Can she run a 10-miler?

[PunchTonic]

Hi y'all! 

As you've probably guessed, my main goal in this challenge is to train for the Army 10-miler that I'll be running in October, if I get the chance (registration is full)! Either way, I'm going to train for it as if I'm running it.... And now I've told enough people that I'm doing it so I can't back out! 

My goals this challenge are generally the same: Get healthier and stronger without letting life "get in the way." So, without further ado, the QUESTS:

 

1. Train for the 10-miler - I have about a month and a half to get as good at this as possible. Just as a reference, I used to run roughly a mile every day about 8 years ago and since then it's been on a steady decline (I never liked to run, I did it because I had to). I still lead a moderately active lifestyle, but the last time I ran was in March when I did 5 miles with minimum training (read: signed up last minute, panicked, ran it anyway). I don't want to do that again (and, frankly, don't think I CAN), so I'm taking this run more seriously. I don't think I'll be setting any records (I run about a 10-11 minute mile lol), but I'd like to be able to run 10 miles without passing out or feeling super nervous about it. 

 

SPECIFIC goals for this one are that I'll likely be using the Nike+ training app or finding some other training program that I can follow, instead of just saying "go for a run today," which I already know won't be enough to make me do it. I'm also looking for a good way to keep me accountable, whether that's through some kind of consequence or by unlocking loot (or both. Both is good).

 

 

2. Study for the GRE - I'm planning on taking the GRE in the few weeks after the 10-mile run, which gives me about 52 days. My goal is to do a problem set/exercise every day here to there (7/wk, about a half-hour time commitment each day) which I think is do-able. 

 

 

3. Don't snack mindlessly - My last challenge included reducing my carb intake for one meal a day. But I always found I was snacking a bunch (I'm talking chips, candy, etc.). For this challenge I'm going to try to keep a log of what I snack on and focus on NOT doing that. I'm still allowing myself to snack mindfully - for example, having a piece of dark chocolate to satisfy a sweets craving or eat seaweed snacks for my salty fix. These are purposeful choices to eat healthier alternatives to junk food. 

 

 

 

4. Work on research paper 30 min every weekday - In my last challenge, I tried to read 2 academic papers a week in order to help me prepare/get in the mindset of writing my research paper. Actually WRITING the dang thing was oddly, getting in the way of me completing that challenge successfully, so this time 'round, I'm tweaking this so that the writing of the paper is the priority. I want to make this a consistent effort instead of writing in chunks for 2 or 3 hours at a time every few days. (I'm also hoping 30 min will turn into longer as I get into the swing of things, so I'll get more work done!)

 

 

 

5. Read 1 page a day - I want to get back into reading for fun so I'm starting with doing at least one page a day. My plan is to read before I go to sleep, which will hopefully make me sleep better (no passing out to the glow of some electronic), so I'll kill 2 birds with one stone there. I'm setting up the habit, which is why my metric for reaching this goal is SO small. But that's how we do here at NF. 

 

 

What FIVE GOALS this time?!?!? Of course, like it usually does, these are likely going to change as I learn what works and doesn't throughout the month. 

 

ANYWHO - got any suggestions on ways to keep myself accountable (esp with the running)? Or good training programs for running 10 miles? Or any running music suggestions? Cool books to read? I'm all ears!

 

 

[PunchTonic]

UPDATE: 

 

Travel arrangements have been made for me to run the 10-miler, so...

 

[Femineer]

I LOVE audiobooks for listening to when I'm running. An extra motivator is that I'll only let myself listen to my audiobook when I'm running (or doing chores). Have you tried the Outlander Series? Their audiobook versions are narrated by Davina Porter. Amazing stories, and quite long so they'll sustain you through many long runs while you are desperate to find out what happens next.

[NY153]

Hi, I am here to follow along and cheer for your success! You've got great goals.

 

3 hours ago, PunchTonic said:

ANYWHO - got any suggestions on ways to keep myself accountable (esp with the running)? Or good training programs for running 10 miles?

