December 2020 Monthly Running Challenge

katharmonic · December 2020

@shanaber thanks, sorry about your continued hamstring issues as well. And I hope your knee is not a new injury! It's so frustrating when it seems like one thing after another, or getting better and then worse again.

My issue I think is probably more the tendon or the attachment at the top of the hamstring than the muscle itself - maybe high hamstring tendonitis if my google self-diagnosis is correct. It radiates down the muscle though. I was able to run 20 minutes on the treadmill this morning and it felt much better than yesterday so I will say the deep tissue massage and stretching helped. It's still tender though.

@eleanorhawkins that's interesting that your muscles are not as tight - I really should do more stretching and I love Epsom salt baths, so I'm totally willing to do more of that. And I've been tempted by the Theragun or similar too @shanaber. Trying to do more foam rolling also.

Date :::: Miles :::: Cumulative
12/01/20 :::: 2.2 :::: 2.2
12/02/20 :::: 3.7 :::: 5.9
12/03/20 :::: 3.5 :::: 9.5
12/04/20 :::: 9.1 :::: 18.6
12/05/20 :::: 5.0 :::: 23.6
12/06/20 :::: 3.1 :::: 26.7
12/07/20 :::: 3.6 :::: 30.2
12/08/20 :::: 2.0 :::: 32.3
12/09/20 :::: 1.9 :::: 34.1
12/10/20 :::: 1.8 :::: 35.9

20 minutes warmup on the treadmill before strength training. Felt okay, definitely better than yesterday. Took it easy and modified to avoid the hamstrings in strength training. I got home after and took Stella for her walk to keep things moving and stretch a little bit.

eleanorhawkins · December 2020

@katharmonic if I ever win the lottery I will definitely be looking at a Theragun sort of thing and probably a TENS unit too!
This is the Friday/Saturday deep stretching routine I'm doing. I think I'm in love with it.

quilteryoyo · December 2020

Family, CoVID update below.

So, yesterday didn't turn out the way I had planned. They rarely do these days. Dad's VA doctor called for a telemed appointment at 1 yesterday afternoon. When we told her about his oxygen going down and how lousy he was feeling, she wanted him to go to the VA ER to be evaluated by a doctor there. She said they would do a chest x-ray to be sure there wasn't any fluid building up in his lungs and maybe give him some different medicines that he didn't get from urgent care. Of course, this did not help dad's attitude, even though I tried to convince him it was just to be evaluated. She didn't think he was in an emergency situation, but wanted to make sure it didn't become one.

So, I came home, got ready and left about 2 for the hour drive to the VA. They would not let me go in, even though I explained that he is having a really hard time hearing - still don't have his new hearing aids and that he probably wouldn't be able to answer all of their questions accurately. They did take my number and said the doctor would call me. I really hate not being with him at the doctor, because I really don't know how accurate the info is that they get from him.

So, I complied and drove to the parking lot to wait, and wait, and wait. I hadn't heard anything for 3 hours, so went in to check on his status. The lady said, "Did you call that number?" She was supposed to have given me a number to call for updates, but didn't. So she checked and said he was being discharged, just waiting on some prescriptions. They sent him out to the car about 5 minutes later. The doctor never talked to me, so I had to rely on what dad said. I was NOT happy about that.

Good news is that there was no fluid in his lungs and the doctor told dad that everything checked out good. They also gave him a steroid shot and sent him home with steroids and some other meds he didn't already have. I think just having the affirmation from the doctor that he was going to be okay helped. He was much better on the way home.

This morning, he is doing a lot better, and even admitted it.

So, I think we are going to make it. They were even able to taste their food a little this morning and dad finally ate his breakfast, even though he said it tasted like slop. We are getting him some Boost and Ensure to hopefully get some nutrition in him. He hasn't really eaten anything in 3 days. Mom will at least force herself to eat something, even if it didn't taste like anything. I never lost my sense of taste or smell. Odd how it affects everyone differently.

I was entertaining myself last night by watching the squirrels running up and down the trees. I was trying to take a nap when I heard one of them yell out a warning. I looked up and the three that were in view had frozen. They didn't move a muscle. In a few minutes I saw a huge hawk fly by and land in a nearby tree where another hawk had been sitting. I'm glad they were warned and survived that encounter.

See the three squirrel statues?

The hawk is in the tree, directly above the street lamp.

