The January 2016 Running Challenge

Hello all! I am a newbie here. I am planning on trying to run a half marathon in May so I am looking to join groups like this for inspiration, motivation and advice. I wasn't really sure as far as what to set my goal at, so I'm going to try for 100 miles.

Wish me luck!

GBrady43068 wrote: »

@becky_44: I would say that depends what "it didn't go well" means. Depending on pace, each 10 minute run interval could be anywhere from 1.25 miles down to around .3 . Can you give an idea of about how many miles you went and at what pace? That might give a better idea whether you should repeat part of the C25K or just go with the C210K and maybe make it a slower pace on the jogging intervals and build back up pacewise.

Thanks for responding! I already run as slow as about a 15 min mile so I don't want to slow it up more. I ran 5 mins then walked 5 mins then ran another 5 min, but my lower legs were too tight to get back into another run. The tightness is why I had to stop and walk. I think this happens from fluid built up, and though I'm usually extra careful about sodium, it was Christmas. I also have tendons tightening up too, especially my Achilles so I try to watch foods that cause inflammation. (We suspect I have RA, but hasn't been confirmed yet.)

Becky_44 wrote: »

GBrady43068 wrote: »

@becky_44: I would say that depends what "it didn't go well" means. Depending on pace, each 10 minute run interval could be anywhere from 1.25 miles down to around .3 . Can you give an idea of about how many miles you went and at what pace? That might give a better idea whether you should repeat part of the C25K or just go with the C210K and maybe make it a slower pace on the jogging intervals and build back up pacewise.

Thanks for responding! I already run as slow as about a 15 min mile so I don't want to slow it up more. I ran 5 mins then walked 5 mins then ran another 5 min, but my lower legs were too tight to get back into another run. The tightness is why I had to stop and walk. I think this happens from fluid built up, and though I'm usually extra careful about sodium, it was Christmas. I also have tendons tightening up too, especially my Achilles so I try to watch foods that cause inflammation. (We suspect I have RA, but hasn't been confirmed yet.)

Honestly, I'd probably go back to the beginning of C25K. The first few weeks should be pretty easy on you, but that will help your pace improve and help prevent soreness or injury. If you don't feel like Week 1 is cutting it for you once you've done the first day, consider jumping ahead to Week 2. Listen to your body--it will tell you what to do--but you're better off starting with too little than too much, in my opinion.

I had a mild to moderate case of extensor tendonitis after my full marathons this fall. In my case I loosened my laces to provide relief, especially my daily non-running shoes. I still lace my running shoes the same jsut not as tight. For my non-running shoes I went with the "ladder lacing" technique described in the link below. I noticed quite a difference from those lacing changes. I also took a couple weeks off of running, but did some walking. I found I had to limit my walking distance a little at first as I would start noticing it if I went too far.

http://www.foot-pain-explored.com/extensor-tendonitis.html
http://runnersconnect.net/running-injury-prevention/how-to-lace-your-running-shoes/

Hope it clears up quickly!

MorningGhost14 wrote: »

Some of the marathon training plans you are following seem to be calling for crazy high mileage. I am doing a 50k plan and my highest month will only get to 195 miles and only two weeks that get to 50 miles... Doing 245-250 miles a month is intense...

@MorningGhost14 - Yes, it is intense. No, I don't know whether I can do it. I'll find out by trying. But one of my buddies went through this training schedule for Wineglass 2015, and it resulted in improving his time from Wineglass 2014 by almost 10 minutes. That improved his seeding for Boston 2016 and qualified him for Boston 2017 by 16 minutes and change.

I also have the advantage of having a plan written by my coach. If it starts looking like I can't hack it, I can go to him for modifications. Plan A is to not need the modifications; but if push comes to shove, avoiding the couch is more important than being the fastest runner I can be on Patriot Day. I've already made the modification of scaling the mileage down to the base I achieved before formal training instead of the nominal base the program asks for; but that's a standard adjustment, included in the instructions for the plan.

I'm more worried about being generally crunched for time and getting enough sleep than I am by the mileage. It helps to be an empty nester who can work from home 3 days a week.

Edited to add: January might look a bit high because it has 5 Saturdays, and thus 5 long runs. Throw in Resolution Run tomorrow plus the warmup before that race, and January gets about 22 of the 46 miles I run this week, plus 4 full weeks of training and an extra Sunday where the plan says 8-14 miles. That's one reason I don't think in terms of miles per month; the way the calendar falls can skew the result.

140 km Goal + 2 HM's in February and what ever the year throws at me.