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend any good, tried out training plan, I only started running three weeks ago. I downloaded a beginner training plan and copied it to my regular calendar, so I always see it. Even if I can't make one training because of some other program, I immediately reschedule it to make sure I don't miss it entirely. This works really well for me to keep myself accountable. Also, I don't know if you are a morning person, but if you can, do running the first thing in the morning before life gets in the way.

 

1 hour ago, Femineer said:

I LOVE audiobooks for listening to when I'm running.

This is a great idea, I will definitely try this.

[LucentFrost]

Good luck on your challenge!

[Vibrantella]

Good luck with your challenge and your 10-miler!  I don't run, but I admire people who do!  

[PunchTonic]

On 8/19/2016 at 1:12 PM, Femineer said:

I LOVE audiobooks for listening to when I'm running. An extra motivator is that I'll only let myself listen to my audiobook when I'm running (or doing chores). Have you tried the Outlander Series? Their audiobook versions are narrated by Davina Porter. Amazing stories, and quite long so they'll sustain you through many long runs while you are desperate to find out what happens next.

 

That's an awesome idea! I have NOT read the Outlander series, but basically the only audiobook I've ever listened to is Harry Potter xD Jim Dale's so good, I couldn't get into any other series for a while, but I'm ready to give them another try!

[PunchTonic]

On 8/19/2016 at 3:12 PM, NY153 said:

Also, I don't know if you are a morning person, but if you can, do running the first thing in the morning before life gets in the way.

 

I get up too early for work for morning running to be a thing for me, BUT at the beginning of me following the NF fitness path, I would change into my workout clothes before leaving the office on the days that I was doing a workout, which basically ensured that I'd do the thing right after work. I'm just not excited to be running when it's hot out. :/ and I don't have a gym membership so I can't run inside. 

 

Putting the training days into my calendar is a good idea. I'll get right on it! 

[PunchTonic]

11 hours ago, Vibrantella said:

Good luck with your challenge and your 10-miler!  I don't run, but I admire people who do!  

 

Thank you! I figured I should give running it's fair shot before I judge it too harshly haha. 

[PunchTonic]

http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51127/15K-10-mile-Novice-Training-Program

 

 

This is likely the training program I'll be doing. I'm a bit late to the party, so I'll be jumping in at week 4 (darn you, procrastination). Based on my fitness level (and again, I'm running this just to finish strong, not to be that competitive), I think I'll be alright. 

 

 

[NY153]

Looks like a good program, as far as I can tell. Are you doing it in addition to or instead of the wallyball practice?

[Myrdinn]

Hey there - good luck with this! The program looks pretty sensible. If you want another option or something else to look at for comparison you could take a look at https://my.asics.com/uk/en-gb - developed by ASICS, the running shoe brand, but it's backed up by some pretty decent science. My wife used it to train for a marathon a few years back and rated it.

 

Speaking to @Femineer's point about audiobooks, I am listening to the first book of The Wheel Of Time on audio at the moment and very much enjoying it.

[PunchTonic]

8 hours ago, NY153 said:

Looks like a good program, as far as I can tell. Are you doing it in addition to or instead of the wallyball practice?

 

I'm running in addition to practice. I love volleyball too much to give it up! xD

[PunchTonic]

Update #1

Hello! This week was pretty bad...EXCEPT with working on my research paper. I think because I put so much time in (I had a deadline), especially in the beginnning of the week, it sort of derailed everything else. Also I forgot about one of my challenges lol.  Here's how things landed: 

1. Train for the 10-miler - 0/3     So I went as far as printing/scheduling my runs, but I never did any of them. I had the same excuses (it's too hot outside, I'm wiped, It's too dark outside, I'll have to shower at a weird time). I also experimented with waking up early (5am was the time I determined I needed to get to to be ready in time for work) and that went HILARIOUSLY TERRIBLE. 

