September 2020 Monthly Running Challenge

polskagirl01 · September 2020

Bike ride won yesterday and was very nice, I took it easy over about 18k and it felt perfect.

I was sort of struggling with how to plan for 3 weeks in a row with a HM race every weekend and what to do in-between. I think the answer is: it depends on how the races go, but probably something like a reverse taper - progessively more each week. I made a tentative plan that incorporates recovery, rest day(s) before each race and any harder workouts front-loaded to the beginning of the week.

I meant to bike to the track today, and was all ready to go when I stepped into the garage and saw my bike up on the repair stand. I wasn't in a treadmill mood, so ran to the woods instead and did my "6 x 400 meters at 5k pace" on the trails, using my watch to know when I was done, with random walk/run recovery intervals until I felt ready to do the next 400. Then I said hi to the horses and ran easy the rest of the way home.

marisap2010 · September 2020

@Scott6255 I’m sorry to hear about your mom. I’m sure that was a very scary call. I hope she is doing better today.

@rheddmobile That medal is awesome!

quilteryoyo · September 2020

@polskagirl01 I can't imagine running 3 HM in 3 consecutive weekends. Sounds like you have a good plan going in. The horses are really cute.

Tramboman · September 2020

9-1 7.2k slow
9-2 7.2k easy
9-3 7.2k moderate
9-4 7.2k measy (between moderate and easy)
9-5 7k measy
9-6 7k easy
9-7 rest
9-8 7k marathon pace
9-9 7k marathon pace
9-10 7.2k marathon pace
9-11 7k marathon pace
9-12 7k marathon pace
9-13 7k marathon pace
9-14 rest
9-15 7k measy

September Total: 92k
September Goal: 170k

January Total: 161k
February Total: 167k
March Total: 181k
April Total: 191k
May Total: 200k
June Total: 156k
July Total: 180k
August Total: 172k

2020 Total through August: 1408k / 176k per month

Hazy (courtesy of western wildfires) and mid 40s F today. Put on a long sleeved tech shirt, because I knew my wife would yell at me if she caught me running just in a short sleeved shirt.
After the run, I had to go back and look at last week's times, because based on how I felt today, there is no way I could have run those times without help. Then I realized I must have had help -- Vincent was reducing the pull of gravity, or making the world spin faster, or putting more oxygen molecules in the air, or something....

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
Stretch goal: If I can average 169k per month, I can run 2020k in 2020
Run the Year Team: Pavement Pounders

2020 races:

9-8 to 9-13 "Virtual Boston with Vincent" Time goal 5:15:00; actual time 4:47:01

Date Distance Time Cumulative time
9-8 7k 47:43 47:43
9-9 7k 48:40 1:36:23
9-10 7.2k 48:39 2:25:02
9-11 7k 47:41 3:12:43
9-12 7k 46:39 3:59:22
9-13 7k 47:39 4:47:01

juliet3455 · September 2020

Still Lurking around. Recovering from a sprained hip, the 2nd worst injury I have ever had.

2020 the year that keeps on giving.
1 - Calf Strain
2 - PF round 1
3 - PF round 2
4 - Cracked - Bruised Tailbone ( hurts to sit, stand or laydown - not many options left )
5 - Sprained Hip.

Between Tropical storms, Hurricanes and fires hope every one is able to seek refuge and be safe.

At least we are getting some amazing sunsets with the high smoke haze from the California/Oregon fires.

The picture just does not do justice to the true view.

katharmonic · September 2020

@polskagirl01 good luck with your series of HM races. I think tapering for the whole time is a good idea. I would probably just run easy and do lots of yoga and stretching in between, and not worry about any speedwork or hard workouts. But you know yourself and your race goals. (I feel like PastorVincent would have some good do as I say, not as I do advice here

)

Tramboman wrote: »

9
After the run, I had to go back and look at last week's times, because based on how I felt today, there is no way I could have run those times without help. Then I realized I must have had help -- Vincent was reducing the pull of gravity, or making the world spin faster, or putting more oxygen molecules in the air, or something....

@Tramboman, that's beautiful

Date :::: Miles :::: Cumulative
09/01/20 :::: 3.1 :::: 3.1
09/02/20 :::: 3.5 :::: 6.6
09/03/20 :::: 1.9 :::: 8.4
09/04/20 :::: 3.1 :::: 11.6
09/05/20 :::: 7.5 :::: 19.1
09/06/20 :::: 1.5 :::: 20.6
09/07/20 :::: 2.2 :::: 22.8
09/08/20 :::: 3.1 :::: 26.0
09/09/20 :::: 4.0 :::: 30.0
09/10/20 :::: 5.2 :::: 35.2
09/11/20 :::: 3.3 :::: 38.5
09/12/20 :::: 8.6 :::: 47.0
09/13/20 :::: 3.4 :::: 50.4
09/14/20 :::: 5.1 :::: 55.5
09/15/20 :::: 2.1 :::: 57.6

Warm-up run this morning before yoga. And I really did need to warm up as my phone told me it was 37 degrees when I woke up. Brisk! Great running weather but I wasn't feeling too peppy after last night's workout. I intended to get 3 miles in but ran late and settled for 2. I'm happy to have a long break from running now - not until tomorrow night's run group! That's about as long as it gets to maintain this daily run streak.

Have a wonderful day, all.

RunsOnEspresso · September 2020

3 miles today. It was a struggle. The smoke here is getting better but you can still see haze.

I didn't get out yesterday because I woke up feeling cruddy (yay allergies/asthma/smoke). So I DNF'd Boston 🤷🏼‍♀️ Pretty typical for me and the marathon distance.

Sept total 21.6

Camaramandy648 · September 2020

@quilteryoyo Thank you! I really feel like it was this group and @PastorVincent that made me start believing I really - just maybe - CAN do anything I set my mind to, if I am willing to work. I have always believed that about other people - and I tell my kids all the time. I always leave that hook on there too - "if you are willing to work. You have to be willing to work!" I think this belief in me and the wisdom and mentorship is what crushes me about Vincent's passing.

@Tramboman That really is so beautiful. I have thought the same things about all the ultras as of late. There's no way I could do this. No freaking way.

@polskagirl01 I think that's really smart. I'm doing a similar thing since I have so much distance to cover and not a lot of time in between each one. Reverse tapering, hyper intense focus on nutrition and recovery. I hope it works for both of us!

@RunsOnEspresso the marathon distance sucks. I feel like for me anyway, once I get beyond 26.2, I start thinking, what's another five? I have lost my mind though, so it may be in everyone's best interest to not think like me.

@juliet3455 that is SO gorgeous!

@katharmonic I agree! he would have some great advice! I think the biggest thing is giving the body the fuel and TIME to repair, as much as possible. But then again, I don't do like...full REST days. Even rest days are pretty active. For example, yesterday should have been a rest day, but I was so concerned about planning the 100 mile race in Indiana in December and was thinking about my IT bands and hammies and thought, I need quads made of titanium. Steel. Gold. Platinum. I need them to be strong to protect the tendons, etc. So I ended up lifting - just a little bit heavier and a little bit more reps. So... I guess yeah. As I say, not as i do would fit.

I haven't heard back from Kristi - I sent her a photo of the medal that @rheddmobile's husband made. I'm sure she's very busy!

Regarding the 100 miler I am planning in Indiana - just got an email from the Running Store I found up there, who I emailed and solicited for help with the trails etc. Don't know this person, but so far I've got a good crew and even my big brother said, "I want to be your crew too!" So many people in the world are good. This is such a great reminder and may be the biggest, stupidest, most exciting adventure of my life.

kristinajeang · September 2020

I'm trying to catch up, so I'm so sorry if I missed anyone or anything big! Still getting used to the MFP message boards.

@Scott6255 so sorry to hear about your mom, and I will send prayers and positive thoughts!

@hamsterwheel6 glad you are back and running and your hamstring isnt doing too poorly still!

@martaindale it's been beautiful running weather here too temp wise, but the humidity is crazy here in Michigan too (not sure if you had mentioned where you are from or if I missed it)

@ContraryMaryMary that is an amazing act of kindness! I can barely find a chance to catch my breath sometimes with my two kids, so for you to take that on and give your friend a chance to finish off her move, that's so kind and generous!

Loving all the photos of the runs and great distances from everyone! It's keeping me motivated while I'm still on the mend. I definitely had a bit too high of hopes for healing and have to face the reality that I won't make my numbers for September. I've been doing stretching exercises and was finally able to walk without the wrap on today, so I know it is getting better, but I'll wait another week so I don't hurt it more. I plan on trying to go for a walk on Friday to 'test the waters' and see how its going. As it is now, I got some gnarly bruising all over my ankle/foot that is starting to go away and it is minimally swollen.

rheddmobile · September 2020

I finally managed to get in a random act of kindness! I’ve been trying to be, you know, generally nicer, more patient, and more pleasant to be around, but being in a high risk category and completely isolating I don’t really see anybody but my mom and husband and some neighbors from a distance. But a few days ago someone wrote me on ancestry because I had people of the same last name in my tree, trying to figure out a problem. Turns out they were not the same branch as my family, but I took a long look at it anyway and realized they were a branch I had done a lot of work on some time ago hoping to find a connection, so I was able to fix them right up! Took me a couple hours and now they are very happy since this was a dead end for them.

The moral of the story being there is always something you can do for someone!

skippygirlsmom · September 2020

9/1 – 6 with Champ
9/2 – 3 with Champ
9/3 – 5 miles
9/4 – 3 miles of trail climb with Champ
9/5 – 7 miles
9/6 – 5 miles
9/7 – 5 miles with Champ
9/8 – 5 miles with Champ
9/9 – 10K for my monthly challenge
9/10 – 3 miles with Champ
9/11 – 5 miles with Champ
9/12 – 6 miles
9/13 – 5 miles with Champ
9/14 – 2 miles with Champ
9/15 – 6 miles

72 of 115 miles

I usually don’t add the .XX whatever to my miles, but I’m tracking exact for another challenge and when I add in the .XX my mileage is actually 75.19 those .XX really add up.

If you all could keep a good thought, prayer, whatever for Skip and her school mates, her college is in Mobile AL. Most of her school dorms were evacuated for Hurricane Sally but hers was not because it’s newer and hurricane rated. However, I know she’s getting scared and though I know she’s safe this momma’s heart is worried because I’m not there in person to tell her it’s going to be okay. We opted for her not to come home because she would have to drive through it to get back tomorrow since classes restart on Thursday. I know the school will take care of them, but it’s still hard. I told her park the car up as high as she can because they are expected 15” of rain, she has supplies and her dorm is more than half full. Her friend Harrison said if she’s scared to come stay in his room with him so I feel better about that.

@polskagirl01 I loved the video thanks!

@rheddmobile love the medal, tell hubby thanks!

@Scott6255 omg I can’t believe about your mom. Hope she’s feeling better and it was a one time thing.
Agreed, it’s horrible when your parents get old.

@juliet3455 beautiful sunset

Races:

Mother’s Day Virtual 5K – done
Retro Run Virtual 5K – done
Rona on the Run - Virtual for St. Jude benefit - done
Keep Moving Huntsville - at least one mile a day 1 - 31 May - done
The Big Run - June 3 - done
NEGU virtual run - June - Team NEGU helping support kids with cancer - done
Big Foot Wild Thangs Trail Race 5K/10K – June 20 on the trails…all together like a real race - done
Run 4 on the 4th – Virtual 4 miles on 4th of July - done
ISS Virtual 5K in July – done
Jackalope Trail Run 4 miler – done
Flora-Bama 600K - Virtual race from Huntsville AL to the Florida Alabama state line in Orange Beach – done
Scooby Doo Virtual 10K - done
Skunk Ape 5 miler August 1 trail race in person – done
Pirate Challenge – 10 weeks mile challenge June – August – done
Chupacabra 10K/HM – August 22 - done
Running of the Bulls Virtual 5K – 9/14 – 30/2020
The Pinhoti Trail Challenge 335 miles virtual – 1 Sept to 31 Dec – 67 miles done
2020 Liberty Road Challenge WWII soldiers journey from St. Mere Eglisde to Bastogne, Belgium – charity virtual run for the WII museum in New Orleans 716 miles team event 4 July – September – our team has finished
Space Race 400K Challenge 12 weeks running 248.5 miles to the ISS – August to November – 129 miles done
Oak Barrel Half Marathon – October – postponed from April

Camaramandy648 · September 2020

@skippygirlsmom I will be praying for her! And you!

@rheddmobile I love that. My sister did the ancestry and 23 and me thing and it really changed her life. The people who helped along the way really made all the difference. You probably made a much bigger impact than you realize.

Teresa502 · September 2020

skippygirlsmom wrote: »

If you all could keep a good thought, prayer, whatever for Skip and her school mates, her college is in Mobile AL. Most of her school dorms were evacuated for Hurricane Sally but hers was not because it’s newer and hurricane rated. However, I know she’s getting scared and though I know she’s safe this momma’s heart is worried because I’m not there in person to tell her it’s going to be okay. We opted for her not to come home because she would have to drive through it to get back tomorrow since classes restart on Thursday. I know the school will take care of them, but it’s still hard. I told her park the car up as high as she can because they are expected 15” of rain, she has supplies and her dorm is more than half full. Her friend Harrison said if she’s scared to come stay in his room with him so I feel better about that.

Absolutely! I also pray that Sally fizzles out and doesn't do any major damage!

(P.S. - I count all my .XX because they really do add up!)

polskagirl01 · September 2020

katharmonic wrote: »

@polskagirl01 good luck with your series of HM races. I think tapering for the whole time is a good idea. I would probably just run easy and do lots of yoga and stretching in between, and not worry about any speedwork or hard workouts. But you know yourself and your race goals. (I feel like PastorVincent would have some good do as I say, not as I do advice here )

Good advice!

Today's speedwork was the same as last week (taper), so not too bad. Next week, I'll give myself the option to either repeat that, or bump up the intensity by going back to what I did 2 weeks ago. (I can also skip speedwork altogether because I'd count the race towards my weekly speedwork streak). There's an extra rest day in the plan compared to my normal, and easy pace for anything else I do, including cycling.

PastorVincent would go for PR's at every race. Not me! I do hope to get stronger with each one though, and if I'm not seeing that, then I'll need to back off during the week.

polskagirl01 · September 2020

Teresa502 wrote: »

skippygirlsmom wrote: »

If you all could keep a good thought, prayer, whatever for Skip and her school mates, her college is in Mobile AL. Most of her school dorms were evacuated for Hurricane Sally but hers was not because it’s newer and hurricane rated. However, I know she’s getting scared and though I know she’s safe this momma’s heart is worried because I’m not there in person to tell her it’s going to be okay. We opted for her not to come home because she would have to drive through it to get back tomorrow since classes restart on Thursday. I know the school will take care of them, but it’s still hard. I told her park the car up as high as she can because they are expected 15” of rain, she has supplies and her dorm is more than half full. Her friend Harrison said if she’s scared to come stay in his room with him so I feel better about that.

Absolutely! I also pray that Sally fizzles out and doesn't do any major damage!

(P.S. - I count all my .XX because they really do add up!)

Same!

quilteryoyo · September 2020

@Tramboman I'm sure @PastorVincent was helping you along last week and showing you what you CAN do.

@juliet3455 Sorry about your injuries. I hope they heal quickly. That sunset is amazing!

@RunsOnEspresso Glad the air quality is improving. Sorry about feeling yucky and the DNF. It's the thought that counts in this one.

@kristinajeang Glad your ankle is getting better. Smart to take the time for it to heal completely.

@rheddmobile Great RAOK. I know that person was very happy and you made their day.

@skippygirlsmom I will certainly send some prayers up for Skip and her classmates. Hope everyone stays safe and calm.

Faebert · September 2020

Think I’ve finally caught up after a day away from you wonderful, crazy bunch!
@kgirlhart @marisap2010 @scott6255 - sending lots of strength to you as you try to support your parents through illness. @skippygirlsmom - will be thinking of your girl and hoping all is ok. To all of you battling extreme weather and fires etc - big hugs from the UK...

Good luck to @polskagirl01 and @ContraryMaryMary for upcoming races. @Camaramandy648 - love reading your amazing and crazy updates! You legend!! And a huge thanks to rheddmobile and her talented husband for organising all our tributes to Pastor Vincent. I got the chance to help out someone else on Sunday so I will email you mine and a few pics of my London running route.

6.4 miles this morning to take me to 57 miles for the month. On track for a 100mile plus September.

September total: 57m
September goal: 100m

1/9: 7.6m
2/9: 1.4m and strength training
3/9: 6.2m
4/9: rest
5/9: 8m
6/9: Strength training
7/9: 7m
8/9: Strength training
9/9: 6.3m
10/9: Strength training and 1m with my class
11/9: 6.9m
12/9: rest
13/9: 6.2m
14/9: rest
15/9: 6.4m

Jan- Aug 2020: 549.2 miles

skippygirlsmom · September 2020

Thanks everyone. She just called and said they are closing the dining hall, I said "and?" she said I know it's like suddenly after 6 weeks I want to eat there ha ha

hamsterwheel6 · September 2020

praying for skip @skippygirlsmom
@quilteryoyo @kristinajeang Thanks, the hamstring is still a bit tight and does still nag. I have a race in real life! on Oct 3 (that is unless they don't get approval) which I ran last year and got a PR and placed 1st in age group. I was hoping to repeat, but may not be able to. Just completing might be the goal this time around.
Hope you ankle gets better too.
@rheddmobile got your message, will email you.

Spinning today and upper body. Run tomorrow!

Yes @PastorVincent is watching and cheering

rheddmobile · September 2020

Okay, everyone who participated in the Virtual Marathon for @PastorVincent should have a message from me now with my email address so we can share photos, stories, and so on for an ebook for his wife Kristi. Please send me your random acts of kindness! Also your location so we can make a map showing all the different places people were running! And if you have a photo of yourself on your run, or a photo of where you ran, or anything else significant, please send it along. Plus any stories or thoughts you would like to include. The way my husband works on these ebooks is to start with a big pile of stuff and then trim it down until it makes sense, so don’t be shy, we want lots of material to work with.

If you don’t have a message from me, please let me know.

September 2020 Monthly Running Challenge

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