JULY 2024 Monthly Running Challenge

chris_in_cal · July 5

Hello,

I ran the Crown City Classic 5K, this morning in Coronado, CA.

The weather really worked, it was mid-sixties with ocean overcast. The turnout was nice and seemed festive. This area of San Diego is an epicenter of Independence Day celebrating. Getting there at the butt crack of dawn is peacefully and the whole place just ramps up from there. They hold a big parade, fireworks and the beach gets packed with families staking out their spots.

It is the 51st running of this event. I discovered it last year and ran that edition too. This year I picked up one minute on my 5K chip time.

37:51 last year
36:35 today

I enjoyed it and it's fun. It's clear I'm not fit, that's the issue. I wanted to try starting out a little fast and my first mile was the fastest, then I had a lull in the second mile and was thinking I might get a second wind to finish it off, but it didn't come. I shuffled in.

I like running and preparing myself for goals and targets. This was a lot of fun. Wow, I know I can do so much better. I appreciate being upright and breathing. I appreciate being able to get through fun events like this. More holistically improving my body, health, and fitness level is where my work is.

Your encouragement here was amazing. There is nothing else like it and I appreciate this group. Last but not least, I received my first batch of GLP1 injectables (Wegovy) in the mail this week. I understand it can be rough the first week so I held off on taking it prior to the race. But, I'm trying it. I'm pressing send on this post and starting the first dose of this controversial and probably very effective med.

2023 - 37:51 @ 244.4 lbs
2024 - 36:35 @ 240.6 lbs

We'll see how having Wegovy in the mix does when, G-ddess willing, I run the 2025 edition.

kgirlhart · July 5

Congratulations on beating last year's time @chris_in_cal! And great race picture! I rarely get a photo with both feet off the ground.

@martaindale I felt really good all day today. I think salt tabs helped. Where are you going in Japan? My son lived in Sapporo for a year and he loved it.

henridw2095 · July 5

Congrats, @chris_in_cal! These are great pictures, too, especially the one with you in action.

Also, good luck with Wegovy—hopefully, you will be spared any unpleasant side effects. I have no experience with these drugs, but they sound like a potentially very effective tool as long as one is willing to work on all the other aspects of weight loss (and maintaining it).

Pizza talk is making me hungry. My favorite pizza is Italian thin crust (for example, available at Eataly in Chicago, including a cheese-less one). I'm hoping to go for a run early tomorrow morning, but I am also on COVID watch (I had a known exposure during the conference, and several participants are already sick). My test tonight was negative, but I left it on the counter, and after an hour, a very faint line was visible. I'm not sure what that means; time will tell.

ContraryMaryMary · July 5

Well done @chris_in_cal, you smashed it. I hope all goes well with your new drug and it does the job for you. Either way, I’m sure you’ll shave even more off your time next year!

I’m glad the salt tabs are effective @martaindale and @kgirlhart - I don’t have any but am ensuring I’m eating plenty of well salted chips while the running’s so sweaty 😜

Nice work @VO2Maxlet, you’re very consistent and you’ll definitely reap the rewards.

I feel for you @AlphaHowls - you deserve a break and it’s a pity your siblings can’t see this. I hope you have a pleasant time anyway.

Apologies for not keeping up with everyone and just spamming you with holiday pics instead. You’ll be happy to hear I’m heading home to the winter frosts tomorrow.

Until then, still loving the post run dip (am I dripping water or sweat?)

VO2Maxlet · July 5

@martaindale I need to get some of these salt tablets maybe. They seem like the hack according to these testimonials. I used Cure in some of my bottles. Not a fan of the taste but I'm no stranger to the food is fuel mentality. Currently using these Clif Bloks Energy. They're chews. I just see carbs on here and I assume it's good. Used the Clif bars once during the Garmin Half Marathon program I never completed, and that didn't end up very pretty.

Nice job @chris_in_cal ! Got a great picture to go along with it too. That's awesome!

