July 2021 Monthly Running Challenge

Scott6255 · July 2021

@WhatMeRunning glad you are feeling better, and glad you made the call to go to the ER.
Take it easy until you hear from your Dr. Be smart 🤓

kgirlhart · July 2021

July Goal: 100 Miles

7/1: 6.26 miles
7/2: 2.25 miles

8.51/109 miles completed for July

I got out for a quick 2 miles today. I was planning to walk since it is a rest day, but I wanted to run, so I did. I just ran to the park and back, so it was an uneventful run, but it was nice and I did see lots of hummingbirds. I really like when it isn't dark for the run. I was even a little speedier than the last couple of days. It's easier to go faster in the heat on shorter distances.

@whatmerunning I'm glad you went to get checked out. I hope you don't have anymore issues.

2021 Races:
4/24/21: Run For The Children 10K PR 55:46:28.
11/6/21: Run For 57th AHC Half Marathon

Orphia · July 2021

Thanks for all the "welcome back"s.

I did my fastest time this year at parkrun (5k) this morning. Very happy.

katharmonic · July 2021

@WhatMeRunning that's scary, glad you are feeling better and called for advice.

@Orphia welcome back, great to see you but sorry to hear you've had a rough time. And the loss of @pastorvincent and other friends here continues to sadden us all. Hugs. Great job on your 5k today!

I'm sorry to have lost track but I read and liked and hugged way more.

No run in July yet.

Short hike report: Adirondack high peaks #29 and 30 of 46 completed today in a rain-soaked 6.5 hour/12 mile hike with no views and an ever-increasing muddy slog. I took very few pics because I didn't want my phone out in the rain but the views were only clouds and trees. We knew it was very likely to rain most of the day so we picked this hike because it is pretty treed in and known to not have the best views, so not wasted on a rainy day, and it was the shortest by far of the hikes I have left. It's the second shortest of all the high peaks hikes I've done. But I really didn't realize the true extent of being soaking wet for most of those hours and didn't really predict being shivering cold on the summit in July. But we survived and I was never so happy to get back to the car and change into dry clothes and shoes.

quilteryoyo · July 2021

@kgirlhart Those people don't have a pet skunk, do they? I bet it's a female with a den nearby and it's going "home."

Glad you are back and doing better @Orphia !

@penguinmama87 Glad you found a race you could fit into your family's busy schedule. Not sure what to say about feeling faint, unless you were dehydrated or not fueled enough. Hope it doesn't happen again.

@Teresa502 I have been to the top of Grandfather Mountain. It is really beautiful, but not sure I could run any of it. It's really steep, so good luck with that. I look forward to seeing how it goes. At least it should be pretty cool that time of day. And, I do have some really special neighbors!

Good to hear that you had a great vacation @martaindale !

@RunsOnEspresso You're right on schedule to meet your year goal. Congrats!

@WhatMeRunning I'm glad you weren't hurt when you fainted and glad you went to the ER. Do they have a solution for you?

Sounds like a great day @polskagirl01 !

@granitepeak45 Probably a good idea to take today off. Enjoy your hike.

quilteryoyo · July 2021

7-1 2.1 miles running and 1.0 mile walking (Hill Repeats after cutting cedars for almost 1.5 hours)
7-2 0.0 miles running but 1.0 mile walking on treadmill (also played doubles tennis this morning)

MT = 2.1/70 miles running: 2.0/31miles walking

Played doubles tennis this morning, then worked at the daycare from 12:30 - 5:00. Ran errands afterwards, got home at 7, put stuff away, and went down for a treadmill walk while watching Jeopardy. So far, sticking to the plan for July.

WhatMeRunning · July 2021

@Scott6255 @quilteryoyo I was surprised but cleared to continue running. I had an ECG, blood and even urine tested. Only concerns were elevated ketones which was explained by my being in ketosis since 3/8. That led to a discussion about making sure I was getting enough sodium and potassium and adding more in my diet. No medication or anything at this time, I think maybe that's what the follow up might be about. I do need to be more careful getting up though. They also said it's possible it's a one time only event, but to get with my doctor and start tracking any and all episodes of light headedness or fainting.

Looking back now, I've had a number of chest strap HRM oddities since switching from my Forerunner 630 to the newer 245. I believe I had bad readings today at the worst possible time making me freak out. Although getting checked out is still best, and to be fair, whether my lowish BP is still in normal range or not, fainting is nothing to ever take lightly.

*sigh* what a day!

Avidkeo · July 2021

WhatMeRunning wrote: »

@Scott6255 @quilteryoyo I was surprised but cleared to continue running. I had an ECG, blood and even urine tested. Only concerns were elevated ketones which was explained by my being in ketosis since 3/8. That led to a discussion about making sure I was getting enough sodium and potassium and adding more in my diet. No medication or anything at this time, I think maybe that's what the follow up might be about. I do need to be more careful getting up though. They also said it's possible it's a one time only event, but to get with my doctor and start tracking any and all episodes of light headedness or fainting.

Looking back now, I've had a number of chest strap HRM oddities since switching from my Forerunner 630 to the newer 245. I believe I had bad readings today at the worst possible time making me freak out. Although getting checked out is still best, and to be fair, whether my lowish BP is still in normal range or not, fainting is nothing to ever take lightly.

*sigh* what a day!

Thank you for going and getting checked out. You definitely had me worried.

Fun fact actually I'll put this in a spoiler cause it's very medical and could disturb some people

this is the reason a lot of people are found in the toilet when they are found dead. Their body senses something is wrong, and it wants to restrict blood to vital organs. So it wants to dump urine first, which causes people to need to pee, so they go to the toilet then have their heart attack on the toilet. It's a known phenomenon among ambulance officers. So never shut your toilet door because the biggest issue is people falling against the door and the. It can't be opened. At least if your door is open, help can get to you

Micturation syncope eh? So fainting due to peeing. Good one!

I had a swallow syncope a few years. Had some water during the night, and accidentally swallowed a large bolus. Felt it go down, next thing I know I woke on the floor. Broke my tooth and scared the crap out of me. Fortunately that was a one off. I hope yours is also

pabmac · July 2021

Great start everyone! I love those shoes @skippygirlsmom . I started out with 4.7k today- little shorter than I was aiming for but there was a bit of a twinge in my foot (not the good kind) so I stopped early. Injury-free being the goal above kms. Still aiming for 60kms this month

ContraryMaryMary · July 2021

Here’s a funny story for you. And if you don’t have one similar to tell, are you even a runner?

It was an interesting run this morning, and I say interesting with great literary license. I had a limited time so had to be out the door at 7:45, ready or not. Turns out I was not. After about 3km I started to feel the need for the loo, but as I can only use my own for No.2 (I know, TMI), I assumed I’d be fine. And I was. But the urge grew as the run progressed. It didn’t help that I’d chosen an out-and-back route so I couldn’t loop past home for a ‘comfort stop’.

Five kilometres from home it started to become uncomfortable. However, it got truly ‘interesting’ about 200 metres from home. My body clearly decided I was home. But I wasn’t. I couldn’t run. I had to walk, very carefully, with the occasional rest as my bowels spasmed. Panic-inducing and a little painful. Having my husband standing at the letterbox laughing at me (he twigged as to what was happening) was most uncalled for!

Fortunately I made it. But let’s not repeat that again! 💩

Stunning run though, if freezing. One of those icy still winter mornings. I was in gloves leggings and two long sleeve tops, one of which was merino and most other runners were wearing the same. Except one guy. He must have missed the memo or something as he was out in shorts and a t-shirt 🤪

sweetdaisy13 · July 2021

@ContraryMaryMary That's happened lots of times to me too. Nothing like going for a run and your body just deciding it needs to clear everything out. And yes, it seems to sense when we are almost home too - not quite there, but nearly home 😂

Scott6255 · July 2021

@ContraryMaryMary yep, add me to the list of 'real runner' too 💩 It is such a terrible feeling. Glad you made it home.

WhatMeRunning · July 2021

I hate that too @ContraryMaryMary. But did you pause your Garmin during the bowel spasms when you had to stop? (Joking of course)

quilteryoyo · July 2021

I'm surprised you were cleared to run too @WhatMeRunning . But, since you got the diagnosis you did, I guess you're good unless you stop to pee.

@Avidkeo Interesting facts. I've never heard of swallow syncope. Glad that was a one time event.

@Pbmac Staying healthy and injury free always trumps an arbitrary km/mile goal. Hope it feels better today.

Hahaha @ContraryMaryMary Glad you made it home. I didn't once and that's not fun! Guess I can be added to the "real runner" list too.

