, but they change the date by a week and then offer a very limited window for refunds or transfers.So anyways, the race was supposed to be this weekend but because of tropical storm andrea, the race was canceled for Saturday early yesterday and then they canceled today last night. NO REFUNDS. They only option they give you transfer to east coast TMs for 2013. Now, you might say that TM can't control the weather and while that's true, rain should not cancel a race. I mean, the tough effing mudder was canceled due to mud...no lie. (BTW, it was sunny in VB yesterday)This is the second time(Fredrick, MD got canceled last year) in the past twelve months TM has picked a race site that gets ruined by the rain with no contingency plan. Hell, they had similar problems with this exact site at the most recent spartan race. It was basically just a parking issue. You can't park thousands of cars in a wet field with a ####load of them getting stuck. Way to think it through TM.It's really the greed of the TM corp that gets me the most. $140 to run, $20 for spectators ($40 on race day), $10 for parking and $5 to check an effing bag. Are you kidding me?Oh, and you aren't a badass because you got some stupid shirt or headband. 20 thousand people get them every weekend. If you want to really do something "tough", go run a 10k as hard as you can. That's a helluva lot tougher than taking 5 hours to go through 10 mile course. Oh but you do get a little wet and run past some burning hay bales.

oof! There's one in my area next weekend (not sure if its the same group), but I have a meeting I have to attend anyway.

 

[SFBayDuck]

12 pain free miles today! I overdid it a bit at a local festival yesterday that included IPAs and wine tasting, so the first 3-4 miles I felt horrible and figured there was no way I'd even get to 10. But after about mile 5 I started to feel better, and I even threw in a little climb at that point to punish myself a bit.

Really encouraged that the ITs didn't bother me at all. Fingers crossed that I've gotten over the hump a bit with them and can keep slowly pushing my mileage back up. That 50 miler in October is creeping up on me!

 

[tri-man 47]

Training week:

W: 8 miles, w/6.5 mi @ 7:32/mi

Th: 6 miles w/3 one mile repeats

F: easy 7 miles

S: 5K race w/3 mi of warmup/cooldown, then ran 4 more after getting home

S: 11 miles @ about 9:00/mi, 140 HR

42 mile week. I need to be pushing the mileage higher and start on some longer runs for serious marathon training.

 

[parasaurolophus]

6 miles at 9'23 pace today. First time a half marathon seemed like not such a bad idea.

 

[beer 302]

Glad to hear it Duck! We get grue back on the roads and the band will be back together again!

Hate the mud/spartan/obstacle runs. Designed to hurt people, charge a stupid crazy fee and folks flock to them without a clue of what will be required of them. I have absolutely no desire to ever do one, just to easy to get a stupid injury that can sideline you for a significant amount of time. Read the last 10 pages, we all struggle with injury enough just ding regular runs/bikes, no need to help by slogging through mud trying to carry a telephone pole or flip a tractor tire. And for what? To get a little grubby with some friends? Go run trails in the rain!

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Mini rant here...These tough mudder races are such a joke. Now, I got nothing against anyone doing them and I'm sure if you did one with the right group, it could be fun but man oh man...these things have some serious problems. For one, the hype and marketing behind these races is out of control. I think half the people I know on facebook "like" the tough mudder and most don't even really run. They've created such a monster that they can basically just walk all over their customers.Take the most recent tough mudder Virginia Beach. For one, they start registration LONG before they even pick a race site. The fine print says it can be anywhere in a 90 mile radius of VB. Less than 2 months before the race, they announce that it's in BFE VA 89 miles from the Beach. Not only that, but they change the date by a week and then offer a very limited window for refunds or transfers.So anyways, the race was supposed to be this weekend but because of tropical storm andrea, the race was canceled for Saturday early yesterday and then they canceled today last night. NO REFUNDS. They only option they give you transfer to east coast TMs for 2013. Now, you might say that TM can't control the weather and while that's true, rain should not cancel a race. I mean, the tough effing mudder was canceled due to mud...no lie. (BTW, it was sunny in VB yesterday)This is the second time(Fredrick, MD got canceled last year) in the past twelve months TM has picked a race site that gets ruined by the rain with no contingency plan. Hell, they had similar problems with this exact site at the most recent spartan race. It was basically just a parking issue. You can't park thousands of cars in a wet field with a ####load of them getting stuck. Way to think it through TM.It's really the greed of the TM corp that gets me the most. $140 to run, $20 for spectators ($40 on race day), $10 for parking and $5 to check an effing bag. Are you kidding me?Oh, and you aren't a badass because you got some stupid shirt or headband. 20 thousand people get them every weekend. If you want to really do something "tough", go run a 10k as hard as you can. That's a helluva lot tougher than taking 5 hours to go through 10 mile course. Oh but you do get a little wet and run past some burning hay bales.

