Good luck in Athens... I hope the weather will be as nice as it was for the half in Richmond last year! It was great to be among so many of you last year - and hard to believe a year has passed so quickly! By now I would hope most folks have their pre-race routines fairly down. Focusing first on the objective - have a good time and good race! For the half marathon I eschew any alcohol a week or so prior to the race. It reduces inflammation and has improved the function of my diaphragm. I'll do a mini-version of carbo loading throughout the week. Finally, at least for me, and I don't mean to be crude here, evacuating my bowels pre-race is the #1 factor impacting my enjoyment of the race no matter the time. Empty bowel = easy race. Not so empty? Ugh! So, I do everything I can to hit the start line emptied out. Most of the time avoiding the long lines! There's a fun book, mostly about nutrition published by Runners World called: How to Make Yourself Poop by Meghan Kita Full of great running and other tips!
This is so great, John! And yes, I can't believe it's already been a year since we ran together in Richmond. Time is flying wayyyyy too fast. I'll definitely check out the recommendation!
Terrell, Enjoy! As far as any tips - get a good night's sleep two nights before the race. Little sleep the night before will not affect you race. I do an 8 miler a week before the race and then a 5 miler 3 nights before the race. Usually travel 3 days before the race so i can relax, attend the expo, have a good carbo load dinner, lay out everything you are going to wear for the race the night before. Rise earl, have a bagel and a cup of coffee and have fun at the race.
Wish I could run with you - still recovering from surgery. Plan on a half next year.
Good luck in Athens! You've covered the key must-do things. For me, I'm still looking for the perfect taper. What I have noticed is that I benefit more from keeping the fire burning than shutting things down too soon. As for race-day prep, I'd suggest carb loading beginning 3-4 days prior the start. That way you can top off glycogen levels properly.
Quite honestly, Terrell, my sciatica or piriformis syndrome is killing me….I’m self diagnosis piriformis syndrome because, you know, my kinesiology degree says I can *wink*. Sleep is rough and getting up out of bed is worse. I have to stand all day at work because it hurts so much to sit. Anywhooo I’m all signed up but seriously considering not going. Is there a time limit?
I just ran Atlantic City this past weekend and I’m not sure if you could even call it running 😂 I “run” on the trails pretty painlessly but road running…ouch! Heck I’m at odds with myself. Can you tell? People in pain sure are grouchy, aren’t they? lol!
I’m 99% sure I will be coming, even if I have to walk it. Really looking forward to meeting you and everyone that’s able to come! You can tell me all about it the U2 concerts you went to so I can live vicariously through you and just meet and talk face to face.
I totally get it, Jennie! You don’t need to explain anything to me — I bagged our spring half due to plantar fasciitis too; it was SO painful for me back then. I still hope you come, but please know I’ll totally understand if you can’t! Take it easy between now and next weekend and we’ll just see how it feels.
I had piriformis syndrome quite a few years back and a good friend of mine gave me a set of exercises that cleared the problem within a month and I haven't been bothered since. She also recommended a sports therapist who used ART.
Looking forward to “Dinner on the 2nd”. Just swam laps in my 80-degree pool … it’s getting chilly. Our anniversary is 10/26 so this Saturday’s dinner will not be “over-indulgence night” … probably salmon! Opting for a few miles in the neighborhood in lieu of Halloween 5K.
"Normally," on this date, a few years back, I'd be running the Golden Gate Half (which, btw, is sold out as of last week at $300.00 a pop!) There was the agony of getting enough sleep and the time change and the race to catch the BART train in the morning with a 7:00 AM start with my daughter. Five years later, I'm sitting here in Oregon watching the leaves fall and trying to stay warm with 40 degree temps in the great outdoors. How times do change! It is something to reflect upon at 77 y/o compared to what I could easily do when I was in my 50s--when I could saw up a cord of wood, cook dinner in a fireplace and help lay bricks on an adobe house! Running for fun never entered into what HAD to be done!
Wish I were there for the fun! I almost hopped a last minute flight to Athens, but there was something that cautioned me not to do it. . .I would have to depend on other people to get me to the airport and they would worry about me being to "old." In former days, when I was on my own, I would have just
gone for it. Crazy Me!!
Sounds like you have a decent plan for the Half, Terrell, and you have trained enough. I'll get myself out walking today. There is a challenge coming up that I'll do on my rowing machine--The Skeleton Crew--31,000 meters from the 25th to the 30th. It's a start. It will have to go from there. By all means keep me posted on the meet-up in spring--I'm looking forward to (hopefully) be there for it! Have fun!! :)
Good luck in Athens... I hope the weather will be as nice as it was for the half in Richmond last year! It was great to be among so many of you last year - and hard to believe a year has passed so quickly! By now I would hope most folks have their pre-race routines fairly down. Focusing first on the objective - have a good time and good race! For the half marathon I eschew any alcohol a week or so prior to the race. It reduces inflammation and has improved the function of my diaphragm. I'll do a mini-version of carbo loading throughout the week. Finally, at least for me, and I don't mean to be crude here, evacuating my bowels pre-race is the #1 factor impacting my enjoyment of the race no matter the time. Empty bowel = easy race. Not so empty? Ugh! So, I do everything I can to hit the start line emptied out. Most of the time avoiding the long lines! There's a fun book, mostly about nutrition published by Runners World called: How to Make Yourself Poop by Meghan Kita Full of great running and other tips!
