March 2022 Monthly Running Challenge
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Actually, I may have been hasty. While my girls definitely have Covid and I have had a sore throat for two days now, I haven't managed to get a positive test. Just took my third on the third day, another negative. Could be a coincidental cold...5
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That sounds like a lovely start to your day @kgirlhart .
@martaindale Great running and glad you have a nice trail that you enjoy.
Thanks @Teresa502 . You are right, moving cattle can be major exercise, especially if you have to run to keep them going in the right direction. It was a beautiful day today. I'm glad you got to run at lunch. Enjoy your hike tomorrow and look forward to the pictures. It should be another beautiful day. hahaha about the little boy wanting to sell you chickens. Nice shoe porn. I hope you like them.
@SummerSkier I think BP and the causes are sort of personal and a lot of genetics. I started the diuretic today and no change in BP. It was 132/97 tonight. It's usually pretty good in the morning...at 8:15 am it was 110/75. I have no idea why it goes up so much when I'm sitting at the computer. You are so speedy. We are close to the same age, so maybe there is some hope for me to get faster too. For some reason I thought you were a lot younger....I guess it was the speed.
Oh no @ContraryMaryMary ! I hope you have a mild case and fell better quickly. Just saw your update. I hope you don't have it. I think I would still stay home and pretend like I do, just to be on the safe side since there are a lot of false negatives. I hope your daughters get well soon.
@eleanorhawkins Yeah for climbing the mountain. I love your plan to be the only one in your age group at some point.
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3-1 - 1.0 mile walk on the driveway
3-2 - 1.0 mile walk - 2.50 mile run out the road
3-3 - 2.0 mile walk in the neighbor's field looking for cows
3-4 - 1.0 mile walk - 1.8 mile run on the driveway
9.3 miles/60 mile goal
I didn't have to leave for work until 11:00 today, so I went out to do my run at 8:15 am. It was near perfect weather at 47°F, sunny, and no breeze. I decided to traverse a total of 2.8 miles today as my way of remembering my anniversary. Had John lived, we would have celebrated 28 years of marriage today.
I walked one mile total for warm up and cool down (3.8 mph average pace) and ran 1.8 miles (4.5 mph avg pace). It was a very scrappy run...slow, but not really horrible for driveway laps. Crappy, I just couldn't breath well and felt like I was working way harder than I should have been to just get it done. I was glad I had decided against running 2.8 miles. SCRAPPY, because I had to be a scrappy person to finish today.7 -
@ContraryMaryMary It’s so depressing to learn covid has finally reached Kiwiland, you guys did everything right! Hopefully you all have mild cases and your country can benefit from the advances learned over the past couple of years to get through this as painlessly as possible. You and your family get well soon!3
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I’ve run twice and not run once since last post. Just not feeling very social right now! It’s boring hard work getting my fitness back and not much fun to report. Also @Tramboman I will miss you so much! Belated happy birthday!
First run of March was a “fast” 5k on the trails where I took the photos of the flooding. By three days after the flood when we got out there, no standing water, but the paved trails were heavily coated in river mud and silt. Yucky! Trying to push it as much as possible to get adjusted to my meds. Two more or less not crawling miles, then a slow mile, but didn’t have to drop to a walk to recover, so that’s progress. 5k 30:30ish if I recall, so, really slow for me comparatively but much better than the 34ish it’s been for the past couple of months. Progress.
Second run on trails across the river, where the worst flooding was. I expected some mud but actually there is so much sand in the Wolf that it was mostly dry, just sandy. Only problem is, you may recall we had stopped running over there due to fears of the river undercutting the trails? And then the park service did a bunch of work on them and put in new bridges, concrete shoring up, etc? Well… it wasn’t quite enough. The trail has collapsed down the riverbank (which is a fifteen/twenty foot drop off) in two places. It’s possible to get around the collapsed bits, but yikes. All in all a good run though. Weather warm - probably too warm for most of you! But I am a southerner and nearly 80F feels nice to me, at least in the shade on an easy run. Didn’t really have enough daylight for a proper run but got in almost five miles before the park closed. No meds, so far I haven’t had a problem on easy runs.
