JULY 2024 Monthly Running Challenge

chris_in_cal · July 6

jem302 wrote: »

but just the thought of the 4:45 alarm is painful! Anybody running that early?

I imagine all these morning crazies get up that early.

Thursdays I usually start work late I will be able to keep my regular wake up time, and get a morning run in. instead of my typical (and much loved) get an extra hour sleep plan.

chris_in_cal · July 6

tarun_yadavA wrote: »

Off to Olympic Stadium now for Holland v Turkey ⚽

Social Media is saying this was the best match in the tournament. How was it?

German pretzels with cheese dip! 🤯

ContraryMaryMary · July 6

I’ll chime in on the morning run - I love the dawn and super early starts but I love my bed more, so unless I have an event, am meeting a friend, or have a jam-packed day, super early runs don’t happen. But I know that getting my run over and done with in the morning is great - it sets me up for the day. Fortunately, I only work part time, and from home, so I get to run after I drop my daughter at school, anywhere between 8 and 9am. It’s perfect. Not quite sure how things will pan out next year when she heads to junior high and will be catching the bus at 7:30…

Laurz9191 · July 6

@ContraryMaryMary That’s exactly when I do almost all of my runs too- right after drop off. Then it always feels good to go to work knowing I’ve already been so productive

.

Today, I overslept, so I couldn’t get my run in until late afternoon. I went on a very easy 9.5km and am hoping to work in another easy run tomorrow. I just will need to get up fairly early to squeeze it in.

@tarun_yadavA I hope you enjoyed the game and are liking Berlin! I watched both on tv

and found them very entertaining. And I was only half right on my prediction the other day. Too bad for Germany, but England gets to move on and I’m a bit glad Turkey didn’t win, because the fans are a bit too over the top for me. Enjoy the rest of your trip!

69.6/200km for June.

kgirlhart · July 6

I was never a morning person, but I started running before work because I just couldn't handle the heat. Now I love my early morning runs. It takes me about an hour to get going so I usually get up around 4:30 to get out the door around 5:30. I love running just as it is starting to get light out, but in the winter it is usually dark the whole time. I can usually get up good on the weekdays, because I have to go to work at 8, but on the weekends it is harder to get up early and I don't usually get out until 7 or 8.

emptydog · July 6

This morning was the 5K race. It started at 7:15 a.m. and the temperature was already 77F with clear skies, bright sun, and killer humidity. My friend P ran the race also. And as usual, she won in the ladies 70+ age group.

I finished overall 185 of 218 and 6 of 7 in the men's 70+ age group. Not my best, but I was okay with that. It amused me on the way home P was disgusted with how she ran, and I was okay with my performance. I figure I won in the how much fun we had category.

The race course was supposed to be 5K, but I tracked the course with my phone and recorded 3.25 miles. The course isn't certified and I wondered if it was correct. Not that it makes any real difference.

7/1 - 3.16 Miles. 56F, Cloudy.
7/2 - 3.12 Miles. 51F, Clear.
7/4 - 3.13 Miles. 72F, Partly Cloudy.
7/5 - 1.15 Miles. 71F, Muggy.
7/6 - 3.1 Miles. 77F, Sunny, Muggy.

martaindale · July 6

@SummerSkier @henridw2095 It's amazing how oblivious some people are to how their actions affect others.

@Scott6255 I haven't tried Buoy and with that glowing endorsement...🤢

I'm hoping we get some decent rain from this storm and maybe a brief respite from the super hot temps.

@quilteryoyo I'll make space for several sets of running clothes. We will be changing hotels a few times and I won't always have time or space for clothes to dry. And I hate doing laundry on vacation.

@jem302 I wake up at 5:30 and base the length of my runs on what time I have to be at work. I don't have to be there nearly as early as you do! I will admit it took some adjusting. I used to run in the evening so switching to the morning meant having to completely shift my schedule but now I just get up early all the time and really prefer the quiet of the morning. It totally does feel good to have my run done first thing in the morning.

martaindale · July 6

July total: 28.1/100 miles
YTD: 519.9/1200 miles

7/1: 3 miles
7/3: 6.5 miles
7/4: 7.5 miles
7/5: 3.1 miles
7/6: 8 miles

I went the the greenway trail this morning. There were more people out than I expected with the temps as high as they are. It was nice to be back there. I will make it a point to do my weekend runs there more frequently.

