September 2019 Monthly Running Challenge
Options
Replies
-
@shanaber – love reading your race report and seeing the pictures. Do you prefer running a smaller race where at times there are no runners around or bigger races where not crowded but there are runners in sight at all times?
@teresa502 - that's a good question... maybe a good mid-month question for the group!
I agree, great question!
I'm the guy who hates big parties and events, but once I actually get there, I usually have a blast and don't want to leave. I've run both large (5000) and small (50) races and enjoyed both for different reasons.
The large races have an energy and excitement which can really fuel your run and make it a lot of fun. They can also be extremely frustrating with the logistics of getting in and out, the confusion, having to weave around those who don't understand the point of corrals or self placement. Large trail races have a party atmosphere at the start and finish and you usually have plenty of people to talk to during the race, but conga line suck and parking can be very limited in remote locations. Large trail races still have far less runners than large road races.
The small races are great for the ease of getting in and out, the chances of placing increases, are often more laid back, and no one gets in your way. They can also be quite boring and lack energy. Small trail races can often mean you are running by yourself, but in ultras that's often the case anyway unless you find a good pace match.
I've run both, and I've enjoyed both. My angst for large races is mostly related to getting in and out and the lines. Other than that, I like to mix it up, though I tend towards smaller races. This TC 10 Mile will be the largest race I've been in by far (11,000 runners!) and the 50K I may enter three weeks later will be the smallest (18 finishers).6 -
Definitely a good mid mo question@shanaber – love reading your race report and seeing the pictures. Do you prefer running a smaller race where at times there are no runners around or bigger races where not crowded but there are runners in sight at all times?
I like the smaller races because I can usually place. The big ones for the energy and to feel connected to a population.polskagirl01 wrote: »Random thought I had the other day while running in the woods and thinking about the different paths that are worn into the ground by people and animals repeatedly going the same way. If I understand correctly, when we repeatedly perform a certain action or way of thinking, we create pathways in our brain. Eventually those pathways become the easiest way to travel and we start to follow them more automatically. That's why a new habit can be so hard - it's like making a new path in the forest when your feet know the old well-traveled path would be easier.
Application: If you are starting a new, good habit, stick with it! It will get easier. And if you've already got some good habits going, don't neglect them, because it's much easier to keep them than to start over if the paths get "overgrown".
This is such a great observation! I love it!
I wondered today, so reflect that I feel that when I was 7,8,9 I liked the things that I still like and am interested in the same things that interested me then. I'm a big 7 yo. Ok, really I'm 8. Which led me to ponder, what physiological benefits are there to skipping? Why do we run and not skip? Should skipping not be as potentially efficient as running? Why is skipping not a sport? Why is skipping reserved for the young or carefree? Or perhaps... @skippygirlsmom should check in... Anyway skipping is on my mind... and I want boots, karate lesson and to play soccer. Why am I 8yo?
3 -
Me too, for the same reasons.Definitely a good mid mo question@shanaber – love reading your race report and seeing the pictures. Do you prefer running a smaller race where at times there are no runners around or bigger races where not crowded but there are runners in sight at all times?
I like the smaller races because I can usually place. The big ones for the energy and to feel connected to a population.
So I went and did that night 5k for the virtual race. Had the bright idea to get a quick picture of the entrance to the Botanical Gardens as I passed, since they're the race organizers. But I didn't see a curb (mostly because of looking at my phone but we'll say partly because it was dark) and fell hard on my palms, knees and shoulder. I now belong on one of those videos where people run into things while staring at their phones; it was so embarrassing, even if no one saw me. I got up and kept running. I'm really glad I no longer have that ring-thingy stuck to my phone (the ones you put your finger through so you don't drop your phone), because it would've been downright dangerous. As it was my phone went flying and is - fortunately - fine. Then l got halfway on my route and realized there were no streetlights ahead and I had to reroute as it was completely dark. Then my headphones (cheap backup pair because the Treks Aftershocks don't work with a headband over my ears) died and started saying "low battery" in my ears every 30 seconds until I took them out. I'm not sure how, but I still managed to keep it within my time goal. Then l stopped to look at my knee. Ugggh.
