The January 2016 Running Challenge

KatEmmaMarie wrote: »

Almost halfway there!


Does anyone else here use a fitbit (specifically the surge)? I am feeling a little discouraged because of how inaccurate it is. I've been comparing it to the treadmills mileage and it can be as far as half a mile off. This morning I did a tempo run, so I started off at a gentle jog at 6.0mph for about 5 minutes and maxed out at 7.0mph for 15 minutes then ran until I hit 3.2 miles at 6.0mph. This pace was much faster than yesterdays (I only maxed out at 6.3mph for a few minutes, most of the run was 5.5mph) but the fitbit actually shows my pace decreasing from yesterday. When I run at 6.0mph on the treadmill, I don't reach the mile marker on my fitbit until 11-12minutes and it seems the faster I run, the slower my pace gets?!
Does anyone else have this problem?

@KatEmmaMarie I actually had this problem doing cadence-only with my Garmin today! No change in pace on the watch despite increasing the speed on the treadmill from 7.0 mph to 8.5 mph. ALSO: this summer when I used a Jawbone Up Move in addition to my Garmin when I ran outside, that also had a big discrepancy (the Move tracked way less distance than the Garmin did, and I trust that thing with my life!). I think the Fitbits and other trackers are designed to track walking much more accurately than running, especially if you use it more frequently as a step tracker, so it doesn't keep up as well when you change the pace due to cadence, frequency of footfalls, etc. (I'm sort of guessing here, btw.)

01/02 3.5miles
01/04 3miles
01/06 4miles
01/09 3.5miles
01/13 3miles

@ceciliaslater @kristinegift @_nikkiwolf_ Thanks! It makes sense that it's just tracking based off of stride/steps and wont pick up an increase in speed. I'm definitely running outside more often! Today was just one of those days where I couldn't get myself outside haha.

@shanaber, great photo! That right there is some fantastic motivation to get out and run.
@kateparry84 a 12:10 pace for a new runner is excellent. Keep the pace slow enough so you could carry on a conversation without running out of breath. You'll be able to run longer and with less chance of injury. When I started running I spent 4 months just running at such a pace to build up my base. As your body adapts to running, you will naturally get faster. I saw HUGE improvements in my speed by running slow. Seems counter-intuitive but it works. After 8 months of running my conversational pace is now about 10:15 and I've done almost no speedwork.
@kristinegift, I get sucked into buying deals as well. In addition to the shoes I just bought I ordered a New Balance High Visability jacket with glow-in-the-dark screen print graphics for $44. It's currently selling on Amazon for $155. I didn't need it, but the force was too strong.
@KatEmmaMarie I have a Fitbit Charge. There's no way for a fitbit to accurately measure you distance. It can only count strides. There's a setting either on the app or on the online dashboard which will you allow you to input your stride length (otherwise it uses a default value). First you have to decide if it's more important to you to get it more accurate for running or walking. Then walk or run a known distance, such as the length of a football field, then calculate your stride lenght by dividing the distance by the steps. Then you have to realize that your stride length can change depending on terrain, or if you're going up or down hill so the calibrating it that way will just give you a good estimate of distance. I love my FitBit, but I never rely on it for measuring distance. I just saw you're using it on a treadmill...I don't know how accurate treadmills are, but you could probably calibrate your FB to that by running a mile on the treadmill and calculating stride length with that.
@Miffylou I think this group should be a pretty good match for me. If they're crazy enough to run in the sub-zero temps like I am, we should get along just fine.
@virkati, I have no idea how well your daughter's dog is trained to run with people, but if it turns out not to be a great experience, don't write it off yet. Kody, my lab, is an awesome running partner but he certainly would not have been at first. Getting a dog to focus on running with you and not chasing squirrels, bikes, or other dogs takes a lot of training, but it's definitely worth it. How old is the dog? They say that dogs under a year shouldn't be taken running because it could damage the growth plates. I don't know if that's true or not but it's worth checking with a vet if the dog is a pup.

A late evening run of 5.6 miles in -6ºF temp, -16ºF wind chill.

I almost skipped the run. I was going to go indoor track running while my wife walked it but she bailed out on me. Then something popped up I had to attend to and it was too late to go to the track. I actually wasn't in the mood to run in the cold as I had felt chilled all day, but then in a moment of, "Dangit, I can do this!", I got my butt out there and was so glad I did.

I dressed up the same as I did for Sunday's tundra run but since it was dark I couldn't pull my buff up over my face to block the wind (too dark without the sun) so I put a neck gaiter on my head and pulled it down as much as I could and still see the road, gangsta-style!.

The runs for the next couple of days will be downright balmy with highs from 22F to 31F, but then it takes a big dip for the weekend again. Unfortunately I'll be out of town, taking my daughter back to college in Kansas. If I were to do my usually Sunday morning run I'd be doing it in -15ºF temp, -33ºF wind chill.

lporter229 wrote: »

@kristinegift Thanks for the heads up on the Amazon sale. I just ordered two Saucony shirts, 6 pairs of socks, a pair of shorts and a pair of leggings for $46. I should be ordering chemical standards for work, but, you know, priorities.

