October (2016) Running Challenge

mbaker566 wrote: »

fun run this weekend at my local running store. costume contest and pumpkin pancakes. yay.

That sounds great!

@dkabambe, hills are so daunting. I know there will be a few in my 10K next month so I keep adding them to my runs. We have lots of hills in my neighborhood where I run and over time I've gotten slightly faster at running up them and slower at running down them.......LOL

Good job on tackling them!

After yesterday's run my knee was really sore so I iced it off and on several times and now this morning it's fine again. I'm beginning to think it's just an inflammation/swelling issue. I'll give it one more day off and a bit more ice then I'm planning on running again in the morning before the rain sets in! If it's still sore after that I'll take a few more days off from running and just use the elliptical at the gym. I'm determined to be ready for that 10K though so plan to run through the pain if I have to...........it's not that bad and it's not an injury, just old age I think.

katharmonic wrote: »

@lporter229 I didn't know you had a Stella also I just ordered a hands-free leash that has a bungee segment too. I'm excited to try it.

LOL. I figured just about every member of MFP knew I had a Stella by now. Please don't offer me the opportunity to post another photo! Seriously though, she just turned a year old and is a complete bundle of energy. I have had dogs before, but she is my first puppy. So much fun.

Also, you mentioned having Raynaud's. My mother has it very badly and over the last few years, both my brother and I have begun to notice symptoms as well. Yesterday was 50F when I was running and my hands were white and completely numb. Looks like I am going to have to break out the gloves early this year. It definitely gets worse with age

@MNLittleFinn -Congrats on your decision to run the full marathon! I have no doubt that you can do this and I really love your enthusiasm. But at the risk of sounding like a preachy know-it-all, I am going to go out on a limb here and caution you against taking on too much with your training. It's great to have a solid plan, but when you enter into the area of 45+ miles per week, every week, burn out is real. Sometimes it's mental fatigue, sometimes it's physical fatigue and sometimes it's those phantom injuries. Just make sure to pay attention to your body and don't be afraid to adjust your plans if you need to. I know you will do well!

The poop talk is cracking me up. You all know by now that I have Crohn's disease. Enough said. There are some stories I will just never tell. LOL. Fortunately, I have only ever had to stop once during a race (well, twice, but it was the same race), so I consider myself pretty lucky.

Didn't check in for a couple of days, because I'm trying to keep my mind of running (stupid tapering!). So now of course I have a lot of posts to catch up... And at least half of them on the lovely topic of poop, how nice

7lenny7 wrote: »

Regarding crappy runs, I've been known to carry TP in a ziploc bag on my long runs before, and always to a race. Thankfully have never had to use it though.

I've got a ziploced package of tissues in my hydration pack for the same purpose, along with a miniature bottle of hand disinfectant. The latter also come in handy on trail runs for more serious looking cuts and scrapes. Only needed the tissues once during the entire year, but that already made it worth it to drag them along on all those runs.

@Orphia Congratulations! So many great achievements on the last weekend. And how cool that you did it together with a friend you hadn't met since 15 years!

@MNLittleFinn Ha, I knew you would give in to the temptation and sign up for a full for next year! I'm sure you'll manage your HM time goals as a "by-product" during your training for it.

@mmteixeira Thanks for the detailed report on the milestone pod! It sounds much more useful than the gadget I have: I bought a "zoi runteq" sensor at the beginning of this year, but was really disappointed. You can chose to wear it on your chest and get data like "braking", "bounce" and "impact", but not on the foot strike. When worn on the foot, you only get information on the amount of heel/mid/forefoot strike, none of the other data. And I couldn't figure out how to see that data in detail - there just seemed to be an absolute value for a run.
So I would get the info "27.3% heel, 31.5% middle, 41.2% ball" for one run and "36.4% heel, 32.6% middle, 30.9% ball" for the next, but no way to correlate that with pace, elevation, fatigue or anything. The only conclusion I could draw from that was "either the thing doesn't work or my foot stike is completely mixed". Only used the thing for a few runs, then it went to sleep in a drawer... Maybe I should check if they updated the app in the past couple of runs and it's more useful now, because the kind of stats like you get from your pod would be fun to look at!

@ddmom0811 The marathon is Sunday. As in - THIS SUNDAY!

But I'm actually past the panic-and-freakout point now, I think. I even gave up worrying about what to wear
That probably sounds like it shouldn't have been a question in the first place, but my most comfortable long running trousers have holes in them. I was worried that if I sew the holes shut, the thread and knots will chafe. So I tried to get the same ones as replacement. All I could read from the label was that they are from Under Armour, size S, "coldgear" and "storm" material, and I know they have side pockets. But I do not the exact model, so I ordered three different "coldgear"+"storm" models...
Triple fail! One pair I got is completely wrong - doesn't correspond at all to the description on amazon where I bought it (e.g. no pockets at all...). The next pair has pockets, but with zippers; and during my first run in them I found out that the ends of the zippers on the inside(!) of the trousers poke me while I run; and the fabric is slightly different from my old pants and makes noise when the thighs rub together, both things very irritating . And the third pair has the right pockets, and is made of the right material, but too short. WTH?! They are the same size as the others, but short enough to leave a gap between my usual socks and the trousers. I seriously debated cutting off the lower leg part of the (light gray) no-pockets pair and sewing that to the (shiny black) too short ones... Yesterday I decided on another solution: I will just wear the ones with holes in them! If it's cold or rainy, I'll already look like an idiot with the hat I use in that kind of weather, grubby jogging pants won't make that (much) worse.

