November 2017 Running Challenge

Nov. 7 - 4.3km elliptical
MTD - 20.1km/80km
@RespectTheKitty hopefully everything straightens out with your meds or they can find something that works for you better

RunsOnEspresso wrote: »

girlinahat wrote: »

So I’m reducing my running this month to try and focus on strength training, but am still keen to do short runs – nothing over about an hour/10k.

Sundays run was about five miles, easy and really nice. I did a CrossFit taster class on the Friday night and was keen to see if I was still able to add in running. Wasn’t too bad, although my quads started feeling it towards the end.

I did another CrossFit class last night – I have to do 6 Fundamentals sessions to teach the core moves. Last night was squats and variations of squats. We did bodyweight squats, a Tabata session of bodyweight squats, squats and throwing a weighted ball up a wall, squats with a barbell, and finally a timed set of rounds of squats with the weighted ball interspersed by the Devil’s Torture itself, burpees. I hate burpees. If I’d known there’d be burpees I’d probably not have signed up. Last nights burpees towards the end made me look like I’d been on one of those Japanese gameshows where you spin round with your head on a pole and then try and walk in a straight line. It wasn’t pretty. And I am PAYING for this? I had jogged to the gym (as an unnecessary warm-up) and I jogged home again to try and stop my legs from seizing up. Wow. I never realised I could jog SO VERY SLOWLY…..

All I can say is it had better make me a better stronger runner at the end of it.

No morning run, I figured I’d let the quads rest a bit and run tomorrow morning when the DOMS has properly set in…..

I have a love/hate relationship with burpees. But I really, really, really hate burpee box jumps. The program I'm following now has them as the last exercise for plyo day. I've missed the 12" box plenty of times (and can do 14" just fine on normal box jumps). And it hurts when your shin hits the box.

Oh me too. I don't mind doing them on a raised step but the floor ones are a killer. I've not done box burpee..... yet.

@RespectTheKitty I'm sorry to hear you're not doing well on your medication. I started lexapro about 5 weeks ago and it seems to be helping. My house is a disaster (burst pipe caused major damage that's yet to be repaired) and that's certainly not helping, but I know I would be worse off if it weren't for the medication. I know how awful it is when you're switching and trying to adjust and oh, just know my thoughts are with you.

RespectTheKitty wrote: »

Update:

I am not doing well. I am having a really difficult time with this new medication. My anxiety and depression are really bad, probably worse than they've been in a long time. The doctor says this will pass as I get used to the meds. I'm dubious. I do not like feeling like this. Not at all.

I haven't been able to run for a week because everything's been so debilitating. I don't even want to try. This really sucks.

So... there won't be much from me this month, I fear. Here's hoping I can at least half enjoy the holidays.

So sorry to hear this. It can take time for those kinds of meds to work, so maybe the doc is right. Really sorry you have to go through this. We are all cheering for you though!

November Running Totals (miles)
11/1 – 5.14 group run
11/2 – 6.60 warm up, speed work, cool down
11/3 – rest day
11/4 – 7.24 aborted paced run
11/5 – 11.15 easy
11/6 – rest day
11/7 – 6.41 warm up, speed work, cool down

November running total to date – 36.54

Nominal challenge goal: 200 miles

Real goals: Stay healthy. Build base. Prepare for Club Nationals in early December and the start of Boston training in late December.

Today's notes – Great running weather, wear tights and don't sweat up a puddle! Tonight's speed work assignment was challenging: 1 mile at T, 2 x 200 at R w/200 recovery, 3 miles at T, 4 x 200 at R w/200 recovery. Just what I need to develop my cardio conditioning; but my ankle hasn't been delighted with the beatings I've given it the past week. So I toned it down.

I ran 1 x 1600 at T (6:25 actual vs. 6:32 target) with 400 recovery, then 4 x 200 at R with 200 recovery (42.5, 42.0, 42.4, 41.1 vs. 42-43 second target). That, plus a 2 mile warmup and 2 mile cool down, was enough for today. The ankle noticed the beating, but seems to be okay after being iced down.

I'm into a mentally challenging phase of training. I can run fast, but it's a guessing game how much volume my ankle will tolerate. For now, I'm being cautious with the speed work and saving the ankle for race day. This may not produce the fastest race I can run; but it has a high probability of producing a race that I finish.

