The Running Thread - 2019

[Slogger]

ATTQOTD: I tend to stop running mid-May through 4th of July to give myself a break from training cycles and the heat. Not sure it's a great plan or even that well thought out (it's hotter in July and August!) but that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I prefer to run after 8 pm this time of year, less sun and humidity. Time to drink more water, and wear less clothes.

THIS YEAR, I started my break early ( Hello April 7th) and determined avoid a non-running funk............... I decided to go STREAKING!!!
Going to run every day (at least a mile), add a push up and sit up each day, and get to at least 4th of July. Maybe Labor Day? Maybe Thanksgiving?

I was going to add a mile each day but noodled it through long enough to know that by the 3rd week I would be running 22 miles one day, 23 the next, 24 after that in the summer heat.

Today I am on Day 3 of the streak, which means I will run at least 1 mile, do 3 sit ups, and 3 push ups.

 

[flav]

ATTQOTD New DISboard: Seems to work fine. I am slowly getting my bearings. Thanks to those who pointed out the new features like bookmarks of posts and reactions!
ETA: Photos are loading upsidedown!

ATTQOTD Spring: Less clothes, birds signing and more flexibility to fit a run (early morning and late evening).

@LSUlakes please remove my goal for the following... They have wine tasting on the course! I am trying to figure out if it is wise to drink wine while running a Half.
08 - flav - Demi-Marathon des Vignobles (NG / N/A)

ETA: Also, please add for August:
04 - flav - Golden Gate Double 8k (NG / NA)

 

[dis_or_dat]

I'm so sorry @apdebord

ATTQOTD: I try to run earlier in the morning. Luckily I'm not training right now, so all pretty easy. But there's a school nearby with an asphalt oval I might try to use if I train again and should be available in the summer.

Add me to the streak club: 38 and counting! I should take a day off to let my hamstring heal, but I.Just.Can't.Stop.

 

[camaker]

@apdebord, so sorry for the loss of your pup!

 

[canglim52]

ATTQOTD: as nearly a life long Floridian, I guess I don’t really think about summer as anything special... it just is. So I feel like I prepare/change for the cold lol. Anyways, for summer I obviously wear less, drink more, and run slower. Effort is king, so rather than worry about pace I work on hitting the correct effort for the workout. Also, I tend to be more relaxed on my break intervals... I figure shedding heat is the primary goal, so sometimes I take longer breaks. Quality intervals are more important then pace/duration of my rest interval. I could really go on, there lots of little tricks for dealing with high heat/humidity lol.... I need to learn how to deal with cold, wet, and windy!

 

[flav]

Tamarack Ottawa Half-Marathon Recap

This can be summarized by one of the song heard along the course: I’m Running on Sunshine!

This race was not in my plan for this year because I wanted to save $ for Dopey. I liked it so much last year: It is the biggest race weekend in Canada and have so many supporters! I was also sighing over the medal that was highlighting the 45th Anniversary on the year I turn 45.

My neighbour, at the end of a shakeout run in April, offered me to officially transfer my her Half-Marathon bib and was met with a resounding yes! I was surprised and impressed with how confident I was in myself to accept a race scheduled two weeks before another one. The electronic transfer process was efficient.

I did not have a hotel so I tried to find another runner to pickup my bib. In the end, it is DM who volunteered to drive down on Friday to see an Art exhibition and to bring the bib to me. I have an amazing support team!

My DUncle offered to drive me Sunday morning and we parked in the Ottawa City Hall parking (free!) i.e. right at the race starting line.

Because this race was a gift, my main objective was to enjoy it, with a secondary goal of under two hours if possible.

The event organizers, top notch as always, had well communicated the start line and course changes so crowding was to be expected at the beginning. After a quick warmup we were then off to a slow start which lasted for 3km (2 miles).

The tulips were magnificent, the sun was shining, the course was mostly flat and the crowd was present!

A bit passed mid-point, I was tracking to the under two hours pace but I realized that it would compromise my main goal (have fun) to keep it up. I never had any regrets so I know that it was the right decision to slow down.

Supporters had a huge impact, in particular the ones who would call me by name and who gave me a freezie! So thanks to all that encourage runners and athletes!

In hindsight, the temperature was colder than last year but we did not have the chance to get accustomed to it because of the late Spring. Lesson learnt for the future.