After a tough run I've been hanging out at home, watching Breaking Bad with my kid. My husband and I are going out to dinner tonight to a new restaurant he picked. Time to go get ready.

AlphaHowls · July 7

Morning runs only. I do not have time or energy by the end of the day. I have been known to get up as early as 2 AM to run.

7/1 13.33 miles County Line and back
7/2 14.33 miles, Running Partner A! 6 miles with me
7/3 16.48 miles
7/4 13.41 miles, Running Partner A! 6 miles with me
7/5 15.35 miles, Crazy Laps! Storms, No sleep/fireworks/Mom panic attack, family leaving out
7/6 16.21 miles, Running Partner A!

chris_in_cal · July 7

Neighborhood 1.36 Mile (at 13"57 pace). Streak day 67 days, two thirds to triple digits.

My house is right on the top of a big canyon. I went 'right' out my house and it is immediatly a steep down hill.
Then after five minutes it is a steep up hill. It's too much for the start of a run, I think I'll keep doing this loop, but I'll go the other way so all the dips and climbs are at the end of the run.

ContraryMaryMary · July 7

Back in wintery Auckland, where there’s a southerly front coming through. I got to enjoy fine icy rain that pricked like needles through my thermal top on my run today. Talk about from the sublime to the ridiculous. Subbed out my post-run pool dip with a long hot shower.

Garmin is still telling me I’m unproductive so there is some consistency 🤪

It’s nice to be home though - I was over sand in the bed!

noblsheep · July 7

3.2km last night. It was one of those days when it wants to rain but just stubbornly won't, and it felt like I was running through hot soup. Bleh. Got it done and not much else.

re: morning runs - they would be awesome if I could get up regularly but have yet to be consistent for any significant length of time. Y'all who run very early must have superhuman determination.

tarun_yadavA · July 7

@Laurz9191 fantastic atmosphere and it was a great game to watch! It was about 3:1 Turkish fans in there.
Feel like you smoke a pack of cigarettes from all the second hand smoke! Lol. (And I'm pretty sure you're not meant to smoke there?)
lo-lo-lo-lo- Turrrr-keyyyy-ehhh! 🤣

Besides, The Dutch are always fun too -after they've been drinking! Lol.

@chris_in_cal it was indeed Sir. Second half was totally end-to-end stuff!

View

Went nuts when Turkey went 0-1 up

@ContraryMaryMary 😱 nooooooo
Sand in bed is like one of my number one pet peeves.
I'm like the super an4L parent who's always making the kids stick their feet under the taps before they leave the beach

AlphaHowls · July 7

7/1 13.33 miles County Line and back
7/2 14.33 miles, Running Partner A! 6 miles with me
7/3 16.48 miles
7/4 13.41 miles, Running Partner A! 6 miles with me
7/5 15.35 miles, Crazy Laps! Storms, No sleep/fireworks/Mom panic attack, family leaving out
7/6 16.21 miles, Running Partner A!
7/7 14.24 miles, 2260 days on the run

101.55 miles so far

yirara · July 7

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
07.07 4.1km 35min 8:29/km - slow

total 16.42km

Went ok, HR only went out of control in the last km, still had to walk three very short times though. Btw, I'm doing quicker strength training on non-running days. This seems to help as well in getting my HR down when being active.

quilteryoyo · July 7

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
6 July - Walked 0.75 miles - Ran 1.50 miles - treadmill
7 July - Walked 1.00 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - treadmill

14.75/60.00 goal

Yesterday, I did a treadmill run before heading out for the day. I didn't have a ton of time, so walked 0.25 miles, then ran 0.25 miles each at 4.2-4.5, 4.2, 4.6 mph, then cooled down with 0.75 mile walk. No walk breaks for the 1.5 miles of running. That's pretty good for me. Avg pace was 13:46 min/mile. Avg HR was 121 with a max of 148 bpm.

Mom and I attended two of my great nieces birthday party and then went to my brothers to watch fireworks on the lake - we were in his pontoon boat. They were so pretty.

Girls and their birthday cake

Sunset on the lake

Love the way the fireworks reflected on the water

Today, I did my normal Sunday mile walk after church and before lunch.

VO2Maxlet · July 7

@tarun_yadavA nice! Looks like fun!

