February 2022 Monthly Running Challenge
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Feb totals: 60.3/110 miles
2/1: 4.5 miles
2/2: 7.6 miles
2/4: 4.4 miles
2/5: 9 miles
2/7: 4.6 miles
2/8: 5.6 miles
2/9: 3 miles
2/11: 6.4 miles
2/12: 10 miles
2/14: 5.2 miles
Recovery run today after work. It was in the low 60's; perfect shorts and tank weather. My upcoming race weekend should be about these temps so it was nice to get a reminder of how those temps feel. While I definitely prefer it colder, it's still nice!4 -
@shanaber @quilteryoyo Absolutely! Sometimes you kind of have to trick yourself into it at first. Just 1 mile, or half a mile, or 1 interval - whatever measure you use. Then at that point, tell yourself just 1 more. At some point you cross the halfway point then it feels pointless to stop! Usually if I do this I end up finishing whatever my planned run was supposed to be.
Also, put your runs on your calendar. Not just the run, but the mileage or time you want to do. There is something about having it be scheduled that makes me feel more accountability to get it done.3 -
@marisap2010 awesome job on your 15k! Fantastic PR and age group win!
Great job in some tough conditions @ContraryMaryMary! You did it!
@Teresa502 the hike looks very cool!
@quilteryoyo absolutely relating to your feelings of losing your running mojo, as evidenced by my report below. I agree with the advice above although it's a struggle for me to implement. Most days right now I'm just trying to get on the treadmill or out on the road and whatever I get I get. The hard part is getting out there. I'm thankful for my friends to meet up with but even that's been a tough sell for me these cold winter days. You can do it, you've got the perseverance and it will get easier again.
@emmamcgarity good to see you again. I hope things go well for your mom and good luck with your plan to get back on track. You've got this.
@polskagirl01 I have those same things but call them microspikes. Crampons to me would be a lot spikier like this:But yes, they are a huge help with traction. I find them very uncomfortable to run on and I get very tired of wearing them after hours of hiking and can't wait to take them off.
Date :::: Miles :::: Cumulative
02/01/22 :::: 0.0 :::: 0.0
02/02/22 :::: 3.1 :::: 3.1
02/03/22 :::: 2.4 :::: 5.5
02/04/22 :::: 0.0 :::: 5.5
02/05/22 :::: 0.0 :::: 5.5
02/06/22 :::: 4.0 :::: 9.5
02/07/22 :::: 1.8 :::: 11.3
02/08/22 :::: 3.0 :::: 14.3
02/09/22 :::: 3.1 :::: 17.3
02/10/22 :::: 2.0 :::: 19.4
02/11/22 :::: 0.0 :::: 19.4
02/12/22 :::: 7.2 :::: 26.6
02/13/22 :::: 0.0 :::: 26.6
02/14/22 :::: 1.9 :::: 28.5
So no run yesterday. For no great reason other than it was cold and I wanted to sleep in and go out to breakfast. And not run in the freezing cold. Today was super cold again. I ran on the treadmill before strength class. Per usual, did not get there early enough to get more miles. But it's something.5 -
Thanks for the warm welcome back everyone! I did manage to get out last night and walked 4.3 miles. Ran 0.85 miles. For as little as I have been running lately, I’ve just been tacking on a half mile jog home at the end of some of my walks. (About twice per week I add the jog. Most days I just walk 2-4 miles). I’m planning to increase my running mileage a fraction of a mile at a time. Tonight I’m resting. Long day at work and I’m sleepy.
@quilteryoyo i can relate to losing your running mojo. I hope you find a strategy that works for you soon.4 -
@katharmonic Those look like climbing crampons for glacier hiking or actual mountain climbing. I saw people with climbing gear (ropes etc) wearing these in the bigger (Tatry) mountains further east. I wasn't sure what to call mine - leaning towards "hiking crampons". "Microspikes" seems correct as well. (And I found out that I also have "nanospikes", which are similar in function to screw shoes and are good on icy sidewalks. I didn't know what to call them either.)
These authors even referred to Yaktrax as "coiled crampons":
http://www.popularmechanics.com/adventure/outdoor-gear/g35336992/best-crampons-for-hiking/
So as far as I can tell, its either a general term with lots of other more specific names to clarify, OR maybe the ones you posted are the real original crampons and all of these other companies started making wanna-be versions for other activities, haha. (Also in Polish there are 2 terms that people seem to be using interchangeably, even though I'd expect one of them to be more like the picture you shared.)
