October 2022 Monthly Running Challenge

quilteryoyo

@Teresa502 I saw that you had been "walking" and not running. I was wondering if you were hiking somewhere. Enjoy your vacation. That is a really beautiful area of the country.

@shanaber I was wondering if that running program was for disadvantaged youth. I'm glad they are keeping everything free for all the kids. Even if parents have money, they may not always want to pay it for their kid to train for and run a marathon. Do they do anything special for the kids at the finish line?

Sounds like a nice Sunday recovery day for you @Scott6255 .

quilteryoyo

October: 20.05/80 mile goal

1 Oct - Ran 2.50 miles, Walked 1.00 mile - treadmill
2 Oct - Walked 1.00 mile - treadmill
3 Oct - Ran 2.75 miles - walked 0.70 mile - driveway laps
4 Oct - Ran 3.00 miles - walked 1.00 mile - driveway laps
5 Oct - Wun 2.00 miles - driveway laps
6 Oct - Ran 2.30 miles - walked 0.80 miles - in town while on lunch break
7 Oct - Walked 1.00 mile - driveway laps
8 Oct - Walked 1.00 mile - driveway laps
9 Oct - Walked 1.00 mile - driveway laps

I decided to give myself another easy day, even though I am in a better mood and feel some better today. So, I did my normal mile walk between church and lunch with mom.

kgirlhart

October Goal: 100 Miles

10/2 - 13.13 miles
10/4 - 5.52 miles
10/5 - 6.02 miles
10/6 - 6.27 miles
10/9: 14.02 miles

44.96/100 miles completed for October

I got a PR for distance today. I ran 14 miles. My previous longest run was 13.5. The weather was really nice again. The guy who does the Half Marathon that I have been running retired after last year, so I didn't have a big race this year so I decided to go for a distance record. The run was really good. It was overcast, but there was some sun. It was 57°F at the start. It was probably in the low 70's by the end, but there was a light breeze and enough cloud cover that it wasn't too hot. I felt really good and even though my legs are tired, they don't feel too bad. It was a great run.

@alphahowls Great accomplishment!

@Teresa502 Your hiking trip sounds so awesome!

@noblsheep Good to see you back!

@Shanaber What a wonderful program!

ContraryMaryMary

Hello everyone. I’m back. Life got a bit busy there - work mostly - but I’ve kept up with the running and have a 15km on Sunday then the Auckland half at the end of the month. Spring has finally sprung here so the thing that is messing with my training is the garden. So while I’m feeling pretty fit and ready to race, I’m nowhere near the speed I was two years ago. I’m not unhappy about it - I had the time to focus on my training back then and was working towards a PB that I knew I’d probably never beat once we moved to the country. That training, while effective, did take a lot of joy out of running too. Now that the pressure is off, I’m loving it again.

tarun_yadavA

Morning all. Hope everyone had a nice weekend.
Struggled today after an unhealthy couple of days of drinking and eating crap. Got in 4. Reset!!

quilteryoyo

Congratulations again @kgirlhart ! That's an awesome accomplishment.

Glad to see you back @ContraryMaryMary ! Glad to see that you have found the joy of running again. Good luck with your upcoming races.

Excellent weekend recovery run @tarun_yadavA .

Scott6255

Hi @ContraryMaryMary! It's good to see you back.

6.2 miles this morning. Felt really sick all last night and didn't feel better when I woke up this morning. Stomach felt very nauseous. But I always feel better when I run, so I thought I could go out and so just a very slow plod. First mile didn't feel too terrible, so I just kept going. Had to take a walk break about half way through, but then felt ok the rest of the way. Hate feeling sick, but I'm sure this will pass by the end of the day.

tarun_yadavA

Scott6255 wrote: »

Hi @ContraryMaryMary! It's good to see you back.

6.2 miles this morning. Felt really sick all last night and didn't feel better when I woke up this morning. Stomach felt very nauseous. But I always feel better when I run, so I thought I could go out and so just a very slow plod. First mile didn't feel too terrible, so I just kept going. Had to take a walk break about half way through, but then felt ok the rest of the way. Hate feeling sick, but I'm sure this will pass by the end of the day.

