The February 2016 Running Challenge

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  • Becky_44
    Becky_44 Posts: 227 Member
    edited February 2016
    Day 1 of week 2, Was perfect, couldn't have gone any better. I woke up knowing I would feel like crap after the weekend "festivities" but I'm determined to stay on schedule this month, and went out and from beginning to end it was all mind and breathing. My body cooperated perfectly, and it was at a 10 min mile pace.

    Just to share a bit... 2014 I was running, for the first time in my life, (literally 20 years of not even running around with my kids as they grew) I was running 5k 4 or 5 times a week, and got my pace up to 10 min miles and started to increase my mileage. August of 2014 was my first injury (not due to running) so clear up to May of 2015 I struggled with running. I had nerve pain from the injury, gout flare ups in a toe on the other foot, and apparently my body is retaining extra fluid and wreaking havoc on my calves. So trying to get this all sorted out, I was continuously trying to get through c25k for a second time. I could NOT get past 4 of the 8 runs on the first day. Doing 15 min mile pace. By May I gave up, and decided to just focus on walking miles. By the end of May my dad was diagnosed with Cancer and Passed a month later. July and August I was a mess. By September, I had decided that I need to live the life he would want me to live, and I turned back to my dream. I had figured out that I need to be more strict with the junk food, to help with the gout and fluid retention. It worked and I got through the first week of c25k. By Thanksgiving I ran my first 5k race. This is all at that 15 min mile pace... So the other day, when I was bummed about restarting c25k for a third time after setting my running back in January, I was ecstatic to find myself running the 10 min mile pace. And did so again today. Today's run really cemented that this is definitely something I can do. It takes patience, and it takes dedication to my diet. My run was amazing today, I haven't felt that way running in nearly 2 years. After my run today life came at me, and essentially ruined my mood ha!. But I am so determined to get my healthy, worth loving life back and to get my running back, I won't let life stop me again. I have seen what I can conquer and bounce back from, when I had so many doubts about running. February is going to be a great month! I will make it happen!!

    2/1 - .9 Run and 1.21 walk - W2d1
  • michable
    michable Posts: 312 Member
    lporter229 wrote: »
    Stoshew71 wrote: »


    I am in my mid 40's, so I like to think that i am still young.

    Amen to that! Also in my mid 40's and, although I have to be smarter about it these days, I still like to think I can find a little more speed in my old(er) age. #haventpeakedyet

    @lporter229 Mid 40s here too, and love the hashtag!
  • JamieWW
    JamieWW Posts: 4 Member
    Hi Everyone! I'm at a beginner runner level these days, and my primary goal is to finish my first half-marathon on March 26, to celebrate turning 40. Notice I said "finish," not "run." Lol. I'm quite slow, but gradually improving each week. I just bought some new running shoes, so that is helping a lot! I'm doing weekly goals right now of training four days a week (Sun, Tues, Thurs, Sat), for the following weekly mileage minimums this month:

    Week 1 - 9 miles (started with 2 yesterday)
    Week 2 - 10 miles
    Week 3 - 11 miles
    Week 4 - 12 miles

    I guess that makes my February goal 42 miles.

    Glad to have found this group!
  • _nikkiwolf_
    _nikkiwolf_ Posts: 1,380 Member
    edited February 2016
    Alright, I just did the math, my training plan would sum up to 127.6km in February. But I already know that I will probably miss one of the long runs - I get a visitor that weekend, and we plan to do a lot of hiking. Not sure if I'll have any energy left to run after I drop her off at the airport on Sunday evening. So I'll only factor in half the long run distance for that week, which gives me a goal of 120km for the month.

    exercise.png

    Upcoming races:
    * 6.3. --- Derby des Bois (4.57k)
    * 30.3.-11.4. --- zombies run! virtual race (my first virtual race - haven't decide yet if I'll do the 5k or 10k version)
    * 10.4. --- Course des Ponts
    * 8.5. --- Harmony Geneva (--> my first HM - exciting! I never ran much further than 10 miles until now...)


    --
    7lenny7 wrote: »
    My marathon training plan (which I've come to start calling my Marathon Training Suggestion), calls for 140 miles this month.
    @7lenny7 I like your attitude towards the training plan ^^
    For the first two weeks this year I tried following mine to the letter, now I just go back at the end of the week and edit the file so that it matches what I did in reality. :p

    @Elise4270 Happy one-year group anniversary, great to have you here t3424.gif

    @Becky_44 I've started over with a couch-to-5k program (not C25k, but similar) at least four times in the last 10 years. No reason you should feel bad about restarting the program! And it sounds like you are doing absolutely amazing this time around, keep up the great work!

    And of course I'm also happy to see so many familiar names here already on the first day of the month, and welcome to all the new people! I hope it's going to be a great running month for all of us.
  • RunTimer
    RunTimer Posts: 9,137 Member
    In the words of Shaun Cassidy..
    We do run run run, we do run run
    (with apoligies for the earworm)

    Leap year, one more day to run, so I'll up the ante
    February
    In it for 60
    Valentines Relay Race this month (whoo hoo) <3

    exercise.png
    • 01 - 5.3mi SuperBowl run around the Embarccadero Festivities
    • 14 - 3.2 *prelogged: Valentines Couples Relay <3
    • 29 -


    Year Totals - 2016 (Goal:600miles)
    c45bf3027cad941.gif
  • 7lenny7
    7lenny7 Posts: 3,498 Member
    edited February 2016
    I just turned 49 but I feel like I'm in my early 30's. The thought that I'll be 50 next year is a completely foreign concept. Not that I fear or dread it, just that I don't feel anywhere near like how I once imagined 50 to be.

    @becky_44, thanks for sharing your story. You seem to be a strong woman and i have no doubt you will get to where you want to be!
    @JamieWW, welcome! You're off to a great start!
    @_nikkiwolf_ , here's how you fit your long run in with your hiking. Once you get about 80% to the end of the hike, tell her you forgot something and need to go back, but that she should continue on and wait at the end. Then you run back the start, then back to meet her. Continue doing this until you get your miles in. Not only do you get your long run in, you get some hiking in too, which counts for cross training!

    And yeah, I see a plan like this as more of a guideline. I have the advantage of never having done a marathon before so any finish will be a PR. I do want to get in the *types* of runs in my plans, but the actual length will vary, depending on how my body is feeling.

    I signed up for FOUR races today. Well, it's a single race series, with four races. It's the Salomon Autumn Trail Series. They race every other Wednesday evening (which one interfere with time on our new boat) starting the end of August. Distance is either 4 miles or 5.5K.

    I'm also excited about my Winter Warriors group run tomorrow. A winter storm is forecast with 4 - 8 inches of snow, falling hardest just about the time we run. I may be wearing my trail shoes for this one.

    Upcoming Races

    04/16/2016 - Trail Mix 25K - Lake Rebecca Park
    05/14/2016 - Lake Wobegon Marathon - Holdingford, MN
    06/25/2016 - Circle of Life Half Marathon - Lake City, MN (TENTATIVE)
    07/04/2016 - Red Wing July 4th 10K - Red Wing, MN (TENTATIVE)
    07/20/2016 - Torchlight 5K - Minneapolis
    08/12/2016 - Ragnar Great River 200+ Mile Relay (Hoping to find a team)
    08/20/2016 - Mendota Bottoms 10 Mi Trail Run - Mendota, MN (TENTATIVE)
    08/31/2016 - Salomon Autumn Trail Series (4 Mi) - Bloomington, MN
    09/14/2016 - Salomon Autumn Trail Series (4 Mi) - Bloomington, MN
    09/28/2016 - Salomon Autumn Trail Series (5.5k) - Bloomington, MN
    10/12/2016 - Salomon Autumn Trail Series (5.5k) - Bloomington, MN

  • Ericsmi
    Ericsmi Posts: 128 Member
    In for 70 Miles in February.
  • whatang
    whatang Posts: 102 Member
    5 niiiiice slooooooow miles today to start the month. 5 down, 71 to go!
  • Virkati
    Virkati Posts: 679 Member
    Back from PT and he says roughly two weeks to start up a run/walk program is what he's thinking right now. From the way I presented last Thursday to today, he called it a best case scenario and has removed tendinopathy as a possibility. The improvement was truly that remarkable. I have a serious strength imbalance between my left and right glute that needs to be addressed. He added a few more exercises to my routine so hopefully when I see him on Thursday the improvements will have continued. All to say...I can see the light! I will be running again THIS month!
  • Virkati
    Virkati Posts: 679 Member
    @7lenny7
    @Virkati, if you have a Costco membership, you can get a box of 63 tablets (21 tablets each of three different flavors) for $21, including shipping. At one time they had them for $17 and I bought two boxes. I love them as well!

