The February 2016 Running Challenge

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  • instantmartian
    instantmartian Posts: 335 Member
    My half marathon story isn't anything exciting much, but I am really proud of what I accomplished. My goal going in was to finish with as little walking as possible, and be fit to spend the next couple days vacationing with my daughter (the trip was a belated birthday gift). My official time was 2:56:44, which isn't where I wanted it to be, but my gps said that I completed 13.5 in 2:49 (I stopped it for bathroom breaks--the lines were long). I was a little sore right after, but a nice hot shower and some stretching sorted me out and I probably walked an additional 8+ miles over the next two days without any stiffness or soreness.

    I did not push my speed at all--just ran at a comfortable pace. I'd never run more than 12 miles before the event and I was quite concerned about running out of steam before the end. My goal going forward will be to slowly increase the speed of my long runs, I think, but I'll be dialing back the length of those runs for some time. I'd really like to get my 5 and 10 k speeds up before I contemplate running another half (I might go back and do the Disney one in November, but I'm fairly convinced that these races *can't* really be about speed for the non-elite runner--there are just too many people in the way, almost the entire way)

    Things I'd do differently: Not carry water--there were plenty of water stops (I didn't use my fuel--might have wanted them if I was running faster, though)
    Not stop to pee, even if I think I really, really need to. I didn't. I was just nervous. And the potties are disgusting.
    Push myself to run faster in the wider spots, because the narrow spots jammed up so much that I couldn't really run at the pace I'd prefer.

    Since the race, I've of course been at the hospital. My son is not capable of managing his diabetes independently due to his autism, so in my newly-acquired job as his pancreas, I expect I'll have far less training freedom for the near future, at least. I won't lie and say that it isn't bothering me--both the fear for his health and the loss of my own freedom. But I expect we will eventually fall into some sort of new normal. Today we started that, as he got home last night. I managed a short run at the gym and it felt delicious. So here we go...


    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
    2/4 10.25 @ 11:46 on the treadmill.
    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 6.25 @ 11:23 on the treadmill.
    2/13 Rest
    (25.5/25 for the week)

    2/14 No race day-- -7windchill too cold for wimpy me
    2/15 5 @ 12 ish on the treadmill-saurus in my basement since we're having another stinking snow day
    2/16 5 @ 12 ish on the treadmill at home. My legs/ankles/whatever are not feeling great today
    2/17 5 @ 11 on the treadmill at the gym and strength training.
    2/18 5 @ 10:45 on the treadmill at the gym
    2/19 Walked around the Magic Kingdom
    2/20 Walked around Epcot
    (20/20 for the week)

    2/21 13.5 @ 12:32 Disney Princess Half Marathon. See notes above.
    2/22-25 Sitting in a hospital with a very ill boy
    2/26 3.25 @ 10:38 on the treadmill
    2/27
    (16.75/20 for the week)


    exercise.png

    Based on your experience with the Princess Half, can I assume you didn't submit a race time? I have heard absolute horror stories from people placed in the back few corrals, especially those people who want to run. Actually, the hot tub at my resort later that morning was filled with runners. Of course, we all got to talking about our experience, and a group of friends noted how pleasant their experience was this years' race in corral H as opposed to their nightmare stores from last year when they were in corral N.

    I submitted a time from a 15K I did last Spring. I was placed in corral E, and I had an absolute wonderful experience with this race. I never felt crowded; I never had to weave around people; there were absolutely no lines for the toilets; and everyone was at about the same pace the entire way, though I fell back a little due to a potty stop around mile 10, as well as stops for about 16 photos ops throughout the course - two of myself and 14 more of just me taking photos of random stuff along the course. Some of the character stops had super-long lines (like Belle and the Beast), but I didn't care about most of the characters, anyway - I am not a Princess person - Jack and Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas was good enough for me. Everyone around me was so polite, conversational, encouraging, and respectful - I hear that is not always the case once you get closer to the back of the pack.

    If you will be running another Disney race in November, I highly suggest you enter your time for a corral designation. I feel like you will have a much more pleasant race experience if you do.

    I'm still very sorry to hear about your son. I really hope things start to look up for all of you shortly.
  • instantmartian
    instantmartian Posts: 335 Member
    whatang wrote: »
    Not got round to checking in for a few days. Properly over the cold that wiped out 10 days earlier this month, it's great to be back in the swing of things. Did a very slow 5 miles on Wednesday, and a quicker 7 miles tonight. Won't get anywhere near my goal for the month, I'm at 46 out of a target of 76, will probably end up about 55ish. But, pretty happy with that considering the 2 dead weeks in the middle of the month.

