April 2019 Monthly Running Challenge
PastorVincent
Posts: 6,668 Member
It's time for the April 2019 Running Challenge!
WARNING: Following this thread may be addictive; it gets very talkative...miss a day and you can be 50 posts behind. This is the most popular challenge on MFP. If you found us in the middle (or end) of the month, you're still very welcome to join in - no requirements or special invite needed. Once you post, that's it you're in. And yes, we do this every month.
You set your own pace and distance for the month. We will all be doing it together. This is your virtual running group to help keep you accountable, to enjoy a virtual post-run coffee with your fellow runners, and to make new friends and learn a few things.
This is a continuation from the February 2019 Running Challenge which can be found at:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10723715/february-2019-monthly-running-challenge/p1
Anyone can join in, new and old, and if you found this thread late, you can join in at any time.
We have members ranging from total beginners all the way to Boston Qualifiers and beyond. We are a friendly and encouraging bunch. You never need to be ashamed of your miles. If you are making the effort, you will find only support here.
Here are the details from last month that apply again:
Anybody want to join in for a running challenge? Set a goal here and update us every day. OPTIONAL: You can post your progress by creating a ticker at http://www.tickerfactory.com (if creating one seems difficult, or you're like me and can't be bothered, then just type in your daily miles in this thread).
You can run, walk, or do treadmill - just be consistent. Don't let the high (or low) goals of others intimidate you. Some do 25 miles, others do 50, some go higher than that, some do lower; it's entirely your goal and therefore completely up to you. We help motivate each other, so what do you say? If you're new to running, set a low goal. If you're from a part of the world where miles aren't your thing, log your distances in KMs. And if you'd rather log your progress by time rather than distance, then you're entirely free to do that as well.
Feel free to set your goal now but wait until April 1, 2019 to start logging your runs!
Also, don't forget to join our group which can be found at:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/21182-monthly-running-challenges
There you will find lots of good info, and it's a place where everyone can talk to each other for further motivation. It's also a place to find help when there is a problem with this thread.
Note: we also have a group on Strava and Facebook.
After you run, come into this thread and post what you did (don't forget to hit the star in the upper right corner to bookmark this thread). Simply keep a running tally of what you've done this month, and interact with the others. Many folks come in here and chit-chat it up, even on their rest days or while recouping from injury. This is a very social group and we talk about many things (sometimes even about running
). It's a very friendly bunch here so don't be afraid to say hi (even if this is your first time), talk about a recent or up-coming race, ask questions, provide answers, or just lurk-n-learn. Participation is what makes this group successful.
Not quite sure how to log your runs? Follow the examples of many other challenge members. Even take a peek at last month's thread (posted above).
*******OPTIONAL TICKER*************
Info on tickers since I know there will be questions. Sign up for an account at http://www.tickerfactory.com and create your ticker. Then you need to update it after you finish a run and post it here. Here is what you will need to do.
After setting up your ticker, you will need to make note of the weblink they give you so you can return. An example would be:
http://www.tickerfactory.com/exercise/w6K1EiX/ <<<< the last part will be a part of the image link (explained below) that will be supplied to you after you initially create your link.
When you return to TickerFactory with the weblink, go to your settings page. Make sure you type your PIN in that you set when you created your ticker account. Then, where it says "Your current cumulative value", there is an add button. Simply add the distance that you just did, and the cumulative value automatically changes. Then hit next.
After adding your new miles (or KMs) to your ticker, you need to post it here.
After you hit next, it will give you a bunch of codes suggesting how to display your ticker.
Use the one at the bottom where it says Direct Image URL:
It will look something like:
http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/w6K1EiX/exercise.png
To display that correctly in your post, make sure you place the image (img) tags around that link. So it will look something like the following (but removing the spaces in the img tags):
[ img ] http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/w6K1EiX/exercise.png [ /img ]
^^^^^^^ Don't forget to remove the spaces between the brackets ^^^^^^^^^^
Some key things to pay attention to when posting your ticker:
Use the link that ends in .png
Remember the [ img] and [ /img] tags go in between the link
Remove the spaces in the img tags before posting
YES, there is a / in the second /img tag
By the way, everyone here should consider themselves a runner no matter how fast or slow. There's no judgment, we all started somewhere. And no comparisons, except with your former self. Don't compare your Chapter 1 to somebody elses Chapter 20.