@Scott6255 hope you get well soon buddy

martaindale

@ContraryMaryMary Welcome back!!

@Scott6255 Here’s hoping you shake off the stomach weirdness.

@kgirlhart Way to go on the distance PB. Sounds like you had a really nice run.

@teresa502 enjoy the hiking. Can’t wait to see some pics. I have never been to that part of the country but really want to make it out there. Everyone I know who has gone just raved about it.

martaindale

October total: 46.9/180 miles

10/1: 10 miles
10/2: 6.1 miles
10/3: 6.2 miles
10/4: 5.1 miles
10/5: 7 miles
10/7: 6.6 miles
10/10: 5.9 miles

Speed work this morning. 6 x 800m w/ 400m recovery. Went back to the dam, my hill country track. Splits were really good today. Target was 4:20-4:25 for the 800’s. My splits were 4:29, 4:25, 4:23, 4:25, 4:26, and 4:17. Super consistent and right on target. I honestly didn’t feel like that last one was any faster than the others but maybe knowing it was the last one I turned on the burners a little.
After the run I did a short hike down to the lake to wrap up my cool down. Here’s a couple of pictures. I really like this park.

polskagirl01

I had a little energy today, but was kind of afraid to use it 🤭 So I did the strength workout, then spent some time deep-cleaning my bedroom and doing laundry. Reheated a frozen meal for everyone and worked on the computer. That's enough for today.

yirara

03.10 Mon 13°C 4.1km 36min
05.10 Wed 17°C 6.2km 55min
07.10 Fri 13°C 5.2km 45min
08.10 Sat 12°C 10.4km 92min
10.10 Mon 14°C 3.6km 30min

total: 29.51/80.5km (3.4km ahead)

Still feel my legs from the long run on Saturday, thus this was tough. But I was also very restless and hence ran faster. Hey, HR is not so high anymore. The Covid HR effect seems to be vanishing again. Good one!. 10min slow, 10min faster, 10min even faster. Went quite well.

quilteryoyo

October: 21.05/80 mile goal

1 Oct - Ran 2.50 miles, Walked 1.00 mile - treadmill
2 Oct - Walked 1.00 mile - treadmill
3 Oct - Ran 2.75 miles - walked 0.70 mile - driveway laps
4 Oct - Ran 3.00 miles - walked 1.00 mile - driveway laps
5 Oct - Wun 2.00 miles - driveway laps
6 Oct - Ran 2.30 miles - walked 0.80 miles - in town while on lunch break
7 Oct - Walked 1.00 mile - driveway laps
8 Oct - Walked 1.00 mile - driveway laps
9 Oct - Walked 1.00 mile - driveway laps
10 Oct - Walked 1.00 mile - driveway laps


I did another walk on the driveway after work and a doctor's appointment today.

The reason for the doctor's appointment is under the spoiler. Warning - it's basically a female issue.

I have been having some issues in my pelvic area that got worse/different over the weekend. I had tried to call my gynecologist on Friday, but they were closed. I called them today at work, and my gynecologist is out for the week and they only have one other there this week and couldn't work my in. So, they suggested that I see my PCP. I was able to get an appointment with him at 3. Turns out that I probably have postmenopausal sclerosis which causes thin skin in that area that can easily crack or have trauma, causes itching, and some pain. My doctor said "they" want you to get a biopsy tested, just to make sure it isn't anything else and then treat with steroids. So, he took 2 little biopsies today. I probably could have run when I got home, but was tired from being worried and stressed all weekend. I'll try to reset tomorrow.

@Scott6255 Sorry you were nauseous last night and this morning. I hate feeling that way too, but don't think I would be able to run 6 miles. Hope you are feeling better by now.

@martaindale Congratulations on your super consistent splits. That park looks like a really pretty place to run/cool down walk.

Glad you had some energy @polskagirl01 . Sounds like you used it wisely. Hope you feel even more energized tomorrow.

Nice run @yirara ! Glad your HR is getting back to normal.

tarun_yadavA

Morning all. How's everyone?

