August 2018 Running Challenge

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Replies

  • Purplebunnysarah
    Purplebunnysarah Posts: 3,252 Member
    @shanaber I saw that floating around my Facebook feed yesterday. It's amazing (in a bad way) that the top team(s) in each category aren't recognized. Especially when, as you said, the majority of the participants are women.
  • MegaMooseEsq
    MegaMooseEsq Posts: 3,118 Member
    edited August 2018
    It looks like both of "my" states have laws against pedestrians suddenly entering the road when a car can't reasonably stop, and that makes sense to me. I agree that everyone needs to be responsible for their own safety and of course a pedestrian is going to lose to a car no matter who has the right-of-way. That said, I think it IS important to know the law and assert your rights as often and loudly as safely practicable. The only way that things change for the better is if people insist that they change, you know?

    I have friends in the biking advocacy movement who say that being really obnoxious about their rights actually makes the roads safer for them, because even if a driver is irritated at you for taking up a full lane (as bikes are allowed to in many places here), you're safer than you would be if they didn't realize you were there because you were riding more conservatively. If I've started crossing and am not sure someone has seen me, I will sometimes stop a few steps into the crosswalk and prepare to jump out of the way if the car doesn't come to a full stop. I've gotten honked at for doing that, more than once by a driver who was looking at their phone until they were way closer to me than they should have been. Sorry dudes, I'm not going to sprint across the street so that you can cruise through the crosswalk right on my heels while playing Angry Birds.
  • cburke8909
    cburke8909 Posts: 990 Member
    sarahthes wrote: »
    Re: pedestrians vs cars

    My philosophy as a pedestrian is that it honestly doesn't matter who has the right of way. In a battle between vehicle and person, the vehicle will almost always win.

    Therefore the onus is on me as pedestrian to make sure that cars can see me and know my intentions (cross or don't cross), and that they're going to stop, before I start to cross. So that means reflective clothing, headlamp, flashing arm bands, and as few street crossings as possible when it is dark. And I wait for them to stop before I cross, especially if it's wet and icy.

    Re: funk.

    I'm inherently lazy so the rewards have to outweigh the annoyance of getting off the couch. I tend to fall in a funk when I'm either overdoing it or mildly depressed. Not always overdoing it with my running - other areas of my life can stack against me too.

    Being excited about a future goal and new things can help propel me off that couch though.

    I always prefer to pass behind the car. if it is stopped, I will go around the car. I figure there are very few accidents were the car backed-up over a runner.
    On the funk - I have considered at times that allowing the funk to have a day or two might be good. It could be you need to back off and rest. I set a time frame say 2 days or 1 week and have a reminder that when time is up, its time to get back. A new goal like a PR for a set distance, along with a training plan to match can be a big help.
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    re: pedestrians
    i assume as a runner, no one sees me. i often wear reflective or lighted items. my dogs leashes are also reflective. but still. i also acknowledge a person when they let me go. i do the same when i'm merging onto the free. thank you for not being a turd.
    as a driver, i assume no one sees me. i assume everyone is in their own little world. some people are jerk drivers, some have brain farts, some have not had enough coffee
  • MegaMooseEsq
    MegaMooseEsq Posts: 3,118 Member
    As many of you can probably tell, I'm pretty passionate about the subject of pedestrian/biker rights. Please don't take that as a criticism of anyone, especially you, @kcs76. I am an extremely cautious driver and I've still been surprised by people walking/running/biking at night without reflective clothing. It's absolutely terrifying and infuriating. For all my big bad I'm-walking-here bravado, I've almost entirely stopped running in places with cross-traffic because I just don't feel safe interacting with cars that frequently and because I'm lucky enough to have the option to do so without much hassle. The last half mile of many of my routes crosses through an affluent residential neighborhood and I almost always walk because of too many close calls with inattentive early AM drivers. I'd rather be alive and unhurt than right, you know?
  • Purplebunnysarah
    Purplebunnysarah Posts: 3,252 Member
    @MegaMooseEsq I assert my rights as well. Defensive-Proactive Pedestrian-ing? I don't ride a bike. I also have been known to get ragey and make rude gestures at drivers who blow right through crosswalks etc. Many of the spaces with the worst drivers are near playgrounds and schools, and around here kids are likely to be leaving in the dark most of the winter if they attend any extracurricular activities. So frightening!

