September 2018 Running Challenge
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Why did I start running?
Initially, I was overweight and had taken to walking and cutting out alcohol in an effort to lose weight. During my walks, I kept seeing a group of runners, and one day one of them suggested I should run with them. Of course, I told her there was no way I could do it...they would leave me as a sweaty puddle before reaching the first corner. She told me they would train me, but I simply said I couldn't run like they could.
However, as my weight loss had reached a plateau, the idea of running had now been sown in my head, and so I started one of my walks with a small trial run. One mile of running later, I continued with my walk. The next day, I did the same again, except this time it was something like 1¼ miles. Finally, on the third day, I ran 1½ miles. At that point, I decided I should probably get some running gear and try an actual full run (running in cargo shorts and a white cotton t-shirt would probably not be a wise choice), and so after that I ran until I could go no further. I managed 6½ miles. Then I took to running 7½ miles three times per week, while walking the remaining days to recover. I was slow, but getting hooked. I decided to invest in a GPS watch, and seeing the data slowly reveal improvements captivated the nerd side of me.
Six months later, I eventually started running with that group.
Next weekend I'll be pacing the same runner who initially suggested I run with them, at the Tour des Fleurs Half Marathon in Dallas. She mentioned that in a little over two years, the student had become the teacher.
Why do I run now?
Because I feel great. And after years of alcohol abuse, being sober for over 2½ years and being in the fittest shape since my teenage years means I feel like I'm being a much better role model for my kids. Now I want to push myself to achieve more, and I want my kids to be proud of what their old man can do. I want to:- qualify for (and run) Boston
- run a sub-20 5K
- continue to push and test my endurance
- run some ultras
Finally, I continue to run because of the people here on this thread, and the many threads that came before it. The advice, motivation, humor, tips, and inspiration have been nothing short of awesome. Thank you all.17 -
We test-ran the course for the upcoming West Cancer Center 5k. If it's not sunny it should be tolerable. Last year there wasn't a cloud in the sky and we baked our poor little brains. No trees at all, just open pavement! Today it was overcast and humid but not bad. There's a lot of up and down compared to what we're used to. We ran 32 minutes and change, got kind of confused about where the course turns, so probably will do better than that when we know what direction to go. I'm thinking this will not be a PR course, but unless something goes horribly awry we should easily beat our last year's time of 44 something - last year we weren't even able to run the whole way, and my husband was less than two weeks out from cancer surgery! His surgery was actually done by West Cancer Center, and it was our first 5k, so this one is special to us.
We stopped at the park restaurant which we haven't visited before. It's too pricy to be something we do every time we run - "aspirational" food like shaved fennel (which they made a point of telling us was local and organic) and garlic aioli, wine list, etc. - has a nice view of the lake and the food wasn't half bad. And then the rain hit and we got drowned heading back to our car and ended up sprinting half a mile carrying a soggy wet bag of our (fortunately in plastic boxes) leftovers.
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@Elise4270 I've never wanted to be anything but a writer, except for a brief period in my teens when I wanted to ride for the United States Equestrian Team. My mother, who was an English professor but also an aspiring writer at that time, told me I could certainly be a writer but I needed a degree and a day job because writers don't make enough money to survive. So there was a time when I planned to be a veterinarian, and then throughout college I studied to be a psychologist. And then I ended up working as a writer. Incidentally my mother now has over fifty titles published, so her dream turned out okay as well.
I started running to control my blood glucose levels, because I was getting bored with Zumba and stationary bike. Turns out I love it.9 -
Date :::: Miles :::: Cumulative
09/01/18 :::: 18.2 :::: 18.2
09/02/18 :::: 5.4 :::: 23.6
09/03/18 :::: 6.3 :::: 29.9
09/04/18 :::: 2.1 :::: 32.0
09/05/18 :::: 6.5 :::: 38.5
09/06/18 :::: 0.0 :::: 38.5
Rest day from running today. Strength training this morning. It felt like the longest day at work today, not sure why, but I had to deploy an emergency gin and tonic protocol when I got home. In good news the humidity seems to have broken this afternoon and I felt like I wanted to put on a long sleeve shirt while sitting outside because I was cool! Love that. Tomorrow looks gorgeous and Saturday (race day) only a high of 67 degrees!
Why did I start running?
