The Running Thread—2023

[avondale]

I think I asked this last year, but I'm going to ask it again:
Shoes for lifting? I noticed that when I started lifting again (albeit for just about 2 weeks before I fell off the wagon again) that my PF/achilles stuff was starting to flare up again, and I'm not sure if wearing a running shoe was aggravating it. I see that new balance makes a "minimus TR" shoe that is a 0 drop and I'm fairly sure that "lifting shoes" are 0 drop.

BUT, it's also not like I'm going to be throwing around hundreds of pounds in squats and deadlifts, so I feel like this could be one of those "the equipment is there, but it isn't necessary for what I'm doing" kinds of things (similar to a plated racing shoe...I'm too slow for it to matter.) Thoughts?

I have lifted a semi-serious level of weight. I usually wear "generic" cross-training shoes. Cross-trainers have a nice wide footprint to keep your feet stable. For my wide-width feet, "generic" is usually "cheapest New Balance".

I know quite a few people lift barefoot, but that's obviously zero-drop, and if that's something that irritates your Achilles, then you won't want to do that. I also sort of hate the idea of going barefoot where I might drop a weight, even though I realize that a typical shoe isn't really going to provide substantial protection.

Maybe related, but make sure you're not jumping into a crazy amount of weight when you start again. Maybe that can also be affecting your foot issues? If you build up the weight level, you give all your body parts time to adjust.

 

[Herding_Cats]

I have lifted a semi-serious level of weight. I usually wear "generic" cross-training shoes. Cross-trainers have a nice wide footprint to keep your feet stable. For my wide-width feet, "generic" is usually "cheapest New Balance".

I know quite a few people lift barefoot, but that's obviously zero-drop, and if that's something that irritates your Achilles, then you won't want to do that. I also sort of hate the idea of going barefoot where I might drop a weight, even though I realize that a typical shoe isn't really going to provide substantial protection.

I don't know that 0-drop aggravates anything at this point, but like you said, I know that it can. When my issue really flared up last year it was when I started doing more weight training, and I've been noticing more tightness in my leg/ankle. I know what to do to head it off this time, but then I also saw something on social media about the position that running shoes put your foot bones in and it kind of was a lightbulb moment for me to connect with the lifting.

I'm barefoot 99% of the time in the house. Also, I completely agree with out about the whole "but I might drop a weight on my foot" thing and how a shoe makes me feel more protected even though it wouldn't really do anything.

Maybe related, but make sure you're not jumping into a crazy amount of weight when you start again. Maybe that can also be affecting your foot issues? If you build up the weight level, you give all your body parts time to adjust.

I'm not going crazy right off the bat with the weights because I know that my stabilizer and balance muscles have time to catch on to what I'm doing. But I do know that in 8 or so weeks that I will probably be able to lift way more than I am right now, and I don't want to be setting my body up for another round of PF if I'm wearing very much the wrong thing on my feet. This has been a good discussion, and given some of the other expenses we have going on this month (like a new transmission for my vehicle ) I'm going to give barefoot a shot before I spend more money on shoes.

 

[kps7795]

I don't know that 0-drop aggravates anything at this point, but like you said, I know that it can. When my issue really flared up last year it was when I started doing more weight training, and I've been noticing more tightness in my leg/ankle. I know what to do to head it off this time, but then I also saw something on social media about the position that running shoes put your foot bones in and it kind of was a lightbulb moment for me to connect with the lifting.

I'm barefoot 99% of the time in the house. Also, I completely agree with out about the whole "but I might drop a weight on my foot" thing and how a shoe makes me feel more protected even though it wouldn't really do anything.


I'm not going crazy right off the bat with the weights because I know that my stabilizer and balance muscles have time to catch on to what I'm doing. But I do know that in 8 or so weeks that I will probably be able to lift way more than I am right now, and I don't want to be setting my body up for another round of PF if I'm wearing very much the wrong thing on my feet. This has been a good discussion, and given some of the other expenses we have going on this month (like a new transmission for my vehicle ) I'm going to give barefoot a shot before I spend more money on shoes.

A word of warning from someone who has dropped a 45 pound plate on my foot, definitely do NOT lift weights barefoot. Bodyweight workouts are fine, but you really should have protection on your feet. Good luck with your fitness journey.

 

[Grabnar]

A word of warning from someone who has dropped a 45 pound plate on my foot, definitely do NOT lift weights barefoot. Bodyweight workouts are fine, but you really should have protection on your feet. Good luck with your fitness journey.

Fwiw, normal shoes won’t protect much against a crush injury from a 45 lb plate. It may help with not getting cut but that’s about it. Work requires us to wear steel or composite toe safety shoes any time we’re moving things at around that weight.

 

[kps7795]

Fwiw, normal shoes won’t protect much against a crush injury from a 45 lb plate. It may help with not getting cut but that’s about it. Work requires us to wear steel or composite toe safety shoes any time we’re moving things at around that weight.

I'm not about to test your theory and drop another plate onto my foot. The only thing that I do know is that it hurt like hell, but I got a negative x-ray for a fracture.

 

[Grabnar]

I'm not about to test your theory and drop another plate onto my foot. The only thing that I do know is that it hurt like hell, but I got a negative x-ray for a fracture.

Where's your inner scientist?

 

[LSUlakes]

Hi again everyone! Tomorrow is "surgery" day. I say it like that because it doesnt seem like a big deal, but I am going to be put to sleep. Hopefully its uneventful and the countdown to c25k can officially begin. Guess until that starts I can work on cleaning up my diet.
Its been fun reading about everyone's runs lately. I did not realize the Woodlands had a HM! My BIL lives there and we have visited in the past and I did get a few runs in over there. Running it would kill two birds with one stone type of deal.
Thats all I got for now and will check in tomorrow of Friday depending on how things go.