    It's been really interesting reading all the debate about training and long runs, and it's started me thinking in unfamiliar directions... I'm considering signing up for a half marathon in May. I haven't done any organised races at all before, other than 5k parkruns, but I'm running about 18-20 miles a week, usually with a long run of about 7 miles. My longest run has been 10 miles, which was challenging but not horrific. Thoughts? Could I be ready for a half in about 12 weeks?

    I am by no means an expert, and my situation is probably a bit different from yours, since I had trained for two HMs (but was sidelined with injuries) before I was able to actually train for a third which I just completed. This was also a HM I didn't take completely seriously. However, my longest run over the past couple years was 10 miles just over a week before the half. I don't necessarily suggest it, but with many stops for photos of stuff and photos of me with stuff, I managed to finish the half in 2:38:29 with plenty of energy left (I could have run between photo ops a bit faster, I believe). I'd say, with 12 weeks left before your first half, with long runs of 7 miles or so, already, you are well on your way to comfortably finishing a half in May.
  • Stoshew71
    Stoshew71 Posts: 6,553 Member
    karllundy wrote: »
    @Stoshew71 - Love that you used the term "piker". Been hanging out in Jersey? Maybe Boston?

    I believe it was @9voice9 that used the term 'piker'. However, I am from NJ originally.
  • instantmartian
    instantmartian Posts: 335 Member
    Have been meaning to log in.. Things are a tad hectic over here.
    I'm currently at 128k for the month.. Hoping to do a 5k walk this afternoon, if it doesn't rain, leaving me with 133k.

    My original goal was 180km though I twisted my ankle last weekend, nothing as bad as last time thankfully but I've just been taking it easy.. walking when running gets a bit much.

    My Dad has been diagnosed with cancer.. Things have been hard. I really hate seeing him like this. Running has definitely helped with my anxiety about it all. I usually try to fix everything for everyone and it's hard for me to accept that there's nothing I can do about this. So I run.. Exhaust myself so I don't have to think about it. I'll set a goal for Feb and I will keep logging now and then though - This group keeps me accountable and I need that!

    Congrats with everyone for a great month!!

    I am so very sorry to hear about your father. I know exactly what you are going through - my mom was diagnosed with cancer late last August. My life was a complete blur for the second half of 2015. I'm still struggling with accepting everything, and we lost her in October. Best of luck. Get out and run. Do what you can to take your mind off of things, but be there as much as you can for your father and your family. I'm thinking of you.
  • WhatMeRunning
    WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
    I took 4 days of rest to get full confidence in that oblique muscle. Today I finally ran again, putting in 5 miles with my new Garmin Forerunner 630. I already like it a lot better than my old setup. The muscle is feeling fine so far. The best way I will know if it is fully healed is after resting overnight, it tended to be most noticeable in the mornings.

    See everyone in March!!

    2/1 - 4 miles
    2/2 - 4.3 miles
    2/4 - 4 miles
    2/6 - 11.1 miles
    2/8 - 9.5 miles
    2/10 - 4.5 miles
    2/12 - 5.3 miles
    2/14 - 9.2 miles
    2/15 - 4 miles
    2/16 - 4 miles
    2/17 - 4.3 miles
    2/18 - 4 miles
    2/20 - 10 miles
    2/21 - 4 miles
    2/22 - 5 miles
    2/23 - 5 miles
    2/24 - 4 miles
    2/29 - 5 miles

    101.2 of 100 miles

    exercise.png

    Upcoming races:
    4/9 - Rock the Parkway half marathon (Kansas City, MO)
    4/16 - Garmin Wickedly Fast half marathon (Olathe, KS)
    4/23 - Race for Hope half marathon (North Kansas City, MO)
    5/1 - Buffalo Bell Stampede half marathon (Leavenworth, KS)
    5/14 - Running with the Cows half marathon (Bucyrus, KS)
    6/2 - Hospital Hill 5k 7pm PRE-RUN (Kansas City, MO)
    6/3 - Hospital Hill half marathon 7am RE-RUN (Kansas City, MO)
    10/15 - Kansas City half marathon Marathon 26.2 (Kansas City, MO)
    11/5 - Jenks half marathon (Jenks, OK)
    11/6 - Kansas half marathon (Lawrence, KS)
    11/12 - Longview half marathon (Kansas City, MO)
    11/13 - Gobbler Grind half marathon (Overland Park, KS)
    11/19 - White River half marathon (Cotter, AR)
    11/20 - Pilgrim Pacer half marathon (Lenexa, KS)
  • Stoshew71
    Stoshew71 Posts: 6,553 Member
    Have been meaning to log in.. Things are a tad hectic over here.
    I'm currently at 128k for the month.. Hoping to do a 5k walk this afternoon, if it doesn't rain, leaving me with 133k.