@ContraryMaryMary this is the type of consistency I aim for. Lol

@jem302 I used to wake up at 4:45 for workouts. Out the door. Run to the gym. Slip on black ice. Back with an hour to spare. It was honestly great. I napped during my lunch hour which made me feel even better throughout the day. I stopped because I hated slipping. By the time summer rolled around I was used to the rush hour everyone-has-the-squat-or-bench reserved scenario so waiting 30 minutes between workouts was something I was accustomed to.

@quilteryoyo happy birthday to your nieces! Looks like nice times!

VO2Maxlet · July 7

Yesterday I only managed to run 3 miles on the treadmill. It was evening and the only things I consumed were a part of half a Panera sandwich, a part of Panera Mac and too much diet Pepsi and coffee to count. Someone had a free drink subscription to Panera so every other hour I would jog to Panera bread, since apparently there's one within eyeshot around here, and get a free drink.

7.1 mph
161 HR Average
177 HR Max
179 SPM

I needed to stretch out my adductors/hips more. My calf is also way too tight.
8 miles Z2 later today

chris_in_cal · July 7

Beach 4.02 Mile (at 13"45 pace). Streak day 68 days.

My Sunday "Morning" run commenced at 10:20 a.m., Thursday will be a whole new way of being.

quilteryoyo · July 7

Well shoot. I had a post about ready and refreshed my page and lost it. So, I'll try again.

Thanks @chris_in_cal . I don't have acid reflux as much as I used to. I should have known better than to eat something spicy just before going to bed. Nice running. I think I am the opposite of you though. I would much rather have the hills and dips at the beginning of the run when I'm fresh than at the end when I'm already tired. Nice longer run today! What is happening on Thursday?

@henridw2095 Sorry you tested positive. I hope you continue to have only mild symptoms and get well quickly. I don't understand why people think it is okay to travel when they know they are sick.

Thanks @VO2Maxlet . I would love to get a Garmin sleep score of 88. Mine averages between 50 and 75 with a few breaking those barriers on either extreme. Nice treadmill run yesterday. I'm not a huge Panera fan, so I wouldn't be tempted.

Great running @Scott6255 . I've never tried those hydration drops. I'm really glad I didn't if that is what they taste like.

Great running while on vacation @tarun_yadavA . Nice pictures. Enjoy the games.

Nice running @jem302 . I think there are several on here who run that early. I AM NOT one of those. LOL

Great running @Laurz9191 .

@emptydog Congrats to you on the 5K. I think they should give a medal for having the most fun.

Congrats to P too. I guess she just felt she could have done better. Is she super competitive with others and herself?

@martaindale Good luck with the packing. I have never done laundry on vacation, but don't think I would like it either. LOL Sounds like you had a nice run yesterday. I hope you enjoyed the new restaurant.

@AlphaHowls Beautiful sky for you run this morning.

@ContraryMaryMary That's a huge contrast in running conditions and after run routine. You did great getting out there. I think that would have been really hard after the runs on the beach for a week.

@noblsheep Great job on getting out the door in those conditions.

Nice running @yirara .

kgirlhart · July 7

July Goal: 130 Miles

7/1: 4.02 miles
7/2: 6.02 miles
7/3: 6.02 miles
7/4: 6.26 miles
7/7: 11.27 miles

33.59/130 miles completed for July

I ran 11 miles this morning. It was a great run. I wouldn't say it was cool, but it didn't feel as hot as it has been. It was 73°F at the start with a light breeze and felt pretty good as long as I was in the shade. I did have to sneak into the cemetery again this morning. They are supposed to unlock it at sunrise, but they are pretty inconsistent. I saw a jackrabbit in there, but other than that it was uneventful. I enjoyed it though. I think the salt tabs really help. I took one every half hour and felt great most of the run. It was 86°F feels like 90°F when I got home and I was ready to stop, but I did feel like I could run all day for most of the run. And the last mile or two wasn't a struggle like it has been the last few weeks. I think the salt tabs helped a lot.

Great job on your race @emptydog!

Looks like a great weekend @quilteryoyo!

AmunahSki · July 7

Hello all! New beginner here... I set myself an initial goal of training until I am able to run a full 5k without any walking, so I don’t have a monthly target yet - I’m just hoping to sustain a streak of 3 days per week for now. Is that ok?

There are more details about my beginner’s journey in the spoiler, and any tips are gratefully received.

