July 2021 Monthly Running Challenge

Did my "flat 4" route today, not too fast

July Goal 100 miles (stretch goal 185k)



"40 weeks of 40K" - 29 Weeks DONE! / 15 weeks left to complete the challenge

Got in a relaxed 7.5 miles today. Legs starting to loosen up. I wish there was a short cut for getting rid of tired legs after a long run. Tomorrow should be back to more of a normal feeling. Trail ultra is only 4 days away 😁😁

7-1 4k tempo
7-2 7k tempo
7-3 7k measy (between moderate and easy)
7-4 7k measy
7-5 rest
7-6 7k measy
7-7 6k measy (but a lot closer to easy than moderate)
7-8 rest
7-9 7k temperate
7-10 7k measy
7-11 7k moderate
7-12 rest
7-13 6k measy
7-14 6k moderate
7-15 rest
7-16 4k tempo
7-17 5k race
7-18 7k recovery
7-19 rest
7-20 7k easy

July Total: 94k
July Goal: 150k

Hazy sun, mid 60s F, no breeze, and plenty of humidity today. Always nice to run after a trip to the chiropractor.

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; 53d overall; 2d male 65 and over
7/17 Run of the Ox 5k, Mantua, OH 32:19 Garmin; 44th overall; 3d place male 60 and over
9/18 5k Run and Roll, Aurora, OH

Hi everyone! Hope things are well. I need to go back and catch up. I dropped my phone the other day, and even though I didn't crack the screen, I somehow dislodged a wire or two and there's certain areas of my screen that are unresponsive. I am checking in from my boyfriends phone so I could log some info. I did get a total of 16 miles in over the weekend though. Once I get my own device back I'll catch up more.

Every now and then, since I drink a lot of fluid, particularly being on keto, in the afternoon I find myself having to pee every 30 minutes (or sometimes even more frequently). So I have to run in the mornings. I can't imagine trying to run in the afternoon.

Okay I got very enlightened from you all from yesterday post about being on keto diet and having burning in my thighs. So I’m going go easy on my pace, be properly hydrated (I live in Yuma Az which is hot), adding more electrolytes and increasing my protein intake all for better recovery. I talked to my niece about it and she lifts weights and she suggested branch chain amino acids for faster recovery too. Do any of you take this supplement?

Also I going to have to get new running shoes next week when I get paid. I usually wear ASICS but I wear a 11.5 in wide width in men’s but ASICS have narrowed the wide width so I’m going to have to move on from them. One runner pointed out that he feels that Hoka puts out a very good shoe. Keeping my wide feet in mind do you have any other suggestions for me to consider? Thanks in advance for your input.

@abowersgirl - Don't worry too much about your July mileage goal. July can be a tough month for any runner. Just keep plugging along, you have plenty of time still before that 10k. Do be mindful that day before not to drink alcohol, and to eat healthy foods, just as you are already planning. Don't let your fears get the better of you ahead of that event! Your first one will seem intimidating but you got this! Just be sure to show up healthy, line up somewhere in the back half of the pack where you won't feel pushed to have to go faster than you are comfortable, (you can pass people if you need to, just don't let the pack drive you) and keep the 6.2 finish line in mind as you go. We all know you can do this!

abowersgirl wrote: »

So I think I was over confident about my goal because this is where I am at as of now. I hope I will be ready for the 10k in September. Found out it's the day after my brothers wedding so that means no drinking (which isn't really an issue) and no crazy amount of fried foods (always feel like garbage after the fact)

Is there anything else people would suggest doing a day before a race? This will be my first one ever!!

Hydrate...
Hydrate...
Hydrate.
In all seriousness, once you put in the work, everything else tends to fall into place. Make a plan for in-race fueling and hydrating; plan what pace you want to run, then execute the plan.
Adrenaline will generally help at the beginning, but it's hydration and fuel that will help at the end.
Only you can know what your realistic goal for the race can be.
If you can achieve that goal, use it as a stepping stone for your next race.
Should circumstances conspire against you and you fall short of what you expected to do, use it as a learning tool for your next race.
No matter what happens, just do your best and be content knowing you've accomplished something not a lot of people are capable of doing.

7/1 – 3.02
7/2 – 5.02
7/2 - .50 cool down
7/3 – 4.02
7/4 – 1.05 with pups
7/4 – 1.44 hiking down and back up from swim basin
7/5 – 4.67 trails
7/5 - .41 cool down to get to 5 miles
7/6 – rest day walked the dogs
7/7 – 4.03
7/8 – 4.04
7/9 – 5.19 miles of cross training – bike (not counted in miles)
7/10 – 13.11 July Half Marathon Monthly challenge
7/11 – rest day
7/12 – 3.02
7/13 – 6.1 miles of biking (not counted in miles)
7/14 – 4.05
7/16 – 5.01
7/17 – 3.02
7/19 – 7.01
7/20 – 3.11

66.53 of 65 miles

@polskagirl01 wow, whoa, ouch, beautiful pictures though

@kgirlhart glad the reunion was fun – all the firsts are difficult

@quilteryoyo thank you, nice job on the treadmill

@Avidkeo glad you are finally feeling better. I wear ear buds and they stay fairly well, not perfect, but none have fallen out yet. They are some cheap $39.00 ones, they do the trick.

@MikeRunsDaily2021 I find after a long run that I know the recovery run is necessary the next day but I know I’m going to be so tired. Good luck on the Ultra!

@WhatMeRunning I take blood pressure meds so I have to take them after I run or I have pee every 5 minutes, I’m worse than a male dog needing to mark my territory

@abowersgirl I can tell you what NOT to do, my first 5K was during Westfest in West, TX. Westfest is a great Czech heritage festival. I polka’d until around midnight, had probably more beer than I should have and ate ALL the food. I ran okay, but my legs were so tired. Ha ha Seriously it depends on the distance, 5Ks/10K I do nothing different, trail runs I try to stay off my feet because they tend to want to kill me with elevation. Half Marathon I try to stay off my feet as much as I can. I do, however, also do a shake out run the day before, maybe 3 miles to keep the legs moving and lots of hydration. On race day don’t wear anything new or do anything different, I like to have a pop tart before a race if it’s trail or over 10K road I’ll have a GUI before I start.

@julieannegannon my daughter works in a Fleet Feet running store, Have you ever been fitted at a store, it’s really the best thing. But I asked her, she said Hoka Clifton because the drop is lower than most Hoka, they are more cushioned and a mid drop, Topo because they have a wider toe box too and a lower drop, or Altra wider toe low drop.