GoaD on the Run - 9/19/16 - Weekday edition

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This thread is for GOADies who like to run. New runners, old runners, and even wannabe runners meet here to discuss the joys and challenges of running. Use this space to log your miles, ask questions, share your race reports, or for anything else related to running.

New runners - and even those just thinking about starting out - are always welcome. There's no reason to lurk here. Join the pack and tell us about your running!

Oftentimes the GotR thread will pose a question or raise an issue in order to facilitate the conversation, but this is always an open forum to chat about any running-related topic.

QotD: Running in the dark/after dark. Do you do it? Any special gear or clothing that you wear? Does the area have to be really well lit?

Alt: Did you make your weekend running plan? Do you have your plan ready for this week?

Have a good one, all.

Replies

  • gadgetgirlIL
    gadgetgirlIL Posts: 1,381 Member
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    I rarely run in the dark. I vastly prefer to run in the daylight even if it is near zero, cloudy, and windy. Part of it is for safety reasons. Until my recent eye surgery, I had trouble discerning trip hazards even in good light. Put me in the dark, and it was a disaster waiting to happen. I also don't trust vehicles. To get to my weekday running route, I can take a sidewalk but it crossed numerous driveways. Vehicles often don't stop. I do have some flashing lights that I put on my running belt in hopes of being more visible.

    As for the weekend plans, I did complete my marathon (report is on the previous thread), but I didn't run as much as I hoped as I am not fully healed from my crash into the asphalt. I plan to try some running at the end of this week, but will start on the treadmill in the event that I have to cut it short.

    Those of you who are healthy, please run a few miles for me!
  • jbrack381us
    jbrack381us Posts: 345 Member
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    I do run in my apt. complex (very) early in the morning or late at night to avoid the heat or to get my plan done. The main loop is just over 1/2 mi. The road is really slick when wet and I will not run on it any time soon after a rain. The lighting is not optimal, but I can see cars coming and they are very few at the time I am running. I really should wear the fluorescent vest that I have and now that I am thinking about it, I will incorporate that in.

    Got in my 2 mi this AM. I have opted not to proceed with c25k for now. I am really still heavier than I should be to run week 5 and beyond continuously. I am content right now with running when I want to run and walking when I need to walk. Also, I have completed c25k before, so there is no goal of completing the program, per se.
  • Philtex
    Philtex Posts: 968 Member
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    I don't usually run in the dark. My running club does have a monthly prediction race at 7:00PM and that is dark during standard time. I have a pair of knuckle lights I use in the dark.

    I ran 11 miles Saturday as part of training for a half.
  • Calvin2008Brian
    Calvin2008Brian Posts: 1,024 Member
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    Philtex wrote: »
    I have a pair of knuckle lights I use in the dark.

    I tried knuckle lights but but never learned to love them. Weird. So much movement of the lights gave a nauseous feeling.

    I do run with a headlamp every once in a while. I have a reflective vest and also velcro reflective wrist / ankle bands.

    I am traveling for business meetings this week. Didn't bring my running stuff, so no running for me until Thursday at the earliest.
  • shenry111
    shenry111 Posts: 4,148 Member
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    Good Morning!

    I'd like to run in the dark, but I don't have anyplace very close. It is about a 5 minute drive to get to the casino parking lot with enough light. I will probably do that rather than run on the TM all of the time during the week.

    My calf is very tight, and very sore. I am still walking with a noticeable limp. I don't know when I will be able to run again, and I will have to start out very slowly again. Deep, heavy sigh. I don't want to injure it again, but I also want to run. This note today, sounds exactly like one that I wrote in 2014 when I did the same thing, and it was shortly after that when I quit running for 2 years! I don't want to do that again. I'm simply very frustrated right now. I don't know how much is due to over exercising, how much due to dehydration, and how much due to my over weight. I'm choosing to believe that being 56 years old has nothing to do with it, although I would have bounced back more quickly when I was 30.
  • gadgetgirlIL
    gadgetgirlIL Posts: 1,381 Member
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    @shenry111 - I feel your pain and frustration. Sadly, I do think age plays a role in how quickly we recover. I'm 55. I'm having a cranky morning as my right shoulder (the one that crashed into the asphalt) was achy all night probably due to some light weight training. My hip flexor is also sorer than this time yesterday which is not the direction I want it to be going.
  • nick197785
    nick197785 Posts: 40 Member
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    I ran in the dark this weekend. I was part of a 12 runner team competing in RTB Ragnar in New Hampshire. It is a 200ish mile race from Brenton Woods to Hampton Beach NH. Each runner does 3 legs of roughly 2 four milers and a 9 or 10 mile leg. My 9 mile leg started at 3am on Saturday. I was dreading this part, but it turned out to be very fun. It was a clear night with a full Harvest Moon. The leg went by 2 lakes and was fairly scenic. A younger runner passed me just after mile 4 and remarked how "it doesn't get any better then this". He was so right.

    I wore the required safety gear which was a headlamp and a reflective vest with a light in the front and a flashing light in the back. There was enough light with the moon and occasional commercial businesses. There were a few times where we had to cross the road to turn, but these crossings had detail police officers stationed there to help us out.
  • Philtex
    Philtex Posts: 968 Member
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    What presents the most challenge to you on a long distance run, however it is that you define a long run? It could be the legs, it could be your breathing but for me it seems mostly mental. Something inside tells me I need a walking break even if the other factors I mentioned are still okay. Anyone else? Something different?
  • gadgetgirlIL
    gadgetgirlIL Posts: 1,381 Member
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    My biggest long run challenge is usually mental. The typical scenario is that I've met up with a couple of friends and I'm having the off day and can't keep up with them. Then I just struggle. I hate being a turtle.

    If I run by myself, then I'm usually just fine. My long runs are always a run/walk combination so I just break the run up into little running chunks.