February 2020 Monthly Running Challenge

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  • PastorVincent
    PastorVincent Posts: 6,668 Member
    So, following @PastorVincent’s lead, I’ve recruited a running coach. I’m hoping for big things (a full set of new PBs, to be precise).

    Heh, good luck! :)
  • TheMrWobbly
    TheMrWobbly Posts: 2,541 Member
    Confused from Eastbourne!!!

    So I am definitely wanting to do HR Zone training and include tempo runs (they have always been in my training programme and I have ignored them). All of my training has been about working up to being able to run distances and not concerned at all about pace. Everything that I have been told is that to reach 26.2 miles I need to do HR zone runs including tempo runs as the lactate will build as the race goes on and I need to get my body used to it.

    The problem I have is that everything is at one pace. 5k just over 30 minutes, my last 3x 10k were within 4 seconds of each other at 1:01+change, HM pace around 2:15. I haven't run any race to my limit as the goal is always distance and try not to get injured. All the advice is "run tempos at xx seconds slower than 5k pace" which is no use at all. How do I run a tempo run?

    Any advice appreciated.

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  • LoveyChar
    LoveyChar Posts: 4,336 Member
    Jumping in on increasing pace, only with my meager experience and not with scientific research. However, I agree that time on feet will improve pace. It may be sheer adrenaline/ excitement but I have never been faster on runs than I have in these last two weeks. I can only speculate that it's training, several hours put into readiness and improvement toward running a Marathon.

    Secondly, the fuel debate for longer runs: Last Sunday, I ran 8.5 miles on an 18 hour fast with only water and coffee. I never felt better on a run; I was light and happy and fast and high as a kite on endorphins or whatever naturally occured to make me giddy. Then I came home and fasted an additional 8 hours. I am NOT advising to fast. My body is accustomed to fasting, but it's not for everyone. Point that I am reiterating is what @PastorVincent already wrote, that our bodies will learn or be trained to properly use fuel stores already in the body on longer runs. I could have continued but I did not. Progressively I started at 3 miles...and raised it, but I always carried fuel in case I felt any adverse effects while on the run. In terms of what I like, I like GU gels. I've only ever tried Sports Beans and jelly beans and Clif Shot energy gels, though.

    I'm focusing on carb loading this week. I've read research on it and I got some great advice from Marathoners. You typically don't have to carb load for a 5k...to a half because you're body should already have what it needs for a shorter race. I'm trying to avoid starting a carb loading debate where there doesn't need to be one. I just want to maximize my time and efforts and run my best and strongest.

    My father-in-law has run hundreds of Marathons to include the Boston Marathon. He's been running all of my husband's life, and he still trains even in his 60's. It's his son that I'll be running this Marathon with. Discipline did not seep off the family tree because brother-in-law hasn't properly trained, although this will be his fourth. I would love to run on sheer confidence one day, just not happening for me. Husband said I'll probably leave brother-in-law behind, which is reassuring considering hubby is the one person who knows how hard I've worked for this. Goal is to finish! Six hours would be great; five and a half would be amazing!!! Regardless, I'm setting a standard to beat for next year because I'm already planning to run it then, too.

  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    @LoveyChar I love running fasted, but I can never continue the fast after a run!

    It's that time of year when I feel like we've got completely different weather every few days. It was 5 degrees on Saturday, it was almost 30 degrees for my run this morning. I completely enjoyed it.

    Anyone here with experience running in the Chicago area? I'll be there for a week in April for work and am interested in checking out any cool running spots.

    2/1: 6m
    2/2: 4.25m
    2/3: 2.25m
    2/4: 3.25m
    2/5: 6m
    2/7: 4m
    2/8: 5.75m
    2/9: 3m
    2/10: 2.5m
    2/12: 7m

  • Avidkeo
    Avidkeo Posts: 3,199 Member
    So, following @PastorVincent’s lead, I’ve recruited a running coach. I’m hoping for big things (a full set of new PBs, to be precise).