OK maybe that's more info than anyone wanted!
Yaktrax have gotten a lot of good recommendations here though, so for most icy road-running, they're probably your best bet!
@quilteryoyo and others - I'm so glad I'm not the only one struggling lately. I go back & forth from feeling good and wanting to go do all of my runs, to getting another stupid cold that lasts longer than I'm used to, and then not even wanting to get out of bed... which seems to be a downward spiral where I start feeling depressed and then am not sure when and how to actually get back out there. Being signed up for a race helped this time as it forced me to go out. Otherwise I just have to do what was recommended above: lay out gear, set alarm and force myself to at least start the run. If the excuses are valid, I tend to cut it short after that first mile or whatever, but usually I'll keep going. Once I can break the "lazy cycle", the running endorphins etc seem to help keep the activity going. Currently I'm feeling good, so trying to be reasonable!4 -
"Keepin' it sleasy since 1952"
2-1 4k treadmill
2-2 7k easy
2-3 4k treadmill
2-4 4k treadmill
2-5 4k treadmill
2-6 7k slow
2-7 rest
2-8 7k sleasy
2-9 4k slow
2-10 rest
2-11 7k sleasy
2-12 7k sleasy
2-13 5k treadmill
2-14 4k treadmill
2-15 7k sleasy
February Total: 71k
February Goal: 140k
Sunny with little wind and a temperature in the low single digits F; the car thermometer fluctuated between 1 and 4 degrees on the way back from the chiro, depending on if we were in a low spot or a higher spot. Despite that, heard sparrows, cardinals, crows, bluejays, and a lonely robin and red winged blackbird.
@quilteryoyo Your running mojo is not lost -- it's just hiding!!! Keep in mind you're doing what 99+ percent of your contemporaries cannot do. I second all the suggestions so far, and would add that something is always better than nothing. Every exercise has benefits -- whether it's running, walking, stretching, hiking, climbing, biking, swimming, playing tennis, yoga-ing, or anything else under the sun.7 -
Goal - 40 miles
Stretch Goal - 50 miles
2/2 - 3.67
2/5 - 3.71
2/7 - 4.27
2/9 - 4.92
2/11 - 5.40 (new PDR!)
2/14 - 3.25
Total - 25.22
Upcoming 5K race 2/26 - First one in 3 years. My only goal is to finish without walking, but it's all hills/inclines so we'll see.5 -
Goal - 40 miles
Stretch Goal - 50 miles
2/2 - 3.67
2/5 - 3.71
2/7 - 4.27
2/9 - 4.92
2/11 - 5.40 (new PDR!)
2/14 - 3.25
Total - 25.22
Upcoming 5K race 2/26 - First one in 3 years. My only goal is to finish without walking, but it's all hills/inclines so we'll see.
Don't forget every uphill has a corresponding downhill...6 -
Hey been a few days since I checked in. New shoes are awesome, I have to get another pair! Wore an old pair today and got a few niggles again. I didn't get them in the new shoes. Given the old shoes are a year old, I'm happy. I had 3 pairs in rotation. Now I need to spread out the purchases a bit haha.
Didn't manage any running over the weekend, too tired. Back to things though. Did a time trial yesterday, managed a mile in 8:21. I think that's OK? Long way off the 4 min mile though haha.
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Big HUGS @quilteryoyo
Try not to stress too much about losing your running mojo. You are such a positive person, I know you will bounce back soon. But if that passion for running somehow doesn't come back, that is fine too. Sometimes life will take hold, and you may decide running isn't your thing anymore (or for a while). You are still very active, and as long as you are not sleeping on the couch all day, you will be ok.
Also, since you have had Covid (twice), that may be part of the cause. I've read that chronic fatigue could be a long lasting symptom.
Hang in there!!!!!3 -
Sometimes it helps to have specific goals or races you are working towards. In 20 and 21 I set mileage goals which helped keep me going. This year I have dialed back the miles some but have very specific goals regarding pace.
I admit some days it’s very hard to get out the door but running before work has always helped usually by the end of a mile or a little more I find a rhythm and always it takes me almost three to feel able to really RUN! Injury also helps me because then I always miss running.
This community always inspires me. 👏👏👏👏6 -
6 miles this evening. Didn't feel like battling 30mph wind, and I needed to do an easy recovery pace. So opted for the treadmill to control the speed.
