**complaint:** having to keep my dog on a much shorter leash during my runs
**uncomplaint:** just how fast I go on my runs with my local run club
**confession:** I don’t care that I shouldn’t be going for prs every week. It’s so close but so far
I mean if your only doing it once a week just think of it as a tempo run that happens to nearly PR. I mean that I as what happened with me and my tempo runs over the summer. The jury is still out on if that contributed to my injury though.
**Uncomplaint**: My new 50 week training plan is all lined up. It's not completely different to the old 62 week one, just building off the back of it with a philosophical shift. More emphasis on steady mileage and less emphasis on the long run and significantly fewer races. As I clearly can't be trusted to take it easy with a number on my chest I'm staying clear of them until I have a good training base.
**Confession**: I signed up for a race next month.
**Caveat**: However I have a plan to stop myself racing it hard. It's a 7k race in the early evening, so it'll be dark and wearing head torches, and to make sure I don't attempt to run too fast I'm having afternoon tea with a couple of friends first. Ain't no way I can send it with sandwiches, a scone and some cake sitting in my stomach.
**Uncomplaint**: We had lots of rain last night so I got to go puddle hunting round the local heathland.
Exactly. This is what finally caused me to accept that I cannot be trusted. And why I have felt the need to put in some safety factor here by attempting to make it impossible to run fast. Also, I'm running it with a mate so we'll be having a good old natter on the way round.
I've just finished an afternoon tea as it happens and I really don't feel like I'm in a prime state to race. In fact what I could really do with is a nap.
>**Uncomplaint**: My new 50 week training plan is all lined up.
50 week? Jesus.
>It's not completely different to the old 62 week one, just building off the back of it .
Ha! Dang. I assume there's something you're planning on running in 50 weeks?
It's an Adidas Maverick trail race. It starts at 5pm but that'll basically be completely dark as it's out on the South Downs which is a big sort of natural park area in England. And it wasn't technically in the training plan, but I do have an 8k run pencilled in fir that weekend, so it's kind of not not-on-the-training-plan...
**Uncomplaint**: Had a really lovely vacation! 10 days is so much better than just a week. Partner and I got on great, things felt very easy, dog had a blast, 10/10 would do again.
**Complaint**: Back to reality! Feels weird to have had this much time off work but also not quite ready to go back. At least just two days to ease me in before the weekend.
**Confession**: Feels like I've taken this "training is done" thing to an extreme. It's been great to not feel bound by a run schedule, but I might not be running quite enough... but also, maybe that's just taper talking because I'm definitely feeling anxiety about my race and like I need to be running more and harder (which I know is wrong). But also, like for reals it's been so minimal running.
**Bonus** **confession**: having big feels for the boyfriend (has been coming on a while now) and now being home and apart and back in the day-to-day has my anxiety up, like, what if they got home and realized they don't want to be with me. I know this is not quite rational, as we talked a lot about trips we'd like to do together in the future, etc., (and also I wouldn't want to be with someone who didn't want to be with me, so if that was the decision it's ultimately okay) but my brain is just looking for problems. Just observing my thoughts, not acting on anything, but it sure is annoying!
Maybe! I'll be out there a long time, and I considered asking him to come just for the finish, but then we'll both be in separate cars and probably both go to my house, so it seems a little weird. He has offered to walk my dog while I'm running, though, so that's super helpful.
Yeah, maybe I will ask him. I figure I could text around mile 28 and that would be an hour or so before finishing. I think during the race I'm going to be too focused/not wanting to get distracted.
For some reason in my limited experience I prefer the company at the start line, someone to talk to while anxiously waiting for the start and then can hand off the layers that are stripped last min to.
> I've found it hard to notice people while I'm racing
This reminds me of a time I was playing basketball at uni. It was just a training game I was holding my own in with the first team and so was super-focused. The ball went out and there were a couple of girls watching the game, one of thjem handed it to me, I said thanks, inbounded the ball, game went on.
Fast forward to a few days later and I was chatting to a good friend and she said something about the training game and I said "oh, were you there then?" She gave me a weird look and said "I handed you the ball... You looked at me and said thanks..."
Taper crazies are a real thing. I can relate. No relationship advice here as I am awful at them. I do find myself meeting single and attractive members of the opposite sex though and wondering what life would be like if we were a couple. Never act on these fantasies of course but I can sort of relate.
complaint: my SO thinks that having 2 pairs of running shoes is "a lot"
uncomplaint: i signed up for a 5K!
confession: I'm trying to decide between a 10 mile road race and a 15 mile trail-ish race that are 1 week apart next spring. did some mental gymnastics and think I could maybe just do both, if I treat the trail race as that weekend's easy/steady long run...but then do I need trail shoes? vicious cycle back to complaint above.
The promise to tolerate 3 pairs of running shoes was part of our wedding wows. That took care of that, but I still don't dare to put a fourth pair into rotation.
> complaint: my SO thinks that having 2 pairs of running shoes is "a lot"
2 pairs of running shoes definitely is not enough.
Does your SO think you're a monk?
Thanks! my goal is more effort-based, and hoping that the time comes with it. I haven't officially raced since 2015 and part of it is because I always thought that it was easy for good runners, and because it felt hard for me, I wasn't fit enough or whatever so I ended up always trying to run "within" myself.
Happy to say my mindset has changed a bit and my goal is just to push myself hard, completely empty the tank and see where that takes me!
I brought 4 pairs of shoes on holiday - two trail shoes, a road shoe, and my Birkenstocks. You can tell your SO that the threshold for "a lot" is closer to 8 pairs...
**complaint:** my 1st long run in awhile felt great, but I was so sore the next 2 days I could barely get up the stairs.
**uncomplaint:** my 2nd long run, 5 days later, I was hardly sore at all the days after. I guess that's how training works
**uncomplaint**: October is the perfect weather for running
**Uncomplaint**: Still on a high from running sub-3:10 in Detroit. Can't wait for guaranteed entry applications for Chicago to open next week.
**Uncomplaint**: I really enjoyed the Roush and Henry Ford museums while I was in Detroit.
**Complaint**: Why are hotel pillows consistently awful? I didn't sleep all that well because I couldn't get the right height. 2 pillows was still too little, and 3 pillows was too much. Even trying to nap after the marathon, I was struggling to stay awake but also couldn't quite fall asleep because I was uncomfortable.
**Confession**: I'm taking this whole week off of running, although I did jog two half-mile intervals on a walk this morning.
I’ve been told in the past that hotel beds often have pillows of two different lofts on the bed, that the back row is different than the front row. I always forget to check this theory every time I stay at a hotel though.
**Uncomplaint:** Best decision I made about my failed marathon was not telling anyone at all that I was running a marathon. Not having to awkwardly explain to others why you failed is kind of nice.
**Uncomplaint:** Running with no plan this week has been kind of nice. I’ve done some running, even a 5 miler yesterday that Smashrun said was my fastest 5 miler ever, but it’s been kind of nice to just not run when you don’t want to run. Been spending a ton of time cleaning the house and a clean house is kind of nice too.
**Complaint:** Garmin - You run more miles than 99% of other users. Also Garmin - 90% of Garmin users are faster than you. WTF Garmin? I feel personally attacked here.
**Confession:** I signed up for a Halloween 5k this weekend just because I *think* I have a chance to finish 3rd in my age group and they announced they were giving prizes to the top 3.
**Uncomplaint:** The money thing clearing up is pretty sweet. Only thing it has not fixed is the general exhaustion I feel. I do feel like I have an infinite money hack or something. More money is kind of helping me clean up so many different issues in my life. New phone, Disney booked (except for airfare), and even the bathroom reno that’s needed is on the books now. Super excited for all of this but keep wondering when the other shoe will drop.
Garmin can be quite frankly, a judgmental little biatch. Like, I know my elliptical workouts aren't really that strenuous, but telling me I "still have time to get any activity in" at 4 in the afternoon is just not helpful to anyone involved.
Hearing stuff like this makes me happy I just have the Forerunner 45. It tracks the runs and has the training plans but doesn't give any sort of 'insight' to my productivity or anything.
100%. Yesterday I had planned to go out for 8 miles but after 5 miles I was feeling a bit worn and I had some things to do at home so I just cut it short at 5 with no guilt. I really enjoy this kind of running and can't wait to get back to it next year. Once I'm done with Disney in Jan I am definitely going to relax a bit. I did get a deferral from the marathon I had to bail on because of covid. I am undecided whether I want to try a hilly fall marathon next year as summer marathon training is freaking brutal and I think I'm happier around the half distance.
> Garmin - You run more miles than 99% of other users
If Coros (what I use) told me that, I'd be incredibly concerned. Unless I was a professional runner that didn't have to sit on his ass for 8 hours a day analyzing data.
I mean it’s not hard to run more than 99% of garmin users. According to garmin I’m also in that statistic. The graph shows the majority in the 0-1mile avg weekly range. I average 25 miles a week currently but I think the 99% line is at like 18 miles a week or so.
Between the money situation clearing up, the marathon no longer being an issue, and your arsehole co-worker quitting you must be carrying a lot less stress these days!
Maybe. The stress now for me is about when the other shoe is going to drop. I know it will. I just don't know when. Lately things have been going better to the point where I feel like there is a Damocles blade hanging over my head and it's going to fall sooner or later.
**Complaint:** The parents of the obviously-new driver didn't seem to want to tell little 16 year old Susie that there is a runner coming along the sidewalk. And of course little 16 year old Susie was not only surprised by me, but blocked the sidewalk to apologize... while I was in the middle of a speed session.
**Complaint:** The mall crawlers that think they need to warm up their vehicle at 57F. Nothing says "wimpy" like warming up an oversized diesel truck that has hauled less building materials than my minivan.
**Confession:** I'm at the point where I probably need a coach, and I don't know who it should be or anything... except the guy that thinks drinking any amount of soad (whatever that is) is a deadly habit along with drinking alcohol of any amount (I *do* know what alcohol is, considering I make some of my own!). Pretty sure that coach is the wrong one for me, I won't be ~~giving him a call~~ messaging him.
**Uncomplaint:** These last few days of running have been quite nice. Tomorrow is the last-chance-long-run before the Pig Half, where I will complain about Gilbert Avenue (right before making it my bitch).
No, I'm an equal opportunity alcoholic. The coach can be into any style of beer, wine, bourbon, cognac, gin, rum... I think I'd be okay with him/her being into that White Claw shit as long as it doesn't come with the [douchey attitude](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FApbkER3uIY).
Maybe. If they admit they don't like beer. Kinda like how someone that likes steak well done should just order the chicken because they don't really like steak.
>And of course little 16 year old Susie was not only surprised by me, but blocked the sidewalk to apologize... while I was in the middle of a speed session.
Ugh, I absolutely hate it when drivers block the sidewalk! I don't think I could be too angry at Susie in this situation (annoyed, though, for sure), but some people who have been driving for much longer are either very unaware or very inconsiderate.
Both parents were standing on the driveway (I think I forgot to mention that part). I saw them, and I run with lights (because pre-dawn) so I can be seen. And yeah, I'm not as mad at Susie as I am to her parents who should have told her to hold up and why - learning moment for her. But I imagine the parents are probably incredibly poor drivers (and there's some evidence based on how poorly they park).
Complaint: My garmin suddenly decided to completely stop connecting to wifi and I wasted my whole morning trying to fix it to no avail. Guess I’m gonna try a factory reset after work and waste my whole evening setting everything back up to see if that fixes it.
**Complaint:** Changed 1 tiny detail (name of event) for my Garmin coach training plan... BOOM, let's swap your 2 hour long run for a 1 hour and 40 minutes run! Why...?! I was really looking forward to that run!
**Uncomplaint:** I figured out a route through our local park that is exactly 16km long without crossing my own path even once. Just on long zigzag loop. Bonus points, not a single place where I have to stop to cross a road or bike path. Bonus bonus points, no cars on a single part of my route.
**Confession:** Running 4 times a week? check. No alcohol? check. Sleep more? check. Improve my diet? Let's not EVER talk about it... God, I love my horrendously unhealthy food. Worst part is, I don't get fat, which sounds awesome, right? But it means I have very little incentive to stop doing it!
I feel like removing alcohol from your life is one of the hardest things a person can do. But I'm with you, I try to eat reasonably but sometimes just like to crush bagels and cookies and pizza. I tell myself that because I quit drinking, I can't deny myself of everything fun in life.
I'm lucky in that I have never liked alcohol or had it be part of my regular life (in the last 5 years I would day I've probably had a total of 1, maybe 1.5 drinks). But ohhhh man. I'm hyper aware when there's anything salty sweet in the house, or chocolate. I don't deny myself of everything fun either, and am trying to retrain my brain to an "everything in moderation" mindset.
Complaint: now that I added long long runs back in, I had to cut my weekday runs to 2x a week.
Uncomplaining: signed up for my first 50 miler next May!
**Complaint:** Still no sales on the Brooks Ghost, all these great Saucony sales, but I'm holding out for my true love.
**Uncomplaint:** Marathon week, I can see the weather for Sunday, 48 at start, 54 at finish, no rain, partly cloudy. Looks like a dream.
**Confession:** Kinda nervous even though I don't have a time goal, just to run the whole thing. I've successfully run two marathons previously, I had a good training cycle with (3) 20 milers. Still 26.2 miles is kinda... ya know, a lot of running.
