The Running Thread - 2019

[Chaitali]

Mostly on concrete sidewalks in my neighborhood but I try to drive to paved trails for my long run so it can be on asphalt. A bit of treadmill thrown in an occasional natural surface trails.

 

[JulieODC]

Almost always asphalt.

2-3 times a year on packed dirt on a rail/trail - miss that!!

 

[BikeFan]

In runner-geek news, the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) announced they're adding a 50K option this year! This is interesting for a few reasons. It's certainly the first time I've seen a major US marathon add an ultra option, and it's the first (and only, to my knowledge) big ultra in a major city. All the other big US ultras like Leadville, Badwater, Western States, etc., are in parks and/or rural settings. They're only allowing 500 entrants in the 50K. It'll be interesting to see if this event fills (I'm guessing it will - lot of ultra runners around here) and if it triggers more interest in ultras (hard to say). It would be great to see a big, Comrades-style ultra here in the US.

Just when I was thinking I was done with the MCM for a while, they announce this. Inaugural events are so tempting! Hmmm.....

Anyone else interesting in this?

 

[FFigawi]

In runner-geek news, the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) announced they're adding a 50K option this year! This is interesting for a few reasons. It's certainly the first time I've seen a major US marathon add an ultra option, and it's the first (and only, to my knowledge) big ultra in a major city. All the other big US ultras like Leadville, Badwater, Western States, etc., are in parks and/or rural settings. They're only allowing 500 entrants in the 50K. It'll be interesting to see if this event fills (I'm guessing it will - lot of ultra runners around here) and if it triggers more interest in ultras (hard to say). It would be great to see a big, Comrades-style ultra here in the US.

Just when I was thinking I was done with the MCM for a while, they announce this. Inaugural events are so tempting! Hmmm.....

Anyone else interesting in this?

I would love to do this! I imagine the 500 slots will sell out in seconds, especially for the inaugural year. It'd be amazing if they could build it to even half the level of Comrades.

 

[BikeFan]

I would love to do this! I imagine the 500 slots will sell out in seconds, especially for the inaugural year. It'd be amazing if they could build it to even half the level of Comrades.

You very well may be correct re selling out in seconds. This announcement already has nearly 400+ comments on their Facebook page, and the MCM itself is already sufficiently popular that they went to a lottery several (2013?) years back. Of course, that was also before they drastically increased pricing, too. Prior to the lottery, the marathon was only $100, and they sold out in less than a day or so. About two years ago, they raised the fee to $160, and it's $180 now. I don't know how much that's affected demand, but both years I entered the lottery, I got an entry, as did all my running club. In fact, every runner I know who entered the MCM lottery got a bib, so who knows the actual numbers these days? Anyway, the 50K registration opens at 12 noon EST on Feb. 27th. I'm probably going to try to get in. It's $200, but (using my go-to rationalization again) that's still cheaper than the NYC Marathon!

 

[avondale]

You very well may be correct re selling out in seconds. This announcement already has nearly 400+ comments on their Facebook page, and the MCM itself is already sufficiently popular that they went to a lottery several (2013?) years back. Of course, that was also before they drastically increased pricing, too. Prior to the lottery, the marathon was only $100, and they sold out in less than a day or so. About two years ago, they raised the fee to $160, and it's $180 now. I don't know how much that's affected demand, but both years I entered the lottery, I got an entry, as did all my running club. In fact, every runner I know who entered the MCM lottery got a bib, so who knows the actual numbers these days? Anyway, the 50K registration opens at 12 noon EST on Feb. 27th. I'm probably going to try to get in. It's $200, but (using my go-to rationalization again) that's still cheaper than the NYC Marathon!

I haven't looked at the course route. It might be worth $200 if you get to run a lot of the course AWAY from the other runners, but still get the iconic finish line. I did MCM in 2017 and for this middle-of-the-pack runner, it was so darn CROWDED for at least the first half. I live in the area, so it was a great experience to be able to do, but the crowded course makes me seriously reconsider ever doing it again.

Since we are on the topic of the lottery/cost...you can get a guaranteed entry (you still have to pay for it) if you finish the 17.75K the Marine Corps runs in March/April in Virginia. That's how I got in in 2017 because I didn't want the uncertainty of the lottery. This race registration sells out within hours. I forget how many runners they allow. It's in a state park, so it's not huge.

 

[TheHamm]

QOTD: What type of surfaces do you run on regularly? Which do you prefer of those type?

ATTQOTD: I really only encounter two types of surfaces; asphalt and concrete. I prefer asphalt of the two because in my mind it feels softer than concrete.

Sorry for missing yesterdays QOTD: I woke up with a stomach bug from hell! I am also way behind on the thread and work is keeping me from catching up at the moment. I will try to catch up in the next few days.

75% Asphalt track, 15% concrete sidewalks, 5% trail of pack dirt, wood chips, and pea gravel, 5% treadmill.
I prefer the packed dirt, but need to find a longer path as my current fav is not usable in winter and only 2 miles long. My least favorite is not the treadmill, but the pea gravel. It is a short, hilly part of the same trail and it is terrible as if going one way on the loop I find myself sliding down the hill, or working really hard to get up.

@LSUlakes, I hope you recover swiftly and luck out by not sharing with the rest of the family.

 

[BikeFan]

I haven't looked at the course route. It might be worth $200 if you get to run a lot of the course AWAY from the other runners, but still get the iconic finish line. I did MCM in 2017 and for this middle-of-the-pack runner, it was so darn CROWDED for at least the first half. I live in the area, so it was a great experience to be able to do, but the crowded course makes me seriously reconsider ever doing it again.

