December 2015 Running Challenge

Stoshew71 wrote: »

Simple Idea for a shirt or else we can do something more creative if anyone has any ideas?

I like it! Except maybe a runner instead of a celebratory dancer?
Also those pounder shirts are amazing! Very clever!!

1-6.65mi build up run from 13:07-11:04
2-strength and yoga day
3-6.69mi fast run 11:40, technically. but reality is we have 5 min warm up and potty breaks for the dog
4-rest day, maybe yoga day. feeling poopy
5-13.17mi I was only scheduled for 11 but I was feeling so good at 9 miles I went on and decided to do a whole 13. I have to say a marathon isn't that scarey now.
6-3.18mi for recovery and to do the Runkeeper Global 5k
7-yoga
8-rest day. so tired i'm dizzy. not sure why
9-no sleep last night-rest. I'm calling it recovery week from the 18miles this weekend aerial yoga at night
10-3.12mi with hills, including two steep ones. top of quads and hips still feel extremely tight
11-planned on running but was too tired still. rest day
12-10.37 it went well. I was supposed to run the last three with my stepdaughter-to-be but typical teenager, she slept in. tried a new trail. it was nice and foggy. good run
13-meant to make up the other three. didn't happen
14-yoga day.
15-6.56mi They felt fast. I felt fast. runkeepers updates overall made me sound fast, but i was slow. 1 min off my pace.
16-yoga day. I did a video for the GOT challenge. not as satisfying as my asanas Great aerial yoga night though
17-6.48mi. I'm not sure if the distance is right because i ran the same route as the 15th. hard run but i feel good about finishing it
18-rest day. stretchng this morning. working on my splits for yoga. yoga tonight of some form or another
19-13.2mi it was hard. it didn't feel easy like my last 13
20-rest day
21-stomach bug
22-stomach bug
23-up late with a butt sick dog and still a little queasy.
24-5.67mi Those sucked. The winds were horrible and my legs felt like lead
25-rest day-almost ran but got lazy
26-13.17mi I thought it was a good run but I got called 2x and lost my rhythm. slow slow run
27-rest day
28-rest day, maybe yoga day. probably rest day
29-5.37mi it was slow and snowy but I enjoyed it
30-rest and yoga day






upcoming race:
jan 17: Frosty 5K Run / Walk
feb 13: Steve Cullen Healthy Heart Run/Walk
(tenative) mar 14: The Great Pi Run 5k. I want to do it but SE vacation may get in the way.

@RunTimer: Congrats on busting through the 2015 goal (and early congrats to getting the December goal..I’m sure you’ll find a way to fit that .9 mile in before end of day tomorrow..)
@Orphia: You’ve got this!
@kimlight2: Congrats on breaking goal.

Dec 1: Advent begins. Light mist but warm (low 50s), still a little bit of hip twinge, nice and slow this morning, 4.44 miles.
Dec 2: Hound of the Baskervilles fog this morning, no demon dogs spotted. 2.35 miles
Dec 3: Rest day, however, intended to walk..and it didn’t happen 
Dec 4: Chilly tonight but not unbearable. 2.5 miles
Dec 5: No run (family outing out of town) but did get in a half hour walk.
Dec 6-8: Days of suck
Dec 9: Back at it. 4.34 miles this morning in the DARKy dark dark…Already more than halfway to the miles I ran last month..December looks to be better.
Dec 10: Rest day
Dec 11: 3.19 miles. Weather is beautiful.
Dec 12: 4.72 miles in my new shoes but I kept 'em (mostly) clean
Dec 13: Rest day (intentional..not just being lazy). Still minor hip twinges but I’ve been doing more stretching and that seems to be helping. I probably need to bite the bullet and start doing core muscle building though. 
Dec 14: Intended to run but sleep won out. *sigh*
Dec 15: A little cooler this morning and drizzly. 3.07 miles.
Dec 16: Busy until late that night, intended to get run in but sleepy won out.
Dec 17: 5.04 miles. Just realized that I have officially run more than I did last month and I’m also looking on target to hit my goal.
Dec 18: 3.31miles
Dec 19: No running but a lot of furniture moving.
Dec 20: No running, 3 mile hike.
Dec 21-24: Real life got in the way 
Dec 25: Merry Christmas! 5 mile run this morning..got some running shorts and a new scale!
Dec 26-27: Mo’ traveling/busyness. 
Dec 28: Very windy moonlight run…but thankfully the storm held off until after. 5.09 miles.
Dec 29: Really sore..no run
Dec 30: Didn’t get up as early as intended but did get 3 miles in the morning..may try and get some more in tonight.