Camaramandy648 · December 2020

@quilteryoyo great news!

We have no news yet

Still running at 4am - not a soul in sight. I touch nothing. Today i had red leggings and a white top. I am a candy cane 😂

@eleanorhawkins i got a notification that you commented on a post that i am tagged in but i don’t know how to find the post!

I believe the international medals should be arriving soon!

ContraryMaryMary · December 2020

I’m on a plane for the first time in a year. Weird.

Couldn’t run yesterday as I had an osteo appointment at 10am and if I run before the appointment without a few hours rest between, he struggles to release my hips.

The afternoon was very festive as I prepped for the school’s end of year picnic. Photos in spoiler for those who like food pics:

Chocolate cupcakes with salted caramel buttercream icing.

Gingerbread Christmas trees!

polskagirl01 · December 2020

TheMrWobbly wrote: »

The powerbeats pro sound good @shanaber as I currently have bose sunglasses that look silly in winter or full on noise cancelling headphones that I don't like to wear when running. My only issue is that I have an apple watch and the battery is pathetic so do I chuck them all in and go for a Samsung/Garmin mix?

How was the ride @polskagirl01 ?

My Trekz Titanium headset is still going strong. I think @PastorVincent recommended them a couple of years ago. And I see the price has come down since I bought mine (probably because they have newer models now). They are bone-conducting, so nothing in your ears, and it took some figuring out how to wear them with my headbands that I use to cover my ears in the cold. I don't recommend them if you want to tune everything out and listen to fine music, but for running they're perfect. I've definitely put them to the test!

The ride was fine. I went a usual route but in the opposite direction than usual, which felt weird but was a nice change in scenery. Despite having on a ton of layers (and duct tape on the front of my shoes to block the air flow), I still ended up with cold, hurting toes. I keep saying I'm about done cycling for this season, but then keep going back out. It was very grey out, which can sort of be pretty in its own way. I see that the swans at the one pond haven't left. Apparently some of them don't leave, so it's not necessarily a problem. They looked cold, though, and there was ice already forming on part of their pond. I hope they'll be ok. There's a farm nearby, so maybe they're looking out for them.

I saw a couple of snowflakes, and then right after I got home, it started snowing for real. My daughter was very excited about this, built a tiny snowman, then had a blast riding her bike with me to pick up a package.

quilteryoyo · December 2020

@ContraryMaryMary Those look delicious!

@Camaramandy648 I hope you get news soon and it is that you are all negative. Great running.

@polskagirl01 I love my Trekz Titanium headset too. Also purchased due to @PastorVincent recommendation. Sounds like a good, albeit cold, ride. Glad your daughter is enjoying the snow.

polskagirl01 · December 2020

I missed a bunch of posts somehow.

@ContraryMaryMary oh my, those cupcakes look amazing!

My husband bought his own TENS unit (actually, he later bought a second one because he kept lending out the one he had). It's a little battery-powered portable thing that comes with its own carrying case, and it does a great job. I don't think it was very expensive. I recommend!

shanaber · December 2020

@polskagirl01 - I have recommended the Trekz as well. I am on my 3rd warranty replacement pair as each has broken right at the control area. I think because that part is heavy compared to the rest of the headset. I also think it must be a pretty common issue because they have not questioned the warranty requests and just sent me new ones each time. I do like them well enough but they have started to hurt the tops of my ears. I suspect it may be from my hat and/or sunglasses putting pressure on them but I can't figure out how to change it to be better.

@TheMrWobbly I have an older Apple Watch (series 3) and the battery performance really improved with the last watch os update. Then all of a sudden it started dieing and at one point the battery went completely dead. When it powered back up it was like it reset or something and now the battery is great again. Definitely not as good as a Garmin but I never expected it to be. I do a couple of things to help preserve the battery when I run or workout. I wear a HRM chest strap so the watch doesn't have to get the HR information. And I run Strava as an app directly on my watch as it seems to be more efficient than the Watch workout app.

martaindale · December 2020

42.8/100 Miles

12/1: 5.1 Miles
12/3: 3.6 miles
12/4: 10 miles
12/5: 7 miles
12/7: 3.6 miles
12/8: 6.5 miles
12/10: 7 miles

The run today was HARD. And it's totally my fault. We are having a couple of unseasonably warm days this week and I have grown so accustomed to dressing for colder weather that I completely misjudged my clothing choices. Wore legging when I should have worn shorts. To be fair, I thought these leggings would be pretty light. They are really stretchy and seem lightweight enough, but NO! The wind didn't get through the fabric at all and by mile 3 I had to take my shirt off just to get a little wind on exposed skin. It was a slog and absolutely reminded my that I don't do well with heat.

martaindale · December 2020

shanaber wrote: »

I don't remember who mentioned mileage on their running shoes and not getting more than about 200 miles on a pair.

