May 2021 Monthly Running Challenge
Replies
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@shanaber Congratulations on winning the shoes! That's awesome sauce.
@pfeiferlindsey Sorry about your frustrating day, but glad the run helped alleviate it somewhat.
Sounds like a nice run @yirara !
I got to see my cousin today - the one I am the POA for. It's the first time I've laid eyes on him in over a year. We were able to visit for about 45 minutes. He seems to be doing well now, but boy has he aged. Look like he aged a whole lot more than a year. The Assisted Living Facility manager filled out her part of the new VA form I have to submit to try to get him more aid. She said, the good news is that, if he gets it, they will pay back from the date he entered the facility, not the new date I file. So, that is good news.
Then, on the way home, we passed a neighbor who was walking out the road with her son. We stopped and chatted a minute. I haven't seen her in a while either. Again, I thought she was looking really old....she's younger than me. I told mom everyone is looking so old today and asked her if I had aged a lot this year. Not to her, but of course she wouldn't notice since she see's me every day. It was just a strange coincidence, I guess.5 -
I haven't posted an update on my runs for a bit so thought I would get it done. I had an amazing run on Monday where everything clicked and my overall pace showed improvement and nothing hurt. Today not so much even though I had great expectations. It started out good but by the time I was turning around my hamstring started talking at me, then my calves and hamstring started cramping and eventually I ended up walking the final mile + home. I was so frustrated with myself that I was in tears. I really have to focus on getting in my PT exercises and stretches everyday even when I am bored with them and just not interested in getting them done. Friday will be a better run.
One issue I have been noticing is I am having problems getting my breathing right. It feels like I am breathing so hard even when I am running easy and often I feel like I just can't catch my breath even when I slow to a walk and then I have to stop. I don't feel like I am running too fast, it is just such a weird feeling that I don't think I have experienced before. Anyone have any tips or tricks to get my breathing together again?
Date.........Miles........Total
05/01.......4.46.........4.46
05/02.......0.00.........4.46
05/03.......3.63.........8.09 + Agility
05/04.......0.00.........8.09
05/05.......3.50.......11.59 - Walk/Hike/Run
05/06.......0.00.......11.59
05/07.......0.00.......11.59 - Extra Rest Day
05/08.......6.34.......17.93
05/09.......0.00.......17.93
05/10.......4.90.......22.83 + Agility
05/11.......0.00.......22.83
05/12.......3.38.......26.21 + Walk/Hike
05/13.......0.00.......26.21
05/14.......6.50.......32.71
05/15.......5.91.......38.62
05/16.......0.00.......38.62
05/17.......5.72.......44.34 + Agility
05/18.......0.00.......44.34
05/19.......5.93.......50.27
2021 Run the Year Team - LeftRightLeftRepeat 343.03/1256 miles (running and walking)
2021 Planned and Completed Races
03/13/21 - March of the Dogs Virtual 10k
04/26/21 - Scooby-Doo Virtual 10k
09/11/21 - Surf City Half Marathon (rescheduled)6 -
One issue I have been noticing is I am having problems getting my breathing right. It feels like I am breathing so hard even when I am running easy and often I feel like I just can't catch my breath even when I slow to a walk and then I have to stop. I don't feel like I am running too fast, it is just such a weird feeling that I don't think I have experienced before. Anyone have any tips or tricks to get my breathing together again?
I get this when I’m all twisted up - seems logical that while your leg is playing up your back is possibly also jammed as a consequence. This means your diaphragm can’t work fully, resulting in that feeling of not being able to catch you breath. I’d recommend seeing an osteopath or chiropractor or having a massage, or at the very least, foam rolling your back and ribs and doing lots of twisting stretches/exercises to release the muscles around your diaphragm.7 -
ContraryMaryMary wrote: »One issue I have been noticing is I am having problems getting my breathing right. It feels like I am breathing so hard even when I am running easy and often I feel like I just can't catch my breath even when I slow to a walk and then I have to stop. I don't feel like I am running too fast, it is just such a weird feeling that I don't think I have experienced before. Anyone have any tips or tricks to get my breathing together again?
