January 2023 Monthly Running Challenge

Teresa502 · January 2023

Jan 1 – 7.02 miles
Jan 2 – 3 miles
Jan 3 – 5.1 miles

I did a small strength training session before work this morning instead of a run. First time I have picked up a weight since I hurt my back on Christmas Eve so I used light weights and tried not to get too carried away.

@spl8 – I love the feel of doing yoga! My mind sometimes wanders though after 30 minutes and I have a hard time sticking with it. I started the 30-day Yoga with Adriene journey twice during the month of December and I don’t think I ever got past day 4! In-person classes are more enjoyable for me but there are not a lot available in my area.

@Laurz9191 – Getting kids ready and delivering them to their respective places sounds like a lot more work than running 5 miles at 5 am! Kudos to all the moms and dads taking care of the kids, parents, etc. and finding time for themselves!

Hope you aren’t getting sick @tarun_yadavA. My contribution to the food before run advice is not to consume dairy prior to running. That really upsets my system which is normally pretty tolerable.

martaindale · January 2023

quilteryoyo wrote: »

Thanks for sharing the tracker @martaindale ! What time do the races start? Sounded like really early since you said you would be getting up at 2:30 am.

5k and 10k start at 5:30. HM and full at 5:00. It's an early day!

@Laurz9191 I also used higdon plans for my first few HM. I found them super approachable and easy to follow.

martaindale · January 2023

@tarun_yadavA I'm a big fan of oatmeal. Banana. Bagel-PB. I just avoid greasy or heavy. And I don't do eggs unless I have a couple of hours.

kgirlhart · January 2023

January Goal: 100 Miles

1/1: 10.50 miles
1/3: 6.02 miles

16.52-/100 miles completed for January

When I got ready to post today's run, I noticed that yesterday's post was still sitting in drafts. So I will post it now and post today's run in a few minutes. 🙂
It was a beautiful morning for running and I ran 6 miles. It was a little chillier than I expected. The weather app said 51°F so I wore shorts and a t-shirt. I was really dressed ok, I just kind of wished I had worn gloves. But other than my hands being cold the weather was great.

I was scared by a dog starting out about half a block from my house. He ran at me barking and I yelled "go away, go away, go away" . And honestly that seemed to scare him and he ran off.

I saw three deer by the park. They crossed the road in front of me and then stopped to watch me pass. As I passed I noticed two other deer on the other side of the road. I ran between them. It was really cool.

As I neared home, I was nervous that the strange dog would still be there, but he was not. There was another dog out, but zhe's a dog I am familiar with and I kind of felt like he would protect me if the strange dog was there.

It has been a really busy day at work. I am going to post this and then go back and try to catch up on all the comments.

kgirlhart · January 2023

January Goal: 100 Miles

1/1: 10.50 miles
1/3: 6.01 miles
1/4: 5.11 miles

21.62/100 miles completed for January

The company that I work for (in accounting) owns an Oilfield Supply store, so yesterday we did an inventory. It was a long 9 hour day and I was totally exhausted afterwards. Maybe that is why I forgot to post my run yesterday.
This morning I did not want to get up, but I did and once I got going I had a great 5 mile run. It was cold at 37°F, but I was dressed just right and even though I was tired and sore from yesterday, the run felt good.

Thanks all for sharing your morning routines. I am glad to know that a lot of you also take about an hour to get ready to run. My husband is more the get up and out the door in 15 minutes type. It just takes me longer than that to wake up. He doesn't really understand why I get up at 4:15 - 4:30 and don't run until 5:15 - 5:30. But even on Sunday when I don't set an alarm, it takes me about an hour after getting up before I am ready.

@laurz9191 I have used Hal Higdon plans for the Half Marathons that I have run. I usually modify them some, but I think they are a good start.

@sp18 I do yoga most days. I am probably in the minority, but I don't really care for Yoga with Adrienne. I usually use Five Parks Yoga or Yoga with Kassandra.

bmolde99 · January 2023

January Goal: 100 miles

1/1 - 7.18
1/3 - 4.14

I plan to do Tues/Thurs weekday runs and a medium + double digit run on the weekends. Just trying to keep in shape while shedding weight before I start training for Grandma's Marathon in June.

quilteryoyo · January 2023

Nice running @emptydog. Glad the wind was calm and it didn't feel too cold.

