May 2018 Running Challenge

1404143454655

Replies

  • zdyb23456
    zdyb23456 Posts: 1,706 Member
    5/1 6miles
    5/2 9.92miles
    5/3 6miles
    5/4 12miles
    5/5 6miles
    5/6 rest
    5/7 6.5miles
    5/8 6miles
    5/9 7miles
    5/10 8miles
    5/11 5miles
    5/12 14.11miles!
    5/13 rest
    5/14 5.75miles
    5/15 6miles
    5/16 9.84miles
    5/17 6miles
    5/18 13.1miles!
    5/19 6miles
    5/20 rest
    5/21 6.34miles
    5/22 6miles
    5/23 8miles
    5/24 7.91miles

    I have been MIA the last week, but I've still been running! Life is just really busy and this thread moves so fast - I'm 300 posts behind!

    This level 3 half marathon training is really kicking my butt - I'm really starting to feel the increased mileage and I think about cutting back some days, but somehow I end up running whatever the plan says to. I'm not sure if that's good or bad.

    I'm planning on 14 miles tomorrow morning, but thinking about just doing 12...

    I have some time so I'm going to try and catch up on the thread!



    3/18/2018 Shamrock half marathon
    3/24/2018 Don't Sit on Colon Cancer 5K

    5/28/2018 Run to Remember 5K
    10/7/2018 Crawlin Crab half marathon
    10/13/2018 Joggin for Frogmen 5K
    11/18/2018 Norfolk Harbor half marathon
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    loving everyone's stories!

    Keep 'em coming!

    @lporter229 I don't think I'll ever be 100% either. Any day we're pain free, upright and moving is a win.
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    lol @Elise4270 any day i wake up pain free, i'd wonder if i died
  • zdyb23456
    zdyb23456 Posts: 1,706 Member
    7lenny7 wrote: »
    Who was it that mentioned they are slow for the first 3k and that's why they don't run 5ks?

    That is TOTALLY me. I seriously hate the first two miles of almost every run, but once I get to around 2.5 it's like I can go forever.

    @fitoverfortymom I've found that the key for me to do well in a 5K is to have a good warmup run of at least 2 miles before the 5K. Get those crappy miles out of your system so you're into your good miles at the start. Time it so you have some rest before the race starts, but not too much rest. @MobyCarp likes to warm up by running the entire 5k course before the actual race. Not only do you get your warm up, but you get a course preview.

    I also like a course preview run. I usually pre-run most of my courses when I can anyway, but usually during training; not on race day. I doubt I'll run the whole thing, but it will be a combination of everything you just said.

    This seems to happen to all distance runners. The more you push into longer runs, the more your shorter runs suffer. The only way to do good in the shorter runs is... well to make them longer by adding a warm up. I do not know the WHY behind it, but I have observed this in everyone I have coached or met. So must be true :)

    There must be a scientific reason why this happens! I too feel sluggish my first mile or so, but then feel better once it feels like I've "shaken" things out.

    Although, at my last 5K, I didn't do any warm up, but the adrenaline of the race propelled me into starting fast and I just stuck with the pace the entire time. It was painful!
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    mbaker566 wrote: »
    lol @Elise4270 any day i wake up pain free, i'd wonder if i died

    LOL! We can hope dead is pain free! Most days I feel like I'm 1,362 years old. But moving seems to help.
  • zdyb23456
    zdyb23456 Posts: 1,706 Member
    @shanaber Oh he didn’t even attempt to do a CA stop. I was actually walking across the intersection when I saw him coming down when I was halfway across so I started to jog. I really don’t know why I expected him to stop cuz I’ve almost been at least once a week from douchnozzles not willing to wait to make a turn. I should probably go back to running between the hours 11p-4a. That was always a nice peaceful run time.

    Ugh, I almost got hit today by a guy turning left while I was crossing. I wish there was a way to get drivers to be more aware of pedestrians - like do a radio blast or something. They do that in the Outer Banks. The local radio stations constantly run ads that tells drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks - IT'S THE LAW!
  • zdyb23456
    zdyb23456 Posts: 1,706 Member
    Teresa502 wrote: »
    Got in 4.6 miles this morning doing hill repeats. It was a struggle. I went later in the day so it was warmer than what I'm normally used to. On the plus side, the honeysuckle was in bloom and it smelled so good!