If you think MCM course is crowded (and you're not wrong), the 50K option is not going to make you any happier, because it's actually worse. The 50K starts alongside the 10K, which utilizes the marathon course at about Mile 19 and heads for the start/finish area. 50K runners then cross the marathon start line after the marathon field has already departed, leaving faster 50K runners a 30K+ field to weave through. They use essentially this same method for the Historic Half/Devil Dog Challenge, which I've run twice. In the Historic Half, it's only about a 10K+ pack you've got to weave through, but it's still a bit of a mess. I can't imagine coming up on a marathon pack of 30K+ runners after only about 3-5 miles. That's going to be a mess.

Since we are on the topic of the lottery/cost...you can get a guaranteed entry (you still have to pay for it) if you finish the 17.75K the Marine Corps runs in March/April in Virginia. That's how I got in in 2017 because I didn't want the uncertainty of the lottery. This race registration sells out within hours. I forget how many runners they allow. It's in a state park, so it's not huge.

Yeah, that race is near my house, but I've never been that determined to run the MCM to do the 17.75K as a qualifier. I've just taken my chances with the lottery, and it's worked out for me in the past.

 

[txdisneygrl]

ATTQOTDY: Concrete sidewalks. Gotta love it. I think there are some trails somewhere, but it's a bit of a drive and they aren't very long. Plus we've had so much rain they are mostly flooded.

 

[PrincessMickey]

Monday’s attqotd:
I was working during the game so I watched vicariously through the text group, sounds like I didn’t miss too much.

Wednesday’s attqotd:
Mostly I run on packed dirt with a little bit of concrete thrown in. Only time I get asphalt in is during races.

 

[Sanchez]

QOTD: What type of surfaces do you run on regularly? Which do you prefer of those type?

90% rubber track and treadmill. I like to believe that this is saving my joints.

 

[LSUlakes]

It's been a crazy long week! Thankfully it's finally Friday and time for our Fun Friday QOTD: With football season being over (college with signing day ended this week and NFL) what sporting events are you looking forward to now? College and pro sports?

ATTQOTD: I am very excited about how LSU basketball is doing so far this season and should end up in the NCAA tourney, and next weekend is opening week of college baseball! Love this time of year almost as much as I do football season, just so many more games to watch now!

 

[Guidman]

ATTQOTD: In the next six months, March Madness, three world marathon majors, The Masters, start of baseball season, NBA Playoffs, US Open (Pebble Beach!) and the Tour de France.

I would say March Madness and golf are probably at the top of the list out of those.

 

[lahobbs4]

I can't remember to keep up with this thread. Dang it, that was supposed to be one of my running resolutions! ha!

ATTQOTD: After finding an official creeper/potential stalker at my regular paved running route last week (0.9 miles around our community center) I'm gonna end up around 90% treadmill this year, as much as I hate it. I'm a solo runner and I have to do what's safest for me.

ATTQOTD part 2: STL Cardinals Baseball!!

 

[camaker]

It's been a crazy long week! Thankfully it's finally Friday and time for our Fun Friday QOTD: With football season being over (college with signing day ended this week and NFL) what sporting events are you looking forward to now? College and pro sports?

ATTQOTD: English Premier League soccer/football. I'm a big Arsenal fan and had the opportunity to tour Emirates Stadium, walk out onto the pitch and sit on the player's benches during a trip to London a few years ago. I'll also watch a little bit of college basketball as March Madness approaches, but I learned long ago that watching NC State basketball was bad for my mood and blood pressure...

 

[PrincessV]

It's been a crazy long week! Thankfully it's finally Friday and time for our Fun Friday QOTD: With football season being over (college with signing day ended this week and NFL) what sporting events are you looking forward to now? College and pro sports?

ATTFFQOTD: Hockey! I mean, I know it's been going on, but now I can devote more attention to it. GO BOLTS!!!
And after that, the empty space. The televised sports desert until pre-season football starts up and I start to believe anew that "THIS might finally be the year for the Bucs!"

 

[Slogger]

ATTQOTD: Hockey, March Madness, and Baseball. Let's go CAPS and NATS.

 

[baxter24]

ATTQOTD: College basketball, March Madness, and the NBA playoffs. As @camaker just pointed out, it’s never easy being a NC State fan....

 

[McNs]

ATTQOTD I’m a motorsports fan, Formula 1 in particular, so looking forward to that starting in 5 weeks!

 

[DopeyBadger]

QOTD: With football season being over (college with signing day ended this week and NFL) what sporting events are you looking forward to now? College and pro sports?

March Madness. I believe I made 83 free brackets last year. I use 538's power predictor rankings which are an aggregate score of several sources: ELO, BPI, Sagarin Predictor, Ken Pom, Sokol's LRMC ratings, Moore's computer rankings, selection committee's S-curve, and preseason rankings. Then take the difference between the two PPR of each team to determine the point spread of the matchups. Use that with a standard deviation of 9.5 to determine a normal distribution of outcomes based on the point spread. Then run a simulation using an Excel file that then randomly generates statistically probable brackets. It all sounds complicated but it's literally a single keystroke in the Excel file as I've designed it to do all the work for me. The goal is to create a normal distribution of brackets. Meaning most will be average, some will be terrible, and hopefully one will be really good. I was a Michigan Championship Game win over Nova away from $1000 on jiffysports out of a couple thousand players last year. I did make prize eligible brackets in a few other games but didn't win the random drawings in those.