December 2017 Running Challenge
Replies
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@PastorVincent I use the one80 light and it does really well. Lots of general lighting and 360 lumens isn't too bad. Plus they are pretty cheap which is always nice.0
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12/1 - 5 miles. Still loving the warmer than average weather!
12/2 - 5 miles.
12/3 - Busy / rest day.
12/4 - 5.15 miles. This weather is nuts! It was 63° at 4:45 a.m.
12/5 - 4.75 miles. 35° temperature drop in 24 hours...Brrr!
12/6 - 3.5 'mill miles, then upper body weights / abs.
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12/6 10.01 miles
52.47 miles so far, temperatures continuing to drop.1 -
@PastorVincent and @MNLittleFinn
Eh, you fit in fine. You maybe at the top end of distance, but you are not alone up there. Look at the Strava page. Chris is killing the elevation!
That's all road running. I'm having a great start to December. Going back to 4 runs and 2 cross training(elliptical) a week. I don't live in as hilly a location as Pastor but there isn't many flat runs I can do either.
I finally given in to a before and after strech of my calves. I can feel the muscle by the end of the day but I think it's good discomfort and not pain telling me to stop. (Of course we all think we can run through it. Until we are in so much pain that we completely shut down.)2 -
Goal: 30 miles
12/5 - 1 mile
12/6 - 1 mile
2/30
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cburke8909 wrote: »I can feel the muscle by the end of the day but I think it's good discomfort and not pain telling me to stop. (Of course we all think we can run through it. Until we are in so much pain that we completely shut down.)
Yep...been there. My "hip soreness" morphs into injury now and then.1 -
Dec 3: 3 miles
Dec 6: 1.5 miles
Total Goal: 25 miles2 -
3 miles this morning.
It's amazing what 24 hours will bring. Yesterday's run saw me in shorts and short sleeves. Today's run involved long pants, long sleeves, a windbreaker, hat and half gloves. Welcome to December in 'Bama.
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12/1 - Les Mills Body Pump / CX Works
12/2 - 12
12/3 - REST
12/4 - 4
12/5 - 2.5
12/6 - 2
20.5/80
Last run before the race. Went quick. Felt good. Now two bounce off the walls rest days while I watch the clock tick down to Saturday.
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I've bumped up to 3.25 miles as of yesterday. My trainer wants me to work toward 4. Some part of me wants to tell her she's crazy. I'm already running more than I'd ever imagined I could (i.e., at all). But she believes in me, and so far I've been able to do everything she's asked me to. I don't feel wrecked after I run, but it's a struggle to keep my pace steady, and along the way I wonder how I'm going to continue. But then I do.
Does anybody else here struggle with their self-confidence?8 -
I've bumped up to 3.25 miles as of yesterday. My trainer wants me to work toward 4. Some part of me wants to tell her she's crazy. I'm already running more than I'd ever imagined I could (i.e., at all). But she believes in me, and so far I've been able to do everything she's asked me to. I don't feel wrecked after I run, but it's a struggle to keep my pace steady, and along the way I wonder how I'm going to continue. But then I do.
Does anybody else here struggle with their self-confidence?
Every single time I run, I reach a point about two thirds of the way through my first mile, where I think, "Well, this is it, this is going to be the time that I call it and don't finish this run." But then I finish the run. You will too!3 -
12/1 9.75mi
12/2 4mi
12/3 rest
12/4 4mi
12/5 6mi
12/6 5.64mi
4 mile run plus strides. It was warm and raining this morning when I dropped off the kids at school. By the time I got back to the house and cleaned up a bit the temp was steadily dropping. So it was a chilly run but good!1 -
DATE...............MILES................TOTAL
12/1..................4.00......................4.00/80
12/6..................3.25......................7.25/80
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I've bumped up to 3.25 miles as of yesterday. My trainer wants me to work toward 4. Some part of me wants to tell her she's crazy. I'm already running more than I'd ever imagined I could (i.e., at all). But she believes in me, and so far I've been able to do everything she's asked me to. I don't feel wrecked after I run, but it's a struggle to keep my pace steady, and along the way I wonder how I'm going to continue. But then I do.
Does anybody else here struggle with their self-confidence?
Running has a very large mental toughness part to it. I promise you can run farther and faster than you think you can right now. You just need to overcome your own mind and do it. Humans were built to run, we rule the animal kingdom in distance running (with like 3 or 4 exceptions, non match us). You can do this.
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Met with a client this morning. I am doing his divorce. Nevertheless, his wife just bailed him out of jail. He looked rough. Last night his girlfriend came at him with a knife. He stopped her with a pellet gun. Now I am also doing his criminal case. Love is a beautiful thing.5
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LaDispute57 wrote: »Met with a client this morning. I am doing his divorce. Nevertheless, his wife just bailed him out of jail. He looked rough. Last night his girlfriend came at him with a knife. He stopped her with a pellet gun. Now I am also doing his criminal case. Love is a beautiful thing.
