Road Runners.

[stevetheupsguy]

I forgot to add that my center manager, knowing that I was running a marathon on Sunday, gave me the option of doing a paid actual on an easier route for the day today. I chose to stick to my route with my helper, who was my hero today. I didn't have any problem stepping in and out of the pkg car, but walking up and back from houses was MUR...DER. I stopped by my chiropractor after work for a little physical therapy, which has really helped. Tomorrow should be much better.

 

[brownmonster]

I forgot to add that my center manager, knowing that I was running a marathon on Sunday, gave me the option of doing a paid actual on an easier route for the day today. I chose to stick to my route with my helper, who was my hero today. I didn't have any problem stepping in and out of the pkg car, but walking up and back from houses was MUR...DER. I stopped by my chiropractor after work for a little physical therapy, which has really helped. Tomorrow should be much better.

And you do this running thing for fun?

 

[stevetheupsguy]

And you do this running thing for fun?

Dude, it's a blast!

 

[whiskey]

I forgot to add that my center manager, knowing that I was running a marathon on Sunday, gave me the option of doing a paid actual on an easier route for the day today. I chose to stick to my route with my helper, who was my hero today. I didn't have any problem stepping in and out of the pkg car, but walking up and back from houses was MUR...DER. I stopped by my chiropractor after work for a little physical therapy, which has really helped. Tomorrow should be much better.

OMG. Your pace stats brought back memories of Boston. One time I went out to fast and crashed and burned around Boston College. With about two miles left, in a cold, light rain, I was vomiting on the wooden tighes of the trolley tracks. I had both hands on the train tracks. I could hear the breathing of the runners as the passed behind me. There were trees in the area. I don't recall exactly where I was. I could hear the soft pitter patter of sneakers hitting the pavement. I was in la la land. A man came over to me and said I should move, that a train was coming. I looked down the tracks and saw a bright light. I didn't care. But I got out of the way anyway. And I laid behind a tree. After some time had passed, I got up,and walked the last two miles.
Steve, I really think your PR will be in Boston.

 

[soberups]

I drove down to Eugene today to watch a U of O women's basketball game with my sister. After the game, I drove past Hayward field and up onto Skyline Blvd which is where Steve Prefontaine wrecked his car and died back in 1975. The rock that his car hit is now called Pre's Rock and there is a small memorial there where people come to pay their respects and leave small mementos and messages. A lot of runners who win a medal in a race will go to Pre's rock and leave their medals there. The city comes by periodically and removes them but more things show up every day. I get goosebumps when I visit that place; as an 8 yr old I attended the track meet at Hayward that Pre ran in a few hours before his death and I remember that day very clearly.

 

[moreluck]

Are they going to build a mosque there ??

 

[tieguy]

works for me. its the american way

 

[Jones]

I drove down to Eugene today to watch a U of O women's basketball game with my sister. After the game, I drove past Hayward field and up onto Skyline Blvd which is where Steve Prefontaine wrecked his car and died back in 1975. The rock that his car hit is now called Pre's Rock and there is a small memorial there where people come to pay their respects and leave small mementos and messages. A lot of runners who win a medal in a race will go to Pre's rock and leave their medals there. The city comes by periodically and removes them but more things show up every day. I get goosebumps when I visit that place; as an 8 yr old I attended the track meet at Hayward that Pre ran in a few hours before his death and I remember that day very clearly. View attachment 4868

Very cool Sober, thanks for posting that.

 

[whiskey]

Ran four miles of the Boston Marathon course today. There were hundreds of Dana Farber charity runners getting in either a 10 or 20 mile workout. It was fun to chit chat with them for a bit. I almost entertained the thought of training for this years race as a "bandit". Because The BAA welcomes bandits.

 

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

I ran cross country in high school and am familiar with the term "rabbit" but I have never heard of the term "bandit". What is a bandit?

 

[Jones]

Bandit means running in the race without registering.

 

[whiskey]

Bandit means running in the race without registering.

An acquaintance of mine once ran the Boston Marathon as a bandit. He ran the best race of his life, 2 hours and 21 minutes. He was in his 40's, so if he had a number, he would have placed in that division. So, impulsively, at the finish line, he said his number had fallen off during the race, and he gave the name of a friend of his who was a 240 marathoner. Not a good move. His friend ran the race of his life and didn't get any credit for it because of the selfishness of the 221 guy. It was awful. It ruined their friendship. This happened in the late 1970's.
Not to change the subject but , "WAR EAGLE!!!" I cannot fathom a duck being a national champion. Sorry Pre.

 

[stevetheupsguy]

Okay, so it's been 4 months since my last run, and that was my marathon, which of course I Re-BQ'd at. So I started back slowly, only logging 8 miles my first week, with my best run @ 7:30 pace for 2 miles. This Saturday I will try to run a straight 5 miles at this same pace. On another note, I've been hearing a lot about minimal shoes and forefoot running, which got me to thinking. I decided I would try to run on my forefeet in a quasi minimal shoe. I ran this past Tuesday. It was raining and (warm) windy, which felt really good. I quit, after a mile at a 7:23 pace, thinking I didn't want to push too much, too soon, though i felt like I could continue for few more miles. I did not let my heels strike the ground, at all.