    My original goal was 180km though I twisted my ankle last weekend, nothing as bad as last time thankfully but I've just been taking it easy.. walking when running gets a bit much.

    My Dad has been diagnosed with cancer.. Things have been hard. I really hate seeing him like this. Running has definitely helped with my anxiety about it all. I usually try to fix everything for everyone and it's hard for me to accept that there's nothing I can do about this. So I run.. Exhaust myself so I don't have to think about it. I'll set a goal for Feb and I will keep logging now and then though - This group keeps me accountable and I need that!

    Congrats with everyone for a great month!!

    My dad was diagnosed with non Hopkins Lymphoma and was doing great with his chemo. He was a weak but very stubborn man and had a fall on his stairs in his home that paralyzed half his body. He ended up bed ridden in a hospital and a few short months we lost him 2 days before my 40th birthday. So I feel for you. I pray that your dad beats this thing. Stay strong.

  • 7lenny7
    7lenny7 Posts: 3,498 Member
    @shanaber Hobbes can really get some air!
    @kristinegift Ouch! road rash can be quite painful! Way to grind out the mileage anyway.
    @MobyCarp & @WhatMeRunning, your talk of water during marathons makes me look ahead to my May marathon. The water stops are at miles: 1.7, 4.0. 5.5, 7.6, 9.9, 12.7, 15.7, 18.1, 20.4, 22.2, 23.4, and 25.3, with Gatorade beginning at mile 5.5, and salty snacks beginning at 12.7. Is that frequent enough that I wouldn't need to carry my own if I wanted to do the water stops? Right now my thoughts are to carry two disposable half liter bottles to supplement the water stops, one with water, one with Gatorade. I'd use the water stops exclusively through 9.8. but with the 2.3 to 3.0 mile gaps in the middle, I might need my own supply. At 22.2 I'd pitch the bottles. Keep in mind that this race is limited to 450 racers so I'm not concerned at all about crowded stops, except perhaps the first one.
    @whatang, great job on that 5k park run!
    @orphia, that looks like a gravel road I'd love to run. It looks like you could just run all day. Congrats on nailing all the PRs and goals!
    @kateparry84 welcome back to running!
    @runner_girl83 so sorry to hear about your Dad. That has to be tough.
    @karllundy Sorry to hear about your MIL. Tough times as well. As far as races, what are you looking for? Distances? paved or trail? big or small?
    @WhatMeRunning, what GPS were you using before?




  • 7lenny7
    7lenny7 Posts: 3,498 Member
    With my bum knee (and too much work to do), I took a break from running and skipped my Thursday and Saturday run, which would have been about 20 miles in total. I was going to skip yesterday too, but my knee had been pain free so when I dropped my son off for soccer practice, I decided to run for an hour until practice was over.

    Didn't quite happen that way. I had a pre-planned route in a new area but while lost in my head on my run, I lost track of where I was supposed to go. My 6 mile run turned into a 7;2 mile run and I was 15 minutes late getting back to soccer practice. I don't mind making my son wait, but felt bad the coach had to wait as well.

    I'm happy to report that my knee felt fine during and after the run. I feel like, maybe, perhaps, hopefully, I'm back in business. Rest day today then 7+ tomorrow night with the Winter Warriors.

    One thing this injury did is make me decide to scale back my speedwork plans leading up to my marathon. For the next two weeks I'll just be doing a some strides along with my easy runs, and perhaps 2 or 3 miles at marathon pace at the end of my long runs. At that point I'll gradually start more tempo runs and such. My main goal for the marathon training is to stay injury free, regardless of what it does to my time. Better to cross the finish with a slower time than not even cross the start line.

    I did not meet my goal for the month...no surprise there. I need to rework my plan before I can come up with a goal for March.

