December 2021 Monthly Running Challenge
Replies
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@mshawski be careful with the quad. Smart to reduce your run but you might need to reschedule your training session. Of course if it is your first one normally all they do is talk and show you some exercises to do versus a workout. The polar strap is good. Syncs pretty easily to the Apple Watch.
Today I experimented with running a few 10ths before I turned on my watch for the run. It was interesting. Evidently my data always skews low because of that first qtr or less where I am "warming up" or even the GPS is not quite ready for a run. I always assumed the GPS was wonky but maybe it just needs a warm up too. LOL.
Anyway, I was able to sustain a 180 SPM and with taking the junk off the beginning my run today was actually probably a new 4 mile record for me at an 8:53 avg mile pace. It was fun to fly but also a little bit of a let down because I realized that I may never get below an 8 min mile.... Well I will continue to work on the speed stuff. When I look back to Oct for my slowest run 7 miles at about 10:40 pace my SPM were 169. So my limited data says I can get under 10 min pace with a 175 avg and under 9 with a 180....
My heart is quite happy with the shorter runs. I know I have overtrained in the past doing 2 per days and lots of miles and my resting heart rate with those over training days never gets where it should. So even though I am putting in a LOT more effort, the shorter 4 mile runs seem to be a good distance where my resting heart rate returns quickly.
12.17 miles so far for the month out of 100 planned. 82.12 left for run the year completion. If I do this right it might be exactly Xmas morning that I complete the challenge.I don't freak out anymore when my HR goes over 190 during effort.
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It seems like today might be one of those days when everyone needs a little extra coffee in their mug.
Yes! That is exactly how it was for me today.
I dithered and puttered the morning away and realized that the day was getting away from me. About noon I went to the field house of the local college and ran 2 miles.
Being indoors masks are required which makes it tough. I was the only one on the track and so I "adjusted" my mask so that I could breathe better.
12-1: 5.32 Miles.
12-2: 5.20 Miles.
12-3: 2.00 Miles.
Mtd: 12.52 Miles.
Hoping everyone has a great day.5 -
I have also heard this school of thought being discussed, and it does seem to work. I don't usually pay attention to cadence though, and have very little variability when I look at past runs. Maybe slightly higher turnover on some faster runs.@SummerSkier - the original runner who started this challenge years ago had talked about cadence and how it should basically be the same regardless of pace. I was always curious how that could be even if you shortened or lengthened your stride to accommodate, but when I monitored mine it was in fact very close to the same whether I was running slow and easy or pushing my pace. I will see if I can find any of the articles he referenced and post later.
For 3 days now I've been feeling actually normal. Got great news from the doctor last night (no more stones YAY!). So I celebrated by going with hubby to the next town and running the 8 km home today. It didn't feel awesome or anything, but also wasn't miserable or nearly as hard as I expected either, so I'm definitely calling it a win.8 -
I worked from home today because I had a repairman coming, so I was able to pick up my race packet this morning (I’m always so happy to get a card for free Chick-fil-a in my swag bag!), and I got in a nice afternoon run, even though it was 77 out. It isn’t supposed to be this warm in December! My new Brooks jacket came today, but it doesn’t look like it will be cool enough anytime soon to wear it.
Today’s training run was 20 min at 11:13-12:13 pace, followed by 10 min at 9:13-9:43 pace. I ended up with 3.38 miles.
December total: 6.21 miles8 -
@SummerSkier and anyone else interested in running form, cadence and pace, here is a link to some videos and additional links to articles on those topics. Scroll down to find the ones specific to cadence but there is lots of good information here.
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10228828/good-running-form-overstriding
Additionally there is a group for this challenge that includes a 'vault' of articles and information on various running topics that I go back to on occasion to reference. Some of it may be old and you might find more current info doing a google search but it isn't a bad place to start...
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1269023/running-related-sites-and-references#latest6 -
Thank you for sharing those links @shanaber I miss the array of expertise that seemed so readily available back then sometimes. Not that there is not an array of expertise available now, or anything like that. It's just... different. I suspect it's just site changes over time and people's willingness to freely share that has changed somehow. Could be as simple as not being able to share links on the newsfeed as one example, but I just don't know. I do recall something of an exodus of users when UA took ownership but that did not seem to affect the running groups so much. I guess I'll never know!2
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Beautiful weather yesterday so my husband and I got out to Chuckalissa for a hike. Honestly some of the slopes are steep enough that he was concerned about my heart rate shooting up even walking it, but I kept my eye on it and it stayed reasonable. Afterwards walked the flat paved trails and ran about half a mile just as a test, all good.11
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@rheddmobile great report. It gives me hope your symptoms were just delays lupus/vaccine reactions and perhaps things will settle down.