That was me with the 250 mile shoe life. I think there is truth to the more cushioned shoes not lasting as long. I usually have 3 pairs on rotation so they have time to recover and move my more seasoned pair to shorter runs as they get close to tapping out. I tried a more minimal shoe once but it wasn't for me. I donated them to charity with about 100 miles on them. I run almost exclusively on concrete and I need the cushion. Maybe if I ran on a running surface more often they would last longer but those are in short supply around here. People are just built differently too. I think some people just have the right build and gait to make shoes less of an issue for them. The upside to having such a short shoe life is that I am constantly getting new shoes, and I love getting new shoes!!

Kimbeers · December 2020

12/1: 2.3 miles- much easier without the jogging stroller and baby
12/3: 2 miles- discovered today that my jogging stroller has very flat tires
12/7: 2 miles- what a difference with air in the tires! I went from running about 11’30”-12’00” miles to doing 10’45” average per mile today.
12/10: 2.1 miles

skippygirlsmom · December 2020

12/1 – 6 miles
12/2 – 10K day
12/3 – 4 miles
12/4 – 4 miles
12/5 – 7 miles
12/6 – 6 miles
12/7 – 3 miles
12/8 – 4 miles
12/9 – 7 miles
12/10 – 5 miles

52 (53.84) of 125 miles

@katharmonic tell him if you didn’t run you would have no need to see him. I was thinking while laying in bed this morning that I need a good deep tissue massage on my legs, they are talking to me quite a bit. I’ll have to think about that more.
@shanaber I agree with you on the shoes. My cousin gave me one of those off label (for lack of a better word) thera-guns, it’s a killer, but feels good. I was in Academy and try the “real” one and it’s quite a bit stronger, but I was good with the off brand one my cousin gave me too. Sounds like you got 2 great gifts.
@noblsheep “my nose was running quite a bit faster than I was” I’m sorry but that’s hysterical.
@marisap2010 I’m sucked into those Christmas Cookie challenge shows too ha ha
Wow no rain to run in in a year, I’d like that ha ha @RunsOnEspresso
@mbaker566 I’m with you working on the speed, the other day I ran down the street with Skip as fast as I could and I was like I can’t believe this used to be my pace. Love the hair
@quilteryoyo how frustrating, how hard would it be to give you the number ugh. Glad he’s feeling better after the doctor visit. Wow on the hawk.
@ContraryMaryMary you made those!!!! They are amazing.

Races:
192.48 of 250 miles Yuletide Madness

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 - done
The Pinhoti Trail Challenge 335 miles virtual – 1 Sept to 31 Dec – done
PinkPumpkin 10K – completed 10/30
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 – done
Bridge Street HM Virtual – 10/24 – 11/7/2020 – virtual done
Halloween 5K virtual with Fleet Feet – 10/31/2020 - done
Yuletide Madness Oct 31 – Dec 31 2020
Oak Barrel Half Marathon – October – running virtual - done
Cathedral Caverns 15K trail race – in person – done
Virtual Turkey Trot 5K – done
Downtown HSV Charity run 5K - done
Rudolph Run 5K 12/12 in person

Avidkeo · December 2020

Tramboman wrote: »

Avidkeo wrote: »

Morning all. No exercise for me today. I'm just too damned tired. Been working shift this week and it takes it out of me. So I'm going to make chocolate truffles as Christmas gifts, and hopefully nap this afternoon, before work at 3

Do you want my address so you can send me some Christmas truffles?

Bahaha not sure they would survive the post - also my last package from the US took 6 weeks to get here! Dor I would send EVERYONE Christmas truffles

Avidkeo · December 2020

Wow @ContraryMaryMary amazing! Where are you off to?

I did absolutely nothing I had planned yesterday. I didn't even do my usual exercise. And I ate too much. Consequently this mornings 5k was easy and great.

Have to make those truffles this weekend. Who likes Baileys and who likes Whisky?