76.8% to goal

DATE...............MILES...............TOTAL
12/1....................6.00....................6.00
12/2....................5.00..................11.00
12/3....................6.25..................17.25
12/4...................REST.................17.25
12/5....................14.00.................31.25
12/6...................REST.................31.25
12/7......................3.75.................35.00
12/8......................7.50.................42.50
12/9......................4.00.................46.50
12/10.................REST.................46.50
12/11....................5.25.................51.75
12/12....................5.50.................57.25
12/13..................12.50.................69.75
12/14.................REST.................69.75
12/15.....................6.25................76.00
12/16.....................4.00................80.00
12/17.....................4.25................84.25
12/18.................REST.................84.25
12/19...................14.00................98.25 (Cold one... 21F, windchill 12F)
12/20.....................6.00..............104.25
12/21.................REST................104.25
12/22.....................7.00...............111.25
12/23.....................5.00...............116.25
12/24.....................7.25...............123.50
12/25.................REST.................123.50
12/26.....................4.50................128.00
12/27...................14.25................142.25
12/28.................REST.................142.25
12/29.....................7.00................149.25
12/30.....................4.00................153.25





With tomorrow's scheduled 8 miles, I will make goal.

12/1 - 4 miles on indoor track + 4.5 miles on stationary bike
12/2 - Took my rest day early. Weather is supposed to be way better this weekend, so planning to run long(er) than usual both days.
12/3 - 5.09 miles on treadmill (Trek class)
12/4 - 4 miles on indoor track + weights/abs
12/5 - 5.5 miles (I think)...my phone / GPS crashed after about 4, so I lost my distance and time
12/6 - 3.1 miles on small indoor track
12/7 - unplanned rest day
12/8 - 4 miles on indoor track + weight/abs
12/9 - 5.25 beautiful miles...40° F at 5:00 a.m. in December! Ran a route that I used a lot last spring/summer, but had been a while. Fun, relaxing, almost perfect!
12/10 - 5.25 miles on treadmill (Trek class)
12/11 - 3.1 miles on indoor track + weights/abs
12/12 - 6 chilly miles
12/13 - rest day
12/14 - life day
12/15 - 4 miles on indoor track + weights
12/16 - 5 wind-blown miles. Can't complain about 42° F at 5 a.m. on December 16 though!
12/17 - 5.05 miles on treadmill (Trek class)
12/18 - 4.1 miles on indoor track + weights/abs
12/19 - rest day
12/20 - 4.75 miles around my 'hood
12/21 - unplanned rest day; up half the night sneezing/coughing/blowing nose. It seems someone has gifted me a cold for Christimas.
12/22 - 4 miles on indoor track + weights. Cold seems to not have grabbed on (another benefit of losing weight and regular exercise...I don't get sick nearly as often or as bad as before)
12/23 - 4.75 misty miles. Wet, but pleasant.
12/24 - 4.7 miles on treadmill (Trek class)
12/25 - Christmas! Had hoped to run, but didn't happen
12/26 - 5.25 damp miles...but warm for December!
12/27 - Rest day
12/28 - Lazy day...except a lot of shoveling snow
12/29 - 4.5 miles on indoor track
12/30 - 4 miles on indoor track + weights/abs. Unfortunately, the forecast is not looking to be outdoor run friendly. Blech. I can handle cold to a point, but lots of snow/ice is no bueno. I need to move to Huntsville

Stoshew71 wrote: »

MorningGhost14 wrote: »

@Stoshew71 .... are you going to keep your Challenge here under Fitness and Exercise or are you moving it to the new Challenges section?