Here y'all go...I think I can check everything off on my training plan for the week and take it easy this weekend. For now I'm icing the knee off & on and eating my calorie deficit back
13 -
6.25 miles today. Still having trouble slowing down a bit. I think I could hang in there longer if I took just an extra 20 seconds per mile... I mean, but I have also managed to do a full 9 miles at the same pace, so what's the problem, here?
I wound up taking 2 rest days, so I'm even further behind. Good thing my goal is "120 Miles or Less." I don't think I'll have a problem keeping under...
I like shorter races with larger crowds, but a longer race with 30 thousand of my closest friends might stretch my tolerance. The "Shamrock Shuffle" in Chicago is my go-to for that - and that'll do for huge attendance races for the year. I'd like to just be able to see a few runners to make sure I'm on the right route for a trail race. The "Blood Sweat and Beers" trail marathon in Las Vegas kicked my *kitten*, and I was off trail until I stumbled back across the aid station. I do not know if I will ever be ready for a technical trail race. The things we call trail races here in Illinois are much more similar to road races, but on bike trails (paved, but not wide enough for 2 cars - or sometimes gravel or unpaved, but ROADS and CLEAR TRAILS with LOTS OF SIGNS AND MARKERS.) There was another girl running with me for a few miles before I fell behind. She heard me scuffle down a slope behind her and turned around to look and told me "I don't want to see you fall down the canyon!" I replied "Maybe you shouldn't look, then!" I'm okay with ending up as coyote chow (Circle of Life!), but I worry about people who will be concerned if I don't make it out of the desert.7 -
I haven't read any September posts yet? Any chance I get caught up before the end of the month.
I have been on vacation since August 31st. My husband and I drove to Yellowstone National Park from Indiana. So lots of sitting in the car. My husband hurt his knee several weeks prior to our vacation. He was able to drive but struggled with walking long distances.
When I weighed myself, I was up by 5 pounds. I was relieved because I had eaten so many corn chips, cookies, and other foods that I don't normally eat. What helped me was to check how tight my jeans fit. I knew that I gained weight, but not as much as I thought (which was 10 or 12 pounds). After my 2 runs, and mindful eating, I have lost 2.5 pounds.
That being said, I am so happy to be home and started running again 2 nights ago. I guess that my goal for the month will be 25 miles, having started so late.
September 18.....5.22 miles. Hot and humid. Started late and ran the last 2 miles in the darkness.
September 19....5.24 miles. Another hot and humid day. Legs felt tight, especially the hamstrings. I started feeling better after the first 2.5 miles. Not even close to being where I was prior to vacation.
Total....10.46 miles
Goal....25 miles10 -
Sorry everyone, I cannot read 40 pages of posts. I'm trying to hold myself accountable and get back to running.
I'm averaging 8 miles a week.
I'm at about 4:00 minute running intervals. My biggest concern is my achilles. I think my mobility isn't quite there yet. It gets tired/sore with a lot of activity (run, usual daily walks etc). I went hiking last Sunday for the first time. Almost 4 miles and it was definitely feeling it!
15 -
@shanaber – love reading your race report and seeing the pictures. Do you prefer running a smaller race where at times there are no runners around or bigger races where not crowded but there are runners in sight at all times?
@teresa502 - that's a good question... maybe a good mid-month question for the group!
I agree, great question!
I'm the guy who hates big parties and events, but once I actually get there, I usually have a blast and don't want to leave. I've run both large (5000) and small (50) races and enjoyed both for different reasons.
The large races have an energy and excitement which can really fuel your run and make it a lot of fun. They can also be extremely frustrating with the logistics of getting in and out, the confusion, having to weave around those who don't understand the point of corrals or self placement. Large trail races have a party atmosphere at the start and finish and you usually have plenty of people to talk to during the race, but conga line suck and parking can be very limited in remote locations. Large trail races still have far less runners than large road races.
The small races are great for the ease of getting in and out, the chances of placing increases, are often more laid back, and no one gets in your way. They can also be quite boring and lack energy. Small trail races can often mean you are running by yourself, but in ultras that's often the case anyway unless you find a good pace match.
I've run both, and I've enjoyed both. My angst for large races is mostly related to getting in and out and the lines. Other than that, I like to mix it up, though I tend towards smaller races. This TC 10 Mile will be the largest race I've been in by far (11,000 runners!) and the 50K I may enter three weeks later will be the smallest (18 finishers).
