April 2017 Running Challenge

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Replies

  • WhatMeRunning
    WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
    @katharmonic - You could do a half right now but you would probably find it a challenge and need some recovery time even if ran for fun just due to being such an increase from a long run you are accustomed to.

    With it being only 4 weeks away a single increase in mileage over a 3 week period followed by a one week taper will help your strength and endurance. Don't crank up the mileage too much, do what you know you are capable of. If you are not sure how much to add, a good rule I heard from Jack Daniels that I think works really well is adding up to one mile per week for each day per week that you run. So if you run 5 days/week, bump your mileage up from 25/week to 30/week for the next 3 weeks. Add some hilly routes on your 2nd week and do as many hilly routes as you can on that 3rd week. Then do a down week to taper on week 4 ahead of the event.

    I would still just run it for fun as planned, the difference the 3 weeks training will make is how much fun those final miles can be, and less recovery after as you look ahead to a new training plan.
  • iofred
    iofred Posts: 488 Member
    @katharmonic - as you claim it is just "for fun" (masochist) without any expectation, continue doing what you do, and see where it gets you during the HM, you can always make it a run/walk session if/when required
  • WhatMeRunning
    WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
    edited April 2017
    I am debating this morning's run. My resting HR was a little bit up this morning (10 to 12 percent), although not at overtraining levels (20%+). I saw a small part of my left calf twitching which I'm used to seeing in the hours after a long run, but not the following day unless I did a target event. That Garmin HM was not a target event, but was run as a strong long run with an extra 1.1 miles. I feel good, and can't tell if I'm being paranoid. I'm strongly leaning towards downgrading today's run to recovery effort instead of easy effort. I'll be super pissed though if something starts hurting though. But at the same time, I'll be super pissed if I miss out on training time for "coulda happened" type crap.

    Me and my first world problems.
  • MNLittleFinn
    MNLittleFinn Posts: 4,271 Member
    @WhatMeRunning better safe than sorry. You might "miss out" going easier, but if you over do it you'll miss out on more.
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    Orphia wrote: »
    autumnblade75 wrote: »
    I also played a bit more with the settings on the Garmin Connect site. I can't figure out if it isn't meant to add activity calories or if there's still just a checkbox that I haven't noticed. But they're definitely selling the Vivosmart line as activity trackers, so I feel a little bit cheated that only yesterday's run added anything, and after deleting the additional activity (sent by RunKeeper, where I had to delete a second copy of the run as sent by Zombies, Run!) I was only working with 2100 calories, as opposed to a similar day with the Fitbit, which would be 2800. But even with my substandard degree of compliance, that ought to make the weight loss actually happen, right? Feels like too much of a jump, to me.

    @autumnblade75 Not sure if you're talking about what I think you're talking about, but I find Garmin to be rubbish at letting you count calories.

    Garmin gives you barely any calories for exercise earned through walking. Fitbit was amazingly accurate for walking and running.

    I've asked and asked about this all over the web. Basically, no-one has a reason.

    I'm currently experimenting with having my MFP Activity Level set to Very Active (since I do at least 17,000 steps a day).

    I find my Garmin overestimating my calorie burn yesterday DH and I ran together and our calorie burn was 20-30 calories apart. Hes 185 vs me about 125. We still burn 800 calories for a 77 minute run. I don't buy it.

    There's probably something I need to adjust in the settings.
  • WhatMeRunning
    WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
    MNLittleFinn wrote: »
    @WhatMeRunning better safe than sorry. You might "miss out" going easier, but if you over do it you'll miss out on more.
    Thanks. My interal debate after seeing my resting HR was about either skipping the run, running at recovery effort, or just continuing on. After seeing that twitch I had to acknowledge that I either needed an unplanned rest day or a recovery run. I have decided to do the recovery run. I have become a strong believer in active recovery over just rest. Hopefully the run feels good.
  • MobyCarp
    MobyCarp Posts: 2,927 Member
    @katharmonic - I'd say do training lite for the half on May 21. Build your long run up to 10 miles, build your weekly mileage up to around 30, go run the half, have fun. Don't worry about getting in speed work, just get comfortable with running a few more miles than you do now.

