SEPTEMBER 2024 Monthly Running Challenge

quilteryoyo · September 2

Great start to Sept @JZ_50 .

Great run @kgirlhart . Love your running story. If it's a Half crazy half, maybe only half of it is crazy hills...hopefully the first half.

@Laurz9191 Sounds like you love a challenge. Great run today. I'm not sure I would let tomorrow's run determine your HM goals since you are so sore from the obstacle course, but that is up to you, of course. Great start to Sept.

@AmunahSki Great start to Sept and so happy that you found this thread and challenged yourself. You never know what you can accomplish until you try.

@SummerSkier I hope you have a good rainy run today. I think you are correct in your assessment about running in school. There was no instruction. Just get out there and run. I had the same thing with tennis. No instruction. If you could hit the ball, you were on the team.

I think I have related to you all that my current running is a result of wanting to lose weight, which is the only way I have found to stay at a decent BMI. I did run some before my husband passed away, in order to keep from being obese. But, I gave it up for a while...lost a lot of weight from not eating anything unless I was about to pass out. I finally let my doctor prescribe antidepressant's, but didn't want to have to stay on those forever, so started running to improve my mental health naturally. After about 6 months, I was able to get off of those. Now I am running for both my mental and physical health. After having such a good outcome from my heart surgery, in part due to being is such good shape from training for a HM, I am a big advocate for being as active as possible for as long as possible.

Teresa502 · September 2

I ran 3 miles on the gym treadmill this evening after our day in Athens.

Changing of the Guards at Parliament

The Acropolis - Pantheon

Two small town girls in the big city.

Teresa502 · September 2

Question of the month - I hated running in high school gym class. When I was 47 years old a coworker and I started C25k. A couple of weeks into the program she discovered she was pregnant so I continued on by myself. My first race was the YWCA Turkey Trot. I didn’t pre-register because I was afraid I would chicken out. When I registered that morning the lady at the registration table, in a very loud voice, yelled to the guy putting together the race packet that she had a runner registering (twice) and I remember feeling like such an imposter. I ran the race though and got the shirt. After that I signed up for a 10K training program with my local Fleet Feet to keep me motivated through the winter.And after that a HM program. I have made so many running friends from these beginning programs.

quilteryoyo · September 2

Great dedication @Teresa502 . Those guards have to be limber. You're looking good. It is interesting how one decision can change the rest of your life.

1 Sept - Walked 2.25 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - Treadmill
2 Sept - Walked 1.00 miles - Ran 2.00 miles - Driveway laps

5.25/70 mile goal

I wasn't feeling the best this morning and thought I was just being lazy. After I got myself up and out for the run, I was really expecting to maybe just walk a mile. Once I got started, it felt pretty good, so I walked 0.36 miles for warm up then ran/walked about 0.3/0.15 miles to 2.36 miles, and then walked the rest.

I did have tummy issues at the 2.15 mile mark. Fortunately, I was finishing up a lap, so made it to the bathroom in time. I guess I wasn't just being lazy after all.

Wish me luck with jury duty orientation tomorrow morning.

tarun_yadavA · September 2

Evening all
I forgot to post today!
6.24M at 10"04.

@Teresa502 loving the pics! And well done on getting in a treadmill sesh!
PS: are you really tall? Or is your friend short?

@SummerSkier voluntarily... 40.
2020 during Covid lockdowns when gyms had to close. Didn't want to get fat, so [re]Learned how to run!
But similar to @Laurz9191 - had to do it for PE as a teen. But that wasn't really voluntarily!

Scott6255 · September 2

@SummerSkier I started running WAAAY back when I turned 50. I had always had asthma as a kid, so I didn't really run if I didn't have to. Did a little in P.E. and soccer, but as an adult I just did fast walking. One day I thought "Seems like it would be easier to run slow than walk fast". So I jogged a mile. It actually did seem easier. So I began doing that regularly and slowly increased miles and the speed increased naturally. I still have asthma attacks every now and then, but it's manageable with OTC meds.

Was planning to do my recovery run outside this morning, but as I was foam rolling my left calf hurt really bad, so I decided to just TM it. Didn't hurt at all. 🤷‍♂️

AlphaHowls · September 2

This months' question for everyone. At what age did you first lace up some sneakers and try a run? And what was your inspiration?

I was never considered an athlete all through childhood and high school. Football and cheerleading were the thing and if you did not do those, you would not even be considered. I was mostly normal weight until my 30's.

I joined MFP July 9, 2015. Age 44
223 lbs. Obese class II
I started walking as my exercise.

