SEPTEMBER 2024 Monthly Running Challenge

Scott6255

@tarun_yadavA you have a 2000 mile yearly goal...I think you can stretch that to 2024 and Run The Year 😁

I mowed and edged this morning before it got too hot, then did my run on the TM. It was 15 min WU/CD, 10 min race pace, 5 min recovery, then 3x race pace for 5min / 3min recovery. It wasn't too bad.

daria0919

9/1 - 9/15: 29.90 miles

9/16 - 1 mile
9/20 - 1.13 miles
9/21 - 3.70 miles walking with my guy

We walked around the Norfolk Botanical Garden and walked along the beach today. The weather’s been amazing!

33.73/50 miles for September

Mari33a

@daria0919 Lovely photos & perfect way to spend a birthday!

I second what @Scott6255 says! @tarun_yadavA can definitely hit 2024 miles for the year. Go Tarun!

05/09 4.05 miles
06/09 3.76 miles
07/09 3.68 miles
12/09 3.67 miles
13/09 2.03 miles
18/09 3.70 miles
19/09 4.16 miles
20/09 3.70 miles
21/09 3.61 miles

Total 32.36/ 50 miles

Another run this evening and the weather is still warm & calm. My legs felt tired before I started but it went fine. I’ve done 10 miles every morning on my turbo trainer along with the running and my hip joins feel achy but good tonight. My sister’s wedding is on Friday with travel and final preparations on Thursday so I’m pushing to hit my goals by Thursday morning. Along with the 50 miles running I want to hit 175 miles on the bike.

Teresa502

Sept 1 – 2.03 miles
Sept 2 – 3.00 miles
Sept 4 – 3.00 miles
Sept 5 – 4.00 miles
Sept 8 – 4.42 miles
Sept 10 – 5.65 miles
Sept 12 – 6.40 miles for @shanaber
Sept 14 – 3.16 miles
Sept 18 – 6.02 miles
Sept 19 – 4.01 miles
Sept 21 – 9.01 miles
Total 50.70 miles

It was a nice 60F when my friend and I started our run this morning and only 63F when we finished. So nice! Just signed up for a half marathon for the first weekend in December. Hopefully, it will be festive. Going with some friends so it should be fun either way.

Good luck with your race tomorrow @martaindale! Safe travels.

@daria0919 and @martaindale – I have a pair of Dr. Scholl’s sneakers and they are very comfy. I bought them for my recent vacation. I will have to check out the sandal line.

Love all the birthday bounty @daria0919!

Way to go on 1500 miles @tarun_yadavA! Fabulous idea that @Scott6255 had for 2024 miles!

You got this @Mari33a!

Scott6255

Oh I missed (or forgot) @martaindale has a race tomorrow. Good luck girl! You will crush it!

daria0919

Good luck to all who have a race this weekend!! 🏃🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

tarun_yadavA

Morning all
Got in 5.65 miles at 10"40.

Didnt enjoy that at all

@Scott6255 @Mari33a @Teresa502 thanks for the encouragement! I mean, what's 24 more miles amongst friends?! Haha

@martaindale good luck today Sarah!
What's the post run pig out meal??

Something jersey shore? Stromboli or a ginormous 'sangwheech' with the chicken cutlet, proshooot and the mutz and the vodka sauce lol

Now I'm hungry

WarmJellyfish

Finally got s 50k race in the bag after a number of DNFs recently. A few days after covid to boot. Probably DFL'd lol. I'll take it!

Scott6255

Wow @WarmJellyfish that is unbelievably impressive!!! Congrats 👏👏

Laurz9191

Good luck today @martaindale !!! Have a great race and fun time in New Jersey!

@WarmJellyfish Great job on the 50k completion!!!

@tarun_yadavA I agree with the others! You can totally do the extra 24miles. I was thinking the same thing- way do 2000 if you could do 2024. And, maybe make it fun and do them in one day . Just an idea….

@Scott6255 That sounds line a great workout and maybe I will try out a run with similar intervals in the future.

Laurz9191

Yesterday I wanted to run for 35min, but it didn’t work out due to fighting siblings and a sick husband. Someone has to be there to wrangle them sometimes. Oh well! I did get to squeeze almost 15 minutes in though! I was planning on doing the rest later in the day but after doing quite a bit of biking, figured that it was more or less the equivalent .

This morning I had my last long run 16km. It went very well and I had a nice time. I just hope that the kids and I don’t get sick. We are doing our best to avoid my husband , as the kids and I are going on a 3 week trip in the week after the marathon. I’m just trying to think healthy thoughts .

228.7/270km for September.

WarmJellyfish

@Scott6255 thanks 👃

@Laurz9191 thanks. Good luck on staying healthy and your marathon!

martaindale

Congrats on the 50k @WarmJellyfish!

@Laurz9191 I'd be doing the same, avoiding the sick husband at all costs this close to race day. You're ready! Can't wait to see how you do.

daria0919

Apparently yesterday was my last day of premium plan on MFP. Lost the food scanning ability. Will still come here for the groups I’m in for the friendships and support, but will no longer use the food diary on this app.

