Ran a 10k in June (4 Viewers)

[Hang 10]

Again, you guys are speaking a different language than me. Let me chime in to say how much I hate the 10k. 5k and halfs, no problem.

My scheduled marathon is in 12 days and is run in a National Park. I just got this message from the RD:



Update - Government Shut-Down and the Towpath Marathon



By now, you may have heard that Congress has opted to shut our federal government down to what it refers to as "essential employees" only. A consequence of this decision is this: Our Towpath Marathon scheduled to be run on Sunday, October 13th MAY be impacted. I say MAY because the length of this shut-down is by definition unknown.



It is our intention to hold the Towpath Marathon and to do so on the appointed date - October 13th. We are working towards that goal. We will keep you abreast of any developments - either positive or negative. We are also exploring a rescheduled date this year if needed.



We thank you for your understanding of this predicament.

As if I didn't have enough #### to worry about before a marathon! Just in case this thing drags out and they change the date or cancel the race, I am looking at alternative races. I can only run on the weekend of the 12th/13th due to football commitments. Any of you Chicago guys ever run Prairie State in Libertyville? That might be doable if Towpath doesn't go.

Dude, that sucks. Hope it all works out.

 

[SteveC702]

worrie- here is a list you can look through for backup . http://www.marathonguide.com/races/races.cfm

The one that jumped out at me is Steamtown. A quick trip to google maps says this is about 2.5 hrs away from Cleveland (where your marathon would be). I have never run this race but heard it's downhill/fast.

 

[Juxtatarot]

That certainly does suck, Worrierking. I was worried about my 10-miler in Washington DC (October 20) since it goes through the National Mall but I read an article stating that a shutdown would not cause a problem.

BTW, I have not heard anything about Prairie State in Libertyville.

 

[worrierking]

I checked Steamtown and it's sold out. Saw one in Bemidji Minnesota (since I like cold weather). It starts at 9:00am, which I hate. I have friends in the Chicago area, so Prairie State might work. I am looking at some others too, but most are full.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Haven't posted here in a while, which I feel kind of bad about, but I haven't had much to report. Just putting in miles. I have a 5K on Saturday that I was hoping to PR in, or at least take a good shot at a PR, but the race-day weather is forecast for rain/snow and 20 mph winds. I'll still run, but obviously a PR isn't happening in those conditions.

 

[Ned]

For me personally and for mid distance type guys, I'd say

10k

Half

5k

Running 6.2 miles at 6:28 pace or better is no joke. That seems the most difficult to me personally, especially if I am not at a good fitness level.

Can't comment on the half, but I agree about the 5K vs. 10K. Obviously, my first 10K race isn't for another 12 days, so this is new to me but I've ran that distance with a race mentality before and I gotta say it was pure hell relative to the 5K.

My body has adapted to the rigors of a 5K. It's a very uncomfortable few minutes to the finish, but having done it over and over again knowing what to expect mentally I have overcome that barrier. Usually, anyway. I yacked towards the end of last year's Thanksgiving 5K and I had that gas issue during the 4 miler this summer.

10K? Gonna be a totally different animal. I can visualize the 6:20-6:30 pace for the first 3-4 miles, but what's going to happen physically in the last third of the race? Is my heart rate going to be at similar levels as the last 1/2 mile of a 5K? Are my legs going to be screaming uncle? My body has adapted to running through pain for a few minutes, but > a mile? We'll see...

I've done 3 8K's this summer at a sub-40 pace and it typically doesn't start to suck until after 4 miles. I imagine that last .2 (like the marathon .2) is going to hurt like a mutha####er.

The pain differences are not even in the same continent between the finish of a 10K and a marathon.

I would think you'd have noticed by now that it's all relative to the individual. You run a sub-40 10K and then tell me how the last .2 miles feels.

Sorry to break it to you, but you're not going through some special level of pain because you can run a 39:59 10K. It's all about effort, not time. Hell, one could argue that the slower guys are going through more pain since they have to endure it for a longer amount of time for the same distance.

 

[Ned]

Again, you guys are speaking a different language than me. Let me chime in to say how much I hate the 10k. 5k and halfs, no problem.

My scheduled marathon is in 12 days and is run in a National Park. I just got this message from the RD:



Update - Government Shut-Down and the Towpath Marathon



By now, you may have heard that Congress has opted to shut our federal government down to what it refers to as "essential employees" only. A consequence of this decision is this: Our Towpath Marathon scheduled to be run on Sunday, October 13th MAY be impacted. I say MAY because the length of this shut-down is by definition unknown.