But not all hope is lost, because with my bro at my side (for approximately 1 minute before he passed me), I went for my first training run today! It was only 10 minutes long, but I think exactly what I needed to get kick-started. Unfortunately for this update, that goes on week 2 for me. xD 
 

I'm going to be training with the Nike+ Run Club app which generates a running program for you based on your fitness level and your goals. It also tracks your runs and progress and you can give it feedback for how difficult a training session was so it can make adjustments. It's also what my bro uses, so I'll probably just stick with this.

 

 

2. Study for the GRE - 0/5      Errrgh, this one was pure laziness. No excuses - I need to get my butt in gear. I bought some index cards so I can make flash cards for common GRE words. 

 

 

3. Don't snack mindlessly -  (-2)      I'm not sure the best way to measure this one. Maybe I'll change it number of times I resist snacking for hunger? Anyway, from what I could tell, I only snacked mindlessly TWICE during the week and there was immediate regret. I think what's made this one an effective challenge is that I make healthy alternatives available. Or I go out and buy something to eat instead of snacking on junk. It hasn't been cheap, but it's been healthier! 

 

 

4. Work on Research Paper - 3/5       So I worked hard-core before my deadline (Well over my proposed 30 min every day), but I really have to try to do this consistently every day instead of a lot in a couple of  days. That's the goal for this week.

 

 

5. Read at least a page a day -  4/7       So this is the one I straight-up forgot about until Wed of last week (lol). But since I've remembered it, I've been reading just about every night. I don't read much....maybe about 5 pages before my eyes get heavy. I haven't noticed any improvements on sleep, but that's probably because I'm reading when I'm already tired instead of letting it ease me into sleeping. This week, I'm going to work on getting ready for bed earlier so I can read for longer and hopefully that'll help me sleep better (and more importantly, wake up better).

 

 

 

So, goals for this week: 

1. Use the Nike+ running app.

2. Wake up earlier (5am) to run or get a jump start on studying/working on paper and do those small quantities consistently.

3. Get ready for bed earlier so I can read and also get up earlier.

[NY153]

Looks like you have great successes so far, and even on the quest where you haven't so far, you have a good strategy at least, so congrats! Keep up the good work!

3 hours ago, PunchTonic said:

Wake up earlier (5am)

Not to be negative, but this sounds terrible... Good luck!

[PunchTonic]

On 8/30/2016 at 2:01 AM, NY153 said:

Not to be negative, but this sounds terrible... Good luck!

 

Ahaha yeah...it doesn't sound that appealing to me either! I think the only reason that I haven't already given up on this being a possibility is that for a while, I had to get up around that time (maybe closer to 5:30am), working the opening shift for a cafe. After a few days of doing that, it wasn't terrible, and there's a kind of peace in the early morning - before the sun's come up and it feels like you've got the world available to you..... 

Anyway, I'd LOVE to be a "wakes-up-at-the-crack-of-dawn" kind of person (I mean, just think about how much more productive I'd be!), so it's still something I'm attempting to do, but truly half-heartedly. >< So far it has NOT been working, but I'm still keeping up with my other goals, so I'm not too bothered. 

[PunchTonic]

Update #2

 

I've been making strides with the paper and literal strides with the running training..... Still not where I'd like to be though.

1. Train for the 10-miler - 4/4    So far I'm loving the Nike+ running club app. I think these 4 workouts have totaled around 5 miles, but I know it'll get more challenging as time goes on.

 

 

2. Study for the GRE - 2/5       I need to be more mindful about sitting down and getting this done every day. I used to go to the library straight after work and I studied or worked on my paper in that time. Now that's been replaced by me going straight home to work out. This is part of the reason I wanted to wake up early to run (or study), so these things wouldn't compete. Maybe I'll just make this a priority to do right after my workout instead of sitting around basking in the fact that I successfully completed a run. xD    

 

 

3. Don't snack mindlessly -  (-3)     Still unsure how to measure this one..... Anyway, my main goal with this challenge is to not snack in the place of just eating a meal. So far, I'd say I'm doing that 100%, but occasionally I'll have a treat (like, I ate a cinnamon bun the other day). I've been counting those as "snacking mindlessly," but really, it was a conscious decision that I made and that I'm ok with (so far anyway...I'll probably get more strict with myself in the future). Maybe this just specific challenge needs more definition.  

