September 2019 Monthly Running Challenge

quilteryoyo · September 2019

Tramboman wrote: »

@shanaber Great race and an excellent report.
Every time I think about running more than a 5k, I take two Advil and lie down until the feeling passes.

This really made me laugh!!!

quilteryoyo · September 2019

As some of you may remember, I posted about 6 months ago that I had found out I have an aortic root aneurysm that they were going to check again to see if it had grown. Well, I had my scan last week and saw the doctor for the results today. He said that it had not grown and was stable, so we'll check it again in a year! Great news. He also said that I was not overweight and looked to be in really good health, so that was good. I just have to keep my blood pressure under control and not lift anything really heavy, like a car - or bench press 300 pounds. I think I'm safe there. LOL So, this is a great motivation to continue running this go around and not let other things become a higher priority than my health. I also have a bicuspid aortic valve they are keeping an eye on, as they tend to have stenosis faster than a normal valve. It does have some stenosis already and, as far as I know, there is nothing to stop that. He said if I ever need to have one of the issues fixed, they'll just do them both at the same time. Hopefully everything will continue to work as designed.

kgirlhart · September 2019

Glad you got good news from the doctor @quilteryoyo!

PastorVincent · September 2019

@quilteryoyo YAY!

emmamcgarity · September 2019

My running workshop was canceled yesterday due to rain from Imelda. But it didn’t seem so bad closer to home. So I donned my shoes at a local park and set out to do the intervals we were supposed to do in town. After I was far from the car the sky opened up and reminded me that I chose to run during a tropical storm. Perhaps not my smartest move. But I finished my 2 miles and splashed my way back to the car before heading home. Today the rain was worse during the day. We had expected improvement but the weather was bad while I was at work. I should have run 3 miles after getting home this afternoon since it seemed clear out. I could have. The weather was clear long enough for me to run. But I was just emotionally spent after yesterday. So I called today a rest day and had pajamas on by 7 pm.

I really enjoy reading all the race reports. I wish I could comment on each post but have had trouble reading them all fast enough to do so.

Avidkeo · September 2019

Morning all!

Well today I obviously decided I need to punish myself for some reason. I went out, dropped the kids at school, inquired about spa pools, then went for a 5k run along our foreshore. Apart from a 30 second stop when I took a selfie (had to, it was a beautiful day) I ran the whole distance! It helps that its reasonably flat haha. Then when I got home I did a fitness blender booty workout. This particular one is a killer, 5 groups of strength training, 2 or 3 sets of 8 each exercist, with 5 jump squats between each set. It's been 2 hrs and my *kitten* is SORE!

It was really FUN! now I'm relaxing on the couch, watching a movie before I start work at 3pm. Insane?

Oh and for kicks, I was listening to a Science Vs podcast about exercise. They found that exercise does not lead to weightloss - mostly because people over compensate and eat more when they work out. BUT reduces heart disease, risks of developing dementia and can reduce the risk of cancer or even help fight cancer. Interesting listen when running 5k haha.

[img]https://us.v-cdn.net/5021879/uploads/editor/k9/ptmbgqdgp7be.jpg. Mountain![/img]

Avidkeo · September 2019

So does anyone have a spa? How hard are they to look after? Do they get noisy at night? Advice, tips etc welcome.

T1DCarnivoreRunner · September 2019

5.54 miles tonight and they felt good. I hope that is a good sign for the marathon on Sat.

AJSkinay · September 2019

HonuNui · September 2019

September goal: try to keep up

9/1 3.30
9/2 2.00
9/3 rest
9/4 4.70
9/5 rest
9/6 3.12
9/7 Travel to> O'ahu CME conference<travel from
9/8 3.00
9/9 snorkel 3 hours
9/10 lazy
9/11 4.5
9/12 rest
9/13 2.80
9/14 3.30
9/15 rest
9/16 2.50
9/17 long workday, long band practice
9/18 5.00
9/19 2.50

Total : 37.82

Upcoming races:
Revel Kulia Half Marathon 1/18/20

Ticker is my goal for 2019 and progress to date:

noblsheep · September 2019

0920-5k total 33.5k goal-110k

Shakeout run this morning. Felt harder than it was supposed to be.

