The February 2016 Running Challenge
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AdrianChr92 wrote: »@kristinegift >I am convinced they all want to bite me (an unfounded assumption, I know).
As someone who grew up in the countryside...that is not unfounded at all. geese are worse than satan
As someone who grew up just a few blocks from this cesspool, I concur
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@7lenny7 THAT IS TERRIFYING. Careful, someone may flag you
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The only birds scarier than geese in my opition: swans.
They look so pretty when they are on the water (and far away), but man, those guys can be really mean if you get too close!
Though I would totally start feeding the swans, despite all risks to my fingers, if feeding them meant I might watch an eagle swoop in and fly away with a swan in its beak
(Or does that only work with geese and ducks?)
Has anyone ever done a vVO2max test?
There is a running workshop at a hospital in my area in two weeks where you can do one for free. Only catch: you can't sign up online, you have to register in place. I'd have to get up at 6am on Saturday to get there in time, and I'll have to get up early on Sunday as well (in that case, for a ~5k race). That'd be really tough, because I love sleeping in on the weekend ;-)
Would having that number be of any use to me, or can I get the same planning benefits by planning my training following the Jack Daniels HR math?0 -
@_nikkiwolf_ Swans may be able to fight off an eagle with their wings... it's swans that can break an arm with their wings, right? I just stay away from all non-duck water fowl as a rule.0
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@AdrianChr92 -- eeks! I can't even watch those spider videos.
Spiders and now geese! This is a scary place!
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 - recovery day
Feb 13 - 34 mile bike ride
Feb 14 - 36 mile bike ride
Feb 15 - 7.5 miles
Feb 16 - 3.6 miles
Feb 17 - strength training
3/3 Orlando City Soccer 5K0 -
Since we are on the subject of geese, I will tell you all this embarrassing story of mine. I shared it on the LDR group last spring, so some of you may remember it (I think you commented on it @kristinegift because I remember feeling glad to know I was not the only one to avoid geese). So anyway, here goes. I was running on a spring (think mating season) afternoon around a busy, busy intersection. You know, strip malls with Target and Pier One and pretty little retention ponds full of lovely little geese. Well, I ran by this goose and just caught her out of the corner of my eye, sitting in the grass. As I ran by, she hissed at me loudly. I continued to run, thinking I was in the clear, when the next thing I know she flew up behind me, squacking loudly and landed on my head! Right at the corner of this busy intersection. She sprayed me with some foul liquid, which I thought was poop, but it was clear, or at least it was not detectable. Nasty. Just nasty. Then she just flew away. I know everyone in the cars were getting a good laugh out of it. I just was hoping nobody pulled out their cell phones and took video. I didn't know what to do. I cussed her out of few times (which I'm sure did a lot of good) and tried to wipe whatever goo was on my head off. Then I just continued on with my run. But it was not a good experience. Now, whenever I see geese I yell at them before they have a chance to yell at me. I hate those little a-holes!0
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@lporter229 That's so gross!! I didn't know geese had skunk-like abilities! I do recall this from last spring, but it's just as awful upon retelling!!0
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@lporter229 I will never again complain about being chased by geese!! That is the most awful thing I can imagine happening!0
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@7lenny7 , @_nikkiwolf_ Yipes! I'm lucky, no geese. Just worry about wild pigs, rabid coyotes, and snakes.
@lporter229 Ewwww! So horrible!0 -
WhatMeRunning wrote: »I'm not even sure I can get enough of those in bulk from Sam's Club or Costco for the geese around here.
There are literally millions and millions of them. Every tiny little pond has a good hundred or so around it, and any larger bodies of water...fuh-geddaboudit!!!
Funny story though, maybe, at least I thought it was funny...
Everyone used to love going to the local parks and feeding the geese pieces of bread. One local park about 15 years ago chased me and my wife off from doing that (it was one of my wife's favorite things). The ranger told us that it domesticates the wild geese and ducks who get fat, slow and don't migrate any more and just hang out all year to get fed. Then when the time of year comes that the eagles arrive it is not even a challenge for the eagles to eat and they pig out on the fat, slow geese and ducks. That in turn started to have an effect on the eagles who didn't really hunt any more and were hanging out longer than usual. So they had to shut down the "eagle feeding program".