    If you can get in a routine groove of 30 to 35 miles per week with a long run of 10 to 12 miles, you can pretty much run a half any time you want to. Further training would be for performance and finishing time, not just to finish the half. This isn't all *that* much more than what you're doing now.
  • shanaber
    shanaber Posts: 6,423 Member
    angmarie28 wrote: »
    @shanaber after my marathon in July, we are headed to Idaho, North of coeur d'alene, we go every year to see hubs family, I'm hoping to have recovered enough to go for at least 1 run in the mountains while we are there

    @angmarie28 - There is a race (HM, M, U) up at Priest Lake that is on my bucket list! It is SO beautiful there.
  • Stoshew71
    Stoshew71 Posts: 6,553 Member
    MNLittleFinn wrote: »
    @Stoshew71 looks like you have 1 week to go, how's taper treating you?

    Thanks for asking. It's going good. No taper blues or anything like that. I am actually enjoying the rest and recovery. I feel like I am getting stronger and should be well prepared come Saturday. Yesterday's long run the first couple miles (between knowing storms were on the way and I felt very strong) I had to fight real hard to keep the run very easy paced. I still had those first 2 miles marathon and submarathon paced. I was able to bring the pace back down slower for the rest of the run. I felt like I could go faster but knew if I did that it would not be good going into my last taper week.
  • KeepRunningFatboy
    KeepRunningFatboy Posts: 3,055 Member
    WK: 4.17.17 - 4.23.17

    M - Rest / Recover Day
    T - 10.8 m. 9:35 pace.
    W - 9.8 m. 9:40 pace.
    T - yucky weather
    F - 9.9 m. EZ
    S - 4.1 EZ
    S - 17 m with Glass City Half Marathon
    Total - 52 miles for the week

  • juliet3455
    juliet3455 Posts: 3,015 Member
    edited April 2017
    @katharmonic - I would say that @MobyCarp nailed it especially calling it Training lite.
    This is pretty much where I consider myself to be. My schedule/plan usually has a build 10, 15 then 20k on a 4 week rotation so I am in a state of HM ready. Not PB but definitely HM Ready.
    I find that doing an event for my mind means spending more time looking at the general scenery than at the terrain in front of my shoes or the time/distance/pace on my watch. My last HM in Jasper Nat Park a part of the route was on a road at the top of a ridge beside a river. Beautiful view of the Mountain peaks covered in snow and the wide twisty River Valley. While hanging out after the event some people could not remember that point in the course.
  • MNLittleFinn
    MNLittleFinn Posts: 4,271 Member
    @Stoshew71 that's great to hear! Reading your posts you sound even more relaxed and in the groove this time around.
  • MissMaggieMuffin
    MissMaggieMuffin Posts: 444 Member
    Got in three short runs this week, so fairly confident about reaching my monthly target.


    exercise.png

  • skippygirlsmom
    skippygirlsmom Posts: 4,433 Member
    edited April 2017
    So here's a great marathon for you crazy people. I've heard about this race for a couple of years and Friday found the documentary on it on Netflix. You have to watch it. Rob Youngren who is interviewed in the movie is a local running coach here.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barkley_Marathons

    http://barkleymovie.com/

  • MNLittleFinn
    MNLittleFinn Posts: 4,271 Member
    skippygirlsmom wrote: »
    So here's a great marathon for you crazy people. I've heard about this race for a couple of years and Friday found the documentary on it on Netflix. You have to watch it. Rob Youngren who is interviewed in the movie is a local running coach here.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barkley_Marathons

    http://barkleymovie.com/

    When my little man is out of the house.......
  • katharmonic
    katharmonic Posts: 5,720 Member
    Thanks so much for the advice!
    @MNLittleFinn - surprised to hear you counsel restraint :):)

    I think I am leaning towards the route of training lite as @MobyCarp suggests and generally endorsed by several of you. If I can increase my mileage just a bit over the next 3 weeks but not push it too much I think I would be comfortable with finishing and not feeling like I was run over afterward. But I'm fully prepared to walk it out if I get to a point of feeling beaten up.

