March 2016 Running Challenge

Lent is in the books and so is my mileage goal! Looking forward to a rest and a Reese's egg tomorrow

3/21. Cross
3/22. 4.3 m
3/23. 3.25 m
3/24. Cross.
3/25. 3.5 m
3/26. 3.5 m
3/27. Rest.
Wtd. 14.55 m

Mtd. 69.7 / 60 miles

@MobyCarp Congratulations! Too funny about the fellow that was glad you had a bday!

@MNLittleFinn Actually, for me the Brooks are the only shoes so far where I didn't have to go half a (or even a full!) size bigger. For what it's worth, this is my personal table of the brands I've bought running shoes from so far:
Mizuno 40 / US 9 / UK 6.5
Saucony 40.5 / US 9 / UK 7
Brooks 39 / US 8 / UK 6
Asics 40.5 / US 9 / UK 7
I'm not buying shoes of an unknown brand online - they are just so random about sizes!

@Amandajs232 Sometimes it's great to look back and see how much things changed. You've done amazing in the past few month! I really love this challenge, it's so motivating!

@michable Wow, already more than 200km for the month, great job!

@greenolivetree regarding the time difference between Strava and Garmin: yes, as WhatMeRunning wrote, Strava deletes time you stand still. Somewhere in your run log you can see also the"elapsed time", but it uses "moving time" to calculate your pace. One of the reasons I keep using runningahead in addition to Strava, since I feel like ignoring the stopped time isn't really fair - I do get some recovery when I stand around at a traffic light (or stand around staring at my phone, trying to figure out how to get home). So if there is actually a way to switch that feature off, I'd love it if somebody could point me towards where I can change that setting!

@ariceroni Amazing time, congratulations on the PR and the age group win!

@MobyCarp That age group win streak is super impressive, kudos!

---

I'm visiting my family for easter (Fri - Mon) - and I didn't pack any running clothes!
...That's not as serious as it sounds - I managed a run on Friday before heading for the airport, and I happen to have some "retired" running gear stashed at my parents place. I might just take changing the clock a little further than necessary and get up early enough tomorrow morning. Early enough to head for a run before I have to dye the eggs for the easter breakfast. I guess the chances of success of that plan depends on how much beer and late night chatting will still happen tonight - I think I'll have to switch off my laptop and refill the fridge now :-)

AdrianChr92 wrote: »

Hello people. I'm not sure I'll hit my goal for the month but anyway it's better than last month. Or maybe I will who knows. I'm supposed to taper for next sunday when I got my first 10k race. Tomorrow is my long run and I can't wait. I went to the local sport shop and raided their running section today. No more running in cotton anything. Tech shirts, shorts, long tech pants, tech socks and everything. Even an assortment of gels and some isotonic tablets. Ok maybe I got carried away a little but I can't wait to run tomorrow. I also considered some spandex tights but I steel need to talk to my inner self about that.

Oh and I also got a pack of gummies (5) and I couldn't wait and ate one . It tasted okaysh, I've had better. Should I take these with water like gels or are fine on their own?

Nice! It's great having the tech material. My husband will still run in heavy fabrics, well, until his nips chaffe.

I think @skippygirlsmom said that sucking on the gummies works. I haven't run with them, I can never figure out where to keep an open package without worrying that I'm gonna get sticky.

My husband refuses to do the tights too. Most seem to wear shorts over them. They can be a bit revealing. But I never think twice when I see guys in them... Except one guy- but he doesn't seem to shower.. Or never changes his shorts?

3.26.16 - 9.8 miles.

Upcoming Runs:
4.3.16 - Knoxville Marathon - 3rd time

Elise4270 wrote: »

AdrianChr92 wrote: »

Hello people. I'm not sure I'll hit my goal for the month but anyway it's better than last month. Or maybe I will who knows. I'm supposed to taper for next sunday when I got my first 10k race. Tomorrow is my long run and I can't wait. I went to the local sport shop and raided their running section today. No more running in cotton anything. Tech shirts, shorts, long tech pants, tech socks and everything. Even an assortment of gels and some isotonic tablets. Ok maybe I got carried away a little but I can't wait to run tomorrow. I also considered some spandex tights but I steel need to talk to my inner self about that.

Oh and I also got a pack of gummies (5) and I couldn't wait and ate one . It tasted okaysh, I've had better. Should I take these with water like gels or are fine on their own?

Nice! It's great having the tech material. My husband will still run in heavy fabrics, well, until his nips chaffe.

I think @skippygirlsmom said that sucking on the gummies works. I haven't run with them, I can never figure out where to keep an open package without worrying that I'm gonna get sticky.

My husband refuses to do the tights too. Most seem to wear shorts over them. They can be a bit revealing. But I never think twice when I see guys in them... Except one guy- but he doesn't seem to shower.. Or never changes his shorts?