@chris_in_cal Thanks for connecting on Garmin! I was looking for a new challenge and I found this thread, and you inspired me!

Since reaching my maintenance weight I’d been feeling like I need a new challenge to shift my focus from the scale: I am clearly motivated by the thrill of seeing numbers drop, and running seems like a good way to get fitter - but I have no idea how to DO it (or more importantly, learn to love it). I have always said “I’m not built for running”. But then I read this thread and it got me wondering if I should… just… start. Halfway through a lunchtime walk, I started to run a little, just to see how it felt. I didn’t hate it. Hence here I am, giving it a go.

20 June - 3 miles/4.82km, HR av 115, max 155 (Z4 10%, Z3 21%, Z2 44%). Mostly brisk walking with a few spurts of running.

22 June - Garmin watch suggestion was ‘a longer base run’ of 1hr 20mins at HR 130. Sure, ok, let’s try that. So I did 5.18m/8.36km, HR av 134, max 148 (Z4 23%, Z3 76%, Z2 0%). I found it really tricky to ‘run’ slow enough not to trigger the HR alarm, so I alternated between walk/run, and I ran 40%. It was boring (running laps around a football field at 10pm!) but I was determined to finish. Flood of PB’s, naturally, so that was nice - longest distance, 1k & 5k.

24 June - Garmin suggested base run of 20mins at HR 135. Ran 2.29mi/3.78km, HR av 130, max 148 (Z4 20%, Z3 55%, Z2 22%). Very tricky to ‘run’ that pace, I had to keep walking to bring down my HR, so only ran 58% of the distance.

25 June, and Garmin suggested 20min at HR 135 again, despite telling me I was ‘Strained’?! I’m clearly clueless how to judge these things for myself. I took a look at the Garmin Coach plans which will schedule runs and rest days for me, and set that up instead (3 runs per week). Enjoyed my rest day!

26 June - first benchmark run, 5 minutes walk, 5 minutes ‘easy pace’, 5 minutes walk. 0.78mi/1km, HR av 122, max 147. (Z4 10%, Z3 49%, Z2 16%). I jogged 98% of the 5min run time, interspersed with walking. New PB 1k.

28 June - 5 minutes walk, 5 minutes ‘easy pace’ plus optional 5, 5 minutes walk. 1.32mi/2.12km. HR av 127, max 148 (Z4 25%, Z3 30%, Z2 32%). After reading some running websites I tried a slower (sustainable) jog, achieved by concentrating on slowing my arms, and managed to run 91% of the 10min run time. Why didn’t they teach us this in PE lessons?

1 July - 5 minutes walk, 10 minutes ‘easy pace’ plus optional 5, 5 minutes walk. 1.7mi/2.74km HR av 129, max 153. (Z4 25%, Z3 30%, Z2 19%). First time I have jogged a whole 15 mins (except for stopping for two cars*) for a very long time.

3 July- 5 minutes walk, 10 minutes ‘easy pace’ plus optional 5, 5 minutes walk. 1.8mi/2.89km, HR av 131, max 153 (Z5 1%, Z4 53%, Z3 15%, Z2 8%). First time running with other people, as my son and his fiancé joined me - they were happy to jog at my pace but they’re in their early 30’s so it ended up still slightly faster than I have been able to do solo, despite talking along the way.

5 July - 5 minutes walk, 10 minutes ‘easy pace’ plus optional 5, 5 minutes walk. 1.88mi/3km, HR av 131, max 153 (Z5 1%, Z4 41%, Z3 32%, Z2 3%), clearly inspired by yesterday’s faster pace! Jogged for the full 15 minutes again (no cars*) and some of my cooldown time too.

7 July - 5 minutes walk, 10 minutes ‘easy pace’ plus optional 5, 5 minutes walk. 1.84mi/2.96km, HR av 136, max 161 (Z5 4%, Z4 41%, Z3 32%, Z2 3%). Not as fast as my last run as I was a bit tired (yesterday was supposed to be a rest day but I had to teach a 1hr ski lesson - which I track it as a hike since I do a lot of running up and down a steep hill). I was focusing on keeping an even pace and not worrying too much about my HR going too high, and did jog some of the walk time too. I now I have 2 rest days to recover!