Also, there was 10 transports in ambulance, not that much percent wise, but I have seen about half of the cases, including the CPR on the 35 y.o. who passed away. So sad. And a bit chocking. It tinted, and it is ok, my after-race a bit. I read a few articles on the subject, enough to reassure me that with GP approval, proper training and good hydration, the benefits of running greatly exceed the risk of death during a Marathon.

@LSUlakes thanks you for updating the results:
26 - flav - Ottawa Tamarack Half Marathon (NG / 2:07:18)

This is my second best Half-Marathon time and the best for that course.

I highly recommend the Ottawa Race Weekend and, if anyone has a bib they want to give and transfer in the future, I do volunteer unless I already have one!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Simon and I did run one race together, a 1 mile puppy trot. He got 17th place and his mile PR was 9:01. He got distracted just before the finish line by some freshly laid mulch, and went and laid down. He was so happy that day.

So sorry to hear about your dog. I loved that story because it's just one of those random things that distracts a dog and makes them so happy simply because it's there.

I read a few articles on the subject, enough to reassure me that with GP approval, proper training and good hydration, the benefits of running greatly exceed the risk of death during a Marathon.

I also think that learning to listen to what your body is telling you and then acting on that information is critical. Sometimes we push ourselves too hard because we want to achieve a goal and feel like we fail ourselves and those who have cheered us on if we don't achieve that goal. While we do not know what factors may have caused someone to die during any given race, we need to listen to what our bodies are telling us. Sometimes my body tells me that I can handle the distance, but the pace isn't going to happen that day.

During the marathon, when the heat and humidity began to get to me, I realized that I needed to put an ice bag on my head after I saw a lot of other runners doing it. That offered slight relief quickly and soon helped me cool down a lot. And yes, I even decided to wear said ice bag on my head during a photo with Mr. and Mrs. Incredible during the race. Sure the picture looks a little silly, but it also tells the story of what I experienced that day.

And congratulations on your race!

 

[PrincessV]

ATTQOTD: as nearly a life long Floridian, I guess I don’t really think about summer as anything special... it just is. So I feel like I prepare/change for the cold lol.

Yes, that exactly! Every year, the first chilly day, I feel like a lost child: how many layers? do I need gloves? is it short sleeve weather or long sleeve? hat? no hat? ear warmer?? Summer is comparatively easy: skirt, tank, visor, go - and try not to die.

 

[Mumof4mice]

Not running related, but we all love talking about our pets here and talking about this has been helping. My 7 year old mini schnauzer, Simon, passed away somewhat suddenly late Friday night. We’ve had him since he was a baby. He was the sweetest boy.

He was diagnosed with Cushing’s on March 1st. Every 2 weeks he had to go in for testing to try to nail down the proper dose for his medication. The numbers would be okay, but he’d still be having clinical signs so we’d increase the dose. We thought we had it in April, but on May 9th I decided to take him in because he was just not happy at all. His test was terrible so we increased his medication. He was taking the same amount a Great Dane would take, so I was terrified, but it seemed to be working. He started feeling sick last weekend and I took him to our vet last Tuesday. He was in an Addison’s crisis, which is the opposite of Cushing’s and potentially fatal, but he received a steroid injection to get his cortisol back up to normal levels. He was also diagnosed with diabetes and pancreatitis. They pumped him full of fluids and gave us insulin and sent him home that same day. He had a great day Wednesday and half of Thursday. Thursday afternoon he started to refuse food and treats and he was very lethargic. I took him to the emergency vet Friday morning after I saw him fall over in the yard. They took him back immediately and diagnosed him with diabetic ketoacidosis and an UTI in addition to everything else. They read his charts from our vet and he should have been diagnosed with diabetes weeks ago, but they completely missed it. They said he was in a really bad state, but that he’d be okay in a few days. Later that afternoon they called following an ultrasound and they found a large tumor on his adrenal gland, which was causing the Cushing’s. Adrenal dependent Cushing’s is very rare and much more life threatening than the other types. They also found a massive blood clot in his vena cava which could break off at any time and instantly take him. We all decided to work one thing at a time and keep treating the DKA and think of a game plan once he recovered for everything else. We went to visit him Friday evening and it was heartbreaking. He was so out of it and he wasn’t even sedated. At 11:54, they called us to say that Simon had gone into cardiac arrest at 11:45 and he was not responding to CPR. She gave her prognosis for if he even came back, and we elected to stop CPR. We rushed to the vet to see him one last time, but he was gone within seconds of stopping CPR. I’m so thankful he knew when it was time to go and that we did not have to make that decision for him. The vet said it was very quick and he did not appear to be in pain, just very, very tired. I’m furious that our vet missed his diabetes earlier this month. On May 9th, his glucose was higher than the day they actually diagnosed him last week. While I want to march in there and scream at them, no one would have known about the blood clot, which would have been untreatable, and that may have been what gotten him. Just a lot of feelings about the whole thing.