    Woooo that's exciting! BTW I'm up your way on Tuesday, in town for Elton John! Staying in Newmarket.
  • Avidkeo
    Avidkeo Posts: 3,199 Member
    @TheMrWobbly what are these jelly belly you speak of?

    Today was a gentle 4k followed by a strength session. I had a little niggle in my ankle tendon at the beginning of my run that cleared up by the end. Different shoes. Will see how the day goes and the next two runs, but I think I'll be retiring those shoes. I was having niggles at work too. Granted was on my feet all day yesterday but I shouldn't be getting niggles.

    Planning on a long run tomorrow. Looking forward to it, and a 3 day weekend!!

    ___________________________
    Feb - goal 150k
    Feb 1 - 7.2k
    Feb 2 - 5k
    Feb 3 - 7k
    Feb 4 - 4k
    Feb 5 - 5.4k
    Feb 6 - 9k
    Feb 7 - 3k
    Feb 8 - 7k
    Feb 9 - 4.2k
    Feb 10 - 8k
    Feb 11 - 4k
    Feb 12 - 6.2k
    Feb 13 - 4k

    Total: 74k
    Run streak - 55 days
  • LoveyChar
    LoveyChar Posts: 4,336 Member
    @hamsterwheel6 & @Avidkeo I saw Elton John play up in Dallas in March 2014, funny because I even posted a picture either this month or last here of me messing around while waiting for the concert to start (by the BIG letters)! Anyway, there was no opening band and he played for almost 3 hours! It was a great concert! My husband likes Elton John but not as much as I do and there was this older heavy set lady in a purple sweatsuit getting all freaky on the balcony. My husband was laughing much of the concert and I'm sure if the lady wasn't contributing to the entertainment, she'd have been asked to sit down. Harmlessly in her own little world... Anyway, at the end there was one song I said to my hubby, "I can't believe he didn't play..." Then he said he had one more for us and there it was. Everyone stood up and started dancing, especially "Barney" as my husband called her. It was a fun, fun time. Elton John is awesome...you will have a blast!
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    Avidkeo wrote: »
    @TheMrWobbly what are these jelly belly you speak of?

    Today was a gentle 4k followed by a strength session. I had a little niggle in my ankle tendon at the beginning of my run that cleared up by the end. Different shoes. Will see how the day goes and the next two runs, but I think I'll be retiring those shoes. I was having niggles at work too. Granted was on my feet all day yesterday but I shouldn't be getting niggles.

    Planning on a long run tomorrow. Looking forward to it, and a 3 day weekend!!

    ___________________________
    Feb - goal 150k
    Feb 1 - 7.2k
    Feb 2 - 5k
    Feb 3 - 7k
    Feb 4 - 4k
    Feb 5 - 5.4k
    Feb 6 - 9k
    Feb 7 - 3k
    Feb 8 - 7k
    Feb 9 - 4.2k
    Feb 10 - 8k
    Feb 11 - 4k
    Feb 12 - 6.2k
    Feb 13 - 4k

    Total: 74k
    Run streak - 55 days

    these are the best jelly beans
  • hamsterwheel6
    hamsterwheel6 Posts: 544 Member
    @LoveyChar Oh I can not wait! Even if we've seen him before! Thankfully husband and I both love him!

    PS. Good luck on Sunday
  • LoveyChar
    LoveyChar Posts: 4,336 Member
    @LoveyChar Oh I can not wait! Even if we've seen him before! Thankfully husband and I both love him!

    PS. Good luck on Sunday

    Thank you...
  • autumnblade75
    autumnblade75 Posts: 1,661 Member
    @autumnblade75 Yeah, I really think it sounds like you would be better off replacing your drink with a product like TailWind or SkratchLabs Sport Hydration Drink Mix.

    I'd been talking about Gatorade. As a replacement for water. It ticks all the boxes - hydration, electrolytes and fuel. This sounded like "But Not Gatorade, Ew."
    So, aside from hydration, electrolytes (salt) and fuel (sugar) what exactly am I failing to understand that I should be demanding from my sports drink? Yeah, caffeine would be nice, but it's not like I can't get that as a stand-alone either.

    So I currently use Scaps (salt pills) + Propel (a Gatorade product) + gummies, so I might not be the person to answer this. :)

    TailWind, Skratch, are just premixed and correctly done, easy street. I plan to try Skratch though the less thinking I do while I run the better. :)

    Gatorade is also premixed and would let me to less thinking while I run, but if I was reading you correctly, is inferior to TailWind or SkratchLabs Sport Hydration Drink Mix? Because they do something unspecified somehow better than Gatorade? I'm still considering mixing my own salty Kool-Aid here, because I can then control how much sugar per hydration. Personalization, right? And definitely keeping the costs down.
    @autumnblade75 The cadence advice commonly given to runners doesn’t remain valid at slower speeds. 12+ minute pace at 170 cadence is hard because it’s not meant to be that way! Run at a natural cadence and don’t overstride and it will sort itself out. I swear I’ve seen more women who have read some dumb cadence article on the internet saying to aim for 180 - one poor soul looked like she was prancing in place pretending to be a pony. You don’t need to artificially increase your cadence.

    I didn't address this before because it made me irrationally angry. If I didn't recognize that a cadence of 170 was going to be too much for such a slow run, I wouldn't have had to go to such lengths to avoid All My Favorite Parts of Running to attempt to test this Go Slower thing everyone keeps telling me about. When I'm faster, I have a 180 bpm playlist. It's too fast right now. I Don't have a 160 bpm playlist. I don't like to go that slow, and it hadn't been necessary since 2012 when I increased cadence gradually until my hips stopped hurting. I thought I knew something about cadence.

    It's day 3 of the insomnia. I tried for a nap for 3 hours, and I feel worse than before. I am angry and angsty and would like to go for a run. It is a rest day and it would be good for me to Not Run. I'm trying to research replenishment, and all the articles seem to indicate that no-calorie beverages are ideal for fueling, which I know cannot be correct. Hydration and electrolyte replenishment, fine. But what's the taboo against drinking calories intentionally for fueling?
  • Avidkeo
    Avidkeo Posts: 3,199 Member
    mbaker566 wrote: »
    Avidkeo wrote: »
    @TheMrWobbly what are these jelly belly you speak of?

    Today was a gentle 4k followed by a strength session. I had a little niggle in my ankle tendon at the beginning of my run that cleared up by the end. Different shoes. Will see how the day goes and the next two runs, but I think I'll be retiring those shoes. I was having niggles at work too. Granted was on my feet all day yesterday but I shouldn't be getting niggles.

    Planning on a long run tomorrow. Looking forward to it, and a 3 day weekend!!

    ___________________________
    Feb - goal 150k
    Feb 1 - 7.2k
    Feb 2 - 5k
    Feb 3 - 7k
    Feb 4 - 4k
    Feb 5 - 5.4k
    Feb 6 - 9k
    Feb 7 - 3k
    Feb 8 - 7k
    Feb 9 - 4.2k
    Feb 10 - 8k
    Feb 11 - 4k
    Feb 12 - 6.2k
    Feb 13 - 4k

    Total: 74k
    Run streak - 55 days

    these are the best jelly beans

    Ohhhh the brand bahaha. Yeah we get those, but I prefer the NZ made stuff, it's less waxy? I find those jelly belly ones leave a film in my mouth.

    However I do like the various flavours they have!
  • ContraryMaryMary
    ContraryMaryMary Posts: 1,776 Member
    Avidkeo wrote: »
    So, following @PastorVincent’s lead, I’ve recruited a running coach. I’m hoping for big things (a full set of new PBs, to be precise).

    Woooo that's exciting! BTW I'm up your way on Tuesday, in town for Elton John! Staying in Newmarket.

    Oh. Awesome. Elton John is an amazing performer. Also, if you want to run in the Domain on Tuesday sometime, let me know.

    And yes, Jelly Belly. Best jelly beans available. Should be in your local supermarket and dairy. They're much smaller than Pascals jelly beans but have a stronger flavour and so many more flavours. Go buy some now.