So, then today I woke up with a posterior vitreous detachment, which is when the clear part inside your eyeball comes unstuck from the back of your eyeball. This is normal as people get older but can lead to retinal tears which can lead to retinal detachment which means blindness. And there’s no way to tell whether those floaters and flashers signify a tear or not without a doctor checking it out, so today was spent at an emergency optometrist’s appointment, and then afterwards I didn’t trust myself to drive with blurred vision from the dilation so we walked rather than running, in our neighborhood. Eye is fine btw, which is a relief since I had quite a big black floater plus cobwebby bits and lightning flashes, which are all scary signs! Also I have photos of myself with differently-sized pupils like Bill the Cat. Or David Bowie, which would be cooler I think.
So, no run today, but fortunately the health scare turns out to be okay for the moment, and the eye doctor says no reason to stop running or lifting.
In other news, @kgirlhart this made me think of you and all your skunk sightings! One of my little raccoon buddies got SKUNKED the other night! My little band of trouble brothers was originally five babies plus momma, and now that it’s breeding season momma and two of the babies (probably girls) have formed one clan and the three boys have formed a second clan. The two clans take turns living in my unused, doorless storeroom and a second location somewhere across the drainage ditch behind my house, and I frequently see them at dusk wandering back and forth and playing in the water.
So, late last night I heard snarling and carrying on and stepped outside to listen, and it sounded like two raccoons were seriously getting into it with each other. Then there was an unfamiliar barking sound, like no animal I’m familiar with, and then a raccoon squealing and whimpering which sounded like weep weep weep weep… and then about ten seconds later, it reached me, the all enveloping odor of skunk. Followed by the scurrying rustle of many raccoons running like hell in all directions.
So this night I saw the culprit. His brothers have shunned him and he’s hiding under the neighbor’s deck because they won’t let him in the storeroom. Which is frankly a good thing from my perspective. Going weep weep weep continually. He has been soaking in the kiddie pool and smells not too bad, my guess is he’s been trying everything to get clean, poor little guy. Since he was so tragical and the neighbor has been feeding them anyway I gave him some cat food and marshmallows and he never did stop whining but he enjoyed the marshmallows. Hopefully he will survive okay long enough to get unstinkified, and learn his lesson. Unlike a predator, he can continue to eat while stinky, and he doesn’t really have to hide from large predators here, plus the weather is mild, so he should be okay for a while, I’m thinking.6 -
@rheddmobile I'm glad you were able to get some running in. Sounds like you are making progress. Also very glad that your eye is okay. My dad had a retinal detachment and later a tear. They were able to fix both so that he didn't lose his sight, but the recovery time isn't fun. I have lots of floaters in both my eyes. My eye doctor says my eyes are fine. They can be aggravating, especially when I'm trying to see something small in the sky. Seems like all I can see are the floaters. I feel bad for the poor little raccoon. I'm sure he's lonely and hates the smell. Hopefully he learned his lesson and will leave the skunks alone from now own.1
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@quilteryoyo Good for you sticking with a scrappy run!
@rheddmobile Glad to hear your eye is ok. Sounds like your trails took quite a hit. You and I will have to agree to disagree on 80F being nice in the shade! I am a southerner too and 80F is HOT. Shade helps but, yeah, it's hot. Good for you guys getting your runs done in that heat.3 -
It’s taken me a few days to get caught up on the thread. I’m sorry that @Tramboman is no longer posting. Happy belated birthday (hoping he is lurking and sees the love).
@rheddmobile I enjoyed reading about your raccoons. I hope you are able to find a medication dosage that works for you.
I’ve been struggling to set a goal for March. I’ve continued walking 4ish miles 4-5 times per week, but I’m currently only running about a mile twice a week. I’m continuing to increase the distance each time. I’d really like to be back up to three running days per week by the end of the month and closer to a 3 mile distance. So I guess I’ll set my running goal for March at 20 miles.5 -
@rheddmobile scary about your eye and glad it is ok. And poor raccoon. I feel sorry for him
I got in 13 miles late this morning. It was rather hot and windy, so not ideal. Didn't feel super great, but got it done. One earbud died even before I started my watch, so ran with one. That was distracting to hear my foot falls and breathing. I usually like to tune those things out 🙂
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Thanks @martaindale .