It is our intention to hold the Towpath Marathon and to do so on the appointed date - October 13th. We are working towards that goal. We will keep you abreast of any developments - either positive or negative. We are also exploring a rescheduled date this year if needed.



We thank you for your understanding of this predicament.

As if I didn't have enough #### to worry about before a marathon! Just in case this thing drags out and they change the date or cancel the race, I am looking at alternative races. I can only run on the weekend of the 12th/13th due to football commitments. Any of you Chicago guys ever run Prairie State in Libertyville? That might be doable if Towpath doesn't go.

Fingers crossed for you. That friggin' blows.

 

[MAC_32]

Maybe I'm on an island here, but I expect the long distance runners to have a different take on shorter race discomfort vs. the short-middle distance types. A 10K is a long race from my p.o.v., to a distance runner it's another Wednesday morning.

Anyway, I had good intentions on today's run, but I didn't think it through. An old golf course nearby was renovated into a park after it closed and I heard through word of mouth they were doing the same to another one, so I decided to check it out. I also decided I was going to go out in 6:30 pace today, this morning's conversation aided in that decision, and see how long I could hold up. Well, I got to the old course, it didn't look like it was operating as a park...but I went down the hill anyway. Not only is it not operational, but I am pretty sure I was trespassing. I realized I should probably turn around about a 1/2 mile in, but I was curious so I kept going. I got to the clubhouse about 5-7 minutes later and that's when I started seeing the trespassing signs and barbwire. Oops. As you can imagine, the terrain wasn't the best, so it beat me up and by the time I got out of there I was toast. Didn't even map out the distance, but I'd ballpark about 4.2-4.6 miles based on my time. I had 2 miles to go to get back to work, so I made the most of it and did 1/2 mile repeats to close.

When I do my other long run this weekend to prepare for next week's race I'll be a little smarter about selecting where to run.

 

[The_Man]

I hated distance running up until a couple of years ago, because I thought distance = 5K. To me, racing a 5K is pure agony. You go anaerobic almost from the get-go, then see how long you can possibly stand it.

I fell for the marathon when I realized the trick was that you pretty much can't complete one if you're running at an uncomfortable pace. So, you just find the pace that's as fast as you can go without ever becoming uncomfortable, then stick with it for the next 200+ minutes. Sure, I got physically exhausted at the end and could hardly move my muscles any more, but that was a far cry from the sheer lung-burning, stomach-churning pain of an all-out 5K.

 

[worrierking]

I found a race nearby that I might be able to run as an alternative. Northern Ohio Marathon in Fairport Harbor, Ohio. It looks small and it's a first-year event, so I have no idea of the quality of the race. But since I wouldn't even have to change flights or hotels, I think I might register (ten spots left) as an insurance policy. I will give it until tomorrow afternoon to see what is happening in Washington and then pay the 75 bucks. That would be cheaper than changing flights to some other city at this late date.

 

[gruecd]

As if I didn't have enough #### to worry about before a marathon! Just in case this thing drags out and they change the date or cancel the race, I am looking at alternative races. I can only run on the weekend of the 12th/13th due to football commitments. Any of you Chicago guys ever run Prairie State in Libertyville? That might be doable if Towpath doesn't go.

I'm doing a trail 50K on the 13th. It's not that much longer...

 

[Hang 10]

For me personally and for mid distance type guys, I'd say

10k

Half

5k

Running 6.2 miles at 6:28 pace or better is no joke. That seems the most difficult to me personally, especially if I am not at a good fitness level.

Can't comment on the half, but I agree about the 5K vs. 10K. Obviously, my first 10K race isn't for another 12 days, so this is new to me but I've ran that distance with a race mentality before and I gotta say it was pure hell relative to the 5K.

My body has adapted to the rigors of a 5K. It's a very uncomfortable few minutes to the finish, but having done it over and over again knowing what to expect mentally I have overcome that barrier. Usually, anyway. I yacked towards the end of last year's Thanksgiving 5K and I had that gas issue during the 4 miler this summer.

10K? Gonna be a totally different animal. I can visualize the 6:20-6:30 pace for the first 3-4 miles, but what's going to happen physically in the last third of the race? Is my heart rate going to be at similar levels as the last 1/2 mile of a 5K? Are my legs going to be screaming uncle? My body has adapted to running through pain for a few minutes, but > a mile? We'll see...

I've done 3 8K's this summer at a sub-40 pace and it typically doesn't start to suck until after 4 miles. I imagine that last .2 (like the marathon .2) is going to hurt like a mutha####er.

The pain differences are not even in the same continent between the finish of a 10K and a marathon.

