November 2019 Monthly Running Challenge
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Thanks!zeesparrow wrote: »@PastorVincent You too!! AND MrsPastorVincent!
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I had posted this really long summary of my long run yesterday. I really followed through with the additional distance and I was soooo proud of myself! I think I really like trail running! Here’s the shorter version and I’ll see if I can post pics too.
Trail run yesterday and hit a personal record in distance training, lifted, and went to a haunted house. All in all good day and my dog is tired
I ran up this hill
And at the top i found a rhinoceros 🦏
And then i ran back down and that was a lot harder than running up because it required more focus because the terrain was unpredictable. It was like strategic hopping with a lot of momentum so i also had to exercise a lot of restraint
The cool thing was that there was a group of cyclers at the bottom waiting for me to get down which i didn't fully realize til i almost ran into them and they were all cheering.
Just an itty bitty sense of accomplishment really made my day
I still don't think i could outrun a bear or mountain lion- which i considered because Eevee and I wandered into a spot that was eerily calm and untouched and i felt in my gut, "we should not be here...."11 -
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And the hill itself
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1-hr time slot for @MobyCarp
I'm kinda impressed with my timing. Was 2 minutes ahead of schedule and had to return for headphones (twice, the bluetooth ones were dead) and ended up starting at exactly 8:00 my time. Had a nice run on sidewalks, roads & through the forest, and finished in my driveway at 9:00 exactly
This was my birthday week and a national holiday, and this might sound strange, but I have a yearly tradition of going for a birthday walk in the cemetery (which is filled with candles from the whole country coming out to remember their dead on Nov. 1). While I personally don't believe in praying to or for people who have passed, I do pray & have a time of reflection as I walk. Today's memory run fit right in with my week, and I'm thankful for another year, another day, another mile...
November goal 100 miles
Upcoming races:
Dec. 14 - CityTrail 5k (#3 of 6)
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So glad to be a part of the run for @MobyCarp
Congrats to all the racers and way to go on the pr’s!5 -
03/11 5.45 miles for Moby carp
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I'm pretty knackered so not the best time to try and write a race report, please excuse any delirious ramblings or incorrect spelling!
Got off to a bad start when my husband decided to have a hypochondria attack at 3.30am. Absolutely nothing wrong with him, it's just something he does every few months when he can't sleep and starts thinking he's having a heart attack or something. But it meant we were awake for about 2 hours in the middle of the night. Luckily we eventually went back to sleep, and I was woken by the alarm at 8am. Awesome thing about such a local race, no early morning :-) Downed a couple of coffees and a banana, left home around 9.15 to walk down to the start. I arrived with 20 minutes to spare and went to find a bathroom. Best part about local HM with so few women running, I got an entire dressing room I didn't need and spacious, spotless bathroom with a door that locked and toilet paper all to myself! No queue!
Lots of people jogging up and down warming up, music blasting. We were called to line up at 9.50, they faffed about for 10 minutes, then at 10 (when we were due to start), there was a minute of silence for a local councillor who died unexpectedly a few months ago. I thought a lot about MobyCarp during that minute, too. Then they made us stand there and listen to the entire Chariots of Fire soundtrack before they started us off.
I'd positioned myself at the very back on purpose, I didn't look at the clock as I went through the arch but think around 35- 40 seconds had passed.
To begin, we had to do a loop of the fairground where the start/finish was located. Because I was at the very back, the sweeper (a policeman on a motorbike) was RIGHT behind me. Like almost touching my heels. And he was pushing. Because I was worried about making the 2 hour 40 cutoff time, I had calculated the exact kilometre splits and knew I needed to run at least 7:35 min/km to stay within the time. My first kilometre, which I didn't dare to run-walk as planned because of that damn cop, was done in 6:31. So over a minute faster than I needed. A couple of times he actually came up beside me, until around the 1k mark I snapped sideways "you're going too damn fast man!" and he slowed up a little. Started to run-walk-run to my plan then (90 second run, 30 second walk) and felt better, though my splits show I was still going way faster than I had wanted to.
My intention was to do the first 8km at 7:30 min/km, next 8km at 7:15 and final 5km at 7. Never happened.
