December 2018 Monthly Running Challenge

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  • polskagirl01
    polskagirl01 Posts: 2,024 Member
    mbaker566 wrote: »
    polskagirl01 wrote: »
    girlinahat wrote: »
    PastorVincent wrote: »
    It was 48 degrees for my run. I have obviously completely forgotten how to dress for such a heat wave as I was pouring streams of water off me by the time I got back after 12 miles.

    Due to the tilt of the Earth and all that it is now full dark when I am on my return run through the park. There are no lights, plenty of shade trees, and lots of potholes and other trip hazards plus bicycles racing down the trail. So I run with flashy armbands and a waist lamp. Yet I am constantly coming across walkers and runners dressed in all dark clothes with no lights at all.

    Please do not be stupid like them. They are asking to get hurt. Light yourself up so that you have a chance not to get hit at the very least.

    Oh. This morning I went out at before-sun-up-o’clock dressed in dark navy tights, a black top (maybe it had some dark pink trim), black gloves and a black hat. No high vis, no light, nada. I didn’t trip or fall, I didn’t get run over (I stopped for cars before crossing the roads or used the pedestrian-controlled signals (and believe me, we have plenty of visually impaired drivers here), and no one crashed into me. Most of my route is in the dark too.

    I guess what I’m saying is dress up like a Christmas tree if it’s appropriate. Otherwise, let the rest of the world enjoy the darkness while it can.

    Depends on where you're running. If you're running on the road itself or the shoulder like in much of rural USA, I agree with @PastorVincent. But if you've got even sidewalks, trails, and pedestrian-controlled signals, it's not as necessary. For example, I have lights, but don't turn them on when I'm running down the sidewalk, unless I literally can't see where I'm going.

    even with sidewalks. because eventually you have to cross the street.

    Ok but in that case, you need to be wearing a bright yellow hi-vis vest during the day, too ;)
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    polskagirl01 wrote: »
    mbaker566 wrote: »
    polskagirl01 wrote: »
    girlinahat wrote: »
    PastorVincent wrote: »
    It was 48 degrees for my run. I have obviously completely forgotten how to dress for such a heat wave as I was pouring streams of water off me by the time I got back after 12 miles.

    Due to the tilt of the Earth and all that it is now full dark when I am on my return run through the park. There are no lights, plenty of shade trees, and lots of potholes and other trip hazards plus bicycles racing down the trail. So I run with flashy armbands and a waist lamp. Yet I am constantly coming across walkers and runners dressed in all dark clothes with no lights at all.

    Please do not be stupid like them. They are asking to get hurt. Light yourself up so that you have a chance not to get hit at the very least.

    Oh. This morning I went out at before-sun-up-o’clock dressed in dark navy tights, a black top (maybe it had some dark pink trim), black gloves and a black hat. No high vis, no light, nada. I didn’t trip or fall, I didn’t get run over (I stopped for cars before crossing the roads or used the pedestrian-controlled signals (and believe me, we have plenty of visually impaired drivers here), and no one crashed into me. Most of my route is in the dark too.

    I guess what I’m saying is dress up like a Christmas tree if it’s appropriate. Otherwise, let the rest of the world enjoy the darkness while it can.

    Depends on where you're running. If you're running on the road itself or the shoulder like in much of rural USA, I agree with @PastorVincent. But if you've got even sidewalks, trails, and pedestrian-controlled signals, it's not as necessary. For example, I have lights, but don't turn them on when I'm running down the sidewalk, unless I literally can't see where I'm going.

    even with sidewalks. because eventually you have to cross the street.

    Ok but in that case, you need to be wearing a bright yellow hi-vis vest during the day, too ;)

    tbh, i usually wear bright colors where in my non running life i mostly wear black and dark colors
  • MobyCarp
    MobyCarp Posts: 2,927 Member
    rheddmobile wrote: »
    MobyCarp wrote: »
    Re: Dressing to Be Seen in the Dark

    My formative experience running in the dark was a group run on Cobb's Hill. Everyone goes at their own various paces, and runs patterns of their own choosing up and down Cobb's Hill. Initially, I wore a puny 30 lumen headlamp so cars could see me, a reflective Xinglet, and a couple flashing red lights.