We put our senior dog down on NYE, my grandmother passed away suddenly in March, and now this. I really hope this is it for a while. My husband has a 50K this weekend in Northern Virginia, so we’re looking forward to get away from the house for a couple of days.

Simon and I did run one race together, a 1 mile puppy trot. He got 17th place and his mile PR was 9:01. He got distracted just before the finish line by some freshly laid mulch, and went and laid down. He was so happy that day. Our time together was cut way too short, but I wouldn’t change anything at all.

Thanks for reading and letting me talk about him. View attachment 404048View attachment 404049View attachment 404051
View attachment 404054

@apdebord, I'm so sorry for your loss! Take care.

 

[LSUlakes]

This weekend we get to end and start a month during the same weekend. Maybe it's just me but it doesnt seem like this happens as often as I thought it would. Anyway... Below is a list of folks with a race this weekend:

31 - @PkbaughAR - Grand Teton 5K (NG / N/A)

June
01 - pkbaughAR - Grand Teton Half Marathon (NG / N/A)
01 - @Professor_Cookie - Red Bull 400 Park City (NG / N/A)
01 - @Sleepless Knight - MHKite 5k (NG / N/A)
01 - @baxter24 - Run the Quay 10k (NG / N/A)
01 - @KevM - Wissahickon Trail Classic 10K (NG / N/A)
01 - Mr. @PaDisneyCouple - Double Creek Half Marathon (2:20:00 / N/A)
02 - @roxymama - Knights of Columbus 5k (Have Fun / N/A)
02 - @TheHamm - Dexter-Ann Arbor Run (3:00:00 / N/A)
02 - @JulieODC - Newport 10 Miler (NG / N/A)
02 - @Kerry1957 - North Shore Classic Half Marathon (2:36:29 / N/A)
02 - @Baloo in MI - Dexter to Ann Arbor Half Marathon (1:59:59 / N/A)
02 - @huskies90 - UCONN HEALTH HALF MARATHON (1:43:58 / N/A)

Have a great race this weekend and I look forward to hearing how your race went!

 

[StacyStrong]

Nothing in my short year long run career has changed for me when running in the summer. I always bring water - no matter how cold or how short the run is. It's a mental thing - even if I don't drink it, I like knowing it's there. Plus, I have a hand water bottle and it carries my car keys (I drive to the park I run at).

I guess the only difference is I slow down - but that's just natural, I don't actively try. The other thing is that I wear sunblock.

I should run earlier, but..............no.

 

[StacyStrong]

I would like to share that I have FINALLY hit over 150 miles this year. 152! I know that's not a whole lot, but it's the first time I have EVER run that many miles in a year, so it's a big deal to me! I'm excited.

 

[flav]

I even decided to wear said ice bag on my head during a photo with Mr. and Mrs. Incredible during the race.

Cool! Instant Frozone costume!

 

[FFigawi]

Not running related, but we all love talking about our pets here and talking about this has been helping. My 7 year old mini schnauzer, Simon, passed away somewhat suddenly late Friday night. We’ve had him since he was a baby. He was the sweetest boy.

