September 2021 Monthly Running Challenge

WhatMeRunning
WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
in Challenges
WARNING: Following this thread may be addictive; it gets very talkative...miss a day and you can be 50 posts behind. This is the most popular challenge on MFP. If you found us in the middle (or end) of the month, you're still very welcome to join in - no requirements or special invite needed. Once you post, that's it you're in. And yes, we do this every month.

You set your own pace and distance for the month. We will all be doing it together. This is your virtual running group to help keep you accountable, to enjoy a virtual post-run coffee with your fellow runners, and to make new friends and learn a few things.

This is a continuation from the August 2021 Monthly Running Challenge which can be found at:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10839732/august-2021-monthly-running-challenge/p1

Anyone can join in, new and old, and if you found this thread late, you can join in at any time.
We have members ranging from total beginners all the way to Boston Qualifiers and beyond. We are a friendly and encouraging bunch. You never need to be ashamed of your miles. If you are making the effort, you will find only support here.

Here are the details from last month that apply again:

Anybody want to join in for a running challenge? Set a goal here and update us every day. OPTIONAL: You can post your progress by creating a ticker at http://www.tickerfactory.com (if creating one seems difficult, or you're like me and can't be bothered, then just type in your daily miles in this thread).

You can run, walk, or do treadmill - just be consistent. Don't let the high (or low) goals of others intimidate you. Some do 25 miles, others do 50, some go higher than that, some do lower; it's entirely your goal and therefore completely up to you. We help motivate each other, so what do you say? If you're new to running, set a low goal. If you're from a part of the world where miles aren't your thing, log your distances in KMs. And if you'd rather log your progress by time rather than distance, then you're entirely free to do that as well.

Feel free to set your goal now but wait until September 1, 2021 to start logging your runs!

Also, don't forget to join our group which can be found at:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/21182-monthly-running-challenges
Bookmark the previous and past challenges: https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10393468/current-past-challenges#latest
Find a small group of runners that encourage and offer food support:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10573619/runners-that-need-some-nutritional-accountability#latest

Note: we also have a group on Strava and Facebook.

After you run, come into this thread and post what you did (don't forget to hit the star in the upper right corner to bookmark this thread). Simply keep a running tally of what you've done this month, and interact with the others. Many folks come in here and chit-chat it up, even on their rest days or while recouping from injury. This is a very social group and we talk about many things (sometimes even about running). It's a very friendly bunch here so don't be afraid to say hi (even if this is your first time), talk about a recent or up-coming race, ask questions, provide answers, or just lurk-n-learn. Participation is what makes this group successful.

Not quite sure how to log your runs? Follow the examples of many other challenge members. Even take a peek at last month's thread (posted above).


*******OPTIONAL TICKER*************
Info on tickers since I know there will be questions. Sign up for an account at http://www.tickerfactory.com and create your ticker. Then you need to update it after you finish a run and post it here. Here is what you will need to do.

After setting up your ticker, you will need to make note of the weblink they give you so you can return. An example would be:

http://www.tickerfactory.com/exercise/w6K1EiX/ <<<< the last part will be a part of the image link (explained below) that will be supplied to you after you initially create your link.

When you return to TickerFactory with the weblink, go to your settings page. Make sure you type your PIN in that you set when you created your ticker account. Then, where it says "Your current cumulative value", there is an add button. Simply add the distance that you just did, and the cumulative value automatically changes. Then hit next.

After adding your new miles (or KMs) to your ticker, you need to post it here.

After you hit next, it will give you a bunch of codes suggesting how to display your ticker.
Use the one at the bottom where it says Direct Image URL:

It will look something like:
http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/w6K1EiX/exercise.png

To display that correctly in your post, make sure you place the image (img) tags around that link. So it will look something like the following (but removing the spaces in the img tags):

[ img ] http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/w6K1EiX/exercise.png [ /img ]

^^^^^^^ Don't forget to remove the spaces between the brackets ^^^^^^^^^^

Some key things to pay attention to when posting your ticker:
Use the link that ends in .png
Remember the [ img] and [ /img] tags go in between the link
Remove the spaces in the img tags before posting
YES, there is a / in the second /img tag

By the way, everyone here should consider themselves a runner no matter how fast or slow. There's no judgment, we all started somewhere. And no comparisons, except with your former self. Don't compare your Chapter 1 to somebody else’s Chapter 20.