I agree with most of this. The biggest race I’ve done was the St Jude Marathon Weekend 5k with 6000 participants in just the 5k, plus the 10kers starting at the same start line, plus 25k people total participants in the different distances. I loved it in some ways, and it is thrilling to look down the street at all those people, but I’m not sure whether I’m going to do it a third time this year because the logistics were just too awful. The first year we did it, we ended up taking four hours to drive ten miles home because of unhelpful traffic direction and no maps showing the road closures. I had low blood sugar after being trapped in a car four hours following a hard run, and was literally in tears before we managed to escape the cordon onto the highway.
And that’s just getting home! Getting there in the first place and parking before the race was its own special brand of hell, because they started shutting down roads including on and off ramps from the highway three hours before gun time. And then having to wait in a security line any time you want to run back to your car for something.
I’m an introvert to begin with, not helped by working from home so that I don’t ordinarily have to contend with rush hour traffic and have no tolerance for it. My husband is worse than I am about traffic, and while I kind of enjoy massive crowds on foot he absolutely hates them and his ex-military instincts kick in when there are so many people that situational awareness becomes impossible. I find it exciting enough to put up with the downside about once or twice a year, but I’m pretty sure he would prefer to never be in a big crowd.
Big crowds are also annoying to run through, and a big charity race like St Jude has a lot of walkers, who don’t quite understand that some people are there to race. Last year I had learned my lesson and lined up right on the starting line, and it worked well. The year before I foolishly got in my correct corral and lost 8 minutes trying to escape from walkers before I could even take a running step.
On the up side, the 5k at a big race with multiple distances can be paradoxically less competitive than much smaller races, because the serious runners are all signed up for longer distances. I placed 2nd in my AG at St Jude last year with a 28 minute something time, which wouldn’t have put me in the top 20 of the 5k at the local road race series! Also, big races tend to have good swag, nice expo, and other draws, such as running through the St Jude campus and being saluted by the children there. Last year I ended up in the crowd shot on the front page of the local paper, which was cool. I feel like everyone should do a huge race at least once, for the experience.
As far as small races are concerned, I’ve seen both good and bad ones. You never want to be standing there on the wrong side of the starting gate twenty minutes after supposed gun time while they try to get the PA working so the announcer can tell people the race starts in the opposite direction. At one small race last year they ran out of food. But a good small race can be a delight - like a big party with a bunch of friends. My favorite race last year was the Left Bank Festival in West Memphis, only about 150 people and I won master, which shows that basically nobody was serious about running hard in 100 degree heat! But there was also a catfish cooking contest, live music, and just a really nice venue with people who were sincere about wanting to show their community in the best light.7 -
9.01: 4.5M Easy (4.5)
9.02: 4.5M Easy&Intervals (9)
9.03: 4.5M Easy (13.5)
9.04: Scheduled Rest Day
9.05: 4.5M Pace (18)
9.06: 8.5M Long (26.5)
9.07: Scheduled Rest Day
9.08: 5.0M Easy (31.5)
9.09: Skipped Intervals
9.10: 5.0M Easy (36.5)
9.11: 4.5M Easy&Intervals Monday Run (41)
9.12: 9.0M Long (50)
9.13: 4.5M Pace (54.5)
9.14: Scheduled AND NEEDED Rest Day
9.15: 5.0M Easy (59.5)
9.16: 5.0M Easy (64.5)
9.17: 5.0M Easy (69.5)
9.18: Scheduled Rest Day
9.19: 9.5M Long Run (79)
9.20: 5.0M Easy (84)
Decided to replace my two speed work days this week with just easy runs. My legs were feeling fatigued. Tomorrow will be a rest day. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Good luck to anyone who has races tomorrow, and for us Northern Hemisphere dwellers, Happy Fall.
7 -
Good to see you check in @ereck44. Good job getting back into it after vacation. Hope you had a good time despite all the time in the car and your husband's injury.
And good to see you @RunsOnEspresso. Glad you are able to start back, even if it is slow going.
I like large races for the energy of it - I was glad I chose the Marine Corps Marathon (20,000+) as my first (and only) marathon because I really needed that hype and energy to get me through it. I would have had a hard time keeping myself going if I was hardly seeing anyone on the course with me. That said, it was kind of a logistical nightmare.
