JULY 2025 Monthly Running Challenge

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AlphaHowls
AlphaHowls Posts: 2,097 Member

JULY 2025 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 MAY 2025 Monthly Running Challenge which can be found at:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10933730/june-2025-monthly-running-challenge/p1?new=1

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 JULY 1, 2025 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.
Strava
https://www.strava.com/clubs/mfpmnthlychlng

Have not seen anyone there in a year...
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/133628317200269/about

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

"injury shuffle" 2x your normal pace, if you are crazy enough to do it

"Crazy Laps!" repetitive short distance laps (think living room/hospital room)

Difference between running and jogging. Joggers find dead bodies. Every news article will always print: 'jogger found dead body', 'out jogging, found a dead body.' Never does it say a 'runner' found a dead body. Only joggers find dead bodies.

'boyfriend run' - 12.1 mins per mile is the perfect 'run date' speed
'girlfriend run' - you better keep up, no matter what the speed

Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay on track. Don't look back!

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Replies

  • chris_in_cal
    chris_in_cal Posts: 2,798 Member

    Thanks @AlphaHowls for setting this up.

  • tarun_yadavA
    tarun_yadavA Posts: 1,617 Member

    Thanks for setting this up!

    Back on the 12th...

    May get a couple of 'run sees' in before hand...

    I'm gonna for 85 miles.

  • WarmJellyfish
    WarmJellyfish Posts: 366 Member

    200km goal this month.
    Thanks for the set up! Welcome back @angf0679 what's the kitty's name?

  • angf0679
    angf0679 Posts: 1,457 Member

    @WarmJellyfish His name is Wesley

  • chris_in_cal
    chris_in_cal Posts: 2,798 Member

    Here we are @swenson19d @nhgodiva @ummleeban @showjumper @craig10rookie @TheBugaloos @sugarfree1234 @reyoflightphoto for the July Running Challenge.

    It is the beautiful thing about this thread, like Groundhog's Day, last month's runs are a memory and we all get to start again fresh in the new month's challenge.

    I hope to see you here for July.

  • Zaxa2021
    Zaxa2021 Posts: 1,230 Member

    I'm also back, after a significant hiatus! I have been running, though inconsistently. I'm hoping this challenge will help with that consistency I'm working towards.

    My goal is 100 miles in July.

  • emptydog
    emptydog Posts: 156 Member

    Thanks @AlphaHowls for getting it started.
    I am going for 77 miles this month.

  • kgirlhart
    kgirlhart Posts: 5,346 Member

    Thanks for setting us up again @AlphaHowls .

    Welcome @Melobee63 and @rancat97, and welcome back @angf0679 and @Zaxa2021.

    @Melobee63 Easing back into it is the smart thing to do.

    I'm going to set my goal at 160 miles for July. We'll see if I can handle the heat.

  • Mari33a
    Mari33a Posts: 1,560 Member

    Thankyou @AlphaHowls!

    I'm going to aim for 70 miles again this month. I'm off to France on 22nd July to 1st Aug, so that only give 3 weeks to get most miles in. I'm going to pack my running gear but dont know if I will get any runs fitted in. We plan to move around everyday for the 1st week then a few days in Marseille before coming home. I would like to clock up at least 1 mile at each place just for my Garmin and Strava maps

  • CMorning99
    CMorning99 Posts: 936 Member

    Coming back after YEARS!

    I am not a runner (yet) but used to be and I remember the fun, the passion, the thrill! And mostly the completely b@d@ss feeling of heck yeah, I nailed thoses hills LOL.

    Currently working with Trainwell (have been for a year) doing 40 min strength training. Don't get too excited, it is mainly mobility and stablization exercises for a bad back and creaking joints. I am going to ask my coach to tailor a "cool down" walk at the end of the workout and go to the gym after work were they have a great nature trail…no going home first.

    Goals:

    15 miles this month…gotta start that habit

    12 strength training sessions

    Track dem snacks!

