SOSH Running Dogs

Jerrygarciaparra

My kid has superpowers
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2001
3,410
Montpelier, VT
1:42 at the Half at the Hamptons in NH. Not bad for the first race of the year.

Beautiful stretch along the ocean with a crazy headwind going out. But sunny and 40 degress other wise. I wish I'd brought sunscreen!
 

Leather

given himself a skunk spot
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
28,451
Nice.

I was doing great with running and then got smacked with a nasty GI bug that has sidelined me for a week. Sucks, too, given that it's 60 degrees out and I was really looking forward to doing some long runs.
 

Leather

given himself a skunk spot
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
28,451
Just a PSA:

Use the code "SAVE10" and get $10 off any order over $100 at Saucony.com. Expires on 3/14.
 

rbeaud

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
348
Orange, CT
Hopefully this is the right place to ask this question....

My 8th grade son needs some good running shoes and track spikes. We have a Fleet Feet store local but he doesn't care for it. We are looking for an online option. He is a very good runner......went to Nationals last year as a 7th grader. Sub 5 minute mile and that is the event he typically runs....so, I want to get him some good shoes. Any suggestions for online sites and/or specific shoe recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Our son is also competitive in the distance events. His go to shoe is the Nike Zoom Victory. Featherweight (3.x ounces), nice stiff plate in the sole and he feels the flywire design makes it....awesome. Frankly, it seems like all the elites are using this shoe. He does not like the carbon fiber plate model, which is the Elite (and $180). Be advised, these shoes will probably last one Track season. Depending on distance, that could be 20 races. Our son runs from 800m to 5k, though typically 1M and 3000/3200. If you have cross country as well, I will recommend the Nike Victory XC for top performance. The Saucony Shea XC got our son through MIddle School and Freshman year (he was Varsity on a competitive team) though it weighs significantly more. Nike's will only last one XC season of 10 races as the spikes typically pull out one of the threaded inserts or gall.

The whole family runs, so we generally buy from the local specialty store. The runners in the family need new trainers every 3-4 months and two sets of flats per year (for the boy). It's nice to get this year's model for last year's model closeout price when flats are $120+.

If you are also looking for trainers to log all the miles in support of racing, the boy and I are fans of Asics. The GT-2000 (and it's predecessor) have been our staple. Lately the boy is transitioning to more of a toe strike and likes the Kayano with gel in the forefoot. I alternate GTs with the Trainer DX. In my opinion never ever buy Nike for trainers as they simply cannot handle 400-500 miles. Saucony has done me well with the Grid series (both the A series flats and trainers). I use the Kinvara for marathons/marathon long runs even though it is a neutral (as opposed to my stability GT/Trainers). When the boy was smaller, I would sometimes get him "heavy" flats (say 6-8 oz) for trainers (Nike Zoom Streak, Acics Hyperspeed). A small child won't beat up the shoe enough to be a serious wear issue. Ultimately, it needs to be comfortable. If he doesn't have/know shoe preference, some of the online places like Running Warehouse & Road Runner Sports have generous return policies (unlike brick & mortar stores).

Did you also compete at the Armory for NB Indoor? My son loves that track. Hoping to make our first trip to G'boro this year if all goes well in Outdoor. Your son is off to a good start. Avoid overtraining and he could be one of the stars to watch for 2019/20!
 

One Red Seat

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Oct 30, 2003
1,221
Guilderland, NY
rbeaud,

Thanks for the detailed info. Really great stuff and I appreciate it very much. We visited the local Fleet Feet Wednesday and ironically enough, the Nike Zoom Victory is the spike he ended up with. Tried a few and definitely liked that one the best. He ended up with Saucony Glide 9's for his everyday running shoes.

We did not make the NB Indoor because my son also plays soccer which conflicts with the indoor track season. Like you boy, my son does love track but he also loves and is committed to soccer. Tough balance sometimes but, we are trying to pull it off.

Good luck to you guys and hopefully both of our boys make it to Greensboro this year. Have a great season and thanks again for the info.
 

SydneySox

A dash of cool to add the heat
SoSH Member
Sep 19, 2005
15,605
The Eastern Suburbs
Nice!