    Even that 30 lumen headlamp let me see which reflective gear was good and which was trash. Reflective strips on shoes are trash. They get covered with dust so they don't reflect, and no driver will be looking at foot level anyway. But the most interesting thing was, every time I ran Cobb's Hill in the dark there would be 2 or 3 runners demonstrating how not to dress in the dark. I came as close as 2 meters from running into someone dressed dark, and I was looking where I was going. Later, I got a brighter headlamp and didn't have any calls that close.

    I always thought I didn't really need the reflective gear while walking, because I would stay on sidewalks where they exist and I had more options to get out of the way at walking speed. Well . . . I took a walk wearing the reflective gear, and even with the lights turned off I noticed cars behaving differently than I remembered from past walks. It was almost like, the drivers could actually SEE ME and before they couldn't.

    As a driver, I notice runners. My advice to someone who chooses to run in the dark with no lights and no reflective gear is: Run with someone else who has lights and reflective gear. This greatly increases the probability that I will notice where you are and take appropriate action to avoid hitting you. And run against traffic, not with it! It seems dressing poorly and running with traffic (where you can't see me approaching) are correlated. Even if I do see you, the idiot tailgating me probably doesn't . . . and that idiot only has from when I swerve to miss you as warning that you're there at all.

    Also, if you wear dark clothes and also have dark skin, you are invisible at night. Really really invisible.

    Skin color doesn't much matter in the winter. You could be an albino, and you won't have enough exposed skin to stand out as a light color.
  • girlinahat
    girlinahat Posts: 2,956 Member
    MobyCarp wrote: »
    Re: Dressing to Be Seen in the Dark

    As a driver, I notice runners. My advice to someone who chooses to run in the dark where there is a chance you might get hit by something with no lights and no reflective gear is: Run with someone else who has lights and reflective gear. This greatly increases the probability that I will notice where you are and take appropriate action to avoid hitting you. And run against traffic, not with it! It seems dressing poorly and running with traffic (where you can't see me approaching) are correlated. Even if I do see you, the idiot tailgating me probably doesn't . . . and that idiot only has from when I swerve to miss you as warning that you're there at all.

    I added a bit in bold for context. If there is a car hitting me on the pavement (sidewalk) then it’s extremely unlikely lights or reflective gear would have helped at all, as the car is where it shouldn’t be, and they are clearly already an idiot.

    I totally agree about running and walking against traffic (where there is no sidewalk). That way the idiot driver can have your look of horror embedded in his retina as he ploughs into you.

    I would wear reflective gear and lights if needed, but if it is not needed, then I’m not going to bother. Most of my route to the towpath is covered by lights, and I can cross a 20 foot section of road easily enough without being hit by something. I know the cars won’t stop for me, so I stop for them.
  • martaindale
    martaindale Posts: 2,319 Member
    Had a major cold front blow in today so it went from a high of about 70 yesterday to mid 40's with a wind chill of about 35F! Gave me a chance to break out what passes for cold weather gear here. I saw exactly 2 other people out tonight and they were both walking dogs. Usually my path is pretty busy since I run though my neighborhood. Had a good run and this cold weather is starting to grow on me!!

    Dec run miles: 12.7
    Dec goal miles: 30

    2019 Races:

    Piney Woods Trailfest 5k - 2/2/2019 registered
    Rodeo Run 10k - 2/23/2019 registered
    Run Houston! Minute Maid Park 10k - 3/23/2019 registered
    Brazos Bend 50 10k - 4/6/2019 registered
    Galveston Island Wine Festival Champagne Fun Run 5k - 4/27/2019
    Women's Quarter Marathon - 5/2019
    El Chupacabra de Houston 10k (night trail run) - 8/2019
    TWRC Run WIld Run Free 5k - 9/2019
    10 for Texas 10 Miler - 10/2019 registration opens Jan 2019
    Wine and Dine half marathon - 11/3/2019
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    edited December 2018
    Elise4270 wrote: »
    Shoe porn
    y3zkxnmkadyw.jpg
    I think i could have gotten away with an 8. But the suggestion was a 9. I normally wear 8 or 8.5. i dont wanna exchange them. Hopefully they pass a test run.

    ETA dont mind the shin wack. I work at the corner of two tables not ment for sitting, and constantly wack my shin and or knee.
    yw4b2ooqxzps.jpg

    You plan to run in those?