    Yes, it's blooming everywhere I run and I love it!
  • 7lenny7
    7lenny7 Posts: 3,498 Member
    edited May 2018
    My first experience as a race photographer last night was a LOT of fun! I learned quite a bit too. As hot and humid as it was, I was very happy with my choice to volunteer rather than race. I did some running to get around the course, but not more than half a mile.

    We had 5 photographers shooting the event, which had 384 racers. I coordinated with three of the others to find out what their plans were. I was the new guy so I deferred to them and their plans. It became apparent that none of them really wanted to shoot the finish line shots, so I decided to do that. I understand them not wanting to do it, because it's so repetitive and not very creative, but I felt each runner deserved that photo so I made it a point to be there.

    For my first location, I picked a spot near the beginning of the race where the runners have to run down a straight section of trail then turn to their left to a new trail, thinking that I'd have the best chance of catching runners without other runners in front of them blocking the shot. While that worked, the park map was is the shot and I found that distracting after the fact. It also caught runners in awkward positions as they made that sharp turn. Lessons learned.

    After that I walked the course backwards to the finish line. There were two 5K loops to run so about the time I started walking back, the front runners came into view and I caught them again. Finally making my way back to the finish line. It took a while to find where I wanted to put myself, but I found a good spot and shot at least one shot of every person coming in. In doing this, I missed out on what I really wanted to shoot, which was candids of the post race party, but like I said, every single runner deserves that finish line shot and since I was the new guy, I'll pay my dues.

    I shot over 1200 photos total, and pared that down to 1000. I wish I had time for post-processing but all I could do was cull the bad ones and send them out.

    BTW, if you want good race photos, you can help by smiling, run with good posture (which you should be doing anyway) pushing your hat back further on your head so we can see your face, and position yourself so that you're not blocked by other runners.

    I skipped my run after the race because my son and I were going to do something when I got home, but after I got there I found out the punk had made different plans!

    @juliet3455 carrying a first aid kit would have been a great idea. For this 10k, which was two 5K loops, the gels and electrolytes wouldn't be needed though. If I continue to do this for this race series, I'll have to talk to the RD about getting a kit. It was apparent that some of these runners were pushing themselves way past their comfort zone, particularly considering the heat. And walking the course backwards, I need to do more of that next time. I started towards the beginning so I could get every runner in a short amount of time, but photos are so damn repetitive. The racers looking for just their photos won't care, but it would make it more enjoyable if I started further back on and shot as encountered them.

    Compared to this time year, how have you improved your fitness?

    Good question, @Elise4270 . A month ago I'd say my fitness was significantly behind last year due to my ITB limiting my miles. Since Zumbro, though, with my ITB no longer being a little *kitten*, and doing the glute and core work my PT prescribed, I'd say I'm about equal in fitness, but a stronger, more resilient runner. I can now use that increased strength to further build my fitness going forward.

    With these longer races I've done, a marathon and three 50k's (including the 50 Mile DNF), fitness, or cardio, has never been my limiting factor. It's always been muscle fatigue which gets me towards the end and slows me down. That tells me that if I keep up with, and build on, my core work and strength work, that will help me more for running ultras than increasing my miles. That's my goal this summer.
  • PastorVincent
    PastorVincent Posts: 6,668 Member
    05/01/18 - 1/2 mile walk
    05/02/18 - 1 mile walk + 6.6 mile easy run
    05/03/18 - 1.3 mile walk
    05/04/18 - Rest
    05/05/18 - Steel Challange 5k
    05/06/18 - MARATHON PR! 3:51:53
    05/07/18 - Rest
    05/08/18 - 6 miles @ 9:28
    05/09/18 - 8 miles @ 9:09
    05/10/18 - Rest
    05/11/18 - 6 miles @ 9:28
    05/12/18 - 31 miles - FIRST ULTRA MARATHON TRAIL RACE! W00T!
    05/13/18 - Rest
    05/14/18 - 6.25 miles @ 9:40 - with 97% humidity
    05/15/18 - 6.43 miles @ 9:17
    05/16/18 - 7 miles @ 9:53
    05/17/18 - 8 miles @ 9:19
    05/18/18 - Rest
    05/19/18 - Stuck in car all day
    05/20/18 - 9.1 miles @ 9:31
    05/21/18 - Too many appointments
    05/22/18 - 8 miles @ 9:18
    05/23/18 - 9 miles @ 9:13
    05/24/18 - 6.6 miles @ 8:49