I would think you'd have noticed by now that it's all relative to the individual. You run a sub-40 10K and then tell me how the last .2 miles feels.

Sorry to break it to you, but you're not going through some special level of pain because you can run a 39:59 10K. It's all about effort, not time. Hell, one could argue that the slower guys are going through more pain since they have to endure it for a longer amount of time for the same distance.

What are you just in the mood to argue today? My goals are mismatched. The end of this race is SOOOO much harder than that race. I'm not just starting couch to 5K here. I have actually ran a 10K and a marathon before...hell I've even ran a 50K.

As I said before, it's all relative and I don't care what you say, the end of 10K hurts just as bad the end of a marathon but in a different way.

 

[Ned]

I hated distance running up until a couple of years ago, because I thought distance = 5K. To me, racing a 5K is pure agony. You go anaerobic almost from the get-go, then see how long you can possibly stand it.

I fell for the marathon when I realized the trick was that you pretty much can't complete one if you're running at an uncomfortable pace. So, you just find the pace that's as fast as you can go without ever becoming uncomfortable, then stick with it for the next 200+ minutes. Sure, I got physically exhausted at the end and could hardly move my muscles any more, but that was a far cry from the sheer lung-burning, stomach-churning pain of an all-out 5K.

The bolded is where I see it differently; maybe I'm the one on the island...... I'll take 5 minutes of near puking over 45+ minutes of total exhaustion.

 

[SFBayDuck]

As if I didn't have enough #### to worry about before a marathon! Just in case this thing drags out and they change the date or cancel the race, I am looking at alternative races. I can only run on the weekend of the 12th/13th due to football commitments. Any of you Chicago guys ever run Prairie State in Libertyville? That might be doable if Towpath doesn't go.

I'm doing a trail 50K on the 13th. It's not that much longer...

There goes my #1 spot for the 50K in the "2013 Fastest Times" spreadsheet.

 

[Hang 10]

As if I didn't have enough #### to worry about before a marathon! Just in case this thing drags out and they change the date or cancel the race, I am looking at alternative races. I can only run on the weekend of the 12th/13th due to football commitments. Any of you Chicago guys ever run Prairie State in Libertyville? That might be doable if Towpath doesn't go.

I'm doing a trail 50K on the 13th. It's not that much longer...

There goes my #1 spot for the 50K in the "2013 Fastest Times" spreadsheet.

I'm doing one in December too. It's probably like a million times flatter than the terrain you ran. Shooting for 8 minute pace.

 

[tri-man 47]

I checked Steamtown and it's sold out. Saw one in Bemidji Minnesota (since I like cold weather). It starts at 9:00am, which I hate. I have friends in the Chicago area, so Prairie State might work. I am looking at some others too, but most are full.

Worrierking - note my sig! I'm running the Prairie State Marathon as the third leg of my marathon bonanza here, given I'm not in HM shape, so hey, why not another full. It's a fantastic course ...flat, and mostly tightly packed gravel trail. I hope it works out for you (either plan A or plan B in Ohio). If you decide to come to Chicago, though, PM me for planning.

FUBAR - looking forward to your HIM!!!

 

[tri-man 47]

I hated distance running up until a couple of years ago, because I thought distance = 5K. To me, racing a 5K is pure agony. You go anaerobic almost from the get-go, then see how long you can possibly stand it.

I fell for the marathon when I realized the trick was that you pretty much can't complete one if you're running at an uncomfortable pace. So, you just find the pace that's as fast as you can go without ever becoming uncomfortable, then stick with it for the next 200+ minutes. Sure, I got physically exhausted at the end and could hardly move my muscles any more, but that was a far cry from the sheer lung-burning, stomach-churning pain of an all-out 5K.

The bolded is where I see it differently; maybe I'm the one on the island...... I'll take 5 minutes of near puking over 45+ minutes of total exhaustion.

The problem with those final marathon miles is the blend of physical and mental exhaustion. When I hold a HM heartrate over the final half of a marathon, my mind does its best to get me to shut things down.

My new mantra for the final few miles (or for a 5K, too):

24 Focus

25 Fight

26 Finish

 

[FUBAR]

I hated distance running up until a couple of years ago, because I thought distance = 5K. To me, racing a 5K is pure agony. You go anaerobic almost from the get-go, then see how long you can possibly stand it.

I fell for the marathon when I realized the trick was that you pretty much can't complete one if you're running at an uncomfortable pace. So, you just find the pace that's as fast as you can go without ever becoming uncomfortable, then stick with it for the next 200+ minutes. Sure, I got physically exhausted at the end and could hardly move my muscles any more, but that was a far cry from the sheer lung-burning, stomach-churning pain of an all-out 5K.

