The February 2016 Running Challenge
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angie_kins wrote: »I've been having some motivation problems this week. I bailed out on two runs just minutes after starting, just couldn't get myself to do it. I'm trying not to dwell and just focus on my next opportunity, but does anyone have any advice for getting yourself to keep going when you don't want to?
Have someone drop you off at whatever distance your run is that day. Then there's no other way to get back home except on foot.
I like this idea a lot, I will try it tonight. I have been running on the treadmill because I've been getting home after dark but tonight I'll be home early enough to go outside. Thanks for the idea!0 -
angie_kins wrote: »I've been having some motivation problems this week. I bailed out on two runs just minutes after starting, just couldn't get myself to do it. I'm trying not to dwell and just focus on my next opportunity, but does anyone have any advice for getting yourself to keep going when you don't want to?
Try not to focus on the rest of your run. On how long it will be, or how fast/slow it should be, or the hills you might encounter or whatever it is that is keeping your mind from letting you enjoy your run. Shut it all out and just focus on how good it feels to be running at that moment. Free yourself of any expectations for the run you are doing. I think that is what often bogs us down. Expectations of what we think we have to do or should be doing. Remember that nobody is forcing you to run. You are out there because you love doing it and you love how it makes you feel. When I start to get burn out in the depths of marathon training, I take a day and leave my Garmin at home and I just go run and set no expectations of how long or how far or how fast I will go. I just run until I feel satisfied with my run and then I head home, always feeling rejuvenated.0 -
Goal of 70 Miles for February
2/3 – 3.58 Mi
2/4 – 3.63 Mi
2/6 – 4.24 Mi
2/7 – 6.12 Mi
2/9 – 4.41 Mi
2/11 – 5.40 Mi
Progress toward Goal 27.38 / 70
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@instantmartian I've been stalking the weather, too! I agree, 20 mph wind would not be awesome, at least not waiting around. I don't mind it while I'm running, though, especially if it's at my back...makes me faster, lol!
@7lenny7 Good idea on the gloves!I know you ladies are pretty fashionable and may not want to do this. But I usually make a trip to the thrift store (Huntsville has like 20 of them all over the place) and get a cheap used sweat hoody or 2 for like 3 or 4 dollars each. That way when they come off, you don't care if you don't ever see it again. If you have someone at the finish waiting for you, pack an extra sweatshirt and pants or tights in a bag and have them hold it for you.
When you begin a race, you should be a little chilly. If you feel comfortable at the beginning, you will be warm by the second or third mile which will raise your heart rate as your body will be pumping "cool" water filled blood to your running muscles to cool down. Raised heart rate and sweating more than you need to is not a way to begin a race. Just a couple of things to think about.
That is just what I plan to do! I actually think 50s is way easier to plan for than the 20s-30s we've been having here. My MLK 8k was 17 degrees--I was overdressed for running but couldn't tolerate the waiting bits without the extra clothes. All I need for FL is a throwaway fleece and a couple disposable handwarmers for while I wait.
I already sweat in a most un-princess-like manner, and I'm afraid of chafing above all else, so I know I need to stay cool!lporter229 wrote: »At most bigger races, they have a volunteer crew that picks up all of the discarded clothing along the course and they give it to homeless shelters or other charities. They also have boxes at the start and at various spots along the course for this purpose. The start of the Columbus marathon last October was 28F. I discarded a long sleeve shirt and a pair of cheap gloves around mile 5. I later heard that they collected over a ton of clothing from the race.
When I was running in the Marine Corps 10K last fall, someone stopped dead in her tracks in front of me to pick up some gloves dropped by an earlier runner. Her running group was all, "hey--keep moving! we're in a race!" and she just laughed and said "but they're North Face!" It was pretty funny, although almost tripping over her wasn't! I don't intend to drop anything super expensive, but I do like the idea of wearing something nice enough to be useful to someone if it gets donated.
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Guys, I'm concerned. My knees hurt like I've twisted them. My run yesterday was long for me, but slow and uneventful. I did squats and wall sits at PT on Tuesday, but again, nothing out of the ordinary. Is there anything I can do to make them feel better? I didn't ice when I got home (I know--that's probably part of the problem) is it too late to do so now? I'd prefer heat, but don't want to do that if it might make it worse...
