April 2017 Running Challenge

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Replies

  • shanaber
    shanaber Posts: 6,423 Member
    @amymoreorless - yep 'boob muscle' soreness is a real thing! :) honestly as you get stronger and do more you may come to welcome that DOMS cause it means you worked hard and earned it and are getting stronger as a result! I have been strength training longer than I have been running (I blame my trainer for my running addiction!) and I still get sore - sometimes it hurts to sit or stand up (the transition) sometimes it is impossible to lift my arms but it doesn't typically last too long, a day or two or maybe three at the most.
  • kimlight2
    kimlight2 Posts: 483 Member
    Question for the more seasoned runners on here:
    I have a 5K tomorrow, the first of a challenge series, and it is supposed to be thunderstorms all day and mid 60's. The race is an hour and a half away so I am trying to be over prepared. I am good with running in light rain but I have never done it in heavy rain or storms. Any clothing suggestions? I am thinking of duct taping the tops of my shoes to stop them from getting to wet from puddles. Does this actually work? Also what is better pants or shorts? That is normally short weather for me but with the rain I am not sure. I also have a pair of unlined rain pants I can use that I wear in the winter to stop the wind but no unlined rain jacket. Any and all suggestions would be great. I should also mention I am ridiculously slow so I will be out there a while. Thanks in advance.
  • 7lenny7
    7lenny7 Posts: 3,498 Member
    edited April 2017
    kimlight2 wrote: »
    Question for the more seasoned runners on here:
    I have a 5K tomorrow, the first of a challenge series, and it is supposed to be thunderstorms all day and mid 60's. The race is an hour and a half away so I am trying to be over prepared. I am good with running in light rain but I have never done it in heavy rain or storms. Any clothing suggestions? I am thinking of duct taping the tops of my shoes to stop them from getting to wet from puddles. Does this actually work? Also what is better pants or shorts? That is normally short weather for me but with the rain I am not sure. I also have a pair of unlined rain pants I can use that I wear in the winter to stop the wind but no unlined rain jacket. Any and all suggestions would be great. I should also mention I am ridiculously slow so I will be out there a while. Thanks in advance.

    @kimlight2 Honestly, for a 5K, I'd dress for the temperature and wind and ignore the rain. You will get wet. Go with it instead of fighting it and your run will go better. Just make sure you wear the socks which work best when wet.

    Have a change of dry clothes at the end, and a rain jacket of some sort.

  • Bakins929
    Bakins929 Posts: 895 Member
    I was able to get up early and get in a 5 mile run this morning. I completed my goal for the month!

    exercise.png

    Time for a nap! :smiley:
  • MNLittleFinn
    MNLittleFinn Posts: 4,271 Member
    7lenny7 wrote: »
    kimlight2 wrote: »
    Question for the more seasoned runners on here:
    I have a 5K tomorrow, the first of a challenge series, and it is supposed to be thunderstorms all day and mid 60's. The race is an hour and a half away so I am trying to be over prepared. I am good with running in light rain but I have never done it in heavy rain or storms. Any clothing suggestions? I am thinking of duct taping the tops of my shoes to stop them from getting to wet from puddles. Does this actually work? Also what is better pants or shorts? That is normally short weather for me but with the rain I am not sure. I also have a pair of unlined rain pants I can use that I wear in the winter to stop the wind but no unlined rain jacket. Any and all suggestions would be great. I should also mention I am ridiculously slow so I will be out there a while. Thanks in advance.

    @kimlight2 Honestly, for a 5K, I'd dress for the temperature and wind and ignore the rain. You will get wet. Go with it instead of fighting it and your run will go better. Just make sure you wear the socks which work best when wet.

    Have a change of dry clothes at the end, and a rain jacket of some sort.

    I agree with all of this.
  • Bakins929
    Bakins929 Posts: 895 Member
    7lenny7 wrote: »
    @kimlight2 Honestly, for a 5K, I'd dress for the temperature and wind and ignore the rain. You will get wet. Go with it instead of fighting it and your run will go better. Just make sure you wear the socks which work best when wet.

    Have a change of dry clothes at the end, and a rain jacket of some sort.

