February 2023 Monthly Running Challenge

martaindale
martaindale Posts: 2,316 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 January 2023 Monthly Running Challenge which can be found at: https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10880581/january-2023-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 February 1, 2023 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 bookmark 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.comandcreate 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

You may see some phrases / words that are unique to our little group when it comes to describing some of our runs. It is a mash-up of words that seem to best describe the way the run felt that day. Here are some examples. Feel free to come up with your own to add to the dictionary 😃

'sleasy' - Slow and Easy
'sneasy' - Slow Not Easy
'scrappy' - mix of Slow and Crappy
'wun' - mix of Walking and Running
'wog' - mix of Walking and Jogging

Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay on track.
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Replies

  • Scott6255
    Scott6255 Posts: 2,556 Member
    Thanks @martaindale!
    Trying for 168
  • martaindale
    martaindale Posts: 2,316 Member
    Got a plan outlined to see if I can be race ready by the first weekend of March. We’ll see. I haven’t run at HM pace in a hot minute. February goal 125 miles.
  • eleanorhawkins
    eleanorhawkins Posts: 1,659 Member
    Once again my goal is to do the damn strength training. Last round of 'marathon' training that was what fell apart first when the going hot tough and time got tight, so this time I want to make sure it doesn't happen again. I'm still kind of winging it when it comes to running in that I'm following a training plan but it isn't specifically aimed at a marathon, though I am trying to make my long runs match marayhon specific plans. Fingers crossed it isn't a recipe for disaster!
  • SummerSkier
    SummerSkier Posts: 5,135 Member
    kgirlhart wrote: »
    Since February is a short month and it looks like I will not be able to run the first dew days, I'm going to set a goal of 90 miles for February with a stretch goal of 100.

    It's ugly here in Austin also and Thursday might be the first morning it's not icy. Our original fcst over the weekend did not have it getting below freezing here but something told me it was going to be a little bit worse and predictions seemed to change for the worse every hour. Glad I brought all the plants in and covered the one outside. It's 28 and I don't know if it is icy out yet but I suspect.

    My goal will be 100 running miles and 30 walking miles with intentional excercise of at least 4 miles per dau. My goal in Jan was 6 and the avg was good I think but today will be a bust if it's icy. No treadmill here either.
  • Teresa502
    Teresa502 Posts: 1,861 Member
    edited January 2023
    I'm setting a goal of 100 miles for the month of February. I only got 90 of the 100 January goal, but I need to step up the mileage and do some serious training for Peyton's Wild n Wacky 50K (I'm on a two-person relay team) which is the second weekend of March.

    Hope the icy conditions don't last long for the Texas peeps.

    @shanaber - walking along the cliffs above the ocean sounds absolutely lovely!

    Thanks for setting us up for February @martaindale!
  • Laurz9191
    Laurz9191 Posts: 502 Member
    I am going for a repeat of what I managed to run in January, so 200 km. Crossing my fingers that no one gets sick. This is my last full month of HM prep, so I am aiming to complete some quality speed and tempo runs (these are the times I really wish I had a running partner). Also, I'm aiming to get much more strength training in like @eleanorhawkins. I have a hard time getting the strength training in at home and seem to only do it if I am at the gym, so I guess that means I either need to go the the gym more often or hold myself more accountable when I can't leave the house...

    Thanks for the set up @martaindale! May our HM training months go well!

    @shanaber I have to agree with @Teresa502 Cliff walking along the beach sounds really nice!
  • shanaber
    shanaber Posts: 6,423 Member
    @spl8 - I have already looked at the trails in the area where we will be and am hoping to get at least one run in while we are there. I can't honestly tell what is a trail and what is a road and where they all go, so some exploring will be required first.
  • quilteryoyo
    quilteryoyo Posts: 6,470 Member
    I am going to aim for 70 miles again, with a stretch goal of 80 miles, given it is a shorter month.

    Thanks for setting this up @martaindale !

    @shanaber Enjoy your vacation. That sounds wonderful.
  • tarun_yadavA
    tarun_yadavA Posts: 1,375 Member
    @quilteryoyo - sorry to hear the Cardiologist hasn't quite solved the mystery. Must be frustrating.