1/31 Rest
2/1 6.25 @ 12.00 on the treadmill
2/2 3.5 (3 @ 11:50 and .5 walking) and strength training
2/3 Rest day--drove several hours to have coffee with a friend. Couldn't squeeze in a run, but the heart is happy!
2/4 10.25 @ 11:46 on the treadmill. Fast and Furious (not to be confused with The Fast and the Furious. Or 2 Fast 2 Furious. Or Tokyo Drift.)
2/5 Planned rest day--taking my daughter on her first college visit!
2/6 5 @ 10:35 on the treadmill
(25/25 for the week)
2/7 Rest
2/8 5 @ 11:23 on the treadmill. Knees were giving me a little trouble at the beginning but warmed up ok.
2/9 3.25 @ 10:46 on the treadmill and strength training
2/10 11 @ 12:00 on the treadmill. Dear goodness golly that was awful.
2/11 Rest
2/12
2/13
(19.25/25 for the week)
Upcoming Races:
Feb. 14 Run Your Heart Out 5K, Fairfax, VA
Feb. 21 Disney Princess Half Marathon, Orlando, FL0 -
@Elise4270 - If the run only set you back one day, that's pretty cheap tuition in the school of hard knocks. Now you have an example of what "shouldn't run today" feels like.
Yes, definitely get the hinge brace. I have no idea how it supports the knee, but I've learned that when a medical professional tells me to use something to support an injured part of my running chain, there's a good reason to use it. I might not understand the reason, but that doesn't mean I don't need it.0 -
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@virkati how was the run?
@elise4270 thanks for playing mailman
@kristinegift love the new kicks
@adrianchr92 sorry you aren't feeling well feel better
@moyer566 I won't complain about the 19F it's supposed to be at the start of my 5K this Saturday since you are looking at 1F
@stoshew71 Skip and I were going to come down to FF tonight, you know I want to see the dog LOL, but she's got some health issues that are keeping her home and I don't want to be that far away from her.
PT was great today, after next week I'm going from twice a week to once a week. I haven't had any pain doing normal things (like moving) some discomfort when I run, but I haven't run since Saturday. Life has been a bit of *kitten* lately so I need to make sure I get my run done in the morning from now on.
You have to love my PT's KT tape, that's looking down at my knee.
Upcoming runs:
2/13 - Hug a Cub 5K
4/10 - Bridgestreet HM
5/30 - Cotton Row 10K
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Still on running hiatus (only one 5 miler this month, so far). I did, however, do my first ever spin class today. It was an intense workout, and didn't bother my ankle, so I'll call it a win. Anything to keep my legs in shape while coddling my gimpy ankle. And I'll stick that class in my repertoire of things to do on occasion--wasn't the most exciting thing I've ever done, but it was a solid workout and good cross training.
This injury has been great for one thing--broadening my horizons. Did a yoga class on Tuesday, then spin today. I'm branching out all over the place!0 -
MorningGhost14 wrote: »I finally get a chance to get home before 9 pm last night, so I pour me some bourbon, I fix dinner, I pour me some bourbon, I get cozied up with the fire, I pour me some bourbon and then I realize I actually have some free time to do whatever I want.... so what do I do?
#Ineedalife
This made me laugh!0 -
@Elise4270 - If the run only set you back one day, that's pretty cheap tuition in the school of hard knocks. Now you have an example of what "shouldn't run today" feels like.
Yes, definitely get the hinge brace. I have no idea how it supports the knee, but I've learned that when a medical professional tells me to use something to support an injured part of my running chain, there's a good reason to use it. I might not understand the reason, but that doesn't mean I don't need it.
I was gonna walk today, grabed running gear. It so nice out. I sat too long at work and it's stiff again. So, pity hamburger, phoned about the brace, and suppose since you said so, I'll fetch it.0 -
skippygirlsmom wrote: »
@stoshew71 Skip and I were going to come down to FF tonight, you know I want to see the dog LOL, but she's got some health issues that are keeping her home and I don't want to be that far away from her.
PT was great today, after next week I'm going from twice a week to once a week. I haven't had any pain doing normal things (like moving) some discomfort when I run, but I haven't run since Saturday. Life has been a bit of ***** lately so I need to make sure I get my run done in the morning from now on.
We're not going now. Jennifer changed her mind. It's her birthday so you gotta do what she wants to do. Instead of doing the fun run, she wants to go out for dinner now. So now I got to figure out how to get 3 extra miles in tonight after dinner cause I purposely went short on my run this morning. blahhhhh
What's wrong with Skip?