The bolded is where I see it differently; maybe I'm the one on the island...... I'll take 5 minutes of near puking over 45+ minutes of total exhaustion.

The problem with those final marathon miles is the blend of physical and mental exhaustion. When I hold a HM heartrate over the final half of a marathon, my mind does its best to get me to shut things down.

My new mantra for the final few miles (or for a 5K, too):

24 Focus

25 Fight

26 Finish

26.2 F### it (and just go all out, if you can)

 

[worrierking]

I checked Steamtown and it's sold out. Saw one in Bemidji Minnesota (since I like cold weather). It starts at 9:00am, which I hate. I have friends in the Chicago area, so Prairie State might work. I am looking at some others too, but most are full.

Worrierking - note my sig! I'm running the Prairie State Marathon as the third leg of my marathon bonanza here, given I'm not in HM shape, so hey, why not another full. It's a fantastic course ...flat, and mostly tightly packed gravel trail. I hope it works out for you (either plan A or plan B in Ohio). If you decide to come to Chicago, though, PM me for planning.

FUBAR - looking forward to your HIM!!!

Wow, I guess I need to read sigs once in a while! I will keep it in mind if stuff goes nuts in Ohio. Thanks.

I briefly looked at flights to Chicago that weekend and they are very full, possibly because the Chicago marathon is that weekend and thousands will be heading in for that.

 

[FUBAR]

FUBAR - looking forward to your HIM!!!

thanks. I don't do many races, so I'll try to make it count.

 

[SteveC702]

I hated distance running up until a couple of years ago, because I thought distance = 5K. To me, racing a 5K is pure agony. You go anaerobic almost from the get-go, then see how long you can possibly stand it.

I fell for the marathon when I realized the trick was that you pretty much can't complete one if you're running at an uncomfortable pace. So, you just find the pace that's as fast as you can go without ever becoming uncomfortable, then stick with it for the next 200+ minutes. Sure, I got physically exhausted at the end and could hardly move my muscles any more, but that was a far cry from the sheer lung-burning, stomach-churning pain of an all-out 5K.

The bolded is where I see it differently; maybe I'm the one on the island...... I'll take 5 minutes of near puking over 45+ minutes of total exhaustion.

The problem with those final marathon miles is the blend of physical and mental exhaustion. When I hold a HM heartrate over the final half of a marathon, my mind does its best to get me to shut things down.

My new mantra for the final few miles (or for a 5K, too):

24 Focus

25 Fight

26 Finish

26.2 F### it (and just go all out, if you can)

26.2 "Why does my f***ing garmin say 26.22 and I still can't see the finish line?"

 

[2Young2BBald]

Just off the phone with my boy. I had to miss his meet today as I am in Dallas for a meeting tomorrow. Very bummed to miss a meet and even more since he set his PR on this course last year. He did it again today knocking 24 seconds off his PR going 18:21. And, any runner that runs 3 sub 19s qualifies for a Varsity letter. He slipped a spot to 4th for his team but still scored. He wasn't sure where they finished. This was another multi team Jamboree.

 

[sho nuff]

Awesome stuff 2Y2BB

I missed my son's soccer game this weekend as I was on a golf weekend with friends that did not involve a 20 mile run up a freaking mountain.

Of course, he scored (defensive player mostly...seems he only scores when my wife or I cannot be there).

Been just piddling around running recently...just not focused for whatever reason real well. But need to get my butt in gear.

 

[koby925]

Very cool 2Young. He may be cracking 18 by the end of the XC season

My update: the new morning plan and wearing the compression socks seems to be going well. I did my first tempo type run in awhile this morning. I still have issues getting rolling that early and did 3 miles leading into it which were all around 8 minute pace. Then I jumped down to 6:42 and 6:37. Not setting the world on fire or anything but I was happy with that for an early morning run on rolling hills. And then my 2 mile "cooldown" miles were still 7:05-7:10. After getting going and working the sleep out, I seem to be gradually getting my comfortable but good distance pace down in the low 7s vs. 7:30-7:40s that I have seemed to be stuck in lately. I really think this is the formula for how I have to train. Instead of doing a fast interval once a week or so that cripples me to the point where my other runs hurt and are slower as a result, I am going to do tempo or fartlek 1-2 times a week, keep my weekday morning runs to 6-8 miles that gradually get to low 7s pace and perhaps kick up the distance on weekends unless I race. I will sure miss the speed stuff but my body just doesn't seem to like it after the fact anymore.

