December 2016 Running Challenge

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  • Azercord
    Azercord Posts: 573 Member
    22 of 50 so far, on schedule but no wiggle room. I might have to pick up a running day here or there but we will see, pretty worn out by Sunday with my new routine.

    After see all the posts about the cold I am now really happy I live in the desert where it is warm. On Thursday we should be having perfect December weather with a high of 80 degrees :)
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    @lporter229 Yes about hydration. It's tough... I'm trying to find a handheld water bottle with a big enough strap to fit over gloves. Or trying to find a backpack that isn't going to flop against my back with every step.

    Not winter weather related, but years ago, I knew someone who started P90X and was quite overweight at the time... went from sedentary to a heavy workout, got super dehydrated, was in the hospital on dialysis for awhile. Don't be that guy.
  • ddmom0811
    ddmom0811 Posts: 1,881 Member
    patrikc333 wrote: »


    My first road bike will be ready on Friday, I'm so looking forward to it! I moved to a different country and I'm missing my wonderful parks, scenarios for runs are quite boring and ground is flat here, on the contrary there are a milion beautiful places to cycle. Plus I'm concerned one day I'll pay the price of running a lot everyday, so I want to do some cross training

    Awesome! What kind of bike? Did you get a fitting? Here in Florida it is a big thing to get your bike fitted by a person who has been to fitting classes and knows all about it. The guy that did mine measured all these angles and lengths of arms/legs/stride/ who knows what else. I love my bike! It fits me perfectly. He had to change out the stem and handlebars, which sounds expensive but it really wasn't. Something about the width of my shoulders and my reach, IDK. I think you will love mixing up the two sports. I thought I was going to be amazing biking because of all my running (which is nothing compared to your distance), but it turns out, it uses different muscles and it took quite a while for me to get really fast. And at first, I kept getting weird pains after biking. I used the foam roller a lot on my IT band at first. Now the two sports just seem to complement each other. Good luck!

    The other thing that can be difficult is getting a saddle that doesn't make you sore. Yeah, saddle sores are a real thing. Both my husband and I have gotten them.... no fun! I tried out about 5 expensive saddles (just borrowed from the store) and couldn't find any I liked. Then my cousin gave me a $30 saddle and I love it. Been using it for over a year and no problems. For short rides most saddles will do, but once you start doing 50+ miles the saddle is really important.


  • lissadecker
    lissadecker Posts: 220 Member
    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
    12/10: 3.5 miles
    12/11: 5 miles (m)
    12/12: 4 miles

    My Total/December: 39 miles
    Mike's Total: 17 miles

    Warmer still today at about 66F for my run with Fergus. Mike wasn't feeling well and stayed home. We ran the lake path and I was trying to pay extra attention to how I felt while running the more uneven areas. I could definitely feel the difference in landing, but so far my ankle is not sore or tight. In fact, my usually sore hips actually feel better today than they normally do. I feel so good that I was already looking forward to tomorrow morning's run and then I checked the weather. Forecast is for thunderstorms. I guess we'll see how that shakes out in the morning.

    @shanaber Thanks! And happy birthday to you if I didn't say so before. (I really can't remember!) Mine was the 2nd.

    @Virkati Nice to see you are getting back to it!

    @HonuNui Love the slug photo! Beautiful!

    @7lenny7 Haha! The Christmas tree run is pretty groovy! :) And kudos to you and everyone else that runs in that cold and snow. As lovely as it is, I am not sure I could do it. It looks lovely but I would be so worried about my footing.

