The January 2016 Running Challenge

01/04 2.74 mi
01/06 3.13 mi
01/09 5.00 mi
01/11 2.63 mi
01/13 3.53 mi
TOTAL 17.03 mi

michable wrote: »

@KatEmmaMarie wow - you are doing great!

@kristinegift and @Elise4270 : I am just chiming in on the aches and niggles of long distance running. Who doesn’t love talking about that? So, I have never had any toe, shin, hamstring or ITB issues, but I have found that I dorsiflex excessively with my right foot, so I have been concentrating hard for the last 6 months or so on relaxing that off as I run. I also have a dodgy right knee that starts to act up with increasing volume, medially and posteriorly. I think it could be my medial meniscus.
My right hip flexor usually flares up when my volume increases, and I did relate that to my right glute not being active enough. Now I do this thing where rather than thinking about driving my leg forward (which would activate my hip flexor), I concentrate on pulling my leg back (hence activating my glute). It seems to help; however, I am not doing speed work or the kind of distances you are putting in, @kristinegift.

Interestingly (to me, anyway), all my niggles are on my right side, and sometimes when I run, I try to tell my right leg to do the same as my left leg, because my left leg never has any problems.

All my aches and niggles are quiet right now, because my mileage is not huge, and my hope is that by increasing mileage gradually, and doing all easy running, my niggles will not notice, and I will be able to run this marathon in July.

@michable I've had issues with my right and left sides. I have pretty wonky hips that tend to come out of alignment, and so that puts weird strains on different parts of my body until I get them back in place. I've had issues with tendinitis in my left knee, ITB problems with my right knee, hip flexor issues on both sides (always v. temporary), extensor strain in the big toe of my right AND left feet, an achy Achilles on the left, a hamstring strain on my right and my right glute tends to be sleepier than the left. I'm trying to get in the habit of regular core and stability work to keep things aligned and working properly so that when I am hitting 50 and 60+ mile weeks, I don't break myself because something wasn't firing properly or something wasn't in line with the rest of me! Luckily, I'm only having a couple of these issues; I haven't had hip flexor or knee problems since high school/early college, the heel/Achilles has healed up, and I know how to fix everything else.

I'll have to try thinking about pulling my leg back rather than pushing it forward, see if that helps. Sometimes when I know my glute is being lazy, I clench my cheeks together and that seems to help get it going again.

I hope all your aches and niggles remain quiet and you can get through training without any problems! I've never quite managed it; I did really well last fall but then I did yoga 2 weeks out from my marathon and strained my hamstring. I was so mad! I've sworn off yoga entirely, lol.

Newbie welcome to @JrReds3806

@7lenny7: Did an extra T-shirt for the morning’s run tucked in over the 2nd wicking layer and I think that’s going to be the answer. MUCH warmer in the stomach area…to the point that I had to unzip the coat by run’s end (it was quite warm this morning though for December..around 42 degrees)
@KatEmmaMarie: Congrats on hitting halfway mark to goal!
@MMillard77: Actually it’s not a “start”, it’s 1/3 of the way there from where I’m sitting…WTG!
@CrimsonWhite: I think we all have “that run” every now and then. Next time will be better.

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. EDIT: Much warmer at night. Slow 3.05 miles, avg pace 12:14 but NO walking…at all. 
Jan 14: Plan calls for 8 miles tonight…and a fast interval of 9 min pace for 2 of that I think..gulp. Glad it’s in the 40s, another night run coming….EDIT: Wimped out, just couldn’t find any motivation.
Jan. 15: Got out there and tried to do some pace pushing as penance for yesterday but my legs weren’t having it. My “fast” was only in the low 11s..bleah. It’s done but it didn’t feel like a “good” run (but I guess it’s better than a non-run). 4.02 miles..officially just past halfway to goal.

MorningGhost14 wrote: »

Ok... I want to know right now which one of you got me sick... sore throat, chest congestion, itching burning eyes... You know you who you are... Do you have any idea what kind of pain in the *kitten* it's going to be tomorrow morning doing my long run? Thank you very much... No... it's ok, I love all of you...

Sorry, that was probably me. If it makes you feel any better, I went to a retirement party for my husband's boss last night and somebody poured waaay too much wine down my throat. Tonight's run isn't going to be very pretty either.