 

[jmasgat]

@LSUlakes Good luck with your procedure. Hope it goes smoothly.

 

[FFigawi]

Hi again everyone! Tomorrow is "surgery" day. I say it like that because it doesnt seem like a big deal, but I am going to be put to sleep. Hopefully its uneventful and the countdown to c25k can officially begin. Guess until that starts I can work on cleaning up my diet.
Its been fun reading about everyone's runs lately. I did not realize the Woodlands had a HM! My BIL lives there and we have visited in the past and I did get a few runs in over there. Running it would kill two birds with one stone type of deal.
Thats all I got for now and will check in tomorrow of Friday depending on how things go.

Hope it goes well

 

[Grabnar]

Hi again everyone! Tomorrow is "surgery" day. I say it like that because it doesnt seem like a big deal, but I am going to be put to sleep. Hopefully its uneventful and the countdown to c25k can officially begin. Guess until that starts I can work on cleaning up my diet.
Its been fun reading about everyone's runs lately. I did not realize the Woodlands had a HM! My BIL lives there and we have visited in the past and I did get a few runs in over there. Running it would kill two birds with one stone type of deal.
Thats all I got for now and will check in tomorrow of Friday depending on how things go.

Good luck, friend!

 

[LSUlakes]

Surgery went well. Feeling a little pain.

Below is what dr told DW.
Talked to Doc. He did well in Surgery. Said his knee was quite angry with good bit of fluid and very inflamed, a pretty substantial tear that is not typical. Was able to remove the sizable piece that was torn and flipping under and causing the pain. Was able to leave a rim of meniscus to leave some cushion on the joint. He also shaved off some arthritic pieces off the back of his knee cap.

He is in PACU, awake. My friend said he did fine, just asking if he can stand up yet!

 

[flav]

Post-race park timing question: On the 10k morning, Epcot Early Entry still shows 8:30. Will the World Showcase entrance be available at that hour? Could anyone who ran and attempted recently confirm their experience? I know that theoretically, with race starting at 5AM, Balloon Ladies starting at 6AM at the latest and running 16min/mile, the place should be cleared by 8AM. I would hate missing the Rope drop by going to the entrance farthest from the race finish (assuming the regular course).

 

[Grabnar]

Anyone have any recs for scenic half marathons if I'm not really interested in getting a personal best out of it? I just want to run somewhere nice, preferably in the US this fall.

 

[kps7795]

Anyone have any recs for scenic half marathons if I'm not really interested in getting a personal best out of it? I just want to run somewhere nice, preferably in the US this fall.

If you're in South Florida in April, the Singer Island Half Marathon was beautiful.

 

[Naomeri]

Anyone have any recs for scenic half marathons if I'm not really interested in getting a personal best out of it? I just want to run somewhere nice, preferably in the US this fall.

Not a half marathon, but the 10 miler as part of Twin Cities Marathon Weekend (Sept 30 & Oct 1) in Minnesota is pretty. The marathon has been named one of the most beautiful urban marathons in the US. The 10 miler starts at the Vikings stadium in Minneapolis, goes along the Mississippi River, both level with the river and up along the bluffs, and then the race heads down Summit Avenue (with some incredible crowd support), and ends going down a nice big hill to the MN Capitol building.

if you want to make a weekend out of it, you can do the Loony Challenge and run the 10K and 5K on Saturday and the 10 Miler on Sunday. Edited to add: a bonus of doing Loony is you get to skip the lottery for the 10 Miler.

 

[Kerry1957]

Anyone have any recs for scenic half marathons if I'm not really interested in getting a personal best out of it? I just want to run somewhere nice, preferably in the US this fall.

Check out Run the Bluegrass in Lexington. It calls itself "America's prettiest half marathon". I don't know if that is true but I have run it 5 times and enjoyed it each time. Horse farms, bourbon, and running; what's not to like.

 

[gosalyn_mallard]

Anyone have any recs for scenic half marathons if I'm not really interested in getting a personal best out of it? I just want to run somewhere nice, preferably in the US this fall.

I enjoyed Ocean City Half marathon in NJ in September.

Fall halfs on my list that I haven't run yet: Bird in hand (Amish country PA), Space Coast (FL), Urban Bourbon (Louisville), Tahoe Trifecta, Beat the Blerch (Washington), Niagra Falls, Route 66 (Tulsa), and Humboldt Redwoods (CA).

 

[PrincessV]

Anyone have any recs for scenic half marathons if I'm not really interested in getting a personal best out of it? I just want to run somewhere nice, preferably in the US this fall.

Check out Run Moab. I’ve not yet run there but hope to someday - it looks stunning! Also take a look at Vacation Races, which run in or adjacent to US national parks.

 

[eminemilie]

Got signed up for the 2023 Loony Challenge at Twin Cities Marathon Weekend. 19.3 miles in 2 days, here I come!

Hey, that’s my local race! Have you done any of the Twin Cities Marathon races before? I have a friend who has done the marathon a bunch and I’m im thinking about doing one of the shorter distances this year.

 

[Naomeri]

Hey, that’s my local race! Have you done any of the Twin Cities Marathon races before? I have a friend who has done the marathon a bunch and I’m im thinking about doing one of the shorter distances this year.

I did the TC 10K in 2021 as my first-ever in-person race, and in 2022, I did Loony. They do a great job with TC Marathon Weekend. Registration just opened this week and I signed up for Loony again as my goal race for my summer training session.