The Running Thread

[epilogue]

This thread is an inspiration and a motivation, so let me share some success while I ride out this runner's high today.

At the beginning of the year I set a goal to run 500 miles in 2021. Sort of an arbitrary number. Good and round, but also many more miles than I have ever run in a year. Consistency was the idea. Something I've always struggled with.

Towards the middle of the year I was lagging behind pace by double digits. Frustrating, considering I had not taken more than one week off up to that point.

Something clicked in those hot summer months and I upped mileage gradually. I have enjoyed the hell out of every single one of these miles. Running has never been more fun for me than this year.

Thrilled to have crossed that arbitrary 500 with over a month to go. I don't plan to stop.

Half marathon training starts in January.

Baller, dude! That's awesome. Congrats and keep up the good work!

[lennytheweedwhacker]

Good stuff, Reid. You guys all inspire me.

[lennytheweedwhacker]

5k in 34:07, still hilly

I hate hills. What’s your normal elevation gain?

193 ft is my current route. I’m going without walking at all now, past two times. Hills are a big challenge.

Without walking on just the hills, or the whole 5k? Impressive either way.

Whole way. Thanks pal. Really pushing myself. Foot was numb the final half mile last time.

That’s awesome. Im not even sure I can do that going slowly. Though sometimes I feel like my really slower runs with less walking don’t feel much different on my body than faster runs. At least from the standpoint of when I need to walk mid-run

[washing machine]

Good stuff, Reid. You guys all inspire me.

[lennytheweedwhacker]

I’m more in tune with the loneliness of middle distance runners

[lennytheweedwhacker]

A pretty crappy two miles. I'm ready to get back to my mostly normal self.

[Bammer]

I run without music or any other kind of audio.

[lennytheweedwhacker]

I run without music or any other kind of audio.

Same.

[tree_]

Same. Need to be aware of my surroundings

[epilogue]

Same. Need to be aware of my surroundings

+ 1

[epilogue]

Managed a 7.4 miler yesterday at a 9:04 pace. I'll take it. Slower than my Wednesday run and it was a lot more difficult. Tons of factors. Physical, mental, and emotional fatigue and 15 mile/hour winds being the two biggest factors, I think. It was tough but I pushed through. I'm gonna call it a major mental victory. I wanted to quit two miles in but kept at it.

I think that'll be my last "tough" "long" run until my race on Thursday. I'll do a couple of slow 3 milers to kick the rust off and then try to really go after it in the race. See if I can't get around an 8:30 pace.

[Bammer]

Same. Need to be aware of my surroundings

+ 1

Now that I have kids, I have a heightened awareness about how dangerous electric cars are because they don’t make any noise. I can imagine that’s a concern running around NYC.

[washing machine]

I run without music or any other kind of audio.

Why is this always an either/or?

Trail runs: no music. Being truly outdoors is the perfect context for unplugging. Plus, safety.
Weekend long runs: Podcasts. Specifically The Drop Podcast or Kreative Kontrol. Need something without a beat to keep me engaged for at least an hour and also keep me sloooow and steady.
Speedwork or weekly workouts: Fugazi, Run the Jewels, Stereolab, Pavement, and "Go to Sleep" followed by Bodysnatchers" by Radiohead.

[washing machine]

Managed a 7.4 miler yesterday at a 9:04 pace. I'll take it. Slower than my Wednesday run and it was a lot more difficult. Tons of factors. Physical, mental, and emotional fatigue and 15 mile/hour winds being the two biggest factors, I think. It was tough but I pushed through. I'm gonna call it a major mental victory. I wanted to quit two miles in but kept at it.

I think that'll be my last "tough" "long" run until my race on Thursday. I'll do a couple of slow 3 milers to kick the rust off and then try to really go after it in the race. See if I can't get around an 8:30 pace.

Nice pace. Good luck on the Thursday event

[tree_]

5k in 33:03 on a flat surface, treadmill

[lennytheweedwhacker]

5k in 33:03 on a flat surface, treadmill

you’re making nice progress, pal.

[washing machine]

Had a nice 7 miler along the bayou all mapped out for this AM, but a date night hangover happened instead. No regrets.

[epilogue]

Had a nice 7 miler along the bayou all mapped out for this AM, but a date night hangover happened instead. No regrets.

No regrets!

Do you ever run hungover?

[washing machine]

No. I don't drink very much these days, which is probably why the hangover was so rough.

Still ended the week in double digits mileage so I'm not feeling too guilty.

[epilogue]

I'm a pretty big proponent of hangover running. Always helps me feel better.