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It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

themetfairy Jan 01 2013 01:20 PM

As with almost every year since 2004, I started the year with a 5-mile run in Hamilton's Veterans Park. My 56:15:23 time was my second fastest, and my best one since my 2010 glute injury. I love starting the year this way - it just makes me feel good. Plus I love the shirts they design each year -

Fman99 Jan 01 2013 03:24 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Skipped the local "Resolution Run," which has no formal distance or timing, it's more of a social run and I was busy doing things with the family. Plus it's nasty cold and windy out there today. The goal for 2013 is two full marathons, along with my regular slate of halfs, 5k and races of intermediate distances, the Syrathon races, the Boilermaker, and to get over 1000 miles for 2013 (which should be easy when training for two different full marathons).

DocTee Jan 01 2013 03:41 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Shooting for 500 miles in 2013. Been very very bad since mid-October--weight and health trending in wrong direction owing to stress and pressures of work (and overindulgences)so it's important that I start the year off right. On the wrong side of 40 now, I realize my metabolism has slowed, and the recovery time has lengthened.

TransMonk Jan 02 2013 06:28 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

DocTee wrote: Shooting for 500 miles in 2013. Same here.

metsmarathon Jan 02 2013 06:38 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

i'm aiming for 1,000 miles, as the only way to get there is to shake off the injury bug. i have no specific marathoning goals for the year, but hopefully i can entertain the notion of a fall or winter marathon after a good spring and summer. otherwise, i'd like to make a run at a 5k pr again. that thing needs to be pushed down to the 20 minute range.

themetfairy Jan 02 2013 07:30 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I have two bucket list races planned for this year - Fairmont to Fairmont in Bermuda (this Sunday) and Bay to Breakers in San Francisco in May. Other than that, I'm planning on sticking to shorter distances but interesting courses (the 5K that's in conjunction with the All Star Game, the Damon Runyon 5K in MFY III Stadium and a 5K in Bermuda on my birthday weekend). I'm kind of burned out right now, and really need to scale back the distances. I had signed up for a new gym that's under construction. It was scheduled to open in November; now they're saying "first quarter 2013". That doesn't thrill me - I was looking forward to focusing on cross-training at this time. Plus I need access to a Stair Master so I can train for next month's Empire State Building Run-Up. Ah, First World problems....

The Second Spitter Jan 02 2013 08:24 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

TransMonk wrote: DocTee wrote: Shooting for 500 miles in 2013. Same here. Does that mean you've given up the bike? DocTee wrote: On the wrong side of 40 now, [...], and the recovery time has lengthened. Sleep in compression tights. You'll thank me later.

TransMonk Jan 02 2013 09:11 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

The Second Spitter wrote: Does that mean you've given up the bike? Nope...I'm shooting for 2000 miles on the bike in addition to the 500 running.

themetfairy Jan 02 2013 06:01 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

A 5K with Yuengling! Who's in?

metsmarathon Jan 02 2013 08:32 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

i may just have to do that...

themetfairy Jan 02 2013 08:34 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Do it mm!

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 03 2013 08:54 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

That sounds like fun but WTF is it with these $40 entry fees? I seriously can't afford to run at that price, especially since going out there would mean a long drive, taking along and signing up Wifey, etc etc. I just turned down a New Year's Eve event near my Mom's house for the same reason. While I'd like to compete, who the hell has $80 sitting around after xmas to go run for 25 minutes? I do twice that for free instead. I am all for supporting charities and paying for cops etc etc but can't justify that shit, and I rarely wear the t-shirts anyway. Grumble. $25 is about my limit for this shit. PS, I wound up doing 74 miles in December and closed 2012 with 630 miles, not bad considering I took 2 months off with achilles issues. I don't really have a running goal beyond doing better than I did last year in the Fiesta 5K this year in Baltimore (May 4 http://support.alscenter.org/site/TR?fr ... p;pg=entry).

DocTee Jan 03 2013 09:36 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

2013 off on right foot: jan 1: 1.35 miles jan 2: 1.50 jan 3: 1.76 All at a 9:30 clip. That's 45 minutes less goofing off on computer, more breathing fresh air. Journeys of a thousand miles and all that.

metsmarathon Jan 03 2013 09:53 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

hmm... i have a hard time finding races for less than $25...

DocTee Jan 03 2013 10:15 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

The Yuengling fee looks about right considering the swag you get-- shirt, pint glass, two free drinks...take those last two away and it'd probably be about $25. Fees are generally the same for 5K and 10K, no? That's why I'd opt for the longer run-- more bang for your buck if you will.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 03 2013 10:18 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

metsmarathon wrote: hmm... i have a hard time finding races for less than $25... I guess I don't register for enough. But I get sticker shock at $40.

metsmarathon Jan 03 2013 10:55 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

$40 is a bit much, but they do give away some nice stuff. i think we'll end up making a trip to hershey park out of it as well. also have some other friends doing it. i'll porbably sign up tonight.

cooby Jan 03 2013 03:36 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

themetfairy wrote: A 5K with Yuengling! Who's in? God help me, she's talked me into it...though I will be a walking.

themetfairy Jan 03 2013 04:19 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Woot! I get to participate in a race with cooby!!!!!!

cooby Jan 03 2013 04:27 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Me thinks, unless you run as slow as I walk, that we won't exactly be together, lol...though maybe for the post event lagers :) btw, I love the word 'woot'!

themetfairy Jan 03 2013 04:37 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I'm pretty slow. And meeting for lagers works for me :)

cooby Jan 03 2013 04:41 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

My son is actually the one that got me started on Yuengling...

themetfairy Jan 03 2013 04:45 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

He should join us then!

cooby Jan 04 2013 08:23 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Seriously, will I look stupid if I walk?

Edgy MD Jan 04 2013 08:46 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Depends on how you walk, I would guess.

cooby Jan 04 2013 09:00 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

If I walked like that, I'll bet my belly would be flatter... My husband did that once at work and the whole place about peed their pants

themetfairy Jan 04 2013 03:29 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Not at all! There will be many walkers.

cooby Jan 04 2013 04:30 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

My husband is walking with me :) I better get us registered!

themetfairy Jan 06 2013 08:02 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I crossed a bucket list race off today by running the Fairmont to Fairmont in Bermuda. The course is challenging for two reasons - the vehicular traffic (it varied in intensity, but was worse at the beginning) and the hills (they varied in intensity, but were worse at the end. Especially one horrendous one at the very end). My friend and I were up to the challenge, and I finished the 7.2 mile race in 1:24:15. As you can see, it was a gorgeous day in paradise -

DocTee Jan 06 2013 09:23 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Six days in, six days run.

themetfairy Jan 07 2013 06:23 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Awesome Doc! Are you going to run Bay to Breakers? I'm signed up for this year's race :)

DocTee Jan 07 2013 08:29 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

No B2B for me as I'll be in Europe at that time. B2B is as much a party/parade as it is a race, though I've never done it. Hoping for a 5k ColorVibe run on the 19th of January, and the Ragnar relay in September, plus a bunch of local races this year. Perhaps the SF half-marathon in the summer...several colleagues are doing the Oakland Marathon in March but they don;t have the half-version and I doubt I'd be stretched out bu then anyway.

themetfairy Jan 07 2013 09:59 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Yes, I know B2B is a big street party. But I got myself registered for Corral B with hopes that things shouldn't be too crazy yet when my wave starts. Sorry that I'll miss you!

cooby Jan 07 2013 02:10 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

BTW, metfairy, we have our registration, and reserved a room :)

themetfairy Jan 07 2013 02:12 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Awesome cooby! I'll be going with a friend. We don't know yet whether we'll be staying over or just making the drive up really early.

cooby Jan 07 2013 02:18 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Yes, we're just 2 hours away, but still...

themetfairy Jan 07 2013 02:58 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Hey - go for it!

themetfairy Jan 10 2013 05:43 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Representing the USA on foreign soil, including a cap with the Mets logo in red, white and blue!

Fman99 Jan 13 2013 07:01 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jan 14 2013 04:41 AM

Some of my friends and I ran a virtual half marathon yesterday to benefit the families of Sandy Hook. We paid online for a bib and pledged to run 13.1 in memory of those who lost their lives there on that day. I ran with thoughts of those children in my head and heart. We finished in about 1:55 with a short break about halfway through. It's the first time since Veterans' Day weekend that I've run that far, and despite not training for it or making any accommodations from my normal running schedule, I feel good that I can roll out of bed and bang out 13 miles on a run. I am stretched out. I had a chance to test out a couple of new things that will become part of my marathon training and race prep. One is I tested out this contraption for the first time, that I received as a holiday gift (well, that I bought with a holiday gift card but you know what I mean). Filled one bottle up with water and the other with G2 Gatorade (raspberry lemonade flavor, which I enjoyed). This was a good first test of it, since we were doing two circuits of an out and back 6.55 mile loop, I ran the first circuit without it and then threw it on for the second half of the run. It worked out well. I wouldn't say it was comfortable but the bottles do come in and out of it without effort and are easy to drink from while running. I don't intend on using it for race day but it will work for those 15-21 mile Saturday practice runs in the upcoming months. The other new thing I tried was some nutritional goo. I've been a Sport Beans guy but I don't want to rely solely on those for four hours, so I got some different brands and flavors to try over the next few months. I tried two yesterday. Delicious and gave me a boost. Will use again. Like eating icing out of a pouch. Nope. Too citrusy, too thin in consistency. Felt like a very unnatural thing to eat.

themetfairy Jan 13 2013 07:17 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I feel the same way about GU and Powerbar (although I know people who feel otherwise). I kept a spreadsheet of the different brands and flavors - how they tasted, how they felt going down, how they digested, etc. I ran the Marathon primarily using GU Vanilla Bean, although now I'm burnt out on that flavor. I used the Chocolate Outrage for my 10K yesterday, and also like the Chocolate Mint and the GU Roctane Chocolate Raspberry. My dream is that one day they will come out with Chocolate Peanut Butter, but for now that's only a dream.... For the longer runs, experiment with taking a caffeine tablet on the second half. I find that when I'm losing focus caffeine reigns my head back in. Also, experiment with Wegman's MVP and MVP2 instead of Gatorade. I personally find that the MVP2 goes down well and doesn't have the aftertaste that G2 has. Best of luck with the training!

Fman99 Jan 13 2013 12:46 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Thanks MF. I know some of the gels have caffeine in them, including that tangerine one. I will continue to test them out. As for the MVP2 low calorie drinks from Wegmans, I will test those out also. It helps that the kids will drink them too, I will get a bunch to try while running and they can help polish off the ones I don't like.

themetfairy Jan 13 2013 02:52 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Some of the gels have caffeine, but not all of them (Chocolate Outgrage does), but only 20-40 mg. That's something, but not much. A caffeine pill has something like 200 mg., which is the equivalent of a Starbucks latte.

metsmarathon Jan 16 2013 03:22 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

on saturday, i ran the walt disney world half marathon. it was my longest run in two years. (holy shit, really??!) with a predicted time of around 2 hours, i was in corral a. i shall never again do a disney race where i do not find myself in corral a. there were none of hte annoyances and nuisances and throughly inconsiderate and inexperienced runners that plague disney runs, and make me hate running in them even though i secretly love them. my training for this race was fairly minimal, and after my 12 miler in the snow a few weeks back, my plantar fasciitis has been a real bitch. i took pretty much a week and a half off before the race, and have not been able to tack on the midweek mileage as i would like to have. i do not have as much base as i should. my legs felt great, but my foot was hurting before even the start of the race. i'd wanted to get taped before the run, but at the expo we were feeling a little rushed with an overtired minimm, and i didn't get in line, and we didn't buy any product. (after the race, i went to the expo to get taped, but the line was too long, so i bought more KT tape) the tape prolly would have helped some, as it did in the army ten miler, but c'est la vie. the long walk through the staging area and the corrals was not good for my foot. it was hurting at the start. i know, i said that already. when the fireworks went off to kick off the race, i started briefly with mrs.mm, but she gave me the go ahead to run ahead. she likes running alone better. i catch up o the 1:50 pace group and decide to hang with them as long as i can. i figure i have a decent shot at a top-3 half time, depending on how i hold up. my legs feel like they can run faster, but i can't quite push off effectively with my right foot. by the first mile, i'm already playing hte little race-within-a-race games that i use to stay focused. this is going to be a long race. after about 4 miles of me playing back and forth with the pace group, they get past me, and leave me in the dust. the weather was humid, though not yet hot, and i'd been pushing too much. so i stretched a 15-second walk break to 30 seconds, and the pace group goes on. i stayed within earshot for a while, but by the time mile 6 came and went, i was way behind, and running on my own. my mindset was to get to the castle, and then hang on. it was a struggle. and then after i got though the castle and all the photoops (being in the A corral helped here, as the crowd was super thin running through. got some great photos of myself in there) i took a longer walk break. the back stretch is a challenge, as tehre's not much going on, and not much to pull you through. these were my slowest miles. as the 10 mile mark approached, and so did epcot, i started to perk up. the realization that there was but a 5k left left me energized. i started to do the mental calculation and realized i could still beat 1:55, but i'd have to hurry. my pace gradually increased, and i went from 8:51 in mile 10 to 8:32 in mile 11, to 8:08 in mile 12, then to 7:44 in mile 13 (my fastest full mile). i was passing people i'd recognized earlier in teh race. after the 12 mile mark i was in epcot proper, with an out-and-back from teh big ball out along hte promenade thingy to the worlds showcase, and ten back. it felt so much longer going out than coming back in. (thats what she said...?). i hit the turnaround and turned on the jets. my iphone says my final .1 miles was in 7:14 pace. 1:53:40 total time. only two miles took more than 9 minutes. so said my iphone. i ran with it in my hand the whole time. took a few pics. mostly at the start. also stopped for a photo with phineas & ferb and lilo a& stitch. cost me a few seconds each, but no biggie. i enjoyed the brief moments of rest each time. after the reace i was toast. not being able to push off effectively left my quads tired. i missed my #3 half marathon time by 2 minutes or so, but i'm ok with that. my legs felt like, without the plantar fasciitis, and with slightly cooler temps, or less humidity i could possibly have gone sub 1:50. because of the foot injury, however, i had to play mind games throughout. this was the most mentally challenging half i'd ever run, and was one of my more challenging distance races ever. i was never able to turn my brain off and just run. i need to run again, but i also need rest. i'm thinking of taking anohter week and a half off for recovery, and then hoping i can lick this stupid foot thing. i want to run the a1a half in ft lauderdale in feb.

themetfairy Jan 16 2013 03:29 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

AWESOME job mm - even injured you're damn impressive!

cooby Jan 16 2013 03:44 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Who all is going to the Yuengling lager walk/run? My husband and I are walking. My foot is still recovering somewhat from surgery and I don't think this would be a good time for me to take up running! I would like to see some of you there (metfairy will be there!)

Fman99 Jan 16 2013 07:33 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

metsmarathon wrote: on saturday, i ran the walt disney world half marathon. it was my longest run in two years. (holy shit, really??!) Enjoyed the race recap, as usual. Hoping for better health for you, Coach.

metsmarathon Jan 16 2013 09:24 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

i'll be running for beer. it looks like the kind of hilly course i should love. its been a few days since the run, and my foot is feeling much better than it did before the race, so its progress. i'm looking forward to once again feeling like i can roll out of bed and run a half marathon like fman. should be there by the end of the year - we'll see. as it is, i'm pretty happy with running a thoroughly respectable half on minimal training.

The Second Spitter Jan 17 2013 02:22 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Does that mean you've given up the bike? Nope...I'm shooting for 2000 miles on the bike in addition to the 500 running. I think cross-training is the most sensible approach to fitness and you've actually inspired me to start running again. Here are the 3 main advantages: 1. You actually shed more fat dedicating your total fitness to two or more different cardio activities, rather than just focusing on one -- basically the science behind it is the body adjusts the consumption of calories when you do the same activity over and over (There's a BBC doco called "The Truth about Exercise" -- not sure if vid link works in the US -- which basically reaches this conclusion). 2. Less prone to injury. Even with a low impact sport like cycling you start to develop RSIs performing one activity over and over (mostly my back, to the point where I can't cycle on deadlift day). 3. You can train on more days consecutively, because you're placing an emphasis on different muscle groups. My current schedule is: RCCCRC*, where * is a rest day

soupcan Jan 18 2013 07:41 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Just wanna say that I thoroughly enjoy reading about everybody's running exploits. I don't post much in here but I do read it all. Fman - Appreciate the reviews on those products! I'm in the market for either a handheld or belted water bottle so that helped out. Thinking I might just try running with a Camelback and see how that goes first. Also been wondering about the GU, so thanks again. MetFairy - I do so enjoy your tales and pictures. Keep 'em coming. Looks to me like your legs are getting thinner with more muscle tone. Yes? mm - I have a friend that has a running blog (the rundown) and one of her contributors recently wrote something about the Disney runs. That take was much similar to yours regarding the bothersome 'non-runners'. Good stuff to read and to know. So personally, over the past seven weeks I have been training for a marathon in March. It's been going pretty well I think. I've got a training schedule that I've been sticking to. Have a 14 miler scheduled for tomorrow that is intimidating me a bit but I think I'm up for up for it. I haven't yet registered for the marathon because I wanted to at least see if I could get halfway through the training before I did. If I can do the run tomorrow then I think I may sign myself up. Unfortunately I'm not feeling 100%. My legs and my stamina are fine but I think I may have a touch of one of these viruses, etc. that have been going around. Had a queasy stomach early in the week and then developed a little tightness in my chest. Ran 4 miles last night and 6 the night before with no issues but wondering how smart it is to try 14 tomorrow. If I don't do it, then I'll be all concerned that I've fucked up the schedule. If I could put it off to Sunday I would, but I don't have the time on Sunday. If I put it off until Monday then I fuck up next week's schedule! Not so easy trying to fit all these runs in.

themetfairy Jan 18 2013 08:30 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

soup - you're a charmer! I don't think that my legs have gotten thinner, but I'm still grooving over the fact that they aren't horribly fat anymore. As for your marathon training, best of luck! Where is the race? Have you read Hal Higdon's book Marathon? It's a fabulous guide, and I highly recommend it. If you're not feeling well tomorrow, don't run the 14 miles. But that does not mean that your training is fucked up. It's ok to skip a run, and just go back to the training schedule not having done it - it's more important to listen to your body and give it rest when it needs it. Training plans are fabulous, but they are guidelines, and it's ok if you need to. There's a saying that it's better to undertrain than to overtrain, and I believe it (FWIW, my PR in the half marathon was my first one, where I horribly undertrained and didn't know what the hell I was doing). Be well and happy training!

metsmarathon Jan 18 2013 09:18 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

what's your training plan look like? you could always make this week a drop-back week and skip one later on. i think though not to worry at all. if you skip the 14 miler (maybe cut it down so it's a manageable 6 if you're just not feeling great, but not actually sick as a dog) it's really only going to hurt you on your next long run - there should be minimal long-term impact on your marathon goal. what i mean is, if up to now, you've run 12 miles, then your 14 miler has 2 new miles. for me, it was always hte new miles that hurt in a long run. i'd run the 12 miles just fine, and struggle the last two. then the next run, i'd get to 14 miles just fine, and struggle the last two. so if you skip the 14 miler and your next long run is 16 miles, uou'll probably just have a really tough last 4 miles in the 16 miler, and be pretty fine in the next long run. i had something of a similar thing happen to me in the leadup to my first marathon, i think. maybe my second. i was out for a midweek run, and when rounding a corner by an old run-down farm, a big german shepherd that had been sitting by the farm came charging at me. i cut across some tall grass on the side of the road to get some distance from the dog, who never gave chase, and in doing so, tweaked something in my knee. i basically limped home two miles. that weekend, i had a 14 miler as well. and i couldn't run it. i rode a bike alongside future mrs.mm as she ran 14 miles. my knee felt better in time for the next week's long run, and, wouldn'tcha know it, i felt fine for 12 miles, and hte last 4 were a struggle. the rest of my training, near as i could tell, went fine. in the marathon itself, i hit a wall at around 18 miles, and i'm pretty sure the skipped run had little to do with it. we'd been a little lax in our midweek running, so i maybe just didn't have as much of a base as i should otherwise have had. ... i think my wife has hte same type of pack. i have one with a single water bottle, and i haven't used it for so long i forget where the hell it even is anymore. i also have a "spi-belt" which is a small, somewhat stretchy waist pack that can fit all the gels i'd want to, but doesn't hold a water bottle. i prefer this during actual distance races as the water bottle is generally superfluous with all the water stops alojng the course. and even then, after 20 miles, i'm ready to rip the damned thing right off my body and stomp it to death rather than wear it another 6.2 miles. it's nice to have a friend along the course you can toss the thing to in the later stages of the race just to offload it - just so long as you don't still need anything it's carrying, and/or can't stuff what its still carrying comfortably into whatever pockets your race attire may offer. i'm a big proponent of the gu stuff. i prefer the gu blueberry-pomegranate rocktane, which has caffeine. the only other flavor i can really take is the tri-berry, and maybe the generic citrus. i can't deal with the thicker icingy chocolatey flavors. the trick is to find hte brand and flavor that you can tolerate. buy a bunch of samples from your favorite local running store and try 'em out on your long runs. the general rule is 15 minutes before, and every 45 minutes during. i tend to tie they to my water stops and mile marks...

themetfairy Jan 18 2013 09:30 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

The Spibelt is also good for carrying a phone, which you might want to have for meeting up with people after the race. I'd put the phone in a plastic bag, just to be safe. You never know when you're going to need to dump a cup of water over your head and you don't want to get the thing wet (probably not a likelihood in March, but it's still worth protecting the phone when you're out there).

Fman99 Jan 18 2013 10:16 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Good luck with your marathon training, Soupy! I'll be running my first marathon in May (and my second one in October, I signed up this week to get in ahead of a price hike). Looking forward to hearing about your training, progress and results.

soupcan Jan 18 2013 02:02 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Thanks for the advice and good wishes guys, I'll see how I feel tomorrow before deciding whether or not to push it back. I'd really like to push through it, but if how I feel right now is an indication of how I'll feel in the morning, I don't think it would be a great idea.

Fman99 Jan 22 2013 08:19 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Ran 4.3 miles tonight in 34:15 (sub 8 minute mile pace) in single digit temperatures on the streets of my neighborhood. The coldness and numbness moved around, the first mile it was on my face, mile 2 it was my feet, and the last half mile it was my, uh, extremities (despite the compression shorts). Still, it's invigorating to go out there on a night like this and gut out the miles in the cold and snow. I always feel like Rocky during the training montage in Rocky IV. [youtube]bu00RiPjaa4[/youtube]

themetfairy Jan 22 2013 08:36 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Man - that's impressive! I chugged out a slow 5K on the treadmill this morning. I hated it, but I couldn't face the cold wind.

metsmarathon Jan 22 2013 08:54 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

i wish i ran today. alas, i'm resting my foot still.

soupcan Jan 23 2013 04:36 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Ran 4+ last night as well. Nike+ says it was 16 degrees here. So happy that I did sub-9:00s until I see Fman and his goddamn sub-8:00s... I felt the cold on my face and my hands (need to run with thicker gloves), but other than that I was fine.

soupcan Jan 25 2013 08:48 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I wrote this for a friend's running blog and metirish suggested that I link it here. So check it out if you are so inclined, thanks. Let The Music Move You

themetfairy Jan 25 2013 09:03 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Nice job soup! I save my music for long training runs, and my special playlist for big races. I like the element of surprise - when I get a song that I've forgotten that I've downloaded, that's a good thing. My list is eclectic - the only qualification is that the songs have to amuse me. The only constant - I start all big races with ELO's Mr. Blue Sky. That's what I played when I started my first half marathon, and it's what I now associate with getting out there and getting going.

metsmarathon Jan 26 2013 12:57 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

i can't run outdoors with music. part of it is a purist thing, part of it is a safety/awareness thing, and part of it is, if i don't otherwise absolutely need to, it's just not worth the trouble of fucking around with headphones that never quite stay put, and if they do stay put, they isolate me too much from teh rest of the world, which just isn't a good thing imo. also, i feel more able to stick to my workout running to my own tempo, and working to my own tempo, than by using a song as a giude. i suppose, though, that the greatest reason i don't run with music is because i don't race with music. and if i'm in a race, i'm in control of my tempo, and i need to train that way. (oh, don't get me started on the oblivious lot who do race with music) but on a treadmill, i can't run without music. and tv. i've tried. i can't do it. one doesn't cut it. i need need need both. and of course, i can't do it if i'm wearing headphones that effectively block out the world around me. it makes me very claustrophobic. jittery. nervous. like i feel like i just need to get the fuck out of there, workout be damned. my primal instincts scream at me that there is something so terrible, unnaturally wrong. its been a long time since i've been on a treadmill with music, though, so i've got no insight into the music for running thing. i used to use the time as a chance to go through my overly big and unfocused itunes library, and identify which songs i wanted to keep or get rid of or listen to more of. then i got a new computer and didn't carry over the ratings from my old itunes, and i subsequently lost my ipod with all teh ratings on it. i'm still hoping to find the ipod, and i'm trying today to recover the data on the hard drive that had the ratings data, which, itunes conveniently carries separately from the music (grr!). the computer thing was years ago. i'm just now bothering with the hard drive. i only found out today that it was corrupted. whee.

Fman99 Jan 26 2013 01:38 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I generally will put on an entire album, or at least, a series of songs by the same artist, when running solo (on Saturdays I run with my friends and leave the phone in the car). I like to find a band where all of the songs have a beat, so I don't have to skip past slow ballads, and play the whole record. And I range from hip hop (the Beasties) to classic rock (ELO, Steely Dan, Yes) to 80's pop metal (Triumph, Def Leppard) to neo-grunge acts like Thirteenth Step. I'm all over the board.

themetfairy Jan 26 2013 03:08 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

When I run with music, I only use one earbud. I agree that it's important to be aware of one's environment and not to be so absorbed in one's own little world that it's dangerous.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 26 2013 07:20 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I wrote this for a friend's running blog and metirish suggested that I link it here. So check it out if you are so inclined, thanks. Let The Music Move You Nice job Soup. I use a radio most often when I run and just listen to Q104.3 and/or Mets games. The klassik rawk is banal and I know whatever they will play but I never know when they will. I use cheap-o around the ear headphones diposably, hoping they last as long as a pair of shoes might. Sometimes I run with my phone, and then can sync up a playlist from Rdio.com (another good reason to join). Made a bunch that matched the length to the distance I'd planned to run. This one is 7 miles:[url]http://rd.io/x/QGJDL0tnAQ Sausalito Summernight - Deisel Brand New Funky Hairdo - Deleted Waveform Gatherings Flathead - The Fratellis Teenage Love Made Me Insanne - The High Dials Face the Face - Pete Townshend I Know I'm Not Wrong - Fleetwood Mac The Oncoming Day - The Chills Living Disaster - Gary Myrick & the Figures We Take Care of Our Own - Springsteen Moves - The New Pornographers Hey ya! - Outkast Brimful of Asha - Cornershop If You Were A Priest - Robyn Hitchcock Left By Soft - David Kilgour & the Heavy Eights San Francisco - Brett Dennen The Right Place to Fade - Lindsay Buckingham PS, I dislike running with my phone because it's heavier than I wanna carry on my person, and Wifey Bucket destroyed her phone by getting it all sweaty and gross in her pocket while running. Also, rain etc etc.

Fman99 Jan 26 2013 09:23 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I am 118 days out from my first marathon, and while my official training plan hasn't kicked in yet, I still like to get at least one long (that is, at least 7 miles) run in every weekend. Today I ran from my house down to the Hayes Road loop and back, a 15k or so distance wise. Ran it today in 1:14:10 or just under 8 minutes/mile. I fully intended to go out slow but I felt strong, and given the temperatures it seemed better to get back to my house than to take the extra time and run slower. Beautiful country roads and hills, too. A nice run.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 27 2013 08:59 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

This was this morning's Klassik Rawk 7 miler. I started at the end of the Beatles Brunch. Good Night - Ringo Starr Imagine - John Lennon (commercial break, O'Malley takes over from Dashow) Let My Love Open the Door - Pete Townshend Whole Lotta Love - Zeppelin American Girl - TP&H Breakdown - TP&H (odd twofer from the same album) (commercial break) Come Sail Away - Styx Crossroads - Eric Clapton Every Little Thing She Does is Magic - Police Blinded by the Light - Manfred Mann's Earth Band That Styx-Clapton double whammy was about all I could take but I recovered. By the way this was the 90th time I've done this same route according to Map My Friggin Run and today's time of 57:39 (8:10 miles) was my fastest ever.

soupcan Jan 27 2013 06:46 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

15 miles for me today and it. Was. Not. Easy. Happy that I finished all 15 but I ran it slower than I wanted (averaged 10:00 miles). The distance intimidated me so I just went out slow and was skittish about ramping up the pace.

Fman99 Jan 27 2013 07:06 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

soupcan wrote: 15 miles for me today and it. Was. Not. Easy. Happy that I finished all 15 but I ran it slower than I wanted (averaged 10:00 miles). The distance intimidated me so I just went out slow and was skittish about ramping up the pace. That's impressive, man. I've never run 15 miles in one shot in my whole life. According to my 16 week training plan I'll be tackling that distance myself on the last weekend of March. Or sooner, if I am feeling strong I hope to get more long runs in under my belt between now and my race on May 26th.

themetfairy Jan 31 2013 10:35 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

70.27 miles for January. Not counting treadmill miles, which I'll guesstimate as another 15-20. I hate the treadmill, but I can't stand running in the brutal cold.

Fman99 Jan 31 2013 10:52 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I ran 79.9 miles in January. I also have started going to the Y and doing 30-40 minutes of cardio on the ellipticals on my non-running days, since I tend to run every other day. I've been doing that for about a week and a half now.

soupcan Jan 31 2013 11:26 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I'm at 103 for January after doing 8 last night.

metsmarathon Jan 31 2013 11:42 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

24 miles in january. maybe i'll run again in february. i'm taking it easy on my feet. i'm probably going to run a half marathon over president's weekend. we'll see. i don't need to train for that, do i?

TransMonk Jan 31 2013 11:44 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

30 miles in January. Less than I wanted, but more than none.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 31 2013 11:54 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

93.5, most since last January, knocking on wood. I could use something to be building toward at this rate.

themetfairy Jan 31 2013 01:30 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Soup - nice work on getting in your first 100 mile month!

Fman99 Jan 31 2013 06:38 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: 93.5, most since last January, knocking on wood. I could use something to be building toward at this rate. Come up to Ottawa, run this marathon with my friends and I! I'm using a 16 week plan that kicks in on Monday, you've got plenty of time to train.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 31 2013 09:27 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Nice idea I wouldn't completely rule out. Probably not this year though. I was thinking maybe a half this year.

cooby Feb 01 2013 09:43 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

cooby wrote: Me thinks, unless you run as slow as I walk, that we won't exactly be together, lol...though maybe for the post event lagers :) btw, I love the word 'woot'! Last night I dreamed (drempt?) I skipped. Would that work? It made it pretty fun

themetfairy Feb 01 2013 10:42 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

cooby wrote: cooby wrote: Me thinks, unless you run as slow as I walk, that we won't exactly be together, lol...though maybe for the post event lagers :) btw, I love the word 'woot'! Last night I dreamed (drempt?) I skipped. Would that work? It made it pretty fun Why the heck not? I bet you'd have tons of people cheering you on. Have fun with it :)

Fman99 Feb 02 2013 05:31 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Nice idea I wouldn't completely rule out. Probably not this year though. I was thinking maybe a half this year. Well come run a half marathon up here! I'm doing a bunch of them... Syracuse Half Marathon on 3/24 (I am registered) Skunk Cabbage Half Marathon in Ithaca on 4/14 (ran it last year, very nice race) National Distance Hall of Fame Half Marathon in Utica (sometime in May, a fast and flat out and back course along the Erie Canal) I am not signed up for the latter two but I will do so and run them with you, if you come up for the event. Or, you know, find one closer to home, that's what a sane person would do. Just saying, if you need a pace man, I'm on call.

Fman99 Feb 02 2013 06:58 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Officially starting my marathon training this Monday with a four mile run. The plan is one I found on Runkeeper, the site I use to track my mileage and running routes. It's a 16 week plan that calls for four runs per week -- three short to medium runs on Monday/Wednesday/Friday (most of which are four milers) and one longer run on Saturdays. This fits in nice with my plan to do cardio on my off days and continue to get a little lighter (and hopefully faster). In the interim, did 30 minutes last night on the elliptical at the YMCA and seven strong miles outdoors this morning. Started out at a 7:30 or so clip and then slowed it down to run with a friend of mine who is running her first marathon, she was on mile 15 and running 12 minute miles so I ran for about 3/4 of a mile and chatted with her, and then finished my run at a steadier clip. Came in at 59:05 for seven miles or an average pace of about 8:25. Part of the danger of running outdoors this time of year in Syracuse is that I had a nasty wipeout, trying to make a 180 degree turnaround at one end of the park route and not slowing down enough first. My feet went out from under me and I landed pretty well on my left hip. Feels like a nice bruise and I'm glad to not have injured myself more seriously than that. Up tomorrow is the Couch Potato 5k, on the same park roads I ran today, and a race I ran in 2011 but not last year. A nice little race (400-500 or so runners) and they raffle off a TV and a recliner afterwards (plus they have soup and bagels post-race). Then Monday, an easy four miler that starts off my training.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 02 2013 07:09 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Fman99 wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Nice idea I wouldn't completely rule out. Probably not this year though. I was thinking maybe a half this year. Well come run a half marathon up here! I'm doing a bunch of them... Syracuse Half Marathon on 3/24 (I am registered) Skunk Cabbage Half Marathon in Ithaca on 4/14 (ran it last year, very nice race) National Distance Hall of Fame Half Marathon in Utica (sometime in May, a fast and flat out and back course along the Erie Canal) I am not signed up for the latter two but I will do so and run them with you, if you come up for the event. Or, you know, find one closer to home, that's what a sane person would do. Just saying, if you need a pace man, I'm on call. Yes, I'd like to do the Brooklyn Half which is in May, but it's like impossible to get in with so many people using it as a Marathon qualifier. I am totally not against doing a run upstate sometime, especially when it gets warm down here.

Fman99 Feb 02 2013 07:24 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

If you're looking for a challenging race, and also one that highlights the Syracuse area, you can't go wrong with the Mountain Goat Run. It's a ten miler and a beast of a course, that ranges all around the city of Syracuse. It's my favorite race each year due to the turnout (3000+ runners), the challenge of the course, and the tour of the city that you get. This year the race is Sunday, May 5th at 10:20 AM -- I think there may be a conflict with the 5k that you run every year in the Maryland area that is the ALS fundraiser.

metsmarathon Feb 02 2013 08:24 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Fman99 wrote: Officially starting my marathon training this Monday with a four mile run. The plan is one I found on Runkeeper, the site I use to track my mileage and running routes. It's a 16 week plan that calls for four runs per week -- three short to medium runs on Monday/Wednesday/Friday (most of which are four milers) and one longer run on Saturdays. This fits in nice with my plan to do cardio on my off days and continue to get a little lighter (and hopefully faster). what does the long run progression look like?

Fman99 Feb 02 2013 08:40 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

The plan is written by Jeff Gaudette with the goal being a sub-4 hour marathon, and the weekend runs shape up like this (all are scheduled as Saturday runs after a Friday run): Week 1 8 mi (4 on Friday) Week 2 10 mi (4 on Friday) Week 3 11 mi (4 on Friday) Week 4 12 mi (4 on Friday) Week 5 13 mi (4 on Friday) Week 6 8 mi (5 on Friday) Week 7 14 mi (4 on Friday) Week 8 15 mi (5 on Friday) Week 9 16 mi (6 on Friday) Week 10 10 mi (5 on Friday) Week 11 18 mi (8 on Friday) Week 12 14 mi (6 on Friday) Week 13 20 mi (8 on Friday) Week 14 10 mi (6 on Friday) Week 15 6 mi (5 on Friday) Week 16 Race

Fman99 Feb 03 2013 01:08 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Ran a 22:33 today at the Couch Potato 5k, finishing 61st of 448 overall and 7th of 31 in my age group. Scored a sweet wool hat and some soup and bagels afterwards as my reward. Not my fastest time ever but just 14 seconds off my PR, and on a day after I ran seven miles and also wiped out. Pretty satisfied with my performance. The last time I ran a 5k faster was last July, 18 races ago.

themetfairy Feb 03 2013 02:12 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Freezing and injured you're still 10 minutes faster than I'll ever be on a good day.... Great job!

metsmarathon Feb 03 2013 02:26 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Fman99 wrote: The plan is written by Jeff Gaudette with the goal being a sub-4 hour marathon, and the weekend runs shape up like this (all are scheduled as Saturday runs after a Friday run): Week 1 8 mi (4 on Friday) Week 2 10 mi (4 on Friday) Week 3 11 mi (4 on Friday) Week 4 12 mi (4 on Friday) Week 5 13 mi (4 on Friday) Week 6 8 mi (5 on Friday) Week 7 14 mi (4 on Friday) Week 8 15 mi (5 on Friday) Week 9 16 mi (6 on Friday) Week 10 10 mi (5 on Friday) Week 11 18 mi (8 on Friday) Week 12 14 mi (6 on Friday) Week 13 20 mi (8 on Friday) Week 14 10 mi (6 on Friday) Week 15 6 mi (5 on Friday) Week 16 Race cool. i just checked it out. that's some solid mid-week mileage in there. i like it. i generally prefer to have two 20 milers in my plans as it gives me a smidge of cushion in case i have to skip a week, but overall, it looks good. i like that he's having you do a bit of faster running in the latter half of the long runs. the run the day before is a great idea, too. very nice. i may have to give this one a try.

Fman99 Feb 04 2013 04:21 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

themetfairy wrote: Freezing and injured you're still 10 minutes faster than I'll ever be on a good day.... Great job! Thanks MF!

Fman99 Feb 04 2013 04:23 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

metsmarathon wrote: The plan is written by Jeff Gaudette with the goal being a sub-4 hour marathon, and the weekend runs shape up like this (all are scheduled as Saturday runs after a Friday run): Week 1 8 mi (4 on Friday) Week 2 10 mi (4 on Friday) Week 3 11 mi (4 on Friday) Week 4 12 mi (4 on Friday) Week 5 13 mi (4 on Friday) Week 6 8 mi (5 on Friday) Week 7 14 mi (4 on Friday) Week 8 15 mi (5 on Friday) Week 9 16 mi (6 on Friday) Week 10 10 mi (5 on Friday) Week 11 18 mi (8 on Friday) Week 12 14 mi (6 on Friday) Week 13 20 mi (8 on Friday) Week 14 10 mi (6 on Friday) Week 15 6 mi (5 on Friday) Week 16 Race cool. i just checked it out. that's some solid mid-week mileage in there. i like it. i generally prefer to have two 20 milers in my plans as it gives me a smidge of cushion in case i have to skip a week, but overall, it looks good. i like that he's having you do a bit of faster running in the latter half of the long runs. the run the day before is a great idea, too. very nice. i may have to give this one a try. I'm actually going to have to tweak it slightly and move that 20 mile run as it's 3 weeks before the marathon, and therefore the same weekend as the Mountain Goat ten mile race that I run here every year. I thought maybe I'd do it two weeks before the marathon instead, do you think that's too close to race day?

themetfairy Feb 04 2013 06:05 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Feb 04 2013 06:53 AM

If you can't run the 20 three weeks out, I'd personally recommend that you do the 20 four weeks out and do something like 15 two weeks out. By two weeks out you should be starting to taper, especially for your first marathon.

metsmarathon Feb 04 2013 06:29 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

exactly. move the 20 miler to week 12. then be careful not to run the mountain goat 10 miler too hard - treat it like a long run. and run the 14 or 15 miler week 14. the danger with the 10 mile race there is that you could have your body thinking that this is what you were training for. i did that with my last new york - i ran the army ten miler about 4 weeks prior, and while i wasn't all-out racing it, i ran it too hard, and couldn't bounce back in time for hte marathon.

themetfairy Feb 04 2013 06:59 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Keep an open mind about running the Mountain Goat this year. I dropped a half marathon three weeks before my marathon, because I was starting to worry about my training. I probably would have been able to handle it physically, but it was starting to mess with my mindset. But like mm said, if you do run the Mountain Goat, just run it very easy.

Fman99 Feb 04 2013 07:31 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Good advice, thanks guys. The enticing thing is that they do give out medals for the Mountain Goat but they start at 1:20 or better for the men, an 8 minute/mile pace on a particularly challenging course. Last year I ran it in 1:23:47, and was hoping to try and push for a sub-80, but given that advice I think I'm more likely to go out at a more conservative pace and stay in the mid-80's, and run it to enjoy the course and the experience. I don't want to blow up my hard work.

themetfairy Feb 04 2013 08:02 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Good thinking - go for the medal next year!

themetfairy Feb 07 2013 05:46 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Last night was the Empire State Building Run-Up. When I participated two years ago it was a morning event. The bad news about having at night is that I'm really more attuned to running in the morning; I don't have my official time yet, but I'm sure it's slower than my last one. On the other hand, two years ago I had a cloudy view of the City, while last night when I got to the top it was clear and the City lights were breathtaking (plus it was nice to get some fresh air after 86 floors in the stairwell!). OE - I finished in 23:49, which was only about a minute slower than the last time I did this event. All things considered, I'm very happy with that.

Fman99 Feb 09 2013 07:49 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Very nice! Week one of marathon training is in the books -- 20 miles this past week, though I moved my Friday 4 miler up to Thursday given the weather forecast. Ran a solid 8 today with my friends at a conversational pace, just under 9 minutes/mile. Also got my GU variety pack in the mail -- a special that someone shared on Facebook, just $19 shipped at it includes every GU flavor and a number of other chews and drink mixes. A total of about 30 items, it was a good deal. I've tried the GU Peanut Butter flavor (very nice, would eat again), the Vanilla Bean this morning (eh, not one I would seek out), and the watermelon flavored Chews (delicious). All of them gave me a proper boost when I needed it, which is the main thing.

themetfairy Feb 09 2013 08:51 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

The strawberry Chomps are my favorite. The orange are decent too - they kind of taste like Passover candy.

batmagadanleadoff Feb 10 2013 08:09 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Any of you runners use a heart monitor while jogging? If so, any recommendations? What's good? What sucks? What to look for? What to avoid?

themetfairy Feb 10 2013 08:43 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Sorry Batmags - I don't use one. I always thought it would be distracting.

batmagadanleadoff Feb 10 2013 08:57 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

themetfairy wrote: Sorry Batmags - I don't use one. I always thought it would be distracting. If I was just half as fit as you are, I wouldn't need one either.

Fman99 Feb 10 2013 09:17 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Any of you runners use a heart monitor while jogging? If so, any recommendations? What's good? What sucks? What to look for? What to avoid? Same here, while it has been suggested to me by friends of mine that I should be more conscious of my heart rate, I don't pay it much mind while running. Also, just so you understand, I never jog. I run.

metsmarathon Feb 18 2013 06:49 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Training for a half marathon should typically involve more than 5 weeks of not running. Regardless, I ran the a1a half marathon in fort lauderdale yesterday. Official time was 2:00:08. My legs are so tired. I ran the whole thing with mrs.mm. Well, until the last half mile. The goal was to run a sub-2 hour half. We'd pushed the whole race, and mrs.mm accelerated the last half mile. She left me in the dust as I simply didn't have any turnover left. She came in at 2:00:01. missed it by that much But we put in a good strong effort. And left it all on the course. Today, I'm stiff. I feel like I just ran a full marathon. But really, that's what I get for not running for five weeks. My foot still hurts. The time off didn't help my plantar fasciitis nearly as much as I'd hoped. I think I need to go back up on the shelf for a bit. Maybe get my ass back to the foot doctor. This passive healing isn't quite cutting it...

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 20 2013 05:36 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Not for nothin but when my foot gave me shit last year I recovered for the most part by taking your advice. I took about 2 months off, then began again by cutting my distances way down, running 3 miles or 4 and very gradually (4 months) working back up to 5+. No real issues since (knock wood). Good luck

TransMonk Feb 20 2013 07:41 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Ice, snow and freezing temps are cramping my running style. It was 45 degrees at sundown on Monday but only 15 degrees at midnight. All of the snowmelt re-froze and turned every flat surfcae into a skating rink by Tuesday morning. I'm hoping to brave it sometime today to get a few miles in. February may be the shortest month, but it feels like the longest.

metsmarathon Feb 20 2013 08:41 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

i think maybe you're right, that i should do a better job of recovering than signing up for half marathon after half marathon, and not running in between. on the bright side, since i ran, the rest of me is so damned sore, that my foot doesn't hurt. maybe i'm cured!

Fman99 Feb 20 2013 10:16 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I have been blessed by good health and fairly mild (for Syracuse) winter weather thus far. After two and a half weeks of marathon training I am easily knocking out all of the prescribed runs as dictated to me by my Runkeeper training plan. I'm running them faster, too, than advised, so much so that I emailed the writer of the plan to inquire as to the long term effects of running everything at too fast a pace. His response was that my goal may be too conservative, and that I should possibly be aiming for a sub-3:45 marathon instead of a sub-4 hour time. I am tending to err on the cautious side, however, as I know many local runners who run circles around me in short to intermediate races only to fall flat on their full marathons and finish closer to a 4:30 due to injuries. I hope to not be that guy.

metsmarathon Feb 20 2013 11:46 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

i'm definitely one of those guys who runs faster in the short races.

themetfairy Feb 20 2013 01:47 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Take it slow. Whatever time you finish at will be a Personal Record. Just have fun with it.

Valadius Feb 21 2013 01:50 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I'm leaning towards entering the Warrior Dash in Maryland on May 18. Stay tuned.

metirish Feb 21 2013 01:54 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I bet you lot have those stickers on your cars......13.1 26.2?????

themetfairy Feb 21 2013 02:29 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I have a 26.2 sticker on my desk, but not on my car. Plus I have this on my ankle - Val - I hope you do that dash. Keep us posted!

metsmarathon Feb 21 2013 02:32 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

my car is fairly unadorned with respect to my marathonnig predilection.

Fman99 Feb 21 2013 06:40 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I have a single medallion on the rear of my vehicle.

Fman99 Feb 21 2013 06:41 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Valadius wrote: I'm leaning towards entering the Warrior Dash in Maryland on May 18. Stay tuned. I know quite a few runners who are into these -- the Warrior Dash, the Tough Mudder, some kind of "Hero Dash" or some other thing. They have no appeal to me, personally. I just want to run fast and far, the rest seems unnecessarily ornate to me. No disrespect intended. Good luck, though, Val, I hope you try it and enjoy it.

metsmarathon Feb 21 2013 08:22 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

tough mudder was fun. i'm hoping to do it again, though perhaps next time around i'd like to think i would be more ready. i never did do any of teh upper body strength work i had intended, and it hurt on some obstacles.

Valadius Feb 21 2013 09:13 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I've loved obstacle courses since I was a kid. I've always wanted to try doing one of these, and a number of my coworkers are going, so I figure it's about time.

themetfairy Feb 21 2013 09:39 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Valadius wrote: I've loved obstacle courses since I was a kid. I've always wanted to try doing one of these, and a number of my coworkers are going, so I figure it's about time. That's all the reason you need. Do it and have a great time!

metsmarathon Feb 23 2013 08:11 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

is anyone even remotely interested in the spartan race at citi field on april 13th...?

themetfairy Feb 23 2013 08:58 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

In theory I would be, but don't we have the Lager Jogger that day?

metsmarathon Feb 23 2013 10:43 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Hmm... It would surely seem so... Well, Ivan go back to ignoring my upper body strength now!

themetfairy Feb 24 2013 06:40 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Yes, you can. And don't call me Shirley.

Fman99 Feb 24 2013 06:25 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Well, so much for treating races as training runs. Once that gun goes off, and I'm feeling right, I just run. At no point did I feel like I was pushing myself today beyond my capabilities, and yet, when all is said and done, I set a new PR for a half marathon finishing in 1:43:49 (7:54/mile). Good enough for 67th place out of 535 runners and a 45 second improvement over my previous record at that distance. This is the annual race put on by my running club friends that I run with so the field of runners, and volunteers, was filled with all of the people that are my friends from the local running scene. And because it was an out and back twice course I saw them over and over again as we all passed each other. Very communal. I fell in with my friend Doug, who is a stronger runner than I, and we ran together from mile 3.5 to about mile 11 or so. Had my nutrition down pat today -- a gel 10 minutes before the race start (chocolate raspberry, YUM), some strawberry Chomps around 45 minutes in, and another Gu (Mandarin orange, not bad) at about the 1:25 mark. That last Gu gave me a great kick to the finish line. Plus walked all the water stops and sucked down a Gatorade, until the last one where I went with water. Handwarmers helped too -- it was 35 with about a 10 degree drop due to wind chill coming off of Onondaga Lake. Feeling great tonight, no worse for wear. Going to take tomorrow off and do an easy 4 on Tuesday. Not a bad way to spend my last day as a thirty-something aged man.

metsmarathon Feb 24 2013 07:32 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

way to go fman! that's a heck of a time there.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 24 2013 08:30 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Yeah nice wheels old man.

themetfairy Feb 24 2013 09:05 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Great job Fman!

themetfairy Feb 27 2013 07:33 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I'm amused that, according to my Nike+ watch, so far this year I have run 123.45. I couldn't have planned that if I tried.

themetfairy Feb 28 2013 07:49 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

56.44 miles in February. Which doesn't include the treadmill miles. Not bad for a short month where the weather conditions kept me inside a good chunk of time.

Fman99 Feb 28 2013 09:24 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Did 6.1 this morning to finish at 97.9 for February, a dozen or so more than any previous month since I started running. Feeling great, too, no worse for wear. The next 3 months promise to be mileage-heavy. Also hitting the elliptical a few days a week on my non-running days. Trying to keep my metabolism up.

TransMonk Feb 28 2013 05:23 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I put in 30 miles for February, matching my January total. I'm ready for the snow and ice to disappear. Mets baseball means that the thaw is near. While not running outside, I've been putting on muscle inside. I can do 50 pushups without stopping. I'm not sure I have ever been able to say that.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 01 2013 05:29 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I did 51 miles in February. I wound up taking 2 weeks off as a result of going skiing for a long prez-day weekend and bringing home a serious cold.

metsmarathon Mar 01 2013 06:31 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

16.1 miles. but i got a half marathon in there.

MFS62 Mar 01 2013 09:18 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I'm intrigued by the title "It Keeps You Running". What keeps you running? The last time I ran against the clock, I was wearing combat boots and was trying to run a mile in under 6 minutes with a Drill Sergeant yelling in my ear. (I did it) So what kept me running was fear. But what keeps you running? Later

themetfairy Mar 01 2013 09:23 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

It's nothing that can be put into words.

Fman99 Mar 01 2013 10:18 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Yeah, I'd need to deliberate on that one also.

Fman99 Mar 02 2013 07:45 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

For the third straight year I spent the first weekend Saturday in March running the local Tipperary Hill Shamrock Run, one of Syracuse's most popular road races. This is a very hilly four mile race through an older and very Irish neighborhood of Syracuse. Brisk out today, temps in the low 30's and windchill around 20 degrees. You can see some video from last year's race here, it's a great environment, lots of music and dancers along the route and folks running in wacky costumes. Aside from the local Corporate Challenge this is the single race that draws the biggest group of runners in the Syracuse area (though the Mountain Goat 10 miler in May will also be in the vicinity of 3000 runners). Nearly all of my running friends come out for this one, which of course makes it more fun for me. Here's the view courtesy of my new Garmin Forerunner 10 that Fwife got me for my birthday, you can see the elevation changes and what not. This was, in 2011, the first race longer than a 5k that I ever ran, and I have steadily improved each year that I've run it, from a 32:53 in 2011 to a 31:23 last year and a 29:34 this year. Average pace of 7:24 per mile and finished 204th out of 2994 finishers. In my new M40-44 age bracket I clocked in at 17th overall out of 153 runners. Set a PR for a race distance for the second straight week, I did. I felt strong today, despite having run six and four miles the last two days prior to today (albeit at slower paces). I am clearly hitting a groove at the right time. Tomorrow is an easy 12 to get my long run in for the week. The past seven days, starting this past Sunday and ending today, also represent the week in which I ran the most miles, 32.4 for this past week.

themetfairy Mar 02 2013 09:00 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Great work Fman!

The Second Spitter Mar 09 2013 12:04 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Pssst, mm.

Fman99 Mar 09 2013 02:05 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Pssst, mm. I read this one also. Just wrapped up my second straight week of running the most miles I have ever done in a week, which was 32.6 last week and 44.3 miles this week, including my longest run ever. Fifteen miles this morning in 2:06:06. Legs are sore, small blister on my toe, but otherwise I am feeling strong. Marathon is 11 weeks from tomorrow.

A Boy Named Seo Mar 16 2013 12:55 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Finally able to exercise again after breaking couple ribs, and now logging some good miles this week. Nice to see T-Monk & Fman on Runkeeper for some daily inspiration/motivation. 35 miles in March so far (9 my longest single run), and shooting for the LB Marathon in October. I feel like the Cliff Floyd of the CPF, always breaking this or tearing that, but hopefully I can stay calamity-free for a few months. I still read this thread when I can. Keep up the fine work, yall.

themetfairy Mar 16 2013 02:43 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Wow - sorry to hear about your stint on the DL. Welcome back Seo!

Fman99 Mar 16 2013 07:43 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

A Boy Named Seo wrote: Finally able to exercise again after breaking couple ribs, and now logging some good miles this week. Nice to see T-Monk & Fman on Runkeeper for some daily inspiration/motivation. 35 miles in March so far (9 my longest single run), and shooting for the LB Marathon in October. I feel like the Cliff Floyd of the CPF, always breaking this or tearing that, but hopefully I can stay calamity-free for a few months. I still read this thread when I can. Keep up the fine work, yall. Awesome to hear that you're back in a running routine, the more, the merrier. After some record mileage a week ago, I dialed it down this past week, just 15 miles over three runs (plus one trip to the gym for some elliptical time), and took Thursday night off altogether to rest a sore Achilles. Tomorrow I will be once again making my longest run ever, a 16 miler I have planned out for the morning. Marathon is now ten weeks out.

metsmarathon Mar 17 2013 11:14 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

my foot is feeling a lot better. but i'm planning on taking an 0-fer for march nontheless. i really do hate riding the stationary bike in the gym, though.

Fman99 Mar 17 2013 07:39 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

metsmarathon wrote: my foot is feeling a lot better. but i'm planning on taking an 0-fer for march nontheless. i really do hate riding the stationary bike in the gym, though. Yep, not an exercise bike fan. Not comfortable on the ol' giblets. Set another personal best for distance today, 16.2 miles in 2:22:47, which works out to about an 8:49 per mile pace. A good bit slower pace-wise than my 15 miler from last week, though I attribute that to the clock move, which had me starting in the dark, as well as a nice overnight coating of 1/2" or so of fresh powdery snow, which slowed my pace as it was a bit slippery out. Ten weeks out from my marathon and I am pretty pleased with my progress. I feel like I could have run another ten today, if I had to, though my pace would have sloughed off from where it was at the end of my run. Nothing another batch of long weekend runs won't ramp me up towards. I am in a good place with regards to my nutrition while running, the shoes are fitting fine, and my fatigue levels are manageable even at this pace/distance. I was happy with the consistency of my splits, every mile clocking in between 8:39 and 8:55.

themetfairy Mar 31 2013 12:32 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

75.21 miles for March. Now that my new gym has opened and I'll have more cross-training options, I'm pretty sure that my days of 100 mile months are behind me. But so long as I maintain my weight and stay fit, I'll be happy. Looking forward to seeing metsmarathon and mrs.marathon at the Lager Jogger 5K in two weeks!

Fman99 Mar 31 2013 07:28 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Killed the last 31 days, mileage wise. After never topping 98 miles in a month prior, ran 141.3 miles in March. A few weird aches and pains but they never last more than a day and none of them affect me while running. Had a weird muscle spasm in my glute the other night, took Friday off and made this past weekend a "recovery run," just an easy 7 miler as we were traveling with no pain whatsoever. April promises to be in this general range for mileage as well. Marathon is eight weeks from today.

metsmarathon Apr 01 2013 06:30 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

i 0fered march. in less than two weeks i will have run again. i'm not sure exactly when. i should probably go for a run before hte lager jogger, i suppose...

TransMonk Apr 01 2013 07:40 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

10 stinking mile in March. All in the first week. Luckily, biking weather is here, because my interest in running is waning fast.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 02 2013 08:03 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

64 miles in March, but zip in last two weeks. Absolutely destroyed my toe on a hotel-room doorstop-stub. Swelling and purpleness is down now but ruined the chances of running much during the vacation.

cooby Apr 05 2013 03:03 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Got my windpants for the Yuengling walk today

themetfairy Apr 05 2013 06:44 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Yea cooby!

Fman99 Apr 05 2013 07:56 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Running 18 miles of hills tomorrow, starting at 6:30 AM in predicted temps of 28 or so. Any takers?

Fman99 Apr 06 2013 08:05 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Marathon training continues... today I ran 18.9 miles, split over two 9.5 or so mile loops of the local Moun tain Goat 10 Mile race course, minus the last half mile detour (and hill) through the park on that course. Got up early, ran the first loop at about 8:14 per mile, made it back to the start in time to meet some of my friends for the second loop, which I ran with some of my friends at a more comfortable 8:38 pace. Took a 15 minute break in between the two loops to drink some Gatorade and shed a layer of outerwear (it was a brisk 28 or so for the first loop). Total running time for the 18.9 mile distance was 2:40 and change. I feel good. Tired, sore, sure. But I ran strong right up until the end, finishing both loops today with a 7:45 or so pace on the last mile. I never hit "the wall." This was my longest run to date by 2.7 miles. Marathon is seven weeks away.

themetfairy Apr 07 2013 11:09 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I ran a very hilly 5K in Riverside Park today in 33:51. It's my fastest 5K of the year! OK, it's also my second 5K of the year. But my first was on the same course in February, and I ran it in 36:16. So this was a big improvement! Now that my new gym has opened and I'm back to doing yoga-type stretching, I've gained a little bit in the speed department :)

The Second Spitter Apr 08 2013 06:40 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Ran a sub-25min 5k this arvo, cos I was feeling extra edgy (n. md). Fman99 wrote: I generally will put on an entire album, or at least, a series of songs by the same artist, when running solo (on Saturdays I run with my friends and leave the phone in the car). I like to find a band where all of the songs have a beat, so I don't have to skip past slow ballads, and play the whole record. And I range from hip hop (the Beasties) to classic rock (ELO, Steely Dan, Yes) to 80's pop metal (Triumph, Def Leppard) to neo-grunge acts like Thirteenth Step. I'm all over the board. Come on. You all have an identical playlist to this, but I'm the only one who fesses up to it.

themetfairy Apr 08 2013 06:46 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Perhaps a race for the CPF?

metsmarathon Apr 08 2013 07:13 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

tempting... it's certainly up for consideration right now. i think we will be doing the nyrr giants run the week prior. minimm wants to race again.

themetfairy Apr 08 2013 07:25 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

mm - remember that we have to meet up in Pottsville. I'm bringing something for minimm that The Second Spitter sent.

Fman99 Apr 08 2013 10:19 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

themetfairy wrote: Perhaps a race for the CPF? Fboy and I will be at Citi Field that day for Mets/Nats, but I've already paid for bus tickets for a charter that leaves at 5-6 AM that morning. So we will be in transit come race-time. Have fun though.

themetfairy Apr 08 2013 10:57 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I'm not sure whether I'm doing it. Although I'm tempted. Seriously tempted.

cooby Apr 14 2013 05:26 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

We had a good time in Pottsville at the Yeungling Lager Jogger. Mr cooby and I walked, but Metfairy and metsmarathon ran. A very good dinner the night before with the Fairys and Marathons, who have an adorable little boy. Lots of people and dogs cheering us on, even the walkers. The only downer was the lady that said "lets go back into the house; these are just the stragglers". So I felt like a firetruck in a parade. But there were lots of people cheering us on especially at hills even after that. Lovely early morning route with beer and soft pretzel for breakfast afterward, not bad!

themetfairy Apr 14 2013 05:42 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Hey - I LOVE the firetrucks in the parades! And WTG on completing your first 5K - I hope we can do another one soon :) The Lager Jogger was a lot of fun. Even for those who were unclear on the concept - And you gotta love a race that gives you beer at the end :)

cooby Apr 14 2013 06:02 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Agreed on that! The beer line was pretty long when we got to it, lol. But well worth the wait.

metsmarathon Apr 15 2013 08:13 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

we decided to skip out on the beer at the end. minimm was cold and cranky (the little bugger spent the whole race in the car, only to come out after i'd finished for a smidge of socialization), and the line was long and figured to be crowded. plus we wanted to head off to hersheypark. it was a difficult decision, but in the end, (grudgingly) i think it was the right one. as far as the race goes, well, there were hills. ok, there was really one hill, but it was a big'un. I started in the second wave, with the 7-9 minute runners. the first wave went off right at 8:00. we were due to start 2 minutes later. they gave us only 30 seconds and sent us on our way (this is my only quibble with the race conduct - otherwise it was rather well done, though packet pickup is another story altogether). i started out strong enough, with an easy stride, and caught up to the back of the first wave in short order. i probably started off too quick, really, and by a half mile in, the hill was really getting to me. 8 minutes, 5 seconds, and 200 feet of ascent later was the first mile, a water stop, and a brief respite - a quick 1/20th of a mile, 30' downhill. oh, how i wanted to enjoy a quick 30 second walk with my water, but then i'd lose the downhill. instead, i opened up my stride, eased down the hill, made a turn, and cruised for the next half mile, which was slightly downhill. and then we turned left. in 1/10th of a mile we gained 60 feet or more, and it felt steeper. at the top, i walked for 20-30 seconds. the next third of a mile was a gradual 30' ascent. just before mile 2, we turned again up the hill. another 30' in 1/20th of a mile. it felt even steeper than the prior hill. halfway up, was mile 2, and 8:07. and at the top, i took some water, walked 30 seconds more, and prepared for the downhill. daily mile says we were at 975', and would decend to 725' in the next 1.1ish miles. i would make up time here, and mile three passed in 7:13, including the walk break. i would have liked to go faster down the hills, but couldn't quite open up my stride enough. the turnover would have been too fast for me, and i surely woiuld have tired myself out in the attempt it's a shame, too, because when i signed up for the race way back when, i was looking forward in particularly to this part of the course to make up time andto burn up the downhill. since i only had a week of running under my belt, i really didn't want to push the feet and calves and legs that hard only to invite injury. plus, i knew there was a steper decline to come. just around the third mile, we turned down the hill. in 1/20th of a mile we scrubbed 50' of altitude. at the bottom was a sharp right turn and a brief run to the finish.. running down that hill was scary. i wanted to go faster, but any faster and i couldn't control it. i hate to be on the brakes down a hill, but it was the smart thing to do. again, inviting injury is not smart. and the more i would have opened it up, the more i would have pounded on my feet, and we all know that right now, my feet do not need hte extra pounding! as it was, i used the hill to slingshot me towards the finish, taking hte bottom turn very wide. i crossed hte finish line just as the clock turned 25 minutes, with a net time of 24:33. its been a while since i raced a 5k that slowly, but given my lack of training, and the general hilliness of the course, i'm very much happy with it. going into the race i was thinking, i'd be happy going sub 25, though that was more of a flat-course estimate. with the hills, i probably would've been content to get under 27. my foot bounced back well. i think i'm good with taking an off day every other day, and keeping my distances short for now. i have another 5k this coming weekend, with an elevation profile that runs opposite this one (drops 140' in 1 1/2 miles, than climbs back up) so i think i'm prepared. my goal will be to match last year's 23:09. it was great meeting up with the fairies and coobies the night before. and minimm loves his new football.

themetfairy Apr 15 2013 10:48 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

metsmarathon wrote: just around the third mile, we turned down the hill. in 1/20th of a mile we scrubbed 50' of altitude. at the bottom was a sharp right turn and a brief run to the finish.. running down that hill was scary. i wanted to go faster, but any faster and i couldn't control it. i hate to be on the brakes down a hill, but it was the smart thing to do. That wasn't a downhill - that was a downmountain! Crazy steep stuff. That was a great time on a rough course - WTG! (And it was great seeing you guys as well - minimm made my evening )

metsmarathon Apr 15 2013 10:59 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

the kid knows how to work a table.

themetfairy Apr 19 2013 08:29 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I'm going to be running the 8K that's associated with the Rutgers Half Marathon on Sunday. At this moment in time the concept of running in a large race feels weird. Hopefully once I get there on Sunday it'll just feel normal. Time will tell....

Mets – Willets Point Apr 20 2013 06:02 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

If it feels scary and you do it anyway then that's the definition of bravery. Have a good run.

themetfairy Apr 20 2013 06:09 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Thanks Willets. BTW, I have your wife looking for a run in Boston that she and I can do together later this year.

themetfairy Apr 20 2013 08:23 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Fuck the terrorists! I'm ready to run tomorrow at Freakin' Rutgers!

Fman99 Apr 21 2013 08:54 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Ran my longest run ever yesterday, five weeks out from the marathon. Racked up 20.1 miles in 2:54, good for an 8:44/mile pace. Feel like chewed gum today, sore and weary but otherwise no worse for wear. This was on top of an easy eight miles on Friday night at about the same pace. I definitely bonked around mile 18 yesterday, the ten mile course I ran two loops of is particularly hilly.

themetfairy Apr 21 2013 08:58 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I ran the Rutgers 8K in 53:19.2. That's over two minutes faster than my time on the same course last year - I am VERY happy with that time!

metsmarathon Apr 21 2013 11:57 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

i ran my local main street 5k yesterday. the course profiles fairly the opposite of the lager jogger, starting at 778 ft, dropping to 613 at the middle, and then climbing back up steadily for the finish. i ran it in 23:17, good for 31st overall, and 3rd among males aged 30-39. i ran the first mile in 6:20 - it was a good downhill! the second mile, which was only slightly downhill for the first half and then steeply uphill for the second half, was 7:50ish, though this included a 30 second walk at the midpoint. the last 1.1 miles then took about 9:05 or so. which is a great pace (8:15) considering how tired i was feeling and the uphill. last year, i ran the race in 23:09. i'd been a lot more prepared last yer. so i guess i haven't lost too much. we'll see...

themetfairy Apr 22 2013 09:13 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I am tentatively planning on running this women's only 10K in Boston on Columbus Day. I feel a need to run another race in Boston, and Mrs. Point suggested this one.

soupcan Apr 22 2013 09:28 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

So it appears that I haven't posted in this thread since early in my training for the DC Rock N' Roll Marathon which took place in March. Apologies for that. I guess between tweeting and Facebooking about it I neglected to post any updates here. So anyway, should you care, in a nutshell this is what happened. I wanted to run the marathon but I have a condition called 'Morton's Nueroma' which made running long distances almost impossible. Anytime I'd try a training run longer than 14-15 miles I got a sensation of what I can only describe as shards of broken glass being stabbed into the bottom of my left foot near the ball and up through the 3rd and 4th toes. I've had the condition for about 2 years and had managed it - getting different types of shots (mostly alcohol based and then cortisone) intermittently from both a podiatrist and then an orthopedist. Also had custom orthotic inserts made. Until I started running the longer distances the pain/discomfort had been kept at bay and was manageable. It wasn't until I started the marathon training that it really became something I had to and wanted to permanently deal with. So anyway, I lowered my sights from the marathon to the half-marathon and I would up running that. My time wasn't great - I think it was 2:03 something which came out to about 9:26 per mile - but I was okay with it since it was the first race I'd ran at that distance and in that kind of atmosphere. It was really enjoyable - running with 20,000 people along a really interesting route with people cheering for you the whole way. the coolest thing was that I was so pumped that my last 4 miles were my fastest with my last mile being THE fastest at 8:39. All in all the experience was great and just made me want to run more of those type of races and especially a marathon. However I knew that if I didm't do something about my foot, that just wouldn't happen. After consulting the Orthopedist, surgery was scheduled and I had it this past Friday. He made about a 2" incision in the top of foot just below the 3rd & 4th toes and then basically cut the nerve out and removed it. Everything went well, the pain up to this point has been minimal and two days after the surgery I've already stopped taking the pain meds and am moving around - albeit slowly - with a heavily wrapped foot and a surgical boot. I see the doctor next week but based on how I feel today I think i'll be walking normally by then and the general prognosis is that I can be running again within 4-6 weeks from the date of the surgery.

