The February 2016 Running Challenge

2/1 - Rest day. Semi-planned.
2/2 - Snow Day
2/3 - 4 miles on treadmill



@lporter229, @michable, @Stoshew71, @7lenny7, @Elise4270 - #haventpeakedyet Love that hashtag! Guess I qualify as a youngster?!? (42)

@skippygirlsmom - Yay for pain free miles! And a big ol' woot for Hawaii!!
@Stoshew71 - Yep...running gear stimulus package for sure!!
@9voice9 - Ugh! Sorry to hear that. Glad you can get back for your race, though!

Newbie welcomes to @CariTJR @teramae @pippishortstockings @itstime2016 @nhenryoliver @ShaeDetermined @treegirl97

@kristinegift: Yeah, they were saying 40MPH winds in our forecast too..think I’ll stick with the rest day today and maybe just take a walk

MobyCarp wrote: »

February Running Totals (miles)
2/2 – 9.73 warm up, speed work, cool down

You know you're training for a marathon when warm up, speed work, and cool down add up to almost 10 miles and you don't expect it to be even the second longest mileage of the week.

Y'all marathon/ultra folks are CRAZY

Mo Feb 1: Iowa caucuses…Can’t.tear.myself.away. What did I say about “consistency” again? I did reset my training since it’s a new month to the “Sub 2:30:00 half marathon” plan..maybe I can pull a Peewee Herman and say “I meant to do that?”
Tu Feb 2: On the board! 3.06 miles in the rain.

_nikkiwolf_ wrote: »

Although the plan is to rent snowshoes and head for some snowy mountain trails, that would make for interesting running conditions!

@_nikkiwolf_, Even better! They have snowshoe races here. I'd think that would be good crosstraining.

That race serious sounds interesting. Are they all in one place? That might be nice, then you already know the location for race 2-4. And "Autumn Trail" conjurs up really pretty images of clear blue skies and falling leaves ;-)

They are all at the same park, on Wednesdays, every other week starting the last week of August. The first two routes are 4 miles, that last two routes are 5.5K. The start line is on my way home from work. It couldn't be more convenient for me. There's another trail series I'll be signing up for that runs 5 or 6 times during the summer on Tuesdays but they change parks every time.

2/01: 3 miles, easy, 8:36 pace + 45 min x-training + core
2/02: 5 miles, tempo, 8:22 pace + 40 min x-training
2/03: 5 miles, speedwork (4x800m at 5K pace) + 45 min strength training + core
Total: 13 miles

Did some good speed work today! 1 mile warm up to the track; 4x800m (at 5K pace) with 400m recovery jog between; 1 mile cool down. I really really hate running 800m repeats (they’re my least favorite repeat distance) so it was a real struggle for me to get out there today. Especially since it was 28 degrees out and 18 mph winds. I’m very glad I did though!





Upcoming races:
2/20 - Mardi Gras Chaser (5K)
3/12 - Leprechaun Leap (5K)
3/20 - Excalibur 10 Miler
3/26 - Chicago Quarter Marathon
4/09 - Chi Town Half Marathon
5/28 - Soldier Field Run (10 miles)

Just dropping by quickly because someone sent me this, and I had to share

@_nikkiwolf_ haha!! The only one who has said anything like that to me about running outside is my husband

You guys on the other hand are wonderfully supportive!

@7lenny7 love your winter warrior running stories! So glad you and your partner are ok. Running in snow and its many challenges eh!

@pippishortstockings Go online to Dick's Sporting Goods. They are having a really good sale on winter stuff. I got two pairs of Reebok running pants for $25 each and most of the time shipping is free. Check out nearby running stores, find what you like, and if it's too expensive there, look online. You can find some phenomenal deals if you look. Amazon is a great place to find things. If you stalk the running stores you'll find some awesome deals as they start the transition to a new season. I found that for me, investing in seasons that hadn't arrived yet or had just passed, helped me stay motivated.

pippishortstockings wrote: »

Thank you for the encouragement, and welcome!! I am excited to be on this journey

@7lenny7 That snow sounds intense! Our winters (Michigan) can be quite similar, can I ask if you use a certain type of shoe for running, or a type of sock? I have been using my same old gear but with a shell coat, wool gloves, double docks, and a beanie. I find that I'm getting rashes on my calves, and don't know if I should go to Target and buy some cold weather gear, or invest in something potentially better from UnderArmor or a place like that. Would you (or anyone else) have any advice for me?

I appreciate it!!!

