Ran a 10k - Official Thread (12 Viewers)

[BassNBrew]

Last night I knocked out my final tune up run before Saturday's race. Finally caught some decent weather in the 70s.  Goal was to push the pace, but not kill it.  Numbers are messed up for the first mile (10'51" with a 2-3 minute stop to equipment adjust), but the second mile was 9"19" which seemed fast for the effort.  Next 3 miles were identical 9"21" which has never happened.  The wall knocked mile 6 back to 10"21", but I finished 9'42" (up hill), 9'08" and 9'18" (up hill).  Final time was 1h25m or 9'25" pace.  My previous training pr for this route was 1h38m.  Feeling good about a training run being about 25 secs/mile faster than my race pac from the half two weeks ago.   This effort came on three days of rest so the taper is going well.  Ended up running 30 miles on the week which was the target.

This week should be 30 minutes on the bike tonight.  Tomorrow some more bike or maybe hill repeats or possibly a hard 5k on the treadmill.  Wed/Thurs off and a 3 mile walk on Friday with a few accelerations.  Stretching and yoga everyday.

Feeling like a caged animal at the moment.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Can't wait to follow along.

Bib 8351.  Looks like you have to download an app to track these days: https://www.chicagomarathon.com/spectators/spectator-information/#app

 

[xulf]

I love reading all the race reports here...awesome job everyone!

I am a bit worried/frustrated at the moment.  I have my HM in 13 days and had some issues getting out last week due to some nagging injuries and sinus/throat issues.  I lumbered through 7 miles on Friday and my right knee was killing me for like 3 hours afterwards.  I'm sure that my form was piss poor on the run which didn't do me any favors.

Felt fine after taking Saturday off and went out for 12 miles on Sunday.  Was feeling good...like really good...but at 2.5 miles my right knee kind of buckled and just felt super weak for a step -- I felt as if I may just fall to the ground as if it had no support.  I slowed up, tried to go again and the same thing happened.  Stretched and squatted for a minute and again it happened, so I called it a day.

I F'ed this knee up pretty bad in HS, so, I want to be cautious with it...but now I feel really behind and just pissed as my "plan" is jacked up and am sidelined.

Not sure what the point of all this is, just venting.

 

[gianmarco]

I love reading all the race reports here...awesome job everyone!

I am a bit worried/frustrated at the moment.  I have my HM in 13 days and had some issues getting out last week due to some nagging injuries and sinus/throat issues.  I lumbered through 7 miles on Friday and my right knee was killing me for like 3 hours afterwards.  I'm sure that my form was piss poor on the run which didn't do me any favors.

Felt fine after taking Saturday off and went out for 12 miles on Sunday.  Was feeling good...like really good...but at 2.5 miles my right knee kind of buckled and just felt super weak for a step -- I felt as if I may just fall to the ground as if it had no support.  I slowed up, tried to go again and the same thing happened.  Stretched and squatted for a minute and again it happened, so I called it a day.

I F'ed this knee up pretty bad in HS, so, I want to be cautious with it...but now I feel really behind and just pissed as my "plan" is jacked up and am sidelined.

Not sure what the point of all this is, just venting.

The "good news" is that there's very little you can do fitness wise to improve for your race (takes ~10 days you see benefits).  So at this point, you've put in the work. Now just get healthy.

So, do some leg strengthening, take it easy, and get ready for a great race.

 

[JShare87]

I love reading all the race reports here...awesome job everyone!

I am a bit worried/frustrated at the moment.  I have my HM in 13 days and had some issues getting out last week due to some nagging injuries and sinus/throat issues.  I lumbered through 7 miles on Friday and my right knee was killing me for like 3 hours afterwards.  I'm sure that my form was piss poor on the run which didn't do me any favors.

Felt fine after taking Saturday off and went out for 12 miles on Sunday.  Was feeling good...like really good...but at 2.5 miles my right knee kind of buckled and just felt super weak for a step -- I felt as if I may just fall to the ground as if it had no support.  I slowed up, tried to go again and the same thing happened.  Stretched and squatted for a minute and again it happened, so I called it a day.