I’ve started using the MyNetDiary app free version and it has a great food diary set up and FREE scanner for my calorie tracking.

martaindale

Sept total: 81.5/115 miles
YTD: 756.3/1200 miles

9/2: 6.6 miles
9/5: 7 miles
9/6: 5.2 miles
9/7: 10.1 miles
9/8: 3 miles
9/9: 3 miles
9/10: 5.7 miles
9/11: 7.1 miles
9/12: 3 miles
9/14: 8 miles
9/17: 7 miles
9/18: 2.6 miles
9/22: 13.2 miles

Race report:

Today was the ocean city HM in New Jersey. It was low to mid 60's, 80% humidity with a breeze. Beautiful! Not quite as cold as I like it for actual racing, but excellent for going for a run.
Race started at 8:30, maybe the latest start I've had. That meant I had plenty of time to get coffee and breakfast before heading down. I stayed at a hotel just a short walk to the start/finish.
I ran on feel with no real plan except to walk the aid stations. The first few miles wind through lovely neighborhoods with cute coastal houses. As you come out of the neighborhood you encounter the only hills on the course, a fairly long bridge, with the turnaround on the far side so you do it twice. It wasn't very steep but the steady sustained climb left a lot of folks struggling on the uphills. Even with my meager hill training, I felt strong on the climbs and had no trouble running them. The views were really pretty from the top. After the bridge you take a short trip through the houses to the boardwalk. You run the length of the boardwalk, which is a really nice surface! So much friendlier on the legs than concrete and you have real bathrooms (major bonus pts). There were families and friends out cheering and other visitors out for a morning walk to get breakfast. And, the wind was at our backs! The 10 miler turned around at the end of the boardwalk and the HM continued on a 3.1 mi out and back through another neighborhood before coming back to the boardwalk for the finish, this time with the wind in your face.
When I made it back to the boardwalk, I was feeling strong so I started opened up a little. It felt nice to be able to finish strong, even if that pace was still slower than my race pace usually is. My legs appreciated the switch up.
I got my medal and went through the runners area. The food was excellent, all from local boardwalk establishments. The pizza was hot! That's a first. They had an assortment of pastries. I got a brownie, which was excellent. They also had warm pretzels, also tasty. On the way out they handed me a brown paper bag with some caramel corn and 2 pieces of saltwater taffy. I found a place to sit and scarfed my pizza, brownie and pretzel along with an orange soda (which really hit the spot). I think the later start left me hungrier than I usually am right after a race/long run.
After a bath I had my protein shake and the caramel corn, also delicious.
I'm currently sitting outside my room with my legs up enjoying the cool weather. I'll have to get dressed at some point and go find some food but all the snacks will probably get me through the afternoon.
If any of you find yourself looking for a race in NJ, I can recommend this one for sure. Well organized, lots of volunteers and aid stations, with an excellent selection of food at the end in a beautiful location.

The medal

daria0919

@martaindale congrats on completing the HM! Sounds like a really good race. Way to go!!

WarmJellyfish

@martaindale congrats on the half!

quilteryoyo

@daria0919 I'm glad you are having such a great birthday trip. I'm glad you are going to stick with us!

You are doing great @Mari33a . Enjoy your sister's wedding.

Nice @Teresa502 . Which HM did you sign up for?

Sorry your run wasn't fun today @tarun_yadavA . Hopefully tomorrow will be better. I also agree with the others and you should go for 2024 for the year.

Wow @WarmJellyfish ! That is awesome.

@Laurz9191 I'll send healthy thoughts your way too and hope your hubby gets better and you all don't catch it.

Congratulations on such a fun race day @martaindale ! I love your race report. Enjoy the rest of the weekend and your post race feast, whatever it may be. The medal is awesome too.

Mari33a

@martaindale Congratulations on your race. It’s sounded like the perfect race.

05/09 4.05 miles
06/09 3.76 miles
07/09 3.68 miles
12/09 3.67 miles
13/09 2.03 miles
18/09 3.70 miles
19/09 4.16 miles
20/09 3.70 miles
21/09 3.61 miles
22/09 3.71 miles

Total 36.07/ 50 miles

Nice run in the dark this evening with no wind & still warm. I had Dakota’s led lead charged up earlier so he cud come with me. It’s completely dark here by 8.30pm now which is really confusing me because the temperature says it’s still summer 😅. Managed 12 miles on bike this morning too.