Back upto 9k

quilteryoyo

@tarun_yadavA Another great run. Glad you are getting back to your normal self. Are you still recovering from the weekend? You asked how we are. I'm okay, but feel like I didn't sleep at all last night. So, I'm really looking forward to my afternoon power nap and I haven't even left for work yet. LOL

tarun_yadavA

quilteryoyo wrote: »

@tarun_yadavA Another great run. Glad you are getting back to your normal self. Are you still recovering from the weekend? You asked how we are. I'm okay, but feel like I didn't sleep at all last night. So, I'm really looking forward to my afternoon power nap and I haven't even left for work yet. LOL

@quilteryoyo thanks for the kind words! 😊

Sorry to hear you didn't get a good night's sleep. I rarely get in anything more than 6 on weekdays. And then sometimes get up in the middle of the night to take a leak (helloooo middle-age), then just staring at the ceiling - the usual, next day's work, errands that need running, random stuff - insurance needs renewing... Have I made the right decisions in life? (I kid! Lol). But don't go back to sleep at all.
I love afternoon naps... Try and get at least one in on weekends - always! After a nice heavy lunch! Lok

Scott6255

7 miles this morning. Feeling a little better, but certainly not 100%.

martaindale

October total: 49.9/180 miles

10/1: 10 miles
10/2: 6.1 miles
10/3: 6.2 miles
10/4: 5.1 miles
10/5: 7 miles
10/7: 6.6 miles
10/10: 5.9 miles
10/11: 3 miles

It was a beautiful morning and I was really looking forward to a nice recovery run. From the start, my knee was hurting in a new spot, medial-posterior, very focal. I’ve never had this specific pain before. I decided to give it a little time and see if it was just stiff but at 0.5 mile it was hurting worse and I was limping, so I bailed on the run. I walked another 2 miles with some little jogs to test the knee out and see if it would work itself out. It didn’t. Luckily, it doesn’t hurt when I walk. I got home and did a good stretch session. The right leg in general is definitely tighter than the left, especially hamstring and calf, so I am hopeful that this is posterior chain tightness. Going to get some foam rolling in this morning, take some meds, and ice my knee later today. Fingers crossed that takes care of it.
I also need to rotate in a new pair of shoes. I have 1 pair that I am only using on the dirt trails that are basically done and 2 pairs that are in their last weeks. Those 3 are my daily runners. I’m going to let the most beat up pair go and mix in a fresh pair and see if that helps. The others have some life left but having my main 3 pairs of shoes all about the same mileage and entering the end of their life may be putting more stress on my legs than I realized.

martaindale

@yirara Happy to hear you got a good run in and are feeling better. You too @Scott6255.

@quilteryoyo I hope you are feeling better and that the steroids are an easy solution to what sounds like a really irritating/painful problem. One more thing to look forward to as I age…

martaindale

tarun_yadavA wrote: »

I rarely get in anything more than 6 on weekdays. And then sometimes get up in the middle of the night to take a leak (helloooo middle-age), then just staring at the ceiling - the usual, next day's work, errands that need running, random stuff - insurance needs renewing... Have I made the right decisions in life? (I kid! Lol). But don't go back to sleep at all.
I love afternoon naps... Try and get at least one in on weekends - always! After a nice heavy lunch! Lok

I have never been a good napper. If I try to nap it makes me feel so groggy for the rest of the day so I just power through. I require ALL the sleep in one nighttime dose. Most nights I get a solid 8 hours and 1 weekend day I don't set an alarm and wake up naturally, usually means about 9-10 hours.

shanaber

I am behind here and will come back to comment and update but wanted to mention that NoxGear is having a 40% off sale in case you need to some running lights for you or a pup partner. It's a great deal!
It ends tomorrow night.

kgirlhart

October Goal: 100 Miles

10/2 - 13.13 miles
10/4 - 5.52 miles
10/5 - 6.02 miles
10/6 - 6.27 miles
10/9: 14.02 miles
10/11: 5.33 miles

50.29/100 miles completed for October

Thanks @quilteryoyo and @Martindale!

Welcome back @ContraryMaryMary!