    I had a friend in high school who jumped up and walked across the hood of a vehicle that stopped in the middle of a crosswalk since it was blocking her way. I don't recommend her technique but just about anything else is fair game as long as the pedestrian ensures their own safety first.
  • PastorVincent
    PastorVincent Posts: 6,668 Member
    mbaker566 wrote: »
    re: pedestrians
    i assume as a runner, no one sees me. i often wear reflective or lighted items. my dogs leashes are also reflective. but still. i also acknowledge a person when they let me go. i do the same when i'm merging onto the free. thank you for not being a turd.
    as a driver, i assume no one sees me. i assume everyone is in their own little world. some people are jerk drivers, some have brain farts, some have not had enough coffee

    This is great wisdom.
  • LaDispute57
    LaDispute57 Posts: 371 Member
    August goal: 180 miles

    Date................Miles............Total/Remaining
    8/1...................Rest.............. 000.00/180.00
    8/2...................Rest.............. 000.00/180.00
    8/3...................Rest.............. 000.00/180.00
    8/4...................20.00............... 20.00/160.00
    8/5.....................5.00............... 25.00/155.00
    8/6...................Rest................. 25.00/155.00
    8/7.....................9.00............... 34.00/146.00
    8/8.....................5.50............... 39.50/140.50
    8/9.....................5.00............... 44.50/135.50
    8/10.................Rest................. 44.50/135.50
    8/11..................24.00............... 68.50/111.50
    8/12.................Rest.................. 68.50/111.50
    8/13.................Rest.................. 68.50/111.50
    8/14..................10.00............... 78.50/101.50
    8/15.................. 5.75................ 84.25/ 95.75
    8/16.................. 7.00................ 91.25/ 88.75
    8/17.................Rest.................. 91.25/ 88.75
    8/18....................2.00............... 93.25/ 86.75
    8/19....................8.00............... 101.25/ 78.75
    8/20.................Rest.................. 101.25/ 78.75
    8/21.................Rest.................. 101.25/ 78.75
    8/22....................6.00................ 107.25/ 72.75
    8/23....................6.00................ 113.25/ 66.75
    8/24................ Rest.................. 113.25/ 66.75
    8/25....................3.00................ 116.25/ 63.75
    8/26.................Rest.................... 116.25/ 63.75
    8/27.................Rest.................... 116.25/ 63.75
    8/28.................Rest................... 116.25/ 63.75

    Upcoming Races:

    October 20, 2018 Sinnemahone Ultra Marathon Trail Run 50K (Emporium, PA)

    A lousy 15 miles in the last 8 days... What inexcusable lazy-*kitten* bullshlt is this?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVaNjTbiqh8
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    my nonworkout clothes are mostly black. my running clothes are bright colors. the goth in me cringes sometimes. but even during the day, neon is more eyecatching than someone wearing black. sigh
  • MegaMooseEsq
    MegaMooseEsq Posts: 3,118 Member
    edited August 2018
    mbaker566 wrote: »
    my nonworkout clothes are mostly black. my running clothes are bright colors. the goth in me cringes sometimes. but even during the day, neon is more eyecatching than someone wearing black. sigh

    My inner goth has surrendered to the neon pink. If it's good enough for Janelle Monae...
    Avidkeo wrote: »
    @AprilRN10 and @PastorVincent I went! And didn't actually get rained on haha @MegaMooseEsq I like the look of the hat. Never considered wearing a cap to keep rain off, and rain off glasses is definitely a plus.

    As far as pedestrians, I currently do most of my running in the dark, though it's starting to get lighter (yay roll on summer). I have a big high vis vest with reflective strips. We live rural but have some street lighting. There is another guy who runs the same track as me and he only wears a head lamp. I got talking to a couple of ladies at work who often pass us at that hr of the day and I asked what they prefer. Instant response was the high vis, they could see me from a huge distance. The guy with the headlamp is easily mistaken for just a light until he is closer. I also wear a bright orange tank during the day. I know there is less risk but I'm on rural roads so anything that makes me stand out is good.

