The Running Thread - 2018

@camaker - I also vote for the 5k. Sounds like a good cause, and I’d be a bit nervous to do a trail half after coming back from injury.

I ran 3.5 miles on trails this weekend, and my calves are still feeling the effects!

SarahDisney said:

QOTD: Now that Spring is slowly starting to appear for some of us, let's talk about how you dress for warmer weather. Are you an overdresser? Underdresser? Or are you good at dressing exactly for the weather?

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This is timely! It should be in the upper 60's when I run tonight and I don't know what to wear. I am probably an over dresser as the weather starts to get warmer.. but there were a few times this winter when I thought 40F was warm and it was not. And I froze.

SarahDisney said:

Bonus: Let's talk tea! Are you a tea drinker? How do you take your tea? Any favorites?

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I am not a normal hot tea drinker, but don't dislike it. I enjoy unsweetened iced tea or a shaken tea lemonade from Starbs. When I was in China, we did a tea tasting with a million different kinds of tea, which got me really excited for a while about tea... but that lasted until I was reunited with coffee.

It's getting cooler here at the bottom end of the world - current runs are in the glorious autumn temps, low 50s in the morning, 60s during the day. When winter comes it is never too bad (apart from the rain) so always shorts and t shirt, gloves for cold days (anything in the 30s), and a light jacket if rain is around. All the other times of the year are t shirt and shorts, I don't like singlets.

Coffee is my first beverage choice up until midday. I like tea and some days take a break from coffee all together, and afternoon drinks are tea. I like English Breakfast and Earl Grey, and in the evening I will often have a lemon and ginger.

SarahDisney said:

QOTD: Now that Spring is slowly starting to appear for some of us, let's talk about how you dress for warmer weather. Are you an overdresser? Underdresser? Or are you good at dressing exactly for the weather?

Bonus: Let's talk tea! Are you a tea drinker? How do you take your tea? Any favorites?

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QOTD: I try and dress for the weather. I keep a variety of running clothes in different weights and materials. Now that FL is heating up I’ll be wearing lightweight capris, shorts skirts and tank tops. I’m too self conscious to go out in just a sports bra. Two kids and two umbilical hernia surgeries has taken it’s toll and I’d rather not have the neighborhood elitist clique gossiping about me.

Bonus QOTD: I drink hot tea sometimes, but only if it’s super sweet. Iced tea has to be unsweetened or southern sweet tea.

ATTQOTD: I have been having some over/under dressing issues the last couple weeks. It is a tough time of the year up here in New England.

I last wore my long winter fleece lined pants two weeks ago because it was like 27 when I left, although I was overdressed because it warmed up quickly. But I could not wear my lighter weight long pants because they gave out at the inner thigh area earlier in the winter. So it was capris or the heavier SubZero ones (I'm guessing that's sub 0C) and it was too cold for capris. So, I had heat regrets. Before that, I had cold regrets because I had warn capris a couple times before realizing it was definitely not capri weather yet. The last week or so, I have had to wear capris even when it's a little chilly (see tangent story below) and also have been struggling with tops... it's too cold for just a short sleeve but too warm for a long sleeve. I have been wearing a long sleeve and immediately regretting it after about a mile, and then rolling the sleeves up above my elbows.

ATTBQOTD: I am not a tea drinker, unless it's chai.