    Agreed! Some of my best races have been in the rain, and I actually enjoy running in the rain, but dry clothes at the end are a must. Riding home for an hour and half in wet clothes will not be fun!
  • MobyCarp
    MobyCarp Posts: 2,927 Member
    @kimlight2 - I'll echo what @7lenny7 said. 5K isn't long enough to worry a whole lot about. Be sure you're wearing wool running socks. They won't keep your feet dry, but they'll keep your feet warm and you won't get blisters like you might with pure synthetics. Darn Tough and Smartwool brands work well. Note that they aren't 100% wool like the cheaper socks you could get for hiking and general winter wear, they're a wool/synthetic blend.

    In the mid 60s, I'd go with shorts. In the 30s or 40s, I'd go with light tights. In the colder temps, my legs would still get wet but the tights would give me some protection from the cold. In the 60s, cold isn't a problem and I don't want the added weight of water soaked tights.

    A dry change of clothes and a dry place to change into them after the race can greatly improve your post-race comfort level.
  • WhatMeRunning
    WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
    edited April 2017
    @kimlight2 - Don't try to seal up your shoes. You need that moisture to escape. Running shoes are typically pretty well ventilated on the top and sealed on the bottom, so whatever water gets in should get squished out by running and will dry quicker. If you duct tape the top of your shoes not only will all that water get trapped in there, but they won't breathe properly. Your feet will suffer more from that.

    The temps sound OK to me, I guess it depends on your tolerance. Compression type gear and Body Glide will be your biggest friend to help prevent chafing. It is wet clothing rubbing against your skin that causes that, so oddly enough, the less loose clothing, and coverage, the better. Don't go naked though.
  • MNLittleFinn
    MNLittleFinn Posts: 4,271 Member
    edited April 2017
    My run brain is trying to kill me I think. With the snow a couple days ago, I switched my run plan for tomorrow to my alternate 19 mile run. It's flatter, but it's also on roads and the snow is all off. Now though, I saw that there were a bunch of patches of clear path on the trail I was looking at running as plan A.... My run brain says "go for it" but the logical side of me says to take the flatter, more boring, yet probably safer and snow free route.
  • kimlight2
    kimlight2 Posts: 483 Member
    edited April 2017
    @7lenny7 , @MNLittleFinn , @Bakins929 , @MobyCarp Thank you for the help. I am a worrier by nature and tend to overthink. I do have a pair of Smartwool ankle socks that will do the trick and will not seal up my shoes. I will pack extra clothes (did not think about that honestly).

    The temps sound OK to me, I guess it depends on your tolerance. Compression type gear and Body Glide will be your biggest friend to help prevent chafing. It is wet clothing rubbing against your skin that causes that, so oddly enough, the less loose clothing, and coverage, the better. Don't go naked though.

    Awww @WhatMeRunning you take all the fun out of it. If people saw me running naked they would definitely run faster to get away LOL. Might lead to some nice PR's.

    So wool socks, compression gear, shorts, BodyGlide and a change of clothes and shoes. Got it. Thanks everyone!
  • BeeerRunner
    BeeerRunner Posts: 728 Member
    @garygse I haven't heard of it, but this is the 1st time my allergies have bothered me in about 2 years. Since it's not a common occurrence, I don't worry about it too much. Took Benadryl to sleep last night and took Claritin today. I feel much better. I guess I was just outside a bunch running and cycling in the wind and the pollen finally got to me.

    @kimlight2 Good luck in your 5K!! Everyone has great recommendations. Definitely don't tape your shoes. Your feet are going to get wet so just go with it. ;) I would also wear a baseball hat to help keep rain out of your face...preferably of dry fit material. Also have a big fluffy towel to help dry off. Typically races are postponed or cancelled if there is lightning. I had one postponed last year due to lightning and another cancelled this year due to lightning...right as I was about to get in the car...after 2 cups of coffee and breakfast!! I saw you have a long drive so watch for communications from the race.
  • autumnblade75
    autumnblade75 Posts: 1,661 Member
    exercise.png

    4/02 - 5 miles
    4/03 - 10 miles
    4/04 - 6 miles
    4/05 - 10 miles
    4/06 - 6 miles
    4/07 - 18 miles