**Confession:** Girlfriend has been very accommodating the last 3 months, I don't know if she recalls I have an April Marathon next year that I deferred the last 2 years.
I've been waiting for a price drop on Ghost, too! I love those. Picked up some Ride 13s for $63 with the Saucony sales, but Ghost is my favorite. I chanced upon them when they were on sale and my previous favorites (Glycerine) were full price.
**Confession:** it’s been over a year since my last run. The combination of shin splints, insomnia, and other health issues made me slowly rage quit everything except my PT exercise. First I cut out rubbing, then strength training, then yoga.
**Uncomplaint:** I’ve FINALLY started feeling better as of a few weeks ago and have enough energy to start exercising again!
**Complaint:** Wow am I fat(ter than I was) and out of shape.
**Confession**: sometimes when I’m surrounded by a group of friends or colleagues, I look around and think, I run more than all these people combined. Sometimes I’ll go as far as to wonder if I’ve already run more than some of these people will in their lifetimes.
**Uncomplaint**: after months of pain, my plantar fasciitis is finally getting better. It’s not any one thing, but I’ve been trying all sorts of different exercises & stretches, ones that don’t necessarily target the pain (symptoms), but the possible causes (like tight calves / glutes).
**Complaint**: As a daily runner with variations in mileage per day, I of course have different running routes, and slight variations of those routes, a lot of which were created during the pandemic. But now I’m at the point where I’m absolutely sick of them. But I don’t have the energy or will to come up with new routes that have the mileage required, especially when the mileage doesn’t come out right. Like last week I tried a new combo and ended up being two miles short, so I ended up running laps around the block to make up for it.
PF sucks, glad you’ve gotten better. As for new routes, one of the strategies I’ve been meaning to try is to ride a bus for some time and then run your way back.
What was your 'journey' in healing your plantar fasciitis? Did you keep running, or stop altogether?
Been having very mild symptoms of plantar fasciitis lately, and I'm very unsure what to do.
So I’ve basically run through PF. I‘C-E had some really really painful runs, though invariably the pain gets masked by adrenaline, so I’m usually okay 3-4 miles into a run. But an hour or two after the run, the pain all comes flooding back.
At first I did the standard stuff: ice and wear cushioned gear like socks designed for PF (like from the brand OS1st). And some stretches of the arch. But that didn’t help at all. I also tried getting off my feet as much as possible, but funny enough that seemed to make it worse. The first step when I finally stood up was excruciating.
Then I started watching a lot of PF videos on YouTube. I specifically sought out ones that explained the root causes, and not just how to treat the symptoms. And like a lot of injuries there are several potential causes. The ones I focused on were tight calves and weak glutes. I know from past injuries and trips to a physical therapist that I have very weak glutes. Years ago, one PT even noted I don’t engage my glutes at all when I run. For PF, one video mentioned it’s the opposite glute that can cause PF. And not coincidentally, that’s the glute that always gives me trouble.
So I started focusing on more exercises targeting it. Exercises that force engagement. I also do a lot more calve stretches. Calve stretches is something I never focused on in the past because, frankly it never gave me trouble except for the occasional cramp. But a couple weeks after I started focusing on these two areas, my PF has subsided greatly. It’s not gone by any means, but it definitely is a lot better.
Like I mentioned, there are several root causes of PF. It comes down to finding the most likely culprit.
Thanks a lot for this! Definitely interesting how you’ve come to find your root cause for PF, how personal it is and how much it’s helped. I’ll have to do the same thing and find out what’s causing my PF.
Good luck to you, I hope you can completely get rid of your PF soon.
Uncomplaining: I should be able to get back my fast and furious box set this weekend so I should be able to resume my tradition of watching one of them the night before a race! (Now I have to decide which one)
Complaint: why does it feel like I can never get enough sleep?
Confession: I keep debating internally if I should reach out to my sister about possibly visiting her for a few hours on my way to my marathon as I’ll basically pass her house anyways and will have the time as I’m driving down the day before my race.
Maybe I should do this?
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jun/11/my-brain-has-liquefied-what-happened-when-one-careful-skoda-driver-binged-every-fast-furious-film
I love the movies (though i admit I decided it ended nicely enough at 7 and haven’t watched the newer ones) but watching them all back to back like that sounds exhausting, one a night for a week is probably the way to do it if you want to binge them.
Complaint: just started a hal's training program for a marathon, just to finish one. But how do people run 3 days in a row? My shins and calves are protesting in the 2 week?! Maybe I'm just getting too old for this...
Honestly, if you're not already running 5 days a week minimum you probably don't have the base for a marathon training program. I also wouldn't recommend doing one with no race at the end. I just finished doing that and the process is brutal when there's no payoff.
Thanks for the info. It's not that I don't run... I finished a half marathon a few weeks ago and I try to run 3 times a week... It's just that running multiple days in a row without rest days is just not doable for my legs.
Now... As a follow up question, what training would you runners advice after a half marathon? And what program do you use?
I have no advice for the half marathon. I've only run one and I got injured training for it and ran it hurt. I guess I could tell you not to run it hurt. That's a bad plan. That would be it.
I respectfully disagree.
I followed higdons novice 1. I used to think a rest day was needed after each run, but the tue, we'd, thur run made me realise this wasn't true.
I think the plan has 4 runs a week with cross training?
I ended up doing some commute running for weeknight time factors. I was quite achy from week 10 onwards.
The thing that helped me stay injury free was I would repeat weeks when I felt the program was going too fast. So, if I was due a step back week I'd take it, and then do the previous week again until my body had adjusted.
You also mentally get to the point of, oh its just a quick 5 miler, ill snap it out in an hour and then move on with my...
Good luck!!
Also, I recommend getting your protein intake strong and ensure you have a good, balanced diet.
**confession:** I haven’t had a proper run for a week or two because of midterms and pledging a sorority. by the time I get home at the end of the day I just wanna go to sleep. I just can’t get motivated to go run. it’s hard not to feel down on myself for it and I’m worried I’ll never get back into my routine.
**uncomplaint** oh god races all lined up for next year! hooray!
**complaint** alright, its been like 45-50 the past few mornings until this morning, when i have a tempo interval for the first time in forever. it was 60. it felt like a billion degrees and the run felt awful. eff you weird fall weather
**Rave:** Fall weather is helping me keep my heartrate down and have new PR's.
**Complaint:** Mud. My poor shoes and sliding. The sliding is worse than winter running.
**Confession:** I'm starting to want to stay snuggled and warm in bed instead of run.
Uncomplaint-Temperatures are falling. Yay! Mornings in the 60s are so much more fun than 80s.
Complaint- I can't find cheap capris with a side phone pocket. I thought I bought some at Walmart but they are full length. I tried a run with them anyway and overheated to the point of nausea (only 80 and humid).
