Quote :

"There is a course change for the 2012 Umstead Marathon. All 26.2 miles of the marathon will be run within the borders of William B. Umstead State Park, a five thousand-acre tract of dense woods, lakes, streams, hills, and trails that rests between the cities of Raleigh, Cary, and Durham."

Finally! Someone has listened to me!

11/28/2012 11:30:15 AM

To the person disappointed in not being able to register:
The good news is you can run this exact course any day you want. I pretty much do anyway. So many interesting things out in those woods. Easy to get lost, though.


Does anyone have a heart rate monitor that they like? I was looking at this:


I also came across this neat idea. But man is that kid out of shape. He shoots to 160bpm within about one jumping jack.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UWCQi5rmfM

[Edited on November 28, 2012 at 1:31 PM. Reason : .]

11/28/2012 1:10:06 PM

Never done a full before - do they usually have Gus every 4-5 miles? Need to figure out if I have to try to run with an overstuffed pouch of crap.

11/28/2012 2:26:50 PM

Forget the Nike watch and get a garmin.

11/28/2012 2:33:20 PM

Quote :

"The good news is you can run this exact course any day you want."

This is the same response I have when people ask any questions about running a marathon (IE, the concept of the "marathon" is significantly overhyped).




Regardless, everything is better when we do it together (or something like that). I'm hoping slots open up in January.

11/28/2012 3:05:21 PM

^^^^ I have the Nike watch but I don't have a HR monitor with it. I love the simplicity of use.

11/28/2012 3:17:16 PM

^^ I like that sentiment. I ran my first marathon unsupported and on my own; rather than running the LA marathon which was the next weekend, I basically just ran two laps of Santa Monica and Venice, with water stops at strategically located park water fountains and a nutrition restock at the halfway point at my apartment.

Big marathons can be great for the morale boost of having other runners and a crowd all around you, but if you're a competitive person like me, it's also easy to go out too hard in the initial adrenaline rush and end up gassing out early.

11/29/2012 12:28:32 AM

This may be a long shot but if anyone is interested there's a great half marathon up in Philadelphia in June

http://www.oddysseyhalfmarathon.com/

The course is very scenic along the river and Fairmount Park. And it's supposed to be a lot of fun with costumes and such.

If you sign up by Dec 1st use coupon code oddearlybird and when it asks for how you heard about the race choose Race Ambassador Kristie McCourt. We'll have our own bathrooms

11/29/2012 4:03:44 PM

Quote :

"You weren't kidding."

No I was not. I got mine at like 8:45 but it was filled in a few hours. Sorry you didn't get in GrayFox33. They do a second registration in January so keep checking the website. I got in last year on a late registration so don't lose hope. I'll post the date when I find out (I have a friend who is one of the race directors).

Join the facebook group if you haven't already:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/328265767845/?fref=ts

11/30/2012 11:35:13 AM

39 days til my marathon.

sigh

12/1/2012 5:30:47 PM

did 7 mile loop in Umstead yesterday

that's like my 5th run this year, definitely not close to one another

I've missed running, but not the hills

12/1/2012 7:29:08 PM

I'm so ready to get off of 3rd shift, I've gotten badly out of shape and out of routine. I'm really wanting to do a half iron man in June, but in order to do that I've got to start training in January at the latest.

12/1/2012 7:30:48 PM

http://www.gofundme.com/1lek5w

Guys please check out my the running related fund raiser I started. I know around this time of year you may know friends or businesses that want to donate to a good cause. Share my link with them, and help us move closer to the goal.

12/4/2012 7:04:07 AM

yeah.. minus either the word my or the

12/5/2012 7:34:18 PM

Ugh.. walled out around m15 during my first full. Finished in 4:32 with some pretty agonizing run-walk, but I was trained and ready. I was hoping for a 4:00 - 4:10 max ugh. Had major insomnia / woke up 'rested' after 6 hours on my taper week, and spent way too much time on my feet around Vegas the days before. Looking for another one soon.

Overall that race got a lot better. More controlled corrals, better finish line area, and everything else was smoother. Full actually ran through Fremont street around m20. Nice high 60s weather, but super gusty. Would recommend.

12/7/2012 3:14:03 AM

what kind of training schedule did you follow?

12/7/2012 10:02:26 AM

Asked a coach to help make a schedule. Nothing too out of line - I was doing 5 runs a week (super easy 5-6m / easy 5-6m / speedwork / rest / 3m / long run / cross). First time I did heart zones - I never voluntarily ran so slow on Mondays.