RunsOnEspresso · December 2020

@ContraryMaryMary Those cupcakes are so cute and sound yummy!

I too have recommended the trekz every where for years. I don't use them for anything but running but they are the best I've had for running.

rheddmobile · December 2020

I’m leaning towards my heel pain being some type of tendonitis, probably the Achilles’ tendon lower attachment but possibly a little plantar fasciitis, since it eases up gradually when it’s warmed up, then hurts later when it gets stiff. If it were stress fracture it would hurt more the more you did on it. It’s very minor at this point, if I weren’t aware of it from before I would barely notice.

Did 8 miles running and 2 walking and it didn’t hurt while running but was sore after. I think it’s less sore than when it started though. Gonna keep doing my Achilles exercises and keep going as long as it’s not getting worse.

We ran on the Greenline and passed a couple running with a stroller. Stroller has a small cage in it, and I’m thinking, oooh, puppy! But it is a parrot. A parrot in a stroller. It was pretty chilly too, I wonder what the parrot thinks of being pushed in a stroller in the cold.

kgirlhart · December 2020

I didn't run today. It has been a week since I last ran. My hip is feeling better, but not quite 100%. So I decided that I would walk today instead of running. I thought easing back into it would probably be a good idea. I walked during my lunch break. I planned for 30 minutes and ended up with 2 miles. It felt pretty good and so far the hip is ok with it. It was 76°F at lunchtime. It would have been really hot running, but was pretty nice for a walk. I was tempted to run, but I was good and just walked. I will probably try to run again at lunch tomorrow and maybe plan a run for Saturday or Sunday.

Glad your dad is feeling better @quilteryoyo, and you and your mom too.

Hope you feel better soon @mbaker566. Love the hair.

Wow @ContraryMaryMary those cupcakes are awesome!

Hugs @eleanorhawkins.

I hope the hamstring continues to improve @katharmonic.

HonuNui · December 2020

December Goal Do something every day....

12/1 2.50
12/2 3.05 and deep mucked the chicken coop
12/3 1.35
12/4 4.06
12/5 1.00
12/6 4.05
12/7 1.50
12/8 1.00
12/9 3.62
12/10 2.10

Total 24.23

eleanorhawkins · December 2020

I entered one of those random challenges on Strava, a turkey trot one by Roka, and they are giving free bandanas to everyone who finished it BUT it's US only. So, first person in the US who would like a free bandana and sends me their shipping address can have it ;-)

Faebert · December 2020

Hi everyone, still here, still mad busy at work and squeezing in treadmill runs when I can. Miss hearing all your news and looking forward to being able to be around more in the Christmas holidays (5 more work days!!).

Mileage isn’t as high as I’d hoped but it seems I miscalculated my total for year to date. I’ve revised my goal downwards as still want to hit 800 miles for the year.

Hope you’re all well - thinking of all of you. Hoping @quilteryoyo all is ok with the deferred surgery and I haven’t missed anything? And that @Avidkeo is back to it without any issues. Think I read @kgirlhart has an injury too? No doubt @Camaramandy648 has been doing more epic feats!

Sorry I’ve been rubbish - will catch up this weekend but hugs to all.

December total: 23.4m
December revised goal: 56.6m

1/12: 5m
3/12: 5m
8/12: 1m
9/12: 4m
10/12: 4.4m
11/12: 4m

Jan - Nov: 743.4 miles

polskagirl01 · December 2020

@rheddmobile a parrot in a stroller seems like it should be pretty high up on the list for "Top 10 Strangest Things Seen While Running"

ETA: That might make a good Monthly Question for everyone: What are the strangest things you've seen while running?

TheMrWobbly · December 2020

Avidkeo wrote: »

Have to make those truffles this weekend. Who likes Baileys and who likes Whisky?

That is like choosing between breathing and eating @Avidkeo - we need both just not at the same time!

I think I am going to have to do something crazy and buy a garmin as well as have my existing Apple watch (and that hurts!) as I just can't take the risk that, on what might be my one and only marathon, my watch dies and I don't get a record of it or worse that my HR goes mad and I don't realise and stuff it up entirely!

Trekz is going on the present list so thank you @polskagirl01 @shanaber and @RunsOnEspresso . Won't be for Christmas so getting ready for next years birthday, on the list with a shoe drier that was recommended to me.

On shoes I just cannot throw away a pair unless they have 400 miles on them. When work calms down my marathon training is going to be 40+ miles a week and I cannot imagine buying a new pair every month or so if I stuck to 200 miles. I buy two pairs at a time and use them alternate weeks so I don't need to shop too often and I have cover if one pair develops a fault.

Pretty darn impressive @ContraryMaryMary and my mouth is watering right now!

That is a fantastic update @quilteryoyo for both family and the squirrels!

I don't know about a candy cane @Camaramandy648 my mind when to Where's Waldo?

Strangest thing seen running - my reflection in the shop window, I never thought I would run!

For all those struggling with injuries and illnesses right now and especially @quilteryoyo @kgirlhart @eleanorhawkins @rheddmobile @shanaber @katharmonic

mbaker566 · December 2020

polskagirl01 wrote: »

@rheddmobile a parrot in a stroller seems like it should be pretty high up on the list for "Top 10 Strangest Things Seen While Running"

ETA: That might make a good Monthly Question for everyone: What are the strangest things you've seen while running?

well, a parrot is pretty normal in the warm weather.
i saw a tegu while running...her name was gene

not a picture from running

martaindale · December 2020

Avidkeo wrote: »

Have to make those truffles this weekend. Who likes Baileys and who likes Whisky?

I agree with @TheMrWobbly it's too hard a choice. Both! Definitely both.

mbaker566 · December 2020

martaindale wrote: »

Avidkeo wrote: »

Have to make those truffles this weekend. Who likes Baileys and who likes Whisky?

I agree with @TheMrWobbly it's too hard a choice. Both! Definitely both.

i have to go with baileys
too much hard alcohol in my past.

eleanorhawkins · December 2020

martaindale wrote: »

Avidkeo wrote: »

Have to make those truffles this weekend. Who likes Baileys and who likes Whisky?

I agree with @TheMrWobbly it's too hard a choice. Both! Definitely both.

+1

quilteryoyo · December 2020

@Avidkeo Bailey's. If you use enough, I think the truffles would survive 6 weeks to the US.

Do you put alcohol in truffles? My recipe doesn't call for it.

@rheddmobile Glad you are in tune with your heel and it isn't getting any worse. Great run. I would think the parrot would NOT like to be out in the cold. I hope it doesn't get sick for the "ride."

@kgirlhart Hope your hip feels good during your run today.

Thanks @TheMrWobbly !

We seem to have had a little bit of a set back on the CoVID front. Dad isn't feeling well at all this morning. I haven't talked to him yet. He was asleep when I talked to mom. She said his oxygen level was down when he first got up and couldn't breath well. It went back up before he went back to sleep. He also has a consistent low grade temp, even with Tylenol. Mom said she isn't feeling as good as she was yesterday, but she's okay. Her words. I'm still doing good. I'm hoping after a nap dad will feel better and won't have a fatalistic attitude. I'm going to try to get him to do some breathing exercises too. He has breathing issues anyway, so it is really hard to determine if it is "normal" or CoVID. I think the breathing exercises will help, regardless. I just hope I don't have to take him back to the VA.

Tramboman · December 2020

12-1 rest + yoga
12-2 7k treadmill + resistance bands
12-3 7k treadmill + yoga
12-4 7k slow + resistance bands
12-5 7k slow + yoga
12-6 7k slow
12-7 7k easy + resistance bands
12-8 rest + yoga
12-9 7k easy + resistance bands
12-10 7k easy-ish + yoga
12-11 7k moderate-ish + resistance bands

December Total: 63k
December 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
September Total: 176k
October Total: 189k
November Total: 180k

2020 Total through November: 1953k

LIVE countdown to 2020k in 2020: 4k remaining

Mostly sunny, lower 40s F, and a little breeze from the south. Took a chance on short and a long sleeved tech shirt and was fine. Winter clothes really weigh me down.
@kgirlhart Glad you're getting better.

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 - Completed 10-11
Stretch goal: If I can average 169k per month, I can run 2020k in 2020
Run the Year Team: Pavement Pounders -- Completed 9-29

2020 races:

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

martaindale · December 2020

@quilteryoyo I hope your dad feels better after his nap. I'm sure this is stressful for all involved. It would definitely make me nervous to have a parent with long term breathing issues and COVID because it can be so hard to know what is "normal" for them and the tipping point for needing medical care would be so much tighter.

December 2020 Monthly Running Challenge

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