August 2020 Monthly Running Challenge
katharmonic
Posts: 5,720 Member
WARNING: Following this thread may be addictive; it gets very talkative...miss a day and you can be 50 posts behind. This is the most popular challenge on MFP. If you found us in the middle (or end) of the month, you're still very welcome to join in - no requirements or special invite needed. Once you post, that's it you're in. And yes, we do this every month.
You set your own pace and distance for the month. We will all be doing it together. This is your virtual running group to help keep you accountable, to enjoy a virtual post-run coffee with your fellow runners, and to make new friends and learn a few things.
This is a continuation from the July 2020 Running Challenge which can be found at:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10801804/july-2020-monthly-running-challenge/p1
Anyone can join in, new and old, and if you found this thread late, you can join in at any time.
We have members ranging from total beginners all the way to Boston Qualifiers and beyond. We are a friendly and encouraging bunch. You never need to be ashamed of your miles. If you are making the effort, you will find only support here.
Here are the details from last month that apply again:
Anybody want to join in for a running challenge? Set a goal here and update us every day. OPTIONAL: You can post your progress by creating a ticker at http://www.tickerfactory.com (if creating one seems difficult, or you're like me and can't be bothered, then just type in your daily miles in this thread).
You can run, walk, or do treadmill - just be consistent. Don't let the high (or low) goals of others intimidate you. Some do 25 miles, others do 50, some go higher than that, some do lower; it's entirely your goal and therefore completely up to you. We help motivate each other, so what do you say? If you're new to running, set a low goal. If you're from a part of the world where miles aren't your thing, log your distances in KMs. And if you'd rather log your progress by time rather than distance, then you're entirely free to do that as well.
Feel free to set your goal now but wait until August 1, 2020 to start logging your runs!
Also, don't forget to join our group which can be found at:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/21182-monthly-running-challenges
Bookmark the previous and past challenges:https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10393468/current-past-challenges#latest
Find a small group of runners that encourage and offer food support:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10573619/runners-that-need-some-nutritional-accountability#latest
There you will find lots of good info, and it's a place where everyone can talk to each other for further motivation. It's also a place to find help when there is a problem with this thread.
Note: we also have a group on Strava and Facebook.
After you run, come into this thread and post what you did (don't forget to hit the star in the upper right corner to bookmark this thread). Simply keep a running tally of what you've done this month, and interact with the others. Many folks come in here and chit-chat it up, even on their rest days or while recouping from injury. This is a very social group and we talk about many things (sometimes even about running ). It's a very friendly bunch here so don't be afraid to say hi (even if this is your first time), talk about a recent or up-coming race, ask questions, provide answers, or just lurk-n-learn. Participation is what makes this group successful.
Not quite sure how to log your runs? Follow the examples of many other challenge members. Even take a peek at last month's thread (posted above).
*******OPTIONAL TICKER*************
Info on tickers since I know there will be questions. Sign up for an account at http://www.tickerfactory.com and create your ticker. Then you need to update it after you finish a run and post it here. Here is what you will need to do.
After setting up your ticker, you will need to make note of the weblink they give you so you can return. An example would be:
http://www.tickerfactory.com/exercise/w6K1EiX/ <<<< the last part will be a part of the image link (explained below) that will be supplied to you after you initially create your link.
When you return to TickerFactory with the weblink, go to your settings page. Make sure you type your PIN in that you set when you created your ticker account. Then, where it says "Your current cumulative value", there is an add button. Simply add the distance that you just did, and the cumulative value automatically changes. Then hit next.
After adding your new miles (or KMs) to your ticker, you need to post it here.
After you hit next, it will give you a bunch of codes suggesting how to display your ticker.
Use the one at the bottom where it says Direct Image URL:
It will look something like:
http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/w6K1EiX/exercise.png
To display that correctly in your post, make sure you place the image (img) tags around that link. So it will look something like the following (but removing the spaces in the img tags):
[ img ] http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/w6K1EiX/exercise.png [ /img ]
^^^^^^^ Don't forget to remove the spaces between the brackets ^^^^^^^^^^
Some key things to pay attention to when posting your ticker:
Use the link that ends in .png
Remember the [ img] and [ /img] tags go in between the link
Remove the spaces in the img tags before posting
YES, there is a / in the second /img tag
By the way, everyone here should consider themselves a runner no matter how fast or slow. There's no judgment, we all started somewhere. And no comparisons, except with your former self. Don't compare your Chapter 1 to somebody elses Chapter 20.