WhatMeRunning wrote: »

I had a mild to moderate case of extensor tendonitis after my full marathons this fall. In my case I loosened my laces to provide relief, especially my daily non-running shoes. I still lace my running shoes the same jsut not as tight. For my non-running shoes I went with the "ladder lacing" technique described in the link below. I noticed quite a difference from those lacing changes. I also took a couple weeks off of running, but did some walking. I found I had to limit my walking distance a little at first as I would start noticing it if I went too far.

http://www.foot-pain-explored.com/extensor-tendonitis.html
http://runnersconnect.net/running-injury-prevention/how-to-lace-your-running-shoes/

Hope it clears up quickly!

I just had a bout of it too, both feet. I went with some new minimalist shoes, and incorporated speed work. I did loosen my laces off too, I went with the heel lock method so I wouldn't pull them tight.

Long time runner, first time poster. I am coming back from an injury so setting my goal for the month at 60 miles.

Already two pages for me to catch up on! I'm in for 90K this month - Week 1 HM Training
My HM isn't until July, though I am doing a walk/run plan and just using the HM program to build on distance at the moment. I figure, having walking breaks now and then will help me recover as I go and not be so daunting

Stoshew71 wrote: »

kristinegift wrote: »

@Stoshew71 Good luck with your BQ attempt as well! You are going for it in the spring, right? WIth 65-70/week you'll be killing it. My fall training cycle should peak around 70, so I'll be keeping an eye on your mileage this go around!

I haven't decided yet to go for a spring try or not. I do have my eye on the Kentucky Derby Marathon
http://derbyfestivalmarathon.com/

It depends on how much training I think I get in and if I feel I have improved enough over the Winter.

For sure i will try again in next December's RCM with an entire year of training in.
But that means another year I have to wait (2018), but a sucessful BQ this spring would qualify me for 2017.

I thought about doing Kentucky Derby but my running buddy thought it would be too far to travel at that point in the semester. If you do it, I'll be quite jealous!

rune1990 wrote: »

WhatMeRunning wrote: »

I had a mild to moderate case of extensor tendonitis after my full marathons this fall. In my case I loosened my laces to provide relief, especially my daily non-running shoes. I still lace my running shoes the same jsut not as tight. For my non-running shoes I went with the "ladder lacing" technique described in the link below. I noticed quite a difference from those lacing changes. I also took a couple weeks off of running, but did some walking. I found I had to limit my walking distance a little at first as I would start noticing it if I went too far.

http://www.foot-pain-explored.com/extensor-tendonitis.html
http://runnersconnect.net/running-injury-prevention/how-to-lace-your-running-shoes/

Hope it clears up quickly!

Elise4270 wrote: »

I just had a bout of it too, both feet. I went with some new minimalist shoes, and incorporated speed work. I did loosen my laces off too, I went with the heel lock method so I wouldn't pull them tight.

Thanks to you both for mentioning this. I believe I developed extensor tendonitis initially because I started walking in horrible shoes...I was just walking, so shoes didn't matter...right? HA, lesson learned. I have loosened my laces and really it's not too bad unless i'm walking on a hard surface (ie pavement) because walking on the loose shoulder is almost pain free.

And Elise, I was watching and reading your posts to see if you had found any relief! I do suffer from tendonitis in other areas as well, so I suppose its not entirely unexpected. My shoes have an 8mm drop and I will be hitting the shoe store in a month or so to see what they say. I will look into the heel lock method, thanks!

Your welcome. I think it took 2 weeks for mine to clear up. I used KT tape for the first week, through the worst of it. I could run, as long as there were no hills and I suffered through the pain the first 2-3 miles lol! I'm now running every other run in my new shoes.

You can tell I have a lot going on this evening.. And I've had a steroid shot... (Extra neurotic).

Who streaked? I know @ddmom081 (high five- you're awesome girl!) did. I petered.

Alright all you stalkers. Make a January goal. Come on, I know you are there thinking " I just don't have what it takes to hang with this group". I know its cold, I know its scary, and I know you wanna run. 10 miles? It can be in walking your living room or walking your dog. Where do you wanna be this time next year?

Lace 'em up folks!

MobyCarp wrote: »

Elise4270 wrote: »

You can tell I have a lot going on this evening.. And I've had a steroid shot... (Extra neurotic).

Who streaked? I know @ddmom081 (high five- you're awesome girl!) did. I petered.

Alright all you stalkers. Make a January goal. Come on, I know you are there thinking " I just don't have what it takes to hang with this group". I know its cold, I know its scary, and I know you wanna run. 10 miles? It can be in walking your living room or walking your dog. Where do you wanna be this time next year?

Lace 'em up folks!

This time next year, I want to be right where I am now: Winding down for bed by 9 PM so I'll be in good shape at 10 AM for a 7.5 mile race on New Year's Day.

Sounds like were in the same place. I'd considerd running in the new year, but thought "eh, I'll unleashed a rested beast tomorrow".