The Official Thread for Runners

[ERCougar]

To wax spiritual and supremely cheesy, I'll add my two cents. A couple of weeks ago, I was reluctantly headed to the track to do a speed workout. The thought occurred to me that I could just skip it--no one would know, it probably wouldn't affect my time, I'm not getting paid for my time anyway, so why am I doing this?

I forced my way through the workout, but the thought has popped up a few times ever since. Until I read a nice little compilation of thoughts on Habit (came courtesy of brainpickings, a weekly email I get that's always a fun read and has some great book recommendations). To sum up, I run because it's a habit and thus has become a huge part of me, and I like what it's done to my life, in so many respects. Trying to run faster, while it brings me nothing temporally, has become almost a spiritual challenge--a reassurance that I can do hard things (my kids have heard this statement ad nauseum, ie every time they tell me something is hard). I'm a little nervous to see what would happen if I started skipping that.

That doesn't even really capture it for me, but that's a small part of why I run.

[bluegoose]

Good thoughts Lambda and ERC.

I agree about this being a good running support group. This was especially true for me when we did those two fitness challenges a couple of years ago. On more than one occasion, I talked myself out of bed in the morning for a run or a ride, knowing that nikuman had probably just finished his morning run in the Central time zone, or knowing that RCV was going to drop a 40 mile ride in Rexburg on Tuesday afternoon.

And I most definitely agree with ERC's sentiment on doing physically challenging things to prove that I can do hard things. Case in point - The Death Ride this summer. Freaking hard ride. I've done it three times in the past, so I didn't really have anything to prove. But training for it is very motivational to me, which spans about 6 months total. And there really are very things more satisfying than crossing the summit of the final climb, knowing that you just completed something that very few Americans could or would do.

I have the same feeling at the end of a marathon, even on those that I've bonked and done poorly on. Pushing my body far beyond its comfort level to accomplish a lofty personal goal helps me realize that many things which seem impossible can be accomplished with a lot of hard work, discipline and self control.

[Joe Public]

Well said, everyone.

[lambdacoug]

I really don't know what got into me tonight. I felt great running. This program is 5 intervals 3/4 of a mile separated by 100 yds walking. Most of the 1 minute pace/distance announcements had my pace sub-11 minutes and it got faster in each interval. Which is amazing. It felt great and I'm excited for the 5k on the 13th and the 10k on the 27th.

Edit: Post run weigh-in was 199.6! The first time in 15 years (my children's lifetimes) that I have weighed less than 200.

[Pheidippides]

Good thoughts Lambda and ERC.

I agree about this being a good running support group. This was especially true for me when we did those two fitness challenges a couple of years ago. On more than one occasion, I talked myself out of bed in the morning for a run or a ride, knowing that nikuman had probably just finished his morning run in the Central time zone, or knowing that RCV was going to drop a 40 mile ride in Rexburg on Tuesday afternoon.

And I most definitely agree with ERC's sentiment on doing physically challenging things to prove that I can do hard things. Case in point - The Death Ride this summer. Freaking hard ride. I've done it three times in the past, so I didn't really have anything to prove. But training for it is very motivational to me, which spans about 6 months total. And there really are very things more satisfying than crossing the summit of the final climb, knowing that you just completed something that very few Americans could or would do.

I have the same feeling at the end of a marathon, even on those that I've bonked and done poorly on. Pushing my body far beyond its comfort level to accomplish a lofty personal goal helps me realize that many things which seem impossible can be accomplished with a lot of hard work, discipline and self control.

Amen! I remember those first days of running, before I started my marathon training, when my sole motivation was to beat whatever miles bluegoose had thrown down. It was completely dumb - I was in no way, shape or form ready for that kind of mileage, and I got injured more than once - but it drove me.

I would have never run the first marathon without encouragement from these guys here.

[Moliere]

I really don't know what got into me tonight. I felt great running. This program is 5 intervals 3/4 of a mile separated by 100 yds walking. Most of the 1 minute pace/distance announcements had my pace sub-11 minutes and it got faster in each interval. Which is amazing. It felt great and I'm excited for the 5k on the 13th and the 10k on the 27th.

Edit: Post run weigh-in was 199.6! The first time in 15 years (my children's lifetimes) that I have weighed less than 200.

[lambdacoug]

I may be running the Ragnar Relay in April.

[ERCougar]

I may be running the Ragnar Relay in April.

Fantastic idea. I'm a little burned out on them but I don't think there's a better way to get into the sport. A cool team feel, you get to ride the coattails of your faster runners, and its just a fun party atmosphere. And not as daunting as you think. If you can run a 10k, you can finish a ragnar.

[lambdacoug]

Fantastic idea. I'm a little burned out on them but I don't think there's a better way to get into the sport. A cool team feel, you get to ride the coattails of your faster runners, and its just a fun party atmosphere. And not as daunting as you think. If you can run a 10k, you can finish a ragnar.

"A Ragnar", so there is more than one? Yup, look who's a running n00b?

Literally, a family email just went out to gauge interest, and that was the first I've ever heard of a "ragnar". I checked the link for about 5 seconds and then posted here, without bothering to really read up on what it is other than a 24 hour, 200 mile relay.

[ERCougar]

"A Ragnar", so there is more than one? Yup, look who's a running n00b?

Literally, a family email just went out to gauge interest, and that was the first I've ever heard of a "ragnar". I checked the link for about 5 seconds and then posted here, without bothering to really read up on what it is other than a 24 hour, 200 mile relay.

No no...don't worry about it. If you're new to running, you'll get one of the shorter legs, some of which are only 12-13 total miles. And you have a team cheering you on the whole leg. It sounds much more daunting than it is. You can totally do it, I promise. Which ragnar?

[lambdacoug]

No no...don't worry about it. If you're new to running, you'll get one of the shorter legs, some of which are only 12-13 total miles. And you have a team cheering you on the whole leg. It sounds much more daunting than it is. You can totally do it, I promise. Which ragnar?

Southern California. I have a lot of family there.

[ERCougar]

Watching the suu cross country meet. I love watching fast runners. A thing of beauty.

[lambdacoug]

I'm not sure about running outside during the winter months. I just bought some cold weather running gear (except pants, those'll have to wait for payday). Does anyone here run outside in cold winter conditions? Any tips for a n00b? I was originally planning to run on a treadmill at the gym during the winter, but I don't see that as being as enjoyable as running outside. I live in KC, so winters can be bitter cold or pretty mild. On average temps are below 40, but above zero from November to March. I've already registered for 10ks in November and December, so I'm committed to at least running those outside.

[Coach McGuirk]

I was thinking about you St. Georgers as I ran my long run today. Week 4 and aready up to 9 miles. Marathon training is much more brutal than half marathon training. I pondered how I was going to get another 16 miles out of me in January as I finished up. Good news is my training pace was my race pace for the diz half I did a month ago.

I need to have shoulder surgery, but I will hold off until after the marathon.

LC, there is nothing I love more in running than running on a cold morning. Exhilarating to me.

[happyone]

I'm not sure about running outside during the winter months. I just bought some cold weather running gear (except pants, those'll have to wait for payday). Does anyone here run outside in cold winter conditions? Any tips for a n00b? I was originally planning to run on a treadmill at the gym during the winter, but I don't see that as being as enjoyable as running outside. I live in KC, so winters can be bitter cold or pretty mild. On average temps are below 40, but above zero from November to March. I've already registered for 10ks in November and December, so I'm committed to at least running those outside.

I'll normally go out 'til is about 10 degrees or so.

the main thing is to layer and keep your ears warm. Also, if your hands tend to get cold - wear mittens instead of gloves.