Did a long run on the weekend that was accidentally about 3k more than I wanted, ended up doing 19.5k in 1.37.

First of three half marathons in a couple weeks - if I can do 1.37 I'll be quite happy!
 

SydneySox

A dash of cool to add the heat
SoSH Member
Sep 19, 2005
15,605
The Eastern Suburbs
The idea that I'd need to keep up a 1:30 half marathon pace at twice the distance is extremely daunting. That's about what I'm aiming for my half's these days and I'm pretty happy with it... doing it for the full half is ... yeah, daunting.

And thanks for the link - it's a 'within the next three years' sort of dream so I have a while to knock off a few fulls. Are the ones on the International list qualifiers? The one I'm doing in September is on the list.
 

Marceline

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
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Sep 9, 2002
6,441
Canton, MA
The idea that I'd need to keep up a 1:30 half marathon pace at twice the distance is extremely daunting. That's about what I'm aiming for my half's these days and I'm pretty happy with it... doing it for the full half is ... yeah, daunting.

And thanks for the link - it's a 'within the next three years' sort of dream so I have a while to knock off a few fulls. Are the ones on the International list qualifiers? The one I'm doing in September is on the list.
I'm trying to qualify and hoping to get there within the next couple of years.

I kind of have the opposite mentality - I figure if I can get my half marathon time down to 1:30, then I'll be in good shape to start training for a full and try to qualify. At that point I just need to work on extending my endurance.

I've slowly been working my time down. My last one was 1:36. Hoping for a 1:35 this weekend.
 

fiskful of dollars

Well-Known Member
Gold Supporter
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
2,874
Charlottesville, VA
I'm trying for it this weekend at Shamrock. Looks like conditions will be kinda crappy. Wind, rain and cool. Possible T-storms. Hey, at least it's flat. I'm a bit older (49) so I need a 3:30. I've run a 1:32 half last year but that doesn't equate to a BQ unfortunately - we'll see. Also dealing with a knee injury that sidelined me for about 10 days. Good luck w/ the upcoming races guys!
 

Leather

given himself a skunk spot
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
28,451
Jokes aside, I think what happens to my brain during long runs is one of the more fascinating aspects of running.

I listen to a randomized Spotify playlist, but I cannot tell you after a song has ended what song it was. However, if I drive by a spot on my course a day or two later, I'll recall: "Oh, that's where I was listening to 'Dreams' by Beck."

It's like being very stoned.
 

Jerrygarciaparra

My kid has superpowers
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2001
3,410
Montpelier, VT
Sometimes I lose track of what song I'm listening to.

That may have something to do with the kids of music I'm listening to as much as it does with endorphins and the like.
 

Leather

given himself a skunk spot
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
28,451
I just wish it didn't take about 25 minutes for the endorphins to start to kick in.
 

SydneySox

A dash of cool to add the heat
SoSH Member
Sep 19, 2005
15,605
The Eastern Suburbs
I had a similar song thing happen just yesterday in my aborted long run* when, right at the start, a newer song came on (King Kunta) and I was thinking, oh hey, this song is cool, I wish it came up more often and then I got to the end bit, the "Annie are you ok" reference and had this hit of flashback of hearing it at around the 16km mark, just that bit, the week before. I would have sworn I hadn't heard the song at all on my list.

*My left knee exploded and I shuffled home and am super depressed. It's likely it's ITB (http://www.runnersworld.com/tag/it-band-syndrome) as I've been sort of ignoring it for like... I dunno, two months?... but yesterday it was crippling. I'm taking the week off and not worrying about my good running time. I was, at the time it popped, doing a super-cruisy 4.40km pace. It's finally cold here, which sucks for life but is good for running. I've been running in 30' days the last three months, literally it was 31c last weekend on my long run, so running yesterday morning at 21c was fucking amazing.
 

fiskful of dollars

Well-Known Member
Gold Supporter
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
2,874
Charlottesville, VA
SS, Bummer re your IT band. Are you sure it's an ITB and not something structural? Is there swelling, clicking, etc? I'm an ER doc, not an ortho doc but happy to discuss your symptoms. Definitely agree w/ laying off for a week….that's hard to swallow, I know.