“I often hear someone say I’m not a real runner. We are all runners, some just run faster than others. I never met a fake runner.” – Bart Yasso
“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” – Confucius
"We all know that if you run, you are pretty much choosing a life of success because of it.” – Deena Kastor
“Most people run a race to see who is fastest. I run a race to see who has the most guts.” – Steve Prefontaine
“Get going … walk if you have to, but finish the damned race.” – Ron Hill
"If you run, you are a runner. It doesn’t matter how fast or how far. It doesn’t matter if today is your first day or if you’ve been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run." - John Bingham
Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay on track.
You set your own pace and distance for the month. We will all be doing it together. This is your virtual running group to help keep you accountable, to enjoy a virtual post-run coffee with your fellow runners, and to make new friends and learn a few things.
This is a continuation from the July 2020 Running Challenge which can be found at:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10801804/july-2020-monthly-running-challenge/p1
Anyone can join in, new and old, and if you found this thread late, you can join in at any time.
We have members ranging from total beginners all the way to Boston Qualifiers and beyond. We are a friendly and encouraging bunch. You never need to be ashamed of your miles. If you are making the effort, you will find only support here.
Here are the details from last month that apply again:
Anybody want to join in for a running challenge? Set a goal here and update us every day. OPTIONAL: You can post your progress by creating a ticker at http://www.tickerfactory.com (if creating one seems difficult, or you're like me and can't be bothered, then just type in your daily miles in this thread).
You can run, walk, or do treadmill - just be consistent. Don't let the high (or low) goals of others intimidate you. Some do 25 miles, others do 50, some go higher than that, some do lower; it's entirely your goal and therefore completely up to you. We help motivate each other, so what do you say? If you're new to running, set a low goal. If you're from a part of the world where miles aren't your thing, log your distances in KMs. And if you'd rather log your progress by time rather than distance, then you're entirely free to do that as well.
Feel free to set your goal now but wait until August 1, 2020 to start logging your runs!
Also, don't forget to join our group which can be found at:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/21182-monthly-running-challenges
Bookmark the previous and past challenges:https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10393468/current-past-challenges#latest
Find a small group of runners that encourage and offer food support:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10573619/runners-that-need-some-nutritional-accountability#latest
There you will find lots of good info, and it's a place where everyone can talk to each other for further motivation. It's also a place to find help when there is a problem with this thread.
Note: we also have a group on Strava and Facebook.
After you run, come into this thread and post what you did (don't forget to hit the star in the upper right corner to bookmark this thread). Simply keep a running tally of what you've done this month, and interact with the others. Many folks come in here and chit-chat it up, even on their rest days or while recouping from injury. This is a very social group and we talk about many things (sometimes even about running ). It's a very friendly bunch here so don't be afraid to say hi (even if this is your first time), talk about a recent or up-coming race, ask questions, provide answers, or just lurk-n-learn. Participation is what makes this group successful.
Not quite sure how to log your runs? Follow the examples of many other challenge members. Even take a peek at last month's thread (posted above).
*******OPTIONAL TICKER*************
Info on tickers since I know there will be questions. Sign up for an account at http://www.tickerfactory.com and create your ticker. Then you need to update it after you finish a run and post it here. Here is what you will need to do.
After setting up your ticker, you will need to make note of the weblink they give you so you can return. An example would be:
http://www.tickerfactory.com/exercise/w6K1EiX/ <<<< the last part will be a part of the image link (explained below) that will be supplied to you after you initially create your link.
When you return to TickerFactory with the weblink, go to your settings page. Make sure you type your PIN in that you set when you created your ticker account. Then, where it says "Your current cumulative value", there is an add button. Simply add the distance that you just did, and the cumulative value automatically changes. Then hit next.
After adding your new miles (or KMs) to your ticker, you need to post it here.
After you hit next, it will give you a bunch of codes suggesting how to display your ticker.