I F'ed this knee up pretty bad in HS, so, I want to be cautious with it...but now I feel really behind and just pissed as my "plan" is jacked up and am sidelined.

Not sure what the point of all this is, just venting.

This is extremely similar to what I have been experiencing with my right knee. Not much pain, but just feels like my knee is going to give way at any second.

 

[xulf]

The "good news" is that there's very little you can do fitness wise to improve for your race (takes ~10 days you see benefits).  So at this point, you've put in the work. Now just get healthy.

So, do some leg strengthening, take it easy, and get ready for a great race.

Well that doesn't sound fun at all! 

This is extremely similar to what I have been experiencing with my right knee. Not much pain, but just feels like my knee is going to give way at any second.

I had read your post on it and was wondering if it was close to the same...I've never felt this before.  I can walk just fine and had no issues once I stopped the actual running, I also don't have any buckling outside of the running issues.  Rereading  your updates, it looks like it is at least getting better enough for you to get back out there.  Hope that's still the case for you.

 

[JShare87]

Well that doesn't sound fun at all! 

I had read your post on it and was wondering if it was close to the same...I've never felt this before.  I can walk just fine and had no issues once I stopped the actual running, I also don't have any buckling outside of the running issues.  Rereading  your updates, it looks like it is at least getting better enough for you to get back out there.  Hope that's still the case for you.

Exactly what I am experiencing. No pain. No issues walking. No issues lifting heavy weights with my legs. Only issue is buckling when I run. The issue hasn’t went away, buckled twice on me this morning, but never fully went out like before. The whole run I felt like I was walking on glass. Trying to be extremely careful with every step so it wouldn’t buckle. Was a miserable run this morning. PM me if you get any answers. 

 

[gianmarco]

Exactly what I am experiencing. No pain. No issues walking. No issues lifting heavy weights with my legs. Only issue is buckling when I run. The issue hasn’t went away, buckled twice on me this morning, but never fully went out like before. The whole run I felt like I was walking on glass. Trying to be extremely careful with every step so it wouldn’t buckle. Was a miserable run this morning. PM me if you get any answers. 

See the end

Weakness in the Gluteus Medius muscle has been linked with Runner’s Knee in distance runners. The Gluteus Medius muscle is located at the top of the buttocks and is responsible for both raising the leg out to the side and turning the hip inwards. During running, it prevents the thigh from ‘buckling’ and rotating inwards. If there is a weakness and the knee ‘buckles’ then the tension in the ITB is increased. A strengthening programme to target the Gluteus Medius muscle can be very helpful for ITBFS, by helping to prevent the thigh from ‘buckling in’ during running.

 

[tri-man 47]

See the end

Weakness in the Gluteus Medius muscle has been linked with Runner’s Knee in distance runners. The Gluteus Medius muscle is located at the top of the buttocks and is responsible for both raising the leg out to the side and turning the hip inwards. During running, it prevents the thigh from ‘buckling’ and rotating inwards. If there is a weakness and the knee ‘buckles’ then the tension in the ITB is increased. A strengthening programme to target the Gluteus Medius muscle can be very helpful for ITBFS, by helping to prevent the thigh from ‘buckling in’ during running.

Excellent research!  As discussed, the issue seems to be muscle weakness ...the weak link in the chain.  @xulf, I don't know that there's much you can do about it before your race.  Although better to be healthy and undertrained than the reverse.  You probably need to lay quite low until the race, see if the knee holds up, then tough out the endurance aspect of the race.  Is the course convenient to walk off if the knee goes sour on you (vs. an out-and-back)?

 

[gianmarco]

See the end

Weakness in the Gluteus Medius muscle has been linked with Runner’s Knee in distance runners. The Gluteus Medius muscle is located at the top of the buttocks and is responsible for both raising the leg out to the side and turning the hip inwards. During running, it prevents the thigh from ‘buckling’ and rotating inwards. If there is a weakness and the knee ‘buckles’ then the tension in the ITB is increased. A strengthening programme to target the Gluteus Medius muscle can be very helpful for ITBFS, by helping to prevent the thigh from ‘buckling in’ during running.

