| Author |
Topic: PF Chang January 2007 |
eryn23
Cool Runner |
 posted Jan-05-2007 02:44 PM
   
troy~
I guess you are right, going out and doing a long run right now would definitely not make me but could break me at this point...still feels weird though 
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frankie71
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-05-2007 06:12 PM
Eryn Youve done all you can do. Putting in a bunch of more miles isnt going to make any difference. You have put in the miles needed during training. Your body is ready. Yes you are nervous and that is to be expected, its natural. Just focus on the finish line and the medal theyll be hanging around your neck. Think of all the good you did by raising the money you did and the good use it will be put to. Remember no matter what, you made a difference and that no matter what you went through in training and your marathon, its far easier than what those patients are going through! You'll do great Eryn! [This message has been edited by frankie71 (edited Jan-05-2007).]
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rhoon phast
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-05-2007 08:25 PM
Winter has its icy talons on us still. I ran to work this morning at a temperature of -33, then ran at lunch when the temperature had risen to -27, and ran home in the balmy -22 heat wave that passed for our high. Or close to it anyway. Running at these temperatures is funny, because the mind and the body are really always a bit confused. The mind gets confused because after you get below zero, the mind just says, "wow, that's cold." But the difference between -20 and -35 is a little harder to comprehend. "Wow, that's REALLY cold." I end up wearing similar clothing for both -20 and -35 because my comfort becomes less important, just safety. But there really is a substantial difference. At -20, I feel very warm wearing my -35 outfit. I knew a lady a few years back who was going to be spending winter in a place that got to -50. She said that she really couldn't get her mind to comprehend what that meant, but she figured she'd be fine because she had appropriate clothes for +20. The mind is funny. I helped clarify for her that the difference between -50 and +20 is 70 degrees. That's right, 70. That's just as much different as 20 and 90. And it really is that different. Well, -35 and -20 is only a difference of 15, but that's still quite a bit. We've had such a cold winter that -20 is starting to sound like nice weather. I looked back at the past couple months of weather history for King Salmon. In December, we met or exceeded the average high for the day on six days. In November, we met or exceeded the average high for five days. So here I am, running in -30 temperatures, and headed for Phoenix to run in temperatures ranging from 40 to 65. That's a range of 25 degrees, but all 25 have one thing in common. They're HOT! The cold end of that range is...drum roll please...70 degrees warmer than my run this morning. If it's 45 degrees at the finish and you're wondering why that one crazy guy has his shirt off...well, it might be me...and you can probably guess why. ------------------
Troy Running resume My running log
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JSM
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-06-2007 02:25 PM
Eryn,I've finished 5 full marathons and I can tell you that everyone who trains for a marathon like they should, go through what your going through. Since your in your taper, your body isn't used to having all this pent up energy, but come race day, you'll be happy it's there! Trust me when I say that there is nothing you can do from here on out to make your race any better, but there are a LOT of things you can do to make it not so great. Just trust in yourself and your training and you'll do great!! See you guys in Arizona! Aside from a layover there, this is my first time there!
Josh
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azredbirds
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-06-2007 02:59 PM
I'm trying to decide if you're going to like the weather or not....Obviously, it's not going to be great for you to run in, but before the marathon, you might actually like being able to go outside in shorts and a t-shirt without risking immediate frostbite or death.What part of Alaska are you in Troy? ------------------
Matt
azredbirds
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rhoon phast
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-06-2007 05:51 PM
Which part of Alaska? The really cold part...Actually, King Salmon, at the base of the Alaska Peninsula. That's the peninsula that leads off the southwest corner of the state and turns into the Aleutian Islands. It is not the more temperate Kenai Peninsula, where you can actually drive from Anchorage (you have to fly to get to our corner of the state) and the weather is much more temperate. Bristol Bay and the Alaska Peninsula, fondly (and sometimes not so fondly...) called the cradle of the storms... But some winters it's pretty warm here. It just depends on whether the wind blows from the southeast (off the Pacific, otherwise known as warm weather) or from the north or west (Alaska mainland, Siberia, or Bering Sea, otherwise known as the opposite of warm weather). When nothing is happening, as in no wind, the weather just settles in and gets colder every day. We've been in an amazing pattern of no wind, so we have just had this cold weather creeping in, taking up residence on the sofa, and flipping through channels with the remote. Every time it looks like a low pressure system is supposed to form, it doesn't do more than pass through the room next door and make our weather