The January 2016 Running Challenge

I just want to thank everyone with their input on snot rockets and how to dress for running in winter weather! You guys are awesome and very, very entertaining. I love it. I kept caught up with reading although life and, oddly enough for this time of year, allergies got in the way the last couple of days. I'm still on target though, so that is good.

@Virkati --so sorry to hear you are so sick. Sending out some good thoughts your way. I always enjoy reading your posts as I feel we're kind of similar with our distances and experience right now running, and I enjoy reading how you, and others in the same boat, are advancing and feeling about your running and your goals. Feel better soon!! But also, take it easy so you don't relapse. Then when you first get back, I imagine snot rockets will be something you can get some practice with.

So many of you others, wow, it's cool to see you get out in that cold weather. Even with great dressing tips, I'm a bit of a wimp with the cold. Although I know I'd likely be more comfortable in this cooler weather running, since I always feel so hot after a run. But I look at the near freezing temps (which is almost laughable compared to some of your guys' lower temperatures!) and think...uhhhh nope. But I'll get there. Plus, they have finally put some streetlights up on the backside of our neighborhood (almost tripped over them lying there at the side of the road before they got the holes dug and they were set up while I was running the other night, that's how dark it is back there) so at least I know there will be better light on that part of my evening neighborhood runs.

And I'll keep reading on and enjoying the camaraderie among this group. It is definitely one of the funniest, most helpful, and supportive groups on this site.

1/2 6.5 miles
1/3 3.5 miles
1/7 4.0 miles
14 miles out of a goal of 55 done so far.

Today... for the first day in about 3 months, I totally rested. I didn't swim. I didn't bike. I didn't run. I just sat around, watched some TV&Movies and read. I need to do it again tomorrow before I can do a final 2 mile shake out run on Saturday before Sunday's marathon. I'm going insane.

Yesterday's short marathon pace run went ok. Weather was great, but my heart rate at a Boston qualifying marathon pace was settled in near the end at about 4 BPM above where I want to be in the first half of the marathon. It may drop after a few days of rest, but I'd much rather put in a solid 3:15 and qualify for a guaranteed Chicago spot in the fall, then crash & burn going for broke. If I can post even splits on Sunday, and stay below my magical 163 BPM heart rate for the first 135 minutes, I'll call it a win. Weather is looking like it'll be 65 w. 94% humidity at the start, so I'm going to need to listen to my body.

1/3 - 10 miles (5 speedwork, 5 slow)
1/4 - 7 miles
1/6 - 3 miles (@ MP)

Total: 20 miles
Goal: 180 miles
Remaining: 160 miles

_nikkiwolf_ wrote: »

@shanaber Avoiding offensive words while singing along actually sounds like a good idea - I should have thought of that sooner :-P Just a couple of days ago I had just copied a Gloryhammer-CD that I got for Christimas onto my phone, and was happily singing along to the first song when I had to stop at a road crossing. I was at "fireballs and lightning are raining from the sky, chaos and bloodshed while all the people die..." when I realised the cyclist who had stopped next to me at the traffic light looked at me like I might be some deranged serial killer.
Almost as good as @Elise4270 's songs about murder and drugs, I guess :-P

Ha - this made me laugh out loud!
@runner_girl83 - that is one of my favorite Rage against the Machine songs! I don't know that I have one favorite running song. I have 3 or 4 playlists that I rotate through depending on what I feel like at the moment. Recently I have been enjoying Muse - Supermassive Black Hole, Depeche Mode - Policy of Truth and Personal Jesus, Elephant by Tame Impala, Kurt Vile - Pretty Primpin and I'm an Outlaw. I also recently added some songs from Twin Shadow to my favorite playlist. They may not all be the best 'running' songs but I enjoy them

I have come to realize I cannot come here any more before I go to bed. I get wrapped up reading and responding and I end up not getting enough sleep!

Tomorrow I am going to look for a video or description of a lunge that my trainer had me do tonight that helps to strengthen the muscles in your ankles and feet. It was difficult but I think it will really help. I will post it for anyone who wants to give it a try.

410m walk in 5.00
3km run in 16.26
420m walk in 4.34
1km run in 5.26

Wonder if my gps is playing up as didn't feel that fast!

Not fun weather tonight - still 27 degrees (Celsius) at 8pm with 50km/hour winds!

Another lunch time run, same route as the last one, in reverse with a tiny bit more tacked on at the end.

1/1 - 3.36
2/1 - 3.08
5/1 - 3.08
8/1 - 3.25

Total 12.77/35

I think im going to pass my goal! But I won't count my chickens before they hatch.
Jan1-7=20.5 miles

Maybe the wind be at your back, folks!
Catch ya'next Friday

Since I don't listen to music while running I really don't know what my favorite running songs are. But my tastes span many decades and genres now (especially with some grown kids now) and I can definitely see myself enjoying most of what has been posted so far! So if I ever make a running playlist and put in some earbuds I have some seeds to get started.

Favorite running songs... I use Pandora for my music, and am currently crushing on an "Uptown Funk" station. It plays everything from Superstition (Stevie Wonder) to Michael Jackson (really love this 18 + minute medley of his songs it plays) to Bang Bang (Jessie J/Ariana Grande/Nicki Minaj).

1-2: 3 miles (had to walk a little)
1-4: 3 miles (had to walk a little)
1-6: 3 miles (no f'n walking)
1-7: 3 miles - ran up 32 floors in 5.5 minutes and then did 20 minutes of interval stairs (up 6 floors, walk down, 10 pushups, right back up. Counting this as three miles)

Goal: 12 of 30

1/1: 6.2 miles
1/2: 11.6 miles
1/3: Rest/Travel day
1/4: 10 miles
1/5: Rest day
1/6: 4 miles (am), 8 miles tempo (pm)
1/7: 4 miles (am), 6 miles with the Thursday crew (pm)
1/8: Rest day

REST DAY! Finally! And it's a miracle I'm not hungover after the Pub Run last night. But I've got a long day of paper writing ahead of me... a marathon of a different sort! Gotta love finals!



Upcoming races:
4/3: Caesar Rodney HM
5/1: New Jersey Marathon
6/12: Race and Ride Cedar Point HM (maybe)