    Congrats everyone who met their goals, came close, or gave it a great effort!30z9jsmegsy1.jpeg
  • ceckhardt369
    ceckhardt369 Posts: 115 Member
    Met my goal for the first time since before the holidays!! Thinking about adding a 5k in March, need to decide soon since the deadline is coming up soon!
    February Running Totals (km)
    2/1- 3.5 (3.5/30)
    2/2- 3.63 (7.13/30)
    2/3- 1.36 (8.49/30)
    2/4- 1.34 (9.83/30)
    2/5- Rest following surgery
    2/6- Rest following surgery
    2/7- Rest following surgery
    2/8- Extra rest day
    2/9- Still resting...
    2/10- 1.29 (11.12/30)
    2/11- Life
    2/12- Life
    2/13- Life
    2/14- 2.16 (13.28/30)
    2/15- 2.21 (15.49/30)
    2/16- 2.59 (18.08/30)
    2/17- 1.22 (19.30/30)
    2/18- Life
    2/19- 2.54 (21.84/30)
    2/20- Girls Weekend
    2/21- Girls Weekend
    2/22- Recovery from girls weekend
    2/23- 1.20 (23.04/30)
    2/24- 2.56 (25.60/30)
    2/25- 1.34 (26.94/30)
    2/26- 1.34 (28.28/30)
    2/27- Sore from personal training
    2/28- 2.51 (30.79/30)
    2/29-

    Races
    April 10th- Run For Home HM (Relay Team)
    May ?- TuscBDD 5k
    June 25th- Indian Mud Run
    August 13th- Insane Inflatable 5k
    August 20th- Warrior Dash

  • WhatMeRunning
    WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
    @7lenny7 - First off, great to hear your knee is better!

    You should be fine with that many stops. All of the ones I ran last year had stops about every 2 miles which is what you have there. The vast majority of runners were not carrying water bottles and using only water at the stations. I forgot my water bottle for my 3rd full and used the water stations only for that one, had no problems. Although being a rather big boy I was hanging around for a while on the last few water stations downing about 3 cups at each. Maybe more. At that point it was about laughing and trying to make the aid station people laugh knowing that I was the guy ahead of the course sweeper. So they were generally happy to see me. :lol:

    As for my prior GPS, I was using my phone, apps, and a Wahoo Tickr X HRM. Strava and Endomondo together gave me the best experience of the many apps I tried. I can't complain too much about that setup at all really. In fact it was quite nice and the only thing that had kept me from getting a Garmin over the last year or so was that I felt I had everything I needed already. But beng able to run with no phone today was really nice, and I seem to actually have more data from just that watch + Garmin HRM Run than from all of hte apps on the phone and other HRM (and that Wahoo TickrX captures more data than most other HRM's). As I unlock more capabilities of using this watch I will probably like it even more. If I keep my phone paired with it I can gain quite a bit, but really that defeats the main selling point for me, being able to ditch the phone!

  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member

    My Dad has been diagnosed with cancer.. Things have been hard. I really hate seeing him like this. Running has definitely helped with my anxiety about it all. I usually try to fix everything for everyone and it's hard for me to accept that there's nothing I can do about this. So I run.. Exhaust myself so I don't have to think about it. I'll set a goal for Feb and I will keep logging now and then though - This group keeps me accountable and I need that!


    Sorry to hear about your dad. I do hope it's something he'll beat. I've had to deal with my youngest son and his ongoing battles. It does help to run and be able to check in here, sort of keeps the light on to life outside the emotional obstacles we face.
  • karllundy
    karllundy Posts: 1,490 Member
    @7lenny7 - Mostly I am looking for HMs. Size isn't a big deal either way for me. A trail run would be OK, but nothing with obstacles...not a fan. Thanks for any ideas you have!
  • RunTimer
    RunTimer Posts: 9,137 Member
    February, fewer days to run (leap year be danged)

    missed goal :(


    exercise.png
    • 01 - 5.3mi SuperBowl run around the Embarccadero Festivities
    • 03 - 12.6mi
    • 09 - 6.2mi Commute run to work
    • 14 - 1.5 Speed work: Fartleks, Suicides, Stairs..Oh My!
    • 18 - 7.9mi Commute to work
    • 22 - 6.0mi
    • 24 - 6.8mi
    • 26 - 5.4mi Commute
    • 28 - 1.8mi Hill Intervals, Coyote Canyon
    • 29 - 5.4mi <3-Shaped run around the lake


    Year Totals - 2016 (Goal:600miles)
    c45bf3027cad941.gif



  • skippygirlsmom
    skippygirlsmom Posts: 4,433 Member
    HonuNui wrote: »
    Sorry no time to read the posts and reply.

