Runners unite

[muycurioso]

I like to run, lately severe lack of motivation. I might just run some track events - 800 and mile. I am also worried about knees holding up. I cant go half way in a race. I have to run hard as a can. I compete against my age group. I like running on trails or grass, over pavement or dirt road. I did 5K in high school and took up running again in my late 40s. I have run 5K, 10k, 5 miles and a few half marathons. I once hiked 27 miles straight. MID MICHIGAN

 

[jlightfoot75]

Ok kind runners of Lit, I have a race this Saturday and I'm going to let myself buy some gear. I think I need a hydration pack of some kind because it will be super hot + 1600ft of elevation gain. What should I get? I don't anticipate ever running more than half marathon distance if that makes a difference.

I'll be honest, I have tried quite a few hydration packs and I'm not a huge fan. If there are water stations and I can refill I will take a hand held bottle. I have a 44-46" chest and bigger shoulders than your average mountain runner and they just never ride right on me.

Having said that, for some long distance runs that are unsupported I have needed to carry some form of filter and some rain/wind protection I have tried the Solomon, Aoinjie (AliExpress/Amazon) and the Decathlon.

Solomon - Did not fit me and it was black, very bad idea. Got so hot I ended up carrying it the last 20k

Decathlon - I liked the layout, but wasnt quite big enough. The fabric breathed really well and it was white so in spite of the fit it was much easier to wear.

Aonjie - came in 3 sizes so I took a large. Most comfortable fit for me and breathes quite well. Blue, so not quite as cool as the decathlon but still relatively cool.

I have given away the decathlon one and stuck with the Aonjie

 

[cbrRunner]

What animal hazards do people encounter while running?

I’m lucky in that there are generally not any significant animal hazards where I run. There is plenty of wildlife that I get very close too but none that have been threatening.

Though there have been recent reports of a wild boar where I run, and I’m a bit apprehensive about encountering it.

My most commonly encountered wildlife that can be hazardous are kangaroos, but they usually just watch disdainfully as I lumber by. The big males sometimes take a good look at me but have never been aggressive.

I see wombats and snakes occasionally but they also have never been a threat to me as they get out of the way.

 

[jlightfoot75]

Bears, cougar, elk, moose and off leash dogs depending on where I'm running. Of those the worst is off leash dogs. Most dogs are great (I have a dog myself) but there is always some asshole with an unneutered, aggressive purebread something or other. I also see a lot lot of Coyotes, but they have never caused me any trouble.

 

[cbrRunner]

Bears and cougars sound rather concerning!

 

[phil97405]

What animal hazards do people encounter while running?

I’m lucky in that there are generally not any significant animal hazards where I run. There is plenty of wildlife that I get very close too but none that have been threatening.

Though there have been recent reports of a wild boar where I run, and I’m a bit apprehensive about encountering it.

My most commonly encountered wildlife that can be hazardous are kangaroos, but they usually just watch disdainfully as I lumber by. The big males sometimes take a good look at me but have never been aggressive.

I see wombats and snakes occasionally but they also have never been a threat to me as they get out of the way.

The most significant animal hazards I encounter are people-- clueless people who are blocking the trail and are completely unaware of their surroundings. They sometimes have a couple of dogs with them that also help block the trail. At least the dogs usually seem to be paying attention, though!

 

[jlightfoot75]

Bears and cougars sound rather concerning!

I don't think so. If I run in bear country I carry bear spray and keep my eyes I open. I've never seen an actually cougar while running, only hiking, but see a lot of traces. They are pretty shy and avoid human contact generally

 

[muycurioso]

I have had issues with loose dogs. not bit tho

 

[cbrRunner]

I don't think so. If I run in bear country I carry bear spray and keep my eyes I open. I've never seen an actually cougar while running, only hiking, but see a lot of traces. They are pretty shy and avoid human contact generally

Yeah it often seems to be the herbivores that are actually more dangerous: cows, deer, moose, kangaroos etc

 

[Foxed]

I run 40mins a day, most week days, for fun, mental and physical health

 