@lporter229 It's the least I could do to spread the joy Saucony keeps having ridiculous sales on Amazon lately. I don't know how they're even making money on this stuff. But they're my favorite brand, so I am not gonna complain!

kristinegift wrote: »

lporter229 wrote: »

@kristinegift Thanks for the heads up on the Amazon sale. I just ordered two Saucony shirts, 6 pairs of socks, a pair of shorts and a pair of leggings for $46. I should be ordering chemical standards for work, but, you know, priorities.

@lporter229 It's the least I could do to spread the joy Saucony keeps having ridiculous sales on Amazon lately. I don't know how they're even making money on this stuff. But they're my favorite brand, so I am not gonna complain!

ha ha I'm out on Amazon shopping too, thanks!

Stoshew71 wrote: »

@Elise4270 I would rather not anyone pay for my shirt. I may buy a couple for myself and a third one for my wife. So that would just get confusing. If anyone wants to thank me, I have a great idea. Let's find a super fun race in Tennesee, Kentucky, or southern Indiana (kind of right in the heart of the midwest and a drive away for me) and we all meet, then you can buy me all the drinks your hearts desire after we get done with the race. :-)

So down with that! I may or may not be in running shape (surgeries looming ahead). But I'll be there!

Pick a few you favor and let us know.

Too may to list here on HalfMarathons.com

JrReds3806 wrote: »

I'm new to the challenge and running in general. Gonna try 20 for the month and see how I do.

Hi,
welcome. there is a wealth of knowledge here. i learn so much here

KatEmmaMarie wrote: »

Does anyone else here use a fitbit (specifically the surge)? I am feeling a little discouraged because of how inaccurate it is.

I lived on my FitBit One since getting started on 14-Oct 2014, and was deeply devoted to it, working hard to get in my 10K steps/day. Used it 24 hours/day (sleep, etc.). I even went in and adjusted my stride length for both running and walking - spent an afternoon walking and running multiple times down my street (since I knew the length of it), counting and recounting my steps at each pace.

I got my Garmin vivoactive for Christmas, and was able to get it activated a couple days later. Almost immediately I noticed a discrepancy between the number of steps. I chalked it up to the fact that Fitbit had my "exact" stride length, while the Garmin just "calculated" it from my height.

Then I started looking online, and found that pretty much everyone has found that Garmin is MUCH more accurate, even without a stride length setting. Since then, I've abandoned the FitBit, and just let the Garmin do its thing.

ceciliaslater wrote: »

5BeautifulDays wrote: »

@Virkati that Raptor dog is a beauty! I hope you have fun taking him on a trial buddy-run. I know what you mean about the lifestyle changes, though. Having a dog has meant adding in one more layer of complexity to an already complicated life, especially when it comes to travel. And because our dog is a rescue with a dicey past, we've also had to learn to deal with some *really* challenging behaviors as well.

Try having seven! We started out with just a pekingese and a mini german shepherd/husky mix. Rescued a second peke and another GSD (this one full blood and full sized). Lost our first rescue peke (she was about 15 when we rescued her and had heartworms) and rescued another to replace her.

Four was a little much, but doable. Over the past 2 years, we've added on three strays--a dachshund, a pit mix, and a malamute. Part of the joy of living in a rural area is that everyone dumps their unwanted dogs, and it's pretty much impossible to get them rehomed quickly. We always end up spending too much time trying to find the owners, then are too attached to give them away to a stranger.

They all get along, and we can afford to feed them and enjoy snuggling on the couch with them in the evenings. It just makes travel impossible, because I can't afford $200/day in boarding.

Wow! I've never met a "crazy dog lady" in real life before! I understand the sentiment though. We were in the process of actually rehoming our guy because he bit a neighbor child (in our home, the child was provoking the dog and I didn't see it) but the more I went to rescue events the more I realized that I couldn't give him away...and I was about to go home with a new dog at each event! And I *don't* live in the country!

Oh, and with that many dogs, I'm guessing a paid house-and-pet-sitter would be far less expensive than a kennel. I have teens who would give their eye teeth for a gig like that.

dennie24 wrote: »

I am definitely not going to reach my goal this month. I have been going through an RA flare and the cold has just been too much on me. Last week I ran 2 miles on the treadmill and my knee ended up bothering me for a few days so I think the treadmill is out. I got out there for 3 miles on Monday and was so happy to be running outside again that I ran 2 yesterday and 4 today.

Don't worry, your not alone. Hope your flare doesn't last long..