The first part of the route was a little annoying, up and down the same road a couple of times under the elevated railway line. The two guys that started at the back with me but had pulled ahead when I started my walk intervals ducked behind a bush under the railway, pretended to pee then went out the other side, cutting probably half a mile off. I really don't understand why people cheat, even less so at the very back of a pack of 1000 runners. It's not like they were going to win anything.
I passed a few people who seemed to be having trouble, then soon after passing the km3 marker I came up to an English lady who seemed to be struggling quite a lot, she was running maybe 30 seconds at a time then stopping to walk. As I was about to pass her a man by the road shouted at her "you should be running" and I heard her mutter under her breath something about not running but not stopping, and for some reason I thought about how @MobyCarp was forever helping others out, so I stopped and told her she was doing fine and to hang with me and we'd do my run-walk intervals together. She was from the UK and the heat (and it was way too hot for November!) was affecting her a lot. We ran-walked-shuffled-cussed the sweeper cop who got back on our heels (and had switched to a quad bike!!!) together for about 10km. At first she was running faster than me and I was struggling to keep her pace during the runs, but she was walking more and more often even though we were trying to stick to the intervals my watch was set to beep for. By km9 she was stopping to walk every 15-20 seconds, I cajoled her for a while but she was breathing so hard and dry-retching that I didn't want to push her any harder. When we saw the aid station at km 13 come into view she told me to go on, so I ran ahead and as I passed I grabbed some water (I was carrying bottles in my belt, but had given what was left in them to her) and a piece of banana I didn't actually want but they shoved it in my hand and told them I was worried about her and asked them to check her out. My next km was done in 6:19 amazingly, I guess the few slow miles had perked me up a bit too. I ran 3 kilometres faster than target pace, then settled into quite a steady pace that was almost the 7 minute kilometres I had planned for for the final 5. Last one was a few seconds faster.
I suffered with some cramping in my toes in the last 6km or so, and in the middle knuckle of my middle finger for some weird and wonderful reason. I had a couple of gels, the second with electrolytes, and plenty of water, but looking at the HR stats from my fitbit (yeah I'm a nerd, I wear a fitbit for steps/HR/calories and the old Garmin @noblsheep so kindly gave me for the gps/distance/pace/etc) I was in peak zone for 1hour 54 minutes so guess that has something to do with it!
As we rounded the corner at km21 to head for the finish line, I saw my husband and daughter sprinting up the pavement! They had been tracking me but it hadn't updated so they had to race me to the finish line to get photos, lol!
When I crossed it and got my medal, I could feel my legs complaining about slowing down so just kept walking. I remembered later that they had said they would laser our times on the back of the medals for free, but oh well.
It wasn't a PR, I finished in 2:32:22 according to my Garmin (clock on the line said 2:32:52 so sounds about right) whereas my PR was 2:30:19. BUT I certainly stayed well ahead of the 2:40 cutoff, and I think I could have done it if I'd stuck to plan. Next time!
I was 34th of 35 women in my age group, 875th of 885 that finished. 1050 had signed up. Hey, I finished and I wasn't even last!
Note to self: stop thinking those split target tattoos are silly and you can just print them on a bit of paper. The bit of paper WILL fall out when you pull your gel out.
Sitting here with my medal round my neck now. Legs feel tired and sore but don't hurt. Tried to nap but couldn't get to sleep. Roll on bedtime!
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One hour for @MobyCarp + 10 minutes for an unofficial 10k PR!
I considered pushing for a PR, but decided I shouldn't run too hard as I've had a rough week and my stomach was still churning a bit when I started. After the first mile, that had settled down and it was just a really nice run. The weather was a bit chilly, just below freezing, and I was dressed well. I don't usually run with music but today I used my aftershoks on low with some of my favorite songs. Sometimes I couldn't hear it because of traffic. But there were a few key moments where it came through quite clearly and the lyrics were absolutely perfect.