I also got started (3 years ago) because I was trying to improve my mental and physical health and lose weight. After a lot of walking, I kind of on a whim decided to try to run a bit using C25k. About that time I heard about a walk-to-run program at the Y and signed up before I had time to think better of it. I got sucked right in and kept going.
Why do I run now?
The feeling of accomplishment when I achieve a new personal best, doing more than I ever thought I could do, and honestly feeling "in shape" for the first time ever in my life is amazing to me. It blows my mind that *I* am training for a marathon. I am not a fast runner, but I feel like I win every time I go out and run a little better or a little longer than before. Having something outside of work (which has always been my identity, but has been stressful for me the last few years) to concentrate on and enjoy and feel motivated by has improved my outlook. And probably mostly, the people I've met through running have given me so much. I have never been a part of a community like this and it means a lot to me. I will include this group of online friends as part of that too.
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No humidity and 70 made for a nice run tonight after work. Tried keeping pace easy as have a 5k on Saturday, but it was a constant battle to keep the pace slow. Overall, felt good though and was nice to need the sunglasses as we’ve had rain and overcast all week.
Re: @Elise4270 question - I also wanted to be an astronaut like @workaholic_nurse. I had the requirements printed out and dreamed of going to space camp, but my freshman science teacher informed me that they only take pilots and 20/20 vision was a requirement. I would have never made it through the program as I cannot handle spinning rides, but that’s the only time in my life I was certain about what career path I wanted. In college, I changed my major every semester for the first 2 1/2 years and finally decided on business as it seemed like a flexible option.6 -
MegaMooseEsq wrote: »workaholic_nurse wrote: »@MegaMooseEsq Run the half! Better organization, trails you are familiar with, and like @PastorVincent said even if you miss the cutoff you will have a time to shoot for next year. Go for the gusto, you can do it!
Aw thank you all - I knew y'all would help me put my head on straight.travelling_lots wrote: »@MegaMooseEsq I’m with pastor Vincent. The 10k looks a little of a disaster. Too much unknown which to me is the possibility of many things going wrong. The HM sounds a better choice
PLUS:
You sound like your up for the HM in many ways,
-Know the area well ,feel comfortable
-Your body has run it ,and knows what to expect
-Better organized to narrow risks down
-if you’ve done it several times I would say you enjoy it too, that to me is half the battle
-you sound more positive just talking about it
-you know your limitations
-knowing your limits and willing to work with them is important
-if your willing and be fine to walk it when needed or finish walking if you have to, that is key, its the other half of completing your goal.
-ultimately knowing, listening to your body, while having fun.
To me makes a successful finish with walks or not makes a realistic race.
I’ve never done a race to win but yes to have fun and finish. Never been injured and walked away with a finish metal only. But to this day I have no regrets and feel happy I did them.
But
Yes the unknown can get the best of us,
reason for me I have to put all the pros and cons out and outweigh them.
But I’m like that with everything.
It will still be ok if you let it pass if your not comfortable with it. There will be other races.
That’s how I would look at things.
Thank you for all of this. I think you hit on everything I needed to hear. I don't think that I have anything against smaller races, but I don't want to put my time and money and effort into something that isn't going to be well organized. Off-the-cuff just isn't my jam and thinking about it stresses me out. As for the half, it does look like fun and you're both right - the worst that could happen is I miss the cutoff and have something extra to work toward for the half in October.
Well, the worst that could happen is I get hurt, but 1) I don't think I'm stupidly overreaching given how much I've been running the last several weeks, and 2) I could get hurt, oh, I don't know, trimming the sunflowers in the front yard by sticking my thumb in front of the flipping pruning shears, just to pick a totally random example that didn't happen a half hour ago or anything.
Signed up for Sunday!
Congratulations on your first step!
You will be fine, be cautious but don’t think of injuries. Go have fun while you give it your best.
I think we are all here for you and will be cheering you on no matter what.
Looking forward to your posting Sunday night. Your hands won’t do the running so they’ll be fine to type and let us know how you did.
Big hug and all the best!3 -
Why did I start running?
I’ve run off and on since cross country days, but this last time was this past November. I had wanted a work incentive, so I had been going to the gym. I tried the other machines and doing other exercises, but after a day or so I was on the treadmill. After saying to myself I was going to keep it casual, it lasted about two weeks and I was training for a half marathon. I ended up changing objectives and doing a 10k in June. My mileage has suffered in July and August, but I’m working on it.
