December 2017 Running Challenge

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Replies

  • SusanDSME
    SusanDSME Posts: 194 Member
    @rolaasad : I agree with @7lenny7... don't worry about how long or how fast you run... just get out and run. I'm a pretty new runner myself (started in September), and sometimes I still psych myself out, wondering if I can do it, not feeling like a 'real runner.' It's nonsense. I just have to tell those doubting voices to shut up, and go out and run. You can do this!
  • kgirlhart
    kgirlhart Posts: 5,185 Member
    That video does look good @pastorvincent. Thanks.

    @BruinsGal_91 I'm glad to know you like your FR25. I looked at that one too but thought that I would probably want the HR monitor.

    @7lenny7 I never thought about looking for used. Definitely worth considering.
  • fithealthygirl
    fithealthygirl Posts: 290 Member
    exercise.png

    Tough run on the treadmill today!
  • shanaber
    shanaber Posts: 6,423 Member
    7lenny7 wrote: »
    rolaasad wrote: »
    So many days without any more runs. I'm not feeling motivated, or I am, but not enough. I'm scared of not being able to achieve my goal for this month and more scared of the actual work. I'm a very new runner and sometimes it gets overwhelming... it's twisted and doesn't make any sense.

    Still, I'm planning to go for a run tomorrow morning. I hope I can do it...

    @rolaasad instead of thinking you need to run 2 miles or 3 miles or whatever the number is, just go out and run. Don't put limits on the run. If it's just a few hundred meters, that's great. If it's more, that's great too! If you need to walk, that's no problem. Walk until you've rested enough to run again. Walking & running are both great! Just get out to take a few strides and see what happens. My other suggestion is to run SLOW! Some beginners feel they need to run fast and all that does is tire you out too soon and take away your motivation A nice easy run, slow enough that you could carry on a conversation or sing a song, is just about right.

    @rheddmobile see if the maker of your favorite socks has a model for colder weather. Personally I wear FitSock ISO for mild winter weather and move to some DryMax crew trail socks when it gets a bit colder, then for really cold weather I have some Feetures Marino wool socks and a pair of DryMax cold weather socks.

    @rolaasad - ^^^ this, exactly what @7lenny7 says! It takes a bit of time and effort to get over that hump to where you really want/can't wait to get out and just run but you will get there. Just keep at it and take it slow. For me I used to tell myself how great it felt just to be outside and looked forward to that bit of time for myself. I would dress for a run even if I talked myself into a walk instead and more often than not I would end up running at least some. Rather than worrying about miles at this point maybe try to think of your goal as the number of times you get out the door each week or you ran for a block or xx minutes and slowly increase that.

    @rheddmobile - I love Smartwool socks and they come in lots of thicknesses and lengths for any type weather (hot or cold).
  • seanevan10
    seanevan10 Posts: 385 Member
    kgirlhart wrote: »
    I have a question about running watches. I'll start by saying that a running watch is not really in my budget, especially a $500 watch. But with Christmas coming I have started thinking about getting one. I've seen the Garmin FR35 on Amazon for ~$160 looks pretty good to me and is a lot more practical for me then $500 or even $300. But I'm curious if anyone has any experience with it. Right now I have a Fitbit One which clips to my bra. (One of the main reasons I got it is that I don't usually wear a lot of jewelry and didn't want something on my wrist.) I track my runs using the Strava app on my phone and I have also tracked them with the Fitbit app so so far I have been fairly low tech. I would like to have a watch that I could track my runs and look at my pace as I run. The phone apps will give me my pace every half mile, but I'd like to be able to look at it at anytime during the run and see where my pace is and not have to wait for the prompt. Plus, sometimes I don't hear the voice prompt. I hear it, but don't always understand what she said.

    The features I would really like to have in a running watch are: gps to track the run, ability to look at my pace during the run, heart rate would be nice (I have not used a HRM monitor before). I'm not really sure what else I would need as far as running goes.

    As a watch, it would be nice to have text and email alerts. One thing that I do like about the FR35 is it seems a little smaller and I like the square face. I'm afraid some of the others would have a watch face that is larger than my wrist.

    It seems to me that the FR35 would do all of the things I want. But I am a little afraid of spending a lot of money and then being disappointed in the features or lack of features. Has anyone used a FR35 before? I know it is not one of the "fanciest" watches out there, but is it a good beginner running watch. Or would I immediately start wishing for something else? I would like to have a running watch, but I do need to be considerate of the budget as I already need new shoes (again). So I am ok with getting a basic running watch as long as it isn't too basic and does what I want.