@emmamcgarity Sounds like you are going great at easing back into running. I think the worst mistake people make is going too far, too fast, too soon.
@Scott6255 Great job on getting in 13 miles this morning. Funny that you like to totally tune out your breathing and foot steps. Since I run on the road, I have the trekz titanium headphones so I can listen to music AND hear everything around me.2 -
3-1 - 1.0 mile walk on the driveway
3-2 - 1.0 mile walk - 2.50 mile run out the road
3-3 - 2.0 mile walk in the neighbor's field looking for cows
3-4 - 1.0 mile walk - 1.8 mile run on the driveway
3-5 - 1.0 mile walk - 2.75 mile run out the road
13.05 miles/60 mile goal
I went out at around 11 this morning for a run. It was 70°F and sunny, so another beautiful day. But, it was another scrappy run. I had intended to run for 45 minutes, but quit at 35:19 minutes and 2.75 miles. My legs felt fine. My HR was good - high was 155. But I felt like I wasn't getting enough oxygen. I was huffing and puffing, like I had been sprinting. Really weird.
I did get tickled at a cow and calf that stopped their trek and just stood and watched as I ran by. I felt so judged. LOL
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March Goal: 100 Miles
3/1: 5.15 miles
3/2: 5.16 miles
3/3: 5.16 miles
3/4: 2.02 miles
3/5: 1.61 miles
19.10/100 miles completed for March
Just a quick 1.5 miles this morning for the streak. It was nice, but a little windy and almost a bit warm at 65°F. But I prefer a little warm to cold. I will need to get out earlyish to beat the heat tomorrow for my long run. The last few weeks I have had to wait for it to warm up, but it is supposed to be in the 60's overnight. But then it is supposed to get cold again this week.
@rheddmobile. I am glad the eye wasn't too serious. A couple of my brothers in law have had detached retinas and it is definitely no fun. That poor racoon. Hopefully he has learned not to mess with the skunks anymore.
@scott6255 I wear aftershoz headphones now, but before I got them I always just used one earbud so I could hear things around me.
@quilteryoyo Those judgy cows were probably wondering what the heck you were up to.
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Went out for my 4 mile walk after lunch. Managed to run 1.52 miles after the walk. But I did take a couple 30 second walk breaks. It was a pretty day but a bit warm for a run.
1.52 of 20 miles completed for March.5 -
@kgirlhart Nice job on your streak. I, too, prefer warmer to colder weather for running. I hope today's run is a good one.
@emmamcgarity You are doing great. There is no shame in taking walk breaks.2 -
@rheddmobile, That would scare me so much if that happened to my eye! I’m terrified of something happening to my eyes. I’m glad it isn’t anything too serious. I also hope the little raccoon can get himself clean and go back to his brothers for safety.
Good job easing back in, @emmamcgarity.
Awesome job on your 13 miles @Scott6255.
I’m sorry your runs have been so scrappy @quilteryoyo, but I bet those cows were thinking about how awesome you are, not judging you!
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Yesterday was a 5K and 10K put on my a local community service organization. The first-time race director is a member of my women’s running group, and while she overall did a great job, there were a few hiccups at the start with the road closure and timing. They got it sorted, and we started only a few minutes late.
The race was a point to point, so the 10K started 45 minutes earlier than the 5K so that we’d all be past their starting point before they started. It is the same route as the Labor Day 10K I usually run, so I was very familiar with it.
It was almost 60F when we started, so a little warmer than I’d hoped. I was hoping to break an hour, but I ended up finishing in 1:02:21. I think my change in diet impacted my energy. I’m trying to keep sufficient carbs through fruit and veggie intake and cut back on bread/pasta, but I need to play around with what I’m eating before my longer runs. I finished 4th in my age group and 15th overall according the the screen set up at the finish.
