January 2020 Monthly Running Challenge

quilteryoyo · January 2020

@ContraryMaryMary I forgot you were in NZ and thought you were in Australia when I saw that picture. That does attest to the scale of the fires. Thanks for the geography lesson. That is one subject at which I am horrible. If Final Jeopardy is geography, I virtually bet $0!

TheMrWobbly · January 2020

Welcome @amehh91 and congratulations on the new family!!

Teresa502 · January 2020

1/1 – 3.17 miles
1/2 – 5.03 miles
1/4 – 10.01 miles
1/5 – 6.56 miles (trail)
1/6 – 4.14 miles
28.88 miles/100 miles

Busy weekend and I’m feeling it today. The only thing that got me out of bed this morning was knowing that I have nothing planned for this evening. I may be in bed by 6:00 pm!

@quilteryoyo – Great run! Trust the Garmin!

@Orphia – Big hugs to you and all those suffering from the fires.

Welcome to all the newcomers to this challenge!

polskagirl01 · January 2020

January goal 100 miles (stretch goal 200 km)

Upcoming races:
Jan. 11 - CityTrail 5k (#4 of 6)

So I bumped up my monthly goal, to see how it goes aiming for 200 km instead of 162 (100 miles). I'd have to average about 50k/week, which I think is doable and follows the plan I'm on. We'll see.

Dirt track workout went well today. I did a "ladder workout" where the fast intervals start out shorter (halfway around the track fast, then recovery jog back to starting point) then get longer (building up to 2x around fast), then back down to the shorter intervals.

I'm considering not doing our city's marathon again this year, but am open to a small/medium marathon in a nearby country to Poland. I could be ready to do one with about 5-8 weeks of training. I don't want it to interfere with my half-marathon plans for the year, though... so for now, I'm just thinking out loud.

mbaker566 · January 2020

hey all
friday i made the mistake of sitting down, so no 5k

saturday i slept in and didn't get to my 5k till after aerial yoga classes. that was so hard. even though i tried to eat to keep up my energy before class and run and it just wasn't enough. i also ran without a dog. dogs are a good distraction when i run since i don't rely on music-especially when i run by myself. but i finally got to try out my new shoes. they will be good for most of the trails around here. and pavement to trail

new shoes

scenic route

why i'm tired

sunday was supposed to be an earlier run but i slept in, then i had a meet and greet for a foster. then they decided to pick him up that day so i was waiting for their text. then, i got very comfortable. i got buried under three dogs. it was warm and cozy inside. it was cold and gale force winds outside. i also wasn't sure if speed demon was up for it. she had dragged a bit on the five miler. but we got out there. there were a few times when a knee ached or a hip felt tight but nothing unusual. since i wasn't really in the right headspace when i started and it was a city run, it felt long. very long. and i had to run into the winds on the way back. strength training right? Speed Demon lived up to her name. she took a few pace breaks but overall ran well and managed to pull me home when the winds got tiring. when i say "let's go home" she always picks up her pace.

the smile is a lie. so tired

the hold up

speed demon happy to be inside because the winds were scary. i don't blame her.

Camaramandy648 · January 2020

TheMrWobbly wrote: »

Fantastic pace @quilteryoyo and I am sure there is more to come!

I feel humbled to be on this journey with you @LoveyChar and with @Camaramandy648 there are 3 of us marathon novices going for this together. Mine is April 19th. I couldn't run across the road when I started in July 2019. I completed C2K in October, ran my first 10k the same month and my first half marathon in the November and all at pretty much the same pace of 10:30-11:00 per mile. I am not special, I am determined.

From my journey so far the advice given is so right. When I started I was running at 12 minutes a mile, yesterday averaged 9:47 per mile for 10k. Admittedly today my thighs are telling me that was a little quick so extra stretches needed. I NEVER push myself for pace, never sprint finish, just do the miles and let my body go at whatever pace it says it can do.

I had one injury as I was an idiot and didn't do any warm up or stretches as I was short on time. Well that 15 minutes cost me 3 weeks out in December with shin splints and now I am well behind my training plan. I am doing RED January with some people at work. I am not totally convinced on skipping rest days but I am alternating shorter runs between mid and long runs where the rest days should be.

Really pleased to be sharing this journey with you

@TheMrWobbly and @LoveyChar I feel very fortunate to know you and be on this journey with both of you. We got this!

@Avidkeo your question is completely valid - My answer, while the details differ, is similar to @LoveyChar. But the question isn't really, "why are you doing this with only four months of training?" I'm not new to running. I started running in 2014 after a childhood filled with trauma that led to an adulthood filled with trauma. Loads of abuse, serious drug addiction, pulling myself out of the pit completely alone (before I realized I had a Creator that was deeply involved in every moment), being told I'll "never be..." that I "can't...." etc etc etc etc. My ex husband tried to drown me in a toilet. My very first childhood memory - I must have been two? - is of our house burning down and my mom, covered in blood and crying, telling me it would be okay. Her then-husband set the house on fire.

Those are only TWO examples of the various abuses and traumas. I am 34. I started recovering in 2012....

My point is that this marathon will pale in comparison to other things I have endured. You could give me a hundred mile race and it would pale in comparison to other kinds of pain and suffering I have endured and overcome.

To your point though - I began in 2014 and ran several races and was very consistent until my mother's death in 2016. I moved here and never really quit completely - I ran a half marathon in 2017, warrior dash, springfest 5K, the Color Run - lots of races since I've been here. I just haven't been consistently running. I've been working the marathon training since October though, so by the time race day hits, I'll have been training for this one purpose for six months.

I have never been so focused on running or fitness or nutrition in my life, and I have been loving it. Also the community on this forum is absolutely AMAZING!

You all are fantastic and I so so so LOVE learning from each of you. Thank you for your wisdom!

Tramboman · January 2020

1-1 8k slow + resistance bands
1-2 7k slow + yoga
1-3 rest + resistance bands
1-4 7k slow + yoga
1-5 8k slow
1-6 7k easy + resistance bands

January Total: 37k
January Goal: 135k

Partly cloudy and mid 30s F today. Warmed up enough overnight so that the ice and snow melted off the roads and trail; there was just a little on the wooden foot bridges.
Even though today was an easy pace day, my body did not react well to my reduced caloric intake. For the last couple of months, apparently I was able to draw energy from the thousands of calories just drifting around within me, waiting to be converted into fat. Tummy was not happy this is no longer the case and let me know.
I am still struggling to find the words to respond to the posts I've read today. The courage and determination reported is astounding -- and I, too, am proud and humbled to be a participant in this group.

The Twelve Runs of Christmas

On the tenth run of Christmas, my workout gave to me:
Ten dry heaves wrackin';
Nine walkers walking;
Eight hip tweaks twangin';
Seven sparrows chirping;
Six frozen fingers;
Five trillion snowflakes;
Four wind gusts;
Three calf cramps;
Two frozen ponds;
And a small niggle in my left knee.

Next year when you pop in here claiming your December 2020 mileage, what accomplishments will you have made?

Return to a good running weight of 175 lbs
Run at least 4 5k races
Get a 5k PR
Average at least 138k per month, to meet my Run the Year pledge of 1,020 miles

Run the Year Team: Pavement Pounders

BeverlyW1108 · January 2020

I would just like to vent here, if that is ok. I don’t know if it is my new garmin watch upgrade with way more features than the last, or if I am trying to sync to too many apps - Run the edge, Strava, my fitness pal & map my run or if it truly is my age but I feel I am spending way too much time trying to get it all sorted out rather than running😬 Ok. Thanks for listening!

greenolivetree · January 2020

Well apparently I haven't been on here since Jan 1 and y'all have been chatting away :-D I'm finally back to work today after what felt like a month off (last worked Dec 19 so it was really 17 days I guess). Usually my time off at the holidays doesn't feel like time off because my husband continues to work and adhering to his work schedule doesn't make my time off feel restful. But he took significant time off also and I truly feel like I had a stay-cay despite the holidays!

My big project this month is renovating a room in my house to be a work-from-home office! This is going to be a huge life-changing year.

I started noticing I guess starting around Friday that my shins were feeling sore. By last night they were pretty bad. I used KT tape and I'm not sure how I plan to procede with exercise. I don't think it's caused by running. I only ran Wed and Sat. I actually think the long walks with my husband did it plus I wore different shoes. Older shoes but they had Dr Scholl's inserts so I thought they'd be great. May have been a mistake.

I do feel better this morning with the KT tape still on but I'm not sure if I should just try to run on the treadmill and stay off the road until I'm sure the pain is gone??? Or not run at all? Any advice??? Again, I don't think running caused it. I think it was the shoes and a lot of time on my feet walking lately. I've had a lot of days pushing 20,000 steps and that isn't running.

Jan 1 - 4.25 mile run (I'm running too fast... need to slow down) - 1.5 mile walk - 30 min strength/light cardio intervals
Jan 2 - 3 miles walking
Jan 3 - 3 mile walk with hubby
Jan 4 - was planning to run 5k but got super distracted by a little lost dog and ended up doing 2.33 miles - later walked 5 miles with hubby
Jan 5 - 3 miles walked, half with dogs, half alone

Elise4270 · January 2020

Camaramandy648 wrote: »

TheMrWobbly wrote: »

Fantastic pace @quilteryoyo and I am sure there is more to come!

I feel humbled to be on this journey with you @LoveyChar and with @Camaramandy648 there are 3 of us marathon novices going for this together. Mine is April 19th. I couldn't run across the road when I started in July 2019. I completed C2K in October, ran my first 10k the same month and my first half marathon in the November and all at pretty much the same pace of 10:30-11:00 per mile. I am not special, I am determined.

From my journey so far the advice given is so right. When I started I was running at 12 minutes a mile, yesterday averaged 9:47 per mile for 10k. Admittedly today my thighs are telling me that was a little quick so extra stretches needed. I NEVER push myself for pace, never sprint finish, just do the miles and let my body go at whatever pace it says it can do.

I had one injury as I was an idiot and didn't do any warm up or stretches as I was short on time. Well that 15 minutes cost me 3 weeks out in December with shin splints and now I am well behind my training plan. I am doing RED January with some people at work. I am not totally convinced on skipping rest days but I am alternating shorter runs between mid and long runs where the rest days should be.

Really pleased to be sharing this journey with you

@ TheMrWobbly and @LoveyChar I feel very fortunate to know you and be on this journey with both of you. We got this!

@ Avidkeo your question is completely valid - My answer, while the details differ, is similar to @ LoveyChar. But the question isn't really, "why are you doing this with only four months of training?" I'm not new to running. I started running in 2014 after a childhood filled with trauma that led to an adulthood filled with trauma. Loads of abuse, serious drug addiction, pulling myself out of the pit completely alone (before I realized I had a Creator that was deeply involved in every moment), being told I'll "never be..." that I "can't...." etc etc etc etc. My ex husband tried to drown me in a toilet. My very first childhood memory - I must have been two? - is of our house burning down and my mom, covered in blood and crying, telling me it would be okay. Her then-husband set the house on fire.

Those are only TWO examples of the various abuses and traumas. I am 34. I started recovering in 2012....

My point is that this marathon will pale in comparison to other things I have endured. You could give me a hundred mile race and it would pale in comparison to other kinds of pain and suffering I have endured and overcome.

To your point though - I began in 2014 and ran several races and was very consistent until my mother's death in 2016. I moved here and never really quit completely - I ran a half marathon in 2017, warrior dash, springfest 5K, the Color Run - lots of races since I've been here. I just haven't been consistently running. I've been working the marathon training since October though, so by the time race day hits, I'll have been training for this one purpose for six months.

I have never been so focused on running or fitness or nutrition in my life, and I have been loving it. Also the community on this forum is absolutely AMAZING!

You all are fantastic and I so so so LOVE learning from each of you. Thank you for your wisdom!

Ok. My childhood was *kitten* too. Alcoholic Mother took up with a pedophile, he liked my little brother. How was i the only one that saw that? Or was it ok with her? Anyway, HUGS girl, thats brutal. The past sucks, here's to the future.

Camaramandy648 · January 2020

Ok. My childhood was *kitten* too. Alcoholic Mother took up with a pedophile, he liked my little brother. How was i the only one that saw that? Or was it ok with her? Anyway, HUGS girl, thats brutal. The past sucks, here's to the future. [/quote]

@Elise4270 YES! HERE IS TO THE FUTURE!

Camaramandy648 · January 2020

OH MY GOODNESS LOOK WHAT HAPPENED

Yesterday I was taking out the trash and my dog followed me out and was going CRAZY at the neighbors. I felt awful and went to call her off right as my neighbor was helping this GIANT, FLUFFY dog out of her SUV. She works at a pet hospital and said he was running on the road near there and walked in and went right to the treat section. She posted ads all over the internet but nobody has come for him yet. She said she has three dogs and two cats already and I said, let me go get my daughter - she LOVES animals and she's been very anxious. At this point, the neighbor suggested the giant beast fluff stay at my house for the night. I said "Sure! Anything to burst Madison's autistic/anxiety bubble and bring her back down to earth!"

Needless to say: It worked!

Now, STILL no one has put an ad up anywhere for their missing dog. Animal shelters have no new information. Nobody seems to be looking for him....... and he is SO mild mannered and polite and he will shake hands for a treat. And he smiles ALL THE TIME. And his eyes are golden. He's beautiful and perfect in every way. AND HE'S A MALAMUTE!

Here is what I was not expecting to see when I got out of the shower last night - I forgot he was there and when I got out, he scared me to death

As of right now, the plan is to keep him. He's great and both my kids, Madison especially, are IN LOVE. Also he would make a fantastic running partner for long runs and my smaller fur baby can keep going with me on short runs. If anyone should ever come for him, I will of course surrender him back to his family, but in the meantime, I am elated to have the opportunity to care for him!

Tramboman · January 2020

Camaramandy648 wrote: »

OH MY GOODNESS LOOK WHAT HAPPENED

Yesterday I was taking out the trash and my dog followed me out and was going CRAZY at the neighbors. I felt awful and went to call her off right as my neighbor was helping this GIANT, FLUFFY dog out of her SUV. She works at a pet hospital and said he was running on the road near there and walked in and went right to the treat section. She posted ads all over the internet but nobody has come for him yet. She said she has three dogs and two cats already and I said, let me go get my daughter - she LOVES animals and she's been very anxious. At this point, the neighbor suggested the giant beast fluff stay at my house for the night. I said "Sure! Anything to burst Madison's autistic/anxiety bubble and bring her back down to earth!"

Needless to say: It worked!

Now, STILL no one has put an ad up anywhere for their missing dog. Animal shelters have no new information. Nobody seems to be looking for him....... and he is SO mild mannered and polite and he will shake hands for a treat. And he smiles ALL THE TIME. And his eyes are golden. He's beautiful and perfect in every way. AND HE'S A MALAMUTE!

Here is what I was not expecting to see when I got out of the shower last night - I forgot he was there and when I got out, he scared me to death

As of right now, the plan is to keep him. He's great and both my kids, Madison especially, are IN LOVE. Also he would make a fantastic running partner for long runs and my smaller fur baby can keep going with me on short runs. If anyone should ever come for him, I will of course surrender him back to his family, but in the meantime, I am elated to have the opportunity to care for him!

Madison looks like she adores her new friend.

Avidkeo · January 2020

Camaramandy648 wrote: »

TheMrWobbly wrote: »

Fantastic pace @quilteryoyo and I am sure there is more to come!

I feel humbled to be on this journey with you @LoveyChar and with @Camaramandy648 there are 3 of us marathon novices going for this together. Mine is April 19th. I couldn't run across the road when I started in July 2019. I completed C2K in October, ran my first 10k the same month and my first half marathon in the November and all at pretty much the same pace of 10:30-11:00 per mile. I am not special, I am determined.

From my journey so far the advice given is so right. When I started I was running at 12 minutes a mile, yesterday averaged 9:47 per mile for 10k. Admittedly today my thighs are telling me that was a little quick so extra stretches needed. I NEVER push myself for pace, never sprint finish, just do the miles and let my body go at whatever pace it says it can do.

I had one injury as I was an idiot and didn't do any warm up or stretches as I was short on time. Well that 15 minutes cost me 3 weeks out in December with shin splints and now I am well behind my training plan. I am doing RED January with some people at work. I am not totally convinced on skipping rest days but I am alternating shorter runs between mid and long runs where the rest days should be.

Really pleased to be sharing this journey with you

@TheMrWobbly and @LoveyChar I feel very fortunate to know you and be on this journey with both of you. We got this!

@Avidkeo your question is completely valid - My answer, while the details differ, is similar to @LoveyChar. But the question isn't really, "why are you doing this with only four months of training?" I'm not new to running. I started running in 2014 after a childhood filled with trauma that led to an adulthood filled with trauma. Loads of abuse, serious drug addiction, pulling myself out of the pit completely alone (before I realized I had a Creator that was deeply involved in every moment), being told I'll "never be..." that I "can't...." etc etc etc etc. My ex husband tried to drown me in a toilet. My very first childhood memory - I must have been two? - is of our house burning down and my mom, covered in blood and crying, telling me it would be okay. Her then-husband set the house on fire.

Those are only TWO examples of the various abuses and traumas. I am 34. I started recovering in 2012....

My point is that this marathon will pale in comparison to other things I have endured. You could give me a hundred mile race and it would pale in comparison to other kinds of pain and suffering I have endured and overcome.

To your point though - I began in 2014 and ran several races and was very consistent until my mother's death in 2016. I moved here and never really quit completely - I ran a half marathon in 2017, warrior dash, springfest 5K, the Color Run - lots of races since I've been here. I just haven't been consistently running. I've been working the marathon training since October though, so by the time race day hits, I'll have been training for this one purpose for six months.

I have never been so focused on running or fitness or nutrition in my life, and I have been loving it. Also the community on this forum is absolutely AMAZING!

You all are fantastic and I so so so LOVE learning from each of you. Thank you for your wisdom!

Ah apologies, I had missed earlier posts when you said you had started in October, I am sorry for that. I think with the grit and determination you have, you will ace it. I agree this is an amazing place. I often talk to my family of my online running group. Enjoy the journey!

Avidkeo · January 2020

Elise4270 wrote: »

Camaramandy648 wrote: »

TheMrWobbly wrote: »

Fantastic pace @quilteryoyo and I am sure there is more to come!

I feel humbled to be on this journey with you @LoveyChar and with @Camaramandy648 there are 3 of us marathon novices going for this together. Mine is April 19th. I couldn't run across the road when I started in July 2019. I completed C2K in October, ran my first 10k the same month and my first half marathon in the November and all at pretty much the same pace of 10:30-11:00 per mile. I am not special, I am determined.

From my journey so far the advice given is so right. When I started I was running at 12 minutes a mile, yesterday averaged 9:47 per mile for 10k. Admittedly today my thighs are telling me that was a little quick so extra stretches needed. I NEVER push myself for pace, never sprint finish, just do the miles and let my body go at whatever pace it says it can do.

I had one injury as I was an idiot and didn't do any warm up or stretches as I was short on time. Well that 15 minutes cost me 3 weeks out in December with shin splints and now I am well behind my training plan. I am doing RED January with some people at work. I am not totally convinced on skipping rest days but I am alternating shorter runs between mid and long runs where the rest days should be.

Really pleased to be sharing this journey with you

@ TheMrWobbly and @LoveyChar I feel very fortunate to know you and be on this journey with both of you. We got this!

@ Avidkeo your question is completely valid - My answer, while the details differ, is similar to @ LoveyChar. But the question isn't really, "why are you doing this with only four months of training?" I'm not new to running. I started running in 2014 after a childhood filled with trauma that led to an adulthood filled with trauma. Loads of abuse, serious drug addiction, pulling myself out of the pit completely alone (before I realized I had a Creator that was deeply involved in every moment), being told I'll "never be..." that I "can't...." etc etc etc etc. My ex husband tried to drown me in a toilet. My very first childhood memory - I must have been two? - is of our house burning down and my mom, covered in blood and crying, telling me it would be okay. Her then-husband set the house on fire.

Those are only TWO examples of the various abuses and traumas. I am 34. I started recovering in 2012....

My point is that this marathon will pale in comparison to other things I have endured. You could give me a hundred mile race and it would pale in comparison to other kinds of pain and suffering I have endured and overcome.

To your point though - I began in 2014 and ran several races and was very consistent until my mother's death in 2016. I moved here and never really quit completely - I ran a half marathon in 2017, warrior dash, springfest 5K, the Color Run - lots of races since I've been here. I just haven't been consistently running. I've been working the marathon training since October though, so by the time race day hits, I'll have been training for this one purpose for six months.

I have never been so focused on running or fitness or nutrition in my life, and I have been loving it. Also the community on this forum is absolutely AMAZING!

You all are fantastic and I so so so LOVE learning from each of you. Thank you for your wisdom!

Ok. My childhood was *kitten* too. Alcoholic Mother took up with a pedophile, he liked my little brother. How was i the only one that saw that? Or was it ok with her? Anyway, HUGS girl, thats brutal. The past sucks, here's to the future.

Sent you a PM.
Hugs!

Avidkeo · January 2020

Morning all.

Just a short run today, to warm up before strength training. I'm trying yet another set of contacts. I just can't seem to get the prescription right for my right eye but I think im as close as. I'm going to get now. It's slightly annoying but not enough to give up completely. So I definitely won't be using them for everyday wear but to have some for weekends, long runs etc will be fantastic.

___________________________
Jan - goal 80k
Jan 1 - 2k
Jan 2 - 3k
Jan 3 - 6k
Jan 4 - 3k
Jan 5 - 9k
Jan 6 - 6.3k
Jan 7 - 2.3k
Total: 31.6k
Run streak - 18 days

PastorVincent · January 2020

Tramboman wrote: »

Camaramandy648 wrote: »

OH MY GOODNESS LOOK WHAT HAPPENED

Yesterday I was taking out the trash and my dog followed me out and was going CRAZY at the neighbors. I felt awful and went to call her off right as my neighbor was helping this GIANT, FLUFFY dog out of her SUV. She works at a pet hospital and said he was running on the road near there and walked in and went right to the treat section. She posted ads all over the internet but nobody has come for him yet. She said she has three dogs and two cats already and I said, let me go get my daughter - she LOVES animals and she's been very anxious. At this point, the neighbor suggested the giant beast fluff stay at my house for the night. I said "Sure! Anything to burst Madison's autistic/anxiety bubble and bring her back down to earth!"

Needless to say: It worked!

Now, STILL no one has put an ad up anywhere for their missing dog. Animal shelters have no new information. Nobody seems to be looking for him....... and he is SO mild mannered and polite and he will shake hands for a treat. And he smiles ALL THE TIME. And his eyes are golden. He's beautiful and perfect in every way. AND HE'S A MALAMUTE!

Here is what I was not expecting to see when I got out of the shower last night - I forgot he was there and when I got out, he scared me to death

As of right now, the plan is to keep him. He's great and both my kids, Madison especially, are IN LOVE. Also he would make a fantastic running partner for long runs and my smaller fur baby can keep going with me on short runs. If anyone should ever come for him, I will of course surrender him back to his family, but in the meantime, I am elated to have the opportunity to care for him!

Madison looks like she adores her new friend.

Take the puppy to a vet. Many Many dogs these days have chips in their shoulders with ID on them. A vet can scan the puppy and see if it is registered.

Also, have a vet look at the puppy to determine any health issues you will need to deal with if you keep the furball

Camaramandy648 · January 2020

@Avidkeo Thank you!!!! I hope so!

@PastorVincent @Tramboman --- the chip hasn't been updated since 2012, but unfortunately, the owner wants him back. My daughter is heartbroken.

Elise4270 · January 2020

Camaramandy648 wrote: »

Thank you!!!! I hope so!

@ PastorVincent @ --- the chip hasn't been updated since 2012, but unfortunately, the owner wants him back. My daughter is heartbroken.

Aww that’s too bad. But you can show the owner how happy his pup made her! And she helped a scared lonely pup. Maybe you two can pick her a new friend. She looks so happy. Tell her she did good taking good care of him. I hope if mine ever get lost someone like her find them. I’d let her keep them tho! Haha! Nah they are good dumb dogs.

Elise4270 · January 2020

Hey monthly question?

How are the new goals going? Are you on track? Have you learned anything? Have you stuck to the new you goals? What amazing foods have you had this year? Best homemade dish you rock (and can I have the recipe)?

January 2020 Monthly Running Challenge

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