Mets – Willets Point Apr 22 2013 09:28 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Oh good, a women's only race. That way I can't be roped into participating.

themetfairy Apr 22 2013 10:12 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Mets – Willets Point wrote: Oh good, a women's only race. That way I can't be roped into participating. No - you'll have babysitting duty. Running is way easier than that ;)

Fman99 Apr 22 2013 10:23 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

So it appears that I haven't posted in this thread since early in my training for the DC Rock N' Roll Marathon which took place in March. Apologies for that. I guess between tweeting and Facebooking about it I neglected to post any updates here. So anyway, should you care, in a nutshell this is what happened. I wanted to run the marathon but I have a condition called 'Morton's Nueroma' which made running long distances almost impossible. Anytime I'd try a training run longer than 14-15 miles I got a sensation of what I can only describe as shards of broken glass being stabbed into the bottom of my left foot near the ball and up through the 3rd and 4th toes. I've had the condition for about 2 years and had managed it - getting different types of shots (mostly alcohol based and then cortisone) intermittently from both a podiatrist and then an orthopedist. Also had custom orthotic inserts made. Until I started running the longer distances the pain/discomfort had been kept at bay and was manageable. It wasn't until I started the marathon training that it really became something I had to and wanted to permanently deal with. So anyway, I lowered my sights from the marathon to the half-marathon and I would up running that. My time wasn't great - I think it was 2:03 something which came out to about 9:26 per mile - but I was okay with it since it was the first race I'd ran at that distance and in that kind of atmosphere. It was really enjoyable - running with 20,000 people along a really interesting route with people cheering for you the whole way. the coolest thing was that I was so pumped that my last 4 miles were my fastest with my last mile being THE fastest at 8:39. All in all the experience was great and just made me want to run more of those type of races and especially a marathon. However I knew that if I didm't do something about my foot, that just wouldn't happen. After consulting the Orthopedist, surgery was scheduled and I had it this past Friday. He made about a 2" incision in the top of foot just below the 3rd & 4th toes and then basically cut the nerve out and removed it. Everything went well, the pain up to this point has been minimal and two days after the surgery I've already stopped taking the pain meds and am moving around - albeit slowly - with a heavily wrapped foot and a surgical boot. I see the doctor next week but based on how I feel today I think i'll be walking normally by then and the general prognosis is that I can be running again within 4-6 weeks from the date of the surgery. Wow, congrats on the race well-run and best wishes for a quick recovery! TMF, if you're looking for an alternative race in Boston, I ran this half marathon in Netwon this past November that includes an overlap of part of the Boston Marathon course. In this race you run DOWN Heartbreak Hill instead of up it. I know it's a longer distance than you normally race but nice shirt, finishers gloves, and a decent amount of crowd support along the way. I may head out and run it again this year, in fact.

themetfairy Apr 22 2013 11:14 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

soup - heal quickly! Fman - thanks for the recommendation, but I think I'll pass. I'm winding down to a sabbatical year from long distances. After I do the 10K run over the Ben Franklin Bridge on November 3rd (I plan on doing that in the morning, showering at home and getting to the City in time to cheer on my friends at the end of the Marathon) I'm going to stick with 5K runs for the following year. I am feeling really burnt out right now -more psychologically than physically, I think - and I need to dial things down for a while. Plus since I lived in Boston, the Columbus Day race is a better route for me (it's similar to the route I did last May that started and ended at Fenway, except that this starts and ends at the Boston Commons, but both races involve running over the Mass Ave Bridge and having some stunning views of Boston from Cambridge).

Mets – Willets Point Apr 22 2013 12:14 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

themetfairy wrote: Mets – Willets Point wrote: Oh good, a women's only race. That way I can't be roped into participating. No - you'll have babysitting duty. Running is way easier than that ;) It's not babysitting, it's fatherhood.

themetfairy Apr 22 2013 12:26 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Even more difficult than running!

themetfairy Apr 26 2013 12:26 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

How is everyone doing psychologically? I ask because I'm very jittery. Not that it's going to stop me from signing up for races or doing any of my planned ones. But Boston is in the back of my mind, and when it's in my mind it's also in the pit of my stomach. I was like this last week, but once I got to Rutgers and started running I was fine. I suspect I'll also be ok when race time hits for my local 5K tomorrow evening. But I think about Boston, a lot. And it's hitting me on so many different levels, from feeling terrible for the victims to being concerned for my own safety to feeling like I'll never again want to ask D-Dad or the kids to come to a race with me. Like I said, when race day comes I'll be able to shift into gear and do my thing. But I don't think that running will ever again have that feeling of pure joy for me that I've found in the past. I don't think I'll ever be able to do a race again without being preoccupied to some extent. I feel tainted.

Fman99 Apr 26 2013 12:39 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Yeah I'm with you on that. My marathon is a month from today and Fwife and Fboy are planning on attending and cheering me in at the finish. I can't say it's not in the back of my mind somewhere. I don't really live my life in fear of anything, but still.

themetfairy Apr 26 2013 12:45 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Yeah, exactly. It's not like I don't go into New York City on mass transit constantly. But this just hits home on a more personal level. ================================================================== So Fman - how is your training coming along? You're almost ready to taper!

Fman99 Apr 26 2013 01:03 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

themetfairy wrote: Yeah, exactly. It's not like I don't go into New York City on mass transit constantly. But this just hits home on a more personal level. ================================================================== So Fman - how is your training coming along? You're almost ready to taper! My training is going well, thanks. I have my last long run tomorrow, going to do somewhere around 22-23 miles though on mostly flat ground. Parking my car in a midpoint of the park and running six different out and back loops in the 3-4 mile range each, which will allow for multiple stops back at my car to rehydrate/refuel and adjust layers as needed. I am looking forward to the taper -- I have really pushed myself beyond my previous limits for mileage. After average 75 miles per month last year I ran 142 in March and I'm on pace to run over 160 miles in April. I still feel strong, a few nagging aches and tweaks here and there but nothing that really affects my ability to crank the mileage out.

themetfairy Apr 26 2013 01:05 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Now you're looking forward to the taper, but in two weeks you're going to curse it ;) Trust the taper - it's an important part of your running. The hard work is almost over; you need a few weeks so that your legs can be fresh for the big event :)

soupcan Apr 26 2013 01:45 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I'm jealous Fman, good luck and keep trucking. Hopefully I'll get this monstrosity of a bandage off of my foot on Monday and then I can start to think about hitting the road again. In terms of fear and things in the pit of my stomach - I don't anticipate it will be an issue for me but ask again when I'm running a marathon and like fman, my family's waiting at the finish line.

metsmarathon Apr 26 2013 02:08 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

i'm a smidge shaken about the whole thing. i think perhaps the one thing that allows me to mentally deflect the whole issue is that typically my plan is for friends/family not to see me at the finish but along hte course. so i'm able to convince myself that they wouldn't be in the danger zone from such an attack. the reality is... well... i still size up the people sharing the airplane with me on a transcontinental flight. but not so much going down to florida or another similar shorter flight. at a small 5k this past weekend, there wasn't a hint of a whisper that i should be worried about anything. i'll be spectating next weekend at the new jersey marathon. i'm not worried, although there again my plan is to be along the course, and it's not really crowded enough to be a high value target. i'm not sure how i'd feel, though, if i were running new york.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 26 2013 02:09 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I'm lucky to have a family who wouldn't bother to meet me at the finish line. #blessed Seriously, can't imagine some dick tries that again at a marathon. Some other big event, sure, but races have been done.

themetfairy Apr 26 2013 03:59 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I hope you're right Lunchie!

Fman99 Apr 26 2013 07:48 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

soupcan wrote: I'm jealous Fman, good luck and keep trucking. Hopefully I'll get this monstrosity of a bandage off of my foot on Monday and then I can start to think about hitting the road again. In terms of fear and things in the pit of my stomach - I don't anticipate it will be an issue for me but ask again when I'm running a marathon and like fman, my family's waiting at the finish line. Since the half marathon seems to be more in your wheelhouse, you find one up here in central New York and come north to run it, you can sack out in the Fman-cave.

themetfairy Apr 27 2013 06:33 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

This evening I had one of my best races in a while, but I'm annoyed A) because I can't find the race results anywhere; and B) I think the course was a tenth of a mile longer than it was supposed to be (I know that weaving adds a little distance, but my watch says that I ran 3.22 miles, plus the mile markers on the course were farther than they should have been). According to my watch I ran the 3.22 miles in 32:30, which is a 10:05 pace. I am VERY happy with that performance, whether it's officially recorded or not.

Fman99 Apr 28 2013 06:43 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Fully stretched out, I ran my longest practice run to date, logging 22.9 miles in 3:20 yesterday for an 8:44 overall pace. I ran the first 11+ solo, with headphones on, and then two friends of mine came out and joined me for the second half of my run. Did the entire thing in the park near my house, and was able to park my vehicle in the middle of the park and hit it as a rest stop after mile 5, 9, 11, 16 and 20. Unlike my 20 miler from last week this route was largely flat, with only the miles 0-5 and 11-16 having any real incline to them. It seemed easier after running a shorter but hillier route a week earlier. Marathon is in four weeks. I got this. Next week is a ten mile race and a half marathon the week after that, which I will run at a conversational easy pace. Then the taper.

soupcan Apr 29 2013 09:24 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Fman99 wrote: soupcan wrote: Since the half marathon seems to be more in your wheelhouse, you find one up here in central New York and come north to run it, you can sack out in the Fman-cave. I'll keep it mind dude thanks! Especially now that I know your wife is a former psycho sorority chick...

themetfairy Apr 30 2013 06:51 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

72.19 miles for April. I probably will start scaling down from here. After Bay to Breakers next month I'm planning on cutting down the mileage and cross-training at my gym more.

metsmarathon Apr 30 2013 11:37 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

49 miles in april. foot is coming along. i'm taking it slow, and not running back-to-back days.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 30 2013 01:05 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

86 miles. Quality has varied with how my foot is feeling that day, although in general, hanging in there pretty good.

Fman99 May 01 2013 04:16 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

161.1 miles in April, a new personal best. I ran for 23 hours and 15 minutes last month -- another run and I'd have been out there for an entire 24 hour day's worth of running.

metsmarathon May 01 2013 09:21 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

i think the nj marathon is overreacting. no spectators' bags will be allowed near the finish. backpacks, purses, handbags, etc. camera bags, i'm sure, are equally verboten. strollers are ok (because nobody would ever use a stroller for evil), which opens up the question, well, what about diaper bags? grocery bags are likewise unmentioned - paper and plastic alike. it's all about making people feel safer, and trying to stave off any mass panic (or mob violence against innocent brown people), moreso than making people actually safer. i'm thoroughly surprised there are no proscribed limitations on bottle sizes and outerwear.

themetfairy May 01 2013 10:03 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Welcome to the new normal....

metsmarathon May 01 2013 12:33 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

i reject that notion to the fullest. this is an overreaction and an incomplete reaction. ok, so maybe that is the new normal - to overly and incompletely react to prior threats. to poorly fight the last war, so to speak. i mean, i get it. long branch pd and the race organizers feel like they should do something, and really, none of them are seasoned anti-terrorism experts capable of analyzing the true nature of the threat environment, and in that context, i suppose i'm ok with the response. but really, all it's doing is making people feel safer because of the increase in inconvenience. security theater, some might call it. look, i recognize hte need to do something. it's been proven that we have a soft underbelly that an enemy has already once exposed. but if you're going to ban bags, then you really need to ban strollers and loose clothing as well. about the only thing these measures will prevent is an exact repeat of boston.

themetfairy May 01 2013 01:23 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I'm not disagreeing mm. It's the appearance of added security, as opposed to actually making us safer. I get it.

metsmarathon May 01 2013 01:48 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

gotcha. misunderstood.

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 04 2013 08:36 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I'm drinking beer and eating nachos at 10 am. Posted a pr at the fiesta 5k, 21:46. 60th place in a field of 2600. 10rh in my age group. Boom

themetfairy May 04 2013 09:25 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Great job Lunchie!

Fman99 May 05 2013 06:37 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Good advice, thanks guys. The enticing thing is that they do give out medals for the Mountain Goat but they start at 1:20 or better for the men, an 8 minute/mile pace on a particularly challenging course. Last year I ran it in 1:23:47, and was hoping to try and push for a sub-80, but given that advice I think I'm more likely to go out at a more conservative pace and stay in the mid-80's, and run it to enjoy the course and the experience. I don't want to blow up my hard work. So much for my smart sensible plan. I love this race, it is my favorite event of the year and one of the marquee races of the year for Syracuse residents. It's a hilly, challenging ten mile race that annually draws between two and three thousand runners. It's also the event of the year that my local running club gets the best turnout and where we take the annual photo for our Facebook page. Here's our group pic from last year, I am in the back row with the white headband. One other thing I like about this race is that they have tiered medals. Most races either give a medal to all finishers or use them as age group awards. This race sets a maximum time -- for the men, a sub-60 time means a gold medal, silver for sub-70 and bronze for sub-80. The women's medal times are all ten minutes slower -- so a woman can earn a bronze for a sub-90 performance. Two years ago I strove to finish inside of 90 minutes and missed, clocking in at 1:30:34. Had to walk one part of the course. Last year I improved to 1:23:47 and was happy with my gain. Since a year ago, I had a goal in my head of shaving a few more minutes off and earning that bronze. I had planned on running the first few miles at a fast yet comfortable pace and seeing what my time was at the halfway split. I settled into a nice 7:45/mile pace and powered through the first of the two large hills, on mile 1.5-2.5. Hit the split at 39:25 and I figured I could just run 8/mile the rest of the way. Well, easier said than done. Did I mention it was 75 outside with no shade anywhere? And that it was 10-12 degrees warmer than it was last year? Oh, OK. I hit the second big hill, Colvin Street, at mile 6 and ran it at my best clip, somewhere around 8:30-35 for the stretch. Hit the mile 7 mark at 8:25 per mile overall for that mile, 2/3 of which was a big hill. I was doing math in my head, knowing that not only was I cutting it close, but my watch was showing the course as long. I was at 8.1 miles on my watch by the time I hit the course official 8 mile post. Barreled down the last hill and finished with strong 7:25 per mile on the last two. Rounded the last corner and I could see the finish line. At that point my watch read 1:18:15. I could tell from running long straight stretches that it was going to be close and I barreled through to finish at 1:19:46 chip time. For most runners, who don't break 1:20 gun time (which I did not, finished 1:20:13 on the gun) I would have to go back and show them my times on the official sheet to get my medal, but luckily, one of the finish line volunteers was a friend of mine and trusted my watch time. Earned this today. I feel 100% great, too - I don't believe this will impact my marathon performance in three weeks.

themetfairy May 05 2013 07:16 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Great work Fman - savor the performance and start tapering for your marathon :)

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 05 2013 08:17 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Orange top in the front should put on some pants.

Fman99 May 12 2013 06:50 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread Edited 1 time(s), most recently on May 12 2013 08:51 PM

Marathon is two weeks from today. Ran my last long run of this training session yesterday, a half marathon that actually measured 12.6 miles by my GPS watch. I ran it at a comfortable 8:25 per mile pace to finish at 1:45:50. The weather and course was a nasty combo -- decent sized hills, steady rain and a 15 or so MPH wind blowing across open farmlands with not enough tree cover. What's more encouraging is that I feel 100% refreshed tonight. My legs do not have any feel of having run this weekend, no soreness or anything. Also didn't pick up any blisters yesterday due to wearing synthetic socks. I'm ready.

themetfairy May 12 2013 08:16 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Sounds great Fman! Now it's time to taper. Trust the taper, even when Taper Madness starts to set in. You've done the hard work. Now you need to keep your legs fresh for the big race!

Fman99 May 13 2013 09:35 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Thanks! Tapering assisted by the start of Fboy's youth lacrosse league practicing twice a week in the evenings.

themetfairy May 13 2013 10:40 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Cross training is good :)

Valadius May 15 2013 12:49 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

So I am, in fact, running in the Warrior Dash out in Maryland this Saturday. Wish me luck!

themetfairy May 15 2013 01:43 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Best of luck Val! Bay to Breakers is this Sunday. It's 12K, and one of my last big Bucket List races (I have a couple of 10Ks this fall that will complete the list, including a 10K over the Ben Franklin Bridge in November). I'm nervous, especially about the awful hill after the 2-mile mark, but also excited.

metsmarathon May 15 2013 02:22 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

good luck val. "adventure" racing is very much fun. assuming you survive, you'll likely find yourself thinking about doing another one. re: bay to breakers... oof! in 3/4 of a mile, you rise ~150'! good luck with that! :) at least the last 2 miles are downhill.

themetfairy May 15 2013 02:29 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

metsmarathon wrote: re: bay to breakers... oof! in 3/4 of a mile, you rise ~150'! good luck with that! :) at least the last 2 miles are downhill. Yes mm - I'm pretty resigned to walking that hill. Or at least significant parts of it. I'm sure I won't be the only one.

metsmarathon May 15 2013 02:32 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

walking it isn't really all that bad a strategy - it's going to slow you down a ton either way, and walking some or all of it will leave you fresher for the remainder of the run.

themetfairy May 15 2013 02:38 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

That was my general thinking. I don't want to blow my energy reserves with five miles to go.

soupcan May 16 2013 08:47 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Have now run twice since since my foot surgery. First run was this past Sunday just short of 3.5 miles. Felt 'okay' but was tired. Foot was good, legs were 'okay' but stamina was severely lacking. Then I ran yesterday and it was odd. Wanted to do at least 4 but literally died (yes, I am now actually dead) after just 3. I had nothing left. Strangely though it was the fastest three miles I've run in a long time which confuses me. Obviously the foot and the legs are good to go but my stamina is really poor. Of course the fact that I had no wind left had a lot to do with my quicker pace and a little to do with my lay-off of 4 weeks in-between runs. I ran the 3 in 24:57 doing an 8:16, 8:13 and 8:28 respectively. I'm really happy with that time considering I'm planning on a Memorial Day 5K next week but still... I'm gonna try a slow paced 5 miler on Friday and if I can get through it without puking I'll feel much better. I really didn't think there would be that much of a lag time in getting back to where I was after sitting on my ass for a month. I guess being 48 asserts itself in different ways.. here's a pic of the scar on my foot if your curious..

A Boy Named Seo May 16 2013 09:20 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I wasn't curious, but damn, looks painful! I'm official, and plunked down the $$ for the LB Marathon in October. Mapping out my running sked today. Look forward to the uncertainty of the next 5 months.

themetfairy May 16 2013 10:45 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Awesome Seo - best of luck! Pick up Hal Higdon's book Marathon - it's a great source of practical training advice.

A Boy Named Seo May 16 2013 10:48 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Been reading his training plans on line... that's the one I'm going with. Was against mixing in the 1 minute walking, but many folks highly recommend it, so I'm gonna give it a go.

metsmarathon May 16 2013 11:00 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

i'm a big proponent of the run/walk and the higdon training plans. good luck in the marathon. if you find yourself in the need for any advice, inspiration, motivation, or whatever, this is the thread for it!

A Boy Named Seo May 16 2013 11:08 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I'll no doubt be lookin for all that, so I'll def be looking here more often. Thx, man.

Fman99 May 16 2013 11:35 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

A Boy Named Seo wrote: I wasn't curious, but damn, looks painful! I'm official, and plunked down the $$ for the LB Marathon in October. Mapping out my running sked today. Look forward to the uncertainty of the next 5 months. Good luck man! Looking forward to hearing of your progress. I'm running an October marathon as well.

A Boy Named Seo May 16 2013 11:39 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I know it, been watching your ass kicking progress on RunKeeper... Good luck to you, as well, brudda.

soupcan May 19 2013 02:16 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

So I did a 5 mile run yesterday and am starting to feel good again. But wait...! Early this afternoon I dropped one my kids bikes on my non-surgery foot (thanks for that at least) and now have 11 stitches on the top of that foot. No running for another 2 weeks. Yay me.

Fman99 May 19 2013 05:54 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

soupcan wrote: So I did a 5 mile run yesterday and am starting to feel good again. But wait...! Early this afternoon I dropped one my kids bikes on my non-surgery foot (thanks for that at least) and now have 11 stitches on the top of that foot. No running for another 2 weeks. Yay me. Sorry man. That blows. I did 7 easy miles yesterday and feel great. Going to take it nice and easy this week, a couple of relaxed four milers and a 2 mile shakeout run Saturday morning before we leave for Ottawa. Race in one week. Early forecast looks good, overnight low around 45 (race starts at 7 AM) and 90% chance of clear weather, getting up into the mid 60's over the course of the day.

soupcan May 19 2013 07:03 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

What kind of time are you shooting for in the marathon Fman?

themetfairy May 20 2013 09:10 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Best of luck Fman - running a marathon is a transformative and awesome experience :) Yesterday I finally was able to check Bay to Breakers off my bucket list. OMG, that was an experience - runners, walkers, people in costume, people running buck naked - D-Dad described it as a cross between Mardi Gras and the Village Halloween Parade. Crazy, but much fun! I did wind up walking the Hayes Street Hill, which saved me from expending all of my energy before the race's halfway point. I finished the 12K in 1:28:44; considering the time lost on the hill, I'm pleased with that. My next race is the Spring Lake Five on Saturday. I'm looking forward to the nice, flat course

Fman99 May 20 2013 10:27 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

soupcan wrote: What kind of time are you shooting for in the marathon Fman? My original goal was, and is still, to come in under four hours, but given my training pace I expect to be in the low 3:50's, barring injury.