@quilteryoyo That's really good news!
@shanaber Great race and great report!

7lenny7 · September 2019

@quilteryoyo outstanding news!

shanaber · September 2019

@AlphaHowls - hope your knee is ok! Depending on where the pain is you might try some KT Tape.
@MNLittleFinn - awesome race and report!
@mbaker566 - so glad it isn't scabies but I am not sure an allergic reaction is better! I just hope you feel better soon!
@quilteryoyo - so glad the news was good! Avoid lifting too heavy things and keep running!

Thanks @hamsterwheel6, @PastorVincent, @Tramboman, @kgirlhart, @Scott6255, @7lenny7 and @noblsheep! This race was really fun and feels like a milestone for me. Now need to find something new to focus on!

Date........Miles.......Total
09/01......8.27........8.27
09/02......6.34......14.61
09/03......0.00......14.61 - + Strength Training
09/04......5.26......19.87
09/05......0.00......19.87 - + Strength Training
09/06......4.31......24.18
09/07......3.86......28.04
09/08......0.00......28.04 - to Reno
09/09......2.78......30.82 - to Boise
09/10......0.00......30.82 - to Richland
09/11......6.83......37.65
09/12......2.33......39.98
09/13......3.80......43.78 - to Boise
09/14......0.00......43.78
09/15....13.53......57.31 - J&J HM
09/16......2.00......59.31 - Homeward Bound
09/17......0.00......59.31 - Home
09/18......0.00......59.31
09/19......5.18......64.49 - + Strength Training

2019 Planned and Completed Races
02/03/19 - Surf City Half Marathon Deferred to 2020
05/11/19 - Santa Barbara Wine Country HM
09/15/19 - Jack and Jill Downhill HM - Boise
11/23/19 - USA Women's HM
02/02/20 - Surf City Half Marathon

143tobe · September 2019

Since I felt so amazing on Wednesday after my run, I was really looking forward to getting in another (shorter) run in on Thursday. Well I woke up with a headache and feeling pretty listless. My resting heart rate which is normally 60, was 48 and that is even after having two cups of coffee and walking my dog. So other than walking my dog twice and walking to and from work, I was forced to take a rest day. This morning I have the same headache and my pulse is again, only 48. It's Friday, so I don't think I will make it in to the doctor, but it concerns me. I am very sensitive to any changes in my heart and I am feeling something is off. It could be an electrolyte or vitamin deficiency but which one?? I already try to get everything balanced out. So not sure how today or this weekend is going to go. I had a long run planned for Saturday but now I have no idea what's going to happen. I'm not going to worry about it though. I've somehow learned not to obsess over things that I just don't have control over and to let it go if things don't go as planned. All I do hope is for my body to just feel normal and good again! My last long run went so well! I really wanted to see if I could get a repeat performance this weekend!

kirstymn · September 2019

September Goal: 160km

02/9: 5.11
03/9: 8.11
04/9: 6.73
06/9: 8.46
07/9: 14.06
09/9: 6.15
11/9: 13.05
13/9: 8.44
14/9: 16.14
16/9: 5.22
17/9: 8.11
18/9: 5.34
20/9: 8.07

Total KM run: 112.99

The weather has been pretty near perfect, and with the full moon this week I've had an enjoyable few runs. It's a cutback week so my mileage is relatively low before it starts climbing again next week. I was out for a walk afterwork today and noticed a bunch of cones along the street and remembered it's our local marathon tomorrow. I was meant to be running it, but I injured my knee early on in the training cycle a few months ago so had to pull out. I'd completely forgotten it was on this weekend. It makes me a little sad that I'm not going to be out there with the other runners tomorrow, but I'll get my own run done then head out to cheer some people on.

