DECEMBER 2024 Monthly Running Challenge

@chris_in_cal, if you’re lurking, it is nice to see your activity on Garmin… we’ve been worried about you ❤️

It's been a few days since I updated my status. Working and getting ready for my trip took up a LOT of time.

Dec 1 - Walked 1.00 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - treadmill
Dec 2 - Walked 0.50 miles - Ran 2.00 miles - treadmill
Dec 3 - Walked 0.50 miles - Ran 2.50 miles - treadmill
Dec 4 - Walked 0.50 miles - Ran 2.75 miles - treadmill
Dec 5 - Walked 0.50 miles - Ran 2.50 miles - treadmill - Gym - 48m39s
Dec 6 - Walked 0.50 miles - Ran 2.00 miles - treadmill
Dec 7 - Walked 1.00 miles - Ran 10.00 miles - treadmill
Dec 8 - Walked 1.25 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - treadmill
Dec 9 - Walked 0.50 miles - Ran 2.00 miles - treadmill
Dec 10 - Walked 1.00 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - Driveway
Dec 11 - Walked 1.00 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - At hotel in SC

32.00/80 mile goal

Monday I had agreed to work from about 11:30-5:30, so I got up early and did a treadmill run before I left. I did get a bit of a late start, but actually did more than I had planned to do. I was planning on a slow wun (mostly walking), but the running felt good, so I wound up running 4/1 min at 4.5/4.0, 4 x (4.5/4.0), ended with 6.0 mph. Avg pace was 13:10 min/mile. Avg HR was 120 with a max of 145 bpm.

Tuesday mom had a doctor's appointment, we got our hair cut, and I still hadn't done anything more than think about packing, so I just walked a mile on the driveway after getting home from town.

Today, I finished packing and got on the road about 10:30. It was snowing when I left and snowed pretty heavily until I got over the mountain and past Asheville. I got to the hotel in Walterboro SC about 4:30, checked in, and Tippy and I did a fast mile before it got dark. It was 55F (12.8C), but windy, so pretty chilly.

Tomorrow I drive to FL.

December Goal: 125 miles

12/1: 10.02 miles
12/2: 3.26 miles
12/3: 6.02 miles
12/4: 6.02 miles
12/5: 6.25 miles
12/6: 3.26 miles
12/8: 10.10 miles
12/9: 3.55 miles
12/10: 6.04 miles
12/11: 6.04 miles

60.56/125 miles completed for December

I had this draft yesterday, but I forgot to post, so I am actually posting three runs today.

I did not post yesterday, so I am posting two runs today. Yesterday's run was 3.5 miles. It was pretty nice. It was about 52F. The wind was cool and it was dark, so I did wear sleeves and light gloves with my shorts and t-shirt. I saw a racoon, but other than that it was an uneventful run. Today I ran 6 miles. It was much cooler at 42F, feels like 35F. I wore capri pants, long sleeved shirt, extra sleeves and heavy gloves. I might have been dressed too warmly if it had been daylight, but since it was dark I was dressed ok. Tomorrow is supposed to be colder. I know I am a wimp, but I do not like the cold.

It was colder today than it was yesterday at 30F feels like 27F. I did not want to go outside, but I did and I ran 6 miles. I was dressed well and overall was warm enough, but not too warm. But my hands were cold even with my heavy gloves on. I really don't know how you northerners do it. I would much rather run in the heat. Although I would really rather run at about 55F.




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Dec total: 32.9 miles
YTD: 986.9/1200 miles

12/2: 4.4 miles
12/3: 4.4 miles
12/4: 3.9 miles
12/7: 10.4 miles
12/8: 5.4 miles
12/11: 4.4 miles

Easy run after work yesterday evening. We had a short cold front so even in the afternoon it’s still nice out. Mostly unremarkable run. I am noticing my easy pace is getting quicker with the cool weather, and maybe the speed workouts are shifting the needle on my fitness a little. It’s a nice feeling.

Hi everyone!

Like @Teresa502 and @martaindale I’ve also been swamped at work so far this month. ….and if there is no work, there are the kids plus all of the December festivities . In any case, it is a very busy month and I’ve been really grateful that I’ve been able to get out for a run every morning this week.

Yesterday I did 15x 30 second intervals. It was surprisingly hard but I was happy that I did it. I ran 14.2km. Today I was a bit sore, do I took it easy and ran 9km.

The weather here is quite dreadful. Cold and dreary mud slush. I would prefer a bit of light or at least frozen ground.

I was also happy to see that @chris_in_cal is back at it on Strava. Hope all is well!

95.3/200km for December.