    ETA: Oops, I see you did.
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    Orphia wrote: »
    Elise4270 wrote: »
    Shoe porn
    y3zkxnmkadyw.jpg
    I think i could have gotten away with an 8. But the suggestion was a 9. I normally wear 8 or 8.5. i dont wanna exchange them. Hopefully they pass a test run.

    ETA dont mind the shin wack. I work at the corner of two tables not ment for sitting, and constantly wack my shin and or knee.
    yw4b2ooqxzps.jpg

    You plan to run in those?

    ETA: Oops, I see you did.

    They are trail running sandals. I do have one hot spot. I'm hoping loosening them up helps.
  • ContraryMaryMary
    ContraryMaryMary Posts: 1,780 Member
    juliet3455 wrote: »
    ddmom0811 wrote: »
    Off topic: The end of the semester is here (4 more days) and now the kids I teach who haven't been turning in work want to know what they can do to raise their grade. Can you turn back time and do what you should have done when it was due? If so, go for it! These are high school boys and I teach programming (Java), but I see the same thing at the college when I teach there. At least at the college level the parents can't email me.

    A few years ago in Edmonton,Alberta a High School had a No Zero's policy - in other words everyone would pass.
    So like your experience students weren't doing the work or turning the work in and the one teacher went against policy and gave out zero's. The school board actually terminated him - he was re-instated after a big media blitz and public feedback. In real life if you don't do the work you will quickly find yourself out of work looking for a new job. Better to learn that lesson in school rather than later in life. Also Universities started tracking students High school marks against there University marks and quickly realized that some schools (school divisions) were not giving a mark that reflected what the student had learned when compared to the other schools in differant divisions. So they raised the entrance mark requirement for the sub-par schools and made it fairly public which caused some changes.
    ContraryMaryMary wrote: »
    So, time, treatment, and a gentle yet aborted run have revealed a new diagnosis of calf tear. That’s my running done for 2018. 😢
    @ContraryMaryMary I did mine about 3 years ago. Maybe it wasn't a very big tear but I had 3 weeks off and then started back basically using the C25K plan to build back without overly stressing the muscle. Take the time now to think about a recovery plan so you can review it with your doctor.

    I hope you’re right. I’m going insane!!
  • polskagirl01
    polskagirl01 Posts: 2,024 Member
    polskagirl01 wrote: »
    mbaker566 wrote: »
    polskagirl01 wrote: »
    girlinahat wrote: »
    PastorVincent wrote: »
    It was 48 degrees for my run. I have obviously completely forgotten how to dress for such a heat wave as I was pouring streams of water off me by the time I got back after 12 miles.

    Due to the tilt of the Earth and all that it is now full dark when I am on my return run through the park. There are no lights, plenty of shade trees, and lots of potholes and other trip hazards plus bicycles racing down the trail. So I run with flashy armbands and a waist lamp. Yet I am constantly coming across walkers and runners dressed in all dark clothes with no lights at all.

    Please do not be stupid like them. They are asking to get hurt. Light yourself up so that you have a chance not to get hit at the very least.

    Oh. This morning I went out at before-sun-up-o’clock dressed in dark navy tights, a black top (maybe it had some dark pink trim), black gloves and a black hat. No high vis, no light, nada. I didn’t trip or fall, I didn’t get run over (I stopped for cars before crossing the roads or used the pedestrian-controlled signals (and believe me, we have plenty of visually impaired drivers here), and no one crashed into me. Most of my route is in the dark too.

    I guess what I’m saying is dress up like a Christmas tree if it’s appropriate. Otherwise, let the rest of the world enjoy the darkness while it can.

    Depends on where you're running. If you're running on the road itself or the shoulder like in much of rural USA, I agree with @PastorVincent. But if you've got even sidewalks, trails, and pedestrian-controlled signals, it's not as necessary. For example, I have lights, but don't turn them on when I'm running down the sidewalk, unless I literally can't see where I'm going.

    even with sidewalks. because eventually you have to cross the street.