I reached 'normal' weight by December 2015 (150 lbs.)
By April 2016, I would walk for miles a day. One of the neighbors asked me one day as I went by, "Are you a runner?"
ME: "oh no, not me, I do not run." as all those thoughts of 'runners' and how great they looked and how much I admired running went through me. That day, it hit..."why not"
April 2016, I started walk/runs, slowly building. Once I started 'running' I would repeat over and over, "don't stop" very slow, all around the neighborhoods. One day a runner sidled up to me and said, "can I run with you?"
ME: "oh no! I am way too slow, I have seen you and your friend, I cannot keep up."
The runner: "it's fine, I will stay in step with you."
This runner had seen me walking and just started chatting, invited me to run with her and her friends on Saturdays. At first, I did not, knowing I could not keep up. When she was alone, I would try.

May 2016 - First race, 10K...1st place in my age group

To date: I have never signed up to run a 5 K
I have never done a running or training plan. I have not read how to rest or buy shoes. I get hurt, I have accidents. I get up and I run.

The runner who spoke to me that day....you know her as "Running Partner A."

I have always wanted to run long distance. Not much into racing although I will sign up for one at least once a year.

Today: I am 53 years old and 130 lbs. I run long distance daily.

9/1 16.16 miles, County Line and Around
9/2 16.33 miles, County Line and Around

martaindale · September 2

This months' question for everyone. At what age did you first lace up some sneakers and try a run? And what was your inspiration?

I started running for real in 2018. I had started losing weight and walking regularly. Eventually I needed a challenge and I thought I would love to be fit enough to just run a 5k a few times a week. I started with C25k and got hooked. I moved on to a 10k then HM and beyond. While running probably does help me manage my weight, that's not the reason I run. These days I run for my mental and physical well-being and to make sure I am doing all I can to age well.

Like some others I did forced running in school and a couple of failed starts with running where I was pushing too much and hated it. I found this group early in my latest start with running and I credit the folks here with keeping me going early on. All the advice and encouragement made it possible for me to stick with it long enough to actually get hooked.

quilteryoyo · September 2

@tarun_yadavA Great run. @Teresa502 is tall.

@Scott6255 Nice job on the TM run. I'm glad it didn't make your calf hurt. I hope a day off of the asphalt is all it needs.

Amazing background @AlphaHowls ! Very inspiring.

martaindale · September 2

Sept total: 6.6/115 miles
YTD: 681.4/1200 miles

9/2: 6.6 miles

I'm still working on transitioning back to continuous running. It was pretty hot this morning and I forgot to put my hydration pack in the freezer overnight, so it was a bit tougher today. But, I only took three very short walk breaks and managed to keep my heart rate pretty low. I don't think I needed the breaks from a cardiovascular perspective but rather it was more of a mental thing.

I have a HM later this month, but it's an experienced race, not a race race. I will be going to the New Jersey shore to tick off another state.

I chose a HM in March as my A race. It will be in South Carolina and the course looks like a good option to try for a new PR. I have several races planned before then, but for one reason or another they aren't great options for trying for a new PR. I'm going to Arkansas in November, which involves running up a mountain. I'm doing a Disneyland race weekend (CA) with my friend so we will be doing her walk-run intervals. Then I'm doing rock and roll Las Vegas in late Feb. The course is probably super flat, but every picture I have seen of that race is super crowded. I have a feeling my pace will be determined by the people around me. But, maybe they'll have pace groups and that could actually be a good race for a PR. By the end of February I should be in really good shape, so if it looks possible I'll likely try to race RnR too.

daria0919 · September 3

Day 2

9/1 - 2.12 mile neighborhood walk this morning.
9/2 - 1.05 mile neighborhood walk this evening

3.17/45 miles total

I first started running when I was an undergraduate in college. I lived at home with my parents and sisters to make it affordable and I decided I needed an outlet/time away from the family, so I started running. I got up to doing 6 mile runs back then. So, that was in the late 1970’s. Didn’t continue running when I moved to Virginia for graduate school. Did bike a lot instead since I didn’t have a car.

Fast forward to 2003 when I as a married woman and mother of 7 (adopted 4, gave birth to 3) decided I’d train to run a women’s 4-miler race. Again, in part as a “do something for me” and time away from family. Then did that race again in 2005 and 2006 and kept on running and kept on increasing the mileage. In my 50’s I started running half marathons and marathons.

Scott6255 · September 3

Wow @martaindale you are going to be busy with a lot of races this year! I'm confident you'll grab a PR in at least one of those!

shubox1 · September 3

Got a late start, but another mile down! Good night!