Use the one at the bottom where it says Direct Image URL:
It will look something like:
http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/w6K1EiX/exercise.png
To display that correctly in your post, make sure you place the image (img) tags around that link. So it will look something like the following (but removing the spaces in the img tags):
[ img ] http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/w6K1EiX/exercise.png [ /img ]
^^^^^^^ Don't forget to remove the spaces between the brackets ^^^^^^^^^^
Some key things to pay attention to when posting your ticker:
Use the link that ends in .png
Remember the [ img] and [ /img] tags go in between the link
Remove the spaces in the img tags before posting
YES, there is a / in the second /img tag
By the way, everyone here should consider themselves a runner no matter how fast or slow. There's no judgment, we all started somewhere. And no comparisons, except with your former self. Don't compare your Chapter 1 to somebody elses Chapter 20.
“I often hear someone say I’m not a real runner. We are all runners, some just run faster than others. I never met a fake runner.” – Bart Yasso
“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” – Confucius
"We all know that if you run, you are pretty much choosing a life of success because of it.” – Deena Kastor
“Most people run a race to see who is fastest. I run a race to see who has the most guts.” – Steve Prefontaine
“Get going … walk if you have to, but finish the damned race.” – Ron Hill
"If you run, you are a runner. It doesn’t matter how fast or how far. It doesn’t matter if today is your first day or if you’ve been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run." - John Bingham
Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay on track.
3
Replies
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AUGUST!!! I don't know how the summer could be slipping away so fast when it feels like we haven't been able to do much summering yet!
July was a tough month for me and I'm feeling a little burned out so I'm backing way off for August.
I am signed up for a 5k 4k race that *may* happen in start waves on Aug 16. It's called The Life Worth Living 4K Run, Walk and Family Fun Day at Abbott Farms and is an event to raise awareness to prevent suicide. Website says "The 4K course is open to all, whether looking for a competitive race or just a fun time. Certain to be unique, the course will run through various areas on the farm including a corn maze! Not your average race! " A member of our run group organized this - his son died by suicide a little over a year ago.
Other than that, my goals are to first finish the OneNY 1000Km challenge (which should be done this weekend) and maintain my streak of running every day. But total miles, I don't know. I'll say 100. It's going to be a busy month as we get back to fall semester, whatever that will end up looking like. I am absolutely not ready.10 -
Thanks for putting this together. I overachieved in June, but I also underachieved in July. This month I am setting a more realistic goal. Happy running everyone!!!
5 -
No races, but I am plugging away at my training plan. I have not seen Augusts' numbers yet so not sure what I am doing yet.
4 -
Hi, I joined before but fell off. Going to see if I can get going. I'll try for 50 miles for the month7
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@katharmonic Love the Life Worth Living 4K suicide prevention run and a corn maze to boot! I lost my son to suicide last month. It is not an easy experience.
"Roughly 146,000 people have died from COVID or COVID-related causes in the U.S., according to CDC data.
The most recent publicized federal data records 48,000 deaths from suicide and at least 1.4 million attempts in 2018. In 2019, almost 71,000 people died from drug overdoses."
Personally I don't know what 2018 or 2019 has to do with covid... but the numbers are higher than they ever need to be regardless of what ailment they are compared with.
Thanks for raising awareness.10 -
Greetings! Mostly a lurker, I participated more in these challenges last fall as I was finishing C25K. Then I took a 4 week break in the winter and when I got back to running I was trying to minimize my social media time...
Anyway, after my first 10K in March, things pretty much shut down race-wise b/c of covid, and in April I took another month off. That proved to be beneficial since in that time my plantar fasciitis disappeared. And here I am back running again!
August miles: 50
August race: https://www.huaracheturbo.com/event_loteria_run.php
11 -
August already? Gah, it feel's like I've hardly done anything yet this year...
This month I'm might, or might not, be very swamped with work, out of town nearly every weekend, or doing legwork twice a week. So distancewise, that translates to "I have no idea". I'll go with 60km and see what happens.
@durhammfp @Oberon21 Welcome back!
@katharmonic @Elise4270 I go to the "I really want to die today" place occasionally (some would still say that's far too much). Thanks for doing what you do. Running helps. Talking to y'all helps. Having lots of stuff to do helps. Random website threw a poem at me today that seemed oddly fitting -from “The Weighing” by Jane Hirshfield
So few grains of happiness
measured against all the dark
and still the scales balance.