    THANK YOU!! I had no idea...I will be stocking up as soon as possible!
  • 9voice9
    9voice9 Posts: 693 Member
    Virkati wrote: »
    I will be running again THIS month!

    Love the determination, but keep listening to the nice PT person. They are there for you!
  • Calli1616
    Calli1616 Posts: 1,922 Member
    Just missed my goal by one long run in January, so fired up to make my new, improved February goal of 50 miles.
  • 9voice9
    9voice9 Posts: 693 Member
    I'm not a good model for anyone (including myself!), but if you want, I'm on Garmin Connect too, with the same screen name. And I'll be happy to friend most anyone on MFP, so....
  • 9voice9
    9voice9 Posts: 693 Member
    87u8alechq4n.jpeg

    I'm a terrible person, but I wanted to post what might be the ONLY time I'm ahead of @Stoshew71 on a leaderboard... :wink:
  • vandinem
    vandinem Posts: 550 Member
    @MobyCarp: In your excellent (and appreciated) reply to my question about speed work, you mentioned "I found a scientific coach last year". How did you look for that coach? Online resource, word of mouth, happy accident, or what?

    Also appreciated the advice from you and from @Stoshew71 about easy runs and avoiding injury. I do find that too many long runs in a row, even at an easy pace, can make little aches and pains bigger in a hurry, so I work in days off as needed.
  • Alex729
    Alex729 Posts: 103 Member
    I'm a total newbie, but I'm going to try to hang with you guys this month! I walked/jogged 61 miles in January, so I'm trying for 70 miles in February!
    3 down - 67 miles to go!

    My Garmin un is xelazitro ☺
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    @Alex729 welcome! Sounds like you are off to a good start!


    1---6.10. I think my shot is wearing off. Really getting to the point that I'm looking forward to seeing what surgery can do. :pensive:



    6.10/Goal 110+ miles

    Upcoming races:

    02/06/16 Hot Chocolate 15K Dallas
    03/19/16 Rock N Roll 5K Dallas
    03/20/16 Rock N Roll Half Dallas
    04/24/16 OKC Memorial undecided distance
    Run the year 2016  106.14/2016
  • 7lenny7
    7lenny7 Posts: 3,498 Member
    @9voice9, HA! I did the same thing the *one* time I was ahead of Stan.
    @Alex729, Welcome! We love total newbies here because...after all...we all were total newbies at some point.
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    9voice9 wrote: »
    87u8alechq4n.jpeg

    I'm a terrible person, but I wanted to post what might be the ONLY time I'm ahead of @Stoshew71 on a leaderboard... :wink:

    Nah, he's a good sport. :wink: its such a rare moment to be ahead of some of these folks.
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    lporter229 wrote: »
    Stoshew71 wrote: »


    I am in my mid 40's, so I like to think that i am still young.

    Amen to that! Also in my mid 40's and, although I have to be smarter about it these days, I still like to think I can find a little more speed in my old(er) age. #haventpeakedyet

    I'm in my mid 40's also... But I feel 70.
  • KatrinaGrey
    KatrinaGrey Posts: 101 Member
    Hi all, I've been on and off running for about a year, really trying to focus on endurance. Based on a silly facebook post I made NYE, my friends have challenged me to 75 miles by March 31st. Since I only did 12 in January, my goal for February is 30 miles.

    Cold and rainy here, but I got 1 mile in. My knees have been hurting so I've been doing 1 mile the past few days to work up to more after a week.

    Also, I have an 80s themed 5k in April, so I want to be able to run the whole thing. My team is going as 80s female rock stars. Im going as either Joan Jett or Siouxsie (which may mean dyeing my hair black again, reliving my goth heyday!).

    Anyway, thanks for the motivation and accountability!
  • skippygirlsmom
    skippygirlsmom Posts: 4,433 Member
    Virkati wrote: »
    Back from PT and he says roughly two weeks to start up a run/walk program is what he's thinking right now. From the way I presented last Thursday to today, he called it a best case scenario and has removed tendinopathy as a possibility. The improvement was truly that remarkable. I have a serious strength imbalance between my left and right glute that needs to be addressed. He added a few more exercises to my routine so hopefully when I see him on Thursday the improvements will have continued. All to say...I can see the light! I will be running again THIS month!