Hooray. After a rather painful session at the osteopath on Wednesday and a good massage yesterday I was able to run 5K without stopping. Just a low level ache in that lower calf and no pinching sensation. My fitness is shot, tragically.

No horrors for me. Never liked them. Don’t mind a bit of suspense but I hate things that make me jump.

quilteryoyo wrote: »

I am a little bit concerned about an e-mail I received today about the race that said there would be "a self serve water station at the finish, so bring your own bottle." It would have been nice to know that before today AND it is making me wonder about aid stations. I will try to remember to ask at packet pick-up tomorrow. I did bring my vest, but not the water bladder because I am just going to use it to carry some peanut butter crackers, which is what I have been fueling with during my long runs at home. Surely to goodness they will have water along the route. But, having said that, what kind of a water bottle should I try to find for the self-service station at the end? I know I'll want water to drink.

A lot of running events here have gone cupless, but they usually sell collapsible cups at race check in. These are usually silicone cups that fold flat so you can slide it into a pocket. Aid stations have water and they’ll fill your cup for you.

Years ago before collapsible cups were a thing and running with water vests wasn’t a thing either, at my run club we used to run with a small plastic bag (I’d use a Ziploc sandwich bag) in your pocket, which you could fill at some random tap somewhere and drink. Works well.

Finally able to catch up - been a long week even tho i only worked tue-thur. LOL. I am up to 60.7 out of 100 miles planned. Weighed myself yesterday just to get an idea and still in maintenance but up 1/2 pound since early Nov. That's within error margin so quite happy to see no disasters there.

I am really thinking of @quilteryoyo and her race tomorrow. It has been so long since I was at a race I only remember all the paper cups strewn all over the place. The fill your own and flat cup and even the baggie sound like SO much better solutions.

Looking forward to 4 days off work and running in daylight. We are in for a warming spell the next few days here.

Afternoon everyone!
Got in 7.49M at 09"55 pace.
Left it super late today.
My morning. Total 💩show Didn't have a spare either. D'OHHHH.

Just about made it home for an 11 o'clock meeting... Which got cancelled.
At this point , I was like 'i don't feel like it now'. Tired, hungry.
Forced it. Thought I'd do 1 lap (around 2.5M ) and a little extra to make it 3.1/5K and come home. But made it to two laps. And by this time tiredness and hunger etc subsided. So did a third successive 7.49M.

Anyways. Out tonight in London with a different set of friends. Christmas drinks#2. But have to catch a train back to my mother's.
Then spending weekend at my in-laws.

Oh, and last night's movie - Fright Night (the 2000-something remake). Good 👍🏽

Thanks for the info @ContraryMaryMary .

@martaindale You did great with the intervals yesterday.

Great job on your weight @SummerSkier ! Enjoy your days off.

Thanks @daria0919 . I spend the night in Walterboro SC, then drove on down to the Cape yesterday. Packet pickup starts in an hour, so I'll wait and see what they have and go from there. I hope there are collapsible cups available. If not, I might have to try the baggie.

Sorry about the flat tire @tarun_yadavA . You did great with your run though. I'm glad you felt like keeping it up after you got started. Enjoy tonight and your weekend. I did get the Strava e-mail, but didn't even open it. I'm surprised I wasn't one of your #1 fans too. How is everyday not a winner? Hahaha about the Baconator. Maybe I should have taken a picture of my McDonald's sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit I had for breakfast. (They left the cheese off, but I had some that I added here after I figured that out. Plus I got a bonus tator tot thing I didn't pay for. Not the best service at this particular McDonald's, apparently.)

I love the little Airbnb that I am staying at and the weather is really nice this morning. It was chilly at 8 am, so will probably be just about right for the race in the morning, if I can handle the waiting around part.

@tarun_yadavA What is a Baconator? I am sorry about your flat tyre , but hey, at least you got an awesome run in today!

And of course now I had to check out my strava recap and feel the love ! Thanks everyone!! And now I’m already starting to plan my running goals for next year…

Today was a bit colder out, so the ground was almost frozen and a bit better to run on, although still by no means “pleasant”. I do feel like I am back in my training groove and ran 13km just because I felt like it, which is always a great feeling- wanting to continue vs. wanting the run to be done with already. I did have to stop at 13 though to get to work in time for a meeting.

Good luck with your race tomorrow @quilteryoyo ! I hope it’s a lot of fun and you don’t have to worry about water on the course!

@ContraryMaryMary I am glad your calf seems to be greatly on the mend. I hate calf injuries!!!!

Thanks @WarmJellyfish .

Thanks @Laurz9191 At least I'm someone's biggest fan. Nice running. I don't have many runs that I want to continue, but it is nice when it does happen.