    I have the Garmin Vivoactive HR. I got it because not only will it track runs, it will do swimming and biking (along with others.) If you are pretty low tech now, I bet the FR35 would be good. I wanted a few more things on mine and like you couldn't justify the 300-500 price tag for most. Someone on here told me about a sale and got mine that way for my birthday. I only have to charge mine once every 5-7 days and it takes less than 30 minutes for a complete charge.
  • PastorVincent
    PastorVincent Posts: 6,668 Member
    shanaber wrote: »
    7lenny7 wrote: »
    rolaasad wrote: »
    So many days without any more runs. I'm not feeling motivated, or I am, but not enough. I'm scared of not being able to achieve my goal for this month and more scared of the actual work. I'm a very new runner and sometimes it gets overwhelming... it's twisted and doesn't make any sense.

    Still, I'm planning to go for a run tomorrow morning. I hope I can do it...

    @rolaasad instead of thinking you need to run 2 miles or 3 miles or whatever the number is, just go out and run. Don't put limits on the run. If it's just a few hundred meters, that's great. If it's more, that's great too! If you need to walk, that's no problem. Walk until you've rested enough to run again. Walking & running are both great! Just get out to take a few strides and see what happens. My other suggestion is to run SLOW! Some beginners feel they need to run fast and all that does is tire you out too soon and take away your motivation A nice easy run, slow enough that you could carry on a conversation or sing a song, is just about right.

    @rolaasad - ^^^ this, exactly what @7lenny7 says! It takes a bit of time and effort to get over that hump to where you really want/can't wait to get out and just run but you will get there. Just keep at it and take it slow. For me I used to tell myself how great it felt just to be outside and looked forward to that bit of time for myself. I would dress for a run even if I talked myself into a walk instead and more often than not I would end up running at least some. Rather than worrying about miles at this point maybe try to think of your goal as the number of times you get out the door each week or you ran for a block or xx minutes and slowly increase that.

    @rolaasad ,

    I have run well over 1700 miles this year alone. I am hitting around 40-50 miles per week, and I started my adult onset running over a decade ago.

    You know what? There are still plenty of days I am like "Ugh, I need to run, but this chair is comfy and got a good pile of cookies here" or whatever. :lol:

    I have found that MOST of the time, all I have to do is make myself get out there and get STARTED and then let the momentum carry me through. Sometimes I abort early, but most times I just keep left-right-left-right for the full duration.

    It has been said many times, it is REALLY true, running has a very large mental component to it. You just have to DECIDE to run or DECIDE to keep running. Your body knows HOW and WHAT - you just have to make the decision TO.
  • seanevan10
    seanevan10 Posts: 385 Member
    garygse wrote: »
    rolaasad wrote: »
    So many days without any more runs. I'm not feeling motivated, or I am, but not enough. I'm scared of not being able to achieve my goal for this month and more scared of the actual work. I'm a very new runner and sometimes it gets overwhelming... it's twisted and doesn't make any sense.

    Still, I'm planning to go for a run tomorrow morning. I hope I can do it...

    You can do this! I've had this feeling before. I tell myself I have to go for 15 minutes and if I still feel the same I cam quit. I think I've quit once.

    ^^^ this.

    I was once told that the first mile is a lie, and that is so true.

    @rolaasad just as everyone before me quoted! This ^^^^. I am a fairly new (again like +20 years) runner too. Only started in July. And just as everyone says, just run. No program (if you don't want) and no limits. Run til you get tired then walk. If you're done, go home. If not, run some more.
  • Teresa502
    Teresa502 Posts: 1,867 Member
    Does anyone have a favorite winter sock recommendation? I've been wearing short socks and now that it's almost freezing the strip between the bottom of my socks and my tights is getting cold.

    I have a pair of smart wool I wore last year in Wisconsin. They are thin but dry quickly. (I stepped in one puddle of ice at like mile 18 of 20.)
    Love my Smart Wool socks!
  • Stoshew71
    Stoshew71 Posts: 6,553 Member
    Date Miles today - Miles for December

    12/1 5 miles - 5
    12/2 14.5 miles - 19.5
    12/3 REST DAY
    12/4 8 miles - 27.5
    12/5 9.5 miles - 37
    12/6 4.25 miles - 41.25
    12/7 10 miles - 51.25
    12/8 4 miles - 55.25

    exercise.png

    Elkmont Hound Dog Half (unofficial) - 1/21 << 1:46:48 2 OA
    Elkmont Hound Dog Half (rescheduled) - 2/18 << 1:41:04 1 in AG & 24 OA
    Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon - 4/29 << 4:09:59

    Upcoming races:
    Oak Barrel Half Marathon - 4/7/18


  • ereck44
    ereck44 Posts: 1,170 Member
    rolaasad wrote: »
    So many days without any more runs. I'm not feeling motivated, or I am, but not enough. I'm scared of not being able to achieve my goal for this month and more scared of the actual work. I'm a very new runner and sometimes it gets overwhelming... it's twisted and doesn't make any sense.