Imma divorce you, but first can you bail me out of jail?
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So I still need to tackle the marathon. I was thinking about the Rock n Roll in Vegas (2018) BUT that's usually in November, which means I'd be doing my training through the summer (my summer = hell but I can run through it). Or try for the 3rd time at the Phoenix Rock n Roll marathon in January (2019). Either way, I plan to do the half in Vegas but do I just go for the full?
The first year I tried for a marathon I struggled through training and dropped to the half since I didn't get any long runs over 10. This past year I got sick after Christmas and missed the last two weeks of training and couldn't even run 2 miles the week before so I didn't run any race.
Also planning to sign up for the quarter marathon on this race because I need that medal and shirt. LOL https://131events.com/winter-trail-frosty/
I didn't go back through and read all that I missed but skimmed the last few pages. I am going to go look at all the light recommendations. I have one armband light but I'd like something to help illuminate the sidewalks and trails since it's dark by the time I run after work.
And... I think I win at least elevation! I gain 16 feet on my normal route. I am hoping to get more trails in once I get my park pass again. That should give me some better elevation.0 -
@SusanDSME like @PastorVincent said running is all about mental fortitude. The words we choose to use when we think on things are important as well. Instead of thinking "Oh my God its FOUR MILES!" Take the power away from the distance, there is not a unit of measure in existence today that can defeat you in and of itself. It really is only 4 miles/ 50k/ 100 miles because in the wake of your limitless potential distance is a small thing- it may not be immediately possible but none of it is beyond you unless you decide it is. You can do it
So guess who found a trainer that runs 200 miles a week y'all 15 -
Sounds about rightJessicaMcB wrote: »So guess who found a trainer that runs 200 miles a week y'all
#lifegoals
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MNLittleFinn wrote: »
Sounds about rightJessicaMcB wrote: »So guess who found a trainer that runs 200 miles a week y'all
#lifegoals
Haha yes! And despite running since age 11 she has never experienced a running injury even while running that volume (though she apparently hurt herself rather badly doing yoga
). She is all the goals! 2 -
JessicaMcB wrote: »@SusanDSME like @PastorVincent said running is all about mental fortitude. The words we choose to use when we think on things are important as well. Instead of thinking "Oh my God its FOUR MILES!" Take the power away from the distance, there is not a unit of measure in existence today that can defeat you in and of itself. It really is only 4 miles/ 50k/ 100 miles because in the wake of your limitless potential distance is a small thing- it may not be immediately possible but none of it is beyond you unless you decide it is. You can do it
So guess who found a trainer that runs 200 miles a week y'all
SEE! You can tell I am correct because @JessicaMcB agrees! 3 -
Ran 5 miles; Total in Dec: 26 miles with 74 miles to go.1
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JessicaMcB wrote: »@SusanDSME like @PastorVincent said running is all about mental fortitude. The words we choose to use when we think on things are important as well. Instead of thinking "Oh my God its FOUR MILES!" Take the power away from the distance, there is not a unit of measure in existence today that can defeat you in and of itself. It really is only 4 miles/ 50k/ 100 miles because in the wake of your limitless potential distance is a small thing- it may not be immediately possible but none of it is beyond you unless you decide it is. You can do it
So guess who found a trainer that runs 200 miles a week y'all
This, this and all of this. At this time in 2015, I was NOT a runner by any stretch, I had just started doing some cardio so I could be in shape for my 1 year old. I NEVER thought I could run a 5k much less anything farther, without walking intervals. It's all about seeing the potential in yourself and knowing that you don't know what your limit is until you push for it. @SusanDSME you are at the beginning of a journey to experiencing your full, untapped potential, just hang and enjoy the ride!4 -
Running Lights - four points and a recommendation
1 - For running trail with any sort of technical component, i recommend using something not attached to your head. A headlamp will render the trail in 2D because you'll lack the depth perception shadows give. A handheld, waist or chest lamp gives you more shadows because it's not nearly inline with your eyes like a headlamp. On the road, I'll always use a headlamp so I can briefly flash my light onto the drivers of cars to let them know I'm there. On the trails I try not to use anything for as long as possible (I've been known to run many miles on trails in near darkness...it's awesome!) and when I do need lamp I'll use as the lowest level possible. I have a headlamp I've been able to remove from the strap and put on my SPIbelt, a waistbelt which carries my phone and ID. The biggest challenge in using a waist lamp is to get it so that it's not bouncing around too much as you run. I have not tried a dedicated handheld, though I have sometimes handheld a headlamp and that works well.