    06/02/18 - South Fayette Glow Run - Nighttime 1 mile and 5k race
    07/20/18 - Liberty Get Well Mile
    08/11/18 - Howl At The Moon 5k

    --More as I find them

    2020 - Disney World Dopey! (if can raise funds)


    SO that could have been better.

    I decided to beat the heat and try running at work. I left at 11 am, a good several hours before the temp was predicted to spike hard. I set out to find this river trail I was told about the people have done 18 mile loops on. Started out fine, but about 1.5 miles into the trail I hit the wall.

    No not that wall.

    A cement wall. The trail was over. So I looped around the other way and followed the rail for a while till I ended up in the parking lot of some factory. So I looped back and decide to head back to the office and find a map.

    Then I ran into a train. Ugh. Stopped with several other runners and a pack of cyclists all standing around looking annoyed as we watched the train go by.

    Ah well. Got 6.6 miles in, which I think is a 10k at least. *off to find a map*
  • 7lenny7
    7lenny7 Posts: 3,498 Member
    edited May 2018
    I'm well on target to miss my 125 mile goal this month, and I'm ok with that. My summer goal is 100 miles per month, so I'll change my May target to 100 miles as well.

    So far 74/100 miles this month.

    And, I feel completely recovered from my 50K. Sunday and Monday were tough, but I have no residual pain left now. My son has a soccer game tonight and I plan on running the 9+ miles home from that.
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    @7lenny7
    would you be able do a macro assuming the lighting situation didn't change much? i'm not sure what they call it in adobe (i use corel)

    race photography is an art. an art i'm not good at at. i'm not good at shooting people in general. puppies, trees, and sunsets.
  • 7lenny7
    7lenny7 Posts: 3,498 Member
    mbaker566 wrote: »
    @7lenny7
    would you be able do a macro assuming the lighting situation didn't change much? i'm not sure what they call it in adobe (i use corel)

    race photography is an art. an art i'm not good at at. i'm not good at shooting people in general. puppies, trees, and sunsets.

    @mbaker566 a macro or batch process is a great idea, particularly for the repetitive shots, except that our home computers are too slow to do much more than crop (Windows Vista or weak 7 year old laptop). I've started culling and crop at work but they limit what I can install.

    I need to buy a new computer.
  • BruinsGal_91
    BruinsGal_91 Posts: 1,400 Member
    7lenny7 wrote: »
    My first experience as a race photographer last night was a LOT of fun! I learned quite a bit too. As hot and humid as it was, I was very happy with my choice to volunteer rather than race. I did some running to get around the course, but not more than half a mile.

    We had 5 photographers shooting the event, which had 384 racers. I coordinated with three of the others to find out what their plans were. I was the new guy so I deferred to them and their plans. It became apparent that none of them really wanted to shoot the finish line shots, so I decided to do that. I understand them not wanting to do it, because it's so repetitive and not very creative, but I felt each runner deserved that photo so I made it a point to be there.

    For my first location, I picked a spot near the beginning of the race where the runners have to run down a straight section of trail then turn to their left to a new trail, thinking that I'd have the best chance of catching runners without other runners in front of them blocking the shot. While that worked, the park map was is the shot and I found that distracting after the fact. It also caught runners in awkward positions as they made that sharp turn. Lessons learned.

    After that I walked the course backwards to the finish line. There were two 5K loops to run so about the time I started walking back, the front runners came into view and I caught them again. Finally making my way back to the finish line. It took a while to find where I wanted to put myself, but I found a good spot and shot at least one shot of every person coming in. In doing this, I missed out on what I really wanted to shoot, which was candids of the post race party, but like I said, every single runner deserves that finish line shot and since I was the new guy, I'll pay my dues.

    I shot over 1200 photos total, and pared that down to 1000. I wish I had time for post-processing but all I could do was cull the bad ones and send them out.

