February 2019 Monthly Running Challenge
Replies
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Crafty_camper123 wrote: »Okay, got my first "run" in of the month! I suppose I'll just log my miles in like so:
2/5/19 W5 D1 Couch 2 5k
2.36 Miles in 32.59 Minutes
This was the first one where I ran 5 minutes walked 3 minutes. And I am proud to say I killed it! Last week I was struggling to hit the second 3 minute and 5 minute runs. I am super nervous about day 2. It says I am supposed to run 8 minutes in a row. The last time I ran that long I think was high school. So we shall see. I hope I surprise myself. But my lungs quiver at the thought.
The plan is designed so that each step up is a reasonable challenge. So by following the plan, you CAN do it, and in a real way, not like "you can do anything" kind of way
As others have said, there's no need to hurry, if needed run as slowly as you can without walking - just get it done.amymoreorless wrote: »Group question: On Sunday, I had a conversation with a personal trainer and member of the group I run with. I was complaining about recently regaining some weight and having to cut stupid calories again. I REALLY struggle with not eating all the things.
I mentioned how I could happily exercise all day long. Running is the easy part. She disagrees with me. She said for most of her clients, exercise is the hard part and dieting is much easier (although still hard). Thoughts? Am I the only crazy one who who finds dieting SO MUCH HARDER?
I am with you. The food choices are the hard part by far.3 -
MegaMooseEsq wrote: »amymoreorless wrote: »Group question: On Sunday, I had a conversation with a personal trainer and member of the group I run with. I was complaining about recently regaining some weight and having to cut stupid calories again. I REALLY struggle with not eating all the things.
I mentioned how I could happily exercise all day long. Running is the easy part. She disagrees with me. She said for most of her clients, exercise is the hard part and dieting is much easier (although still hard). Thoughts? Am I the only crazy one who who finds dieting SO MUCH HARDER?
I think the difference boils down to whether or not you've found a form of exercise you genuinely enjoy (more often than not, at least). If I didn't love running and lifting weights, I would say dieting is definitely easier than exercise.
I think this is spot on.3 -
Crafty_camper123 wrote: »amymoreorless wrote: »Group question: On Sunday, I had a conversation with a personal trainer and member of the group I run with. I was complaining about recently regaining some weight and having to cut stupid calories again. I REALLY struggle with not eating all the things.
I mentioned how I could happily exercise all day long. Running is the easy part. She disagrees with me. She said for most of her clients, exercise is the hard part and dieting is much easier (although still hard). Thoughts? Am I the only crazy one who who finds dieting SO MUCH HARDER?
I see what you are saying here. I have been having a hard time cutting my calories during this running adventure I'm on. As soon as I ramp up my exercise intensity I want to eat ALL THE THINGS. Calorie cycling of sorts seems to work best for me. I eat at maintenance until my appetite settles down. I restrict while I can, and then it's back to maintenance when the hunger montser shows back up. Also, ensuring I get enough protien has been benificial to keeping the hungries at bay too.
Oh yeah, and the "which one is easier" question definitely has to take into account whether one makes the other more difficult. I believe that, for most people, regular exercise makes it easier to maintain a steady weight but does not necessarily make losing weight easier, and for a lot of people regular intense exercise can make losing weight more difficult (or cutting calories can make regular exercise more difficult). I've basically been in maintenance since I started running regularly last spring. I've decided to embrace that and enjoy what my body can do at this weight but it does get a little awkward when people assume that my weight loss must be due to my running.2 -
PastorVincent wrote: »MegaMooseEsq wrote: »amymoreorless wrote: »Group question: On Sunday, I had a conversation with a personal trainer and member of the group I run with. I was complaining about recently regaining some weight and having to cut stupid calories again. I REALLY struggle with not eating all the things.
I mentioned how I could happily exercise all day long. Running is the easy part. She disagrees with me. She said for most of her clients, exercise is the hard part and dieting is much easier (although still hard). Thoughts? Am I the only crazy one who who finds dieting SO MUCH HARDER?
I think the difference boils down to whether or not you've found a form of exercise you genuinely enjoy (more often than not, at least). If I didn't love running and lifting weights, I would say dieting is definitely easier than exercise.
I think this is spot on.
Yup, me too.
Just seen this on Facebook, pretty much sums up my idea of a perfect life lol.
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amymoreorless wrote: »Group question: On Sunday, I had a conversation with a personal trainer and member of the group I run with. I was complaining about recently regaining some weight and having to cut stupid calories again. I REALLY struggle with not eating all the things.
