December 2020 Monthly Running Challenge

polskagirl01

Very unusual "race" today, but I'll write a short report anyway. It's a 5k Trail race series I've done for several years now, and typically it's once a month, October through March, with about 500 other people. Today they marked the course and gave us 3 hours to time ourselves on it. I started/finished alone and had the whole course to myself, except for having to get around a bunch of nordic walkers, and I did see a couple of runners going in different directions. It was really strange running it by myself, but I am so glad they set it up for us to be able to do it. My time was fast enough for me, but nothing spectacular - pretty much what I'd expect for a solo time trial.

Empty start/finish area...

December Goal - 100 Miles

Tramboman

12-1 rest + yoga
12-2 7k treadmill + resistance bands
12-3 7k treadmill + yoga
12-4 7k slow + resistance bands
12-5 7k slow + yoga
12-6 7k slow

December Total: 35k
December 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
November Total: 180k

2020 Total through November: 1953k

LIVE countdown to 2020k in 2020: 32k remaining

Cloudy, low 30s F, with a mixture of half drizzle and half snow. Road was a little icy in spots; made for a good reason to be slow again. Saw squirrels; geese; more fresh deer tracks; but neither saw nor heard any robins.

@shorkster Don't get discouraged. Listen to your body and adjust your speed and distance accordingly.


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

quilteryoyo

@rheddmobile Sorry about your heal pain. I hope you can find new shoes soon. I need to get new ones too. My current ones have almost 500 miles on them. As for the woodchuck, my first thought was rabies, since it was "charging" at the person. They should run away. If he has a den nearby, he should still be there on Monday. I think they hang around the same place. Just from my experience, no research here. LOL

@shanaber Glad your hamstring is doing better. Sounds like a great run, except for the gnats. Happy Birthday - and you don't look 65 either.

@kgirlhart Glad you hip is feeling better. You'll be back to running soon.

@shorkster You are doing great. Some days are just a struggle. That's normal.

I am feeling some better this morning, but still had a fever when I got up. I am planning to go to an urgent care this afternoon and see if I can see a doctor and maybe get a rapid test, just so I will have that piece of information to give the surgeon tomorrow morning.

quilteryoyo

@polskagirl01 Sounds like you had a good "race." It is different when you are by yourself. Beautiful place for a run.

@Tramboman You are so consistent. Wonder where the robins went?

kgirlhart

Thanks @quilteryoyo. I hope you are able to get a test and it will be negative and you can have some peace of mind.

@shorkster Some runs are just better than others, don't let it discourage you.

I am sitting here drinking coffee with the heating pad on my hip and feeling kind of pouty about missing my run today. It's chilly out, but really pretty. But my hip is starting to feel better. I did some very gentle yoga yesterday and will probably do some later today.

Great job on the 5K @polskagirl01!

katharmonic

Great job on your solo 5k race @polskagirl01! A little odd to run a course by yourself but good for you for pushing yourself to do it.

@kgirlhart glad the hip is starting to feel better. You'll be back soon!

@shorkster great job on your progress through Couch to 5k. As said already, some runs are just not the best but that doesn't mean anything. Your next one may feel great! Keep it up.

@rheddmobile I would think rabies too, but also could be just injured and defensive? Poor little thing. But yes, don't go out and try to trap a potentially rabid woodchuck.

Date :::: Miles :::: Cumulative
12/01/20 :::: 2.2 :::: 2.2
12/02/20 :::: 3.7 :::: 5.9
12/03/20 :::: 3.5 :::: 9.5
12/04/20 :::: 9.1 :::: 18.6
12/05/20 :::: 5.0 :::: 23.6
12/06/20 :::: 3.1 :::: 26.7

Kind of gray and dismal morning, with a little bit of mixed precip in the air, but not enough to amount to anything. I met up with my friend for our semi-regular Sunday easy 5k. We looped the lakes and got caught up on each other's happenings since Thanksgiving. Now I'm tucked back in under blankets and having more coffee. I slept terribly last night so I'm glad to have the run done and ready for an easy rest of the day.

Mari33a

03/12 2.68 miles
06/12 2.35 miles

5.03 of 30 miles

Happy Birthday @shanaber and @Scott6255
@quilteryoyo - Feel so bad for you. Hope ur temperature settles and nothing gets in the way of ur surgery.
@shorkster - Every mile u do is one closer to ur 30 target so don’t lose hope

rheddmobile

shorkster wrote: »

2/12 - 1.84
4/12 - 1.84
6/12 - 1.74

5.42 / 30 miles for December

Hi guys, hope you're all OK.
So today marked my completion of week 7 of C25K so I've only 6 runs left before I'm out into the wild! Struggled a lot today as I haven't ran as far in the same amount of time as you can see. Not sure why. All I can do is carry on but I'm now considering that 30 miles is perhaps a little ambitious for a newbie runner, we shall see. I guess if I don't manage it then I'll make that my goal for Jan.

Have a great day everyone.

Don’t worry about running fast when doing c25k, the whole point right now is increasing time spent running even if you are super slow. I promise no one will judge you if you misjudged your goal! Some people when they first start c25k run even slower than they can walk. It’s about gait, not speed at this point, and if you have to slow down to keep going that’s the way it’s supposed to work.

Avidkeo

Happy birthday @Scott6255 and @shanaber!!