    BTW, if you want good race photos, you can help by smiling, run with good posture (which you should be doing anyway) pushing your hat back further on your head so we can see your face, and position yourself so that you're not blocked by other runners.

    I skipped my run after the race because my son and I were going to do something when I got home, but after I got there I found out the punk had made different plans!

    @juliet3455 carrying a first aid kit would have been a great idea. For this 10k, which was two 5K loops, the gels and electrolytes wouldn't be needed though. If I continue to do this for this race series, I'll have to talk to the RD about getting a kit. It was apparent that some of these runners were pushing themselves way past their comfort zone, particularly considering the heat. And walking the course backwards, I need to do more of that next time. I started towards the beginning so I could get every runner in a short amount of time, but photos are so damn repetitive. The racers looking for just their photos won't care, but it would make it more enjoyable if I started further back on and shot as encountered them.

    Compared to this time year, how have you improved your fitness?

    Good question, @Elise4270 . A month ago I'd say my fitness was significantly behind last year due to my ITB limiting my miles. Since Zumbro, though, with my ITB no longer being a little *kitten*, and doing the glute and core work my PT prescribed, I'd say I'm about equal in fitness, but a stronger, more resilient runner. I can now use that increased strength to further build my fitness going forward.

    With these longer races I've done, a marathon and three 50k's (including the 50 Mile DNF), fitness, or cardio, has never been my limiting factor. It's always been muscle fatigue which gets me towards the end and slows me down. That tells me that if I keep up with, and build on, my core work and strength work, that will help me more for running ultras than increasing my miles. That's my goal this summer.

    I feel very guilty now, because I usually break every single one of these rules. My avatar picture is the only race photo where I'm smiling. And considering that one was taken at mile 10 of a half marathon, I'm quite surprised at how cheerful I look. (The photographer cracked a really cheesy joke and I couldn't help but laugh).
  • rheddmobile
    rheddmobile Posts: 6,840 Member
    Well, I've done a run and I've done a legs day with weights, and my calf didn't blow up like a balloon! Knee was a little puffy and warm yesterday so I gave it a low impact walking day instead of running. Hoping to run tonight.

    Compared to this time last year, how have you improved your fitness?

    I just looked through my logging for last year at around this time, to aid my memory. This time last year I had never been to a gym and not yet started c25k - which meant I had difficulty running one minute without a break, and running a quarter mile was unthinkable for me. I was obese (middle of normal BMI now) and had just started adding weights to my bodyweight routine at home. I was doing Zumba and HIIT stationary biking as my main exercises. Only six months earlier, I was morbidly obese and practically bedridden with undiagnosed diabetes and a massive ovarian tumor, so May last year was already a huge improvement over that!

    If you had asked me three months ago, before the Baker's cyst in my knee ruptured, I would have been able to brag about finally getting my 5k time under 30 min, and deadlifting and squatting my bodyweight for the first time. I've been benched for most of three months and my most recent 5k was almost 40 minutes. I am back to zero with the weights, at least as far as my legs are concerned - just started being allowed to add weights and lifting less than half of previous. BUT! I'm back, and confident that my fitness base is still present which will allow me to regain quickly. In terms of upper body strength, I'm still chasing my first pull-up and have graduated to being able to do bent arm hangs and negatives. I can do twenty good form push-ups - this time last year I was doing knee push-ups. I did one of my old Zumba routines for fun recently. This time last year, five minutes would have me sweating and breathing hard. Now I can basically do that all day. Running had made a huge difference to my fitness levels. Also, my resting pulse rate is about 48 now. When I was sick and obese, it was sometimes up over a hundred. By a year ago, it was down to about 72.
  • RunsOnEspresso
    RunsOnEspresso Posts: 3,218 Member
    @7lenny7 I recommend Dell. They have a great line that works well for editing. I have the laptop and desktop version. M something. The name always escapes me. I think it's under their business line up.