Fman99 May 20 2013 10:29 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Best of luck Fman - running a marathon is a transformative and awesome experience :) Yesterday I finally was able to check Bay to Breakers off my bucket list. OMG, that was an experience - runners, walkers, people in costume, people running buck naked - D-Dad described it as a cross between Mardi Gras and the Village Halloween Parade. Crazy, but much fun! I did wind up walking the Hayes Street Hill, which saved me from expending all of my energy before the race's halfway point. I finished the 12K in 1:28:44; considering the time lost on the hill, I'm pleased with that. My next race is the Spring Lake Five on Saturday. I'm looking forward to the nice, flat course What does D-Dad do on these trips while you're out running? I'm trying to lay the groundwork for this kind of travel once the Fkids are old enough to either stay home solo or after they've gone off to college (yes, I know, it's many years down the road, but air travel for a family of four just for a destination race isn't really in our budget).

themetfairy May 20 2013 10:40 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

That's what we did with the kids - MK is in high school and his brother is in college, so it wasn't an issue to leave them home. Yesterday D-Dad watched the race transform into a parade, and eventually met up with me after the shuttle got me back to the start area (we would have stayed around for the post-race festival, but our flight was moved up and we didn't have the time). When we went to Bermuda in 2010 he golfed the day I ran the 10K and on the day I ran the half marathon he rented a scooter and saw me at different points along the course. Other than that, we haven't done a lot of race-oriented trips. If you're ever planning to visit Disney World anyway, consider timing your trip to coincide with one of their races! And if you race somewhere that has a spa, let FWife pamper herself a bit while you're out on the course. I'm sure she'd love that :)

themetfairy May 25 2013 10:12 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Not nearly as impressive as what Fman is going to do tomorrow. But I ran the Spring Lake Five this morning. My time of 54:39:74 is a personal best in the 5 mile distance (disclaimer - my 8K at Rutgers last month at 53:19.2 was obviously a better run at a very similar distance), and my slowest mile was 11:00 even. I'm not a speedster like most of you guys, but I'm very happy with my results -

Fman99 May 26 2013 03:16 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Nice bling! I am carbed up, got a decent night's sleep, and felt very loose on my shakeout run yesterday morning. I am ready.

Fman99 May 26 2013 08:19 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread Edited 1 time(s), most recently on May 26 2013 08:37 PM

Tonight I will sleep well. Ran and completed my first marathon today in 3:44:42. This was several minutes faster than I believed myself capable of running this distance but I ran into a confluence of specific circumstances that worked in my favor. 1. The weather was ideal for distance running -- temps in the high 40's and overcast, and enough cover from buildings and foliage to only leave us exposed to big winds for a small percentage of the course. Aside from a few rolling hills there were not much in the way of elevation changes, either. 2. I could not get a signal on my GPS watch and used it in "timer" mode -- that is, I knew only how many hours/minutes/seconds I had been running. 3. The course markers were all in metric measurement as I was in Canada. They had markers at certain kilometers and also split timers at the 10k, 13.1, 20k and 30k marks, but I generally speaking was too focused to try and convert these times to a real pace. Not only that but I didn't even see more than half of the markers, so I was going 15-20 minutes at a pop not knowing my pace. So I had, quite literally, no idea what my pace was. Instead, I fell in with two of my friends that had traveled north with me to run, both experienced marathon runners in their 50's who are good conversationalists and very upbeat people. My friend John set the pace at around an 8:30 mile, as I found out from my other friend Kevin who has a more functional watch than I do. I trained for this distance running 8:45's, but the race adrenaline and cooler temps made this faster pace manageable for a while. I intended to run with my two friends for as long as I could maintain that pace, which ended up being around the 30k (18.6 mile) mark. At that point, I fell off a bit and put the music on (I had been wearing the headphones the whole race but didn't turn on the iPod until about mile 19). I had a general sense that I was maintaining a solid pace, also, because of the pace bunnies. At one point we ran along a hairpin turn for a good two mile stretch and I was able to see the 3:40 pacers in front of us, and then, after we rounded the bend, the 3:45 pace bunny not far behind us. And despite walking the water stops long enough to get a solid drink, I never passed or was passed by any pacers, so I was maintaining that pace as best I could. I definitely got fatigued but I never "hit the wall." Having completed a 22.9 mile run a few weeks ago definitely helped -- I really felt fresh even at the 23-24 mile marks. That was when Sly and the Family Stone came on my iPod. That gave me a nice jolt, along with a really supportive crowd for the home stretch. I knew I was in a good spot when I hit the 40k mark at about 3:31 or so. At that point I resolved to try and come in sub-3:45, which I just did. One of my other friends actually fainted at the 39k mark and then got the shakes at the finish area and required medical attention. Scary stuff. A third buddy of mine, amazingly, finished .1 seconds behind me in chip time. I am sore, muscles and joints are achey and tight, and I picked up a new blister on one toe, but otherwise I am no worse for wear. It was terrific fun and I feel a real sense of accomplishment.

themetfairy May 26 2013 08:26 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Awesome work Fman - Congratulations!

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 27 2013 07:31 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

awesome. have a big steak.

metsmarathon May 27 2013 08:29 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Fuckin a man, nice work!

Fman99 May 28 2013 08:50 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

So, so sorry.

Chad Ochoseis May 28 2013 09:04 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Fyeah!

A Boy Named Seo May 28 2013 11:39 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Incredible stuff, dude. Blistering pace, too (pun intended)! Congrats!

Fman99 May 29 2013 02:39 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Thanks all. Post race complications -- I have shingles now. I had one spot that started bothering me in the middle of the week last week and it was exasperated by running the marathon. Feeling pretty wiped out but hopefully the meds help me bounce back.

Frayed Knot May 29 2013 04:10 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

... am sore, muscles and joints are achey and tight, and I picked up a new blister on one toe, Just reading about Calvin Coolidge Jr. dying from a blister on his toe after playing tennis on the White House tennis courts. So my one piece of advice for you would be to not get treated by 1920s doctors. Just sayin'

Mets – Willets Point May 29 2013 07:26 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Ouch. Shingles are like chicken pox, right?

Fman99 May 30 2013 08:10 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Yep, caused by the same virus, which lays dormant in most adults who have had chicken pox and then manifests during times of stress, like, say, running a marathon. It's a type of herpes virus. So, what I'm saying is, I have herpes and it itches and burns. I noticed a rashy spot on my chest last Wednesday. I assumed it was heat rash -- I had run 5 or so miles both Tuesday and Wednesday under hot and humid conditions. It wasn't really getting any better or worse as my race approached. Then, on Monday, I noticed a second spot on my neck, and the rash on my chest seemed redder and was more irritated. I noticed yesterday that my neck ached and I felt lethargic and decided to go see my physician, who diagnosed me right away.

themetfairy May 30 2013 09:40 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I'm amazed that you ran the kind of marathon that you did after the shingles had already started to manifest!

Fman99 May 30 2013 01:02 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

themetfairy wrote: I'm amazed that you ran the kind of marathon that you did after the shingles had already started to manifest! Well thanks. At the time it didn't feel like much of anything besides a heat rash. It wasn't until Tuesday or so that I felt not like myself.

Fman99 May 30 2013 07:44 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

As I continue to fill out the summer race schedule, I found a trail run 5k in Elkridge, MD the fourth weekend in June, when the Fman family will be staying in nearby Ellicott City with my aunt and uncle for a couple of days. Better yet, I was able to convince our own Met-lovin MD resident and CPF running club member bfmc1 to sign up and run it along with me. Will try to get a pic of the two of us on race day.

themetfairy May 31 2013 03:13 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

80.58 miles for May. 354.71 miles so far for the year.

Fman99 May 31 2013 07:10 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Final total for May is 114.9 miles, 595.1 miles for 2013 thus far. Averaging nearly 120 miles per month this year, which is hard for me to fathom after averaging 75 miles per month in 2012.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 01 2013 08:07 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I only did 44 miles in May. Little league and birthday parties and other crap cut into my evenings and weekends and I just sorta reeled it in a little. Also, need to get another month out of my kicks.

A Boy Named Seo Jun 03 2013 11:38 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Just 35 May miles for me... Starting the 18-week Higdon training this week... 2 weeks early. Going to Bonnaroo and figure that will be a lost week, plus set me back another. Ready to start doing this shit.

themetfairy Jun 03 2013 11:47 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Higdon's plan is great - I'm sure you'll be well prepared for your race!

Fman99 Jun 03 2013 11:50 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

A Boy Named Seo wrote: Just 35 May miles for me... Starting the 18-week Higdon training this week... 2 weeks early. Going to Bonnaroo and figure that will be a lost week, plus set me back another. Ready to start doing this shit. Good luck man! Happy to offer advice, now, as an experienced marathon runner (which is a bad ass thing to be able to say).

A Boy Named Seo Jun 03 2013 11:52 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Ha. Thanks, yall. PS - Fman, looked for you in those vids. Couldn't find ya once. Carmen San Diego, Waldo, Fman... #hard2find

Fman99 Jun 03 2013 12:01 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

A Boy Named Seo wrote: Ha. Thanks, yall. PS - Fman, looked for you in those vids. Couldn't find ya once. Carmen San Diego, Waldo, Fman... #hard2find Yeah, they are easier to watch on the official results site, the "My Videos" links are at the bottom. I ran in a seriously bright day-glo yellow shirt, dark shorts and black headband. http://www2.marathon-photos.com/scripts ... match=2088

soupcan Jun 03 2013 02:09 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Surgery on one foot plus 11 stitches on the other limited me to just 11.5 miles in May. All healed up now though. 3.6 yesterday for my first run since I sliced open my foot. Looking for big miles this summer.

themetfairy Jun 03 2013 02:20 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Fman99 wrote: Good luck man! Happy to offer advice, now, as an experienced marathon runner (which is a bad ass thing to be able to say). Isn't it though I know someone who is reasonably new to the country and who wants to run her first 5K this summer. There are a few language barrier issues (she uses the word marathon interchangeably with race), but it's really interesting to be able to give somebody advice about what it's like to take part in races. Of course, she's going to leave me in the dust as soon as the start gun goes off. But that's par for my course ;)

metsmarathon Jun 03 2013 02:28 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

56 miles in may.

themetfairy Jun 04 2013 06:59 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I made it to Purple!

Fman99 Jun 08 2013 09:25 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Ran the Paige's Butterfly Run 5k this morning. This was the first race I ever ran, three years ago this weekend. Since then I've run 78 races. Set a new 5k PR today with a 22:08, 92nd out of 1600+ runners. My knee has been tight since the marathon, and I've been running during the week with a brace on it and left the brace home today. It felt tight for the first half of the race, nothing some Advil won't remedy.

metsmarathon Jun 08 2013 10:25 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

ran teh newton firehouse 5k this morning, in 23:18, good for 23rd overall out of maybe 300 runners, 7th among males 30-39. last year i ran the same course in a minute faster. it's taking a while for my speed to come back this year. grr. it probably didn't help that, though i rana good speed workout on thursday, i neglected to stretch afterwards, so i was very sluggish today. couldn't quite put it into a higher gear. i did have a good kick at the end, up the final hill, and caught another runner with about 50 yards to go - i just couldn't get myself to get faster any sooner. a minute's faster time would have put me just outside the top ten. this is a race i think i should focus on for next year. it's hilly, and tough, and it should be right up my alley if i'm running right. i've got another race next week. must! make! progress!

themetfairy Jun 08 2013 11:56 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I ran the New York Mini 10K this morning in 1:08:46. Not a PR, but I'm very happy with my 11:05 pace. This is going to be my last 10K until the Cow Harbor 10K in September. I'm planning two additional 10Ks in the fall, and then will take a year's sabbatical from that distance. I'm feeling burnt out - more psychologically than physically - and the time feels right to start cross-training more and dialing back the distance.

Ceetar Jun 11 2013 10:27 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

soupcan Jun 11 2013 10:55 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I hate cats.

themetfairy Jun 14 2013 10:09 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I'm running this in December The medal is worth it!

Fman99 Jun 14 2013 07:18 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

That's pretty slick! There's a local 5k and 10k tomorrow morning that I may run, I ran the 5k last year and placed in my age group. Always easier to bring home the prizes when there is a longer run to peel off half of the competition. Plus the age group award is a tricked out coffee mug with a picture of a rat on it.

Rockin' Doc Jun 14 2013 10:12 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I had a 3 month layoff from running and working out. No health issues, I just had too much going on so I never could get to the gym. Finally started running (I had to mix in some walking) again in late March. Started lifting weights again last month. It's amazing how quickly you lose conditioning with an extended layoff. Starting to get back to my pace with running, but I believe it will take me several months to get back into form with the weights.

themetfairy Jun 15 2013 07:25 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Welcome back to the fold RD!

Rockin' Doc Jun 15 2013 08:59 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Thanks, it's good to be back. Just got back from the gym. Lifted weights for 30 minutes than did 45 minutes on the treadmill (6.5 miles). Pretty gassed at present. Have to go mow the grass in a while, but I need to rehydrate and cool down a little bit first.

themetfairy Jun 16 2013 04:24 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I did the Run for Dad today in our local county park. I had run it for its first four years, but then for a variety of reasons haven't run it since 2006. The conditions this morning were perfect - it was overcast and reasonably cool, on a mostly flat course. I finished in 32:24.60, which is my fastest 5K of the year so far. I know that's slow, but for me it was a pretty good time. And look - I got a palindrome again!

Fman99 Jun 16 2013 06:11 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Ended up running the 10k in 48:20, finishing 55th of 196 runners and right in the middle of my age group, 6th of 11. It was a warm day and a course on black asphalt and no shade, so I lost a little pace at the end. I was hoping to break 48 minutes and was not able to, but this was 20 seconds faster than my previous best race at this distance. After nine races in 2013, I have set PR's at six distances -- 5k, 4 mile, 10k, 10 mile, half marathon and marathon. Hope to set 5 mile and 15k PR's this year as well.

Rockin' Doc Jun 16 2013 06:15 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Great job metfairy and Fman.

themetfairy Jun 16 2013 07:50 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Thanks RD :)

Fman99 Jun 18 2013 08:34 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Today was the JPMC Corporate Challenge, the biggest race of the year for Syracuse in terms of the number of participants. More than twice as many as any other race in Syracuse. I ran 3.5 miles in 25:58 for a pace of about 7:25 per mile. Happy with my time, was hoping to finish sub 26 and also be in the top 4 for my company, as team results are submitted in batches of four. I finished 3rd overall out of 27 or 28 runners with my company, and missed 2nd place by just two seconds. I'm OK with not coming in 2nd, also, as the guy who edged me out is a VP in my company and it's just as well that he finished in front of me. This is a great event -- my employer picks up the tab. We get two free tech shirts and a dinner of barbecue chicken, hot dogs, beer, soda and sides, plus a 3.5 mile race professionally timed. I finished 466th out of 7956 runners.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 18 2013 08:37 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Mmmmm BBQ Chicken

themetfairy Jun 28 2013 02:34 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I registered for the Take Your Base 5K for tomorrow morning. Anyone want to join me?

Fman99 Jul 01 2013 10:16 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Finished June with 81.9 miles. A step down from the three months prior but I'm OK with that -- it was often hot and humid and I have 3 1/2 months before my next full marathon. Now at 677 miles for 2013 so far.

themetfairy Jul 01 2013 10:33 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jul 01 2013 02:13 PM

69.81 miles for me in June. At the half year mark I'm at 426.64. I'm still planning on substituting more cross-training for running in the coming months. But running continues to be my primary cardio.

metsmarathon Jul 01 2013 02:12 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

58 miles in june. i have no upcoming races that i'm actively targeting until october rolls around. then on october 20th, i have the army ten miler, and on november 3rd i have a killer trail half marathon that i mostly expect to be under-prepared for. to properly train for the trail half, i should be doing a lot of trail running, naturally. unfortunately, i'm not sure i can make that work. i just don't have too many opportunities to take it off road on a regular basis, especially during hte week, and most especially with challenging terrain. weeked long runs might be doable, but add minor logistical complications. i'm 18 weeks out, and have just sketched out a training plan whereby i'm mostly following a hal higdon run three times a week marathon training plan for hte first 18 of it's proscribed 24 weeks. this gets me a 17-miler and an 18-miler by mid october. if i can hilly them up enough, they just might do the trick.

themetfairy Jul 01 2013 02:15 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I signed up to run across the Brooklyn Bridge on August 4th. Anyone interested in joining me?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 01 2013 02:19 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Little league, 2 brief illnesses, and a biztrip all got in the way in June, 46 miles. Best run of the month was accidentally discovering a greenway known as the "Razorback Trail" while visiting (Steve J.) Rogers, Arkansas for work. Rogers is a fake highway offramp sort of town that serves mainly of satellite HQs for every cpg company in America who wants to sell to walmart. I was prepared for a boring run around hotel parking lots and Olive Gardens when I spied the trail beneath a highway overpass. Wound up taking it more than 8 miles and encountering deer, rabbits, jackalopes, etc., all just beneath the surface of Corporate America. Supposed to be 35 miles at completion. I have zero speed anymore. Is this because I'm finally too old or does the warmer weather take away yours too?

Fman99 Jul 02 2013 04:42 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Little league, 2 brief illnesses, and a biztrip all got in the way in June, 46 miles. Best run of the month was accidentally discovering a greenway known as the "Razorback Trail" while visiting (Steve J.) Rogers, Arkansas for work. Rogers is a fake highway offramp sort of town that serves mainly of satellite HQs for every cpg company in America who wants to sell to walmart. I was prepared for a boring run around hotel parking lots and Olive Gardens when I spied the trail beneath a highway overpass. Wound up taking it more than 8 miles and encountering deer, rabbits, jackalopes, etc., all just beneath the surface of Corporate America. Supposed to be 35 miles at completion. I have zero speed anymore. Is this because I'm finally too old or does the warmer weather take away yours too? The heat and humidity don't affect my speed but I cannot sustain it for as many miles. Those weeknight 6-8 mile runs from March and April, at my normal 8:20-8:30-ish per mile training pace, turn into 4-5 mile runs in July.

Fman99 Jul 04 2013 02:22 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

On a very humid and muggy day I ran the 41st annual Cazenovia Foot Race ten miler around Cazenovia Lake. Last year I ran the 5k at this event because it was just four days before the Boilermaker 15k in Utica. This year the Boilermaker is a full ten days away so I opted for the longer race, my longest run since the marathon I ran on Memorial Day weekend. Hilly, challenging course, and tough weather to run in -- warm (high 70's) and also very humid (humidity in the 80% range). My shirt was fully soaked after just three miles. I finished in 1:22:23 gun time, 1:22:17 chip time, 96th overall out of 470 finishers and 7th out of 24 in my age bracket. Followed that up with a burger and beer at Red Robin and a 90 minute nap.

Fman99 Jul 15 2013 09:52 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Ran my third consecutive Boilermaker Road Race 15k yesterday, temps started in the 70's and reached 80 before we finished, with 80-90% humidity. We roasted out there. I finished in 1:17:40, 1911th out of 11,370 finishers and in the top 25% of my age bracket. I was 50 seconds slower than I was in 2012 which was a more comfortable day for running. Despite being that much slower than last year I was 120 places higher in the standings. I think the entire field was equally affected by the humidity. We had a great time nonetheless, the race is followed by live music and free beer courtesy of a local brewery. My local run club friends chartered a bus to take us from Syracuse to Utica and back. Group shot of us, minus the one guy who drank too much and sacked out on the bus before the photo. I am at the far right edge in Mets apparel.

themetfairy Jul 15 2013 10:03 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

That sounds like a fun road trip Fman! I finished a stretch of three 5Ks in four days. Thursday night was Srides for Stroke a local 5K that I ran with a couple of friends, in a park that I enjoy and that will be rough to get to starting this week due to the replacement of a local bridge. I felt good and finished in 33:41.57. Saturday was the All Star Game 5K. We had to get up at the crack of dawn in order to get to Prospect Park, but at least we found street parking. They advertised that there would be All Star appearances throughout the course, but that wasn't exactly accurate - John Franco was there to start us off with an airhorn and there were mascots there to high five the racers at the start of the course, but other than that there was nothing on the course to distinguish this run from any other (and there wasn't even any bling at the end, unlike past All Star Game 5K races). Still, it was fun and I felt good. I finished in 33:58 Yesterday was the Eden Autism 5K, another local race. I signed up to run this with friends before I realized that I had so many races in such a short time. I started out strong, but at mile 3 the sun came out and the incline climbed along with the temperature. I felt like crap at the end and did a bit of walking in that last mile. I finished in 33:48.60 Well, I'm consistent if nothing else....

Fman99 Jul 16 2013 06:13 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

themetfairy wrote: That sounds like a fun road trip Fman! I finished a stretch of three 5Ks in four days. Thursday night was Srides for Stroke a local 5K that I ran with a couple of friends, in a park that I enjoy and that will be rough to get to starting this week due to the replacement of a local bridge. I felt good and finished in 33:41.57. Saturday was the All Star Game 5K. We had to get up at the crack of dawn in order to get to Prospect Park, but at least we found street parking. They advertised that there would be All Star appearances throughout the course, but that wasn't exactly accurate - John Franco was there to start us off with an airhorn and there were mascots there to high five the racers at the start of the course, but other than that there was nothing on the course to distinguish this run from any other (and there wasn't even any bling at the end, unlike past All Star Game 5K races). Still, it was fun and I felt good. I finished in 33:58 Yesterday was the Eden Autism 5K, another local race. I signed up to run this with friends before I realized that I had so many races in such a short time. I started out strong, but at mile 3 the sun came out and the incline climbed along with the temperature. I felt like crap at the end and did a bit of walking in that last mile. I finished in 33:48.60 Well, I'm consistent if nothing else.... That's a solid list of 5k's!

themetfairy Jul 16 2013 06:29 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Slow but steady, I get them done

metsmarathon Jul 16 2013 08:51 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

last thursday, we had a 5k at work, as part of our "community day" aka "sorry for the furloughs, please don't cry day" its a slightly long 5k course, flat and fast, and reliably measuring over 3.25 miles. (gps and online mapping supports the 1- and 2- mile markers being in the right place. the finish is just long. its like they didn't realize that the 5k actually means 5 kilometers and not "footrace of about three-ish miles in length") this course is where i run my fastest. this year, for some reason, they decided to turn the course around, and effectively run it backwards. they also added about 100 yards or so. made no sense to me, as now, not even the extant mile markers are correct. also, it made for a sharp right hand turn about a tenth of a mile into the race, and another sharp right a quarter mile in. odd planning, really. i'm not a fan. this year, though, they did have two water stops, whereas in prior years, they only had one, at just after two miles. so, i guess that's an improvement... anyways, going into the race, i was thinking, well, i'll be happy if i break 24, maybe get close to 23 if i'm feeling good. my strategy with this race is always to start out too fast, and hope to hang on to the point where i can feel comfortable with pushing to the finish. that's pretty much my (deeply flawed) plan for all my 5ks but for this course it works. so i started out way, way too fast. i'm the sixth runner to the first turn, and the seventh to the second turn. and i'm already starting to back off my pace, if only slightly. i have no idea how fast my first mile is, because, well, the mile marker is in the wrong place. i think the time for me to pass the old 2-mile mark and the old 1-mile mark was in the low 7s, but i wasn't paying close enough attention, really. i'd tried a few times to kick into race mode, jockeying position one or two times with another runner, but mid-race, i couldn't keep up the mental and physical effort. then finally, as the last mile came and started to get deeper, i was able to tap into some reserves and start pushing. it helped that the last mile of the race would have some turns, and i was then better able to mentally break it down into manageable chunks of effort. also, i was briefly passed by another runner i knew, and decided i would make it my mission to catch and pass him. with a quarter mile to go, i caught him on a turn, and then focused on maintaining that push. it was not easy. i wasn't sure if he had anything left in the tank, either, and was a little afraid that by passing him i would trigger him to dig deeper. but it was a very hot morning, and late in the race, so i figured maybe the day had caught up with him. he would typically have been much faster, at least in past years. happily, i had enough acceleration to get by and keep him at bay. i may have passed naother runner right before the line, but i'm really not sure. the race wasn't officially timed or anything, so i have no idea what place i came in at - possibly 20th or so - but my time was 22:46, good for a 6:55ish pace. i was not expecting that. while i've run this course about 1:15 faster in the past, at my peak, this was still my fastest run this year. my pace was equivalent to about a 21:45 5k, or 30 seconds off my pr. no too shabby. i still don't feel like i'm actually in race shape, but this is certainly helping to change that impression. none of the running i've done really supports this fast a time, so i guess i could say that i'm looking forward to incorporating some faster running into my training. oh, that runner i passed towards thefinish? he's 63. this was the first time i've been within spitting distance of him at a finish, let alone beat him.

themetfairy Jul 16 2013 09:14 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

WTG mm!

