26/30 Group: Week 4 - Nov 22-30 (9 day week!)

I'm enjoying a turkey sandwich after a 6.2 mile run tonight.  Now it's done... time for another one.  Happy thanksgiving.

Since this is the last week -- is anyone doing this again next month?

 

week three was pretty good. 7.5, 5.25, 5.25, 9.75, 0, 9.75, 9.5 = 47. week four start off well. it's all down hill from here.

This week so far: 6.2    3.25    3.1    3.85 (16.4mi)

88.7 on the month, 5 days left... I should finish a second consecutive 100+ mile month.  Not bad considering I ran maybe 50 miles from the start of April through September.  Come to think of it, I've really only had 3 "running" months this year, but I still might have run more than in recent years.  Time to dig out the training logs.

I've decided next month is for long runs... and losing weight.

I really like the run-every-day plan. Sometimes it's tough to get away from the desk, particularly if it's cold, but taking the challenge of running every day keeps me going.   I'm definitely feeling the benefits.

 

I've been off the radar for a week, but I've been consistent with my short runs.  I ran for 9 straight days so I could take off two days (Friday and Saturday) to recover from Thanksgiving and its gluttony, and I sure wasn't going to run after the 80 mile ride to Solana Beach.  So now I've used up all my rest days.  Down to the last 5 days and it's looking doable.

I had my best run in years yesterday for the last leg of the Turkey Tri in Bonelli Park.  First, the swim went ok, there were so many people to wrestle through.  Then I did all passing (except for some ringer on a superfast tri bike) on my road bike, attacking the hills and shaking off all attackers.  The transition to the run was tough because my feet were still numb from the swim, but after 2 miles they came back to life.  I managed to drop time each of the four full smile for splits like 8:00/7:30/7:15/7:00 and a quick last half mile.  Didn't get to the podium but I felt I had a great race for minimal training and doing the longest ride of my life the day before.

Five. More. Days.

All three sound fun, Marvin! Got a slight preference for Option A.

 

I had a really nice trail run on Sunday. I did the Strawberry Peak Loop up in the Angeles Forest, starting from Clear Creek. I wasn't sure about going by myself, but then realized that there would likely be hikers and mountain bikers on the trail. Got a little freaked when I saw paw prints on the trail (dog? mountain lion??) but managed to survive the adventure just fine.  I dunno. I know runners who run by themselves on these mountain trails all the time, night and day. But I also know people who look at me like I've got a death wish if I suggest going up there by myself.  Its hard for me to judge what the real risks are -- I guess there are some, but I'm probably more at risk driving up the 2 to get to the trailhead than I am running on the trails by myself. (When I got to Red Box, the road up to Mt. Wilson was closed due to a fatal crash.) 

 

I added 5 miles at the end up of the loop by run/walking back up Josephine Peak, running back down, which made for a ~20.5 mile, 5 GU, 4 hour 24 minute run. As for motivation to go back up Josephine after reaching my car, I just thought about the 31 miles and 7200' foot climb run I'm gonna try to do in three weeks. One more hill this past Sunday should make that run a little more enjoyable. And it was a beautiful day.  You could see Catalina from Josephine Saddle.  

 

On the downside, this run wiped me out for the day. I had a meeting to go to afterwards,  and by the time that was done, I was toast. I went home to crash, missed joining the group at the Light Festival.  

 

Did a short run today, lap around the ol' RB. Was a nice recovery run.

 

Does this group have to end at the end of November? Do people think it would be worthwhile to keep it going, as a group of people motivating each other to run consistently ~6 days a week? Or is it better to just regroup next year for the 2008 26/30?

 

I definitely could use a swim 26/30 challenge.

 

Sue

Day 26.

3.5/3.4/3.4/4.4/3.4/3.4/4.4/ => 25.9
3.4/3.4/3.0/3.2/3.4/3.4/3.4/ => 23.2
3.4/3.4/3.4/3.3/3.2/3.2/3.3/ => 23.15
6.2/3.25/3.1/3.85/7.5            => 23.9

~96 miles.

where are my socks?

I'm going to try to keep this up for at least another month. My plan is to ramp up the mileage to 40-50/week.  I'm not sure how to count my 9 day week.

In January, I'll switch to more speed work to get ready for a half-marathon in February.  Oh, and I should really ride my bike some time... 

 

Wsheeeeew. I made it this far! Went to Ky for the holiday week. Lousy internet access so I wasn't able to write. I ran in the most beautiful park. Trees changing colors, rolling hills, nature trail, I can see why the horses love it up there.

So daily I had to cut through the nature trail to get to the park which was really neat, no trails in my 'hood and very few trees. I could make it just a shortcut or do some time in the woods, there was a creek but didn't see many animals.  Very pretty. Then it turned out there was an NCAA cross country coarse plotted out throughout the park. So nice to run in the soft grass. The miracle was that I actually got my be-hind out there in the 31 degree weather. It was soooo cold, I over dressed though and realized that once you get going it actually feels pretty darn good in the cold. Seemed like I ran faster even. I just don't know how far I was running. I kept my times and estimated a 9.5 pace, I feel that I ran faster though. Just don't know. 

On T-day I ran a 6 mile race. It was 40 and cloudy. Great coarse, mostly flat and my first experience with walkers. I had to do a lot of dodging in the end and they were clogging the finish line but it wasn't all that bad. I finished in 51:50:20 which makes it an 8:22 mile. Very cool. 

Sat morn was tough. Friday is the annual get together for me and my school buddies and there were all the usual sins....wings, wine and bourbon. I ran 11 minutes but it was all steep hill. I'm estimating 1 mile. It Probably more but I just don't know.  Every other day was around 1 hour. Didn't run yesterday, my 4th day off, due to traveling. 

So for my reward for running everyday on vacation was a new pair of running shoes :) Yeehaa.  AND I didn't gain any weight! Unbelievable. 3 runs left this month. Glad everyone is sticking with it. Not sure what to do about December, I need to train for a half in Jan and feel that all this running has given me a better base. Certainly more motivation. And you can't ever have enough of that.

 

Hi everyone.  It kind of feels like I dropped off the face of the planet since Thanksgiving, but luckily, I'm still here.

My knee has really been bothering me, so I took off Thursday, Friday, ran 5 miles on Saturday.  I was in pain so I took off Sunday and Monday.  That put me at 5 days off so I doubled up yesterday with too short runs.  One 3.1 miles and the other 2.75 miles.  As long as I don't miss any of the next three days, I can proudly state that I stuck to the 26/30 challenge.

 By the way, those "days off" were not exactly relaxing unless you consider putting hardwood floors in my home office/den fun.  I think this little project was another reason my knees are revolting.

After my half marathon on Dec. 2nd, I will be starting my Lake Placid Ironman Training plan.  At that point, I will be returning to working on all three sports.  I will continue to check in with this group, but won't be posting regularly.

Based on all of the chocolate truffles I've been eating, I'm afraid to weigh myself......

Thanks Sue, but I am darn impressed by your 20 miler up in the mountains.  I chose to go to grad school in SoCal for reasons like that.  Eventually I'll make it up there and do a long, enjoyable, scenic trail run.  I'll live vicariously until then.

David, don't feel bad about short runs, those shin splints have kept most of my runs near 3 miles.  Only recently have they showed signs of going away.  Just a few days until those decadent free socks.

Margorita, way to get out there in adverse conditions!  If this group were started on the east coast, I'm guessing it would be more like a 15/30.  So you're working double time, keep pushin!

Hi all!

So I did the Turkey Trot with everyone and it was a kicker as usual but great! Congrats to everyone! Sue I tried to keep up with you but it was a lost cause right at the start. I did manage to come in 6th in our age group so I will take it. Bruce! Holy smokes! You cut off like 1.5 minutes off your time from last year. You animal!

Spent the holiday driving up the coast. Went camping for a night in Big Sur. So beautiful. Spent a night also in Monterey and had a great run Sunday morning there along the water. Ahh. I could so live up there.

Tuesday night I did a run in my Pasadena neighborhood. So I am at 16 runs and my goal was 18 so almost there. Will run with the crew tomorrow morning and hopefully on Friday morning as well.

Planning on doing the South Pasadena Tiger run on Saturday. This one is supposed to be flat so I might fair better!

Margorita, you should come out here and visit us all. It is great that you have joined our endeavors from so far away!

David, Leonard, and anyone else with injuries - take care of yourselves.

Nan :-)

Well I finally had a decent run this morning! Did a very some very negative splits on an easy 4.1 mile course.  Not exactly sure where mile 1 is, as it is on the trails hidden in all the trees, but averaged 8:40 for the first 2 miles, then hit 7:52, then 7:24 for the last 1.1 mile(32:36 total).  I've definetly been concentrating on form and mechanics lately because I've been a little off ever since my injury in 03'.  I think I'm overstriding with my left leg and not getting the full range of motion out of that ancle.  I started counting 1,2,3,4 along with my srtide today just to try to keep a constant rhythm and I think that is what propelled my speed increase.

I'm not sure what my goals are exactly for december, but I know this group has definetly gotten me out the door on a number of blistering cold/drenching rain days that I otherwise would not have run on.  We definetly have some seriously crazy...I mean dedicated athletes here.  Its been a blast sharing and watching the group grow and evolve.  Ya know when we started I was wondering which members would persevere through it, and who would fall off.  I never really had any doubt(barring injury) that I would complete the challenge, I am one of the most stuborn people alive.  Glad to  know there are a bunch more obsessive compulsive, pig headed, runners out there!

Hey, I'd really like a 26/30 Challenge T-Shirt (just what ever runner needs...more T's)!  Anyone have any connections to get something like that done?

Come on out for Breakfast Run Friday to celebrate.

Day 29: 25th run, 6.14 miles RoseBowl to fountain ~59min.

Have a great last run (for the month) everyone. and if its a rest day for you even better!

Keep up the sharing, tell us how you are doing and what you're thinking about regarding this group and all.

25 down...1 to go. Well actually at least 2 since I have a race Saturday, but in actuality probably 3, or 4!!!  No folks I'm not done, not by a long shot!  Hopefully I'll meet some of the local runners Saturday and maby direct a few to this site, maby even this group! 

Marvin, sorry no celebration for me tomorrow, but you can be sure there will be plenty after the race saturday.  Santa is hosting a breakfast feast at a prominent local hotel and convention center just a few blocks away from the race...I'm sure the kids will enjoy it.

Ingrid, your not at all crazy!  Run it!  After all you just smoked the 26/30 Challenge! I too have a half coming up on March 1st, and mine is also a hilly course, so keep in touch.  We can compare notes on our traning.  BTW how are you coming on your longer runs?  I know they can seem challenging, but it's mostly a mental thing.  You can do it!

Later, William 

Good run this morning breakfast crew!  That was actually my third longest run with the extra 1.5 miles to get to breakfast and back.  Now the legs get some well deserved time off.  Back to holiday boozing!  See you all tomorrow night!

BTW, we managed 29 days of dry weather, we had to get wet eventually.  Of course before I realized it was raining out there, Guns 'N' Roses' "November Rain" played on the radio before I left the house.  Here's hoping the Counting Crows' "Long December" doesn't play tomorrow morning.

To the breakfast crew! Great run this morning in the rain. It was fun. Sorry I had to leave early from breakfast.

Who else besides Marvin and I are doing the South Pasadena Tiger run tomorrow morning?

See most of you tomorrow night. Get ready to party!

Nan

 I did wake up @ 5:30am , got dressed to go running , had my oatmeal, opened the door ,and ..SURPRISE! It was raining (IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA?). Since I wouldn't have had the time to go home and change after the run , I decided , instead ,to stay home and call my parents in Spain (It was afternoon there). I felt good about it. However, I just run my last run of the month. That makes 29 runs.

THANK YOU EVERYONE

Lets do this again SOON, I can't think of a better way to  get motivated.

Marta

Hi everyone,

Yey William! We are training for a half marathon at the same time. Definitely keep in touch. This is my first and I need the motivation and would love to hear how your training is going (so I can steal some pointers from you!)

My mother-in-law retired today, so I celebrated before my run...dinner, cake and champagne. Then I went out and ran 3.5 miles in 32 degree temps (in the dark). Only had one glass of champagne in anticipation of the run, so it wasn't that bad. Actually, my legs felt surprisingly fresh, considering it was the last day of the challenge and I'd run 4.5 last night.

I was giggling at all the references above to rain. Come run with me in Seattle, we'll show you what running in the rain is really like!

I hope we keep this thread going, and I agree...we should do something in January. Now...on to my nice glass of cabernet.

Day 30: 3.5 mi breakfast run w/Nancy, Sue, Peter, David, & Lenny in the rain and cooooold SoCal morning of 55.   Week Total: 36.3  Month Total: 121.24miles.  Feeling great, no pain, and most important enjoying running more.

This has been an great running month.  After inviting the whole triclub and others last year to 26/30, there was just 4 of us.  So this year I thought hey a great improvement would be to have 8-10.  Then Joe sets this group thing up for me and Boom! 39 people! about 20 from the Club and the rest invited friends.  Had no idea how the whole MMR thing worked and the potential for us to meet and have brand new friends join in.  so those of you whom we've gotten to know only thru this group has been real special.  It is amazing what we all can acomplish thru this kind of community and acountability.  Triathlon and i guess all endurance sports can be a lonely experience at times and this group really made it feel like part 12 step group and part athletic team combined, helping, encouraging, and even a bit of competing or at least doing it because you knew others were too.

I think this has been wildly successful, more than i expected.  This is due to all of you who have entered a training session, posted a comment, and shared a part of yourself with everyone.  

Yes, lets keep this up somehow.  Everyone feel free to instigate challenges, goals, group events and races.  Start to post your own topics to the discussion board for us all to reply and contribute to.  This by no means is "my" site or group.  It's all you alls! (thats southern for everybody's) Everyone has the ability to make this a continued success.  

I have a race tomorrow (Sat) 10k and then a Half next Sat.  I have signed up for the Great Race of Agura, Half marathon, April 5 and will choose a Half either in Jan or Feb.  Mabie do my first marathon (besides Ironman) this year?  Perhaps the inagural Pasadena Marathon in October. We'll see. Mabie we can try to have a "WHOLE" group event/race somewhere in the future. hmmmmm.

Thank you all so much for being a real cool and unique part of my sporting/training  life.  Gods Speed!!

I stayed near the minimum run distance and time most days because of the shin splints, but I managed to put a few good distance days in there, for a grand total of 87.1 miles for the month (avg. 3.35 miles/run).  This is the most I've run in a month since my training for a marathonjunior year of college (5 years ago...can't believe time goes by that fast...I need a rocking chair, cigar, and lap dog.)

Thanks to everyone who shared motivational quips to keep the rest of us going.  The cards now are showing a week off followed by lots of eating.  If I get the urge to work out, it'll most likely be on the bike, but I'm thinking tennis might be a nice change of pace.  Any tennis players out there???

It's a good thing the challenge ended Friday, we got hit with snow this weekend. About 6-8 inches in my neighborhood, so only managed a nice walk with the doggies in the snow last night. I'll hit the treadmill today (it's raining now).

I needed a new pair o shoes after this month - I probably could have used them before the challenge - and ended up with the lightest pair of shoes I've ever owned (except waffles of course).  Apparently I have a fairly even gait, and the Run With Us guys suggested the Mizuno Waveriders.  I remember seeing these shoes back in high school and thinking they were a gimmick, but they've come a long way since then.  They're so light and fit like a glove.  I've gone through Asics, New Balance, Nike, Adidas, and this shoe just astounds me at how much better they are in all around comfort and weight, and the styling aint bad either.  I have to put on a hundred miles or so before I can really attest to these statements, but hey, my feet seem to be happier with the new shoes on.  Let the running continue...

the wrap up show...

 I think I ended up with 23 runs in 30 days, not quite 26 but such is life.  My total mileage is around 90 miles (didn't keep a very accurate log the last week and change) and my legs feel really good. 

 I started this 'challenge' with 1 run (the day before we started) under my belt since the summer.  After the initial aches and pains wore off my body responded pretty well and the last week I've felt good in pushin the pace a little.  I think Peter and I logged a 5-miler in under 40 minutes (7 min and change/mile) which he couldn't believe since he didn't have exact times and distances (Rain Man)....

Good job everybody!  Definitely keep the mojo going thru December, I think the  bigger challenge is to keep running thru the holidays....when we probably need it most!

 Here's to life,

 Roberto