    5/1/18 2 miles
    5/2/18 1.8 miles
    5/3/18 1.85 miles
    5/4/18 2 miles
    5/5/18 2 miles
    5/6/18 6 miles

    5/7/18 rest
    5/8/18 2.35 miles
    5/9/18 2.15 miles
    5/10/18 2 miles
    5/11/18 rest
    5/12/18 2.15 miles
    5/13/18 7 miles

    5/14/18 2 miles
    5/15/18 2.1 miles
    5/16/18 1.9 miles
    5/17/18 1.95 miles
    5/18/18 2.01 miles
    5/19/18 2.05 miles
    5/20/18 6.55 miles

    5/21/18 rest
    5/22/18 3.05 miles
    5/23/18 2.5 miles
    5/24/18 2.05 miles

    Total 57.46 miles

    Nothing to really say about today's run. It was 2 seconds overall faster than the last foundation 3 2.05 mile run. Speed is slowly coming back. It's still almost embarrassing to admit my avg pace. I thought I was slow before when I was at lik le 10 minute miles. Humbling for sure.

    Where was I a year ago?
    Doing jack *kitten*. I was half heartedly lifting weights off and on and being depressed about not running but not able to really bring myself to do anything. My excuse was it was summer and hot and not a good time to try again. I think I did go out a few times and had the dizziness issue and decided I could never run again. Dramatic.
  • zdyb23456
    zdyb23456 Posts: 1,706 Member
    Compared to this time year, how have you improved your fitness?

    Last year this time I was training for my first half marathon distance! Prior to that I was kind of aimless when it came to running. I'd run 3-5 miles most days of the week, but had no desire to do any better. I was trying to get faster and had no concept that running more miles would make me faster. After the 2017 Shamrock 8K race I was inspired to give half marathon training a try. What was the worse that could happen?

    I've run 15 half marathon distances since March of last year, so my running career has come a long way!
  • zdyb23456
    zdyb23456 Posts: 1,706 Member
    BTW, if you want good race photos, you can help by smiling, run with good posture (which you should be doing anyway) pushing your hat back further on your head so we can see your face, and position yourself so that you're not blocked by other runners.

    Even when I try to do this I still look ridiculous - my face always looks like I'm pained or really uncomfortable or just overall unhappy with my situation. Not to mention super sweaty and crazy hair all over the place. Oh well, I'm not doing it to win any beauty contests :smile:
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    @7lenny7
    i think my laptop is 10 years old. i think i'm still on windows 7. Corel lets me do batch processing. i know nothing of adobe. i don't like the interface, corel always made more sense for me

    idk, a new computer is always a good answer though :smirk:
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    zdyb23456 wrote: »
    BTW, if you want good race photos, you can help by smiling, run with good posture (which you should be doing anyway) pushing your hat back further on your head so we can see your face, and position yourself so that you're not blocked by other runners.

    Even when I try to do this I still look ridiculous - my face always looks like I'm pained or really uncomfortable or just overall unhappy with my situation. Not to mention super sweaty and crazy hair all over the place. Oh well, I'm not doing it to win any beauty contests :smile:

    me too :wink:
  • 7lenny7
    7lenny7 Posts: 3,498 Member
    zdyb23456 wrote: »
    BTW, if you want good race photos, you can help by smiling, run with good posture (which you should be doing anyway) pushing your hat back further on your head so we can see your face, and position yourself so that you're not blocked by other runners.

    Even when I try to do this I still look ridiculous - my face always looks like I'm pained or really uncomfortable or just overall unhappy with my situation. Not to mention super sweaty and crazy hair all over the place. Oh well, I'm not doing it to win any beauty contests :smile:

    @zdyb23456 I should clarify, the point of most of that is to get a good view of the face. If a runner "looks good", that's a bonus, but I certainly wouldn't say that being pained or super sweaty with crazy hair is a bad thing in a race photo. It shows hard work and determination, which to me, is a good photo. I'm not after running portraits, whether I'm the runner or the photographer.

