October 2017 Running Challenge
Replies
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eponine1984 wrote: »Did anyone else start out like me - super slow, can barely hang on - and improve? Jumping into this challenge (trying not to compare) but it just seems like everyone is much further in their running careers than me. My sister is a runner, but she's always naturally been faster than me. So I guess I'm just hoping to hear from some other slow pokes
Yep - I had never, ever run before, didn't like running even as a child. When I started it was literally running 1 'block' during a long walk. It was exciting to see that I could run more and then as I ran the same distance that my pace improved too! You will get there! Just be consistent and enjoy it and you too will be looking back thinking, wow look how far I have come!1 -
New to all this, not even sure if I'm posting correctly. After losing 80lbs with my first pregnancy.. I gained almost all of it back with my second child. My feet hurt just to walk so I'm setting my goal to 3 miles a week.8
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Well, I'm back home now after a day of travelling and flight delays, so here's a report on Sunday's race. This will probably be a really long post, so feel free to scroll on by if lengthy posts aren't your thing!
But first, a big thank you to everyone that expressed congratulations (too many to name, but you know who you all are
), and to everyone that has given advice over the months, whether directly or indirectly...it's all been of immensely great help. Thank you. And now, race day...
The day started off nice and cool at 66F, and with a dew point of 62F, that made for a comfortable temperature for racing (compared to what I had been training in, at least). As I made my way from the hotel, I walked by another runner who was waiting for a boat to take him across the bay. I wished him good luck, and at that point he decided to forget the boat and instead walk/chat with me the couple of miles around the bay to the race start.
We got to the start with about 20 minutes to go, so I spent some time texting with friends, including the two other runners from my running group that were also at the race, and everyone was wishing us the best of luck. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to meet up with my group friends, as it was quickly approaching time to start the race. There were no corrals, and runners were expected to find the right pace group to start at. I made my way forwards towards the 3:45 pacers, but could only get as close as the 4:00 pacers; I could see the 3:45 sign up ahead of me and figured I would just try and keep that in sight. After a moment of silence for fallen heroes, and a local singing the national anthem, it was time for action.
The start was actually hard to get right. My ultimate goal of 3:40:00 meant I needed a pace of around 8:23, and my first mile came in at 8:03...way too fast. I looked at my heart rate, and it was in the mid 160s which is where it needed to be, but I needed to try and slow down. Easier said than done...mile two and my pace was 8:09. Better, but I needed to go slower, although my heart rate still held even in the mid 160s. I could see the 3:45 pacers just ahead, and once I caught them, I ran with them for a bit, but for a 3:40:00 finish, I knew I couldn't stay with them, and so pressed on. It wasn't long before I saw one of the 3:35 pacers up ahead. That meant that I was somewhere around the 3:40:00 time, but as I tried to slow things down further, I caught up with the pacer. He had separated from the other 3:35 pacer for some reason, so I ran with him for a while. Around mile eight, we chatted about another runner that looked to be running out of steam already...obviously going too fast too early, and there was no way he was going to last. He was drifting into the path of other runners, and whenever the pacer went to go by him, he would suddenly put in a spurt of effort and run ahead, only to start drifting about and slowing down again. This went on for a couple of miles, with another runner chastising him for cutting her off, but then he finally fell back and that was the last I saw of him.
At that point, around mile ten, I thought about things, how I was feeling, how my pace felt, how cool the temps were, and how my heart rate seemed settled in the 160s, so I decided to press on ahead and leave that pacer behind to move on to the next 3:35 pacer. I caught up with him at around mile twelve, and decided to stay with him to see how I felt. We cheered the halfway point, and this pacer was a lot chattier. At around mile seventeen, I actually felt really good, and knew that in my planning, mile eighteen was the point at which I would start to push a little harder, so I decided to run on. I knew the pacer wasn't too far behind me, because I could hear him still chatting away merrily, but by around mile nineteen, I could no longer hear him. At times, I thought I could, but I think that was just other runners mixed with my imagination.
By now, I was starting to push past others that looked that they were having a harder time. I checked my Garmin...heart rate was pushing above the 170 mark now, but I knew I didn't have too much further to go and so could afford it. As I ran up a hill passing mile 21, I waved to one of the runners from my running group who was running the other way on her 16th mile. The smile said that she was doing just fine. I didn't see my other running group friend until I was passing mile 22. Again, she looked like she was doing fine and waved and smiled enthusiastically.