This wasn't an official race, but I wrote up an "unofficial race report" under the cut.I started on one of my regular routes which takes me around a set of elementary, middle and high schools. When I reached the other side, the usually busy road was completely clear so I decided to cross. I have run through this neighborhood in the past, but not often. At the end of the road, I usually turn left. This was one of those moments when the music directed my choice... I don't recall exactly what was playing but the idea I do remember was one of taking a chance. I smiled and turned right. For the next mile, I only had a vague idea where I was. Twice more I took a chance, including one turn that had me charging up a pretty steep hill. I ran as much as I could, then power hiked it to the top. Once I caught my breath, I ran again.
In the fourth mile, I started to wonder exactly where I was and halfway through, I recognized an intersection. I turned the corner, ran a block and then ran past the cemetery. As I did, the sun shone down brightly. It was beautiful and once again, the music I heard was perfect - a celebration of running, and of life.
The fifth mile was a mostly straight stretch of uneventful road, a slight downhill most of the way. Around another school and farther down the hill, I crossed into one of my favorite neighborhoods to run. They have no sidewalks but nice, wide crushed gravel areas on the side of the street to run on. For about a mile, I enjoyed the softer terrain.
With one mile to go, I had to keep holding myself back from pushing too much. I felt good but I also knew I had a gentle but long incline ahead of me and didn't want to have to walk again. I focused on my cadence and tried to stay steady. Then my right shoe came untied. A few minutes after (and just past the one hour mark) my left one did as well. Hah. I got going again, ran around the corner and started up the hill. It took some mental strength to keep running but I made it. Another corner and ... there was another hill. Short, but a little steeper. I powered up and ran across the street where I picked up the pace. When my Garmin notified me of the 6th mile, I picked it up more. Another tenth of a mile and I kept going. I was running out of breath but I saw the finish line ahead of me. I pushed through until I knew I was past the 10k mark and stopped my watch at 1:10.
Strava gave me a 10k PR of 1:09:38. (My previous PR was in April at my first 10k - 1:14:19. Almost 5 minutes faster!)
However... I think I'm more proud of my consistent splits.
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12.8 miles pushing a running stroller in 3 days!8
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Well done, @eleanorhawkins !!!2
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Yay well done @eleanorhawkins! You are a rock star. I think helping the lady was so good of you, and you did the right thing by alerting the aid station people. Dry retching is bad!
Been out for 6k for @MobyCarp. I nearly switched off my alarm, then remembered what I was getting up for. Had to take it gently cause my hip is still a bit sore from Saturday, but it was fine during the run.
Taking my girls to athletics tonight! Should be good!6 -
@katharmonic Great job on your Spartan race. Wow, 6 Spartans this year! You rock!
@eleanorhawkins very well done on your race too!0 -
11-1 7k slow
11-2 7k slow
11-3 8k for @MobyCarp
November Total: 22k
November 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
September Total: 135k
October Total: 115k
2019 Total through October: 1,423k / 882.26m
Monthly average: 142.3k
Next year when you pop in here claiming your December 2019 mileage, what accomplishments will you have made?
Run at least 4 5k races. Completed 8-31
Get under 30:00 and a PR for 5k. Nope...
Average at least 135k per month, which would put me over 1,000 miles for the year.
Run the Year Team: Five for Nineteen - Completed 9-28
Got in my 8k for @MobyCarp; took me a little more than an hour. Couldn't help thinking just how helpful he was to me personally and to everyone else participating in the monthly challenges.
2020 goals:
Continue a 5k regimen.
Train better.
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 5k - 31:22 chip time; 47/74 overall; First Place male 60 and older
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My weekend plans went as expected. My parkrun on Saturday was my first at Eastbourne, managed a PB though with only 11 runs this millenia it wasn't much to write home about. Sunday was my 'long-run' according to my training plan though 1 hr 20 is nothing for you guys. Managed 12.4k which give me hope 15k is possible next Saturday in the Poppy Appeal race.
My biggest issue is, for the second week running, I found myself back home after 3/4 mile needing the toilet and having to start again. I have got to figure this one out.3 -
@Camaramandy648 love the pictures - looks like a great place to hike/run to me. Not sure about that rhino though...