  • chris_in_cal
    chris_in_cal Posts: 2,798 Member

    July Running Goal: 40 miles
    6.9 lbs.weight loss (190.3 lbs -> 183.5 lbs)
    ————————————————————

    I'm Chris; I live in San Diego, California.

    I'm enjoying running a bit more lately. I'm not sure what comes first- when running is good life it good, or when life is good running is good. IDK. I'm battling a new issue, my shoulder seems wreaked and I'm going to physical therapy later today for a diagnosis. I didn't think I had any long-term problems from getting smacked by a bicyclist on Valentine's Day, but nothing else has happened. Hopefully it isn't a labrum tear/rotator cuff tear/some other tear…and PT can simply heal it up. We'll see. I still want to get back to a good yoga practice but I'm concerned I have to look into this new shoulder issue first. Have a good month everyone.

    If you have a Garmin please connect on GC.
    https://connect.garmin.com/modern/profile/chris_in_cal

  • martaindale
    martaindale Posts: 2,484 Member
    edited July 2

    Lots of new folks since I was here in May! Welcome everyone! After coming back from vacation mid month, I just got busy and before I knew it, June was gone and I hadn’t posted my runs. It turned out to be a lower mileage month than I anticipated but I was getting back into the swing of things by the end. This month I am unsure what to set for my goal. I am struggling with running after work. It’s officially gotten mega hot outside and while I don’t mind walks on the treadmill I find myself really dreading doing runs. Also trying to get my husband out the door and moving, so I’ve been doing walks with him in the evening more. SInce I don’t have a set plan, I think I’ll just see what happens. Mostly I need to just keep running and maintain fitness for a couple of HM scheduled for early August (MA and MI).

    @john772016 That medal is great! I’ve never seen a medal that plays music!

    @angf0679 I also scare people all the time! I am actually pretty quiet and I know it so I yell out and so many folks have headphones on apparently with the volume cranked up so they don’t hear me and then get a jump scare when I squeeze past them.

    Hope everyone that is traveling is enjoying their vacations! @Mari33a I also mainly run on vacation for the strava map! It gives me a place to put a few pictures since I don’t use other social media and posting images from my phone has become such a hassle here.

    Lastly, thanks to @AlphaHowls for setting us up. You and your mom are so close; I’m sure this has been hard for you. Your mom appreciates all your hard work and love over these years. Take care of yourself.

  • WarmJellyfish
    WarmJellyfish Posts: 366 Member
    edited July 2

    Hello to new and returning folks!

    @John772016 dang now I want one of those medals. Nice job on the race.

    Yesterday did a Canada Day Hog on a wee hill. Peak is at 2200m/7210ft. Trail was 13km/8mi and 780m/2559ft gain. Learnt new things huffing about myself thanks to Chatgpt being a great helper. SpO2 is not great still. Lots of things to fix. Need to train more at elevation and maybe new body parts 😆

    Mountain flowers are teeny and cute.

    20250701_120339(0).jpg 20250701_120342.jpg 20250701_111806.jpg 20250701_111424.jpg
  • kgirlhart
    kgirlhart Posts: 5,346 Member

    July Goal: 160 Miles

    7/1: 6.52 miles

    6.52/160 miles completed for July

    I didn't post yesterday, but I did run a 6.5-mile interval run. I wasn't feeling good this morning and it was raining, so I skipped my run today. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

    @John772016 I love the medal!

  • Mari33a
    Mari33a Posts: 1,560 Member

    01/07 3.42 miles
    02/07 2.42 morn & 2.66 eve miles (5.18 miles)

    Total 8.60 of 70 miles

    On Tuesday I didn’t take Dakota as it’s been really hot & he was panting a lot in the house so figured he’d suffer too much running Yesterday I took him out early before it warmed up & then got a run in later on my own . I was able to run a bit faster on my own so might do this more often. We have a lot of rain forecast for the next week but hopefully it won’t be as bad as forecast it’s typical July weather