NOVEMBER 2023 Monthly Running Challenge

AlphaHowls
AlphaHowls Posts: 1,993 Member
edited October 2023 in Challenges
NOVEMBER 2023 Monthly Running Challenge

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 October 2023 Monthly Running Challenge which can be found at:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10900474/october-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 November 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.
«134567…15

Replies

  • Teresa502
    Teresa502 Posts: 1,858 Member
    Setting my November goal at 100 miles again. I’m leaving for Aruba in the morning for a few days but other than the travel days, I plan to get some running in.

    @AlphaHowls – I would love to hear about your experiment and the results.

    Please continue to check in here and post @polskagirl01. I don’t do Facebook and would miss you! That massage sounds wonderful.

    @Scott6255 - You have done so great with your 2023 goal! Almost there. Do you think you will do it again next year?
  • Scott6255
    Scott6255 Posts: 2,555 Member
    @AlphaHowls – I am very intrigued with your band experiments. Would love to hear more!
    @Teresa502 I was thinking about that...I feel like I want to, but part of me is saying it would be nice not to have to run 6 days a week for another year. So I'm really not sure.
  • yirara
    yirara Posts: 9,941 Member
    On to a new month!
  • chris_in_cal
    chris_in_cal Posts: 2,520 Member
    That looks lovely. Peak fall weather.
    Laurz9191 wrote: »
    I listened to an audiobook today

    Anything good? Which book? I have a running with a podcast routine. I've not thought about an audiobook.
  • martaindale
    martaindale Posts: 2,313 Member
    Zaxa2021 wrote: »
    I also have a 10k in January. I know if I focus the next couple of months, I'll be able to handle it. I've never done any races before and I'm excited to stick my toes in to get a feel for it. I'm hoping to build up to a half marathon next winter. A full marathon is a dream of mine, but I'm not sure how realistic it is the foreseeable future.

    Sounds like you have a good plan for a steady build up over the next year. You got this!
  • martaindale
    martaindale Posts: 2,313 Member
    @AlphaHowls Keep us posted for sure. You too @polskagirl01 and @shanaber.

    @Scott6255 I'm glad you are on track for RTY and totally understand wanting the flexibility to cut back a bit next year. You have done really well getting your runs in. I also found that committing to 6 days a week was too much for the long term. I can see doing it when I need to up the volume for race training but otherwise moving down to 5 days makes my schedule so much easier to manage.
  • polskagirl01
    polskagirl01 Posts: 2,024 Member
    AlphaHowls wrote: »
    @polskagirl01 wrote: »
    @AlphaHowls wow, that's going to be a big change for you! I'm curious as to how it will go with the bands and also the mental side of cutting mileage. I have a feeling you'll do great at it, because you seem to get out there and do what you set your mind to.
    Aye, it has been a struggle all week since race day because I want to push miles, but my body would not do it. The prospect is that this will make me stronger, more endurance if I just have patience.

    I understand not checking here, but really love it when you are here.
    Yes, that patience thing is hard! I totally get why you're switching things up for now, though. It should be worth it in the "long run" (when you go back to them stronger, that is)!
  • yirara
    yirara Posts: 9,941 Member
    polskagirl01 wrote: »
    Went on my annual cemetery walk 🕯
    My son and I just went to the small cemetery closest to home, and timed it so we got there just as it was getting dark. It's a small cemetery with lots of room to grow, so not the same effect that you have with the big crowded cemeteries here that look like they're on fire with all of the candles. It also wasn't cold enough this year to have the silence broken by glass candle-holders cracking, but it was was still peaceful. Families get together on this day and go pay respects to their departed relatives. We used headlamps for the walk home through the fields, so it was nice having to dig that out of the trail running supplies and use it.
    sfzr3e4xqmnd.jpg

    Aww, lovely! My local graveyard is now closed from 17:00. I really enjoyed running over it (there are historical areas where people don't come to remember) but now it's back to running through town. Oh well...
  • quilteryoyo
    quilteryoyo Posts: 6,463 Member
    I look forward to reading about your journey @AlphaHowls .

    Happy Belated Birthday @polskagirl01 . I hope you will continue to check in with us and let us know how you are doing. You have to let us know about your polar bear club experiences this winter. :wink: That sounds and looks like a great tradition and way to remember loved ones. I'm glad you and your son got in a nice walk too.

    @Teresa502 Enjoy your trip to Aruba. I'll look forward to seeing pictures from your runs and adventures.

    Nice run @Laurz9191 . Beautiful picture.

    @martaindale Sounds like you had a good interval workout. It is hard to decide what to wear when the weather changes so drastically.

    @yirara Congratulations on your improvements! You are doing great!

    @SummerSkier Nice start to the month and that is a great way to reward yourself for 200 miles in Oct!

    You are doing so well with your running @Scott6255 . Amazing mileage this year!

Categories