The Running Thread - 2019

[huskies90]

QOTD: What do you believe is key to preventing injury as related to running?

ATTQOTD: I can't say I have had a running injury in 25 years of running (knock on wood). Now running with an injury from another sport which I stupidly do often? That is a a totally different story. I think having a neutral stride and running consistently but not over running - ie too often and/or too many miles has helped me stay injury free over the years.

 

[Dis5150]

ATTQOTD: Very timely question as I am about to do a crash training course to get ready for Star Wars. Slow down, take it easy and ease back into my training, not thinking I can just pick up where I left off weeks ago!

If anyone is interested, I started a training journal where I gripe about our house remodel (with pics!), the planning for my son's upcoming wedding and, oh yeah, maybe a little bit of Star Wars training. Next week. Lol. Link in signature.

 

[cavepig]

Strength training and luck, with a side of allowing injuries to heal properly.

I agree with Luck. Sometimes it doesn't matter what I do I'll still have something crop up.

 

[canglim52]

ATTQOTD: First I’d say a well written plan from @DopeyBadger is a great start! Well written plans from someone who asks the right questions can eliminate a majority of the issues. That said, a lot of us runners aren’t your typical breed of exercisers, and we like to push our limits. The more you push the higher the probability of an injury. To reduce those issues, I take a holistic approach:
Sleep(huge!!)
Nutrition
Hydration
Strength training
Mobility work and working on muscle imbalances
Seeking out treatment from a PT for nagging issues and rehabbing actual injuries
Shoes
Running slow enough/prescribed paces(especially on easy days)
Foam rolling pre run

I’m sure I’m missing some stuff, but I believe if you keep improving your routine you can increase your workload safely(with a little luck of course!)

 

[Slogger]

ATTQOTD (yesterday)- No sidewalks in my neighborhood, so I run against traffic and have been known to hop onto a driveway or grass if someone gets too close to me. I also do some long runs at the park with a dedicated walking/running/bike lane and no cars.

But I'm on the road 2-3 days a week and typically work to get my runs in wherever possible. Parking lots and sidewalks are sometimes the best options.

Yesterday I found a one mile path adjacent to a research park to do a 6 mile run. The path is adjacent to a 4 lane parkway (2 lanes each way) with a grassy median in the middle. A car going the same direction as me but across the median suddenly veered off the parkway, up and over the hilly median, came across another 2 lanes of parkway, over the curb and onto the sidewalk/trail about 20 feet in front of me. First thought was that someone had a blowout or heart attack and lost control of their vehicle. I sped up to assist the car now stopped a few feet in front of me. But the driver got back on the road and sped off.
Most likely they were "distracted" and lost control. A little too close for my comfort.

 

[FFigawi]

QOTD: What do you believe is key to preventing injury as related to running?

1. Gently increases in mileage and intensity
2. Running consistently
3. Yoga

 

[YawningDodo]

Monday's ATTQOTD:
I've struggled something fierce to find shoes that fit me correctly. Right now, less than a year in to starting up training in earnest, I've bought two pair that have worked well enough that I didn't return them. I haven't been keeping track of mileage on them (really got to finish setting up the Garmin app and getting at least the Hoka One Ones programmed in since I use them most), so...I don't know. Right now my mileage is still fairly low but I'm assuming I'll need to buy at least one replacement pair this year. But yeah, I'm so bad at keeping track that I can't even tell you what model of Hoka One Ones I'm using.

Salespeople have told me that the issue is that as a woman wearing men's shoes (big feet, I've got 'em) I'm just going to tend to find that most of them are too wide for me. That leads to major slipping in the heels. ASICS tend to stay put in the heel, but last time I was shopping for them all the ASICS I tried on were too high-backed and jabbed me in the tendon. Now that I know I like my Hoka One Ones I should probably just commit to buying another pair or two of them to hold in reserve, but...money....


Today's ATTQOTD:
Having given myself some kind of stress injury last fall, I think it's about listening to one's body. I ran through the pain when my stride was bad (due to shoes that didn't fit) and was out for half a month with a swollen-up leg. Not doing that again.

And yeah, keeping easy runs easy.

 

[Bree]

I am pages and pages behind, but wanted to update on my hip saga. This is copied and pasted from my journal.

Well, I have a diagnosis and it's not good, but it could be much worse.

The doctor who read my report at the imaging center says I have a stress reaction of the lesser trochanter and subtrochanteric region of the femoral neck. My ortho after reviewing my films says it's a stress fracture. Fancy words for...keep running and you will break your hip. This injury is on the lower part of the femoral neck which is good because it doesn't require surgery. This did not show up on the x-rays I had on 12/31 or 2/8. I'm so glad I changed to a new doctor who really went head to head with my insurance company to get me a MRI. Screw you Cigna.

