December 2016 Running Challenge

@RunRachelleRun -11? Fasted? You are one tough cookie!

@kristinegift @9voice9 @skippygirlsmom Definitely great financial advice. I didn't get the option to participate in the 401k until 35. (But then i was in college until I was 34). Then of course, I didn't take advantage of the full match. Definitely should have made better choices! DH made sure I changed it- said we'd adjust to the decrease in pay.

Stoshew71 wrote: »

Which extension? Did you see that IUPUFW beat Indiana couple weekends ago? I'm thinking you maybe taking classes at the Chicago extension?

I did not see that - but Nice! I went to the Calumet extension in Hammond. I grew up in Chicago, but we moved to Hammond while I was in high school. You were in Lafayette, I assume?

01 Dec – 6.2 km Lake Wendouree
03 Dec – 5.4 km including Albert Melbourne parkrun with my nephew
04 Dec – 21.2 km Carman’s Women’s Half Marathon 2:07:59.4
07 Dec – 5.8 km
08 Dec – 4.3 km jog to Body Balance
09 Dec – 4.2 km

On the mitten/glove topic, I get Reynaud's and I use mitten/gloves and I put chemical handwarmers inside:






The chemical handwarmers are less than $2 a pair and you can get them in the picnic section of the supermarket, or in pharmacies. You just open the pack, shake, and they heat up in minutes, then last about 10 hours. They're brilliant!

I give them to the parkrun volunteers when I'm Run Director on cold days, and they've been a hit.

They also make toe warmers!

Went out for 12.5k easy, and not much to report - pace was good and pretty consistent for me (except when I deliberately picked up the pace). It was 12C out when I started and I was actually grateful on the headwind/crosswind sections for a chance to cool down. The wind picked up as I ran which brought the temperature down a degree or two which made all the difference and the last half of the run was a lot more comfortable. At least I've found my cutoff for my thin gloves - 12C is too warm for them, but at a windy 10C I don't need them but do appreciate them.


1-Dec: 6.2k easy run
2-Dec: 11.5k - 10k tempo plus warm up/cool down
3-Dec: 2.1k TM
4-Dec: 5.3k easy run
5-Dec: 21.7k long run
6-Dec: 8.3k 'tired' run
7-Dec: 3.1k TM
8-Dec: 5.3k easy
9-Dec: 12.6k easy

skippygirlsmom wrote: »

@kristinegift if I could give you one piece of budget financial advise it would be start to save for retirement, I know you are very young, but this is the time to start. If your company has a 401K get it in, especially if they match, my company used to match 100% up to 6% woohoo free money. It's not as much now but they still top at 6% depending on what you do, can't recall the exact calculation. You can always find $10 in your budget to put away.

@skippygirlsmom That's the plan -- after I put enough away into an emergency fund. If I get any kind of end of year bonus (unlikely since I started in August) that will probably go toward that fund. I should be putting money into my 401k by early next year, but I've got some other things to handle first. Looking ahead 1-2 months my budget is going to be extreeeeemely tight. (Reason #1 I'm now looking to start a weekend job in January!)

@9voice9 & @Elise4270 Glad you are in agreement as well! Retirement seems a lifetime away but it'll be nice to have some money for it.

And if anyone thinks that my dad is not being Personal Finance Dad Extraordinaire, you are mistaken. He's been giving me tons of advice in prioritizing my savings (just in case fund > 401k for now but 401k as soon as possible; loans, loans, loans!) and has been super helpful this week as I get my 2017 money plans in order. Now as long as I STICK TO THE BUDGET... all will be well!

12/1- 7.04
12/2- 4.01
12/3- 10.01
12/4- REST
12/5- 5.32
12/6- 5.01
12/7- 3.01
12/8- 8.04
12/9- 5.0

Total: 47.43

Nominal mileage goal: 100 miles
Real goal, get into the swing of Marathon training, and get used to doing 3 days a week of some strength/core while running 35+ MPW

Today's notes: another 5 boring miles on the treadmill. Average pace was 10:37, which was only 3sec/mile off my assigned pace....treadmills are good for something I guess. Another nice thing, I really am getting good cardio zone HR during these runs, keeping my HR in the mid 140's instead of the mid 150's I ave it while running outside, this is probably due to pace control, and no hills, but it is nice to see that the TM is good for something.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday are treadmill days because of convenience, since I end up doing core or weight work on those days, its easier to run at the gym and then go straight to the other half of the workout without having to change clothes.

Speaking of the other half of the workout. After today's run the assignment was:
40 mountain climbers
20 bicep curls
40 squats
20 flys
40 jumping jacks
20 overhead press

I used 10# dumbells for the flys and press, since I know I'm way weaker on upper body than I should be.

I didn't want to get up and run this chilly morning, but as always, I'm glad I did.

02 - 11.77 miles
03 - 5.39
04 - 5.33
05 - 11.30
07 - 12.78
09 - 13.94

Total: 60.51 / 125

December goal: 100 miles
12/1: 3.25 miles
12/2: 2.75 miles
12/3: 3.15 miles (m)
12/4: Rest Day
12/5: 5 miles (2 + 3 treadmill)
12/6: 4 miles (m)
12/7: 4 miles
12/8: 4.35 miles (m)
12/9: Rest Day

My Total/December: 26.5 miles
Mike's Total: 11.5 miles

My ankle was sore and swollen last night. It has been tight for a day or two now. I iced it before bed but it was still a bit tender and puffy this morning so I decided not to run today. I may even skip my walks to give it a thorough rest - though I do have some shopping to do this afternoon. Bummer.

Have a fabulous rest of the day everyone!

Completed Races:
12/3 Snowball Run 5K, Kingwood TX (35:34.2) *PR

Upcoming Races:
1/22 Choco Loco 10K, Houston, TX