November 2020 Monthly Running Challenge

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  • Avidkeo
    Avidkeo Posts: 3,190 Member
    Well, I finally did it. I finally ran a 1:45 half marathon. It was the Kerikeri Half on Saturday, a course with a reputation for giving PBs. It's a point-to-point event through the countryside, beautifully bovine and sunshiny and lovely. What makes it fast is that it's predominantly downhill.

    In a bid to get over myself and to prevent overthinking, and at my coach's recommendation, I changed the settings on my watch to only give me 7km intervals - the course divides pretty nicely into three parts. The first 7km is uphill - steadily up with two distinct 'hills', for the second 7km you're descending pretty quickly, then the final 7km is a gentle downhill with a few small ups to the finish line in town.

    My plan was to start at a steady clip and focus on getting through the uphills, then to run fast on the steep downhills, maximising the use of gravity without actually having to work too hard, then for the final third, to keep pushing until I reached the end.

    I woke feeling great. The body was completely niggle-free and feeling loose and relaxed. I enjoyed a gentle 2km jog to the shuttle bus in the early morning cool, arriving at the start line with time for a coffee and to enjoy the atmosphere.

    The weather was mostly helpful - fairly cool at the start (about 15 degrees Celsius), but with high humidity. When the sun came out it got quite hot quite quickly but fortunately the humidity burned off so the heat wasn't too much of a hinderance. I did have a drink at every water stop (every 3km) when normally during a half I'd only take on water with my gels (twice).

    I executed my plan as intended, managing to ignore my watch for most of it - my coach actually suggested I run without one but, as you know, if it doesn't go on Strava, did it even happen? I'm glad I did have it though, as I only managed to pass the 1:50 pacer at the 12km mark but was reassured by my watch that he was running too fast rather than me going too slow.

    It also took about 12km to shake the utter knob who was running while wearing a speaker so we alllll could enjoy his taste in music. I had a strong urge to push him into a ditch but though it might add a few seconds to my time so restrained myself. What kind of a tool does something that selfish though? I was lucky that I wasn't trying to listen to music of my own as his was very loud, and I found it took away from the rural remoteness and quiet beauty of the run.

    The downhills were tougher than I remembered - it's hard running fast downhill while staying in control, maintaining a good technique and resisting the urge to brake. When I did hit the few small climbs later in the race, my quads quickly told me how hard they'd been working.

    The final few kilometres were a real mental challenge, fortunately, I had my eye on the prize so kept pushing. I knew that my husband and children would be at the 19km mark (outside the house we were staying in) to cheer me on, and then it was just a quick trot through town to the finish line. Just to make things interesting the last 200 metres were on spongy grass (how could they do that to beaten up legs?) but with the finish line in sight, this was no time to slow down.

    I came in at 1:45:04 and was stoked. The course was a smidge long too, so my Garmin recorded a new half marathon PB of 1:44:10, which I am over the moon about. I actually got new PBs for 5km and 10kms, 1 mile, 5 miles and 10 miles too.

    I also managed second in my age group, which was an unexpected bonus - however, the woman who beat me ran a very impressive 1:30!

    Today, the body feels great, although the quads keep reminding me about the brutal downhill running every time I go up or down stairs.

    Pics:
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    Coffee at the start line.

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    For some unknown reason, the photographer positioned himself at the top of the hill at 7km - hard to look fast or composed at that point!

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    The final 200m were on lush green grass - an absolute killer on the legs.

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    Finisher's bling. One very happy runner.

    Ahhhh so exciting! Congratulations! I think i may have to make a concrete plan to join you next year! I love that run. And yes the grass is a killer. I remember doing that and thinking "why!"
  • quilteryoyo
    quilteryoyo Posts: 5,883 Member
    edited November 2020
    That sounds like a great day @RunsOnEspresso ! Love the photos! Beautiful!

    Hahahaha @AlphaHowls ! I love that song, by the way. When I was able to go to the nursing home for the sing-a-longs on Sunday mornings, I would sing that one a cappella at least once a month, upon request.

    Congratulations on your great 10K time @rheddmobile ! I'm sure the worker thought he was being hilarious.