I have no objection to the "no refunds" policy. I wouldn't expect a refund if a road race was cancelled due to lightning or heat, for example, since most of the costs of staging the race have already been incurred. That sort of thing just goes with the territory of racing.

But charging people to spectate? And charging for a bag check? WTF?

Honestly I don't get the appeal of these events. I'd strongly prefer to just a run a 5K or 10K every single time instead, and I hate those distances.

______________________

Well, Asics discontinued the shoe that I've worn for the last 8-10 years (Gel Evolution), so now I'm in the market for something new. We were in Sioux Falls for a soccer tournament anyway, so in between games I stopped at the running store to see what they recommended. It turns out that my arches aren't as flat as I thought, so I can supposedly get by okay with a neutral shoe as opposed to motion control. So I went with the Gel Kayano, since I know a few of you guys wear these and they get generally good reviews. I wound up paying about $20 more than what I could have gotten them for at RRS or RW, but if they end up working out for me it will have been worth it. I won't switch over for a while, since my last pair of Evolutions has only about 100 miles on them.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

6 miles at 9'23 pace today. First time a half marathon seemed like not such a bad idea.

If you have no problem running six miles comfortably, you can definitely build up to a half marathon. My recollection is that going from 3 miles to 6 miles was harder or least no less hard than going from 6 to 13.

 

[Sand]

Mile 1 - Started out around 6th place or so. It was cool running behind the police escort. I looked down somewhere around the half mile marker and saw 5:34. Oh ####. I knew this wasn't going to last so I backed it off and tried to settle down. First mile was in at 6:02/182 Yep, SandedTM the hell out of it.

My last 5k I hit mile 1 at 6:10. That is a great first mile for a 5k - I think you paced this well, actually.

-----

Bridgeman 104 Duathlon

First real race of the year. This is short and hard - 2/10/2. My 13 did it with me, so it was a family affair. Much like last year, though, the weather wasn't terribly cooperative. It poured from 2-5am, so lots of puddles (this is New Orleans) and pretty tough weather. At race start it was 78/95-100. So 155-160 on the suck index at 7am. Ick. We won't go into why I chose a race that doesn't include a swim and has weather like this. But the locale is cool with the runs being on the levee of the Mississippi and the bike going up the bridge.

Run 1: 2.1 miles - 7:26/mile. A shade better pace than last year by a few seconds/mile. I tried to keep it pretty manageable for the bike. Overall pretty happy here as I think the weather was at least as bad if not worse than last year.

Bike: 10 miles - 21.8mph. Last year I was 7th overall. This year I improved to 4th overall bike split (250 males or so). Only the two top males and the top master's male were faster. Only 236w avg, but 250 normalized. HR was 176, which is usually what I peak at during hard climbs, so I was laying down the wood as much as I could. Nothing held back here. Given the treacherous, wet roads and really tough weather conditions I'm happy with this. This is a good improvement from last year by 1mph. And I now own the Strava KOM going up and coming down the bridge. These will last a while as you can only do them once a year.

Run 2: 2.1 miles - 7:40/mile. Much improved from last year by 25sec/mile. All was going well here (ignoring that my avg HR was up at 181) until about .1 to go when the winner of my AG passed me. Bummer. I couldn't match him running, sadly.

Ended up 2/34 in my AG. Pretty stoked about the 4th overall bike split - I crushed that (as a corrollary If I could just run worth a snot I'd really do well at these things). Finished the race 1:30 faster than last year with an extra .2 miles running in there, as well.

My son also got 2nd in his AG (his first race like this). Unlike my last run leg (which was sunny and pure swamp) his last mile was a storm of pretty epic proportions. Winds 20+ with rain so hard visibility was a few hundred yards. He was having a hard time seeing it was pelting him so hard. Memorable race for him, for sure.

A pretty good weekend all told.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Nice job, Sand and Sand Jr. The father-son podium definitely makes for a great weekend.

 

[2Young2BBald]

So Sand, it was the rain that dampened your eyes watching your kid rock it, right Way to model the healthy life style for your kids.