    Ok but in that case, you need to be wearing a bright yellow hi-vis vest during the day, too ;)

    Finally I may have said something controversial enough to get an actual "woo!" But I still don't like it, because they're anonymous and you can't respond with an actual conversation.
  • eleanorhawkins
    eleanorhawkins Posts: 1,659 Member
    Question for the sensible minded and the experienced runners round here (I know, not necessarily the same thing!)
    I know full well that it's a waste of time and space even asking this and that common sense must prevail but I seem to have lost mine.
    As you all know (from how much I've gone on and on about it) I ran my first HM last Sunday. It was the furthest I'd ever run so I expected to be sore, especially as my legs were sore after the previous Sunday's 10 mile run. So the couple of days of sore knees and calves were not unexpected and I rested my legs dutifully. On Wednesday as they felt tight but not painful I took them for a 3 kilometre shake out run, which went ok (although the last kilometre or so was hard work). Felt fine on Thursday, did an hour's walk on the treadmill and an hour's upper body strength workout with light weights. So far so good. Yesterday I went out to run a slow 5 kilometres. After about 12 minutes my knees started to hurt. I stubbornly continued, shortening my intervals to run 4 minutes, walk 1 minute. Came home, iced them and slapped on some anti-inflamatory gel and put them up. They seemed ok, until I had to walk up a steep hill twice in the afternoon to take my daughter to a class. The second time I had to walk down that hill it felt like my left knee was on fire, and by the time I got home everything from my hip to my ankle on that side felt like it was in a scalding iron brace. The other knee was complaining too, but not so badly.
    So rest of the day on the sofa with feet up and cold compresses, and more anti-inflamatory gel before bed.
    This morning they don't feel too bad yet but I haven't moved much, I'm pretty scared of how they'll react when I do. Stuck a couple of those nasty cheap elasticated knee support bandage things over them just cause they were in a cupboard.
    Ok, so, I realise that I should probably not even try to run for a couple of days, even though my plan had been to try and get 6-8km in tomorrow. What worries me is how much rest I can get away with without it affecting my fitness level I suppose?
    I have a 14 week training plan for another HM which starts on Tuesday and should have me run 20km altogether for the week. Should I skip that entire week? If I do will I be ok to jump straight into 4 runs totally 21km in a week after 2 weeks off? Should I just take tomorrow and Monday off then maybe try to just do 3km runs next week instead of longer ones?
    I know, none of you are doctors or can tell me what to do, guess I'm just using this as somewhere to write down all the thoughts spinning round and round my head. What I'm secretly hoping is that one of you is Harry Potter and can point your wand at my knees and turn them into nice young healthy uncomplaining joints that allow me to run all the miles without them *kitten* up my plans!


  • eleanorhawkins
    eleanorhawkins Posts: 1,659 Member
    girlinahat wrote: »
    @eleanorhawkins I’m not experienced enough to say much, but I would think rest is more important than sticking religiously to the plan.

    Most HM training plans assume you are coming from something less than a HM base. So skipping a run in the first week or reducing the mileage is unlikely to be bad FOR YOU as you’ve only recently done an actual HM. You’ll find you can catch up quickly enough but better to rest now than screw up the whole thing.

    Thanks, yes that seems the sensible option. Just I have a little crazy part somewhere that seems to think if I stop I lose my entire base and would need to work back up from zero and then of course the panic kicks in cause I don't have time to start from zero! lol brains should come with an off switch
  • eleanorhawkins
    eleanorhawkins Posts: 1,659 Member
    polskagirl01 wrote: »
    eleanorhawkins wrote: »
    Question for the sensible minded and the experienced runners round here (I know, not necessarily the same thing!)
    I know full well that it's a waste of time and space even asking this and that common sense must prevail but I seem to have lost mine.
    As you all know (from how much I've gone on and on about it) I ran my first HM last Sunday. It was the furthest I'd ever run so I expected to be sore, especially as my legs were sore after the previous Sunday's 10 mile run. So the couple of days of sore knees and calves were not unexpected and I rested my legs dutifully. On Wednesday as they felt tight but not painful I took them for a 3 kilometre shake out run, which went ok (although the last kilometre or so was hard work). Felt fine on Thursday, did an hour's walk on the treadmill and an hour's upper body strength workout with light weights. So far so good. Yesterday I went out to run a slow 5 kilometres. After about 12 minutes my knees started to hurt. I stubbornly continued, shortening my intervals to run 4 minutes, walk 1 minute. Came home, iced them and slapped on some anti-inflamatory gel and put them up. They seemed ok, until I had to walk up a steep hill twice in the afternoon to take my daughter to a class. The second time I had to walk down that hill it felt like my left knee was on fire, and by the time I got home everything from my hip to my ankle on that side felt like it was in a scalding iron brace. The other knee was complaining too, but not so badly.
    So rest of the day on the sofa with feet up and cold compresses, and more anti-inflamatory gel before bed.
    This morning they don't feel too bad yet but I haven't moved much, I'm pretty scared of how they'll react when I do. Stuck a couple of those nasty cheap elasticated knee support bandage things over them just cause they were in a cupboard.
    Ok, so, I realise that I should probably not even try to run for a couple of days, even though my plan had been to try and get 6-8km in tomorrow. What worries me is how much rest I can get away with without it affecting my fitness level I suppose?
    I have a 14 week training plan for another HM which starts on Tuesday and should have me run 20km altogether for the week. Should I skip that entire week? If I do will I be ok to jump straight into 4 runs totally 21km in a week after 2 weeks off? Should I just take tomorrow and Monday off then maybe try to just do 3km runs next week instead of longer ones?
    I know, none of you are doctors or can tell me what to do, guess I'm just using this as somewhere to write down all the thoughts spinning round and round my head. What I'm secretly hoping is that one of you is Harry Potter and can point your wand at my knees and turn them into nice young healthy uncomplaining joints that allow me to run all the miles without them *kitten* up my plans!


