I hope you get out there soon in 2020 and can't wait to see what you have planned.So well worded! Got a little dusty in here reading between these 2 spots, IMO. Thanks for a great review of the year!Oh man, there's just so much here. There really is and I know I owe it to a lot of you to put some stuff down. I'm going to try and keep it brief and I'm not going to hit everybody, but know that this thread is the reason I still hang around this place. Moreso, just making true friends from here as time passes.
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I mean, there's so much more I can say about each of you (I didn't talk too much about actual race results), but I'm really thankful for this place. It's life-changing. It's motivation. It's accountability. It's laughter. It's emotion. It's accomplishments and failures. But most importantly, it's picking each other up, getting out there the next day, and moving forward. It's friendship.
Ultimately, I think it quite simply comes down to goals. And that's not meant to be singular. Most/all of us doing this have multiple goals and they're all in different orders. You're correct that the wheel is better than nothing, but if your first goal is to race as fast as you can then I think that is usually best accomplished by embracing the suck - as long as it's a safe and feasible option given however your schedule falls that day.Better the wheel than nothing - not all of us have the resolve to suffer mother nature! I've definitely started to embrace the bad weather more - went out last night in the cold and dark and loved it. And I love it more and more as I continue to embrace it. But this time last year, not so much! And still if it is cold, dark and rainy, I'd rather go suffer the suck of the wheel or tiny little circles on the indoor track than suffer too much outside.
Your face inspires us all to keep running... in the other direction! Thanks!
I agree with you. But for a number of us the "first goal" is simply to be healthier. For me, trying to race fast is a motivator that helps me not be a fat slob on the couch rather than the ultimate goal. With that in mind, the fact that I've gone to the Y and ran on the treadmill or on the indoor track a handful of times in the last few weeks instead of not running at all is a HUGE win.Ultimately, I think it quite simply comes down to goals. And that's not meant to be singular. Most/all of us doing this have multiple goals and they're all in different orders. You're correct that the wheel is better than nothing, but if your first goal is to race as fast as you can then I think that is usually best accomplished by embracing the suck - as long as it's a safe and feasible option given however your schedule falls that day.
Given where you currently are I completely agree with this approach. You quite simply don't have sufficient data to goal set right now. You don't know what you're capable of. I think setting a number then training for it is more likely to hold yourself back than anything. So, go for it, my man. Push your limits. Once you've established a base then pressed over the line a couple-few times then you'll have a better idea what you're actually capable of.I'll set solid goals as I prepare for the races. I still have some work to do to prove to myself what is real verses just a pipe dream. For the May HM, I'd like to try for 1:30 but that's a 6:50/mile and that's the pace I ran a 5k at last year... or put another way 30 seconds/mile faster than I ran in October!
3:30 for a marathon seems possible, IMO, if I put in the miles - 8 min/miles for 26.2 miles - not easy but that is a goal I'm putting in my head and plan to work toward. We'll see how it goes.
For a 5k, I just need to put a couple on the schedule and go rf; dbap! and see what I can do. I actually have a couple on the schedule so far but the one in a couple weeks isn't really conducive to that kind of time, IMO - last year we had perfect weather for the first Saturday in January, but it involves hills, tree roots, downed logs, a run through a creek, mud, possibly snow or ice... totally a fun race but not really PR material.
So, those are the numbers I'm aiming for - sub 20 5k, sub 1:30 HM, sub 3:30 M. We'll see if any of those are attainable.
I agree with you. But for a number of us the "first goal" is simply to be healthier. For me, trying to race fast is a motivator that helps me not be a fat slob on the couch rather than the ultimate goal. With that in mind, the fact that I've gone to the Y and ran on the treadmill or on the indoor track a handful of times in the last few weeks instead of not running at all is a HUGE win.
I totally agree with you that just "sucking it up" and dealing with the elements is a much better way to go, assuming there isn't risk of injury (i.e. ice). But I'll happily slink my way indoors and still do some work over not doing anything at all. It's far too easy for "not doing anything" to become a habit and not nearly as easy to make "doing work" be the norm when it isn't.
