The Running Thread—2023

[xjillianpaige]

Brooks Ghost 14 runners - have you moved onto the 15s? How do they feel? I'm going to buy a few pairs of 14s online to get me through Chicago training, but if the shift to 15s has been easy for most I'd be open to switching to 15s for my next cycle.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Brooks Ghost 14 runners - have you moved onto the 15s? How do they feel? I'm going to buy a few pairs of 14s online to get me through Chicago training, but if the shift to 15s has been easy for most I'd be open to switching to 15s for my next cycle.

DH has both and has had no issues, but he's probably not really the best person to ask since he also has NB 1080s and wears a pair of altras for work.

 

[sandam1]

I went to Fleet Feet to get isome individual fuel packs to try, and walked out with Oofos sandals and the Pride Goodrs.

Oops.

That's all? I'm impressed.

 

[camaker]

Brooks Ghost 14 runners - have you moved onto the 15s? How do they feel? I'm going to buy a few pairs of 14s online to get me through Chicago training, but if the shift to 15s has been easy for most I'd be open to switching to 15s for my next cycle.

I just put the Ghost 15s into rotation for the first time to audition them. I've got ~62 miles on them and haven't seen any significant difference between them and the 14s.

 

[nancipants]

That's all? I'm impressed.

The guy was really nice and helpful so I’m sure I will be back to that location to buy new shoes.

 

[WillRunForPizza]

Brooks Ghost 14 runners - have you moved onto the 15s? How do they feel? I'm going to buy a few pairs of 14s online to get me through Chicago training, but if the shift to 15s has been easy for most I'd be open to switching to 15s for my next cycle.

My feet are only slightly picky, but I switched from 14s to 15s and have had no issues. (Also train in NB 880s and Saucony Endorphin Speed 3s.)

 

[PrincessV]

I lost my quotes, but thanks to all offering sympathy and good thoughts! The upside of my back issue is that I’ve lived With it long enough now to know what helps: avoid the movements that trigger pain, NSAIDs, and chiropractic care. The hard part is learning to advocate for myself instead of listening to practitioners that are just going by what whatever manual says works for most people. And the big upside is that running doesn’t bother it at all, and often improves the pain! I’m not expecting any miracles, but I’ll see what the sports med people have to say later today.

 

[michigandergirl]

Catching up...

June running total: 67.2 miles

I've been in maintenance mode for the last 6 weeks. I'll start marathon training soon. I'm running the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon on Oct 28th. I was able to snag one of the virtual NYC/guaranteed entry spots, so I'll need to run a marathon between Oct 28 - Nov 5 to be able to have an NYC spot in 2024. I figured running a supported marathon would be better for me and I'll also get to check off another state, so Indy it is.

ATTQOTD: 2023 goals

1) Remain consistent with running (4 days a week)
2) Continue cross training (swimming, strength training, & yoga)
3) Run marathon #8 - location to be determined...

Doing pretty good on my 2023 goals:

1) I've been consistent
2) I've kept up with yoga & strength, but I canceled my gym membership, so I've stopped swimming (might revisit that if I ever do a triathlon).
3) Done - Flying Pig

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

Brooks Ghost 14 runners - have you moved onto the 15s?

No problems moving to 15. The only thing I noticed is they don't want to stay tied. Save some 14 laces.

 

[steph0808]

I'm also way behind - I haven't been on a real computer since June 29 when I started my stay-cation!

June Running
Miles - 69.93 (wish I had added it up in June to run 0.07 more!)
Time - 11:59:04
Avg HR - 146
Avg Pace - 10:19

Still just maintaining - missed some runs in June due to feeling slightly rundown after a work trip at the beginning of the month and my oldest DD's softball schedule.

Strength Training
Workouts - 8
Time - 4:19:51

Still need to add leg day back into the rotation and missed a few workouts.

Walking
Walks - 4
Miles - 3.75

Pool Swimming
Swims - 1
Distance - 825 yards


Need to keep up with strength training, would like to add some more swim time, and should probably start on a plan for a November for-fun half marathon.

Need to also think about training for a POT half. My most recent (run-for-fun) half times put me solidly in Corral B for Disney races, as my Corral A POT expired - boo. Not sure if I feel up to really pushing on my November half. Need to decide soon!

 

[prncssjas]

I'm running the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon on Oct 28th.

Yah! I am signed up to run the half--never ran Indy but hear the course is fairly flat and easy (I'll take it). Have you booked a hotel? I have no idea where to stay but want something close to start/finish line. Good luck with the training and races!

 

[PrincessV]

I lost my quotes, but thanks to all offering sympathy and good thoughts! The upside of my back issue is that I’ve lived With it long enough now to know what helps: avoid the movements that trigger pain, NSAIDs, and chiropractic care. The hard part is learning to advocate for myself instead of listening to practitioners that are just going by what whatever manual says works for most people. And the big upside is that running doesn’t bother it at all, and often improves the pain! I’m not expecting any miracles, but I’ll see what the sports med people have to say later today.

Back from the sports med doc…

Hi, I’m V, and I’m old and broken.

