October 2020 Monthly Running Challange

Avidkeo

Current mood! Good news, no pain during or after the run. Will see how it goes the rest of the day. Time will tell I guess.

This may sound weird, but as this is my first run since we lost @PastorVincent I decided to wear my smartwool socks. They are my favourite socks, I only have one pair and I got them on his recommendation. I'm going to miss those. So I wore them as sort of my honour/shout out to him. No one would get it, but I'm sure you guys do.

I miss him every day.

rheddmobile

@Avidkeo I have a pair of Pastor Vincent socks too! It’s so many little things, for me it’s thinking about how pace affects dewpoint. I know for some here it’s a water pack. Amazing how someone you never met face to face can have such a far reaching influence!

I did 7 miles running and 3.6 walking yesterday, then my usual grocery trot 5k today while my husband shopped. Yesterday’s run was my longest since being injured, October’s goal is to get back to regular 8 mile runs since that seems to be a sweet spot for me. I feel as stiff and tired today as if I ran a half marathon, it’s ridiculous!

Wednesday was a beautiful day, ran on the Greenline despite all the people. It still doesn’t feel perfectly safe but I am losing my mind running my neighborhood, so hopefully it will be okay since it’s outdoors and most people pass quickly.

There is a road closed behind the church on the Greenline and I realized I had never been back there, so we explored it as part of our walk. It is a fully paved but rapidly decaying two lane road, blocked off now and only accessible from the houses which back onto it. It goes right up to ECS and I am 99% certain from the litter we stumbled upon the place where all the students from ECS high school throw secret beer parties. Random fact: ECS, aka Evangelical Christian School, today occupies the exact footprint of the farm owned by my great-great-grandfather in 1880. It’s interesting thinking that my ancestors would have ridden horses and driven wagons on the path I run on!

Also: found a weird tree! Anyone from a place with citrus fruit will probably laugh at me but I’m from Tennessee and had no idea citrus trees could have thorns. Mature fruit was golf-ball sized, yellowish orange, perfectly round, slightly fuzzy. We took one home and looked it up and we have a Chinese bitter orange tree, one of the few citrus trees which is hardy in our zone. Fruit is full of seeds, tastes not bitter at all actually - sort of like a cross between a lemon and an orange. And the skin of the fruit smells amazing! Like a floral perfume.

katharmonic

@Mari33a so sorry about your dad. What a lot to go through in one day. Wishing him a good recovery and successful treatments.

@marisap2010 sorry to hear about how bad it is for you right now at work. I hope it gets better.

@polskagirl01 and @martaindale my trainer wants to do the Barkley Marathon. He's always talking about the documentary (one of them, not sure which). It's beyond insane.

@quilteryoyo - wow things are moving quickly for you! Wishing you the best for Monday. Glad your dad is doing well, that's a relief.

Date :::: Miles :::: Cumulative
10/01/20 :::: 2.1 :::: 2.1
10/02/20 :::: 1.8 :::: 3.9
10/03/20 :::: 5.0 :::: 8.9
10/04/20 :::: 3.6 :::: 12.4
10/05/20 :::: 1.9 :::: 14.3
10/06/20 :::: 1.5 :::: 15.9
10/07/20 :::: 2.7 :::: 18.5

It took me two runs to get those 2.7 miles today and they just happened to be exactly 12 hours apart, according to Garmin! First one was a short warm-up before strength training this morning at 6:41 am and then the second was a short run with Stella at 6:41 pm. That pm one was only a run because it was getting dark fast in the woods and I thought we better hustle. We weren't fast enough to beat the dark but we made it safely. There were a ton of owls or something that really started calling as we were heading out. Beautiful but kind of eerie sounds.

