May 2019 Monthly Running Challenge

I'm in for 75 miles this month. I have a half coming up on the 18th so I'll have a bit of a taper before that and then we will be on vacation for a week after that. I hope to get at least one run in when we are in Colorado, but I may not get any runs in that week.

Re: monthly question. I do yoga 5 days per week and run 4 days per week and sometimes I walk with my dogs. Most of my runs are early and all I have before is coffee. Sometimes before a long run I will have toast or peanut butter crackers, but most of the time I just have coffee. I sometimes use chews on long runs, but 13.1 is the longest run I've done and most of my long runs are 8 - 10 miles.

Re monthly questions I frequently walk when I'm not running. I'm currently obsessed with getting my daily 12000 steps, am on a 93 day streak lol.

For food, a short run I always have a banana before my run. Longer 10k plus runs I usually have porridge for breakfast an hr before. Other than that, just what ever ao feel that fits into my calorie limit (still trying to lose the last 5kg, 10lb ish)

Hey! Not technically a runner but this seems cool. Recently I've been doing the freeletics app and want a way to keep myself accountable for going for daily morning runs. I'm not sure what it translates to in miles but I'm aiming for 24km this month! Let's get it!!

Thanks @shanaber for getting us set up.
I'm in for 55km for May, still conservative mileage for me but I'm really looking forward to it!
Welcome to all the new faces :-)
Re: monthly question... I would really like to cycle for cross training but can never actually be bothered to drag the bike out and get out on it. So I walk. I also try to do a half hour stretching/yoga/pilates sort of thing as close to every day as I can find time for, along with about 2 hours strength training per week split into 3 sessions. In the summer I tend to swap the walks for swimming when the darned jellyfish aren't in residence.
Re nutrition: I'm vegetarian and short and maintain on way too few calories for my liking, so pretty much eat a lot of veggies and as much pizza as my calorie allowance permits (yes, pizza may well be my main reason for running apart from not wanting to end up in jail for murder). I run first thing in the morning on a couple of cups of coffee and a banana. I find the promise of getting home, stretching and inhaling breakfast great motivation to get my runs finished. For fueling on longer runs I like Jelly Babies, but intend to experiment with some SIS gels I got on special offer soon.

As for fuelling, I run on coffee and cake, and for coffee and cake!!!

So... in the "#TIL" (Today I Learned) spirit...

There is a section of the Pittsburgh Marathon where they always have greyhound dogs out. I always assumed it was just to raise awareness about their club, but guess what! Apparently, they are there so runners can borrow a greyhound to run with for a section of the race! I probably will not do it, but still cool to know that it is an option.

Welcome to May, running crew, and welcome to the crew, @gwendolynmusick, @newlook1972, @chrissie_irene, @MaeganFenske1, @ipoppy1997, and anyone I missed while typing this.

My base goal for this month is going to be 50 miles. My lifetime PR for miles run in May is 46.25 miles last year, which was also the first month that running really clicked for me. I’d been running 5-10 miles a month for maybe nine months, topping out at 16 miles in November 2017 but dropping down substantially over the winter. So far I have ran more every month of 2019 than I did in 2018, so goal number one is topping May 2018 in mileage.

My second goal is to start Hal Higdon’s Novice 2 Half Marathon plan while weight lifting three times a week. The plan calls for 3 mile runs Monday and Wednesday, which I plan to do as a “scenic route” getting to the gym. Tuesdays are alternating easy and paced runs starting at 3 miles and building to 5 miles, Friday is cross training (gym and walking), and Saturday are long runs starting at 4 miles and building to 12. Thursday and Sunday will be rest days.

I’m currently planning on slightly longer mileage than the plan calls for, and instead of the nice 5k/10k/HM race progression he suggests I’ve got a 10K in week one, followed by a trail 5K, a 10 miler, and then my half marathon. I’m really looking forward to all of those races and am feeling good about my path there, assuming I can keep from getting hurt. If I follow my plan as anticipated I’ll be at 68 miles for the month, so I’m going to make 70 my stretch goal and see what happens.

@gwendolynmusick: This winter I joined a class-based powerlifting gym and I try and go three days a week. The plan for now is to combine two easy run days with gym days, have my speed and long runs on their own days, and have one day at the gym where I don't run. I try and get a half hour of walking in per day, and 15-20 minutes of yoga or mobility exercises (“prehab”) targeted to help my stupid knees be less stupid. I am much more of an evangelist for weight lifting than I am for running (although I do love running) - there are lots of ways to get cardio in if you don’t like to run, but strength training is beneficial for pretty much everyone.

I don’t really worry about running foods. Once I get up to 10 miles or so on my long runs I’ll make sure to eat something before I go out but mostly the same thing as usual - coffee, breakfast biscuits, fruit, string cheese. Last year I did a lot of running first thing in the AM fasted except for coffee and was fine, ran two half marathons without doing anything special before or during, and have been fortunate enough not to have GI issues (knock on wood) so I don’t think about it too much.

May Goals: 50 miles run (70 miles stretch goal), lift 3x/week, keep up on moderate cardio and mobility.

2019 Races! (bold registered)
January 26: Securian 10K, St. Paul, MN Chip time: 1:05:07
February 16: Half Fast 10K DNS
March 23: Hot Dash 5K, Mpls, MN Chip time: 0:28:39 (*PR!)
May 4: PHRC Pensieve 10K (virtual)
May 19: Women Run the Cities 10K, Mpls, MN
June 12: ESTRS French 5K, Plymouth, MN
June 29 Lift Bridge 10Mi, Bayport MN
August 3: Beat the Blerch Half Marathon, Carnation, WA
September 2: MDRA Victory Labor Day 5 or 10K, Mpls, MN
September 8: Sioux Falls Half Marathon, Sioux Falls, SD
October 5: TCM 10K, St. Paul, MN
October 6: TCM 10Mi, Minneapolis to St. Paul, MN
October 12: Bemidji Blue Ox 26K, Bemidji, MN
November 28: Turkey Trot St. Paul 10K, St. Paul, MN
December 14: Reindeer Run 10K, Mpls, MN

What do you all do for exercise on the days you don't run?
Uhm, well, considering I have run every day for 365 days, I don't have an answer...

What have you found to be the best foods to eat for running?

Not sure about this, my day to day nutrition keeps me going. I carry running snacks for long distance. Anything that does not upset your stomach is fair game.

200 miles minimum goal for May 2019