June 2018 Running Challenge

@Orphia You are the BOMB! Congratulations!

I went out for my 5k this morning (which right about now feels pretty piddly, lol) with my sister. It was her first race ever, and my first since late 2016. The weather was muggy but comfortable, and it was a little hazy so we weren't in full sun. I think the course was hillier than my sister was ready for, so that slowed us down some. We finished up at 44:40, which I think was pretty close to my time on my first 5k. Get this, though...even though I had to wait for her to catch up several times, and even though I crossed the finish line in front of her? She placed ahead of me! I no longer have any faith at all in race timing! (I actually wonder if they had her break the tie because she's in a younger AG than me?)

Anyway, it was a fun race and fun to have my sister run with me. I hope for the next one we'll be able to improve our speed. I'd like to sign up for one by myself, too, just to see what I can do at this point in the game.

They took pictures, but they're not up yet...I'm sure when they are I shall have something truly, spectacularly awful to present you all with!

My First 50 Km Run – Sunday 10 June 2018 - Recap

I’d been planning it for 6 months. I have a spreadsheet I’d made with a Strava Premium McMillan marathon training plan in it, and the 50 km Ultramarathon training plan from the book, “Relentless Forward Progress”, and I basically managed to follow the distance of the long runs each week, while running 4-5 times a week as directed by what my body could cope with. Every day I would enter what I’d done, and tweak what I would plan to do.

I’d first thought I’d do the Canberra Marathon Festival 50 km event in April, but travel and accommodation were going to be too expensive, plus, events are stressful, so I decided I’d keep it simple: If I want to do 50 km, do 50 km. I don’t need to pay to run – just do it around home.

I chose this weekend, the long weekend in June, since I’d have more days to choose from if the weather was bad, plus I could have time for recovery. Sunday was perfect. 5-15 Celsius (41-59F).

1-10 km (1-6 miles)
My usual morning run in the dark route. I saw W and N who both knew what I was up to, and wished me luck. DK tooted her horn at me.

I made sure throughout the run to only run at a pace that let me breathe easy. Early on, I had to keep slowing down, because I knew I’d need that energy later.

10-25 km (6-15.5 miles)
Uphill to the next town, then back down again. Saw G, which was nice. The fog was beautiful in the dawn sunlight.

25-40 km (15.5 – 25 miles)
More hills. C pulled up next to me at 30 km, and I was happy to report I was feeling alright. I did start getting slower gradually from there. Around 38 km my left lower back was starting to hurt and I could tell I was tensing up. It helped if I stretched my arms up and out.

Fuel: I ate yoghurt and a big muesli bar before I set out, and on the run I had 2 other bars, a donut, and 2 energy gels with caffeine.

Loo stops were at 9, 18, 25, and 39 km. Didn’t “need” them all, but I’d planned the route to go near the loos in case I did need them, and then I used them so I was comfortable the whole time.

40-50 km (25-31 miles)
Mostly flat. My body was running alright, if slowly, but it was starting to complain in places. Had arranged for F to run with me for the last section. We chatted, and it helped distract me from the sore back. It was nice to have someone with me when I passed the 42.2 km marathon mark, and enter into the “uncharted waters of Ultra territory”, as F put it. Then it was a painfully slow countdown jog to the finish. I’d called my husband to meet me, and little did I know, my dear friend DB had arranged to be there too, with BB, AB, and G, and bunches of balloons. My own personal finish line and cheer squad!


Too long; didn’t read?: Ran 50 km! Achieved my 2018 goal! Ran all the way, which was the cherry on top! Did it in 6 hours as I’d hoped! I have awesome friends.

Being sick and not running I haven't checked in since Friday I think... I have no running updates to post but I am feeling a bit better and hope I can get a bit of a run in tomorrow morning. We'll see as the congestion seems to be the worst at night and 1st thing in the morning. On the other hand not running is about killing me and I just want to eat every carb available!

@polskagirl01 - love the poppy fields! I don't think they have the Remembrance significance here but they are the California state flower and are protected.

In the same way that @RespectTheKitty likes Fallout Boy, I like The War on Drugs and Kurt Vile and you will find them throughout my playlists.

@RunsOnEspresso - I have a cooling towel but have never tried using it for running. When I have used it at agility trials it worked 'ok' but didn't really remain cool for very long.
Also - that run in (almost) with a semi is SO scary! I can't believe the driver was paying so little attention to where you were! Makes me happy I only have to deal with dumb drivers in cars and pickup trucks as the semis aren't allowed on the roads I have to cross. Be safe my friend!

@orphia - WhooHoo!! Congratualtions on running 50k and your friends are amazing!

@daneejela - welcome! I also worked from home when I started running. It is a great way to break up the day, get away from the computer and just get outside! Whether you are walking, running or riding it is all good because you are moving! Also I love your profile picture

@noblsheep - watch out for that cat! I often have to help our neighbor with her cat and I have gotten pretty good at cooking the cat over to me and grabbing her feet from underneath before she can scratch me or get away. It also helps that the cat is fairly overweight and doesn't move too fast

@BruinsGal_91 - I love puffins! What an awesome picture!!

For all the new runners in the thread, as we head into summer do not forget to watch the DEW POINT before planning your runs. Dew point is a better predictor than relative humidity on how bad the weather is going to impact your run. Here is a handy chart:


SRC: http://througharunninglens.blogspot.com/2012/07/dew-point-and-runners-what-is-it-and.html