    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

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  • lissadecker
    lissadecker Posts: 220 Member
    Question for y'all, does it get easier to control your pace? I seem to have a hard time reigning it in if I start faster than usual. I tend to settle into a pace about a quarter to a half mile into my run and then tend to want to stay there. At the moment, I am not running more than 5 miles or so, so it isn't a huge issue. But when I start going for more distance, I am going to be in trouble if I am always starting out too fast. About a month or so ago, my average pace was a slow 13 minute mile. Now, I am running mostly between 11 and 12 minute miles. I haven't been intentionally trying to increase my speed; I kind of just run however it feels comfortable. I have been paying more attention to form and have made some noticeable improvements there. I am thinking that improving my form is having a positive effect on my speed. I'm not complaining; I am glad to be running faster and can't wait until I can go even faster still. However, Houston is basically a swamp and the humidity makes breathing a challenge especially considering that I am still carrying about 60 pounds more than I should be. I think I need to figure out how to slow it down at least a little bit if I am going to add more distance. I'd like to try to push my distance out another mile or so for my next Sunday run. Maybe aim for 12 - 12.5 minute miles? Thoughts?
  • MrsLeonard2016
    MrsLeonard2016 Posts: 50 Member
    1.7 mile this morning with my couch to 5k app! Restarting running really sucks but I am looking forward to where I am headed and staying positive.
  • RunRachelleRun
    RunRachelleRun Posts: 1,854 Member
    edited December 2016
    @7lenny7 Your tree is awesome. Very creative! That's funny about the snow tires there. I thought maybe Calgary was an exception, but it sounds as if Vancouver is instead. I'd say a third to half of people here in Vancouver put snow tires on every winter.

    Yesterday, much of our snow melted and it rained, which created a slushy mess. Then, it got colder overnight, so much of that slush turned into little ice mountains, which then got covered with more snow. I had to take my car in for a service, so decided to run back home. Even the businesses haven't bothered to clear their sidewalks. The road is all slushy puddles and the sidewalks are uneven ice chunks covered in snow. I was worried I was going to twist my ankle, but I made it home safe and sound.

    Here is a picture of the snow from the first run in it the other day. I should have taken one today to show the dirty, slushy mess it is now, but I didn't. Can you spot a sidewalk? Nope. No shovels to be found. There are mountains in the distance (you can see the dark shadow of one between the two far trees) that are beautiful when covered with snow - and look much nicer when we don't have any snow!

    ibyzl8idca0s.jpg

    Anyway, running in snow/ice is crazy hard. I was working at almost tempo hr but ended up around a 15:00/mile pace.

    Oh, and I love how Strava deducts all the stops at traffic lights or from chatty neighbours so you end up with a better pace than Garmin gives.

    12/12 - 1.52 miles

    Total: 14.52 miles / 40
  • greenolivetree
    greenolivetree Posts: 1,282 Member
    @7lenny7 Love the tree and the snow pic! Great job!

    @lporter229 Great tip on the hydration. My shins itch so bad all winter long from dry skin and it's not even that cold here, just the lower humidity and the heater running does it. I definitely guzzle more water the hotter it is outside.

    I MISS RUNNING. BOOHOO.
  • dkabambe
    dkabambe Posts: 544 Member
    edited December 2016
    Had a stomach ache this morning so left my run until this afternoon - fortunately finished todays activities whilst still enough light to get a quick daytime run done. Had originally thought I'd do 13k hill circuit today but a little tired so switched this weeks runs around to give me a 7.5k easy run for today. It was 8C out, a little windy but not overly so and threatening rain as I left. I went with short sleeve top with a light cycling jacket over the top which worked well. The rain was even kind enough to wait until I got home. The run itself was good/uneventful and ended up at 8.2km.

    My runtastic app informed me after I'd finished that I'd run 599.9km this year compared to my 600km target - unhelpfully adding "To reach your goal keep running 0km per week". Whilst it's tempting to go out and run 100m I guess I can wait until tomorrow to officially make that goal!

