Fall Marathon Training Randoms

[wawa]

11 for me today. My HR continues to be a little weird since i had covid. Since im overdue for a checkup anyway I'm going in to see my doc just to make sure everything is fine/im not hurting anything.

[Susie]

Is anyone else starting to plan what they're wearing for race day?  

I just got a new hydration vest because I was having some annoyances with the one I got a year ago.  So far so good (I think!) with the new one, but I've had a couple chafe spots.  I'm thinking I will wear shorts, short sleeve tee, and hydration vest for race day.

I have two pairs of shoes in rotation right now, with 100-130 miles on each.  I need to decide soon which pair is going to be the race day pair so I can load the miles on the other.

[laterz]

Sept 19, 2024 14:35:30 GMT -5 Susie said:

Is anyone else starting to plan what they're wearing for race day?  

I just got a new hydration vest because I was having some annoyances with the one I got a year ago.  So far so good (I think!) with the new one, but I've had a couple chafe spots.  I'm thinking I will wear shorts, short sleeve tee, and hydration vest for race day.

I have two pairs of shoes in rotation right now, with 100-130 miles on each.  I need to decide soon which pair is going to be the race day pair so I can load the miles on the other.

My half is on Sunday.  I'm packing tonight.  On a good day, I pack everything but the kitchen sink, so I may as well just pull out the drawer of running clothes and put it directly in the car.  

As of today, low is expected to be 64*; high 68*, and "rain likely."  Great.  I guess the silver lining is - no sun!  But at these temps, no real way to stay dry, because a jacket however light, would be too warm.

I'm just going to roll with it, because there's no other option.

[scm1011]

I'm thinking about what I'll wear too. I have this one old short sleeve Gap athletic shirt that is probably 15 years old but for some reason is my most comfortable / no chaffing running shirt, but the thing is a mess. The armpits are discolored and its always slightly stinky lol. Butttt I haven't found anything that compares so it might be the one. I have a few pairs of the same running shorts so those are a given. My first marathon it was in the 20s to start and I just wore a throwaway sweatshirt to begin. By mile 2 I had tossed and it and was glad to be in a tank and shorts.

I'll carry my 18 oz handheld like always. That should be sufficient considering the amount of water stations.

Susie, I'm so impressed with your weekday runs. As you can probably see from Strava I have not been good about that (I never was in past marathon training cycles either). Especially now with back to office and the new dog its been even trickier to fit them in (also my previously broken leg has been giving me a lot of trouble lately...). Anyway, I just want to say kudos!

[wawa]

Sept 19, 2024 14:56:14 GMT -5 laterz said:

Sept 19, 2024 14:35:30 GMT -5 Susie said:

Is anyone else starting to plan what they're wearing for race day?  

I just got a new hydration vest because I was having some annoyances with the one I got a year ago.  So far so good (I think!) with the new one, but I've had a couple chafe spots.  I'm thinking I will wear shorts, short sleeve tee, and hydration vest for race day.

I have two pairs of shoes in rotation right now, with 100-130 miles on each.  I need to decide soon which pair is going to be the race day pair so I can load the miles on the other.

My half is on Sunday.  I'm packing tonight.  On a good day, I pack everything but the kitchen sink, so I may as well just pull out the drawer of running clothes and put it directly in the car.  

As of today, low is expected to be 64*; high 68*, and "rain likely."  Great.  I guess the silver lining is - no sun!  But at these temps, no real way to stay dry, because a jacket however light, would be too warm.

I'm just going to roll with it, because there's no other option.

Lube everything and embrace the drowned rattness of it all.  

[Susie]

scm1011, thank you so much!  I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop and to start feeling the weight of all the miles, but so far I've been feeling good, only appropriately sore, and totally enjoying the training.  With just 18 and 20 mile long runs to go, plus some interspersed step back weeks and then taper, it's starting to feel real, and I'm so excited for this bucket list item.  I've def been late coming into the office some days because it's hard fitting 9 miles (and soon 10) in between sunrise and getting the kids on the bus/me to work, but they can all deal.  I work late at night and on the weekend more than enough to balance it.

I keep waffling on tank v. tee for race day.  My old Salomon hydration vest is ok with tanks, but it took a while to trust that.  I just got a Nathan one because the Salomon one didn't hold the bladder straw securely enough so it thumped around, and the flask straws would bounce off my jaw when the flasks were full.  Annoying.  So far I really like the Nathan (with a magnetic straw clip!! so smart) but I need some more recon to see if I can wear tanks w/o chafing.  I know I need to remove a couple of superfluous gear loops on it because those are rubbing on my upper arms.  

I'm a big water drinker, in training I've been carrying a small handheld for 4-7 miles, and vest for 8+, so I don't think it would be wise for me to go without on race day, as tempting as it is to drop the weight.  I finished a whole liter of water during 9 miles yesterday, and it wasn't even hot.