Hmm... I just noticed that. It's pretty cool they have a new Challenge section in the forum and this challenge definetely fits. On the other hand, I wonder if having it stay in the current Fitness and Exercise will make it more noticible to newbies. I most likely will move it to the Challenge section, but what do you guys think?
I need to make a decision by tommorow since the new month (and year) is upon us. LOL

As always, the link for next month will be posted here and in our group page.

Great job everyone. I will fall close to my goal but not too bad. I had a feeling I would do that since recovery from my marathon made this month a wash. I am just now starting to get back into my base building.

Challenge!

moyer566 wrote: »

I think Challenges section would be fine. It's clearly labeled so if someone were looking for a running challenge, it should be easy to find

So you are saying it wouldn't be as challenging for them?

Date      Miles      MTD
------    -----    -----
Dec 01      4.3      4.3
Dec 05      8.1     12.4
Dec 06      8.1     20.5
Dec 07      3.5T    24.0
Dec 09      6.3T    30.3
Dec 10      3.4T    33.7
Dec 12      8.2     41.9
Dec 13      4.3     46.2
Dec 15      5.4T    51.6
Dec 16      5.1     56.7
Dec 19      8.2     64.9
Dec 20      5.3     70.2
Dec 21      4.3     74.5
Dec 24      6.5     81.0
Dec 26      5.0     86.0
Dec 27      5.1     91.1
Dec 28      3.6     94.7
Dec 30      6.3    101.0

BOOM!! There's the December goal and then a bit.

While running today listened to Abel James's 'Fat Burning Man' podcast, the one where he interviews Chi Running developer Danny Dreyer. It's kind of a rambling interview, not a lot about specific form or method, but damn if I didn't run the 6+ miles 15 seconds faster per mile! The Power of Suggestion is a marvelous thing.

Thanks to all the MFP Running Challengers for keeping me motivated! Special thanks to @Stoshew71 for moderating this Highly Motivated crowd, and sharing so many training tips and ideas.

12/1: 3 miles
12/2: Rest
12/3: 6 miles with Thursday crew
12/4: Rest
12/5: Busy day in NYC
12/6: Rest from busy day
12/7: Rest
12/8: Busy!
12/9: Too sleepy from a late-night Buffy binge on Netflix...
12/10: 6 miles with Thursday crew
12/11: 4 miles
12/12: 4 miles
12/13: 7 miles (+4.8 mile hike)
12/14: Rest day
12/15: 4 miles
12/16: 5 miles
12/17: 4 miles with Thursday crew
12/18: Travel day: homeward bound!
12/19: 6 miles
12/20: 10 miles
12/21: 4 miles
12/22: 5 miles
12/23: Rest day
12/24: 6 miles
12/25: 7 miles
12/26: 4 miles on the dreadmill
12/27: 11 miles
12/28: Rest
12/29: 4 miles
12/30: 6 miles

Beautiful run! Ran on the bike/pedestrian trail, and it was just gorgeous. A light dusting of snow allowed for plenty of traction, and in some places it was just wet pavement. Plus it was the first sunny run I've had in almost two weeks! Maintained a pretty solid, consistent pace. Hoping I can get down there tomorrow and have as good of a run again!



Upcoming races:
4/3/2016: Caesar Rodney Half Marathon
5/1/2016: New Jersey Marathon
6/12/2016: Run & Ride HM at Cedar Point (maybe)

I can't find the link for the MP Running Challenge shirt ideas. Can somebody point me in the right direction?

_nikkiwolf_ wrote: »

Thinking about my running goals for 2016, I'm considering to sign up for a half marathon on the 8th May (after reading about quite a few HM training plan suggestions in the last few pages in this thread )
But I haven't quite decided yet - one the one hand I think there is enough time to train that I *should* be able to finish it. But I haven't ever raced anything longer than a 5k, and my longest run this year was 10 miles, and that was really long and slow... An even longer distance (with a cutoff time of 3h) seems really intimidating to me! The registration costs 65 CHF, so I don't want to sign up unless I'm sure I can do it...