    Still, I'm planning to go for a run tomorrow morning. I hope I can do it...

    Half the time, I don't meet my monthly goals, but usually I get close. And if I don't make them, there is next month.

    I agree with mixing running and walking and not starting out too fast. Also running is the only "me" time that most of us get. For me, it is a way to unwind, listen to music, commune with nature, clear my head, etc.

    And the first mile is the toughest....after you break a sweat it gets easier. I don't know why that works. Still trying to figure it out.

    I hope you run tomorrow. Keep us posted.
  • ereck44
    ereck44 Posts: 1,170 Member
    3.65 miles on the "dreadmill" last night. I didn't have music..so I watched part of the Thursday night football game.
    12:14 pace.

    I think that my tally for the month is 8.65 miles.

    My nurse friend was vindicated yesterday. I didn't get all of the details due to being at the gym.

    Thanks to all who posted suggestions for night vision aids while running. I will relook at the posts. I don't plan to use it on trails....that's too scary for me.
  • Stoshew71
    Stoshew71 Posts: 6,553 Member
    @Azercord So sorry about your stress fracture man. Heal up soon!
    @shanaber and @LaDispute57 Happy Birthday!!! Mine is a week from today.


    Cuz I spel reel gud!

    No red line in my spell checking tools... and I copy/paste it for each update. So the typo stays forever! :D

    For the longest time, I called this thread the *Insert month here* Running Challenge

    @skippygirlsmom I love the video. I reposted it. lol
  • hist_doc
    hist_doc Posts: 206 Member
    @ereck44, have you tried the zombies run! app? I find it's so much more fun to run on the treadmill with it.

    5 slow miles today with the jogging stroller

    exercise.png

  • SusanDSME
    SusanDSME Posts: 194 Member
    @rheddmobile I just got a super deal on le bent 'le definitive' ultra light wool and bamboo socks. They're kneehigh and warm without being thick. I love them!

    So hoping I can get back to running tomorrow, even if it's sprints, which I don't particularly like.
  • PastorVincent
    PastorVincent Posts: 6,668 Member
    @7lenny7 and @ddmom0811 The hummingbird reminded me of this commercial. I love it.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woy1-SUok8Y

    Cute!
  • kgirlhart
    kgirlhart Posts: 5,185 Member
    edited December 2017
    December goal: 75 miles

    12/3: 9.1 miles
    12/5: 3.1 miles (intervals)
    12/6: 4.2 miles
    12/8: 4.1 miles

    20.5/75

    4.1 chilly miles for me today. It was pretty nice. I'm really glad I moved my run from yesterday to today. 54F feels like 51F is a lot more agreeable for me than 35F feels like 27F. I'm not used to real cold weather and I don't really have the proper gear for it. We didn't get snow yesterday. It was all south of where I am. But it was still really cold.

    @seanevan10 Thanks for the advice on the garmin. I might check out the vivofit, but the only things I do besides running is yoga so it does look like the FR35 might be a good start for me.


    exercise.png

  • shanaber
    shanaber Posts: 6,423 Member
    I took Wednesday as my normal rest day and then it was too windy and smokey to run on Thursday. Fortunately the smokey winds have finally died down a bit but it was really hot and dry out for my run today (80F when I got home and only 7% humidity). Tomorrow the winds are supposed to return so I am holding off my long run until Sunday when it should also be a bit cooler.

    Date........Miles.......Total
    12/01......5.24........5.24 - Sleeping, running and wine tasting!
    12/02......2.60........7.84 - Dog park
    12/03......6.00......13.84 - more sleeping, running and wine tasting!
    12/04......0.00......13.84 - Driving :( + Agility
    12/05......4.37......18.21 - Birthday Intervals + Strength Training
    12/06......0.00......18.21
    12/06......0.00......18.21 - +Strength Training
    12/07......0.00......18.21
    12/08......5.41......23.62

    exercise.png

    My completed and upcoming races. Let me know if you will be running them too.
    02/05/17 - Surf City Half Marathon
    07/23/17 - San Francisco 1st Half Marathon
    10/14/17 - AIM for the Cure Melanoma 5K Walk/Run
    12/16/17 - San Diego Holiday Half Marathon
    02/04/18 - Surf City Half Marathon
    07/22/18 - San Francisco 2nd Half Marathon
  • PastorVincent
    PastorVincent Posts: 6,668 Member
    kgirlhart wrote: »
    @seanevan10 Thanks for the advice on the garmin. I might check out the vivofit, but the only things I do besides running is yoga so it does look like the FR35 might be a good start for me.

