The Running Thread - 2021

[GreatLakes]

My increased training plan produced it's first real measurable benefit yesterday with my fastest 5K since 2013. I didn't think I'd ever get back into the 18:00's but ran a 19:19 and felt like I had some speed to spare. Now I have a second time goal to add to my 3:10 MW full...getting back below 19:00.

 

[SheHulk]

Broad Street Race Recap Part Deux:
Right back at you @Novatrix ! And congrats on the huge pr! So great. I actually enjoyed the weather, didn't mind a little drizzle and the overcast sky helped keep me comfy, not too hot.

I couldn't describe the race course better than above. I can't decide whether I liked the Navy Yard finish better from previous years, or running past the sports arenas like the Linc & Citizens Bank Stadium like this time. Both are cool in their own way.

I was *not* giving it my all this race. I have the Philly Marathon in 6 weeks, and had a 9 mile marathon pace tempo run on the schedule for today, so was just making this a supported training run. The real goal today was a dress rehearsal for the marathon, my A race. I struggle to execute a pre-race and in-race nutrition plan, often because I don't want to get up early enough to eat the right things at the right time and have time to digest, hydrate, etc. Also I wanted to bust out my Hoka Carbon X's I've been hoarding for the marathon, and try them out today.

I have to say it was a success in this regard. I did NOT want to get up early like I was supposed to, but I was bound and determined to take my breakfast seriously. I did what I should, and felt great during the race. I used a Maurten gel at mile 4 like I would in the marathon, and I tried out some peanut butter filled pretzel nuggets at like mile 8. I'm not sold on the pretzels yet. I wasn't hungry enough for them at that time. I might take some with me for the marathon, but use them later in the race and instead take another gel at mile 8. The shoes were great, very comfy. I'll wear them for my next 2 tempo runs which will leave me with about 33 miles on them for the marathon start.

I was supposed to stick to a 9:30-9:40/mile pace (adjusting for T+D) and I finished in 1:36:48. So a pretty good job on pacing, if I do say so myself! That's including 2 short breaks for fueling and starting with a warmup mile (ok, maybe that warmup mile wasn't as slow as it should be). Surprisingly, this was a 7 second PR since my 10-miler this past May, where I was trying my hardest! So that was pretty cool, if unexpected. Call me The Squeaker because I'm pretty sure the past 3 times I've PR'ed or set a time goal and made it, I have made it but with less than 10 seconds to spare. Not 10 seconds per mile pace, 10 seconds total race time!

The best part about today was just how much fun it was to race in a city again. I really just love city races. The energy can't be beat. I can't wait to take a victory lap for my training at the marathon in 6 weeks.

 

[apdebord]

Has anyone here fueled with UCAN gels? I recently found out I am insulin resistant so my normal fuel is causing my blood sugar to spike during runs. My runs have been horrible recently and I'm guessing it's because my body is storing the sugar in my Bloks and Skratch instead of using it for energy. I get very hungry on runs, so any advice is appreciated... I have 4 weeks to try something out before Wine and Dine. I am allergic to all nuts so unfortunately nut butters, almonds, etc. are out

 

[xjillianpaige]

I was wondering why there was so much cheering on Boylston yesterday, thought it was for everyone’s shake out runs! LOL I thought virtual was today! Congrats all!

Looking forward to Wellesley scream tunnel! I hope it’s not too diminished this year @JulieODC and @xjillianpaige hope to see you guys!

also no play off game for me - gonna rest these weary legs!

good luck to everyone in Chicago today!!!!

I'll be wearing a Red Sox B Strong hat with my volunteer jacket!

 

[garneska]

@dis_or_dat you are hopefully resting now. Good luck and enjoy tomorrow. I hope you have a wonderful marathon.

 

[JulieODC]

@dis_or_dat - have a great run tomorrow!!!

 

[GreatLakes]

Has anyone here fueled with UCAN gels? I recently found out I am insulin resistant so my normal fuel is causing my blood sugar to spike during runs. My runs have been horrible recently and I'm guessing it's because my body is storing the sugar in my Bloks and Skratch instead of using it for energy. I get very hungry on runs, so any advice is appreciated... I have 4 weeks to try something out before Wine and Dine. I am allergic to all nuts so unfortunately nut butters, almonds, etc. are out

I have not but want to give them a try and would like to hear from anyone here who has tried them. I do a lot of my runs fasted including my last half marathon (nothing to eat before and only water during) and would be interested to see how UCAN works. I'm swinging by REI today to see if they have any for me to try before I commit to a 12 pack online.

I've been trying a few different gels during my long runs and so far really like Huma but while it has other forms of energy it still has sugar, just using different names and slightly different methods.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Has anyone here fueled with UCAN gels? I recently found out I am insulin resistant so my normal fuel is causing my blood sugar to spike during runs. My runs have been horrible recently and I'm guessing it's because my body is storing the sugar in my Bloks and Skratch instead of using it for energy. I get very hungry on runs, so any advice is appreciated... I have 4 weeks to try something out before Wine and Dine. I am allergic to all nuts so unfortunately nut butters, almonds, etc. are out

It's been years since I first researched it, but this is what I compiled then:

Here is Runner Connect's counter-point as to whether its real or skirting science:

I know of one person who uses it and highly recommends it. I haven't used it before, because it can get pretty pricey. If you decide to try it, you can get it at a discount by using the website associated with McMillan (link).

