February 2020 Monthly Running Challenge
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I'm going to take a whole three minutes to vent my frustrations here, okay?
I have five siblings, two of which live in Nashville and are the reasons I chose Nashville for my marathon. One of the two in Nashville... has a habit of thinking something is great and making plans and then once you agree, she backs out.
Here's how it's gone recently:
"Are you all in if we decide to do the camping trip again this year for the fourth of July?"
Me: Sure! Let me get the schedule with the kids and their dad worked out and we're in!
"No, maybe not actually. I don't know what our plans will be. But you should still go!"
Me: Wut?
And....
"Hey! Do you have plans for your birthday next week?"
Me: Nope - no plans. Probably just running."
"Awesome! How about if I come visit you?"
Me: Ohhhh that would be AMAZING!!!!!!!!
"Actually, since you're already coming for the marathon, I'll just see you then."
Me: Wut?
And then - I'm trying to book my flight to Nashville for the marathon last night, so I asked both sisters if they think either of them or their significant other or husband or in-laws that ARE ALSO RACING THE SAME RACE AS ME - could someone please pick me up from the airport just after 2PM - if not, I can get an uber.
"I don't know, I'd plan on getting an Uber - I don't know what I'm doing that day."
.......ummm..... what?
It will all be fine but this is all super weird and super annoying.11 -
@Camaramandy648 Oh my gosh, siblings just have the most amazing ways to get under our skin, don't they?1
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@Camaramandy648 My brother would fit right in with your family. I've stopped inviting him to Thanksgiving. Every year he'd accept the invitation, but never come.0
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Family - disenfranchised @r$eh0l3s who used to belittle you growing up and for some reason of blood relation we think we have to be friends with. Made the attempts, been blanked too many years, keep in touch with those we like, ignore the rest.1
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@AUTUMNBLADE75 and @TheMrWobbly I am just flabbergasted.
Mind you, we are not without our family drama. But it seems like with every thing that comes up along the way, it never ceases to be next level in someone. Some of them always find a way to outdo themselves.0 -
@Camaramandy648 I agree with Mr.Wobbly. Also, I say no to everything... everything... everything involving "distant" family!!! Disappointment will dissipate if your family members learn to say "no" up front instead of creating animosity later. Now you know they'll flake out. It's what they do. You're nicer than me. I'd probably tell them to eff off if they can't commit one way or the other. It's yes or no, but don't get wishy washy on me.
Years ago my mom wanted to take my girls to Disney World for spring break. She also wanted my brother and I to go (he did), all expenses paid and staying in Disney World with any and everything you would want there (they loved breakfast with the princesses) and then to her winter home in Florida. I said no, immediately. I didn't have to think about it. I'd probably rather walk over hot coals and suffer the consequences of it than get on a plane or sleep in the same room with her. Then years later she extended a like invitation to San Francisco. Again no... I wouldn't even consider it, but I also wouldn't mislead or up expectations either by saying yes upfront and turning on the backend after plans have already been made. Now I get no invitations, which is great and what I want. I'm sorry your siblings can't get it together.
Also, thank you for your input. He will have a lot of work to do if he wants to run it. I'm so excited for your Marathon! Nashville is a pretty city, I think.2 -
February Goal: 100 Miles
2/2: 10.05 miles
2/4: 6.02 miles
2/5: 2.10 miles
2/6: 3.52 miles
2/9: 10.10 miles
2/10: 6.31 miles
2/11: 6.31 miles
2/13: 6.11 miles
2/16: 10.02 miles
2/19: 2.61 miles
2/20: 3.22 miles
2/23: 7.26 miles
2/25: 5.02 miles
2/26: 5.02 miles
2/27: 5.15 miles
88.82/100 miles completed for February
199.08/1000 miles for Run the Year Team Pavement Pounders
I ran 5 miles again this morning. It was cold! My weather app said 26°F feels like 26F° with 3 mph wind. Strava said 29°F feels like 23°F with 6 mph winds. Either way it was too cold for me, but not the 20 mph winds from yesterday, so it wasn't too bad. I could have waited until lunchtime to run. It is already 55°F out there and it is supposed to get up to 66°F later today, but the winds are back up to 12 mph. I think I dislike wind more than I dislike cold. It was actually a pretty morning. It was clear and there were lots of stars out. And it was light by the time I got home. I don't mind starting out in the dark, but I do really like it when the sky is blue in the morning and it isn't dark when I get home. I guess the time change in a couple of weeks will ruin that, but for now I am enjoying the light mornings. Today's run should be the last run for me for February and I'm closing it out at 88.82 miles. It isn't the 100 miles I set out to do, but I'm ok with it. It was a short month, we had a couple of snow days and I took some extra rest for injury prevention which is more important to me than an arbitrarily set goal.
@Camaramandy648, @autumnblade75 ,@themrwobbly and @LoveyChar I guess I am lucky. My four sisters and I are all pretty close and close to our parents as well. My husband isn't really close with his brother, but we are close to his mother. And we are close to our kids and our nieces and nephews too.
2020 races:
5/16/20: Run for 57th AHC Half Marathon4 -
@hanlonsk I heard about that guy doing the ultra in his living room. That is just wild! He had a great time too, 4:48:44. I guess that means no more excuses for the rest of us.
https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3048941/coronavirus-outbreak-chinese-runners-forced-train
https://runningwithmiles.boardingarea.com/the-amazing-way-one-runner-did-a-50k-run-while-quarantined-due-to-coronavirus/
I've been going back this month to try to see what everyone's up to. Congrats to @shanaber @hamsterwheel6 @MegaMooseEsq @polskagirl01 @ContraryMaryMary @T1DCarnivoreRunner @rheddmobile (reading "Stanky creek" always cracks me up, lol) for your races. Sorry @janejellyroll that you missed yours. I'm sure there's more race reports out there but I'm only caught up to page 25.
@katharmonic I loved the skiing photos!
@autumnblade75 I'm late to the race nutrition discussion but here are my thoughts. When I ran my first marathon I was all into calculating my calorie burn, glycogen burn, required carb intake, and all that. It finally occurred to me that the only thing that I needed to know was the maximum calorie intake my body could handle per hour. In a marathon you simply cannot replace all the glycogen you burn. Thus, if you can determine your maximum calorie intake per hour, just hit that number. Through trial and error I've determined that I can take in 300 calories per hour without getting an upset stomach, so that's the number I go for. The range I've heard is 200 to 300 calories, depending on the individual and the ambient temperature (hotter temps = less calories/hour because more blood is at the skin to help cool off). The way you find this out is to try to overdo it during a long run. Plan on 200 calories/hour and see if that works. The next time 250, then 300, and so on. If at some point your stomach gets upset, you know you've gone to far. For me, once I got to 300 calories, I felt that was enough and stopped there. I have an iron stomach when racing.
As far as how to get those calories, I'm also cheap. I generally rely on aid station food during ultras but road marathons are different. I used a combination of the Gatorade they served at the water stops (if you can find out how big the cups are, figure half that amount is what you'll actually get since they don't fill them up all the way and you'll likely spill some) and some honeywater I brought myself. I tried the gels, and they work fine, but were too expensive so I took honey, mixed honey 50/50 with water and filled a soft flask to carry with me. Not only did that allow me to take smaller portions, but more often, it was much neater than using sticky gel packets. I also carried a water bottle to wash down the honey water. You could add salt if you think that's needed.
The equation becomes (expected number of hours racing) x (calories/hour) = Total Calorie Intake. Then figure out the number of water stops with Gatorade x the calories in the amount you plan to drink (this is where it's good to know the cup size...if not, eyeball it) and subtract that from the Total Calorie Intake
Don't run all your long runs fully fueled. It's good to run some fasted or low fueled so your body can learn to burn more fat and less glycogen. Those runs may not feel the best, but it helps in the long run and saves more calories for real food after the run. It's quite rare that I run a long run fully fueled but my goal is to maximize my fat burn for ultras. The furthest I've gone without food, or water, is 19 miles, but that was in the winter.
One of the many reasons I started ultrarunning is the aid station fare. During races I've eaten pizza, cheeseburgers, bacon, pancakes, quesadillas, grilled cheese, M&Ms, potato chips, and even sushi. Then there's the beer and Fireball.