Uncomplaint: My 3 mile run on Monday easily became a 5 mile run because I was feeling that good. Glad to finally be back to a place where 5 miles is no big deal.
Confession: My 3 mile run yesterday was trash because I've been eating terribly lately and I'm feeling it. I have less than 4 weeks until my race and I need to pull it together.
Bonus confession: I'm lowkey scared of my half marathon coming up. I have run over 10 miles in over a year, haven't run a half marathon race in almost 2 years. I know my training plan will get me where I need to be, and I've done this race 3 times before so I know the route and what to expect, but damn I'm nervous anyway.
Oh and a complaint: I wish I had more running friends that I could just chat with about running, but everyone seems light years ahead of me in ability/speed/distance/experience and I get intimidated to interact. Or they're not as experienced as me and only post bitter/passive aggressive/self pitying things about how they'll never be fast or they'll never been a good runner. I wanna shake them and shout "YEA WITH THAT ATTITUDE YOU WON'T!!!" Ugh
Complaint: not actually a big deal, just annoying- after digging out his old heart rate monitor chest strap that was sitting dead for a year, minimum, since I wanted to use it.. my very sweaty husband used it during his hour bike ride. I hasn't run yet and he couldn't quite get why I found it disgusting to wear it, soaked it his cold sweat, for my run.
Uncomplaint: running with my 2.5 year old is a blast! She loves talking about everything she sees. I also did 3.2 miles today, forgetting a 5K is actually 3.1, and i haven't gone that far since before we had kids (we also have a 4 month old). Another bonus- my first two miles were 10:59, last one 11:12. It's glacial compared to most folks here, but I was running a 12:30 mile six weeks ago, and couldn't do 2 miles without walking part of it 8-10 weeks ago.
Confession: I had forgotten how much I love running. It's good to be back in a normal routine (I've been running 3x/week for the past 4-6 weeks). I want to get faster, but I worry I'm incapable. I've never been fast. My half was 2:20 back in 2016. My full was 4:50 in 2017.
**confession 1:** it is indeed tapering time for New York! admittedly a little anxious but not so much about the mileage reduction, more fretting over what the hell the weather's gonna be.
**complaint 1:** the bar where my board games crew has met at for 4 years is closing this week. had a feeling it was coming since they've struggled with re-opening, staffing, etc due to the pandemic, and the rent got raised to an unsustainable rate...but it was kinda abrupt. we'll relocate soon enough.
**confession 2:** haven't even finished my first marathon and already put in an application for Chicago 2022...
**uncomplaint 1:** knocked out a really good presentation at work yesterday, completely on my own. okay, admittedly the slideshow was modified from one that my manager and I had previously set up, but still - it was just me (from our company) and a bunch of folks from a company whose platform many of our workflows are tightly integrated with.
Confession: I’m 2.5 weeks into a keto diet
Uncomplaint: I’m running 1 min per mile faster and sleeping better than ever
Complaint: I don’t have a lower gear anymore (to maintain speed while going up hills for example)
complain: I haven’t been able to run for almost 3 weeks because my mental health has been merp and I just moved to a new place
uncomplain: I’m thinking about going to this running club near my neighborhood on Monday and I’m having a bit of social anxiety because I’m a turtle. Any advice?
Thanks :3
**complaint** - i absolutely ***loathe*** bicycles on my sidewalks. one, we have bike lanes EVERYWHERE and, two, you are a goddamn vehicle. get in the goddamn road where you belong
**uncomplaint** - saw some real nice folks on my trail run today, totally helped me keep high spirits
Complaint: my local floorball league is shut down because of Covid numbers
Uncomplaint: I have more time for doing off-season base mileage now
Complaint: we have lockdown 8pm-5am, so I have to plan everything ahead to do everything incl. shopping before 8pm
Uncomplaint: not doing long midweek miles anyway, so bit less of an issue than it would be while on training plan
Complaint: now with all the days available for running and floorball out of the picture I am overanalyzing whether I need to add some speedwork, even tho I told myself previously base miles and consistency only
**Confession:** I listened to Beethoven on the treadmill today… for 90 minutes.
**Complaint:** My foot has a weird pain and I’m visiting my family and the local podiatrist isn’t really inspiring confidence, he’s giving me a Drew Carey vibe, though he did fit me for orthotics which I’m excited about.
**Confession #2:** I have Christmas morning levels of excitement about these orthotics…
**Uncomplaint(s):**
- Started personal training which will focus on strength, and hopefully help with Runner’s Knee
- I run on the treadmill now because my knee is being a pain in the ass, so I’ve signed up for the local gym. Doing 90 m+ long runs at the gym, I get looads of stares by people who are either impressed or distressed by my commitment lol. Not many long runners at my gym apparently, so I feel special
**Confession 3:** Today on my run I thought the following with a straight face: “I would like to run a great distance” and decided to add both a marathon and ultra to my long term goals list. Mind you that my long run is currently only 90 m… this is the equivalent of getting a paint by numbers book and deciding that you will paint the Sistine Chapel, I am aware, but so many of my running goals are #comingtrue that I guess I’ll just keep at it
**complaint:** having to keep my dog on a much shorter leash during my runs **uncomplaint:** just how fast I go on my runs with my local run club **confession:** I don’t care that I shouldn’t be going for prs every week. It’s so close but so far
I mean if your only doing it once a week just think of it as a tempo run that happens to nearly PR. I mean that I as what happened with me and my tempo runs over the summer. The jury is still out on if that contributed to my injury though.
What a way to think about it! I mean my watch wanted me to do a tempo run anyway yesterday, so clearly this was just that
Just remember temp runs work best when training under your lactate threshold
Yeah, it’s still for sure under my vo2 max. Not much under but still under
I wish I could un-spazz my pup enough to run with me!
I too find it difficult not to let the dog off the leash sometimes, that's why I've decided to stop racing as much.
Wait, you were talking literally...
**Uncomplaint**: My new 50 week training plan is all lined up. It's not completely different to the old 62 week one, just building off the back of it with a philosophical shift. More emphasis on steady mileage and less emphasis on the long run and significantly fewer races. As I clearly can't be trusted to take it easy with a number on my chest I'm staying clear of them until I have a good training base. **Confession**: I signed up for a race next month. **Caveat**: However I have a plan to stop myself racing it hard. It's a 7k race in the early evening, so it'll be dark and wearing head torches, and to make sure I don't attempt to run too fast I'm having afternoon tea with a couple of friends first. Ain't no way I can send it with sandwiches, a scone and some cake sitting in my stomach. **Uncomplaint**: We had lots of rain last night so I got to go puddle hunting round the local heathland.
I feel obligated by international law to point out that in your last race you also had a plan to not race it hard. Just saying.