So the next time you are feeding the geese/ducks, an eagle thanks you apparently!
I still have never seen an eagle take out a goose. Not that I doubt it is possible. Just haven't seen it yet. I have seen them take some fairly large creatures though, and I saw a video once of a golden eagle taking out a small deer.
Some badass eagles!0 -
11 m. TM. 85:58 or a 7:49 overall pace.0
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kristinegift wrote: »
I just about threw in the towel after the geese though. I loathe geese. I am convinced they all want to bite me (an unfounded assumption, I know). Glad I stuck it out. The last couple miles were great and it ended up being a good run overall, even if I spent at least 6 miles thinking I may pee myself at any moment
NOT UNFOUNDED!!! I have owned two geese (both ganders of different breeds), and both were total a holes. Wild geese are more leery of coming at you, but if a male perceives a threat to a female, they will attack. Also, their beaks and tongues are serrated. And they will grab onto your leg and beat you with the sharp points of the joint in their wings. Pretty terrifying. And painful. But probably won't happen to you.
Self protection: either kick it under the breast bone (like lift it with your foot and force it away from you as hard as you can, don't swing back and kick it like a football) or grab it by the neck and spin it 180 degrees to make it face away from you. Neither option will hurt the goose, and it will probably take a couple times, but it will eventually run away honking in hatred of being bested.0 -
So...it was spitting a little rain and about 65F and I was thinking about not running because of the rain, then I recalled the sub-zero, early morning, cleat wearing, snow slogging, bug eating, spider avoiding, mauled by holes and chased by geese runners and sucked it up and went. Really nice run too!
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Easy 6 km run with 3 members of the club. Last run as I am in Taper mode before my next HM on Sunday. Hypothermic Half in Edmonton. Going for the experience and for the " Best Post Run Buffet " of any local event.
Over 80 posts since my last visit. -8C and 20km North Wind, Nasty running outbound as it was heading into th wind, Inbound was quite nice with the wind on your back. Not so bad no cleats, no loose snow, no Insect based Protein supplements, no holes and no Geese chasing me - all the Grumpy Canada Geese are way south where it is nice and warm. ( Sorry about that - as Canadians we are usually Friendly and Polite )
@Stoshew71 It used to be every time I heard " Jack Daniels " I wanted to check out the Liquor Cabinet. Now I search for Running Video Clips.
02/01 – 0.0 Km – 140 km – 150.8 Km
02/06 – 9.0 Km – 9.0 – 131 – 159.8 Km
02/07 – 21.1 Km – 30.1 - 109.9 – 180.9 Km
02/08 – 6.0 Km – 36.1 - 103.9 – 186.9 Km
02/10 – 8.0 Km – 44.1 - 95.9 – 194.9 Km
02/13 – 9.0 Km – 53.1 – 86.9 – 203.9 Km
02/14 – 6.0 Km – 59.1 – 80.9 – 209.9 Km
02/17 – 6.0 Km – 65.1 – 74.9 – 215.9 Km0 -
ceciliaslater wrote: »kristinegift wrote: »
I just about threw in the towel after the geese though. I loathe geese. I am convinced they all want to bite me (an unfounded assumption, I know). Glad I stuck it out. The last couple miles were great and it ended up being a good run overall, even if I spent at least 6 miles thinking I may pee myself at any moment
NOT UNFOUNDED!!! I have owned two geese (both ganders of different breeds), and both were total a holes. Wild geese are more leery of coming at you, but if a male perceives a threat to a female, they will attack. Also, their beaks and tongues are serrated. And they will grab onto your leg and beat you with the sharp points of the joint in their wings. Pretty terrifying. And painful. But probably won't happen to you.
Self protection: either kick it under the breast bone (like lift it with your foot and force it away from you as hard as you can, don't swing back and kick it like a football) or grab it by the neck and spin it 180 degrees to make it face away from you. Neither option will hurt the goose, and it will probably take a couple times, but it will eventually run away honking in hatred of being bested.