    @shanaber - thanks for the kind words 😊

  • tarun_yadavA
    tarun_yadavA Posts: 1,375 Member
    @AlphaHowls inclined to agree with you RE: treadmill. Outdoor running or don't bother. If I'm at a hotel gym (and can't do outdoor running for whatever reason), I'll use the elliptical for an hour and watch the news or YouTube or something, rather than do Treadmill.
  • martaindale
    martaindale Posts: 2,316 Member
    Laurz9191 wrote: »
    I have a hard time getting the strength training in at home and seem to only do it if I am at the gym, so I guess that means I either need to go the the gym more often or hold myself more accountable when I can't leave the house...

    I struggle with this too. I used to rock climb regularly but my husband has basically stopped going as have the little group I used to climb with when he wasn't there so it just isn't as fun anymore. I signed up to try out a reformer pilates class at a local studio. I am terrible at home workouts (aside from running) and I have quickly lost interest every time I tried traditional weight lifting strength training. I'm hoping the interactive class setup will keep me going back and actually incorporating strength training. I know I need to be doing a better job.
    Laurz9191 wrote: »
    The weather here was cold, wet, and windy. I went to the track to do my intervals and used lane 2 because lane 1 was full of water. No one else was there. I had the whole stadium to myself.

    I sort of love crappy weather. Those of you who have been here for a while may remember @7lenny7 who loves crappy weather more than anyone I know! I'm not quite to that point, but I do love running in what most people would consider crappy weather. Give me rain, mist, even a little sleet as long as the roads aren't icy. It was like that this morning here and I saw 1 other runner guy that I see pretty frequently. I love having the neighborhood to myself!
  • quilteryoyo
    quilteryoyo Posts: 6,470 Member
    Nice running @Laurz9191 !

    Great speedy run today. Sorry it wasn't enjoyable though. I hope you enjoy your sleasy runs. As for the cardiologist, I'm just glad they are taking me seriously. I hear so many horror stories of people, especially women, being dismissed by the doctors as overreacting or just stress, or something. I guess the fact that I had aneurysm surgery has helped them take me seriously. I am doing a lot better now, so it may have been something that flared up and went away. Who knows. I'll just feel a lot better if I know nothing serious is going on.


    @martaindale So glad you had your perfect weather for the run today. I would have been on the treadmill for sure. 🤣
  • eleanorhawkins
    eleanorhawkins Posts: 1,659 Member
    martaindale wrote: »
    Laurz9191 wrote: »
    I have a hard time getting the strength training in at home and seem to only do it if I am at the gym, so I guess that means I either need to go the the gym more often or hold myself more accountable when I can't leave the house...

    I struggle with this too. I used to rock climb regularly but my husband has basically stopped going as have the little group I used to climb with when he wasn't there so it just isn't as fun anymore. I signed up to try out a reformer pilates class at a local studio. I am terrible at home workouts (aside from running) and I have quickly lost interest every time I tried traditional weight lifting strength training. I'm hoping the interactive class setup will keep me going back and actually incorporating strength training. I know I need to be doing a better job.
    Laurz9191 wrote: »
    The weather here was cold, wet, and windy. I went to the track to do my intervals and used lane 2 because lane 1 was full of water. No one else was there. I had the whole stadium to myself.

    I sort of love crappy weather. Those of you who have been here for a while may remember @7lenny7 who loves crappy weather more than anyone I know! I'm not quite to that point, but I do love running in what most people would consider crappy weather. Give me rain, mist, even a little sleet as long as the roads aren't icy. It was like that this morning here and I saw 1 other runner guy that I see pretty frequently. I love having the neighborhood to myself!

    I identify with this a lot! Give me rain, mist, cold... strong wind I rather dislike but still prefer it to the heat of summer. Having said that, sleet, ice and snow are not something I tend to have to try and run in, so that could be different 🤣
  • tarun_yadavA
    tarun_yadavA Posts: 1,375 Member
    quilteryoyo wrote: »

    @Laurz9191 That comment I made was actually meant for @tarun_yadavA . :lol: I'm not sure why his name didn't come up. Sorry for the confusion, but hearing your story was interesting. I'm sure that was very embarrassing for you in high school. I would have been devastated.

    @quilteryoyo I can totally see how you'd get @Laurz9191 and I mixed up... We do look kinda...

    JOKE.
    😂

    PS: Happy heavenly birthday to your Dad.

    @Laurz9191 - thank you! At the "let's just get this done" phase now.

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