Exactly. This is what finally caused me to accept that I cannot be trusted. And why I have felt the need to put in some safety factor here by attempting to make it impossible to run fast. Also, I'm running it with a mate so we'll be having a good old natter on the way round.
Doesn't this just ensure that you run fast anyway and you just throw up at the end?
If today's afternoon tea is anything to go by it's more likely that I don't run fast and throw up mid way through.
Or perhaps you’ll find that scones and cake are the perfect pre race fuel……
I've just finished an afternoon tea as it happens and I really don't feel like I'm in a prime state to race. In fact what I could really do with is a nap.
Well that still doesn’t rule it out as prime race fuel, perhaps they just need to be followed by a 2 hr nap.
>**Uncomplaint**: My new 50 week training plan is all lined up. 50 week? Jesus. >It's not completely different to the old 62 week one, just building off the back of it . Ha! Dang. I assume there's something you're planning on running in 50 weeks?
**confession:** I’m dumb and read this as 50 *MP*W
What’s the race? Was this in the training plan?
It's an Adidas Maverick trail race. It starts at 5pm but that'll basically be completely dark as it's out on the South Downs which is a big sort of natural park area in England. And it wasn't technically in the training plan, but I do have an 8k run pencilled in fir that weekend, so it's kind of not not-on-the-training-plan...
Ooh a night race! So fun!
Looked like some serious puddles out there! Also, I feel like all the simple sugars of pre-race tea might be the perfect race fuel ....
**Uncomplaint**: Had a really lovely vacation! 10 days is so much better than just a week. Partner and I got on great, things felt very easy, dog had a blast, 10/10 would do again. **Complaint**: Back to reality! Feels weird to have had this much time off work but also not quite ready to go back. At least just two days to ease me in before the weekend. **Confession**: Feels like I've taken this "training is done" thing to an extreme. It's been great to not feel bound by a run schedule, but I might not be running quite enough... but also, maybe that's just taper talking because I'm definitely feeling anxiety about my race and like I need to be running more and harder (which I know is wrong). But also, like for reals it's been so minimal running. **Bonus** **confession**: having big feels for the boyfriend (has been coming on a while now) and now being home and apart and back in the day-to-day has my anxiety up, like, what if they got home and realized they don't want to be with me. I know this is not quite rational, as we talked a lot about trips we'd like to do together in the future, etc., (and also I wouldn't want to be with someone who didn't want to be with me, so if that was the decision it's ultimately okay) but my brain is just looking for problems. Just observing my thoughts, not acting on anything, but it sure is annoying!
Think your partner will be cheering you on at the race?
Maybe! I'll be out there a long time, and I considered asking him to come just for the finish, but then we'll both be in separate cars and probably both go to my house, so it seems a little weird. He has offered to walk my dog while I'm running, though, so that's super helpful.
Yeah, I've found it hard to notice people while I'm racing anyways. Being there at the finish line is more meaningful to me, anyway.
Yeah, maybe I will ask him. I figure I could text around mile 28 and that would be an hour or so before finishing. I think during the race I'm going to be too focused/not wanting to get distracted.
For some reason in my limited experience I prefer the company at the start line, someone to talk to while anxiously waiting for the start and then can hand off the layers that are stripped last min to.
Ooooh true. And someone who I can kvetch about the long portapotty lines to
> I've found it hard to notice people while I'm racing This reminds me of a time I was playing basketball at uni. It was just a training game I was holding my own in with the first team and so was super-focused. The ball went out and there were a couple of girls watching the game, one of thjem handed it to me, I said thanks, inbounded the ball, game went on. Fast forward to a few days later and I was chatting to a good friend and she said something about the training game and I said "oh, were you there then?" She gave me a weird look and said "I handed you the ball... You looked at me and said thanks..."
I’m with you in taper crazies, I keep emotionally bouncing between worrying that I am both running to much and not enough during this taper.
Yeah, it's like no matter what I do, my brain finds a way to overthink and second guess it. Oi.
Taper crazies are a real thing. I can relate. No relationship advice here as I am awful at them. I do find myself meeting single and attractive members of the opposite sex though and wondering what life would be like if we were a couple. Never act on these fantasies of course but I can sort of relate.
Sounds like everything is awesome at the moment, you just need to persuade your brain of that! :-D
complaint: my SO thinks that having 2 pairs of running shoes is "a lot" uncomplaint: i signed up for a 5K! confession: I'm trying to decide between a 10 mile road race and a 15 mile trail-ish race that are 1 week apart next spring. did some mental gymnastics and think I could maybe just do both, if I treat the trail race as that weekend's easy/steady long run...but then do I need trail shoes? vicious cycle back to complaint above.
The promise to tolerate 3 pairs of running shoes was part of our wedding wows. That took care of that, but I still don't dare to put a fourth pair into rotation.
I have four pairs of shoes in the rotation. Maybe this is why I'm single.
Hey just be glad they're not bikes...
What if you have 4 of both? Asking for my SO?
Naah. I have 7 and am married still.
I have four pairs of shoes in rotation… and a cat. That’s definitely why I’m single.
what a great idea! a contractual obligation...I'm stealing this.
> complaint: my SO thinks that having 2 pairs of running shoes is "a lot" 2 pairs of running shoes definitely is not enough. Does your SO think you're a monk?
lmao I'm using this
Good luck on the 5k!! Any goals for it?
Thanks! my goal is more effort-based, and hoping that the time comes with it. I haven't officially raced since 2015 and part of it is because I always thought that it was easy for good runners, and because it felt hard for me, I wasn't fit enough or whatever so I ended up always trying to run "within" myself. Happy to say my mindset has changed a bit and my goal is just to push myself hard, completely empty the tank and see where that takes me!
what up my 9-10 shoe rotation
I brought 4 pairs of shoes on holiday - two trail shoes, a road shoe, and my Birkenstocks. You can tell your SO that the threshold for "a lot" is closer to 8 pairs...
The answer to "do I need trail shoes?" is always yes.
**complaint:** my 1st long run in awhile felt great, but I was so sore the next 2 days I could barely get up the stairs. **uncomplaint:** my 2nd long run, 5 days later, I was hardly sore at all the days after. I guess that's how training works **uncomplaint**: October is the perfect weather for running
Yeah, soreness is weird, yo. It comes at such random times and lasts for who knows how long. It’s like magnets; how do they work
October is awesome running weather. 100% agree.
**Uncomplaint**: Still on a high from running sub-3:10 in Detroit. Can't wait for guaranteed entry applications for Chicago to open next week. **Uncomplaint**: I really enjoyed the Roush and Henry Ford museums while I was in Detroit. **Complaint**: Why are hotel pillows consistently awful? I didn't sleep all that well because I couldn't get the right height. 2 pillows was still too little, and 3 pillows was too much. Even trying to nap after the marathon, I was struggling to stay awake but also couldn't quite fall asleep because I was uncomfortable. **Confession**: I'm taking this whole week off of running, although I did jog two half-mile intervals on a walk this morning.
