OT: running/walking
Folks,
I recently ran in the Dexter/Ann Arbor run, and I'm kind of getting addicted to these races. What runs do you participate in? I know the Free Press marathon is in October, which I just (humble-brag alert) signed up for. What other runs do you folks participate in?
For me, the annual races include:
Big House 5k (get to touch the banner at the 50 yars line)
Dexter-Ann Arbor half marathon (run the Huron river)
Run tough for Chad Tough (kick cancer in the buttocks)
And I have just added the Volkslaufe - a race in Frankenmuth on July 4th
So, what races should I add to my list??
I used to run 70 miles a week back in the 80 s . I don't know how many of these runs are still going except for the Crim in Flint. that is a great run very difficult and hilly . If you want to travel the Gaspariila in Tampa is great. The very best are the Boston Marathon and the New York Marathons All the running killed my knees and I now stroll 5ks,
I only run for overall cardiovascular endurance health. I jog for 20-30 minutes 3-4 times per week. I never run more than 2 miles per day or 5 miles per week. I'm not really big on running, in fact I hate it and only do it for it's health benefits. I much prefer to lift weights. That said, the number one risk factor for running injuries is competition in marathons.
I wouldn't worry too much about shorter races like a 5k. But, when folks train for marathons that seems to be the catalist that drives weekly mileage beyond health enhancing and into overuse where the likelihood of injury increases dramatically. So, my advice to you is if you wish to compete, keep the races to a maximum of half marathons and don't do more than a few per year.
This is not just for entertainment purposes & can in fact be considered exercise advice. Mgoeffoff has a masters degree in exercise science with a concentration in performance enhancement & injury prevention. :)
Man up
Thanks for the info. I somehow failed to mention this in the OP, but I won't do anything more than a half marathon. I just don't have the body type to do marathons regularly (6'1", 200ish lbs). And I don't have the time to commit to training for a full marathon. However, your point is also worth considering. There's really no health benefit to push your body to that sort of extreme, and there's always a huge risk when you're dealing with that level of training.
There's really no health benefit to push your body to that sort of extreme, and there's always a huge risk when you're dealing with that level of training.
There's always a risk vs reward when it comes to training for competition. If you want to be an elite runner you have to approach that line at which an injury becomes a higher risk. And, most don't learn limits until they've surpassed them. That's always a personal choice that varies by individual. I respect those choices. I've been weight training for years well beyond the level that is health enhancing simply because I enjoy it and have had my share of overuse injuries and beat up joints. But, it's good to point out these considerations for folks that may not know so they can consider them as they ramp up their training.
I hated running, for 30 years.... Running was punishment in every sport I ever participated in, it was torture in the Army..... Finally at 40, I developed a love for running.... Sadly, 9 years later, my knees can't take the beating. I miss running, but have replaced it with walking 3 to 5 miles 5 days a week, weather permitting.
Detroit is good to do once
Bayshore Marathon in TC around memorial day weekend is fantastic. Great scenery, smaller venue. I ran it 3 times and got my BQ there.
Others I've done that are incredible: Boston and Marine Corps in DC. At MCM you will see lots of wounded vets running and a marine puts the medal around your neck at the end. Downside is it's really crowded running and crazy trying to get out after the race.
Here are the races I try for each year
- 5/3 Riverbank Run 5k or 10k (GR)
- Irish Jig 5k (GR)
- Carmel Marathon Race series (5k, 10k, half marathon, and full marathon in Carmel Indiana)
- Shamrock Shuffle 8k (Chicago). This race is hella fun!
- Bayshore Half Marathon (Traverse City)
- Dexter AA Series (typically try for the 5k since it's the week after Bayshore)
- Firecracker 5k (AA)
- I've done the Hudson Mills Turkey Trot but before it was like $60.
- If you can travel, the USATF Club Cross Country meet is a lot of fun. Can race against some of the bigger name guys/girls and then party with them afterwards. The race is normally the first weekend in December. We've run in San Fransisco, Tallahassee, Lexington, and Seattle.
I'm technically an "elite" runner so most races give me a free entry. But Epic Races doesn't typically provide them for their races so a lot of the AA races I don't run in.
This year I'm aiming for the Indy Monumental Half Marathon in November and then hopefully making a marathon debut at the California International Marathon (CIM) to try and hit the Olympic Trials qualifying time.
I highly recommend heading to the AA Running Company in Keerytown or on Eisenhower for any shoe/running needs. The owners are good friends are real solid people.
Super 5K in Novi on Super Bowl Sunday, Plymouth Father’s Day run, Oberun in Ypsilanti are fun 5Ks.
Rock CF is a good half, Bayshore half and full, Ann Arbor marathon.
If you want to travel, i would recommend flying pig in Cincinnati, Richmond Marathon, and Philadelphia.