[scm1011]

Oh I drink a ton of water too, but thankfully Cambridge/Boston have a ton of public bubblers where I can refill my handheld on my longs. In previous marathons I kept my handheld for sips needed between water stations and utilized the water stations for ~15 seconds of walking while sipping. It worked out well. I do see the appeal of a vest though!

[campermom]

Entering big mileage over here. Well to be real I’m not keeping up w mid week runs…but I’m going from 10 to 16 for the weekend run! Getting real! I don’t have my little kids this weekend but I’ll need to get my big kid somewhere at 8:30am so I may have to split it up. Maybe 10 and 6 after I drop him off.

[brooke77]

I’m starting to think about race day attire, too! I will wear my charity singlet, shorts, and belt for gels. We can’t have hydration packs and my handheld annoys me, so I’ll rely on the water stations for hydration.

Big decision is shoes and socks.

[scm1011]

I decided last minute to take today off to get my long run out of the way before our busy weekend. I did 18.5 miles and at this distance it wipes me out for a couple hours after. I’m happy to get it over with so I can enjoy time with the family without being an exhausted mess. It went well! I was totally beat at the end and couldn’t imagine another 7.5 miles, but that’s next months problem I guess ha.

Have a great race laterz, can’t wait to hear about it! I hope the rain holds off.

[Susie]

Sept 19, 2024 19:13:11 GMT -5 brooke77 said:

Big decision is shoes and socks.

Elaborate?  I love details.

I've used toe socks in the past, but haven't in this training cycle so I'm planning my regular Balega socks for race day.  Both my shoes are Brooks Glycerin so the choice of pink or blue is strictly aesthetic, lol.

I am undecided about calf sleeves.  I feel like they help a little, but I'm definitely cooler without.

[wawa]

Sept 20, 2024 15:43:30 GMT -5 Susie said:

Sept 19, 2024 19:13:11 GMT -5 brooke77 said:

Big decision is shoes and socks.

Elaborate?  I love details.

I've used toe socks in the past, but haven't in this training cycle so I'm planning my regular Balega socks for race day.  Both my shoes are Brooks Glycerin so the choice of pink or blue is strictly aesthetic, lol.

I am undecided about calf sleeves.  I feel like they help a little, but I'm definitely cooler without.

Side note - my favorite pair of socks bit the dust during my last race. They felt like they had slid down so i went to tug them back up and they just tore right across the back. Whoops. In retrospect they were pretty old.

[brooke77]

Sept 20, 2024 15:43:30 GMT -5 Susie said:

Sept 19, 2024 19:13:11 GMT -5 brooke77 said:

Big decision is shoes and socks.

Elaborate?  I love details.

I've used toe socks in the past, but haven't in this training cycle so I'm planning my regular Balega socks for race day.  Both my shoes are Brooks Glycerin so the choice of pink or blue is strictly aesthetic, lol.

I am undecided about calf sleeves.  I feel like they help a little, but I'm definitely cooler without.

I have been training in Hoka Machs. They are nice and comfy. I have about 400+ miles on them, so I need to buy a new pair of shoes. I ran my last marathon in Saucony Speeds. I loved them, but there is a new edition out with some changes that people seem to either love or hate. So debating between Saucony and Hoka and need to buy something this week so I can get a couple long runs in whatever I choose.

Socks I am so lost. My feet run hot and hate every pair I have. My favorite are very, very, very old Target ones. But they all have holes and won’t last a marathon. I’m looking for a unicorn. Something light, slightly cushioned, but not slippery. I HATE when I feel like my feet are slipping.

My PT recommended taping my IT band, so I need to try that out for next week too. Eeeek. It’s getting close!

[campermom]

I procrastinated on 16 yesterday, and again this am. I did 2 before joining friends for 7 more and during mile 1 I was just like…. I don’t want to do this. I decided to take it down to a half. I’ll pay the $10 to downgrade today.

I just don’t have it in me, in the season of life I’m in right now.

[wawa]

Sept 22, 2024 9:29:25 GMT -5 campermom said:

I procrastinated on 16 yesterday, and again this am. I did 2 before joining friends for 7 more and during mile 1 I was just like…. I don’t want to do this. I decided to take it down to a half. I’ll pay the $10 to downgrade today.

I just don’t have it in me, in the season of life I’m in right now.

As I was just saying to a coworker who is trying to decide what race she's up for in October - this is a hobby we do for fun.  Sometimes Type 1, often Type 2 - but when it crosses over into type 3 (i.e. NOT ACTUALLY FUN AT ALL) then fucking bail.  No need to make yourself unhappy in what's meant to be a fun hobby.  Gotta make that call sometimes. 