Gluteus medius strengthening with @bushdocda beloved clamshells.

Gluteus Medius Exercise: Getting Started

Clam Shell. Begin by lying on one side with the hips flexed to approximately 45 degrees. ...

Side-Lying Hip Abduction. Begin by lying on one side with the bottom hip and knee flexed. ...

1-Leg Bridge. Begin by lying on the back with both hips and knees bent. ...

Side Plank with Hip Abduction

 

[Juxtatarot]

Gluteus medius strengthening with @bushdocda beloved clamshells.

Gluteus Medius Exercise: Getting Started

Clam Shell. Begin by lying on one side with the hips flexed to approximately 45 degrees. ...

Side-Lying Hip Abduction. Begin by lying on one side with the bottom hip and knee flexed. ...

1-Leg Bridge. Begin by lying on the back with both hips and knees bent. ...

Side Plank with Hip Abduction

Very disappointed in your choice of an exercise demonstrator for butt exercises.

 

[gianmarco]

Very disappointed in your choice of an exercise demonstrator for butt exercises.

Please accept my apology

TIA

I'm sorry.

 

[xulf]

Excellent research!  As discussed, the issue seems to be muscle weakness ...the weak link in the chain.  @xulf, I don't know that there's much you can do about it before your race.  Although better to be healthy and undertrained than the reverse.  You probably need to lay quite low until the race, see if the knee holds up, then tough out the endurance aspect of the race.  Is the course convenient to walk off if the knee goes sour on you (vs. an out-and-back)?

Boo!

This is the route, could be 4 miles out https://www.columbusmarathon.com/course-map?lightbox=c1t3c

I usually do a 2 or 3 weekly kettlebell workouts with lots of squats but have subbed them out recently.  This, plus more miles probably didnt help.  I'm going to do one in the morning to see how it goes.

 

[bushdocda]

Gluteus medius strengthening with @bushdocda beloved clamshells.

Gluteus Medius Exercise: Getting Started

Clam Shell. Begin by lying on one side with the hips flexed to approximately 45 degrees. ...

Side-Lying Hip Abduction. Begin by lying on one side with the bottom hip and knee flexed. ...

1-Leg Bridge. Begin by lying on the back with both hips and knees bent. ...

Side Plank with Hip Abduction

Add ‘Banded side walk’ and you got bingo. 

 

[gianmarco]

Boo!

This is the route, could be 4 miles out https://www.columbusmarathon.com/course-map?lightbox=c1t3c

I usually do a 2 or 3 weekly kettlebell workouts with lots of squats but have subbed them out recently.  This, plus more miles probably didnt help.  I'm going to do one in the morning to see how it goes.

That could be part of it.  If you're strengthening one part more than another, you can end up with a relative weakness.  Focus on some of the above over the next few days and see if that doesn't help out for race day.

 

[xulf]

Please accept my apology

TIA

I'm sorry.

Vicky looks fun 

 

[gianmarco]

Vicky looks fun 

I'm sorry, I didn't catch any names....

 

[xulf]

I'm sorry, I didn't catch any names....

Well, I'm now subscribed to her channel and since we will be spending so much time together I figured I would do the gentlemanly thing.

 

[gianmarco]

Well, I'm now subscribed to her channel and since we will be spending so much time together I figured I would do the gentlemanly thing.

My favorite part....

 

[MAC_32]

Boo!

This is the route, could be 4 miles out https://www.columbusmarathon.com/course-map?lightbox=c1t3c

I usually do a 2 or 3 weekly kettlebell workouts with lots of squats but have subbed them out recently.  This, plus more miles probably didnt help.  I'm going to do one in the morning to see how it goes.

You have a bail out option about mile 7 if it's going poorly. Park along the river south of the start/finish and you'll only be about a mile walk no matter if it's due to injury tap out or triumph.

Just remember, better to toe the line under trained and healthy rather than hobbled. 

 

[JShare87]

See the end

Weakness in the Gluteus Medius muscle has been linked with Runner’s Knee in distance runners. The Gluteus Medius muscle is located at the top of the buttocks and is responsible for both raising the leg out to the side and turning the hip inwards. During running, it prevents the thigh from ‘buckling’ and rotating inwards. If there is a weakness and the knee ‘buckles’ then the tension in the ITB is increased. A strengthening programme to target the Gluteus Medius muscle can be very helpful for ITBFS, by helping to prevent the thigh from ‘buckling in’ during running.

Been thinking this was the issue all along. All my injuries seems to stem from my back. Dealing with that pain in my butt for over 2 years now seems to be catching up. I haven’t been able to properly lift my right leg while running for a while. Kinda makes sense that it doesn’t buckle or feel weak when I lean forward a bit more and actually activate the glutes and hamstrings while running faster. Wish someone woulda told me this nerve thing would lead to all this. Maybe like a doctor or something.

 

[MAC_32]

That reminds me, I know you live in Dublin. But traffic for this thing is nuts coming from that direction. Come around to the south and drive up parallel to High as close as you can get then park. 

We sat in a car until we had to get out and hoof it in 16 while my wife parked. We learned our lesson last year and came up from the south to no incident. 

 

[xulf]

That reminds me, I know you live in Dublin. But traffic for this thing is nuts coming from that direction. Come around to the south and drive up parallel to High as close as you can get then park. 

We sat in a car until we had to get out and hoof it in 16 while my wife parked. We learned our lesson last year and came up from the south to no incident. 

Thanks for the tip.

I'll be going with my wife who is also running.  She went last year but caught a ride with some people...and likely has no clue what they did parking-wise.  I'll scope out the southside as I never would have considered that coming from the north.

 

[gianmarco]

Been thinking this was the issue all along. All my injuries seems to stem from my back. Dealing with that pain in my butt for over 2 years now seems to be catching up. I haven’t been able to properly lift my right leg while running for a while. Kinda makes sense that it doesn’t buckle or feel weak when I lean forward a bit more and actually activate the glutes and hamstrings while running faster. Wish someone woulda told me this nerve thing would lead to all this. Maybe like a doctor or something.

My link

 

[MAC_32]

Thanks for the tip.

I'll be going with my wife who is also running.  She went last year but caught a ride with some people...and likely has no clue what they did parking-wise.  I'll scope out the southside as I never would have considered that coming from the north.

Greenlawn exit east, cross the river and turn left on Front. We were able to take that all the way up past Broad before barricades stopped us. We were more than an hour early and noticed the Broad barricades went up almost immediately after we parked. But I don't think they had any set up beyond there. 

 

[tri-man 47]

I'm sorry.

In my next life I'm coming back as a picture window.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Just sharing this one with folks in this thread, because I know you would relate.

My wife and I are both early morning runners.  We used to live in the sticks, where you could run in the mornings and see maybe a car or two and some wildlife and that was it.  We moved into town (population ~22K) back in December.  Mrs. K has been uncomfortable running alone now, so we tend to run together most mornings.  This pisses me off because I really like this time as alone time, but obviously this is an area where I defer to my wife.  

So today we leave the house a little before 4:00 am.  We get maybe 1/4 mile into our run, and Mrs. K stops and is like "OMG what is that?!  It's a person!!" and sure enough there is some dude standing on the sidewalk with a bicycle (?) in the middle of nowhere.  He is hundreds of yards from the nearest intersection with nothing but corn fields and empty streets nearby.  There are street lamps and a small trickle of traffic, so it's not like this is totally rural.  We both stop and so I decide that I might as well address the guy, so I say "Hey, what's up guy" or something to that effect.  He comes back with "Hi, I know it's 4 in the morning and this looks sketchy but I just needed a rest" and we all agree to laugh this off and roll along.

I know that there are women runners who run this section of road because I see them when I'm driving into the office a little after 6:00.  (Don't ask about my work-life balance -- I work slightly off-beat hours).  I should be concerned about this, right?

 

[AAABatteries]

After all the hiking this weekend I was worried how my knee would feel and my legs, feet and lower back overall.  I made sure to stretch well the last two days and while I was moving a little slow this morning I felt pretty good.  Enough to go out for a run.  I'm still not training for anything and don't even really know how to do that so I'm still winging it when I go out.  I decided to do a progression run - start really slow and see how the legs reacted.  If not well, I could just cut it short and give it another day.

