Running through December
 

Thought I'd get the thread rolling on this chilly December morning.... :brr:

This may be the toughest month for me to make running/exercise a priority! I think we have something going on every single weekend.

Anyone have any races in December? I'm done until January, but I will live vicariously through the rest of you! Good luck to Momof5k on her first race! You will do GREAT!

im doing rudolphs revenge 10K on the 19th..... thats it for me.... :(

One more than I have :( I meant to ask you in the other thread, what is a qualifying time for Boston?

Qualifying time for ME, being a female age 18-30 is 3 hr 40 min. now a MALE my same age would have to run it in like 3 hr 10 min!!! So im pretty grateful at the moment to be a girl!!!! 3:40 seems DOABLE (although im going to have to train just as hard as for my first marathon to knock 20 minutes off my time!)

My next HM is on Dec 13. It helps me not pig out too much at all of those holiday parties!

FINALLY out of November! THat month seemed to drag on! I have a 2 mile x-mas run on December 19th and a new year's day 5k. I'm sooo glad I did that Turkey Trot because now, I'm not afraid at all of my c25k long run days. I think 'hey, I was able to run for 40 minutes! 25 is no sweat!' ;)

Yay, December! My favorite month of the year!! A belated congrats to everyone who ran Turkey Trots...if I didn't congratulate you already!!

Things have been pretty busy for me at work and home. I have been running faithfully and have one more 5K on 12/12. It's the Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis, and I'm looking forward to it lots. Hopefully it won't be too cold! This will be it until 3/14/10 until I do...my first 10K! In other news, I had received an ad for a half marathon on 8/21/10 at my Turkey Trot, and I have decided to go for it. I have nine months to get ready, I'm not planning on a time goal (other than 3:30 when they kick everyone off the course), and if I have to walk part of it, that's cool. I'm just excited about getting out there and DOING it!!! I'll be using a Jeff Galloway HM training program for beginners. If I like it, who knows, there will probably be another HM in 2011 sometime...

MK - Hooray, I'm so excited to hear about your marathon! I just have a feeling you will qualify for Boston...no prob!

Momof5K - Good luck with your first 5K! I KNOW you will do great and will have an AMAZING time! I walk/jogged my very first race in September, didn't even think about my time AT ALL, and I had a blast!

Eve - Yay for new shoes!! And yeah, doing a race will definitely build your courage in doing the longer runs at the end of C25K. Can't wait to hear how the coming weeks go!

Have a great week everyone!

crk, You will do AWESOME at the half marathon! I bought one of galloway's books called "Half Marathon, you can do it!"

Mk, You will be qualifyin' for Boston in no time! You rock!

So, are we allowed to join in here with you guys if we aren't quite off and running just yet...but will be one day? :^: I hope so because I have been following your thread for awhile now and you girls are so motivating to me. You are what gave me the courage to commit to walking a 5K in March. I have big plans for the new year...want to walk the 5K, then a 10K, then a half marathon in October. I hope it will give me the confidence to start running more by then...or maybe it will happen sooner who knows!

Anyway, I have started training for the 5K and it doesn't feel that hard, though my legs are pretty sore and achy right now :) that feels so much better than a store stomach from eating!

Funny you should mention this book - that is the one I'm working out of! Great minds think alike!!

Purplefirefly - Welcome! We are happy to have you here! Sounds like you have a great plan, and I wish you all the best in your 5K, 10K, and HM training!!

Also wondering if I might join in with you guys! Been reading through your threads and love everyone's energy and enthusiasm!
I just started running the start of October this year. Ran my first mile Oct. 27th and was dead tired afterwards but I had never in my life ran a mile so I was full of pride and I feel like I just took off from there. Monday of this week I ran for 5 miles, I am still smiling :) Tuesday I knocked my time down by 5 minutes and finished at 55 minutes that was hard but I only had 55 min to finish before I had to go home so I did it! But afterwards my hips were killing me still a bit sore today and will only do weights and bike today, let my body rest. I was on such a high that I forgot to listen to my body.
Anyways, I am thinking of entering a kilomathon it is 16 mile race here and is in March of next year. I feel like I could do it even if I have to walk here and there. But I am nervous to enter. I am still really obese but I love that for the first time in my life I can run for more than 30 seconds without gasping and play tag with my kids and not fall over dying. Anyways, so sorry to ramble hope it is ok to join in look forward to it!! Thanks for inspiring!!

crk, I love that we got the same book! lol! I just skimmed thru it cuz I'm not done with c25k yet, but I noticed he suggests using something called accelerade and endurox r4. Anyone used these?