@spl8 Nice running. I don't like running in yucky weather either.

@shanaber I've never been told to not sweat either. The tech told me, and so does the manual, to not sweat the first 24 hours and then not excessively if possible the rest of the time. I think the tape comes unglued and I really don't want to have to start over again. My plan is to not sweat much until Friday morning, when it has to come off anyway. Then, I hope to get up early and do more of a run, so they can see what it does when stressed a bit more and if it comes off then, so be it. It does say to do your normal routine, but I guess not if you sweat too much. The tech told me to "maybe power walk" instead of run for 3 days.

@polskagirl01 That sounds like a great plan. What have the doctor's said about increasing exercise? Are you feeling any better in general?

Those are really early starts @martaindale !

Great running @kgirlhart ! Glad the inventory is done.

Welcome @bmolde99 ! Is Grandma's Marathon in June, or is that when you are going to start training for it?

I did a 3.0 mile wun on the treadmill today. Again, trying to not sweat the Holter Monitor off. I mostly did a run/walk for 2/3 minutes at 4.2/3.8 mph. Avg HR was 111 with a max of 133 bpm.

Avidkeo · January 2023

A easy 31mins today. I've been following my watch for the last couple of weeks and it's great, but now I want to do more 5k. I miss a 5k run. So I think im going to continue to do what watch says and just increase the distance to 5k.

tarun_yadavA · January 2023

Morning all.
Got my usual 9K in. Less stiff, and less 'congested' than yday!

PS: go Sarah @martaindale !!! First one done I see

Laurz9191 · January 2023

Hello everyone! Thank you for all the suggestions. It seems like Hal Higdon got the most votes @eleanorhawkins @martaindale @kgirlhart @schnaber. I will also take a look at Matt Fitzgerald @quilteryoyo.

So actually, I hadn't thought much about what I did last time to train, but it's kind of an interesting story. At the time I was still a student here and I was living in a shared flat with the 2 best runners in the city (male & female). They really whipped me into shape within just a few months, and I kind of just roughly followed their training plan. I asked a lot of questions and did a much slower and easier version of what they did, when I felt like it. I also went and cheered them on at a couple of races, which really motivated me to race as well. I remember one race, where they each ran (and won) the 5K and 10K races. The prize there was not a sausage, but rather they got to pick out a pair of shoes, so they went home with 4 additional pairs of shoes. I thought that was pretty cool. Alas, I only lived with them for a year, so now I am in need of some other training ideas besides what I have in my head

.

@quilteryoyo I have been researching running watches for a long time, and finally decided to go with the Garmin Fenix7S. I can't tell you yet if I think that is a good thing, because my watch is still telling me that I am doing too much, even though, I don't think that I am. So if I go with Hal Higdon, I might be criticized for not following the plan to a T and from my watch. This could get interesting... Maybe my watch is still getting to know me and needs some time to adjust?

Good luck not sweating until tomorrow! Just one more day!

@Fit2btied2016 I like your idea of running with the sausage but unfortunately I gave away my prize! My husband and kids don't eat pork and I thought devouring a whole salami by myself might not be the best New Year's Resolution, so I found it a good home and gave it to a friend.

@scott6255 I'm sorry the lottery didn't work out! It was worth a try though.

@martaindale Your 5K race must be starting now/soon! Good luck!

So I just joined Strava when I set up my watch. If anyone wants to add me, please feel free to! https://www.strava.com/athletes/112077321 .

Today, I decided once again to "mostly" listen to my watch. I did its suggested run at the suggested pace which was only 36 minutes, which lead me to my half way mark and then I did 3x 1Km at my max "alone" running speed in windy rain. After each interval I went back to running at my watch's suggested pace for a total of 11.1Km. My watch still didn't seem too happy with me afterwards and wants me to spend 65 hours for recovery! I do plan to take tomorrow off from running, so we'll see if the two of us are on the same page after that.

martaindale · January 2023

@Laurz9191 If your watch is a new purchase maybe it needs more info to figure out where you stand. I found you on Strava and am now following.