    2/28 - 3.5 pain free running by the beach miles in Hawaii. :-).

    Not a running related picture but we did a helicopter tour today. I'm never going home. My personal pilot!

    d8c1hs5ki34v.jpg

    a75tiosuibjv.jpg

    @skippygirlsmom : hey, I flew over Hale Koa on my way back home to Big Island from Kauai on Friday: did you see me wave at you?!

    @honunui of course I did!
  • skippygirlsmom
    skippygirlsmom Posts: 4,433 Member
    Me and my challenge shirt made it to the top of Diamond Head. Met a woman who said she is going to find us and join.

    dgippulq6yco.jpg
  • CariTJR
    CariTJR Posts: 343 Member
    Well last run of the month with club and we did 2.8 miles, bringing my total for Feb up to 25 miles, I'm quite happy with that for a first months milage. :)

    @runner_girl83, So very sorry to read about your Dad, I've been through the same with mine, it's very hard knowing your hands are tied, and even harder to have to watch someone you love go through such an awful illness. I really hope he makes it through.



    exercise.png
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    Me and my challenge shirt made it to the top of Diamond Head. Met a woman who said she is going to find us and join.

    dgippulq6yco.jpg

    Nice! Loving the updates!
  • 9voice9
    9voice9 Posts: 693 Member
    01-Feb: 8.61 miles
    02-Feb: 4.26 miles
    03-Feb: 3.11 miles
    04-Feb: 4.32 miles
    05-Feb: 4.75 miles
    06-Feb: 9.28 miles
    07-Feb: <Life Day>
    08-Feb: 4.78 miles
    09-Feb: 7.48 miles
    10-Feb: 3.47 miles
    11-Feb: 0.00 miles plus 2.12 miles (walk)
    12-Feb: 4.69 miles
    13-Feb: 7.62 miles
    14-Feb: <Life Day>
    15-Feb: 6.74 miles
    16-Feb: 7.52 miles
    17-Feb: 3.29 miles
    18-Feb: 8.80 miles
    19-Feb: 4.40 miles
    20-Feb: 9.91 miles
    21-Feb: <Life Day>
    22-Feb: 7.64 miles
    23-Feb: 4.44 miles
    24-Feb: <Surgery>
    25-Feb: <Recuperation>
    26-Feb: <Recuperation>
    27-Feb: <Recuperation> but 5.66 miles (walk)
    28-Feb: <Life Day> but 6.33 miles (walk)
    29-Feb: 0.00 miles but 6.89 miles (walk)

    exercise.png

    Another day of walking - I'm getting occasional twinges from the abdominal area around where the hernia is/was, but based on last time's recovery, the surgeon simply says, "Well, we went in there and did stuff and moved things around. It's gonna feel a bit weird until the body decides that this is the way things are now."

    Still not thinking of running for at least a couple more days, so I'll have to think about my March goal, now that the page is up. Kinda thinking I might move the Cherry Blossom back down to a 5K, just to be a bit cautious/wary/wise?

    Upcoming Races:
    19-Mar: Cherry Blossom 10K, Macon, GA
    02-Apr: Run 2 End Alzheimer's 10.5K, Bonaire, GA
    16-Apr: Running for Ronald 10K or 15K, Macon, GA
    04-Jul: Peachtree Road Race 10K, Atlanta, GA
  • karllundy
    karllundy Posts: 1,490 Member
    Me and my challenge shirt made it to the top of Diamond Head. Met a woman who said she is going to find us and join.

    dgippulq6yco.jpg

    Nice! I loved that hike...even though I was outta shape and weighed about 300 lbs at that point. Have a fantastic time! Oh and try poi, but not a lot...tastes like paste.
  • username301
    username301 Posts: 247 Member

    date....distance.... Mtd......ytd
    1/2........ 5k.............5k.........50k
    3/2.........5k.............10k......55k
    7/2.........5k.............15k.......60k
    10/2.......5k.............20k.......65k
    12/2.......5k.............25k.......70k
    14/2.......5k.............30k.......75k
    16/2.......5k.............35k........80k
    19/2.......5k.............40k........85k
    21/2.......5.5k..........45.5k.....90.5k
    23/2.......5k.............50.5k......95.5k
    26/2........5k............55.5k.....100.5k
    29/2........6k...........61k..........106k

    So first two months of the year have been a success.