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February Goal: 30 Miles
2/6: 2.26 miles
2/8: 3.32 miles
2/9: 3.20 miles
2/10: 3.20 miles
2/13: 6.35 miles
2/15: 4.51 miles
22.84/30 miles completed for February
I got out for 4.5 miles this morning. It was windy, but otherwise pretty nice. The moon was really pretty. I felt really good too. I am finally starting to feel like myself again.I never get very good pictures of the moon, but it was so pretty this morning that I had to try.
@quilteryoyo I agree with the advice you have already received. I also find it helps me to have scheduled run days. I will occasionally switch runs around because of weather or other obligations that I can't change, but I try not to if I can help it. You are very active and if you would rather walk for awhile instead of running there is nothing wrong with doing that. It's not like you are just camped out on the couch eating chocolates all day long.
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Feb totals: 63.3/110 miles
2/1: 4.5 miles
2/2: 7.6 miles
2/4: 4.4 miles
2/5: 9 miles
2/7: 4.6 miles
2/8: 5.6 miles
2/9: 3 miles
2/11: 6.4 miles
2/12: 10 miles
2/14: 5.2 miles
2/15: 3 miles
I was scheduled for 400 m repeats but I knew my legs didn't have it in them today. Instead I went to a trail that goes around this lake in the back of the neighborhood. I would describe today's run as slard - slow and hard. I'm still glad I went out and experienced the trail and listened to how I was feeling. Skipping speed work was the right call.5 -
@polskagirl01 yes, there's definitely overlap in naming, and probably a spectrum of spikiness where a microspike becomes a crampon. I'm certainly no expert, I just read facebook hiking group posts
Date :::: Miles :::: Cumulative
02/01/22 :::: 0.0 :::: 0.0
02/02/22 :::: 3.1 :::: 3.1
02/03/22 :::: 2.4 :::: 5.5
02/04/22 :::: 0.0 :::: 5.5
02/05/22 :::: 0.0 :::: 5.5
02/06/22 :::: 4.0 :::: 9.5
02/07/22 :::: 1.8 :::: 11.3
02/08/22 :::: 3.0 :::: 14.3
02/09/22 :::: 3.1 :::: 17.3
02/10/22 :::: 2.0 :::: 19.4
02/11/22 :::: 0.0 :::: 19.4
02/12/22 :::: 7.2 :::: 26.6
02/13/22 :::: 0.0 :::: 26.6
02/14/22 :::: 1.9 :::: 28.5
02/15/22 :::: 3.0 :::: 31.5
I actually made it to the gym early enough this morning to get my run in before yoga. But as soon as I walked in I ran into a friend who I hadn't seen in a while and we talked for at least 15 minutes. So foiled again! But I did 1.5 miles before yoga and then 1.5 after to get to a more respectable total for the day.4 -
Feb goal: 100 km
2/2: 8 km
2/4: 5.1 km
2/5: 12.1 km
2/9: 7.3 km
2/11: 5.7 km
2/14: 13.8 km
2/16: 8.1 km
Total: 60.1 km
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2-1 4k treadmill
2-2 7k easy
2-3 4k treadmill
2-4 4k treadmill
2-5 4k treadmill
2-6 7k slow
2-7 rest
2-8 7k sleasy
2-9 4k slow
2-10 rest
2-11 7k sleasy
2-12 7k sleasy
2-13 5k treadmill
2-14 4k treadmill
2-15 7k sleasy
2-16 7k sleasy
February Total: 78k
February Goal: 140k
Hazy clouds, upper 30s F, and a gusty southeast wind. Was surrounded by birdsong all morning.
Today's full moon was called the Snow Moon by some northern indigenous peoples of North America.
The upcoming full moon on March 18th was called the Worm Moon. I consider them to be the last full moon of winter and the first full moon of spring, respectively. Today is also the day referred to in the Old Farmer's Almanac as the day "winter's back breaks." Couldn't happen to a nicer season.7 -
Nice running and everyone - even the slard runs are runs. Those are probably the hardest.
Thanks so much for all of the support and suggestions everyone. I'm so glad I am part of such a supportive group of awesome people. I love the idea @Tramboman that my mojo is just hiding from me and I'll find it again eventually. I'm thinking about wunning when I feel like it and have time, and walking when I don't, for the rest of this month and then see where I am. I had a good cry yesterday about all the things I am stressing about and have going on. That helped my mood a lot. I didn't get home until 7:00 last night, so walked only 1 mile on the treadmill. I am really glad that I have this streak going to help push myself to do something on days I'd rather lay on the couch and eat chocolate.