 

[The_Man]

Awesome 2Y2BB. My boy bounced back yesterday after a couple of less good races. He ran about a 19:20, just a few seconds off his PR (second for his team), which was pretty good considering how messed up his training schedule has been over the last couple of weeks.

Conference meet is 5 weeks from today and he's now focused in breaking 19 before the end of the season.

 

[tri-man 47]

Very cool 2Young. He may be cracking 18 by the end of the XC season

My update: the new morning plan and wearing the compression socks seems to be going well. I did my first tempo type run in awhile this morning. I still have issues getting rolling that early and did 3 miles leading into it which were all around 8 minute pace. Then I jumped down to 6:42 and 6:37. Not setting the world on fire or anything but I was happy with that for an early morning run on rolling hills. And then my 2 mile "cooldown" miles were still 7:05-7:10. After getting going and working the sleep out, I seem to be gradually getting my comfortable but good distance pace down in the low 7s vs. 7:30-7:40s that I have seemed to be stuck in lately. I really think this is the formula for how I have to train. Instead of doing a fast interval once a week or so that cripples me to the point where my other runs hurt and are slower as a result, I am going to do tempo or fartlek 1-2 times a week, keep my weekday morning runs to 6-8 miles that gradually get to low 7s pace and perhaps kick up the distance on weekends unless I race. I will sure miss the speed stuff but my body just doesn't seem to like it after the fact anymore.

Nice!

I've slipped in a good week of training between races. This includes 10 miles on Sunday (8:20 pace, 145 HR) and as part of 4 miles today I ran 4 x 800m - 3:30, 3:22, 3:19, 3:15. I was pleased, and a bit surprised, by the speed. I suppose the strength that comes from the marathons helps with the fast pacing as well.

 

[koby925]

Very cool 2Young. He may be cracking 18 by the end of the XC season

My update: the new morning plan and wearing the compression socks seems to be going well. I did my first tempo type run in awhile this morning. I still have issues getting rolling that early and did 3 miles leading into it which were all around 8 minute pace. Then I jumped down to 6:42 and 6:37. Not setting the world on fire or anything but I was happy with that for an early morning run on rolling hills. And then my 2 mile "cooldown" miles were still 7:05-7:10. After getting going and working the sleep out, I seem to be gradually getting my comfortable but good distance pace down in the low 7s vs. 7:30-7:40s that I have seemed to be stuck in lately. I really think this is the formula for how I have to train. Instead of doing a fast interval once a week or so that cripples me to the point where my other runs hurt and are slower as a result, I am going to do tempo or fartlek 1-2 times a week, keep my weekday morning runs to 6-8 miles that gradually get to low 7s pace and perhaps kick up the distance on weekends unless I race. I will sure miss the speed stuff but my body just doesn't seem to like it after the fact anymore.

Nice!

I've slipped in a good week of training between races. This includes 10 miles on Sunday (8:20 pace, 145 HR) and as part of 4 miles today I ran 4 x 800m - 3:30, 3:22, 3:19, 3:15. I was pleased, and a bit surprised, by the speed. I suppose the strength that comes from the marathons helps with the fast pacing as well.

Well there are folks that maintain that you get speed from strength. I have always been skeptical and think you still need to work on speed, but again, that's probably my stubbornness stemming from my 800-1500m days. You do need to work on speed for those races, but for road racing, I am begrudgingly coming around to (or more like my age and body are forcing me to adopt) the strength = speed philosophy.

BTW, nice workout.

 

[koby925]

Awesome 2Y2BB. My boy bounced back yesterday after a couple of less good races. He ran about a 19:20, just a few seconds off his PR (second for his team), which was pretty good considering how messed up his training schedule has been over the last couple of weeks.

Conference meet is 5 weeks from today and he's now focused in breaking 19 before the end of the season.

Nice! What has been going on with training? If it's a heavy workload that's tiring him out for current races that should pay dividends once they gear up for end of season.

 

[The_Man]

Mostly it was a four-day sophomore class retreat last week - he biked 250 miles but didn't run. And the week before that, they had a week with two races that resulted in a screwed up schedule:

M: pre-race light work

T: Race

W: light post-race workout

T: Good workout

F: pre-race light work

S: race

He's still a very new runner and (in my opinion) will benefit the most simply from continuing to up his mileage, while throwing in one good interval workout per week. He also doesn't have a huge fitness base, so I think he falls off peak form pretty quickly when he's not building miles (like the last couple of weeks). I've already convinced him to do an LSD run of 9-10 miles on Saturday to help build his mileage. After being #1 on his JV team at the start of the season, a teammate has passed him - so now he's motivated to log those extra miles on the weekend when the team isn't practicing so he can get back on top.