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I was waffling on gym vs no gym yesterday, and then I remembered that I have a perfectly well-stocked home gym in my basement that I haven't used for a year, so I did a 20 minute Fitness Blender upper body workout and then hopped on the exercise bike for 15 minutes. BOOM! It felt amazing, and I'm feeling much more confident about running to the gym this evening.9
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Okay so laying it out there. My eldest brother I never really got on with, he was the golden child, religious, joined the Uni RAF squad, played piano well, did well at Uni, dropped dead at 32 so there was no completing with that. You know the friendship parachute, multicoloured, people grab a corner, if you can find an example of that before he 'came up' with it in the 80s let me know but my Mum always said he created it. Nothing wrong with the guy mind you.
My other brother, we used to visit him and his first wife three times a year and they had two children slightly older than ours, it only dawned on me recently they never came to visit us, just my parents a few miles away and we were welcome to join. The only time they came to see us was to use us a week long babysitting service so they could go to the states. Before they got divorced he was a complete ****, nothing short of disgraceful, his wife had gained more than a few pounds and his 'anti-fat person' streak was on full display. Others didn't see this and his presented persona was ex-RAF superfit, charity concious ironman competitor who would do training cycle rides to my parents who were 60 miles away, do odd jobs and ride home again.
We had a couple of successful 'family' breaks when the children were younger, everyone gets on. A couple of years ago I suggested we all get together again, thought my retired parents would enjoy organising it as they always take over anyway. Nothing happened. I asked repeatedly, no interest. Boxing Day my niece sends a facebook post 'Having the greatest time with the best fam ever" both brothers families and my parents. Saracastically replied "Glad my idea of getting together worked for some". The following year my Mum's cancer won in late October, they did it again. To be fair my brother and I had already said at the funeral "let's not pretend we are going to keep in touch or anything". So they don't like us, not a problem, knowing where you stands means no wasted energy on it.
Whilst this is my opinion my children, who asked the question why weren't invited, have done their own homework through extend family and have come to the conclusion, not worth bothering with.7 -
@LoveyChar I am getting SO EXCITED TOOOO !!!!!!!! It's going to be amazing, I can feel it. I have a long run planned for this weekend - eighteen miles - but have been running less because of the IT Band Syndrome, so I may cut it back to 12, which was the original plan for last week except I slept late (ha, no surprise there) and got my hair done...
My IT Band was improving so much the past couple of days - NO PAIN yesterday ... mostly. Today, it's quite twingy again. And noticably so. I'm not sure what's going on there. I have the heating pad on and I'm taking NSAIDS, but I sure do wish this would be over and healed already.
So maybe 12 this week is more reasonable. My son wants to run with me this evening. My daughter managed to get a giant hole in the front of her shoe (no idea how this happened) so we have to go to the shoe store to replace those and I think we'll look at some suitable running shoes for my son. Right now he's wearing Nike high top sneakers and I can't stand the idea of him RUNNING in those. It seems like it would be so uncomfortable. Maybe we'll get a good deal tonight.
Family drama topic - it probably doesn't help the six of us that we have no living parents and we all have our own trauma and story regarding them. We all also live in vastly different parts of the country. two of the six of us are amazing at judgement and self-righteousness and the general concept of having "arrived." The rest of us want peace and harmony and have no limits to the love we are willing to share.
It makes family functions difficult, so we just don't really do them. We all see each other at different times for different reasons, but we are generally never, ever all together at once. The last time that happened was when my mother died. They came for the funeral.
In any event, I still get to run my marathon. I'll have sisters there and friends. it will be a good day - and less stressful once it arrives - just have to get over this hump of awkward, flaky, noncommittal, weird bs she has going on.5 -
@7lenny7 Welcome back!!!!! Great to "see you" and thanks..have a HM coming up March 29. May do a 5K next weekend. There is 5K and 8K this weekend, but I've done that course twice now already the first 2 races (it's part of a series). Next week is at a different location so will be a nice change.
Good info on the fueling. That race you signed up for really does sound right up your alley.
@Elise4270 Hi!!!