slightly readjust before laying back down on the couch. Did I mention it has been cold? I run with my dog most of the time. When winter comes, I usually leave the frisbee behind because I am never sure he'll let me know if he's too tired or thirsty, so I don't want to overdo it. But he always seems to think he's in trouble if we leave it behind. Since today was the last run over 7 miles before the race, and I wanted to make sure I was taking it easy, I went ahead and took the frisbee along. Didn't look at a watch before or after, just trotted along (at -19, like I said, it's been cold...) played fetch with the dog, and enjoyed the sun on the snow. Even with wind in my face on the way back it was noticeably warmer than the -30 days. I had one layer tied around my waist, and when we turned back into the wind I left it there all the way home. Now I have to decide what to do about shoes. I think my tired calves had more to do with frozen midsoles than anything else. Today they threatened to complain, but we had about an inch of new snow that hadn't been plowed, and by running on that I seemed to be able to satisfy those whiners. When it gets very far below zero, my shoe midsoles freeze solid. It's like running on boards. Nicely formed and shaped boards, but definitely boards. Every time I went out into the tracked portion of the road, it was pretty jarring. I like to alternate my shoes, and try to keep at least two models in circulation at all times. Now, I've got a great pair of Mizuno Renegades that I have put screws in for traction, and a pair of Adidas Cairos. The Mizunos are over 500 miles already, and I'm not sure they're worth bringing on the trip. On the other hand, some shoes last a long time for me, and if I ran with them in warmer weather I'd be able to tell whether they are actually fried or not. Can't tell anything when it is this cold and the midsoles are frozen. The Adidas have 300 miles (almost) on them. I have another pair just like them in the closet that I could break out. That would mean running in a pair of shoes that I know intimately, but that haven't been broken in properly. Hmmm. Blister potential. I think I'm going to take both pair of Adidas and decide after I get to Phoenix which to wear. If I run in Phoenix on Friday I should get a chance to evaluate the state of the older pair and I'll wear the new pair around all week here in the house and run a couple times in them to get at least a little bit of a sense of whether they need more. I didn't have break-in issues with the current pair of Adidas, so we'll see. I am looking forward to a bit of warmer weather. That's a fact. Edited to add:
I forgot to mention two noteworthy/interesting things about today's run. First, the boring gear-related one. When I throw a frisbee for the dog, my hands are more prone to getting cold. This is because the little fleece inside, stretchy outside (softshell) gloves I wear get compressed against the goretex mitten shells. At -30, this combination can barely cover for hand warmth when I don't touch anything, when I'm touching stuff (like a slobbery frisbee) the rating goes only to around zero. As a test, I tried a pair of neoprene rafting gloves under my goretex mittens. These are gloves I wear for rowing, and they also are what I wear snorkeling (with a drysuit) in the lakes and ocean around here. They are really nice gloves, and they worked like a charm. Now I'm wondering about trying out wetsuit layers for running in the cold...might not be bad. The second thing was an event, a what was I thinking type of event. As I trotted along, throwing the frisbee, I chanced to throw it, about 3.5 miles into the run, high into a spruce tree where it rested comfortably on the branches and looked like it might take a long winter nap. It was actually only about 11 feet high, but it still looked a bit daunting. Now I get myself into this exact predicament fairly often in the summer. But in the summer there are sticks laying on the ground I can usually employ to throw at and knock down the frisbee. Well, all the sticks are well buried at this point. I'm a much better jumper than distance runner, at least I used to be. After a couple years of no power work and all endurance, and wearing my layers for running, and standing on snow...maybe not. But I am tall, regardless of my jumping prowess at present, and I jumped up and managed to grab the end of the branch. And broke it off. And the frisbee didn't move. No longer a part of the branch in a place I might be able to jump to...so back to the sticks. Of course, they're buried in snow, which might also serve...except it has been so cold here that our snow is more like fairy dust. I tried to find a piece of crusty snow, but even the crust wasn't very impressive. Found a couple pieces and threw them up there, but the most promising piece I came upon was a sever disappointment as I threw it up and...it landed right next to the frisbee and assumed the same sleeping position. Oops. Trying to find a better angle to throw something, though who knows what that will be, I went in under the tree to see if I could throw something up under the frisbee instead of trying to jostle the branch by throwing something onto it. And there I find myself, under the tree, looking up and there is nothing in the way. Nothing. Because somebody has already been there and cut the branches off for whatever reason. Just a whole bunch of branch stumps for handholds...so I climbed up and got the frisbee. Like I should have done in the first place if I'd done a bit more research at the beginning. I got back to the house and was peeling layers...and found a piece of spruce branch stuck to me inside my coat. Hmmm. Take some of the woods home with you...I do.
