August 2019 Monthly Running Challenge
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@pastorvincent - my article was specific to a first HM and was an example of a 2 week taper for that. Point taken on the longer races but most 'newer' runners are not going out to run a 50k or an ultra as their first race of distance. By the time they are attempting to run those they will have run a few others of shorter distances and know what they need to do to taper. I have heard of people tapering for 3 weeks or so before a full and I have also been told that 'you don't need to taper for a half or even a full' by so called 'experts and elites'. Again we have to do what is best for us, our bodies and mentally what gives us confidence.
@Bachataera - welcome to our group of crazies! Great job on your run!4 -
Bachataera wrote: »New here. I've been on MFP for a few years and I've gained 20 pounds through it all, so I'm trying something new: running.
My goal is to get up to 5K by the end of September and enter a race in my city (Denver). Today is day 3 of walked/jogged 2 miles.
thanks
Welcome! If you haven’t already, look at the couch to 5k program (c25k). I personally used it in February and am now working on the bridge to 10k (B210k) program. If your city has a Parkrun group, I found them the be extremely welcoming to new runners. I never would have started the 10k training without their encouragement.
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I got up super early for 20 miles before it got too hot. My next marathon is 9/1 and starts at 5am, so that is what time I started (ok, a few min. before since I was ready then). I was planning to go far and this time, I did not get up super early to go to Memphis to run. Instead, I ran here on country roads. I had considered traffic, so was wearing a reflective vest, blinking red light on my back, blinking red and yellow lights on my sides, and my white headlamp on my head pointing forward. I was going far, so I brought everything I figured I might need, including a 3L water reservoir. After less than 2 miles, I stopped at the only public restroom (park) along the way and lost about 10 min. This is despite taking loperamide and Tums earlier. I think I know what is happening and I'm starting to aggressively treat it - starting today, but then waiting on some additional stuff to arrive later this week so I'll attack it from 3 directions. Anyway, I left my watch going just like during a race. I ended up pretty slow overall, but if I kept that pace for a full marathon, I would finish in less than the 6 hr. cut-off. And that is my goal. I'll try again next weekend and see how it goes then. I did stop to re-apply sunblock and I also stopped to take the vest / lights off when the sun was out.
I didn't have as many issues with cars as expected, but there are a lot of dogs that are not on a leash. That is understandable in the country and they were ok as long as I kept going and they realized I wasn't trying to invade their territory. But there was a large dog loose after I got back in town again. I was on the opposite side of the road and it came out to chase me. I slowed to a walk so as not to agitate it and then yelled at it. Fortunately, its owner came out and was able to call it back before it got all the way to me, but I really thought it was going to attack me. When I turned around to go back home, I went off to a different street so I didn't have to go by there again. Then on that street, this little wiener dog came barking and running all the way down its long driveway. It didn't get to the street until I was already past, but it still decided to come out to the street and chase after me. So after about 100 ft. of being chased, I decided to turn around and chase it back home. That worked. I can do that with the tiny dogs. Interestingly enough, this dog's neighbor was outside. I wonder what he thought as he watched.
My legs were on fire after finishing. I need electrolytes for cramping. Part of my issue with the bathroom also causes me to lose electrolytes and fluid, and that makes it worse.
If anyone is interested, here is what I'm pretty sure is happening that is causing my time loss in the bathroom:Bile acid mal-absorption - This was an issue before my cholecystectomy in Mar. and has continued since, so it has taken awhile to identify. Basically, the issue is that bile acids are not getting re-circulated as they should be. Instead, the bile acids are getting dumped into my colon and that is a problem. Bile acids are toxic in the colon, so then my body ends up dumping electrolytes and water into my colon to try to dilute and flush them. That works, as I've observed, but it causes a very foul smelling diarrhea. So my solutions right now are high doses of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), milk thistle, and berberine (after it arrives). I'm hoping one or more of these will help promote FXR enough to be able to re-absorb those bile acids instead of losing them in my colon.
And I saw a deer, but didn't get close enough for a really good photo. This is the best I got before it ran off in a field:
And here it is after it started running away, heading towards a patch of timber for shelter:
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@pastorvincent - my article was specific to a first HM and was an example of a 2 week taper for that. Point taken on the longer races but most 'newer' runners are not going out to run a 50k or an ultra as their first race of distance. By the time they are attempting to run those they will have run a few others of shorter distances and know what they need to do to taper. I have heard of people tapering for 3 weeks or so before a full and I have also been told that 'you don't need to taper for a half or even a full' by so called 'experts and elites'. Again we have to do what is best for us, our bodies and mentally what gives us confidence.