@shorkster there is nothing wrong with changing goals as you go. In fact it's very healthy! Yay for completing week 7. That's the point a lot of people give up. You got this!

polskagirl01

Avidkeo wrote: »

@shorkster there is nothing wrong with changing goals as you go. In fact it's very healthy! Yay for completing week 7. That's the point a lot of people give up. You got this!

/\ YES, all of this!

Avidkeo

It's miserable today. Very dark and wet. I went out and managed 3k. It was wonderful! (I'm a crazy who likes running in the rain!)

Legs are feeling good, still a bit tight but better. I'm definitely putting it all down to increased distance and standing. I did some yoga yesterday and that really helped. Thinking I should do some everyday just to get some flexibility back.

Hal thinks I'm over training. I think there's been an update in the app because in the past he only complained if you did different distances. But now I'm doing different pace as well. Today was supposed to be a recovery run at around 8min/k. I can't run that slow. That's my walking pace (well almost) so I ran a little slower than my "I can run this pace forever pace" . Nope not happy. Oh well. I'm said I was aiming for a 2:30hm because my PB of 2:03 was 2 years ago on a downhill course. This one is on a flat course, and I'm coming back from injury. I just like sitting at around 6min/k. It feels natural and good.

Thanks for all the replies to the strength training. I'm going to keep doing it, because it's mostly leg, glute and core work, with a few arm exercises in for balance. It's just to help the muscle mass, and strengthen them. But going to try add some yoga too. Even 10 minutes will make a big difference.

Tramboman

quilteryoyo wrote: »

@polskagirl01 Sounds like you had a good "race." It is different when you are by yourself. Beautiful place for a run.

@Tramboman You are so consistent. Wonder where the robins went?

If they went to Florida, I wish they'd take me...

mbaker566

Happy birthday @Scott6255 and @shanaber

Hugs to those that need it.

mbaker566

I feel like I've been hibernating. Hypersomnia.
Got out and did my run with Speed Demon. She was anxious. It's been a long time since that was the case. I think we both still enjoyed it. Finished a full 6 mi with the warm up and cool down. 4.5 mi run. Some walking. Very achy. But I'm enjoying building up the habit. We're focusingon time on our feet instead of mileage.

I love my coach. We were discussing the 12 days of Christmas challenge. I mentioned that I'd probably break up the mileage during the day.
"Yes, you are NOT allowed to go out and run 10 miles all at once. "
I feel like he's protecting me from myself and injuries. Because we aren't always the best at that

quilteryoyo

@katharmonic Glad you got your run done early and can relax the rest of the day. Enjoy.

Nice run @Avidkeo ! Glad your legs are feeling good. I don't think Hal is every happy, poor guy.

@mbaker566 Glad you enjoyed your run. Love that mural and Speed Demon looks so happy to be out. I love your coaches attitude too. He sounds like a good one.

I did go to Urgent Care this afternoon. I got there before they opened and there was a line waiting at the door. I waited until the line started moving before I got out. They were really good. You went in, they gave you paperwork to fill out, then you went back to your car to fill them out and they called you on your cell phone with it was your turn. So, no one was exposed to anyone else for very long. It was about an hour wait. I took a nap. LOL The results were that I tested positive for CoVID! Couldn't be worse timing. But, my fever is gone, and, for the time being, I am feeling fine. I will call the surgeon in the morning and see what the plan is going forward. Fingers crossed that I have a mild case. No idea how I got it. I am so careful when I am out and about. It's frustrating.

martaindale

Happy birthday, @Scott6255 and @shanaber!

martaindale

@quilteryoyo Oh no!! So sorry to hear you tested positive just as things were coming together for your surgery. I hope you continue to feel ok and recover quickly.

martaindale

25.7/100 Miles

12/1: 5.1 Miles
12/3: 3.6 miles
12/4: 10 miles
12/5: 7 miles

Did what was supposed to be my Thursday threshold run on Saturday. I wasn't sure how my legs would feel after doing my 10 mile long run the day before. It was totally fine. I did the run and actually kept up a slightly faster pace than what was on my plan.
I broke out a new pair of shoes and it was definitely time. I think the extra cushion helped out my legs too. I'm consistently shocked when I see people mention having 500 miles on a pair of shoes. I am a steady 250 miler. I can usually even tell when I'm almost to 250 just by how my knees feel when I'm starting to run. Don't know how you guys do it. I go through a lot of shoes but I just can't push it. Maybe 300 max.

katharmonic

Oh, @quilteryoyo I'm so sorry to hear you tested positive! I hope that your symptoms will not get any worse and that you will recover very quickly. The timing is terrible, and I just really hope that your it will not be a big increased risk for you in whatever the course of action is going forward. You are in my thoughts. Did your parents get tested also?



@martaindale I have the same thing with shoes. My knees definitely tell me when it's time and it's usually about 300 miles for me too. I pushed it too long on this last pair and I am so relieved to have a new cushiony pair again and felt like I noticed a difference with my long run and faster run the day after.

HonuNui

December Goal Do something every day....

12/1 2.50
12/2 3.05 and deep mucked the chicken coop
12/3 1.35
12/4 4.06
12/5 1.00
12/6 4.05


Total 16.01
@quilteryoyo I am so sorry-as you say this is terrible timing. I hope your symptoms are mild....or NONE!