I get this when I’m all twisted up - seems logical that while your leg is playing up your back is possibly also jammed as a consequence. This means your diaphragm can’t work fully, resulting in that feeling of not being able to catch you breath. I’d recommend seeing an osteopath or chiropractor or having a massage, or at the very least, foam rolling your back and ribs and doing lots of twisting stretches/exercises to release the muscles around your diaphragm.
^^ this. Also, I find yoga helps tremendously with my breathing while running. I don't need to actually focus on controlling my breathing anymore, it happens automatically as soon as the going starts to get hard. Working on opening my chest and releasing tension there helps too, stress and tension seem to make me hunch up and as soon as that happens my lungs seem to struggle.5 -
eleanorhawkins wrote: »ContraryMaryMary wrote: »One issue I have been noticing is I am having problems getting my breathing right. It feels like I am breathing so hard even when I am running easy and often I feel like I just can't catch my breath even when I slow to a walk and then I have to stop. I don't feel like I am running too fast, it is just such a weird feeling that I don't think I have experienced before. Anyone have any tips or tricks to get my breathing together again?
I get this when I’m all twisted up - seems logical that while your leg is playing up your back is possibly also jammed as a consequence. This means your diaphragm can’t work fully, resulting in that feeling of not being able to catch you breath. I’d recommend seeing an osteopath or chiropractor or having a massage, or at the very least, foam rolling your back and ribs and doing lots of twisting stretches/exercises to release the muscles around your diaphragm.
^^ this. Also, I find yoga helps tremendously with my breathing while running. I don't need to actually focus on controlling my breathing anymore, it happens automatically as soon as the going starts to get hard. Working on opening my chest and releasing tension there helps too, stress and tension seem to make me hunch up and as soon as that happens my lungs seem to struggle.
^^This and this...
I do try to control my breathing. For easy runs I try to inhale for three strides and exhale for three strides. For regular runs I try to inhale for two strides and exhale for two strides. For tempo runs I try to inhale for two strides and exhale for one stride.
If nothing else, it keeps your mind on your breathing and off everything else that's going on with your body.5 -
Yes @shanaber, I have found running tall without hunching over allows easier breathing. And I know it's easier said than done, but relaxing and slowing your breath down helps too.
6.5 miles this morning. Pretty good run for starting out at close to 10 min pace for the first mile. Legs / calf didn't hurt at all, despite not taking my usual pre-run Advil (I know, that's a mortal sin. But I got into the habit. Going to try to break that cycle). Did fartleks during each mile, trying to stretch them out longer every time. Ended up averaging 8:52/mi.
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@shanaber Glad you had one good run. Hope getting the PT exercises done will improve things for tomorrow.
Great run @Scott6255 !
I had great plans for today, but they have been waylaid by daycare desperately needing a sub. I'm not going in until noon, but have to take mom to get some plants for her garden this morning, so will have to run (if I do) after I get home this evening. We'll see.3 -
pfeiferlindsey wrote: »pfeiferlindsey wrote: »pfeiferlindsey wrote: »pfeiferlindsey wrote: »pfeiferlindsey wrote: »pfeiferlindsey wrote: »pfeiferlindsey wrote: »pfeiferlindsey wrote: »pfeiferlindsey wrote: »pfeiferlindsey wrote: »pfeiferlindsey wrote: »pfeiferlindsey wrote: »pfeiferlindsey wrote: »pfeiferlindsey wrote: »pfeiferlindsey wrote: »Morning all!
In for another 100 miles this month. Stretch goal will be 110 miles, but have a lot planned this month, so we'll see if I can squeak that out.
May 1 - 3.09 miles
Total for May - 3.09 miles
May Goal - 100 miles
Miles to go - 96.91 milespfeiferlindsey wrote: »Morning all!
In for another 100 miles this month. Stretch goal will be 110 miles, but have a lot planned this month, so we'll see if I can squeak that out.
May 1 - 3.09 miles
Total for May - 3.09 miles
May Goal - 100 miles
Miles to go - 96.91 miles
Ha, I should have waited until after my run to post everything, but oh well.
May 2 - 6.43 miles
Total for May - 9.52 miles
May Goal - 100 miles
Miles to go - 90.48 miles
Miss a day and you miss so much!!