    You are a beast @katharmonic . So, is the trainer going to repeat the class tonight, since the gym didn't close?

    Big hugs to you @T1DCarnivoreRunner ! I hope the stress lessens soon.

    Great run @polskagirl01 ! Glad you turned around. Better safe than sorry.
  • Tramboman
    Tramboman Posts: 2,482 Member
    11-1 7k treadmill
    11-2 rest + resistance bands
    11-3 7k slow + yoga
    11-4 7k easy + resistance bands
    11-5 7k easy + yoga
    11-6 7k moderate + resistance bands
    11-7 7k moderate + yoga
    11-8 7k moderate
    11-9 rest
    11-10 7k slow + yoga
    11-11 7k easy + resistance bands
    11-12 7k easy + yoga
    11-13 7k easy + resistance bands
    11-14 7k easy + yoga
    11-15 7k treadmill
    11-16 7k slow + resistance bands
    11-17 rest + yoga
    11-18 7k easy + resistance bands
    11-19 7k easy + yoga
    11-20 7k easy + resistance bands
    11-21 7k almost moderate + yoga
    11-22 7k easy
    11-23 7k slow + resistance bands
    11-24 rest + yoga

    November Total: 140k
    November 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
    October Total: 189k

    2020 Total through October: 1773k / 177k per month

    Sunny, frosty, and low 30s F today. But it's a glorious rest day!!!!! Yoga always feels so good on a rest day.

    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 - Completed 10-11
    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
  • katharmonic
    katharmonic Posts: 5,720 Member
    You are a beast @katharmonic . So, is the trainer going to repeat the class tonight, since the gym didn't close?
    Thankfully no @quilteryoyo. I'm sure he's saving up something good for a Thanksgiving morning workout, as long as things stay open though.

    @T1DCarnivoreRunner hang in there. Sorry about the stress. A good cry in the rain is a good release though. Hugs.

    Good run in the rain, @Scott6255. Sometimes that "let's just get this over with" pace can be good.

    @Teresa502 good job getting your early run in, with a nice boost from a little dog love.

    Date :::: Miles :::: Cumulative
    11/01/20 :::: 5.3 :::: 5.3
    11/02/20 :::: 3.0 :::: 8.3
    11/03/20 :::: 1.8 :::: 10.1
    11/04/20 :::: 3.0 :::: 13.1
    11/05/20 :::: 3.1 :::: 16.2
    11/06/20 :::: 3.1 :::: 19.3
    11/07/20 :::: 13.1 :::: 32.4
    11/08/20 :::: 3.3 :::: 35.7
    11/09/20 :::: 1.5 :::: 37.2
    11/10/20 :::: 1.5 :::: 38.7
    11/11/20 :::: 3.9 :::: 42.5
    11/12/20 :::: 2.0 :::: 44.6
    11/13/20 :::: 7.0 :::: 51.6
    11/14/20 :::: 3.6 :::: 55.1
    11/15/20 :::: 3.1 :::: 58.3
    11/16/20 :::: 2.0 :::: 60.2
    11/17/20 :::: 2.7 :::: 62.9
    11/18/20 :::: 1.6 :::: 64.5
    11/19/20 :::: 2.0 :::: 66.5
    11/20/20 :::: 3.1 :::: 69.6
    11/21/20 :::: 8.0 :::: 77.6
    11/22/20 :::: 3.3 :::: 80.9
    11/23/20 :::: 3.3 :::: 84.2
    11/24/20 :::: 1.4 :::: 85.5

    Just the minimum today with a treadmill warmup before yoga class. Same trainer teaches this yoga class and I think he threw in a couple of things today just because he knows they are hard for me. Because he cares, I think, rather than because he is sadistic and cruel. LOL. I don't know if I've mentioned hero pose (where you kneel and sit back on or between your feet) before and how hard that is. It's so tight and painful right above my knees - I think it's the quadriceps tendon. Anyway, he wants me to work on it by sitting high up on blocks to start and thinks I can gradually work on stretching it and lowering down into the pose.

