The Running Thread - 2018

[Professor_Cookie]

Had my first run at 32 degrees. First four miler in months. Most of my cold weather gear is still in storage, but my hoodie served me well!

 

[Bree]

2018 Hartford Marathon race report

tl/dr version: it rained the whole race. i faded hard after mile 20. still hit my goals.

there was a lot of positive crowd support with this one even though it was dour weather. as i mention, some guy finished and then went back out to the start of the final stretch of the race and, while wearing his mylar blanket, was shouting "ALL OF YOU ARE SUB FOUR MARATHONERS!" at us. not gonna lie, after seeing a couple dozen people pass me as fatigue took its toll, that's what i needed to rally for the final half mile.

EDIT: fixed the link

Texas 10 Cypress race report - The one main thing I like about the race site is that it is about 10 minutes from the house, so that makes for a little more leisurely morning before heading to the race. Got to the race site about 45 minutes before the start, and did a warmup lap around the outlet mall. Talked to some of my friends that were all signed up for the 10 miler, and they all were going to stop after 5. As usual for the Texas 10 race series, the race is 2 lap race for the 10 miles. My goal for the race was to break 1:20, since the summer has been rough and this morning was the same. T+D was over 150 this morning.

Started the 1st mile at a 7:47 pace, and had dialed back a little bit. Miles 2, 3 and 4 were at 8 or just under. Mile 5 was at 7:40. They changed the start/finish area in the outlet parking lot this year, so there was a little confusion as to how to start the 2nd loop. After the first loop, you took a right to the finish, or a left to do a small out/back to hit the 5 mile timing mat.

So started the 2nd lap, and saw a couple of my friends. Mile 6 was 7:42, so I dialed it back a little, again. 7-9 were 7:52, 7:58 and 7:56. At mile 9, one of my friends who said they were going to drop at 5 passed me up. She was picked/pressured to finish the 10 by the others. So I tried to keep up with her the last mile and had a 7:32 final mile.

15 second negative spilt for the race and a finish time of 1:18:04. Very happy with the results today. On the plus side, I actually podiumed, which was a pleasant surprise.

View attachment 358401

Prairie Fire Half Marathon report

1:56:57 - PR!!!
@LSUlakes

So... this is my local marathon/half. This is my second time to run the fall half (have also ran the full marathon twice before) plus the preview runs of this course. I know it pretty well. One decent hill, one short steep hill, and then a few rollers, but mostly flat.

First - it was really weird for me to be running the half when there was a full going on.

The weather for today was going to be interesting. I cold front was predicted to come through with rain and a strong 20+ mph north wind, but what time would it actually make it??

The hourly predictions made me think it would be after the half. Temps to start the race were about 50 with light wind. Soon after the race started (and I mean like right after I crossed the start line), it started to rain. It was fairly light rain. I started with the 2 hour pacers and stayed with them until the first water stop, about mile 2.5. The water stops are really small, so it was like everyone just came to a stop trying to get water, and I couldn’t deal with that, so I went on around them at that point. I tried to keep my pace around 9, and was somewhat successful. A little fast here and a little slow there, but I was doing okay. I had expected it to be light rain for most of the race, but at mile 4 it started to downpour. It poured for at least a mile, and was still pretty heavy for another mile or two. In the older residential neighborhoods that we ran through, the runoff from the rain created mini-rivers. At that point, my feet were already wet, so I just ran through them, and tried not to add extra mileage finding the narrowest areas. At about mile 6, I picked up the pace just a little to about 8:50. Then about mile 9, I picked it up to about 8:30 and tried to hold on until the end. I kind of felt like I might puke the last mile and a half, but I didn’t let myself slow down. Just kept telling myself I would be finished in under 15 minutes.

I’m so happy that I was able to finish in under 2 hours for the first time!

I’m also thankful I didn’t run the marathon today. I changed into dry clothes and went to go cheer on marathoners and handed out a few hand warmers at mile 20. By the time I got to mile 20 (sometime between the 4:15 and 4:30 pacers), the wind had really shifted to the north. It was getting cold! After being there for 30-45 minutes, I headed back towards the finish. It just looked miserable to be running in the rain in low 40 temps with 20+ wind. The last two miles is running to the south, so at least the wind was at their backs. I stayed as long as I could. I missed two or three runners that I really wanted to cheer on, but I was cold. This race doesn’t have a very large marathon runner count, and there aren’t always that many spectators especially for the later runners, and I really wanted to cheer them on. I have been there. This was where I ran my first marathon, and I finished in just under 6 hours (85 degrees that day by the time I finished!), and wanted to offer as much support as I could. I’m very impressed with anyone that finished in the conditions that we had today.

