Running / Triathlon Thread

[YChang 3437]

Just finished the Lifetime half in Chicago. Didn’t train for this as much as I should have with our hot ass TX summer. Didn’t PR but still finished at a respectable time (for me). Talk about perspectives. It’s 74 today. Glorious. Was talking to a girl from Minnesota who was complaining to me how hot it was. 

[Clintonaldo 2572]

I had an absolute blast stripping wetsuits today at the Chattanooga Ironman and it was nice to see it from that perspective for a change. I highly recommend volunteering for an event if it is close to you. I went back down about mid afternoon to watch run transition and I cannot wait to suffer there next year. 

[HornOnTheBayou 8883]

I went for a run around the neighborhood this morning in a long-sleeve tee.

[Clintonaldo 2572]

Hit a milestone last Saturday and at almost 43 years old I did a 1:28 half marathon. Felt good

[pearlandhorn 3269]

Anybody doing Waco 70.3 next October? I definitely will be doing it. First IM event and I’m super stoked.

Just had my second 20 mile training run for Houston. Ready to start swimming and biking more.

[Clintonaldo 2572]

I am 6 IPA’s deep and have an 18 mile trail race tomorrow where I go down Lookout Mountain Ga and the last 3 miles are almost straight back up. I can possibly win my age group even though my first ever trail run was last week. Fuck it, we’ll do it live!!!  Weather will be a balmy 33 at the start. 

[Clintonaldo 2572]

19 hours ago, Clintonaldo said:

I am 6 IPA’s deep and have an 18 mile trail race tomorrow where I go down Lookout Mountain Ga and the last 3 miles are almost straight back up. I can possibly win my age group even though my first ever trail run was last week. Fuck it, we’ll do it live!!!  Weather will be a balmy 33 at the start. 

Things I learned…. It was a 19.3 mile race his year for reasons no one will ever understand. There was 5500 in elevation climbing today. I am not a trail runner. 

[UrbanAchiever 276]

Haven't really checked in here like I have in the past. Had an up and down '23. Highs were PRs in the 5K (16:22), 10K (34:30) and Half (1:14). Took 2 minutes off my 10K and nearly 6 off my half which I'm thrilled with considering I'm 45. I switched run clubs and coaches in February, and it paid off. I had a terrible full in Chicago (2:52), but the highlight was just participating in the marathon that Kiptum set the new world record in. That was two bad marathons in a row so gotta figure that out next year. 

Edited December 18, 2023 by UrbanAchiever

[pearlandhorn 3269]

Tapering for Houston right now. Reflecting back, it’s kind of surreal that I couldn’t run a mile without stopping 3 or 4 years ago. Now I’m about to try my second full marathon. A real testament to hard work and just having fun.

Good luck to everyone this winter!

[YChang 3437]

Running my first Houston full. I just want to finish it… not that confident I can run the whole thing. 

[pearlandhorn 3269]

13 hours ago, YChang said:

Running my first Houston full. I just want to finish it… not that confident I can run the whole thing. 

Best of luck to you.  Weather is shaping up to be a beautiful morning!

[Clintonaldo 2572]

On 1/8/2024 at 11:38 PM, YChang said:

Running my first Houston full. I just want to finish it… not that confident I can run the whole thing. 

Get the miles in. You can do it. 

[YChang 3437]

What an awesome feeling finishing my first full marathon. 5:05 pace. Congrats to all that completed the Houston marathon today. 

[pearlandhorn 3269]

On 1/1/2024 at 6:21 PM, pearlandhorn said:

Tapering for Houston right now. Reflecting back, it’s kind of surreal that I couldn’t run a mile without stopping 3 or 4 years ago. Now I’m about to try my second full marathon. A real testament to hard work and just having fun.

Good luck to everyone this winter!

Second marathon. 3:49. Over an hour shaved off from last year. Fuck yeah.