WarmJellyfish · September 3

Aiming for 200k this month.
So far.... 8k for yesterday and today. Was slower than a slug today. The heat might have something to do with it. Anyhoo, I have a long ways to go.....

kgirlhart · September 3

September Goal: 140 Miles

9/1: 11.02 miles
9/2: 3.15 miles

14.17/140 miles completed for September

I'm going to say 140 miles for September.

It was raining this morning, but not storming so I went out and ran 3.15 miles. It was 74°. And the rain was light so it was a pleasant enough run. I'm not a huge fan of running in the rain, but it was nice to not be so hot. I didn't have to work today, so it was almost 9 before I ran. It is supposed to be rainy tomorrow and Wednesday too. I'm not sure if I will run in the dark or not. I guess I will just play it by ear.

@Teresa502 I am loving your vacation pictures. And I am loving everyone's stories of what started you running.

ContraryMaryMary · September 3

7 km this morning for me and followed by another visit to the osteopath. He’s managed to release my SI joint and it feels a million times better right now and I’m actually looking forward to tomorrow’s run.

I started running in my late teens - I’d go with my father as I was a little overweight and he was trying to encourage me to slim down. It was very slow. It was very painful.

What really prompted me to start in earnest was when I decided to run to the letterbox to collect the mail - a grand distance of about 150m perhaps - and I couldn’t do it without getting puffed. I was so embarrassed, so I started running just to get my fitness up a little.

Then in my 20s I used to run occasionally to allow me to eat more, but didn’t enjoy it. I caught the bug properly in my mid 30s. I had sublet an office space to an elite runner and was moaning to her one lunchtime about how I couldn’t get my 10k time under an hour. She said, do what I say for 10 weeks and I’ll get you under an hour. She introduced me to the concept of the long run and track work, and just six weeks later I ran my first 59 minute 10k.

I then extended into half marathons, running a bunch of them around the 2hour mark (and having a couple of babies in between), before slowly working my way down through the 1:50s to 1:49 then 1:48, then 1:48 again.

Then I decided I wanted to run a 1:45 half, so I got myself a coach in 2019 (aged 45) and after an awful lot of hard work, I managed to achieve that on my second attempt in late 2020.

We then moved house and my focus shifted to building a new garden (and I dropped my coach) so my fitness suffered. I’m now trying to get back a little of what I lost.

tarun_yadavA · September 3

Morning all
Got in 8.08M at 09"39.

@ContraryMaryMary that's a great story! 🙌🏽
And some of those stats are super impressive. Never managed below 1h50 !

SummerSkier · September 3

these are all amazing stories!!! So proud of this group and everyone. 🔥🔥🔥 Interesting to see the differences in our background and how we can to running. Mostly what I see is that it has to be self motivated. Just like losing weight. No surprise.

Thank you so much for sharing!

I got an 8 miler in yesterday even tho it was supposed to rain. I worked hard on keeping my heart rate down and was rewarded by not feeling totally wiped the rest of the day like I was on Sunday. What was interesting is that altho the avg HR was only a little lower the time in zones was a LOT different. So I guess there is something to monitoring that after all. LOL.

Work today but will try to fit in a run early and maybe some tennis this afternoon. Was supposed to play yesterday but it rained hard for about 10 minutes and the courts got too wet... sigh.

Scott6255 · September 3

Got in 6.6 miles this morning. Sprinkled for most of it, and that was the best part of this run. Just wasn't feeling it today.

daria0919 · September 3

Day 3

Did my 4 mile “race” that I had to miss Saturday. The day after my dermatology visit I had them switch my entry to the virtual option.

9/1 - 2.12 mile neighborhood walk this morning.
9/2 - 1.05 mile neighborhood walk this evening
9/3 - 4.00 miles from the Y out and back twice. Temp was a pleasant 56F when I left and 63F when I finished.

7.17/50 miles for September.

I am SOOOOO looking forward to cooler temps so that I can get back to running again.

emptydog · September 3

This months' question for everyone. At what age did you first lace up some sneakers and try a run? And what was your inspiration

I started running when I was 67. I had lost weight and was walking almost daily. When winter hit, my wife bought me a membership to the local college's indoor walking/running track. I was impressed with the runners and wanted to be running. So I did the C25K and was thrilled the first time I ran 5K.

I ran at the lake this morning and it was clear and almost chilly. I was pleased with going because I didn't want to go out this morning and did it anyway.