He was diagnosed with Cushing’s on March 1st. Every 2 weeks he had to go in for testing to try to nail down the proper dose for his medication. The numbers would be okay, but he’d still be having clinical signs so we’d increase the dose. We thought we had it in April, but on May 9th I decided to take him in because he was just not happy at all. His test was terrible so we increased his medication. He was taking the same amount a Great Dane would take, so I was terrified, but it seemed to be working. He started feeling sick last weekend and I took him to our vet last Tuesday. He was in an Addison’s crisis, which is the opposite of Cushing’s and potentially fatal, but he received a steroid injection to get his cortisol back up to normal levels. He was also diagnosed with diabetes and pancreatitis. They pumped him full of fluids and gave us insulin and sent him home that same day. He had a great day Wednesday and half of Thursday. Thursday afternoon he started to refuse food and treats and he was very lethargic. I took him to the emergency vet Friday morning after I saw him fall over in the yard. They took him back immediately and diagnosed him with diabetic ketoacidosis and an UTI in addition to everything else. They read his charts from our vet and he should have been diagnosed with diabetes weeks ago, but they completely missed it. They said he was in a really bad state, but that he’d be okay in a few days. Later that afternoon they called following an ultrasound and they found a large tumor on his adrenal gland, which was causing the Cushing’s. Adrenal dependent Cushing’s is very rare and much more life threatening than the other types. They also found a massive blood clot in his vena cava which could break off at any time and instantly take him. We all decided to work one thing at a time and keep treating the DKA and think of a game plan once he recovered for everything else. We went to visit him Friday evening and it was heartbreaking. He was so out of it and he wasn’t even sedated. At 11:54, they called us to say that Simon had gone into cardiac arrest at 11:45 and he was not responding to CPR. She gave her prognosis for if he even came back, and we elected to stop CPR. We rushed to the vet to see him one last time, but he was gone within seconds of stopping CPR. I’m so thankful he knew when it was time to go and that we did not have to make that decision for him. The vet said it was very quick and he did not appear to be in pain, just very, very tired. I’m furious that our vet missed his diabetes earlier this month. On May 9th, his glucose was higher than the day they actually diagnosed him last week. While I want to march in there and scream at them, no one would have known about the blood clot, which would have been untreatable, and that may have been what gotten him. Just a lot of feelings about the whole thing.

We put our senior dog down on NYE, my grandmother passed away suddenly in March, and now this. I really hope this is it for a while. My husband has a 50K this weekend in Northern Virginia, so we’re looking forward to get away from the house for a couple of days.

Simon and I did run one race together, a 1 mile puppy trot. He got 17th place and his mile PR was 9:01. He got distracted just before the finish line by some freshly laid mulch, and went and laid down. He was so happy that day. Our time together was cut way too short, but I wouldn’t change anything at all.

Thanks for reading and letting me talk about him. View attachment 404048View attachment 404049View attachment 404051
View attachment 404054

Sorry for your loss

 

[QueenFernando]

I take in WAY more electrolytes than in cooler months. Nuun before, during, and after every run.

ATTQOTD: Just North of Orlando here. I've been drinking so much more Nuun lately too! I've been wondering if I really need it, but it tastes so good to me now that the weather is really heating up. I can down 2 servings as soon as I get back from a run. And usually another in the evening.
I also try to get out earlier so that I'm back before the T+D gets above 150.

 

[ChattaDIS]

@LSUlakes
Can you add the following to the calendar for me:

6/5 NYRR 1 for You 1for Youth 5K (27:00/NA)

Thank you!

Is this race sold out? I’m in NYC next week and this sounds like a fun thing to do that morning. I can’t see on Nyrr how to sign up.

 

[Smilelea]

QOTD: What changes do you make when running in the summer months v/s winter months?

- Gatorade or water in the mailbox so I can grab as I pass if needed
- less clothes
- earlier mornings - this is particularly a challenge in June and July because schools out and I'm off work. I'd much rather sleep in. But good grief it gets hot!


@apdebord, I'm so very sorry about your fur baby!

 

[ChattaDIS]

Is this race sold out? I’m in NYC next week and this sounds like a fun thing to do that morning. I can’t see on Nyrr how to sign up.

Uggh. Found it appears that registration is closed

 

[Waiting2goback]

QOTD: What changes do you make when running in the summer months v/s winter months?

ATTQOTD: I'm more likely to carry water for shorter runs. Runs will start either earlier or later in the day as well. For longer runs that last later in the morning, I pay attention to the color shirt I wear to run in (light colors). I also will wait on purpose for a afternoon shower to run in, just so it feels cooler.

I try to stay more hydrated throughout the day as opposed to just drinking more during my run/biking activity.

 

[Waiting2goback]