“I often hear someone say I’m not a real runner. We are all runners, some just run faster than others. I never met a fake runner.” – Bart Yasso
“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” – Confucius
"We all know that if you run, you are pretty much choosing a life of success because of it.” – Deena Kastor
“Most people run a race to see who is fastest. I run a race to see who has the most guts.” – Steve Prefontaine
“Get going … walk if you have to, but finish the damned race.” – Ron Hill
"If you run, you are a runner. It doesn’t matter how fast or how far. It doesn’t matter if today is your first day or if you’ve been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run." - John Bingham
WARNING: Following this thread may be addictive; it gets very talkative...miss a day and you can be 50 posts behind. This is the most popular challenge on MFP. If you found us in the middle (or end) of the month, you're still very welcome to join in - no requirements or special invite needed. Once you post, that's it you're in. And yes, we do this every month.
You set your own pace and distance for the month. We will all be doing it together. This is your virtual running group to help keep you accountable, to enjoy a virtual post-run coffee with your fellow runners, and to make new friends and learn a few things.
This is a continuation from the February 2019 Running Challenge which can be found at:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10723715/february-2019-monthly-running-challenge/p1
Anyone can join in, new and old, and if you found this thread late, you can join in at any time.
We have members ranging from total beginners all the way to Boston Qualifiers and beyond. We are a friendly and encouraging bunch. You never need to be ashamed of your miles. If you are making the effort, you will find only support here.
Here are the details from last month that apply again:
Anybody want to join in for a running challenge? Set a goal here and update us every day. OPTIONAL: You can post your progress by creating a ticker at http://www.tickerfactory.com (if creating one seems difficult, or you're like me and can't be bothered, then just type in your daily miles in this thread).
You can run, walk, or do treadmill - just be consistent. Don't let the high (or low) goals of others intimidate you. Some do 25 miles, others do 50, some go higher than that, some do lower; it's entirely your goal and therefore completely up to you. We help motivate each other, so what do you say? If you're new to running, set a low goal. If you're from a part of the world where miles aren't your thing, log your distances in KMs. And if you'd rather log your progress by time rather than distance, then you're entirely free to do that as well.
Feel free to set your goal now but wait until April 1, 2019 to start logging your runs!
Also, don't forget to join our group which can be found at:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/21182-monthly-running-challenges
There you will find lots of good info, and it's a place where everyone can talk to each other for further motivation. It's also a place to find help when there is a problem with this thread.
Note: we also have a group on Strava and Facebook.
After you run, come into this thread and post what you did (don't forget to hit the star in the upper right corner to bookmark this thread). Simply keep a running tally of what you've done this month, and interact with the others. Many folks come in here and chit-chat it up, even on their rest days or while recouping from injury. This is a very social group and we talk about many things (sometimes even about running
). It's a very friendly bunch here so don't be afraid to say hi (even if this is your first time), talk about a recent or up-coming race, ask questions, provide answers, or just lurk-n-learn. Participation is what makes this group successful.Not quite sure how to log your runs? Follow the examples of many other challenge members. Even take a peek at last month's thread (posted above).
*******OPTIONAL TICKER*************
Info on tickers since I know there will be questions. Sign up for an account at http://www.tickerfactory.com and create your ticker. Then you need to update it after you finish a run and post it here. Here is what you will need to do.
After setting up your ticker, you will need to make note of the weblink they give you so you can return. An example would be:
http://www.tickerfactory.com/exercise/w6K1EiX/ <<<< the last part will be a part of the image link (explained below) that will be supplied to you after you initially create your link.
When you return to TickerFactory with the weblink, go to your settings page. Make sure you type your PIN in that you set when you created your ticker account. Then, where it says "Your current cumulative value", there is an add button. Simply add the distance that you just did, and the cumulative value automatically changes. Then hit next.
After adding your new miles (or KMs) to your ticker, you need to post it here.
After you hit next, it will give you a bunch of codes suggesting how to display your ticker.
