Honeybadger: Out Of Hibernation

[honeybadger]

Hibernating is a nice way to say I've been slacking for the past few months. So after a few challenges off I'm jumping right back in. My goals will be fairly similar to those I have had in the past (if I can remember back that far). I will focus on eating better, adulting better and running more. 

 

Goals:

1. Fiber- incorporate more natural fiber in my diet daily. Every day!

I have had consistent tummy troubles for  a while. Incorporating more natural fiber has been a total readjustment of my diet. I have had to reintroduce some whole grains, dried fruits and juice (dates, prunes and prune juice) into my diet. I'm not complaining, anything is better than having to drink gross fiber goop. The few adjustments I have made have made a huge difference so far. I want to keep it up and to be more consistent. 

 

2. MFP- Log all my meals in My Fitness Pal staying within 100 calories of daily goal. 

I have not been doing this. When I don't log my meals I tend to overeat. MFP gives me a level of accountability that I apparently need. It also helps me know how much fiber I have had for the day. 

 

3. Adulting- Complete one thing off my to do list each week. 

I have some adulting that needs to get done this challenge that I have been putting off and a few others that just need to get done. These things include: renew professional insurance, transfer car registration, do taxes, schedule car repairs.

 

4. Run- Last but definitely not least I will run! Follow 10k training plan (I'll post my running goals week by week). 

I have been running consistently all winter usually 4 miles at a time 2x per week. I also did one day of cross training. I am signed up for a 5K on April 1st, my first race since October. I have been seriously considering running a 10k. I found one in about 8 weeks which gives me enough time to train comfortably if I can avoid injury and illness. My goal is to train for the distance and decide by the end of this challenge if I will run the race. 

 

 

This has been a challenging winter (I will spare you all the gory boring details) and I am glad it's over. I have missed being a part of the community and definitely missed the support and encouragement! I am very excited to get caught up with everyone and see what I have missed. 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Welcome back. Glad to see you Rangering with us again.

[honeybadger]

As promised I wanted to post this weeks running goals. I do have my goals and a loose schedule mapped out for the next 7 weeks (I actually started an 8 week plan zero week but didn't get around to posting my challenge until today). I have incorporated my 5k on the 1st and some social commitments that might interfere with training. I plan on running 3x/week with a long run scheduled for Sunday and a bonus cross training day scheduled for Saturday. I plan to run on Tuesdays and Thursdays but need to keep things flexible especially for the second half of the week. From past experience I do really well when I get my Sunday and Tuesday runs in as scheduled then play it by ear for the second half of the week. Because life. 

 

Last week I Ran Sunday and Tuesday (4.25 miles) and a little over 3 miles on Friday. This was less than a mile short of my goal. I got new shoes and socks and decided to wear them both on the same day. I also got some new blisters that forced me to cut things short!

 

This weeks goals: 

Sunday long run- Did 4.68 miles today was scheduled for 4.50 but felt really good so I kept going stopped at 50 minutes. 

Tuesday- 4.50 scheduled

Thursday- 4.25

Saturday- 60 minute cross train

 

I am on call this week for work so things will be a little more likely to get moved around. I will adjust as needed. 

 

 

4 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Welcome back. Glad to see you Rangering with us again.

 

Thanks Tank! It's really great to be back.  

[Charlie_Quinn]

Following for all the running! 8 weeks is a perfect amount of time to train for a 10k. Are you following a training plan? 

[suzyQlou]

Great to see you.  You are going to kill that 10k.  That is awesome!  Oh, and thanks for the reminder about taxes...one of these days I'll get to mine, too 

[Xena]

So proud of you for keeping up your running! Sounds like you are doing great, and if you are doing 4 mile runs, 10K is a piece of cake.

 

...or maybe 10K will be no problem and then you should have a piece of cake to celebrate :-)

[honeybadger]

As good as yesterday's run felt I was not expecting to be soooo epically sore today. Holy cow!  I definitely need to incorporate more stretching and foam rolling into my routine. By more I really mean I need to start stretching and foam rolling. Tomorrow's run should be interesting if I'm still sore. 

 

I ate too much today but hit my fiber goal.  To help me stay on track and plan for the day I think I need to start entering in my meals in advance like some of my fellow Rangers. 

 

15 hours ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

Following for all the running! 8 weeks is a perfect amount of time to train for a 10k. Are you following a training plan? 