    That's a good point about the vest vs. light. Any vest recommendations? I bought one last year but shrunk out of it it over the winter and haven't replaced it yet. I generally don't like hats, but someone (probably here!) recommended it for keeping the rain off and it's super helpful. Plus white and reflective!
  • Purplebunnysarah
    Purplebunnysarah Posts: 3,252 Member
    Re: vests - I use a Nathan fluorescent yellow vest with reflectors. Like this one:

    https://www.amazon.ca/Nathan-Streak-Reflective-Small-Medium/dp/B001IDXP00/ref=asc_df_B001IDXP00/?tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=234376523249&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18220880317844612278&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001397&hvtargid=pla-293946777986&psc=1

    (Note amazon.ca not .com).
  • PastorVincent
    PastorVincent Posts: 6,668 Member
    sarahthes wrote: »
    Re: vests - I use a Nathan fluorescent yellow vest with reflectors. Like this one:

    https://www.amazon.ca/Nathan-Streak-Reflective-Small-Medium/dp/B001IDXP00/ref=asc_df_B001IDXP00/?tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=234376523249&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18220880317844612278&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001397&hvtargid=pla-293946777986&psc=1

    (Note amazon.ca not .com).

    Here is the Amazon.com link

    Hmm I will have to consider that. I have blinky lights for my arms, but all my work out gear is black... as are most of my clothes. I do not use a lamp, I have not needed it, but that will change with my new house. A lot fewer street lights on my new route. Still on summer-clocks here so still light out when I run, but darkness is inching up on us.
  • Avidkeo
    Avidkeo Posts: 3,206 Member
    edited August 2018
    MegaMooseEsq wrote: »
    mbaker566 wrote: »
    my nonworkout clothes are mostly black. my running clothes are bright colors. the goth in me cringes sometimes. but even during the day, neon is more eyecatching than someone wearing black. sigh

    My inner goth has surrendered to the neon pink. If it's good enough for Janelle Monae...
    Avidkeo wrote: »
    @AprilRN10 and @PastorVincent I went! And didn't actually get rained on haha @MegaMooseEsq I like the look of the hat. Never considered wearing a cap to keep rain off, and rain off glasses is definitely a plus.

    As far as pedestrians, I currently do most of my running in the dark, though it's starting to get lighter (yay roll on summer). I have a big high vis vest with reflective strips. We live rural but have some street lighting. There is another guy who runs the same track as me and he only wears a head lamp. I got talking to a couple of ladies at work who often pass us at that hr of the day and I asked what they prefer. Instant response was the high vis, they could see me from a huge distance. The guy with the headlamp is easily mistaken for just a light until he is closer. I also wear a bright orange tank during the day. I know there is less risk but I'm on rural roads so anything that makes me stand out is good.

    That's a good point about the vest vs. light. Any vest recommendations? I bought one last year but shrunk out of it it over the winter and haven't replaced it yet. I generally don't like hats, but someone (probably here!) recommended it for keeping the rain off and it's super helpful. Plus white and reflective!

    I also shrunk out of mine, but just got the sewing machine out and took it in at the sides, fits better now than it ever did. I'm in NZ so just got the cheapest one I could from a construction store - home depo type store (I think) - has the advantage of a pocket for my phone, but can get hot in summer - I only wear it after dark so mostly in winter anyway. It cost me about $10 compared with the 30-40 I was looking at for an actual running vest lol
  • Avidkeo
    Avidkeo Posts: 3,206 Member
    Moan, I bought new socks to go with my new shoes, I have a blister on the callous on the outside of my left big toe now. sigh. back to the old socks I think. I got these ones cause they had better mid arch support than the cheap ones I got a couple of months ago. but the ones I got a couple of months ago doing give me blisters bahaha
  • Purplebunnysarah
    Purplebunnysarah Posts: 3,252 Member
    PastorVincent wrote: »
    sarahthes wrote: »
    Re: vests - I use a Nathan fluorescent yellow vest with reflectors. Like this one:

    https://www.amazon.ca/Nathan-Streak-Reflective-Small-Medium/dp/B001IDXP00/ref=asc_df_B001IDXP00/?tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=234376523249&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18220880317844612278&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001397&hvtargid=pla-293946777986&psc=1

    (Note amazon.ca not .com).

    Here is the Amazon.com link

    Hmm I will have to consider that. I have blinky lights for my arms, but all my work out gear is black... as are most of my clothes. I do not use a lamp, I have not needed it, but that will change with my new house. A lot fewer street lights on my new route. Still on summer-clocks here so still light out when I run, but darkness is inching up on us.

    I combine the vest with blinky lights. Got asked if I was a Christmas tree last year... (red/green lights)
  • shanaber
    shanaber Posts: 6,423 Member
    Catching up on some of the posts from yesterday and today...
    @eleanorhawkins - you can't compare yourself to others here. I can't run as fast or as far as any of the guys in my age group like @juliet3455 or @mobycarp or most all of the younger crowd here. But that doesn't mean they don't inspire me by their awesome running. I wish I could run that fast/far but I know realistically it will never be and I don't let myself get down about it I just get out and do what I can do and keep trying to improve upon that... a little further, a little faster or just a run that feels great.
    @avidkeo - I personally feel that rain runs are awesome! I do wear a running ball type cap (always) so it keeps the rain mostly off my face (sweat too on hot and sunny days :sweat_smile: ) Even though you didn't get rained on this time I am sure you will have plenty of opportunities to rain run (jump in puddles!) and have fun with it!
    @amymoreorless - hope that cold/sinus thing goes away soon and you can breath again!
    @juliet3455 - the collision analysis of visibility at dusk is very interesting. Have they done anything similar during normal daylight hours? I try to wear highly visible running clothes all the time and drivers still don't see me. I think it is more because they aren't really looking - the 'I've been through this intersection 100 times and there is never a pedestrian so why should I look this time' attitude. I do though as @mbaker566 does and acknowledge the driver when they stop for me - sometimes, multiple drivers in the 4-way stop.
    @cburke8909 - going behind a car only would be safer if no other cars come along. On a multilane or busier street you could end up sandwiched between 2 cars especially since the 2nd driver would not be expecting anyone to be there.
  • Avidkeo
    Avidkeo Posts: 3,206 Member
    sarahthes wrote: »
    PastorVincent wrote: »
    sarahthes wrote: »
    Re: vests - I use a Nathan fluorescent yellow vest with reflectors. Like this one:

    https://www.amazon.ca/Nathan-Streak-Reflective-Small-Medium/dp/B001IDXP00/ref=asc_df_B001IDXP00/?tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=234376523249&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18220880317844612278&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001397&hvtargid=pla-293946777986&psc=1

    (Note amazon.ca not .com).

    Here is the Amazon.com link

    Hmm I will have to consider that. I have blinky lights for my arms, but all my work out gear is black... as are most of my clothes. I do not use a lamp, I have not needed it, but that will change with my new house. A lot fewer street lights on my new route. Still on summer-clocks here so still light out when I run, but darkness is inching up on us.

    I combine the vest with blinky lights. Got asked if I was a Christmas tree last year... (red/green lights)

    I hope you put the red on the left and the green on the right or you will just confuse everyone!
  • PastorVincent
    PastorVincent Posts: 6,668 Member
    Avidkeo wrote: »
    sarahthes wrote: »
    PastorVincent wrote: »
    sarahthes wrote: »
    Re: vests - I use a Nathan fluorescent yellow vest with reflectors. Like this one:

    https://www.amazon.ca/Nathan-Streak-Reflective-Small-Medium/dp/B001IDXP00/ref=asc_df_B001IDXP00/?tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=234376523249&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18220880317844612278&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001397&hvtargid=pla-293946777986&psc=1

    (Note amazon.ca not .com).

    Here is the Amazon.com link

    Hmm I will have to consider that. I have blinky lights for my arms, but all my work out gear is black... as are most of my clothes. I do not use a lamp, I have not needed it, but that will change with my new house. A lot fewer street lights on my new route. Still on summer-clocks here so still light out when I run, but darkness is inching up on us.