Two things about tights: (1) I used to be old-prude-lady against running tights without shorts over them ... until I tried them. Now I couldn't care less if someone out there thinks I'm showing too much - they are awesome! No chafe, no bother ... that said, (2) We saw a grown man (not that his age would have mattered) wearing running tights - like, the very thin ones from the 80s/90s - and a sweater, enjoying a leisurely stroll with his wife into Colonial Williamsburg. This is not okay. I can't erase the image, people. There is a line.

10 km Walk - Run through the Trees in the Snow on a Trail we call " Cadillac Ranch " ( lots of Old Cars abandoned in the Trees and one Cadillac ) that traces a route along the middle of our River Valley - so lots of terrain/elevation changes. Varied from Frozen Mud, Ice Pack, Hard Pack Crusted Snow to Loose 14" Deep Snow and some of the Low Spots - Gullies were Mini Lakes that required a careful detour to keep your feet dry. Later when it warmed up some of the South Facing hills turned into Muddy Super Sliders. Didn't realize it was going to turn into a Tough Mudder. Still was a nice day as it started at -7C ( 19F ) and warmed up to 5C ( 41F ) with no wind and bright sun. We will be using this route quite a bit as part of our Training for the next HM as it has lots of rolling hills and a few steep pitches similar to the Jasper HM and Emperors Challenge 20km. We can do a 5km Uphill/Downhill/Uphill loop on the Far North end of it to increase the distance/elevation changes.

03/01 – 0.0 Km – 0.0 - 140 km
03/02- 10.0 Km – 10.0 - 130 km
03/04- 11.0 Km – 21.0 - 119 km
03/05- 13.0 Km – 34.0 - 106 km
03/06- 8.0 Km – 42.0 - 98 km
03/12- 20.0 Km – 62.0 - 78 km
03/13- 6.0 Km – 68.0 - 72 km
03/14- 7.0 Km – 75.0 - 65 km
03/16- 8.0 Km – 83.0 - 57 km
03/23- 9.0 Km – 92.0 - 48 km
03/26- 10.0 Km – 102.0 - 38 km – 365.8 Km YTD

38 km to goal with 5 days and 3 planned runs left in the month.

Amandajs232 wrote: »

I went out and bought some new running gear today and it made me reflect on where I was in November when I first joined this group - there was a lot of walking to make up distances, it was all treadmill (I am now firmly in the dreadmill camp) and I was 30lb heavier. It was almost emotional standing there dressed in proper running gear looking the part.

@Amandajs232 I think every single runner on this form can relate to this. After my Run and Coffee with the gang this morning I stopped in at a local shop and tried on some new to me clothes. When I started on MFP back in ancient days I shopped in the XXL section - Tried on some MEDIUM TOPS today and they fit - yes they had a few Bumps and Round spots that I am still working on - But they fit - Now to find a V Neck style to accommodate my Guerilla neck and I am going to do some serious famed Spring Retail Therapy. Sally Ann look out here comes some old clothes.

@Elise4270 Congrats on the Temporary Maintenance Cycle where you have been at the same weight for almost 3 years but still changed shape and still working to lose the last few, and yes I agree we all need to step back and ignore the scale every once in a while.

@CariTJR I agree with your comments directed to @Amandajs232 - "Big well done on losing all that weight, I'm 25lb down so far and still going, like you say, it's quite a shock to see your reflection in proper running gear and you think "god, that is actually me!".
@CariTJR Spreading out your long runs sounds like a good plan at this stage - build a few more base miles.

@MobyCarp Congratulations on the AG Win. In one of my races this year there was only 2 in my AG so when I picked up my race package they said Congratulations on the AG Placing. I looked at who the other runner was and said I get 2nd ~ I was right as I finished 45 mins behind the other runner - who ended up 1st overall.

@WhatMeRunning @_nikkiwolf_ @AdrianChr92 Thanks for the Strava info. As long as the weather is cool, stopping/walking to blow my nose is just part of my running. When it's warmer I'll get more accurate results. My Garmin said 9:27 average pace, 9:21 average moving pace and Strava said 9:11. Looking at my splits I can tell which miles I stopped :-p

On the shoes, I'm a 6.5 and my Brooks are 6.5 but my Nikes are 7. I've always had to go up in Nike.

@kristinegift So funny about the air on your behind! I didn't wear shorts for 8 years while I was overweight. After I lost weight I had to work my way from capris to knee length to shorter shorts :-D

@HonuNui I'm sorry your son isn't well

@HonuNui - I am so glad you were able to be there for your son and recognize that he needed help! I am sure he was so happy to have you there too!
@AdrianChr92 - I buy the regular gummy bears at the grocery store or wherever they are cheapest. I think it is always better to have them or other fuel with water but I do tend suck on the gummies and bloks letting them slowly dissolve in my mouth so they don't upset my stomach. @Elise4270 - I put a few or however many I think I need/want in a ziplock and put it in a pocket or in my belt so no open package or sticky mess. I do the same with my shot bloks.
@MobyCarp - congratulations on the AG win!
@Amandajs232 - I have been on maintenance for a bit now (60 lbs down) and I still have those moments when I catch myself in my running or workout gear and have to stop and realize it really is me!
@kristinegift - I pretty much only wear compression shorts as the others all seem to ride up on me or chafe. Is there a reason you don't want to wear compression? I actually found a site with compression shorts with side and back pockets but I don't remember the name and can no longer find it

Is it wrong that I am totally focused on getting my bandage off and a smaller cast put on, Wednesday afternoon and whether or not I will be able to fit in a run afterwards? I honestly have not thought of much else and am still thinking about which shoes to wear, how far to run...

March 2016

2/3 1k
5/3 6k
6/3 5k
9/3 1k
12/3 6k
13/3 8k
16/3 4k
17/3 4k
19/3 8k
20/3 6k
22/3 4k
24/3 4K
26/3 8k
27/3 6k

71/75

shanaber wrote: »

@kristinegift - I pretty much only wear compression shorts as the others all seem to ride up on me or chafe. Is there a reason you don't want to wear compression? I actually found a site with compression shorts with side and back pockets but I don't remember the name and can no longer find it

Is it wrong that I am totally focused on getting my bandage off and a smaller cast put on, Wednesday afternoon and whether or not I will be able to fit in a run afterwards? I honestly have not thought of much else and am still thinking about which shoes to wear, how far to run...

@shanaber I wear tight shorts most of the time because they don't ride, but lately I can't find any with enough/big enough pockets. I ordered a pair of Saucony scoot tight shorts and the pocket barely could hold one gel! Some of the loose-leg Oiselle shorts (and other brands, obviously) have larger pockets and side pockets you can't get with compression shorts. I hate to leave compression shorts behind because they make my butt look great but I need more pockets, darn it! I wear tight shorts to avoid chafe, but I actually didn't chafe with the Distance shorts, which was a happy surprise -- though I did lube up quite a bit with Vaseline beforehand!

Aaaaand hope you can get a run in with the smaller cast!! You must be going stir crazy!

3/1-2.03
3/2-3.53
3/3-Rest
3/4-Rest
3/5-6.00
3/6-3.13
3/7-3.26
3/8-Rest
3/9-3.23 (5k pr)
3/10-Rest
3/11-Rest
3/12-7.01 (personal distance PR)
3/13-2.25 (getting closer to doing a true recovery run)
3/14-3.14
3/15-2.02 (4-10 inches of snow in the forecast for tomorrow, so I snuck a quick run in tonight)
3/16-Crosstrain HIIT core work
3/17-Rest
3/18-3.01 (First AM run, in the dark)
3/19- 6.27
3/20-3.0
3/22-3.0
3/23- Rest
3/24- 5.52<-First ever daily double. 3.5 morning, 2.02 afternoon.
3/26- 9.0 <- daily double
3/27- 3.0

Monthly total: 68.42/56

Today's run was a lovely recovery run at o'dark thirty in the rain.... Jacket worked great and I didn't get wet.

Great 10k today. Went fast during the last 2 km and I was amazed I could run that fast after 8 km. I remember first time I finished 10k I was at a 7 min/km pace and was really hard. That was a month and a half ago. Today I ran almost all of them at 6 min/km and finished last 2 under 5min/km and could even sprint the last hundreds. Wanted to test for next sunday 10k race. I'm confident I can get my time under 55 minutes in race conditions. It's so great when you look back and you see how much you progress. It may not seem much day by day but it adds up a lot in time.

My little sister ate half of my fruit jellies

.....Date.....Distance...Pace (min/km).........................Random thought of the day
March 01 - rest
March 02 - 5 km............(4:42).........Stop bouncing like Bambi you idiot you gonna kill your knees
March 03 - 7 km............(6:00)............................Bend at the ankles not the waist.
March 04 - 3.5 km.........(7.46)....................A metronome app helps with your cadence
March 05 - rest
March 06 - 15 km..........(6:00)............Need to taper long run next week but don't want to
March 07 - 5 km............(7:08).........................,.............Treadmills suck
March 08 - rest(4k walk)
March 09 - 3 km............(6:00).................................Treadmills really suck
March 10 - dead
March 11 - dead
March 12 - dead
March 13 - dead
March 14 - 4 km.............(4:20).......................Turns out I'm quite good at biomechanics
March 15 - rest
March 16 - 4.4 km..........(6:50).................I can't do this any slower watch leave me alone
March 17 - 3.4 km..........(5:50)......................Tap Tap Tap Tap Tap Tap Tap Tap Tap
March 18 - 3.4 km..........(5:00)........................................Gotta go fast
March 19 - rest (xt)
March 20 - 6.5 km..........(5:40)........................................Praise the sun
March 21 - 5.3 km+ONE (1) hour of stationary bike..............Music
March 22 - 5.6 km
March 23 - 3.6 km....................................................I ate 5 bananas today
March 24 - 6 km............(7:00)......................................Now that's easy
March 25 - 2 km............(6:30)..................................Gotta rest a little too
March 26 - rest
March 27 - 10 km..........(5:53).................It takes me around 4 km of jogging to warm properly



03/04: Bucharest 10k and Family run (registered)
16/04: Color Run Bucharest (registered)
15/05: Bucharest Half Marathon (need to register till march 31)

Congrats on the awesome 10k @AdrianChr92!!

This morning I could hear rain so I checked my weather app to figure out how to dress. It said it was 32 F (0 C) and snowing. I looked outside and saw rain coming down, white on the grass, cars and patches of white on the streets. So I dressed up in pants, tights, shorts, hoodie and gloves and headed out. I did not encounter any ice but plenty of slush and puddles.

It transitioned to giant snowflakes on the way home making for a beautiful scene with the green and blooms of spring, running streams, contrasted with the white patches on the ground and giant snowflakes falling.

Happy Easter everyone!

3/1 - 5 miles
3/2 - 5 miles
3/3 - 5 miles
3/4 - Rest
3/5 - 12 miles
3/6 - 5 miles
3/7 - 5 miles
3/8 - 5 miles
3/9 - 5 miles
3/10 - 5 miles
3/11 - Rest
3/12 - 12 miles
3/13 - 5 miles
3/14 - 5 miles
3/15 - 5 miles
3/16 - 5 miles
3/17 - 5 miles
3/18 - Rest
3/19 - 12 miles
3/20 - 5 miles
3/21 - 4 miles
3/22 - 4 miles
3/23 - 4 miles
3/24 - 4 miles
3/25 - Rest
3/26 - 8 miles
3/27 - 4 miles

134/150 Miles



Upcoming races:
4/9 - Rock the Parkway half marathon (Kansas City, MO)
4/16 - Garmin Wickedly Fast half marathon (Olathe, KS)
4/23 - Race for Hope half marathon (North Kansas City, MO)
5/1 - Buffalo Bell Stampede half marathon (Leavenworth, KS)
5/14 - Running with the Cows half marathon (Bucyrus, KS)
6/2 - Hospital Hill 5k 7pm PRE-RUN (Kansas City, MO)
6/3 - Hospital Hill half marathon 7am RE-RUN (Kansas City, MO)
9/25 - Broadway Bridge half marathon (Kansas City, MO)
10/15 - Kansas City Marathon 26.2 (Kansas City, MO)
11/5 - Jenks half marathon (Jenks, OK)
11/6 - Kansas half marathon (Lawrence, KS)
11/12 - Longview half marathon (Kansas City, MO)
11/13 - Gobbler Grind half marathon (Overland Park, KS)
11/19 - White River half marathon (Cotter, AR)
11/20 - Pilgrim Pacer half marathon (Lenexa, KS)

March Running Totals (km)
3/1- 1.4 (1.4/35)
3/2- 2.51 (3.91/35)
3/3- 1.42 (5.33/35)
3/4- DOMS hit hard. Need to remember to foam roll!
3/5- Life
3/6- 3 (8.33/35)
3/7- Life
3/8- 3.5 & 1.97 (13.8/35)
3/9- 1.41 (15.21/35)
3/10- Cross training
3/11- Life
3/12- 3.1 (18.31/35)
3/13- 3.6 (21.91/35)
3/14- Strength
3/15- 3.6 (25.51/35)
3/16- 5.1 (30.61/35) Shamrock 5k
3/17- Rest kind of. Walked at work, taught fitness class (participated in about half)
3/18- Rest and fun night out with friends
3/19- 3.2 (33.81/35)
3/20- Rest
3/21- 3.6 (37.41/35)
3/22- Walk at work and yoga
3/23- 3.8 (41.21/35)
3/24- Rest. Allergies hitting full force!
3/25-3.9 (45.11/35)
3/26- Taught yoga and lifted.
3/27-5.5 (50.61/35) Decided to use C25K's 10k training program to keep myself motivated to keep going. It started me on W9D1 since I'd finished C25K already. It was a good run, only stopping once for traffic during the intervals. Dressed a little warm since I didn't account for the sun beating down on me (another reason I prefer predawn runs!) but rolled up my sleeves and kept going. Feeling great about this!
3/28-
3/29-
3/30-
3/31-


Races
March 16th- Shamrock Run (47:05)
April 10th- Run For Home HM (Relay Team)
May ?- TuscBDD 5k
June 25th- Indian Mud Run
August 13th- Insane Inflatable 5k
August 20th- Warrior Dash