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Well done @eleanorhawkins and that was awful huge of you to help that other lady out like that.2
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@eleanorhawkins Good job on your race! It was nice of you to try to help that lady out
@Kristymn Great job with your race! Congrats on the age group placement!2 -
Nice work on the PR @zeesparrow!3
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11/1 15.22 miles, 550 days on the run
11/2 13.3 miles
11/3 27.51 miles @MobyCarp
I did not sign up to run a certain time for Kevin. My first time back out at that distance and thought about him.15 -
Slight right knee twinge on sat so delayed my planned 5km and then ran out of time to do it. Sunday it felt fine so did 10k, the first time in several years. Though I do I have a suspicion that there was some GPS drift involved.
November goals (all ish)
1. 15 runs.......................1
3. 100km........................10km
4. Long 10km.................10km
5. 100% Morning runs...1/1
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Race report: It's long...
I did my first HM today and ran it with my husband. We did the Wine & Dine HM at Disney World! I chose it because these races are so fun with loads of entertainment and I wanted maximum distractions from my pain for this first one. When I started this process, the idea of running this far didn't seem possible. I've never considered myself a distance runner.
If any of you have ever done a Disney race you know the starts are crazy early. We were awake at 2:45am! Quickly dressed and had a cup of coffee before heading out the door with our bagel and banana and a cold coffee in hand. The bus was waiting when we got there at 3:15 - perfect! This race had 16,000 runners in 8 corrals, so just getting into the race takes a while. They have photo ops for you while you're waiting, so we got a pic with Chef Goofy before heading over to the bathroom and into our corral. It was beautiful running weather in the mid 60's but a little cold for the 2 hours of waiting around.
I was actually placed in corral C based off my times earlier this year, but my husband was placed in F. I could go back to him, but he couldn't come up. In an unprecedented show of love, I moved back into a corral that I knew would be packed with walkers and runners slower than me that would make the first several miles tougher. I told him this was how he knows I love him. He laughed but also said, "Definitely".
Fireworks for our start and we were off! We did not do a great job of taking it easy the past couple of days, walking about 10 miles a day around the parks and my knees knew it. By mile 4, I was hurting but I knew if I could stick it out there was a good chance the pain would dull in a couple more miles. We stuck to a slower pace earlier on partially out of necessity with the huge crowd and having to leave through several waves of walkers and run-walkers.
Mentally, having done the 12 mile long run a couple weeks ago helped me so much. I wasn't concerned about being able to finish, just about my knees. We stuck to our fuel plan and kept pretty consistent splits for the first 10 miles. I was actually able to speed up a bit for the last 3 and finished strong. I didn't go quite as fast as I probably could have, but I was balancing a faster pace while keeping it in a range my husband could manage. His legs were super tired and he generally hits a pretty steady pace no matter what distance he's running. He readily admitted afterwards that I was pushing him but he was happy about it because he shaved about 15 minutes off his last HM time!
We wandered through the finish, got our medals, and found some ice for my knees. They hurt, bad. I may need to actually get them looked at, especially the right.
This race was so fun and I will definitely do more! Bands and characters and upbeat music the entire way. So much support from cast members and cheering squads. And of course, running through Animal Kingdom, Hollywood studios, and Epcot was super cool.
I'm about to leave for the after party after a little nap! More fun!
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@martaindale cool! I want to do a Disney race someday when I have money for the trip/etc.0
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PastorVincent wrote: »@martaindale cool! I want to do a Disney race someday when I have money for the trip/etc.
This was my second. I did the Star Wars 5k with my daughter when my husband did his first half a couple years ago. Would highly recommend!
I see you're planning for the Dopey challenge. That is quite a feat! I hope you get to do it one day!!0 -
No pictures from the race of me up yet, but here is one of Mrs. @PastorVincent (aka Kristi)
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martaindale wrote: »PastorVincent wrote: »@martaindale cool! I want to do a Disney race someday when I have money for the trip/etc.
This was my second. I did the Star Wars 5k with my daughter when my husband did his first half a couple years ago. Would highly recommend!
I see you're planning for the Dopey challenge. That is quite a feat! I hope you get to do it one day!!
Thanks! Really only a few thousand dollars stands between me and doing it right now 3 -
Great half, @martaindale !!!2
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