 

Welcome! I could talk about running all day and have endless questions for more experienced runners. I am following an 8 week plan I adapted from runningplanet.com. I will post a copy of my plan as soon as I figure out why I can't upload images. I feel like it is enough time to train without overdoing it. 

 

11 hours ago, suzyQlou said:

Great to see you.  You are going to kill that 10k.  That is awesome!  Oh, and thanks for the reminder about taxes...one of these days I'll get to mine, too 

 

So happy you are back. Not sure about killing the 10k but I am confident that I will be ble to finish it. I keep avoiding my taxes out of sheer laziness. 

 

1 hour ago, Xena said:

So proud of you for keeping up your running! Sounds like you are doing great, and if you are doing 4 mile runs, 10K is a piece of cake.

 

...or maybe 10K will be no problem and then you should have a piece of cake to celebrate :-)

 

Thanks Xena. Running is the only thing I was consistent with over the past few months. I'm proud of that. I am definitely on my way to feeling better about being able to handle the distance. The race is actually a food truck race with beer and local food trucks at the finish. Celebrating will include all manner of greasy goodness. 

 

Thanks for the encouragement everyone! This is definitely what I have been missing. It is also what I will need to actually get up the confidence to run the race! 

[honeybadger]

I tried to attach my training scheduled 3 different ways. I give up. Technology not my friend at the moment. Our very computer savvy millennial grad intern will be in the office tomorrow. She is patient and kind and might be able to help. Ugh 

 

4.50 miles scheduled for tonight. Should be interesting as I am still limping around on very sore legs...not quite as bad as yesterday though.

 

 

[Xena]

Sometimes running on sore legs isn't so bad once you get started. I know that sounds highly suspicious, but it's true.

[honeybadger]

6 hours ago, Xena said:

Sometimes running on sore legs isn't so bad once you get started. I know that sounds highly suspicious, but it's true.

 

You were right my sore legs did not bother me at all. The blisters on the other hand...sufferfest! I managed to get 4.25 miles in even with the blister pain. Only .25 short of my goal for the day. I'm ok with it. I got started late and was just about to start gnawing on the treadmill I was so hungry. 

 

Depending on how I feel I might cross train on Thursday and then get my 3rd run in on Friday. Saturday would be a rest day. I'll play it by ear. 

 

Exceeded my fiber goal. Exceeded my calories as well. Damn you Russell Stover marshmallow eggs!

 

I'm looking for some suggestions about blister prevention. I am breaking in new sneakers while increasing mileage so I'm pretty sure that is the cause. I use fancy running socks. Tonight I used 2toms blister shield powder (suggested by a local running store) it did not seem to help and I actually developed a new blister in a new spot. Trail toes has been recommended by a friend at the gym. I'm interested if there are products anyone has used with success. 

 

[Xena]

I've taped my toes when they blister, but otherwise I don't think I have any suggestions.

 

oh, I've also cut holes in my shoes. That solved the problem but it looked pretty kooky

 

 

 

[suzyQlou]

(pretty sure you don't wanna do what I do with blisters - sit on the couch and veg until they heal?)

 

Seriously, hope you find something that helps.  When hiking, I always used moleskin.  Not sure if that is still a thing or would help for new running shoes.

[honeybadger]

Yesterday was supposed to be a rest day and rest I did. Legs felt great. Blisters were awful. I stayed hit my calorie goal and did great with my fiber. No progress with adulting...boo. 

 

Today was was supposed to be a run day. I decided to rest today and run tomorrow. I really wanted to give my feet an extra day to heal. It was hard finding shoes to wear to work today because of the blisters. One is in the worst place...on the tip of my "ring toe".  Calories were good today but I fell way short of my fiber goal. Still did not cross anything off my adulting list. 

 

On 3/21/2017 at 9:59 PM, Xena said:

I've taped my toes when they blister, but otherwise I don't think I have any suggestions.

 

oh, I've also cut holes in my shoes. That solved the problem but it looked pretty kooky

 

 

 

 

I tried taping my toe today just for walking around but it actually made it hurt more. I think it is just because of the positioning of it. I am not above "customizing" my shoes, insoles or socks. Whatever works. I might switch back to my old pair of shoes for next week at least until after I run the 5k on the 1st. My intention is actually to rotate between the two pairs anyway. 