@ContraryMaryMary thank you! Although, I wouldn't call it consistent provided I'm diverting a bit far from the schedules/training "programs" I made for myself. Oh well. Gotta adapt. I see a running cap so I'm going all in on sweat

I ended up going to the arcade to play some PIU. My left glute was definitely more active this session. Brought baby powder with me to make the pads more slippery, but it looks like someone did the favor for me already by the time I got there. Broke into new levels consistently, but I burned out from not being able to read the arrows. The last two sessions have been rough. Ran through 2L of water and now I look like I was recently dipped into a pool. I have stopped hitting Z5 consistently maybe two months ago with each chart. I really gotta get to the higher levels.

Max 182 BPM

tarun_yadavA · July 5

Morning all

Up early so I can sneak a run in before flying.

@chris_in_cal well done!! 🙌🏽

@ContraryMaryMary holiday pics are good! Keep em coming! 😊

@martaindale all good 😊 I know... I'm unconventional lol

@VO2Maxlet Joe's is really good. Haven't really met a pizza I didn't like!
Tried em all... Chicago deep dish, Joe's in NYC, Apizza in CT, NJ style calzones and strombolis, Detroit style pizza... And was recently in Napoli before you joined here... Even ate deep fried pizza!
There's a weird bouggee one in NYC called Artichoke pizza... Thick creamy cheesy artichoke dip type sauce. Will give that a go on my next visit.

tarun_yadavA · July 5

Got in 3.60M at 09"28

Will post hungover 'run see' of Berlin over the wknd

Laurz9191 · July 5

Hi everyone!

@chris_in_cal Congratulations in your race! It sounds like it went really well, you enjoyed it, and you were faster than last year! It sounds like the perfect race to me

. Good luck with your Wegovy.

@ContraryMaryMary I will miss your vacation photos! They are putting me in the mood for my upcoming vacation! Two more weeks

.

@kgirlhart That sounds like a hot tub to feel so good afterwards. It definitely sounds like you’ve adjusted to the heat.

Today I had an “easy” run with 8 fartleks planned. It turned into more of a hard run, but it was fun. Tomorrow I will take the pace truly nice and easy. I ran 10.6km. I got some new shoes in the mail yesterday. I’m waiting until my “official” marathon training program begins in a couple days before rotating them in. My current favorite pair now has carried me over 500 miles…

60.1/200km for July.

martaindale · July 5

VO2Maxlet wrote: »

@martaindale I need to get some of these salt tablets maybe. They seem like the hack according to these testimonials. I used Cure in some of my bottles. Not a fan of the taste but I'm no stranger to the food is fuel mentality. Currently using these Clif Bloks Energy. They're chews. I just see carbs on here and I assume it's good.

I've used the Clif bloks in the past. Some have more salt in them than others so depending on how much salt you need to replenish (read - how salty do you sweat?) you might be able to get a 2 for 1 with the bloks. If those flavors aren't your favorite or you can't easily get them, I definitely recommend the salt chews! I also feel like they helped my stomach not only handle fuel better but allowed me to absorb water more efficiently. I am able to drink a fair bit more water now and not get the sloshy stomach.

The gels I currently use have very little salt compared to what I'm sweating. And I really detest the gu flavors that have more salt (like the watermelon that people seem to love). Supplementing with salt tabs was a perfect solution and gives me a way to replace salt in runs too short for fuel.

martaindale · July 5

Way to go @chris_in_cal!! Knew you would crush it! Like others here, I rarely get a race photo with both feet off the ground. That's a good shot! Glad you had a fun time and good luck on your weight loss journey.

martaindale · July 5

July total: 20.1/100 miles
YTD: 511.9/1200 miles

7/1: 3 miles
7/3: 6.5 miles
7/4: 7.5 miles
7/5: 3.1 miles

Treadmill recovery this morning. I ended up slowing the pace down after the first 10-ish mins to get down to what actually felt like a recovery run. My legs were more tired today than I expected so I'm glad I decided to stay inside. I am planning on doing my long run on the Greenway trail tomorrow despite the craptastic conditions so I'm mentally preparing for slow running and even slower walking. But it's a pretty spot and I really love getting to run there. It's been too long.