    exercise.png
    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
    10-Dec: 2k short run
    11-Dec: 11k - 10k tempo plus warm-up
    12-Dec: 8.2k easy
  • RespectTheKitty
    RespectTheKitty Posts: 1,667 Member
    Well, I've been hit with another virus. Yesterday I was feeling pretty awful, and today isn't much better. I also have a nagging cramp in my left calf that I'm a bit concerned about. I rested yesterday, and I'm not sure what I'll do today. Maybe just walk, we'll see. Then again, running seems to clear out my sinuses while I'm doing it, so maybe it'd be a good idea. But I don't want my calf to get worse. Decisions, decisions...
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    lissadecker wrote: »
    Question for y'all, does it get easier to control your pace? I seem to have a hard time reigning it in if I start faster than usual. I tend to settle into a pace about a quarter to a half mile into my run and then tend to want to stay there. At the moment, I am not running more than 5 miles or so, so it isn't a huge issue. But when I start going for more distance, I am going to be in trouble if I am always starting out too fast. About a month or so ago, my average pace was a slow 13 minute mile. Now, I am running mostly between 11 and 12 minute miles. I haven't been intentionally trying to increase my speed; I kind of just run however it feels comfortable. I have been paying more attention to form and have made some noticeable improvements there. I am thinking that improving my form is having a positive effect on my speed. I'm not complaining; I am glad to be running faster and can't wait until I can go even faster still. However, Houston is basically a swamp and the humidity makes breathing a challenge especially considering that I am still carrying about 60 pounds more than I should be. I think I need to figure out how to slow it down at least a little bit if I am going to add more distance. I'd like to try to push my distance out another mile or so for my next Sunday run. Maybe aim for 12 - 12.5 minute miles? Thoughts?

    I've been running off and on for a couple years - took some longer breaks due to an injury and due to scheduling conflicts. At first, I had terrible pacing issues... I would go way too fast for a few min. and then walk for too long. Over time, it has improved somewhat, but not as much as I had wanted. The things I've done to help with pace are to use music targeted to a specific pace (using jog.fm), using technology to get constant updates about pace and heart rate (and I can see on my Garmin how fast I'm going on average for the run and at the moment), running trails instead of roads (which requires a slower pace due to more obstacles... also how I got injured), and just trying to make a conscious effort to slow down when I know I'm going too fast. I'm doing better than I was at one time, but still not where I want to be as far as pacing. It might be worth mentioning that I'm genetically inclined towards fast twitch muscle fibers, so that doesn't help. Over time, I've improved, but I'm open to other ideas how to help avoid sprinting as well.
  • greenolivetree
    greenolivetree Posts: 1,282 Member
    @RespectTheKitty Sorry you aren't well. I recently had a really tight/crampy calf and I finally had to lie on the floor with this http://www.gofit.net/index.php/products/recover/muscle-pain-management/massage-ball.html under my calf. It hurt but really helped :-D

    @dkabambe Funny about the 100m ;)

    @RunRachelleRun Pretty pic. I slow down a lot on trails so I can imagine snow would be similar for pace. We rarely get snow and when we do it's more likely to be in February.

    @MrsLeonard2016 Good job on that C25K plan :)
  • ddmom0811
    ddmom0811 Posts: 1,881 Member
    dkabambe wrote: »
    My runtastic app informed me after I'd finished that I'd run 599.9km this year compared to my 600km target - unhelpfully adding "To reach your goal keep running 0km per week". Whilst it's tempting to go out and run 100m I guess I can wait until tomorrow to officially make that goal!

    Ha! That's too funny! It reminds me of some of the tickers a couple years ago that didn't print correctly when you went over the goal.
    It would say something like "only -7 miles to go" when someone had 107/100 miles.

  • Stoshew71
    Stoshew71 Posts: 6,553 Member
    Date Miles today - Miles for December
    12/1 6 miles - 6
    12/2 4 miles - 10
    12/3 12 miles - 22
    12/4 REST DAY
    12/5 5 miles - 27
    12/6 4 miles - 31
    12/7 REST DAY
    12/8 3.5 miles - 34.5
    12/9 REST DAY
    12/10 26.4 - 60.9
    12/11 REST DAY
    12/12 REST DAY

    exercise.png

    Upcoming races:
    UAH 8K - 3/6 <<< 34:33 3 in AG
    Oak Barrel HM - 4/2 <<<< 1:38:00 3 in AG
    Bridge Street HM - 4/10 <<< 1:36:33 3 in AG
    PEO-AVN Team Day 5K - 5/4 <<< 19:10 (2.9 mi) 1 in AG 5 OA
    Cotton Row Run 10K - 5/30 << 44:57 PR
    Firecracker Chase 10.2 miler 6/25 << 1:20:22 1 in AG & 15 OA
    Huntsville Half Marathon - 11/12 << 1:35:55 2 in AG & 25 OA
    Rocket City Marathon - 12/10 << 2:44:41



    My legs feel a bit better today than yesterday, but still taking it easy for a couple more days.