 

 

On 3/22/2017 at 0:08 PM, suzyQlou said:

(pretty sure you don't wanna do what I do with blisters - sit on the couch and veg until they heal?)

 

Seriously, hope you find something that helps.  When hiking, I always used moleskin.  Not sure if that is still a thing or would help for new running shoes.

 

I'm pretty sure sitting on the couch until they heal is EXACTLY what I want to do! Unfortunately if I want to run the 10k I can't afford to do it. 

 

I might give moleskin a try. It is still very much a thing. I thought I had some at the house but can't seem to find it. Another item for my Amazon shopping cart. 

 

I do think it is mostly a new shoe issue and they just need to break in. They are a new model of shoe not just a new pair of the shoe I've been running in for years. They have more cushion and after reading some reviews take some extra time to break in. 

 

 

[honeybadger]

Week 1 overview:

1. Fiber- Came close to my fiber goals more days than not. I still have to do better. I only had one day of significant tummy troubles. I almost always have trouble with regularity when transitioning back to work after time off. 

2. MFP- Progress in recording meals again. Less success sticking to my calorie goals. It is a work in progress. 

3. Adulting- No adulting. Major fail in this department. 

4. Run- This was the most successful part of my challenge. I planned for three runs 4.5, 4.5 and 4.25. I ran 4.68, 4.25, and 4.25 just a little short of my goal. Super happy with it especially given the blister situation I was dealing with. On track with my schedule for the the 10k. I really like the format I have of my long run on Sunday and then running on Tuesday leaving the rest of the week flexible to get my third run in. This gives me some wiggle room when the week is in full swing. 

 

Week 2 sneak peek:

I did my long run today. 4.75 miles planned and run! I had to stop and pee after the first .50 but then felt great for the rest. I am running a 5k on Saturday so my schedule will be a little different at the end of the week and possibly at the beginning of 3. I plan on running 4.50 miles on Tuesday and then cross training Thursday. The race is a night race, something I've never done before. It should be fun. I ordered glow sticks and I get to wear my head lamp! Hopefully it won't rain or worse. 

 

Besides the race I don't have any other social events planned so it should be fairly easy to stick to a healthy diet. I was on call this week for work and won't be again until zero week. This means I will sleep better and won't need to be worried about getting called mid workout. 

 

 

 

[suzyQlou]

Your night time 5k sounds like fun!  It was smart to schedule a race as part of your training for the 10k.  Bet you feel even better about your longer distance goals as you run the 5k.

 

Might just have to nudge you about the adulting.  I finally finished my own taxes this week, and it feels good to get them out of the way

[Xena]

Great job with running! Hope the blisters calm down. Night race sounds like a lot of fun.

[honeybadger]

On 3/27/2017 at 10:18 AM, suzyQlou said:

Your night time 5k sounds like fun!  It was smart to schedule a race as part of your training for the 10k.  Bet you feel even better about your longer distance goals as you run the 5k.

 

Might just have to nudge you about the adulting.  I finally finished my own taxes this week, and it feels good to get them out of the way

 

Nudge away! In fact shove, berate, mock... I need to get these things done. I really need to figure out how much all this will cost me, transfer funds and just bite the bullet. Taxes are free to do and I should get money back unless something went terribly wrong. 

 

I hope the 5k feels like a breeze after the training runs so far! The forecast is rain right now but that changes by the minute especially right by the ocean where we will be running. 

 

On 3/27/2017 at 8:02 PM, Xena said:

Great job with running! Hope the blisters calm down. Night race sounds like a lot of fun.

 

Thanks! I am proud of my running so far. It feels good to have a specific goal to train for. I really hope the 5k will be fun. Did I mention glow sticks and headlamps! My boss and her husband are also running the race which is super fun. It is nice to have people to run with and to be working with someone who values exercise and healthy competition. 

 

I am happy to report that the blisters are 95% healed. I ordered some Trail Toes just in case. 

 

Today was a rest day. I hit my fiber goal and calorie goals. I did a little research online to see how to handle my registration. I'm still not sure but the good news is that nothing needs to be done until June. I should probably focus on some of the more pressing tasks. 

 

Tomorrow is my final run before the race on Saturday. Tomorrow is also the day the glow sticks arrive. I still plan on doing some cross training on Thursday. Now I plan on going to sleep. 

 

Night Rangers!