Okay, he said it more professionally, but that’s the gist of it. Spinal arthritis caused by scoliosis. Discs bulging in *just* the right spot to hit a big batch of nerves that cause pain down my right side. But it’s “not terrible” and my conservative approach to dealing with it (don’t do stuff that makes it flare, take Aleve when it’s really bad, continue chiropractic care) is totes fine - PT isn’t going to fix this. But he recommended some spine specialists to consider getting established with when I’ve got some time for it - because odds are I’m going to need less conservative care down the road. Keep run-walking: no issue there if it’s not hurting. So a mixed bag. It can’t be fixed, exactly, and the degeneration will continue at a yet-to-be-known pace, but it’s not a huge problem, either.

I’m regretting signing up for all 3 W&D races at the moment, but I’m reminding myself that A. I don’t HAVE to finish all 3, and B. I can not race at all and just do whatever pace works for me. That last part is what I’m s l o w l y wrapping my head around… like, it’s great that so many 50+yos are still setting PRs and chasing records! But I’m not one of them. I had my peak as an athlete decades ago and the wear & tear is hitting now - I have to find a way to be okay with whatever my body will allow at any given time.

 

[michigandergirl]

Yah! I am signed up to run the half--never ran Indy but hear the course is fairly flat and easy (I'll take it). Have you booked a hotel? I have no idea where to stay but want something close to start/finish line. Good luck with the training and races!

I've heard it's flat too, so happy about that!! We are staying at the Hyatt Regency - I booked through the Indy housing site link - prices were reasonable and it looked like most of the hotels on there were very close to the start/finish.

 

[Kerry1957]

That last part is what I’m s l o w l y wrapping my head around… like, it’s great that so many 50+yos are still setting PRs and chasing records! But I’m not one of them. I had my peak as an athlete decades ago and the wear & tear is hitting now - I have to find a way to be okay with whatever my body will allow at any given time.

Although this should not be a difficult concept, many of us struggle with it. I started running in my 50s and now at 65 I am finally comfortable with the fact that the personal records I set in my 50s are not going to be broken. I have actually found this to be liberating...I now focus on having fun, finishing strong, and just enjoying the moment with no pressures or worries.

 

[jmasgat]

@PrincessV I get the whole "what is this getting old" BS. It may take a while to reconcile your head and heart with your body. As a "near-Medicare" age runner, I am going through the same thing and is not always easy to do. I'm still working at it. Every time I see a runner who's near my age, every time I run a pace that is "way slower than what I used to run", every time I check the AG results of a race to see where I "think I should be", I have a moment of being really annoyed/feeling like a failure. Which is stupid, but it is what it is. I just have to remind myself that I am still in better shape than a lot of people, and change my goals for what running means to me.

 

[Grabnar]

Amazon has the Forerunner 745 on sale today for $280 if you have Prime

 

[Herding_Cats]

QOTD:

How do you help yourself get used to a new shoe when you move away from a model that you have worn for a long time?

I've been running in NB1080s for almost 3 years now, and they changed the heel in the current newest model and I don't think it'll work for me any longer when I run out of my current stockpile. (I currently have 4 or so pairs to work through, so this isn't a pressing issue.) I tried on another shoe yesterday on a whim (endorphin speed 3) and it felt SO DIFFERENT that my brain wanted to immediately reject it and get it off my foot right now.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

QOTD:

How do you help yourself get used to a new shoe when you move away from a model that you have worn for a long time?

I've been running in NB1080s for almost 3 years now, and they changed the heel in the current newest model and I don't think it'll work for me any longer when I run out of my current stockpile. (I currently have 4 or so pairs to work through, so this isn't a pressing issue.) I tried on another shoe yesterday on a whim (endorphin speed 3) and it felt SO DIFFERENT that my brain wanted to immediately reject it and get it off my foot right now.

I’ve switched a few times and I always go with something similar to what I’d been using. I’ve switched from ASICS because I couldn’t trust their sizing anymore, and I switched from NB after that because my new shoes didn’t feel like they had any padding. Going with the similar feel helps switch. I currently wear Brooks Launch and Glycerin, and then Saucony Kinvaras for speed work.
I tried the Endorphins in the store when I was fitted for my Kinvaras and I did not like them. They’re supposed to be Saucony’s response to Nike, and I didn’t like even walking around in them. Nope nope. The Kinvaras are different from anything I’ve worn before, but I also haven’t been focused on track workouts until this summer.

 

[WillRunForPizza]

ATTQOTD (sort of): I don't know how much I can help with the actual question because I'm always rotating through 2-3 different pairs of shoes. However, I do agree that the Speed 3s (one of my current rotation) feel quite different from my other shoes. So maybe that's just not the right one for you?

 

[steph0808]

I'm not one to talk - I've been buying New Balance 890s in my size on the "black market" (Amazon / Poshmark / eBay / etc.) for several years now so I don't have to go get fitted and adjust to a new shoe.

I really need to bite the bullet and do it though, my luck will probably run out right in the middle of training for an important race (though none are on my calendar).