    I agree with @girlinahat
    This doesn't sound like normal "post-race soreness", and at least in my recent experience, the longer you keep trying to stick to a plan, the longer it's going to be a problem for you and you could end up losing even more time.
    Try to stop thinking about "how long before I lose fitness", and concentrate on "how long do I need to be fully recovered?". And yes, you should probably get it checked out if you can.

    Thanks, yes I see your point. Will try to get to see my GP on Monday, although I doubt I can expect anything other than a strange look and a recommendation to rest, ice, take ibuprofen and stop doing things you're too old for (insert rolly eyes smiley here)
    I guess the thing that upsets me the most here is that I literally just paid and signed up for my next HM on March 24th. 2 days ago. And now this. And it's an awesome race with awesome bling that I've been looking forward to for months already. But I guess in the end it's just money and there will be other years. Sigh.
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    polskagirl01 wrote: »
    polskagirl01 wrote: »
    mbaker566 wrote: »
    polskagirl01 wrote: »
    girlinahat wrote: »
    PastorVincent wrote: »
    It was 48 degrees for my run. I have obviously completely forgotten how to dress for such a heat wave as I was pouring streams of water off me by the time I got back after 12 miles.

    Due to the tilt of the Earth and all that it is now full dark when I am on my return run through the park. There are no lights, plenty of shade trees, and lots of potholes and other trip hazards plus bicycles racing down the trail. So I run with flashy armbands and a waist lamp. Yet I am constantly coming across walkers and runners dressed in all dark clothes with no lights at all.

    Please do not be stupid like them. They are asking to get hurt. Light yourself up so that you have a chance not to get hit at the very least.

    Oh. This morning I went out at before-sun-up-o’clock dressed in dark navy tights, a black top (maybe it had some dark pink trim), black gloves and a black hat. No high vis, no light, nada. I didn’t trip or fall, I didn’t get run over (I stopped for cars before crossing the roads or used the pedestrian-controlled signals (and believe me, we have plenty of visually impaired drivers here), and no one crashed into me. Most of my route is in the dark too.

    I guess what I’m saying is dress up like a Christmas tree if it’s appropriate. Otherwise, let the rest of the world enjoy the darkness while it can.

    Depends on where you're running. If you're running on the road itself or the shoulder like in much of rural USA, I agree with @PastorVincent. But if you've got even sidewalks, trails, and pedestrian-controlled signals, it's not as necessary. For example, I have lights, but don't turn them on when I'm running down the sidewalk, unless I literally can't see where I'm going.

    even with sidewalks. because eventually you have to cross the street.

    Ok but in that case, you need to be wearing a bright yellow hi-vis vest during the day, too ;)

    Finally I may have said something controversial enough to get an actual "woo!" But I still don't like it, because they're anonymous and you can't respond with an actual conversation.

    Oh sorry that was me. I didn't woo you intentionally. Its just in the right spot that i scroll through.
    So, yall get woo'd might tag me to check it. I do it all the freaking time. That button is nothing but trouble.

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