@quilteryoyo - You totally got it! Look forward to hearing all about the training and experience.
May 4 - 5.11 miles
Total for May - 14.63 miles
May Goal - 100 miles
Miles to go - 85.37 miles
Yesterday in a t-shirt, this morning in long sleeves and probably should have worn gloves. Come on warmer weather!
May 5 -4.47 miles
Total for May - 19.1 miles
May Goal - 100 miles
Miles to Go - 80.9 miles
@martaindale - I promise you I want that sweet spot of not needing gloves/tights/long sleeves but not hot and humid.
Took my speed work to the track today. Five, four minute tempo intervals with recovery in between. Felt really good.
May 6 - 3.61 miles
Total for May - 22.71 miles
May Goal - 100 miles
Miles to go - 77.29 miles
May 7 - 3.13 miles
Total for May -25.84 miles
May Goal - 100 miles
Miles to go - 74.16 miles
First double digit run in over a year!!
May 9 - 10.04 miles
Total for May - 35.88 miles
May Goal - 100 miles
Miles to go - 64.12 miles
Just an easy 10K to start the day.
May 11 - 6.28 miles
Total for May - 42.16 miles
May Goal - 100 miles
Miles to go - 57.84 miles
Had another opportunity to run with my husband today and really enjoyed it as we don't get to do it often.
May 12-4.36 miles
Total for May - 46.52 miles
May Goal - 100 miles
Miles to go - 53.48 miles
May 13 - 3.11 miles
Total for May - 49.63 miles
May Goal - 100 miles
Miles to Go - 50.37 miles
May 15 - 6.22 miles
Total for May - 55.85 miles
May Goal - 100 miles
Miles to go - 44.15 miles
Note to self...don't try to run long less than 24 hours after donating blood. Did get a nice 4 mile run in though.
May 16 - 4 miles
Total for May - 59.85 miles
May Goal - 100 miles
Miles to go - 40.15 miles
@skippygirlsmom - I totally know better too.
@ quilteryoyo - Thanks, feel much better today.
Much better today. Wanted to get a Monday run in since tomorrow and Wednesday are iffy with weather (calling for thunderstorms).
May 17 - 4 miles
Total for May - 63.85 miles
May Goal - 100 miles
Miles to go - 36.15 miles
Short 5K to beat the rain today.
May 18 - 3.11 miles
Total for May - 66.96 miles
May Goal - 100 miles
Miles to go - 33.04 miles
3.29 miles to get out some frustration today.
May 19 - 3.29 miles
Total for May - 70.25 miles
May Goal - 100 miles
Miles to go - 29.75 miles
I may make my stretch goal of 110 miles for May
And...today makes day 6 of running. Tomorrow is a recovery day thank goodness.
May 20 - 3.11 miles
Total for May - 73.36 miles
May Goal - 100 miles
Miles to go - 26.64 miles
Stretch Goal - 110 miles
Miles until stretch goal - 36.64 miles8 -
@shanaber - On the breathing, hopefully it's nothing and temporary, but could be worth checking out because my dad reported a sudden change in his cardio ability which he simply chalked up to being fatigued and spent weeks resting and not being able to come back. Wound up being a pulmonary embolism and he lost that portion of his lung capacity permanently. Probably not the same (I sure hope not) but you need to know early if that is the case.
I feel ya on getting the PT done. I was/am the same way (time will tell if I can really say "was" and have it stick). Historically, if I took the time to do any exercise at all, it was running. Any extra time for other exercise just seemed to get in the way of life and I would rather spend that time running. I mean, what could possibly make me a better runner than just running, right?
The other workouts I do are Yoga (just stretches and isometric holds), walks and strength. All of those are done solely to assist me with running (OK, maybe 75% for running, 25% for the other benefits). For example I'm not shooting to become a Yoga master or a Body Builder. But I make sure to work all of my core and leg muscles out for every type of movement, which in the end are required for running in some manner. For example, for legs I make sure to hit everything; hammys, quads, glutes, calfs, adductors, abductors. When planning and performing those workouts I think about my upcoming runs and how it will help me on my runs. While running I may even notice changes where I thank myself for having done those things.