    4/09 - 4 miles
    4/10 - 10 miles
    4/11 - 6 miles
    4/12 - 10 miles
    4/13 - 6 miles
    4/14 - 20 miles

    4/16 - 6.5 miles
    4/17 - 7 miles
    4/18 - 6 miles
    4/19 - 3 miles
    4/20 - 7.75 miles
    4/21 - 9 miles

    4/23 - 6.4 miles
    4/24 - 11.25 miles
    4/25 - 6.4 miles
    4/26 - 7.1 miles
    4/27 - 6.5 miles
    4/28 - 14.5 miles

    Yesterday was cool (48F) and drizzly, and my coworker was out sick, so I tried out the trail near work. I did forget my headphones and phone holder, and only had a single Gatorade in the car for hydration, but it was a scheduled 6.5 mile day, and I don't really need water for that. It was a fantastic run. I am considering moving to Seattle.

    Today was similarly cool, but partially sunny, and I didn't forget my hydration vest or headphones, but my coworker was in. He was gracious enough to prevail upon his other carpool buddy for a ride home, so that I could attempt 22 miles on the trail. I made 14.5 miles, trying to keep the heartrate in zone 1. I got as far as 3/4 of a mile, like, once, before the alarm told me to take a walk break. I quickly became frustrated with the damned alarm buzzing my wrist and demanding walk breaks. At some point, I noticed that my calf hurts. Probably from all the stop and go. This has only reinforced my opinion that it's harder to run when you have to keep starting running again. I very much prefer to just Keep Running In The First Place. If that means I train at too high of a heart rate, then so be it. I have turned the alarm off, but adjusted the first screen to include a heart rate, so I can check on it when things start to feel difficult. But I will only make my goal for the month if I feel like running 18 miles on Monday. I have 6 scheduled. It is unlikely, but could happen. We'll see.
  • girlinahat
    girlinahat Posts: 2,956 Member
    @kimlight2 all the recommendations are good - you're gonna get wet, it's fine. Allowing your shoes to drain is better than sloshing in wet ones - they'll get wet no matter what. I'm allergic to wool so wool socks wouldn't work for me (or maybe they would - it would make me run faster to get the damn things off and stop the itching!!!)

    Last week I ended up running through a thunderstorm along by some railway tracks , foolishly I DIDN'T change my wet top before driving home, and consequently spent the hour journey with the heating on high trying to get warm. I had to have a hot shower when I got in to warm up. Learn from my mistake (it would probably have been better for me to have driven home in my sports bra than a wet top - and more exciting for other road users...)
  • garygse
    garygse Posts: 896 Member
    ...
    But I will only make my goal for the month if I feel like running 18 miles on Monday. I have 6 scheduled. It is unlikely, but could happen. We'll see.
    Monday's the 1st.
  • autumnblade75
    autumnblade75 Posts: 1,661 Member
    garygse wrote: »
    ...
    But I will only make my goal for the month if I feel like running 18 miles on Monday. I have 6 scheduled. It is unlikely, but could happen. We'll see.
    Monday's the 1st.

    You're right. Looking at my calendar, I can see that I was looking at Sunday. I haven't even bothered to think about May, yet. In that case, I will downgrade the concept of 18 more miles from "possible" to "definitely not."
  • katharmonic
    katharmonic Posts: 5,720 Member
    ifal34ckza0h.png

    @garygse ran for donuts today - I ran for cake. Well, I ran after eating the cake so did a little extra. I've been making this route a little Friday afternoon ritual because it is right by my favorite Wegman's grocery store and then I can get food for dinner after.

    Tomorrow calls for a nice morning so should be a good day to increase the long run slightly. I'm still about 16 miles from my stated goal for April, but I hope to be closer to just 5 under, which will be a good comeback for April running (last April was my worst month out of the last 18 months I've been tracking - I thought this April was going down a similar path!).