I was telling my trainer this morning that I've been so busy and stressed that I haven't grocery shopped and I've been eating terribly, surviving on pretzels, dark chocolate M&Ms and coffee mostly (although I didn't admit the M&Ms). So then this afternoon I needed a snack (because I ate my lunch at 10 am) so I checked the fancy vending machine from university food services that has sandwiches and salads in it - and sometimes it has something special like a delicious slice of cake. Well joyous news - today was one of those days and it had a slice of carrot cake. I wanted that cake! But I saw that someone had tried to buy a sandwich and it got stuck and was hanging there. Super sad for them, but I thought the cake would miss it and still come out ok, maybe even deliver with it the sandwich, so I put my money in and selected. The cake container somehow glanced off the sandwich container and disappeared back into the bowels of the machine somewhere!! My cake! The sandwich remained firmly stuck and also not reachable. But somehow a salad was dislodged from it's coil and THAT came through and was successfully vended. I stared at the machine in angry disbelief - it had clearly judged me, or talked to my trainer, and decided that I was getting SALAD to atone for my ways and not getting the delicious cake or the nitrate filled bologna sandwich (which I would never buy myself but can guarantee I would have eaten today). Just as it had judged the person before me.

I took my assigned salad and ate it though. And then I laughed thinking of the person who would refill the machine for tomorrow thinking what the hell happened here? Maybe they will eat my cake.

quilteryoyo

@rheddmobile Great run and walk. You'll get back to running 8 miles regularly in no time. It is interesting that your ancestors rode horses and probably farmed the area where you run. Wonder what they would think of you running for pleasure? I don't think that was a thing back then. The citrus tree is interesting. In the picture, the fruit looks like a lemon. I haven't seen any of them around these parts.

quilteryoyo

@katharmonic Yeah for getting out of the woods safely. I literally laughed out loud at your description of the vending machine. Sorry you didn't get the cake - carrot cake is one of my favorites.

Scott6255

@quilteryoyo your procedure Monday is going to go smooth and easy 🤗 Will be thinking of you.

@katharmonic thank you for that hilarious vending machine story 🤣🤣🤣 I really needed that.

skippygirlsmom

Thanks @WandaVaughn you are thisclose

RunsOnEspresso

@rheddmobile Every plant in Phoenix has thorns. I try to avoid any branches for that reason. Sometimes I don't see it and have to pull a branch out of my shoe. Seriously, the desert knows how to defend itself LOL I always wanted fruit trees in my yard but if you don't pick the fruit in time it rots and attracts roof rats. Then they get in the house.

ContraryMaryMary

My final bits of bling for my half marathon series has just arrived - the 5th finishers medal and the grand slam medal for completing all five. Sadly I only ran 3 properly - I ran Coatsville virtually back in February before virtual events were a thing, and the Waterfront medal is for the event I ran with my coach a couple of weeks ago, delayed from April.

Ironically, I’m running the Devonport Half for the 20/21 series virtually tomorrow (could run it in real life on Sunday but we’re going on holiday).

Anyway, here’s a rainbow of runners joy:

tracydvt

Hi, former runner here trying to get back into a running routine. Starting with 30 for October. If I run more than 30 minutes my heel hurts so hoping for 10 miles per week spread over a 3 runs per week.

Trying to lose a few pounds at the same time - got a new boyfriend a couple of months and quickly gained 5 pounds - drinking wine and cooking together is fun but catching up with me!

shanaber

@Mari33a - I am glad your dad got the stent surgery he needed and will be feeling better. They have so many treatments now for prostate cancer, especially when caught early. Hoping for a good outcome for that too!
@marisap2010 - Hope your work situation calms down soon. Seems like you have been having a crazy couple of months.
Yay @Avidkeo! So glad your rainy run was great!
@rheddmobile - We have lemons, tangerines and 2 types of oranges. The lemon tree thorns are the worst! The others don't seem to have nearly as many thorns and they aren't so big and don't bother me much when I am picking fruit or pruning the trees.
@katharmonic - I too laughed out loud at your vending machine description! So funny! It just knew that cake was bad for you and you needed a salad instead 😂
@ContraryMaryMary - love the medals!
@tracydvt- Welcome! You might try rolling the arch of your foot with a small hard ball. It could be the beginning of plantar fasciitis. I have ones like these but any small hard ball can work or even a frozen water bottle will work too.