I mentioned how I could happily exercise all day long. Running is the easy part. She disagrees with me. She said for most of her clients, exercise is the hard part and dieting is much easier (although still hard). Thoughts? Am I the only crazy one who who finds dieting SO MUCH HARDER?
I can happily cut calories for a limited period of time, but then I get sick of it. And it's hard to cut calories while also pursuing sports goals - I can do one or the other but not both at the same time. Ramping up mileage for a half, for example. Does not go with cutting calories.
In general I can do almost anything exercise related for three months but then I need to do something fresh to keep from going crazy. Right now I'm trying to shuffle dance because my husband thinks shuffle dancing is cute. Shuffle dancers are usually about 18 years old, with much better knees, but hey, what the heck, it's keeping me from getting bored. Same with my trail race series, it's giving me a new goal to aim for.9 -
February goal: 75 miles
2/2: 13.11 miles
2/5: 5.16 miles
18.27/75 miles completed
I had a nice run this morning. I went before work and got 5.16 miles in. The temperature was nice right at 59/60F, but it was a little windier than I like it. And humid too. But it was still nice. I really like to just throw on shorts and a tank top and not have to worry about layers. I did kind of wish I had worn my sleeves starting out running into the wind, but once got going and turned away from the headwind I was fine. I was on the lookout for skunks because it seemed like good skunk weather and I did see one. He was running (or waddling) straight toward me. Luckily I saw the white on his tail or I might not have noticed him until I was right in front of him, but I did realize he was there in time to cross the road before he was too close to me. His tail stayed down though so he either didn't notice me or wasn't concerned about me. I'm not really afraid of skunks, but I do not want to get sprayed by one.
2019 Races:
2/2/19: Catch the Groundhog Half Marathon - PR 2:15:1710 -
Wasn´t able to post yesterday - such a crazy day - but... i got my run in first Thing in the morning. So...
2/2 => 40 Min
2/4 => 30 Min
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amymoreorless wrote: »Group question: On Sunday, I had a conversation with a personal trainer and member of the group I run with. I was complaining about recently regaining some weight and having to cut stupid calories again. I REALLY struggle with not eating all the things.
I mentioned how I could happily exercise all day long. Running is the easy part. She disagrees with me. She said for most of her clients, exercise is the hard part and dieting is much easier (although still hard). Thoughts? Am I the only crazy one who who finds dieting SO MUCH HARDER?
Like others have said, the trick for me to finding the exercise easy was finding an exercise I really wanted to do. Now it's a habit and I find it easy. Otherwise I find dieting easier. I tend to get in a groove and it just becomes the way I eat. Now that I am running more I am noticing the runger, but it's usually the day after a run when I am ravenous. So, I budget for an extra snack on those days, so I'm eating like 6 times a day, but that seems to work.
I was at a deficit, albeit a small one, for almost a year to lose the weight. I was running that whole time. I definitely run more now, but only recently upped my calories to maintenance. Maybe the very small deficit and slowly but surely approach was why it wasn't too hard to do both.4 -
rheddmobile wrote: »amymoreorless wrote: »Group question: On Sunday, I had a conversation with a personal trainer and member of the group I run with. I was complaining about recently regaining some weight and having to cut stupid calories again. I REALLY struggle with not eating all the things.
I mentioned how I could happily exercise all day long. Running is the easy part. She disagrees with me. She said for most of her clients, exercise is the hard part and dieting is much easier (although still hard). Thoughts? Am I the only crazy one who who finds dieting SO MUCH HARDER?
I can happily cut calories for a limited period of time, but then I get sick of it. And it's hard to cut calories while also pursuing sports goals - I can do one or the other but not both at the same time. Ramping up mileage for a half, for example. Does not go with cutting calories.
In general I can do almost anything exercise related for three months but then I need to do something fresh to keep from going crazy. Right now I'm trying to shuffle dance because my husband thinks shuffle dancing is cute. Shuffle dancers are usually about 18 years old, with much better knees, but hey, what the heck, it's keeping me from getting bored. Same with my trail race series, it's giving me a new goal to aim for.
Hah, I hadn't heard of shuffle dancing but it does look like fun. I'm unclear as to why one needs to show one's midriff in order to do this particular dance, but I assume that's like asking why you need a cowboy hat for line dancing.5 -
4/2 - 10km
5/2 - 7.5km
Total 17.5km out of 404 -
@amymoreorless I have a massive appetite and have found that I can cut calories a bit more easily by cutting carbs... to zero. At one time, my high calorie days were around 30,000. Now that I eat a carnivore / zero carb diet, my high calorie days are around 10,000-12,000. I still can't out-exercise my diet, so I still struggle. But it is a smaller struggle.