[honeybadger]

Just a quick update because it is already past my bedtime and I have been having a tough time getting up in the morning. I took a rest day yesterday because I was too busy eating everything I could shove in my pie hole to even think about running.

 

That made today a run day, my final before the race. I ran 4.50 miles as per plan. They were not effortless. Around mile 4 I could feel my blister spots hurting. I used my new Trail Toes which is kinda like Vaseline but thicker. I think it helped keep me from getting full blown blisters again. I still have to get some moleskin but have not made it to the store yet. 

 

Weather looks like an issue for race day. Hopefully things will change in the next few days but looks like a storm is heading in for Friday and Saturday. 

[Charlie_Quinn]

Good luck with the race this weekend. I hope the blisters don't cause too much bother and the weather behaves itself.

[suzyQlou]

Just popping in to say "GO!"  and also "GLOW!" for the race.  Hope the weather and toes cooperate!

[honeybadger]

On 3/30/2017 at 3:23 AM, Charlie_Quinn said:

Good luck with the race this weekend. I hope the blisters don't cause too much bother and the weather behaves itself.

 

On 3/31/2017 at 11:52 AM, suzyQlou said:

Just popping in to say "GO!"  and also "GLOW!" for the race.  Hope the weather and toes cooperate!

 

Thanks guys!! Today is race day and right now it is snowing and windy. It is like mother nature is playing a giant April Fools prank.  My race partners have already backed out of the race. I have about 4 hours until I have to leave for the race (it takes me an hour to get there), as of right now I am determined to run things might change... Precipitation is supposed to stop right around race time, it will be windy and very cold however. 

 

I'll keep you all posted. 

 

[honeybadger]

Guys- I did it. I ran the race. I ran in the bitter cold and harsh winds. This is a big deal for me!! Most of you know how much I love my dreadmill and avoid running in the cold...or early in the morning...or when I don't feel like it. I am not a die-hard badass runner like many of you (I see you Xena and Charlie_Quinn). Tonight, I felt a little like a badass. 

 

It started raining yesterday and kept raining until this afternoon when it started to snow. It was super windy, I could tell this because the snow was sideways. Things cleared up a few hours before the race. No snow or rain just the wind. Parking was full so I probably parked about 1/4 mile away from the registration site. Registration was inside which was nice because we were not going to be stuck waiting in the cold for too long... until there was a problem with the timer so we actually started about 10 minutes late. 

 

The race route was pretty hilly which I was not expecting. I went back and read the course description and it only mentioned the scenic quiet route, I thought I might have missed something. I did not. The curse (caught this typo but decided to leave it-seemed appropriate) was indeed scenic and went through salt marshes and by some beautiful properties. That is what I could see from the light of my headlamp. There was only one real puddle and I some how avoided getting my shoes totally soaked. All the rain made the shoulder of the road too mushy and wet to run on which made it a little hard to navigate around people. I also felt like it took me a long time to get "warmed" up. I'm sure it is because of the cold and my lack of experience running in the cold. 

 

I ended up running 34:04 and landed pretty much in the middle of the pack. I wish I had done a little better. Considering the weather and the fact that I wanted to die for most of the race I'm hippyish with my time. I am also proud that I went even though my friends bailed (out of the 1200 who signed up only 785 actually ran). I was anxious about going alone but i'm glad I did. I earned my T-shirt! 

 

Not sure how I will feel tomorrow. I have a 5 mile run scheduled. I'll play it by ear. I may readjust for the week. 

 

No blisters! Trail Toes and broken in sneakers FTW.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Well done. So proud of/happy for you!

[Xena]

Yay! So proud of you for being a ranger badass!

 

I've been getting more blisters today and finally broke down and bought a book (via kindle) that a friend has been recommending for years. It's called "Fixing your feet: Injury prevention and treatments for athletes" (6th edition). It was a little under $10, so not a huge investment.

 

The author also has a free blog (www.fixingyourfeet.com/blog). The site is kind of slow to load. The good and bad thing, depending on your perspective is that he "names names", meaning he suggests specific brands and products and provides links. I felt like the advice was all pretty legit through. He mentions lots of different products and suggests that different things work for different people. I didn't feel like it was a big advertisement or anything.

 

I just got the book today, but I could try to look for some ideas for blisters...remind me where yours are?? Bottoms or tips of toes?

[suzyQlou]

You did it!  Cold, hills, and dark are no match for a determined ranger.  Congratulations for getting it done!