Runners: Want to do a race together?

[Gina O]

I noticed in this months issue of Runner's World magazine that YMCA is hosting the "World's Largest Run" at over 700 locations nationwide on June 2 (my birthday http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif ).

I thought it would be fun to get together a group of BBer's to run in their local races. It would not be the same as running together, but still might be a good time. For more information on the location nearest you go to www.ymca.active.com (http://www.ymca.active.com)

[emilycat]

What a great idea, Gina! I'd definitely be up for that; there are several within driving distance from me.

[BernK]

That sounds great Gina, I'm planning on doing the one in Auburn, NY.

[Nutmeg]

what a great idea!! i actually logged on to the bboard in hopes of finding some inspiration to re-start my feeble attempt to get back into running. unfortunately, i'm planning a friend's bridal shower on the 2nd and won't be able to do the race http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif still, i'll be with everyone in spirit.

[SusieO]

What a great idea! I checked the web site and found a race 1/2 mile from my office (and five minutes from home), so count me in!

[SusanMac]

I'm there, too! I hadn't heard about this, so thanks for posting it. Maybe we can have the world's largest BB run??

What else can we do besides register to make this fun? Select training recipes? Set times/distances and gather once/week to share workout stories?

Maybe CL can get us all t-shirts to wear

[SusanMac]

Ok, the smiley face was supposed to appear right after the t-shirt comment. You can tell I'm new and haven't mastered using the icons yet

[aggie94]

I thought that at least one thing we could do is to all set a goal for the race, either now or just before the race itself, and then we can report back afterwards -- could be something as simple as just finishing, or a specific time goal for the whole race, or a pace goal, etc. Would give us something to strive for in the next two months and something to talk about afterwards!

[Gina O]

I would go for any suggestions to make it more of a BB event!!! The idea of posting/discussing our race goal is a great idea.

I think that we need to get the magazine to sponsor the CL racing team!!! Not sure how all that stuff works, but I am sure it would be great fun.

I am so excited that so many people are interested already!!! For those who are not sure about running a 5K, from what I saw, most of them have walks with them too. Gina

[aggie94]

That IS a great idea! I'd definitely be up for that as well. I checked the YMCA website, and there is a race right here in Eugene. That works out great for me, because I didn't think there would be anymore local races for me between now and July 4th, which is the BIG race in Eugene (starts with a grueling one mile steep uphill, followed by a fast, one mile steep downhill). This will be my first Butte to Butte, so a nice (hopefully flat) 5K the month before will be a great confidence booster for me.

I just noticed that my race starts at 7 am. Eeek! I guess that's necessary, so that the east-coasters aren't starting at noon, in the heat and humidity of the day, but still. I don't even get up that early for work!

[This message has been edited by aggie94 (edited 04-25-2001).]

[Nutmeg]

Despite my earlier decision not to try the 5k since I'm helping to host a bridal shower later in the day, I've decided to run after all! I even registered my DH, and we've started "training" over the weekend. I even tried to get the bride on board, but she has to work that morning.

I love the idea of sharing our goals--mine is just to finish. This is my first athletic competition ever in my adult life so I'm pretty nervous. What is a reasonable target time for completing the race for a beginner?

Any word on the CL t-shirts?

[Nutmeg]

In case everyone's been distracted by the new runner's thread, I wanted to move this up in the hopes of inspring more people to look into the race and hopefully to get an answer to my question about a good beginner's goal time for finishing a 5k.

After seeing all of the recent posts about running, I'm so glad I found this bboard when I did! I've only been running a few months (and only more consistently the last month) but I've noticed such a great difference in my mental attitude. I've gone from someone who whines about wanting the time to run to someone who just does it. Thanks to everyone for the great posts!

[aggie94]

mpuskar -

I ran my first 5K in March. I had been running for a few weeks beforehand on the treadmill. For 2-3 mile runs, I was running between 5.5 and 6.0 mph, but could do one mile a little bit faster (6.5). Anyway, I was trying to figure out a goal for the race. I went with 11 minute miles, for a total of 33 minutes, plus added an additional two minutes for the extra .1 mile and the fact that my asthma slows me down when I run outdoors in the cold (not to mention that I'm not used to running on pavement, which is harder on my shins and knees). So I ended up with a goal time of 35 minutes.

At both the one and two mile marks, I was way ahead of my goal and realized that there was a good chance that I could finish in under 30 minutes. At the three mile mark, I was at 29 minutes and a handful of seconds, so I sprinted (or so it felt by then!) to the finish. I didn't make it. I finished in 30:09. I was disappointed, but I knew I shouldn't have been, because it was still well below what I had hoped to do.

I was really surprised that I was able to finish in that time. Afterwards, I tried to run 3.1 miles on the treadmill in 30 minutes, and I was huffing and puffing by the time I finished. I certainly didn't feel as good as I did when I finished the actual race. Since then, I've developed two theories. One is that the treadmill interferes with my natural stride, and I exert more effort on the treadmill to keep an "unnatural" stride than if I ran elsewhere. The other is that the treadmill doesn't accurately measure speed. I'm sure my race time is probably also partly a result of the adrenalin of the whole race environment.

Anyway, try to gauge where you're at now to set a realistic goal for the race. You mentioned that you just started training. See how things go in the next few weeks and you'll have a better idea of what you'll be able to do. I hope this helps!

[SusieO]

I'm not sure what a "reasonable" time would be, but I finished my first 5K in 30 minutes. I'm shooting for 28 on this one. I would say just expect to finish and see what happens.

Once upon a time, I thought you could buy things like aprons on the CL web site so I looked for t-shirts but only found cookbooks. Maybe I just dreamed that up.

[Laura]

I was actually trying to find a way not to do this race since I have been so pathetic about running, but since there is one in my hometown, I don't know how to avoid it. Okay I am in. I am shooting for 30 minutes or under. We will see. Laura

[Nutmeg]

Thanks, aggie94! I've been so worried about coming in dead last that I'm hoping having a reasonable goal will be better motivation. I vaguely remember being able to do a little better than a 10 minute mile in high school so my goal for the race has been about 11 minutes. I'm still far from it, but there's lots of time to go. Glad to hear I was on the right track--no pun intended http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Laura--Congrats on deciding to join the race! Any specific goals?

[Gina O]

Hey all! Glad to hear of all the interest, great goals! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif As an update from here, wanted to let you all know that I emailed Maelyn, the CL BB editor, a couple days ago about t-shirts but have not heard a response yet.

I am still working on deciding what my goal will be. At this point, I am still making sure I can run 30 minutes without stopping consistantly. I have done it two days in a row, today for 35. I know I ran at least 5k today, so now I just have to decide on a time. My dream would be for under 30 minutes, but I am not quite ready to commit to it yet.

Thanks to all for joining in and providing me with inspiration to keep going, Gina

[Laura]

Oops...double post!

[This message has been edited by Laura (edited 05-02-2001).]

[Laura]

Originally posted by mpuskar:
Laura--Congrats on deciding to join the race! Any specific goals? Well I was going to do a time trial this weekend, but with a possible forecast of snow (yes that is correct snow in May, http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif! isn't this why I moved from Jackson Hole http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif ?), I am sticking to the treadmill. Hopefully we will be back to our 70 degree weather next week and I can give a more specific goal!



[This message has been edited by Laura (edited 05-02-2001).]

[Kristilyn1]

I'll be in there with you guys in spirit! I have a 1/2 marathon on the 3rd--so I can't push it and do another race the day before. I think a goal time of 30-35 minutes is a good target. Though I've done quite a number of races, I've only just now started even keeping track of how fast I am. I am slow--I did find that out, lol. Just the idea of being in a race has kept me motivated to date, but I do find myself in need of other motivators now--and speed is something that I've started to focus on.

I'll be thinking of you all on the 2nd, as long as you send a little prayer my way on the 3rd. If anyone saw (I believe April issue of Runners World)there was an article about the race I'm in--Covered Bridges Half Marathon. A great destination race if anyone is looking for something for next year!~

Kristi

[emilycat]

Kristi,

That's awesome! You'll have a blast; have you done half-marathons before, as well, or just shorter distances (or longer)? And I did read that article; I'm so envious -- that race looks amazing! I want details, details on the course when you get back! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[SusieO]

Kristi:
How cool! That did sound like an amazing race. Have a great time!

[emilycat]

Kristi,

I have never seen non-runners scarfing down food -- I can't believe volunteers would allow it! Gosh, that is really obnoxious!

Mine would have to be runners who don't look behind them before they toss their unempty water cups behind them. Hello! If I want to be doused with water, I'll do it myself!

[Kristilyn1]

This is actually my third half marathon and the second time I've done this particular race. I like it because Woodstock, VT is so beautiful and it's wonderfully cool and comfy. The course is nice, with just the one big hill around mile 8 (if I remember correctly). I do remember that last year they gave out running gloves at the start--which was GREAT--but my one complaint was the food--I go ballistic when I see non-racers scarfing all the food down at the finish, it's just soooo rude. By the time I finished there was vanilla yogurt left and that was it. I was so hungry I felt like I was going to pass out. Anyone else have any racing pet peeves?

Kristi

[aggie94]

I've done a few races that were run/walks. My pet peeve is walkers who insist on lining up at the front of the starting pack, so that runners get stuck behind them until the pack thins out enough for them to pass. Walkers should line up at the BACK, as should slower runners (like me, and I do). I know that for bigger, more organized events, they try to minimize this problem but smaller (yet still crowded) events that I've done haven't figured this out yet.

[SusanMac]

I definitely have a few race peeves.

One is people who line up at the wrong starting point. You know how they typically have markers for your pace, but people think they'll get ahead or avoid a crowd if they line up 2-3 minutes faster than their pace. This just makes it worse. Argh.

Next is people who decide to stop and walk during a race, but stop right in the middle of the path rather than moving to the side first.

My biggest peeve is people who stand along the sidelines, particularly volunteers, who jsut stare at all the runners and look very bored. I know this is a strange peeve, but it seems to me if you're going to watch the race you should be cheering, smiling, waving...just do something! We're all sweating here, trying to have a good time and probably raising money for a good cause. Running is not a voyeur sport. So, if you're going to stand on the sidelines in the sun for an hour, at least give the runners a little encouragement. Is it just me, or does this bug other people too?

[SusieO]

Emily: I'm glad you said that about the water cups. I know that's something I was guilty of in my first 5K. Just wasn't thinking. Although I do feel really uncomfortable just dropping the cup. I like it when they provide trash cans.

SusanMac: your post made me laugh. I make a game out of trying to get the sheriff deputies or cops who stop the traffic to smile. They usually just stand there looking mean or bored, so I try to catch their eyes, smile, and say hello. I get points for any acknowledgment (sometimes a nod, usually nothing.)

[KaliforniaKim]

Emily,

First of all, a huge congratulations on finishing Boston! I did it several years ago, and it is an accomplishment that you deserve to be very proud of. Second, give yourself a break, kiddo!

I am the queen of overdo, so this is my chance to help a fellow over-achiever. I have been horrible in my past at taking time off when injured, and I certainly understand the freaky feelings of having to stop for several days, or heaven forbid, a week or two.

Keep in mind that it takes your body at least 4 - 6 weeks to recover from a marathon (calculate 1 day for every mile; and that is assuming you didn't push yourself; more if you did). I know how strong you feel coming off the marathon, but it masks the fact that your body still needs time to recover. You won't lose anything by backing off, even though I know you feel like you will.

Bad news: You really should give up your cardio (unless you like to swim) for a solid week, minimally. Unfortunately, the hamstring is involved with almost everything you do, so even biking is continuously nipping at it. I did something extremely nasty to my left calf several weeks ago. I still don't know exactly what it was (I was teaching step aerobics and WARMING UP for goodness sakes), but my body revolted. It was tough, but I actually took seven days off, iced it the first 48 hours, and then put heat on it after that. Amazingly, I was able to do a 3 mile run a week later. It's coming back pretty well, so I have to admit that I probably should have followed the RICE strategy more often in past injuries. I hate to admit it, but this was the first time I actually babied an injury. And it worked really well.

Rest, baby, rest. You won't lose anything. You'll gain. I was extremely crabby after about two days, but it's alot better to have a few days of emotional pain on the front-end then a continuous injury that won't go away. Hamstrings are scary because they are involved in almost everything you do--they are also one of the top muscles to breakdown after a marathon. Expecially those Boston hills.

It's ok. Really. You won't lose your edge. Baby that hamstring. They take a long time to recover if they get worse. I did it years ago, and it went on for six months. Ark! Much better to give yourself a week or so right now.