I had the chance to meet a few new ladies from the local run group, so I’m hoping to get together soon with some of them for some trail runs.8 -
March goal: 60 km
03/01: 5.3 km along the Danube shore
03/03: 7.7. km around the old town
03/03: 7.6 km - hello NY!
What else is to do when you wake up at 5 am jet lagged and everyone else including the cat are still asleep? Go for a run along the Hudson river!
Total: 20.6 km
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ContraryMaryMary wrote: »Actually, I may have been hasty. While my girls definitely have Covid and I have had a sore throat for two days now, I haven't managed to get a positive test. Just took my third on the third day, another negative. Could be a coincidental cold...
They can often be false negative. Anyway, hope you all get better soon! 0 -
3/1 – 6.51 miles
3/3 – 6.01 miles
3/4 – 4.08 miles
Total – 16.61/100 miles
Yesterday’s hike started in Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia. We had to hike about a mile on a side trail to reach the Appalachian Trail on Wilburn Ridge. It was a perfect day for hiking. The sun was out and it was 47F at the start and 67F at the finish. Grayson Highlands is know for its population of wild ponies although as you can see in the pictures in the spoiler they aren’t all that wild. The ponies were introduced in the 70s to maintain the balds that had previously been farmed. There are about 15 herds of them spread out over 3500 acres. Total hike mileage was 9.14 miles although I paused my watch one time and failed to resume in a timely manner. The terrain ranged from rocky to crossing the balds to going through the forest. Total elevation gain was 1,473 feet.
I hope you get better quickly @ContraryMaryMary regardless of whether it is the C-thing or not.
@Scott6255 – These new shoes are the Gel Nimbus. I need to buy a width shoe and that was the style that came up when I narrowed my search on the site.
Congratulations on your 10K finish @marisap2010!
About 2 miles into the hike, we started seeing the ponies
More ponies
This was called the Fatman's Squeeze
One of the many beautiful views
Rocky section of trail3 -
@quilteryoyo yeah I'm sure those cows were just in awe that you were running that fast.
@marisap2010 great job on your race! Glad you met some new running buddies.
@Aine8046 welcome to NY! Brave of you to run in a new city in the dark.2 -
@Teresa502 I love your pictures! I told my hubby that sometime we should head back up that way to hike. We haven’t been in quite awhile.
I convinced my hubby to go to a local trail with me today. He walked while I ran a little ahead, then would turn and run back til I got to him, then I’d go ahead again. 3.63 miles.
March total: 11.44 miles6 -
@Scott6255 we certainly have had a taste of warm and humid again. But just wait a few days. We are currently in the "spring of deception". I hate when my tech fails. At least you still had one ear bud.Currently at 25.41 out of 150 sttttrrretch goal. Ran 2 miles 2x today to work on speed. Matched my 8:39 pace on my second one. So there is STILL hope for improvement as you get older. And it's not like I am new to running but I did start seriously again in 2017 when I needed to drop weight. 4 years later I have gone from avg maybe 11 min pace or more to consistently being under 9"30. Today my avg pace for the rolling year dropped under 10 min for the first time ever. Must be the shoes. I am not totally sure why Apple thinks I care significantly about my avg pace for each day of the week?
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Awww. Thanks @marisap2010 . I wasn't feeling particularly awesome at the time. I guess that's why I saw judgement, not approval. LOL Nice running and placement in your race. Glad you were able to meet some new potential running buddies. Nice running today too and love that your husband went walking while you ran. Really pretty trail.
@Aine8046 Wow! I'm amazed that you got out and ran at 5 am with jet lag. You are amazing. The view from your hotel is pretty awesome too.
Love the hiking report @Teresa502 . I didn't know about the "wild" ponies. That is so cool. Could you pet them?