ETA: Thanks @DopeyBadger for the training plan!! I’ll be hitting you up soon for a spring marathon plan.

Staten Island Half Marathon - Official Time 2:39:40
I did this as a supported training run, and while I was a bit faster than planned, it felt good. The course was nice, but the logistics were a little messy, especially by the start.

I also now have officially qualified for guaranteed entry into the 2019 NYC marathon through the 9+1 program (9 qualifying nyrr races + 1 volunteer experience). So I got to ring the 9+1 bell:

I also qualified for guaranteed entry into the 2019 United Airlines NYC Half, which is one of my favorite races, so that was exciting too.

Overall, a good race, but I don't know that I'd do it again because Staten Island is just such a hassle.

Congrats everyone on some great races!

 

[flav]

2018 Hartford Marathon race report

tl/dr version: it rained the whole race. i faded hard after mile 20. still hit my goals.

there was a lot of positive crowd support with this one even though it was dour weather. as i mention, some guy finished and then went back out to the start of the final stretch of the race and, while wearing his mylar blanket, was shouting "ALL OF YOU ARE SUB FOUR MARATHONERS!" at us. not gonna lie, after seeing a couple dozen people pass me as fatigue took its toll, that's what i needed to rally for the final half mile.

EDIT: fixed the link

Congratulations on the 3-something marathon

 

[flav]

Texas 10 Cypress race report - The one main thing I like about the race site is that it is about 10 minutes from the house, so that makes for a little more leisurely morning before heading to the race. Got to the race site about 45 minutes before the start, and did a warmup lap around the outlet mall. Talked to some of my friends that were all signed up for the 10 miler, and they all were going to stop after 5. As usual for the Texas 10 race series, the race is 2 lap race for the 10 miles. My goal for the race was to break 1:20, since the summer has been rough and this morning was the same. T+D was over 150 this morning.

Started the 1st mile at a 7:47 pace, and had dialed back a little bit. Miles 2, 3 and 4 were at 8 or just under. Mile 5 was at 7:40. They changed the start/finish area in the outlet parking lot this year, so there was a little confusion as to how to start the 2nd loop. After the first loop, you took a right to the finish, or a left to do a small out/back to hit the 5 mile timing mat.

So started the 2nd lap, and saw a couple of my friends. Mile 6 was 7:42, so I dialed it back a little, again. 7-9 were 7:52, 7:58 and 7:56. At mile 9, one of my friends who said they were going to drop at 5 passed me up. She was picked/pressured to finish the 10 by the others. So I tried to keep up with her the last mile and had a 7:32 final mile.

15 second negative spilt for the race and a finish time of 1:18:04. Very happy with the results today. On the plus side, I actually podiumed, which was a pleasant surprise.

View attachment 358401

Congratulations on running it all and placing!

 

[flav]

Prairie Fire Half Marathon report

1:56:57 - PR!!!
@LSUlakes

So... this is my local marathon/half. This is my second time to run the fall half (have also ran the full marathon twice before) plus the preview runs of this course. I know it pretty well. One decent hill, one short steep hill, and then a few rollers, but mostly flat.

First - it was really weird for me to be running the half when there was a full going on.

The weather for today was going to be interesting. I cold front was predicted to come through with rain and a strong 20+ mph north wind, but what time would it actually make it??

The hourly predictions made me think it would be after the half. Temps to start the race were about 50 with light wind. Soon after the race started (and I mean like right after I crossed the start line), it started to rain. It was fairly light rain. I started with the 2 hour pacers and stayed with them until the first water stop, about mile 2.5. The water stops are really small, so it was like everyone just came to a stop trying to get water, and I couldn’t deal with that, so I went on around them at that point. I tried to keep my pace around 9, and was somewhat successful. A little fast here and a little slow there, but I was doing okay. I had expected it to be light rain for most of the race, but at mile 4 it started to downpour. It poured for at least a mile, and was still pretty heavy for another mile or two. In the older residential neighborhoods that we ran through, the runoff from the rain created mini-rivers. At that point, my feet were already wet, so I just ran through them, and tried not to add extra mileage finding the narrowest areas. At about mile 6, I picked up the pace just a little to about 8:50. Then about mile 9, I picked it up to about 8:30 and tried to hold on until the end. I kind of felt like I might puke the last mile and a half, but I didn’t let myself slow down. Just kept telling myself I would be finished in under 15 minutes.