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Troy Running resume My running log [This message has been edited by rhoon phast (edited Jan-06-2007).]
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dwelledge
Member |
posted Jan-07-2007 02:53 PM
I am leaving Thursday night for Phoenix, I can't wait. Good Luck Everyone, See Ya at the Finish
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tommy14277
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-07-2007 08:01 PM
At least for now, the extended forcast is not showing clouds or rain. 33 for low Sat. night with a high of 55 degrees on Sun. However, the low Sun. night could drop into the high 20's. Other than not having an overcast, I'd say it will be perfect day here in Phoenix to run a marathon! 
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kestrou
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-08-2007 12:53 PM
Here's the link: http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/fitness/tenday/USAZ0166?from=36hr_topnav_fitnesskestrou
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spinach
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-08-2007 02:00 PM
The weather is looking good. I always pack a pair of gloves to bring since I feel that if it is too warm for gloves then it is too warm, but usually I am disappointed that I don't wear them in a marathon. Maybe I will actually get to use them this time. The one thing I don't like about the forecast is the sun. I want a cloudy morning on Sunday. I remember the sun from two years ago, five of the last seven miles are running straight into the sun, due south, with no shade. It was a bit hot for a Northerner in January, even if I did grow up out there in Scottsdale. I am getting excited about the race, I have my doubts about the condition that I am in but I like the prospect of running a marathon of this size with a number in the 300s. I fly out on Wednesday to visit my family before the race. ------------------
MyUserProfile [This message has been edited by spinach (edited Jan-08-2007).]
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azredbirds
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-08-2007 03:58 PM
I'm going to be freezing before the start of this thing. I'll be fine once I start running, but man it's going to be cold standing around waiting.Speaking of waiting...What time are you folks who are riding the shuttle buses going to get there? I've heard some horror stories from past years, so I was curious if you guys were going to get there real early or not. I ran/walked my 10 miles on Saturday...Knee isn't 100% obviously, but so far it's tolerable. Hopefully, it'll hold together through Sunday...I can rest it after that. ------------------
Matt
azredbirds
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Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-08-2007 05:28 PM
You are so funny, Rhoon Phast, I may be the one in long thick tights, two layers of shirts and a vest, gloves, hat, ear warmers and still shivering if it is in the 30s at the start.
It better be dry!!
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mollysmuppet
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-08-2007 06:51 PM
quote:
Originally posted by azredbirds:
I'm going to be freezing before the start of this thing. I'll be fine once I start running, but man it's going to be cold standing around waiting.Speaking of waiting...What time are you folks who are riding the shuttle buses going to get there? I've heard some horror stories from past years, so I was curious if you guys were going to get there real early or not. I ran/walked my 10 miles on Saturday...Knee isn't 100% obviously, but so far it's tolerable. Hopefully, it'll hold together through Sunday...I can rest it after that.
We're really thinking about cabbing it to the start line and then meeting a friend at the finish to take us home. Our vacation home is right near the 20-mile mark so worst case we could always walk too. I've heard so much about the shuttles, I'm really hesitant to take them (plus I'd like the teensy bit of extra sleep). We're flying down on Friday, I can't wait to get to the start line already!