Fman99 Jul 16 2013 07:38 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Nice recap, as always, Coach. I have races either booked or in mind for every weekend between now and early November, of various lengths from 5k's all the way up to marathon #2, with a healthy range of distances (a number of 5k's, a pair of 4 milers, a 5 miler, a 10k and a 15k and probably four or five half marathons).

metsmarathon Jul 17 2013 06:25 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Wow. I've got maybe three races between now and November. There are actually some cheap midweek xc/trail races that are very tempting, but that's pretty hard to squeeze into my schedule right now.

Fman99 Jul 29 2013 06:34 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Great weekend of running... did an easy 3.6 miles on Friday, from the park pool, out 1.8 miles and back again, and a quick dip before I picked up my kids. Ran into a buddy of mine on the run that I hadn't seen in a year and got to run with him and catch up. Saturday, we previewed a local 4 mile race that's coming up in August, a mile of which is a trail run. It's a neat course, it's 2.3 miles on local roads, then it cuts into a local land tract for some hilly trails, then a mile later cuts back into the neighborhood for the home stretch. We followed that up with an epic run up the West Seneca Turnpike -- a 380 foot ascent over the course of about a mile. Bad ass climb! All total 7.6 miles. Then, yesterday, I ran the second annual Fayetteville-Manlius Race of Champions 5k, a local race to benefit one of the nation's most successful high school cross country running teams. Kids from F-M High School routinely win national-level competitions for cross country running and this race raises funds for them to travel for competition. The kids on the team all serve as race volunteers. I ran it in 22:42, not my fastest time of the year, but good enough to finish 22nd out of 148 runners and 3rd out of 17 in my age bracket (ten year age groupings). Scored a sweet medal, to match the one I won last year for also placing third in my age group at the same event.

themetfairy Jul 29 2013 08:09 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Very nice bling you picked up there - WTG! themetfairy wrote: I signed up to run across the Brooklyn Bridge on August 4th. Anyone interested in joining me? This is coming up on Sunday - I'm excited! Would any of you like to join me?

Fman99 Jul 29 2013 02:04 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

themetfairy wrote: Very nice bling you picked up there - WTG! themetfairy wrote: I signed up to run across the Brooklyn Bridge on August 4th. Anyone interested in joining me? This is coming up on Sunday - I'm excited! Would any of you like to join me? Sorry, sounds like fun, but too far from home.

themetfairy Jul 29 2013 02:06 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

BTW, I ran in your neck of the woods on Saturday. Rochester has some really nice areas. I kept reminding myself that my great grandfather settled in Buffalo in hopes of creating a Jewish homeland in Grand Island. My mantra has always been that it must have seemed like a good idea in the summer. But in the summer, it was lovely!

themetfairy Jul 30 2013 08:43 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I'm not going to have the chance to run tomorrow, so I'm closing out the month at 53.15 miles. This is much less mileage than I've logged since the treadmill days of February. It reflects a few rest days as well as substituting aerobics classes at the gym for cross-training on some days. I think this will be the trend for me over time - less mileage and more cross-training. By doing this I should be able to keep running for another decade or so. This morning I set out to run 5K, but decided to go for 10K. It was probably a mistake - I hadn't eaten breakfast and I didn't have any gel packs or water. But I chugged out the mileage. I did great until about 5.8 miles, and then I just hit a wall, but I walked/ran the rest of the way home. I figure this puts me in good stead for my fall 10K races - if I can complete the distance this unprepared, I'll be fine when I have breakfast and water stops.

metsmarathon Jul 30 2013 11:06 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

i would love to run the brooklyn bridge one day. sadly, that day will not be this weekend. after 3 miles today, im at a cool 61 miles for july, my max monthly mileage yet in 2013. also, my second-highest monthly total in the past year, 6 behind december 2012. tomorrow is a not-running day, so i'll just have to eclipse that total in august.

Fman99 Jul 30 2013 07:56 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Given the forecast for cruddy weather on August 1st, I am likely to log a few more miles tomorrow, so I will wait another day before I tally up my July miles. I ran an easy 4.5 today at 8:30 or so per mile, and instead of extending that run to 6-7 miles, I opted to turn around sooner and stop on my way home at the park pool for a quick ten minute dip. That's always the right call.

Fman99 Jul 31 2013 07:03 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Did an easy 3.3 miles today after work to finish July with 107.2 miles, and 784.2 miles for 2013 thus far. That number is amazing to me, considering in 2011 I ran all year and finished that year with 794 miles. On pace this year for 1350 or so miles.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 31 2013 07:53 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

75.5 in July, but some of the slowest runs I've done in some time. Dialing back the distances for more frequent shorter runs. Struggling with the foot again.

soupcan Aug 01 2013 02:03 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Despite my best efforts, only 48.4 for me in July. Would really like to kick it up a notch but its taking me longer than I expected to come back from my dual foot injuries. Getting there though. Slowly but surely.

cooby Aug 01 2013 07:03 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Cargo shorts always slow me down too, soupy

soupcan Aug 02 2013 07:29 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

cooby wrote: Cargo shorts always slow me down too, soupy I don't think its as much the cargo shorts themselves as all the stuff I'm always so tempted to stuff in all those wonderful pockets that slows me down.

themetfairy Aug 04 2013 11:27 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Y'all missed a fun race this morning Granted, with the lineup on the Brooklyn Bridge there wasn't any kind of meaningful corralling, so there was a huge scrum at the start. And the course was ridiculously narrow, as expected. But OMG - running over the Brooklyn Bridge on this gorgeous morning was wonderful. Just perfect weather, and really lovely views. I finished in 34:08. which I'll take under the circumstances. And I checked another item off of my bucket list Seriously - I propose this as a CPF race for next year. It's a unique experience, and a lot of fun.

Fman99 Aug 04 2013 05:14 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

It does look like fun. It also falls on a weekend locally with no major race activity (I did not race this weekend). I did run an easy 8.75 miles with my run club friends along the Erie Canal path yesterday in the morning. Humid but temperate, we ran easy 8:35/mile pace and chatted it up. I do enjoy having some company on my weekend running. I also developed yet another large blister on my toe, this time adjacent to the toe that normally blisters and that I had taped ahead of time. I went out today and spent money on some quality running socks in a hope that it will resolve this problem I've been dealing with all year.

themetfairy Aug 04 2013 06:59 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Don't skimp on footwear - quality socks are almost as important as quality shoes. Feel better!

themetfairy Aug 12 2013 08:11 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I just signed up for this 5K in Flushing that includes running around the Unisphere that's taking place on November 23rd. Does anyone else want to make an off season pilgrimage to Flushing to join me for this one?

TransMonk Aug 12 2013 10:44 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

After 5+ months off (mostly due to being lazy, but I did have a kid in the meantime), I'm getting back on the running horse this afternoon.

themetfairy Aug 12 2013 12:18 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Welcome back TM!

John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 12 2013 12:21 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

TransMonk wrote: After 5+ months off (mostly due to being lazy, but I did have a kid in the meantime), I'm getting back on the running horse this afternoon. Fatherhood is good for running now that routine will dominate your life like never before.

TransMonk Aug 12 2013 12:24 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Excellent point...I want to make sure that running is a routine that is added early and not simply forgotten about.

themetfairy Aug 18 2013 11:43 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I entered enemy territory today to run the Damon Runyon 5K at MFYS III. It was something of an organized zoo - they split the group into several heats, but didn't monitor who was running in which one (I was supposed to be in Heat 5, but had no problem starting in Heat 3. FWIW, I was far from the slowest in my group - this was a walker-intensive event). Once you got through the fact that you had to pay for parking ($8 - at least it wasn't the $35 they said it would be for the main lot. The lot across the street that was supposed to be $8 was closed) and got a space, spectators were allowed up to the Delta 360 Club (suggested donation for that was $5, but after paying for parking on top of the registration fee and minimum fundraising/donation, they weren't going to force guests to pay on top of that). As for the race itself, it was fun - twice around the main concourse, down the ramp and twice around the warning track, up stairs to run the 200 level, up stairs to run the 300 level, down the ramps back to the Great Hall, back up stairs to run the 200 level and up stairs for the final time to run the 300 level before running down the ramp again to the finish. They could do something like this at Citi Field easily - I wish they would. Or go back to the old Run to Home Plate course that went around Flushing Meadows Park before finishing on the warning track. But I digress.... I had trained on the Stair Master for this race, which was helpful - the stairs can be a killer if you're not used to them. And there was bling at the end. Which is more than I can say about this year's All Star Game 5K. Again, I digress. I had my FAFIF wrist band to help ward off the MFY germs that were pervasive in the venue, and all in all had a fun time. I doubt I'll schelp to the Bronx to do this again, but I can check this race off of the bucket list. The bling wasn't the most substantial ever, but it's always nice to get it (especially in a 5K). At least it wasn't too MFY-centric -

themetfairy Aug 18 2013 08:40 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Meanwhile, I have a question for you guys. Lately my legs have been feeling a bit odd. I think of it as radiating - not exactly throbbing, but a couple of steps below that. I first started noticing that after long runs during my Marathon training in 2010, but lately it's been happening much more often, even though my distances are down and I'm trying to be better about incorporating cross-training and rest days. This isn't anything that is stopping me from running or any other activities. But do you think that I should be worried about it?

Fman99 Aug 19 2013 10:17 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

It's kind of a vague diagnosis -- is it in your joints or your muscles? Does it move around or is it localized? At this point you've been running long enough to know when you should dial it back and when you can turn it up. It's about pain thresholds too, I think -- at what point does it become too much? If not already...

soupcan Aug 19 2013 12:20 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I've got what sounds like a similar thing. Your explanation could describe what I experience after long runs as well (6-8 miles). At one point I was cramping up a lot and/or pulling my calf muscles very frequently. Someone suggested that I not stretch before runs, rather just warm up. It worked so that's what I do. But then that turned into really no stretching at all - before and after my runs. I just warm up and then cool down. i know I should stretch but I'm lazy when I'm done running. I've been dabbling with yoga and that seems to be helping. So in other words, I think my issues stem from not enough stretching. Possible in your case...?

themetfairy Aug 19 2013 02:04 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

It's my muscles, not the joints. And it's nothing that I would call pain; it's something I notice, but nothing that's hurting me. If it was pain, I'd be at my doctor's instead of asking you guys ;) Actually, my yearly physical is coming up so I can ask my doctor about it at that point. I was just curious whether it was something that other runners had experienced. I've already planned to stick to the 5K distance for a year or so after the 10K races I have coming up this fall. I'm willing to consider the possibility that I'm feeling my age and am in need of a break. As for stretching, I've been taking Body Flow at my gym since March. It's a yoga/pilates fusion kind of class - it feels great, and I've gone from 12 minute miles to 11 minute miles since I started taking the class. So I don't think I'm in need of stretching at this point.

metsmarathon Aug 20 2013 08:05 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

maybe you're just "feeling the burn"...? like, maybe what you feel is the muscles building more muscle. i dunno, really...

themetfairy Aug 20 2013 08:14 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

More likely that I'm feeling my age ;)

cooby Aug 20 2013 05:26 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

metfairy you make me feel younger just reading about your running experiences! Excellent!

themetfairy Aug 20 2013 07:53 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Thanks cooby :)

Fman99 Aug 25 2013 10:21 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Marathon training (and local racing) continues. Did a steady 16.1 yesterday at an average pace of about 8:45 per mile. Felt strong for the duration. Then spent ten hours at the NY State Fair, walking, eating and toting kids on my shoulders. Banged out a 22:21 5k this morning, my second fastest of the year, on a flat and fast course (albeit one with a paucity of shade). Legs felt rubbery and not at full strength, yet I was pleased with my performance given the distance I logged Saturday. Got to catch up and mingle with my racing pals on both days, to boot.

metsmarathon Aug 30 2013 01:30 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

a few years back, i ran my fastest 5k on very rubbery legs, a day after a killer, hilly 5 mile trail race. sometimes, rubbery legs are fast legs, i guess, as long as there isn't much of an incline to attack. it keeps you from blowing your load early in the race, and you're not going to feel any more tired, so you just kinda get used to it, and just run. ... i'm finishing up august with 87.6 miles - my biggest mileage month in well over a year. since may of last year, in fact. september promises to be a big mileage month, provided i can stay healthy and don't miss too many days. there's 135 miles on the calendar currently. i'm currently following along a hybridized marathon training plan - i think i've discussed my approach previously - that's a mashup of at least two different hal higdon marathon plans. tuesday, thursday, and sunday follow the higdon marathon 3 plan (train for a marathon on 3 days of running) and saturday is pulled from one of his intermediate or advanced plans - i forget which one. tuesday runs are easy and at moderate distance (this week was at 6 miles), while thursday runs are about 50% shorter and rotate between easy one week, then race-pace the next week, and tempo run the third week. saturday runs get progressively longerand are at about 50% of my long run. they rotate on a easy one week, then two weeks of race pace, then back to the easy pace. and then my sunday runs are the usual lsd runs, where every third week is a drop back in distance. i'm hoping this approach will work for me. so far it's not bad. i seem to be handling hte increase in mileage reasonably well. i'm not adding much speed yet, but i'm also mostly running midday in summer, so it's hard to really gauge if my capacity for speed in favorable conditions is increasing or not. i can only assume it is. i still haven't been able to slap in enough hills to my liking, as my midweek runs have been far too flat. but next week, i think, i shall begin to work on that aspect of the thing. if i don't start tacking the inclines soon, this whole thing will be all for naught! the biggest challenge for september will be fitting enough running in around a planned weeklong vacation. i can shift my long run to a differnt week, but i still have a lot of longish midweek runs that i might be forced to run on hotel treadmills late at night. not ideal by any stretch. i guess we'll see.

themetfairy Aug 30 2013 01:53 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Which marathon are you running mm? Best of luck with the training!

metsmarathon Aug 30 2013 02:52 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

i'm training for a local hilly trail half marathon on november 3rd (i think that's the date. same day as NYC marathon), alexa's thunder run. my training ends after the 18 miler, which i think will be enough to prep me for the half, trading extra distance endurance for the required hilly terrain endurance. my grander scheme will be to roll this training into a spring marathon, as yet unspecified, but that is all super-dependent on how much running i can get in as the twins approach and finally arrive. i'd love to entertain the ocean drive marathon in march, from cape may 26 miles north along the ocean, but most likely i'd be looking at long branch in may.

themetfairy Aug 30 2013 03:15 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Best of luck with that! And yes, November 3rd is a big day. NYC Marathon, Ben Franklin Bridge 10K (I'll be running that!) and the Princeton Half Marathon, in addition to the one you're running.

themetfairy Aug 31 2013 04:35 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

64.79 miles in August. More than last month's 53.15. Better Weather = More Outside Running

Fman99 Aug 31 2013 06:45 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

An easy 4 miles this morning brings me to 114.1 miles for August and 893 for the year. Just 20 shy of my total from all of 2012. I'll be getting 18 more in tomorrow at the 1812 Challenge, an 18.12 mile race from Watertown to Sackets Harbor, NY, ending at a park that is also a site of a War of 1812 naval battle. They also have a half marathon which I ran in 2012. The 18 mile distance fits in with my marathon training as I was scheduled to run 16 this weekend anyway.

Fman99 Aug 31 2013 06:51 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

metsmarathon wrote: a few years back, i ran my fastest 5k on very rubbery legs, a day after a killer, hilly 5 mile trail race. sometimes, rubbery legs are fast legs, i guess, as long as there isn't much of an incline to attack. it keeps you from blowing your load early in the race, and you're not going to feel any more tired, so you just kinda get used to it, and just run. ... That stands to reason, actually, as my splits were faster on each subsequent mile, which is unusual for me at any distance.

Fman99 Sep 01 2013 07:46 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Knocked out the 18.12 challenge today in 2:29:20, an 8:14 per mile pace for 18.12 miles. I hit my goal which was to come in under 2 1/2 hours, despite a warm sunny day and many long stretches with no shade. Finished 52nd out of 318 finishers and 5th of 25 runners in my age bracket. Scored a sweet finishers' medal to boot. I was most pleased with my splits, over that distance I was able to maintain a very consistent pace. name pace climb 1 mi 8:08 -44 2 mi 8:14 9 3 mi 8:29 33 4 mi 8:15 -49 5 mi 8:17 9 6 mi 8:19 -6 7 mi 8:19 -29 8 mi 8:18 -21 9 mi 8:11 -6 10 mi 8:28 -4 11 mi 8:16 9 12 mi 8:15 -50 13 mi 8:07 -32 14 mi 8:13 -1 15 mi 8:18 -21 16 mi 8:15 0 17 mi 8:16 8 18 mi 8:08 -21 19 mi 6:48 -16

themetfairy Sep 01 2013 08:09 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Nice work and sweet bling!

metsmarathon Sep 01 2013 08:23 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Damn, son. Mighty fine run! I did a 1:00 boardwalk LSD run. Wanted to do 12, but the heat was too much for me. Cut it to a dehydrated 10, and the second half of the run was mostly 10-minute miles.

Fman99 Sep 01 2013 08:49 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Thanks guys. I am sore tonight, but the best kind of sore.

soupcan Sep 02 2013 07:46 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

76.1 for August for me after 48.4 in July. Feeling good, increasing my mileage (but slowing my pace) on my weekend runs. Trying to run anywhere from 4-6 miles every other day during the week and then do a 7-8 miler on the weekends. That's the plan anyway. Thinking about a local half-marathon on 10/27.

Rockin' Doc Sep 03 2013 09:27 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Ran 85.08 miles in August. By far the most I have run in a month this year. I didn't lift weights or run for 3 months (from mid-December to mid March) and it has taken a while to rebuild my strength and stamina. I am now about 90% back to where I was at the end of last year with the lifting and I am fully back to running at my previous pace. I am slowly shedding the weight I gained during my 3 month lay off. I still have a few pounds to lose in order to get back to where I was in December.

themetfairy Sep 03 2013 10:59 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Great work RD!

metsmarathon Sep 04 2013 09:08 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

sigh. i had a 7 mile, hilly run planned for today, but as i started, my left calf was very twinge-y. i decided to shut it down about a quarter mile in. i'll baby it tomorrow, and not run, and see if i can run again on friday...

themetfairy Sep 04 2013 09:18 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Smart move to give it a little rest. I hope it's better when you try again!

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 04 2013 10:08 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Took 2 weeks off in August as my foot remained wonky and achilles tendontitisy. Started again in a new pair of kicks (Asics GT-2000, the redesigned successor to my 2170s) and things are a little better. Still not 100%. Come and run Greenpoint Oct. 13 if you can. Fun fast race, lots of beer and food following.

themetfairy Sep 07 2013 03:00 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

This morning I was in Poughkeepsie for Marist's Red Fox Trot 5K. It's also a nice excuse to visit my son. It's a challenging course - the first half is mostly uphill. OTOH, it's an out and back course, so if you survive the first half the second half is primarily downhill. The campus is beautiful, and the weather this morning couldn't have been more perfect. I finished the race in 33:35.86, which was about a minute and 45 seconds faster than my time when I ran this race in 2011, and all of my miles were under 11 minutes - considering the terrain, I'm very proud of that. I'm tentatively planning on running this race again next year for my son's senior year. After that I probably won't be making the trip up north to run, just because of the schlep factor. But it's a nice little race, and I'm happy I made the trip to do it.

Fman99 Sep 07 2013 08:02 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

That's a great photo. You look triumphant and happy. And, in comparison, here I am at about mile 14 or so of my 18 mile race last weekend. Not that I'm not having the same amount of fun, but I can't shake the "drowning in air" look.

themetfairy Sep 07 2013 08:57 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Slow but steady has its advantages ;)

themetfairy Sep 17 2013 01:22 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Is anyone doing The Great Cow Harbor 10K on Saturday?

Fman99 Sep 17 2013 07:56 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Not I, I will be running the central New York staple, the "Bread (for Schools) Run" half marathon, held in rural Fabius and Pompey, New York (about 20 miles south of Syracuse). Featuring my all time favorite race mascot, "Slice."

Edgy MD Sep 18 2013 10:40 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Run with Rocky: http://blogs.phillymag.com/the_philly_p ... -rocky-ii/

Fman99 Sep 22 2013 07:24 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Half marathon #18 overall and #6 of 2013 in the books today, knocked out the Bread Run in 1:47:13 chip time. Finished 42nd of 176, and 5th of 12 in my age group. A minute slower than I was on the same course a year ago, though it was a windier day. Also, I ran this less as a race and more ad a warmup for my second marathon, now four weeks away. Scored this sweet medal. My son said I should get it as a tattoo because I love bread, I love to run and I often wear the headband.

Fman99 Sep 28 2013 08:57 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Three weeks out from marathon #2, ran my last long training run this morning. Was lucky enough to have a few friends join me for an early start and ran 21.1 miles at about an 8:45/mile average pace. All within a local park, and we stopped every 7 miles or so to refuel. Feeling surprisingly spry tonight. I suspect some soreness tomorrow, but at the moment I feel fresher than I can recall having felt after any of my other runs over 18 miles in length.

TransMonk Sep 29 2013 08:28 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

23 miles in September. Not a ton...but getting back in the swing to hit the ground running (haha) next year.

themetfairy Sep 30 2013 07:33 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

67.10 miles for September. More than I planned on, actually. I have a 10K on October 14th and another one on November 3rd. After that I plan on starting my year of sticking to 5Ks, because I'm really feeling burnt out. After that year I'll see how I'm feeling; if I'm craving longer races again I'll resume them, and if not then I'll stick with the 3.1 miles.

metsmarathon Sep 30 2013 07:45 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

74 so far in september, prolly get it over 80 by the end of today. my mileage took a massive hit in disneyland, as i was both too exhausted from the parks and too unmotivated to hit the treadmill, and so i didn't run at all while i was there. and when i got back, i only did a 5 miler instead of something longer as it was all i could fit in.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 30 2013 07:56 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I only did 40 as I reduced the lengths of my runs but still took off 2 weeks as my foot still is fucked up.

metsmarathon Sep 30 2013 10:53 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

phooey. work gets in the way and i'm stuck at 74 miles for the month. unless i decide to run on the treadmill tonight. which, well, it just isn't happening.