At this point, I had just four more miles to go, and I could feel some cramps trying to start up in my calves, so I eased off a little and that quickly passed. By now I was certainly starting to feel it though, and each mile was getting harder. But reeling in other runners one by one helped me keep focus and maintain pace, and at mile 24 the full marathon merged back with the half-marathon runners. At that point, I was now having to make my way through a LOT of people. I thought I was being slowed down, but looking back, my pace was actually quicker. Fortunately, the last couple of miles were downhill, and that definitely helped, but the sun had come out from behind the clouds, and it was starting to get a lot warmer.
I passed mile 25, and the crowds were all cheering everyone on, giving a lot of encouragement...we were almost there. That mile felt like the longest mile of the race. But there it was, the mile 26 marker. I was fearing that the last 0.2 mile would take forever, but I rounded the final corner and there it was; the finish line. I moved over to the marathon lane, and crossed the line with an official time of 3:31:20.19. I had beaten my ultimate goal by almost nine minutes. So I picked up my medal and went off to die somewhere consume liquids and eat that precious and hard-earned banana before going back to the finish line to wait and cheer for my running group friends.
Official Result
As I waited, I tried to take a selfie. I'm not great at these, and usually end up taking a picture of the top of someone else's head, but this one turned out not too bad. Ignore the throbbing veins in my face; they've since calmed down.
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I guess I should also put in my miles for the month so far.
02 - 5.26
03 - 4.06
04 - 4.07
06 - 2.80
07 - 2.01
08 - 26.21
Total: 40.41 / 100 miles9 -
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eponine1984 wrote: »Did anyone else start out like me - super slow, can barely hang on - and improve? Jumping into this challenge (trying not to compare) but it just seems like everyone is much further in their running careers than me. My sister is a runner, but she's always naturally been faster than me. So I guess I'm just hoping to hear from some other slow pokes.
When I started, I could not jog 20 feet without being out of breath.
Now I may run 50-60 miles a week, but compared to many at my distance level, I am still very much a slowpoke. I am trying hard to change that, and I realize I am faster than many. In really big races, I finish around the middle of the pack, and I am okay with that. Small races sometimes I am near the end, sometimes I take my age group, just depends on who shows up.
You can not compare yourself to me, or others. This is about comparing yourself to yourself. So long as you continue to beat past you, you are on the right path.
Also, never forget:
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A very slow run even by my standard (Turtle runner). Main excuse was hot sun and then little quality sleep last night. Hope everyone is doing well. This thread lives up to its name, a running thread !
I am not able to catch up most of the time!
October Running Challenge
Goal: 80 km
Ran: 44.8/80 km
10/10/17 Run 8 km
9/10/17 Run 5.3 km
8/10/17 Rest Day
7/10/17 Rest Day walk 3 km
6/10/17 Run 8.5 km
5/10/17 Run 7 km
4/10/17 Run 7 km
3/10/17 Run 9 km6 -
Goal this month is 110 miles
10/1 - 9.03 miles
10/3 - 4.25 miles
10/4 - 4.22 miles
10/6 - 5.06 miles
10/7 - 5.06 miles
10/9 - 10.51 miles
38.13/1104 -
October 1 - 16 km
October 2 - 16 km
October 3 - 16 km
October 4 - 16 km
October 5 - 16 km
October 6 - 16 km
October 7 - rest day
October 8 - 21 km
October 9 - 16 km
October 10 - 16 km
Total km - 149 km out of 350 km2 -
eponine1984 wrote: »W8D1 complete! 28 minutes of running. I dropped my pace back down to a 15-minute mile (I had been trying to push to 14) and it was still tough but felt better than my last few runs. I loosened up the laces (haven't relaced them yet) and I think that helped because the numbness didn't set in until much later.
Did anyone else start out like me - super slow, can barely hang on - and improve? Jumping into this challenge (trying not to compare) but it just seems like everyone is much further in their running careers than me. My sister is a runner, but she's always naturally been faster than me. So I guess I'm just hoping to hear from some other slow pokes.
8.4/40 miles
I am a slow runner. My focus is always on the mileage and I admit I should pay more attention to my speed. Somehow my 10k and 5 k speed is same!
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Congratulations @garygse! Impressive race. You are a marathoner! And an amazing one at that.
@eponine1984 you're talking about me. Started running 2 years ago from never running ever, couldn't run for a minute. I joined a walk to run program and started slowly. I am not a fast runner but I am a runner - I have now done 4 half marathons and improved my time for each one (to where I'm more middle of the pack for my age group than total back of the pack). I get discouraged all the time in my training group where there are FAST runners, people who win races and qualify for Boston, who are twice as fast as me and look like gazelles. But then I look at where I was 2 years ago and that's the comparison I need to make. What *I* can accomplish and improve on, even if it is "just" fitness and finishing. That's a lot!