I am glad PT is going good for you.
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2/6 Sat 1.57 miles
2/7 Sun rest day
2/8 Mon 2 miles
2/9 Tue 2 miles pace 13:03
2/10 Wed rest day
2/11 Thurs 2 miles pace 13:00
7.57 down; 12.43 to go0 -
2/1: 6 miles with Joe to Go crew
2/2: 5 miles
2/3: 7.5 miles
2/4: 8.2 miles (am), 6 miles (pm) with the Thursday crew
2/5: Rest day (hallelujah!)
2/6: 9.5 miles with the Saturday crew
2/7: 18 miles LR
2/8: 6.1 miles with Joe to Go crew
2/9: Rest day
2/10: 7 miles speedwork (am), 10 miles (pm)
2/11: 6 miles (am), 6 miles (pm) with the Thursday crew
Another chilly one! Same temps and wind chill as this morning, but without the sunlight to warm us up! Ran in a tight group for the first 3 nice and easy (~8:55 pace) and then dropped the pace to sub-8 for the second loop because it was so darn cold! These are the days when I'm glad I prep a week's worth of dinners in the crock pot on Sunday, because it was so nice to come home and warm up with a big bowl of chili.
Upcoming races:
4/3: Caesar Rodney Half Marathon
5/1: New Jersey Marathon0 -
2/01: 3 miles, easy, 8:36 pace + 45 min x-training + core
2/02: 5 miles, tempo, 8:22 pace + 40 min x-training
2/03: 5 miles, speedwork (4x800m at 5K pace) + 45 min strength training + core
2/04: Off (bad head cold -_-), 45 min x-training
2/05: 4 miles, easy, 8:40 pace
2/06: 5 miles, 3 miles at race pace (averaged 7:43) with warm up/cool down + 55 min strength training + core
2/07: 8 miles, long and easy, 8:39 pace
2/08: 3 miles, easy, 8:40 pace + 45 min x-training + core
2/09: 5 miles, 6x2 minutes at 5K pace with 2 minutes recovery jog between plus warm up/cool down
2/10: 4 miles, easy, 8:54 pace + 45 min strength training + core
2/11: 1 mile, quick, 6:52 pace + 45 min x-training
Total: 43.28 miles
Recap:
Today was a cross-training day, but the gym was nearly empty and my legs were itching to run so did 1 mile fast on the treadmill to jump start my cross training. Sometimes a girl has just got to run!
Upcoming races:
2/20 - Mardi Gras Chaser (5K)
3/12 - Leprechaun Leap (5K)
3/20 - Excalibur 10 Miler
3/26 - Chicago Quarter Marathon
4/09 - Chi Town Half Marathon
5/28 - Soldier Field Run (10 miles)0 -
@stoshew71 sorry the run didn't work out. Skip had some sort of an episode on Tuesday. Doctor wasn't sure if it was a seizure or not. She was putting cereal in a bowl and next thing I know she was walking around, dropped the bowl on the floor, was dropping cereal all over the house while she walked bouncing off the counters like she was drunk. She ended up in the living room stiff as a board on the recliner. I grabbed her yelling her name and she finally said why are you screaming at me. She was burning up. She said the last thing she remembered was pouring the cereal and getting dizzy. It was wild. Took her to the doctor she has a double ear infection and strep. He thinks that a sudden spike in her temp might have caused it. She did something similar last week but more of just being dizzy. If it happens again he will start doing tests. He recommended she doesn't Drive until we are sure it was nothing. Never a dull moment. Thanks for asking.0
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Ok, so I'm way behind on posting here....and I feel like I'm a little behind on miles, but I think that will work out by the EOM.
2/3 - 3 miles
2/6 - 4 miles - first ever beach run!
2/10 - 2 miles (actually, this was a brisk walk but I'm gonna count it!)
2/11 - 3.5 miles
12.5 miles/ 30 mile goal
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February Running Totals (miles)
[1/31 – 14.01 easy with hills]
2/1 – 6.08 easy + 4 strides
2/2 – 9.73 warm up, speed work, cool down
2/3 – 6.30 group run
2/4 – 11.04 long speed work
2/5 – scheduled rest day
2/6 – 15.00 long speed work
Weekly total 62.16 vs. target 62
2/7 – 11.35 easy 1.5 hour
2/8 – 5.96 easy + 4 strides
2/9 – 11.08 warm up, speed work, cool down
2/10 – 6.01 easy
2/11 – 11.75 warm up, speed work, cool down
February total to date – 94.30
Goal – 62 or 68 miles per week, per training plan
expected February total - 262 to 265 miles
Today's notes – 2 miles easy, 4 x 1600m at T pace, 8 x 200m at I pace, 3 miles easy. This workout brings a new meaning to the "easy 3." It feels a lot different after 4 x 1600 at T and 8 x 200 at I.