[YChang 3437]

20 minutes ago, pearlandhorn said:

Second marathon. 3:49. Over an hour shaved off from last year. Fuck yeah.

That’s freaking amazing!!!

[pearlandhorn 3269]

1 hour ago, YChang said:

That’s freaking amazing!!!

Congratulations on your finish as well! See you next year!!!

[HiggyBaby 2525]

Novice runner here, just turned 50. Always been more of a gym strength/cardio guy. I thought it would be nice to maybe run a half marathon by the end of the year. I tested out where I am this morning. Ran 2 miles at an 11:30 pace. I thought that I probably could’ve gone three but that might’ve been pushing it. Any tips on building longer endurance? What should my weekly run pattern look like? I’m on the road a lot, but can still get runs in for the most part. I’ll hang up and listen. 
 

[LCHorn 2596]

44 minutes ago, HiggyBaby said:

Novice runner here, just turned 50. Always been more of a gym strength/cardio guy. I thought it would be nice to maybe run a half marathon by the end of the year. I tested out where I am this morning. Ran 2 miles at an 11:30 pace. I thought that I probably could’ve gone three but that might’ve been pushing it. Any tips on building longer endurance? What should my weekly run pattern look like? I’m on the road a lot, but can still get runs in for the most part. I’ll hang up and listen. 
 

I think at your age you need to focus on adding mileage until you’re at 15-20 per week and then you can work on trimming time (tons of advice on the web for how to do that). 

[LCHorn 2596]

Also, if you want to do my routine it will get you there fine-I run 30 minutes on Tuesday and Thursday and then do 5 miles or 60 min, whichever is longer on Saturday morning (I also do resistance workouts and I’m sure you’ll want to continue doing those, as well).  Maybe once a quarter I will do 10 miles on Saturday (usually when the family is out of town).  
 

You can play with speed training (if you want) during the week and then just worry about the miles on the weekend run.  Probably the biggest challenge for you is going to be to not add miles too fast (I.e., if you can only do 6 miles a week right now, trying to gut out 10 might be possible but it also might result in injury).  That’s one reason why I’d suggest just running for time right now and not for miles.  If you have to walk, that’s fine, too.  It’ll help get your feet ready. 

[HiggyBaby 2525]

Thanks. Yeah, I’m going to need to figure out a way to balance lifting and running for sure, but that helps. 

[Clintonaldo 2572]

On 2/18/2024 at 11:28 AM, HiggyBaby said:

Novice runner here, just turned 50. Always been more of a gym strength/cardio guy. I thought it would be nice to maybe run a half marathon by the end of the year. I tested out where I am this morning. Ran 2 miles at an 11:30 pace. I thought that I probably could’ve gone three but that might’ve been pushing it. Any tips on building longer endurance? What should my weekly run pattern look like? I’m on the road a lot, but can still get runs in for the most part. I’ll hang up and listen. 
 

don't worry about pace right now. Add a mile to your longest run every week.

[MonkeyDoughnut 10203]

On 2/18/2024 at 11:14 AM, LCHorn said:

I think at your age you need to focus on adding mileage until you’re at 15-20 per week and then you can work on trimming time (tons of advice on the web for how to do that). 

53 here... huge Hal Higdon fan. Everything needed is free on his website - click on level and scroll down and will see training calendar. Has apps if that's your thing too.  https://www.halhigdon.com/training/half-marathon-training/

I really liked the - just do this - here's a plan, you'll be good approach. There are likely better programs for time, etc but highly recommend his plans until you decide you need something else. Off running days perfect for working in lifting (something I wish I did/do more of)

Just know on any of the running programs, "run" usually means at a pace where you could hold a conversation with someone while doing it.  ie. slow down while building up distance to avoid injuries.

I'll usually just repeat a program or time things (repeat a week, etc) so hits race weekend accordingly.