Sorry for not catching up more. @kristinegift I know saw you were recovering from an injury, and missed your race. Wishing you the best.
I still haven't run since my race on 10/1. I might try at least the warm-up and maybe a base run at group tonight to test out the ribs. I'm feeling like if I don't get out there sometime soon I'll find it all too easy to just quit all together. I also signed up for a Halloween weekend 5k to make sure I don't quit.8 -
@eponine1984 I was slow as balls when I did C25K. I finished the program and was running about 15 minute miles. As I started adding more miles to my weekly running, I just started getting faster without even trying. I'm still really slow, but I had gotten to 12 minute miles before my injury (which was not running related).
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Congrats, @garygse! That's a great time!1
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@garygse killer race report! Your selfie game is much more on point than mine
@eponine1984 I started out brutally slow and unable to run a full block. I don't run bad times at this point, they could be better but thats why we train!
I went out this morning dreading that the run would be under 10k- anything under 15k makes me feel like crap for some reason. Did bang out two 4 minute/km but ugh. Tomorrow is my last run before Whistler...give me distance or give me death
October 1- 28+7
October 2- 18
October 3- 20
October 4- 15
October 5- 18
October 6- Off
October 7- 32
October 8- 18
October 9- 13
October 10- 8
177/450km
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100 mile goal
38.16 miles completed.
I feel like I am starting to get some of my legs back after not running for over a year. Never a speed demon, I am slower than I have ever been. Hopefully, that will come back as well.
This challenge has bee good for me in just getting back to the habit of running/exercising every day. It already is paying some dividends and I anticipate that it will continue to do so.
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10/1-6.2 miles 1270 Feet Elevation
10/2- REST
10/3- 9
10/4- 7
10//5- 9
10/6- 5
10/7- 15
10/8- 5- Felt like being lazy
10/9- REST
10/10- 5
Total Miles: 61.2
Total Elevation: 1270
October goal: Survive 100k training taper and Wild Duluth 100k
Nominal Mileage goal: 100 miles.
Elevation goal: 15000ft
Today's notes: Woke up after letting myself sleep in until 0440 and went out and got my 5 miles in. 27F is a little cool for shorts, but it wasn't too bad. HR was kind of erratic today, Average was 152, which is OK, but my z3 time was way too high... might have something to do with the 9:04 average pace on sub-optimal sleep... anyway, this week is shaping up to be in the 35 mile range, so a decent cut back to begin taper.
2017 Races Scheduled
6/16- William A Irvin 5k
6/17- Grandma's Marathon 4:24:06
7/15- Eugene Curnow Trail Marathon 7:22:23
8/12- UMTR FatAss "Not Quite" 50k DNF, too darn hot out
8/19- Rampage at the Ridge 5k OCR
9/23- Ely Marathon 6:24:36
10/21 Wild Duluth 100k
11/23- TBD 5k Turkey3 -
Hey everyone! I have the answer to ALL OF YOUR TRAINING QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS!
Yes, I mean ALL of them.
You can STOP TRAINING right now and just buy this jacket!
It makes ALL athletes better!
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eponine1984 wrote: »Did anyone else start out like me - super slow, can barely hang on - and improve? Jumping into this challenge (trying not to compare) but it just seems like everyone is much further in their running careers than me. My sister is a runner, but she's always naturally been faster than me. So I guess I'm just hoping to hear from some other slow pokes.
Just wanted to answer you question from a bit of a different perspective. Like most others here, I started off unable to run a mile straight. But I kept at it until I finally worked myself up to running 3 miles. That took about 6 months or so, I think. Kind of hard to remember now because that was in 1997...so yeah, 20 years ago. At that time I had no goals with respect to running, other than to run for health and fitness and that I enjoyed it. I never aimed at increasing my pace or distance and racing was the furthest thing from my mind. I would run 3-4 times per week, for 30-40 minutes, which equated to 3-4 miles.
I can't remember the reason now, but I ran my first 5k in 2001. In 2003, I did the unthinkable and ran my first half marathon. In 2013, I did the next unthinkable and ran my first marathon. In 2015, I did what once seemed like the impossible and qualified for Boston and in 2017 I did something I had never even dreamed I could do when I crossed the finish line of the Boston marathon.