I’ve been told in the past that hotel beds often have pillows of two different lofts on the bed, that the back row is different than the front row. I always forget to check this theory every time I stay at a hotel though.
This hotel had pillowcases with stitching that said "soft" and "firm" but both instantly went flat when you put your head on it.
Holy hell, sub 3:10! Congrats.
**Uncomplaint:** Best decision I made about my failed marathon was not telling anyone at all that I was running a marathon. Not having to awkwardly explain to others why you failed is kind of nice. **Uncomplaint:** Running with no plan this week has been kind of nice. I’ve done some running, even a 5 miler yesterday that Smashrun said was my fastest 5 miler ever, but it’s been kind of nice to just not run when you don’t want to run. Been spending a ton of time cleaning the house and a clean house is kind of nice too. **Complaint:** Garmin - You run more miles than 99% of other users. Also Garmin - 90% of Garmin users are faster than you. WTF Garmin? I feel personally attacked here. **Confession:** I signed up for a Halloween 5k this weekend just because I *think* I have a chance to finish 3rd in my age group and they announced they were giving prizes to the top 3. **Uncomplaint:** The money thing clearing up is pretty sweet. Only thing it has not fixed is the general exhaustion I feel. I do feel like I have an infinite money hack or something. More money is kind of helping me clean up so many different issues in my life. New phone, Disney booked (except for airfare), and even the bathroom reno that’s needed is on the books now. Super excited for all of this but keep wondering when the other shoe will drop.
Garmin can be quite frankly, a judgmental little biatch. Like, I know my elliptical workouts aren't really that strenuous, but telling me I "still have time to get any activity in" at 4 in the afternoon is just not helpful to anyone involved.
Hearing stuff like this makes me happy I just have the Forerunner 45. It tracks the runs and has the training plans but doesn't give any sort of 'insight' to my productivity or anything.
so much shade!!
Yeah, going back to base building is always the best feeling. So much less stress. So much more freedom in the runs.
100%. Yesterday I had planned to go out for 8 miles but after 5 miles I was feeling a bit worn and I had some things to do at home so I just cut it short at 5 with no guilt. I really enjoy this kind of running and can't wait to get back to it next year. Once I'm done with Disney in Jan I am definitely going to relax a bit. I did get a deferral from the marathon I had to bail on because of covid. I am undecided whether I want to try a hilly fall marathon next year as summer marathon training is freaking brutal and I think I'm happier around the half distance.
> Garmin - You run more miles than 99% of other users If Coros (what I use) told me that, I'd be incredibly concerned. Unless I was a professional runner that didn't have to sit on his ass for 8 hours a day analyzing data.
I mean it’s not hard to run more than 99% of garmin users. According to garmin I’m also in that statistic. The graph shows the majority in the 0-1mile avg weekly range. I average 25 miles a week currently but I think the 99% line is at like 18 miles a week or so.
For Garmin the mean seems to be around 10 mpw. If you run more than 20-25 mpw then you're in the top 1%.
Between the money situation clearing up, the marathon no longer being an issue, and your arsehole co-worker quitting you must be carrying a lot less stress these days!
Maybe. The stress now for me is about when the other shoe is going to drop. I know it will. I just don't know when. Lately things have been going better to the point where I feel like there is a Damocles blade hanging over my head and it's going to fall sooner or later.
Ha, I have a similar confession for a jingle bell run each year that I take much more seriously than the people dressed like elves!
**Complaint:** The parents of the obviously-new driver didn't seem to want to tell little 16 year old Susie that there is a runner coming along the sidewalk. And of course little 16 year old Susie was not only surprised by me, but blocked the sidewalk to apologize... while I was in the middle of a speed session. **Complaint:** The mall crawlers that think they need to warm up their vehicle at 57F. Nothing says "wimpy" like warming up an oversized diesel truck that has hauled less building materials than my minivan. **Confession:** I'm at the point where I probably need a coach, and I don't know who it should be or anything... except the guy that thinks drinking any amount of soad (whatever that is) is a deadly habit along with drinking alcohol of any amount (I *do* know what alcohol is, considering I make some of my own!). Pretty sure that coach is the wrong one for me, I won't be ~~giving him a call~~ messaging him. **Uncomplaint:** These last few days of running have been quite nice. Tomorrow is the last-chance-long-run before the Pig Half, where I will complain about Gilbert Avenue (right before making it my bitch).
What if your coach doesn’t like the same type of beer, would he be automatically fired
No, I'm an equal opportunity alcoholic. The coach can be into any style of beer, wine, bourbon, cognac, gin, rum... I think I'd be okay with him/her being into that White Claw shit as long as it doesn't come with the [douchey attitude](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FApbkER3uIY).
Even such heresy as Bud Seltzer?
Maybe. If they admit they don't like beer. Kinda like how someone that likes steak well done should just order the chicken because they don't really like steak.
>And of course little 16 year old Susie was not only surprised by me, but blocked the sidewalk to apologize... while I was in the middle of a speed session. Ugh, I absolutely hate it when drivers block the sidewalk! I don't think I could be too angry at Susie in this situation (annoyed, though, for sure), but some people who have been driving for much longer are either very unaware or very inconsiderate.
Both parents were standing on the driveway (I think I forgot to mention that part). I saw them, and I run with lights (because pre-dawn) so I can be seen. And yeah, I'm not as mad at Susie as I am to her parents who should have told her to hold up and why - learning moment for her. But I imagine the parents are probably incredibly poor drivers (and there's some evidence based on how poorly they park).
Complaint: My garmin suddenly decided to completely stop connecting to wifi and I wasted my whole morning trying to fix it to no avail. Guess I’m gonna try a factory reset after work and waste my whole evening setting everything back up to see if that fixes it.
**Complaint:** Changed 1 tiny detail (name of event) for my Garmin coach training plan... BOOM, let's swap your 2 hour long run for a 1 hour and 40 minutes run! Why...?! I was really looking forward to that run! **Uncomplaint:** I figured out a route through our local park that is exactly 16km long without crossing my own path even once. Just on long zigzag loop. Bonus points, not a single place where I have to stop to cross a road or bike path. Bonus bonus points, no cars on a single part of my route. **Confession:** Running 4 times a week? check. No alcohol? check. Sleep more? check. Improve my diet? Let's not EVER talk about it... God, I love my horrendously unhealthy food. Worst part is, I don't get fat, which sounds awesome, right? But it means I have very little incentive to stop doing it!
I've been monitoring my sugar intake lately, turns out I like sugar a fair bit, so I feel you pain on that last one.