Everyone is different so I have no clue if this helps at all, but if so I am happy to share that info with you because I understand how much people like us focus on running and feel a primal urge to be able to do it. Do it for running if nothing else.
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5/1 - 3.14
5/2 - 3.34
5/4 – 3.22
5/6 – 3.11
5/9 – 3.27
5/11 – 3.2
5/12 – 1.11 walking pups
5/13 – 3.26
5/14 – 1.30 walking pups
5/14 – 1.52 hike with Champ
5/15 – 5.02 miles trail walking
5/16 – 3.20 miles
5/18 – 3.11 – all running now walking
5/20 – 3.02 – all running
40.82 of 50 miles
Trying to catch up
So happy I’ll get a small break at work, things have been crazy. On a happy note, 5/18 my girl Skip turned 21, hard to believe. We went out for a birthday run which I thought okay I can walk/run 2.1 but I felt good and ran 3.1 instead…all running I was so excited.
@pfeiferlindsey we always KNOW better, but that never stops us LOL Recovery days are nice especially after 6 days of running.
@katharmonic you’re doing a great job of getting those HMs in.
Thank you @quilteryoyo you are so sweet. Glad you finally got to see your cousin.
@Tramboman you are an inspiration, isn’t it a boost when someone calls it out to you! Love it. Adjustable is good, yay for looking both ways painfree
@penguinmama87 my daughter ran XC and T&F, both sports ever. She also ran XC in college.
@yirara my daughter swears by Higdon plans https://www.halhigdon.com/ she used it for her first marathon and is now using it for I’m not sure ha ha
Hope mom is better @rheddmobile
Free shoes!!! Go @shanaber!! @Teresa502 talk about a dream come true, my daughter is back working at Fleet Feet for the summer, they can take (for free) any returns. She came home the other day with a pair of Brooks that barely had dirt on the bottom. I said hhhmm I’m a size 8.
Races:
Jun 5 - Big Run 5K
November 14 – Battleship 12K
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5/2 - 5.66 mile 82 min easy effort
5/3 - 2.11 mile 30 min easy effort
5/4 - 2.15 mile 30 min easy effort
5/5 - 1.66 mile 20 min stamina effort
5/6 - 2.19 mile 30 min easy effort
5/7 - 2.17 mile 30 min easy effort
5/9 - 4.15 mile 60 min easy effort
5/10 - 3.46 mile 48 min easy effort
5/11 - 3.47 mile 48 min easy effort
5/12 - 2.61 mile 32 min stamina effort
5/13 - 3.45 mile 48 min easy effort
5/17 - 3.20 mile 45 min easy effort
5/18 - 3.25 mile 45 min easy effort
5/19 - 2.36 mile 30 min (15 tempo, 15 easy)
5/20 - 3.20 mile 45 min easy effort
May total: 45.09 miles
May goal: 95 miles4 -
5-1 7k moderate
5-2 5k tempo
5-3 5k treadmill
5-4 4k moderate
5-5 5k treadmill
5-6 7k tempo
5-7 5k treadmill
5-8 5k treadmill
5-9 5k treadmill
5-10 rest
5-11 7k tempo
5-12 6k moderate
5-13 rest
5-14 7k tempo
5-15 7k threshold
5-16 7k tempo
5-17 rest
5-18 7k threshold
5-19 rest
5-20 rest
May Total: 89k
May Goal: 150k
Regularly scheduled golf day today. Since I played well, I'm not too unhappy. Another visit to the chiro scheduled today -- can't remember the last time my back didn't hurt after two straight days of golf.
When you pop in here claiming your December 2021 mileage, what accomplishments will you have made?
PUT THE FUN BACK IN THE RUN!
Return to a good running weight of 175 lbs (second attempt)
2021 Races:
6/26 Direction Up 5k, Solon, OH
9/18 5k Run and Roll, Aurora, OH5 -
Thanks everyone for all the breathing suggestions. I am going to be working them into my workouts, running and otherwise. And yes, I am going to do those strength/stretching workouts! I even set up a schedule and a plan now to see if I can keep with it!
@ContraryMaryMary - I might look into getting a massage if they have opened back up but getting in to see a physiotherapist would require a doctor's referral. I might look for a chiropractor though, I don't think I need a referral for that.
