March 2016 Running Challenge

Marissaxzxzxz wrote: »

@ddmom0811 - omg what is that!

Armadillo... didn't seem afraid of me at all even when I shined my knuckle lights at it.

@elise4270 - was just catching up and watched that dog video. OMG - sobbing at my desk during lunch at school. What a great story.

Hey, I'm only 27 pages behind!

Work has been crazy (I've had some days I don't leave until after midnight) so I haven't been able to keep up or post on this thread, but i did want to pop in and share a very cool tool I found on Strava, though you don't need to be a registered member to use it.

http://labs.strava.com/heatmap

It's a tool for finding popular running (or biking) routes in an area. They have a global heat map of all the runs or bike rides in their database. Pan around, zoom in and out, and you can see where others are running or biking. Find new routes in your neighborhood or research an area you're traveling to. If you only want to see running routes, make sure you select that on the left.

I have a short trip coming up next week and I didn't see any readily apparent running routes. Then I came upon this tool and though it confirmed my suspicions, it showed me some routes very close which others are using. If their being used enough to show up, chances are they'll be good routes for me to run as well. I'll now know to check this tool first and save a lot of time (or waste time as I explore new routes close to home)

Check it out and let me know what you think, I think it's pretty slick!






I have crazy amounts of work through mid April. I'm going to scan the pages I've missed on my trip next week but it's a PIA to post and reply on a phone so I likely won't post. Running has been going well for me of late and I'm excited to get back to the miles my marathon plan prescribes.

I'm on pace to meet my monthly goal!

Stoshew71 wrote: »

AdrianChr92 wrote: »

@Stoshew71 I found something that says to not use your hamstrings and to not lift you heel with your posterior chain, but instead to drive the knee forward and let the heel whip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M36rR_txnRY

Sounds more logical for me

Unless you are a sprinter, I disagree with this concept. Long distance runners should not be forcing the swinging leg forward but the swing phase is a natural reaction to what is happening in the late stages of the stance phase and lift off.

So think of your leg swinging forward like letting go of a stretched elastic band. All that momentum built up by pushing your foot backward and bounding off will automatically swing the leg forward. There are way too many moving pieces and you want to take advantage of the natural flow. Thinking about driving the knee forward actually taxes your brain too much and wastes energy.

The more efficient way is using a high knee lift and hip drive. That is why I also included the bounding drill to practice that.

Sprinters on the other hand do practice driving the knee forward, but they use predominately anaerobic power and go for much shorter distances (like 400-800 meters).

Yes long distance runners should not be forcing the swing phase. This is exactly why it should come naturally and not use your hamstrings to pull the heel up. I have seen a few marathoners teaching that the heel should fold and to not just shuffle your legs. The push phase should end when the leg leaves the ground. These are mostly fast marathoners though but I think they may be up for something. Ultras are other beasts entirely

Here's Sage Canaday saying the same thing. And I'm pretty sure he runs ultras

https://youtu.be/VyjyewP6_i8?t=3m52s

@Elise4270 Damn I envy you I want to go and try them but I can't find any store near me that has them

AdrianChr92 wrote: »

@Elise4270 Damn I envy you I want to go and try them but I can't find any store near me that has them

Thanks to @7lenny7 I found some online. They are light. A 4 drop instead of the 6 I'm currently in. I'm hoping they'll do me right.

Oddly my shoe size has changed over the last year from a 9 to and 8. I wonder if it all the running that had strengthened my feet back up from the ravage of pregnancy hormones 21+years ago. But I anticipate these 8.5 will be fine in the heat. Loving the running info you've presented. So nice we have constant information on how to do better and be better. @Stoshew71 too.

@karllundy thanks! I was wondering if y'all bailed on me. I sure missed the familiar faces.

@ddmom0811 - I don't think I realized that there are armadillos in Florida. I dislike them even more than possums!
@Elise4270 - love the new shoes! I am pretty sure Beans wants running shoes too. Just look at the longing on that face!
@7lenny7 - that heat map is great! I will have to try it out, especially when I travel. I usually end up in the hotel gym and that is no fun!

Well I found out yesterday that I won't get the current bandage/cast off until March 30th. I had thought it would be the 24th or 25th and planned my goal accordingly. So this means I am done for the month since I can't do any cardio, gym workouts or drive until then. I am going to try walking and may add in my walking distances just to help keep me motivated... otherwise I will just sit and read what you all are doing and drown my frustrations in retail therapy!

Ugh. Not feeling it At. All. this week. Big weekend stag do, followed by playing football on Monday night, then a couple of long days at work. All combined with generally awful sleep has added up to general lethargy and total lack of motivation to run. Finally forced myself out this evening and got just shy of 7 miles in. It was one of those runs where you have to bargain with yourself all the way around... "just another half mile then I'll stop"... then run that half a mile and strike a new bargain. Feels good to be back on the horse even if it was a struggle.

46/75 miles.

@Elise4270 Beautiful shoes! And the cat is sweet too :-)

@7lenny7 You can also use the heat map as an overlay in "mapping" routes on the computer that you can download on your phone before a run. If you create a new route, click on the settings icon on the left, and switch on "global heatmap" in the map view options.
If you use the strava app on your phone, you can select and download your created route, and during your run it will display an overview map with your planned routed and your actual run and position - I find that super helpful if I planned a run with a few turns in an unknown area.

@shanaber Oh now, those are frustrating news! I'm sorry for you, I hope walking will be at least a little help. It's not running, but you'd still be outside and move around, so that's something at least.