This is so great, John! And yes, I can't believe it's already been a year since we ran together in Richmond. Time is flying wayyyyy too fast. I'll definitely check out the recommendation!
Terrell, Enjoy! As far as any tips - get a good night's sleep two nights before the race. Little sleep the night before will not affect you race. I do an 8 miler a week before the race and then a 5 miler 3 nights before the race. Usually travel 3 days before the race so i can relax, attend the expo, have a good carbo load dinner, lay out everything you are going to wear for the race the night before. Rise earl, have a bagel and a cup of coffee and have fun at the race.
Wish I could run with you - still recovering from surgery. Plan on a half next year.
Thanks, Kenneth! Keep going with your recovery and we’ll see you next year!
Good luck in Athens! You've covered the key must-do things. For me, I'm still looking for the perfect taper. What I have noticed is that I benefit more from keeping the fire burning than shutting things down too soon. As for race-day prep, I'd suggest carb loading beginning 3-4 days prior the start. That way you can top off glycogen levels properly.
Good luck, Terrell—you got this! 🙌
Thanks, Maddie!!
Quite honestly, Terrell, my sciatica or piriformis syndrome is killing me….I’m self diagnosis piriformis syndrome because, you know, my kinesiology degree says I can *wink*. Sleep is rough and getting up out of bed is worse. I have to stand all day at work because it hurts so much to sit. Anywhooo I’m all signed up but seriously considering not going. Is there a time limit?
I just ran Atlantic City this past weekend and I’m not sure if you could even call it running 😂 I “run” on the trails pretty painlessly but road running…ouch! Heck I’m at odds with myself. Can you tell? People in pain sure are grouchy, aren’t they? lol!
I’m 99% sure I will be coming, even if I have to walk it. Really looking forward to meeting you and everyone that’s able to come! You can tell me all about it the U2 concerts you went to so I can live vicariously through you and just meet and talk face to face.
I totally get it, Jennie! You don’t need to explain anything to me — I bagged our spring half due to plantar fasciitis too; it was SO painful for me back then. I still hope you come, but please know I’ll totally understand if you can’t! Take it easy between now and next weekend and we’ll just see how it feels.
Jennie,
I had piriformis syndrome quite a few years back and a good friend of mine gave me a set of exercises that cleared the problem within a month and I haven't been bothered since. She also recommended a sports therapist who used ART.
Hope you get some relief.
Hey Kenneth, can you share? I’m about in tears every morning.
Hi Jennie,
I have a couple of pictures with the exercises I can send you. Do you know how to attach pictures to the thread?
Ken
Looking forward to “Dinner on the 2nd”. Just swam laps in my 80-degree pool … it’s getting chilly. Our anniversary is 10/26 so this Saturday’s dinner will not be “over-indulgence night” … probably salmon! Opting for a few miles in the neighborhood in lieu of Halloween 5K.
Awesome, Dave!! Halloween is going to be the big test for me 🤣
You got this Terrell!
"Normally," on this date, a few years back, I'd be running the Golden Gate Half (which, btw, is sold out as of last week at $300.00 a pop!) There was the agony of getting enough sleep and the time change and the race to catch the BART train in the morning with a 7:00 AM start with my daughter. Five years later, I'm sitting here in Oregon watching the leaves fall and trying to stay warm with 40 degree temps in the great outdoors. How times do change! It is something to reflect upon at 77 y/o compared to what I could easily do when I was in my 50s--when I could saw up a cord of wood, cook dinner in a fireplace and help lay bricks on an adobe house! Running for fun never entered into what HAD to be done!
Wish I were there for the fun! I almost hopped a last minute flight to Athens, but there was something that cautioned me not to do it. . .I would have to depend on other people to get me to the airport and they would worry about me being to "old." In former days, when I was on my own, I would have just
gone for it. Crazy Me!!
Sounds like you have a decent plan for the Half, Terrell, and you have trained enough. I'll get myself out walking today. There is a challenge coming up that I'll do on my rowing machine--The Skeleton Crew--31,000 meters from the 25th to the 30th. It's a start. It will have to go from there. By all means keep me posted on the meet-up in spring--I'm looking forward to (hopefully) be there for it! Have fun!! :)
Good Luck!! I'll be watching you on the Internet!