@Bachataera - welcome to our group of crazies! Great job on your run!
OH, if you move into more experienced runners... I never taper for a half marathon or even a 20k, and I only taper for a few days for a full. I have run a full marathon at PB pace 6 days before a 50k, and likely will again in May. BUT I AM NOT a new runner. I have been doing this longer than most on this thread and I know what I can do. I know when to abort and take a DNF, or a DNS. This is why I always hesitate to answer questions like "What do you do?" because I am someone a new runner wants to follow unless it is on the way to physical therapy!
Each person is different.
If anyone takes any advice from me at all, I hope it is this:
The real key is to learn to listen to your own body. In the end, it is the only real expert.
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@T1DCarnivoreRunner Cool! Glad you have some answers to attack! Problems always, at least to me, seem less severe when you have a plan to attack them. When you can do SOMETHING.
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emmamcgarity wrote: »Bachataera wrote: »New here. I've been on MFP for a few years and I've gained 20 pounds through it all, so I'm trying something new: running.
My goal is to get up to 5K by the end of September and enter a race in my city (Denver). Today is day 3 of walked/jogged 2 miles.
thanks
Welcome! If you haven’t already, look at the couch to 5k program (c25k). I personally used it in February and am now working on the bridge to 10k (B210k) program. If your city has a Parkrun group, I found them the be extremely welcoming to new runners. I never would have started the 10k training without their encouragement.
This is all great advice. Wish I had a park run group close.2 -
Date :::: Miles :::: Cumulative
08/01/19 :::: 3.6 :::: 3.6
08/02/19 :::: 4.1 :::: 7.7
08/03/19 :::: 10.2 :::: 17.8
08/04/19 :::: 3.7 :::: 21.5
08/05/19 :::: 3.7 :::: 25.2
08/06/19 :::: 3.1 :::: 28.2
08/07/19 :::: 5.1 :::: 33.3
08/08/19 :::: 3.0 :::: 36.3
08/09/19 :::: 0.0 :::: 36.3
08/10/19 :::: 8.7 :::: 45.0
08/11/19 :::: 3.8 :::: 48.8
08/12/19 :::: 4.2 :::: 53.1
08/13/19 :::: 2.3 :::: 55.3
08/14/19 :::: 5.4 :::: 60.7
08/15/19 :::: 5.0 :::: 65.7
08/16/19 :::: 0.0 :::: 65.7
08/17/19 :::: 0.0 :::: 65.7
08/18/19 :::: 5.1 :::: 70.9
I had planned to do a long run today, although I knew the chances were good that I wouldn't really feel up to it after yesterday's bike ride. I woke up to thunderstorms and was happy to pull the covers back over my head for a while. Eventually, it stopped and I felt guilty enough to get out for at least some running. It was a bit of a slog featuring dead-end trails, tired legs, increasing humidity, and some general crankiness, but at least I got 5 miles in. I'm going to have to get back into a regular long run schedule for the upcoming weeks as October is sounding pretty close now.6 -
I read this on Linked In & found it so inspiring I wanted to share it.
“Walking up a nearly vertical hiking trail, someone passed me going even faster. Her t-shirt read, "Seek discomfort" and I had a long time to sweat and think about it.
The best strategy to thrive in the long term is to seek discomfort in the short run.
When you go a bit past your perceived "limits," you discover new strengths.
When you spend a part of each day struggling to keep up, it doesn't take long before it becomes obvious how much stronger you've become.
I'm too tired to type more, but you get the idea, I hope.”11 -
Was trying to decide if I should run now, or wait a bit. I glanced at our weather station and it read 96 (feels like, 90 actual), and in the few seconds, I was watching it turned to 98. I think I will wait till closer to sunset.3
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PastorVincent wrote: »Was trying to decide if I should run now, or wait a bit. I glanced at our weather station and it read 96 (feels like, 90 actual), and in the few seconds, I was watching it turned to 98. I think I will wait till closer to sunset.
I am also waiting until sunset unless we get surprise rain showers to cool things off. I’m looking forward to cooler temps in the Fall.