“I often hear someone say I’m not a real runner. We are all runners, some just run faster than others. I never met a fake runner.” – Bart Yasso

“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” – Confucius

"We all know that if you run, you are pretty much choosing a life of success because of it.” – Deena Kastor

“Most people run a race to see who is fastest. I run a race to see who has the most guts.” – Steve Prefontaine

“Get going … walk if you have to, but finish the damned race.” – Ron Hill

"If you run, you are a runner. It doesn’t matter how fast or how far. It doesn’t matter if today is your first day or if you’ve been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run." - John Bingham

Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay on track.
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Replies

  • kgirlhart
    kgirlhart Posts: 5,154 Member
    My plan has 95 miles for September, so that will be my goal. @RunsOnEspresso I would have to add an extra mile. 😁
    Thanks for setting us up @WhatMeRunning !
  • Tramboman
    Tramboman Posts: 2,482 Member
    150 k again. Thank you for setting us up, @WhatMeRunning !!!
  • RunsOnEspresso
    RunsOnEspresso Posts: 3,218 Member
    kgirlhart wrote: »
    My plan has 95 miles for September, so that will be my goal. @RunsOnEspresso I would have to add an extra mile. 😁
    Thanks for setting us up @WhatMeRunning !

    I am so tempted. But I probably won't get to 174 🤣
  • quilteryoyo
    quilteryoyo Posts: 6,446 Member
    Glad to see you back @noblsheep ! I was just thinking about you yesterday and wondering what was going on with you.
  • julieannegannon
    julieannegannon Posts: 42 Member
    Put me in for 40 miles this month.
  • swenson19d
    swenson19d Posts: 789 Member
    edited August 2021
    @WhatMeRunning Oh man, sorry to hear about the PF. You think it's weight, shoes, too much too soon AKA embracing to much suck (haha), muscle imbalances? Luckily, I've not had it, but did have the pleasure of shin splints. Have you tried a podiatrist?
    I sent you a FR. I need some help/support getting back on an acceptable diet. Your progress is admirable. I get winded just walking a short distance and my rod leg now cramps with minimal exertion. I am hoping it is just weakness. Dude 63 pound loss is AMAZING! Congratulations.
    Please ask all the silly questions. -what color is your pet?-
    I am not creative enough to come up with a game, perhaps change a word add a word? Who's gonna start?

    Where's @T1DCarnivoreRunner ? and @karl Lundy... can't remember his MFP name. and @ juliette ugh forgot that too, the Canadian fella?

    ETA Im so inspired, Im gonna shuck my jammies and go for a short walk.
  • WhatMeRunning
    WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
    edited August 2021
    @swenson19d - I have seen Karl Lundy (and many other prior regulars) on Strava and often wonder if they will post here again. :smile: I do see that a number of them are doing other activities now (a lot of cycling). I give them kudos on their activities, and a few have even given kudos back on mine. But that's about all I know in most cases for everyone. Maybe if you, @7lenny7, @noblsheep and I all start posting here more often we will start a wave of returning members? Could you imagine the levels of chatter if that happened between these current super-chatty members and that old group of wind-bags? :lol:

    As for my thoughts on the cause of PF, there too many very real possibilities. That said, when I tested it with some one mile runs causing it to flare up again, I noticed discomfort in two additional areas which made connections to two prior injuries. One to a foot injury back in 2016, one I always blamed on those danged Hoka Stinsons when I first tested them on a trail run and fell about six or seven times within the first mile! At that time I knew it was either a strain with fascia or a broken foot, and regardless required resting it for at least 6 weeks, which I did. The other connection was prior to that in 2015 when I briefly felt some very minor discomfort in my achilles (same foot). That one was alleviated by taking a week or so off and then coming back carefully. So it looks like I may have always had an underlying issue trying to surface that I just so happened to really aggravate this time around. I have not been to a podiatrist. I have a physical coming up in September where I will ask my primary about it and see where he points me.

    I tend to bumble around with ideas that I think are absolutely freaking brilliant based on my own extensive research/experience and either luck into something that works, or it backfires spectacularly. But if I can help out in any way, feel free to ask any questions (no such things as stupid questions, only questions that might make us laugh more than others, which are usually the best questions ultimately, and we could all use a good laugh once in a while).