@_nikkiwolf_ You can totally do it. And I say that because I don't have any races to suggest that it's even possible for me to not only DO it, but to be bold enough to throw down that I believe I can do it in 2:30, plus my longest run EVER--6.01 miles. But...I've used the pace calculators on Runner's World and several others and even if the only improvement I make in my run time is 10 seconds per mile, I'll still come in at 2:30. I can almost walk half of it and STILL come in under 3 hours. So, with that knowledge, you can do this!! And I understand about the cost. My Colfax Half was 92.65 CHF but that only means that you can bet the sky is blue that I'll be crossing that finish line!!

12/1 3.5 @ 11:17 on the treadmill plus strength training
12/2 5.25 @ 11:04 on the treadmill. Oh my heck, please let it be sunny tomorrow. Or at least not so wet.
12/3 4.75 @ 12:03 on the park trail with the doggy. Yay! Sunshine!
12/4 3.5 @ 11:03 (really 3.25 at 10:48, plus .25 at a walk) on the treadmill, plus strength training
12/5 3 miles hiking with the cub scouts

12/6 Woke up feeling sore from Friday's strength training, so took a rest day
12/7 9.25 @ 12:26 on the park trail, nice and easy
12/8 3.75 @ 10:48 on the treadmill (3.5 at 10:39, .25 walk), plus stretch/yoga
12/9 5.25 @ 11:32 on the treadmill
12/10 Sort of rest day? Trip to Colonial Williamsburg with my daughter's history class. Lots of walking!
12/11 6.25 @ 11:18 on the treadmill.
12/12 Rest Day

12/13 3.25 @ 10:10 (5K race chip time 32:06--I finished 191/395 women 30/64 in my age group)
12/14 7.25 @ 12:03 (7 @ 11:57 and .25 walking) on the park trails
12/15 2.0 @ 10:29 on the treadmill and strength training
12/16 5.0 @ 11:49 on the park trail
12/17 Rest Day. It is cold and wet and my back hurts from present wrapping. Bah humbug.
12/18 6.0 on the treadmill (5 @ 11:40 and 1 walking) plus strength training
12/19 Rest day

12/20 Sick day -- I seem to have developed the creepin' crud
12/21 8 @ 12:00 on the treadmill (7 at 11:34 and 1 mile at a walk) breathing ok, but still feeling tired
12/22 4 @ 12:00 on the treadmill and strength training
12/23 3.5 @ 10:13 on the treadmill
12/24 2.25 @ 13ish outside in the drippy-drippy rain and humidity. With the slowest dog on earth. Who has been stuck inside because of the rain and needed to get rid of 3 days worth of...stuff. And needed to chase *all* the squirrels. Ugh. I think I actually ran pretty well when I was actually, you know, running.
12/25 Merry Christmas Rest Day. Happy Holidays to all!
12/26 5 @ 11:38 through the neighborhood trails in my brand new super-squishy purple slime Guide 8s and the most expensive pair of socks (Feetures) I've ever owned. Woohoo!

12/27 Rest Day (taking an anniversary weekend getaway with the hubby and staying at a fancy-dancy hotel)
12/28 3.5 @ 11:42 on the treadmill in the gym at the fancy-dancy hotel. Sadly, the treadmill was yuck, not fancy.
12/29 3 @ 10:20 and 1 walking on the treadmill, plus strength training (worked on legs or I would have run farther! I'm afraid I won't get a long run this week with company and such, so I'll just work on speed).
12/30 3.5 @ 11:00--but this was really 2.5 at 10:00 and 1 at 13:30--on the treadmill since it was dark and rainy
12/31