Glad your run was a great one.

Tramboman · July 2021

7-1 4k tempo
7-2 7k tempo
7-3 7k measy (between moderate and easy)

July Total: 18k
July Goal: 150k

Sunny, upper 50s F, with a northwest breeze. Must have borrowed some of today's energy for yesterday's run, because I was niggly and slow.
@WhatMeRunning Glad the diagnosis was positive. Nothing worse than something happening to you and being unable to find the cause.

When you pop in here claiming your December 2021 mileage, what accomplishments will you have made?

PUT THE FUN BACK IN THE RUN!
Return to a good running weight of 175 lbs (second attempt)

2021 Races:

6/26 Direction Up 5k, Solon, OH 31:48 chip; 31:59 Garmin; 2d male 65 and over
7/17 Run of the Ox 5k, Mantua, OH
9/18 5k Run and Roll, Aurora, OH

RunsOnEspresso · July 2021

@ContraryMaryMary I've definitely looped back home for 💩 before.

martaindale · July 2021

Glad you were cleared to run @WhatMeRunning . I have passed out several times over the years and it is a scary feeling. I definitely get vasovagal episodes and have had the middle of the night ones from jumping out of bed too quickly. Another thing to consider is your blood glucose. My mom is diabetic so I have had access to a glucose meter in the past and been able to check my sugar afterwards and I know that some of mine have been from low blood sugar. If you have a functional pancreas, it doesn’t take long for your blood sugar to recover so by the time you would have gotten to the ER, it would have been normal most likely. That said, vasovagal reactions are more common that hypoglycemia and this was a single episode, so that’s probably all it was. At least now you know the warning signs and you can assume the position (on the floor with your feet up) before you pass out and maybe avoid it happening next time. It’s smart that you got it checked out for the peace of mind that nothing major was going on.

@ContraryMaryMary Guess I can be added to the "real runner" list too. I’ve only had this happen a couple of times and it always catches me off guard. A friend of mine gets what she refers to as “runners trots” almost every time she runs so she always plans her routes accordingly.

martaindale · July 2021

July total: 3 miles

7/3: 3 miles

This run was really hard! It was 77F with 94% humidity and absolutely miserable. It was supposed to rain today and I didn’t know if it would just be rain or also lightening so I wanted to try and beat it. First run in a month and first run back in the heat/humidity after 3 weeks of basically no humidity and temps in the 70’s. I have some serious summer acclimation to do! It just started raining and it’s a nice light but steady rain, perfect to run in. Now I wish I had waited. Still hot, but the rain would have made it more tolerable.
Oh well. I am headed up to our vacation/retirement house today to check on things since the previous owners just moved out so I needed to get the run done early anyway. I am so excited to finally see “our” house without all the prior owners stuff in it. Seems more real now! My tiny car is loaded down with the bare bones basics so I can spend the night there. It will basically be camping inside a nice house!

Scott6255 · July 2021

13.1 miles this morning. The only good thing about this run was that it was cloudy and overcast, so no blazing sun ☀️
But it still felt really hot 🔥
At about mile 8 I started to feel & hear my shoes squishing. When I got home and took off my shoes my feet looked like I've been swimming for 2 hours.
Oh, and I saw another first...two squirrels 🐿️ humping WHILE climbing up a tree! That's determination.

WhatMeRunning · July 2021

Sounds like a sweaty run @Scott6255

Leave it to busy squirrels to multitask like that!

kgirlhart · July 2021

@quilteryoyo I actually knew someone who had a pet skunk when I was a child. I see skunks pretty regularly and in the same areas so I think they have dens nearby and are on their way home. They don't bother me, but I don't want to startle one.

@ContraryMaryMary Add me to the list. 💩 I have definitely been there and it is not a fun feeling. So far I have always made it home, except once when I actually had to stop at a convenience store. 😳 I am glad you made it home.

@martaindale It was thundering here when I got up, but it's a nice gentle rain now. I don't usually run on Saturdays though. But the forecast looks the same for tomorrow. How exciting that you are finally getting into the vacation house. Sounds like a fun "camping " trip.

ndsgettingfit · July 2021

First run of July! Ran 3.1 miles today 🎉

sweetdaisy13 · July 2021

Hoping to run another 100+ miles this month, with 10,000+ feet of Elevation.

Had my 2nd Covid Vaccine today and my arm is a little achy. I doubt I'll be running tomorrow as I was ill for about a week after the 1st dose. Hopefully, I won't be as bad this time around.

02/07 - 3.2 mile run, 9:22 min per mile
03/07 - 10 mile trail run, 9:29 min per mile

July cumulative:
13.2/100 miles
1,590/10,000 feet of elevation

katharmonic · July 2021

Date :::: Miles :::: Cumulative
07/01/21 :::: 0.0 :::: 0.0
07/02/21 :::: 0.0 :::: 0.0
07/03/21 :::: 3.4 :::: 3.4

I set my alarm this morning with the intention of going for my long run but I had already told my friends there was a chance I might bail, especially if it was rainy. After yesterday's hike I had no desire to be soaking wet again. When I woke up the chances of rain were still higher than I wanted to gamble on and I was feeling tired and sore so I did bail. It felt good at the time but I kind of regret not doing it now because it was a cool day and those are rare in July.

Eventually I dragged myself out of the house and did a stop and go trail run with Stella.

quilteryoyo · July 2021

@martaindale I can see how three miles in those conditions would be miserable, esp. after 3 weeks of no running. Don't try to come back too fast and injure yourself. Yeah for the vacation/retirement home. I don't recall you buying one. Enjoy spending the night there.

@Scott6255 Nice long run. I sweat a lot, but never have I made my shoes squish.

Funny about the squirrels!

@kgirlhart Since you know where the skunks are hanging out, you'll have to be extra careful to not startle them. That would not end well for you, I'm afraid.

Nice run @ndsgettingfit .

Nice run @sweetdaisy13 ! Hope you have only a mild reaction to the second vaccine.

At least you got out and did some running today @katharmonic !

quilteryoyo · July 2021

7-1 2.1 miles running and 1.0 mile walking (Hill Repeats after cutting cedars for almost 1.5 hours)
7-2 0.0 miles running but 1.0 mile walking on treadmill (also played doubles tennis this morning)
7-3 9.0 miles running, 1.0 mile walking (easy pace, but not an easy run)

MT = 11.1/70 miles running: 3.0/31miles walking

There's a long run report under the spoiler, if you are interested. Basically, my legs didn't make it feel like every step was an effort like it did last week, but they were so tired after about mile 5 that a lot of walking was necessary to get it done.

I got up at 7:15 this morning, about 15 min later than I intended to, so I could get my long run in early. I wasn't too worried, because the weather was forecast to be a lot cooler this morning than it has been. They were right, for a change. It was only 54°F when I got up. It did take me a little over an hour to get out the door - ate a banana and had 2 cups of coffee that needed to settle. Also had some tummy issues. I think @ContraryMaryMary s post made my body think, "Hey, that sounds like something I need to do." LOL

Because of my tummy feeling the way it did, I change up my planned route so I would stay closer home. As far as this issue went, I did okay until mile 6. I started feeling the urge and, of course, I was almost the farthest from a bathroom I could be on this route. So, I stopped and walked around for a minute. It diminished, so I walked a little faster and then ran again. I did okay until I stopped at the end of my driveway for a sip of water at around 8.8 miles. (Yes, I stopped with less than a quarter mile to go.) The water did it to me and I really had to go. I slowly walked up my quarter mile driveway and made it with no incident. Interestingly, didn't do much once I did get to the bathroom. I did go out and finish the run on the driveway.

As far as the run went, it was much, much better than last week. Well, that may be an overstatement. At least it wasn't an effort to take each step, but I didn't really have the energy I had last week. I did pretty good until mile 5. (I had stopped and talked to mom and my neighbor during this portion, so maybe that helped.) By then, I was just ready for it to be over. My legs were really tired. I wound up walking a lot more than I had intended to the last 4 miles. But I managed to get it done. As a testament to how tired my legs were, after I finished the run, I started my fast half mile cool down walk by going on to the end and getting my mail. Coming back, when I got to the hill where I do hill repeats, I just couldn't walk fast anymore. So, I stopped Garmin, strolled until I got to the flat part of the driveway, and just finished my walk with laps on that part.

The good news is that my average HR was 144, I stayed in Zone 2 for 86% of the run, and I finished with an average pace of 12:56 min/mile. At this point, anything under 13:00 min/mile is a great easy pace for me. In case you are interested, the elevation gain was 551 feet.

Garmin says the humidity was 77% at the beginning of the run and 60% at the end. Here is what I looked like after only 1.5 miles.

I think I got dehydrated, which could be part of the problem. I can't seem to get enough water this afternoon and still haven't had to go pee.

Tramboman · July 2021

quilteryoyo wrote: »

7-1 2.1 miles running and 1.0 mile walking (Hill Repeats after cutting cedars for almost 1.5 hours)
7-2 0.0 miles running but 1.0 mile walking on treadmill (also played doubles tennis this morning)
7-3 9.0 miles running, 1.0 mile walking (easy pace, but not an easy run)

MT = 11.1/70 miles running: 3.0/31miles walking

There's a long run report under the spoiler, if you are interested. Basically, my legs didn't make it feel like every step was an effort like it did last week, but they were so tired after about mile 5 that a lot of walking was necessary to get it done.
I got up at 7:15 this morning, about 15 min later than I intended to, so I could get my long run in early. I wasn't too worried, because the weather was forecast to be a lot cooler this morning than it has been. They were right, for a change. It was only 54°F when I got up. It did take me a little over an hour to get out the door - ate a banana and had 2 cups of coffee that needed to settle. Also had some tummy issues. I think @ContraryMaryMary s post made my body think, "Hey, that sounds like something I need to do." LOL

Because of my tummy feeling the way it did, I change up my planned route so I would stay closer home. As far as this issue went, I did okay until mile 6. I started feeling the urge and, of course, I was almost the farthest from a bathroom I could be on this route. So, I stopped and walked around for a minute. It diminished, so I walked a little faster and then ran again. I did okay until I stopped at the end of my driveway for a sip of water at around 8.8 miles. (Yes, I stopped with less than a quarter mile to go.) The water did it to me and I really had to go. I slowly walked up my quarter mile driveway and made it with no incident. Interestingly, didn't do much once I did get to the bathroom. I did go out and finish the run on the driveway.

As far as the run went, it was much, much better than last week. Well, that may be an overstatement. At least it wasn't an effort to take each step, but I didn't really have the energy I had last week. I did pretty good until mile 5. (I had stopped and talked to mom and my neighbor during this portion, so maybe that helped.) By then, I was just ready for it to be over. My legs were really tired. I wound up walking a lot more than I had intended to the last 4 miles. But I managed to get it done. As a testament to how tired my legs were, after I finished the run, I started my fast half mile cool down walk by going on to the end and getting my mail. Coming back, when I got to the hill where I do hill repeats, I just couldn't walk fast anymore. So, I stopped Garmin, strolled until I got to the flat part of the driveway, and just finished my walk with laps on that part.

The good news is that my average HR was 144, I stayed in Zone 2 for 86% of the run, and I finished with an average pace of 12:56 min/mile. At this point, anything under 13:00 min/mile is a great easy pace for me. In case you are interested, the elevation gain was 551 feet.

Garmin says the humidity was 77% at the beginning of the run and 60% at the end. Here is what I looked like after only 1.5 miles.

I think I got dehydrated, which could be part of the problem. I can't seem to get enough water this afternoon and still haven't had to go pee.

It's always important to stay hydrated. If you don't feel the need to "go," you're probably not drinking enough.

quilteryoyo · July 2021

I agree @Tramboman . I thought I was drinking enough. I was sloshing.

I think I didn't drink enough yesterday, even though I did better than I usually do when I'm working.

ContraryMaryMary · July 2021

WhatMeRunning wrote: »

I hate that too @ContraryMaryMary. But did you pause your Garmin during the bowel spasms when you had to stop? (Joking of course)

Ha. I did the first couple of times then gave up and stopped my watch altogether as I shuffled home 😂

ContraryMaryMary · July 2021

Another absolute freezing stunner here this morning, even colder than yesterday. Thermometer said 0 degrees C, which is very rare for Auckland. Slept in a little so the sun had some heat in it when it got higher and I was quite warm by the time I got home (still only 6 degrees). As I had gloves and long sleeves with thumb loops I couldn’t get to my watch easily so didn’t check my pace, just cruised and enjoyed the day. Very pleasant. So many people out - especially considering the temperature - I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many runners and people walking dogs on one run in my neighbourhood. No kids though - clearly they’re all like mine: soft and refusing to leave the warmth of the house!

July 2021 Monthly Running Challenge

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