Ran Shamrock today in a fucking monsoon. First marathon. Once we turned around on the Boardwalk we were running into a sustained 20 mph (gusts to 40 mph) headwind for about 9-10 miles. Nice tail wind for the last 4-5 miles. Did 3:26 so that's a BQ for me. My knee (thanks for asking you insensitive fucks) felt OK but definitely a bit sore. Good luck this season.
 

MB's Hidden Ball

Member
SoSH Member
SS, Bummer re your IT band. Are you sure it's an ITB and not something structural? Is there swelling, clicking, etc? I'm an ER doc, not an ortho doc but happy to discuss your symptoms. Definitely agree w/ laying off for a week….that's hard to swallow, I know.

Ran Shamrock today in a fucking monsoon. First marathon. Once we turned around on the Boardwalk we were running into a sustained 20 mph (gusts to 40 mph) headwind for about 9-10 miles. Nice tail wind for the last 4-5 miles. Did 3:26 so that's a BQ for me. My knee (thanks for asking you insensitive fucks) felt OK but definitely a bit sore. Good luck this season.
Congrats, that's awesome.

And Syd sorry about your injury. Nothing sucks worse than getting hurt when everything seems to be coming along.
 

SydneySox

A dash of cool to add the heat
SoSH Member
Sep 19, 2005
15,605
The Eastern Suburbs
Wow thanks guys, I appreciate the sympathy. My wife shrugged and said 'at least you'll be home more'.

Leather - I bought a foam roller today on advice. I have been told the same thing by my best mate who teaches sports science, that it's all about the glutes. He said to wait till wednesday, or more if there is still pain, to start stretching and strengthening.

Fisk - well done on your first, mate, what an awesome time and an awesome achievement. I can't wait to do one. I appreciate the offer, also. I am not sure of anything though the advice from my mate seems appropriate; there's no pain midweek or in short runs and the real issue only really appears in long runs around the 13km mark or so. Outside of my left knee. No click, and no real swelling. I do ice my knee after runs. I have awful knees since being in the Army and I have generally iced my knees for years after any real sports, though I've only been running seriously for a few years.

MB - indeed, though just gotta get back on the horse!
 

TallerThanPedroia

Civilly Disobedient
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
25,544
Boston
Ran Shamrock today in a fucking monsoon. First marathon. Once we turned around on the Boardwalk we were running into a sustained 20 mph (gusts to 40 mph) headwind for about 9-10 miles. Nice tail wind for the last 4-5 miles. Did 3:26 so that's a BQ for me. My knee (thanks for asking you insensitive fucks) felt OK but definitely a bit sore. Good luck this season.
Congrats on the BQ!

For reference, I waited until I broke 1:30 in my usual spring half before I started training for my first BQ attempt that fall. I failed due to an overtraining injury, but I think it would have been a slog to squeak out a BQ even without the injury.

The following year, I ran that same spring half in 1:25 and ran a conservative 3:03 to BQ in the fall.
 

rbeaud

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
348
Orange, CT
SS,
Ran Shamrock today in a fucking monsoon. First marathon. Once we turned around on the Boardwalk we were running into a sustained 20 mph (gusts to 40 mph) headwind for about 9-10 miles. Nice tail wind for the last 4-5 miles. Did 3:26 so that's a BQ for me. My knee (thanks for asking you insensitive fucks) felt OK but definitely a bit sore. Good luck this season.
Nice work and congratulations! Given the conditions you should be especially pleased. Oh and screw your knee!

I bailed on this marathon several months ago. After hearing the weather report, I count myself lucky. The kids would have been miserable and the 'ette most likely goes back to the room rather than finish in those conditions.

Boston 2017 baby! Can't wait to reserve my $900 a night hotel. Ouch.

Will use a local Half in April and Newport 10M as a feeler. Then Dublin Half leading to Gulf Coast (MS) in preparation for Boston next year. No chance I'm bailing, so hopefully the body holds up over the next 13 months. May go the Coach route We will probably have friends and family so need a plan to avoid the post race gimp.
 