My point of all of this is that there is something to be said for taking it slow and enjoying the journey. I have been running for 20+ years now. It has been a journey of ups and downs, victories and set backs, but when I look back on it all, I can hardly believe how much I have accomplished. I never looked too far ahead, only around the next bend. I think that this helped me to not only gain a solid physical foundation that I was able to build on, but it also helped me to gain a huge appreciation for running and all that it has given to me physically, mentally and spiritually.
Like the others, my advice to you and to all new runners is to take it slow, avoid comparisons, appreciate each and every milestone and then set the next one. Keep at it and before you know it you will have accomplished more than you could ever have dreamed. Like the old distance running proverb says...it's a marathon, not a sprint!
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10/1 – 6 miles
10/2 – rest day
10/3 – 8 miles
10/4 - 5 miles
10/5 - 10 miles
10/6 - 5 miles
10/7 - rest day
10/8 - rest day
10/9 - 6 miles
10/10 - 7 miles
47 of 100 miles
Another muggy morning 75 degrees and 98% humidity at 5:30 am.5 -
I guess I should also put in my miles for the month so far.
02 - 5.26
03 - 4.06
04 - 4.07
06 - 2.80
07 - 2.01
08 - 26.21
Total: 40.41 / 100 miles
Congrats again Gary! Sounds like a well executed race and your training paid off in being able to pull off a fantastic result in your first marathon!1 -
Much better run today. Very cool and windy 43° F. 4.8 miles.
31.06 miles of 100.3 -
@eponine1984 I think most of us started out slow and unable to run very far. Luckily you have three things going for you.
1. Your sister is fast? We'll that means genetically you've got what it takes. As athleticism is a trait passes on through the mother (may try to back that up if I can find it). ETA ok I can't find it, maybe it was muscle fibers... But genetically we all have what it takes. It's in there.
2.Just because we didn't start running our youth doesn't mean we can't ever be fast or develop endurance. In fact, you will see improvement well in to your 60's. Serious improvement, like "holy *kitten* that old person is killin' it"- fast. (Needs no backing up, as is well documented).
3. You have us!
Now all you have to do is Embrace the Suck and train smart. 8 -
Getting here late, but trying to get some more miles in this month. Getting more each time, but travel, etc., are limiting the days I can run. More travel coming, so I'm rolling back my goal to 45. New Garmin Forerunner 235 on my wrist for the last week or so, and I'm excited to be checking it out. Running without carrying the phone, but missing the music, so I may rethink the plan.
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Thanks @hanlonsk I don't do walk/run, but I will look at that plan and see how it is. And I agree that you should probably see a doctor. That sounds like possible blood pressure issues to me.
@mobycarp Thanks for your advice. It is really helpful. I think that I could start slowly increasing my runs to get 25-25 per week. I'm at about 16 now, but there is quite a bit of time until the HM that I am thinking about running. I've looked at a few plans but they all seem to be 5 days running and for my personal life running 4 days just works better. At least for now. I really find that I want to run every day, but I do have other obligations and I know that rest days are important.
@eponine1984 You are not alone as a slow runner. I am still a slow runner. But I am a lot faster than when I started out with C25K about a year ago. I'm a lot faster than when I started doing the monthly running challenge in April. It is so hard not to compare yourself with others, but it really is best if you just compare yourself with you. I have actually found reading the responses that you have gotten to be a helpful reminder to me as I struggle with comparing myself to others all the time. For me, I have mostly focused on increasing my distance and my pace has gotten faster on its own.
Congrats again @garygse! Great race report!
It is a nice brisk morning here and the high is only supposed to be 68F so I will run my intervals this afternoon after work.4 -
@garygse fantastic race and great write up. I knew how you did and I was still cheering you on. Nice selfie! Love the medal, looks like it weighs a ton.
@BruinsGal_91 great 10K! Yeah for post race beer.
@Azercord I keep looking at those Spartan races, they look like fun. Skip says they will find me dead on the course 2 weeks later ha ha. My cousin’s son does them all over the world and loves it.
@hanlonski I thought the same thing as @PastorVincent blood pressure, I do not play a doctor on TV and didn’t stay at a Motel 6 last night, but I do have high blood pressure. My other thought was pregnant?
@hjeppley how old is your “youth” XC team? Sounds like fun
Thanks @wishIwasarunner I’m feeling almost 100% just alittle sore and can’t kneel cause my knees hurt (good thing I’m not in the NFL)
@eponine1984 I agree 100% with @shanaber. I started 4 years ago not being able to run to the mail box. I’ve run 3 HMs and tons of races of less distance, I’m still not the fastest person is the world, but I get where I’m going…cause a 13 min mile is just as far as 7 min mile.