That was 2 days ago, and let me tell you how much pain I have in my calves right now. Every step I took today was agonizing, but I think this will work for me in the long run, literally and figuratively. BTW, the pain I feel is not from having broken/torn/sprained/strained something. The pain is from working muscles that haven't been used, REALLY HARD!!!

 

[Cementups]

Careful you don't bounce too much running in the form. You can tend to do that when running on your forefeet. I used to do that a lot in high school till my cross country coach pointed it out. And remember, just cause it's the hot topic doesn't mean it's the best for you. I personally am sick of reading articles and seeing ads pushing Vibram five fingers. Ugh, just do what feels right for you.

 

[tourists24]

Okay, so it's been 4 months since my last run, and that was my marathon, which of course I Re-BQ'd at. So I started back slowly, only logging 8 miles my first week, with my best run @ 7:30 pace for 2 miles. This Saturday I will try to run a straight 5 miles at this same pace. On another note, I've been hearing a lot about minimal shoes and forefoot running, which got me to thinking. I decided I would try to run on my forefeet in a quasi minimal shoe. I ran this past Tuesday. It was raining and (warm) windy, which felt really good. I quit, after a mile at a 7:23 pace, thinking I didn't want to push too much, too soon, though i felt like I could continue for few more miles. I did not let my heels strike the ground, at all.

That was 2 days ago, and let me tell you how much pain I have in my calves right now. Every step I took today was agonizing, but I think this will work for me in the long run, literally and figuratively. BTW, the pain I feel is not from having broken/torn/sprained/strained something. The pain is from working muscles that haven't been used, REALLY HARD!!!

From the things I have read, you should start at very very short distances and focus on proper form before tackling longer distances. I know there is no way in *(#@ I will ever try it myself but I know a few who swear by it. Keep us updated

 

[stevetheupsguy]

Careful you don't bounce too much running in the form. You can tend to do that when running on your forefeet. I used to do that a lot in high school till my cross country coach pointed it out. And remember, just cause it's the hot topic doesn't mean it's the best for you. I personally am sick of reading articles and seeing ads pushing Vibram five fingers. Ugh, just do what feels right for you.

From the things I have read, you should start at very very short distances and focus on proper form before tackling longer distances. I know there is no way in *(#@ I will ever try it myself but I know a few who swear by it. Keep us updated

@ both of you guys. I'm a TOTAL heel striker, and I've noticed on my really long runs, my back drops down and my heels are crushing the pavement, so I'm just doing this to improve my stride/posture. I'm also hoping this will alleviate the groin issue I've been having. I'll definitely keep you posted, though i'm surprised that you can't hear me screaming as I walk, right now.

 

[Jones]

Barefoot running drills on grass are a good way to work on your form, but this whole "barefoot running" craze that's going on right now is just a fad. You don't need vibrams to work on your form, just relax your feet and keep your footstrike under your hips, that will prevent you from heel striking. Don't worry about consciously trying to run up on your forefoot, most elite runners are midfoot strikers anyway. If it's not a natural thing for you you're just going to get injured by forcing yourself to do it.
Top two finishers at Boston. Note the midfoot strike. Perfect form.

[video=youtube;rV7E6Qi5ifg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV7E6Qi5ifg&feature=player_embedded[/video]

 

[stevetheupsguy]

Barefoot running drills on grass are a good way to work on your form, but this whole "barefoot running" craze that's going on right now is just a fad. You don't need vibrams to work on your form, just relax your feet and keep your footstrike under your hips, that will prevent you from heel striking. Don't worry about consciously trying to run up on your forefoot, most elite runners are midfoot strikers anyway. If it's not a natural thing for you you're just going to get injured by forcing yourself to do it.
Top two finishers at Boston. Note the midfoot strike. Perfect form.

[video=youtube;rV7E6Qi5ifg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV7E6Qi5ifg&feature=player_embedded[/video]

Agreed! I'm not wearing those weird shoes, LOL, just trying to run more efficiently. I'm a total heel striker, and I think this is causing problems elsewhere. My calves, this morning, are finally feeling some relief, ahhhh. That being said, I notice that I hardly incorporate my calves into my stride. I use my quads mostly, so I need to get some unity going here.

 

[brownmonster]

I'm all for alleviating groin issues.

 

[whiskey]

Great advice from Jonesy explaining the mid foot strike. I was always a heel striker but was told 10 years ago that heel striking was a braking mechanism. So I tried to strike more on the ball of my foot and calf injuries soon followed. I carry a lot of weight. I would love to mimic the elite runners, but I just can't do it without injury. I'm back to heel striking. But I'm still running.