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8/1 14.03 miles
8/2 15.13 miles
8/3 16.21 miles, 460 Days on the run
8/4 15.14 miles
8/5 15.08 miles
8/6 18.05 miles
8/7 18.35 miles
8/8 18.27 miles, 465 Days on the run
8/9 20.29 miles
8/10 27.37 miles
8/11 15.04 miles, Cycling 165 minutes, ~30 miles
8/12 18.1 miles
8/13 19.28 miles, 470 Days on the run
8/14 18.22 miles
8/15 18.37 miles
8/16 21.27 miles
8/17 27.35 miles
8/18 15 miles, 15.22 miles, 475 Days on the run, Cycling 180 minutes, ~36 miles
345.77 miles so far for August and the heat goes on...7 -
emmamcgarity wrote: »PastorVincent wrote: »Was trying to decide if I should run now, or wait a bit. I glanced at our weather station and it read 96 (feels like, 90 actual), and in the few seconds, I was watching it turned to 98. I think I will wait till closer to sunset.
I am also waiting until sunset unless we get surprise rain showers to cool things off. I’m looking forward to cooler temps in the Fall.
Good call. With my summer races behind me, I am not longer caring about heat adaption. So I will be running in cool weather when possible now. 3 -
Back home in the UK for a week and it feels AMAZING to run in a pleasant temperature! Did 2.5km yesterday to stretch after flying, and 5km this morning up a beautiful footpath in Cambridgeshire. Mostly uphill which was torture, then a lovely gentle long downhill which felt like flying. I'd definitely do trail running if I lived somewhere it is possible.
Looking perilously close to not making my August goal but a few good days will put me right back in it, so we'll see!
@T1DCarnivoreRunner I quite often get chased by dogs when I run back in Bucharest. I might try your chasing after them technique just to give them a fright like they give me!
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August goal: 100 miles
8/1: 6.30 miles
8/4: 11.06 miles
8/6: 6.27 miles
8/7: 6.26 miles
8/8: 6.42 miles
8/11: 10.21 miles
8/13: 6.26 miles
8/14: 6.26 miles
8/15: 6.27 miles
8/18: 10.11 miles
75.42/100 miles completed
Today's run was really nice. I ran 10.11 miles. It was pretty hot already at 7:00 am, but it is way hotter now so I am glad I got up and got it done. My husband cooked us a couple of nice steaks to celebrate the anniversary and now we're just going to relax for the rest of the day. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!
2019 races:
2/2/19: Catch the Groundhog Half Marathon - PR 2:15:17
5/18/19: Run for 57th AHC Half Marathon - Cancelled due to weather
2020 races:
5/16/20: Run for 57th AHC Half Marathon7 -
Got my time down to 11 minutes averages I will have a 10 minute average in no time!
August Goal: 37-40 miles
Total Miles:19.32 miles
My August Runs/Walks
8/2: 3.09 miles
8/5: 3.27 miles
8/10: 3.25 miles total (1.25 mile of continuous run and walk/run alternating for 2 miles)
8/12: 3.25 miles total (2.25 miles of continuous run and 1 mile walk)
8/14: 3.23 miles total (1.25 continuous run and walk/run alternating for just under 2 miles)
8/18: 3.23 miles total (2.25 miles of continuous run and 1 mile walk)11 -
@AlphaHowls All I can say is WOW!!!! You have nearly 350 miles already and I can't seem to make 60. That is just mind boggling to me.2
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@AlphaHowls is not of this world 😉🤯
But we love her all the same!6 -
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@PastorVincent number of days taper based on length of race is a GENERAL rule for most people, pretty sure I read it in Runner’s World originally, which does fall apart when you hit ultras. Most marathoners do taper about three weeks to a month though, and so on for shorter races.
I’m a second person who found that Hal Higdon’s novice HM plan led to long-term injury, and I did not push too hard on the last long run - I made a point of running it as slowly as was possible without it actually feeling harder because of going so slow. It wasn’t nearly enough training and not enough taper. Doing ten miles easy did NOT make me ready for 13.1 at race pace, or really at any pace. I would not recommend it to anyone for a first half except someone young with good mechanics and no tendency towards injury.4 -
@T1DCarnivoreRunner are those gravel roads? Oh my! Running long runs on gravel, I’m impressed.
5 miles on trails at WC Johnson. We were under another heat advisory today but got lucky - ten minutes before we headed out, a storm blew through just to the south of us and the temperature dropped fifteen degrees. I was afraid we’d get rain and the trails would be mucky, but it missed us. So we had a tolerable run, 80 degrees instead of 98, with a strong breeze blowing.
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