9/1 - 3.06 Miles. 64F, Clear.
9/3 - 3.07 Miles. 51F, Clear.

kgirlhart · September 3

September Goal: 140 Miles

9/1: 11.04 miles
9/2: 3.15 miles
9/3: 6.02 miles

20.21/140 miles completed for September

I had another run in the rain today. It was 72° with light rain, but not storms. I didn't hate it, but I don't really love running in the rain either. Today I ran 6 miles. It is supposed to still be raining tomorrow, and if it is I will probably just run 3 miles. We have actually gotten a good amount of rain the last couple of days. On Saturday, we got .75 inches, which put us up to .75 inches for the month of August. And this morning we had 2.25 inches since yesterday, and it is still raining. Normally, I am not a fan of rain, but we really need it so I am glad we are finally getting some.

Laurz9191 · September 3

Hi everyone!

My run today was really tough and I was very proud I got through it. I kind of agree with what @quilteryoyo said about the pace. Basically, I am soooo affected by the weather when running. Today was super humid (sunny but not yet hot), but alone the humidity was really hard to run in and I could have rung out my quick drying running clothes when I was done

. That meant a I would have quickly overheated running at my planned race pace. So on race day, I am just going to prioritise running my best race for whatever weather conditions I am dealt and be happy with that. I think a PR will be more possible in the spring. But who knows, maybe I’m wrong

.

I did do the last 9 km of my run at a faster pace. I ran about 29km. I say about because I stopped my watch at a light and it didn’t get turned on again and I easily ran 0,5-1km before I noticed. Oops.

I met a family of swans on a narrow path towards the beginning of my run. Even the babies looked intimidating, so I turned around and went a different way to get past them. If it was just one I might have tried to get by, but I’m not crazy to try my luck with so many.

After running over a marathon with today’s and yesterday’s mileage, I need a rest day.

43.6/270ishkm for September.

@martaindale Happy bday to you and your kid! Mine is coming up this weekend and it’s a round one

.

quilteryoyo · September 3

Great running @martaindale . Sometimes my walk breaks are more mental than physical too. I just have a really hard time thinking that I "have" to run for an hour, or whatever it is. You have a lot of races planned. Sounds like fun travels.

Nice walking @daria0919 . Impressive running history.

@WarmJellyfish You are doing great. It doesn't matter the speed, you are still moving forward and that is what counts!

Nice rainy runs @kgirlhart . Glad you got rain. We need it too and only have gotten about 3 tenths. May rain Friday and Sat.

Impressive @ContraryMaryMary .

Nice run @tarun_yadavA !

Great run @SummerSkier . I hope you get your tennis in this evening.

You did great for "not feeling it" @Scott6255 . Hopefully tomorrow will be better for you.

Great job @emptydog . Getting out the door is the hardest step, often. Impressive that you didn't start running until you were 67. Does your wife run with you?

Nice run @laurz9191. Geese can be very aggressive. I'm glad that you "kind of agree" with me. LOL Seriously, I'm glad you slowed down and didn't get overheated today. Hopefully it will be a bit cooler on race day and you can go for a PR. Happy Birthday to you this weekend! Lots of birthdays in this group the last couple of months.

ContraryMaryMary · September 3

What a difference a day makes. I’ve had a jam in my SI joint for a couple of weeks now and it’s been really slowing me down. My osteopath managed to release it yesterday and today’s run was so much easier and so much faster (excluding the big hill, which I took very slowly). Better yet, for once my Garmin says I’m productive!

quilteryoyo · September 3

1 Sept - Walked 2.25 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - Treadmill
2 Sept - Walked 1.00 miles - Ran 2.00 miles - Driveway laps
3 Sept - Walked 0.80 miles - Ran 2.00 miles - Driveway laps

8.05/70 mile goal

Today's plan was for a drill workout again...cadence and glide after warm up and then cool down. I walked 0.38 miles, did a walk/run to finish the 10 min warm up. I thought I had the segment thing figured out, but I still didn't get a good read on the first cadence run. The three I caught were at a pace of 9:36, 9:53, and 9:20 min/mile. Now, if I could just do that for an entire mile and not just 30 seconds. LOL Cadences were all around 189 spm. I ran extra and walked the last 0.42 miles for cool down. Total run was at a 13:38 min/mile pace. Avg HR was 146 with a max of 161 bpm.

Semi running related things in the spoiler.

Jury Duty: This morning was orientation. It was obvious that the judge was NOT going to let people out of their civic duty unless it was you who was sick/disabled. He let one person, before me, off for this session, but said he would be called to serve the March session of next year. I didn't even try.

But, it isn't as bad as it seemed at first. They did note appointments and vacations and, the way I understand it, if your panel is called, but you have a previously reported appointment, you are excused for the day. Vacations also, so I am going to go ahead and sign up for the Dec race.