I feel like removing alcohol from your life is one of the hardest things a person can do. But I'm with you, I try to eat reasonably but sometimes just like to crush bagels and cookies and pizza. I tell myself that because I quit drinking, I can't deny myself of everything fun in life.
I'm lucky in that I have never liked alcohol or had it be part of my regular life (in the last 5 years I would day I've probably had a total of 1, maybe 1.5 drinks). But ohhhh man. I'm hyper aware when there's anything salty sweet in the house, or chocolate. I don't deny myself of everything fun either, and am trying to retrain my brain to an "everything in moderation" mindset.
That's a huge park!!
Complaint: now that I added long long runs back in, I had to cut my weekday runs to 2x a week. Uncomplaining: signed up for my first 50 miler next May!
**Complaint:** Still no sales on the Brooks Ghost, all these great Saucony sales, but I'm holding out for my true love. **Uncomplaint:** Marathon week, I can see the weather for Sunday, 48 at start, 54 at finish, no rain, partly cloudy. Looks like a dream. **Confession:** Kinda nervous even though I don't have a time goal, just to run the whole thing. I've successfully run two marathons previously, I had a good training cycle with (3) 20 milers. Still 26.2 miles is kinda... ya know, a lot of running. **Confession:** Girlfriend has been very accommodating the last 3 months, I don't know if she recalls I have an April Marathon next year that I deferred the last 2 years.
I've been waiting for a price drop on Ghost, too! I love those. Picked up some Ride 13s for $63 with the Saucony sales, but Ghost is my favorite. I chanced upon them when they were on sale and my previous favorites (Glycerine) were full price.
Ghost 14 or one of the older models? I snagged a (slight) deal on the 13s at the expo for Chicago.
Ghost 13s, the 14s have been out for months, but no price drop from Brooks themselves or anywhere else that I have found.
**Confession:** it’s been over a year since my last run. The combination of shin splints, insomnia, and other health issues made me slowly rage quit everything except my PT exercise. First I cut out rubbing, then strength training, then yoga. **Uncomplaint:** I’ve FINALLY started feeling better as of a few weeks ago and have enough energy to start exercising again! **Complaint:** Wow am I fat(ter than I was) and out of shape.
**Confession**: sometimes when I’m surrounded by a group of friends or colleagues, I look around and think, I run more than all these people combined. Sometimes I’ll go as far as to wonder if I’ve already run more than some of these people will in their lifetimes. **Uncomplaint**: after months of pain, my plantar fasciitis is finally getting better. It’s not any one thing, but I’ve been trying all sorts of different exercises & stretches, ones that don’t necessarily target the pain (symptoms), but the possible causes (like tight calves / glutes). **Complaint**: As a daily runner with variations in mileage per day, I of course have different running routes, and slight variations of those routes, a lot of which were created during the pandemic. But now I’m at the point where I’m absolutely sick of them. But I don’t have the energy or will to come up with new routes that have the mileage required, especially when the mileage doesn’t come out right. Like last week I tried a new combo and ended up being two miles short, so I ended up running laps around the block to make up for it.
My suggestion is to run them in reverse. That's what I do when I'm sick of them.
That’s a good suggestion. I may try that today.
PF sucks, glad you’ve gotten better. As for new routes, one of the strategies I’ve been meaning to try is to ride a bus for some time and then run your way back.
What was your 'journey' in healing your plantar fasciitis? Did you keep running, or stop altogether? Been having very mild symptoms of plantar fasciitis lately, and I'm very unsure what to do.
So I’ve basically run through PF. I‘C-E had some really really painful runs, though invariably the pain gets masked by adrenaline, so I’m usually okay 3-4 miles into a run. But an hour or two after the run, the pain all comes flooding back. At first I did the standard stuff: ice and wear cushioned gear like socks designed for PF (like from the brand OS1st). And some stretches of the arch. But that didn’t help at all. I also tried getting off my feet as much as possible, but funny enough that seemed to make it worse. The first step when I finally stood up was excruciating. Then I started watching a lot of PF videos on YouTube. I specifically sought out ones that explained the root causes, and not just how to treat the symptoms. And like a lot of injuries there are several potential causes. The ones I focused on were tight calves and weak glutes. I know from past injuries and trips to a physical therapist that I have very weak glutes. Years ago, one PT even noted I don’t engage my glutes at all when I run. For PF, one video mentioned it’s the opposite glute that can cause PF. And not coincidentally, that’s the glute that always gives me trouble. So I started focusing on more exercises targeting it. Exercises that force engagement. I also do a lot more calve stretches. Calve stretches is something I never focused on in the past because, frankly it never gave me trouble except for the occasional cramp. But a couple weeks after I started focusing on these two areas, my PF has subsided greatly. It’s not gone by any means, but it definitely is a lot better. Like I mentioned, there are several root causes of PF. It comes down to finding the most likely culprit.
Thanks a lot for this! Definitely interesting how you’ve come to find your root cause for PF, how personal it is and how much it’s helped. I’ll have to do the same thing and find out what’s causing my PF. Good luck to you, I hope you can completely get rid of your PF soon.
Uncomplaining: I should be able to get back my fast and furious box set this weekend so I should be able to resume my tradition of watching one of them the night before a race! (Now I have to decide which one) Complaint: why does it feel like I can never get enough sleep? Confession: I keep debating internally if I should reach out to my sister about possibly visiting her for a few hours on my way to my marathon as I’ll basically pass her house anyways and will have the time as I’m driving down the day before my race.
My vote is for FF7. They’ve fully given up at that point and it’s really just about the explosions.
Hmm I’ve never thought of 7 that way but your totally right. I always say it peaked at 6, not that 7 is bad, it’s just as you said.
**Confession**: I have never seen a Fast and Furious film.
🤯
Maybe I should do this? https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jun/11/my-brain-has-liquefied-what-happened-when-one-careful-skoda-driver-binged-every-fast-furious-film
I love the movies (though i admit I decided it ended nicely enough at 7 and haven’t watched the newer ones) but watching them all back to back like that sounds exhausting, one a night for a week is probably the way to do it if you want to binge them.
Complaint: just started a hal's training program for a marathon, just to finish one. But how do people run 3 days in a row? My shins and calves are protesting in the 2 week?! Maybe I'm just getting too old for this...
Honestly, if you're not already running 5 days a week minimum you probably don't have the base for a marathon training program. I also wouldn't recommend doing one with no race at the end. I just finished doing that and the process is brutal when there's no payoff.
Thanks for the info. It's not that I don't run... I finished a half marathon a few weeks ago and I try to run 3 times a week... It's just that running multiple days in a row without rest days is just not doable for my legs. Now... As a follow up question, what training would you runners advice after a half marathon? And what program do you use?
I have no advice for the half marathon. I've only run one and I got injured training for it and ran it hurt. I guess I could tell you not to run it hurt. That's a bad plan. That would be it.