In other news, I found time to register for Johnny's and Spring Forward. One less errand on my to-do list.
Upcoming races:
March 12, 2016 Johnny's Runnin' of the Green 5 mile (Rochester, NY - need to register)
March 26, 2016 Spring Forward Distance Run 15K (Mendon, NY - need to register)
April 18, 2016 Boston Marathon (Hopkinton, MA)
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My gosh, that's terrifying.skippygirlsmom wrote: »Skip had some sort of an episode on Tuesday. Doctor wasn't sure if it was a seizure or not.
Closest I ever came to anything close to that scary was waking up the boys one Sunday to get ready for church (the oldest was about 3 or so, as I recall), and seeing a long brown drip on his pillow. FREAKED ME OUT! His ear is bleeding! We rushed to the E.R., and found out 15-20 minutes later that he had a low fever that had melted ear wax and therefore his brain wasn't dripping out of his head.
I really hope Skip feels better soon. Worst feeling in the world for a parent is a kid who's sick.0 -
skippygirlsmom wrote: »@stoshew71 sorry the run didn't work out. Skip had some sort of an episode on Tuesday. Doctor wasn't sure if it was a seizure or not. She was putting cereal in a bowl and next thing I know she was walking around, dropped the bowl on the floor, was dropping cereal all over the house while she walked bouncing off the counters like she was drunk. She ended up in the living room stiff as a board on the recliner. I grabbed her yelling her name and she finally said why are you screaming at me. She was burning up. She said the last thing she remembered was pouring the cereal and getting dizzy. It was wild. Took her to the doctor she has a double ear infection and strep. He thinks that a sudden spike in her temp might have caused it. She did something similar last week but more of just being dizzy. If it happens again he will start doing tests. He recommended she doesn't Drive until we are sure it was nothing. Never a dull moment. Thanks for asking.
Oh my, prayers for Skip, family and docs.
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Had to get to work 2 hours early for a software implementation that wasn't going to fail, and can't be tested (because it's patching a hole that no longer exists). Got to the end of the day, and didn't feel like running, so went for a 2-mile walk instead. Can't get too far behind my totals, losing the end of the month to surgery and recovery as it is....0
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skippygirlsmom wrote: »@stoshew71 sorry the run didn't work out. Skip had some sort of an episode on Tuesday. Doctor wasn't sure if it was a seizure or not. She was putting cereal in a bowl and next thing I know she was walking around, dropped the bowl on the floor, was dropping cereal all over the house while she walked bouncing off the counters like she was drunk. She ended up in the living room stiff as a board on the recliner. I grabbed her yelling her name and she finally said why are you screaming at me. She was burning up. She said the last thing she remembered was pouring the cereal and getting dizzy. It was wild. Took her to the doctor she has a double ear infection and strep. He thinks that a sudden spike in her temp might have caused it. She did something similar last week but more of just being dizzy. If it happens again he will start doing tests. He recommended she doesn't Drive until we are sure it was nothing. Never a dull moment. Thanks for asking.
That sounds incredibly frightening. Praying for Skip and for you!0 -
Second speedwork session for the week went ok, as I'm getting closer to my peak pre-marathon fitness based on my half mile repeat pace today (6:20). Need to get the weight back down, but I don't have an A-race for 9 more weeks (Ironman Florida 70.3), and can probably knock off 10lb or so by then. Taking tomorrow off from running as I'm doing a hammerfest early morning group ride with my tri team and won't have much left in my legs after that ride.
2/1 - 4 miles (up/down part of Park City mountain through 2 feet of powder)
2/2 - 5.5 miles
2/3 - 1 miles (pre lift warmup)
2/4 - 10 miles (7 mile tempo run + 3 recovery)
2/5 - 5 miles
2/6 - 10 miles
2/8 - 9 miles
2/9 - 12 miles (w. 3x15 min @ 7:15/mile pace w. 90 sec recovery)
2/10 - 5 miles
2/11 - 12 miles (8 miles speedwork + 4 mile late recovery run)
Total: 73.5 miles
Goal: 180 miles
Remaining: 106.5 miles
@skippygirlsmom - Good luck with the diagnosis. Elevated temperatures seem to do some pretty crazy things to a body.