@quilteryoyo That doesn't sound fun. I hope the meds help.

Today's run was 5 miles. It rained overnight and was still raining a little when I got up. But it had stopped by the time I headed out. It was pretty humid, but it wasn't hot so it wasn't unpleasant.

shanaber

Welcome back @ContraryMaryMary! Happy to see you back and running because it feels great!

@tarun_yadavA - not sure how you run with a hangover...Good to know though that guys have the same issue with needing to get up in the middle of the night. Used to be mostly/only attributed to women as an issue.

@Scott6255 - hope you are feeling 100% tomorrow! I am amazed you are still able to run when are not feeling great.

@martadale - hope you are feeling better and your knee issue is a simple fix with rotating in a different pair!

@martaindale - I am not a good napper either. Well to quantify, I can nap but I know if I do I won't be able to fall asleep when I go to bed later. Also that park is beautiful! I would love running there too!

@polskagirl01 - glad you got a little workout in and I saw you got a run inn today. Just keep listening to your body and doing what you can. It may take a while but you will get there!

I had an amazing run yesterday when I was expecting to walk.

Then had agility class with a crazy Vizsla running drills, his favorite and oh so fun but exhausting for Hobbes. He curled up in my lap when we got home and didn't move until I made him when I got up to go to bed. He was totally wiped out!
I had my annual physical yesterday too (all is good) and blood tests this morning. I did get my flu and pneumonia vaccines. I had a bad reaction last year to the flu vaccine so they were more concerned than normal and wanted me to take it easy. Today was blood test day and then we were meeting with a notary to sign papers for the sale of our house in MD. On top of that we had RAIN!!! today! Thunder and lightening too!! I was tempted to go out for a ran run/rain walk but the thunder and lightening convinced me otherwise. This has been so rare that it made it quite the exciting event!
I am looking forward to my run tomorrow morning! It should be cool and lovely!

tarun_yadavA

Morning all! 😊

@martaindale - hey Sarah! 9 or 10 hours? And you have kids too? Now you're just showing off! Hahaha!

@shanaber - nope- guys too, unfortunately. Too early in the morning for prostrate exam jokes!! Haha.

RE: hangover and exercising... Ummm. I rarely drink TBH. But when I do...
I just try and force something so that I keep the activity levels up. Feels horrible at first. But feel better once I've sweated it out. Hot shower, nice brunch then a nap! 😊

Right... Morning Chai... Breakfasts, lunchboxes, school drop-offs then will get my run in after! 😊

tarun_yadavA

Morning all. Got in 5.75
Have a lovely day all 😊

polskagirl01

So if my energy on Monday was about 40%, yesterday was maybe 50 and today... I'm not sure yet. Maybe still 50. If I can get a nap in later. Headache/brain fog are significantly less, so I was able to stand up and do some kitchen stuff (drying those quince fruits and making jam from the leftover dried fruit from last year).

Another doc this AM confirmed that I am perfectly healthy as far as his specialty and my recent lab work are concerned 😐

That included an abdominal ultrasound (kidneys, bladder, pancreas, I'm not sure what else). Which is good I guess, but not helpful for finding answers. I mean, it's great to know there aren't any more kidney stones hiding in there waiting to join the party.

I am trying CBD in gummy bear form 😁. It might be helping me sleep, but I'm not sure. I've got some more supplements coming, but will take my time and try them one at a time so I know what's helping or not. Apparently some docs are prescribing a daily antihistamine for long-covid patients, so I'll continue taking my allergy medicines, too.

I haven't used 24-hr heart rate monitoring much on my watch, so don't really have much data to compare... but I don't remember #s this low after 9 hours of "good" quality sleep, followed by some light activity. I believe it's calculated based on HR changes. It is creepily good at detecting exactly when I fall asleep and wake up, though.