Have a great weekend everyone

@katharmonic Have a great trip! The brunch plan sounds ideal

@shanaber Fantastic race report, I love the pics with Hobbes

25 half marathons is amazing!

@kgirlhart Eeek! I bet your heart rate monitor had a crazy spike, luckily you were paying attention since she clearly wasn't

@quilteryoyo That's great news!

@Avidkeo I don't have a spa anymore, but we did at one of my old houses about 10 years ago. From what I remember the maintenance was fairly straight forward and I think you can program the cleaning cycles to a certain time of day so it won't bother you starting up during the night. It was quite noisy if you have the jets going, but if you're just soaking then it was great. The biggest downside was the power bill, from what I recall it added about $150-200 per month depending on the time of year - this was for a 6-8 person size.

polskagirl01 · September 2019

Did my virtual 5k in the woods. Was pushing for under 30 minutes and made it with 10 seconds to spare.

Start line:

It's my first virtual race and I like that you have to send in proof that you did it, before they mail any medals. This way, I feel I had to earn it rather than just pay for it, and my fellow competitors did, too

Last night on their website I noticed that they're trying to get rid of their leftover "night race" medals. So for the equivalent of an extra $2 I'll help them out by doing another 5k tonight after dark and try to earn that one, too. Or maybe I'll do it tomorrow night. I have all weekend.

September goal 100 miles

Upcoming races:
Sept. 20-22 - Botanical 5k+5k [virtual 5k +virtual NIGHT 5k]
Oct. 19 - CityTrail trail 5k (#1 of 6 in the series)
Oct. 26 - Botanical Autumn 5k ["real" race]
Oct. 27 - Lublin Half Marathon

polskagirl01 · September 2019

Random thought I had the other day while running in the woods and thinking about the different paths that are worn into the ground by people and animals repeatedly going the same way. If I understand correctly, when we repeatedly perform a certain action or way of thinking, we create pathways in our brain. Eventually those pathways become the easiest way to travel and we start to follow them more automatically. That's why a new habit can be so hard - it's like making a new path in the forest when your feet know the old well-traveled path would be easier.
Application: If you are starting a new, good habit, stick with it! It will get easier. And if you've already got some good habits going, don't neglect them, because it's much easier to keep them than to start over if the paths get "overgrown".

Avidkeo · September 2019

kirstymn wrote: »

@Avidkeo I don't have a spa anymore, but we did at one of my old houses about 10 years ago. From what I remember the maintenance was fairly straight forward and I think you can program the cleaning cycles to a certain time of day so it won't bother you starting up during the night. It was quite noisy if you have the jets going, but if you're just soaking then it was great. The biggest downside was the power bill, from what I recall it added about $150-200 per month depending on the time of year - this was for a 6-8 person size.

Eep that's a lot of power.

I admit as it's going to cost so much I'm leaning away from a spa, but I think hubby really wants one. Unusual for him to want something so extravagant

Teresa502 · September 2019

@shanaber – love reading your race report and seeing the pictures. Do you prefer running a smaller race where at times there are no runners around or bigger races where not crowded but there are runners in sight at all times?
@quilteryoyo – great news about your scan. What wonderful encouragement to keep being active. I’m hoping we get some rain soon. The pastures are so dry that farmers are going to have to start feeding hay soon.
@advidkeo – beautiful picture!
Good luck @T1DCarnivoreRunner!
@143tobe – hope you are feeling back to your normal self soon.

Rest day today. There is a big music festival in town that I’ve purchased weekend passes for. It’s always fun but exhausting.

