February 2023 Monthly Running Challenge

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Replies

  • eleanorhawkins
    eleanorhawkins Posts: 1,659 Member
    @tarun_yadavA so exciting!!! I won't be able to try and track you live as our races coincide and you'll probably finish before me even though mine is half the distance 🤣 Re: fuelling... don't you wear a watch? I just have something every 45 minutes regardless of distance. Evil coach tried to make me do every 30 minutes in races but that was too much for me.
  • Laurz9191
    Laurz9191 Posts: 502 Member
    edited February 2023
    Next weekend will be an exciting one! I look forward to hearing about your races @tarun_yadavA and @eleanorhawkins!

    Hello and welcome to all the newcomers!

    Today my suggested workout was a base run, but since I took yesterday off, I decided to go with a tempo run instead. I should have gone with the base run. I had 4x 10 minute intervals at ca. 5:30 pace planned, but during the third one my back left hamstring started hurting so much that I had to limp more than run. Maybe I didn't give myself enough recovery time after introducing more speedwork into my routine last week. So I aborted the final interval, walked for about 5 minutes, and then decided to do the rest of the remaining 3km home as a recovery run, which felt ok. In total the run was 11.6km. I will definitely play it by ear tomorrow and see how my leg feels and not do sprints or push it for at least the next few days. Hopefully that will be enough. I would hate to have to pull back sigificantly from my training, because to be honest, I am enjoying it quite a bit! Fingers crossed :).

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  • martaindale
    martaindale Posts: 2,317 Member
    edited February 2023
    @tarun_yadavA Exciting! Race day is getting close. Your new plan of laps 3, 5, 7, 9 sounds solid. You’d be fueling earlier and at good intervals. Since you’re not starting gels until later in the run you could also take a few swigs of Gatorade/Powerade (whatever they have on the race course) at 1 or 2 of the earlier aid stations to give you a little sugar bump. But, be mindful of not drinking too much of that stuff if you don’t use it routinely. 1 little cup will do the trick. Don’t want to upset your stomach. Speaking of not waiting until you need it, make sure you grab a little water at aid stations too. Depending on how many there are and what the conditions are, you may not need to drink at every station, but don’t wait until you feel thirsty. Your stomach is more receptive to water and fuel early in the race. And, I agree with @SummerSkier about a little shakeout the day before. I often do an easy 3 miles just to get the legs moving again the morning before a big race. If the race offers a 5k the day before, I have used those as shakeouts in the past. A lot of bigger marathons have scheduled shakeout runs once or twice before race day, sometimes with an elite that is in town for the race. It would be on your runner info site if available.
    Definitely let us know if you get any runner tracking info at packet pickup! I’ll be cheering for you!
  • martaindale
    martaindale Posts: 2,317 Member
    edited February 2023
    @kandywebster Welcome! Starting the habit with walking is how I transitioned into running. Even if you’re not planning on running just yet, if your knees are talking to you consider getting some shoes fitted for exercise. Having the right fit and cushion level can go a long way.

    @ScienceofTeaching Welcome to you too! Way to get out there! Those temps are no joke.
    chris_in_cal wrote: »
    The free Artificial Intelligence coaching Garmin offers is only a available on their newer models. It's really a pretty good motivational tool.

    They have three 'coaches,' Amy Parkerson-Mitchell https://coachamypt.com/ is know for having a slower buildup and longer training cycle.

    Jeff Galloway is the easy going run/walk coach.

    Greg McMillian is more technical with lots of strides, and intervals.


    I have an older watch so no coaches and hadn’t really considered using them. But, I didn’t know McMillan was one of the coaches. I’d definitely be interested in trying out a training cycle of his. I’ve been trying some different styles of training plan this last year and heard good things about McMillan’s approach.

  • martaindale
    martaindale Posts: 2,317 Member
    edited February 2023
    February total: 17.3/125 miles

    2/1: 3.1 miles
    2/3: 5.2 miles
    2/4: 9 miles

    I went to my favorite long run run trail yesterday morning. I had to be running at 7am to get it done before the family went to other appointments so it was super quiet. At 7am it was still 32F and foggy. Had a few deer run across the trail right in front of me. This trail is a favorite of bikers but when it’s cold they won’t come out, so it was just me and a couple of other runners for the first 6 miles or so. As I finishing, temps were creeping up to 40F and the bikers were starting to show up, all bundled up with face and head coverings, big gloves, and lots of layers. It seems like it would be hard to get the layers right to keep your body warm but not too warm and your fingers/toes/face from freezing as you ride at 10 miles an hour.