Beautiful picture of the moon @kgirlhart .
@Aine8046 Beautiful picture. Is that on your running route?9 -
My back decided to take winter's place I guess. Remind me to avoid bowling. Hopefully this just needs a rest day and I'll be fine.Today is also the day referred to in the Old Farmer's Almanac as the day "winter's back breaks." Couldn't happen to a nicer season.
@katharmonic after all of that hiking you've done, you're the closest to being an expert out of anyone here! I also learned today (podcast) that there are snowshoes designed especially for running and racing, so maybe @shanaber is on to something there, too. I'm ready for Spring, though!
I went out for a very "meh" 7-ish kilometer run. Planned a longer route but just wasn't feeling up to it. I don't know. I tried to just keep running, even at a slow pace, and my body was just like "nope, we're gonna walk right now". Afterwards, we took the kids bowling and I did something to my back. Hopefully no big deal, but I won't run tomorrow and see how it feels.5 -
@polskagirl01 Oh no. I hope a day of rest is all your back needs. Did you put ice on it? If you strained it, that's probably better than heat.0
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February Goal: 30 Miles
2/6: 2.26 miles
2/8: 3.32 miles
2/9: 3.20 miles
2/10: 3.20 miles
2/13: 6.35 miles
2/15: 4.51 miles
2/16: 5.15 miles
27.99/30 miles completed for February
I ran 5 miles this morning. I guess I am back to normal now. It was a good run. It was too windy for me at 20+ mph, but it was right at 60°F so I ran in shorts and a t-shirt. It was a little difficult at the beginning because I was running into the wind, but overall it was great. I felt good. I was still a little slow, but that could be the wind as much as anything.
@Aine8046 What a beautiful place to run!
@polskagirl01 I hope the back feels better quickly.
@quilteryoyo A good cry every now and then usually helps. That and maybe one chocolate. 😄
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That's why I had to give up bowling years ago...polskagirl01 wrote: »
My back decided to take winter's place I guess. Remind me to avoid bowling. Hopefully this just needs a rest day and I'll be fine.Today is also the day referred to in the Old Farmer's Almanac as the day "winter's back breaks." Couldn't happen to a nicer season.
@katharmonic after all of that hiking you've done, you're the closest to being an expert out of anyone here! I also learned today (podcast) that there are snowshoes designed especially for running and racing, so maybe @shanaber is on to something there, too. I'm ready for Spring, though!
I went out for a very "meh" 7-ish kilometer run. Planned a longer route but just wasn't feeling up to it. I don't know. I tried to just keep running, even at a slow pace, and my body was just like "nope, we're gonna walk right now". Afterwards, we took the kids bowling and I did something to my back. Hopefully no big deal, but I won't run tomorrow and see how it feels.0 -
71.58 out of 100 goal miles to date. 4.11 this morning. It was warm 61 deg f and humid 85% and the wind from the south was VERY strong. I realized why my pace is better in the winter because of my route a South wind is typically on many of the hills and at the end whereas a North wind pushes me up the hills and is at my back the last mile or so. So not a record run but I am pretty happy that I can stay under 10 min pace pretty easily these days. so progress.
@polskagirl01 I hope the back thing from bowling eases up quickly. Sounds like you have had your share of colds etc so injury is not something for the agenda too.
@kgirlhart I glimpsed the moon the other morning also before my run. It was so bright! Glad you are getting back to normal again.
Well back to work. Lunch break over....5 -
2/1 – 7.04 miles
2/2 – 3.11 miles
2/5 – 3.15 miles + 9.2 miles
2/7 – 5.18 miles
2/9 – 5.12 miles
2/10 – 3.21 miles + 3.19 miles
2/11 – 5.14 miles
2/15 – 5.31
2/16 – 5.16
Total – 55.13 miles
Add me to the struggle bus also. I think when the weather starts to warm up it will be easier for me to get outside, especially in the mornings before work. Like @polskagirl01, being signed up for a race is what got me out the door on Tuesday morning in the dark, by myself, in 19F. I like your exercise philosophy @tramboman. I have been doing other exercises in lieu of running so I don’t know why the running guilt has gotten me.
@emmamcgarity – It’s great to have you back with us and glad you are finding some time for yourself to get back into running. Sorry about your mom’s health. I hope the radiation kills all the cancer cells and she rebounds quickly.
@quilteryoyo – It’s probably just the angle of the camera that has me looking slimmer!
@Tramboman – All “crackerdog?” Please do explain!