    I combine the vest with blinky lights. Got asked if I was a Christmas tree last year... (red/green lights)

    I hope you put the red on the left and the green on the right or you will just confuse everyone!

    Might give someone a seizure! :smiley:
  • MegaMooseEsq
    MegaMooseEsq Posts: 3,118 Member
    edited August 2018
    PastorVincent wrote: »
    Avidkeo wrote: »
    @AprilRN10 and @PastorVincent I went! And didn't actually get rained on haha

    If running is going to be your sport, then you will need to learn to run in the rain. I mean unless you leave in a desert area. :D

    Funny thing about rain for me (and others have said the same) if I am getting ready to run and it is already raining I dread going out. If I am already running and it starts raining I do not care. Its totally a stupid mind thing I know, but it is what it is.

    I think it makes sense: if you're out on a run and it starts to rain, you've probably warmed up and gotten a bit (or a lot) sweaty, so the rain probably feels good and you're already a bit (or a lot!) wet anyhow. Stepping from dry to wet right away is more of a shock regardless of temperature, and I think most people have at least a bit of an aversion to getting wet while fully clothed.

    ETA: Unrelated to running, applying for a mortgage is a LOT easier than applying to be admitted to the bar. I've completed 3 different bar applications now and they are a bear (one for me, one when my husband applied for a second license and was too swamped to do it himself, and one application to the federal judiciary which was substantially similar and I got paid to do).
  • PastorVincent
    PastorVincent Posts: 6,668 Member
    Avidkeo wrote: »
    PastorVincent wrote: »
    Avidkeo wrote: »
    @AprilRN10 and @PastorVincent I went! And didn't actually get rained on haha

    If running is going to be your sport, then you will need to learn to run in the rain. I mean unless you leave in a desert area. :D

    Funny thing about rain for me (and others have said the same) if I am getting ready to run and it is already raining I dread going out. If I am already running and it starts raining I do not care. Its totally a stupid mind thing I know, but it is what it is.

    Oh I know this, and its part of my training that I must run no matter what the weather. And I'm with you, I don't actually mind getting wet, its actually more pleasant. But also like you I dread going out if its already raining. I think this all comes back to the day that I went out and my shoes got absolutely soaked, and they were like little blocks of concrete on the ends of my legs. Also still winter here, so rain means cold, and I'm not particularly fond of cold either.

    Now wind on the other had. I HATE wind. absolutely loathe it.

    The first half marathon (and only so far) I did was in the middle of winter, it was only 10 degrees (C) and pouring with rain. The course was a U shape along the waterfront of Wellington, NZ (known as the windy city for a reason) and there was a wind blowing into the U, so you started with a tail wind, had a side wind, then a head wind, and reverse on the way back. I had not trained properly for that HM and I was in AGONY. I managed the first 7 km or so fine. walked a bit, ran a bit for the next 5k or so. then trudged cold and wet to the finish line. The ONLY reason I finished if because my ride home was at the finish. I was 12th to last and did it in 3 hrs 7 minutes. I remember walking along with my wrists in my armpits because they were freezing. I was wearing cotton cause I didn't know any better.

    Every time I drove past the waterfront all I could remember is pain. This was 7 years ago. and the main reason it took 6 years to get into running properly again. couple of pics below - I was too cheap to buy them and at the time I just wanted to forget it.

    So yeah, pretty determined to actually train properly this time, and to beat my last time. I'd kinda like to beat it by an hour but Ill be happy with anything less than 2:30. Oh and I want to run the whole thing but wont beat myself up if I have to walk at all. That's one thing you guys have given me, even the most experienced runner occasionally has to walk.

    x55nrz85ymn1.jpg
    xuc8kjvsm3xc.jpg

    P.S. that was a long winded way of saying "yes sir"


    Sounds like you have a much better attitude and that will lead you to a much better race! Even if you do not hit your time goals, just being properly clothed will make a huge difference. We all learn that lesson the hard way I think!

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