*I’m using a quiet, narrow lane to run out and back on, and it has lots of natural distance ‘markers’ so I can easily gauge my improving speed/fitness. However, there’s not much of a verge so if there are cars you pretty much have to stand still to let them pass.

My woefully pathetic PR’s:
1k: 7:03
1m: 12:11
5k: 48:04
Longest run - 5.18mi/8.36km

Obviously I am getting a lot of data from Garmin on each run, and there’s SO much to look at

1 July - 1.7mi/2.74km
3 July- 1.8mi/2.89km
5 July - 1.88mi/3.02km
7 July - 1.84mi/2.96km

ContraryMaryMary · July 7

Welcome @AmunahSki, glad to have you join us. You’re doing so well - keep up the good work. And yes, learning to run slowly is harder than it ought to be. The easiest way to do it is to shorten your stride rather than trying to slow your cadence (I call this my nana shuffle and with this I can run for hours).

myrrha31 · July 7

Just rejoining MFP and want to get back to running after falling off the wagon. My goal is to start building endurance and consistency. 3 years ago I was in 1/2 marathon shape. Now I am back to learn to run.

Some days may be walking. Some days may be running. But I will consider success if I keep moving forward.

chris_in_cal · July 8

That is great to hear. I'm glad you wrote in. I'd encourage you to make up whatever goal you want. It is helpful to practice making goals and keeping them.

AmunahSki wrote: »

First time running with other people, as my son and his fiancé joined me - they were happy to jog at my pace but they’re in their early 30’s so it ended up still slightly faster than I have been able to do solo, despite talking along the way.

Though 99.9% of my runs are solo I always get so much more running with other people. It was nice of the kids to join you.

noblsheep · July 8

4.8km speed up run last night (3.2km easy + 1.2 tempo + 400m threshold). It wasn't all that hot but I still downed an entire 1L bottle of sports drink at the end of it

@quilteryoyo lovely little ladies and awesome sunset!
@AmunahSki Welcome! sounds like you're doing great. A lot of people find it difficult to find a slow enough pace starting out, and I second @ContraryMaryMary to keep cadence up and make sure you're not overstriding.
@myrrha31 we're in similar boats, good to see you back.

martaindale · July 8

@AmunahSki Welcome! You are quickly learning a lesson a lot of people struggle with when starting out. It took me a long time to slow down. You are doing great! Keep it up!

@myrrha31 Welcome to you as well! You found a good group for encouragement as you get back to running.

martaindale · July 8

We are currently getting hit by our first hurricane this season. Beryl made landfall overnight. It's large but not super powerful, only cat 1. The rain started in earnest a few hours ago and the heavy winds are about to hit my area. It was just outer bands overnight but now the body of the storm has made its way up to us. I was hoping to beat the bulk of the storm this morning but no such luck. Winds are gusting to about 30 mph so treadmill this morning. Well, maybe not. Getting some brown outs so we may be about to lose power. That's unusual for us, so hopefully the power will hang in there.
My work delayed start until 10am and I wonder if that might get pushed a little more for those of us in the north part of Houston who will still be very much in the thick of it at 10 am.

henridw2095 · July 8

@AmunahSki welcome! I am also still a beginner after a long break

Odd question: Has anyone tried running while still testing positive for covid? I am on day four after testing positive, but taking Paxlovid and feeling quite good. I do feel horrible sitting around at home though. I will probably go on a lonely walk today and see how that goes. My test is still insanely positive and I’m thinking of resuming my early morning runs (nobody around to infect) in a day or two, even if still positive. CDC guidance strangely allows returning to work after 5 days, which is not something I would do (out of respect for my coworkers.)

quilteryoyo · July 8

@kgirlhart Great running! Glad the salt tabs are working for you.

Welcome @AmunahSki . Looks like you are doing great. I would recommend a Couch to 5K program, but looks like you are already beyond that. Keep up the good work. Those are not pathetic PRs, btw.

Welcome @myrrha31 . Sounds like you have a great attitude toward running. You don't want to start out too fast or too far and get injured. Moving forward is the goal for all of us. One foot in front of the other.

Thanks @noblsheep . Great running. Staying hydrated is so important, whether it is blazing hot or not.

@martaindale Thanks for checking in. I hope your power doesn't go out and you don't get any major damage from the storm. Same for our other Texas friends too!

JULY 2024 Monthly Running Challenge

Replies

Categories