5.25.2012

Running Related Tidbits (2)

The last week has been a bevy of running related experiences. I am going to share a few of them with you.

- I went to see my parents last weekend. My dad had a 5k race on Saturday so I ran with him. I am not going to write his recap for him (Dad -- I need your race report by noon tomorrow) but he did great. We started off at a "conversational" pace. He runs naked (sans Garmin) so he runs according to how he feels. He is also very modest. I think he thinks he runs a 9 minute mile, but we were clocking in between 7 and 8 minute miles the entire time. He ended up with a 23:xx and an average pace of 7:54 (or thereabouts). He also got 2nd in his age group. I am so proud of him. He has always been an inspiration to me and is the main reason I am as active as I am today!

- Last weekend I volunteered for a 50k race. I was at one of the aid stations, giving water and food to all the runners. To get to the aid station, I had to run to it, which was a ten mile run. I started at 7 a.m. and ran with the guys who do the course markings (flour and ribbons), which took about 2.5 hours. Then we handed out aid (with a group of boy scouts who were a kick in the pants -- how old are they? 50 or 15?) to the runners, which was SO inspiring. They were fast, slow, young, old, big and small! I think I am ready to follow their footsteps and try my own ultra! After the race, which was HOT, we ran the 10 miles back to the car. I made some new (great) friends and had a very good time!

- I am looking to buy a hydration pack/vest. I want something that is not too big, doesn't bounce around (naturally), holds about 2 liters and has pockets on the front straps/waist belt. Abbi suggested the Intensity and I also looked at the HPL#020. What do you guys think? Any suggestions?

- On Wednesday night I decided to go join up with a trail running group. I did it mostly because the Brooks rep was going to be there and so I got a chance to wear test the Pure Connect, which is a low drop shoe which is quite light. I actually wanted to try the trail running shoe, the Pure Grit, since I am thinking about buying a trail runner and wanted to test a couple out before buying. I generally wear Asics because I like to have a wider toe box, but would be open to trying something different! I want it to be fairly light and have a rock plate if possible (I like the Fuji Racer, but have heard negative reports about the holes in the bottom). Do you have a trail running shoe you can recommend?  

- As for the group run, the shoes were pretty good! And I am not sore at all: not feet, not legs, not sore! I have to admit, I tried the Brooks Glycerine and am not a fan. But maybe next time I need a new shoe, I will get the Connct. But for now, I will stick to my Asics. Other than the shoes, the run was okay. I still ran alone, which is what I prefer. And I've run in the area before, so it wasn't even like I found a fun new running trail. I really don't think I am a group running type person. I like to run at my own pace. I did notice a lot of folks running in little groups, so maybe it's great for them, but I don't think it's for me. It was nice to test out the shoes though.

- I signed up for race #6 of 12 in 2012: See Jane Run Half Marathon in Alameda on June 3rd. This will give me the opportunity to run a flatter (read: non trail) race to see how my road running fitness is going. After that though, I am back to the trails on June 23rd for this race, which I think I will do as a 30k. There is also a marathon and a 50k, which as John pointed out, would make me a Maniac (3 marathons or longer length in 90 days) if I did one of those instead.

Have you ever run as a pacer/bandit/friend with someone at their race? Are you a maniac? Do you like going on group runs (and if so, why)?

Don't forget to go to Jill's for other Fitness Friday posts!

15 comments:

  1. I have never ran as a pace/bandit in a race, or ran a race with someone for the whole time! I am not a maniac and I don't think I ever will be as I don't know if my body is built for that kind of mileage in that short of a period of time! And it's not in budget to do that many races as the entry fees really add up (I'm on a super strict budget right now). I do run in a group. I will run with mine 3 times/week after the CFA. I like running with them. It's nice to have other people out there on the paths with me. I rarely run an entire workout with someone, though. I will run with people during the workout and then find my own pace typically. So it's the best of both worlds!

    Your dad is speedy! Way to go!!

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  2. I'm more of a solo runner but getting into the trails has made me a bit of a group runner, simply because I prefer having someone nearby when on trails and I don't know a lot of trails around here. I like running with others but all the coordinating is the part I don't like as much!

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  3. Wow! You ARE a maniac! Ha! In a good way of course! I would like to find someone that would run with me as a pacer, but I feel so bad because I'm slow!! At my best I'm at about 12:00, the only times I ran with other people I felt like I slowed them down and felt so self conscious. I honestly get anxiety when I think about doing it again. A friend asked me yesterday if I wanted to run Dam to Dam with her and I almost said no... We'll see though. It's next weekend!

    I didn't know until a few weeks ago that it was called running "bandit" if you haven't registered! Ha!

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  4. Ok so you ran 10 miles...handed out water forever...then ran 10 miles back...yeah you already are a maniac! I've paced friends in 5ks and things like that but not longer. I was going to jump in with a friend this year at Boston to pace her but yeah...too hot for me thank you very much!! You should totally go for an ultra! You would do great!!

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  5. I'm no hydration pack expert, but I'd say anything that is designed with a woman in mind should trump something that is supposed to be unisex or was designed for a man.

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  6. Your dad is awesome! I always think it's so cool when I read about runners running with their parents:) So awesome volunteering at that race. Wow, 10 miles to get to the water spot and 10 miles back! You rock! I like to run with friends, but haven't done a group run in years. I probably would end up by myself anyways.

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  7. Now I know where you get your speed from! Your Dad is speedy! I've been wanting a pair of Brooks but after running in the Altras I really like a wide toe box so I may not love them once I try them on.

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  8. I am still on the lookout for a good hydration pack. I have issues with bouncing and bottles falling out! Love the Brooks Pure Connect :)

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  9. What a great running week for you! I am so impressed by your dad. Very inspiring. And I would love to volunteer at a race someday. I have no help on all the trail running and accessories, but look forward to hearing what you find that works for you! Someday I hope to do more trail running.

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  10. Congrats to your dad!!! So amazing. (did he meet the deadline?)

    So cool about the trail race. What an amazing day!

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  11. I have never found a water vest or belt that I like... but the one you link to in the post seems nice... my son was in the military and he got us some camel back packs... I use them on hikes, but I'm not really a fan of carrying much when I run. Great Post!! You are such a witty writer, it was a great read!! thanks for stopping by my blog! :)

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  12. See Jane is mighty tempting…but a half would be so ugly on me right about now :P. Your dad is awesome!!! About the hydration packs…I think Aron (Runners Rambles) reviewed a couple during her 50-miler training.

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  13. I have paced Chad during a few of his ultras. He uses me in the beginning to slow his pace. He tends to go out too quickly.

    WTG dad!! Nice [enviable] pace :)

    Now you have me wondering since I've decided to run a 50K do I need a hydration vest? I'm not a maniac yet but maybe after my 50K :)

    I'm also on the search for trail shoes. With running trail runs more often for training I think I will need them.

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  14. Which Asics do you use right now? I'm trying out the Brooks Pure Flows as I work my way back to running, but I've always been an Asics person (my last shoes before injury were the 2170s--that's a lot of shoe).

    Congrats to your dad! I'd love to get my 5K back into the 23s.

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  15. Congrats to your dad! I run with my dad whenever I can, but right now he can totally leave me in the dust.

    I'm a huge fan of the connects. No advice on trail shoes though.

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