I agree not unfounded... while I never had a problem with Canadian geese we had wild geese of the domesticated varieties on the lakes in my home town parks. The geese would chase us and bite on the back of your legs and butt and leave bruises and cuts. They are not cute, or nice, but scary terrifying birds... that said I have never had a problem with swans but I am sure they could be just as bad.0 -
_nikkiwolf_ wrote: »Has anyone ever done a vVO2max test?
There is a running workshop at a hospital in my area in two weeks where you can do one for free. Only catch: you can't sign up online, you have to register in place. I'd have to get up at 6am on Saturday to get there in time, and I'll have to get up early on Sunday as well (in that case, for a ~5k race). That'd be really tough, because I love sleeping in on the weekend ;-)
Would having that number be of any use to me, or can I get the same planning benefits by planning my training following the Jack Daniels HR math?
Quoting this because I'd like to see an answer to this interesting question.0 -
I've been bit and snapped at several times at that park when I was a kid. I heard of one kid who was attacked and ended up with a broken arm. It's called Silver Lake Park but we always called it Goose *kitten* Park.
yep...geese are *kitten* holes
Ducks are pretty cool though. I never had any issues with them.0 -
February goal 80 miles
2/1 3.8
2/2 4.17
2/3 bad life day
2/4 4.00
2/5 3.82
2/6 preparing a Superbowl Luau
2/7 hosting a Superbowl Luau
2/8 sick
2/9 4.02
2/10 10.00
2/11 rest
2/12 snorkel 3 hours
2/13 3.25
2/14 3.52
2/15 3.34
2/16 rest
2/17 6.48
Total 46.40
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:
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98.78 km down.0
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Most scary thing out running when it is still dark - spiderweb across the path at head height with a big, fat spider in it. Especially when you don't see the web before you have run through it. Then you're freaking out, trying to pull web off your face and work out if there is a huge spider on you somewhere. I have been known to turn around and run the other way if I see a big web across the path.
Next scariest thing - dogs. If I see a dog ahead in the distance on the street, without its owner, I turn right around and run the other way.
I have also been attacked by birds - I must have been running close to their nest, and maybe they had some little ones they were protecting; but they were these big ground dwelling birds, mainly black with a red crest and blue breast and a hooked beak, and they came after me snapping at the backs of my legs. I ran a bit faster. My husband has been attacked by a duck while out running.
And that's not to mention magpies that swoop during spring when they are nesting. Oh, and the occasional snake on the path, too.
I have to say that the kangaroos never attack. Even if they are as big as me, they just watch me go by.0 -
@lporter229 - oh my gosh, that is awful. I'm surprised no one wrecked witnessing that! Ok, I hate geese now too, but luckily there aren't any around where I run.
@7lenny7 - I started reading the Gift of Fear .... I'm not very far along in it, but I now do have fear! Going to send one to my daughter who lives in NYC. She is street savvy (more so than me) after living there almost 5 years but being a mom, I must send it to her.
Awesome 5 miles this morning. No animals or people other than a lady letting her little dog out who barked but she grabbed him immediately. Last night while checking weather I saw a headline about a runner in Cocoa Beach who was hit by a car and killed the other morning.
Hit and run. He was 39 and runs at the time I normally run (4:30am). I rarely read any local news because it is so negative and scary, but the story caught my eye. So I was extremely cautious this morning - even though I have many lights on and stay in my neighborhood where I usually only see 4 cars in the hour I am out. I know who leaves for work and who is getting ready for work in the entire subdivision.
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 - recovery day
Feb 13 - 34 mile bike ride
Feb 14 - 36 mile bike ride
Feb 15 - 7.5 miles
Feb 16 - 3.6 miles
Feb 17 - strength training
Feb 18 - 5.04 miles
3/3 Orlando City Soccer 5K0 -
I am only answering based on my own experiences, gathering data and building my own training plans from there._nikkiwolf_ wrote: »Has anyone ever done a vVO2max test?