 

 

4. Work on Research Paper - 1/5       Again, I binged and didn't spread out my work-load. I only worked one day last week, but it was for about an hour and a half (3.5 hours if it includes the time in the meeting that I was preparing for). This challenge is suffering from the same problem as the GRE studying challenge - I really just need to make a dedicated effort to sit down and work on this. Part of the problem as well is that it takes me a little bit to get my mind in the right place. Life ain't easy!

 

 

5. Read at least a page a day -  7/7      Badabing, badaboom. This has been my favorite challenge so far! (I'm reading Howl's Moving Castle - and yes, I've seen the movie). 

 

 

New, goals for this week: 

1. Wake up early to run. It's so hot, really I'd be doing myself a favor.

2. Schedule time to work on studying for the GRE and to work on my paper.

3. Maybe buy some more healthy small meals to eat between actual meals. What do you guys like to eat? 

[PunchTonic]

Update #3

 

1. Train for the 10-miler - 3/4       I almost had this one, but I didn't have time to run on Saturday and I wasn't feeling well the following day. So I skipped my weekend workout. I'm back at it though

 

 

2/3. Study for the GRE/Work on research paper - 0/5      lulz. Oh, but I DID register for the GRE. I'll be taking it Nov 10. Crunch time!

 

 

4. Don't snack mindlessly -  (-)3/5    - I think I might just scrap this one for the next week. It's really not an effective metric

 

 

5. Read at least a page a day -  4/7     Things were hectic Friday through Sunday night, so I didn't read before bed those days.

 

 

Goals for this week: 

1. Train with longer runs

2. Schedule time to work on studying for the GRE and to work on my paper.

3. Start eating breakfast. I was fasting intermittently, only having coffee for "breakfast" but now that I'm running more regularly, I think my body needs more fuel. I'm thinking of having something like yogurt and granola or overnight oats. I think I'll still eat mid-meal snacks (like an apple + pb) too. Idk - thoughts on intermittent fasting vs eating breakfast/grazing for keeping up energy levels?

 

[NY153]

How did your challenge go overall?

[PunchTonic]

FINAL UPDATE: 

Well, this week went about as well as the last, but I have some revelations to share overall~

1. To answer the question posed by this challenge: She might (be able to)! But not by October.  So I recently went on a 5 mile run and I was pleased that I wasn't totally tanked like last time. But it made me realize that there's no way I could run twice that far in one go within 3 weeks without walking a significant portion of it. So I'm not going to run in the official 10-mile "race" in October. I'm going to keep training though! And regardless, I'm glad that through this challenge I've started to get back to regular exercise. The path is clearer now for how to improve.

 

2. I don't think I could wake up to run or study/exercise at all before 6:30 am. That's about when I wake up for work and I've tried and failed for roughly 3 weeks now to get up before that.....It's just not happening fam. Not unless there's a serious reward at the end of that tunnel.

 

3. I realize that, as an adult with a full work-day to get through 5 days a week (this is relatively new to me), that I cannot pull all-nighters anymore. I can't wait until the last minute to work on things. With that in mind, I realize that I need to schedule out time in my day to work on things that need to be worked on. I still need to be honest with myself and figure out what pockets of time I have/make adjustments to make room in my schedule to study and to work on my research to meet deadlines without binge-working. But that's for the next challenge! 

 

 

[LucentFrost]

I really admire your perspectives after every challenge, and on how you analyze what you did so that you can improve on the next challenge. I'm sure I'll be there for the next one!

[NY153]

it seems like even though you did not meet all of your goals, you figured out how to continue and improve. That's great, congrats! Have you started a new official challenge? 

[PunchTonic]

On 9/26/2016 at 6:30 AM, NY153 said:

it seems like even though you did not meet all of your goals, you figured out how to continue and improve. That's great, congrats! Have you started a new official challenge? 

Thanks! Here's my new challenge thread for whoever wants to follow!