@pippishortstockings, Last night, because of the deep snow, I wore my trail running shoes which are Merrell All Out Charge. They worked well. One guy in our group had put screws in his shoes and I'm sure that worked well too. For most of my winter road running I wear the same road shoes I do in the summer, though I put duct tape on the toe if it's really cold to stop the cold air from getting through the mesh. For deep snow I'll use my trail shoes. The upper, while not waterproof, is thicker and lets less air and moisture through, plus has better tread. I have a pair of screw shoes I made last weekend that I've used just one time on a really ice trail. They worked great for that, but I'd only wear those if I felt I really needed to.

For socks, I use a Fitsok ISW Isowool with a trail cuff. The cuff is just long enough to fit under my running tights. I really like these! When it gets really cold...single digits or less, I wear a pair of DryMax cold weather socks. I'm very happy with these too.

I don't know what to tell you about your calf rash. Does the rash appear on the same place a particular piece of clothing touches your skin? I would try different materials covering that area. Perhaps a very thin "over-the-calf" liner sock?

Goal: 70 miles
2/1:7 miles
2/2: 2 miles

@7lenny7 - glad Kody is okay. Those Winter Warriors are amazing!
What a great group.

Feb 1 - 4.27
Feb 2- repairing/recovery day.
Feb 3 - Strength training





2/7 Daytona Beach HM

Hydeel6582 wrote: »

Hi everyone, I'm new here. My story: I started running when I turned 50. I ran for about 3 years doing 5K's and 10K's. My Dad found himself with brain cancer and he needed my care and support, it was a tough road and he died in less then a year. It's now been almost 2 years since his death and I decided I needed to take care of me. So I have signed up for a free half marathon to help my home town recover. I have about 60 lbs to lose and I need to be fit to run my first ever Half Marathon by December of this year. I am currently doing 2-3 Miles in a walk jog combo... I need your support as I begin a new journey, I need to be methodical, plan well, eat right, stay injury free! I'm really happy to be running again and I love goal setting. I've set a goal of 35 Miles for February and a 10lb weight loss

I am so very sorry to hear about your father. My mother passed away about four months ago at the age of 58 from a very short battle with pancreatic cancer. It is so very hard to pick up and keep going after something like that happens. I completely understand where you're coming from.

Best of luck with your goals. You can do it! I'm doing my first ever half marathon in a few weeks, though it's the third one I've trained for. Turns out I'm injury prone. I just joined this challenge thing last month, but everyone is super supportive and encouraging. You are in good company.

@7lenny7 I can not believe you screwed your shoes. Have you tried it out yet?

Elise4270 wrote: »

@7lenny7 I can not believe you screwed your shoes. Have you tried it out yet?

@elise4270, I joined a group of trail runners last weekend and one of them warned that because of a recent thaw and refreeze, it could be slippery. Screwing shoes was suggested. So, the night before the run I took my retired pair of Brooks, and screwed them repeatedly, in the bottom, until they looked like they had been screwed enough.

The next morning I woke up, rolled over and saw them still where I had left them, and we got going. They worked quite well. I ran 11 miles that day and in places some folks who didn't screw their shoes were sliding. Those of us who did, and one guy with YakTrax had no problem.

That said, after about 8 miles the ball of my left foot started giving me minor issues. I can't say for certain it was the screwed shoes, but the next did I used my trail shoes and ran nearly 7 miles with no issues, though i did slip around more. I may take out some of the screws and see if I can get by with less, or experiment with different locations.

@karllundy thanks! I've always wanted to go to Hawaii so I can't wait.
@_nikkiwolf_ love the meme
@kristinegift ugh sorry for your cramps, but awesome job getting out there when you are feeling like that
@pippishortstockings I'm a big fan of layering and wool socks in the winter. I don't really wear anything heavy when I run. If it's like 10 out I'll a baselayer, long sleeve dri fit and a hoodie that's not too heavy.
@7lenny7 so glad you and Kody are both okay. My poor Macy is down and out right now with a staph infection on her stomach. It's awful when our furbabies get hurt or are so close to being hurt. I call my "screw shoes" "hooker heels" but screw shoes can work.
@hydeel6582 I'm sorry about your Dad. Having lost my Dad after a long illness I can say it takes a long time to recover from the loss. Welcome to our happy family.
@9voice9 UGH - I'm so sorry about the redo you need on your surgery. Stupid driver!!

Had PT today, he's happy with the way things are coming along and says keep doing what you are doing. Okay I can do that.