There is a running workshop at a hospital in my area in two weeks where you can do one for free. Only catch: you can't sign up online, you have to register in place. I'd have to get up at 6am on Saturday to get there in time, and I'll have to get up early on Sunday as well (in that case, for a ~5k race). That'd be really tough, because I love sleeping in on the weekend ;-)
Would having that number be of any use to me, or can I get the same planning benefits by planning my training following the Jack Daniels HR math?
Quoting this because I'd like to see an answer to this interesting question.
I have not done this myself simply because I see no benefit other than knowing exactly what the number is. Additionally, your VO2Max can change as your fitness level changes, so that number is temporary.
Training at (or near) VO2Max is the best way to improve form and build muscles for running strength. Now, what I find interesting about training at or near VO2Max is that you are essentially doing your maximum effort. So, I'm not sure what benefit knowing what one's VO2Max is if all they have to do is go at maximum effort to get those training benefits.
I am sure there are excellent reasons to know it however, otherwise people would not do these tests.
ETA - I do not have any training runs where I run at maximum effort. I do have some speedwork intervals where I am running at a high effort, above my lactate threshold, closes to my VO2Max than any other workout. But these distances vary from 400m to 1600m and I run at a different effort for each one. The highest effort being 400m which is possibly near VO2Max. But at the same time I am still overweight and building strength, so I am not sure I am pushing myself at true maximum effort. I am trying not to injure myself too. But I am also pushing myself. I am sure I could put in some extra effort, but only with added injury risk.0 -
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
2/12: Rest day!
2/13: 14 miles with Saturday crew
2/14: 7 miles
2/15: Rest/lazy day
2/16: 5 miles
2/17: 5 miles (am), 12 miles (pm)
2/18: 8 miles (am)
Cold, cold, cold! Probably would have been warmer if I hadn't been so sluggish OR if I hadn't had to stop at every. single. stoplight. Just one of those days. I can really feel the 17 miles from yesterday. Though I still have my evening group run tonight, I already dreaming about tomorrow's rest day. I may have to take another look at next week's mileage and lower it a bit. I'm on my 3rd consecutive 60 mile week, and I can tell it's wearing me out. Maybe just one 2-a-day next week will be a nice break.
Also it seems I've struck a chord with my goose reference! I am so glad everyone else seems to hate them as much as I do!
Upcoming races:
4/3: Caesar Rodney Half Marathon
5/1: New Jersey Marathon0 -
Good morning everyone, had another good run this morning.
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_nikkiwolf_ wrote: »Has anyone ever done a vVO2max test?
There is a running workshop at a hospital in my area in two weeks where you can do one for free. Only catch: you can't sign up online, you have to register in place. I'd have to get up at 6am on Saturday to get there in time, and I'll have to get up early on Sunday as well (in that case, for a ~5k race). That'd be really tough, because I love sleeping in on the weekend ;-)
Would having that number be of any use to me, or can I get the same planning benefits by planning my training following the Jack Daniels HR math?
Quoting this because I'd like to see an answer to this interesting question.
I'd just want to know. My Garmin gives me a VO2 max, I'm sure it's inaccurate, and only an approximation, but I'd just like the number at least for a base line. AND if it's free, it's for me.0 -
This is first 5K I will be running, is there some days I should rest before the run?
Personally, I don't ever run for at least one day before a race and at least one day after. Typically, I like to take two days off from running before a race, and I try to concentrate on healthy eating, staying well-hydrated, and getting a little more sleep than usual for that time, but we all know that life doesn't always allow for all of that to happen, especially for us amateurs. I'm not quite as particular when it comes to 5Ks, anymore, but I still try to adhere to all my little pre and post running rules for every race.@instantmartian wow! I do not want to go to the gym!
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I had to change bras as I got to the park the other day to run. So I stepped into the porta potty to change. Between the urinal and the hole, was a to-go plate from Denny's untouched, eggs, toast, hash browns, chicken fried steak and gravy.... It's at the skate park portion of the park, so I though some teens were behind it. @ceciliaslater you'll be running right past it mile ~24..8 on the A2A...
Yesterday in a field (same park) I saw a guy sunning in his black boxers. It was too cool to be sunning, and he wasnt in the public area of the park, like the equipment area... I thought maybe he was dead, but he had a pack under his head. I thought "more men should be out here sunning more often".