I went with my daughter to last night's track meet-up, and we were the only girls, which was fine because I mostly walked, with a few short (less than 400m at a time) blasts of running. So basically I was continually being lapped by the guys. The hard running felt both good - my legs have definitely not forgotten that we like running fast, but also not good - I couldn't do it for long without getting out of breath. So I just did it for short distances, a few times, and walked the rest of the time. Then we walked over to see a Ukrainian friend of mine and her kids. Another difficult situation, which I am powerless to fix. But I can be a friend.

yirara

03.10 Mon 13°C 4.1km 36min
05.10 Wed 17°C 6.2km 55min
07.10 Fri 13°C 5.2km 45min
08.10 Sat 12°C 10.4km 92min
10.10 Mon 14°C 3.6km 30min
12.10 Wed 10°C 5.2km 44min

total: 34.72/80.5km (3.4km ahead)

Yep, pulse is back to normal after covid. Stupidity is at all-time high. Target was warm-up then 3min fast intervals alternating with equal slow ones and cool-down. Well, I stumbled and flew over a low-hanging chain during the fourth fast interval and bruised, sprained and otherwise injured pretty much everything one can do in such an accident. Nothing serious though, and I was able to finish at least the fast intervals in the end but skilled most of the last slow interval and cool down. Still happy with run.

martaindale

@yirara Ouch! Glad nothing was seriously injured. Sounds like a big fall.

Hang in there @polskagirl01. It may take some time but I have faith you will be back to normal eventually.

tarun_yadavA wrote: »

@martaindale - hey Sarah! 9 or 10 hours? And you have kids too? Now you're just showing off! Hahaha!

I admit I prioritize sleep over other things. I am in bed reading by 9-930 usually, even if I don’t have to be up early in the morning, so those 9-10 hr days I am still up by 7am. My husband stays up later since he doesn’t have to be up early and makes sure the kid goes to bed. It also gives him some video game time and I won’t bug him about sleeping in. Works for us.

yirara

@martaindale thanks a lot. Those kind of falls are so yikes! Like when still flying I was thinking: oopsie, that's not good and that will hurt! Stupid brain But I'm mostly ok.

martaindale

October total: 56.9/180 miles

10/1: 10 miles
10/2: 6.1 miles
10/3: 6.2 miles
10/4: 5.1 miles
10/5: 7 miles
10/7: 6.6 miles
10/10: 5.9 miles
10/11: 3 miles
10/12: 7 miles

Good news on the knee. I did a lot of stretching, rolling, nsaids, ice, etc yesterday and it felt better this morning. I did the one leg hop test and it was pain free, so I set out for my run. I even did a little foam rolling beforehand. The first couple miles I could feel an ache in the area that was hurting so bad yesterday, but it wasn’t bad enough to affect my gait. The pain actually got better as I went, and I had a couple of miles where it was barely noticeable. It made a reappearance in the last mile or two but slightly higher than where it hurt when I started and again, not bad enough to affect my gait. I made sure to stretch and roll when I got home and will do the ice and more rolling this evening. The fact that it improved in 24 hours makes me feel confident that it is related to muscle tightness and not due to an injury. Crisis averted as long as I take care to stretch.
Re: my run. This was the same 5 mile marathon pace run I have done the last couple of weeks. Despite the weather being suboptimal (70F, 95% humidity, T+D 138) I crushed the paces. Target pace is 10:17. Actual splits: 9:58, 9:58, 9:58, 9:52, 9:45. When I saw the first split I told myself to slow it down, and really felt like I did, but the 2nd mile was the same. Every mile until the last one, I was really trying to slow it down. At the last mile I gave up and ran by feel and ended up even faster. Not the goal of this workout but it made me feel good that a similar perceived effort resulted in paces that were so much quicker than previous weeks even in warmer temps.
Now, I must rave about a new shoe! I tried the Hoka Mach 5. I usually run in ghosts and currently have one pair of Hoka Cliftons that I use for recovery runs. The Mach 5 is less cushy than the Clifton but is by no means a minimal shoe. Reviews described it as cushioned enough for long runs but springy enough for tempo workouts. OMG I love this shoe! The amount of cushion is just right. It’s not heavy (8.2 oz c/w 9 oz for the ghost). The upper is very breathable and I could feel the difference in energy return. I still my ghosts and I have a few pair in reserve to replace pairs that are on their way out, but I will definitely need to mix in the Mach moving forward. And the color ways are so pretty!