@shanaber thank you for the links also. I watched the first one and the skipping and butt kicks are definitely something I might incorporate into my runs. They haven't really discussed BPM yet. Probably because I am pretty old I won't be able to do much change to my stride without possible causing knee or hip anger but I know I an a shuffler which is why I don't trail run. No ACLs so I tend not to pick up my knees very much. I wanted to respond to tag but the link is so old I didn't want to resurrect a zombie.
@WhatMeRunning I actually find a LOT more array of expertise. So much so that it's often difficult to weed out the chaff from the wheat.
good morning everyone! It's WARM and humid here again.4 -
12-1 7k slow
12-2 7k slow
12-3 7k slow
12-4 7k sleasy
Don't Rest December Total: 28k
Don't Rest December Goal: 180k
Clear and frosty, low 30s F, and no wind. Even got to see a deer this morning, but since I run without my glasses, I couldn't tell if it was a buck or a doe. It was a big bodied deer all alone, so I suspect it was a small antlered buck.
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 over5 -
I got my computer back. It's working better and they were able to get things installed that I couldn't. It's still slow as Christmas, but I'm glad to have it back.
@polskagirl01 I'm so happy that the stone has gone and I would definitely call the run a win.
Nice run @marisap2010 ! Yeah for the new jacket.
Glad your heart behaved yesterday @rheddmobile . I hope you can get to the doctor soon to get properly checked out and treated.
@Tramboman I don't run with my glasses either, so I can totally relate.
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@quilteryoyo so GLAD you got your computer back and it's working even if slowly! Must be a relief you were able to get your files back. whew!
Today's run I carried my phone for a 10K and it says my stride is a whopping 26 in. seriously. I don't even stride 3 feet. wow. No wonder I am slow. Or my phone is confused? Is that normal for a short woman I wonder... off to google. Also found some songs with 180 bpm tempo to add to my running playlist for fun. Gypsy's Tramps and Thieves, Running Down a dream, Dancing with Myself, the Boys of Summer, Breakaway, Love is a BattlefieldTusk, Jack and Diane....
Added 6.2 to total 18.37 out of 100 for the month goal. 75.9 to go to complete run the year. Streak of 66 miles all under 10 min pace. Goal to finish up RuntheYear with that streak.
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Nice run @SummerSkier ! Interestingly, I can open my files now, but when I look at my running spreadsheet, my computer doesn't have any updates on it since Feb! I really don't want to re-enter all of that data - yes, I have a paper copy too. The repairman said that if I was missing any files to let them know and they may be able to find them on a backup they did. I'll call them on Monday and see if they can do that for me. Technology doesn't like me.
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Good morning, everyone. Or whatever time of day you are
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Finally posting in this month's thread. It was a crazy week and I got very behind. I read through and liked and hugged.
Date :::: Miles :::: Cumulative
12/01/21 :::: 0.00 :::: 0.0
12/02/21 :::: 2.24 :::: 2.2
12/03/21 :::: 3.05 :::: 5.3
12/04/21 :::: 10.05:::: 15.3
I started out the month with a 0, which I didn't want to do but the day got away from me. Lots of end of the semester drama to deal with. Thursday was also bad but I got a short treadmill run in before strength training. And then yesterday I wanted nothing more than to skip my run and go home and drink wine and go to bed. But I promised I was going to do better this month so I made myself go to the gym and run on the treadmill (I didn't have the right clothes packed for outdoor running or I would have because the temp wasn't too bad). Today I met up with friends for our long run. I was cranky that they wanted to start at 7, but I did it and it was actually a pretty nice morning for running. The crazy winds we've been having were gone, and the sun made the low 30s temp seem not so bad. My friends talked me into the big hill - but the good part is, the way back is all coasting downhill. I was happy to get 10 miles done.
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@quilteryoyo Glad you got your computer back! I hope you can recover your files.
@SummerSkier Nice music choices!
@katharmonic Great job on today’s run!
I ran our local Reindeer Run 5K this morning to benefit the children’s hospital. This followed part of the route I ran a few weeks ago at the homecoming 5K. It was in the low 50s and sunny, so nice weather. The beginning of the course had two large hills, but after you get past those, it wasn’t too bad. I finished in 28:45.6 -
Great job @marisap2010 !!!0
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WhatMeRunning wrote: »Thank you for sharing those links @shanaber I miss the array of expertise that seemed so readily available back then sometimes. Not that there is not an array of expertise available now, or anything like that. It's just... different. I suspect it's just site changes over time and people's willingness to freely share that has changed somehow. Could be as simple as not being able to share links on the newsfeed as one example, but I just don't know. I do recall something of an exodus of users when UA took ownership but that did not seem to affect the running groups so much. I guess I'll never know!
I know what you mean. I feel like we all shared more articles and such back in the day. I think the loss of two of our "main" (for lack of a better word) posters has had an effect. And with the originator of the thread no longer an active participant.
Personally, I use my phone a lot in here and it's harder to go and search for a supporting article or previous post etc. And a lot of the resources I used to share are now behind paywalls. Runners World, Women's Running, Trail Runner etc either have paywalls or memberships now.2 -
That could very well be it. I see lots of people eager to help. Makes a lot of sense that in the past there were just fewer knowledgeable sources.SummerSkier wrote: »...I actually find a LOT more array of expertise. So much so that it's often difficult to weed out the chaff from the wheat...0 -
Great race, @marisap2010 !!!1
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Congrats on your race @marisap2010 - great finish time!1
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Most of us are just sharing our experiences; we're not experts or anything. Some of the earlier informal leaders, though, just had a lot more experience and not only in the sense that they'd been running for years, but had also learned a lot along the way. And they were more competitive runners than most of the rest of us. There aren't as many speedy people lately. So for example, I can tell you what I wear in the snow, but on the other hand I can only offer theories I've heard about how to get fast or what your cadence should be. (Although even coaches disagree on those things, so I don't see why us average runners can't discuss and have opinions on how to level up from where we are too.)WhatMeRunning wrote: »
That could very well be it. I see lots of people eager to help. Makes a lot of sense that in the past there were just fewer knowledgeable sources.SummerSkier wrote: »...I actually find a LOT more array of expertise. So much so that it's often difficult to weed out the chaff from the wheat...
More what I see here is a group of people who all are into running and want to support each other in our journeys. Many of our non-running friends and family can only listen to so much running talk, and they don't get it anyway, so this can be a safe place to share about how your running is going, and give every detail of your race - and people actually look forward to it and want to read it and cheer you on.9 -
@katharmonic You did great sticking with your plan and running instead of going home to the wine. Also, sounds like your 10 miles this morning were good ones. You are doing great.
Great 5K time @marisap2010 ! Sounds like great weather for the race.
Very true!polskagirl01 wrote: »More what I see here is a group of people who all are into running and want to support each other in our journeys. Many of our non-running friends and family can only listen to so much running talk, and they don't get it anyway, so this can be a safe place to share about how your running is going, and give every detail of your race - and people actually look forward to it and want to read it and cheer you on.
The weather was great here today - high around 65°F, clouds, not much wind. I cleaned out my gutters again - hopefully for the last time this year, and blew the leaves off of my porches, driveway, and lawn. That took a little over two hours. I knew that I had probably put enough strain on my back, so chose to go for a walk into the neighbor's field over running. If I can walk tomorrow, I'll try to get in a short run, at least. It's supposed to be pretty again.
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polskagirl01 wrote: »
Most of us are just sharing our experiences; we're not experts or anything. Some of the earlier informal leaders, though, just had a lot more experience and not only in the sense that they'd been running for years, but had also learned a lot along the way. And they were more competitive runners than most of the rest of us. There aren't as many speedy people lately. So for example, I can tell you what I wear in the snow, but on the other hand I can only offer theories I've heard about how to get fast or what your cadence should be. (Although even coaches disagree on those things, so I don't see why us average runners can't discuss and have opinions on how to level up from where we are too.)WhatMeRunning wrote: »
That could very well be it. I see lots of people eager to help. Makes a lot of sense that in the past there were just fewer knowledgeable sources.SummerSkier wrote: »...I actually find a LOT more array of expertise. So much so that it's often difficult to weed out the chaff from the wheat...
More what I see here is a group of people who all are into running and want to support each other in our journeys. Many of our non-running friends and family can only listen to so much running talk, and they don't get it anyway, so this can be a safe place to share about how your running is going, and give every detail of your race - and people actually look forward to it and want to read it and cheer you on.
Yeah, it really sucks to have lost MobyCarp and PastorVincent and Keeprunningfatboy. Moby in particular was a multiple Boston Marathon runner with a lot of quality experience, and PastorVincent was going for his first Boston qualifier when he passed. Losing them has meant losing a lot of experience and good advice!
Several other elite and ultra level runners have moved on or stopped posting due to injury.8 -
1204-3km 27:05 aHR 144
First run in about a year. Not sure what happened, but yesterday something in my head rolled over and made me go for it. I'm glad I'm not entirely out of shape since I've been lifting semi-regularly, but the cardio has apparently suffered as can be seen from my snail pace. Legs aren't sore at all today, but the muscles between my shoulderblades are feeling it.
It's good to be back. I don't have a goal this month except to keep running. Welcome all new peeps.13 -
Just so everyone knows, I wasn't intending to imply anything was wrong with the group of expertise or advice here. I guess seeing those old threads/posts just seemed very "familiar" and made me comment, apologies if I came across incorrectly. I think this is the best place to go for running advice on MFP, no doubt, I point new runners here all the time. For anything more you have to go specific directions towards other specific sources (certain trainers/methods).
I miss a lot of things sometimes.6 -
@noblsheep - Welcome back! It is good to see you again!
@whatmerunning - I don't think there was any offense taken. I don't think many of us spend as much time looking at articles or analyzing running information like the original creator of the challenge did and like @RunsOnEspresso said so many of the sites are now behind paywalls so even if we could post a link most would not be able to get to it. I do tend to go back to some of the older links, videos and articles as I think there is real value there but I also try to see if there are updates or new information or analysis.
We are way north in CA and on the way up stopped to visit friends. I got in a good fast run in the cold drizzle yesterday before we headed further up the coast. Today we visited the Humboldt Redwoods State Park. It was cold (for us) but we had fun hiking and seeing the huge amazing trees. My daughter caught this picture of me that was really fun 😊. It was gloriously beautiful!I am hoping to get in a 6.6mi run for my birthday in the morning but it is supposed to be in the 30's 😳 and I really don't have the clothes with me for running in it. It may have to wait until we get home or maybe on Tuesday when we are heading back down the coast.
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Today was my first run for December and the first run in my new neighbourhood. Clearly I no longer live amongst runners - I cruised an obvious loop (we’re in the country and this is a straightforward 8km loop from the town centre (a dairy (convenience store), a mechanics, two real estate agencies, and two cafes (priorities)), up past the school to the top of the hill, along the aptly named Ridge Road for a couple of kilometres, and back down to the shops), and I was just taking it easy and nosying at the fab houses but managed to record the second fastest women’s time on this route, which was a Strava segment, and if I do it again anytime in the next 89 days, I’ll be the local legend. Bit is a shame actually as I was hoping to meet a few people via running.
Saw a fair few walkers and quite few cyclists though. Maybe all the runners are in the trails in the forest… I’ll have to investigate…7 -
gosh is hasn't been that long since some of those posters posted. I was looking back and knew the Pastor had passed away but Mobycarp was still posting when the pandemic started.
No offense was taken @WhatMeRunning. Like everyone else it is fun to just be in a like minded group. I have tried to hang out a few times over the years but it moves so fast I always felt guilty for not keeping up. This time I am just enjoying the conversations and posting.
@shanaber those photos are MAGNIFICENT! I love trees and there is such majesty in those giants.
Yesterday I had a text from my coach who ran a 5K in 19:20. I call him my coach but really he's a friend from out of state who sort of moved here with his gf last year who has encouraged my running the last few years. He said his stride length was 1.41 meters! and his SPM was 174. Max HR was 148. This man is over 65..... Anyway we chatted a little about it and he actually wants to close his stride down and up his SPM which is interesting perspective.
@ContraryMaryMary sounds like you will have to meet folks via races vs Strava in that location. Hope you are right about the trails.
@noblsheep welcome back to running. Altho I have been a runner since I was 15 which is close to 50 years there have been times where I just stopped for many months also. Sometimes due to an injury of course but sometimes just out of laziness. I always felt amazing when I got back into the rhythm of it.
Summer
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12-1 7k slow
12-2 7k slow
12-3 7k slow
12-4 7k sleasy
12-5 7k slow
Don't Rest December Total: 35k
Don't Rest December Goal: 180k
Cloudy, mid 30s F, and a breeze from the northeast. Saw geese and ducks and squirrels and robins and blue jays, but no deer.
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 over4 -
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Happy birthday @shanaber and @Scott6255 !!
Great to see you @noblsheep!polskagirl01 wrote: »More what I see here is a group of people who all are into running and want to support each other in our journeys. Many of our non-running friends and family can only listen to so much running talk, and they don't get it anyway, so this can be a safe place to share about how your running is going, and give every detail of your race - and people actually look forward to it and want to read it and cheer you on.
Lots of great advice here, but this is so true! I really value the safe space and love that people read and genuinely comment, whether on the long-winded play-by-play or the short and sweet "today's run was awesome" or "today's run sucked" kind of posts.
Date :::: Miles :::: Cumulative
12/01/21 :::: 0.00 :::: 0.0
12/02/21 :::: 2.24 :::: 2.2
12/03/21 :::: 3.05 :::: 5.3
12/04/21 :::: 10.1 :::: 15.3
12/05/21 :::: 4.01 :::: 19.4
Today's run was fine. Met some friends for our Sunday Runday, followed by coffee at a new place that was so nice. I got a free little hot chocolate with pink whipcream just because the barista had made too much so offered it to me. It was delicious and so cute. And it worked because I will totally go back there.
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