@kgirlhart We are visiting Kyoto, Hiroshima, Takayama, and Tokyo. I'm getting so excited!

Scott6255 · July 5

@chris_in_cal Congrats on beating last year's race time! I see you used the @tarun_yadavA race strategy 😁

chris_in_cal · July 5

July Running Goal: 31 runs, 45 miles
0.9 lbs. weight loss (241.5 lbs -> 240.6 lbs)

I'm Chris; I live in San Diego, California. In Spring I started doing daily runs. I have a small streak going so I'm going to stick with that, and ever so slightly up the game. Last month I mixed in a Sunday "Two-a-day" to try out. It's oppressive and I'm not doing that anymore. This month I'm going have a simple neighborhood evening run and increase it a little over the last month. I'm guessing it'll be about 1.2 miles. I'll see tonight. The bigger change is I'm going try and get a longer run (approximately 3 miles) in on both Thursday morning and Sunday morning. This Thursday morning run before work is a quantum shift in how I see myself. But, it'll only be for a month if it turns out to suck as much as it seems. Who gets up early and runs before starting their day? Who does that?

I don't have any July travel plans, so it should be a solid stable month without too many fireworks (see what I did there).

Please connect on Garmin if you have one.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/profile/chris_in_cal

jem302 · July 5

Happy belated 4th to the Americans of the group! Yesterday my run with Lily (my dog) was shorter, Lily was NOT feeling it and spent the entire time trying to trip me. It may be too hot for her, who knows. We'll try again today!

yirara · July 5

01.07 3.0km 25min 8:20/km - 10x very short interval
04.07 5.7km 50min 8:49/km - run/walk
05.07 3.6km 30min 8:21/km - slow

total 12.29km

Good distance so far this week. For me that is. Still had to walk a bit again, but only briefly compared to yesterday as my HR still went to about 190. My vt2 is currently at around 176. So yeah, running at that HR feels like sprinting, even at snail pace.

ContraryMaryMary · July 5

Rest day today, so I’m resting 😌

We fly out at 4pm and I’ll be sad to go.

Weather here, 25 and breezy with a dew point of 21. Weather at home, 9 and drizzly, dew point of 7. 😕

martaindale · July 5

chris_in_cal wrote: »

This Thursday morning run before work is a quantum shift in how I see myself. But, it'll only be for a month if it turns out to suck as much as it seems. Who gets up early and runs before starting their day? Who does that?

Me! Me! I do that!! Maybe you'll love it and become a morning runner. You never know. I think it's easier to get up and get it done than to drag myself out the door after work.

quilteryoyo · July 6

Nice running @AlphaHowls . I think I know what you mean about just needing the day off. Sorry you didn't seem to get that from your sisters. I hope you mom had a great birthday yesterday.

Nice running @emptydog . Good luck to you and P on your 5K tomorrow.

Great wun @yirara ! You're doing great.

Great running @VO2Maxlet . Great paces on your tempo run.

Nice running @martaindale . I'm glad your kid is feeling better. How long will it take the eardrum to get better so they can hear again. That has to be frustrating for everyone. I will have a really hard time packing for 2 weeks. Someone suggested not packing 2 weeks of running clothes, but rinse them out every night in the sink and hang to dry. Might help. Nice recovery run and the trail sounds like a great place for your run tomorrow. As for running early, I love to get my run in first thing in the morning, but not at the cost of too much sleep.

So, I only do it if I can get out after 7 am....usually after 8. I am not a fan of getting up at 4 am to run unless it is a race.