Use the one at the bottom where it says Direct Image URL:
It will look something like:
http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/w6K1EiX/exercise.png
To display that correctly in your post, make sure you place the image (img) tags around that link. So it will look something like the following (but removing the spaces in the img tags):
[ img ] http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/w6K1EiX/exercise.png [ /img ]
^^^^^^^ Don't forget to remove the spaces between the brackets ^^^^^^^^^^
Some key things to pay attention to when posting your ticker:
Use the link that ends in .png
Remember the [ img] and [ /img] tags go in between the link
Remove the spaces in the img tags before posting
YES, there is a / in the second /img tag
By the way, everyone here should consider themselves a runner no matter how fast or slow. There's no judgment, we all started somewhere. And no comparisons, except with your former self. Don't compare your Chapter 1 to somebody elses Chapter 20.
“I often hear someone say I’m not a real runner. We are all runners, some just run faster than others. I never met a fake runner.” – Bart Yasso
“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” – Confucius
"We all know that if you run, you are pretty much choosing a life of success because of it.” – Deena Kastor
“Most people run a race to see who is fastest. I run a race to see who has the most guts.” – Steve Prefontaine
“Get going … walk if you have to, but finish the damned race.” – Ron Hill
"If you run, you are a runner. It doesn’t matter how fast or how far. It doesn’t matter if today is your first day or if you’ve been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run." - John Bingham
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Replies
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These are my last weeks until my big races in May so probably a big month. I will say 200ish again but have not added up the miles in the plan. The real goal is to train well for Glacier 50k and beat the snot out of my time from last year.
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Im in for 50 miles.12
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Wow. I finally got on the thread for a month before page 4. April is going to be my yearly Exercise For Relay For Life month. I run/walk and get sponsors for each mile. This gives me motivation I need to keep up the exercising after the "New Year, New You" thing has gone. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society. So, my goal is 35 miles of running (run/walk) and 25 miles of walking, for a total of 60 miles. 12
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Yay! I'm in for just 40km of running as we're doing the final 120km or so of the Portuguese route of the Camino de Santiago (St. James' Way) over the Easter holidays, so will be away from home for 10 days and definitely not intending on running on top of all that walking! (Well, we arrive in Santiago de Compostela on the Friday and don't come home until the Sunday so my inner addict is murmuring about how cool a quick run round the city on the Saturday morning would be. Will probably depend mostly on whether there is space in my case for my running shoes...)
Whichever way, bring it on!
11 -
M in guys..thank u.10
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I’m in for an even 100 miles. I’m behind in my yearly goal so this will will be 15 miles more than what I wanted my monthly average to be.11
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Thanks @PastorVincent for starting the April thread. I was in denial about April being tomorrow already.
OK, so April is going to be a bumpy ride I think. It is crunch time for me on a big writing deadline - due April 12 and I leave for a conference in San Diego on April 10, so it really should be done before that. We have full-day candidate interviews 3 days this week, one of which I'm in charge of so there are airport pickups, breakfasts and dinners on top of the day full of interviewing. I'm giving part of a presentation at the conference so that needs to come together at some point as well. I'm pre-exhausted thinking about it.
Running and strength training really need to be ramped up or at least not let slide during this time with tough races coming up at the end of April and beginning of May, and wanting to build a good base for a HM PR attempt in June. The Spartan race - well I'll just see what I can do to maximize my chances of not failing a ton of obstacles. The Mountain Goat 10 mile race is the next week and it is a hilly, challenging course that I haven't run before. There are 4 training runs scheduled in April that are really popular and let you get a preview of sections of the course. I can only do 2 of them, but I'm pretty familiar with the area so I know what I'm in for to a great extent. Coming off the Spartan a week before I don't have great expectations for this race. It's a really fun crowd-supported race - I've spectated in the past - so I'm just going to try to enjoy the experience.
So, roughly factoring all of that in my guesstimate for a goal is 100 miles for April. This week and next are going to be a trial to make it happen with my schedule and traveling but it's also a great stress relief. My main goals are to avoid a mental breakdown, go into the Spartan feeling a little more prepared than last time (and definitely less sore), survive the Spartan, and recover as much as possible for Mountain Goat.
2019 races:
1/13/2019 Chilly Chili 5k, Cazenovia, NY: 33:00 on very tired legs
2/24/2019 Lake Effect Half Marathon, Syracuse NY DNS due to back pain
3/9/2019 Greek Peak Winter Sprint Spartan Race, Cortland NY: SURVIVED! HAD FUN!