    Also, watch the Amazon Refurbished store:

    http://amzn.to/2BP5KE1

    There are many Garmins in it, and you might find a good deal
  • shanaber
    shanaber Posts: 6,423 Member
    @skippygirlsmom - I love that commercial! I have seen it a time or two on TV and it always makes me smile and think I should do that for my DH :) I also saw this the other day and thought it was really awesome https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/life/2017/10/11/iowa-dad-honors-kids-cancer-spelling-out-their-names-ons-morning-runs-spell-out-names-children-cance/753547001/
    @ereck44 - let us know what happened with your nurse friend! I am glad she took action and was vindicated!
    Thanks @Stoshew71! Happy Birthday to you too in advance!
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    @_nikkiwolf_ I signed up. :smiley: Have linked it to Garmin Connect so far. Will try and get some past runs imported today or tomorrow.
    Okay, now I am freaking out about my marathon on Sunday. It is currently SNOWING. Seriously guys. Frozen *kitten* is falling from the sky and covering my car. Enough that I could write the word “snow”, in snow, on the freakin hood. All the local school districts are delaying tomorrow. People are freaking out.

    Hell (AKA Central Texas) has officially frozen over. I almost died of hypothermia walking from work to my car. How am I supposed to run in this? I can totally solder through 100 degrees F.... but frozen fluffy stuff? Ewwwwww

    @amymoreorless Eek, you made me look up the Sunday forecast... phew, 39-68F (4-20C)!


    @kgirlhart If I hadn't had help buying my Garmin Fenix 5, I would have got the Forerunner 35. Very nice bit of kit.

    A tech-savvy friend in the UK just got one, so it got his seal of approval too.
  • power0304
    power0304 Posts: 293 Member
    December 1 - 10 km
    December 2 - 16 km
    December 3 - 5km club run / strength training
    December 4 - 12 km treadmill
    December 5 - 12 km treadmill
    December 6 - 16 km run / strength training
    December 7 - 16 km run
    December 8 - 16 km run / strength training
    December 9 - 16 km run / 11 km run


    130 km - goal 350 km
  • PastorVincent
    PastorVincent Posts: 6,668 Member
    When y'all talk about the Run with Zombie app, I always picture you doing this

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dfZ9BXaNyE

  • kgirlhart
    kgirlhart Posts: 5,185 Member
    Thanks @orphia. I'm glad to know your friend likes it.
  • Luxyp
    Luxyp Posts: 48 Member
    Ran 5 miles
    Miles run to date in Dec: 31miles
    Target: 100 miles
  • Purplebunnysarah
    Purplebunnysarah Posts: 3,252 Member
    @juliet3455 I'm not actually near the 'real' Candy Cane Lane. South Edmonton has a hidden gem of a street about 1km long and it's about 85-95% lit up, and is the next street south of me. I'm actually far enough south that I run south past the oil derrick park sometimes (only do that route in daylight).

    12/1 - 5.2km
    12/2 - rest
    12/3 - 11.5km
    12/4 - rest
    12/5 - cookies!
    12/6 - 7.7km
    12/7 - rest
    12/8 - 5.1km

    29.5/75km

    Ankle was fine today so I think I'm set for Sunday's 8 mile run. It's supposed 5o be unseasonably warm so I hope the rest of the ice melts!

    Upcoming Races:
    1/1/18 Resolution Run 5K
    4/8/18 Jasper Half Marathon
    8/18/18 Edmonton Marathon 10K
  • penko47
    penko47 Posts: 236 Member
    exercise.png
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    Distance runners, if I'm planning to do my first 50 km run on April 15, and my longest run is my first marathon (on August 27), how far do you think my longest run should be in training?

    Bear in mind it took 3 months to recover from the marathon and get back up to 30 km so far.
  • girlinahat
    girlinahat Posts: 2,956 Member
    AAAAGGGHHHH!!!!!

    Now it’s MY turn for a technology fail.

    I decided to try my local Parkrun again (3rd time), and it’s 1.8miles to the start so a warm-up jog there. This is the first Parkrun where I’ve actually RUN the whole course. Basically the course structure is up a hill, along, up another hill and back down again. Towards the end, I decided it was churlish to overtake a lady struggling in the last 50 yards so I spent the time on her shoulder egging her on to a sprint finish. I’m still rubbish in terms of speed but never mind.

    So the problem is, my TomTom automatically starts it upload to my phone. If I separate the two. It’s of technology during the process then the upload doesn’t happen. And that’s exactly what happened.

    So, no detailed record of my run except what’s left in my watch history. I should’ve just stayed in bed and not bothered going.
This discussion has been closed.