Tramboman · September 2019

9-1 4k recovery
9-2 7k easy
9-3 6k easy
9-4 rest
9-5 7k moderate
9-6 rest
9-7 7k moderate
9-8 7k easy
9-9 rest
9-10 7k easy
9-11 7k moderate
9-12 rest
9-13 rest
9-14 7k threshold
9-15 7k moderate
9-16 rest
9-17 7k easy
9-18 7k moderate
9-19 rest
9-20 7k easy

September Total: 97k
September Goal: 135k

January Total: 131k
February Total: 159.5k
March Total: 183k
April Total: 126k
May Total: 128k
June Total: 161.5k
July Total: 151k
August Total: 133k

Monthly average: 146.6k

Next year when you pop in here claiming your December 2019 mileage, what accomplishments will you have made?
Run at least 4 5k races. (Check)
Get under 30:00 and a PR for 5k.
Average at least 135k per month, which would put me over 1,000 miles for the year.

Run the Year Team: Five for Nineteen

Started out today as one big niggle from my knees to my upper back, so slow was the way to go. Gradually loosened up to the point running was comfortable and nothing was hurting. Just kept picking the pace up until the finish.

2019 Races:

4-13 Shine the Light 5K - 31:12 chip time; First Place male 65 and older
6-30 Strides for Starfish 5K - 31:34 chip time; 31/77 overall; second male 65 and older (no official category)
7-27 Solon Home Days 5K - 31:11 chip time; 95/141 overall; 4/6 age group (male)
8-31 Race for Freedom 5k - 31:39 chip time; 32:00 Garmin time; Third Place male 60 and older
9-14 Gift of Life 5k - off the schedule; insufficient recovery time
10-13 Haunted Hustle 5k

Tramboman · September 2019

quilteryoyo wrote: »

As some of you may remember, I posted about 6 months ago that I had found out I have an aortic root aneurysm that they were going to check again to see if it had grown. Well, I had my scan last week and saw the doctor for the results today. He said that it had not grown and was stable, so we'll check it again in a year! Great news. He also said that I was not overweight and looked to be in really good health, so that was good. I just have to keep my blood pressure under control and not lift anything really heavy, like a car - or bench press 300 pounds. I think I'm safe there. LOL So, this is a great motivation to continue running this go around and not let other things become a higher priority than my health. I also have a bicuspid aortic valve they are keeping an eye on, as they tend to have stenosis faster than a normal valve. It does have some stenosis already and, as far as I know, there is nothing to stop that. He said if I ever need to have one of the issues fixed, they'll just do them both at the same time. Hopefully everything will continue to work as designed.

That's excellent news!!!

rheddmobile · September 2019

143tobe wrote: »

Since I felt so amazing on Wednesday after my run, I was really looking forward to getting in another (shorter) run in on Thursday. Well I woke up with a headache and feeling pretty listless. My resting heart rate which is normally 60, was 48 and that is even after having two cups of coffee and walking my dog. So other than walking my dog twice and walking to and from work, I was forced to take a rest day. This morning I have the same headache and my pulse is again, only 48. It's Friday, so I don't think I will make it in to the doctor, but it concerns me. I am very sensitive to any changes in my heart and I am feeling something is off. It could be an electrolyte or vitamin deficiency but which one?? I already try to get everything balanced out. So not sure how today or this weekend is going to go. I had a long run planned for Saturday but now I have no idea what's going to happen. I'm not going to worry about it though. I've somehow learned not to obsess over things that I just don't have control over and to let it go if things don't go as planned. All I do hope is for my body to just feel normal and good again! My last long run went so well! I really wanted to see if I could get a repeat performance this weekend!

It could just be that you’ve been running more. My resting heart rate was 72 before I started running, went to 60 when I started running regularly, and went to 48 when I started running longer distances. Headaches don’t sound fun, but a slow heart rate is common in runners. Hope you feel better soon!

7lenny7 · September 2019

It looks like I'm going to squeeze in another race this fall...Is 6 races in 8 weekends too many? Don't answer that, it's rhetorical.

At my son's soccer game last night one of the other soccer dad's offered me his bib for the Twin City 10 Mile race on Sunday October 6th. He fractured a bone in his ankle and is currently in a boot. This race is held on the same day, and on 10 miles of the same course, as the Twin Cities Marathon. @MegaMooseEsq is also signed up for this race.