@5beautifuldays - hoping you have better princess weather than my disney marathon weather. 50 should be just about perfect for a PR. I think amazon still had a few types of asics arm warmers on sale for $2-$3 ("add on" item for prime members) when I checked this week and those may be a good temporary solution and could even fit in your pockets if you don't want to toss them off.0 -
2/9 3.84 miles. Total is 14.52----1/3 of the way to goal.
2/11 4.39 miles. Total is 15.08. Getting more fit. 2.5 minutes to recover after pushing myself to 93% max heart rate.0 -
3.4 miles today, 27.4 out of 60. It was a really hard run today, I just can't get my clothing right and I ended up really hot and sweaty. I'm going to have to bite the bullet and buy some shorts, I hate my legs so much and I never get them out!0
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Date.................KM...................Total
2/7....................1.19.................1.19 (Run)
2/10..................1.85.................3.04 (Walk)
2/11..................1.88.................4.92 (Walk)
Just did bit of walking on 11-Feb. Haven't run this week.
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angie_kins wrote: »I've been having some motivation problems this week. I bailed out on two runs just minutes after starting, just couldn't get myself to do it. I'm trying not to dwell and just focus on my next opportunity, but does anyone have any advice for getting yourself to keep going when you don't want to?
A few thoughts:
Usually, the first km or 2 of every run feels a little uncomfortable while your cardiovascular system kicks into gear. If you can keep going up to that point, it will start to feel better.
What is your goal? e.g. to run a certain distance, to participate in a race, etc. Clarify your goal so you know why you are running. It is hard to stay motivated without a goal in mind.
I agree with @Elise4270 with walking when you don't want to run. Walk first until you're ready to run, or take walking breaks in between running.
Maybe you are running too fast, so running feels really hard and effortful; if so, run slower.
Take motivating music to listen to. I could have never kept on running if I didn't have music to listen to.
Think of the extra food you can eat after you have burned all those calories running!
Tell yourself, "I'll only do a short run today"; then if you're feeling better at your turnaround point, keep going!
Remember how good you feel after you have done your run. No one is ever sorry for going out for a run, although they may be sorry if they don't.
Don't talk yourself out of it! You can do it.
Good luck with your next run.
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@skippygirlsmom - oh my goodness, that sounds so scary. Prayers for Skip and you!
Excellent tips! The rest are good too, just really liked these.angie_kins wrote: »Tell yourself, "I'll only do a short run today"; then if you're feeling better at your turnaround point, keep going!
Remember how good you feel after you have done your run. No one is ever sorry for going out for a run, although they may be sorry if they don't.
Weather has been very nice in the afternoons for running the week, so ran after work yesterday. I didn't stress too much about possibly missing the run because I knew no matter what, I was going! It was one of those glorious runs where you just feel like you could go forever. So great. But, I had to get back to get ready to meet people out for dinner so had to turn around at 3 miles.
Feb 1 - 4.27
Feb 2- repairing/recovery day.
Feb 3 - Strength training 4.5 miles
Feb 4 - rest
Feb 5 - Strength training
Feb 6 - 34 mile bike ride
Feb 7 - 13.1 HM - New PR 2:18:57!!!
Feb 8 - 3.05 mile recovery run.
Feb 9 - 1 hour spinning class
Feb 10 - Strength training
Feb 11 - 6 miles
Feb 12- repair/recovery day
3/3 Orlando City Soccer 5K0 -
Shirts have been mailed. Total shipping expenses were 213USD. Collected shipping costs were 143USD. If custom ink send a check or two, well be even. I'm not sweating it.
I donated the collected shipping fees to St Jude's. So, if you feel completed, I think theres a link on my profile page.
Every little bit helps. (I signed up to help raise money for the RNR half.. ) so, congratulations! You guys bought a pair of crutches for a kid at St Jude's! Awesome-sauce! Maybe that kid will be a runner...
I'm hoping everyone got tracking info. If I sent yours from the postal store, you don't have it- I don't know why, but they haven't sent it (probably can not read my handwriting).
My understanding is that if it went flat rate its insured for 50USD.0
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