SydneySox

A dash of cool to add the heat
SoSH Member
Sep 19, 2005
15,605
The Eastern Suburbs
Went for a slow walk/run/walk/run last night to test to see if the knee is recovering from what I'm told is an IT Band injury. I've been stretching and resting and losing all the muscle and run stuff I've built up over the last five months.

I was going to do a slow 5km circut. I got to three feeling good but then it started to pulse and I stopped around 4km when it was clear it was both a) getting worse and b) not going to be ok.

My knee is fucked and my half in 8 days is probably fucked and I'm sort of trying to decide whether 6 weeks in the mountaisn for my trail run is in danger. I've been basically working for it since November and the plan was to go on to a Marathon.

Anyway, I'm shattered. Fuck this.
 

rbeaud

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
348
Orange, CT
Anyway, I'm shattered. Fuck this.
Sorry to hear this Syd. Are you able to cross train, say an elliptical? How about some swimming or erg/rowing Your fitness won't disappear overnight. I've read two weeks is something like a 10% loss. Anything you can do for cardio will help stave off the drop.

Before my first marathon I was forced to take 8 weeks off right in the heart of training. Returned to running about three weeks prior. I did 14 miles two weeks out and decided to give it a go. I survived the race. Lost a few weeks during the next marathon session. Got a BQ that time.

Soooo...rest/train the knee, get some cardio some way some how. Don't injure use yourself yet don't just throw in the towel.

I hope you get your chance.
 

Marceline

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Sep 9, 2002
6,441
Canton, MA
That's a tough one, Syd.
When I broke my foot I had to take 8 weeks completely off running and I was pretty devastated at the time.

One thing you could look into if you have access to a pool anywhere (maybe a local gym) is aqua running. There's this belt you wear that keeps you upright and stable as you do a running motion through the water.

It's boring as fuck doing laps running through a pool but you will maintain your running fitness since you're doing the exact same motion as running, but there is zero impact on your joints. I did this on my broken foot and it made a huge difference in terms of maintaining fitness.
 

Leather

given himself a skunk spot
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
28,451
I had my IT band injury in April of last year, did foam rolling, hip and glute exercises, it band stretches, and virtually nothing else for three weeks. Also wore a compression band (link at bottom), eased back into things, and it was never a problem again as long as I kept up with the regimen.

Keep at it, you may be able to overcome it.

http://www.hightidehealth.com/pro-tec-it-band-compression-wrap.html?utm_source=googlepepla&utm_medium=adwords&id=43249540760&gclid=CKyn8bvl6csCFYM2aQodsJ4Eog
 

SydneySox

A dash of cool to add the heat
SoSH Member
Sep 19, 2005
15,605
The Eastern Suburbs
Thanks. You guys and a visit to a physio I actually like have talked me off the ledge.

One of the things I am really worried about is losing fitness and those are good options. I'm going to try to sort a pool for Aqua Laps.
 

moondog80

heart is two sizes two small
SoSH Member
Sep 20, 2005
8,096
Ran the Disney Half Marathon this weekend, a bit disappointed to only handle a 7:28 pace. It was the first time I've even gone hat distance, race or otherwise, but a few weeks back I did a training run of 12 at 7:38, and I was just normal tired at the end, nothing like the way my legs felt here. I mean, I was feeling dead averaging 7:15 or so at mile 8, and that would be a kind of hard 8 mile run for me, but not super-hard. There were extenuating circumstances; I had the flu about about a week and a half ago so I didn't run for five days, plus for various travel reasons I was on about 5 hours sleep combined in the two nights pre-race. Even still, I never expected to be so tired. Oh well. There's always a next time.

The race itself was a mixed bag. Total cattle call of 18,000+ people. We caught the bus from our resort on Disney property at 3 AM and simply getting there, waiting in line for bathroom, and walking to chute too 1:45. The course was interesting when we went through the parks (Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Downtown Disney, Animal Kingdom), but the other 2/3 of he race is on those boring roads that connect all the parks. And though Florida itself is flat, as are the parks, the Disney property has lots of on-ramps and overpasses. It was an interesting experience but next time I might do something lower key.
 