I did all my long runs on Tobacco Trail - race was flat though Tobacco has a slight incline. Did 3m at a warmup (+30s) pace then 10-13m at > marathon pace then 3 down.

I must be way used to the humidity. I woke up in the middle of the night almost every night in Vegas because my throat burned. Their tap water was so nasty and I could not drink enough liquids.

12/7/2012 10:45:51 AM

what was your longest long run? and how long was your taper?

12/7/2012 10:59:43 AM

21. Then 18, then 10, then the race. Did a few short runs on the week of the race.

Felt the way I did at the end of that 21 at m15 on the race :/. No injuries at least. Going to start back up easy on Monday.

12/7/2012 11:09:50 AM

My fiance is training for a 1/2 marathon in January and I figured for Christmas I'll get her a gift that will be good for this and future training.

I want to get her a GPS training watch and a water belt. Are there any local shops in Raleigh that would have either (more like a specialized shop)?

Do you guys have any suggestions or recommendations on what to get a runner for Christmas? I'm looking to stay under $200.

12/12/2012 4:53:01 PM

Garmin 410. You can get it on amazon with heartrate monitor for 150 now. Always been much more impressed with the GPS devices over the pedometer types like Suunto or Nike+. Most sites/apps have good garmin support as well.

12/12/2012 6:20:09 PM

I've been running a lot more trails lately and then I transitioned back to the roads for my past 3 or 4 runs. My feet and ankles are noticeably stronger thanks to being on the trails!

12/12/2012 7:21:20 PM

Raleigh Running Outfitters, Fleet Feet, Bull City Running should all have belts and probably watches.

I have a Garmin 210 and love it. Definitely pick up a HR monitor if you can, its pretty useful.

12/13/2012 3:19:00 PM

going to be home for christmas and want to get in a few decent trail runs in over the holidays.

any suggestions? something sub 10 miles would be ideal, or a loop that i can run trail laps.

12/18/2012 11:33:15 AM

bridal trail in Umstead works for me ~7.3 mile loop

12/18/2012 1:12:19 PM

thanks!

i havent been back to raleigh on any regular basis in about seven years. where do you access the start?

12/18/2012 1:45:35 PM

If you go to Harrison off of I-40, it dumps you right into a big parking lot and you can run some of the smaller trails as far as you'd like

There's an entrance up north on Glenwood I haven't been to yet

I like to go to Ebenezer Church Road, right at Crabtree Creek bridge and you can park near the side of the road and can see the bridal trail right there.

12/18/2012 1:51:27 PM

That's where we go when its already dark and the regular Umstead gates are already locked up.

12/19/2012 7:17:19 PM

in the 4-5 mile range of training for this half now. still have to walk a little bit but i'm to the point where i'm running the majority

does anyone know good stretches for the muscles between the lower part of the calf and ankle? or if there is a cause for that pain? sometimes that will absolutely kill me!

12/19/2012 9:46:11 PM

how old are your shoes?

that fixes a lot of my aches and pains, when I replace worn shoes.

do you run on hard surfaces mostly?

do some strength training a couple of times per week, full body stuff

here's some insight:

Quote :

"Symptoms: Shin splints are very common among beginning runners because they may do too much too soon. With anterior shin splints, you'll feel pain on the outside if your lower leg along the shin. Posterior shinsplints, damage to the muscles on the inside of the lower leg, cause pain in the soft tissue behind the bone. Cause: While shin splints are usually caused by tight calf muscles and weak shin muscles, other factors may have aggravated the injury. Running on hard surfaces can put added strain on your front leg muscles. You may also pronate or supinate when you run, causing your front leg muscles to work harder to keep your feet stabilized. This biomechanical flaw may be made worse by a shoe with poor support. Another common cause is simply overtraining. Treatment: For shin splints, there are a number of steps you can take to speed recovery. First, to reduce the pain, use an ice pack on your lower legs after you run. Keep ice on for ten to fifteen minutes every 4 to 6 hours, and make sure your foot is elevated. Cut back on your running and consider taking a few days off altogether. The important thing is not to run through the pain. You'll only make it worse. Keep in mind that shin splints, like most running injuries, are basically an overuse injury. Listen to your body and back off when you begin to feel pain. With all that extra downtime, you'll have plenty of opportunity to stretch your calves and strengthen your lower leg muscles. Be particularly careful not to overstretch; ease into your stretches gradually. Wearing the wrong shoes may also lead to shin splints, so check your shoes to see if you might need more stability or cushioning. Get advice from an expert at a running specialty store to make sure you're wearing the right running shoes for your foot and gait. Also, try inserting over-the-counter heel lifts so that your calves don't have to stretch as far. Finally, make sure that you have good running form. If you lean forward too much when you run, you may be pulling too hard on your calf muscles. If you try these suggestions, and your pain persists, see an orthopedist about the possibility of a stress fracture. Prevention: If you experience shin pain when running, it may be because of weak anterior tibalis muscles, which are on the front side of your lower leg. This muscle is responsible for flexing the foot upward and, because it's often underdeveloped in non-runners, you may experience shin pain if you're new to running or you increase your distance too quickly. Do these toe raises and heel raises a few times a week to develop the muscle and prevent shin splints. "