@Fit2btied2016 Questions: Favourite brands of running shoes and models, and why? Pros/Cons you have found?
For the last several years I have almost exclusively ran in Brooks, mostly the ghost. They fit my foot well and don't come up too high on the back of my ankle. Some brands hit in this weird spot over my Achilles that seems like a recipe for a blister. The ghost is a good all around shoe and good for newer runners that need a shoe that can do everything.
A few months ago I bought a pair of Hoka Mach 5s. I love those shoes. Lighter and springier than the ghost but still has good cushion. But, the drop is significantly lower (5mm) compared to the ghost (12mm) and probably contributed to my tendonitis. So, they are waiting in my closet with only 100ish miles on them.
After this race weekend I am going to find a transitional shoe between the two to use as my everyday training shoe. The ghost has served me well but isn't what I need from a shoe anymore. I may keep a pair in the rotation for recovery runs but I'm ready to diversify my shoe wardrobe.
It's good you're headed to a running store to be fitted. They may suggest something you wouldn't have considered and will make sure you don't make the classic mistake of too small running shoes.

martaindale · January 2023

January total: 12.4/80 miles run

1/1: 5 miles
1/2: 4.2 miles
1/5: 3.2 miles

Did the first race of 4 this morning, the 5k. Woke up 4 minutes before my 2:30am alarm and felt good. I've been waking up early for a few days and this wasn't as hard a transition as it has been in the past. Got dressed, cup of coffee, oatmeal cup, and out the door at 3am to catch the first bus, which happened to be waiting when I got there. Perfect timing!
Those of you who follow me on Strava may have seen the over half mile walk to the start. That wasn't even really the start, more of a staging area until they open the corrals. Probably another quarter of a mile. I took a banana with me and ate that as I waited around. Race started at 5:30 am. Each mini wave gets a countdown and fireworks. Here's my wave.

Took it super easy, looked at everyones costumes and all the characters along the way. This was the warmest morning we should have and I'm grateful it was for the shortest race. I finished about 6am, well before the sun was up.

Just had another cup of coffee and now I'm off to find breakfast.

Teresa502 · January 2023

Jan 1 – 7.02 miles
Jan 2 – 3 miles
Jan 3 – 5.1 miles
Jan 5 – 3.02 miles

Last night the weather app said it would be 43F at 5 am this morning but when I got out of the car it was 37F. I was a little underdressed, but after we got moving I was fine so in actuality I was probably dressed appropriately. Our route got cut short when one of the ladies tripped and fell. Pretty sure she broke her nose. Lots of blood involved. Luckily, there were 4 of us running this morning and while I and another girl ran back and got my car she had someone to stay with her. Thankfully, she didn’t hit her mouth or any other part of her face and head. Only one small cut on her leg. We took her home and she’s going to call her regular doctor to get his advice.

@bmolde99 – I’ve heard good things about Grandma’s Marathon. Looking forward to following your training and hearing about your experience at the race.

@Fit2btied2016 – Like @martaindale, I’m a fan of the Brooks Ghosts. I have a wide foot and their wide fits me well. I’ve tried the Hoka zero drop shoes before and have always ended up injured so I’ve decided they are not for me.

Congratulations on the first one @martaindale! Love that medal! Enjoy your day!

tarun_yadavA · January 2023

@martaindale - love the medal! Your four Disney themed medals are gonna look so cool

JennieMaeK · January 2023

Yesterday was week 3/run 2 of my 5k training plan. Went for a run when I got home for work. It was already getting dark, but it was a warm -2 C so it wasn't bad. Just a short 3 km, as I slowly start to build up distance.

Was looking a my previous run logs and a Facebook memory that came up from 2020 and all the running I did. Rather than get depressed on my setback and having to restart, I'm looking at it as motivation. I've run long distances before, I can do it again.