  I was intentionally careful with my words and a smile crept over my face when I read this so I decided to write this before reading on. **reads on**  This was before your time here and I've brought it up before, but your mentioning 'it's far too easy for "not doing anything" to become a habit' hits home. It's what I did 23 months ago the last time I trained for a spring marathon and my #1 goal is to not repeat that mistake. One day you decide to do nothing, whatever the circumstances, then it sets the table for things to domino. Next thing you know it's been 10 days and you've ran just two times for a grand total of eight miles. This is why I titled my training cycle coming up in a few weeks - 'just move, dammit.' It's my reminder not to repeat that mistake and let winter win again. 
 Working on a 28 week “plan” with blocks that get me ready for a 5k in April, HM in May and a marathon in late July![]()
Action shot
 Great! Thanks for asking.@-OZ-, if I may ask - how was the Cali trip for your ladies?
For me, I'm often on wet, muddy, root/rock-laden trails. So my Speedcross 4s are awesome for grip. Especially on mud.Do those of you that do some trail running wear actually trail running shoes or just "regular" running shoes? I have a pair of solomon speedcross 2 or 3s that I wore in a couple of "tough mudder's" but that was for traction on some of the obstacles more than anything - and I was not really "running" those. Really used them more as cleat substitutes when playing softball and flag football.
Was thinking about getting those out and/or getting another pair but not sure if I really want or "need" to or if I'm just better off wearing my brooks anyway.
Yeah, if there's more than a cm of fresh snow or two, I run streets in my trail shoes (which are water-resistant).I'm thinking of getting some trail shoes for winter running just for the added grip, support, and water resistance.
I'm the minority, but I just wear old running shoes. I have yak traks that I slap on the oldest ones in my rotation that year when I anticipate an especially slippery/muddy trek. Also drilled some screws into a pair of shoes I got years ago. Use those as a last resort, mainly if the shoes with yak traks are still wet/mud covered from their last usage. Doesn't usually happen as I stuff them full of old newspaper and put them by a heat vent post-run, but there have been times in which they've just been too soaked and needed some extra tlc to get them right again.Do those of you that do some trail running wear actually trail running shoes or just "regular" running shoes? I have a pair of solomon speedcross 2 or 3s that I wore in a couple of "tough mudder's" but that was for traction on some of the obstacles more than anything - and I was not really "running" those. Really used them more as cleat substitutes when playing softball and flag football.
Was thinking about getting those out and/or getting another pair but not sure if I really want or "need" to or if I'm just better off wearing my brooks anyway.
Of course you are.I'm thinking of getting some trail shoes for winter running just for the added grip, support, and water resistance.
 That's a solid move. I won a pair of Saucony trail shoes for winning masters at Ice Age. Was gonna give them away because I typically only run in New Balance, but I decided to keep them for winter.I'm thinking of getting some trail shoes for winter running just for the added grip, support, and water resistance.
So much this... I said this before but I'll repeat it here... if I would have had half the enthusiasm for the science/math behind running in high school as I have learned to have over the last year... Man! Maybe I could have done some fun things back then! I can only dream of what "could have been" if I had actually run 1200+ miles in a year back then. Instead I have now to look forward to and see what I can do as a 49 year old that I didn't do as an 18 YO!Running is both simple and complicated. Getting out and running is a great first step but there is so much more to this world than I ever knew. Form, nutrition, training plans, cold gear, rain gear, gear for the dark, tube socks for keeping your dong warm...so much to take in!
I think I'm gonna get this, @Juxtatarot.I feel like I post this every year, but it's essential IMO for winter runners. Works great for both shoes and gloves.
Lube. Don’t forget lube.Running is both simple and complicated. Getting out and running is a great first step but there is so much more to this world than I ever knew. Form, nutrition, training plans, cold gear, rain gear, gear for the dark, tube socks for keeping your dong warm...so much to take in!
I feel like I post this every year, but it's essential IMO for winter runners. Works great for both shoes and gloves.
In all seriousness, what's funny about this shtick is how opposite it is from reality. We are some cheap mofos when it comes to buying stuff in general, especially for running.Of course you are.