Tangent story: I told this in another thread, but I am now long pantsless until next winter because THOSE heavier pants also gave out at the inner thigh seam during that run! I remember putting them on that morning and seeing a thread starting to come loose and thinking guess this is the last year for these pants (both pairs of pants I got in winter 2015-2016, so they've done some work), and then as I was running I felt like I was getting chafed, which should not happen in pants, and realized I had a great big gaping hole. I was running 4 pre-miles before I met up with my group to do 4 more, and I had to change my route so I could run into CVS and buy some safety pins and pin my pants back together in the bathroom, which was not easy because I was completely overheated due to overdressing, so I was a sweaty mess between that and suddenly being in the heated indoors. I've got sweat pouring off my head and into my eyes and all over my hands while I'm trying to pin my pants in the bathroom. Then, that detour made me late because I went into CVS apparently right when it opened and I could not find a soul in the store to sell me these pins (or tell me where to actually find them in the store) for about 5 minutes. I was trying to keep my pace at easy/LR as I'm trying to not be late and I was also shedding safety pins out of the stupid package everywhere onto the sidewalk because I ended up buying a pack of 100 pins for $1 and it was one of those plastic things with a cardboard backing you peel back. I was trying to hold it closed as I ran, but the pins were somehow working their way out the sides. The lady had asked me if I needed some tape too and I should have thought to buy some medical tape to cover the pins because I put the pins on the inside of the seam so they wouldn't snag the other leg of the pants, but those pins dug some wicked holes in my inner thigh that I had to bandage up for a week afterwards and I still have scars from! People reading this are probably thinking, what kind of runner doesn't have 800 safety pins in their car from bib pickups!? But I just got a new car in February and I have only run one race since then and I used my RaceDots for it, so my car is a safety pin free zone right now!

Miranda said:

Tangent story: I told this in another thread, but I am now long pantsless until next winter because THOSE heavier pants also gave out at the inner thigh seam during that run! I remember putting them on that morning and seeing a thread starting to come loose and thinking guess this is the last year for these pants (both pairs of pants I got in winter 2015-2016, so they've done some work), and then as I was running I felt like I was getting chafed, which should not happen in pants, and realized I had a great big gaping hole. I was running 4 pre-miles before I met up with my group to do 4 more, and I had to change my route so I could run into CVS and buy some safety pins and pin my pants back together in the bathroom, which was not easy because I was completely overheated due to overdressing, so I was a sweaty mess between that and suddenly being in the heated indoors. I've got sweat pouring off my head and into my eyes and all over my hands while I'm trying to pin my pants in the bathroom. Then, that detour made me late because I went into CVS apparently right when it opened and I could not find a soul in the store to sell me these pins (or tell me where to actually find them in the store) for about 5 minutes. I was trying to keep my pace at easy/LR as I'm trying to not be late and I was also shedding safety pins out of the stupid package everywhere onto the sidewalk because I ended up buying a pack of 100 pins for $1 and it was one of those plastic things with a cardboard backing you peel back. I was trying to hold it closed as I ran, but the pins were somehow working their way out the sides. The lady had asked me if I needed some tape too and I should have thought to buy some medical tape to cover the pins because I put the pins on the inside of the seam so they wouldn't snag the other leg of the pants, but those pins dug some wicked holes in my inner thigh that I had to bandage up for a week afterwards and I still have scars from! People reading this are probably thinking, what kind of runner doesn't have 800 safety pins in their car from bib pickups!? But I just got a new car in February and I have only run one race since then and I used my RaceDots for it, so my car is a safety pin free zone right now!

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So basically... you really need spring weather!
(Also ... grr. Stupid pants.)

Duh! I ran the Dark Side Half and set a new PR of 2:13:38. I wrote a race report in my training journal if anyone wants to read it. It’s pretty long with pics so I didn’t want to repost it here.

SarahDisney said:

So basically... you really need spring weather!
(Also ... grr. Stupid pants.)

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Yes! Although it has been ok for capris after that incident thankfully. My legs have not been TOO too cold. I just need it to get a little warmer to remedy the shirt situtation. I was actually able to run in a short sleeve shirt on Friday! Maybe spring is actually coming!

congrats @Bree on completing the Dark Side Half and setting a new PR. Have wanted to do the Dark Side (and Light Side!!) events and I look forward to reading your race report.

Well, today was finally warm & just wore a tech short sleeve and capris, I almost put a pull over on but so glad I didn't. When it gets a little warmer it's tanks and skorts. I'll overdress in layers in the winter but I'd rather do that than freeze.