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rhoon phast
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-08-2007 11:34 PM
Haven't thought about logistics yet...I'm sure it will be a peach since five wings of my family are going to be around and some are walking the half...we'll probably end up spending the entire day Saturday in a situation room mapping out our strategies for who rides in what cars...you think I'm kidding...groan...Ilene, I'm sorry, I must have misunderstood...did you say...tights? Surely you aren't really going to do that? You'll roast! If the start is in the 30s, I'll grant you a long sleeve shirt, but TIGHTS!!! Just say no. But make sure your shorts match your top...the boomer fashion police will expect no less...(and you should know...or are you wrongly accused? I can give you my pre-race fashion, if you can call it that in my case, report right now, starting from the ground up. Adidas Cairos in silver and navy with a touch of red, blue Smartwool socks, black Brooks trail shorts, white sleeveless Nike shirt with a royal blue neckline, and finally, a blue gear running hat with Brooks Lodge and a bear catching a fish on the front, and the critical accessory of my black Amphipod waist carrier, which I use to carry my camera for races, though when they made it they meant it for CD players...). I've got the taper jitters now. Today was a commute day, 2 miles to work, 3 miles lunch run, 2 miles home. This is actually a pretty decent thing to do in below zero weather because it means my midsoles are soft for most of my mileage. The morning run was COLD (...Ilene, you can wear tights for this one...actually that isn't quite enough, better add one more layer on top of the tights...) at -28, but it had warmed up to a balmy -10 by lunchtime (cooled back to -17 for the homeward commute). When I started off at lunch time, I had gone less than 1/4 mile and all of a sudden my knee went twang. Like in Nashville. I was running along and TWANG!!! and there I was hopping up in the middle of my stride, trying to revise the landing pattern since I had alarm bells ringing and a four-alarm response starting in my head. Then I took stock, decided it really couldn't be anything serious as I don't have knee problems, and figured I just needed to work out the kink. Tried to hobble a couple steps with a pigeon-toed stride. Didn't work. Tried duckfooting it, that didn't work either. Stopped for a minute to twist and stretch, started back up again, no problem. Weird. Welcome to the taper. I also have to consciously hold back the miles. Got to the 3 mile turn around and had to make an effort to remember that this was not a day to extend it a bit...after all it felt pretty good by then. Got to keep from sabotaging myself. Taper away, and prepare your fashion reports so we can regale Ilene with our splendid (and otherwise) race appearances. I thought about running in the tie-dye SPAM shirt (see profile), but it is cotton, so I haven't really thought about it seriously... edited because I needed to slow down and think before I wrote this, and failed to do so...
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Troy Running resume My running log [This message has been edited by rhoon phast (edited Jan-08-2007).]
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mollysmuppet
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-08-2007 11:39 PM
quote:
Originally posted by rhoon phast:
Ilene, I'm sorry, I must have misunderstood...did you say...tights? Surely you aren't really going to do that? You'll roast! If the start is in the 30s, I'll grant you a long sleeve shirt, but TIGHTS!!! Just say no. But make sure your shorts match your top...the boomer fashion police will expect no less...(and you should know...or are you wrongly accused? I can give you my pre-race fashion report right now, starting from the ground up. Adidas Cairos in silver and navy with a touch of red, blue Smartwool socks, black Brooks trail shorts, white sleeveless Nike shirt with a royal blue neckline, and finally, a blue gear running hat with Brooks Lodge and a bear catching a fish on the front, and the critical accessory of my black Amphipod waist carrier, which I use to carry my camer for races, though when they made it they meant it for CD players...).
No kidding, I ran down there over the holidays and shorts and a tank top were about all I could handle without overheating. I'll wear sweats to the start and strip them off right when we start running (planning to hit Goodwill the day before). Our dogs got us running singlets for Christmas that had BRIDE and GROOM on them - we were going to wear them for the marathon but instead we decided to wear them for a 5K the weekend before our wedding. So I'll be in a white tank and black shorts, he'll be in a white T and black shorts - we'll really stand out LOL But seriously if you see a couple that looks like this, it's us. 
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tommy14277
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-09-2007 06:22 AM
That too, is what I had in mind... Pick up an 'ol pair of sweats at a "thrift" store for a $1. Go to "Wally World" for a pair of those white gloves for $1 and a stretchy head band for $1. That way I can throw-away the sweats just before the start and ditch the gloves & head band at some point into the race.Even at a much smaller event, they want you to check the items for storage way too early, so I can imagine what it will be like at this mega-event. May be wrong, but I thought I read that everyone will be shuffled into their respective corral's about an hour b-four the gun? The other solution to staying warm before the race is... Look for a few members of the opposite sex that are cold and shivering... Suggest a group hug! 