 

[gruecd]

I'm doing one in December too. It's probably like a million times flatter than the terrain you ran. Shooting for 8 minute pace.

Hmmm. Perhaps "50K" is too broad of a category. I'm hoping to go top-10 this year. Last year (in rainy, muddy conditions) that would've required me to run 4:34:13 (8:50 pace). If you'd run 8-minute pace at this race, you'd be top 5 for sure, maybe top 3.

 

[FUBAR]

I hate doing half mile intervals.

7 today, 3:30, 3:09, 3:02, 3:10, 3:13, 3:44, 3:21

Ran from the office intending to do 6 halves. first two were on the road, next three were on a track, last two were back on the road to the office. For the 3:44, I was smoked and told myself I'd just run at a perceived effort that I think I could hold for a HM. When I realized I had another 1/4 mile left back to the office, I decided to do another half and push it.

I'd rather run 10 at a sub-8 pace than do this workout again.

 

[Hang 10]

I'm doing one in December too. It's probably like a million times flatter than the terrain you ran. Shooting for 8 minute pace.

Hmmm. Perhaps "50K" is too broad of a category. I'm hoping to go top-10 this year. Last year (in rainy, muddy conditions) that would've required me to run 4:34:13 (8:50 pace). If you'd run 8-minute pace at this race, you'd be top 5 for sure, maybe top 3.

8 minute pace might be a bit optimistic but it's pretty flat for a trail race. Sure there are some rolling hills and roots and what not but it's not really that technical. 4:08 would put me around top 15.

 

[SFBayDuck]

I'm doing one in December too. It's probably like a million times flatter than the terrain you ran. Shooting for 8 minute pace.

Hmmm. Perhaps "50K" is too broad of a category. I'm hoping to go top-10 this year. Last year (in rainy, muddy conditions) that would've required me to run 4:34:13 (8:50 pace). If you'd run 8-minute pace at this race, you'd be top 5 for sure, maybe top 3.

8 minute pace might be a bit optimistic but it's pretty flat for a trail race. Sure there are some rolling hills and roots and what not but it's not really that technical. 4:08 would put me around top 15.

The last 50K I ran had 4,800'+ of elevation gain/loss....and 3:08:50 took the win. Top 3 were all under 3:22!

Back to Grue's point, that's the thing that makes comparing ultras against each other difficult. American River, JFK, and Ice Age are considered "flat, fast 50 milers", Firetrails 50 that I'm doing has 7,800' of gain, and then I've seen true mountain 50 milers with 15K-17K gain. Never mind the difference between a bike path and a technical singletrack, which makes a huge difference as well.

 

[Hang 10]

I'm doing one in December too. It's probably like a million times flatter than the terrain you ran. Shooting for 8 minute pace.

Hmmm. Perhaps "50K" is too broad of a category. I'm hoping to go top-10 this year. Last year (in rainy, muddy conditions) that would've required me to run 4:34:13 (8:50 pace). If you'd run 8-minute pace at this race, you'd be top 5 for sure, maybe top 3.

8 minute pace might be a bit optimistic but it's pretty flat for a trail race. Sure there are some rolling hills and roots and what not but it's not really that technical. 4:08 would put me around top 15.

The last 50K I ran had 4,800'+ of elevation gain/loss....and 3:08:50 took the win. Top 3 were all under 3:22!

Back to Grue's point, that's the thing that makes comparing ultras against each other difficult. American River, JFK, and Ice Age are considered "flat, fast 50 milers", Firetrails 50 that I'm doing has 7,800' of gain, and then I've seen true mountain 50 milers with 15K-17K gain. Never mind the difference between a bike path and a technical singletrack, which makes a huge difference as well.

3:08??? Dude musta been hauling serious ### on those downhills!

Also, those elevation gains just don't compute with a flat-lander like myself. Awesome stuff.

 

[tri-man 47]

I hate doing half mile intervals.

7 today, 3:30, 3:09, 3:02, 3:10, 3:13, 3:44, 3:21

Ran from the office intending to do 6 halves. first two were on the road, next three were on a track, last two were back on the road to the office. For the 3:44, I was smoked and told myself I'd just run at a perceived effort that I think I could hold for a HM. When I realized I had another 1/4 mile left back to the office, I decided to do another half and push it.

I'd rather run 10 at a sub-8 pace than do this workout again.

But they're great training, so deal with it! Maybe the discomfort is because it reflects a gap in your training schedule. Just sayin' ...

 

[worrierking]

I just signed up for the Northern Ohio Marathon in case Towpath doesn't happen.

 

[FUBAR]

I hate doing half mile intervals.

7 today, 3:30, 3:09, 3:02, 3:10, 3:13, 3:44, 3:21

Ran from the office intending to do 6 halves. first two were on the road, next three were on a track, last two were back on the road to the office. For the 3:44, I was smoked and told myself I'd just run at a perceived effort that I think I could hold for a HM. When I realized I had another 1/4 mile left back to the office, I decided to do another half and push it.

I'd rather run 10 at a sub-8 pace than do this workout again.

But they're great training, so deal with it! Maybe the discomfort is because it reflects a gap in your training schedule. Just sayin' ...

that's likely entirely accurate. Since I've focused on tri, my mid-distance speed work in running has declined.

Funny thing is I used to prefer fartlek/interval training and halves were my go-to training a few years ago.

 

[MAC_32]

I just signed up for the Northern Ohio Marathon in case Towpath doesn't happen.

Assuming it happens, you're doing the Towpath? That's the 10K I'm doing.

 

[Annyong]

Not sure if this has happened to any of you in the past, but i feel like I'm experiencing some post-race blues. I spent the whole summer motivating myself by training for that HM and now that's over the thought of getting back out there seems...pointless. I might have gone out for 2 or 3 runs since. I have a 5k lined up in November, but not really looking forward to that either.

Maybe I just gotta sack up and get out there and go, and it'll come back.

 

[2Young2BBald]

Not sure if this has happened to any of you in the past, but i feel like I'm experiencing some post-race blues. I spent the whole summer motivating myself by training for that HM and now that's over the thought of getting back out there seems...pointless. I might have gone out for 2 or 3 runs since. I have a 5k lined up in November, but not really looking forward to that either.

Maybe I just gotta sack up and get out there and go, and it'll come back.

I am rarely ever without some kind of race on my calendar so I don't lose my training mojo. This is a very fun time of year with lots of trail races. In fact, I just discovered that a new trail 1/2 a little over an hour from home is happening on 10/13. I am probably not trained right for it and have never run those trails, so I am, of course, going to run it. I am guessing that training for the 1/2 became sort of like work and that is what is causing you to shy away from getting back out there. Change things up mentally and don't plan your next few runs, just go until you don't feel like running anymore. OR, find some sort of cross training to mix things up. This winter, I am going to focus on more core strength and flexibility. Bought a Groupon for yoga and am doing the 5-minute plank program among other things. I am not a quote sort of guy, but I remember reading something to the effect of "the finish line isn't the end, its a gateway to the next adventure". Kind of my attitude of "that was fun, whats next?"

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Not sure if this has happened to any of you in the past, but i feel like I'm experiencing some post-race blues. I spent the whole summer motivating myself by training for that HM and now that's over the thought of getting back out there seems...pointless. I might have gone out for 2 or 3 runs since. I have a 5k lined up in November, but not really looking forward to that either.

Maybe I just gotta sack up and get out there and go, and it'll come back.

This is pretty normal. Just go out and try a few weeks of running just for the sake of running.

 

[worrierking]

I just signed up for the Northern Ohio Marathon in case Towpath doesn't happen.

Assuming it happens, you're doing the Towpath? That's the 10K I'm doing.

Yup, I didn't realize you were in that area. If it happens, let's get together for a beer after the race. Of course you are fast and running the 10k and I am slow and running the marathon, so you could be a through a 12-pack before I finish! I have heard they will make a decision on Towpath on Monday.

 

[SFBayDuck]

I'm doing one in December too. It's probably like a million times flatter than the terrain you ran. Shooting for 8 minute pace.

Hmmm. Perhaps "50K" is too broad of a category. I'm hoping to go top-10 this year. Last year (in rainy, muddy conditions) that would've required me to run 4:34:13 (8:50 pace). If you'd run 8-minute pace at this race, you'd be top 5 for sure, maybe top 3.

8 minute pace might be a bit optimistic but it's pretty flat for a trail race. Sure there are some rolling hills and roots and what not but it's not really that technical. 4:08 would put me around top 15.

The last 50K I ran had 4,800'+ of elevation gain/loss....and 3:08:50 took the win. Top 3 were all under 3:22!

Back to Grue's point, that's the thing that makes comparing ultras against each other difficult. American River, JFK, and Ice Age are considered "flat, fast 50 milers", Firetrails 50 that I'm doing has 7,800' of gain, and then I've seen true mountain 50 milers with 15K-17K gain. Never mind the difference between a bike path and a technical singletrack, which makes a huge difference as well.

3:08??? Dude musta been hauling serious ### on those downhills!

Also, those elevation gains just don't compute with a flat-lander like myself. Awesome stuff.