    @juliet3455 I'm totally with you on doing it for the scenery and enjoyment/mental health aspects. It's along the shoreline for much of the run and the whole point of this vacation is that I am desperately in NEED of the ocean right now.
  • autumnblade75
    autumnblade75 Posts: 1,661 Member
    edited April 2017
    Elise4270 wrote: »
    Orphia wrote: »
    autumnblade75 wrote: »
    I also played a bit more with the settings on the Garmin Connect site. I can't figure out if it isn't meant to add activity calories or if there's still just a checkbox that I haven't noticed. But they're definitely selling the Vivosmart line as activity trackers, so I feel a little bit cheated that only yesterday's run added anything, and after deleting the additional activity (sent by RunKeeper, where I had to delete a second copy of the run as sent by Zombies, Run!) I was only working with 2100 calories, as opposed to a similar day with the Fitbit, which would be 2800. But even with my substandard degree of compliance, that ought to make the weight loss actually happen, right? Feels like too much of a jump, to me.

    @autumnblade75 Not sure if you're talking about what I think you're talking about, but I find Garmin to be rubbish at letting you count calories.

    Garmin gives you barely any calories for exercise earned through walking. Fitbit was amazingly accurate for walking and running.

    I've asked and asked about this all over the web. Basically, no-one has a reason.

    I'm currently experimenting with having my MFP Activity Level set to Very Active (since I do at least 17,000 steps a day).

    I find my Garmin overestimating my calorie burn yesterday DH and I ran together and our calorie burn was 20-30 calories apart. Hes 185 vs me about 125. We still burn 800 calories for a 77 minute run. I don't buy it.

    There's probably something I need to adjust in the settings.

    I haven't given up, yet. I'm still poking around at all the settings, but yesterday was a rest day, and somehow they decided to award me 300 calories for the meager steps I did get in. I'll give it a week. The runs are the easy parts to decide whether they're reporting fairly. For me, they are, anyway. I run flat on roads in my neighborhood, and I have a favorite calculator to compare to. I will accept under-reporting on EITHER regular activity OR runs, but not both. And I'm definitely going to be looking for consistency.

    Edited to add: I think that disconnecting the Fitbit from MFP may have made a difference, or possibly it just needed a full day to really work it's magic.
  • WhatMeRunning
    WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
    Barkley is beyond insane! But so amazing!

  • WhatMeRunning
    WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
    My HRM would not connect to my Garmin so I did my recovery effort run by feel. Run felt great! Now to see if it's a battery or what.

    4/1 - 10 miles
    4/2 - 4 miles
    4/3 - 4 miles
    4/4 - 4 miles
    4/5 - 4 miles
    4/6 - 4 miles
    4/7 - rest
    4/8 - 10 miles
    4/9 - 4 miles
    4/10 - 4 miles
    4/11 - 4 miles
    4/12 - 4 miles
    4/13 - 4 miles
    4/14 - rest
    4/15 - 12 miles of death by hills
    4/16 - 4 miles
    4/17 - 8 miles
    4/18 - 4 miles
    4/19 - 8 miles
    4/20 - 4 miles
    4/21 - rest = insanity
    4/22 - 13 miles (technically 13.1)
    4/23 - 4 miles

    117 of 120 miles complete


    exercise.png


    Upcoming Events:
    5/20 - Running with the Cows Half Marathon
    6/3 - Hospital Hill Half Marathon
    10/21 - Kansas City Marathon
    10/28 - Some 50k, can't remember the name, ask 7lenny7
    11/12 - Gobbler Grind Marathon
    11/19 - Pilgrim Pacer Marathon
  • MNLittleFinn
    MNLittleFinn Posts: 4,271 Member
    @katharmonic totally unlike me...... I'm trying out this whole "maturity" thing, when I really wanted to scream GO FOR IT, SMASH IT!
  • WhatMeRunning
    WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
    edited April 2017
    One thing I have noticed in my training, and can't say it works for all, is when I do a steady build over 3 weeks to new mileage compared to just running my new target mileage for 3 weeks is that I feel better at the end of that 3 week period when I do the target mileage over the 3 week period than when I steadily build. I have a theory why, but it's just my observation. The first week is the most tiring, but your cardio adapts and by the 3rd week it is easier than the 3rd week of a slow build, as each week building up you have to adapt again. I think your strength gains are better off also as you get 3 weeks at that effort as opposed to 2 lower weeks and one at target.

    This in no way means it is for all. But I have experienced it and for whatever value tools like Sport Tracks provide that show your fitness adaptations and fatigue, the results on those tools seem to back it up.

    The trick is to know how to build up the right amount and not just jump into too high of mileage that the first week at new mileage is more harm than good.

    Of course, much is to be said with going with what you know will work and you are comfortable with. I know I'm comfortable with my plans and have seen them work, but what works for one may not work for others.

    Just thought I would put that out there because I'm not sure it has been discussed here before, and I have found it pretty interesting. I'm not saying it's right, just thought I would solicit others opinions.
  • patrikc333
    patrikc333 Posts: 436 Member
    I tried to run earlier this week but my tendon was not ok. 2 weeks without running, record for me

    I rode my bike instead. The level of fitness that running gives you is amazing when you ride.

    Today had the insane idea to try a sort of gran fondo, and my garmin managed to make me losing in the middle of some fields. Anyway, 140km done, now I'm a bit tired.

    I'll try to run tomorrow, if i feel still something wrong the only thing I'll do with my bike will be cleaning it.
  • MNLittleFinn
    MNLittleFinn Posts: 4,271 Member
    @WhatMeRunning I feel the same way with adding new distance. So I'm hoping that holds true again as I jump back in after this cutback week....or the next 6 weeks are going to be brutal.
  • MobyCarp
    MobyCarp Posts: 2,927 Member
    @WhatMeRunning @MNLittleFinn - I've done well in base building with a pattern of increase, hold steady for three weeks, increase again. In actual training, I've more or less followed plans that have increase for 2 or 3 weeks then cutback. I think I'm beginning to understand that I do better with more of a cutback, and I'm beginning to recognize when I'm beat up enough that I really need to back off.

    That having been said, I don't think any one pattern is best for everyone. The principles of not adding too much, too fast and backing off after working hard are important; but the right quantification is likely to vary from one runner to the next.
  • NikolaosKey
    NikolaosKey Posts: 410 Member
    Hello fellow runners!

    Aim: 130k

    4/2: 13.1k -casual run-
    4/3: 1.5k -cause I am lazy, that's why-
    4/4: 4k -as c/d of leg day training-
    4/6: 5k -after gym-
    4/7: 8.5k -intervals-
    4/8: 9.1k -various surfaces-
    4/9: 12.5k -trail-
    4/11: 4.5k -c/d from strength training-
    4/13: 9.7k -intervals-
    4/14: 14.8k -various surfaces-
    4/19: 2.5k -c/d from strength training-
    4:20: 4.1k -c/d from legs day-
    4/21: 1.5k -w/o for upper body strength training-
    4/22: 7.6k -casual run-
    4/23: 12.5k -trail running-

    Today I felt good and drop my time by 1.5 minute.

    110.3/130k

    Stay free of injuries!
  • mustb60
    mustb60 Posts: 1,090 Member

    April Running challenge

    Goal: 100 km
    Ran: 66.2/100 km

    23/4/17 Run 7.4 km
    22/4/17 Run 7.2 km
    12/4/17 Run 7 km
    11/4/17 Rest day walk 3 km
    10/4/17 Run 11 km 89 min
    9/4/17 walk 7 km
    8/4/17 Run 3.8 km walk 2 km
    7/4/17 Run 7.4 km walk 3 km
    6/4/17 Run 8.4 km walk 9 km
    5/4/17 walk 9 km
    4/4/17 Run 7 km
    3/4/17 Run 7 km walk 6 km
    2/4/17 walk 3 km
    1/4/17 walk 7 km
  • zdyb23456
    zdyb23456 Posts: 1,706 Member
    @MobyCarp I lived in Rochester (actually Webster) for 5 years after college. I grew up in Buffalo and moved to Rochester for my first "real" job as an engineer. I moved when I got married and the Navy moved me to Virginia.

    I still have family and friends in Rochester. It's nice to hear about "home" on this site :smile:
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