Edited February 20 by MonkeyDoughnut

[Clintonaldo 2572]

I’ve been averaging 30-35 miles a week but have a half marathon coming up in late March and I want to hit another sub 1:30 so did a track workout today for the first time in 5 months and holy fuck it’s sucked. I ran 3 miles easy and did 8x 400 at race pace and then another mile slightly slower than race pace. My legs were shot and just reaffirms why speed work is so important. 
 

I will knock this half out and then it’s the Chattanooga 70.3 in May and Chattanooga 140.6 in September. 

[pearlandhorn 3269]

On 2/20/2024 at 4:41 PM, MonkeyDoughnut said:

53 here... huge Hal Higdon fan. Everything needed is free on his website - click on level and scroll down and will see training calendar. Has apps if that's your thing too.  https://www.halhigdon.com/training/half-marathon-training/

I really liked the - just do this - here's a plan, you'll be good approach. There are likely better programs for time, etc but highly recommend his plans until you decide you need something else. Off running days perfect for working in lifting (something I wish I did/do more of)

Just know on any of the running programs, "run" usually means at a pace where you could hold a conversation with someone while doing it.  ie. slow down while building up distance to avoid injuries.

I'll usually just repeat a program or time things (repeat a week, etc) so hits race weekend accordingly.

Love the Hal Higdon stuff.  I used his Marathon 3 to train for the Houston Marathon this last year as I wanted to also incorporate cycling and swimming into the program as I'm gearing up for triathlons this year (Olympic in May and 70.3 Waco in October).  I hit every single long run called for and really dialed in in 2023 running upwards of 40+ miles per week during the summer to build the aerobic base.

[MonkeyDoughnut 10203]

14 minutes ago, pearlandhorn said:

Love the Hal Higdon stuff.  I used his Marathon 3 to train for the Houston Marathon this last year as I wanted to also incorporate cycling and swimming into the program as I'm gearing up for triathlons this year (Olympic in May and 70.3 Waco in October).  I hit every single long run called for and really dialed in in 2023 running upwards of 40+ miles per week during the summer to build the aerobic base.

I wish I would have done similar early on. Worked great for me when first starting, especially for Half Marathons (my favorite distance).  When I finally decided to try a couple full marathons it was clear I needed more non-running activity to really "enjoy" the actual race.  I did 2 and finished both but didn't have a great experience either time. I'm starting back up now incorporating more strength and speed work.  As @Clintonaldo mentioned - speed work should not be avoided.  Everyone I knew doing that changed to incorporate speed work religiously shaved a ton off their times along with having much better race experiences. 

[pearlandhorn 3269]

59 minutes ago, MonkeyDoughnut said:

I wish I would have done similar early on. Worked great for me when first starting, especially for Half Marathons (my favorite distance).  When I finally decided to try a couple full marathons it was clear I needed more non-running activity to really "enjoy" the actual race.  I did 2 and finished both but didn't have a great experience either time. I'm starting back up now incorporating more strength and speed work.  As @Clintonaldo mentioned - speed work should not be avoided.  Everyone I knew doing that changed to incorporate speed work religiously shaved a ton off their times along with having much better race experiences. 

Agree with the speed work.  The first marathon I did (Houston 2023), I did the training with my wife who is unquestionably slower than me.  We did the beginner marathon plan to cross the finish line.  It did NOT go well and left a bad taste in my mouth.  I signed up for 2024 the same day I finished 2023 and changed up my training, ran at my own pace, and shaved over an hour off my time from 2023.  Marathon 3 was absolutely fantastic.  Maybe not for someone doing their first marathon as the mileage is already pretty high at the beginning.

[Clintonaldo 2572]

When I pr’d my half last year ( 1:28) is when I started taking track workouts seriously ( as in doing them for the first time) and it all made sense on race day at mile 8. I knew then I was running a sub 1:30. It isn’t so much the lungs as it is the legs and the lactic acid. 