Great holiday running with your friend @ContraryMaryMary . I had to laugh at stopping to buy donuts though. No need to apologize. I vote for dripping sweat. Have a safe trip home and so glad you enjoyed your holiday so much. Nice rest day picture! Have a safe flight home.

@shanaber It probably was you. Thanks for repeating the information on the air horn. I was thinking that the deer could have been running from a bear. Who knows? Nice walking too. You are amazing. I'm glad the PA gave you the okay to continue with all you are doing when you feel up to it. Caesar Millan is all the time getting dogs on treadmills for walks. You and Hobbes can do it.

Great running @kgirlhart ! Glad the salt stick chews worked for you.

@chris_in_cal Great job on the 5K and bettering last year by more than a minute! Also great picture. You are flying!

@henridw2095 I hope you get your run in tomorrow and fingers crossed you don't have CoVID.

Great running @tarun_yadavA . Enjoy and looking forward to your "run see" tour of Berlin and the food porn.

@Laurz9191 Great fartleks. I love those. Shoe porn?

Thanks @jem302 . Maybe leave Lily at home for the runs and take her out for a cool down walk afterwards....or a warm up walk before your run.

quilteryoyo · July 6

1 July - Walked 2.00 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - driveway wun - trimmed trees for 2h52m44s
2 July - Walked 1.15 miles - Ran 1.00 miles - driveway wun - built fence around the garden earlier
3 July - Walked 2.35 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - treadmill wun
4 July - Walked 1.00 miles - Ran 3.00 miles - driveway laps
5 July - Walked 1.00 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - treadmill

11.50/60.00 goal

We had a nice party at my nephew's yesterday, for the 4th. I ate too much though and got home late. Then, I ate a little bit more before going to bed and had an episode of acid reflux, so slept horribly...as in got a sleep score of 35 from Garmin poor. I had to get up early because I had a required in service day at the daycare where I substitute from 8 - 4 today. (Who does that on the day after a holiday?) Training this morning, I filed a couple of hours, then more training/information this afternoon. I was surprised I wasn't falling asleep all day...only during the afternoon session.

When I got home, I walked one mile on the treadmill to keep the streak going. Fingers crossed I sleep better tonight. Can't be too much worse.

chris_in_cal · July 6

quilteryoyo wrote:

I ate a little bit more before going to bed and had an episode of acid reflux, so slept horribly...as in got a sleep score of 35 from Garmin poor.

Sorry to hear that. I've had that a handful of times and hate it. I catastrophizes that this is how life is going to be from now on, and get myself worked up. Then I remember I can just avoid eating too much before bed. I hope you no longer have to deal with it and get some quality rest.

henridw2095 · July 6

@quilteryoyo I tested positive this morning and spent the day hunting down Paxlovid. Getting a prescription was easy, finding the pills wasn’t. Took the first dose tonight and am probably looking at 5 days of downtime at minimum. Symptoms are relatively mild, but definitely a sore throat, chills, and just feeling off. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

chris_in_cal · July 6

Neighborhood 1.25 Mile (at 13"50 pace). Streak day 66 days.

I experimented with a little extra quarter mile dog leg. It was a bunch of cars and no sidewalk. I'm going try something else next time.

kgirlhart · July 6

martaindale wrote: »

chris_in_cal wrote: »

This Thursday morning run before work is a quantum shift in how I see myself. But, it'll only be for a month if it turns out to suck as much as it seems. Who gets up early and runs before starting their day? Who does that?

Me! Me! I do that!! Maybe you'll love it and become a morning runner. You never know. I think it's easier to get up and get it done than to drag myself out the door after work.

Me too! I started running before work because it was just too hot to do it later, and now it is my favorite time to run.

kgirlhart · July 6

@martaindale Your trip sounds so fun! I have always wanted to visit Japan.

@henridw2095 I hope your symptoms stay mild and you feel better soon.