Fman99 Sep 30 2013 07:04 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Ran 6.1 sun soaked miles after work today to finish at 144.3 miles for September, my second highest total mileage month ever. Now at 1038.3 miles for 2013 thus far.

themetfairy Sep 30 2013 07:30 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

That's some heavy mileage Fman. Is this your new normal?

Fman99 Sep 30 2013 08:15 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

themetfairy wrote: That's some heavy mileage Fman. Is this your new normal? This was mostly due to a ramp up in my long runs on the weekends, in preparation for my fall marathon three weeks hence. My weeknight routine hasn't been any more mileage intensive than at any other point this year, but my long Saturday/Sunday runs have gone from the 7-9 mile variety of July and August to a lot of runs in the 13-20 mile range, nearly every weekend for the last several weeks. October will be lighter, I am tapering now, I am going to run a 5k in Maryland this weekend while visiting family and a 15k (at a not so strenuous pace) the weekend prior to my marathon.

themetfairy Sep 30 2013 08:29 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Any thoughts about next year? Or is it too soon to think about that?

Fman99 Sep 30 2013 08:41 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

themetfairy wrote: Any thoughts about next year? Or is it too soon to think about that? I haven't spent a ton of time on what my 2014 goals are. I'd like to run another pair of marathons, probably, one in the spring and one in the fall, maybe take the fundraiser option and run the NYC Marathon in 2014. Still kicking around the idea of a February 2014 marathon also, in Austin or in Ft. Lauderdale, and combining it with a family vacation. The problem with that is long weekend training runs all winter, in Syracuse. The idea of running a lot of other marathons in other states/places also appeals to me, if I can combine them with trips for the family and make vacations out of them without incapacitating myself in the process. Plus all the normal local 5k's, 10k's, 15k's, half marathons, and every other event locally that I enjoy. I've averaged 25 races per year so far so there is no shortage of local race options.

themetfairy Sep 30 2013 08:55 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

That's an ambitious schedule - best of luck!

soupcan Oct 01 2013 10:19 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Fman is off the charts with the kind of runner he's become. Amazing to see and read about it. Congrats. You must feel pretty good about the whole thing coming from where you started to where you are now. I was at 60.8 for September mainly because I got lazy too often. The one thing though is that I am getting faster. Ran an average of 9:32 per mile in July, 9:16 for August, and 9:07 in September. Ran a 5K this past Saturday and clocked a PB. 25:18, average pace was 8:04 and my fastest mile was the 3rd which I did in 7:52. Was very happy with that.

themetfairy Oct 01 2013 10:37 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Great work soup!

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 01 2013 07:50 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Fman99 wrote: Thanks all. Post race complications -- I have shingles now. I had one spot that started bothering me in the middle of the week last week and it was exasperated by running the marathon. Feeling pretty wiped out but hopefully the meds help me bounce back. Wish I could blame a marathon but sure enough I am dealing with the shingles now. I felt like crap over the weekend, run down and an achy back. I actually have a benign cyst near where I was feeling the discomfort and had briefly convinced myself I had cancer. My doc just yesterday said no -- just a muscle strain. Then I realized there's a little rash there and on my belly where I first felt discomfort, and only then put it all together. So I had to go back to the doc & get antiviral meds today. How long did this last? Hopefully I'm through the worst already.

Fman99 Oct 01 2013 07:52 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

soupcan wrote: Fman is off the charts with the kind of runner he's become. Amazing to see and read about it. Congrats. You must feel pretty good about the whole thing coming from where you started to where you are now. I was at 60.8 for September mainly because I got lazy too often. The one thing though is that I am getting faster. Ran an average of 9:32 per mile in July, 9:16 for August, and 9:07 in September. Ran a 5K this past Saturday and clocked a PB. 25:18, average pace was 8:04 and my fastest mile was the 3rd which I did in 7:52. Was very happy with that. Thanks, man, I appreciate that. I think the folks here have a real appreciation for that, as I have been posting here on my progress since my first treadmill run in November of 2009, in which I gutted out 2.15 miles in 30 minutes. And was proud, of being able to run 30 minutes without a break. The marathon training really upped the ante... despite all of the half marathons I ran in 2012, my mileage from 2011 to 2012 only increased a couple of miles per week on average (794 miles in 2011, or 15.2 per week, to 904 miles in 2012, or 17.5 per week). That has gone way up in 2013, already at 1038 miles through 39 and a half weeks (an average of 26.3 miles per week). I'm proud of all of the things I've been able to do, and I appreciate all of the support and well wishing that I've gotten here in the CPF RC. You guys are the shit. Congrats on that 5k by the way, Soup. That's a respectable time -- I ran a 25:18 in my very first 5k, back in June 2010.

Fman99 Oct 01 2013 08:00 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Fman99 wrote: Thanks all. Post race complications -- I have shingles now. I had one spot that started bothering me in the middle of the week last week and it was exasperated by running the marathon. Feeling pretty wiped out but hopefully the meds help me bounce back. Wish I could blame a marathon but sure enough I am dealing with the shingles now. I felt like crap over the weekend, run down and an achy back. I actually have a benign cyst near where I was feeling the discomfort and had briefly convinced myself I had cancer. My doc just yesterday said no -- just a muscle strain. Then I realized there's a little rash there and on my belly where I first felt discomfort, and only then put it all together. So I had to go back to the doc & get antiviral meds today. How long did this last? Hopefully I'm through the worst already. Sorry, bro. That sucks. Assuming they put you on the same dope I got, I felt on and off like shit for most of the week I was on the meds, though it eased about 4-5 days in. It was sporadic, too -- I would feel fine for a half of a day and then WHAM, I wanted to lay down and sleep for an hour. I felt fully like myself again about three weeks after diagnosis.

themetfairy Oct 01 2013 08:38 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

That suxx Lunchie! My case was pretty mild - the rash on my arm was an issue for about a week and a half, but for the most part I didn't feel too bad. It's good you're on the meds - hopefully you'll feel better quickly.

themetfairy Oct 03 2013 03:39 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Does anyone want to see what the Big 5 Marathon in South Africa is like, complete with difficult terrain and wild animals? Check it out!

themetfairy Oct 08 2013 09:08 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

In celebration of my birthday, I ran the PartnerRe 5K on Sunday. This is a women's only race in my favorite place in the world - Bermuda. I finished in 34:58 - considering the fact that the course featured some of the island's typically brutal hills, I'm satisfied with that. And look - I didn't fall over the finish line this time! Meanwhile, on Monday I'm going to run the Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women in Boston, along with Mrs. Point. I have felt a real need to run in Boston again, and this looks like the perfect course. Not unlike the Run to Home Base that I did last year, the course takes the Mass Ave Bridge into Cambridge, goes up and down Memorial Drive and then goes back into Boston; the view of Boston from the Mass Ave Bridge is perhaps the most beautiful view I've ever seen in a race (and this is from someone who just got home from Bermuda). The good news is that my legs aren't radiating at night the way they were a couple of months ago. The bad news is that I'm feeling my age lately - hills are kicking my ass, and my endurance isn't what it was a couple of years ago. I'm chalking that up to mental fatigue, and am looking forward to my upcoming year or so of sticking to 5Ks. Once I get to 2015 I may decide to go back to 5 milers and 10Ks, but for the moment I need to know that I am getting a break from the longer distances.

Fman99 Oct 13 2013 07:00 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Another 15k in the books. A nice cool cloudy day offset a very difficult course, much of the 6-8 mile section being a number of fairly steep hills. Set a personal best time of 1:16:12 (an 8:08/mile pace) despite very intentionally not running at maximum effort, with the intent of leaving more in the tank for my marathon a week hence. It's very reassuring to know that I can run that pace, for that distance, without feeling like I am exerting myself too forcefully. Finished 53rd of 260 runners but only 14th of 30 in my age group (males 40-49). The forty-something year old men is a seriously competitive group locally --three of the top four finishers where in that bracket. Marathon #2 is a week from today.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 13 2013 07:37 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Tell me about those 40-summthin men. They are always kicking my ass. I ran for the first time in 3 weeks today as it was the annual 5K here in town. I almost didn't sign up as I'd been having lots of foot issues and that whole shingles thing sorta wore me down, although that passed quickly. I was also kind of hungover and loaded with pork. So I was happy to finish 22:31, "only" 40 seconds slower than last year when I was really tuned up. I slowed with a cramp halfway thru and nearly puked at the finish line. The big deal today was that Lunchpail gave the same a race a try for the first time, he went off with Wifey Bucket but wound up pacing her, he never stopped and she let him go on his own eventually. I had started back to find them thinking I had plenty of time when he zipped past. He finished 28:25 but sadly missed an award because his award group went to age 13. He beat the shit out of all the other 7 year olds. This is a ridiculous race with huge tins of lasagne, polish sausages & kraut, burgers and free beer in a catolic school auditorium afterward.

themetfairy Oct 15 2013 06:40 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

WTG Lunchie and Lunchpail! And Fman - you run a relaxed 15K in the time it takes me to run 10K. I hat you. Meanwhile, I had been aching to run again in Boston and had the opportunity to do so yesterday. Willets and Mrs. Point put me up at their place and Mrs. Point and I ran the Tufts Health Plan Women's 10K race. This was Mrs. Point's first race, but I don't think it will be her last. It was similar to the race I ran last year, except that instead of starting and ending at Fenway this one started and ended at the Boston Common. But it had the same route over the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge, up and down Memorial Drive and then back over the Mass Ave Bridge into Boston. It was a cool, clear day with absolutely beautiful views throughout the race. I finished in 1:12:06. I was pleased with the time, and more important I was pleased by the fact that I felt really good throughout and after the race; my previous couple of 10Ks kicked my ass and my digestive system, so I was happy to just be feeling good at the end of the race. One more 10K in 19 days, and then I'll be ready for my year of sticking to 5Ks.

Fman99 Oct 15 2013 12:18 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

WTG Lunchie and Lunchpail! And Fman - you run a relaxed 15K in the time it takes me to run 10K. I hat you. Meanwhile, I had been aching to run again in Boston and had the opportunity to do so yesterday. Willets and Mrs. Point put me up at their place and Mrs. Point and I ran the Tufts Health Plan Women's 10K race. This was Mrs. Point's first race, but I don't think it will be her last. It was similar to the race I ran last year, except that instead of starting and ending at Fenway this one started and ended at the Boston Common. But it had the same route over the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge, up and down Memorial Drive and then back over the Mass Ave Bridge into Boston. It was a cool, clear day with absolutely beautiful views throughout the race. I finished in 1:12:06. I was pleased with the time, and more important I was pleased by the fact that I felt really good throughout and after the race; my previous couple of 10Ks kicked my ass and my digestive system, so I was happy to just be feeling good at the end of the race. One more 10K in 19 days, and then I'll be ready for my year of sticking to 5Ks. Awesome, sounds like a nice trip. I do enjoy the destination race.

Mets – Willets Point Oct 15 2013 12:52 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Oh look, my wife is in the thread I never read. It was great to host you metfairy. Come back and run our streets again! It was fun to watch the race with all the other dads and kids.

themetfairy Oct 15 2013 02:49 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Thank you Willets! Perhaps I'll take you up on that when MK is out of the house :)

Fman99 Oct 19 2013 07:54 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Marathon #2 commences for me in nine hours and forty minutes. I am feeling rested and confident. Ran two easy miles this morning and took a big nap after lunch.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 19 2013 08:01 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Have fun there, Speedy.

themetfairy Oct 19 2013 09:14 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Run well Fman!

metsmarathon Oct 20 2013 02:23 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

hey, cool, i set a pr today! it helps that i ran a new distance, of course. i had been signed up for the army ten miler in DC for this weekend. however, a very pregnant wife with twins does not a good traveller make, so we decided to cancel that trip. instead, i ran a local 8 mile trail race that i've been wanting to run for a long time. its a challenging, hilly course along some narrow, rocky trails in kittatinny state park, andover nj. i made a conscious effort to try and start off not too fast - i was feeling very much underprepared for the run. not knowing where the mile markers are, i ran entirely by feel. i made only a handful of passes during the race, and then only when i really needed to. in the first mile, i lost a bit of focus on a not terribly rocky part of the course, and tripped over a root, and fell on my hand and shoulder. in the next three miles, i tripped four more times, but didn't fall. the first trip didn't really help my focus, and neither did those. after about four miles, we followed a path next to a lake, and it was wonderfully beautiful. i'd just passed another runner, and there was nobody visible in front of me. i became very aware that i could easily take a wrong turn. and then it happened. a slight clearing, and an intersection. in front of me was a 3' wall. on the right, a wooden dock. on the left, a car path strewn slightly with leaves. everywhere else on teh course, the turns were well marked. here, there were no indications. the race course had been blown free of leaves, so the leaves on the car path were a warning sign. but my other choice was to scale a 3' rock wall. i decide to turn up the car path. the runner behind me follows. the girl behind him shouts "i don't think we turn there. we go over the wall" ok. of course. of course there's a 3' rock wall on the race course. why wouldn't there be a 3' rock wall on the race course. i eventually passed the other runner. and then in the next mile i caught up to her near the top of a steep hill. i briefly considered passing her, but instead, the steepness of the hill was telling me to walk up it. besides, i owed her my race. she put on a strong kick from that hilltop, so if i had passed her, she surely would've passed me right back. and at that point, i wasn't raelly ready for a two-or-three mile dogfight. i finished the race in 1:07:37, for a 8:18 pace. i was pretty much expecting to run it in 9:00 pace, so i'm really rather happy with today. 39th overall, 5th in my age group. in two weeks, i return to this course. i tack a brutally challenging 5 miles onto the end of this 8 miles. if i manage to finish that one in a 9:00 pace, i'll be truly shocked. i'm really not feeling prepared for it. i don't know if this run boosted my confidence (it should, given my pace) or f it didn't (it should, based on how spent i was after the finish) but i guess we'll see. i do tend to run well when i expect mostly not to.

themetfairy Oct 20 2013 02:57 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

WTG mm - impressive job!

Fman99 Oct 20 2013 07:10 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Marathon #2 in the book. I ran a 3:46:20, good for 119th out of 522 finishers and 17th of 47 in my age bracket. This is 1:38 slower than I ran the Ottawa Marathon -- though in my defense, this is a considerably tougher course, run on a windier day. I also found it to be long, 26.57 miles by my GPS watch. When I hit the 26.2 mile mark I was actually about ninety seconds faster than my Ottawa time. This course was largely flat for the first 9-10 miles, then much of the next ten miles after that included a number of hills of various grades and lengths, before a fairly steep decline at mile 19 and a flat finish. I dealt with both glute and hamstring pain for a good portion of the race. My wife and kids, along with my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law and husband, all came out to the course at a point where it runs near the house, around mile 21. Fboy came out and paced me for a stretch, which was also nice. They then packed it in and drove down to the finish in time to see me cross the stripe. I definitely bonked and my pace fell off for the last 4-5 miles. It happens. I banked enough early miles to have it not affect me as much as it otherwise would have. I also hoped to run sub-3:40 but the course was tougher than I expected. I was happy with my time. I had probably ten friends out there running the marathon and I finished in front of all of them. As for post race, I am feeling good. A nap and much Advil later. I am dealing with some chafing and an angry toenail but I am otherwise no worse for wear. While windy it was a sunny and pleasant fall day. Great medal, also. My splits make it easy to see just where I zonked out. 1 08:16.00 2 08:33.60 3 08:13.70 4 08:22.90 5 08:18.30 6 08:13.00 7 08:13.10 8 08:13.10 9 08:10.50 10 08:32.40 11 08:09.30 12 08:02.50 13 08:02.50 14 08:29.00 15 08:17.60 16 08:08.90 17 08:38.90 18 08:35.60 19 08:48.70 20 08:29.80 21 08:41.90 22 08:53.10 23 09:17.10 24 09:03.60 25 09:26.60 26 09:15.60 27 04:55.30

themetfairy Oct 20 2013 07:59 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Your slow miles are still way faster than anything I could ever run. WTG, my friend - a lot of people have one marathon in them, but it takes a lot to run multiple marathons. Well done!

metsmarathon Oct 21 2013 07:00 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

fucking impressive, fman! it's not really much of a bonk if you're still runnning 9:30's. ;) those 8:02's in the middle are probably what did it to you.

Fman99 Oct 21 2013 11:55 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

metsmarathon wrote: fucking impressive, fman! it's not really much of a bonk if you're still runnning 9:30's. ;) those 8:02's in the middle are probably what did it to you. Thanks MF, MM. It certainly felt like a bonk. The problem with the course, also, is that the last three miles are on a closed parkway, long, largely straight, flat, and with no crowd support at all. It's a long lonely run to the finish line. As for those 8:02's I never felt like I was moving that fast. My watch shows me the split times every mile and I missed some of them including the first of those two 8:02's. After the second one I eased up. Feeling good today. Some normal post-long run aches and some chafing issues but nothing I would categorize as pain or injury.

themetfairy Oct 21 2013 11:56 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Q - What's the best thing for your legs after a Sunday marathon? A - Wednesday.

Fman99 Oct 23 2013 07:26 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Well it's Wednesday and I'm still pretty tired in the legs. Going to possibly run 3-4 miles tonight after work if I'm feeling up to it, or, I may wait one more day. I have a five mile race this weekend.

themetfairy Oct 23 2013 08:39 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Listen to your body. If your legs are tired, wait the extra day.

themetfairy Oct 26 2013 09:49 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

It wasn't fast by your standards, but it was fast by mine. I don't have my official finisher's time, but according to my Nike+ I ran the Alexander's Run in Trenton at a 10:16/mile pace this morning, and my official finishing time of 32:24.33 is my fastest 5K time of the year. And that was good enough for third place in my age group! Granted, it was a small field (but there were four finishers in my age group - one of my neighbors was there, and she finished behind me), but it was a rare age group finish for me. Yay for age group bling! They had nice bling for a small race -

Fman99 Oct 27 2013 05:26 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Awesome job! I'm off to the annual Eastwood Park to Park five mile race, which highlights one of the older and prettier neighborhoods of Syracuse. It's an enjoyable event that I'm doing for the third straight year.

Ceetar Oct 27 2013 10:49 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Going to run first the first time in like months, outside even. If no one hears from me again, could someone come feed my cats?

themetfairy Oct 27 2013 11:00 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Go Ceetar Go!!! I followed up yesterday's 5K with the Run for RAH (i.e., Rutgers against Hunger) up at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway. There were at four women in my age group who finished ahead of me, but since they only gave out medals for the top person in each age group I didn't feel too badly about missing out, and I was happy to come in 5th out of 15 runners in my age group. My time of 33:14.83 was pretty good for the day after the race in Trenton, it was a beautiful day, and I got to meet the Scarlet Knight -

Ceetar Oct 27 2013 11:39 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

you all put me to shame in commitment to exercise, but I'm getting 5-10 hours of my life back by switching jobs..determined to dedicate at least some of it to working out. Fixed my GPS (tightened the screws on my phone case) and while it still is not quite precise, it matches what my treadmill pace was so I'll take it

themetfairy Oct 27 2013 12:34 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Well done!

Fman99 Oct 27 2013 06:13 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Good for you, Ceetar! Stick with it.

Fman99 Oct 27 2013 06:32 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Set a PR for the 5 mile distance today with a 37:53 at the Eastwood Park to Park Run, one of my annual faves. Was hoping to bust 38 minutes after finishing last year's race in 38:08. Scored this sweet medal for completing the "Syrathon" series, a set of eight races all within the city limits and running through some of the various parks available to us. The medal was designed by a friend of mine who also runs and is a map of the city itself, with an asterisk noting each of the eight race starting lines.

themetfairy Oct 27 2013 06:56 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

You run 5 miles more or less in the time I run 5K. I hat you! (WTG on the PR - and nice bling!)

metsmarathon Oct 27 2013 09:18 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

nice work everyone. that gps track is crazy-inaccurate. though it does lend credence to why i always chuckle when people complain that races were long because their watch told them so. i ran 16 miles today, in about two and a half hours. yesterday i ran 6 miles. 16 miles is as far as i've gone in about three + years. my legs felt really tired and sluggish, and i'm not sure if its all from also running yesterday or if my race last week is to blame. i think mostly it's from yesterday. i have a week until my trail half, and i think i'll be delighted if i can do it in under 2 hours. i'm really looking forward to the run, for a few reasons. one, i've wanted to do this run for the past four or five years. two, i'm ready to cut back my mileage for a while, as i need to devote more free time to ?mm prepartions. and three, i think i might have something wrong with my foot, and need to shut it down soon. im not really sure what it is... a dull-to-sharp pain on the top of my left foot... i thought at first it might be a sore ligament or tendon, or a bruise of some sort from having ill-fitting shoes or something... but i don't really think that's it. i'm pretty sure its not a stress fracture, either. but it hurts. and running is not good for it. so...once my half is over, i'll be going back to the podiatrist i guess. even though, i dunno, i don't really have high confidence in them being able to do much of anything. when i went for my plantar fasciitis, i got orthotics and a boot to sleep in. only after i ditched both of those did my foot feel better... the foot pain has been building for along time, though. i think maybe it goes all the way back to when i was wearing the toe shoes. and my recent explosion of mileage has not helped. but in less than 20 miles, i can rest it. hopefully heal it. i want very much to be running again. fman's getting too fast. i just can't take much more time off.

themetfairy Oct 28 2013 06:27 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Feel better mm, and best of luck on the trail half!

Fman99 Oct 28 2013 07:15 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Seriously, good luck in your race, and best wishes on your foot health.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 28 2013 07:36 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I wouldn't know anything about mysterious left foot pain.

Ceetar Oct 28 2013 08:54 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I'm shockingly feeling okay after running outside yesterday, usually I have shin splints for a week (and there were hills!) But I guess walking three miles in the city everyday uses roughly the same muscles. As opposed to the busy roads and/or Nabisco factory that was running near the apartment, the streets across from my house are quiet and secluded. I know the GPS is just crazy, but does anyone know if it's roughly consistently crazy? I'm less concerned with actual numbers as compared to improvement from last time. I kind of doubt it, but it did tell me I ran about as fast as I thought I did so..

themetfairy Oct 28 2013 08:58 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

My Nike+ seems consistent. I upload my workouts each day, and when I run known routes in my neighborhood the watch seems to reflects the same mileage (although I'm not as precise as mm - he might have a different opinion).

metsmarathon Oct 28 2013 09:07 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

i dunno. i used my wife's garmin watch the other day, and the distance came fairly close to what i'd run, though i didn't look at the track at all. i'll have to check it out. but i'll be surprised if it looks that inaccurate. i know when i just hold my phone when i run, the track isn't awful. it usually has me in the street that i'm running on. could it be the case you're using, or any other equipment that's blocking the reception or causing hte signals to bounce around a lot? metal somethings, really.