Welcome Purple and Mary! you both sound like you have great thing planned for your runs! You can do it!

Welcome newbies! Absolutely, you can join in!

In my view it all counts: run the whole way, run/walk, or walk. The important thing is to get OUT there and move! Fast, slow, or turtle, it doesn't matter. What matters is just being consistent, starting from wherever you are and working up from there. Most of us won't win races; that takes time, training, and the right genetics! But we CAN participate in races, we can improve our health and our endurance, and we can have fun doing it.

awww thanks for the warm welcome everyone :)

I have a question...what do you all use to track your miles? I have a cheap little pedometer from Walmart but I am questioning how accurate it really is. I do have a Polar heart rate monitor but it doesn't track mileage. Suggestions?

Welcome, Purple and MaryAnne! Someone on here once said if you have any desire, no matter how small, to run...then start! I'm glad I followed that advice, so I'll repeat it to you ladies... it has changed my life!

Purple, I am eying a Garmin Forerunner 305 and will probably buy one post-Christmas. It's a GPS/heart rate monitor. They are bulky but I think it will be worth it, especially as mileage is increased. I think the big benefit will be being able to run wherever and not have to map out your miles before/after. If you want to run 3 miles, just run in one direction for 1.5 miles and then turn around and run back - this is the huge benefit of the GPS. They have a 205 version that can just track the mileage/pace but not calories burned. I believe Polar also makes a GPS device (I also have a Polar HRM and I'm definitely more interested in the mileage vs calories now!)

Welcome Newbies....Jump right in

Purple - I use a Garmin Forerunner 305. It is a little bulky but it does job. It has a heart monitor, tracks, my miles, calories and route taken all categorized by the date and time. AWESOME

MBN - I love how you put it. You are right it all counts.

I have a short run today at tempo (3.5). Oh and I am such a friggin dork. I stayed up to 12AM 12/1 to sign up for the Monument Ave 10K in Richmond.! I have been so excited to sign up since the HM and I just couldn't help muhself!

Purple - which Polar HRM do you have? There is a footpod that works with some of them that can be purchased from Polar that will track mileage and sync in with the HRM. I have an F60, no footpod though. I track my mileage with a RunKeeper app for my iPhone.

This is going to be a hard month for me to run, too... I feel myself slipping into the downhill spiral already, with the weather getting cold and holiday plans I find myself already making excuses. Have to get past that! If nothing else, I have a treadmill in my garage for just this time of year. 3.25 miles last night in the garage, 1 mile on Sunday chasing my stepson on his bike, a 7 mile and a 6 mile last week. Have to build up the treadmill miles to make it out the year...

I've used several different strategies to track my miles. When I first started running, I used a Microsoft program called "streets and trips" to map out various routes and plot the distances. There are web sites now that offer the same thing, I think one is "map my run". Later, I got one of the first GPS units for running, a bulky 2 part unit that's totally obsolete now. It WAS nice to be able to just run free and let the unit tell me how far/fast I was going. If all else fails, you can always just DRIVE your route and see what the car odometer says!

Now, I just have friends with GPS! Either I run on routes where I already know the mileage, or I'm on the TM, or I run with people who have one of the new GPS watches. My phone (the new DROID) also has an app called Cardio Trainer that will do the same thing, and it works, but it's a bit cumbersome to run with the phone!

One of these days, I may have to spring for one of those newfangled GPS thingies ...

Okay...right now I am walking on a circular track at a park near my home. The road we live on is rural and hilly and dangerous to walk on, no sidewalks or anything here either, so the park is close and my best option. When weather is bad I open all the doors in my house and walk loops around it...not as strenuous but I can work up a sweat if I add in light jogging laps. So, planning a route is not really something I need, just to track miles while walking in a loop..and I have no idea how far one lap is on the track, it's around a soccer field though.

I have a Polar F4...so would the foot thing work with it?

Thanks for all the help everyone! I am looking into some of the GPS watches you all mentioned...I just feel like I'm too beginner to invest much, if that makes sense. I feel I have to "prove" myself first or something.

No idea about the Polar foot pod, but I just wanted to chime in and say I felt the same way about investing in running shoes. I was worried that I'd drop $100+ on good shoes and then give up a month later! So I totally understand waiting to invest..and something like the GPS device is a considerable investment.

