April 2020 Monthly Running Challenge

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  • Faebert
    Faebert Posts: 1,588 Member

    @Faebert Nice running and a great idea about the charity. I'll show my ignorance though...what is the NHS?


    Sorry @quilteryoyo should have said. It’s our National Health Service over in the UK. Fully funded by tax and free to all at the point of use, but there is a charity coordinating additional financial support for NHS staff, volunteers and patients through this crisis. So that’s where people are donating right now.
  • kgirlhart
    kgirlhart Posts: 5,188 Member
    April Goal: 100 Miles

    4/1: 5.16 miles
    4/2: 5.15 miles
    4/5: 9.02 miles
    4/7: 6.22 miles
    4/8: 5.51 miles
    4/9: 5.26 miles
    4/12: 10.2 miles
    4/14: 6.23 miles
    4/15: 5.15 miles
    4/16: 5.20 miles
    4/18: 5.2 🎂 miles
    4/19: 9.55 miles
    4/21: 5.42 miles
    4/22: 5.91 miles

    89.17/100 miles completed for April

    400.56/1000 miles for Run the Year Team Pavement Pounders


    Today's run was both good and bad. It was a pretty decent run for the most part. It was warm, but not too bad. I tried to take it easy and was running a pretty good easy pace. It was a little humid and about halfway through I could feel water droplets and thought it might rain, but it was just moisture in the air and it never did rain. I was planning to run a 10K today for the Un-canceled project. But about a mile from home I decided that I REALLY needed to use the restroom. I was almost at the park, but the restrooms there are closed. Not only for covid, but they are usually closed when I run by there in the morning since they lock them at dark and open them back up at dawn or when they get around to it. But the park is only about 1K from my house so I just keep thinking I can make it home. And I did, but just barely, and I ended up cutting my run to 5.91 miles. I just couldn't risk the extra .3 miles I needed for the 10K. So the end of the run was a little stressful, but otherwise it was a nice run. And I didn't really need 10K anyway. I did get my 400 mile bib for Run the Year today and my team also got our 800 mile bib today so it was all good.

    @shanaber "We are not in the same boat" I love it. That really sums things up nicely.

    @katharmonic I'm so sorry you had such a bad run. That sounds so scary. I hate when people cannot or will not control their dogs!

    @Avidkeo The cake turned out really nice! And I love the video. Your little girls sound so excited and have such cute accents. I also love that you let them help with the icing. Some moms would be too worried about them messing it up and the cake not being perfect, but they will always remember that time their mom let them decorate the Frozen cake. Plus the cake was perfect!

    @marisap2010 I ordered new shoes too and they still haven't shipped yet. I'm trying to be patient since I'm sure they are working with a limited workforce, but I need my new shoes!

    @rheddmobil What a lovely place to run! I love history like that.

    @faebert What a great idea for giving to charity!

    @skippygirlsmom I'm so sad for Skip having to miss her graduation. My son graduated from college a year ago in December and I would have been heartbroken if they had had to cancel. I think there are a couple of others on this thread who have kids that are missing their college graduations this semester as well.




    exercise.png




    2020 races:
    5/16/20: Run for 57th AHC Half Marathon 🤞
  • shanaber
    shanaber Posts: 6,423 Member
    Tramboman wrote: »
    Sunny, frosty, low 30s F with a nasty little wind from the northwest this morning. Never run well after a rest day and today was no exception. Legs, hips, and back were all stiff, even after my leg swinging warmups.
    @Tramboman Yeah - why is this? I always think it is going to be a great run, legs and body are rested and then... nope
  • PastorVincent
    PastorVincent Posts: 6,668 Member
    kgirlhart wrote: »
    @skippygirlsmom I'm so sad for Skip having to miss her graduation. My son graduated from college a year ago in December and I would have been heartbroken if they had had to cancel. I think there are a couple of others on this thread who have kids that are missing their college graduations this semester as well.

    WAIT. I missed this. She is graduating??? Gosh, did she not just start college like last week or something?

  • Tramboman
    Tramboman Posts: 2,482 Member
    shanaber wrote: »
    Tramboman wrote: »
    Sunny, frosty, low 30s F with a nasty little wind from the northwest this morning. Never run well after a rest day and today was no exception. Legs, hips, and back were all stiff, even after my leg swinging warmups.
    @Tramboman Yeah - why is this? I always think it is going to be a great run, legs and body are rested and then... nope

    I really have no idea. I just know I always struggle with it. Maybe we're supposed to be like @AlphaHowls and run everyday.
  • PastorVincent
    PastorVincent Posts: 6,668 Member
    Tramboman wrote: »
    shanaber wrote: »
    Tramboman wrote: »
    Sunny, frosty, low 30s F with a nasty little wind from the northwest this morning. Never run well after a rest day and today was no exception. Legs, hips, and back were all stiff, even after my leg swinging warmups.
    @Tramboman Yeah - why is this? I always think it is going to be a great run, legs and body are rested and then... nope

    I really have no idea. I just know I always struggle with it. Maybe we're supposed to be like @AlphaHowls and run everyday.

    This is why I keep telling people to run a couple of miles the day before a big race. :)
  • katharmonic
    katharmonic Posts: 5,720 Member
    edited April 2020
    @Avidkeo that cake was amazing! I just love the ombre layers. I would love to taste that! Even if the mirror glaze was gross, it was gorgeous. You and the girls were great in the video.

    Date :::: Miles :::: Cumulative
    04/01/20 :::: 5.0 :::: 5.0
    04/02/20 :::: 3.0 :::: 8.0
    04/03/20 :::: 3.5 :::: 11.6
    04/04/20 :::: 10.2 :::: 21.8
    04/05/20 :::: 1.5 :::: 23.3
    04/06/20 :::: 2.3 :::: 25.6
    04/07/20 :::: 4.6 :::: 30.2
    04/08/20 :::: 3.1 :::: 33.3
    04/09/20 :::: 3.0 :::: 36.3
    04/10/20 :::: 4.0 :::: 40.3
    04/11/20 :::: 8.3 :::: 48.6
    04/12/20 :::: 3.1 :::: 51.7
    04/13/20 :::: 5.1 :::: 56.8
    04/14/20 :::: 3.5 :::: 60.3
    04/15/20 :::: 3.3 :::: 63.5
    04/16/20 :::: 3.1 :::: 66.6
    04/17/20 :::: 3.9 :::: 70.6
    04/18/20 :::: 7.1 :::: 77.6
    04/19/20 :::: 9.0 :::: 86.7
    04/20/20 :::: 3.1 :::: 89.7
    04/21/20 :::: 1.6 :::: 91.3
    04/22/20 :::: 3.7 :::: 94.9


    So today was cold, just 36 degrees and it had snowed a couple of inches overnight (which caused me to groan loadly this morning upon looking outside). I did a trail run late morning when at least the sun was shining. Easy loop around the lakes and then took on my nemesis hill. I managed to run up the whole thing today.

    Thanks all on the commiserating about the bad run and dog issue yesterday. All seems well but Stella did sleep hard last night. She was worn out. The woman didn't really apologize that I heard, I just said something like "everybody's ok right?" and left while she was still trying to get both of her dogs under control.
  • quilteryoyo
    quilteryoyo Posts: 6,545 Member
    @kgirlhart Glad you were able to make it home in time. Otherwise, it sounds like you had a nice run.

    @katharmonic Glad everyone is okay after the "bad" dog experience. Way to get out and run in the snow and making it up the hill.


  • Tramboman
    Tramboman Posts: 2,482 Member
    ...and it's snowing again!!!
  • quilteryoyo
    quilteryoyo Posts: 6,545 Member
    Today was a scheduled easy run. My goal was to run slow enough to keep my HR below 150. I did okay for the first 2 miles, but the last one it seemed to creep up and I couldn't go slow enough to get it back down. Is it normal for you HR to get higher the longer you run with the same amount of effort? Anyway, today I decided to run in the neighbor's field and call it a trail run - cow path run. It actually went pretty well and it seemed easier to go as slow as I needed to than it was when running on the driveway. I ran 3 miles and walked one.

    exercise.png

    My trail isn't as pretty as a lot of your's are, but it isn't too bad for being a cow pasture.
    26gb4kacu19z.jpg

    dbj9bxcir5s5.jpg

    Tippy went with me on the first round. But then she found this.
    5tyq1febmzwx.jpg
  • skippygirlsmom
    skippygirlsmom Posts: 4,433 Member
    @quilteryoyo that's pretty darn pretty if you ask me. I'm no expert but my heart rate will do that because I start to get tired and it gets harder to run.
  • kgirlhart
    kgirlhart Posts: 5,188 Member
    @quilteryoyo That's a lot prettier than most of the cow pastures around here! And Tippy looks quite content there! I don't really have any advise on the heart rate.
  • Tramboman
    Tramboman Posts: 2,482 Member
    Avidkeo wrote: »
    Tramboman wrote: »
    Avidkeo wrote: »
    Final cake pic
    jowv1s6ej1lx.jpg

    The mirror glaze was gross but the rest was great. Kids LOVE it, and that's all that matters

    First class cake porn!!!!
    To be a baker requires real artistry -- you have it!!

    So does that make me a porn star 😜

    Only in the best way!!!!!
  • Avidkeo
    Avidkeo Posts: 3,211 Member
    So im attempting my first carb load ever - didn't do a proper one before the HM I did 18 months ago. This is because in 2 days I am running a HM, as a practice /training run.

    Today's menu is
    Breakfast: porridge with peaches (and cla coffee)
    Lunch: rice, penne pasta and light tomato sauce with a pear (peeled)
    Dinner: spaghetti with a small amount of meat sauce.

    Snacks: banana, and some jelly beans.

    Now does anyone supplement their carb load with sweets? I couldn't find any advice on line, I just thought that since I use jellybeans as fuel on my long run, and they are virtually 99% carbs, they would be nice to munch on as a snack during the day to get my carbs up.

    The above menu is about 75% carbs, and I have room to add a little more. Currently sitting at 269 grams (I'm 65kg or 143lb).

    2 questions - am I overthinking this? And would you add anything in/change?

    For this run, I'm still trying to stick to my calorie goal as I still want to try lose weight for the next 5 weeks. After that I'll switch to maintenance, and can increase the actual number of grams of carbs. I think im being realistic that those last 4 weeks of training are too intense to worry about losing weight, and energy will be necessary
  • Avidkeo
    Avidkeo Posts: 3,211 Member
    Avidkeo wrote: »
    So im attempting my first carb load ever - didn't do a proper one before the HM I did 18 months ago. This is because in 2 days I am running a HM, as a practice /training run.

    Today's menu is
    Breakfast: porridge with peaches (and cla coffee)
    Lunch: rice, penne pasta and light tomato sauce with a pear (peeled)
    Dinner: spaghetti with a small amount of meat sauce.

    Snacks: banana, and some jelly beans.

    Now does anyone supplement their carb load with sweets? I couldn't find any advice on line, I just thought that since I use jellybeans as fuel on my long run, and they are virtually 99% carbs, they would be nice to munch on as a snack during the day to get my carbs up.

    The above menu is about 75% carbs, and I have room to add a little more. Currently sitting at 269 grams (I'm 65kg or 143lb).

    2 questions - am I overthinking this? And would you add anything in/change?

    For this run, I'm still trying to stick to my calorie goal as I still want to try lose weight for the next 5 weeks. After that I'll switch to maintenance, and can increase the actual number of grams of carbs. I think im being realistic that those last 4 weeks of training are too intense to worry about losing weight, and energy will be necessary

    I think you may be overthinking it. Carb loading usually only works for elite athletes who are low carb the rest of the time, otherwise it doesn't give you the boost you may be looking for. It's actually a lot more scientific than most people realise and certainly much more than pasta the night before an event.

    I would concentrate on being well-fuelled before the event. Certainly, don't eat at a deficit for two or three days before your run - maintenance calories is great - and top up during your run, but I would veer away from 'loading' as it is what it says it is and you'll end up carrying extra 'waste' weight during your run, which will slow you down, and may necessitate a few loo stops you'd be better to avoid.

    Just my two cents!

    Thanks!
    Sigh why can't life be easy lol
  • PastorVincent
    PastorVincent Posts: 6,668 Member
    Avidkeo wrote: »
    So im attempting my first carb load ever - didn't do a proper one before the HM I did 18 months ago. This is because in 2 days I am running a HM, as a practice /training run.

    Today's menu is
    Breakfast: porridge with peaches (and cla coffee)
    Lunch: rice, penne pasta and light tomato sauce with a pear (peeled)
    Dinner: spaghetti with a small amount of meat sauce.

    Snacks: banana, and some jelly beans.

    Now does anyone supplement their carb load with sweets? I couldn't find any advice on line, I just thought that since I use jellybeans as fuel on my long run, and they are virtually 99% carbs, they would be nice to munch on as a snack during the day to get my carbs up.

    The above menu is about 75% carbs, and I have room to add a little more. Currently sitting at 269 grams (I'm 65kg or 143lb).

    2 questions - am I overthinking this? And would you add anything in/change?

    For this run, I'm still trying to stick to my calorie goal as I still want to try lose weight for the next 5 weeks. After that I'll switch to maintenance, and can increase the actual number of grams of carbs. I think im being realistic that those last 4 weeks of training are too intense to worry about losing weight, and energy will be necessary

    I think you may be overthinking it. Carb loading usually only works for elite athletes who are low carb the rest of the time, otherwise it doesn't give you the boost you may be looking for. It's actually a lot more scientific than most people realise and certainly much more than pasta the night before an event.

    I would concentrate on being well-fuelled before the event. Certainly, don't eat at a deficit for two or three days before your run - maintenance calories is great - and top up during your run, but I would veer away from 'loading' as it is what it says it is and you'll end up carrying extra 'waste' weight during your run, which will slow you down, and may necessitate a few loo stops you'd be better to avoid.

    Just my two cents!

    I agree with @ContraryMaryMary on this. Her comment is worth AT LEAST three cents really.
  • PastorVincent
    PastorVincent Posts: 6,668 Member
    @PastorVincent it’s from her 2 year school, but yep it flew by.

    Does she know where she wants to go and for what yet?
  • PastorVincent
    PastorVincent Posts: 6,668 Member
    kgirlhart wrote: »
    @quilteryoyo That's a lot prettier than most of the cow pastures around here! And Tippy looks quite content there! I don't really have any advise on the heart rate.

    Pretty much agree, especially since there is not much in the way of cows here in Pittsburgh.
  • PastorVincent
    PastorVincent Posts: 6,668 Member
    Avidkeo wrote: »
    Tramboman wrote: »
    Avidkeo wrote: »
    Final cake pic
    jowv1s6ej1lx.jpg

    The mirror glaze was gross but the rest was great. Kids LOVE it, and that's all that matters

    First class cake porn!!!!
    To be a baker requires real artistry -- you have it!!

    So does that make me a porn star 😜

    I mean, if the cake fits wear it... or something :smiley:
  • shanaber
    shanaber Posts: 6,423 Member
    @bearly63 - how do you jog on the bike?
  • skippygirlsmom
    skippygirlsmom Posts: 4,433 Member
    @Avidkeo I will eat jelly beans and/or tootsie rolls during long runs, however, since they have so much sugar I’m not sure they would stay with you as a good carb until the next day. I ate tootsie rolls all through my fastest HM. In my opinion.. you shouldn’t try to lose weight when training for a big race. You need to fuel your body and if that is eating at maintenance for the whole training cycle then you need to do that. I’m sure 4 weeks will give you plenty of time to get the nutrition you need but don’t short yourself on good training runs by dieting now. I also agree with @ContraryMaryMary about carb loading, definitely can’t be done the day before and be effective. For Skip’s marathon she started making sure to eat good carbs and lots of them a week before, she said she thought it really helped, but what she was sure helped was eating all during the race. She has gui’s and bars in every pocket she had, she also grabbed things like pretzels on the course and was very tempted to grab a cold beer ha ha Of course everyone’s mileage may vary.

    @PastorVincent she is transferring to the University of South Alabama majoring in Communications (she wants to be in the new casting or sports casting business) with a minor in Political Science – at least that is as of today.
  • PastorVincent
    PastorVincent Posts: 6,668 Member
    My "Hug a Runner" shirt came in the mail yesterday. On the back, it says, "Designated Hugger." I love love love it.

    That is one shirt among many you will never see me wearing so long as I have a choice. :smiley:
  • Tramboman
    Tramboman Posts: 2,482 Member
    Morning!

    My "Hug a Runner" shirt came in the mail yesterday. On the back, it says, "Designated Hugger." I love love love it.

    If you're interested, you can go to the Run the Edge site and buy one. They just donated $21K to Feeding America from their shirt sales for the Uncanceled Project. I bought two shirts, because $21K equates to 211,000 meals. It's worth your $20 for sure. They even did a live video where we could watch them donate the money. It's a small operation of 5 people running the whole thing, so if you support them, it actually matters.

    Anyway, I haven't run again since Saturday because @Tramboman I am trying to LISTEN to my body and let it heal. Instead this week, I've been focusing on strength training and PT exercises.

    Today only the muscles in my quads hurt and that could just be soreness. Hopefully, I'm on the actual road to recovery and pain-free running!

    @Avidkeo - what @ContraryMaryMary said. She's 100% right.

    Just keep in mind I'm one of those "Do what I say; don't do what I do" kind of guys...
  • Tramboman
    Tramboman Posts: 2,482 Member
    4-1 7k easy
    4-2 7k easy
    4-3 8k slow
    4-4 7k moderate
    4-5 7k moderate
    4-6 7k easy
    4-7 rest
    4-8 7k moderate
    4-9 7k easy
    4-10 7k easy
    4-11 7k easy
    4-12 7k moderate
    4-13 7k easy
    4-14 rest
    4-15 7k moderate
    4-16 11k slow
    4-17 7k moderate
    4-18 7k easy
    4-19 7k threshold
    4-20 7k easy
    4-21 rest
    4-22 7k easy
    4-23 7k easy

    April Total: 145k
    April Goal: 170k

    January Total: 161k
    February Total: 167k
    March Total: 181k

    2020 Total through March: 509k

    Mostly cloudy, mid 30s F and a breeze from the east today. Sun came out during the last kilometer, so at least it ended on a bright note. Nothing but the usual niggles today, which is what I expected.
    Yesterday's high point consisted of watching people playing golf amid the snow flurries. Now, I am a golfer, but that's taking it a little too far.

    When you pop in here claiming your December 2020 mileage, what accomplishments will you have made?

    Return to a good running weight of 175 lbs
    Run at least 4 5k races
    Get a 5k PR
    Average at least 138k per month, to meet my Run the Year pledge of 1,020 miles
    Stretch goal: If I can average 169k per month, I can run 2020K in 2020

    Run the Year Team: Pavement Pounders

    2020 races:

    5-23 Race for the Parks 5k, Hudson OH
    6-20 Freedom Run 5k, Aurora, OH
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