2 - Don't get wrapped up in the numbers game and look only at the total lumens. Quite often using the top lumen output will give you a drastically reduced battery life. But lumen specs sells flashlights so there usually a super high setting that might last an hour or two. I have very few flashlights I ever use at the top setting. Another point about the lumen spec is that you usually only get that when the batteries are fully charged. With an unregulated flashlight, the light output drops considerably, very quickly, then levels off for a while, then slowly fades to zero as the batteries die. A regulated output means that the light output is much more constant right up to the end, but then suddenly drops to zero. Which one you want is your choice. I prefer a regulated source because I make sure my batteries are fresh or charged. Finally, many companies just quote bogus lumen numbers. For a long time there was no standard way to measure lumens so they could list whatever they wanted. Now there's an ANSI/NEMA standard (FL1) to measure lumens but not all manufacturers follow it. Another factor affecting lumen output is whether the light is a spot light or a wide angle light (some are variable). It's easier to claim a high lumen output if you can build a spot beam with concentrated light rather than a wider, often more useful, wide beam.
3 - Weight. If you're going to run for an hour, two, or more, you want a light lamp. I recently bought a set of 2 headlamps from Costco for $18. They were only a bit heavier than favored headlamp but it was enough to make me decide I won't use them for running but they're fine for hunting so I kept them. I then bought another headlamp from REI, the Black Diamond Spot, and it is awesome! Very light, very bright, and long life. Being made by Black Diamond, I know it's well made too.
4 - Battery - replaceable (usually AAA) or rechargable...what's preferred? It depends. I love using a rechargeable most of the time because I'm not having to constantly feed it batteries. The problem with rechargeables on a long run or race is that when they die, you're done. You need to have a backup light in that case. With a light which uses AAA cells, it's simply a matter of carrying spares and replacing them when needed. For anything longer than a couple of hours I bring a backup light. Another consideration is temperature. Alkaline batteries do not work well in cold temps. Get lithium AAA cells or use the rechargables. I do have one headlamp meant for really cold temps which has a remote battery pack you can wear under your jacket to keep it warm. I haven't had a need for this one yet.
Recommendation - As I mentioned above the Black Diamond Spot is a fantastic light, used by many, many trail runners and has stood the test of time. They are a little spend at $40. I got lucky and got a deal at $20 from REI on black friday. Having used it a few times and knowing the reputation, I'd spend $40 on this if I had to. It has three LEDS with different functions. A white spot, a white flood, and a red LED (preserves night vision). All LEDs are infinitely variable brightness.
White flood - 40 to 5 lumens, 30 to 150 hours
White spot - 200 to 4 lumens, 50 to 200 hours
Red LED - I couldn't find specs on this but red usually lasts a long, long time.
The controls on this can be a bit confusing so it take some time to figure it out. I wish I had bought two more of these when the were on sale. Light weight, long battery life (includes a battery charge indicator), flood, spot and red LEDs, waterproof...what's not to love? The only negative I have is that i cannot take it off the strap and attach it to my belt, but I could probably figure out a way around that.
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@7lenny7 had a great rundown on lighting. One thing I'll note in my specific waist lamp is that it's not so much a beam as an orb of light, this greatly reduces the issue that bouncing causes because any bounce is at the edge of a pretty large area of light.
I too will run in near dark as long as possible, but for me, when it comes time to turn on my lamp, I need as much power as possible because I can see pretty well in near dark, but in total dark, I need a *kitten* ton of light..... trying out different lamps to see what you like is a fun part of the process, at least it was for me.1 -
Excellent point by @MNLittleFinn about his waist lamp. A flood lamp or "orb" will work much better as a waist lamp than a spot light as he notes.
If you can, see if you can borrow other runners lights to try out before you buy. Like so much in running, it really comes down to personal preference.2 -
01/12 4.13 miles
05/12 4.14 miles - really enjoyed this run, felt I was able to push a little harder.
06/12 3.53 miles - windy, wet, dark, sluggish - everything yesterday wasn't
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12/2 3.5
12/6 2.5
Total 6/40
Ugh, those were a tough 2.5 miles. I had to push through. I was super tight. Note to self... more yoga!4 -
RunsOnEspresso wrote: »12/2 3.5
12/6 2.5
Total 6/40
Ugh, those were a tough 2.5 miles. I had to push through. I was super tight. Note to self... more yoga!
Get a foam roller so you can spot-treat the tight spots (IT band, etc.). It helps.
I find it helpful to mentally check out during the run. I try not to think about actually running when I'm running. I kinda sort out my stuff while I run. After a while, you don't notice the hard of the running and you're getting your head straight.4 -
Excellent point by @MNLittleFinn about his waist lamp. A flood lamp or "orb" will work much better as a waist lamp than a spot light as he notes.
If you can, see if you can borrow other runners lights to try out before you buy. Like so much in running, it really comes down to personal preference.
I really like the red option on the one you mention. I do Astronomy as another hobby in the dark, and red lights are critical there. I might just grab it sight unseen some day. Not right now though, gotta get through gift buying season first.
Any other good ones I should check out that have a RED option?0
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