1/1 5 @ 10:36 on the treadmill
1/2 4.75 @ 10:42 on the park trail (20.75/20 miles for the week)

1/3 5.25 @ 11:14 (5.0 @ 10:51, .25 walking) on the trails near my house. It was a beautiful, blustery day!
1/4 10 @ 12:00 on the treadmill. While running from Indominus Rex.
1/5 3 @ 11:14 on the treadmill and strength training
1/6 Rest Day and feeling fairly sore from yesterday's PT (and maybe Monday's run?)
1/7 4.75 @ 11:53 on the park trail.
1/8 3.5 @ 10:07 (3 at 9:48 and .5 at 12:00) plus strength training
1/9 3.5 @ 12:22 (3 at 11:26, plus .5 at a walk) loping around the neighborhood with St. Woolos the Barbarian, aka The Poopinest Dog in the East, aka Woogie the Worst Running Partner Ever. It's a good thing he's cute!
(30/30 for the week)

1/10 Rest Day/Family Day
1/11 10.75 at 11:46 around the park trails. My heart was light, but my legs felt every centimeter of the last two miles. "Gently rolling terrain" feels a lot like "stinking big hills" after 100 minutes or so...
1/12 3.25 @ 11:27 on the treadmill. Plus strength training.
1/13 Rest Day due to dental work...revising the weekly goal down a little, since I won't have quite as much time on my "regular" rest day to make up for this one.
(14/25 for the week)

Upcoming Races:
January 18: MLK 8K at Burke Lake Park, VA
February 14: Run Your Heart Out 5K, Fairfax, VA
February 21: Disney Princess HM, Orlando, FL
March 6: Reston 10-miler, Reston, VA
March 12: Lucky Leprechaun 5K, Reston, VA

Newbie welcome to @fernsilvera

@7lenny7: Cool gear.
@MorningGhost14: Love the Fun Run slogan. Wisconsin is a fair piece from Ohio though. And I just realized what bothers me about your ticker…why is that dude WALKING when he has a perfectly ridable camel?
@ceciliaslater: Sucks about the shin.
@jenmurphy3: I am working toward my first half marathon as well. If you’re able to do 15 minutes of running (even if it’s slow paced) without a stop, a 5K is probably already in your grasp (particularly if you use the run/walk method from C25K). I had reached a peak of 12 miles before wimping out (I didn’t want to make myself run in the cold last year) still doing run/walk method last year. Good luck!
@kateparry84: I’ll second what WhatMeRunning said and add: If it helps you, think in terms of “time spent running” instead of “How fast am I running?”. I’ve observed that pace has kind of taken care of itself as my overall slow pace running has gradually sped up as my overall runs increased in length. My slow was once 16 min/mile and is now more like 11:50-12:10/mile. I’m only just now starting to do any kind of interval/speedwork from the half marathon training.

The “shoe screwing” thread: I bet that’s what that chick meant when she said she was “into leather”.

Jan 1: When the run started it was still the 1st..so I'm counting it here. 6.59 cold night miles, slow, around 12:40/mile.
Jan 2: REST DAY
Jan 3: First “official” training day for the HM and first snowfall of the year (on a run day at least). 3.51 miles. Some fast intervals mixed in with slower paced runs. 12:10 average pace, fastest split was mile 2 (11:29).
Jan 4: Wimped out 
Jan 5: Ice in my ‘stache at the end of the run…that’s new. 3.2 miles this morning
Jan 6: Went an extra .5 before I took my first (brief) walk break. 5.05 miles avg. pace around 12:11
Jan 7: REST DAY. Plan on some walking and weights.
Jan 8: Wimped out 
Jan 9: Beautiful running weather..50 degrees this morning in Central Ohio! Easy 6.2 miles but every step SUUUUUUUUCCCCCKKKED! 12:08 average pace. A little over 1/3 of the way to month’s goal. #betterrunnexttime #ohwellatleastIdidit
Jan 10: Sick..no run
Jan 11: Feeling slightly better..we’ll see if I feel up to a run after work. UPDATE: Decided I might be pushing it since it was still pretty cold (around 3 degrees with wind chill) so I’m going to give it one more day
Jan 12: Big snowfall so I couldn’t do run in the morning (needed to leave a lot earlier for morning commute), planning on run tonight. EDIT: Finally got back out there. I didn’t really do winter running last year and this was the first truly cold day (actual in the teens, single digits with wind chill). I’m not sure if it’s all a “mental thing” but it felt a LOT harder..not just the “man it’s cold, I want to go get warm” part of it (that faded away after the first half mile or so once I started to get feeling back in my fingers) but it was harder to keep a good pace. I’ve decided I’ll need to add a ski mask to my winter running apparel. My “slow” pace is usually somewhere around the high 11s to low 12/mile and it was around a 13:30 tonight..and at times it felt like it was a “hard” pace. Is this a common thing for first-time winter runners? Forgot to turn off my wi-fi connectivity so I think when I ran past the Burger King I grabbed their wi-fi for a sec because suddenly a billion Facebook notifications came in and froze up my RunKeeper so my run was cut shorter than I wanted. (I was doing an interval program and had no idea how to make it restart at a specific point.) I guess I’ll remember tomorrow 3.92 miles
Jan 13: Single digit temps this morning, hoping to get the run in tonight.