One big consideration is the cost:

Look at the highlighted yellow boxes for each option. UCAN is 38 cents an oz of liquid. That's about 6x more expensive than Tailwind on a per ounce basis (6 cents per oz). So you'd need to feel pretty confident that it offers a significant advantage over other products at that cost. It's probably one of those things that you should try it, and if you feel it works for you, then go for it.

https://runnersconnect.net/running-...millan-talks-about-superstarch-and-much-more/
https://runnersconnect.net/running-...-with-dr-krista-austin-the-ucan-story-part-2/
https://runnersconnect.net/running-...hi-shoba-murali-wendy-feldman-the-ucan-story/
Here are some more recent papers:

https://journals-lww-com.ezproxy.li...se_Lipolysis_Unchanged_by_Preexercise.24.aspx
https://journals-lww-com.ezproxy.li...gical_Impact_of_a_Single_Serving_Slow.13.aspx
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/9/2888
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/8/7/392

 

[DopeyBadger]

@cburnett11 has started his Boston Marathon! @dis_or_dat hasn't started yet. Those are the only two I'm aware of running today. Go DIS'ers!

 

[DopeyBadger]

@cburnett11 has started his Boston Marathon! @dis_or_dat hasn't started yet. Those are the only two I'm aware of running today. Go DIS'ers!

@cburnett11 has passed 10k and @dis_or_dat has passed 5k!

 

[DopeyBadger]

@cburnett11 is a Boston Marathon finisher!

@dis_or_dat has passed the 35km mark and has an estimated 16 min to go. She's turned on the jets to the finish line with her fastest 5k split between 30km and 35km.

ETA - She just passed 40km and is still flying to the finish line! Go @dis_or_dat!

 

[DopeyBadger]

@dis_or_dat is a Boston Marathon finisher! Appears she closed her last mile as her fastest! Well done!

 

[garneska]

Woo hoo way to go @cburnett11 and @dis_or_dat

I can't wait for a recap. Hopefully weather was not too horrible.

 

[apdebord]

It's been years since I first researched it, but this is what I compiled then:

Here is Runner Connect's counter-point as to whether its real or skirting science:

I know of one person who uses it and highly recommends it. I haven't used it before, because it can get pretty pricey. If you decide to try it, you can get it at a discount by using the website associated with McMillan (link).

One big consideration is the cost:

Look at the highlighted yellow boxes for each option. UCAN is 38 cents an oz of liquid. That's about 6x more expensive than Tailwind on a per ounce basis (6 cents per oz). So you'd need to feel pretty confident that it offers a significant advantage over other products at that cost. It's probably one of those things that you should try it, and if you feel it works for you, then go for it.

https://runnersconnect.net/running-...millan-talks-about-superstarch-and-much-more/
https://runnersconnect.net/running-...-with-dr-krista-austin-the-ucan-story-part-2/
https://runnersconnect.net/running-...hi-shoba-murali-wendy-feldman-the-ucan-story/
Here are some more recent papers:

https://journals-lww-com.ezproxy.li...se_Lipolysis_Unchanged_by_Preexercise.24.aspx
https://journals-lww-com.ezproxy.li...gical_Impact_of_a_Single_Serving_Slow.13.aspx
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/9/2888
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/8/7/392

Thank you so much for all the info!

 

[steph0808]

A guy that I work with (whose family also has a local running store) ran Boston today and finished in 2:38.

 

[Chasing Dopey]

Has anyone here fueled with UCAN gels?

I have used UCAN as part of my pre-run (for harder workouts, long runs, and races), and they've worked well for me. One thing to keep in mind is that they are about half as 'potent' as your typical sugary gel, as far as total carbs goes, so I don't use them during the run. (I don't start with the sugar until the engine is already primed.) Their gels are also a good bit bigger, so you can't carry as many of them.

You mentioned you were getting hungry. Are you eating before you run? (I've been hearing lately that women should NOT run fasted, as it'll mess with hormones something awful.)

All that said, for a half marathon I think you could carry enough with you, and would definitely recommend giving them a try. I've never had an issue with them.

 

[Chasing Dopey]

Congrats @cburnett11 and @dis_or_dat !!!

I'm VERY curious how the rolling start workout out.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Congratulations to everyone who ran a race this weekend or today. Nice job!

 

[cburnett11]

I'm VERY curious how the rolling start workout out.

For me the rolling start was fine. I was just thrilled to be here. I ended up meeting (not planned) some of my faster friends who were waiting on a few others. We all started together which was really cool. They quickly left me, but that was expected. It was a great experience even though the race was harder than I had hoped.

 

[cburnett11]

Woo hoo way to go @cburnett11 and @dis_or_dat

I can't wait for a recap. Hopefully weather was not too horrible.

Thanks. The weather wasn’t idea for me, but I love cold races more than most. I put water on my head at mile 4 and that was a recurring theme for me. Some of my friends liked the weather.