@hotmama115 that is a great goal!
@katharmonic did you get running in to test the ribs? Come on puking in a Halloween race would be kinda cool, okay no it wouldn’t.
@MNLittleFinn happy taper
@PastorVincent ugh I can’t see the jacket…stupid company
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@PastorVincent - I need one of those jackets for sure!
@eponine1984 - I ran 15 minute miles regularly when starting out and while running my first few half marathons even. As my weight dropped I dropped down towards 12 and even 10 minute miles. After gaining a lot of weight back after an injury I was right back at 15 minute miles again wile being in my 4th year of running. So don't be too discouraged, especially when you are still relatively new. It does suck being slow, but you will get faster, especially if you are overweight and shed some pounds.4 -
katharmonic wrote: »Congratulations @garygse! Impressive race. You are a marathoner! And an amazing one at that.
@eponine1984 you're talking about me. Started running 2 years ago from never running ever, couldn't run for a minute. I joined a walk to run program and started slowly. I am not a fast runner but I am a runner - I have now done 4 half marathons and improved my time for each one (to where I'm more middle of the pack for my age group than total back of the pack). I get discouraged all the time in my training group where there are FAST runners, people who win races and qualify for Boston, who are twice as fast as me and look like gazelles. But then I look at where I was 2 years ago and that's the comparison I need to make. What *I* can accomplish and improve on, even if it is "just" fitness and finishing. That's a lot!
Sorry for not catching up more. @kristinegift I know saw you were recovering from an injury, and missed your race. Wishing you the best.
I still haven't run since my race on 10/1. I might try at least the warm-up and maybe a base run at group tonight to test out the ribs. I'm feeling like if I don't get out there sometime soon I'll find it all too easy to just quit all together. I also signed up for a Halloween weekend 5k to make sure I don't quit.
A beautiful inspiration you are!0 -
Decided to play it safe today with a walk in the Nature Park instead of running after the extra running with the team yesterday. Poured down rain for a good portion of the time but my raincoat kept most of me dry.
@skippygirlsmom My XC team is 7 kids ages 6-10 and their big (and only) meet of the season is this Saturday (they also train for some track events simultaneously but those are over for the season). Distance is 3K. My 8 year old son is also on the team so it sometimes leads to a weird parent/coach dynamic... He is good runner though and usually doesn't do too much trying to monopolize my attention.
Day/Distance/Comments
10/1 5 mi (+ 1 mile walk) + Gymnastic Bodies Front Split stretch routine
10/2 Water walking
10/3 3 mi + light yoga
10/4 Walking + yoga
10/5 3 mi + PT (scraping + treadmill + stretch + strength)
10/6 Walking + PT (stretching + scraping + ultrasound + H-wave)
10/7 4 mi (+ 1 mile walk) + yoga and PT moves
10/8 6 mi (+ 1 mile walk) + Gymnastic Bodies Front Split stretch routine + PT
10/9 3 mi slowish with youth XC team + 40 min water walking + PT
10/10 Walk for 45 min + PT moves
Goal: 75 mi
Total: 24 mi
To go: 51 mi
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@eponine1984 I am, like you, a slow runner. I started running a couple of years ago, as I approached my fortieth, having never done any running. I came LAST in the 800 metres race (by about ten minutes) at High School, but I only entered to get points for our team. I started running because I had started doing morning walks and I became a bit bored.
I run primarily outdoors. Pavements/sidewalks are things I run on only to get to the trails and gravel tracks I want to be on. I like undulations. I almost like hills on the way up, I definitely like hills on the way down. And I am SLOW. I did my first race (a 7.5k) because that’s what runners do isn’t it? I joined a running club and I’m still definitely at the back of the pack, with the fastest runners looping back. Actually sometimes I’m struggling to stay in front of the backmarker I’m so slow.
But like @lporter229 I’m all about building a base. As I run, I think about the way my feet are landing, I think about where my hips are positioned, is my head nicely balanced. Some mornings in the park I see the dogs let off the lead for the first time for hours and they leap into action, thrilled to be in the open air. I want to be like a dog. I want to leap and yelp and jump across streams and up hills and swing across tree branches.
I’m never going to be a fast runner. I’m never going to qualify for a race that needs a speed qualification. But you can bet I’m going to be the runner who keeps going, who accepts the challenges of rough terrain, who gets JOY out of running whenever she can. I’m a mountain goat in my head, I’m a tiger, I am ONE with the world around me and my body twists and curves with all the undulations the earth can throw at me.
Maybe speed will come eventually, right now, I’m all about play, and being a tiger.
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