345,754 steps thus far in October.

OMG these topics. @skippygirlsmom Wow, I can't imagine being so relaxed about it at that age. Amazing! I peed myself on my first 10K race, a small local one. And I came in last. I felt like everyone could see what I had done when I crossed the finish line. I was so embarrassed. I couldn't get out of there fast enough. I obviously over-hydrated. But there were no porta-potties at the start or along the course at all; not sure if that is normal as I haven't done another small local 10K.

Thanks for all of the congratulations and advice, everyone! My legs are almost better today. Going down the stairs this morning finally didn't feel like torture. I'm trying to talk myself into getting to work but I will likely go for a recovery run instead.

Good luck with your race @_nikkiwolf_ ! Sorry you couldn't get the same pants. Wearing the old ones is a perfect solution!

10/1: 13.1 Miles: 1st Half Marathon Race!! / Yoga
10/2: 4.5 Miles (Very Slow…) / Yoga
10/3: 3 Miles…Feeling much better 
10/4: Body Pump and 3 more slow miles
10/5: 3.1 mile run / 1.7 mile Social run/walk through my gym with my kiddo
10/6: Body Pump
10/7: Yoga and Tried out my new Foam Roller
10/8: 14 Miles (6 with Hubby running and Kiddo bicycling)
10/9: 5 Miles
10/10: 3 mile trail run with the family
10/11: 7 minutes of Core, Body Pump, 30 minutes of Stationary Bike
10/12: 4 Mile run turned into 1.87 after a huge wipeout
10/13: 3 Mile Walk
10/14: 3.1 Mile Run
10/15: 10 Mile Run. Planned to go 12, but my hamstring started acting up around Mile 5. It didn’t hurt bad, but it wasn’t normal, so decided to cut my run short. 
10/16: 45 Minutes of Stationary Bike
10/17: 45 Minutes (12 Miles) of Stationary Bike
10/18: Body Pump and 30 minutes (7.5 miles) on Stationary Bike
10/19: 60 minutes (15.6 miles) on Stationary Bike
10/20: 3 Mile Run / It was a chilly 75 degrees with a strong north wind. I didn’t break a sweat at all!! Still had discomfort with the hamstring though. Ugh!!
10/21: Rest Day
10/22: 3 mile slow run with the kiddo: still discomfort / 15 minutes row machine, 45 minutes (12 miles) Stationary Bike
10/23: 5 mile run on Zero Runner – Wish I tried this sooner, but I thought I’d still have pain when bending my knee.
10/24: 3.1 mile run on Zero Runner / 10 minutes of Row Machine
10/25: Body Pump and 20 minutes (5.3 miles) on Stationary Bike

77.8 miles of running / 64.4 miles on Stationary Bike – Eliminated goal due to leg pain

2016 Races Completed:
Buffalo Boogie (5K) May 7 – 23:42
Marine Creek Trailhead Trot (5K) May 14 – 22:00
Joe’s Run (10K) June 4 – 48:04
Firecracker 5000 (5K) July 4 – 22:51
XTERRA Jurassic Trail Run (15K at Night) July 16 – 1:32:05
Clark Gardens I’m Only Half Crazy Half Marathon/5K (HM) Oct 1 – 1:48:21

Upcoming Races:
Turkey Trot – Appleton, WI (5 Miles) Nov 24
BMW Dallas Marathon (HM) Dec 11
Cowtown Marathon (Full) Feb 26

Body Pump went well last night. I decided to reduce the weight and not go as deep on squats and lunges. Since the Zero Runner is going well, I’m pretty much following my planned training schedule for my marathon in February. I was initially going to go with 6 running days a week, but decided to reduce to 5 with 1 cross training day to ensure I don’t get any more injuries. When I got home from the gym last night, I ran a bit through the house and had absolutely no pain or discomfort, so that was very exciting!! However, the lumps are still there. My knee was still sore in the morning, which is typical, but felt better after my routine of alternating hot water / ice water compresses.

@7lenny7 How long did it take for your Baker’s Cysts to go away? My husband has had them since May or June, but his cysts are huge…like golf balls. Mine are really small…about dime sized.

@Calvin2008Brian Welcome to the group!!

@kristinegift LOL!! I had one of those runs praying I could get to the port o potty before #2 came. My time was very good on that run!! Ha ha!!

@elise4270 Is this a real song or something you made up? If it’s real, can I find it on YouTube? LOL

@RunRachelleRun That is exactly why I’ve decided to always wear black shorts or capris when racing. I was almost going to wear blue shorts with a black tank top for my Half Marathon. Then I remembered my 10K!! I had to make a come from behind push at the end to win Female Master’s and 2nd Overall Female. I was running with all my might, and a wee bit of wee came out.