http://running.about.com/od/commonrunninginjuries/a/shinsplints.htm

12/20/2012 12:38:59 AM

i know this says Tri bibs but how awesome are these?

http://www.goneforarun.com/Your_Race_Bib_on_Set_of_4_Coasters_BibCOASTERS_p/tr-bibcoaster-ch.htm

1/2/2013 8:23:25 AM

That's a really great idea. My dad saves all his race numbers. I think I am gonna steal one and do this for him.

1/2/2013 8:26:49 AM

yea my sister and i are doing the disney marathon in a week and a half and i think i might do this for ours.

1/2/2013 8:30:40 AM

so in prep for the marathon, with my IT band hurting so damned bad, i've now started with an IT band band around the top of my kneecap and another support band underneath my kneecap. it seems to help. hopefully i'll be able to make it through the race next weekend.

1/6/2013 11:16:50 AM

^I have a few friends doing the goofy and one just doing the marathon, and it looks like it's going to be a blast! Good luck, rest up and I hope your ITB doesn't cause any trouble

1/7/2013 9:46:51 AM

^^

use a foam roller

do some squats, sit back, then drive with your heels

do leg curls

and clams (look em up)

1/7/2013 9:58:00 AM

Catch a PT before your race. They are very hit and miss though. I've had success at the kinetic institute in cary. The girl who treats me is really good at spotting how I'm screwing myself up.

My feet were a little sore and she made the bottoms of my feet sound like crackle paper.. learned new definitions of pain haha

1/7/2013 1:06:48 PM

I'm back on the wagon after a year off rehabbing my knee and a month back on the trails

feels good, ready to get faster again

1/10/2013 8:46:25 PM

I've been rolling the crap out of my knee. It helps. Right now it's sore in anticipation of running on Sunday

1/11/2013 8:39:46 AM

Good luck!

1/11/2013 2:59:07 PM

1/16/2013 3:27:32 PM

I take it you lived IT exercises help? Disney half was my first race when my IT and knee betrayed me

1/16/2013 3:34:37 PM

my knee is definitely sore - but it held up exceptionally well.

taking a long time off ahead of the full marathon apparently did my body well

1/16/2013 3:46:55 PM

2013 Race Schedule....

Krispy Kreme Challenge
Rugged Maniac (5k)
Ragnar - Trail Runner Edition (120 miles)
Ragnar - Maryland - (200 miles)
Raleigh City of Oaks (Full marathon)
Tough Mudder (1/2 marathon obstacle)

PHEW...I have my work/running cut out for me!

1/24/2013 2:24:44 PM

Umstead Trail Marathon: confirmed.

1/25/2013 11:59:29 AM

i ran wicked slow during my marathon, just the hopes of finishing it and i still beat 5,000 people

1/30/2013 12:39:20 PM

i took 2 weeks off from running for the weather and to lift weights indoors

i wouldn't recommend taking more than a week off, if you can help it

you can definitely tell when you try and restart back

1/30/2013 2:52:55 PM

^ more than 5 days is what it takes for me. But really I have no excuses having a treadmill in my living room Back in December I planned to take off just 3 days and those 3 days became like 9 days and I had the worst ITB pain that first run back, I swear that muscle just atrophied on me

But I'm glad to say I've been pain free since working on the stuff ^you and I have talked about. Doing squats, clams, focusing on my hip abductors and so on.

1/30/2013 3:08:24 PM

1/30/2013 3:23:43 PM

Quote :

"treadmill"

Pretty sure I had / have some ITBS or sciatica going on, though; but, I'll just keep running till my leg is a confirmed kill

1/30/2013 4:31:30 PM