Oh HERE you are! I was thinking...hmmmm I wonder how come I haven't had an email from the running thread lately. The November running thread?!? Perhaps becasue it is December! Doh!

Thanks for all the encouragement regarding my upcoming race. I am looking forward to it and really nervous all at once. Just to complicate things for me a little more, we just got out first big dump of snow and I have never run in snow before!! Oh well. As long as I do it, I'll call it a success.

I am going to try to get out and do an outdoor run tomorrow just to try it before my Saturday event. Hopefully I don't wipe out!

I also just purchased the Garmin Forerunner 305 (Costco $169!!) and I really like it! I was using the Nike+ foot pod thing and although that website is much better than the Garmin, I don't think it was particularly accurate with my mileage outside so I prefer the GPS on the Garmin. I bought it because it also has the heart rate monitor and it works great!

I bought the cheapie WalMart running shoes and they feel really good for walking...I decided I will go for something better first of the new year if I really keep with my training program. i will need some good ones for the races I think.

Does the HRM use the chest strap thing? My Polar does and it rubs me raw...and it doesn't stay clasped very well so I had to tape it (that helped with rubbing as well, but hard to get it on and off now). That has me really wanting something new as well!

Okay, a question for you experienced racers...I am looking at the entry form for the 5K I want to walk in March, and I have to select either the Fun Walk or Race Walk. they are both 5k and go at the same time and fee is the same, so should I just go as fun the first time? I don't know that I could really be competitive for the race right now :lol: so feel silly entering the actual race! What do you guys think?

Purple- i wonder if the difference between the "fun" and the "race" is whether or noty ou get officially timed...... is that important to you?? If you WANT to be timed then go for race ( again, this is what i am guesing)...

Boy guys, i picked a GREAT week here in denver to tone down my running (although i am going crazy).. it was 6 degrees this morning, and will be tomorrow and the next day...etc......... Its not the cold so much, just the layer of ICE that cant melt becuz its not getting warm enough during the day!!

down with TREADMILLS!!!!

Purple - I too had the walking shoes for the first 3 or 4 months of running, and then figured I would stick with it long enough to invest in running shoes. Proper shoes really do make all the difference!

MK - I decided yesterday that if not running in 15 degree temps means I'm a wimp, then so be it! :lol: It is just downright FRIGID! I've been actually having fun on the treadmill with various speed work, but I'm ready for a warmer day so I can get a 7 miler in (groan).

So I have some exciting news. I registered for my half marathon last night! :D :carrot: :broc: :D Will be doing the Ft Collins half marathon, it's all downhill, how bad can it be...right? LOL

fat- i did that half marathon last year!! First weekend in May, right?
I was thinking about doing the full this year, but ONLY if i dont qualify for Boston in Salt Lake (downhill, right?)

It wont actually FEEL downhill, BTW, but it doesnt ever really feel uphill, either, unlike Georgetown to Idaho Springs, which DOES feel like it has a lot of uphill, even though the net LOSS is over 1000 ft elevation. ANYWAY, the only problem i have with the FAT collins half is the way they make you shuttle to the start really REALLY early, and its really REALLY cold!! Plus there is negligible crowd support (which is really important, to me personally).
How exciting!! First half!! WAHOOS!!
and its not the FRIGID-- like i said, its the ICE i cant see.....not worth an injury, ya know?? Youd be suprised at how warm even 6 degrees feels when youre running ;)
BTW- looked at your blog!! Its fantastic---YOU WEAR MAKEUP TO YOUR RACES????? :) WOW, i dont even shower or brushe my hair or teeth for three day before hand!!!

:rofl:
Seriously, how does the makeup stay on?? I'm a sweaty mess when I get done! If I tried to wear makeup I'd look like a sweaty racoon. :D

My hat's off to y'all who live in frigid climates. I can't imagine having to cope with below-freezing temps and running! :brr:

Purple: I'll bet MK is right and the fun walk is likely untimed. You wouldn't have to hassle with a timing chip (or strip) and there would be no "race" pressure. Racewalking has a specialized stride and those guys can be FAST! In my early running days, the racewalkers would go faster than I could run!! There are special "racewalking" rules about keeping one foot on the ground at all times. If you jog at any point, then you are running, not racewalking. If you aren't sure what you want to do, you can always call the race organizer and ask, I'm sure they could give you more information.