Went to the local high school with a cross country trail in the back and headed out.  First mile I was feeling a little stiff and my knee immediately barked at me so I slowed down even more and it seemed ok.  Did 12:18 that first mile but everything warmed up pretty good but I was still concerned so decided to do a couple more miles slow.  Mile 2 - 12:02, Mile 3 - 11:52.  At this point I feel really good and nothing is bothering me except the blister I managed to get on my right big toe while hiking.  Pick the pace up some and do Mile 4 - 11:00.  I'm nice and lose now and I notice that my knee feels really good, I don't even notice it and not only that but my breathing is completely under control.  So, I decide to really pick up the pace and see what I can do.  My thought is I will run mile 5 faster and then give everything I've got in mile 6 and call it a day.

I push the pace on mile 5 and able to do 9:13 and I'm not struggling too bad so decide to go another mile and try to keep the progression going.  About halfway through mile 6 I start feeling it a little but manage to stay fairly consistent - finish mile 6 in 8:56.  As soon as mile 6 is done I really focus on lengthening my stride and breathing.  I get about .3 in to the mile and I'm moving really good but I realize immediately I'm going too fast - I think Strava had me at like 7:25 pace for those first few tenths and I know there's no way I have that in me so I slow down slightly, get to about 7 tenths and I'm creeping up towards 8:00 minute pace - don't want to waste this so I push as hard as I can but I'm struggling - I mange to get down to 7:52 pace at 9 tenths and I'm starting to feel a little sick - I figure I'm good to get under 8 min pace so I kind of coast the last bit - last mile done in 7:55. 

I'm really starting to get geeked for next spring - if I can finally manage to get 100% and keep getting a base built up then some real fun may start in March.

Repeating here for easier reading:

Mile 1 - 12:18

Mile 2 - 12:02

Mile 3 - 11:52

Mile 4 - 11:00

Mile 5 - 9:13

Mile 6 - 8:56

Mile 7 - 7:55

 

[AAABatteries]

Just sharing this one with folks in this thread, because I know you would relate.

My wife and I are both early morning runners.  We used to live in the sticks, where you could run in the mornings and see maybe a car or two and some wildlife and that was it.  We moved into town (population ~22K) back in December.  Mrs. K has been uncomfortable running alone now, so we tend to run together most mornings.  This pisses me off because I really like this time as alone time, but obviously this is an area where I defer to my wife.  

So today we leave the house a little before 4:00 am.  We get maybe 1/4 mile into our run, and Mrs. K stops and is like "OMG what is that?!  It's a person!!" and sure enough there is some dude standing on the sidewalk with a bicycle (?) in the middle of nowhere.  He is hundreds of yards from the nearest intersection with nothing but corn fields and empty streets nearby.  There are street lamps and a small trickle of traffic, so it's not like this is totally rural.  We both stop and so I decide that I might as well address the guy, so I say "Hey, what's up guy" or something to that effect.  He comes back with "Hi, I know it's 4 in the morning and this looks sketchy but I just needed a rest" and we all agree to laugh this off and roll along.

I know that there are women runners who run this section of road because I see them when I'm driving into the office a little after 6:00.  (Don't ask about my work-life balance -- I work slightly off-beat hours).  I should be concerned about this, right?

Running at 4am?  Yes, be very concerned - you are crazy. 

That would freak me out for sure.  Did he look like he was dressed for biking and was just taking a break?

 

[BassNBrew]

After all the hiking this weekend I was worried how my knee would feel and my legs, feet and lower back overall.  I made sure to stretch well the last two days and while I was moving a little slow this morning I felt pretty good.  Enough to go out for a run.  I'm still not training for anything and don't even really know how to do that so I'm still winging it when I go out.  I decided to do a progression run - start really slow and see how the legs reacted.  If not well, I could just cut it short and give it another day.

Went to the local high school with a cross country trail in the back and headed out.  First mile I was feeling a little stiff and my knee immediately barked at me so I slowed down even more and it seemed ok.  Did 12:18 that first mile but everything warmed up pretty good but I was still concerned so decided to do a couple more miles slow.  Mile 2 - 12:02, Mile 3 - 11:52.  At this point I feel really good and nothing is bothering me except the blister I managed to get on my right big toe while hiking.  Pick the pace up some and do Mile 4 - 11:00.  I'm nice and lose now and I notice that my knee feels really good, I don't even notice it and not only that but my breathing is completely under control.  So, I decide to really pick up the pace and see what I can do.  My thought is I will run mile 5 faster and then give everything I've got in mile 6 and call it a day.

I push the pace on mile 5 and able to do 9:13 and I'm not struggling too bad so decide to go another mile and try to keep the progression going.  About halfway through mile 6 I start feeling it a little but manage to stay fairly consistent - finish mile 6 in 8:56.  As soon as mile 6 is done I really focus on lengthening my stride and breathing.  I get about .3 in to the mile and I'm moving really good but I realize immediately I'm going too fast - I think Strava had me at like 7:25 pace for those first few tenths and I know there's no way I have that in me so I slow down slightly, get to about 7 tenths and I'm creeping up towards 8:00 minute pace - don't want to waste this so I push as hard as I can but I'm struggling - I mange to get down to 7:52 pace at 9 tenths and I'm starting to feel a little sick - I figure I'm good to get under 8 min pace so I kind of coast the last bit - last mile done in 7:55. 

I'm really starting to get geeked for next spring - if I can finally manage to get 100% and keep getting a base built up then some real fun may start in March.

Repeating here for easier reading:

Mile 1 - 12:18

Mile 2 - 12:02

Mile 3 - 11:52

Mile 4 - 11:00

Mile 5 - 9:13

Mile 6 - 8:56

Mile 7 - 7:55

Have you picked out your spring marathon yet?

 

[AAABatteries]

@SteelCurtain - was that Meb in your pic with you?  I'm not even a pretend runner and thought I recognized him.  That's awesome if so and sorry to steal your thunder if you were waiting to talk about it in your race report.

 

[gruecd]

Vicky looks fun 

Her IG though...

 

[ChiefD]

Ran 30 miles last week. Feel good about that. My butt looks sublime if any of you perverts want pics.

 

[gianmarco]

Ran 30 miles last week. Feel good about that. My butt looks sublime if any of you perverts want pics.

All that shoveling....

 

[AAABatteries]

Ran 30 miles last week. Feel good about that. My butt looks sublime if any of you perverts want pics.

PM me

 

[tri-man 47]

Take a look at my last 2 MCMs in strava if it helps. I was at 26.6 for both while trying to be tangential but iffy execution I guess. 

They didn’t have the 50k previous years but I think you’ll be ahead of most of them. It’s very crowded start and depending on your first mile or so (which are uphill) plan, you probably want to cheat up in the corrals which aren’t strict at all in my experience. 

I was starting to feel encouraged by a few things.  First, while MCM allows 30K runners, the past three years have averaged "only" 20K.  Second, as you note, the first two miles are mostly uphill, so that will thin the herd to some degree (fortunately, the next two miles are then back downhill).  Third, I realized thatas the MCM race proceeds, the crowds here shouldn't compare to Boston .  At Boston, I'm only a middle-of-the-pack guy, so the course stays quite crowded throughout.  However, for MCM, I should end up being in the top 600-1,000 runners out of 20K, so it should thin out as the miles proceed.  But 26.6??     I will try to cheat the corrals, as you suggest.  

 

[bushdocda]

I was starting to feel encouraged by a few things.  First, while MCM allows 30K runners, the past three years have averaged "only" 20K.  Second, as you note, the first two miles are mostly uphill, so that will thin the herd to some degree (fortunately, the next two miles are then back downhill).  Third, I realized thatas the MCM race proceeds, the crowds here shouldn't compare to Boston .  At Boston, I'm only a middle-of-the-pack guy, so the course stays quite crowded throughout.  However, for MCM, I should end up being in the top 600-1,000 runners out of 20K, so it should thin out as the miles proceed.  But 26.6??     I will try to cheat the corrals, as you suggest.  