Though the marathon gets all of the publicity, it's actually the 10 mile race which is the biggest draw. If I wanted to run the marathon (or 5K or 10K, which are the day before), I could still register. Registration for the lottery to get into the 10 mile closed in JULY! Last year there were 11,000 runners in the 10 mile race and 7000 in the marathon. Somewhere I read that there's usually 300,000 spectators and volunteers on the course as well. Since the 10 mile race starts an hour before the marathon, and is on the last 10 miles of that course, I suspect we'll see far less than that.

Though I've never really been that interested in this race (if I was going to race this weekend I always figured I'd do the marathon), I couldn't pass up this opportunity, particularly considering he refuses to be paid back for the registration or transfer fees.

Now to fit it in to my schedule. I have a trail half marathon tomorrow, which I plan on racing fairly hard, then this race two weeks from Sunday. The following weekend I'm registered for another trail HM on Saturday and a 12 hour trail race on Sunday. I had been considering dropping that half down to a 5K and now that's a certainty. I briefly thought about skipping it but I want the shirt, the course is through a beautiful state park, and the church ladies who put this on have a wonderful bake sale at the finish. Oh, and they serve homemade soup and bread after the race. I'll drop to 5K, but I'll try to take it easy and make it a warm up race for the next day's attempt at 50 miles.

Now to decide how to run the TC 10 mile. I had planned on 26 miles of training that weekend over Saturday and Sunday. If I take this easy, I could still do that, but with the excitement and energy of such a large race, and the desire to make the most of this opportunity, I don't see that happening. If I race it hard, will it be too close to my 12 hour race to properly recover? Decisions, decisions.....I don't know what I'll do yet but if I had to decide now I'd do a 4-5 mile easy run on Saturday, a 1 mile warm up on Sunday (if there's room), the 10 mile race at a pace about 30 seconds slower than threshold (8:30/mile for me), followed by a 5-6 mile recovery run that night with Kody.

Meanwhile, when I should be focusing on getting plenty of sleep for tomorrow's race, I was up to 2AM this morning researching the TC 10 mile. The logistics of going to the expo to get my packet, getting to the start, then getting from the finish back to the start, is already giving me angst. I hate big crowds. I'll love the actual race, I'm sure, but getting in and out will stress me out. As I consider my option and my training schedule, I wonder if it would be too much to run back to the start after the race? hmmmm.....

2019 Races
02/23/2019 - Psycho Wyco 20M w/ Kody - Kansas City, KS - 5:39:36 (41/65 OA, Kody 4/9 Canine)
04/27/2019 - Tillamook Burn 50M - Tillamook Forest, OR DNF at 31.6 Miles
05/18/2019 - Superior Spring 50K - Lutsen, MN - 7:52:09 (171/204 OA, 15/18 M50-59)
07/13/2019 - Eugene Curnow Trail Marathon - Carlton, MN - 7:00:49 (236/308 OA, 29/37M50-59)
09/14/2019 - Outrun Homelessness 5K - Savage, MN - 23:57 (7/72 OA, 6/24M, 1/4M50-59)
09/21/2019 - Surly Trail Loppet HM - Minneapolis, MN
10/06/2019 - TC 10 Mile - Minneapolis to St. Paul, MN
10/12/2019 - Big Woods Run Trail 5K - Nerstrand, MN
10/13/2019 - Loopet Loppet 12 HR Trail Race - Minneapolis, MN
10/26/2019 - Glacier Hills 50K - Sioux Falls, SD
11/16/2019 - Luce Line Solo 64M Run
12/07/2019 - Alternate Chili 10M w/ Kody - Kansas City, KS
Registered
* Tentative

AlphaHowls · September 2019

shanaber wrote: »

@AlphaHowls - hope your knee is ok! Depending on where the pain is you might try some KT Tape.

I am usually taped every other day and will be so today. Letting the Chiro tape it in a bit for tomorrow.