Ceetar Oct 28 2013 09:11 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I guess a logical test is to run a fairly straight route and then drive it and see if it's close. The randomly cutting across grass fields won't do that. I've noticed a lot of runners in my neighborhood (my street is a thoroughfare, but it's got no sidewalks up by me so I have no idea why.) I pass both a guy in orange reflective gear and a guy with a headlamp when I drive to work in the morning. Well, perhaps I should really tighten the screws again, maybe I'm getting a poor signal. Only thing I had was my phone in my left pocket, keys in the right, and a towel I was holding. I didn't get anywhere near the Ridgewood Dead Spot where calls get dropped if you're on the phone while passing it. It looks like it was worse when I was walking though.

themetfairy Oct 28 2013 09:15 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I have hatred of Garmin, going back to one of their watches I used a few years ago. It was less about mileage consistency then it was the watch constantly breaking and the company giving me shit every time their substandard product didn't perform as it should have. Not that I'm bitter. But I'd never give Garmin another dime. If you buy a Nike+ through Nike they give you a 2 year warranty, and they really honor it. If you have an issue with the watch you can either mail it to them or take it to the Nike Store on 57th Street (the watch and the original packaging) and they will give you a new one (AND the 2 year warranty starts anew with the new watch)!

metsmarathon Oct 28 2013 09:40 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

is it the case for hte phone itself, or a case you put the phone into?

Ceetar Oct 28 2013 09:42 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

metsmarathon wrote: is it the case for hte phone itself, or a case you put the phone into? Doubt it, just a soft piece of rubber.

Fman99 Oct 28 2013 10:17 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Newer phones will be more accurate, also. I only run with my phone as GPS on days where I've left my Garmin watch at home, but my iPhone 4S is far more accurate than my iPhone 3GS ever was. The iPhone 4S and my Garmin are about the same, for accuracy. The biggest complaint I have is that while my iPhone will pick up a signal within 1-2 seconds, it often takes my watch a full minute to get a usable signal.

themetfairy Oct 28 2013 10:33 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

In general, my Nike+ picks up a signal much faster than my Garmin ever did. Plus it keeps the signal. With the Garmin, if I picked up a signal five minutes before a race, the watch would inevitably reset before the start time. With the Nike+, once I have a signal it stays ready until I'm good to go.

Ceetar Oct 28 2013 12:06 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Fman99 wrote: Newer phones will be more accurate, also. I only run with my phone as GPS on days where I've left my Garmin watch at home, but my iPhone 4S is far more accurate than my iPhone 3GS ever was. The iPhone 4S and my Garmin are about the same, for accuracy. The biggest complaint I have is that while my iPhone will pick up a signal within 1-2 seconds, it often takes my watch a full minute to get a usable signal. phone's a yearish+ old now, but I'm not sure the actual quality of the GPS inside. I wonder if the 'tighten the screws' trick will work for your watch too.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 28 2013 12:32 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Having a phone bouncing around in your pocket when you run only for the purpose of giving you an inaccurate eead on your distance, is for suckers. I just remember where I went and manually enter the route into mapmyrun afterward.

metsmarathon Oct 28 2013 12:36 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

has the phone been abused? do you always tend to put hte phone into your pocket facing hte same way? a test you might want to do is place hte phone in your pocket, screen facing in, and run a few miles. then turn the phone around, screen facing out, and run back along hte same path. one of those orientations will probably have better accurcy than the other. its possible that by facing hte gps antenna towards your body while its in your pocket, you're significantly attenuating the signal and causing hte errors. when i run with my phone i hold it in my hand. that way i can see the time/pace/distance info. also, if i really feel the urge to snap a sphot, its already right there. an added bonus is that it gets better gps reception. and i only dropped it once. but i don't usually run with it. so there's a second test. hold hte phone in your hand for the first half of a run. then put it in your pocket (or vice versa). loose screws could in theory affect the antenna performance if its using hte case for a ground plane, i suppose. but the more likely culprit may be body attenuation. or the phone is broken. or the gps in the phone is just terrible. one of them. you're not deep ina pine forest, are you? that could affect things as well...

Ceetar Oct 28 2013 02:24 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

well I also use my phone for listening to the audiobook. And the numbers/pace stuff is fun. Maybe I'll try holding it next time I go out. I hate holding things, the towel is about all I can stand and my hands get so sweaty that it seems like a bad idea. I probably put it face to my body, figuring the unprotected screen is safer against my body that against outside things since I have the tendency to lean against walls, bump into things, etc, even when I'm not exercising. The screws thing definitely definitely helped. I was googling why I couldn't navigate at all and found countless threads of people saying it worked for them. I wish I'd thought to google it further, when I was running outside last time, last summer probably, I remember having GPS issues with it having trouble locking on. Worth a shot. I'll probably still run mostly at the gym once I start the new job Monday and have more time so I can do weights and all that as well, but it's kinda peaceful outside in autumn.

Fman99 Oct 28 2013 08:45 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Ceetar wrote: well I also use my phone for listening to the audiobook. And the numbers/pace stuff is fun. Maybe I'll try holding it next time I go out. I hate holding things, the towel is about all I can stand and my hands get so sweaty that it seems like a bad idea. I probably put it face to my body, figuring the unprotected screen is safer against my body that against outside things since I have the tendency to lean against walls, bump into things, etc, even when I'm not exercising. The screws thing definitely definitely helped. I was googling why I couldn't navigate at all and found countless threads of people saying it worked for them. I wish I'd thought to google it further, when I was running outside last time, last summer probably, I remember having GPS issues with it having trouble locking on. Worth a shot. I'll probably still run mostly at the gym once I start the new job Monday and have more time so I can do weights and all that as well, but it's kinda peaceful outside in autumn. There's no doubt, autumn is the best time of year for outdoor running. My own personal experience, anyway. I never feel like I'm going to overheat, the way I feel in summer, and I can just go and go and go. I'll also admit to the enjoyment of the 'odometer effect' when it comes to tracking the running miles. It's a powerful thing, to know just how many miles you've piled up. Have you considered an arm band? I have one but I don't use it often. It works for many though, they are quite popular among runners.

Ceetar Oct 29 2013 10:27 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Fman99 wrote: Ceetar wrote: well I also use my phone for listening to the audiobook. And the numbers/pace stuff is fun. Maybe I'll try holding it next time I go out. I hate holding things, the towel is about all I can stand and my hands get so sweaty that it seems like a bad idea. I probably put it face to my body, figuring the unprotected screen is safer against my body that against outside things since I have the tendency to lean against walls, bump into things, etc, even when I'm not exercising. The screws thing definitely definitely helped. I was googling why I couldn't navigate at all and found countless threads of people saying it worked for them. I wish I'd thought to google it further, when I was running outside last time, last summer probably, I remember having GPS issues with it having trouble locking on. Worth a shot. I'll probably still run mostly at the gym once I start the new job Monday and have more time so I can do weights and all that as well, but it's kinda peaceful outside in autumn. There's no doubt, autumn is the best time of year for outdoor running. My own personal experience, anyway. I never feel like I'm going to overheat, the way I feel in summer, and I can just go and go and go. I'll also admit to the enjoyment of the 'odometer effect' when it comes to tracking the running miles. It's a powerful thing, to know just how many miles you've piled up. Have you considered an arm band? I have one but I don't use it often. It works for many though, they are quite popular among runners. for the phone you mean? hmm, maybe. an arm band wouldn't be too onerous, but I generally sweat too much for things like arm bands and headbands (and my feet feel like I wore wet shoes for hours the past two days, and I can only think to blame the running). I can barely wear a baseball cap at Citi because I'm constantly taking it off to cool down. something to consider at least. It's funny, because we're getting to the point of the year I hate the most, when it's too cold to not wear a jacket but it's too freaking hot to actually wear it anywhere but while standing outside.

soupcan Oct 29 2013 12:07 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I use my iPhone with the Nike+ Running app to GPS and time all my runs. Its accurate, gives you your times, your splits, shows you your route, syncs with an online site and shows you your history as far as you want in addition to showing you what people your age are doing in comparison. I sweat a lot too and my arm band - which holds my phone does get a bit damp. Its made of neoprene though so for the most part it keeps the phone dry enough. I also have a pair of these - (which are available here if you're interested) and they are awesome. You can sweat barrels, run in the pouring rain and they keep on going strong. Totally waterproof. The one thing I have to do though is about once a week I have to clean the connections on the phone and the headphones with a little rubbing alcohol and a Qtip. It looks a salty film builds up which effects the connection. Once cleaned though - no issues.

Rockin' Doc Oct 29 2013 08:30 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I have been wearing the Asics GT series of running shoes for the a few years now. I like the shoes, they are comfortable, but I have been disappointed with their durability. The soles and tread hold up well, but I have had issues with holes forming in the mesh uppers above my big toe. The most recent pair of Asics GT-2170's wore a hole in each shoe in 5 months of running. Has anyone else had a similar problem? After going through 3 pairs of Asics in the less than years with the same holes forming in the mesh tops of each pair, I decided to try a different brand of shoe to see if that would help. My new shoes (Brooks Adrenaline GTS 13) arrived today. My first impression is that they look almost exactly like my old Asics, other than the branding. Secondly, the Brooks shoes are definitely sized smaller (should have ordered 1/2 size larger) than the Asics. The Brooks shoes seem to have a more prominant arch support. I put them through a 5 mile run this evening. It will be interesting to see if this pair holds up well or if the holes recur.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 29 2013 09:06 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Hey Doc, I am also a Asics GT guy, in part because I like their durability. I only recently retired the 2170s; they held up for me pretty well over 700 miles probably, but you're right, the mesh uppers were falling apart. I tried the Brooks Adrenaline once but it was a compromise. Lighter, but found that that shoe's sole wore much faster than the Asics. Was ready to replace after ~400 miles. Recently began wearing the retooled GT2000s. Unknown how they will hold up.

Fman99 Oct 30 2013 06:16 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I've been running in Mizuno Wave Inspire 9's for most of 2013 after being a Brooks Ravenna2 guy for all of 2009-2012 (that model was discontinued). Both models have a mesh top but I've never worn through any of them. I do have a low, shuffling stride, it makes me think perhaps I put less pressure on the top of my shoe as a result. Mine wear out in the soles first, before any fabric can give way, after about 600-700 miles or so. I have friends who have other model shoes (Saucony Kinvara comes to mind) where the fabric always wears out before the rest of the shoe does. I've yet to run into that.

themetfairy Oct 30 2013 07:13 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I run in New Balance because that fits my foot the best. I've found them durable - even when I retire a pair as runners, I tend to use them for walking for quite a while. Eventually the back of the heel will wear out, but that's usually after a very long time; I find New Balance to be very durable.

metsmarathon Oct 30 2013 11:41 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

jeez, ya ever hear of trimming your damn toe nails? than maybe that wouldn't happen... i run (mostly) in asics' GEL series, one step down from the GT series. they're about $10 cheaper, and have less arch support, which makes my strange, flat feet happier. i try other shoes from time to time, but always come back to them. a long long time ago i tried the adrenalines, i think, and my overall impression was that i liked the toe-off of the asics better. but that was a long time ago. i sometimes get the big-toe poke-through on my asics, but usually, by the time that happens, i've probably made a significant dent in the outsole, and the midsole cushioning is shot. i only get 300 miles out of my shoes, too. credit goes to forefoot running and 200 lbs of runner, and almost zero off-road running. i could stretch them to 350 or 400 probably if i made a point of rotating pairs, i suppose, but i'll never see 700 miles. after 300 miles for me they're basically a limp noodle.

Fman99 Oct 30 2013 07:33 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

As I won't have time to run tomorrow, what with it being Halloween and trick or treating and all, I wrap up October with 102.5 miles, putting me at 1140.7 miles for 2013. Already 225 miles over my 2012 total, with two months left to go. Feeling good, ten days post-marathon, as fresh as at any other point this year. No race this weekend, followed by my final half marathon of 2013 the following weekend in Massachusetts.

Rockin' Doc Oct 30 2013 09:49 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Thanks for the input everyone. I knew someone would bring up toe nails. I thought maybe that was a contributing factor with the first pair, so I have been obsessive about clipping my toe nails for the past few years. It hasn't helped the shoes durability at all. I think my build and resulting running style are likely contributors to the shoes wearing out. There is nothing in my build or body type that suggests that I'm a runner. I'm short and stocky (built more like a catcher than a shortstop) and let's just say that I'm not real light on my feet when running. My lower back takes a pounding when I run. After a 5-6 mile run, I often take an Aleve when I get home due to my sore and stiff back. At least my knees have been holding up well this year.

themetfairy Oct 31 2013 07:57 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

The knees are important RD - it sounds like you're doing well :) 57.82 miles for me in October. Pretty much what I'm expecting as a normal month from this point forward. On Sunday is the Run the Bridge 10K over the Ben Franklin Bridge. It's supposed to be chilly and windy, but at least it isn't supposed to rain. After that I'm embarking upon my sabbatical year - I'm going to stick with 5K's throughout 2014. After that I'll re-evaluate and see whether I want to do 5 milers and 10K's again, but for now I know that I need a break from the distances. After four years of distance running, I'm a bit burnt out; I need to dial things back a bit.

metsmarathon Oct 31 2013 12:40 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

do you maybe point/extend your toes when you run? possibly when you extend your leg out, so that you have more toe-rubbing than mere mortals? or are the shoes too big or small by a half size or less? do you wear thin socks? i guess thin socks could increase the amount of toe-related damage you're doing to the shoes...? i'm at 101.18 miles for october. its very tempting to sneak in a mile and a half tonight to pass fman, but i'll be good.

soupcan Oct 31 2013 01:03 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Not even gonna tell you what mileage I did (more like 'didn't' do) this month. Combination of busy, lazy and it getting dark earlier. Got a 5 mile Turkey Trot scheduled for Thanksgiving so I'd like to get a lot of mileage under my belt between now and then to try and beat last year's time (44:34).

Rockin' Doc Oct 31 2013 08:07 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I wear Dry Max sport socks (which are rather thin). As to my stride and such, I really have no idea. I'm still trying to figure out whether I over or under pronate when I run. I only got 10 runs in during October for a total of 57.28 miles.

Edgy MD Nov 01 2013 11:46 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Could Forrest Gump have possibly survived his super-duper ultra-marathon run?

metsmarathon Nov 03 2013 11:59 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

trail half marathon, done. 13.1 miles (12.65 according to the garmin) 962' elevation gain (again according to the garmin) 2:05:44. 53rd among 125 or so runners, 11th M30-39. i only tripped once. and now i'm ready to go on the shelf. this is a really brutal, beautiful course. and i want so much to love it. looking at the track from my watch, it's reasonably accurate. on a winding trail course with lots of tight turns and switchbacks, you're almost guaranteed to come up short on your gps track. and it certainly did.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 03 2013 12:08 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

themetfairy Nov 03 2013 07:02 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Great work mm, and feel better. Today I ran the Run the Bridge 10K. The first half of the race was running over the Ben Franklin Bridge into Philly and back; the second half was 5K through Camden. Predictably steep hills on the bridge and a rough incline at the five mile mark, but otherwise it was a pretty flat course. Running by the Battleship New Jersey was nice, and the race finished inside Campbell Field. I finished in 1:09.26, which was a good time for me. I feel ready for year or so of sticking to the 5K distance, and I'm happy about going out strong today.

Fman99 Nov 03 2013 07:05 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Nice work on your races today MF, MM. I ran four easy miles Friday night after work and another easy 7 Saturday morning. Half marathon in Boston next Sunday.

themetfairy Nov 03 2013 07:41 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Best of luck with your half Fman. Are you planning future marathons?

Fman99 Nov 03 2013 08:23 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

themetfairy wrote: Best of luck with your half Fman. Are you planning future marathons? Thanks MF. I do intend on running more marathons. While the last 5-6 miles of each of them have been tough, it's worth it for the post-race euphoria, which lasts several days for me. I've also been encouraged by my own results this past year -- being able to run two sub-3:50 marathons after a reasonable amount of training. My plan, tentatively, is to run two per year, a spring marathon and a fall marathon, for as long as my health permits. Right now I am debating a number of choices for my spring marathon but leaning towards the Vermont City Marathon in Burlington, VT, Memorial Day weekend of 2014. I like having the extra day off to recover, and two friends of mine who ran the race in 2012 spoke well of it. As for fall 2014, I am currently leaning towards the NYC Marathon, earning entry via the fundraising route.

themetfairy Nov 03 2013 08:41 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

NYC is amazin' Team McGraw is a great charity, if you're interested. In addition to Marathon entry, there's a lot of camaraderie and support in the team.

themetfairy Nov 05 2013 02:01 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Wow - in many ways it's tragic, but you know her soul has to be at peace. Oldest Woman to Run the NYC Marathon Dies the Following Day

themetfairy Nov 06 2013 11:27 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Did anyone else receive this postcard, apologizing for the gift that NYRR didn't mean to give?

metsmarathon Nov 06 2013 11:45 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

yeah. i can't recall if i got hte handbook or not, though. if i did, i probably just assumed it was some marketing thing and recycled it. in no way did i think that receiving the handbook for a race i did not enter into meant that i was entered into the race. besides, i was so not ready to run a marathon this past weekend.

seawolf17 Nov 06 2013 11:58 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

But it's entirely possible that they sent this to a bunch of people who did apply to run but didn't get selected, and probably got some phone calls; hence the apology note, especially if it IS something that they do send to registrants.

themetfairy Nov 06 2013 12:00 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

metsmarathon wrote: yeah. i can't recall if i got hte handbook or not, though. if i did, i probably just assumed it was some marketing thing and recycled it. in no way did i think that receiving the handbook for a race i did not enter into meant that i was entered into the race. besides, i was so not ready to run a marathon this past weekend. Exactly! I may or may not have received it, but if I did I looked through it and recycled it, thinking that it was nice of them to send it out. Now I'm trying to figure out whether I should feel insulted that they gave me something they didn't mean to give me. It would have been better for them to just leave it be. Who in their right mind would equate receiving the handbook with acceptance into the Marathon, especially at this late date? seawolf - I think NYRR would have been better off dealing with the confused few as they phoned instead of sending out this awkward non-notice. People were notified in April whether or not they were accepted into the Marathon via the lottery - I am pretty sure that the vast majority of applicants would understand that receiving a handbook in October doesn't negate a rejection in April, and anyone who was truly confused had the option of checking their status on the NYRR website.

metsmarathon Nov 07 2013 06:50 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

as evidenced by the fact that they surely got calls about it, or emails, there are definitely people stupid enough or readily confused enough that receiving the handbook for a race they either never entered or attempted to enter via lottery and were rejected might indicate to them that they are indeed registered for the marathon and should expect to run in it. nyrr did the right thing here, no matter how dumb it may seem, because in addition to the people stupid enough to be confused, and call about it, there would also be some number of people who are confused, may think that they are registered for the race, and may then show up to the marathon expo demanding their number. or more likely that there exists the possibility that an unscrupulous person might take this as an excuse to pretend to have been confused by the receipt of the handbook, go to the expo demanding entry, and sue as a result of being told no, thereby forcing the marathon to either grant them free entry into a future marathon, or possibly to grant free entry to all recipients into a future marathon. lawyers and juries and civil suits and all that. better to send out a letter explaining the error and the means by which a recipient of the handbook might confirm their eligibility for the race than to risk legal action by the inscrupables. i would take no offense at all.

themetfairy Nov 07 2013 07:36 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

I think my bristling isn't as much as what they said than in how they said it. If they said something like, "We hope you enjoy the handbook, which was sent out to registrants and non-registrants alike, and hope to see you either on the course or on the sidelines." I would have been fine. It was the concept that they apologized for sending me something that I wasn't supposed to have that didn't sit right.

Fman99 Nov 10 2013 06:52 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Ran my 19th overall, and fastest ever, half marathon this morning in beautiful Newton, MA. Weather was cloudy and cool but the rain held off, for the most part, and the wind was not a factor. I ran a 1:42:23, good for a 7:51/mile pace and 187th out of 1205 finishers. Also 32nd of 128 in the M40-49 bracket. Shaved nearly four minutes off my time on the same course last year, which was a nicer day. It helped to know the course, I was more prepared for the mile 6-8 stretch which contained the most hills. Felt strong the entire morning, ran a bit slower on the uphill portions but maintained a steady sub-8 pace for most of the event. Nice bling, also.

themetfairy Nov 10 2013 07:35 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

WTG Fman - that's great work!

themetfairy Nov 14 2013 12:51 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Who wants to run around the Unisphere on November 23rd?

Fman99 Nov 14 2013 08:23 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

themetfairy wrote: Who wants to run around the Unisphere on November 23rd? Sounds like fun, alas, my folks are visiting that weekend. Also, if I'm driving that far for a race it'd have to be a half marathon (or longer ;) )

Fman99 Nov 17 2013 07:15 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Ran my slowest 5k of the year today, in atrocious weather conditions -- low 40's, with strong winds and rain pushing us around a two loop access road at the local community college. I finished in 23:16, good enough for 37th overall out of 1193 runners and walkers (though probably half of those were walking). Fifth of 32 in my age bracket. This was a run to benefit arthritis research so it felt good to go there and represent, as an arthritis sufferer who is able to still have an active lifestyle thanks largely to recent advances in treatment. The injectible medication that I take has only been on the market a few years but it does wonders for me. Many of the other volunteers there today are also afflicted by arthritis and were happy to see someone who has been able to overcome obstacles in spite of that fact.

themetfairy Nov 17 2013 07:33 PM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

Great work Fman!

metsmarathon Nov 21 2013 08:15 AM Re: It Keeps You Running - The 2013 Running Thread

injury update time! i got my shoulder checked out. structurally, everything is fine in the joint, no signs of damage or bone spurs or arthritis or anything like that. i have tendonitis in my rotator cuff. likely brought on by poor form in the weight room and/or throwing around a softboall too much in infield practice with poor form. and with all the running, it just never had a chance to rest and recover. i'm starting some physical therapy, which makes me happy. getting some stretches and exercises and treatment to get hte tendon back to good and to fix my shoulder kinematics, and get this thing in the rear view mirror where it belongs. i assumed it was something like this, and at the same time, am very relieved that there was no actual damage happening. the last thing i need right now is to have any kind of rotator cuff surgery. this does work out fairly well, too, in that in getting this taken care of, i'm also resting my foot. and the rest seems to be good for it. i'm wearing the orthotics that i originally got for hte plantar fasciitis. and while they did jack shit for hte plantar fasciitis, i think they're helping with this condition. my left foot no longer hurts when i walk, which is always nice. and not wanting to piss off my shoulders by running means that i'm also not going to piss off my foot. by the time i'm going to be tempted to run again, it'll probably be about time for the µmm's to come along, which should mean that i won't be doing much running right away then either, on account of utter exhaustion. so by the time i do get back to running, i should be fully rested and healed, if not massively out of shape.