Tea, I do like but it doesn't always like me. For hot tea I prefer a splash of 1/2 & 1/2 in it and iced tea plain.

camaker said:

I'm trying to make a decision on a race for next weekend and wanted to see what your thoughts on the situation would be.

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I am a bit unusual in that I greatly prefer trail to road runs. I also don't like 5Ks in general. That makes the HM an easy decision for me, depending on the type of trail.

This all may be very old, elementary info for you, and if so, I apologize....... What I would ask is if the course is single-track dirt or a wider crushed limestone type path. An HM on single track (as the name implies just wide enough for one runner at a time) can be very tough and often includes roots, stones, dry/wet creek crossings, etc. An HM on a wider crushed limestone path generally free of roots and large stones can be terrific; in fact I'm looking forward to doing another one in two weeks. So perhaps skip if single track and go for it if wider trail.

Trail finishing times are often greater than pavement pounding times, so if you do it just take it a bit easier and enjoy your surroundings.

Which reminds me... @LSUlakes, could you add a race for me?

May 6 - @Kerry1957 - Great Western HM (2:33 / NA)

Thanks!!

ATTQOFD: I tend to dress for the occasion, but if unsure will underdress. I’d rather be chilly for the first little bit than overheated later on.

Bonus ATTQOTD: I love tea. Drink it without milk or sugar. Generally drink green tea, but I do like pretty much all types. No specific brand.

Kerry1957 said:

I am a bit unusual in that I greatly prefer trail to road runs. I also don't like 5Ks in general. That makes the HM an easy decision for me, depending on the type of trail.

This all may be very old, elementary info for you, and if so, I apologize....... What I would ask is if the course is single-track dirt or a wider crushed limestone type path. An HM on single track (as the name implies just wide enough for one runner at a time) can be very tough and often includes roots, stones, dry/wet creek crossings, etc. An HM on a wider crushed limestone path generally free of roots and large stones can be terrific; in fact I'm looking forward to doing another one in two weeks. So perhaps skip if single track and go for it if wider trail.

Trail finishing times are often greater than pavement pounding times, so if you do it just take it a bit easier and enjoy your surroundings.

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Thanks for the info!

I was definitely planning to take it relatively easy if I decided to do it. As far as the surface goes, it is single track mountain bike trails interspersed with sections of paved greenway. They specifically warn about roots and rocks on the course. I was thinking it would be a little less pounding on the joints than a fast Road 5k.

I’ve actually run several half marathons on crushed hard pack. I guess I didn’t really consider those to be “trails” due to their relative smoothness, width and lack of rocks and roots. My current HM PR is on one of those courses.

Usually I run with capris/sparkle skirt with a tank top. For an outfit, I’ve worn short sleeves but they usually annoy me.

Bonus: I love hot green tea. I can’t do too much black tea but will drink it if I’m cold over coffee

ATTQOTD: I used to be an overdresser by dressing for the temp before the race and not thinking what it would be during the race. I’m much better now. Would much rather be chilly at the start and comfortable during the run.

Bonus question: does sweet tea count?

My husband’s Tailwind/SPI Belt Instagram giveaway is open today through 12PM Eastern on 4/30. His name is asdebord if anyone is interested!

@LSUlakes, would you please add a race for me?

May 6 - @avondale - Frederick Running Festival HM (2:07 / NA)

So, I signed up for a new-to-me race back home for July ... it's the Hell's Half-Acre 25K. It's a night race that is offering a 5K/25K/50K - it's basically a 3.1-mile loop on the trail down by the river that starts at 10 p.m. I'm kind of excited to do something a little different, even though at 10 p.m. in Texas in July it will still legit be 90 degrees.

Keels said:

So, I signed up for a new-to-me race back home for July ... it's the Hell's Half-Acre 25K. It's a night race that is offering a 5K/25K/50K - it's basically a 3.1-mile loop on the trail down by the river that starts at 10 p.m. I'm kind of excited to do something a little different, even though at 10 p.m. in Texas in July it will still legit be 90 degrees.

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That name seems correct. No way I would do that.