    Good luck with races this weekend! And happy running to everyone else, or good resting to those who need it.
  • MobyCarp
    MobyCarp Posts: 2,927 Member
    No running today. After running 8 days in a row, it was time for a rest day. Travel day tomorrow, race on Sunday. The current plan is to leave the laptop at home, so I will likely be out of touch with the group until late Sunday, and might not find time to be on until Monday morning. But if there is no outbound travel disaster I'll get a short run in tomorrow afternoon, and I *will* run a 10K on Sunday.
  • garygse
    garygse Posts: 896 Member
    @katharmonic Running for cake is one of those little pleasures; speaking of which, my son turned 12 a couple of days ago and there's still cake downstairs...must...resist.
  • WhatMeRunning
    WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
    Wow @garygse, that is amazing!! I pretty much assumed you were a long time runner. A huge turnaround!
  • HRKinchen
    HRKinchen Posts: 202 Member
    The heat and humidity here in Louisiana are kicking my tail! 80+ degrees with 75% humidity? Madness! But I'm working on channeling my younger self from back in the days of marching band, when after hours of sun-scorched drills, the director would shout "Last run-through!" and we all laughed because we knew it was a LIE! :lol: Anyway. Chalking up another 2.6 today. Two more days, 9 more miles. Not likely, but I'll never say never!

    4/1: 1.3 (1.3)
    4/2: 1.5 (2.8)
    4/4: 1.5 (4.3)
    4/5: 3.4 (7.7)
    4/6: 1.3 (9.0)
    4/9: Race Day - 3.3 (12.3)
    4/10: 1.5 (13.8)
    4/12: 0.5 (14.3)
    4:15: 1.5 (15.8)
    4/26: 2.5 (18.3)
    4/28: 2.6 (20.9)

    Goal for the month: 30

  • ddmom0811
    ddmom0811 Posts: 1,881 Member
    Wow @garygse, that is amazing!! I pretty much assumed you were a long time runner. A huge turnaround!

    Wow! I assumed the same!

    @BeeerRunner - I know you said you haven't had any allergy problems in a couple years but what has totally solved my allergy problems is local honey. I'm a little obsessed with it and have to be sure I'm getting from a person who doesn't use sugar water. I've been using it for almost four years and I've had no problems at all since starting to take 1tsp-1 TSP a day. For many years every February-April I would be miserable in central Florida. I grew up in D.C. Area and up there I had trouble in the summer. So when I go to visit my mom in the summer Who still lives there, I always make sure to get local honey up there right away!
  • JessicaMcB
    JessicaMcB Posts: 1,503 Member
    @kimlight2 on 5k I wouldn't sweat it- I enjoy running in a decent rain provided lightning isn't on the scene actually!

    @MNLittleFinn why avoid the snow? Running snow and ice on trail is the best! I side with your run brain ;)

    You are awesome @garygse !

    @ddmom0811 sorry I over abbreviate often, I just want to get that training run in before I enjoy the Banff Marathon. If you liked visiting Banff you'd love the marathon, ijs ;)

    My husband is home for the weekend so I snuck in 14km in 1:07:54 before small people needed to go to bed. Was honestly just so happy to be outside without the baby strapped to me haha!

    April 1- 42.2
    April 2- 7.6
    April 3- 14
    April 4- 13.4
    April 5- Off
    April 6- 10
    April 7- 15.8
    April 8- Off
    April 9- 9.5
    April 10- 15.5
    April 11- 11.1
    April 12- 7.3
    April 13- Off
    April 14- 15.7
    April 15- 19.1
    April 16- 7.4
    April 17- 15.2
    April 18- 19.1
    April 19- Off
    April 20- 15 (TM)
    April 21- 15 (TM)
    April 22- 10 Earth Day 5K Virtual- 27:15
    April 23- 8.6 (TM)
    April 26- 17.1 (TM)
    April 27- 5 (TM)
    April 28- 14


    307.6 km/300 km

  • snowyne
    snowyne Posts: 268 Member
    @garygse - Wow!! What an amazing contrast! Thank you for sharing. Makes me wanna go get a Garmin (I'm a fairly new runner and have just been using an app to track my runs).
  • ereck44
    ereck44 Posts: 1,170 Member

    So I am back from my trip to Nashville, which is a great city. Enjoyed the concert until 2 young people decided to chat during the concert. They were talking, taking selfies and totally ignored me turning my head to glare at them. Why spend that money to talk through the concert. My husband sat next to a lady who was belting down the beers only to pass out during the Tom Petty portion of the concert.

    The next day we went to the Hermitage, Andrew Jackson's home. It was pretty fascinating to see the house and exhibits. My husband and I were walking toward the gardens when a large bumblebee landed on my hand. I was afraid it would get hurt and I didn't want it to hurt me. I shooed it away. Fortunately I am not afraid of bees. I was surprised by how heavy it was. It landed with a little force.

    Today I decided that I would be able to get a short run and long run before my taper week. It was supposed to rain all day. Usually I skip my run or go to the gym. I opted instead to run outdoors. It drizzled the whole run. My plan was to run 8 miles but stopped after 6 when I saw la bolt of lightening. I was able to run the first mile in 9:51 minutes. My first mile under 10 minutes. The best I was able to run in the past was 10:02. 6 miles in 68 minutes. I lost 17 seconds tying shoes. Tomorrow planning long run of 14 miles.

    4/28....6 miles
    4/19...12 miles
    4/18...4 miles
    4/17...8 miles
    4/14....8 miles89th
    4/12....4.36 miles
    4/9....10 miles
    4/8....8 miles
    4/2....9 miles

    Total ....69.36 miles
    goal...50 miles

    Indianapolis Mini Marathon (Half Marathon)....May 6
    Geist Reservoir Half...May 20
    Indy Women's Half Marathon....September 30 (tentative)










  • juliet3455
    juliet3455 Posts: 3,015 Member
    edited April 2017
    Double post - woops me bad.
  • juliet3455
    juliet3455 Posts: 3,015 Member
    edited April 2017
    I thought I had posted this but it appears that I may have closed the wrong screen, or it is being held by the approval police due to a number matching up to one of the Spam Bots.
    So if this comes up as a double post - woops me bad.

    7.5 Km from Riverbank Trail near home up to the top of Judah Hill - 234m = 767.7 ft climb. Turn and headed back. At 9.4 km on the way down the Hill my right IT band started talking to me in a most unplesant way. Had to drop into a walk. Tried a few runs after stretching and walking, NO GO. So it was a long slow 5.6 km walk home.
    Maybe its just the Hypochondriac runner in me that caused me to pull up or maybe it's real. Tomorrow morning will be the test of my Traumatophobia.
    I remember when walking used to be really enjoyable, now it seems so sloooow.

    On the steepest pitch I dropped to 9:46/km. When walking Home managed 11:58 to 10:17/km. So I was just about at a Walking Pace on the steepest pitch.
    8pkvwwxyt50e.jpg

    That one big Spike in my pace at about 4.4 km on the up-hill portion can be attributed to a car that went by and they all started cheering and yelling encouragement to me. Turns out there were a couple runners from the High School track team in the car - got a FB msg of triple thumbs up. Strange the mental and physical effect it has. I don't remember crashing physically or mentally after that even though my pace graph looks like I did.

    exercise.png

    04/01 0.0 km – 140. km – 0.0 km – YTD 300.05
    04/02 6.5 km – 135.5km - 6.5km
    04/05 5.2 km – 130.3km - 11.7km
    04/08 21.3 km – 109.0km - 33.0km
    04/12 5.0 km – 104.0km - 38.0km
    04/15 12.1 km – 89.9km - 50.1km
    04/16 5.0 km – 84.9km - 55.1km
    04/17 5.3 km – 79.6km - 60.4km
    04/19 14.0 km – 65.6km - 74.4km
    04/22 8.15 km – 57.45km - 82.55km
    04/24 7.99 km – 49.45km - 90.55km
    04/26 8.5 km – 40.95km - 99.05km
    04/28 15 km – 25.95km - 114.05km – YTD 414.05 Judah Hill Climb
  • ereck44
    ereck44 Posts: 1,170 Member
    Stoshew71 wrote: »
    If anyone wants to track me on Saturday.... I am bib# 1888.

    https://derbyfestivalmarathon.com/runner-tracking/

    Good luck to you today. I hope that the weather holds. If Louisville weather matches Indy's weather (only 100 miles away), we are getting rain (light drizzle) with occasional thunderstorms, but the weather is cool....60 degrees.
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