4/27/2019 Tri-State NJ Beast Spartan Race
5/5/2019 Mountain Goat Run (10 mile), Syracuse NY
5/21/2019 JP Morgan Corporate Challenge (3.5 mile), Syracuse NY
6/2/2019 Niagara Falls Women's Half Marathon, Niagara Falls, ON
7/14/2019 Boilermaker 15k , Utica, NY
10/19/2019 I-35 Challenge KC Half Marathon, Kansas City (TENTATIVE)
10/20/2019 I-35 Challenge DSM Half Marathon, Des Moines (TENTATIVE)
16 -
In for 175 miles.15
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I'm a little behind on my yearly goal, so I will bump up a little and say 105 miles. I also want to try running more than 3 days a week....but I probably won't.12
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Well, March started off pretty good and ended on a bit of a wet fart, so I'm struggling to work up too much excitement about April at the moment. In 2018 I ran 6.75 miles during an exceptionally snowy April which I should really be able to top this year. Assuming the left half of my body decides to pull its *kitten* together I should be able to hit at least 10 miles a week, and my personal ramp-up plan has me a little over 60. So I'm going to set a minimum goal of 10 miles, conservative goal of 40, and stretch goal of 60 miles for the month and see where that gets me.10
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I'm in for 150k this month.12
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HM Training plan looks to be just over 100 miles or so for April but we will be on vacation in New Mexico for a week of that. I am going to be conservative and say 85 miles with a stretch goal of 100. I need to ready for my HM but don't want to ramp up too much too soon!
Thanks @PastorVincent for getting us set up for April!16 -
In for 50 miles with stretch goal of 60. Still fighting off the last of a virus and several minor niggles between my husband and me, if one of us goes down all bets are off.
Real goals: do well at the Big BBQ 10k on the 14th, which will be my first 10k road race. That means I need to spend the next two weeks getting used to running first thing in the morning instead of at night, which will be the hardest part for me! Last month we bumped our long run up to 8 miles and this month would like to bump it to 10 - gradually preparing for our nautical 10 miler in early June. Also: weather is supposed to climb into the 80s this month, need to get acclimated. Last year the heat did me in.
Speaking of weather, last night was below freezing, after a run the previous day in the mid 70s! How is that fair?12 -
This is the first month I'll be able to post mileage instead of just posting when I've completed a c25k session. I am going to follow a Hal Higdon 10k running program. The program is 8 weeks and it's 10 weeks until my 10k, so I will have a 2 week buffer in case something comes up to affect my training. So, based on the training program my goal is 33 miles.
Races:
3/24--Mercer Island 5k 46:11
6/8--Fall City Day Run 10k
7/6--Bellingham Road Race
18 -
Well, my original goal in March was 80 miles and I ended the month with 101 miles. I'd like to be in for 100 miles again as goal #1 with a stretch goal of 110 miles for goal #2.
We shall see!9 -
Funky funky funk funk... 🤔 Fu*k.. funk.
Potential Unload warning:
Eh hem... *Shakes funk off for moment of clarity*. Okay. I'mma jump in a set a pre-running goal.
I have no idea when I'll be able to run, or walk unaided. So this could be a multi-month goal. But hey, gotta start somewhere. So all you lurking newbies who are hesitant about a "menial" goal, know you are truely welcome here with any running goal. Even if its a pre-running goal.
On that note, I'd like to hear from the other injured runners too. Your comback journey inspires us (mines just obnoxious and never ending).
1) Stationary bike. Some. Any. Daily.
2) Swim. Some. Any. 1-2x weekly
3) Think I'm going to join that dumb RTY extra April challenge.
4) embrace the suck
@PastorVincent thanks for setting us up. 👊 You da man.
Aww look at me, shaking the funk long enough to post. (I do feel like my life is star shaped, and it just inverted itself. Each facet is now a dagger). Good lord- DONT hug me... I'm fine. I'll either bite you or cry if you hug me... Oooh speaking of bites... Santa Clarita diet is out with a new season!!! I already watched it all. Om nom nom. 👂👂👂18 -
@katharmonic I'm pre-exhausted for you! Good luck with everything!2
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I'm in for 100 miles.
8 -
Minimum for 200 miles
Last month was fun, highest I have ever gotten, but with spring here, I will be out in the yard more. My cross training so to speak.