    -I've started jogging again.
    -have got to jogging 5k without any walk intervals.

    I have also ran a 6k. So am two weeks ahead of the plan.
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    1---6.10
    2---rest
    3---6.25
    4---6.26
    5---not enough rest day
    6---15K
    7-9--busted knee.
    10-- 6.30
    11---rest
    12---7.05
    13---rest dumb knee
    14---7.39 (4.41) behind
    15---rest dumb knee
    16--- 4.60
    17---5.73 run/walk
    18---7.73 Sulphur park
    19---Nada
    20---6.72 group run
    21---7.61 walk
    22---rest
    23---feelin' lazy/storm
    24---3.11 +5.0
    25---dumb foot
    26---3.74
    27---foot tendonitis
    28---9.48 medicated the foot
    29---7.53 no way... Hot dog!

    110.04/Goal 110+ miles

    Upcoming races:
    03/19/16 Rock N Roll 5K Dallas
    03/20/16 Rock N Roll Half Dallas
    04/24/16 OKC Memorial undecided distance
    10/16/16 THAT dam half, Lewisville TX
    11/05/16 Jenks Half Jenks OK
    Run the year 2016  210.08/2016
  • _nikkiwolf_
    _nikkiwolf_ Posts: 1,380 Member
    @runner_girl83 I wish you a lot of strength, and all the best for your father! I remember how shocked I was when my aunt (my mothers twin sister, and a lot closer to me than all my other aunts and uncles) was diagnosed with cancer, and my nieces mother (my brother's ex) as well not too long after that. To whach what the chemo therapy and operations do to people you love and care about can be really horrible. But they've both won the fight against the cancer - I truly wish that your father will, as well!


    @7lenny7 Sounds like your marathon will have plenty of water stations. Still, I'd take at least a little bottle of my own with me - in case you feel tired halfway between stations and want to wash down a gel, for example.
    I just had a look at my half marathon in May: it will have four "feed stations" (that's actually what they call them on the english version of the race website - love that translation! ^^): at 6km, 11km, 14.3km, 17.7km. Even that sounds like enough to me, but I'm still going to take my usual half liter bottle with me - I like my own water/juice/marmite mix a lot better then the sports drinks I've tried so far, and I'm pretty sure they won't offer something as crazy as that at the aid stations. ;) And I guess a lot also depends on the weather, if you need extra water in between or not.


    @skippygirlsmom Great photo. Love the shirt! ;)


    @9voice9 You know best how you feel, of course - but if you are still recovering from the surgery and can't run another few days, it would probably make sense to be cautious about a race that's supposed to happen in less than three weeks. In your place I guess I would either change the race in three weeks to a 5k, or decided to run the 10k for fun, without any time pressure. "Cherry blossom" sounds like there might be some beautiful scenery to admire along the way in any case!
    Do you have to decide that soon, or can you still make up your mind on the race weekend, when you know better how well you recovered until then?

  • _nikkiwolf_
    _nikkiwolf_ Posts: 1,380 Member
    edited February 2016
    On this Saturday, I did a 12.7km run rather than a longer (15km+) run as originaly planned - I was feeling a bit guilty about going way past my training plan the week before, this should balance it a little.
    To make up for the reduced distance, I drove a little towards the mountains for the run, to get a chance to reach some truly hilly sections at least during the middle kms. I picked an area with some hiking pathes, I've been meaning to check if they are suitable for running for a while now. I'm still a bit undecided - for the most parts, the path was beautiful, with just the right amount of logs and rocks to feel like a fun trail, but there were a few sections where too-steep-to-run downhill sections stole my hard-gained elevation. I like it better when I can actually run the downhill parts; rather than sliding down desperately grasping for branches on the side of the trail... I gave up on the steeper of the trails after a bit of mad scrambling, climbed back up and followed another (less beatiful, but also less crazy) path back towards the village where I had parked my car.

    For today, I had been planning a visit to the gym, and a run tomorrow. But since the weather forcast is rather gruesome for tomorrow and it was dry today, I decided to swap. Even more distance for February... 11.3km tonight land me at 166.6 km of my 120 km goal. I blame the leap day for throwing off this month' planning!

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  • Becky_44
    Becky_44 Posts: 227 Member
    Congrats everyone who made goal or darn near it! For those who didn't, keep moving! That's all it's really about!! :smiley: Those of you with injuries, hope recovery goes smooth and quick so you can get right back where you need/want to be! Once again thanks for all the laughs, advice, encouragement and motivation! You all rock!