[tallladiesman]

I started a couch to 5k last year, this spring I completed my first proper 10k, yesterday I did my first half marathon. Last 3 miles were tough but worth it

 

[Foxed]

Cool

 

[jlightfoot75]

Ran stair repeats Friday and hilly 10k on Saturday.
Then went for a ride in the mountains yesterday. I'm hurting all over today

 

[CX726577]

I started a couch to 5k last year, this spring I completed my first proper 10k, yesterday I did my first half marathon. Last 3 miles were tough but worth it

Congrats! The 1/2 is probably my favorite distance. I'm old enough where it takes me 5k to warm up.

 

[jlightfoot75]

I'm old enough where it takes me 5k to warm up.

This. My biggest gripe about racing these days is trying not blow when everyone starts out at 4:00-4:30 per km pace.

 

[mobleedzblue]

Been a busy 6 weeks or so. I’m officially 2 weeks out from my next half marathon. Ran 7.25 miles after a 31 mile bike ride last weekend. It felt good and so felt good. I’m hoping it translates to the big day.

 

[yvcam]

Congrats! The 1/2 is probably my favorite distance. I'm old enough where it takes me 5k to warm up.

I subscribe to you every word! The first 5Ks are all lies. And Yes, a half marathons my favorite distance as well

 

[jlightfoot75]

A 22km trail race with 600-700m of vertical this morning. It really kicked my ass, I'm going to need a few cold beers to forget the pain tonight.

 

[tallladiesman]

A 22km trail race with 600-700m of vertical this morning. It really kicked my ass, I'm going to need a few cold beers to forget the pain tonight.

That's some serious running, and well deserved beer

 

[jlightfoot75]

That's some serious running, and well deserved beer

Yeah, I was not ready for that much elevation. Need to run a lot more him repeats this summer. Nothing humbles you like 100-150m grind up a 20% grade

 

[ll74]

So I went to the foot doctor to check out what I thought was a stress fracture.

Turns out, just a metatarsal inflamed.

So now I have orthotics and need to break them in.

As soon as I found out, I went running again
....I'm so out of shape. But you gotta start somewhere.... Right?

 

[tallladiesman]

So I went to the foot doctor to check out what I thought was a stress fracture.

Turns out, just a metatarsal inflamed.

So now I have orthotics and need to break them in.

As soon as I found out, I went running again
....I'm so out of shape. But you gotta start somewhere.... Right?

The longest journey starts with the first step
Good luck

 

[MatMacL616]

Yeah, I was not ready for that much elevation. Need to run a lot more him repeats this summer. Nothing humbles you like 100-150m grind up a 20% grade

It feels tough to really being prepared to go up that kind of grade, it’s a grind even when you’re humming along on the flats and smaller inclines. Nice work, and heck yes, enjoy that beer

 

[MB0252]

Hi all. I've recently started doing Parkrun in an effort to get a bit more healthier.

I used to run a bit in my youth, but stopped for a number of years. Now that I've restarted, my mind clearly remembers what I used to do and seems to still think i can do that. However, that clashes hard with the current reality of being older and unhealthy.

I'm in the Liverpool UK area, so maybe see some of you at a Parkrun one Saturday

 

[cbrRunner]

Hi all. I've recently started doing Parkrun in an effort to get a bit more healthier.

I used to run a bit in my youth, but stopped for a number of years. Now that I've restarted, my mind clearly remembers what I used to do and seems to still think i can do that. However, that clashes hard with the current reality of being older and unhealthy.

I'm in the Liverpool UK area, so maybe see some of you at a Parkrun one Saturday

Parkrun is my thing.

I’m closing in on my 250th.

Do you use the Parkrun 5K app?

We try to incorporate a parkrun when travelling and look for places to go that will help with the challenges.

So far I’ve only been to 23 locations and sitting at 64% for the Alphabeteer challenge so I have a long way to go for that one. I am lucky in that I have local parkRuns starting with ‘Q’ and ‘U’.

Doing Bushy Park Parkrun is one of my bucket list items.