2017 races:
January 1, 2017 Freezeroo #2 (Resolution Run 7.5 mile) (Mendon, NY) Finished in 50:45
January 7, 2017 Winter Warrior Half Marathon (Gates, NY) Finished in 1:32:40
January 14, 2017 Freezeroo #3 (Pineway Ponds Park 5 mile) (Spencerport, NY) Finished in 33:42
January 28, 2017 Freezeroo #4 (Hearnish 5 mile) (Victor, NY) short course, finished 4.88 miles in 32:50
February 4, 2017 USATF Cross Country National Championship Masters 8K (Bend, OR) Finished in 35:39, team won the 60+ Men's cross country championship
February 11, 2017 Freezeroo #5 (Valentines Run "In Memory of Tom Brannon" 8 Mile) (Greece, NY) sat out due to training schedule
February 25, 2017 Freezeroo #6 (White House Challenge 4.4 mile) (Webster, NY) short course, finished 4.34 miles in 27:51
March 11, 2017 Johnny's Runnin' of the Green 5 mile (Rochester, NY) finished in 33:25
March 18, 2017 USATF Masters 8K Championship (Shamrock 8K, Virginia Beach, VA) finished in 30:59, PR for 8K
April 17, 2017 Boston Marathon (Hopkinton, MA) finished in 3:49:42
April 30, 2017 USATF Masters 10K Championship (James Joyce Ramble, Dedham, MA) finished in 39:54, PR for 10K
May 21, 2017 Lilac Run 10K (Rochester, NY) finished in 40:04
May 27, 2017 Canandaigua Classic Half Marathon (Canandaigua, NY) finished in 1:33:06
June 9, 2017 Charlie McMullen Mile (Fairport, NY) finished in 5:44.90, PR for mile
June 18, 2017 Medved 5K to Cure ALS (Rochester, NY) finished in 19:32
July 4, 2017 Firecracker Four Mile (Fairport, NY) finished in 25:42
July 15, 2017 Shoreline Half Marathon [1:40 pacer] (Hamlin, NY) finished in 1:39:05
July 28, 2017 Karknocker 5K (East Rochester, NY) finished in 19:28
August 9, 2017 Pound the Ground 10K (Mendon, NY) finished in 41:26
August 12, 2017 Bergen Road Race 5K (Bergen, NY) finished in 19:47
August 25, 2017 USATF Masters Mile (Hap Crim Michigan Mile, Flint, MI) DNS - injury
September 3, 2017 Oak Tree Half Marathon (Geneseo, NY) DNS - injury
September 17, 2017 MVP Rochester Marathon (Rochester, NY) DNS - injury
October 29, 2017 Pete Glavin XC Race #4 6K (Brighton, NY) finished in 25:32.8
November 12, 2017 Pete Glavin XC Race #5 8K (Canandaigua, NY)
November 23, 2017 Race with Grace 10K (Hilton, NY)
December 9, 2017 USATF Club National XC Championship 8K (Lexington, KY)

2018 races:
January 1, 2018 Freezeroo #2 (Resolution Run 7.5 mile) (Mendon, NY)
January 6, 2018 Winter Warrior Half Marathon (Gates, NY)
January 13, 2018 Freezeroo #3 (Pineway Ponds Park 5 mile) (Spencerport, NY)
January 27, 2018 Freezeroo #4 (Hearnish 5 mile) (Victor, NY)
February 17, 2018 Freezeroo #5 (Valentines Run "In Memory of Tom Brannon" 8 Mile) (Greece, NY)
February 24, 2018 Freezeroo #6 (White House Challenge 4.4 mile) (Webster, NY)
April 16, 2018 Boston Marathon (Hopkinton, MA)

Off on a road trip for 2 days and 151 posts behind.
Never got back to the hotel until 8/9 each night and just mentally whipped plus wickedly dark so no running this week yet . Will try to catch up on everyone's good adventures, hoping the bad ones involving cars and our favorite virtual Daughter/Niece/GodDaughter etc ( Skip of @skippygirlsmom ) goes away.

But a friend in our local running club dropped this little gem into our FB site. Especially for @JessicaMcB , @MNLittleFinn , @7lenny7 and anyone else who has done a Trail Event or just enjoys dragging a friend out for a "Short Trail Run".

When I read it I thought of 4 people who came out for our Local 7 Peaks challenge ( 34-36 km & 7 Hill Climbs ).
We declared them to be Event Champions, 2 ladies who had never done more than a HM, one lady who biggest hill would look like something from Florida, and one guy who didn't quite realize how big/steep some of the early hills were and only had one HM Distance.

Ryokat wrote: »

@MobyCarp What exactly happened to your ankle anyway? I keep reading you mentioning it being injured, but obviously that happened before October when I started reading the monthly challenge threads.

Seconded, though I can't remember what happened. While we're on the subject... every day I see @MobyCarp post about his workout, then inevitably he/you post about your ankle hurting and having to ice it.

I hope you don't think I'm being confrontational, but I really wonder if you need to rest a lot longer, and get more tests done.

Also, isn't icing just preventing the natural healing process from happening? Assuming it's even an inflammation-based injury?

Sorry, Moby. I'd just hate to lose one of my major running inspirations due to permanent damage.

A short run this morning. It was very nearly a hide under the covers morning, but I made myself and my aching right hamstring get up and get out. Felt really good, but obviously feeling good and thinking you are going pretty fast doesn’t actually translate to numbers on the page….but I’m ignoring data and just getting out doing it for now.

It was about 3 degrees out there (which you weird people would call 37-38 degrees). I don’t think it’s yet time for a long-sleeved top, but gloves would’ve been a good thing as Raynauds stole two of my fingers for the whole time I was out. Generally I can only tolerate running in glove liners before my hands get all sweaty and goo-ey. The pair I bought from MEC in Canada about seven years ago are falling apart, is that a good enough excuse to travel back there?

Another 2 miles ticked off. It’s actually helping the muscle soreness by being active. Next CrossFit torture session is Friday, but I have a day out in London at meetings tomorrow so plenty of walking around planned.