1/1 - 3.5 miles on treadmill
1/2 - Nada
1/3 - 3.75 miles on treadmill + weights
1/4 - First day back to office / school...had to stay home to get kids moving and ready.
1/5 - 4 miles on treadmill + 4.65 miles on stationary bike
1/6 - 4.5 miles on indoor track followed by an extended stretching session.
1/7 - Sick / rest day - not sick enough to stay home for the day, but didn't want to push it for a run
1/8 - Another sick / rest day.
1/9 - 4.1 miles on treadmill
1/10 - 4 miles on indoor track + weights
1/11 - 4 miles on treadmill
1/12 - Life got in the way - sick children, work issues, etc. - Ick!
1/13 - Woke up with a head like concrete...stupid sinuses! Hoping to feel better enough to squeeze in a rare late afternoon run today.
1/13 - 3.25 miles outdoors...woo hoo! Early evening run. Had to watch out for refreeze on sidewalks and streets, but enjoyed it.
1/14 - 4.95 miles on treadmill (Trek class). My feet are not thanking me for two runs in under 12 hours. Plus, the person next to me must have eaten a poo sandwich before class...blech!!
1/15 - VJ the greyhound woke me up 3x in the night to go out, two kids and myself coughing all night and one kid with high fever this morning = another morning of no run. UGH! I am getting cranky...so going to miss my goal this month!

lporter229 wrote: »

MorningGhost14 wrote: »

Ok... I want to know right now which one of you got me sick... sore throat, chest congestion, itching burning eyes... You know you who you are... Do you have any idea what kind of pain in the *kitten* it's going to be tomorrow morning doing my long run? Thank you very much... No... it's ok, I love all of you...

Sorry, that was probably me. If it makes you feel any better, I went to a retirement party for my husband's boss last night and somebody poured waaay too much wine down my throat. Tonight's run isn't going to be very pretty either.

What is with people? How could they do such a thing to you!!

Date      Miles      MTD
------    -----    -----
Jan 01      6.5      6.5
Jan 02      5.1     11.6
Jan 03      5.6     17.2
Jan 05      3.3T    20.5
Jan 07      3.4T    23.9
Jan 09      8.2     32.1
Jan 10      6.2T    38.3
Jan 13      4.2T    42.5
Jan 15      8.2     50.7

@7lenny7 .. Just found this article on walking as cross training http://www.runnersworld.com/getting-started/walk-to-strengthen-muscles

I walked today to stretch my calves and wondered why I haven't walked sooner to help relieve my shins... Contemplating a run.. Not sure yet.

lporter229 wrote: »

skippygirlsmom wrote: »

lporter229 wrote: »

MorningGhost14 wrote: »

Ok... I want to know right now which one of you got me sick... sore throat, chest congestion, itching burning eyes... You know you who you are... Do you have any idea what kind of pain in the *kitten* it's going to be tomorrow morning doing my long run? Thank you very much... No... it's ok, I love all of you...

Sorry, that was probably me. If it makes you feel any better, I went to a retirement party for my husband's boss last night and somebody poured waaay too much wine down my throat. Tonight's run isn't going to be very pretty either.

What is with people? How could they do such a thing to you!!

I know, right? The surprising thing is, this happens to me more often than you would think. I don't get it.

Ha ha I used to have that problem too, now I guess I have "better" friends. HHMM I think I'll go look up some of the old ones.

Anyone have a 5K to 10K training program they'd recommend I follow? I'm at the point where I can finish 3 to 4 miles and feel like I can do more, but I'm not sure if I should push it too much. My legs are feeling good. Other than normal muscle aches I have no complaints.

WhatMeRunning wrote: »

cheriesanta wrote: »

I don't really know how to find my last post. I'm trying to do this and it is great to hear everyone's posts. I see so much of myself as a 20 something, 30 something, young mom etc. I am slow, but steady. I also spin. The kind of 30 something competitive me would be intimidated by a lot of you speedier people, but now I know we are all a community. Love reading, hearing of victories, setbacks, reactions to setbacks etc. Thanks for all your stories.

Welcome! This place is great and there are runners of all ages, abilities and experience here. So have no fears.

