November 2016 Running Challenge

@Azercord - hope the toe heals soon. Think I agree with your wife - if it was one of your other toes I'd have said try it out, but big toe is important for balance so may be a bit early for running. When I broke mine last year I couldn't even walk quickly for a few weeks.

Completed my first planned double run day! Following my easy 5k this morning, I had a fast 10k planned this evening but brought it forward a few hours to beat sundown when my afternoon appointment got cancelled.

At 10C and overcast with a mild breeze it was pleasant, but still very wet. Wasn't aiming to break any records, and didn't know how body would react to double run so set out aiming for anything sub 1hr 3min. Started off ok completing 5k in 29:45, but soon after 5k I was drastically overheating as I had dressed for rain. There was no way I would be able to keep up the pace so shed my outer layer and slowed right down to easy (practically walking) pace for 500m. Decided at this point to switch my workout to a circuit doing short fast intervals along half the lap (approximately 8 x 50m fast/50m MP - was between lampposts rather than measured intervals) then an easy pace round the other half the lap. Ended up being 1hr 4min, but my legs definitely know they've had a workout which was the aim of the session in lieu of doing a lower body gym session!


2-Nov: 13.1k - 3 laps of hilly route.
4-Nov: 6.26k - Planned 11k easy, but cut short as very stiff/tired.
7-Nov: 11.25k easy.
9-Nov: 6k fast
12-Nov: 18k - longest run to date. Very wet.
14-Nov (AM): 5.1k easy. Wet and sluggish (no warm-up)
14-Nov (PM): 10k as 5k tempo + 5k intervals

Goal: 50 Mi Run / 50 Mi Walk
11/1 3.28 mi run 3.28 mi run total
11/1 1.57 mi walk 1.57 mi walk total
11/3 4.44 mi run 7.72 mi run total
11/5 3.71 mi run 11.43 mi run total
11/5 1.08 mi walk 2.65 mi walk total
11/6 5.26 mi run 16.69 mi run total
11/6 0.71 mi walk 3.36 mi walk total
11/9 3.59 mi run 20.28 mi run total
11/10 4.01 mi run 24.29 mi run total
11/10 1.54 mi walk 4.9 mi walk total
11/12 3.23 mi run 27.52 mi run total

@greenolivetree yes, this is what I was looking for. Thank you.

Well folks, it was bound to happen. I am getting burned out on running.

Over the weekend, I did not run. I had a six-mile walk on Saturday and that was enough. I planned to run on Sunday but when it came down to it, I just wasn't feeling it. It was the first time I likened running to a chore. So I skipped Sunday, telling myself I would run on Monday. I still plan to run tonight, but I don't know how much. I plan to just let my body dictate how many miles it wants to do, and keep it at that.

I'm planning to re-think my goal for the month. I may be pushing myself too hard, and that's why I'm feeling burned out. I will still keep my goal at 130 total miles walking/running, but I will probably wind up shifting more miles over to walking and less from running. We'll see. Who knows, maybe I'll come out of this funk stronger than before, but for the foreseeable future I do not think I want to run as much as I have been.

I don't know. It could be the depression acting up. I don't have any injuries or fatigue. Just a nagging sense of ennui regarding running, and exercise in general.

@MNLittleFinn I have never tried fartlek runs. That might be worth looking into, especially on the treadmill. It could also help me get more bang for my buck in less time.

@RespectTheKitty My actual desire to run is an ebb and flow. Switching things up can help - different time/different place/different workout (like fartlek or hill repeats). I've definitely struggled lately with days of waning desire to run. Your running is for you - just remember that. Do what makes you happy. I've been listening to Christmas music. LOL!

@Stoshew71 despite not feeling burnt out right now, those articles were great for me too

Running update for Saturday and Monday: Had another good run this morning. I only felt a slight twinge of pain when I fell back into my previous running technique. Once I corrected to kicking back further on the toe off and using my glutes, the pain went away. I did have some tenderness in my hamstring after Saturday's run, but absolutely no pain while running. I also had a little bit of tenderness today after my morning run, but it totally went away by mid-morning so that's better than Saturday. The PT said I can gradually increase my mileage. We discussed long runs and my upcoming half marathon. Hopefully, my hamstring will hold up, but my number 1 goal is to be marathon ready by the end of February.

@azercord Hope your toe heals fast. Years ago, I broke my toe in Mexico. LOL! I had the bright idea to play barefoot soccer on the beach. (I'm sure margaritas are to blame...) There’s no way I could have run with a broken toe. I could barely walk. I’m not sure I could have even put on a shoe other than flip flops.

@respectTheKitty Sorry to hear you’ve lost that loving feeling. As others have mentioned, maybe try something new…especially on the weekends. I love to go and find scenic places to run, such as parks with paths along rivers or lakes. Also trail running is super fun. I don’t even need music to keep me entertained when I run on trails. I just enjoy hearing the sound of my feet hitting the dirt, focusing on my breathing and the path I’m going to take, listening to the birds sing and trying to spot deer in the woods. It makes me happy.

November walking miles

1---6.24 
2---travel/pt/doc
3---3.1 walk, 25 minute swim, 2.8 walk
4--- travel
5---3.19
6,7,8--- Nada, pt, Nada
9---4.7
10---4.77
12---3.0
14---4.45

32.25/50+

Not Advisable races:
12/11/16 BMW Dallas Marathon, Half (registered)
Run the year 2016  898.42/ 2016 (DNF)

Advisable races:
March 19th 2017 RNR Half Dallas, TX
March 26th 2017 A2A 5k Ardmore, OK
April 30th 2017 OKC Memorial Marathon, Half

Hey, anyone streakin' this year? I think I'm gonna try again.