I’m so happy that I was able to finish in under 2 hours for the first time!

I’m also thankful I didn’t run the marathon today. I changed into dry clothes and went to go cheer on marathoners and handed out a few hand warmers at mile 20. By the time I got to mile 20 (sometime between the 4:15 and 4:30 pacers), the wind had really shifted to the north. It was getting cold! After being there for 30-45 minutes, I headed back towards the finish. It just looked miserable to be running in the rain in low 40 temps with 20+ wind. The last two miles is running to the south, so at least the wind was at their backs. I stayed as long as I could. I missed two or three runners that I really wanted to cheer on, but I was cold. This race doesn’t have a very large marathon runner count, and there aren’t always that many spectators especially for the later runners, and I really wanted to cheer them on. I have been there. This was where I ran my first marathon, and I finished in just under 6 hours (85 degrees that day by the time I finished!), and wanted to offer as much support as I could. I’m very impressed with anyone that finished in the conditions that we had today.

ETA: Thanks @DopeyBadger for the training plan!! I’ll be hitting you up soon for a spring marathon plan.

Congratulations on the 1something PR!

 

[flav]

Staten Island Half Marathon - Official Time 2:39:40
I did this as a supported training run, and while I was a bit faster than planned, it felt good. The course was nice, but the logistics were a little messy, especially by the start.

I also now have officially qualified for guaranteed entry into the 2019 NYC marathon through the 9+1 program (9 qualifying nyrr races + 1 volunteer experience). So I got to ring the 9+1 bell:

I also qualified for guaranteed entry into the 2019 United Airlines NYC Half, which is one of my favorite races, so that was exciting too.

Overall, a good race, but I don't know that I'd do it again because Staten Island is just such a hassle.

Congratulations, I admire your perseverance!

 

[Slogger]

Congrats @kleph , @MissLiss279, @SarahDisney , and @gjramsey …...you all rock!!
Thank you for sharing your race reports.

 

[Mickey Momma]

Have loved reading all the race reports today! Great job everybody!!!

 

[Kerry1957]

Des Plaines River Trail Races Marathon (Suburban Chicago) Race Report

One line summary is I achieved my goals of finishing upright and under 6 hours for my first marathon!! Time was 5:51.

As I wrote a few pages back, the race directors had to adjust and re-certify the course several times this week as the river crested and took out more and more of the course. Final course was a 6.55 mile loop.

When I woke up Saturday morning the temp was 31 but "warmed" up to 33 by the start. The race turned into a "choose your own adventure" (my words, not their's). At the pre-race meeting we were told that a mile of the loop had many areas of about ankle to shin deep water and if we wanted to avoid it we could use a earlier turnaround and make the race four 5.55 mile loops for a total of 22.6 miles. That sounded good to a bunch of folks, but there was no way I was going to bail out short for my first marathon. Since I run these trails 3 times a week I knew there was another back trail of about two miles that connects back to the race course, so I decided avoid the worst of the flooding and to add this off course trail to each of my first two race loops. Still with me??

The race started and I made it about half a mile before hitting the first of several smaller puddles; over the top of my shoes for about 30 yards. I wasn't happy knowing I would have to run the entire race in wet shoes.

First Loop: (1-7.55) Plan of 13:15 minutes a mile; actual about 13:00. Nice and easy. I wasn't cold and I felt strong. Biggest issue was slowing down. About 4 areas of flooding per loop.

Second Loop: (7.55-15.1) Plan of 13:30 minutes a mile; actual about 13:15. Mile 8 was for some reason difficult. My knees hurt for the first time in two years and my stomach was upset. I'm thinking "what's going on??? You're not even a third of the way done" Fortunately both went away.

Third Loop (15.1-20.65) Plan of 13:45 minutes a mile; actual about 13:30. I was tiring and my feet hurt. Then at mile 16 I had a weird burst of energy and felt great. Unfortunately that only lasted for a mile or two. I started looking forward to the flood areas because the ice cold water felt good to my tired feet. I wanted to sit in the stream for a minute and let it wash over my legs but I would have never been able to get back up.

Fourth Loop (20.65-26.2) Plan of 14:00 minutes a mile; actual about 14:30. The wheels start coming off at about mile 22. My form was terrible and I was listing to the right with a stiff left side and a loose right side. When I tried to just blank it out and get in a zone I would literally veer off the trail to the right. I remembered the mantra I read here on the boards this week, "f*&k tired" and repeated it to myself a few times. This was a bit of a jolt because it's not language I would ever use. And what did I hear back at me in my head but "no.... tired just f*&ked you!" While I was walking a chunk of the last mile several people came up to me to check if I was OK. I must have looked pretty bad.