Upcoming races:
1/18/16 -- MLK 8K at Burke Lake
2/21/16 -- Disney Princess HM

December Running Totals (miles)
12/1- 6.58 (warmup, speed work, cool down)
12/2- extra rest day
12/3- 6.40 easy
12/4- 8.12 easy
12/5-15.00 long slow run
12/6-9.15 easy with hills
12/7- planned rest day
12/8- 8.29 easy
12/9- 6.00 easy
12/10- unscheduled rest day (plan was 6 miles)
12/11- 6.04 easy (instead of planned rest day)
12/12- 16.00 long slow run
12/13- 10.05 easy
12/14- 6.07 easy
12/15- 8.21 hills
12/16- scheduled rest day
12/17- 8.18 easy with fast finish
12/18- scheduled rest day
12/19- 15.77 (3.45 warmup; 3.13 Reindeer Run 5K in 20:16, 1st M 55-59; 9.19 easy)
12/20- 7.87 easy
12/21- scheduled rest day
12/22- 8.11 moderate
12/23- 6.56 easy group run
12/24- 5.03 easy "Egg Nog Jog"
12/25- scheduled rest day
12/26- 20.05 long slow run
12/27- 6.18 easy
12/28- 5.18 easy
12/29- 7.56 hills
12/30- 6.42 warm up, speed work, cool down
12/31- scheduled rest day

Total- 202.82 December
2015 annual total 1842.31 on 226 running days
Goal- none stated

Today's notes: Yesterday was scary. Woke up, and my weak ankle wasn't right. It was affecting how I walked on bare feet in the morning. Did what I knew to do for it, and by afternoon it was almost normal. Couldn't quite talk myself into the scheduled speed work, so instead I went out to run hills in the evening. Paced myself for the ankle to feel okay.

The benefit of having the week off work was, I could let my body soak up 9 hours of sleep last night. This morning the ankle felt much better. By noon it was totally normal. I debated going to my customary Wednesday evening group run, but decided to do yesterday's scheduled speed workout instead. Could have done it outdoors in the afternoon, approximating distances by GPS; but caution about the ankle said an indoor track was safer. So I went to the indoor track to do my 4 x 800m at T then 6 x 60m strides. Speed work on the track is okay; but the warm up and cool down on an indoor 200 meter track are incredibly boring.

Tomorrow is a scheduled rest day. Friday is New Year's Day and a 7.5 mile race. December came in just over 200 miles, as compared to no goal being set. I won't set a formal goal for January, either; a target mileage goal could get me to do something stupid to achieve it when the better thing to do might be to back off. But I expect to run more miles in January than I did in December, as my Boston training ramps up.

Upcoming races:
Jan. 1, 2016 Resolution Run 7.5 mile (Mendon, NY)
Jan. 9, 2016 Winter Warrior Half Marathon (Rochester, NY)
April 18, 2016 Boston Marathon (Hopkinton, MA)

12/2 - 6.24 (2.66 lunch run + 3.58 treadmill walk)
12/3 - 2.83 Work lunch run
12/4 - 2.88 Lunch walk.
12/5 - 5.25 Walked to neighborhood Walmart
12/9 - 3.26 Lunch run.
12/10 - 3.29 Lunch run
12/11 - 2.92 Fast walk at lunch.
12/13 - 5.48 Day was beautiful
12/14 - 2.87 Treadmill.
12/20 - 6.39 Apartment treadmill.
12/21 - 3.98 (1.38 + 2.6 lunch).
12/22 - 4.73 (1.57 + 3.16)
12/25 - 5.13 (?)
12/26 - 7.54 (5.39 Treadmill + 2.15 outside).
12/27 - 6.56 Walking to Walmart.
12/28 - 8.08 (2.19 treadmill + 2.19 lunch walk + 3.7 walk after work)
12/29 - 4.48 (2.22 Morning treadmill + 2.26 lunch walk)
12/30 - 3.21 Treadmill after work and GOAL!!

Taking at least the next two days for rest. I have some kind of muscle issue, left hip. Flat surface like the treadmill hurts but I can tolerate it. On the road or sidewalk though...omg, it's painful.

Upcoming Races for 2016
02/20 Snowman Stampede 10 mile race - not registered
04/24 Graffiti Run with grandkids-not registered/waiting to pick a team name
04/30 Greenland Trail Race...8 mile-Registered
05/15 Colfax Marathon (Half)-REGISTERED!!!
09/05 Labor Day Mini Marathon (Half)-Registered
10/16 Rock-n-Roll Denver Half-Registered