December 2018 Monthly Running Challenge

First day back running since vacation. Luckily my training plan had a short run scheduled for today.
I am out of town again for my daughter's rock climbing competition, so I figured I would be on a treadmill for this one. Luckily I packed some cold weather clothes, too. The treadmill in the hotel gym was broken and this hotel also happened to be in an area I would actually feel safe running outside in. The only thing I forgot was my ear cover and it was 33F when I set out. My ears were totally numbby the time I got back but my other layers were perfect! File this one away for future use!!
About a quarter of a mile from the hotel was a park with a crushed granite running trail around a river! Perfect!! And so much nicer than what I get at home.


Dec run miles: 1.8 miles
Dec run goal: 30 miles

Future races:
Rodeo Run 10k - 2/23/2019
Run Houston! Minute Maid Park 10k - 3/23/2019
10 for Texas 10 miler - 10/2019
Wine and Dine half marathon - 11/3/2019

1---2.01
2---2.0 TM
4---1.0 TM barefoot for form
9---3.0 TM

Look at me getting a TM run in finally. And the longest TM run ever to boot.

8/45 miles

Upcoming races
January 5 BIRR Ultra relay. 50k. Hawaii. For @KeepRunningFatboy
March 31, 2019 A2A Undecided distance. Ardmore OK
April 28, 2019 OKC Memorial Marathon (half)
Run the Year team 400+ miles (dont forget to join a group if you are interested. See thread. https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10710465/2019-run-the-year-group#latest)

12/2: 3 mi
12/6: 1.55 mi
12/9: 3 mi

7.55/20 miles complete

It was 38F, rainy, and windy, but it overall was a nice run. This was the first
time it has been cool enough to break out the gloves and ear cover.

I’m trying to scope out running areas for when I go to visit hubby in England at the end of the month. I do see a Parkrun one of the days I am there, so I may see if I can make it over to it.

Didn't do my long run today. I woke up feeling like I had a slug in my throat. Or like I was a slug myself? Definitely sluggishness involved. First thing I did after breakfast was burn some cookies (nope, not bake, burn). Brightest thought of the week: "I should close the kitchen door so that the smoke doesn't get in the living room. .... Hang on, smoke?"

It was afternoon when I finally managed to get outside. First 15min was dry and windy, then back to rain and windy. I walked a ridiculous amount of time during my run. My nose was running more then me And the tissues I had stuffed in my pocket turned into a wet mess in the rain, so I ended up using my gloves to wipe my nose. Ick! They went in the washing machine right away when I got home. Which was after 10.5km in 90min. As I said, a *lot* of unmotivated walking.
Then I started cooking an after-run meal. Had the strained tomatos in a pan and waited for them to start sizzling before adding the pre-cooked chicken meet from the fridge. And waited... until I finally realized I hadn't turned on the stove 🤦‍♀️ I think the slug ate my brain.
Maybe I'll do some lower body strength training later to make up for the missing kilometres...

Elise4270 wrote: »

Think of weta zombies? You must run.

@Elise4270 That doesn't sound impossible. After all, zombie ants already exist.

So i think part of my funk is being tired. I realised I haven't changed my alarm from the height of my HM training - I was getting up at 520am to fit the longer distances in before work. Of course now I don't need that extra half hour anymore. It's a lot easier to be keen for a run at 550am, and that extra 30 mins makes a difference.

So today was a gentle 5.5k and I actually enjoyed it. I have 2 days left of this challenge and only need 5k to get the target of 60k.

Thanks everyone! Now I've had a few hours for it to sink in and it's dawning on me what a huge accomplishment that was for me, I just want to say thank you to everyone here for all the support, encouragement, enabling, gentle cajoling and quick kicks up the backside you've provided over these 4 or 5 months since I went crazy and signed up for it!
@zeesparrow thanks, I have always absolutely loathed photos but that is one I will happily live with and show off! I was happy, mostly that it was over lol but also that I managed to speed up and pass a few people in the last half kilometre so I wasn't dead last :-)
@Avidkeo It feels freakin awesome. I don't think I'll be moving much tomorrow mind, but it feels awesome. However I really think I need my head examining cause I've already mapped out my training plan for the next one!

Oh, and:
2/12: 16km
5/12: 5km
6/12: 3km
9/12: 21km
December goal: 75 km. Completed so far: 45km