Why do I keep running?
I feel good after running and I like the races too. It’s also nice that my husband also started running this spring and together we are the healthiest we’ve been in a long time. We have something different to talk about and something to do while we wait for our daughter’s sports practices to end. It also is hopefully showing our daughter that staying active after high school/college is possible. We also seem to make better food choices when we are being consistent with our training and found interest in cooking different things.8 -
September Running Totals (miles)
9/1 – rest day
9/2 – 15.80 warmup + Oak Tree Half
9/3 – rest day
9/4 – 7.23 warmup + XC workout
9/5 – 6.02 group run
9/6 – 6.05 warmup + XC workout
September running total to date – 35.10
Nominal September mileage goal: 165 miles
Real Goals: Run Oak Tree well, winning my age group and finishing healthy. Build base/train toward Wineglass, running PG XC #1 so as not to be injured, and running the USATF Masters XC Championship so as not to be injured. Run Wineglass easy, finishing healthy for a good recovery in October.
Today's notes – Much cooler this evening, 77º F (25º C). Still pretty humid, but somehow it doesn't bother me as much when it's cooler.
Went to club practice, ran the 2 mile warmup, and decided to run the cross country workout pretty much as written: 10 minutes at threshold, 3 minutes recovery, 2 set of 15-second cutbacks starting at 60 seconds. Ran about three quarters of a mile easy with a friend before he peeled off to run the workout with a slower group, then ran the workout in loops on the grass, sticking reasonably close to a cross country course that I've run in this location. "Reasonably," because the course wasn't marked any more, my memory is imperfect, and I did need to avoid the kickball games. But it still gave me some nice running on grass with flattish areas and some minor up and down hills.
I may not have run the 10 minutes as hard as intended, but it was harder than easy and it felt good. And all of a sudden, I realize that I'm training for cross country season even though the top priority on my schedule is a road marathon. Oh, well. Running on grass is unlikely to injure me, and staying uninjured is right up there in priority. Just have to maintain a good enough base to support a marathon, and remember to taper after next week.
2018 races:
February 17, 2018 Freezeroo #5 (Valentines Run "In Memory of Tom Brannon" 8 Mile) (Greece, NY) finished in 54:48
February 24, 2018 Freezeroo #6 (White House Challenge 4.4 mile) (Webster, NY) finished in 28:46
March 17, 2018 USATF Masters 8K (Shamrock 8K, Virginia Beach, VA) finished in 31:55
March 24, 2018 Spring Forward 15K (Mendon, NY) ran at MP, finished in 1:10:47
April 16, 2018 Boston Marathon (Hopkinton, MA) finished in 3:28:43
April 29, 2018 USATF Masters 10K (James Joyce Ramble, Dedham, MA) finished in 41:33
May 20, 2018 Lilac 10K (Rochester, NY) finished in 42:21
May 26, 2018 Sunset House 5K (Rochester, NY) finished in 20:12
June 3, 2018 USATF Masters Half Marathon (Ann Arbor, MI) finished in 1:34:42
June 9, 2018 Ontario Summit Trail Half Marathon (Naples, NY) DNS - injury
June 17, 2018 Medved 5K to Cure ALS (Rochester, NY) short course, 18:04 for ~2.9 miles
June 30, 2018 Charlie's Old Goat Trail Run 5 mile (Victor, NY) 4.89 miles by Garmin, 43:15
July 14, 2018 Shoreline Half Marathon (Hamlin, NY) finished in 1:45:54
July 28, 2018 Battle at Bristol 10K (Naples, NY) survived in 1:28:33
August 1, 2018 IEXC 5K #1 (Rochester, NY) finished in 22:17
August 8, 2018 IEXC 5K #2 (Rochester, NY) finished in 22:10
August 15, 2018 Pound the Ground 10K (Mendon, NY) finished in 43:11
August 22, 2018 IEXC 5K #3 (Rochester, NY) finished in 21:59
August 29, 2018 IEXC 5K #4 (Rochester NY) finished in 22:00
August 29, 2018 IEXC TDP 1 mile (Rochester, NY) finished in 6:07
August 29, 2018 IEXC TDP 400m (Rochester, NY) finished in 1:14
September 2, 2018 Oak Tree Half Marathon (Geneseo, NY) finished in 1:36:41
September 9, 2018 Pete Glavin XC #1 5K (Newark, NY)
September 23, 2018 USATF Masters XC 5K (Buffalo, NY)
September 30, 2018 Wineglass Marathon (Bath, NY to Corning, NY)
October 7, 2018 Pete Glavin XC #2 6K (Akron Falls, NY, probable DNS)
October 21, 2018 Pete Glavin XC #3 6K (Mendon, NY)
November 4, 2018 Pete Glavin XC #4 6K (Trumansburg, NY)
November 11, 2018 Syracuse Half Marathon (Syracuse, NY)
November 18, 2018 Pete Glavin XC #5 6K (Syracuse, NY)
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Wow! I'm loving all the replies. @garygse i was jealous before with your running ability, now im just envious^2. Diggin' the journey.