That's kind of what I figured - looking at the elevation profile. It looks a bit like the Longmont Turkey Trot in terms of the downhill slope... you know that it's easier but the elevation loss is so slight that you're not exactly staring at a downhill slope. And then when you go uphill, you know it's harder but not like the dang hills I have around my neighborhood. At least this is what I'm telling myself. LOL

YES -I saw the 7am start time for the HM and 6am for the M! :yikes: What the heck, like anyone is doing anything else in Ft Collins that day besides tipping cows. Personally I don't like waiting around for a long time before races. Just gives me more time to think and get worked up.

Um, yes, I do wear makeup to my races, how silly is that? My DH makes fun of me LOL. I don't know why, I just always have to have makeup on. The only place I'll go w/o makeup is to Walmart, but then I figure I still look better than half the people in there :lol:

LOL ok... I only use MAC makeup. I had a MAC artist do my makeup for my wedding and have been hooked ever since. I have a gel eyeliner that DOES NOT COME OFF, even in the shower - you have to use eye removal stuff to get that sucker off.

Also, please notice I don't have many (if any) photos from post-race. Ha!

And please! I am running 5ks, not half marys or marathons! I hardly work up a sweat with those anymore. :rofl:

Hey everyone! I haven't been posting here, but I've been working at my weight-loss goal. I've been working out everyday (besides yesterday because I was really sore from weights!) and running. I haven't been doing distance lately though I've had some really great sprints! :)

FAT- the 7 am start means you have to catch the requred shuttle at like 5 am
i did it last year.
it sucked

IM SORRY!! Im not trying to rain on your HM Parade.....i was just trying to recall pros/cons of running that race!! Theres only ONE short section where you even FEEL like you are going up hill, as i recall, which is GREAT!

LOL no worries! Did you stay at a hotel in town the night before? I'm thinking that's what we'll have to do. My in-laws live in Brighton but that's still 1.5 hrs away from FoCo. I don't foresee me getting up at 3 a.m. to drive from their house.

yay
we got a hotel..... one of the ones associated with the race ( NOT the hilton) so we got a discount. Maybe ramada?? the good thing about staying at a hotel associted with the race is that they provided a shuttle TO the Shuttles!!

I hurt my achilles yesterday. All the research I've done says absolutely no running until it's pretty much healed. I'm seeing my pod today though, and getting new shoes (old ones are too big from my weight loss, I think that contributed to the problem).

I still woke up at 4am, and am bored and itching to go for a run. Who knew this could be so addictive?

Yes, it looks like the walkers at this race go FAST, at least fast compared to me right now :lol: the website lists last year results...winning race walker did the 5K in 33:08.1. The slowest person took just over an hour, so I know I can at least beat him (I hope :o )

The winning runner came in at 19:19.77 (female) and 16 something for the top male.

I will just be a fun walker this time around :cool: that's okay with me.

I hope to be addicted one day, right now it's just hard....hard but feels good in the end, surprisingly (walking, not running just yet). I also hope you heal very quick and can get back out there where you belong.

Do you go by yourself? I'm hoping to convince my hubby to go with me to mine and I want to put my little boy in the kid's race, i think he'd like it. i wondered though if some people go on their own, as I may have to.

33:08! Yowza, that is some FAST walking! That is faster than I jogged my first 5K! :?:

World class racewalkers can do 7-8 min miles!! But to achieve that, they have to have a very quick pace and racewalking looks awkward and kind of painful to me! I'd rather jog, it seems much more natural.

Primm - I hope you heal quickly! Yes, this running thing IS addictive.

MK - is the running going better now that you've taken a bit of a break?

I've got a busy weekend ahead: TWO parties today, one tomorrow. I plan to do an easy 5 miler tomorrow morning (as usual) and then am shooting for 18 on Sunday morning. My marathon-training friends are scheduled for 22, so we are starting at 4 am. Even though I'm only training for halfs, I've been gradually trying to increase my long run, to see how the knees hold up. I've done several 16 milers, so now I want to step up. So far, so good. If I can make it to 20 miles without problems, then, maybe (possibly), I might CONSIDER training for a full marathon next year. I'm a little gun-shy, because my first full marathon experience (back in 2004) wasn't very positive and the training just about killed. It was too much for me at the time. But, I'm in a totally different place physically now AND I'm training with a group (I went solo the first time), so we'll see .... I really do like halfs, they are just no pressure to complete.

I have tried racewalking but I kept breaking out into a jog, the walking that fast actually burned and hurt more than just running, so I think I will build up my natural walking pace and then start running instead. I was just amazed at how fast they can go walking though!