So...no running for the next six weeks. I can bike, swim, go to yoga or do pool running. I asked about strength training and he said to keep at it, but avoid lifts that cause any pain. After six weeks he will do a set of xrays to make sure there is bone growth and that I'm healing properly. He made sure to tell me three times that does not mean I can start running in six weeks. Time to increase my daily dose of calcium and vitamin d, invest in a couple good pairs of bike shorts, an AquaJogger and join the YMCA for a few months.

He looked at me and said I can't believe you ran Dopey with this injury. I told him I have a high pain tolerance

I ran five miles this morning outside for a last hurrah because I just knew I'd be sidelined for a while.

ETA: If one is to have a stress fracture of the femoral neck this is the best spot. It requires no surgery and usually heals well if you are a good patient and follow your doctor’s orders.

 

[rteetz]

I am pages and pages behind, but wanted to update on my hip saga. This is copied and pasted from my journal.

Well, I have a diagnosis and it's not good, but it could be much worse.

The doctor who read my report at the imaging center says I have a stress reaction of the lesser trochanter and subtrochanteric region of the femoral neck. My ortho after reviewing my films says it's a stress fracture. Fancy words for...keep running and you will break your hip. This injury is on the lower part of the femoral neck which is good because it doesn't require surgery. This did not show up on the x-rays I had on 12/31 or 2/8. I'm so glad I changed to a new doctor who really went head to head with my insurance company to get me a MRI. Screw you Cigna.

So...no running for the next six weeks. I can bike, swim, go to yoga or do pool running. I asked about strength training and he said to keep at it, but avoid lifts that cause any pain. After six weeks he will do a set of xrays to make sure there is bone growth and that I'm healing properly. He made sure to tell me three times that does not mean I can start running in six weeks. Time to increase my daily dose of calcium and vitamin d, invest in a couple good pairs of bike shorts, an AquaJogger and join the YMCA for a few months.

He looked at me and said I can't believe you ran Dopey with this injury. I told him I have a high pain tolerance

I ran five miles this morning outside for a last hurrah because I just knew I'd be sidelined for a while.

ETA: If one is to have a stress fracture of the femoral neck this is the best spot. It requires no surgery and usually heals well if you are a good patient and follow your doctor’s orders.

Well glad you got that MRI and a diagnosis. Hopefully all goes well in the healing process and you are back and better than ever soon!

 

[jmasgat]

I am pages and pages behind, but wanted to update on my hip saga. This is copied and pasted from my journal.

Well, I have a diagnosis and it's not good, but it could be much worse.

The doctor who read my report at the imaging center says I have a stress reaction of the lesser trochanter and subtrochanteric region of the femoral neck. My ortho after reviewing my films says it's a stress fracture. Fancy words for...keep running and you will break your hip. This injury is on the lower part of the femoral neck which is good because it doesn't require surgery. This did not show up on the x-rays I had on 12/31 or 2/8. I'm so glad I changed to a new doctor who really went head to head with my insurance company to get me a MRI. Screw you Cigna.

So...no running for the next six weeks. I can bike, swim, go to yoga or do pool running. I asked about strength training and he said to keep at it, but avoid lifts that cause any pain. After six weeks he will do a set of xrays to make sure there is bone growth and that I'm healing properly. He made sure to tell me three times that does not mean I can start running in six weeks. Time to increase my daily dose of calcium and vitamin d, invest in a couple good pairs of bike shorts, an AquaJogger and join the YMCA for a few months.

He looked at me and said I can't believe you ran Dopey with this injury. I told him I have a high pain tolerance

I ran five miles this morning outside for a last hurrah because I just knew I'd be sidelined for a while.

ETA: If one is to have a stress fracture of the femoral neck this is the best spot. It requires no surgery and usually heals well if you are a good patient and follow your doctor’s orders.

Sorry to hear, but glad you have a definitive answer. Hope your other activities keep you busy and mostly satisfied while the hip heals. I've done the Aqua Jogger as well when I had a stress fracture, and occasionally go back to it when I want to give my body a break (and watching the old ladies in Aqua Aerobics is entertaining! Although some of them are younger than me so maybe I should re-phrase that!)

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

Well, I have a diagnosis and it's not good, but it could be much worse.

Bummer. It sounds like you have a good attitude and a plan. Rest up and heal.

 

[YawningDodo]

This question's been asked before, but I'll ask it again: Do you listen to anything while you run, or are you alone with your thoughts?