I hear ya. About thirty years ago, my 5K PR was 18:08, and that was without all the above knowledge ..and with none of the technology. (Individual race results were mailed out on postcards a week or two after the event.So much this... I said this before but I'll repeat it here... if I would have had half the enthusiasm for the science/math behind running in high school as I have learned to have over the last year... Man! Maybe I could have done some fun things back then! I can only dream of what "could have been" if I had actually run 1200+ miles in a year back then. Instead I have now to look forward to and see what I can do as a 49 year old that I didn't do as an 18 YO!
 )  My training was essentially 'old' @MAC_32 training ...basically just go out and run fast.  No thought of building a base; benefiting from 'glue' runs; reaping benefits from a blend of tempo, intervals, and hills.  Crazy.First I've seen you post this, actually. And $39.99 at Amazon, FYI.I feel like I post this every year, but it's essential IMO for winter runners. Works great for both shoes and gloves.
I find this type of product particularly helpful for insulated winter gloves. On the very coldest of days, I'll wear regular winter gloves, but they then take forever to dry out. They don't have the options as shoes (taking out the insoles; stuffing with newspaper), so this type of product is great.First I've seen you post this, actually. And $39.99 at Amazon, FYI.
Pure gold.I hurt my calf in the first run I attempted and was put on the shelf for 2.5 weeks. It would have been easy to just say it wasn't meant to be and never try again, but I fortunately found my way back out there.
FYPI hear ya. About thirty years ago, my 5K PR was 18:08, and that was without all the above knowledge ..and with none of the technology. (Individual race results weremailed outpony expressed on postcards a week or two after the event.) My training was essentially 'old' @MAC_32 training ...basically just go out and run fast. No thought of building a base; benefiting from 'glue' runs; reaping benefits from a blend of tempo, intervals, and hills. Crazy.
I hate Amazon - anytime anyone posts anything, I just buy the darn thing. It will be here SundayFirst I've seen you post this, actually. And $39.99 at Amazon, FYI.
 "Of course you did"I hate Amazon - anytime anyone posts anything, I just buy the darn thing. It will be here Sunday![]()
Make that $79.95, @bushdocda@bushdocda
Looks like you're into other shoes now, but Kinvara 10's on sale for $88 at both Amazon and Running Warehouse.
I bought a couple of saucony sleeveless shirts at the outlet mall the other day. didn't even look at the shoes.
Buddy at work just took that and a 30% off code for the 55$ K10s. Best deal ever.
Goal(s) for 2020:
Not much, really. I may run a marathon.
  hello ultrarunner!!!Depends on your trails. Well maintained, hard pack gravel you can get by with normal shoes but I found very early on that true trial shoes give you a grip & confidence when you plant your foot that you won't get from a regular running shoe.Do those of you that do some trail running wear actually trail running shoes or just "regular" running shoes? I have a pair of solomon speedcross 2 or 3s that I wore in a couple of "tough mudder's" but that was for traction on some of the obstacles more than anything - and I was not really "running" those. Really used them more as cleat substitutes when playing softball and flag football.
Was thinking about getting those out and/or getting another pair but not sure if I really want or "need" to or if I'm just better off wearing my brooks anyway.
I wear these Brooks Cascadia 13's for just about every trail run I doDo those of you that do some trail running wear actually trail running shoes or just "regular" running shoes? I have a pair of solomon speedcross 2 or 3s that I wore in a couple of "tough mudder's" but that was for traction on some of the obstacles more than anything - and I was not really "running" those. Really used them more as cleat substitutes when playing softball and flag football.
Was thinking about getting those out and/or getting another pair but not sure if I really want or "need" to or if I'm just better off wearing my brooks anyway.
Go get some, BMF.I'm in an OK spot that tomorrow is probably the last competitive race I'll do and I'm really not in good shape if that is the finale.
Oh well. Let's get some anyway.
I really hope that's not the case.I'm in an OK spot that tomorrow is probably the last competitive race I'll do and I'm really not in good shape if that is the finale.
Oh well. Let's get some anyway.
Good luck! I hope it’s not the last but we all know now much you’ve gone through over the years.I'm in an OK spot that tomorrow is probably the last competitive race I'll do and I'm really not in good shape if that is the finale.
Oh well. Let's get some anyway.