My reference to 50k is that they are holding a 50k race this year for first time, not reference to race size. My misunderstanding of your post. 

Stoked for your day, pretty sure you’ll see Wardian and Karnazes there. And if you look up around the right turn onto M St in Georgetown you might see your boy bushdocda in the crowd waving a shovel. Or a sign of a shovel. Think I’ll plot an early run in from the C&O canal that morning to mix in some spectating of an incredible race. 

 

[gianmarco]

My reference to 50k is that they are holding a 50k race this year for first time, not reference to race size. My misunderstanding of your post. 

Stoked for your day, pretty sure you’ll see Wardian and Karnazes there. And if you look up around the right turn onto M St in Georgetown you might see your boy bushdocda in the crowd waving a shovel. Or a sign of a shovel. Think I’ll plot an early run in from the C&O canal that morning to mix in some spectating of an incredible race. 

A shovel made by RFDBAP & Sons?

 

[Zasada]

Remember last week how I went out for a run when it was icy, and I fell and hit my head?

Well I came into the office that morning and did something stupid.  Didn't tell you guys because I figured that nothing would come of it, and I would just go on complaining about my butt and the weather, with everyone none the wiser.

Well, I got up this morning, and after seeing that Raheem Mostert actually got me a FF win in another league last night (desperation play!), I got some other news:

Scroll down to the bottom.

I read somewhere recently a quote that is sticking in my head right now:

Sometimes the point isn’t to finish unscathed, it’s to sprint together into guaranteed destruction just to discover where you will fail.

I've been thinking earlier since I have been achieving all of the goals I set -- usually on my first serious attempt -- I'm probably not setting the bar high enough. 

This should fix that.

Paging @SFBayDuck.  @SFBayDuck to the white panic phone, please.

     

...and to properly start my 6 months of training for this, today is the first day this year I bailed on a scheduled run (trying to give my butt some recovery time).  Way to kick this one off with gusto, Zasada.

Now off to the dentist. 

 

[ChiefD]

Scroll down to the bottom.

Congrats?

 

[ChiefD]

All that shoveling....

My reference to 50k is that they are holding a 50k race this year for first time, not reference to race size. My misunderstanding of your post. 

Stoked for your day, pretty sure you’ll see Wardian and Karnazes there. And if you look up around the right turn onto M St in Georgetown you might see your boy bushdocda in the crowd waving a shovel. Or a sign of a shovel. Think I’ll plot an early run in from the C&O canal that morning to mix in some spectating of an incredible race. 

A shovel made by RFDBAP & Sons?

<_<

 

[The Iguana]

I forget which of you guys was asking lately about safety vests for running in the dark, but I saw today that the Noxgear Tracer 360 is on sale right now for $39.95 (42% off) with free shipping.

www.noxgear.com/tracer360

I've looked at these and been intrigued. Finally just made the effort to order one a few minutes ago. It's time to take the plunge. Getting dark too early around here and I really don't want to be on a treadmill until I have to.

 

[AAABatteries]

Have you picked out your spring marathon yet?

Definitely won't be doing that but I do have a question for folks - despite me following along here off and on and consistently this year I still have no clue how to go about this.  I've run a few races but only one that I have the time for and I was out of shape.  I have 3 tri race times too.  But I'm not sure any of that will help me.  Should I just sign up for a 5k, go run it and then start from there?  Or just go do a mock 5k run to accomplish the same?

 

[ChiefD]

Definitely won't be doing that but I do have a question for folks - despite me following along here off and on and consistently this year I still have no clue how to go about this.  I've run a few races but only one that I have the time for and I was out of shape.  I have 3 tri race times too.  But I'm not sure any of that will help me.  Should I just sign up for a 5k, go run it and then start from there?  Or just go do a mock 5k run to accomplish the same?

Do the race. The eye candy alone is worth the entry fee.

 

[The_Man]

Ran 30 miles last week. Feel good about that. My butt looks sublime if any of you perverts want pics.

Congrats! I did 30 too, but my butt is still pretty average.