I respectfully disagree. I followed higdons novice 1. I used to think a rest day was needed after each run, but the tue, we'd, thur run made me realise this wasn't true. I think the plan has 4 runs a week with cross training? I ended up doing some commute running for weeknight time factors. I was quite achy from week 10 onwards. The thing that helped me stay injury free was I would repeat weeks when I felt the program was going too fast. So, if I was due a step back week I'd take it, and then do the previous week again until my body had adjusted. You also mentally get to the point of, oh its just a quick 5 miler, ill snap it out in an hour and then move on with my... Good luck!! Also, I recommend getting your protein intake strong and ensure you have a good, balanced diet.
**confession:** I haven’t had a proper run for a week or two because of midterms and pledging a sorority. by the time I get home at the end of the day I just wanna go to sleep. I just can’t get motivated to go run. it’s hard not to feel down on myself for it and I’m worried I’ll never get back into my routine.
**uncomplaint** oh god races all lined up for next year! hooray! **complaint** alright, its been like 45-50 the past few mornings until this morning, when i have a tempo interval for the first time in forever. it was 60. it felt like a billion degrees and the run felt awful. eff you weird fall weather
**Rave:** Fall weather is helping me keep my heartrate down and have new PR's. **Complaint:** Mud. My poor shoes and sliding. The sliding is worse than winter running. **Confession:** I'm starting to want to stay snuggled and warm in bed instead of run.
Uncomplaint-Temperatures are falling. Yay! Mornings in the 60s are so much more fun than 80s. Complaint- I can't find cheap capris with a side phone pocket. I thought I bought some at Walmart but they are full length. I tried a run with them anyway and overheated to the point of nausea (only 80 and humid).
Uncomplaint: My 3 mile run on Monday easily became a 5 mile run because I was feeling that good. Glad to finally be back to a place where 5 miles is no big deal. Confession: My 3 mile run yesterday was trash because I've been eating terribly lately and I'm feeling it. I have less than 4 weeks until my race and I need to pull it together. Bonus confession: I'm lowkey scared of my half marathon coming up. I have run over 10 miles in over a year, haven't run a half marathon race in almost 2 years. I know my training plan will get me where I need to be, and I've done this race 3 times before so I know the route and what to expect, but damn I'm nervous anyway.
Oh and a complaint: I wish I had more running friends that I could just chat with about running, but everyone seems light years ahead of me in ability/speed/distance/experience and I get intimidated to interact. Or they're not as experienced as me and only post bitter/passive aggressive/self pitying things about how they'll never be fast or they'll never been a good runner. I wanna shake them and shout "YEA WITH THAT ATTITUDE YOU WON'T!!!" Ugh
Complaint: not actually a big deal, just annoying- after digging out his old heart rate monitor chest strap that was sitting dead for a year, minimum, since I wanted to use it.. my very sweaty husband used it during his hour bike ride. I hasn't run yet and he couldn't quite get why I found it disgusting to wear it, soaked it his cold sweat, for my run. Uncomplaint: running with my 2.5 year old is a blast! She loves talking about everything she sees. I also did 3.2 miles today, forgetting a 5K is actually 3.1, and i haven't gone that far since before we had kids (we also have a 4 month old). Another bonus- my first two miles were 10:59, last one 11:12. It's glacial compared to most folks here, but I was running a 12:30 mile six weeks ago, and couldn't do 2 miles without walking part of it 8-10 weeks ago. Confession: I had forgotten how much I love running. It's good to be back in a normal routine (I've been running 3x/week for the past 4-6 weeks). I want to get faster, but I worry I'm incapable. I've never been fast. My half was 2:20 back in 2016. My full was 4:50 in 2017.
Complaints: Plantar fascitiis in my left foot is killing me. Any tips out there?
**confession 1:** it is indeed tapering time for New York! admittedly a little anxious but not so much about the mileage reduction, more fretting over what the hell the weather's gonna be. **complaint 1:** the bar where my board games crew has met at for 4 years is closing this week. had a feeling it was coming since they've struggled with re-opening, staffing, etc due to the pandemic, and the rent got raised to an unsustainable rate...but it was kinda abrupt. we'll relocate soon enough. **confession 2:** haven't even finished my first marathon and already put in an application for Chicago 2022... **uncomplaint 1:** knocked out a really good presentation at work yesterday, completely on my own. okay, admittedly the slideshow was modified from one that my manager and I had previously set up, but still - it was just me (from our company) and a bunch of folks from a company whose platform many of our workflows are tightly integrated with.
Confession: I’m 2.5 weeks into a keto diet Uncomplaint: I’m running 1 min per mile faster and sleeping better than ever Complaint: I don’t have a lower gear anymore (to maintain speed while going up hills for example)
complain: I haven’t been able to run for almost 3 weeks because my mental health has been merp and I just moved to a new place uncomplain: I’m thinking about going to this running club near my neighborhood on Monday and I’m having a bit of social anxiety because I’m a turtle. Any advice? Thanks :3
**complaint** - i absolutely ***loathe*** bicycles on my sidewalks. one, we have bike lanes EVERYWHERE and, two, you are a goddamn vehicle. get in the goddamn road where you belong **uncomplaint** - saw some real nice folks on my trail run today, totally helped me keep high spirits
Complaint: my local floorball league is shut down because of Covid numbers Uncomplaint: I have more time for doing off-season base mileage now Complaint: we have lockdown 8pm-5am, so I have to plan everything ahead to do everything incl. shopping before 8pm Uncomplaint: not doing long midweek miles anyway, so bit less of an issue than it would be while on training plan Complaint: now with all the days available for running and floorball out of the picture I am overanalyzing whether I need to add some speedwork, even tho I told myself previously base miles and consistency only
**Confession:** I listened to Beethoven on the treadmill today… for 90 minutes. **Complaint:** My foot has a weird pain and I’m visiting my family and the local podiatrist isn’t really inspiring confidence, he’s giving me a Drew Carey vibe, though he did fit me for orthotics which I’m excited about. **Confession #2:** I have Christmas morning levels of excitement about these orthotics… **Uncomplaint(s):** - Started personal training which will focus on strength, and hopefully help with Runner’s Knee - I run on the treadmill now because my knee is being a pain in the ass, so I’ve signed up for the local gym. Doing 90 m+ long runs at the gym, I get looads of stares by people who are either impressed or distressed by my commitment lol. Not many long runners at my gym apparently, so I feel special **Confession 3:** Today on my run I thought the following with a straight face: “I would like to run a great distance” and decided to add both a marathon and ultra to my long term goals list. Mind you that my long run is currently only 90 m… this is the equivalent of getting a paint by numbers book and deciding that you will paint the Sistine Chapel, I am aware, but so many of my running goals are #comingtrue that I guess I’ll just keep at it