    Most of our pets right now are green, but that is because we are in between animals here (the kids make this house unsuitable for proper animal raising to our standards). My wife, who could never get any sort of vegetation to grow, let alone stay alive for more than a week (and I mean anything), has suddenly grown a green thumb and has officially been dubbed "The crazy plant lady". While none of these plants are "mine" I enjoy supporting the "plant-mama" in her efforts. Some day a lucky animal will find us at the right time though.

    ETA - Yep, I'm going for a walk too (but have to do this upcoming meeting first)!
  • jenniferlsk
    jenniferlsk Posts: 4 Member
    Goal of 135-153 miles.
  • Tramboman
    Tramboman Posts: 2,482 Member
    kkay2345 wrote: »
    I am joining this challenge for the first time! I have been mostly walking, but I am going to start Couch to 5K this week. My goal is to get 100 walking/running miles in for the month of September!

    exercise.png

    Welcome!!!!
  • WhatMeRunning
    WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
    Welcome @kkay2345 and @jenniferlsk
  • WhatMeRunning
    WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
    edited August 2021
    @shanaber and @skippygirlsmom were all vets here when I first started. @kgirlhart and @katharmonic have been here as long as I have as well, maybe longer (definitelylonger considering I took over 3 years off). I don't think I joined my first running challenge until probably August 2014 ish.

    Now if I could just get back to double digit mileage! 🤪
  • RunsOnEspresso
    RunsOnEspresso Posts: 3,218 Member
    I've been here off and on since the beginning or close to it. It's been so long I can't even remember 🤣 Pre celiac diagnosis which was early 2015.
  • shanaber
    shanaber Posts: 6,423 Member
    edited August 2021
    Thanks @WhatMeRunning for setting this up for us for September. I am in for 50 this month. Would love to do more but I am going to try to keep my runs shorter this month, 5-6 miles or so.

    @7lenny7 and @swenson19d - I have been in since sometime in early 2014...
    Who was the lawyer who had all the running shoes? He has come back a few times reinvented with a new name each time... I think his old one was LoneWolf or something. @ddmom0811 was an OG as well as @CodeMonkey78 and @Runningmischka and @_nikkiwolf_. I am Instagram friends with @fabnine and still see her pop up there everyone in a while. I often still wonder what ever happened with @CodeMonkey78. He had a blog for a while and was so inspirational running with all the physical obstacles he had to manage.

    I have to say I was fairly new to running had maybe been running 2 years and this group kept me going. I had a bout with PF in the summer of 2014 and I am pretty sure I would have just given up running if not for all the advice and support I found from everyone in the running challenge.

    I will come back and answer the monthly questions, need to post my runs in the current month and catch up there! That is something that has not changed over the years - that we are very talkative and the thread moves fast. All the newbies need to just jump in, ask questions, add comments, join in the conversations!
  • RunsOnEspresso
    RunsOnEspresso Posts: 3,218 Member
    @shanaber Oh, lonewolf is on Instagram. Or was. Haven't seen much from him in awhile
  • swenson19d
    swenson19d Posts: 789 Member
    @shanaber oh I forgot about @Runningmischka ! She was so cute running pregnant. Bet that adorable baby became center of her world. @codemonkey78 had a mysterious condition last I/we heard from him. His heart would stop and I think so many were uncomfortable supporting him running until he got more info from the doc, I think he got a bit peeved over being told to stop running. Wasn’t that the guy Shana?
  • shanaber
    shanaber Posts: 6,423 Member
    swenson19d wrote: »
    @shanaber oh I forgot about @Runningmischka ! She was so cute running pregnant. Bet that adorable baby became center of her world. @codemonkey78 had a mysterious condition last I/we heard from him. His heart would stop and I think so many were uncomfortable supporting him running until he got more info from the doc, I think he got a bit peeved over being told to stop running. Wasn’t that the guy Shana?
    @swenson19d - I know he had a lot of issues... I don't remember a heart condition specifically but I do remember people suggesting maybe he should reduce his mileage a bit and give his body a rest. I think he was really afraid if he stopped he wouldn't be able to do it any longer. It was weird though how he had the blog for a while and then just disappeared. I don't have the blog bookmarked any longer so it must have been on an earlier laptop. I will poke around and see if I can find it tomorrow. I thought he had something degenerative in his spine or with his vertebrae or something like that...🤷🏻‍♀️
    @rheddmobile - I will look for him there - thanks!

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