On the bright side, I dipped ever so slightly under the 190-lb mark. About 16 pounds down and 15 more to go. Had a very satisfying long run of 11 miles last weekend. I'm going for 7 tomorrow at around a 9:50 pace - getting in an hour run on a weekday would be a big step for me. Not sure I ever did much more than that even when I was in marathon shape. 

 

[pbm107]

I've run a few races but only one that I have the time for and I was out of shape.

This is a really good thing, get out and do a race and see how much you have improved.

 

[The Iguana]

Definitely won't be doing that but I do have a question for folks - despite me following along here off and on and consistently this year I still have no clue how to go about this.  I've run a few races but only one that I have the time for and I was out of shape.  I have 3 tri race times too.  But I'm not sure any of that will help me.  Should I just sign up for a 5k, go run it and then start from there?  Or just go do a mock 5k run to accomplish the same?

There is no right answer. Really depends on what you want to do. I started because a friend talked me into doing a half marathon as some kind of motivation to get active/in shape. That's still a huge chunk of my motivation - I don't want to add 40 pounds back on and all the downside that comes with it.

Signing up for races offer 2 things for me - The first is simply motivation to make sure I'm getting out there on a regular basis and running. Without something to look forward to and train for, it's a lot easier for me to decide to skip a day here or there that easily turns into missing a week and then my lazy butt is just sitting on a couch eating junk and sliding back into a place I don't want to go. The second thing it offers is a chance to test myself. Now that I've been doing this a bit, the chance to go see what I can do at different distances is fun.

That said, the different distances offer totally different things - 5k lets me see how close I can get to my 18 year-old self that ran in high school. Half marathons have really captured my attention as a distance I can run and push myself on. Seeing how much faster I can do one is really something that excites me after the success of the ones I have done so far. The idea of the upcoming marathon right now is mostly just it being that "mystical distance". I always thought I would do one when I was younger but never did. I totally decided it wasn't happening and then I started getting in shape and figure if I was going to do one, it's "now or never".

We'll see what happens when I actually try to run the full marathon next month. Maybe, like many here say, it will catch my attention and I'll want to run more. Maybe I will check it off the bucket list and then just go back to work on how fast I can do a HM. Maybe I'll have a total change of heart and want to try some kind of ultra (really doubt this one...). 

 

[The Iguana]

If you are wanting to do some actual races, I'd just sign up for something and start working toward it. Having something on the calendar to shoot for totally helps motivate/focus my efforts. What distance is up to you. Pick one, set a goal, see how it goes, and decide what to do next from there.

 

[BassNBrew]

Definitely won't be doing that but I do have a question for folks - despite me following along here off and on and consistently this year I still have no clue how to go about this.  I've run a few races but only one that I have the time for and I was out of shape.  I have 3 tri race times too.  But I'm not sure any of that will help me.  Should I just sign up for a 5k, go run it and then start from there?  Or just go do a mock 5k run to accomplish the same?

5k 

That would be like signing up for Kindergarten after getting your masters for someone with your drive and motivation.  Just sign up for a half and be done with it.

5k is a whole different animal.  You mostly have two types of people doing 5ks, those who just want to get out and do something physical while socializing and those who want to compete and enjoy agony.  For those in the middle, the hassle of signing up, getting there and back, etc doesn't offer much reward for the investment IMO.

That said, a mock 5k isn't going to test you like a real one.  Not many people are going to do a training run where you are on the verge of puking your guts out for 20 minutes give a take a few minutes.  The motivation of having other people to race is huge in boosting performance.

 

[ChiefD]

We'll see what happens when I actually try to run the full marathon next month. Maybe, like many here say, it will catch my attention and I'll want to run more. Maybe I will check it off the bucket list and then just go back to work on how fast I can do a HM. Maybe I'll have a total change of heart and want to try some kind of ultra (really doubt this one...). 

Out of all of us newbies, you have a real opportunity to be a Boston Qualifier in the not-to-distant future. A lot of that depends on how you feel coming out of this marathon, but based on what I've seen and the pure talent you have, that one is right in front of you.