January 2017 Running Challenge

Starting over after so many injuries .......fingers crossed

Combination of going away for NYE and having a cold means this is my first run for a week, and first of the year. Still suffering with the cold so didn't know how today would go, but had a couple of errands to do which were fairly nearby. I estimated the round trip would equate to around 10km which is short enough to ease myself into the year and near enough I could walk/get bus home if I needed to. Also wanted to test out how I felt as I really wanted to head to the gym later, but didn't want to travel there if I wasn't going to be able to do a proper work out.

It was 0C out, but with windchill taking it down to -4C it was my coldest run to date so was a little unsure what to wear - especially as I didn't expect to be running fast. In the end went with a long sleeve thin base layer and a light cycling jacket - as the jacket is wind resistant I figured (rightly) it would be warm enough. Discovered I definitely need to invest in some decent gloves/mittens for when it gets this cold as my thin ones didn't quite cut it despite the run being fairly short. Still haven't found any need for proper headwear yet, but if it gets colder/windier I may be digging out my gore headband I use to keep my ears warm on the bike.

As for the run itself it came in three parts. It was 6.7k to the first errand, (direct is about 5km but took a longer [nicer] route) and felt a bit stiff the first kilometre, so I wasn't very hopeful at this stage even though my pace was quite good. Warmed to the task and the rest of the run felt good and averaged MP. The first errand took me about 10 minutes then set off to second one - knew it was only a short hop so took it very easy. At this point I was definitely starting to feel stiff again, and more than just that caused by stopping and starting. The second errand was very quick but by then was feeling pretty bad and actually decided to get bus home. I literally just missed one so took that as a sign to jog back, but by now was definitely feeling the effects of my cold. As it was too cold to walk in what I was wearing I kept plodding on to get home which was about 3k.

Whilst I felt pretty awful just before finishing (and for 10minutes or so after) I now feel quite good and pleased I went out - across the 3 legs I totalled 11.5k so finally get my 2017 account open. No gym today though.


3-Jan: 11.49k [6.7k MP + 4.8k easy -suffering with cold]

1/1 rest. Colds suck
1/2- 5.23
1/3- 4.03

Total: 9.26

Monthly goal: stay healthy and continue base building to start marathon training at thr end of thr month. Nominal mileage goal: 140 miles.

Today was supposed to be 6 miles and an outdoor run, but with the snow we had, I had to shovel, and that took about 25 minutes of my morning, which basically killed my ability to get my 6 in. So, after shoveling, I went to the gym and put 4 miles on the TM, 2 at GMP and 2 at GHMP, just to get some mileage in. run felt good, but this cold is really kicking my rear. Tomorrow was only supposed to be 2-3 miles, but I might run 4-5 to make up for the missed miles today.

No running for me today, as it'll be strength work time tonight. So I'll just leave last night's run up here instead:

01 - 5.21 miles
02 - 5.60

Total: 10.81 / 75

I almost forget that I ran on New Years Day!! I think it was because it did not go as planned. I slipped on some ice, hurt my knee, had a very ignorant person drive right at me!!! So glad my run was good today despite my knee being a little sore today.

OSUbuckeye906 wrote: »

Welcome to all the newcomers! Feel free to add me as a friend

@_nikkiwolf_ Good luck with your HH plan! I used his plans for my first few half and full marathons but then just kinda started making mine on my own. I wasn't very happy with my running in 2016 and looking back, I can see that I just wasn't putting the right miles/training into my races...which is probably why I didn't run that many to begin with. I'm determined 2017 is going to be different if I can help it and that starts by sticking to a HH training plan.


@RunsOnEspresso So sorry you're not feeling good this close to the race, but I think that being a little under 2 weeks out still gives you plenty of time to get better. I know it's probably not the best thing for your mental state of mind to miss some runs, but missing some of your taper runs will not mean you won't be able to complete the marathon. You've put your time in and done your long runs, so I would say the best thing you can do for yourself right now is to make sure you're 100% healthy for race day. I had a sinus infection for my first marathon and was just recovering from walking pneumonia for my second and ever since then, I immediately go see the doctor if I even have so much as a sniffle within a week of my race haha. Drink lots of EmergenC, take lots of vitamin C, and get lots of rest! You've got this!

I forgot I had an emergenC I got in a race packet. Drinking it right now. I've also been eating as many Clementines as I can in a day (usually about 3).

I had pneumonia once. Now I get the pneumonia vaccine.

New year..New Resolutions!.. Hoping to stick with them this year.

I am in for 60 miles! Will start today.

skippygirlsmom wrote: »

@stoshew71 the Hound Dog half is going to be big this year, they have already doubled their registration from years past. That dog running was the best think to happen to Elkmont's Cross Country/T&F team, who the race benefits. They raised enough money in this race for equipment, their XC team didn't have to pay any fees to run this year and runners who made State in T&F had their costs to go to Gulf Shores paid for...I love a good cause.

That is so awesome. This story always tugs at my heart strings because my dog is a hound and that is totally something I can see her doing.

Jan 1-5.3 miles
Jan 2- Rest day- P90X3 yoga

Yesterday I did the first P90X3 video-yoga. It was not at all hard, but I am surprised by how incredibly sore my upper back is today. I have been doing yoga pretty regularly over the past month. I guess I just need to get back into the P90 groove.

I skipped my run this morning because it was raining really hard. It's foggy and yucky and grey, so I hope it clears up a bit before this evening. I think it's supposed to rain most of the day and winds are supposed to be picking up as the day rolls on. I have a feeling I am going to regret it this evening.

@kathrinep welcome to our little family here. Awesome! Since you are complaining about pain, my first question is shoes. Have you been fitted for proper running shoes at a shoe that specializing in running shoes? Wearing the wrong shoe for your foot, or running style will kill your shins, knees and hips. I would start to look there.

Sounds like you are doing what is called static stretches before you run, they are no good, it's not good to stretch muscles that aren't warm. My daughter (and her professional running coach) who runs cross country and track swears by these dynamic stretches. I thought I had a better video link somewhere but I can't find it. This covers it though.

http://www.runnersworld.com/stretching/a-dynamic-stretching-routine

I'm sure you'll get lots of other good advice from the folks here. Between us we have all been there done that.

9voice9 wrote: »

patrikc333 wrote: »

I'm going to Japan for 2 weeks - anyone knows if running there is ok?

Looks like the typical outfit is a track suit in polyester, and a backpack - prob about 75%+ were like that. But on my couple of short runs in my mismatched shorts and tights with long-sleeved shirt under a short-sleeved tee, with hat and gloves and headphones, I didn't see anyone that was laughing at my outfit. But then again, they're Japanese and that would've been unthinkable for them, culturally-speaking.

don't you believe it - there would be much merriment in private for sure!!!

Spent a couple of years living in Japan longer ago than I'd like to admit. Wasn't a runner then but bikes were the order of the day. Sit-up-and-beg types. Always wanted to be able to do the step-through thing getting on the bike, but after countless collapsing on the floor moments gave up.

enjoy it. It's a great place, if...expensive....

@jodilynnsanders5104 I just saw that you have a full marathon coming up in May. Here's to a great training cycle for you!

Since no one is back at the December thread, I'm posting my catch-up comments here:

@greenolivetree, love the new shoes!

@juliet3455 sorry to hear about your calf twinges but glad you've pinpointed what triggers it.

@lissadecker I enjoyed the video!!

@beeerrunner my favorite sock for wet conditions is Drymax. I have the Lite Mesh for running in 35F or greater. They were my sock of choice for my marathon.

@orphia I'd be afraid I'd snap my neck if I did a headstand. Well done!

@mnlittlefinn though I'm not experienced, I'll toss in my two cents (and probably repeat what others have said). I understand that most people have enough glycogen for about 90 minutes of running marathon pace, therefore any LR over 90 minutes in a candidate for race nutrition practice. While there's benefit to practicing your fueling strategy, it's also good to work on training your body to burn a higher percentage of fat. I tend to alternate my long runs...one week I'll go with regular fueling to test/confirm my strategy, and the next week I'll minimize or even eliminate taking in fuel as a means to train my body to burn more fat. On my 19 mile run last week, which took over 3 hours, I didn't take in ANY food or liquids. There are race nutrition calculators available which factor in your particular data and tell you how much nutrition you need to take in during the race. I found this worked great for me and I never felt under fueled. With this result, and the info on the aid stations from the marathon website (what they serve and where there are) I figured out how many calories I need total, how many I'd get from the race provided sports drink, and made up the rest of my fueling requirements with my homemade honey gel mixture. Since your body is limited as to how many calories it can process in a given amount of time, it's important to start fueling immediately. I started taking in my fuel immediately before the race. Also, because the absorption is time limited, base your intake during practice runs on time, NOT distance. Another thought, start practicing race nutrition sooner rather than later. If your first attempt or two fails you'll want time to find a strategy that works. FWIW, I found that I could barely breath when I used chews during a run. Don't stock up until you know they work.

@lporter229 I definitely by into the concept of training fasted, but I like to alternate that with testing maximum nutrition uptake. Your not only testing if a certain food will work, but testing how the maximum amount you can take in without overdoing it. It kind of sucks to do that because I'd rather replace my running calories with beer and cheeseburgers rather than gels. Regarding the timing, I've read that it takes about 30 minutes for gels to become useful energy, so if you took a gel 10 miles in to a HM, and you're running a 10 minute mile, you'll barely noticed the difference. Better to take one at 7 or 8 miles. I have a half coming up in a few weeks and I don't plan on using any fuel during the race.

@elise4270 way to go on getting some running miles!!

@calvin2008brian congrats on being able to see your son in his last marching band performance! I bet you both were nervous when the presence of the Gophers at that game was in doubt. Are you doing the Securian HM?

@patrikc333 I used to HAVE to have an empty stomach when running but when I decided I was going to depend on aid station Gatorade, I start practicing running drinking 8 or more ounces of it at a time. Now that I'm training for ultras, I'm eating real food just before my run and will soon be taking real food out with me on my longest runs. I'm reading race reports telling of aid stations with quesadillas, waffles, PBJ sandwiches, and more!

@kristinegift ...2400...damn!!
@stoshew71 ...2952...double damn!!

@ddmom0811 hope you feel better by now!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid, Kwanza, or whatever else you may have celebrated!

The only running related gift I received was a pair of bluetooth earbuds which I love!
I did buy myself some more gear...shorts, socks, compression tights, calf compression sleeves, another buff, and a pair of mittens.