No run for me today but will be taking advantage of a couple of days of cooler weather to get in runs tomorrow and Saturday, maybe even Sunday. It is going to get back into the 90's again next week though (ugh... so done with the heat!).

noblsheep

1009-5k, total-10.6k goal-100k

Short shakeout run before work. Got up nearly an hour after my alarm. Felt slow and sluggish starting out, got better as run progressed. Won't be running long this week, the air quality has gone to the dogs and I'll be working through the weekend anyway.

I think I came moderately close to becoming a jogger this morning - there's this secluded length of the river I run along and this morning when I got there there were police tapes and a rookie standing middle of the route who told me to "go run somewhere else please". Not far away there were a bunch of people in police or fire department uniforms standing by the side of the water looking in. Now had I not overslept...

@Avidkeo Congrats! Fingers crossed everything works out.
@rheddmobile I had to look that one up - turns out these trees are pretty common in Northern China. People don't usually eat the fruit, but traditional Chinese medicine uses it quite a bit.
@katharmonic LOL at the vending machine story. Thanks for making my day.
@quilteryoyo Good luck on Monday! Will be thinking of you.
@ContraryMaryMary That looks awesome. How do you plan to store/display them?
@tracydvt Welcome! If it's plantar fasciitis, heel dips might help.

TheMrWobbly

Sending out so many positive thoughts to many including @Mari33a and @marisap2010

rheddmobile wrote: »

@Avidkeo I have a pair of Pastor Vincent socks too!

You know this makes it sound like you stole them off his washing line! 😊

You are going to rock Monday @quilteryoyo

Loving the bling @ContraryMaryMary

Do you know the brand of the vending machine @katharmonic as I think we all need one of those in our kitchen!

After a rest day on Wednesday so was yesterday as the search for a job steps up a pace.

Time to double down on the exercise today 😊

marisap2010

Thanks everyone for the kind thoughts. Let’s just say I am not a fan of people who don’t work in mental health, who don’t even work at my prison, try to dictate how we need to diagnose/treat clients because of their own political agenda. 😡

Got home on time last night, but only got in one mile and a little bit of strength training.

TGIF.

quilteryoyo

@ContraryMaryMary Love the bling. You are awesome doing so many HM's.

Welcome @tracydvt !

@noblsheep Glad you slept in and didn't become a jogger. That would have been traumatic. You'll have to watch the news to see what the deal was. It's sad if someone was drowned.

@TheMrWobbly Thank you and good luck with the job search! Somehow I think I missed that you were looking.

Tramboman

10-1 7k easy
10-2 7k slow
10-3 7k slow
10-4 7k easy
10-5 rest
10-6 7k easy
10-7 7k easy
10-8 7k easy
10-9 7k easy

October Total: 56k
October Goal: 170k

January Total: 161k
February Total: 167k
March Total: 181k
April Total: 191k
May Total: 200k
June Total: 156k
July Total: 180k
August Total: 172k
September Total: 176k

2020 Total through September: 1584k / 176k per month

Carbon copy (holy moly, who remembers carbon paper?) of yesterday -- sunny, mid 40s F, and no wind. Wore long sleeve tech shirt with shorts and was fine. Had resigned myself to a slow pace because I seemed tired today, but saw I could finish at an easy pace with a little hustle.
@katharmonic Your vending machine story should be required reading for those who do not believe in running karma.
Welcome to the group, @tracydvt.

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 -- Completed 9-29

2020 races:

9-8 to 9-13 "Virtual Boston with Vincent" Time goal 5:15:00; actual time 4:47:01

Camaramandy648

@quilteryoyo ….. *sigh* Reading about all of the things you are facing right now makes me feel so many things and then brings me rushing toward the question: How are YOU feeling? I am praying for you so much. I wish I were there. I want to hug you and hold your hand. You’re not going to be alone for this, right? I will put in a time off request this instant if that is the case.