The best advice I can give for finding your last post is trying to remember what day it was and an approximate time frame. Then I just go back a page at a time until I think I'm in the right area and start scanning. I hope someone else knows an easier way!

Yeah, I had been doing that too, was hoping for some "techie" solution. Thanks for your kind words!

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.
1/14 5.0 @ 12:47 around the lake trail with my dog, who may be toking behind my back--pokey puppy was slow, paranoid (that stroller--it tried to eat me! those loud lady joggers!--they tried to eat me! that nice old man with a cane!--he tried to beat me from 12 feet away!), and generally disinterested in actually *running*.
1/15 6.0 @ 11:00 (and .25 at a walk) on the treadmill...I didn't feel up to strength training since my head was hurting this morning (running seems to make headaches better, but not lifting; it's weird)
(25/25 for the week)

Oh, funny story. So the other day I said this: "Run slower. The only time my asthma gets triggered is when I'm (foolishly) running too fast at low temps." Today, I was just trotting along on the treadmill doin' my normal intervals while watching David Bowie at Fraggle Rock with an extraordinarily young Jennifer Connelly and the lady on the 'mill next to me stops as I am getting ready to leave. She tells me that she works in pulmonary rehab and that she could tell I was suffering from asthma while exercising. "What, this cough? Yeah, it's asthma. Sorry if I bothered you, I didn't bring my inhaler (cause I don't even know where I put it!)" But she gave me a referral to a doctor and said I really should have them take a listen. So now I'm wondering what part the asthma plays in my difficulties getting to the speeds I'd like. I've never really "managed" it before, just tried not to trigger it too much.

@kimlight2 That seems to be the way of trail shoes, that they aren't so squishy. I've come to love mine, but I did wind up putting "Superfeet" in them to at least give a little more arch-support.

@Virkati Sounds like you actually had a really good run with dear Raptor. Poor creature to be so terrified. I hope your run today is fabulous. I highly suggest a mouth collar (don't know if you're familiar with those, but they turn the dog's head toward you if he tries to pull) if he's pulling hard enough that he might break loose or hurt you. He can still pant and eat with it on, but just helps you maintain a little more control.

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

@Ch1psNQueso - When I was first trying to find a training program I found the Hal Higdon programs pretty approachable. I did have to adapt it to me a little bit but otherwise pretty much followed the proram. Granted that was half marathon training but there are also 10k training programs, even different levels from beginners to advanced.

I find all of you dog runners amazing. I am always so focused on my running and all that I just can't imagine also being tuned into your dog like that. I have 3 dogs but none of them would be well suited for running due to age/health or simply breed. I can't imagine the miniature dauchshund going on even a 4 miler and the blue tick hound only has two speeds; stop and full tilt boogie. If time passes and I get a new dog I may very well look at a running friendly dog, which I never would have considered prior to all of you dog runners here.

Another strength day today so no running. My goal of 50 miles may have been quite low considering progress so far and now that some 2-3 hours long runs will be done on weekends. I honestly had no idea what this month might yield, so I will just let my meter overflow and see how the month ends. Then I'll have something to measure against for next month.

I have another race to add to my calendar now, the BattleFrog 8k obstacle course race in KC on 4/30!

@5BeautifulDays @Virkati I also recommend the head collar. my dog was terrified by the city when i got her 2 years ago. she still had bad days but the head collar made things much better

@WhatMeRunning I feel so much safer in the city with a dog and she is great running partner. it took time but she got the hang of it all. she is a great motivator

01/01 - 10 miles
02/01 - 10.4 km
03/01 - 10.4 km
04/01 - 10.3 km
05/01 - 12.5 km
06/01 - 12.5 km
07/01 - 10.6 km
08/01 - 12.6 km
09/01 - 10.6 km
10/01 - 22.5 km
11/01 - 10.6 km
12/01 - 13 km
13/01 - 13.1 km
14/01 - 10.6 km
15/01 - 13.2 km

tot 195/500 km

ups and downs, I'm refraining myself to run more to better recover. there are improvements but they happen slowly.

cold has arrived here as well, couple of morning that it's sub 0 (but I'm so focused on my hip that I don't eve notice, on thursday I even left without head lamp and then realized I was running in the dark!)

it's hard mentally, but it's also lovely