@WhatMeRunning I used to do my non-running workouts religiously, going to the gym to workout with a trainer and when he wasn't available doing it on my own. I continued doing it on my own at home when everything shut down but then I just got bored with myself I guess and did less and less.
@quilteryoyo - hope you can find time for yourself later today and get a little run in. You do so much for everyone else in your life!
@skippygirlsmom - Skip can't be 21! I remember when she was what 14 or 15 (younger?) and starting HS maybe? and thinking about XC. Gah... it just means I have been hanging around here too long 😂
No run planned today but have my workout scheduled to get going in just a little bit here.6 -
6.5 mile run, average pace of 8:34 min per mile and 252 feet of Elevation.
May cumulative:
66.6/100 miles
8,843/10,000 feet of elevation5 -
@skippygirlsmom - so Skip being 21 made me start thinking about when I first joined the challenge. The earliest page I can still get to is October 2014 and it was before that (I started running in 2011). It was interesting/sad to see some of the names who were so active for so long... @LoneWolfRunner, @CodeMonkey78, @Runningmischka and so many others! Wonder what you all are doing these days - still running? @Runningmischka daughter must be growing up too!4
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So sorry to hear about your mom @rheddmobile.
Welcome @yirara!
@shanaber Free shoes! Awesome! Like @scott6255 I usually doubt the prize is real.
@WhatMeRunning I hear you on the humidity. It just saps me completely.1 -
It's so cool to see all the responses to everyone's questions here! Only runner's truly understand some of these things.
I am currently at 129.54 miles for the month against 200 goal so I may miss the mileage goal but I am really quite happy with my pace and quality of runs lately. Also the diet changes I have made seem to be helping a LOT with my blood pressure being higher than I would like and chest pains. As a runner it always seemed to me in maintenance that he who could eat the most wins. But in reality it actually does matter WHAT you eat. So I know in the losing phase it's important to make sure the CICO math works and macros/what we eat are 2nd fiddle but in my world it looks like I may look great on the outside but am slowly rotting from the inside..
One thing I would like to ask is if anyone gets pain between their shoulder blades upper back below the neck on longer runs. I try to be very aware of my posture but this is something which really just started as i upped my mileage this year. I am getting my first massage in years this weekend so I am hopeful they can unkink it some. It doesn't happy with shorter runs and I can lie flat and stretch it out. I am terrified of becoming that hump back elderly person which happened to both my parents and hope my bones are not disintegrating there.
Summer5 -
May total: 27.4 miles
5/1: 5.5 miles
5/3: 1 mile
5/6: 4.8 miles
5/8: 5 miles
5/13: 4.1 miles
5/18: 4 miles
5/19: 3 miles
It was pouring here when I woke up yesterday so I decided not to run. Got in the shower and by the time I was out, it had stopped and didn't rain again all morning. I totally could have gotten my run in before work! Luckily, the rain wrapped up before dinner so I got out for 3 miles before the next wave started.
My mileage has been low this month. I am probably setting myself up for a painful 8 miler this weekend. At least the scenery should be decent and the race coordinator said the course is in decent shape. I was worried with the storms that it might be a mess, but apparently it has held up ok.6 -
SummerSkier wrote: »
One thing I would like to ask is if anyone gets pain between their shoulder blades upper back below the neck on longer runs. I try to be very aware of my posture but this is something which really just started as i upped my mileage this year. I am getting my first massage in years this weekend so I am hopeful they can unkink it some. It doesn't happy with shorter runs and I can lie flat and stretch it out. I am terrified of becoming that hump back elderly person which happened to both my parents and hope my bones are not disintegrating there.
Summer
I get this sometimes on longer runs and mine is 100% posture/muscle fatigue. Over a long run I usually have to tell myself to stand up straight a few times. I just sort of slouch over as I get tired. Also, I noticed some of my sports bras are worse for this. Wider straps and less of a strict racerback seem to help me. Ones that come in tight across my upper shoulders into a thin racerback seems to put pressure in the wrong places and make by neck and shoulders hurt.2 -
@shanaber I've been on MFP since 2013. I think on the running threads since Skip was about 15. Crazy how the time passes.2
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