Leather

given himself a skunk spot
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
28,451
In my limited experience, I've found it's much easier to end up running below your goal pace in a crowded race.

This has to do, frankly, with the time necessary to zig-zag around people (it can end up adding up to 0.5 miles on a crowded half marathon) and also just the added mental energy that you need to spend looking for routes around buddy-runners, people who start too far forward, crowds around water stops, etc...

Don't get me wrong, big Event Races can be fun, but they aren't the place to PR.

That being said: good work! It's your first half, and that's a great time for a first, no matter how you felt.
 

Preacher

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 9, 2006
6,411
Pyeongtaek, South Korea
Anyone have any tips for a mainly off road ultra? It's 60k and about 11,000+ feet of vertical ascent (over the length of the course). There are rest stations about every 10k and not much support elsewhere over the course (from my understanding). They have a packing list that they require each runner to have while on the course. I've run some full marathons but nothing over this distance. It's primarily trails in some fairly mountainous terrain. By way of training, I ran two fulls in March so I'm hoping my legs will be ok for the distance since those were my longest runs during my training.
 

GreenMountain

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 4, 2007
122
Maine
Congrats to TTP & GreenMountain; you guys both had fantastic times in spite of the unexpected heat.
Thanks MB. It was a lovely day for fishing or maybe working in the garden. Not so much for 26.2 on the pavement. Battled heat-related stomach issues all through the hills, but felt better after Heartbreak when I could feel the sea breeze. No PR and didn't quite crack 3, but felt pretty good for the last 6, which is something positive to take away. Crowds were outstanding the entire way.
 

bosoxsue

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Aug 16, 2001
1,774
I just ran with a running group today for the first time, in Glastonbury. I had been very intimidated until now, but my fast friend who kindly slows down to run with me every Wednesday convinced me it would be good for me. I was wondering if anyone else runs with a group -- I have to admit that as much as I need to run every day, it was great to have it knocked off the to-do list by 8 a.m.
 

Leather

given himself a skunk spot
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
28,451
Thanks! And like you said (and I am someone that usually waits until 4 to run on the weekends), it's wonderful to have all of my weekend running done at 11 AM on Saturday.
 

MB's Hidden Ball

Member
SoSH Member
I just ran with a running group today for the first time, in Glastonbury. I had been very intimidated until now, but my fast friend who kindly slows down to run with me every Wednesday convinced me it would be good for me. I was wondering if anyone else runs with a group -- I have to admit that as much as I need to run every day, it was great to have it knocked off the to-do list by 8 a.m.
I don't run as part of a group, but if the members of the group seem like people you'd enjoy running with, then I think it would have to be worthwhile. I think it would be particularly useful on days when you aren't motivated or when you just don't feel like running. I am a huge fan of running first thing in the morning because then nothing else can interfere with your run.

edit: drl--congrats on the PR!
 

Preacher

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 9, 2006
6,411
Pyeongtaek, South Korea
I just ran with a running group today for the first time, in Glastonbury. I had been very intimidated until now, but my fast friend who kindly slows down to run with me every Wednesday convinced me it would be good for me. I was wondering if anyone else runs with a group -- I have to admit that as much as I need to run every day, it was great to have it knocked off the to-do list by 8 a.m.
I joined a running group where I used to live. Did it for about 8-9 months before I moved. I thought it was great. I made new friends and the varying workouts helped me a lot. Days where I didn't feel like running, I showed up (to avoid the shaming at the next run). On days I was feeling slow, I pushed myself to stay with the folks in my group. There was a bit of competitive fun. There was always people from my group in local races so we pushed each other. I only wish I had joined it earlier.
 

GregHarris

beware my sexy helmet/overall ensemble
SoSH Member
Jun 5, 2008
3,460
First race of the year. Half marathon with some heavy head wind miles 8-10. Finished in 1:36, a PR by about 5 minutes. Wanted to do 1:35, but what the hell.
Damn impressive! Depending on your age, you are around the time (1:30) where you can place in your age group in some of the smaller events.