If I did not have to work and such, I might be able to out-exercise my appetite. It would take a little more than 100 miles per day of running.7 -
I forgot how fast this thread moves!
02/01 - REST
02/02 - 10
02/03 - CX Les Mills The Trip (Spin Bike)
02/04 - CX Les Mills GRIT Strength
02/05 - 6
I misjudged the cold this morning and almost got frostbite. I promptly ordered some better wind tights to run in and can do better layering up top. That was highly unpleasant!
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It is super cold today and I'm finding the cold aggravates my bad ankle, so treadmill at the gym for me tonight.7
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girlinahat wrote: »Crafty_camper123 wrote: »Okay, got my first "run" in of the month! I suppose I'll just log my miles in like so:
2/5/19 W5 D1 Couch 2 5k
2.36 Miles in 32.59 Minutes
This was the first one where I ran 5 minutes walked 3 minutes. And I am proud to say I killed it! Last week I was struggling to hit the second 3 minute and 5 minute runs. I am super nervous about day 2. It says I am supposed to run 8 minutes in a row. The last time I ran that long I think was high school. So we shall see. I hope I surprise myself. But my lungs quiver at the thought.
we have all been here at some point, whether doing c25k or some other way of learning to be a runner.
when it gets to the eight minute run - slow down. slow down if your lungs are struggling, but keep running. You can get through it.
Exactly what I was thinking... slow down if you have to. I didn't particularly relish the thought when it was first suggested to me, as I was already running much slower than I wanted to. I think I was in week 5 of C25K at the time, running about the same pace as you are now. I also (sometimes) struggle with exercise induced asthma. That was a couple months ago.
Yesterday morning I ran 4 miles. My pace is between 13 and 14 minute miles for most of my runs now, and I take my dogs with me so we have occasional unplanned stops (
). So, it took me almost an hour, but I ran 4 miles! I don't know that I could have done that without slowing down. (I know I posted about this yesterday. I'm still thrilled!) 12 -
amymoreorless wrote: »Group question: On Sunday, I had a conversation with a personal trainer and member of the group I run with. I was complaining about recently regaining some weight and having to cut stupid calories again. I REALLY struggle with not eating all the things.
I mentioned how I could happily exercise all day long. Running is the easy part. She disagrees with me. She said for most of her clients, exercise is the hard part and dieting is much easier (although still hard). Thoughts? Am I the only crazy one who who finds dieting SO MUCH HARDER?
I can't diet for the life of me! I loooove cooking, and enjoy eating what I cook! It's rarely unhealthy food, but I always eat too much of it! Like at the moment my thing is sourdough bread! So home made sourdough bread, no crappy ingredients, served with home made tagine....
Exercise?! Could easily stay in the gym all day, or get on my bike and do 50miles, or head out for 10k run!4 -
I've spent most of 2017 doing fitness blender and a deficit - using mindful eating for the first 6 months. I only picked up Mfp in about June when I hit a plateau, figured out why I hit a plateau (snack creep) stopped using mfp and went back to mindful earing. I lost 20kg (about 45lb). In 2018 I started running in earnest, and that's when my deficit fell apart. I also had a contraceptive implant put in at the end on 2017 and the combination caused my appetite to skyrocket during 2018. Over eating was definitely the hard part then. Exercise was easy - because I had things I loved doing and ligetally got up early for. I basically maintained in 2018 gaining and losing the same 5kg (10ish lb).
I took the implant out late last year - too many side effects - and my eating overall is better and has got back under better and easier to control - except for Christmas (sigh). I've now lost the Christmas weight fairly easily, and am now concentrating on my ultimate goal weight this year. I got so close early last year, within 2kg (4.5lb) but lost it as the hormones got worse and worse.5 -
Now as for this s morning, it's our national holiday here today, think 4th July with out the fireworks (well literal ones, we get a lot of political ones. A few years ago a politician had a *kitten* thrown at him in protest. Because he was being a dick. Get it?). So day off work midweek! Yay!