Well it was Max King, who dropped a 2:14 at the Olympic Marathon trials. So yeah, he's got some speed.

 

[MAC_32]

I just signed up for the Northern Ohio Marathon in case Towpath doesn't happen.

Assuming it happens, you're doing the Towpath? That's the 10K I'm doing.

Yup, I didn't realize you were in that area. If it happens, let's get together for a beer after the race. Of course you are fast and running the 10k and I am slow and running the marathon, so you could be a through a 12-pack before I finish! I have heard they will make a decision on Towpath on Monday.

Yep, east side Cleveland, I try to do as many of my long runs on the towpath as possible, usually make it there every other week or so. Rumor around here is the same, they're going to make a decision this weekend and notify everyone Monday.

Post race beer will be dependent on our kids (two under 4) but if they're cooperating, absolutely. My wife is running the half, so I'm sure she'll be thirsty too. Regardless of whether I join or not, based on your location I assume you're not from around here, Winking Lizard or Fisher's in Peninsula is what you want if you're looking for a place to cocktail.

 

[MAC_32]

Not sure if this has happened to any of you in the past, but i feel like I'm experiencing some post-race blues. I spent the whole summer motivating myself by training for that HM and now that's over the thought of getting back out there seems...pointless. I might have gone out for 2 or 3 runs since. I have a 5k lined up in November, but not really looking forward to that either.

Maybe I just gotta sack up and get out there and go, and it'll come back.

This is pretty normal. Just go out and try a few weeks of running just for the sake of running.

Yep, very normal.

The solution varies person to person, but this is usually when I look up something different to try. That was Warrior Dash before, but now I'm on the wrong side of 30 and the aches and pains that used to go away after 36 hours are still there 72 hours later so I'm looking at more trail racing instead.

 

[tri-man 47]

Post race beer will be dependent on our kids (two under 4) but if they're cooperating, absolutely. My wife is running the half, so I'm sure she'll be thirsty too. Regardless of whether I join or not, based on your location I assume you're not from around here, Winking Lizard or Fisher's in Peninsula is what you want if you're looking for a place to cocktail.

Wives always appreciate it when you say "hang on, honey, I'm meeting a guy from the internet."

(But it is very cool to make those connections!)

 

[MAC_32]

Post race beer will be dependent on our kids (two under 4) but if they're cooperating, absolutely. My wife is running the half, so I'm sure she'll be thirsty too. Regardless of whether I join or not, based on your location I assume you're not from around here, Winking Lizard or Fisher's in Peninsula is what you want if you're looking for a place to cocktail.

Wives always appreciate it when you say "hang on, honey, I'm meeting a guy from the internet."

(But it is very cool to make those connections!)

, oh if I make it the whole family will be with me!

 

[Sand]

Post race beer will be dependent on our kids (two under 4) but if they're cooperating, absolutely. My wife is running the half, so I'm sure she'll be thirsty too. Regardless of whether I join or not, based on your location I assume you're not from around here, Winking Lizard or Fisher's in Peninsula is what you want if you're looking for a place to cocktail.

Wives always appreciate it when you say "hang on, honey, I'm meeting a guy from the internet."

(But it is very cool to make those connections!)

Or maybe that conversation about driving 8 hours to meet up with 11 guys from the internet and stay with them for a couple days in a van?

 

[2Young2BBald]

Post race beer will be dependent on our kids (two under 4) but if they're cooperating, absolutely. My wife is running the half, so I'm sure she'll be thirsty too. Regardless of whether I join or not, based on your location I assume you're not from around here, Winking Lizard or Fisher's in Peninsula is what you want if you're looking for a place to cocktail.

Wives always appreciate it when you say "hang on, honey, I'm meeting a guy from the internet."

(But it is very cool to make those connections!)

Or maybe that conversation about driving 8 hours to meet up with 11 guys from the internet and stay with them for a couple days in a van?

Sounds kinda creepy when you put it this way (even leaving the part out about us all sleeping in a barn too).

 

[spreagle]

Well my summer of speed went off the rails about 2 weeks after I started back in June or so. I step-increased up my weekly mileage from 15 to 25 and immediately came down with a mild case of plantar fasciitis (I think) probably due to overwork. Went about a month hoping it would go away, it didn't so I got some arch supports and it seems to have helped. My speed and endurance is coming back and I ran a 6:20 mile today and still left in the tank. Trying to get it down to around 6, then go for a 13 minute two-miler to beat the best 8th grader in my boys cross country team.

Don't call it a comeback, and don't call it the "Fall of Speed" either cuz that just doesn't sound right.