The pictures below show me crossing the finish with the weird lean and a post race shot with my daughter. Overall a very satisfying race in spite of the course conditions and a crash and burn finish. A huge thanks to @DopeyBadger for designing a program that got me through it.

 

[Slogger]

Congrats @Kerry1957, you did it and are now officially a Marathoner. Way to persevere and finish.
Thanks for sharing your pictures and story.

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

Staten Island Half Marathon - Official Time 2:39:40
I did this as a supported training run, and while I was a bit faster than planned, it felt good. The course was nice, but the logistics were a little messy, especially by the start.

I also now have officially qualified for guaranteed entry into the 2019 NYC marathon through the 9+1 program (9 qualifying nyrr races + 1 volunteer experience). So I got to ring the 9+1 bell:

Congrats on a great race and ringing the bell!

 

[DopeyBadger]

Well done racers!

Prairie Fire Half Marathon report

1:56:57 - PR!!!
@LSUlakes

So... this is my local marathon/half. This is my second time to run the fall half (have also ran the full marathon twice before) plus the preview runs of this course. I know it pretty well. One decent hill, one short steep hill, and then a few rollers, but mostly flat.

First - it was really weird for me to be running the half when there was a full going on.

The weather for today was going to be interesting. I cold front was predicted to come through with rain and a strong 20+ mph north wind, but what time would it actually make it??

The hourly predictions made me think it would be after the half. Temps to start the race were about 50 with light wind. Soon after the race started (and I mean like right after I crossed the start line), it started to rain. It was fairly light rain. I started with the 2 hour pacers and stayed with them until the first water stop, about mile 2.5. The water stops are really small, so it was like everyone just came to a stop trying to get water, and I couldn’t deal with that, so I went on around them at that point. I tried to keep my pace around 9, and was somewhat successful. A little fast here and a little slow there, but I was doing okay. I had expected it to be light rain for most of the race, but at mile 4 it started to downpour. It poured for at least a mile, and was still pretty heavy for another mile or two. In the older residential neighborhoods that we ran through, the runoff from the rain created mini-rivers. At that point, my feet were already wet, so I just ran through them, and tried not to add extra mileage finding the narrowest areas. At about mile 6, I picked up the pace just a little to about 8:50. Then about mile 9, I picked it up to about 8:30 and tried to hold on until the end. I kind of felt like I might puke the last mile and a half, but I didn’t let myself slow down. Just kept telling myself I would be finished in under 15 minutes.

I’m so happy that I was able to finish in under 2 hours for the first time!

I’m also thankful I didn’t run the marathon today. I changed into dry clothes and went to go cheer on marathoners and handed out a few hand warmers at mile 20. By the time I got to mile 20 (sometime between the 4:15 and 4:30 pacers), the wind had really shifted to the north. It was getting cold! After being there for 30-45 minutes, I headed back towards the finish. It just looked miserable to be running in the rain in low 40 temps with 20+ wind. The last two miles is running to the south, so at least the wind was at their backs. I stayed as long as I could. I missed two or three runners that I really wanted to cheer on, but I was cold. This race doesn’t have a very large marathon runner count, and there aren’t always that many spectators especially for the later runners, and I really wanted to cheer them on. I have been there. This was where I ran my first marathon, and I finished in just under 6 hours (85 degrees that day by the time I finished!), and wanted to offer as much support as I could. I’m very impressed with anyone that finished in the conditions that we had today.

ETA: Thanks @DopeyBadger for the training plan!! I’ll be hitting you up soon for a spring marathon plan.

17 min off your PR in the last year. Keep that ball rolling downhill! Excited to see what comes next!

@SarahDisney congrats on achieving the 9+1!
@kleph congrats on the sub-4!
@Kerry1957 congrats on the first marathon!
@gjramsey always impressive pacing! Congrats on the podium!

Great stuff all around this weekend!

 

[flav]

Des Plaines River Trail Races Marathon (Suburban Chicago) Race Report

One line summary is I achieved my goals of finishing upright and under 6 hours for my first marathon!! Time was 5:51.

As I wrote a few pages back, the race directors had to adjust and re-certify the course several times this week as the river crested and took out more and more of the course. Final course was a 6.55 mile loop.