This is me about to cross the finish line. My son ran out and joined me...LOL!. The woman behind me with the sad face was the one I had to beat to win Masters. We chatted a while after the race. She was super nice. She said she just didn't have anything left in the tank.




@MobyCarp That’s great news on 12 minutes of continually running without a break!! So happy for you!

@HonuNui I’ve only been on 2 night dives. The 1st was really scary. It was just our Dive Guide, my husband and I. I felt like something was going to swim up out of the darkness and eat me at any given moment, but I survived. I really didn’t want to do another, but my husband talked me into it on a trip to Cozumel. I’m glad I did. There was a group of about 8 to 10 divers, and I felt much safer. There was more light from the other divers and I didn’t have that fear on that dive.

@OhHim Hope the quad pain eases up for you.

@HeatherMN YES, you have to post that on YouTube!! If you do, send us the link! What an awesome routine! Cats have so much personality, but each cat definitely has their own.

MNLittleFinn wrote: »

Nice XT today today @BeeerRunner

Thanks @MNLittleFinn !! I did 5 running days a week for my half marathon, and was pleased with my results. I wanted to go with 6 for my marathon, but with my leg issues, that did not happen. I'm feeling optimistic that I'll be running on pavement soon, but I definitely don't want to get hurt again. So, Tuesday will be cross training day for me and 5 days of running.

Also, to answer your other question, I'm using Hal Higdon. It's what I used for my 10K, 15K and Half Marathon races, and I was super pleased with my results. My cousin (who lives in MN by the way) recommended his plans to me when I started getting into running, and they worked for me. I just adjust some of the days around based on my schedule.

7lenny7 wrote: »

@BeeerRunner that photo is awesome! Your smile, your son's HUGE smile, then #1274's look of pain only serves to make you and your son's smiles stand out. That is just awesome! I never would have guessed you'd be in the Masters category though.

My Baker's cyst lasted for many, many months, sad to say, but it was so long ago that I can't recall how long. Eventually I started to take Glucosamine for my knee pain and through subsequent trial and error I've come to be a huge believer in it, but I can't recall if it helped my Baker's cyst or not.

@7lenny7 Yeah...it's so weird how they allow me in the Master's Category since I'm only "29 again and again and again..." LOL! One thing I've noticed is that runners tend to look younger than they are. When you see those winning the 50+ and 60+ age group awards, most of them look 10 to 20 years younger.

When I was coming up to the finish, people were hollering at me that I was 2nd. At the end of the race, we were mixed in with a bunch of 5K runners, so I couldn't keep track of who was who. So, I had a big smile for being 2nd place female and being able to push past the competition at the very end. Plus, seeing my son race out to run across the finish line with me was just adorable!

I've been taking Glucosamine already, and I totally believe it helps. When I was in my 30's, I was told I had arthritis in my left knee (years of ice skating, ballet, and then I got kicked in that knee by a horse in college) all contributed to that I guess. My right knee was fine until just these past few weeks, but this is a different feel than arthritis pain. It's definitely from those cysts and resembles more of a hamstring type pain

Date Miles Total
10/01 03.1 03.1
+++++ Strength
10/02 06.4 09.5
10/03 Rest
10/04 Strength
10/05 04.0 13.5
10/06 03.2 16.7
10/07 Strength
10/08 03.3 20.0
10/09 07.0 27.0
10/10 Rest
10/11 03.2 30.2
+++++ Strength
10/12 Rest
10/13 05.0 35.2
10/14 Rest (Forgot to do the strength training...)
10/15 04.3 39.5
10/16 08.3 47.8
10/17 Rest
10/18 04.3 52.1
+++++ Strength
10/19 Rest
10/20 05.2
10/21 02.0
10/22 03.2
10/23 06.0 68.5
10/24 Rest
10/25 04.5 73.0<- Total So Far
+++++ 22 Push-up challenge, assisted
10/26 22 Push-up challenge, assisted


Went out to run yesterday evening. After having @Stoshew71 clarified conversational pace, I tried to go slower. It took a lot of focus to go at a pace that did not feel "normal". I think half the time, I was running a little faster than comfortable conversational but still slower than what I used to. But even in that slow pace, I felt some aches from the tempo run on Sunday. After the run, I finally pick up the courage to finish the 22 push-up challenge that I was nominated from FB. Even the assisted felt so very very hard

Dang, @WhatMeRunning, you brought some spunk back with you to these threads! I like it!!

mom3over40 wrote: »

@_nikkiwolf_ I don't know when I missed the post, didn't know that you have a full marathon coming. Best of luck!
@BeeerRunner I was going to say the same thing, and I almost thought you really meant they let you in at 29!

I wish!! LOL! On a good note, I'm almost at my 1 year anniversary of starting a healthy lifestyle (for the most part), and even though I'm in the Masters category, I do feel better now than I did at 29.