I think I like races that have at least 200 or so people. Below that can seem boring sometimes, and I've yet to be in a small enough one where I'm competitive for a win I did place 3 of 3 in my age group once - and was also something like 3rd to last overall. Not so inspiring. 6 -
Do you prefer running a smaller race where at times there are no runners around or bigger races where not crowded but there are runners in sight at all times?
So this is a tough one.
Big races, like the Pittsburgh Marathon that draw 10s of thousands, have some advantages. They typically have:
1) Lots of better swag
2) Lots of crowds and energy
3) Better racer support (medical, food, hydration, etc)
4) Better marked courses with closed roads and police support
But smaller races have some too:
1) Way less crowded field to run throw
2) More likely to have a chance at placing (I often win for AG in small races)
3) Shorter pre/post-race time spent
4) Often smaller groups are friendlier
So I kind of like both.
5 -
September goal: try to keep up
9/1 3.30
9/2 2.00
9/3 rest
9/4 4.70
9/5 rest
9/6 3.12
9/7 Travel to> O'ahu CME conference<travel from
9/8 3.00
9/9 snorkel 3 hours
9/10 lazy
9/11 4.5
9/12 rest
9/13 2.80
9/14 3.30
9/15 rest
9/16 2.50
9/17 long workday, long band practice
9/18 5.00
9/19 2.50
9/20 3.30
Total : 41.12
Upcoming races:
Revel Kulia Half Marathon 1/18/20
Ticker is my goal for 2019 and progress to date:
8 -
DUH!
I am getting ready to head out for a race. Checking my hydration pack, making sure I have enough ClifBloks and salt tabs, and so on. All the gear I would need for hours on my feet.
Then I remember its a 5k
14 -
9-1 4k recovery
9-2 7k easy
9-3 6k easy
9-4 rest
9-5 7k moderate
9-6 rest
9-7 7k moderate
9-8 7k easy
9-9 rest
9-10 7k easy
9-11 7k moderate
9-12 rest
9-13 rest
9-14 7k threshold
9-15 7k moderate
9-16 rest
9-17 7k easy
9-18 7k moderate
9-19 rest
9-20 7k easy
9-21 rest
September Total: 97k
September Goal: 135k
January Total: 131k
February Total: 159.5k
March Total: 183k
April Total: 126k
May Total: 128k
June Total: 161.5k
July Total: 151k
August Total: 133k
Monthly average: 146.6k
Next year when you pop in here claiming your December 2019 mileage, what accomplishments will you have made?
Run at least 4 5k races. (Check)
Get under 30:00 and a PR for 5k.
Average at least 135k per month, which would put me over 1,000 miles for the year.
Run the Year Team: Five for Nineteen
Scheduled rest day today, and I'm taking it!!!
I am a fan of small races. If nobody else shows up from your age group, you're an automatic age group winner!
I've never run a big race. I fear I would be trampled by the crowd.
2019 Races:
4-13 Shine the Light 5K - 31:12 chip time; First Place male 65 and older
6-30 Strides for Starfish 5K - 31:34 chip time; 31/77 overall; second male 65 and older (no official category)
7-27 Solon Home Days 5K - 31:11 chip time; 95/141 overall; 4/6 age group (male)
8-31 Race for Freedom 5k - 31:39 chip time; 32:00 Garmin time; Third Place male 60 and older
9-14 Gift of Life 5k - off the schedule; insufficient recovery time
10-13 Haunted Hustle 5k7 -
I'm about 300 posts behind and I'm not sure I'll get a chance to catch up so I hope everyone is well!
I went for a run today after 12 straight days of work. It was the worst run I've probably ever had - I was more tired than I thought and had to keep stopping. I hated pretty much every minute of it which has never happened.
Consequently, I did not have the energy to run the entire distance I wanted so gave up after around 7 miles. Not quite the run I wanted 2 weeks before my first HM, but there you go! Think I'm going to have a nap and some cake to make myself feel better.