[wawa]

Sept 21, 2024 15:26:24 GMT -5 brooke77 said:

Sept 20, 2024 15:43:30 GMT -5 Susie said:

Elaborate?  I love details.

I've used toe socks in the past, but haven't in this training cycle so I'm planning my regular Balega socks for race day.  Both my shoes are Brooks Glycerin so the choice of pink or blue is strictly aesthetic, lol.

I am undecided about calf sleeves.  I feel like they help a little, but I'm definitely cooler without.

I have been training in Hoka Machs. They are nice and comfy. I have about 400+ miles on them, so I need to buy a new pair of shoes. I ran my last marathon in Saucony Speeds. I loved them, but there is a new edition out with some changes that people seem to either love or hate. So debating between Saucony and Hoka and need to buy something this week so I can get a couple long runs in whatever I choose.

Socks I am so lost. My feet run hot and hate every pair I have. My favorite are very, very, very old Target ones. But they all have holes and won’t last a marathon. I’m looking for a unicorn. Something light, slightly cushioned, but not slippery. I HATE when I feel like my feet are slipping.

My PT recommended taping my IT band, so I need to try that out for next week too. Eeeek. It’s getting close!

which have you tried and hated?  My favorites that I think would suit your criteria are Smartwool. The ones I have def aren't slippery, but I don't know how much that's true for all of their socks.

[scm1011]

Sept 23, 2024 12:26:28 GMT -5 wawa said:

Sept 22, 2024 9:29:25 GMT -5 campermom said:

I procrastinated on 16 yesterday, and again this am. I did 2 before joining friends for 7 more and during mile 1 I was just like…. I don’t want to do this. I decided to take it down to a half. I’ll pay the $10 to downgrade today.

I just don’t have it in me, in the season of life I’m in right now.

As I was just saying to a coworker who is trying to decide what race she's up for in October - this is a hobby we do for fun.  Sometimes Type 1, often Type 2 - but when it crosses over into type 3 (i.e. NOT ACTUALLY FUN AT ALL) then fucking bail.  No need to make yourself unhappy in what's meant to be a fun hobby.  Gotta make that call sometimes. 

I 100% agree. campermom, marathon training is A LOT - physically, mentally, logistically - and if you don't have it in you there is absolutely nothing wrong with stepping back to the half. 

[Susie]

Sept 23, 2024 12:26:28 GMT -5 wawa said:

Sept 22, 2024 9:29:25 GMT -5 campermom said:

I procrastinated on 16 yesterday, and again this am. I did 2 before joining friends for 7 more and during mile 1 I was just like…. I don’t want to do this. I decided to take it down to a half. I’ll pay the $10 to downgrade today.

I just don’t have it in me, in the season of life I’m in right now.

As I was just saying to a coworker who is trying to decide what race she's up for in October - this is a hobby we do for fun.  Sometimes Type 1, often Type 2 - but when it crosses over into type 3 (i.e. NOT ACTUALLY FUN AT ALL) then fucking bail.  No need to make yourself unhappy in what's meant to be a fun hobby.  Gotta make that call sometimes. 

campermom, just want to 200% echo what wawa said.  It's not even about "I don't have it in me."  It's that you DO have it in you to value, check in with, and prioritize your mental and physical health, your wants, and what's fun for you.  That changes through life and IT'S OK!  

[Susie]

brooke77 , that's a lot of variables to play with!  And how many long runs do you have left?

For socks, have you tried Smartwool?  I used to have Smartwools that I think would meet your criteria.  They made 'no cushion' or 'targeted cushion'.  I did not find them to run hot.  Right now I am into cushion (Balega blister resist) but I do find them to be comparatively warmer.

[laterz]

DONE!!

Race Day – Quad Cities Half-Marathon
Woke up to rain and 97% humidity and 67*. The rain stopped by the time I got to the start line. There were a total of ~4k people running all the races, so it only took about 2 minutes to cross the start line from the shotgun.

Mile 1,2 – Moline. Fine, nothing exciting – except doing a little loop and then running the first bridge into Iowa.
Mile 3 - I always hate mile 3, and this was no exception. When you come off the first bridge, you start running along the river… but first you have to go over a little bridge – with a steep climb – to get to the river path.
Mile 4-5 – Bettendorf. Where are the porta-potties at? Finally a bathroom. One, single bathroom.
Mile 6 – Davenport. WhereTF is the bridge that gets me back over the river?
Mile 7-8 - Finally the bridge. Another climb, but a beautiful view. Back into Illinois.
Mile 9 - Rock Island. WhereTF am I, I felt like I was going the wrong way. Wait, what’s that ahead? Freeze pops? Yes please, I’ll take 2.
Mile 10 - My feet hurt. My legs hurt. I’m tired.
Mile 11-12 - One foot in front of the other. Wash, rinse, repeat.
Mile 13 – Moline! Another f***ing bridge to climb. But then I could see the turn into the last 3/10 mile. And we are done! Gimme that medal and diet coke.