When I woke up Saturday morning the temp was 31 but "warmed" up to 33 by the start. The race turned into a "choose your own adventure" (my words, not their's). At the pre-race meeting we were told that a mile of the loop had many areas of about ankle to shin deep water and if we wanted to avoid it we could use a earlier turnaround and make the race four 5.55 mile loops for a total of 22.6 miles. That sounded good to a bunch of folks, but there was no way I was going to bail out short for my first marathon. Since I run these trails 3 times a week I knew there was another back trail of about two miles that connects back to the race course, so I decided avoid the worst of the flooding and to add this off course trail to each of my first two race loops. Still with me??

The race started and I made it about half a mile before hitting the first of several smaller puddles; over the top of my shoes for about 30 yards. I wasn't happy knowing I would have to run the entire race in wet shoes.

First Loop: (1-7.55) Plan of 13:15 minutes a mile; actual about 13:00. Nice and easy. I wasn't cold and I felt strong. Biggest issue was slowing down. About 4 areas of flooding per loop.

Second Loop: (7.55-13.1) Plan of 13:30 minutes a mile; actual about 13:15. Mile 8 was for some reason difficult. My knees hurt for the first time in two years and my stomach was upset. I'm thinking "what's going on??? You're not even a third of the way done" Fortunately both went away.

Third Loop (13.1-18.65) Plan of 13:45 minutes a mile; actual about 13:30. I was tiring and my feet hurt. Then at mile 16 I had a weird burst of energy and felt great. Unfortunately that only lasted for a mile or two. I started looking forward to the flood areas because the ice cold water felt good to my tired feet. I wanted to sit in the stream for a minute and let it wash over my legs but I would have never been able to get back up.

Fourth Loop (18.65-26.2) Plan of 14:00 minutes a mile; actual about 14:30. The wheels start coming off at about mile 22. My form was terrible and I was listing to the right with a stiff left side and a loose right side. When I tried to just blank it out and get in a zone I would literally veer off the trail to the right. I remembered the mantra I read here on the boards this week, "f*&k tired" and repeated it to myself a few times. This was a bit of a jolt because it's not language I would ever use. And what did I hear back at me in my head but "no.... tired just f*&ked you!" While I was walking a chunk of the last mile several people came up to me to check if I was OK. I must have looked pretty bad.

The pictures below show me crossing the finish with the weird lean and a post race shot with my daughter. Overall a very satisfying race in spite of the course conditions and a crash and burn finish. A huge thanks to @DopeyBadger for designing a program that got me through it.

View attachment 358451 View attachment 358452

Congratulations Marathoner!

 

[SarahDisney]

Forgot to mention this yesterday ... I know that not everyone (myself included sometimes) is a fan of out-and-back races. But one of the really cool things about an out-and-back course is the intense cheering and screaming that happens when the lead runners pass you going in the opposite direction. I always love that moment.

 

[Waiting2goback]

I am running W&D with a friend in a couple weeks. It is her first half-marathon and she is a bundle of nerves. I want to get her something to motivate her during the race as we won’t be running together and she can be hard on herself. I found a bracelet that says “Believe,” but am wondering if my running friends have any other ideas?

Why aren't you running together just out of curiosity?

 

[Waiting2goback]

 

[Mickey Momma]

Why aren't you running together just out of curiosity?

I got into running when my kiddos were itty-bitty as a way of maintaining my sanity (my son and twin daughters are 17 months apart), so I have always been a solo runner. I understand the appeal of running with a partner or group, but sometimes my run is the only time I have to myself and the only time I allow myself to be selfish.

That said, I have brought up the idea of running this one together a couple times and was immediately shot down every time. There are other things going on in her life and I think this is something she wants/needs to do on her own. (In fact, this race weekend was her suggestion.). She has done the training and has been a lot more consistent than me this time around, but like all first timers, is suffering from fear of the unknown. So I thought a little race morning gift might help when her head starts playing games with her.

 

[TheHamm]

Saturday I pulled out warmer socks for my 34* run and regretted doing so after mile 1. I had these socks last winter, and the same model of shoes, but it just felt odd right away. At mile 7 I took the socks off to see if it was better to run without- nope. At 7.5 it was clear I was limping and listing to one side so I cut the run short for fear of running my hip into the ground. I am totally baffled by this change. I've put ~150 miles on these shoes with the light weight socks and saw no difference between these and the last pair (same model different color), and these are the same socks I ran in the previous pair of shoes. It was not wet, and I have never gotten a blister before, so what gives? Is it realistic to think my feet have changed?

 

[Jules76126]

Congrats to everyone who raced this weekend. Love reading all the recaps this morning.

 

[ZellyB]

Congratulations all you racers!!