SummerSkier · July 6

definitely a run before work person here also. Just too dang hot later usually. And I kind of enjoy watching the sky change and the moon. I miss the sunsets I used to see when I had Bandit and would ride the sun down but being able to run the sun up is still good.

Another 5 miles yesterday to tally 18.4 for the month so far out of 🤷‍♀️🙃🤷‍♀️ We are supposed to get some RAIN starting later today all week from the hurricane in the gulf Beryl so hopefully it will cool off a little and not just be more humid... sigh. My lawn will appreciate it but I don't recall any storms like this normally in July!

My boss and his wife went to a wedding in Canada last weekend. Both came down with Covid a few days later. So be careful out there traveling everyone. I am sad to report that he did NOT cancel his trip to see family in Mex this weekend so even tho both were sick, they flew there to see the grands. I am sure the grands will be so totally cool with getting Covid too right? 😳😳😳 Hard to believe we are still spiking 4 years plus in.

henridw2095 · July 6

I’m also a morning runner, I try to be out well before 6 (workday or weekend). There’s something beautiful and peaceful about running at dawn.

@SummerSkier I don’t understand people who think it’s cool to infect others. At the conference I went to there were several unmasked people who clearly had a respiratory condition, but just sat around getting everyone sick. I wore a mask the last two days and still got it. 😡.

VO2Maxlet · July 6

@chris_in_cal I'm somewhat of a morning runner. I used to do evening runs. Fast. Eat rice at ~3PM. Run ~4:30PM. Now I just run whenever I know I won't have meetings somewhere in the morning, fasted. Sometimes it's 6AM, sometimes it's 11AM, sometimes it's 9AM. Depends on the day. Somewhat rare for them to be the start of my day as in it's the very first thing I do in the morning. Morning runs are nice, although I prefer evening to night runs. Agreed with all the morning runners though that mid afternoon just kills. The heat. The sun. I cook.

@quilteryoyo acid reflux is no fun. Sounds like you made it through the day though with a little strategic nap lol. Hoping you feel way better and get the rest you need today! Sleep is heavily underrated.

@henridw2095 People can be real bungholes. Get well soon!

Road trip yesterday, which means I didn't go to the arcade. Complete rest day. I have to check my schedule, but it's either a 5 or 6 mile pacer today. Got some decent sleep in. Garmin says I slept well but any time I sleep between 7-8 hours, I just wake up feeling terrible. So much for that 88 sleep score.

Scott6255 · July 6

@henridw2095 dang! Hope you have a mild case. Yes it's unreal how COVID is still such a rampant virus.
@SummerSkier glad you will be getting some rain, but hope it's not flood-level storms. My son and daughter are in Austin and Houston respectively, so they will be in the path too

Did 6.4 miles this morning. Felt ALMOST cool starting out, but about 1 mile in it felt like a normal July morning. The run wasn't too awful bad for the 2nd time out after 2 months. Still a long way to go.
Oh, and has anyone tried Buoy hydration drops? Not sure where I got it (someone gave me a bottle for some holiday) You are supposed to mix it with any drink to give you more electrolytes and minerals. I put some in my water bottle this morning. I don't think it did anything, and it tasted like old dirty socks 😝 After the 2nd sip I just couldn't drink any more.
Just curious if anyone else has tried it.

tarun_yadavA · July 6

Hallo from 🇩🇪

Got in a 9K 5.65M 'run see' (at 10"15).

Pretzels with beer and this awesome smokey cheese spread

Off to Olympic Stadium now for Holland v Turkey ⚽

jem302 · July 6

I'm thinking about starting to run before work during the summer, but I have to leave for work at 6am which means I'd start my run around 5am. I'd probably feel great once it was done and I'd love to beat the heat, but just the thought of the 4:45 alarm is painful! Anybody running that early?

Today's 5km done, Lily and I had a nice 7:30am run and it wasn't too hot yet. We are heading out camping today and will hike another 5km to the beach

JULY 2024 Monthly Running Challenge

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