PastorVincent · September 2019

5k tomorrow, going for course PR. My current is:

It is down the runway at the airport so it as flat as it gets for the races in this area.

PastorVincent · September 2019

rheddmobile wrote: »

143tobe wrote: »

Since I felt so amazing on Wednesday after my run, I was really looking forward to getting in another (shorter) run in on Thursday. Well I woke up with a headache and feeling pretty listless. My resting heart rate which is normally 60, was 48 and that is even after having two cups of coffee and walking my dog. So other than walking my dog twice and walking to and from work, I was forced to take a rest day. This morning I have the same headache and my pulse is again, only 48. It's Friday, so I don't think I will make it in to the doctor, but it concerns me. I am very sensitive to any changes in my heart and I am feeling something is off. It could be an electrolyte or vitamin deficiency but which one?? I already try to get everything balanced out. So not sure how today or this weekend is going to go. I had a long run planned for Saturday but now I have no idea what's going to happen. I'm not going to worry about it though. I've somehow learned not to obsess over things that I just don't have control over and to let it go if things don't go as planned. All I do hope is for my body to just feel normal and good again! My last long run went so well! I really wanted to see if I could get a repeat performance this weekend!

It could just be that you’ve been running more. My resting heart rate was 72 before I started running, went to 60 when I started running regularly, and went to 48 when I started running longer distances. Headaches don’t sound fun, but a slow heart rate is common in runners. Hope you feel better soon!

Low heart resting rate (min is below 50 also) is a good thing for an athlete, but the rest of her symptoms AND the dramatic unexpected drop are concerning. I would agree she should see a doctor. Probably nothing, but worth a check.

7lenny7 · September 2019

7lenny7 wrote: »

Now to fit it in to my schedule. I have a trail half marathon tomorrow, which I plan on racing fairly hard, then this race two weeks from Sunday. The following weekend I'm registered for another trail HM on Saturday and a 12 hour trail race on Sunday. I had been considering dropping that half down to a 5K and now that's a certainty. I briefly thought about skipping it but I want the shirt, the course is through a beautiful state park, and the church ladies who put this on have a wonderful bake sale at the finish. Oh, and they serve homemade soup and bread after the race. I'll drop to 5K, but I'll try to take it easy and make it a warm up race for the next day's attempt at 50 miles.

It will cost me an additional $22.50 to transfer down to the 5K since I got in at such a low price for the HM and now have to pay the difference, plus transfer fee. Not sure it's worth that much to me. Might get my shirt, eat my soup and bread, and leave.

emmamcgarity · September 2019

PastorVincent wrote: »

rheddmobile wrote: »

143tobe wrote: »

Since I felt so amazing on Wednesday after my run, I was really looking forward to getting in another (shorter) run in on Thursday. Well I woke up with a headache and feeling pretty listless. My resting heart rate which is normally 60, was 48 and that is even after having two cups of coffee and walking my dog. So other than walking my dog twice and walking to and from work, I was forced to take a rest day. This morning I have the same headache and my pulse is again, only 48. It's Friday, so I don't think I will make it in to the doctor, but it concerns me. I am very sensitive to any changes in my heart and I am feeling something is off. It could be an electrolyte or vitamin deficiency but which one?? I already try to get everything balanced out. So not sure how today or this weekend is going to go. I had a long run planned for Saturday but now I have no idea what's going to happen. I'm not going to worry about it though. I've somehow learned not to obsess over things that I just don't have control over and to let it go if things don't go as planned. All I do hope is for my body to just feel normal and good again! My last long run went so well! I really wanted to see if I could get a repeat performance this weekend!

It could just be that you’ve been running more. My resting heart rate was 72 before I started running, went to 60 when I started running regularly, and went to 48 when I started running longer distances. Headaches don’t sound fun, but a slow heart rate is common in runners. Hope you feel better soon!