We do have to call in everyday, starting next Monday. But, this month, unless something else comes up, there are only 5 days courts will be held. I did ask the judge and he said to go ahead and make appointments for subbing and helping with the health screenings in the county schools, just to call in and let them know the days I am not available. That seems kind of opposite of everyone else, because they will have to miss work to be there. I'm being given the chance to work. I guess because it isn't full time. I don't know. Just a little bit ironic, I think.

As for mom, there is a number she can call if she needs me when I am there and they will come get me.

Health: The cough I had in August was getting better, but it has started getting worse again and affecting my sleep and exercise. I have taken, over the last 5 weeks or so, 3 bottles of cough syrup and lots of cough drops. You know it is bad when I was eating cough drops and was still coughing so much that the bailiff brought me a cup of water this morning.

After I got out of court, I called and got an appointment to see my doctor. I was able to get in late this morning. He thinks it is either allergies or acid reflux, so is going to give me a steroid nasal spray and
an acid reducer. I hope that helps because this is getting old.

7lenny7 · September 3

Hey all! Sorry for disappearing again. Work got crazy crazy back in May and I had to not only cut back on my time here but cut back on my running as well. I had a 50 Mile race in July I had to skip because I was no where near trained for it.

I have my 100 mile race (Superior 100) starting Friday which I'm not trained for, but this one I'm going to go for anyway. Not only do I have my wife traveling with me, but to really add to the pressure, two of our kids and and their SO's intended on surprising me by being there as well. It was supposed to be a surprise by my son's fiancé (just engaged in July, with the proposal happening on our sailboat!) spilled the beans about her and our son coming up. I thought it was just going to be those two but when I told my daughter about finding out she said "Oh crap, we were hoping to surprise you!". What?!?! So then I found out that she and her boyfriend will also be there. It better that I know, though, because they won't get there until Friday evening so that gives me motivation to at least survive long enough for them to see me at one of the aid stations.

I'm not sure what to expect. I only had one run over 20 miles during training and didn't do any weight training to support the effort. I'm so fed up with work!! Not only has it impacted my running it impacted the time I had for sailing. I finally had enough and told my "coach" (I don't really have a boss) that I'm going to retire sometime next year, probably the latter half. We then had a meeting with the other electrical engineers in our group to let them all know so we can start transitioning the work I do for my client from me to others. I feel like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I know I'll still have many crazy, hectic days, but relief is in sight!

So, my goal for the month is 102.9 miles, which happens to be the race distance. I'm currently getting my gear and drop bags ready so we can leave Thursday afternoon for the 3.5 hour drive to our hotel. Since it's a point-to-point race, we have one night in a motel by the start of the race, then two nights in a condo at the finish line. Literally, at the finish line.

The weather looks perfect. Highs about 60F, lows about 40F, partly to mostly cloudy and dry. About 0.3 inches of rain in the forecast a day before the race so there will be muddy stretches, but it shouldn't be too bad.

Last night I got my homemade energy mix made up and packaged and it looks rather suspicious

So far I have that and my gels ready to go (38 gels...one for each hour on the course). Tonight I hope to get the rest of my gear ready.

7lenny7 · September 3

SummerSkier wrote: »

This months' question for everyone. At what age did you first lace up some sneakers and try a run? And what was your inspiration?

It was May 9th, 2015 and I was a young 48 years old (currently a young 57). I had been doing a lot of walking to get fit and my wife and I decided to do an untimed 5K with my sister and BIL, with the intention of walking the route. At the start my BIL started badgering me about running it instead. I told him, "oh heck no! I hate running!" but he kept bugging me and bugging me until I gave in but I told him as soon as it sucked, I was going to walk it.

I went out way to fast to start and he told me to slow down. Like REALLY slow down. I didn't think it was possible to run that slow but I did, and it was the KEY to getting into running. I think we finished in 39 minutes but I ran the entire route (with stops for traffic lights) and was so shocked that I was able to do it that I tried again 2 days later. Then 2 days after that, then 2 days after that, etc. It turns out all that walking I had been doing was enough to get me going with running.

shubox1 · September 4

Another mile down.

ContraryMaryMary · September 4

Nice to see you here @7lenny7 - I know you’ll do great on your miler even without the volume of training you’d like. It’s so great your family are coming to support you - a good incentive to keep going for sure.

Happy birthday for next week @Laurz9191 - dare we ask which round number? All I know is round numbers mean champagne with your cake! And I agree about swans (and geese), they’re not to be trifled with! Great running too - you’ve truly earned your rest day.

SEPTEMBER 2024 Monthly Running Challenge

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