4 Miles today including 10x1 min speed intervals.
Feels like temp was 35 as the winds were 10-15mph. Made it tough. So back to the winter gear.
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TheMrWobbly wrote: »Okay so laying it out there. My eldest brother I never really got on with, he was the golden child, religious, joined the Uni RAF squad, played piano well, did well at Uni, dropped dead at 32 so there was no completing with that. You know the friendship parachute, multicoloured, people grab a corner, if you can find an example of that before he 'came up' with it in the 80s let me know but my Mum always said he created it. Nothing wrong with the guy mind you.
My other brother, we used to visit him and his first wife three times a year and they had two children slightly older than ours, it only dawned on me recently they never came to visit us, just my parents a few miles away and we were welcome to join. The only time they came to see us was to use us a week long babysitting service so they could go to the states. Before they got divorced he was a complete ****, nothing short of disgraceful, his wife had gained more than a few pounds and his 'anti-fat person' streak was on full display. Others didn't see this and his presented persona was ex-RAF superfit, charity concious ironman competitor who would do training cycle rides to my parents who were 60 miles away, do odd jobs and ride home again.
We had a couple of successful 'family' breaks when the children were younger, everyone gets on. A couple of years ago I suggested we all get together again, thought my retired parents would enjoy organising it as they always take over anyway. Nothing happened. I asked repeatedly, no interest. Boxing Day my niece sends a facebook post 'Having the greatest time with the best fam ever" both brothers families and my parents. Saracastically replied "Glad my idea of getting together worked for some". The following year my Mum's cancer won in late October, they did it again. To be fair my brother and I had already said at the funeral "let's not pretend we are going to keep in touch or anything". So they don't like us, not a problem, knowing where you stands means no wasted energy on it.
Whilst this is my opinion my children, who asked the question why weren't invited, have done their own homework through extend family and have come to the conclusion, not worth bothering with.
Hugs. Yep nothing screws you up like family.0 -
@TheMrWobbly My brother and I have no relationship, none. Why? Politics! Politics! He throws huge temper tantrums over politics, unbelievably sad. I don't talk about politics in front of him because he is a very sensitive, easily disturbed person. Seriously?! Heaven forbid anyone should have differing political opinions or views from him. My toddler throws less tantrums than my forty year old brother.
I'm sorry your brother is an A-hole from hell.5 -
@7lenny7 I ran my first Marathon on the 16th. I ate up until 7:00 the night before and nothing the morning of up until I hit the finish line when I started feeling a little woozy. Four hours of sleep and I had been up for 5 hours by the time the Marathon finally kicked off (late start). So bad feeling probably a combination of tiredness and anxiety mixed with a low dip in blood sugar. I put a little energy gel on my tongue and problem fixed. I fast, no problem with it. Even longer fasts don't bother me and I'm learning about how to burn fat through fasting. I don't like to weigh above 105 pounds because that's too much weight for me to carry on long runs but I would be thrilled to weigh less, less fat. Heck, I'd be thrilled to even weigh more but have solid muscles and no flab at all because at least the muscles are working and not taking up useless space. I saw a few large people running and kudos to them but I know how much I struggle with alot of extra fat weighing on me. I am NOT fast to begin with. That is not why I did not eat the morning of, though...
My brother-in-law said he was terrified of pooping his pants at every Marathon (this was his 5th) so he skipped breakfast every time. I've seen people here talk about periods, breasts, bras, and every other issue or curiosity a runner may have. Anyway, my stomach held up strong and I ate nothing until after the 17th mile marker. I ate pretzels and a granola bar. Anyway, I am surprised that you can eat so much during a Marathon. I love greasy food, just wouldn't be brave enough to try it during a long run. Within an hour I had to find a bathroom. We ate Whataburger on the way home and I didn't even finish most of my meal, got ill again. My stomach did not settle down until that night and by that time I was really hungry. I'm going to do better nutritionally the night/day before and day of to include during and after. I know T1DCarnivoreRunner has run several Marathons and he knows what works for him. But I'm running another one in 3 months and I am going to train better and stronger for this next one. Anyway, I'm going to fast after lunch like him and only take in electrolytes the morning of. All I needed was that touch of energy gel the morning of. I've done longer runs on 20+ hour fasts and I run and feel better that way. I couldn't even enjoy the beer, nothing after my Marathon. Felt great except for a torn up stomach and expected muscle aches. Definitely an area I need to work on and educate myself in. Lots to learn, but I won't eat so late next time because maybe it contributed to the sick stomach. One day maybe I'll say I ate pizza on a run!2 -
A couple of weeks ago Kody and I had the glorious experience of trail running in a fresh 7 inches of snow at my favorite local park. Though it was a difficult run, effort is effort and we loved it out there. I thought I'd share some of the photos.14
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A couple of weeks ago Kody and I had the glorious experience of trail running in a fresh 7 inches of snow at my favorite local park. Though it was a difficult run, effort is effort and we loved it out there. I thought I'd share some of the photos.
This needs the return of the love reaction.4 -
I agree @PastorVincent! I was almost ready to give @7lenny7 a 'hug' ❤️ just because it is a heart. Those pictures are beautiful and Kody looks like he is just loving it!!
@TheMrWobbly - I think most every family has their issues. I haven't talked to my oldest brother in over 30 years. When my stepmother passed away I had to hunt my SIL down on LinkedIn to let them know and was told they couldn't care less. My middle brother and I are pretty close and we talk about once a month or so. I also have a cousin I am very close to who is more like an older brother (he's about the same age as my oldest brother).
In contrast to @7lenny7's snow pictures and the cold temps so many of you are having, it is hot here this week. It has been in the mid to high 80's and was supposed to hit 90 today but I am not sure it will quite make that. I went out late for my run and it was already well over 80, maybe 85 even. But there are these strange high clouds making it look kind of gloomy. We used to call it shake and bake weather when we would get it in September/October because for whatever reason we would have earthquakes when it was like this. That was my 1st thought when I headed out. So far no earthquakes though. Initially I kept thinking it was too hot to run and maybe I would just do a walk/run in my neighborhood and then thought well maybe I will just get to the trail and then come home. Once I got over to the trail though there was a lovely breeze and the temp had actually dropped a degree or two. Also it was so incredibly dry I stopped pretty much at every drinking fountain to just have a sip and moisten my mouth. I didn't really even get sweaty, my shirt was dry, but I am sure I was and the breeze was just taking the moisture away. Just a couple of minutes after being home I was soaked and dripping though.😅 It was a much better run than I thought it could possibly be. On to strength training tonight! Hope it isn't too much legs focused.
Date.........Miles.......Total
02/01......0.00........0.00
02/02....13.10......13.10 - Surf City HM
02/03......2.28......15.38 - + Agility Class
02/04......0.00......15.38 - + Strength Training
02/05......3.89......19.27
02/06......4.46......23.73 - + Strength Training
02/07......3.62......27.35
02/08......0.00......27.35
02/09......0.00......27.35
02/10......5.88......33.23 - + Agility Class
02/11......0.00......33.23 - + Strength Training
02/12......5.42......38.65
02/13......5.37......44.02 - Intervals + Strength Training
02/14......2.56......46.58 - 💕💕
02/15......4.19......50.77 - Salinas run
02/16......0.00......50.77
02/17......0.00......50.77 - + Agility Class
02/18......4.61......55.38 - + Strength Training
02/19......3.29......58.67
02/20......0.00......58.67 - + Strength Training
02/21......3.86......62.53
02/22......0.00......62.53
02/23......6.97......69.50
02/24......4.77......74.27 - + Agility Class
02/25......5.33......79.60 - + Strength Training
02/26......1.77......81.37
02/27......6.39......87.76 - + Strength Training
2020 Run the Year Team - 2020 R.I.O.T. (Running Is Our Therapy) 308.14/1000 miles (running and walking)
2020 Planned and Completed Races
02/02/20 - Surf City Half Marathon9 -
Sorry for all of you with family drama and troubles 💔. Our family isn't immune, but I just choose to not engage ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Great pictures @7lenny7! Kody looks like he is having a blast.
6 miles for me this evening. Starting to feel like myself again (that's not necessarily a good thing 🙄). But it helped to have perfect weather. Managed to knock out a sub 9 min/mi pace.7
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