    My goal was to get through week 6 of the 10k trainer, I made it to week 6 day 1. SO missed it by 2 days. I feel really good about the consistency I picked up this month, and especially feel good about adding in a light workout just before my runs, almost every workout enhanced my running instead of taking away from it which is improvement for me from last month.

    See ya all on the March thread!
  • kristinegift
    kristinegift Posts: 2,406 Member
    @skippygirlsmom Love the photos! Keep 'em coming (in March!).

    @Elise4270 Way to maximize the last couple days of the month to hit your goal! Nicely done!
  • MobyCarp
    MobyCarp Posts: 2,927 Member
    THE FINAL TALLY FOR FEBRUARY

    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
    2/12 – scheduled rest day
    2/13 – 22 on inside track
    Weekly total 68.15 vs. target 68

    2/14 – 12.64 easy 100 minutes
    2/15 – 6.06 easy
    2/16 – unplanned rest day – Winter Storm Olympia
    2/17 – 9.53 long speed work
    2/18 – 14 long speed work
    2/19 – 4.03 easy instead of planned rest day
    2/20 – 10.18 easy + 6 light workout
    Weekly total 62.43 vs. target 62

    2/21 – 9.83 warmup, 2 x 5K at MP, cooldown
    2/22 – 6.10 easy + 4 strides
    2/23 – 10.20 warm up, speed work, cool down
    2/24 – rescheduled rest day
    2/25 – 7.57 aborted speed work
    2/26 – extra rest day
    2/27 – 13.95 with 8:30 pace group
    Weekly total 47.65 vs. target 68; recovery from bad cold needed rest

    2/28 – 7.78 easy
    2/29 – 7.22 easy + 4 strides

    February total– 241.38

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

    Today's notes – I got 42° F (5° C) and 24 mph WSW wind to run in this evening. The remnants of my cold are still there, but not as bothersome as yesterday. The assignment was "easy plus 4 strides" and I picked the distance to fit the weekly plan.

    For the month, I'm 21 to 24 miles below projection. This is entirely due to missing 20 to 21 planned miles last week as that pesky cold cut out some of my training. Maybe I could have run 22 on Saturday, instead of wimping out at 14; but I'm feeling pretty good today, and that's the way I wanted it to work out.

    Anyway, the February projection wasn't really a goal; the goal was to hit the weekly training plan miles. I missed that last week, and made it the other weeks. That will have to be close enough. It's 7 weeks to Patriot Day, and I will get there.

    Upcoming races:
    March 12, 2016 Johnny's Runnin' of the Green 5 mile (Rochester, NY)
    March 26, 2016 Spring Forward Distance Run 15K (Mendon, NY)
    April 18, 2016 Boston Marathon (Hopkinton, MA)
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    @kristinegift thanks!

    Congratulations to everyone that made it through the month!

    I have an update regarding my high HR.. I emailed Garmin and received some advice. After working through their solutions I think I have identified the problem. Which appears to have been a placement issue. My high HR is about 180, and commonly I see 160's. Hooray! No more 200+ BPM.
  • 9voice9
    9voice9 Posts: 693 Member
    @9voice9 You know best how you feel, of course - but if you are still recovering from the surgery and can't run another few days, it would probably make sense to be cautious about a race that's supposed to happen in less than three weeks. In your place I guess I would either change the race in three weeks to a 5k, or decided to run the 10k for fun, without any time pressure. "Cherry blossom" sounds like there might be some beautiful scenery to admire along the way in any case!
    Do you have to decide that soon, or can you still make up your mind on the race weekend, when you know better how well you recovered until then?

    I didn't update the decision on my status report - I'm gonna do it as a 5K (unless my addiction rears it's ugly head). I haven't actually signed up - around here, they either don't jack up the price of a race until late, or they do it REALLY early. Either way, I'm okay with it.

    Thanks for the concern! I really do appreciate it.
  • runner_girl83
    runner_girl83 Posts: 553 Member
    My Feb Total is 141.41 km. Was aiming for 180 but just didn't get there this time. Maybe next month!

    Thanks everyone for your nice words.. You made me get all teary! Thankyou!
  • vandinem
    vandinem Posts: 550 Member
    Congratulations all on a great month!! Lots of goal breakers, makers, and maybe-just-a-little-laters in February. March is going to be great!