01 Sep - 5.6 miles (outside)
02 Sep - 2 miles (treadmill)
04 Sep - 3.3 miles (outside)
05 Sep - 1.75 miles (treadmill)
07 Sep - 10 miles (outside)
09 Sep - 2 miles (treadmill)
11 Sep - 3 miles (treadmill - now to dark to run around my way in the AM)
12 Sep - 1.9 miles (treadmill)
13 Sep - 1.7 miles (treadmill)
21 Sep - 7.3 miles (outside)
38.55 miles of ??12 -
PastorVincent wrote: »DUH!
I am getting ready to head out for a race. Checking my hydration pack, making sure I have enough ClifBloks and salt tabs, and so on. All the gear I would need for hours on my feet.
Then I remember its a 5k
Let's switch. I'm 30 minutes from my half and just realized that I forgot to bring my handheld bottle. 70+ already, it's going to be a warm one.12 -
Thank you everyone for the comments about my good report from the doctor. You all are the best!
@Avidkeo Glad you had a great run a couple of days ago. (Yes, I'm behind in the thread again! LOL) Interesting about science saying running doesn't help you lose weight. It's the only thing I've found that I can do to lose. Maybe I'm one of the few who don't overeat when I run. I actually find that I'm usually less hungry afterwards, not more.
@143tobe Sorry about your heart issues. I hope you get back to feeling normal soon!
@polskagirl01 Congratulations on running your 5K under 30 minutes! That's great! Looks like a nice place to run. Which virtual race site do you use? The one I did sent the medals out before I ran. I like the idea of having to prove that you did it. However, the one I did gives some of the proceeds to charity, so I guess I don't care if someone wants to pay for the medal and not run if a charity benefits. Love your insight about habits too!
5 -
I did it! I ran 13.1 miles this morning on my last long training run before my half on Oct 3rd. My day didn't start out the best. I had another headache, but my heart felt pretty normal. I wasn't feeling confident and started my run two hours later than I normally do. I was totally dragging my feet. Today I had my long run planned and I really wanted to actually go a full 13.1 miles before my half marathon in less than 2 weeks. I wanted to go the full distance to see how I could expect the full run to go but when I set out this morning I wasn't sure if I'd even be able to go 3 miles. I just told myself, go slow, you have nothing to prove here, you've done the work. if your body says no, it's not big deal. Maybe you can try again tomorrow. Just go slow and steady for as long as you can. I had my husband at home on standby waiting for a phone call in case he had to pick me up somewhere. Well... I did it. The whole 13.1 miles. Although I started slow and steady, I actually beat my previous fastest half marathon time (which was three years ago) and have a new personal best! (By seconds, haha) So what did I do when I got home? Ate about 1000 calories and took a bath. Yes, I was even eating while in the bath. No, I wasn't famished, but I wanted those calories spent while my metabolism was still en fuego.
So still not sure what's going on with me health-wise. The headaches are a mystery but I've been drinking salt water and it seems to have helped my heart issue. So my mile count for the month is 55/80. Thanks to everyone who's wished me well and replied to my post!20 -
Great job doing 13.1 miles @143tobe! That will really boost your confidence going into your HM. You'll do great.
Good luck @PastorVincent, @7lenny7 , and anyone else racing today!!!
Thought last weekend was the last of the shorter long runs, but I was off by one week. Good thing though, because 12 felt really hard today. Woke up feeling tired and sore, but thought that would all pass once I put in 4-6 miles. That's usually when I start to feel better. But it didn't happen today. Just felt sluggish and tired the whole time. Hopefully will get my act together next week.
10 -
Valor Run 10 K
Female 40-49 Place 7 of 17
Gender Place 28 of 79
Overall Place 86 of 158
Finish Time: 56:56
9:10 /mile
Thank you for all the good thoughts. The knee held very well (taped). I had a few nags/twinges, but certainly not like I have had all week. I zoned in to my music and off I went.
I carried Sgt. William Bays with me. US Army Died 6/10/2017
Memories of Honor
This soldier died fighting for me, so I could keep running free.
22 -
@143tobe Congrats on your long run. Way to push through!1
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 391.3K Introduce Yourself
- 43.4K Getting Started
- 259.6K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.6K Food and Nutrition
- 47.3K Recipes
- 232.3K Fitness and Exercise
- 387 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.4K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.7K Motivation and Support
- 7.8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.2K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.2K MyFitnessPal Information
- 22 News and Announcements
- 913 Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.3K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions