April 2020 Monthly Running Challenge
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Hi runners (and walkers, and swimmers, and lifters, and hopers, etc etc)! Here's a really long update that doesn't actually involve any running, but is pretty much positive anyhow. According to my usually extremely detailed records, the last time I posted was March 28th, when I’d decided to take a leave of absence from work and was hoping to get another couple of runs in.
I’m still on leave, but at this point it’s pretty clear that this month will be only the second month I did not run at all since (*consults extremely detailed records*), well, since before I started keeping extremely detailed records back in October 2017. I found a note that August 26, 2017 was the first time I started “jogging” (I didn’t know better yet) part of my morning walk, so I guess it’s fair to say that this is only the second month in more than two and a half years that I haven’t run at all.*
I thought I would feel bad about that, but I actually feel pretty proud of myself. I mean, that’s some pretty consistant running, right? Sometime in the last few weeks I realized that it doesn’t matter how much down time I have, or how out of shape I get - I’m a runner because I love running and I knew that I was going to start running again when I was ready.
Of course, two weeks of sharply decreased activity followed by four weeks spent nearly completely sedentary took its toll. I joked on Facebook that the days I didn’t have the energy to get off of the couch were my GOOD days because at least I’d gotten out of bed, only that wasn’t really a joke.
Last Friday several days of nice weather coupled with a several weeks of therapy and increased medication prompted me to take what should have been an easy 1.37 mile walk to and from the hardware store to pick up yard waste bags so I could start doing some gardening. I made it maybe a quarter of the way there before I started getting some pretty intense pains in my hip, bad enough that I very nearly called my husband to come pick me up more than once.
With a lot of stretching breaks I managed to make it there and back, and promptly emailed my gym’s physical therapist for a phone consult. I’d already been emailing with the gym’s owner to help me ease back into fitness, and as much as I briefly wanted to give up on the whole thing, I guess I had too much momentum building for that to happen.
So after a call with the PT yesterday I did my first strength workout since March 24th. I only made it through the PT’s recommended stretches and half of the extremely short workout before my hip started hurting and I stopped, but even that felt like a big accomplishment. Today’s assignment is to go for a walk - if the rain doesn’t let off I guess it’s going to be a wet walk, but I have every intention of getting out there either way.
I’ve skipped through a few of the more recent posts and I’m so glad to see so many of you are still getting out there! @Scott6255: sorry to hear about the PF but glad to hear your bout of COVID19 was a mild one. One of my best friends (an emergency doctor and pediatrician) became the first person I know personally to test positive (at least four people I know have been presumptively positive but couldn’t get tested) and thankfully she seems to have had a mild case as well, although she did have some symptoms.
*ETA: The other month I didn’t run at all was January of 2018, which was my first winter as a runner and before I discovered that running on snow and ice is actually easier than walking on snow and ice.7 -
Thank you all for your experiences, wisdom, and advice for my PF. Surgery (or any other type of doc visit) is pretty much a no-go for me. Don't have insurance that would cover any of that. Home remedies and doctor Google are my choices.@scott6255 - I 2nd what has been said already abut PF. I tore mine a few years ago and the doctor actually told me that was a good thing as they typically heal faster than the strain. He gave me exercises for my foot (rolling a ball from my toes to my heel, scrunching a towel with my toes, etc. but one of the best things I found was the yoga toes pose. I still do it regularly.
It used to be on the Runners World site but now I can only find it here on Facebook
Thanks for the link. I have bookmarked it. I tried it, and can't get my knees to go to the ground (can only go about halfway). But it is def something to work on!2 -
Thank you all for your experiences, wisdom, and advice for my PF. Surgery (or any other type of doc visit) is pretty much a no-go for me. Don't have insurance that would cover any of that. Home remedies and doctor Google are my choices.@scott6255 - I 2nd what has been said already abut PF. I tore mine a few years ago and the doctor actually told me that was a good thing as they typically heal faster than the strain. He gave me exercises for my foot (rolling a ball from my toes to my heel, scrunching a towel with my toes, etc. but one of the best things I found was the yoga toes pose. I still do it regularly.
It used to be on the Runners World site but now I can only find it here on Facebook
Thanks for the link. I have bookmarked it. I tried it, and can't get my knees to go to the ground (can only go about halfway). But it is def something to work on!
I have found that with something solid to hold onto (like a windowsill or bed frame) I can still get a good stretch without getting my knees to the ground.1 -
juliet3455 wrote: »@eleanorhawkins Every time I read one of your HAL is happy with me comments I think of this version of HAL
lol!1 -
@mbaker566 what great looking dogs! My labradoodle LOVES the water, she jumps into any she sees, ponds, streams, puddles, everything. I just laughed too hard about the shoes. I run into painted rocks from time to time. For a while there were a bunch with words on them at our greenway and they could be used to spell out all words of encouragement.
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skippygirlsmom wrote: »@mbaker566 what great looking dogs! My labradoodle LOVES the water, she jumps into any she sees, ponds, streams, puddles, everything. I just laughed too hard about the shoes. I run into painted rocks from time to time. For a while there were a bunch with words on them at our greenway and they could be used to spell out all words of encouragement.
that's a cool idea. maybe i'll actually paint instead of just find2 -
@MegaMooseEsq great to hear from you! Good luck with your PT and please make sure to keep us updated!1
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@PastorVincent Great advice on the weather stuff. Running here in 95 degrees with high humidity is a bear. My favorite thing to do is run then jump in Barton Springs - a natural spring fed pool that is about 69-70 degrees year round. Literally magical waters after a hot run.
@shanaber That is one of my least favorite yet most effective yoga moves! I need to add that to my daily routine.
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Great run @kgirlhart and over your goal already! Whoot!
@Faebert Glad you got a better night's sleep and had a good run.
@MegaMooseEsq Glad you are back! Hope the PT works and you got in a good, dry walk.
Today's cross training was mowing the lawn before the rain sets in for the rest of the week. My big mower hasn't been fixed - I haven't taken it anywhere - so I had to push mow the entire thing again. I did what I call my yard and garden first, did the edging, and then took a break. Then I did the hard part - up and down the driveway. So, I had two Garmin sessions. It was funny when I looked at them that the I burned 224 calories doing the first part. The second part I burned 225 calories. Garmin says in 1:39:42 I walked 2.65 miles while mowing.
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quilteryoyo wrote: »Great run @kgirlhart and over your goal already! Whoot!
@Faebert Glad you got a better night's sleep and had a good run.
@MegaMooseEsq Glad you are back! Hope the PT works and you got in a good, dry walk.
Today's cross training was mowing the lawn before the rain sets in for the rest of the week. My big mower hasn't been fixed - I haven't taken it anywhere - so I had to push mow the entire thing again. I did what I call my yard and garden first, did the edging, and then took a break. Then I did the hard part - up and down the driveway. So, I had two Garmin sessions. It was funny when I looked at them that the I burned 224 calories doing the first part. The second part I burned 225 calories. Garmin says in 1:39:42 I walked 2.65 miles while mowing.
You’re luckier than me. Maybe it’s my mower, but my Garmin will give about 200 steps for 45 minutes on the mower - it should be about 2000.2 -
@eleanorhawkins I feel like a real dunce this morning! Got up, went for my 5k base run, came back and went to log with Hal, realised it was supposed to be 6.5k!!
But given after yesterday's faffing around with my watch and I ended up completely resetting it, It was doing my splits in Miles not Km which was bugging me so so much. I'm just annoyed with it now. I didn't realise how many features I actually use until I have to re-set them all up again.
Anyway, as that's my last run for April, my total for the month running is 145.5km. That's 4.5k less than I was aiming for but it really doesn't matter.
Now I'm going to go make the May thread because it's the 29th here and I've decided to be proactive!
You can find it here: https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10794139/may-2020-monthly-running-challenge/p1?new=1
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I went through the last few pages with lots of liking - sorry not to comment on everyone's but love to hear what you all are up to.
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
04/23/20 :::: 4.1 :::: 99.0
04/24/20 :::: 5.0 :::: 104.0
04/25/20 :::: 7.0 :::: 111.0
04/26/20 :::: 3.3 :::: 114.3
04/27/20 :::: 3.3 :::: 117.6
04/28/20 :::: 4.0 :::: 121.6
One last time of taking a run between classes - because they are now over for the semester! Today's forecast looked great and it also looked like the only good day of the week. It was sunny this morning and I took Stella for a nice hike.
After working for a while, I headed out for a run mid-afternoon along the canal. It was mostly cloudy by then and not as warm as I hoped. Still, not a bad day and 4 miles felt pretty easy. And that got me to 30.3 miles for week 4 of the marathon a week challenge. I exceeded the goal of 104.8 by 16.8 miles.
After some more work, I did a kettlebell and mace workout that my trainer had posted. I don't have a kettlebell so I had to improvise with a gallon water jug. I haven't done much strength work in the last few weeks so this was plenty tough.5 -
Messed up my calculations a bit this morning and ended up doing my fast intervals faster than Hal prescribed. Who knew I could run that fast? Might hurt a bit later though.
Tomorrow's run should put me just over my April goal, which I'm very happy with as it has ALL been on the dreadmill.
We're possibly going to be allowed out for exercise as of next week, but so far no specific information on what times, how long for or how far we'll be allowed to stray. As all but one of my runs each week takes me over an hour, and I walk for 10 minutes before and after every run (as my evil physio demands I do), I have a feeling I sill won't be running outside much, but it'll be nice to get out for some fresh air and sunshine even if just for walks on other days.
Once I overcome the blind, irrational fear of going out, that is...
01/04: 4.81km tempo
02/04: 6.57km base
04/04: 9.6km easy
06/04: 5.08km easy
08/04: 8.5km hill repeats
09/04: 8.06km easy
11/04: 8.34km hard
13/04: 5.15km fartleks
15/04: 6.6km easy
16/04: 8km fast intervals
18/04: 11.5km long
20/04: 4.56km tempo
22/04: 8.23km 'easy'
23/04: 9.6km fast intervals
25/04: 13.1km long
27/04: 5.79km fartleks
29/04: 8.8km fast intervals
Revised April goal: 140km. Run so far: 132.29km8 -
@PastorVincent Thanks for the hot weather reminder. It is supposed to get into the 90s this weekend, so I need to start paying attention to that kind of stuff again.
@MegaMooseEsq Hope all goes well with your PT and that you can ease back into things!
I don’t remember when I posted last. We went hiking again over the weekend, and I’ve continued my 2-3 mile evening walks or runs. I really needed a break from any training following March’s marathon, but I think I am ready to get back into the groove. I signed up for an Anchorman/Ron Burgandy themed “Keep it Classy” virtual 5K yesterday because I thought the shirt was funny. 😂 Seriously though, I think working over the next few weeks to improve my 5K time will be good for me. My PR is 27:30, so maybe I can squeeze under that. 😀
I received an email from Brooks that the shoes I ordered almost 2 weeks ago are now out of stock...so they sent me a 25% off code. I ended up ordering the same on-sale pair in a different color for an additional discount! I guess I can wait a few extra days to save 50%+ on a pair of shoes...9 -
Sorry I haven't posted in awhile, or responded to anyone's posts. I promise I did read them all, and your positive stories made me smile (especially the squirrels and talk of bears and such.) I've just been a giant ball of stress. I spent 4 hours cleaning my house yesterday because for some reason, that's a good stress outlet for me and it always makes me feel better to have a spotless house. I also got my crib set up...what fun that was. I think I only dropped a swear word maybe 8 times?
A week and a half ago my husband tore his bicep tendon, the one attaching to his elbow. He has to have surgery to reattach it Friday, but they're making him test for COVID today. I'm trying not to let my nerves get the best of me. Either option is not good.
If he's negative, that's fantastic, but the injury has still forced him to drop out of the police academy until August and finish in October. He would be finishing with the next class, not the one he started with, so he's pretty heartbroken. But at least they've given him that option and we won't have to pay for the entire academy again. But our baby is supposed to be here August 23rd, so if I'm on maternity leave (with no actual pay, I just get to use up my sick leave/vacation and then go without income) then we're kinda screwed financially...
And if he's positive, I'm not necessarily worried about the virus itself, but I am extremely worried that I'd have to be quarantined as well and miss 2 weeks of work. Our policy says that if we test positive, we get 2 weeks of paid sick leave, but its unclear if we're forced to dip out of what we've acrued, or if we're just handed 2 weeks worth
If I have to dip out of what I've got saved up, then we're even more screwed... Because then I won't have more than 2-3 weeks worth left to use for my maternity leave.
We were counting on my husband being done with the academy in May, and then we'd have two full incomes and save as much money as we could until the baby is here. Now that's completely shot, and we might only have my income, or hardly anything at all.
I'm just trying so hard to keep myself together at this point and praying that he tests negative today.
On the running topic, though, I'm only 5.5 miles from my goal of 50 miles this month. I was going to try and push for 60 next month, but with being 6 months pregnant, I think I might be better off setting a goal of 40 or 50 again and then if I go farther, I go farther.
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sigh. more rumbly weather last night. really that and ice is my only reason not to run.
rain tonight but no lightning this evening so hopefully a hilly run tonight.3 -
brittanystebbins95 wrote: »Sorry I haven't posted in awhile, or responded to anyone's posts. I promise I did read them all, and your positive stories made me smile (especially the squirrels and talk of bears and such.) I've just been a giant ball of stress. I spent 4 hours cleaning my house yesterday because for some reason, that's a good stress outlet for me and it always makes me feel better to have a spotless house. I also got my crib set up...what fun that was. I think I only dropped a swear word maybe 8 times?A week and a half ago my husband tore his bicep tendon, the one attaching to his elbow. He has to have surgery to reattach it Friday, but they're making him test for COVID today. I'm trying not to let my nerves get the best of me. Either option is not good.
If he's negative, that's fantastic, but the injury has still forced him to drop out of the police academy until August and finish in October. He would be finishing with the next class, not the one he started with, so he's pretty heartbroken. But at least they've given him that option and we won't have to pay for the entire academy again. But our baby is supposed to be here August 23rd, so if I'm on maternity leave (with no actual pay, I just get to use up my sick leave/vacation and then go without income) then we're kinda screwed financially...
And if he's positive, I'm not necessarily worried about the virus itself, but I am extremely worried that I'd have to be quarantined as well and miss 2 weeks of work. Our policy says that if we test positive, we get 2 weeks of paid sick leave, but its unclear if we're forced to dip out of what we've acrued, or if we're just handed 2 weeks worth
If I have to dip out of what I've got saved up, then we're even more screwed... Because then I won't have more than 2-3 weeks worth left to use for my maternity leave.
We were counting on my husband being done with the academy in May, and then we'd have two full incomes and save as much money as we could until the baby is here. Now that's completely shot, and we might only have my income, or hardly anything at all.
I'm just trying so hard to keep myself together at this point and praying that he tests negative today.
On the running topic, though, I'm only 5.5 miles from my goal of 50 miles this month. I was going to try and push for 60 next month, but with being 6 months pregnant, I think I might be better off setting a goal of 40 or 50 again and then if I go farther, I go farther.
Since you're running for two, if you do 25 miles that's actually 50 -- 25 for you and 25 for the baby!
Hoping the news is good and everything works out.6 -
@brittanystebbins95 I am sorry to hear about all of those stressors. I know that makes planning extremely difficult.0
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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
4-24 7k moderate
4-25 11k easy
4-26 7k moderate
4-27 7k easy
4-28 rest
4-29 7k easy
April Total: 184k
April Goal: 170k
January Total: 161k
February Total: 167k
March Total: 181k
2020 Total through March: 509k
Cloudy, upper 50s F and breezy today. Started to rain with about half a k to go, but it was a light rain unworthy of *kitten* status. Bonus was an almost niggle free run.
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, OH5 -
I know at least a few people here have anxious dogs. Between the storms and nearby construction, I feel like I haven't had a full night's sleep in a week. My poor little guy can't settle in and wants to be right on top of us. Fortunately, it isn't impacting his appetite and he's still ready to race to the food bowl when I finally drag myself out of bed in the morning (I've lived with dogs who couldn't eat when they were upset, but my little dude hasn't missed a meal in the two years he's lived with us!).
He makes up his sleep in the afternoons, which isn't really an option for me. I found myself giving him the side eye yesterday when I saw him curled up on the couch sleeping like a log. Dogs would be the worst roommates if they weren't so cute!
4/1: 7.75m
4/2: 4m
4/3: 2.5m
4/4: 7.25m
4/5: 13.5m
4/6: 1.25m
4/8: 7m
4/9: 4m
4/10: 3.75m
4/11: 7.5m
4/12: 15.25m
4/13: 1.5m
4/14: 4m
4/15: 5m
4/16: 4m
4/17: 1.5m
4/18: 3.5m
4/19: 12.75m
4/20: 2.5m
4/21: 4m, 2.25m
4/22: 4m
4/23: 8m
4/24: 2m
4/25: 8m
4/26: 17m
4/27: 1m
4/28: 5.5m
4/29: 8m5
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