    Woohoo
  • MobyCarp
    MobyCarp Posts: 2,927 Member
    @ddmom0811 - Yup, started at 55 and got faster. Then there were several guys in the 55-59 age group who were happier about my 60th birthday than I was. :) And I was pretty happy, because it saved me 2 days of stress in Boston registration week.

    @vandinem - Finding my coach was a happy accident from my point of view, and good marketing from the club's point of view. The Genesee Valley Harriers first caught my attention at the 2015 Johnny's Runnin' of the Green, where most of the field wears St. Patrick's Day themed green, but most of the runners ahead of me were wearing maroon and white. Then they had a booth at the 2015 Lilac 10K, and gave me a coupon for 3 free training sessions. (It turned out the coupon was a gimmick, they welcome visitors any time.) I got some free advice on how to run the Buffalo Marathon, and along about mile 14-16 I ran with a guy who remembered me from visiting practice and reminded me that Coach would say to run tangents in Delaware Park. Near the end of the race, I easily passed 3 runners at Niagara Square when I was almost out of gas . . . by running a good tangent when they didn't. The reminder helped. By the time I got to my third visit at practice, I figured I'd got enough free advice to be worth the annual dues. At that point, I had no clue how valuable the coaching would be. I've paid my second year of membership dues, and I've already got more than my money's worth with 11 months left in the year.
  • MobyCarp
    MobyCarp Posts: 2,927 Member
    February Running Totals (miles)
    [1/31 – 14.01 easy with hills]
    2/1 – 6.08 easy + 4 strides

    February total to date – 6.08

    Goal – 62 or 68 miles per week, per training plan
    expected February total - 262 to 265 miles

    Today's notes – The training assignment was easy + 4 strides. My best guess is that I needed about 6 miles today, and I managed a route to start the strides at about five and a half miles. Roads were clear, temperature was falling from the upper 30s to the mid 30s during the run; just amazingly mild weather for February 1, and no snow!

    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)
  • runner_girl83
    runner_girl83 Posts: 553 Member
    Garmin watchband is glued back together.. Apparently the glue will last a long time.. hmm Will have to wait and see! Otherwise I'll have to order a replacement band, which is pretty affordable.. but the wait for it in the post will be a killer lol

    Meanwhile... I worked out how to set up a goal on Garmin Connect! :smiley:

    3fo93ucgza21.jpg
  • JohnONE29
    JohnONE29 Posts: 101 Member
    2.1.16 - 7 m. TM. Rolling Hills Level 2. 9:09 pace.
  • JohnONE29
    JohnONE29 Posts: 101 Member
    I skimmed the thread and sent add requests on Garmin Connect. Im new to the thread, but have been running for awhile. You can also add me - Garmin Name is JohnONE29
  • Becky_44
    Becky_44 Posts: 227 Member
    Elise4270 wrote: »
    I'm in my mid 40's also... But I feel 70.
    3 years ago I literally felt half my age, then I started feeling 60. Now I'm working on just feeling my age, that would be awesome! lol!

    @_nikkiwolf_ Thanks, I’m learning lots from everyone here, and that most of the time, it’s not a path of least resistance getting to our goals!

    @7lenny7 Thanks for the encouragement!

    @Virkati Great news!!
  • pansamanchada
    pansamanchada Posts: 158 Member
    I bought these puppies tonight.
    kgjd64fqrbx0.jpg

    And logged the first miles of the year. First miles in a long while really.
    3 miles.

    exercise.png
  • HonuNui
    HonuNui Posts: 1,464 Member
    February goal 80 miles

    2/1 3.8: some of you may remember my story of adopting Lily the abandoned pup. She has done remarkably well.....most of the time, and now will even play chase/keep away with DH, of whom she was terrified for the first several months. Today she must have had some PTSD issues 'cause she fought me/the leash the whole way. Not only did I run today, but I got a GREAT upper body resistance workout!

    Total 3.8

    @7lenny7 are the women strong, the men goodlooking and the children above average in the Lake Wobegon run?
    @Virkati great news from the PT!




    Upcoming races:
    3/20 Big Island International 1/2 marathon
    6/26 SHEPower Virtual 1/2 marathon
    11/13 Las Vegas Rock n Roll 1/2 marathon

    Ticker is my goal for 2016 and accumulation to date:

    exercise.png

This discussion has been closed.