    I just need 14.5 miles to make my goal of 100 for the month. That should not be a problem, and depending on weather maybe I'll have some extra this week with the days off for the holiday. I'm a little sad there isn't a Turkey Trot (in-person) this year but hopefully I'll meet up with a few people for our own version.
  • martaindale
    martaindale Posts: 2,028 Member
    Welcome! @jensey602xx

    Way to go @Avidkeo
  • rheddmobile
    rheddmobile Posts: 6,840 Member
    Scott6255 wrote: »
    Really beautiful pictures @RunsOnEspresso!
    Geez @katharmonic that sounds like a brutal workout! I don't think I could have handled all that. Your really are a beast!!!!

    Looked at the weather on my phone when I got up, and saw 55F and 13mph wind. Wasn't thrilled with that, but decided I could tough it out. So got all ready and stepped outside. Either I failed to notice or the little rain icon wasn't displayed on the screen, but it was raining lightly when I got outside. Thought for a few minutes about just going back in and running on the treadmill, but in the end I just sucked it up and ran in the rain. It got harder as I kept getting further away from the house, so my pace increased. Only did 4 miles, but each mile was about :30/mi faster than the last.

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    I just can’t handle the combo of wind and cold rain! Good job getting out there!
  • Scott6255
    Scott6255 Posts: 2,408 Member
    @avidkeo...just WOW!
  • Tramboman
    Tramboman Posts: 2,482 Member
    Avidkeo wrote: »
    Guh this morning was WET! like soaked to the bone as soon as you step outside wet. Still managed 3.2k. Woo hoo.

    My FB memories reminded me that it was this day 3 years ago I officially lost 20kg (45lb). So I have now officially kept it off for 3 years! Statistics show if you manage 3 years, it becomes your new normal apparently. Woo hoo!
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    You're one of a kind!!!
  • kgirlhart
    kgirlhart Posts: 4,950 Member
    November Goal: 100 Miles

    11/1: 11.02 miles
    11/3: 4.35 miles
    11/4: 4.35 miles
    11/7: 13.51 miles
    11/11: 4.51 miles
    11/12: 5.27 miles
    11/15: 8.51 miles
    11/17: 6.02 miles
    11/18: 6.10 miles
    11/19: 6.07 miles
    11/22: 10.03 miles
    11/24: 6.09 miles

    85.83/100 miles completed for November

    1261.85/1000 miles for Run the Year Team Pavement

    I had a nice 6 mile run this morning. It was a little windier than I like it, but the temperature was comfortable and I enjoyed it. I realized today that on Sunday I hit 2020 K for the year.  I can't run 2020 miles by myself in a year, but I can run the year in kilometers.  😊


    Congratulations on your fantastic half @ContraryMaryMary!

    Thanks @Teresa502!

    Beautiful photos @RunsonEsspresso!

    @katharmonic I find hero pose difficult too. It is painful for the tops of my feet. 

    Congrats @avidkeo!

    Sorry you are going through a bad time @T1DCarnivoreRunner.

    I've gotten behind on this thread again,  so I know there was a lot of awesome stuff I didn't mention. 

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    2020 races:
    11/7/20: Run for 57th AHC Half Marathon
  • Avidkeo
    Avidkeo Posts: 3,190 Member
    Thanks guys :p
  • Avidkeo
    Avidkeo Posts: 3,190 Member
    Anyone got a Garmin Fenix 6pro?

    I have a Vivoactive 4s and I LOVE it. Absolutely love it. But the battery kinda sux and I'm charging it every 3 days or so.

    I see the Fenix 6 Pro has music (a must for me) and a longer battery. Everything else is kinda a bonus. Looking around, I see that the Fenix has among the best battery though the GPS is only 6hrs so only 1 longer than the Vivoactive.

    Thoughts?
  • marisap2010
    marisap2010 Posts: 909 Member
    @katharmonic Hero pose is really painful for me too. I went to a yoga class a few weeks ago, and it was killing me around the knees - not because I was in my knees, but more so the muscles around the knees straining/tight? I haven’t experienced that with any other positions. Maybe I need to look at training with blocks too.

    @Avidkeo, awesome job maintaining your goal!

    No run last night, but I attended body pump. I plan to have an easy run tonight, and then tomorrow is my virtual Turkey Trot 10k.