On most days, I don't want to go to my gym, either! haha On a similar note, I'm not sure I want to be going to your park! Maybe the Denny's plate in the porta potty and the dude sunning himself were some sorts of crazy "art" installations?
skippygirlsmom wrote: »@stoshew71 LOL on the expletives! I tend to use them a lot when I run.
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@instantmartian and @5BeautifulDays I too have big respect for gym folks, especially treadmill folks. My favorite lady at the gym is older and has had work done obviously since her boobs can be used as a shelf. Anyway one day I was in the locker room and she was pulling her girls up and her top down so they would show more. I almost laughed myself silly every time she walked past my treadmill. We have talked a few times, very nice lady, but I still laugh.
I, too, tend to use a lot of expletives when I run. As for your gym experience, I would, silently, refer to her as Shelf-boob Lady, and my brain would call her that every time I see her again from then until eternity. I have Cake Lady, Taco Man, Yo-yo Man, and RBF Starer at my gym. There are probably others, but I can't think of them right now.
@kristinegift: I was attached by a hoard of geese when I was on my bike along a canal when I was about 14 or 15. They had me surrounded. I couldn't move the bike forward or backwards, and they kept nipping at my bike, my feet, and my legs. I couldn't pull my feet up being on a bike and everything, and I couldn't jump off and run for fear they would run after me, and I wasn't entirely sure if I was capable of outrunning geese. After what felt like an eternity, I was able to break free with my bike and quickly continue on my way. Thankfully, they didn't follow me. It was terrifying. I completely get it.0 -
2/1-3 slow miles + lots of yoga
2/2-5.4 miles+ strength training
2/3-7 miles
2/4-rest day
2/5-3.6 miles hill sprints +strength training
2/6-6.3 miles
2/7-12.2 miles
2/8- 3.3 easy miles + yoga
2/9-4 miles speedwork on treadmill+yoga
2/10-7 miles
2/11-3.5(?) miles +yoga
2/12-strength training
2/13-12 miles
2/14-rest day
2/15-3.4 miles treadmill intervals
2/16-4.4 miles +yoga
2/17-7.5 mile Tempo run +strength training
I finally knocked myself out of slacker mode a bit and did a legit tempo run of 7.5 miles yesterday, complete with a large hill for the finish. The downhill was during my warm-up, wouldn't you know it?? Anyway, I resisted the urge to put off my weight lifting until today so that I could have a nice recovery day to look forward to. Boy am I glad I did. A bit sore today, but looking forward to a nice, easy run in 40 degree temps. Can't wait!0 -
@Elise4270, @instantmartian.... Thanks a lot for you advice.Let me try by taking couple of day offs before run day.I don't want to quit running after this 5K, I just want it to grow.
Date.................KM...................Total
2/7....................1.19.................1.19 (Run)
2/10..................1.85.................3.04 (Walk)
2/11..................1.88.................4.92 (Walk)
2/12..................8.8.................13.72 (Bird Count Exercise)
2/13..................4.2.................17.92 (Walk)
2/15..................5.27................23.19 (Run)
2/17..................5.32................28.51 (Walk)
2/18..................2.28................30.79 (Walk)
First 5 K.................. 25th Feb
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_nikkiwolf_ wrote: »Has anyone ever done a vVO2max test?
There is a running workshop at a hospital in my area in two weeks where you can do one for free. Only catch: you can't sign up online, you have to register in place. I'd have to get up at 6am on Saturday to get there in time, and I'll have to get up early on Sunday as well (in that case, for a ~5k race). That'd be really tough, because I love sleeping in on the weekend ;-)
Would having that number be of any use to me, or can I get the same planning benefits by planning my training following the Jack Daniels HR math?
Quoting this because I'd like to see an answer to this interesting question.
To me, VO2Max is not as important as Lactate Threshold. However, there are some workouts that ask you to run at a certain percentage of your VO2Max (or % of HRmax). It may be interesting to get tested (especially if it is free) but not critical in my opinion.
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This discussion has been closed.
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