quilteryoyo

1 Sept - Walked 2.25 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - Treadmill
2 Sept - Walked 1.00 miles - Ran 2.00 miles - Driveway laps
3 Sept - Walked 0.80 miles - Ran 2.00 miles - Driveway laps
4 Sept - Walked 0.75 miles - Ran 2.00 miles - Driveway laps - Gym 41m48s
5 Sept - Walked 0.90 miles - Ran 2.10 miles - Driveway laps - drill workout - Tennis 2h7m50s
6 Sept - Walked 1.25 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - Driveway laps
7 Sept - Walked 1.50 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - Treadmill
8 Sept - Walked 1.50 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - Driveway laps
9 Sept - Walked 1.11 miles - Ran 5.29 miles - Driveway and road for Shana - Gym 40m8s
10 Sept - Walked 0.8 miles - Ran 2.00 miles - Driveway laps - Gym 29m58s - Push mow 6m14s
11 Sept - Walked 0.68 miles - Ran 2.32 miles - Driveway laps
12 Sept - Walked 0.72 miles - Ran 2.28 miles - Driveway laps - Tennis 2h7m22s
13 Sept - Walked 1.25 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - Driveway laps - Gym 40m51s
14 Sept - Walked 0.99 miles - Ran 2.81 miles - Driveway and road Finished 20.25/20 miles for Shana
15 Sept - Walked 1.00 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - Driveway laps
16 Sept - Walked 0.20 miles - Ran 2.00 miles - Driveway laps - Gym 40m20s
17 Sept - Walked 1.00 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - Driveway laps
18 Sept - Walked 0.70 miles - Ran 2.40 miles - During work break
19 Sept - Walked 0.72 miles - Ran 2.38 miles - During work break
20 Sept - Walked 0.79 miles - Ran 1.82 miles - During work break
21 Sept - Walked 4.22 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - Beauty Spot hike
22 Sept - Walked 1.00 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - Driveway laps

56.53/70 mile goal

I haven't posted my runs/walks since the 16th. I worked at the daycare everyday last week, except Monday, from 8 to 5ish, so after I got home, I just ate and wrote in my journal and went to bed. LOL

Anyway, it rained on Tuesday, so I did a walk after I got home. The other days, I did my planned workouts during my hour break at work. That worked out well and I am a little bit speedier when I run in town, as the route I take only has one steep hill to deal with per lap. One day I had 3 different people comment as I was running...a couple of ladies that were walking I passed said I was doing great. A guy riding his bike for exercise going up the hill said "All of this exercise is going make us live forever." I told him I hoped so. And then a man driving by yelled "You go girl." Aww. The joys of living in a small town.

Yesterday, I had planned to do a trail run with a group from the gym. When I got to the gym, the owner told me that his mom was going to meet us there and I could "hike" with her. She has knee issues and can't run. So, all the way on the drive over I was second guessing my decision and wondering why people think I "can't" do things. (Other things have happened this month that have shaken my confidence a little.) Once I got there and met his mom, and saw the hill we were "hiking," it was fine that I wasn't expected to run. Details and pictures under the spoiler.

She and I went ahead of the runners so we could all meet at the top at Beauty Spot. We wound up getting a little confused and walked up the road (the others did run the actual trail). The road was a harder hike than the trail would have been as it was a steady, steep incline for the entire 2 miles! A run would have been impossible for me anyway.

Looking up the endless road.

Looking back down.

We did get to the top at the same time as the runners. Here is the group, minus Jeremy, the owner, who took the picture and was in a huge hurry to continue on.



The runners went on to Unaka (another 3 miles I think), and Susan and I hiked back down the trail until it intersected with the road and then took it the rest of the way down. The trail at least had a couple of relatively flat areas, but was steep, narrow, and rocky with lots of roots. There would have been only a few spots I would have felt comfortable running.




The leaves are beginning to change and there were some really pretty scenic views. This spot is basically on the TN/NC border, so you can see for miles in both states.






I'm not sure what this flower is going to look like when it blooms, but the buds were beautiful.



When we got back to the cars, we sat and talked and waited for the runners to make it back. When I went to my car to get water, I saw a support van for someone and was telling Susan about it. A couple heard us talking about it and came over to talk and let us know that it was a friend of theirs who is running the AT SOBO, trying for the entire way in 50 days to honor his 50th birthday. Who was it, Ultra runner Michael Wardian. When he came through to stop, we got to meet him and shake his hand. He is a really nice guy and told us that he had fallen yesterday, and a couple of days ago and both hands are kind of stubbed up, so apologized for the weak hand shake.




Here is a link to the article about Michael.
https://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/local/appalachian-trail-runner-michael-wardian/article_897087de-5f0e-11ef-9f77-2ffa600dc281.html

An interesting fact is that his crew chief, Sharon Mullan, is the mother of the male who had the FKT (fastest known time) for the complete the AT, until yesterday, when it was broken by Tara Dower, who finished up the SOBO trail in 40 days, 18 hours, and 5 minutes about an hour before we met Michael.

Here is a link to the page about Tara's record breaking run.

https://www.irunfar.com/tara-dower-appalachian-trail-fkt-2024#:~:text=Tara Dower Sets New Overall Supported Fastest Known Time on the Appalachian Trail,-Eszter Horanyi on

So, while I didn't run, I got plenty of exercise, had a great time, and got to meet some really nice people along the way!

Today, I felt a little hint of shin splints, so just walked a mile on the driveway after church and before lunch.