    @Calvin2008Brian @juliet3455 @MobyCarp @kristinegift @lissadecker @shanaber @RunRachelleRun @7lenny7 @ddmom0811 -- Thank you for all your kind wishes.
  • MEMD1974
    MEMD1974 Posts: 20 Member
    [img]https://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wu2I393/exercise.png[\img] Gotta get moving! MWF and one weekend day are my goals for running, other days weights and yoga. Ran home from work the other day - good way to get home! Run about 3.2 miles each run.[/img]
  • MEMD1974
    MEMD1974 Posts: 20 Member
    exercise.png[\img]
  • MEMD1974
    MEMD1974 Posts: 20 Member
    Ran home from work the other day - good way to commute! Try to do 3.2 each run. Cheers!
  • karllundy
    karllundy Posts: 1,490 Member
    12/1 - 5.35 miles on treadmill (Trek class)
    12/2 - 5 miles. Pleasant for December, about 35°
    12/3 - Bodypump class, then 2.25 miles on treadmill
    12/4 - Planned rest day.
    12/5 - 5.11 miles avoiding slippery spots.
    12/6 - Bodypump class, then 2.3 miles on treadmill.
    12/7 - 4 miles on the 'mill.
    12/8 - 4.6 more 'mill miles (Trek class was full...so I had to run solo)
    12/9 - Unplanned rest day.
    12/10 - 2.3 miles on the treadmill, then Bodypump.
    12/11 - 4.5 'mill miles.

    exercise.png
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    @Stoshew71 -So bummed for you. I was certain you had this. I know that nobody has prepared better than you. I guess sometimes there is nothing you can do to plan for an off day though. Please don't give up trying though. All of your hard work is going to come through for you in a big way.
  • MNLittleFinn
    MNLittleFinn Posts: 4,271 Member
    So, as an evil way to get a training partner, I'm trying to get a coworker to sign up for the same marathon as me. Not sure he's up to it, but he's done Tri's and is on ski patrol, so he does have some cardio base to work with.
  • RunsOnEspresso
    RunsOnEspresso Posts: 3,218 Member
    3.55 today. My legs were like WTF are you doing lady. So it was an easy run.

    36.05/100 for the month.
  • RunsOnEspresso
    RunsOnEspresso Posts: 3,218 Member
    @7lenny7 I love Caribou! I try to stop there whenever I am in Minnesota/Wisconsin. I either grab it at the airport or in my hometown. Or both.
  • RunsOnEspresso
    RunsOnEspresso Posts: 3,218 Member
    Azercord wrote: »
    22 of 50 so far, on schedule but no wiggle room. I might have to pick up a running day here or there but we will see, pretty worn out by Sunday with my new routine.

    After see all the posts about the cold I am now really happy I live in the desert where it is warm. On Thursday we should be having perfect December weather with a high of 80 degrees :)

    Saturday when I went out for my long run, I wore capris, a tshirt with sleeves and gloves. I took the gloves off after about 3-4 miles. The sleeves came off after my first loop (about 8 miles). This morning I went out in shorts and t-shirt. Best time of year here!
  • k80flec
    k80flec Posts: 1,623 Member
    edited December 2016
    ..... you spend the weekend prostrate with a bug picked up from your grandchildren and this thread seems to go into overdrive.

    Some amazing photos: eyelash icicles, seaslugs, amazing Christmas trees and snowy landscapes - to name a few.

    ..... and some excellent runs, even if people felt they could have done better - a view I buy into in all parts of life - even if it's just a minor tweak. But celebrating achievements is also part of the formula!!