There is more and more information being shared on recovery/depression/ mental health and running. I'm encoraged by so many wonderful stories.
Yall are some wonderful people. My life is enriched because you chose to share, and run. Run run rum... Haha..7 -
Pages behind and all that but.. here be my answer to @Elise4270 question of doom... err the question of the month.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREWED UP?
Well from as long back as I can remember, even longer according to my mom, I wanted to write computer software. Please understand when I was little the computer boom had not yet happened. I was decades ahead of it. I bought my first computer in 1983 and have had at least one ever since. I currently write medical software and pretty much have been writing software since 1983 (though my first paid work was '92 or '93).
What NO ONE IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE EVER PREDICTED was the rest... (not joking, very serious about that)
I am now a published author with over a million words in print (I am literally an English failure, never was able to get out of remedial English - despite have a post-grad degree). I write Science Fiction and Fansty mostly, at least that is where I make my money.
I am also the "Teaching Pastor" at a local church. (I grew up as an atheist)
If I could right now, I would quit my programming job and write full time, but despite hitting the best sellers list on Amazon many times, no one could live off the money I make from books. I am probably in the top 10% if not higher based on the income reports I have seen... and well... not quitting my day job in the foreseeable future. That is for the very few unicorns in the business. Could change at any time, but the odds are not in my favor.
I am a pastor for the rest of my life, but I do not really collect pay for that. Just a minor housing stipend or whatever it is called. No matter what else changes I do not see that ever changing.
So there you go! Probably no surprises here... I do not pretend to be anyone different online so many of you actually know me pretty well by now.12 -
Why did I start running? I came on mfp to lose weight. When I started out I was walking. As I reached my weight loss goal I decided I needed to set some fitness goals. I had been feeling the urge to run some during my walks so I downloaded the C25K app and started running. I was really surprised that I loved it so much.
Why do I keep running? I feel good about myself. I am proud that I have been able to keep off the weight (I actually lost about 15 pounds more since I started running). I feel healthier and running is just part of who I am now.8 -
@PastorVincent When I was really little I called our pastor "pasture". HAH That's what happens when you're raised in Wisconsin I guess. 6
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RunsOnEspresso wrote: »@PastorVincent When I was really little I called our pastor "pasture". HAH That's what happens when you're raised in Wisconsin I guess.
What throws me for a loop is when the older generations call me "Reverand" - that is just way too formal sounding for me. "Reverand Vinny" - It just doesn't work! 4 -
6.67 miles tonight. It was cool, but not raining... so I was able to go faster than I've been on hotter days.
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9/1 - 9.84 km
9/2 - rest
9/3 - rest
9/4 - 6.13 km
9/5 - 6.02 km intervals
9/6 - 5.31 km
27.30/110 km
Today was supposed to be easy 5-7km and it felt easy while I was running but my pace was a bit better than it has been lately. And I didn't wear a hat or a buff and I was so sweaty at the end of it I had to towel off before my shower...
Ankle felt a bit touchy last night at bedtime and still has a bit of a niggle although it feels better now than it did at the start of my run. Not that it exactly feels bad, just... niggly. Tomorrow is rest day so hopefully that will be the end of any nonsense there.
2018 Races: (italics means not registered yet, only pondering)
1/1/18 Resolution Run 5K ~38:00 (no official times)
3/4/18 MEC Road Race #1 10K 1:30:57
3/17/28 St Patrick's Day race 10K 1:24:53
4/7/18 Jasper Half Marathon 3:05:55
4/22/18 MEC Trail Race #1 5Kish 1:00:00? (Or 48:45...)