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kestrou
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-09-2007 10:01 AM
A picture of my attire (for pre-race review by the Fashion Police ) is at the bottom of page 9 of this thread. Besides the sweats that I'll toss, may also wear a garbage bag for the first mile or two (one of those big contractor cleanup bags that's "ankle length" but big enough to take a stride in).Do you veterans think it will be windy? Also, how about sunglasses - recommended? We'll all be running in 120 hours!!! kestrou
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spinach
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-09-2007 10:33 AM
I will probably be wearing a shorts, a singlet, and gloves for the race although I may bring a long sleeve running shirt also. I always wear sunglasses and I will definitely have them for the race. I don't know if they are needed but 5 of the last seven miles are heading due south, depending on your time you may be hitting this stretch when the sun is high and bright in the south if there aren't any clouds so you may find glasses useful. I stopped at a second hand store yesterday and bought a long sleeve button shirt for 99 cents that I will wear at the start and toss when I feel it is no longer needed. The forecast I saw is for light winds sunday. Good luck all and enjoy. ------------------
MyUserProfile
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BillyVLT
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-09-2007 10:48 AM
Kestrou,I've lived in the Phoenix area most of my life and I've done the race once before. I don't know if I count as a veteran. That said, I'd very surprised if it was windy on race day. One of the problems we have in the Valley of the Sun is that the air gets trapped by an inversion layer in the winter. There usually isn't a lot of wind or weather to stir it up the atmosphere, so we sit in our brown cloud that the cars we love so much provide. If we do get rain (Thu-Sat), the air will be nice and clear, sharp even, so much so you may find it hurts your eyes. In short, perfect. I don't like sunglasses. I wear a cap so I have a sunshade. If you are used to wearing sunglasses, I would definitely bring them. Best of luck!
Billy [edited for grammar error] [This message has been edited by BillyVLT (edited Jan-09-2007).]
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sandert
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-09-2007 10:59 AM
Hi there, I haven't been checking in often, but I am running the HM on Sunday. I did it last year with my 14 yo son in 2:35. This year he decided not to do it. I did a full in October and am in the middle of training for a full in Feb, so I am expecting a nice PR, may even get close to 2 even.
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Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-09-2007 04:58 PM
WELL!! Okay, I suppose I could wear shorts and a short sleeved shirt, as long as I can have sweats on until I heat up, and a long lawn and leaf bag, gloves, hat, and a group hug like Tommy suggested. Hmmmm, maybe thigh high socks with those running shorts.
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arizona
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-09-2007 07:24 PM
I'm glad I am not the only one worrying about what to wear so that I don't freeze before the race and roast during the race. Glad that I stumbled onto this thread.
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mcsolar99
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-09-2007 09:14 PM
it's just another early morning workout... my pre-race routine with clothes will be the same as during MP and speed workouts for the past month: easy warmup jog in tights, neck gaitor, warm winter hat, gloves, long-sleeved thin tech top with short-sleeved thin tech top above that. mp3 player playing the standard warmup (ilene: that's solarmix1 through "precious"). strip down to shorts, baseball cap, sunglasses, thin gloves, and the same two tech running shirts. review the course in my head, with water stops and planned gels. review paces and splits. take a deep breath, and let out a HUGE smile. runners to your mark....
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rhoon phast
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-10-2007 01:52 AM
My thermostat is going to be off kilter now. The temperature has been steadily climbing over the past four hours, and it is now firmly above zero (14 degrees and rising...). I remember what to wear when it is 40 degrees and warmer. I don't remember what to wear when it is between 15 and 25...oh well. Less than I have been, more than I will in the race.I'll be arriving in Phoenix Friday morning and going straight to the expo from the airport. If there is anybody else that expects to be there at that point and wants to put a face with a name, email me or post here and I'll try to find you or vice versa. As of right now, the forecast couldn't be more perfect (sorry Ilene). Wind forecast has now changed from a slight headwind to a slight tailwind, with blissfully cool temperatures (but sunny, sorry spinach). Good luck everybody! edited to say:
mollysmuppet, love that your dogs got you two Christmas presents. I think I have about the best dog ever, but he's never managed to buy me presents. We'll have to work on that.
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Troy Running resume My running log [This message has been edited by rhoon phast (edited Jan-10-2007).]
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frankie71
Cool Runner |
posted Jan-10-2007 12:15 PM
Another valley native who ran the full last year. I wore Nike Drifit shorts, a long sleeve tech shirt and a Nike DriFit shirt over the long sleeve tech shirt. About midway through the race I pushed up my sleeves and was fine. I ran my 20 miler in training like that too just to see how it would be. I think though that if I were running it this year, I wouldnt wear the long sleeve shirt under my short sleeve again. Id have just a cheap long sleeve t over my ss shirt and when it got warmer, pitch the ls shirt. Just my .02------------------
Frankie wait for something big to occur. Start where you are, with what you have and that will always lead you into something greater."
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