What a beautiful place @Aine8046!
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@emmamcgarity, Welcome back!
@quilteryoyo, I’m sorry you are in a running rut. I think we’re all there at times. You’ve got some great positive thinking though.
I’ve had a few short runs the last few days, and last night’s was scrappy for sure. The weather was nice and warm today though, so I ran while hubby walked.
February miles: 35.69
47 day streak7 -
Two runs since last check in. First one was a trail run and since we planned to run easy, didn’t take medication, just relied on my watch and moderated running speed to keep my heart low. Very pleasant run, did 5k, little walk break, then an additional mile with no problems. Hoping to gradually return to doing 10k easy trail runs without heart issues.
Today was the moment of truth - one quarter dose beta blockers, would it work to keep my heart from going into supra-ventricular tachycardia without making it impossible for me to run fast by suppressing my heart rate? If you haven’t been following my medical drama, last week I tried half a dose and found that I wasn’t able to increase my heart rate above 138, which limited me to an easy pace and meant I found myself dropping to a walk on hills. Plus, afterwards, my legs felt trashed for two days due to lactic acid buildup due to lack of oxygen.
Today I tried half of half a dose. And… better. Not perfect by any means but I was able to push my pace a little bit, only had to drop to a walk twice, and my heart stayed steady. I was able to get it up to 154 which isn’t really high enough to sprint hard but is enough for a brief sprint at threshold pace and to get up and down hills without feeling like I’m dying. The main problem I still have is that my heart is constantly running a little slower than the demands on it, so if I get into an oxygen deficit, it’s not easy to climb back out. Can’t just slow down for a while to recover then start running hard again, I have to drop to a walk. But I think it’s possible that my body will adjust to this over time. And it felt SAFE pushing myself, which is something that hasn’t been true since this started in October. So, cautiously optimistic. I’m not going to be running at my previous race pace anytime soon, but I feel like I can return to training and improving.
Nice weather btw, 73 degrees (actually a little warm) but with crazy high winds.
We passed a tiny little boy learning to ride without training wheels for the first time. He had just turned his wheel too far and toppled, and his mom was helping him back up. We saw the fall from a distance and were expecting tears as we passed since he skinned his poor little arm, but his face was radiant! “I’m riding my bike!” he yelled as we went past, and my husband yelled, “I see that! You’re doing such a good job!” Such a happy little boy, he made my day!10 -
Ooh I can explain crackerdog! It’s a James Herriot reference! In “All Creatures Great and Small” Herriot is a vet, and one of his clients is an eccentric wealthy old lady with a Pekingese named Tricki Woo, and she describes his various ailments with colorful phrases. Going crackerdog means running around like an insane creature. Basically he would get overstimulated and run around in circles then have a seizure. So in this context it just means crazy.2/1 – 7.04 miles
2/2 – 3.11 miles
2/5 – 3.15 miles + 9.2 miles
2/7 – 5.18 miles
2/9 – 5.12 miles
2/10 – 3.21 miles + 3.19 miles
2/11 – 5.14 miles
2/15 – 5.31
2/16 – 5.16
Total – 55.13 miles
Add me to the struggle bus also. I think when the weather starts to warm up it will be easier for me to get outside, especially in the mornings before work. Like @polskagirl01, being signed up for a race is what got me out the door on Tuesday morning in the dark, by myself, in 19F. I like your exercise philosophy @tramboman. I have been doing other exercises in lieu of running so I don’t know why the running guilt has gotten me.
@emmamcgarity – It’s great to have you back with us and glad you are finding some time for yourself to get back into running. Sorry about your mom’s health. I hope the radiation kills all the cancer cells and she rebounds quickly.
@quilteryoyo – It’s probably just the angle of the camera that has me looking slimmer!
@Tramboman – All “crackerdog?” Please do explain!
What a beautiful place @Aine8046!
My mom has been watching the new series and recounting every single plot, so it’s been on my mind a lot lately!
@kgirlhart Very glad to hear you are getting back to normal!7 -
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Thanks for the explanation @rheddmobile! Sounds like a neat little series.
Glad you had a good run yesterday.2 -
I read all the Creatures books when I was young and like your mom Rhedd I am watching the new series on PBS as well and enjoying the scenery a lot! Crackerdog is funny. Seems like old ladies with character always come up with the best phrases. As in the Dowager in Downton A. Today I am not extremely motivated to run this morning but my facebook memory of storm URI from last year reminds me that I should take advantage of the 60 deg weather.4