So far I've almost always listened to music on my runs, and I have a few playlists for the purpose (including a custom Disney playlist). I've tried podcasts and struggled with them because they take up too much of my attention...and because it's hard to run and laugh at the same time. Once or twice now I've tried a relatively short run music-free (the last was a 3 mile run in January because I forgot my phone at home and didn't want to drive back from the park to get it). It wasn't as stressful as I thought it might be to lack the distraction, but I wonder if the fact that I pushed myself too hard on that run has anything to do with not having a distraction and/or wanting to get the run over with. In general I'm someone who usually has something going on to occupy my brain, but I'm not sure if that's an argument to keep doing the music thing since it's what's normal for me, or if it's an argument to unplug and take my runs as time to be alone in my head. I'm also thinking ahead to races--the last 5K I ran, I ran with music but kept the volume very low so I would hear any conversation around me. I'm not sure if a silent half marathon is something to strive for in June or if music would help me with what will probably be a difficult race. I do think I will need to start training without music more often if I want to go without it for a race.

What's everyone else's audio habit? Is it different when you're training versus when you're racing?

 

[GreatLakes]

This question's been asked before, but I'll ask it again: Do you listen to anything while you run, or are you alone with your thoughts?

When I started running I listened to headphones but after a close call with a car I stopped. I don't miss it one bit. I never wore them in races anyway but I enjoy the time alone to think and concentrate on my running without distraction. I also think it is much safer. Even if you run with the music/podcast down low and only one earbud in it keeps you from being 100% focused on your surroundings and I don't feel that is safe.

YMMV.

 

[DIS-OH]

ATTQOTD: I run with my husband...sometimes we talk, sometimes we don’t. We usually run on paths and trails, so we dont have to worry about car traffic.

 

[Professor_Cookie]

Headphones- I used to run with headphones about 100% of the time for runs. After switching to trails I hardly ever wear them. It’s waaaay too dangerous of the single track. I have to listen for mountain bikers ripping down the trails, other runners, ******* “friendly” dogs off their leashes, and moose.

 

[Slogger]

So sorry @Bree about your diagnosis and stress fracture. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

 

[Slogger]

@YawningDodo.....I listen to music and podcasts during most of my runs but never during a race. Simple explanation....I use the speaker on my iPhone, strap it into my armband and still hear the outside world too. Podcasts are tougher when running someplace with lots of traffic because I don't turn volume up very high. Don't want to do that during a race (or treadmill) because I might disturb others. Probably time to try out my Bluetooth earbuds.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

When running on the roads and sidewalks are not available, which of the two options do you do: Run with traffic or against traffic? Tell us why you picked the option you picked as well.

When running on the roads, always against traffic. Much safer.

What do you believe is key to preventing injury as related to running?

When starting to train for a first race at any distance, find a plan that makes sense for you and is created by someone who knows what they're doing. Know your weak points

Listen to your body: if you have a speed work scheduled and your body says 'Not today', honor it. Caveat: sometimes my lazy mind pretends it's my body and says 'Not today.' Trick it into doing the workout. Just one interval...

Very true. I often find that fighting through that "not today" thought usually results in me feeling just fine a few minutes later. The key though is to make sure that the body isn't sending pain signals while you try to fight through the lazy mind tricks. And most of the time for me, slowing down results in finishing the run instead of having to cut it short.

@Bree Wishing you a speedy recovery. Glad you got it diagnosed correctly.

 

[LdyStormy76]

This question's been asked before, but I'll ask it again: Do you listen to anything while you run, or are you alone with your thoughts??

I podcast 99% of the time. Need that voice in my ear to keep my mind focused. Tried a 15k in November without it as I was doing the race with DH and really struggled to stay focused and on pace. For the marathon in January, in addition to the podcasts, I had 5 hours of high tempo music loaded in case I needed it - a nice drum beat helps when exhausted - and was thankful for it since I needed it the last few miles.

 

[Smilelea]

By default I always run against traffic. Study upon study has found this safer but I do have a few exceptions. If the sun is down low (usually the evening for me) I won't run with the sun behind me since card can't see me through it. I will also change sides of the road if tra

I always run against but now I tend to get over to the side (no sidewalks) with oncoming traffic after almost being hit a few times. The sun issue, as @GreatLakes mentioned, causes me to get way over to the side.

I do run with earbuds and either an audiobook or music playing but I keep it down low enough that I can hear traffic coming behind me. I will get over to the far edge even with traffic coming on the other side because one of my "almost" hits was from a car completely not paying attention and had drifted completely over to the other side of the street. Plus, small town back roads with no lines do not help the situation.