[pearlandhorn 3269]

3 minutes ago, Clintonaldo said:

When I pr’d my half last year ( 1:28) is when I started taking track workouts seriously ( as in doing them for the first time) and it all made sense on race day at mile 8. I knew then I was running a sub 1:30. It isn’t so much the lungs as it is the legs and the lactic acid. 

My PR for half marathon is a 1:45:40.  I'm slowly working my way down as I continue just getting mileage in and doing speed work every other week.  I've only really been running for three years.  I have a half marathon this weekend but I will probably just run it with my wife.

We're heading out to Vegas at the beginning of August for the Revel Series Mt. Charleston downhill marathon.  Meeting some friends out there.  It's a Boston Qualifier but I won't touch 3:05:00 which is the cutoff for my age bracket.

[Clintonaldo 2572]

23 minutes ago, pearlandhorn said:

My PR for half marathon is a 1:45:40.  I'm slowly working my way down as I continue just getting mileage in and doing speed work every other week.  I've only really been running for three years.  I have a half marathon this weekend but I will probably just run it with my wife.

We're heading out to Vegas at the beginning of August for the Revel Series Mt. Charleston downhill marathon.  Meeting some friends out there.  It's a Boston Qualifier but I won't touch 3:05:00 which is the cutoff for my age bracket.

If you can run 1:45 you can run 1:30 if that is even a goal for you. You are on the right path. Make the easy runs easy and the hard runs hard. 

[Clintonaldo 2572]

Went to the factory and picked up this bad boy today. If you would have told me 3 years ago what I would be spending on 2 bikes I would have laughed in your face. 

[pearlandhorn 3269]

On 2/24/2024 at 2:24 PM, Clintonaldo said:

Went to the factory and picked up this bad boy today. If you would have told me 3 years ago what I would be spending on 2 bikes I would have laughed in your face. 

Let me know when you want to sell one lol

[pearlandhorn 3269]

Anybody up in the NE Texas area interested in a fantastic run, the Fresh 15 put on by Brookshire's is this weekend.  Fantastic race that is well put on and supported by the community up there.  They have a 15k, 5k, and kids K option.  They routinely sell out in advance (sold out about 2 weeks ago for this year's race).  The race is tomorrow but they immediately open up the following year's race the day after the race.  All money goes to local charities.  This will be my 4th year running it.  Since it's put on by Brookshire's grocery, they always have tons of food vendors giving out free stuff as well.  Just a heads up.  Have a great weekend everyone.

[PDX_Horn 24]

Any trail runners on here? Thinking about running Sky Island in Fort Davis in September 

Info: https://trailroots.com/sky-island

[Clintonaldo 2572]

Did an event with the Chattanooga triathlon club where you swim and run the Ironman 70.3 course today and bike it tomorrow. The water was cold as hell and had a hard time getting settled in but finished it in 35 minutes. Most only ran one loop on the run but I was feeling good and there was a hot 23 ish year old as we were coming up on the point where you turn back or do another loop and she said let’s do another one so I said why not. Finished the half marathon with a 1:40 and not a hard pace. This is the best I’ve ever felt before an Ironman. The look on my buddies face when they saw me running back with the hot chick made it all worth it. Also, the 5 Miller Lites at the luncheon after were the best I’ve ever had. 

[Clintonaldo 2572]

I will make this my own personal blog if y’all don’t want to contribute to the thread. I rode the course today and it was 53 and windy with light rain. Overall, felt great and almost ran a few after but decided to get beers instead. 
 

I had my first wreck on my new bike. I pulled into an aid station and clipped and went to put my foot down and for the first time ever flawlessly clipped back in on accident ate shit in front of everyone. I was embarrassed for 32 seconds when someone else fell. I thanked them and we both laughed. 

[pearlandhorn 3269]

On 4/21/2024 at 12:35 PM, Clintonaldo said:

I will make this my own personal blog if y’all don’t want to contribute to the thread. 