    I took a lot of photos where it's hard to see the face, which is key most people photos. When I shoot sports, it's rare that I'll keep a shot if I can't see the face. Certainly there are exceptions.
  • cburke8909
    cburke8909 Posts: 990 Member
    Compared to this time year, how have you improved your fitness?
    I would say I have improved greatly as a runner. A year ago I would have been happy with 8 minutes a mile for a 10k or half marathon. Most of my training runs were 6 miles at the maximum and I was only running 4 days a week. I was starting to eat much better but still lapsing at times.
    Today I can hope for a sub 1:40 1/2 marathon, a BQ is possible. I run 6 times a week. My diet is even better and I have lost 9 pounds more.
    The only drawback is that a year ago, I was doing more cross-training and strength. I need to find a way to add those back in.
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    cburke8909 wrote: »
    Compared to this time year, how have you improved your fitness?
    I would say I have improved greatly as a runner. A year ago I would have been happy with 8 minutes a mile for a 10k or half marathon. Most of my training runs were 6 miles at the maximum and I was only running 4 days a week. I was starting to eat much better but still lapsing at times.
    Today I can hope for a sub 1:40 1/2 marathon, a BQ is possible. I run 6 times a week. My diet is even better and I have lost 9 pounds more.
    The only drawback is that a year ago, I was doing more cross-training and strength. I need to find a way to add those back in.

    I know what you mean. It's really hard to keep it all going. Whenever I try to focus on improving in one area, something else always has to give.
  • cburke8909
    cburke8909 Posts: 990 Member
    @lporter229 Thanks, I think I need to find a goal that's strength and cross training related, to help motivate me. Perhaps if I were determined to be able to do 50 pushups and sit ups. I have been more involved in coaching my son's baseball team this year and fortunately that gives me some cross activity but it takes up time. Time very well spent and very enjoyable.
  • RunsOnEspresso
    RunsOnEspresso Posts: 3,218 Member
    @lporter229 @cburke8909 I struggle with this too. I did ok for a while with both but the last week and a half I've been exhausted after work and skipping the weights.
  • fitoverfortymom
    fitoverfortymom Posts: 3,452 Member
    Hal Higdon has added a HM3 plan, which is three days of running (and presumably 3 days of other stuff). I'm going to use that for my Sept race to make sure I've built in time for strength work.
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    Well, I've done a run and I've done a legs day with weights, and my calf didn't blow up like a balloon! Knee was a little puffy and warm yesterday so I gave it a low impact walking day instead of running. Hoping to run tonight.

    Compared to this time last year, how have you improved your fitness?

    I just looked through my logging for last year at around this time, to aid my memory. This time last year I had never been to a gym and not yet started c25k - which meant I had difficulty running one minute without a break, and running a quarter mile was unthinkable for me. I was obese (middle of normal BMI now) and had just started adding weights to my bodyweight routine at home. I was doing Zumba and HIIT stationary biking as my main exercises. Only six months earlier, I was morbidly obese and practically bedridden with undiagnosed diabetes and a massive ovarian tumor, so May last year was already a huge improvement over that!

    If you had asked me three months ago, before the Baker's cyst in my knee ruptured, I would have been able to brag about finally getting my 5k time under 30 min, and deadlifting and squatting my bodyweight for the first time. I've been benched for most of three months and my most recent 5k was almost 40 minutes. I am back to zero with the weights, at least as far as my legs are concerned - just started being allowed to add weights and lifting less than half of previous. BUT! I'm back, and confident that my fitness base is still present which will allow me to regain quickly. In terms of upper body strength, I'm still chasing my first pull-up and have graduated to being able to do bent arm hangs and negatives. I can do twenty good form push-ups - this time last year I was doing knee push-ups. I did one of my old Zumba routines for fun recently. This time last year, five minutes would have me sweating and breathing hard. Now I can basically do that all day. Running had made a huge difference to my fitness levels. Also, my resting pulse rate is about 48 now. When I was sick and obese, it was sometimes up over a hundred. By a year ago, it was down to about 72.

    Love this!!!! Love this!!!! Love this!!!!
  • 5BeautifulDays
    5BeautifulDays Posts: 683 Member
    Busybusybusy end of the school year for me, so I'm going to post and run. I'll try to catch up with all the lovely race reports later!

    I did 2 miles yesterday and one mile as fast as I could (which wasn't very fast, after all, lol) this morning...plus a little extra walking.

    21.75/10 miles for the month (30 forward motion)

    Obviously, I've run far more than I was expecting and I'm really happy about it. I'm already plotting out June and hoping for at least 31 miles running for the remainder of the month and maybe even 40 for June!