December 2019 Monthly Running Challenge

shanaber · December 2019

I set up a MFP group for the Run the Year 2020 challenge. If anyone wants to join a team it is located here:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10775803/2020-run-the-year-group#latest

Also the Run the Year sign up is located here

We are forming teams based on what you think you can run or walk in 2020 (we are not all signing up to run the full 2020 miles). On the Run the Year site there are all kinds of options depending on what if any swag you want included. I think the cheapest is around $10.

In 2019 we had five teams with 3-5 runners on each team and despite some not running much all teams surpassed the 2019 miles! It was lots of fun so come join us!

polskagirl01 · December 2019

I ran a quick-ish 6k with a friend today. Or maybe it was a slow 6k (if you ask her). It was fun, we went through the woods and, since I keep updating all of you, all of the tree-trimming/cutting activities seem to be finished

Welcome new people!!! This is really a great group

mbaker566 · December 2019

eleanorhawkins wrote: »

mbaker566 wrote: »

my family's cooking was....uninteresting.
me and my brother are both very good at using spices and not cooking beef to well done.
i love cooking. my mom likes baking. i just rarely have time. i wish i did. i have the runners world cookbook, book of soups. harry potter cookbook. gilmore girls cookbook which is really nice because they have easy and complicated versions of the same recipe

@mbaker566 umm did the Gilmore Girls not live on takeaways? oh and btw, did you run yet? ;-)

they did
which is why the one recipe is like steaming milk, melting chocolate, using vanilla beans, adding to coffee. sooki version
and then there is coffee, whip cream, chocolate syrup version

nope, sleeping led to working, which leads to working the second job, which God willing leads to 2 frozen miles tonight

samthepanda · December 2019

Apologies totally not keeping up with posts, hope every one is doing OK. Forecast for tonight was for 4 degrees and icy showers so I had decided I was going to give running club a miss. As I biked home though it was definately warmer than expected and dry, so with only 10 minutes to sort kit, get changed and go. Rain hit as I was en route but stopped when I arrived. Managed a decent 3 miler arriving back just as rain came down. Monthly total 14 miles.

Scott6255 · December 2019

Welcome to the newbies. This is a great group. Careful or you'll become totally addicted!

6 cold miles this evening. Sun was out when I started, so it felt great in shorts and short sleeves, no gloves. Then about halfway through, sun went down and of course my hands started going numb.
I searched long and hard on Amazon for some windproof, winter running gloves and thought I found some. Ordered them and got them yesterday. Went for an hour long walk in about 46F, light wind. Hands were cold as ice when I got home 😒
I know @PastorVincent recommend some heat factory gloves on Amazon (don't know the link right now), but the smallest those come is Large, and I have small hands (no jokes please).
So was wondering if anyone knew of some non-bulky, warm, wind proof running gloves that you would recommend?
Thanks in advance 😁

Oooh, only about 10 miles to hit my yearly goal 👍

quilteryoyo · December 2019

@Teresa502 I hope the fall wasn't too bad! Uneven sidewalk in the dark can be dangerous.

@username301 I hope you are feeling better. At least you didn't lose your sense of humor.

@LoveyChar Your tiny human is so cute! It's great that you take him out with you. It will probably help him want to get out and get exercise as he grows.

I went to my yearly check up with the sleep medicine doctor today. I have lost about 30 pounds since I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and started using a CPAP machine. I had my doctor order another over night oximetry test to see if I could get off of the machine. It helps, but really is a pain in the you know what. She got the results and said I only went below 90% sat for less than 3 minutes so.....no more CPAP required!!! Yet another reason to continue to run and keep my weight down.

Then, Mom and I went shopping in a nearby town where there is a Fleet Feet. I went just to get socks, which I did. I got 4 pair for the price of three (their Christmas deal, I guess). Two were Merino wool and two were called feetures elite. They are moisture wicking, have arch supports and are "anatomically" designed so that they have a right sock and a left sock, and they have a lifetime guarantee! Never heard of a sock have a guarantee, yet alone lifetime! We'll see how they do. Anyone else wear these?

Then we went "Christmas shopping." I wound up buying more for myself than anyone else. I got an entire running outfit - tights, long sleeve shirt, and jacket. I also got myself a cute little short Christmas dress with leggings to wear underneath. Since I've been running, I finally have the legs for it.

katharmonic · December 2019

@username301 I had to look up what a jacket potato was. It sounds delicious. But yes, maybe a bit heavy before a 5k. Hope you have recovered from that scene.

Date :::: Miles :::: Cumulative
12/01/19 :::: 0.0 :::: 0.0
12/02/19 :::: 3.0 :::: 3.0
12/03/19 :::: 3.1 :::: 6.1
12/04/19 :::: 1.7 :::: 7.8
12/05/19 :::: 2.6 :::: 10.4
12/06/19 :::: 0.0 :::: 10.4
12/07/19 :::: 14.6 :::: 25.0
12/08/19 :::: 0.0 :::: 25.0
12/09/19 :::: 0.0 :::: 25.0
12/10/19 :::: 0.0 :::: 25.0
12/11/19 :::: 0.0 :::: 25.0
12/12/19 :::: 0.0 :::: 25.0
12/13/19 :::: 3.0 :::: 28.0
12/14/19 :::: 3.2 :::: 31.2
12/15/19 :::: 6.4 :::: 37.6
12/16/19 :::: 3.6 :::: 41.1
12/17/19 :::: 0.0 :::: 41.1
12/18/19 :::: 1.5 :::: 42.6

Back was feeling quite a bit better today but the cold symptoms are not getting better so I did go to the doctor for that. Probably a sinus infection and maybe bronchitis. Although the PA wasn't particularly impressed with the presentation of my symptoms, she did agree it should be getting better by now and started me on antibiotics and Flonase.

I did go to the gym for a little workout, easy on the back, with some stretches and some core/arms. I took a very easy jog on the treadmill for a few minutes before and after and that seemed ok. Then I sat in the sauna as long as I could stand it.

PastorVincent · December 2019

Scott6255 wrote: »

Welcome to the newbies. This is a great group. Careful or you'll become totally addicted!

6 cold miles this evening. Sun was out when I started, so it felt great in shorts and short sleeves, no gloves. Then about halfway through, sun went down and of course my hands started going numb.
I searched long and hard on Amazon for some windproof, winter running gloves and thought I found some. Ordered them and got them yesterday. Went for an hour long walk in about 46F, light wind. Hands were cold as ice when I got home 😒
I know @PastorVincent recommend some heat factory gloves on Amazon (don't know the link right now), but the smallest those come is Large, and I have small hands (no jokes please).
So was wondering if anyone knew of some non-bulky, warm, wind proof running gloves that you would recommend?
Thanks in advance 😁

The secret to the Heat Factory gloves is two-fold:

1) They are both mittens and gloves. Mittens are warmer than gloves, so this is the best of both.
2) The pocket for hand warmers.

I do not even use that pocket anymore. I have found it works much better to jam the hand warmer up in your glove against your palm. You can do that with any gloves and it makes a huge difference.

So when it is that cold (for you, I use gloves in the 50s F), that is what I recommend.

PastorVincent · December 2019

No run today, I somehow really pulled a muscle in my neck and it is hard to even stand up straight. Ah well, at least I got my 2019 miles in! The week after Christmas I restart my training cycle so I need to heal up for that.

mbaker566 · December 2019

Pushing my run back a day. It'll be nearly 20 degrees warmer. It seems worth it

shanaber · December 2019

@LoveyChar - adorable tiny one, especially in the Packers blanket (Go Pack Go!!)! I have the utmost respect for people who run with their little ones in strollers. It is hard work! So much more of a workout than just propelling yourself along!
@noblsheep - laughed about your mom not cooking! Mine thought she was a chef and cooked all kinds of weird things that no one wanted to try let alone eat. She did not particularly like to bake so my brother and I took that on.

Family Influences - my mom was a nutritionist and I was the chubby kid. She was bound and determined that I would not grow up chubby and even though we were very active (swim team, ski team, skating, running around outside, etc.) she was convinced I always needed to be on some kind of diet, whatever was in vogue at the time. I am sure it set the stage for the weight problems/relationship with food that I had later in life.

I saw the ortho PA this morning (my ortho doctor has left private practice to do advocacy work) and we had a long talk. She is also very active and a runner so understands where I am coming from. She told me that I really need to cut back on long runs and races. Because of the injury to my knee years ago (thank you puppy Hobbes) I have 'post traumatic osteoarthritis' in my left knee. It will not get better and long runs will exacerbate it and cause it to progress faster. Shorter runs however are still considered beneficial movement and she wants me to continue with those. I do need to be aware of when my body gets tired and my form starts to break down. My glutes on that side stop working as they should unless I really focus on it and she is pretty sure that is what is causing my knee to hurt when I run. I will be talking with my trainer too on Thursday. She had some specific exceptions: no stairs for exercise or stair steppers, no high step ups, deep lunges or squats. Oh and no exercises on my knees - she said any exercise where I need to be on my knees can be modified to do it differently.

Overall it was a bit discouraging and not really what I wanted to hear. I liked that she was frank and honest with me and as a runner knew it would be tough to hear. I had already decided that my HM in February would likely be my last at least for a while but it looks like it will probably be my last. She also wants me to take a higher dose turmeric and start on glucosamine. If the exercises and supplements don't help in 3 months I need to go back and discuss 'options' with the orthopedist. So going forward I will be keeping my runs to about 4 miles and long runs no more than 6. I have no clue how I am going to handle the HM in February, I need to think some more about a plan to get through it without making things worse. Note this is the race I deferred last year and I really don't want to DNS.

No run for me today, just too much going on and the PA wants me taking it easier on my knee. I did get out for a couple of miles of fast walking with Hobbes the Vizsla.

eleanorhawkins · December 2019

@shanaber oh no, that really sucks

All I can do is offer virtual hugs. Re: your Feb HM, I know they annoyed you but maybe go back to short Galloway intervals to reduce the stress on the knee?

PastorVincent · December 2019

@shanaber I am so sorry to hear this. Did you ask the doctor about one last HM? What did she say? If your new max long run distance is less than the HM, I would lean towards suggesting you do not do it.

PastorVincent · December 2019

Also, what did the doc say with regards to WALKING? You could start training as a power-walker. Some of those power-walkers can get going at a good clip.

mbaker566 · December 2019

PastorVincent wrote: »

Also, what did the doc say with regards to WALKING? You could start training as a power-walker. Some of those power-walkers can get going at a good clip.

My first half i was passed by a power walker. And never caught up to him

Teresa502 · December 2019

No run today but our morning running group met up at 5:30 am for coffee and a gift exchange at Starbucks. I’ve got another Christmas get-together with friends after work this evening so it will be a long day.

@LoveyChar – Your little one is adorable!

@shanaber – Sorry about the knee diagnosis. Maybe a run/walk plan for the February HM?

@quilteryoyo – Great news with not needing the CPAP machine anymore! I’ve got a couple pairs of Feetures socks and love them. I didn’t know they had a lifetime warranty although I have others that do – the Darn Tough and another brand that I can’t remember now. I recall that @MobyCarp once sent some back to the manufacturer and got replacements but I’ve not tried that yet.

quilteryoyo · December 2019

@shanaber - Sorry you had a disappointing Ortho visit. I agree with the others...maybe discuss run/walk or doing power walking, if allowed.

@Teresa502 I hope you enjoy your get-togethers, even if it makes for a long day.

mbaker566 · December 2019

had planned to do 2 this morning.
slept thru 3 alarms. barely made it work on time. guess i'm running tonight

Tramboman · December 2019

12-1 7k easy
12-2 7k slow + resistance bands
12-3 rest
12-4 7k slow + resistance bands
12-5 rest + yoga
12-6 7k slow + resistance bands
12-7 7k easy + yoga
12-8 rest
12-9 4k easy + resistance bands
12-10 rest + yoga
12-11 7k easy + resistance bands
12-12 7k easy + yoga
12-13 rest + resistance bands
12-14 7k easy + yoga
12-15 8k slow
12-16 7k slow + resistance bands
12-17 rest + yoga
12-18 7k slow + resistance bands
12-19 7k slow + yoga

December Total: 89k
December Goal: 135k

January Total: 131k
February Total: 159.5k
March Total: 183k
April Total: 126k
May Total: 128k
June Total: 161.5k
July Total: 151k
August Total: 133k
September Total: 135k
October Total: 115k
November Total: 155k

2019 Total through November: 1,578k / 978.36m

Monthly average: 143.45k

Next year when you pop in here claiming your December 2019 mileage, what accomplishments will you have made?
Run at least 4 5k races - Completed 8-31.
Get under 30:00 and a PR for 5k - Nope...
Average at least 135k per month, which would put me over 1,000 miles for the year - Completed 12-7.

Run the Year Team: Five for Nineteen - Completed 9-28

It was 15 degrees F this morning. Thankfully, there was just a little wind. Only saw one robin today.

@shanaber That is difficult news about your knee. Rather than thinking about what you cannot or should not do, try to focus on what you CAN do. If your PA says you can run/walk your HM, make it your "Farewell Half." Then, come over to the dark side and start working on 5k PR's, with an occasional 10k for variety and fun. I'm not trying to go all Pollyanna on you; but do your best to put your injury in perspective and do what you can. At the very least, you now know the things you shouldn't be doing, so don't do them. And remember -- we're here for you.

@mbaker566 Great!! Can't wait for the report.

2020 goals:
Continue a 5k regimen.
Train better.

4-13 Shine the Light 5K - 31:12 chip time; First Place male 65 and older
6-30 Strides for Starfish 5K - 31:34 chip time; 31/77 overall; second male 65 and older (no official category)
7-27 Solon Home Days 5K - 31:11 chip time; 95/141 overall; 4/6 age group (male)
8-31 Race for Freedom 5k - 31:39 chip time; 32:00 Garmin time; Third Place male 60 and older
10-13 Haunted Hustle 5k - 31:22 chip time; 47/74 overall; First Place male 60 and older

greenolivetree · December 2019

@shanaber So sorry to hear about your knee

I hope you are able to run/walk the HM.

@tramboman Your Pollyanna reference cracked me up.

@quilteryoyo Great news about your CPAP!

@mbaker566 We will be anxiously awaiting a report of how your run goes tonight :-D I've been struggling to get up in the mornings also, falling back asleep and dreaming when I'm normally lying there delaying getting up but at least awake and feeling guilty about not getting up

@pastorvincent Hope your neck is feeling better. I jacked mine up recently and had a week of heck trying to get over it.

My plan for this evening is a treadmill/strength workout so I'll do intervals of running for cardio alternating with intervals of strength. Then tomorrow OUTSIDE running. 5k sounds like a good plan.

December 2019 Monthly Running Challenge

Replies

Categories