Please do.

I’ve switched from running full time to triathlon training. I’ve got an Olympic at the end of May in Austin and I signed up for the 70.3 in Waco in October. Really excited about it.

I did the Mt. Charleston Marathon at the beginning of April out in Vegas and ran a 3:31. I also volunteered for IMTX last weekend and had a great time. 

[Clintonaldo 2572]

Tomorrow makes 2 weeks out from Chattanooga 70.3 and while I was going to be 3 weeks sober for it I’m afraid it’s going to end up being 2 weeks as cinco de mayo cannot be missed. 
 

I was going to ride 40 and run 6 but it was raining and didn’t want to risk wrecking in the rain so I went to the Y and swam 40 minutes, bikes for 1:25 and ran 6 miles outside. By the run, it was getting sunny and humid which is perfect. I felt good overall and could have probably ran 7 min miles but cruised at 8. 
 

I won’t taper until next week and from now on I will be running at lunch time to acclimate to the heat. I think a 5:30 finish is doable. 

[Clintonaldo 2572]

Did a 10k today for something called Dolly Fest and the race was called the Dolly Dash. Dolly Parton was married here so they make a yearly thing out of it.

Anyways, the absolutely most rewarding thing I’ve ever done as I volunteered with Addie Ray Racing which is an organization that helps special needs kids compete in events.


Jacob and I won our age division and his mother said he was enjoying his ride

[Clintonaldo 2572]

5:29:55 finish

37 on swim

2:45:14 on bike

1:54:22 on run

Big Dog ate today. 791 out of 3,275 at 43

[pearlandhorn 3269]

Great job man!

[Clintonaldo 2572]

On 5/21/2019 at 10:21 PM, Clintonaldo said:

I am really fighting the urge to do the Ironman 70.3 next year in Chattanooga after watching several people I know do it last Sunday.I really don’t want to buy a $2,500 bike and all of that shit but I cannot shake the feeling of wanting to challenge myself as half’s are starting to get boring and I want to progress and push myself. Am I an idiot?

lol you naive little fuck. You now have 2 bikes and 2 wetsuits. I swear I think car racing would have been cheaper. 

[pearlandhorn 3269]

16 hours ago, Clintonaldo said:

lol you naive little fuck. You now have 2 bikes and 2 wetsuits. I swear I think car racing would have been cheaper. 

A lot less time consuming too, right?

[Clintonaldo 2572]

3 hours ago, pearlandhorn said:

A lot less time consuming too, right?

lol oh yeah. I forgot to mention I probably about to spend $600 on a decent trainer since I value my life and would like to stay off the roads as much as possible. 

[pearlandhorn 3269]

8 minutes ago, Clintonaldo said:

lol oh yeah. I forgot to mention I probably about to spend $600 on a decent trainer since I value my life and would like to stay off the roads as much as possible. 

I bought a used Kickr off FB marketplace for $600.  Can't remember the version but it was barely used and on the newer side.  I only needed to replace the cassette on it.

I'm planning on getting a new bike within the next few months for Waco 70.3 in October.  Right now I'm still on a road bike but plan on a tri bike.

[Clintonaldo 2572]

39 minutes ago, pearlandhorn said:

I bought a used Kickr off FB marketplace for $600.  Can't remember the version but it was barely used and on the newer side.  I only needed to replace the cassette on it.

I'm planning on getting a new bike within the next few months for Waco 70.3 in October.  Right now I'm still on a road bike but plan on a tri bike.

I did first two 70.3’s on a road and this last one on a tri bike. There is a difference and I have been very pleased with my QuintanaRoo

[pearlandhorn 3269]

2 minutes ago, Clintonaldo said:

I did first two 70.3’s on a road and this last one on a tri bike. There is a difference and I have been very pleased with my QuintanaRoo

The road bike I have right now is too small for me even though it's a 60 cm Trek.  I went to a guy in Houston and he told me, based on my build, that I was limited to Cervelo.  I'm heading up to the Woodlands in a few months to Bike Lane to speak with them about it.