Low heart resting rate (min is below 50 also) is a good thing for an athlete, but the rest of her symptoms AND the dramatic unexpected drop are concerning. I would agree she should see a doctor. Probably nothing, but worth a check.

I agree. I’d recommend pushing to get into the doc. Maybe even an urgent care visit if the doc isn’t available.

katharmonic · September 2019

@shanaber congrats on your 25th HM! Great job and nice report.

@polskagirl01 great job on your virtual 5k and making your goal time!

@quilteryoyo great news on your health and good for you for working hard for that.

@143tobe hope all is well with you and you feel better soon.

Good luck to those racing today and tomorrow!

Date :::: Miles :::: Cumulative
09/01/19 :::: 11.5 :::: 11.5
09/02/19 :::: 5.5 :::: 17.0
09/03/19 :::: 3.0 :::: 20.0
09/04/19 :::: 6.7 :::: 26.7
09/05/19 :::: 0.0 :::: 26.7
09/06/19 :::: 4.7 :::: 31.5
09/07/19 :::: 13.1 :::: 44.6
09/08/19 :::: 5.2 :::: 49.8
09/09/19 :::: 5.7 :::: 55.5
09/10/19 :::: 5.6 :::: 61.1
09/11/19 :::: 2.7 :::: 63.8
09/12/19 :::: 4.1 :::: 67.9
09/13/19 :::: 6.0 :::: 73.9
09/14/19 :::: 0.0 :::: 73.9
09/15/19 :::: 12.3 :::: 86.2
09/16/19 :::: 6.5 :::: 92.7
09/17/19 :::: 3.6 :::: 96.4
09/18/19 :::: 5.7 :::: 102.1
09/19/19 :::: 1.8 :::: 103.8
09/20/19 :::: 8.5 :::: 112.3

I woke up to a beautiful day here in Lake Placid. It was 41 degrees and sunny when I headed out for my run. Pretty much my ideal running temp - I wore shorts and a tank with a long sleeve shirt to start, and ditched the long sleeves after about a mile. I used MapMyRun to come up with a route beforehand and it worked pretty well - although I thought it would talk to me and tell me when to turn but it doesn't. It was mildy hilly but not terrible. The worst hill was right at the end though - which I should have realized in planning the route. It's the climb up into Lake Placid from down below the Olympic Oval. I debated trying to get to 10 miles, but I was tired and have a lot of hiking to do tomorrow so I ended it and rewarded myself with breakfast. Not a bloody mary yet, but a delicious "Nutty Squirrel Latte" and a smoked salmon crepe. Fabulous.

It's going to be a gorgeous weekend here. The leaves are only starting to turn, but I'm hoping on our hike we'll see a little more fall color.

shanaber · September 2019

Teresa502 wrote: »

@shanaber – love reading your race report and seeing the pictures. Do you prefer running a smaller race where at times there are no runners around or bigger races where not crowded but there are runners in sight at all times?

@teresa502 - that's a good question... maybe a good mid-month question for the group!

For me there are pros and cons to both. I really like the excitement and camaraderie of having runners all around and it often keeps me going when I am getting tired. Like @7lenny7 I also don't like the crowds getting into and after a big race. I typically end up having someone drop me at the start (or staying close to the start) and pick me up afterwards. I don't like standing in (long, long) lines to get to a bathroom before or during the race or together a beer or a glass of wine or whatever after a race and rarely hang around in the crowd for the post race festivities.
The exception to that was in SF where they things spread out, lots of porta pots and had all kinds of booths at the finish and even with the large number of runners (over 20k) the lines were not long for anything.
Smaller races also give me the confidence to do better and push me into thinking I could place in my AG (has happened only once 🤣). They often are more personal, especially at the aid/water stations and have better food at the finish. At the Boise race they actually had things people had made and not just packaged granola bars and bananas. There were so many things to choose from. I think I would like to find some smaller shorter races like a 10k and maybe not HMs.

September 2019 Monthly Running Challenge

Replies

Categories