Mari33a · January 2023

Everyone's had a great start! & Hi to everyone new. I got my 1st run in this morning. Our weather is really stormy and wet but that's January so I'm going to keep my goal for month at 20 miles and if I do more it will be bonus. On the days I can't get out I use my spin bike so doing something at least. My goals for the year are to consistently exercise 4 - 5 days per week split between bike and running, and loose 2 stone (28lbs). I have a lot of positive stuff coming up this year to help motivate me like becoming a 1st time grandmother in April, our 25th wedding anniversary in August, and 8 day trip touring in France. We'll see if I make it.

05/01 2.53 miles

Total 2.53/20 miles

Scott6255 · January 2023

@martaindale way to go on your 5K!! Glad this was the warmest day and hopefully the other 3 races will have nice weather.

@Fit2btied2016 Questions: Favorite brands of running shoes and models, and why? Pros/Cons you have found? As I'm sure you are aware, shoes are such a personal choice. What's good for one runner could be terrible for another. That said, I too was a Brooks Ghost fan for many years, up until about the Ghost 13. After I had 2 pairs of those I decided it was time to switch it up and landed on Saucony Endorphin Speed 2. They have much more pop, are lighter, and I have always run faster in them than the Ghosts. I used to get chronic lower leg injuries (shins, Achilles, PF, etc.) but since moving to the Saucony's I haven't had any. That may not all be due to the shoes, but it is one variable that has changed.
Good luck with your search!

quilteryoyo · January 2023

@Fit2btied2016 That's so sad about the dogs. It isn't their fault, but they'll probably be put down. I hope you find some good running goodies today.

You're doing great @Avidkeo !

Another great run @tarun_yadavA ! Glad you are feeling less congested today.

@Laurz9191 I have a Garmin, not the same style as yours. Several of us here do. I like it, but tend to ignore it's advice. 😂. I love that you're roommates whipped you into shape the first time. I haven't run many big races, but have never heard of the winner getting free shoes. That's awesome. You'll do great, whichever plan you decide to follow.

@martaindale Congratulations on finishing the 5k. I love the fireworks for everyone and not just the elite runners.... not that you aren't elite. You are in my eyes. You look like you had a good night's rest and don't even look tired. Looking forward to hearing about the rest of your weekend.

@Teresa502 I hope your friend is okay.

@JennieMaeK Great running and attitude. You can get there again!

eleanorhawkins · January 2023

@Laurz9191 it will take the watch a while to really understand you, but will still sometimes do that stuff. Also, I think it's mostly to do with your HR, I have had to plug more accurate zones into both of mine as they were way off. Also, if you don't use a chest strap, the wrist HR readings are notoriously bad, especially if it's too loose. Or too tight. Or the wind is blowing the wrong way. I nicknamed mine Garmeen the drama queen because of all the judgy stuff 🤣
@Fit2btied2016 when I went to a store for gait analysis they gave me a pair of Brooks Glycerin to try on and I fell in love, they were like running on clouds. I need lots of cushion. But, they were a bit too expensive for me, so they gave me a few more to try and I ended up in Adidas Solarglides. I would never have thought to try an Adidas shoe for running if they hadn't suggested them. I still have a pair in rotation for the rare times I run on roads. When I started running trails my coach recommended Hoka Speedgoats, which are lower drop but super thick, cushioned soles. Felt like walking on stilts at first, but I can go for hours over rocks in them. I was lucky not to have any trouble with the difference in drop. Then because I still haven't forgotten how comfortable those Brooks felt, I decided to try a pair of Cascadias (trail shoe) and I'm liking their thinner sole for tricky descents as I can feel the ground more, but can't go over 2 hours in them without getting hot spots. Then as my road shoes are getting old and I like the trail Hokas I went for a pair of Bondis. They are nice and spongy for easy runs, but narrower than the Adidas. I also put them on out of the box and went 13 miles in them, not the best idea, gave me a few blisters. They're breaking in nicely on shorter shake out runs atm. So, I'm currently running in 4 different shoes. My husband will freak out if he ever notices 🤣
@martaindale ugh to those early starts, but SO COOL AND AWESOME. Go, girl!

January 2023 Monthly Running Challenge

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