[Jerry Callo 8685]

On 4/30/2024 at 5:31 AM, pearlandhorn said:

Please do.

I’ve switched from running full time to triathlon training. I’ve got an Olympic at the end of May in Austin and I signed up for the 70.3 in Waco in October. Really excited about it.

I did the Mt. Charleston Marathon at the beginning of April out in Vegas and ran a 3:31. I also volunteered for IMTX last weekend and had a great time. 

Well, how'd it go?   I suspect the run was brutal with the heat. 

[pearlandhorn 3269]

3 hours ago, Jerry Callo said:

Well, how'd it go?   I suspect the run was brutal with the heat. 

It went pretty well actually, all things considered:

41 minute swim (slowwww), 1.25 hour bike, 50 minute 5k. Total 2:55 which is a lot better than I could have hoped for considering this was my first Olympic and second tri event.  Last lap of the bike, the sun came out and it was just sweltering, so humid. First mile of the run was a 7:45 and I had to slow down because I knew I couldn’t sustain that speed through the whole 10k. 
 

I’ll be in the pool a lot this summer. I also plan on getting a tri bike for Waco in October. Definitely learned a lot about nutrition while on the bike this event. It was incredibly fun and I’m pretty happy with the experience! Thanks for asking!

[Clintonaldo 2572]

11 hours ago, pearlandhorn said:

It went pretty well actually, all things considered:

41 minute swim (slowwww), 1.25 hour bike, 50 minute 5k. Total 2:55 which is a lot better than I could have hoped for considering this was my first Olympic and second tri event.  Last lap of the bike, the sun came out and it was just sweltering, so humid. First mile of the run was a 7:45 and I had to slow down because I knew I couldn’t sustain that speed through the whole 10k. 
 

I’ll be in the pool a lot this summer. I also plan on getting a tri bike for Waco in October. Definitely learned a lot about nutrition while on the bike this event. It was incredibly fun and I’m pretty happy with the experience! Thanks for asking!

It is the most fun and frustrating thing I have ever done. When I was driving to the race a few Sunday's ago I realized I forgot my pump and I wasn't going to have enough time to turn around and go get it. I had pulled over on side of the road looking for it and I just starting punching my truck saying this is the dumbest sport ever and I hate it. It's just so much stuff you have to bring on race morning plus you are crammed in there with 3,500 other people trying to get last minute stuff done on the bike. Luckily, a buddy was at the Y and I was able to catch him as I was pulling in and he had a pump and brought it for me.

 

Congrats on the finish and maybe I will see you in Waco next year.

[pearlandhorn 3269]

On 5/28/2024 at 7:31 AM, Clintonaldo said:

It is the most fun and frustrating thing I have ever done. When I was driving to the race a few Sunday's ago I realized I forgot my pump and I wasn't going to have enough time to turn around and go get it. I had pulled over on side of the road looking for it and I just starting punching my truck saying this is the dumbest sport ever and I hate it. It's just so much stuff you have to bring on race morning plus you are crammed in there with 3,500 other people trying to get last minute stuff done on the bike. Luckily, a buddy was at the Y and I was able to catch him as I was pulling in and he had a pump and brought it for me.

 

Congrats on the finish and maybe I will see you in Waco next year.

Thank you very much!  First one is always the toughest.  One thing that I was extremely pissed at myself for forgetting was my tri belt to pin my bib onto for the run.  I figured it was one of those things that all triathlons gave you and just left mine at the house, not thinking I'd need it.  I ended up just pinning the bib onto a pair of running shorts and throwing those on when I finished the bike.  Definitely won't be forgetting that for Waco.  Bike pump was taken though but I agree, it's a whole lot of shit you have to plan out, which I enjoy.

If you do Waco this year, please let me know!