    In the afternoon my kid and I went to see Chicago. They are in theatre and LOVE musicals so we got them tickets to several touring shows for Christmas this year. Chicago was the first. It was so good and they got an introduction to the Fosse dance style, which they had never heard of. Now they plan to go back to their theatre teacher and tell them what they learned this weekend. Next up is a hard left turn into a show that I have no idea what to expect from, Legally Blonde the musical. I’ve seen the movie and it’s cute so should be interesting to see what they do with it in musical form. Definitely a different style from Chicago!
  • martaindale
    martaindale Posts: 2,317 Member
    chris_in_cal wrote: »
    If you abhor the idea of looking at the race clock and want to only revel in life during a race it is too much. But, if you enjoy running plans, improving times, setting PRs, etc. He's good.

    I like plans like this when I’m training for whatever my A race will be that year. My other plans tend to be less structured or even nothing but easy/long runs, especially during the summer. I can’t keep up that level of training year round, but when I commit to focused training I have noticed I usually get a bump come race day.
  • quilteryoyo
    quilteryoyo Posts: 6,471 Member
    @ScienceofTeaching That sounds so nice, walking to dinner and back. Glad your husband is going with you. Is he going to try to run too. I hope so, as I think that would make it easier. Yes, the quilter part of my name is because I sew and quilt. Well, I used to. Life has gotten in the way lately and I haven't had a chance to quilt. I started one several years ago that I just can't seem to find the time to finish. Hopefully someday soon. A picture of the top is under the spoiler. Do you quilt?
    k6awkvn1k6en.jpg

    @chris_in_cal I would probably choose the Jeff Galloway one, since I do a run/walk, esp. for my longer runs. Glad you are enjoying Amy.

    @tarun_yadavA I saw from the picture that you don't get your number until the morning of the race. That's interesting. And, having to do 11 laps is not what I had pictured. I think timing your fueling to the number of laps is a good choice. I know you are going to do great and look forward to hearing all about it next week. Excited for you. And, you are right about the infectiousness of this group. It's the first group I have been on where I feel everyone here is a friend.

    @Laurz9191 So sorry to hear that you hurt your hamstring. I hope a little rest is all it needs.

    Nice slow run @Tramboman . Love all the critters you encounter.

    Great run @martaindale . I love Chicago, so I'm sure that was a great concert. I would also be interested to see how they do Legally Blonde as a musical. I took my mom to a musical version of 9 - 5 last summer and it was a little more risque' than I expected. Good, but not sure I would have taken mom had I known. It was one time I was glad she doesn't hear well. :lol:
  • quilteryoyo
    quilteryoyo Posts: 6,471 Member
    Today was my "rest day" so I got in a 2 mile walk at 3.6 mph between church and lunch.

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  • ScienceofTeaching
    ScienceofTeaching Posts: 107 Member
    @quilteryoyo that quilt top is beautiful! I also quilt a little bit (not very well - I'm not great at straight lines and neat corners) and sew from time to time. Lately I've been doing a lot more crocheting than any other crafts, probably because it's easy to do on the couch hahaha.

    My husband isn't training to run like I am, but he coaches and plays tennis year round, so he's used to being very active. When we were dating, we hiked at least a few times a week, but we've fallen away from that lately and are now lucky to go twice a month.

    @martaindale I've never seen Legally Blonde on stage, but my brother recently played in the pit for it at a local high school, and he said it was a really fun show. I hope you enjoy it!
  • ScienceofTeaching
    ScienceofTeaching Posts: 107 Member
    Today's weather was much better: high of 49 F. We've had a lot of back and forth weather the past few weeks. Enjoyed the mild temps and walked 3 miles, with short jogging intervals thrown in occasionally. Husband joined me again today.. He is really trying to encourage me with weight loss and getting back into shape, and I am so grateful for his support. I'm trying not to overdo it, but it feels so good to be getting active again. I was fatigued for so long after covid that feeling healthy is a real luxury now.

    Up to 6 miles out of 25 for my challenge.
  • chris_in_cal
    chris_in_cal Posts: 2,520 Member
    I walk/ran for :23 mins... a bump up from week one's :20 min runs.