5/20/18 MEC Trail Race #2 10Kish 1:56:15
6/24/18 MEC Trail Race #3 10Kish 2:03:15
7/1/18 Canada Day 15K 2:03:04
7/28/18 Idaho Peak 10K Trail Race 1:30:16
8/18/18 Edmonton Marathon (Half Marathon) 3:12:something
8/25/18 MEC Trail Race #4 4Kish 39:49
10/7/18 MEC Trail Race #5 15Kish
12/1/18 Santa Shuffle
2019:
5/5/19 BMO Vancouver Marathon (Half)
8/17/19 Edmonton Marathon3 -
Monthly group question?
What did you wanna be when you grew up?
My first passion was dinosaurs. Typical. Either that or study deep sea animals.
Then I wanted to be a writer.
Now I spend my days writing stuff for public communications. It's not perfect, but I'm pretty good at it.i'm not sure if any of the forerunners fits my needs. i like the wrist hr, gps, smart notifications
I think all newer forerunner models have all of those. Maybe look into the 235?
Why did I start running?
It was too cold and icy in winter to keep cycling, and I was getting antsy with all the sitting around.
Why do I keep running?
To get away from life, to keep everything from hurting, for a sense of achievement and some alone time.6 -
Today was very interesting. I'm a visual person.
I went with good intentions to walk. My headphones Bluetooth would not pair up with my new phone. It picked up the Audi tha drove by, the Mac in a van that went by. Me nothing. After 40 min ready to just walk with no music finally paired. But.....
I ve always enjoyed walking checking nature and more do today cooler weather high 24. There were tons of guys doing landscaping some with and without t shirt. Have to say I've noted the day if the week and time to be in that area for my walks.
Wonderful view :-)
But I'm not logging the two walks I did outside today Since the purpose of the challenge was jogging on the treadmill. I will tomorrow I've been in lots of pain lately and been quiet but now I pull post it as a question to the group I'll separate.4 -
Group question.
What did I want to be growing up?
My dad wanted me to become an aeronautical engineer. Because I loved helicopters since I went on a flight with him when I was nine.
My dream was to fly a helicopter. Something he said only if you take first what I think you should do. But stubborn me said nope!
My dad was very good a teaching me how to handle conflict, analyzing and problem solving. So I thought okay. Ill get a job in that make good money and then pay for my own flying.
It's cheaper to become a fixed wing pilot then convert to rottery. So that was my decision.
Then half through prices went up crazy and I evaluated my situation and thought. This was good enough up to here, had my fun now let's call it quits while I have money in the bank. I kept my job in conflict and resolution and been in it ever since love it.
If I had to do it again, I'd still go through things the same way. No regrets. Love my job and helped me grow solving my life situations nicely. My dad was happy. I learned everything he taught me to succeed in life but he never thought I'd work in it and paid as job.
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@PastorVincent whats your name so I can read some of your stuff - if your willing to divulge. I love scifi and fantasy!3
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Thursday Sept 6 late evening run on the Miserable Miles Race course. 6 km of trails, hills, trees and a little bit of mud from this mornings rain storm. 5 minutes faster than the last time I did the course and this time I was successful crossing all the obstacles - especially pumped about the Balance Beams. Picture some 4 year old trees sitting in some notched tree blocks = rock and roll - so not a stable base and the trees are now dried out so they have lots of spring/bounce so a real challenge for us Big Boys ( 6'1" - 220lbs ) for the light weights it probably a lot easier. Still a lot of fun challenging my skills.
Will be working as a volunteer tomorrow night putting the course obstacles out and flagging the route for Saturdays event. Then sunday driving 2 hrs to Grande Prairie for the Don't Get Lost in the Woods race ( ever year someone steps over a course marker and gets lost on the warren of trails). Ultimately they hit the river and come back or hear the music from the DJ and just head for it. Planned 21.1 HM but there has been a Bear on the Riverbank sections so they might have to cut it back to 10k or a double loop of the 10k. Will be a Gun Time decision by the organizers and the Fish and Wildlife officers - they have a live trap for a catch and release but some vandals had tripped it so the door was closed - sounds like the Trail Camera they had placed got a nice picture of the fools and their motorbikes. Also some nice picture's of the bear walking around the trap sniffing at it and trying to break in to get to the bacon grease.6
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