11 -
AlphaHowls wrote: »Minimum for 200 miles
Last month was fun, highest I have ever gotten, but with spring here, I will be out in the yard more. My cross training so to speak.
Have you ever run as few as 200?
7 -
quilteryoyo wrote: »@katharmonic I'm pre-exhausted for you! Good luck with everything!
Serious. I needed a nap after reading that post!3 -
Before I got the stress fracture, I'd thought that about 160 miles would be right for April, with taper and reverse taper before and after Boston. Now I'm on Day 5 of wearing a boot as much as I can tolerate. Still don't know if it will be practical to go spectate at Boston. But the important thing is to get better and run again. With that in mind, here are my April goals:
Nominal April mileage goal: 0 miles
Real Goals: Recover from stress fracture without making it worse. Run a few miles late in the month if and only if recovery permits this. Become healthy enough to have an actual mileage goal for May.25 -
@PastorVincent wrote: »AlphaHowls wrote: »Minimum for 200 miles
Last month was fun, highest I have ever gotten, but with spring here, I will be out in the yard more. My cross training so to speak.
Have you ever run as few as 200?
The answer is yes, but it's been awhile. Ha! Found it! April 2018, 157 miles. I pulled my back muscle and had to take some days off.9 -
Before I got the stress fracture, I'd thought that about 160 miles would be right for April, with taper and reverse taper before and after Boston. Now I'm on Day 5 of wearing a boot as much as I can tolerate. Still don't know if it will be practical to go spectate at Boston. But the important thing is to get better and run again. With that in mind, here are my April goals:
Nominal April mileage goal: 0 miles
Real Goals: Recover from stress fracture without making it worse. Run a few miles late in the month if and only if recovery permits this. Become healthy enough to have an actual mileage goal for May.
Definitely focus on healing right now so you can get back to doing what you love.
I know wearing a boot is miserable because my husband tore his Achilles last year and had to wear one for months, including while he slept. He would wake up every morning and tell me how awful it was and how I had no idea what it was like to sleep with something pushing on you and making you uncomfortable all night. (Uh, having two children means I spent 18 months of my life sleeping with something pushing me FROM THE INSIDE and making me uncomfortable all night.) He was so glad when he could stop wearing that darn clunky thing.
In April I plan to run 30 miles.14 -
No set number goal for April here! March was a train wreck, so to speak. Started the month off with a knee/hip injury that required me to call off my half marathon training completely and ended the month with a car accident that’s caused me some pretty bad back and neck issues. I’d like to thank everybody in this thread that reached out to me and sent well wishes my way. I’d tag you all but there were so many of you I can’t keep track!
An update on the injuries: apparently it’s just pretty severe whiplash from the impact. I was prescribed some muscle relaxers which helped a lot and banned from exercise for at least a week. She also recommended I see a chiropractor so I’m calling tomorrow to set up an appointment there! What a mess! At least I wasn’t at fault and the kid that hit me has to pay for everything through his insurance!13 -
Back to my April goals:
No set mileage, but once I’m feeling better my goal is to get out there at least 3 times a week, preferably outside since spring has arrived!
I’m also upping my walking as I’m recovering. I’m planning on participating in an annual walk for hunger my city does every May that’s 20 miles long. I’m used to doing it, but I’m always so sore afterwards so I figure if I train a bit it won’t be as bad!11 -
Wow ... everyone's goals are so inspiring! This is my first month ... I'm in for 50 miles
19 -
vmichelle580 wrote: »Wow ... everyone's goals are so inspiring! This is my first month ... I'm in for 50 miles
We all started somewhere. Welcome!1 -
@Elise4270 sorry, but I really DO want to hug you, like walk right up to you and envelop you in a hug. Problem is, at 5 foot tall my nose would be slap bang in the middle of your chest most likely and we’d all be in this embarrassing mess. Anyhoo, all I could do since you wouldn’t let me virtually hug you was click that you’re inspiring. Which you are.
@amirahdaboss glad to hear it is is whiplash, even knowing how rough that can be. @workaholic_nurse hope you are recovering well too.
No idea on April goals. Just run, enjoy running, run three times a week.
An’ I know he’s busy with stuff, but hey, @Stoshew71 let us know you’re still kicking around someday.7
This discussion has been closed.
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