    Some weird right ankle issues...I'll watch it.
  • eleanorhawkins
    eleanorhawkins Posts: 1,659 Member
    Just passing through quickly but had to laugh reading @tarun_yadavA and @Laurz9191 ... I also factored in 'not hilly' for my marathon, except in my case the not hilly has quite a lot of hills, just not mountains 🤣🤣🤣🤣
    I'm reading a trail running 'manual' atm by a woman who considers it perfectly acceptable to take a pizza on a run for fuel. She recommends folding it in half to stop the toppings falling off and then cutting it into bite-sized pieces!
  • quilteryoyo
    quilteryoyo Posts: 6,471 Member
    Thanks @ScienceofTeaching ! When I am quilting, I put masking tape on the quilt where I am sewing, if it isn't near a seam, so I can stay straight. Otherwise, it would be all over the place. I used to crochet a little, but my preferred other thing to do, craft wise, is counted cross stitch. I haven't done that in a while either, but have several that I framed from when it was my go-to thing to do. You are doing great with your walking and throwing in a bit of running! You'll be back to a very active person in no time. So glad your DH is so supportive. That isn't always the case.

    Great impromptu HM @kgirlhart . That weather sounds great and I love that you got to see Sunny again today. She will always be Sunny to me too.

    Nice increase @chris_in_cal . Yes, do keep a watch on the ankle. Hopefully it is just getting used to the extra movement/pressure from running.

    Great 7K today @tarun_yadavA . You are always so speedy. I understand your reasoning for signing up for the race you did. Just wondering how it will be doing those loops. How many people are signed up? Are you going to be passing the slower folks multiple times? Not trying to be discouraging, just wondering "out loud." You are going to do great!

    @Laurz9191 So glad you were able to run without hamstring issues this morning.

    @eleanorhawkins :lol: Funny that our definitions of "hilly" are different. Also funny about taking pizza on a run for fuel. I guess if your stomach can tolerate it. I think I could if I was hiking, but not running.

  • quilteryoyo
    quilteryoyo Posts: 6,471 Member
    Great run @Tramboman , especially in those conditions. The wind chills me to the bone.

    Nice running @Mari33a !

    I didn't have to go to work today, so did some paperwork and made some phone calls this morning, waiting for it to warm up outside. I did go out and ran driveway laps at about 2 pm when it was 57F (13.9C), clear, slight breeze. It felt colder than that today, so I wore long leggings and long sleeved shirt.

    Today's plan called for speed play of 20 sec fast intervals with 30 - 45 min low intensity. I didn't keep track of the fast run, but just ran the flat part of each lap faster. I thought I had gone 6 laps, but, alas, it was only 5. That's okay. Anyway, I ran/walked 2.25 miles in 30:20 min for an avg pace of 13:29 min/mile. My avg HR was 141 and max 157 bpm. I also walked a mile total for warm up and cool down.

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  • quilteryoyo
    quilteryoyo Posts: 6,471 Member
    Thanks @shanaber . I do hand quilt the back to the front. It's a production just getting ready to start so I keep putting it off. I just need to commit to getting it done. When I stopped, I was about half way done with the quilting. It's been so long now, it'll take me a bit to figure it out again and then I may have to get some help getting the binding on when I'm done. I'd hate to mess it up at this point. That college job sounds really cool - sewing and getting to keep the products when they came down. I'm so sorry that you aren't going to be able to run this month, but glad to hear that you are still going to follow along here. We would miss you. Hugs.
  • eleanorhawkins
    eleanorhawkins Posts: 1,659 Member
    @tarun_yadavA yes but think looooong trail run mentality. You're going slow, in fact some climbs you're going slower than a wander round the shops, and you've been going for hours. Pizza sounds like heaven in those circumstances hahaha.
    I've always thought races on F1 and other motor racing tracks sound cool. We used to be quite into F1 before. Races at airports also catch my attention. Never done any of either. Closest was a 5k at the huge marina in the cith where the cruise ships dock. That was great fun, it was at sunset and organised but the National Police force, and they 'chased' us with a helicopter with a spotlight. That makes you run faster!
    @quilteryoyo that quilt is stunning! I used to do a lot of cross stitch in the days before I spent most of my free time running around.

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