December 2021 Monthly Running Challenge

katharmonic wrote: »

@martaindale how did the leaf moat work out for her? Did she hear any raccoons trying to breach the perimeter?

The perimeter was not breached! There was a net over the top pf the hammock and then the tarp/rain fly. I think she knew they couldn't actually get to her, but the mental comfort of an alert system was nice. She kept saying that racoons would try to slack-line the top of the tarp rope, which is a funny visual!

@polskagirl01 Nice shot of the swans. Sorry to hear that your kid is now quarantining. Hope that doesn't throw too many wrinkles into your schedule. I know it would really upend ours.

kgirlhart wrote: »

The hard part of layers is what to do with the layers you shed. Plus in the morning when it is dark I have to stop and take off my Noxgear in order to shed the jacket and it is a  bit of a hassle. It is just always hard for me to know how to dress in the winter.

Yes to all this. I avoid taking off the outer layer for far too long most times just because of the hassle of it.

@polskagirl01 I love the swans. So cool that you saw them grow up. I kind of love the "teenage" phase for swans/geese etc. The gangly gray not quite adults but not tiny babies just kind of crack me up. And then they are grown so fast. Hope you can keep your shopping secret from your stay at home kiddo.

@martaindale glad your daughter was safe from a raccoon invasion. She gets points for the clever alert system!

Date :::: Miles :::: Cumulative
12/01/21 :::: 0.0 :::: 0.0
12/02/21 :::: 2.2 :::: 2.2
12/03/21 :::: 3.1 :::: 5.3
12/04/21 :::: 10.1 :::: 15.3
12/05/21 :::: 4.0 :::: 19.4
12/06/21 :::: 3.1 :::: 22.5
12/07/21 :::: 3.1 :::: 25.5

Ran after work (well, left work a little early but still) with a friend. About 32 degrees but not too bad, at least all that wind had died down. We had a beautiful sunrise this morning and a few flurries right around that time. It was so pretty although the pics don't quite capture that it was a lot more pink than fiery red:

You're a beast @Tramboman ! That's a huge temperature change which makes it feel so much colder. You did great!

@polskagirl01 I hope kid 2 and her class are all okay. Great job on the snowy run. Love the picture of the geese with the snow falling.

@martaindale Glad there were no raccoons that breached the perimeter. Nice running.

Thanks @SummerSkier ! Nice running!

Nice run @kgirlhart . I never know what to wear either and don't really have much cold running gear. I tend to wimp out and run on the treadmill.

@katharmonic Nice run and love the sunrise pictures. So pretty.

@rheddmobile Glad your heart behaved during your run. Crazy about the bill. I hope you get answers soon.

My back did pretty good most of the day. Those low chairs at daycare are horrible, so I try to sit on the shelf or in the floor, when I can. I did see the chiropractor this afternoon. We talked and I am released from his care for now, unless something happens later on. He would like for me to continue to do the exercises 5 - 6 days a week at least through January and then 3 times a week after that. I can tell they have helped, so will do my darndest to keep it up. He redid the strength test. I was able to stand up and sit down 5 times in 5 seconds today. It took me 6 seconds the last time. The scale they have is different from men and women. I was already excellent for a woman the first time. He said that put me in the excellent category for a man. LOL While holding my legs up while on my stomach is still in the poor catagory, it improved from 19 sec to 27 seconds, so almost a 50% increase. He said it should keep getting better as long as I keep up with the exercises. He was pleased with my progress. Good is 81 seconds, so still a long way to go.

I did some shopping and stopped at mom's to give her some things and talk and change into old shoes so I can put up the neighbor's chickens. Well, when I straightened up from putting on my shoes, I got a catch in my back. Really? At least it isn't as bad as it was the last time that happened. I guess I really stressed it trying to hold my legs up.

I did do a mile walk with no real issues, but I couldn't do all of the strengthening exercises...in fact could only do two of them. The others hurt, so I did stretches instead. I'm hoping it will be better tomorrow morning.

December Totals: 21.4/100 miles

12/3: 3.1 miles
12/4: 6 miles
12/6: 4.6 miles
12/7: 4.7 miles
12/8: 3 miles

Adding in a 5th running day means having to really think about my schedule. I prefer not to run in the evening one day then again the next morning. My legs usually grumble quite a bit about that and this plan mixes in speed work and pace training, so some of my mid week runs are also a bit harder. I have to be at work as early as 7 or as late as 10am depending on the shift I am working and finish as early as 1 or as late at 7pm. I currently run in the morning on my non-clinic days and on days where I don't have to be there until 10. That can usually account for 2-3 runs during the week. But, adding in that 5th day means that most weeks I am running 4 times during the weekdays. I do my cooking for meal prep on Sunday so adding a run into that schedule is also not the easiest but may be my only option some weeks.
All that to say I got up even earlier this morning than usual to get in my easy 3 miles before work at 8am. It works. It is an early morning and I am basically rolling out of bed and out the door but I have time to do what I need and not feel like I am too rushed. Anything longer than 3 miles won't work on those days but if the schedule falls right, I can avoid another afternoon run.

12-1 7k slow
12-2 7k slow
12-3 7k slow
12-4 7k sleasy
12-5 7k slow
12-6 7k slow
12-7 7k slow
12-8 7k sleasy


Don't Rest December Total: 56k
Don't Rest December Goal: 180k

Mid 20s F, with a light snow for the first 3k or so. Footing wasn't bad; but I still tried to pay attention. Goose and squirrel tracks, but not many people.

C'mon, Run the Year people!!!!! I KNOW you can do it!!!!!

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