The world asks of us
only the strength we have and we give it.
Then it asks more, and we give it.17 -
Another month of doing what my trainer tells me! Seems to be working - My race pace is 20 seconds a kilometre faster than it was when I tested it in March. The true test will be in September when I have a flat and fast half.
For August it’s simply a case of staying on plan and getting rid of the last of my niggles. My soleus muscle fatigue has been mostly alleviated by a slight change in technique and my ankle pain virtually disappeared today with a new pair of shoes.I do have a trail event on the 9th but I’m not really thinking about it - I haven’t actually entered as I don’t know if I’m supposed to be doing the 14k or the 21k length.
My husband picked them up for me as they are ‘my usual’ and the store is close to his work. He hands them to me and says, they’re not your usual colour’, (the last two pairs have been black), and I reply, ‘that’s ok, as long as they’re not lilac’...7 -
@katharmonic Thanks for setting up the August thread! And thanks for raising awareness of suicide prevention. I have had far too many family and friends succumb to despair and take their own life.
I didn't set a mileage goal last month, but just wanted to heel my PF. Well I think it is mostly gone 😉 So I will set a modest goal of 60 miles this month.
6 -
@katharmonic @Elise4270 I go to the "I really want to die today" place occasionally (some would still say that's far too much). Thanks for doing what you do. Running helps. Talking to y'all helps. Having lots of stuff to do helps. Random website threw a poem at me today that seemed oddly fitting -from “The Weighing” by Jane Hirshfield
So few grains of happiness
measured against all the dark
and still the scales balance.
The world asks of us
only the strength we have and we give it.
Then it asks more, and we give it.
@noblsheep and @Elise4270 I'm sorry for your experiences and pain and loss. Far too many lives lost. I've also been there in that dark place and that is a major reason why I run and have been pushing myself to try new things like Spartan and hiking high peaks. It really helps me and the communities around all of that have absolutely saved me.
@noblsheep thanks for sharing that poem. That spoke to me. The world keeps asking for more and you have to gather yourself up and give it.5 -
thanks for setting it up
i think 40. i'm hoping for more but we'll see 2 -
Loved the poem @noblsheep . Love the Live Worth Living 4K @katharmonic . Hope it happens. Sounds like a fun little race.0
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@katharmonic thanks for setting us up!
I decided during this morning's run that I'm going to give myself a bit of a break in August. I had been following an intermediate training plan for a HM on Aug 31st that isn't happening. Some of you will remember my antics with Hal (Higdon). Well, Hal managed to push me hard enough to achieve 160.8km in July. My previous record in a month was 145km and change. Last week was my most mileage run in a week ever, and it slightly aggravated something in my foot/ankle (Dr. Google suspects Peroneal Tendinitis but I will see what the evil physio thinks when I see her in a few weeks). Anyway, I was starting to feel miserable about trying to crawl out of bed early enough to fit 2.5-3 hour long runs in in August and then the penny dropped... I don't actually have to do that!
So, with the very slight possibility of a couple of races late October/early November which may or may not happen and I may or may not be brave enough to run if they do, I have decided to start from the beginning again and choose a more conservative training plan. Maybe that way I'll actually find the strength/energy to start doing some cross training and strength training again.
All of that waffle to say I'm setting myself a 100km goal this month.
8 -
@katharmonic Thanks for setting this up.
I've been trying to decide what my August goal should be. It is my birthday month - will be 61 on 4 August. So, I am going to set a lofty goal of running 61 miles. I say lofty, but I was close to that in May. June was 58 miles, but July will wind up with only about 40. I know I can do it. I just need to push myself to run on days that I don't feel like it and days that I do other things, like play tennis. Just looked back and I only ran 4 days a week in May. Surely to goodness I can do that again. I'll track my intentional walking separately this month.4 -
@katharmonic Thanks for getting us going. Where did July go?
I'm in for 170k yet again.2 -
@noblsheep and @Elise4270 my condolences for your experiences and loss.
@katharmonic, many thanks for getting the August thread going!
After meeting my stretch goal in July (even with skipping Monday's run due to a summer cold), I think I'll make 100km my official goal for August.5 -
@noblsheep @katharmonic
strugglesYa I go the darkness too. Dh doesn't understand how easy it would be to give up. He bought guns about a year ago and I had a fit because there are days it'd be too easy, if you've been there; you know once the thought begins it is hard to stop. He has been convinced to lock them up and I have not a key, or least would have to unlock a key to get it. Needless to say he thinks I need help. But I've managed for the last 34 years, not taking any action or making real plans... But the struggle is real, not just I'm a bit sad.
For what it's worth, I really enjoy the company of both of you. @noblsheep I always seek out your post to see how you are doing. @katharmonic You defiantly are an inspiration for me, all the wisdom and physical accomplishments and goals give me hope. So lean when you need me/us, we are here and love the heck out of you.6 -
@katharmonic Thanks for setting us up! I hope your 4K happens. It sounds like a fun race and it's a great cause.
Thanks for sharing that poem @noblsheep. I hope you will always come here when you get in that dark place. The ukulele sounds fun. I've never been good at stringed instruments.
@elise4270 I don't remember you telling us about your son last month. I am really sorry to hear that.
@ContraryMaryMary I love the new shoes!
I think for this month I will just set my usual 100 mile goal. I may be able to get more, but not sure. We'll be celebrating our 30th anniversary on the 18th and may take a few vacation days that week. I'm still nervous about going any where though, so we may just hang out at home so I'll either get no running or some running around the middle of the month. Plus I think sometime this month I'll be starting my training for my HM that is supposed to be in November so I'll have to see what's on the plan, but I bet I can get 100 miles in.5 -
I'd like a minimum of 80 with an ambitious goal of 90.
Other goal: plan runs for "run every trail" for September Aravaipa challenge. The park nearest me has about 55 miles of trails. I need to figure out how to hit them all in 30 days. A bunch of them will be easy but a few will be difficult without hitting some higher mileages and/or backtracking over trails I've already have completed.5 -
Going for a slightly lower goal of 70 miles this month. The taper before my half is probably going to make 75 hitting 75 again unlikely.4
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I did not mention it here. This group made efforts to send him letters in boot camp (Feb 2017), but I think many have moved on and are no longer active. I of course appreciate the thoughts.@katharmonic Thanks for setting us up! I hope your 4K happens. It sounds like a fun race and it's a great cause.
@elise4270 I don't remember you telling us about your son last month. I am really sorry to hear that.
2 -
@katharmonic @noblsheep @Elise4270
Hugs to all of you. I know this too well with myself, and my husband who suffers with this. Thinking of all of you.
And yes great cause on the race and hope it happens.
Going to say 100 for Aug...but maybe tough now that I've started spinning again.4 -
Hi everyone. Im Mahmood this is my first time here. Planning to do atleast 60km in August
12 -
mahmood_ak wrote: »Hi everyone. Im Mahmood this is my first time here. Planning to do atleast 60km in August
Welcome!1 -
hamsterwheel6 wrote: »@katharmonic @noblsheep @Elise4270
Hugs to all of you. I know this too well with myself, and my husband who suffers with this. Thinking of all of you.
And yes great cause on the race and hope it happens.
/agree. I too have people close to me that suffer from this (not me, I have a completely different set of issues).2 -
@katharmonic Love the Life Worth Living 4K suicide prevention run and a corn maze to boot! I lost my son to suicide last month. It is not an easy experience.
Oh no! I am so sorry!
0 -
Greetings! Mostly a lurker, I participated more in these challenges last fall as I was finishing C25K. Then I took a 4 week break in the winter and when I got back to running I was trying to minimize my social media time...
Anyway, after my first 10K in March, things pretty much shut down race-wise b/c of covid, and in April I took another month off. That proved to be beneficial since in that time my plantar fasciitis disappeared. And here I am back running again!
Welcome back!
0 -
I am going for 50 miles.4
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PastorVincent wrote: »@katharmonic Love the Life Worth Living 4K suicide prevention run and a corn maze to boot! I lost my son to suicide last month. It is not an easy experience.
Oh no! I am so sorry!
So sorry too. I missed this earlier. Biggest 🤗0
This discussion has been closed.
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