I went out for a run at 9am and it is already 30 degrees! Soooo hot. So I decided to only do a couple of 2s, and a walk. Especially since I have so many aches due to shoes. Today I wore my alternate shoes and no knee pains. So definitely the shoes. I was also back to my usual pace. Has anyone else experienced that? Slowing down as shoes wear out? I've noticed my pace in my old shoes was slipping a little. I just put it down to lack of training recently but now I wonder if it was my legs saying they didn't like something?7 -
I've spent most of 2017 doing fitness blender and a deficit - using mindful eating for the first 6 months. I only picked up Mfp in about June when I hit a plateau, figured out why I hit a plateau (snack creep) stopped using mfp and went back to mindful earing. I lost 20kg (about 45lb). In 2018 I started running in earnest, and that's when my deficit fell apart. I also had a contraceptive implant put in at the end on 2017 and the combination caused my appetite to skyrocket during 2018. Over eating was definitely the hard part then. Exercise was easy - because I had things I loved doing and ligetally got up early for. I basically maintained in 2018 gaining and losing the same 5kg (10ish lb).
I took the implant out late last year - too many side effects - and my eating overall is better and has got back under better and easier to control - except for Christmas (sigh). I've now lost the Christmas weight fairly easily, and am now concentrating on my ultimate goal weight this year. I got so close early last year, within 2kg (4.5lb) but lost it as the hormones got worse and worse.
I had my IUD removed for overeating purposes, also. I was out of control ravenous!0 -
Well, nothing like some online shopping to make me feel better about a snowy sick day. Accio new shoes and more Decathlon gear!7
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MegaMooseEsq wrote: »Well, nothing like some online shopping to make me feel better about a snowy sick day. Accio new shoes and more Decathlon gear!
My Decathlon shirt just arrived, now I just have to wait for winter to come back to try it...7 -
fitoverfortymom wrote: »I've spent most of 2017 doing fitness blender and a deficit - using mindful eating for the first 6 months. I only picked up Mfp in about June when I hit a plateau, figured out why I hit a plateau (snack creep) stopped using mfp and went back to mindful earing. I lost 20kg (about 45lb). In 2018 I started running in earnest, and that's when my deficit fell apart. I also had a contraceptive implant put in at the end on 2017 and the combination caused my appetite to skyrocket during 2018. Over eating was definitely the hard part then. Exercise was easy - because I had things I loved doing and ligetally got up early for. I basically maintained in 2018 gaining and losing the same 5kg (10ish lb).
I took the implant out late last year - too many side effects - and my eating overall is better and has got back under better and easier to control - except for Christmas (sigh). I've now lost the Christmas weight fairly easily, and am now concentrating on my ultimate goal weight this year. I got so close early last year, within 2kg (4.5lb) but lost it as the hormones got worse and worse.
I had my IUD removed for overeating purposes, also. I was out of control ravenous!
i don't need a iud for that. my hormones do that all on their own2 -
Today the weather outside was gorgeous! Started my run at 62 degrees and ended at sunset with a nice breeze. I overheat quickly and got a little warm about halfway through, but then the breeze kicked in and I was fine. In fact, I was so fine I did 4.3 miles instead of 3.5. It was one of those runs that remind me why I love running so much.
February runs:
2/1: 3.5 miles
2/2: 5 miles
2/5: 4.3 miles
Cumulative total for February: 12.8/55 or 63.5 miles7 -
I'm late posting again, so congrats to @martaindale, @marisap2010, @MobyCarp, @kgirlhart, @polskagirl01, and @hanlonsk for each of your races (although sorry to hear about your race experience @hanlonsk).
I'm now in the final week of taper, and so mileage has dropped off significantly; there's just 6 miles planned for tomorrow, and then 3 miles each for Thursday and Friday. Tomorrow sees the start of carb loading, I fly out on Thursday, go to the expo on Friday to pick up my race packet, and then Saturday is the big day.
In the meantime, I just have to get through another 1½ days of work, which has been completely hectic, and then I can relax and focus on just the race.
01 - 15.35
04 - 10.30
05 - 8.06
Total: 33.71 / 120 miles14 -
No runs for me yesterday (got too busy) or today (didn't have one scheduled due to a late meeting). I'm going to try to do an early morning treadmill run tomorrow before I leave for an out-of-town speaking engagement. I had planned to keep the miles low this week anyway, since I have a 5k on Saturday morning, so I'm not too upset over missing yesterday's run. Hoping to do an easy 3 miles tomorrow and then 2.5 on Thursday, rest Friday, and be ready to run on Saturday.2
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The good news is that I get to avoid a treadmill run tonight!!
The bad news is it's because I'm stuck at work and will be here too late to do anything tonight.15 -
Trail Tuesday strikes again! I haven't made it out to the trails on a weekday (or at all...) in about a month due to weather, but today was perfect. 65-70F and sunny, and the trails were in decent condition. Everything was a bit muddy, but the sticky, goopy kind that has decent traction rather than slippery, slick mud.
I felt a bit bonky the last half mile or so, where the mud was the most churned up and difficult (closest to the trail parking lot), and I'm not sure if I felt the bonk because I didn't eat/drink enough during the run (had brunch 2 hours beforehand, then had half a Clif bar and 18 oz plain water during the run) or if I'm still feeling fatigue from the weekend. Either way, it was good to get back to my car and head home!
Upon reviewing my Strava, I saw that I paced 20 seconds/mile faster today on the same trail than I did 4 weeks ago when I ran it last, so I'm pretty pleased with that improvement. I felt much stronger with all the elevation change than I did previously as well. Not sure how I'm going to do 20+ more miles after 10 trails miles for my 50k in July, but that's a problem for FutureKristine to solve
February miles:
2/1: 10.5 miles
2/2: 8 miles
2/3: 16.2 miles
2/4: 3.3 miles
2/5: 10 miles
February total: 48 miles
2019 Races
March 24: Caesar Rodney Half Marathon (Goal: PR)
April 7: Cherry Blossom 10 Miler (Goal: Sub-75)
April 28: New Jersey Marathon (Goal: BQ)
July 6: Finger Lake Fifties 50k (Goal: Finish)
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amymoreorless wrote: »Group question: On Sunday, I had a conversation with a personal trainer and member of the group I run with. I was complaining about recently regaining some weight and having to cut stupid calories again. I REALLY struggle with not eating all the things.
I mentioned how I could happily exercise all day long. Running is the easy part. She disagrees with me. She said for most of her clients, exercise is the hard part and dieting is much easier (although still hard). Thoughts? Am I the only crazy one who who finds dieting SO MUCH HARDER?
@amymoreorless Total agreement. I can't stick to a diet for more than a couple weeks. I'd much rather make small modifications to my diet (stop buying ice cream, potato chips, etc.) and run more than try to restrict my diet into a deficit.girlinahat wrote: »@kristinegift I have a confession to make.....I have been WAITING for my TomTom to die just so I can buy a garmin!!!
Is that so terribly wrong?
@girlinahat Sometimes you just need Thing A to kick the bucket so you can get Thing B!
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Date :::: Miles :::: Cumulative
02/01/19 :::: 2.3 :::: 2.3
02/02/19 :::: 10.0 :::: 12.3
02/03/19 :::: 4.0 :::: 16.3
02/04/19 :::: 3.8 :::: 20.1
02/05/19 :::: 3.6 :::: 23.7
Pre- and post-circuit training treadmill run this morning added up to 3.6 total.
Pull-up challenge: Technically day 9 of the 31-day challenge. The plan called for a rest day today, but I swapped that for yesterday and of did some of the things that were on the challenge from yesterday today - which included push-ups max reps and weighted squats. During circuit training we did trap bar deadlifts, various kinds of squats, sled drag and push, and high-low kettlebell farmer carries. Tonight at home I did a little fitness assessment for Spartan training in which I had to see how many push-ups and burpees I could do in 2 minutes each. Yikes. They also wanted to know how many miles I ran last week and what my longest run was, so at least I figure those answers might make up for some slack on burpee end of things. Maybe?7 -
Feburary Goal: Just keep trying
2/1: Well, there is this football game, see,
2/2: that is always on the 1st Sunday of February and we always invite a few
2/3: friends over for a Superbowl Luau (pig and turkey and 'taters and breadfruit in the underground oven, Maitai and potluck....)2/4: and this year there were 65 friends watching on 4 outdoor and 3 indoor tv's....
2/5: so I couldn't muster running gumption till today: 4.00
Total: 4.00
Ticker is my goal for 2019 and progress to date:
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midwesterner85 wrote: »@amymoreorless I have a massive appetite and have found that I can cut calories a bit more easily by cutting carbs... to zero. At one time, my high calorie days were around 30,000. Now that I eat a carnivore / zero carb diet, my high calorie days are around 10,000-12,000. I still can't out-exercise my diet, so I still struggle. But it is a smaller struggle.
If I did not have to work and such, I might be able to out-exercise my appetite. It would take a little more than 100 miles per day of running.
Just noticed that you have several woos on this post and wanted to give some background for people unaware of it. @midwesterner85 is a type 1 diabetic, which means his body doesn't produce insulin and the amount of insulin he has to inject is directly related to the food he eats, carbs in particular. Injected insulin is well known to cause hunger - in fact, insane asylums used to use injected insulin as a form of discipline because patients who were given insulin but not food were in agony from hunger. If someone with a chronic and permanent inability to digest food normally has found a way of eating that helps, probably it's not woo. Very low carb diets have been proven to be beneficial for type 1 diabetics.14
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