@avidkeo YAY RUNNING! And, I must say, you look gorgeous! I do get it about the socks. He’s the reason I’ve done so many things.
@rheddmobile we are cut from the same cloth. Always exploring. 😊
@ContraryMaryMary those medals are awesome!
@tracydvt welcome! Yeah, boyfriends do that, lol. Rotfl I am so glad I do not have that issue anymore! But seriously, you won’t find a better, more supportive group!
@noblsheep do you know what happened? Good grief! Yes, please do go run anywhere else but there!
@Marisap2010 couldn’t agree more about political agenda. Thinking of you and praying for you.
@Tramboman you are so consistent and though I am but wee in years, I do remember carbon copy paper and just used some the other day. 😊
@Katharmonic – yep thank you for the laugh!

Got a couple early miles this morning. Same as yesterday but warmer. Ran last night too – it was 72 degrees with a breeze and it was BEAUTIFUL!
Also, I talked to the coach last night and decided to hire him. He agreed with my assessment that I need to be more consistent and add structure to the volume I am currently doing. I decided to hire him. He’s coached a lot of amazing athletes and seems to be one himself. Worst case is I gain some knowledge and decide it’s not going to work out and then fire him. Best case is that we build a longterm relationship built on mutual trust and respect and I have someone backing me that can steer me when I find myself just goofing off too much. He wants to add a bunch of things. Well, to me it seems like a bunch but it really may not be. Like more lifting, more speedwork instead of just running long all the time, and more volume. I told him that’s kind of the whole point of finding him. Here’s an interesting bit – he asked if I have ever considered competing on the track. I said, “No, I’m kind of old for that, don’t you think?” He said I’m not and there are lots of opportunities out there. This shall be quite interesting, I think. I’m excited though. I want to see what I am capable of. I want to know how far I can go. He thinks I’m crazy, I’m sure. I said Moab 240 is the big one I’m chasing, but I’ve got 100 miler in December… this is fine, lol.

Happy running! Looking forward to tomorrow because I think it might be my last day to goof off for a while rotfl

quilteryoyo

@Camaramandy648 Thank you so much. That made me tear up just a little. I AM feeling fine, physically. The thing about aneurysms is that there are no symptoms. I am getting a little nervous and second guessing the fact that I didn't do more research on alternative doctors/hospitals. I'm just no good at that sort of thing. I tend to trust that if someone is a cardiac surgeon that they know what they are doing. I did check this surgeon out and there are no disciplinary or malpractice items associated with him and he has a 4.5 star rating, which is the equal to the best I have seen when I did the little research I have. No one has 5 stars. That's where I am right now. I just need to get it done so I can quit worrying and get on with the work of recuperating. AND, I do have the best friends and family and neighbor's around, so am not worrying about needing anything. My best friend is taking off work to be with my mom and dad to make sure they know what is going on when I have the surgery. (She took off work yesterday and went with us to see the doctor.) I have another friend/neighbor who is going to go with us on Monday, so she doesn't have to take off work too much. He lives in Nashville, but is up to take care of his mom every other week. This is his week. He is going to have her grandson stay an extra day with her so he can be with me. My church family will do anything I need also. So, on that front, and with all of the support on here, I think I will be okay.

Good luck with the coach. It sounds like he will be good for you. Competing may be in your future. Who knows? You could try it out and if you don't like it, you don't have to continue.

Camaramandy648

@quilteryoyo oh good! Thank God! You have done more research than I'd have done. I am proud of you and you are so brave and so strong. I will continue to pray. Should you need anything, I can be there in less than six hours.

WandaVaughn

So I woke suddenly to the sound of dogs barking like crazy and my husband rushing through the bedroom. "Oh no!" I pried my eyes open and caught a whiff of something. "Oh no!"

Our furr-ocious dogs had cornered a young skunk in the carport, next to our bedroom. I flail around, trying to find something to put on quickly while Hubby corrals the stinky pups. We deposit them into the bathroom and shut the door. Hubby has to finish putting on his uniform and then leaves for duty. I down a cup of coffee and start researching skunk spray remedies. After bathing both dogs in homemade anti-skunk stuff and then doggy shampoo, grabbing a bite to eat, and bathing myself, I rushed out the door to get to my office.

Needless to say, I did not run this morning. Maybe I'll get a chance this afternoon? Who knows what my crazy life has in store? Some of it depends on how Hurricane Delta influences our weather.