Dec 1 - Walked 1.00 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - treadmill
Dec 2 - Walked 0.50 miles - Ran 2.00 miles - treadmill
Dec 3 - Walked 0.50 miles - Ran 2.50 miles - treadmill
Dec 4 - Walked 0.50 miles - Ran 2.75 miles - treadmill
Dec 5 - Walked 0.50 miles - Ran 2.50 miles - treadmill - Gym - 48m39s
Dec 6 - Walked 0.50 miles - Ran 2.00 miles - treadmill
Dec 7 - Walked 1.00 miles - Ran 10.00 miles - treadmill
Dec 8 - Walked 1.25 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - treadmill
Dec 9 - Walked 0.50 miles - Ran 2.00 miles - treadmill
Dec 10 - Walked 1.00 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - Driveway
Dec 11 - Walked 1.00 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - At hotel in SC
Dec 12 - Walked 1.25 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - At Airbnb in Cape Canaveral
Dec 13 - Walked 1.50 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - To the ocean

34.75/80 mile goal

Tippy and I found the ocean today on our walk. She's not allowed on the beach, but I did get a couple of decent pictures with her on the path to the beach. We also ran a couple of short bits - 1 - 2 minutes and it felt good and Tippy did great. She usually doesn't run with me, so I was sort of surprised she did so well. Avg pace was 14:14 min/mile.

Before our walk, I went to packet pick up. The last two year, they didn't really have any vendors, but they did this year, which was nice. I did wind up buying a pair of sleeves, to mitigate my poor planning in not bringing a jacket. I think it is going to be pretty cool while waiting in the morning. I won't wear them while running though, since I never had and don't want to do anything new. I also bought a set of race dots I plan to use. And did I mention I got to see Santa and tell him I wanted a PR tomorrow?

After I got home, I went ahead and set out flat Vicky so I won't have to worry about that in the morning.

I hope I can sleep a little bit tonight. Three o'clock is going to come early. The race starts at 7:30, with opening ceremonies at 7:10. However, logistics of getting to the starting line was a nightmare last year, so I'm not going to chance being rushed. I'd much rather be early. The gate to the Space Force Station opens at 4 for runners. I plan to try to leave here about 5. It is only 8 min from where I am staying - to the gate. Then it's 2 or 3 really slow miles to the Space Shuttle Orbiter runway, where we park and then another shuttle ride to be dropped off for a mile walk to the start line - unless they changed it this year. You can't wait until the last minute.

Shoot. I almost forgot to let you know that they are still going to have cups at all the aid stations, so I don't have to worry about that. I guess they aren't giving out bottles of water at the end, so if you want it, you have to buy it or bring an empty bottle (can be checked). I'm not sure which I will do. May carry an empty bottle in my vest and if it bothers me, I'll throw it away at one of the aid stations and just buy a bottle when I get there. I do think it is a bit sad that they aren't going to give everyone a bottle at the finish line.

I received an e-mail that said I could send a link to people who wanted to follow my progress tomorrow. I signed up for it, so it's there, but I can't figure out how to find the link to send. Maybe just look up the Space Force T-Minus 10 miler and it will let you find and follow me. My bib number is 990. If I figure it out, I'll put it on here.

December Goal: 125 miles

12/1: 10.02 miles
12/2: 3.26 miles
12/3: 6.02 miles
12/4: 6.02 miles
12/5: 6.25 miles
12/6: 3.26 miles
12/8: 10.10 miles
12/9: 3.55 miles
12/10: 6.04 miles
12/11: 6.04 miles
12/12: 6.04 miles
12/13: 3.25 miles

69.85/125 miles completed for December

Once again, I am posting two runs. This month has been super busy at work, and when you add in the holidays, it is just crazy.

Yesterday I ran 6 miles. It was pretty cold at 43F, feels like 37F. But I was almost over dressed. It is so hard to know. I decided that since I hadn't done any speed work since my race in November that it was high time I did, so I did an interval run. I did 4x100 at pace and then 4x400 at pace. I managed to hit all the paces, so I felt good about it. I probably wouldn't have felt overdressed if I had just done an easy run, but it felt good to put in some effort.

My yearly running goal is 1660 miles. Yesterday I was at 1657.16, so today I ran a 5K. Actually 3.25 miles and that puts me to 1660.14. The run today was uneventful, but it was 57F so I was happy about that.

Looks like you are having a great trip @quilteryoyo. Good luck tomorrow!

Glad the calf is better @ContraryMaryMary

Sorry about the flat @tarun_yadavA. I guess it is Friday 13th.

My top 3 Strava fans: