March 2019 Monthly Running Challenge

martaindale

@quilteryoyo Sorry for your loss. That’s definitely a hard way to start the month.

@samthepanda Kudos on the improvement!

Welcome to the new folks!

martaindale

Did my long run for the week tonight instead of my usual Friday night because we were traveling for my daughter’s rock climbing competition last night. She climbed this morning and had a rough day. Finished last, which has never happened to her before. She tends to let things roll off her back to some degree, which is good, and I’m hoping this will be motivation for her to put in a bit more effort at her next comp.
Anyway, after we got back into town I headed out. It was in the 40’s and rainy in Dallas when we left and almost 70 here in Houston. By the time I got out, the sun was starting to set and it was a really nice night, though the humidity is definitely creeping back in. I remembered to take water this time and that definitely helps! I strung together a couple of segments that are each 2ish miles and ended up with 6.5 miles total. I like the route and will definitely use it for my long runs. It intersects several of the smaller loops I have mapped out so as I ramp up mileage for HM training, it should work well as a base to build around. I have learned my way around the neighborhood so much better since I started running!!
Also, I hit 100 miles for the year after today’s run!


March total: 6.5 miles
March goal: 35 miles

2019 Races:

Piney Woods Trailfest 5k - 2/2/2019 29.23
Rodeo Run 10k - 2/23/2019 1:03.12
Run Houston! Minute Maid Park 10k - 3/23/2019 registered
Brazos Bend 50 10k - 4/6/2019 registered
El Chupacabra de Houston 10k (night trail run) - 8/2019
TWRC Run Wild Run Free 5k - 9/2019
10 for Texas 10 Miler - 10/2019 registration opens Jan 2019
Wine and Dine half marathon - 11/3/2019

Run the Year 2019 - Team Five for Nineteen

rheddmobile

@quilteryoyo I'm sorry for your loss. Also, hope you feel better soon!


10k easy on trails - the weather is back to being cold, my nose won't stop running. This was the first time we had been to WC Johnson park since the flooding of the Wolf River. As it happens, all three of the parks we run regularly are along the banks of the Wolf, but about twenty miles apart, so we hadn't gotten to see how high the water got at WC Johnson. Well... based on the level of the rings of muck around the trees, it was as much as three feet deep over some of the trails we run, and up over the boardwalk but not as high as the boardwalk railing. We've seen it as high as the railing before, but that's been several years ago during a historic flood. That year the boardwalk was actually lifted off its concrete foundation and swept aside. This was a little tiny flood in comparison.

However:

Yep, that's what's left of our trail. The river gives and the river takes away - in this case about ten to twenty feet of riverbank has given way and slid down into the river, for about a fifty foot stretch. We ran this trail a month ago as part of a race! You can see the other end emerge from the collapse, it's the white winding path visible behind the trees to my left.

Fortunately the park groundskeepers have been expecting this and there's a little detour which is now the main trail. There's a second similar mudslide which ate a smaller part of the trail further down. There's also sand everywhere. You can see some under my feet. I always thought the sand had something to do with the Army Corps of Engineers, trying to prevent erosion, but then I read recently that the sandbars are a natural feature of the Wolf River. So, sand. Yucky!

7lenny7

I'm finally on the board for March. I went out today for 18 to 20 miles on trails but with 6 inches of fresh snow last night it was a tough, tough slog and I only managed 12 miles before I had to head home. I wish there was some way I could come up with a multiplier to convert these tough snowy trail miles to easier pavement miles. I felt like I ran 18 to 20, so we'll call it good (but I'm only logging 12).

I was thinking I'd run 15+ on pavement tomorrow but I see that the forecast is for wind chills as low as -25F so that could be a bit tough.

I have my race report half finished and will post it tomorrow.

simcon1

@rheddmobile That sure is one washed out trail! Good thing there was a detour in the works. @7lenny7 I love the brilliant sunshine in your photos!

I got out for my first March run today, and it was lovely and sunny again, right around 50. There are some years where we don’t see the sun for weeks around this time, so I am really appreciating it. I did 6 miles, although my long run was scheduled as another week at 5 in the training plan. But my rationalizing is that I had long runs of 5 miles before I started the training plan—so I hope it’s not too bad of an idea. And it was so nice! I also have two more cross country work trips before the half marathon, both in April, so I’m a bit worried about keeping up during those. I’m off to do some good foam rolling before bed, for further penance for straying from my plan..

March goal: 60 miles

3/2 6 mi

March total: 6 mi

Races:
3/16 Kirkland Shamrock Run 5K
5/6 Vancouver BMO Half Marathon?

Avidkeo

@rheddmobile and @shanaber thanks for the tips! I've been doing stretches on the steps today and massage. I'll try the rocker squats tomorrow, hopefully that helps but it makes sense

ContraryMaryMary

Ran the Rotorua Off-Road Quarter Marathon this morning. Fantastic trail, perfect weather, and the smalls came along to do the Little Devils Dash. Medals for everyone!!!

Elise4270

@ContraryMaryMary What a great bunch you have there!

PastorVincent

@rheddmobile just need to carry a raft with you on your runs. No biggie.

eleanorhawkins

Finally got my first run of the month in today and completed c25k at last. Probably covered around 4km and change. I need to learn how to slow down again or start taking walk breaks again though if I'm going to go by what the runners world pace calculator says my easy pace should be. Need a Garmin or to start carrying my phone in my hand again. Sigh.
I'm really looking forward to getting back onto a distance-based plan now.
Couldn't get out until after 12.30 and oh boy was it warm, reminded me why I much prefer to run around 8am. Headed for the river in search of shade, forgetting they pretty much bulldozed all the plants along the trail for last week's race. Ugh. Note to self: take a cap and/or sunglasses for sunny runs!

03/03: 4km
March goal: 40km

juliet3455

7lenny7 wrote: »

Trails along a river are typically flat and easier, so you could look for those too.

@7lenny7 Unless you are in my little town where all the trails zigzag up and down the riverbank with lots of interesting challenges. We only have 2 trails that follow the river bank and they are short connectors between other segments. Great Photo's of your Trail Run, looks like you almost lost your Running Buddy under the snow - Squirrel Hunting?

amymoreorless wrote: »

I am already a member of AllTrails so I will start poking around there. I use AllTrails to find the best hiking places. I know some great trails for hiking but I can't imagine running on them (I like hiking on really technically difficult trails).

@amymoreorless A technical trail with a backpack is a differant trail ( a lot easier ) when all you have are running shoes and a small hydration bag. Definitely hit the local running stores ( web site/FB or In-store bulletin board if they have one ) for Trail Running info/contacts.

@rheddmobile Sand along rivers is a very normal occurrence where I live, being heavier than the silty soil it tends to drop out of the water flow and build sand bars. Quite often you see the traveling - fishing tourist with their boat stuck on top a sand bar - usually at a turn in the river. That's why you should always have a shovel in your boat on rivers.

@ContraryMaryMary Spent some time in NZ back in 1989. Actually did the traverse/climb of Mount Ngauruhoe, that would be a wicked - fun trail run/race from what I remember.
Of course after Lord of the Rings it is probably over run with Mt. Doom Tourists with no mountain experience and poorly equipped for altitude dehydration. Video's indicate they did a lot of trail setting/erosion control which is a good thing.
Edited to add: Of course there have been a few eruptions since I did the crossing so it may be a completely differant experience.

It warmed up over night, it's only -32C this morning.

mbaker566

I'm torn. I can run now carrying all the aid with me, avoiding large patches of ice, unplowed areas

Or i can wait till 130pm. Put my stuff on the bleachers and run on a track where it's 45 degrees. And all i have to do is watch out for people who don't follow the rules

hoshaugh73

March miles:
1 - 1.75
2 - 7.5 - trail run - gorgeous run, in gorgeous weather yesterday. My goal is 75 miles again for this month, last month I was 16 miles short of this goal, but I don't think weather will be as much as a factor for March, I hope! Happy running!




March Total: 9.25 miles
March Goal: 75 miles

Bridge to Brews 10k (4/14)
Rhody Run 12k (5/19)
Scramble XXIV - 6-Mile Scramble (6/30)

Tramboman

3-1 Rest
3-2 10.5k easy
3-3 11k slow

March Total: 21.5k
March Goal: 175k

Next year when you pop in here claiming your December 2019 mileage, what accomplishments will you have made?
Run at least 4 5k races.
Get under 30:00 and a PR for 5k.
Average at least 135k per month, which would put me over 1,000 miles for the year.

Run the Year Team: Five for Nineteen

Another nice day to run. Cloudy, 30 degrees F, and a light wind from the north. Must have run harder than I thought yesterday; legs were grumbling most of the night, so I didn't run as far as I wanted today.

2019 Races:

4-13 Shine the Light 5K
6-1 Freedom 5K
6-30 Strides for Starfish 5k

samathes

Getting in my miles on a snowy Sunday!

4.97/ 50

runnermom419

Got five miles in this morning on the track. I was completely out of time, or I would have gone at least another 3. Boo.

March 2 - 8 miles
March 3 - 5 miles

Total for month - 13
Left until goal - 67

saramagd

3/3: 3.1Km

Total to go: 64.9Km

Elise4270

@rusgolden this may work. If not maybe @garygse still has the design.. i have it at home.
I just realized this is SISU. Not embrace the suck haha, silly me. 😕 Maybe Gary will design an ETS shirt? Ah well.

nope wont work...
https://www.zazzle.com/mens_sport_tek_competitor_t_shirt-235164354232282328?design.areas=[zazzle_shirt_10x12_front]&context=114665145461564452

Avidkeo

eleanorhawkins wrote: »

Finally got my first run of the month in today and completed c25k at last. Probably covered around 4km and change. I need to learn how to slow down again or start taking walk breaks again though if I'm going to go by what the runners world pace calculator says my easy pace should be. Need a Garmin or to start carrying my phone in my hand again. Sigh.
I'm really looking forward to getting back onto a distance-based plan now.
Couldn't get out until after 12.30 and oh boy was it warm, reminded me why I much prefer to run around 8am. Headed for the river in search of shade, forgetting they pretty much bulldozed all the plants along the trail for last week's race. Ugh. Note to self: take a cap and/or sunglasses for sunny runs!

03/03: 4km
March goal: 40km

Woo hoo well done. You know I've started c25k half a dozen times but never got beyond week 7. Granted moot point now. I'm always impressed with someone who actually completes it.

Oh and I ALWAYS wear my visor. Even in the pitch black of the morning in case of rain lol.

@ContraryMaryMary woo hoo looks like you had a blast! I love Rotorua. I need to find ways of travelling more to do more events, we are just so far away from everything sigh

Avidkeo

mbaker566 wrote: »

I'm torn. I can run now carrying all the aid with me, avoiding large patches of ice, unplowed areas

Or i can wait till 130pm. Put my stuff on the bleachers and run on a track where it's 45 degrees. And all i have to do is watch out for people who don't follow the rules

I vote 130. I'll always go unencumbered over carrying crap while avoiding ice