    Dec: 30 miles running.


    exercise.png


    1st: 3.16 miles Wk8:D3 C210k - MTD 3.16
    2nd: 0 miles - MTD 3.16
    3rd: 4.24 miles, 3.11 LH Park Run, Wk9:D1 C210k, 1.13 warm up and cool down - MTD 7.39
    4th: 0 miles - MTD 7.39
    5th: 0 miles - MTD 7.39
    6th: 4.1 miles with my running club. Really pleased with my run, even though it was cold and damp - MTD 11.49
    7th: 0 miles, over 6 miles on my Fitbit from purposeful walking, strength training - MTD 11.49
    8th: 4.13 miles 2 m speed training, 2 miles cool down along the Prom - MTD 15.62
    9th: 0 miles - MTD 15.62
    10th: 0 miles - totally laid low by nausea and exhaustion from a bug caught from grandbabies - MTD 15.62
    11th: 0 miles - MTD 15.62
    12th: 4.1 miles Wk9:D2 C210k, Pilates and strength training - MTD 19.72

    Planned Races
    Rudolph Red Nose 5 - Dec 24th

    Edited for typo :'(:'(
  • louubelle16
    louubelle16 Posts: 579 Member
    edited December 2016
    Back from a weekend away, now got to plough through 8 pages of posts :astonished:

    December Running Challenge

    2nd - 3.06 miles
    3rd - 11.02 miles
    6th - 3.04 miles
    7th - 5.19 miles
    8th - 4.05 miles
    10th - 4.73 miles
    12th - 3.18 miles

    MTD - 34.27/80 miles

    Upcoming races:
    17th Dec - Lee Valley VeloPark Half Marathon
    9th April 2017 - Brighton Marathon
  • MNLittleFinn
    MNLittleFinn Posts: 4,271 Member
    edited December 2016
    I'm kind of tempted to be wimpy tomorrow morning and put in my 5 miles on the treadmill. It's supposed to be -6F (-21C) with WNW winds at 12mph with a windchill of -25F (-31C).

    Actually looks like the rest of the week could be on the dreadmill (high of -2 on Thursday)....only day with a projected high above 0F is Friday, and that's an inside/gym day anyway...though I may run my 12 miler on Saturday outside...the thought of 2 hours on a treadmill sounds awful....If I can get some REALLY good tights first, projected high is -5
  • RespectTheKitty
    RespectTheKitty Posts: 1,667 Member
    Still feel like *kitten*. Gonna stay home with chicken soup and Monday night football. I walked down the stairs at work and my calf didn't like that at all. Probably best to give it another day.

    Icky cold + sore calf = nope.

    Tomorrow is another day.
  • kristinegift
    kristinegift Posts: 2,406 Member
    2/1: 6 miles with Pacers crew +lifting
    12/2: 2 miles
    12/3: 8 miles with the Saturday crew
    12/4: 5.3 miles on trails +lifting
    12/5: 6 miles
    12/6: 2 miles + lifting
    12/7: 6 miles
    12/8: 6 miles + lifting
    12/9: 1 mile
    12/10: 13.1 miles
    12/11: 4.6 miles on trails
    12/12: 2 miles + lifting

    2 quick treadmill miles after a lifting sesh tonight. Followed by a bit more car talk and an agreed upon price with the dealership. Once my insurance transfers and my loan is deposited tomorrow, I am free to sign the paperwork and take my new baby home! I'm excited to drive something new, but I wish I was more wholly excited about it... I'm also really, really sad that this means an end to the good times with my 1997 Civic... I love that thing despite it's hellishly long clutch pedal and slowly deteriorating undercarriage. Saying goodbye to that Old Man Car is going to be tougher than running a marathon, let me tell you! ;)

    exercise.png

    Winter/Spring 2017 Races:
    1/8/17: NYCRUNS Cocoa Classic 10 mile
    2/18/17: FebApple Frozen 50 - 10 mile option
    3/12/17: E. Murray Todd HM
    3/18/17: Looney Leprechaun 10k (trail)
    3/26/17: Philly Love Run HM
    4/1/17: NJ Ultra Fest HM (trail, maybe)
    4/9/17: Rutgers UNITE HM (maybe)
    5/14/17: Delaware Marathon Running Festival HM
    5/21 or 5/28: Cleveland or Vermont City Marathons (maybe)


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