Overall thoughts
The race was great, well organized – just wish there would’ve been a few more bathrooms available. I am so grateful the rain held off, and that it was 100% cloudy. 67*, humidity, and any sun would have been SO HARD, as there was ZERO shade on the course. I felt good most of the run.

I felt WAY better after this one than I did last year. I was sore but not hurting, my stomach was OK, and I had an appetite. I inhaled an entire order of nachos after the race, and could’ve eaten more.

My achilles is sore, but not any different than my other long runs. My friend and her dog came with this weekend, and she had a few work things to do before we headed home – so the dog and I took a nice easy long walk before we left.

[brooke77]

Susie - I have a 12 and 8 before the marathon. I think I am going to buy the Saucony and if they don’t work for the 12, buy the Hoka. I know the Hoka are fine. I’m still training in 80+ degree weather, so I’m hoping my feet getting too hot won’t be an issue for Chicago, but it’s so unpredictable!

For socks, I have tried feetures (like all variations!), Lululemon, hoka, bomba, Nike, balega. Since you and wawa both mentioned smartwool, I’m going to try those!!

[wawa]

Sept 24, 2024 7:23:24 GMT -5 brooke77 said:

Susie - I have a 12 and 8 before the marathon. I think I am going to buy the Saucony and if they don’t work for the 12, buy the Hoka. I know the Hoka are fine. I’m still training in 80+ degree weather, so I’m hoping my feet getting too hot won’t be an issue for Chicago, but it’s so unpredictable!

For socks, I have tried feetures (like all variations!), Lululemon, hoka, bomba, Nike, balega. Since you and wawa both mentioned smartwool, I’m going to try those!!

fingers crossed for the smartwool!  They carry them at REI if you have one nearby, so you can try them, and if you hate them, wash and return.

[scm1011]

I did my long today during an (extended) lunch today. I really
Like getting them done on my WFH Fridays so our (usually busy) Saturdays aren’t brought down by my exhaustion. It was a step back week and I only had 12 which felt pretty effortless. I actually did 11.3, walked the dog quickly because I knew he was overdue, and then did 1 more mile.

MCM is a month from today and the big 20 is next week! I’m clearing next Saturday for post run naps and sloth.

[Susie]

scm1011, nice job!

My calves are really tight from 18 last weekend followed by 5-9-5 mid-week. I have 14 this weekend and I think I'm going to push it off to Sunday in hopes of feeling better by then.

I've been anxious for months about next week: 5-10-5-20. But then it's all downhill from there until race day!

[campermom]

I’m stubborn and didn’t end up changing down to the half. And I ran my 16 today. I guess I’m still in

[scm1011]

Yesterday my office had a fire drill and I had to walk down 28 flights of stairs. My already sore calves are on fire today and I have the big 20 tomorrow. Should be fun! =P

[wawa]

I'm getting sick again (I had covid last month, and i think i pushed myself too fast to get back out and haven't been quite right since) and I'm really really NOT OK WITH THIS. Sore throat, pounding headache, achey. SCREW YOU GERMS.
I'm still almost 10 weeks weeks out, so it'll be ok, but it feels like I'm really getting into the meat of the training cycle (14 miles for this weekend's long run) and I was finally getting back into the swing of my weekday run schedule. this sucks.

[laterz]

Boo for firedrills. Boo for getting sick.

[scm1011]

20 miles DONE! It was a bit of a struggle towards the end but I did it. Now I will spend the remainder of the day napping and being a slug on the couch. Lord help my children if they ask me for anything.

I hope you feel better soon, wawa!!

[Susie]

20 miler done here too!  Mine got off to a slow and creaky start, but the first 10 took 1:46:59, and the next 10.32 took 1:47:59.  Mathing is hard when you're tired, but that's definitely a negative split since I'm not running 0.32 mile in a minute.  My fastest two miles were #19 and 20, so I believe even as beat up as I am right now, I could've gone further.  Overall pace was 10:35, so I should have no problem making all the cutoff points on race day.  This was a huge confidence builder.

I recently got a new watch (Forerunner 265S), and I am loving it.  Maps are so much more accurate than the VivoActive, and I love some of the added features.  I'm using an alarm every 35 min for fueling, and it helps so much.  For my 18 miler I got behind on my fuel because I wasn't paying enough attention to time/mileage, and then I got nauseous from lack of fuel and got even more behind on calories.  The alarm is fantastic for preventing that and today went so much better.  

Before this training cycle, 13.3 was about as far as I'd ever run before, so it's been a lot of new territory for me.  Bring on taper!!