@SummerSkier You are doing great and gives me some hope of improving my speed, if I work at it. I'll probably never be as speedy as you, but would like to get below 11 min miles consistently.2 -
3-1 - 1.0 mile walk on the driveway
3-2 - 1.0 mile walk - 2.50 mile run out the road
3-3 - 2.0 mile walk in the neighbor's field looking for cows
3-4 - 1.0 mile walk - 1.8 mile run on the driveway
3-5 - 1.0 mile walk - 2.75 mile run out the road
3-6 - 1.0 mile walk in the neighbor's field
14.05 miles/60 mile goal
I took my Sunday walk today in the neighbor's field. There are some trees blooming - I think Bradford Pear. It's way early for that and some even have leaves. I fear this weekends predicted 16 degrees is going to get some of the things that have been fooled into thinking spring is here. (It's 76 right now and I have my windows open.) I also saw a couple of bluebirds and a bunch of robins.
Bluebird sitting in the tree.
The entire tree in bloom.
Close up of one of the blooms. The bees were busy collecting nectar, but I wasn't able to capture them. They were too fast and camera shy.6 -
March Goal: 100 Miles
3/1: 5.15 miles
3/2: 5.16 miles
3/3: 5.16 miles
3/4: 2.02 miles
3/5: 1.61 miles
3/6: 8.10 miles
27.20/100 miles completed for March
The cold front came in earlier than I expected today. Yesterday it was 65°F when I ran and I was a little warm in shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt. This morning when I let the dogs out it was 67°F and the sun was shining. So I wore shorts and a tank top. The shorts were ok, but I was wishing I had worn a t-shirt instead. I was probably only about a half a mile or so into the run when the clouds took over and it started getting noticeably colder. I don't know if it was the weather. Or if I was just not really feeling it today. I was hoping to get back up to 10 miles today, but I was done at 8. I did run Friday and Saturday though.
Great job on your race @marisap2010!
@SummerSkier We had the "spring of deception yesterday, but we definitely moved into "third winter" today.
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@kgirlhart It is amazing how much colder it gets when the sun goes behind a cloud. You are doing great with getting back into running after being sick. Maybe three days of running in a row was a little much. Hopefully you can get a double digit run in next week.4
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@rheddmobile so scary about your eye. Hope all is well. I love the raccoon stories. Poor little guy getting sprayed and then shunned. I hope he gets let back in the pack soon.
@marisap2010 congrats on your 10k!
@teresa502 that looks like such a cool place to hike - with added ponies!
Date :::: Miles :::: Cumulative
03/01/22 :::: 3.0 :::: 3.0
03/02/22 :::: 4.0 :::: 7.0
03/03/22 :::: 1.5 :::: 8.5
03/04/22 :::: 0.0 :::: 8.5
03/05/22 :::: 3.1 :::: 11.7
03/06/22 :::: 3.1 :::: 14.8
Not an impressive week of running, but it was something. The weather has just been a rollercoaster. Yesterday was 19 degrees in the morning but today got up to 70. It was really windy though. We tried to guess when the rain was coming (and it didn't end up raining much at all) and went out a little later than I usually would. It was in the 40s/low 50s already and what a difference that made. People were out running in shorts and tanks. I didn't go quite that far but I was too warm in my long sleeves for sure.
This week may be a tough one again but I really need to try to step up the miles. I am signed up for a half on March 20, and at this point that's going to be pretty tough to gear up for physically and mentally. I don't have any goals other than to finish but it's a hilly race and I've not been putting in long runs for a few weeks.
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Thank you! This is not a hotel, but my son’s placequilteryoyo wrote: »@Aine8046 Wow! I'm amazed that you got out and ran at 5 am with jet lag. You are amazing. The view from your hotel is pretty awesome too. I thought one can see his cat I actually wish there could be hotels with cats to nap with and dogs to walk with!
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@Aine8046 - I saw the cat and figured you must be staying with family or friends... I have been to hotels with lobby cats or dogs but none that you could have in your room. I stayed in a hotel in the Netherlands when I was there on business that had ducks that would wander into the buildings and would come in your room if the door was left open. They were famous for their friendly ducks and had a woodcarver who made 2-3 ft tall replicas of them for the rooms. You would set it outside the door as your 'do not disturb sign'. I bought one and brought it home with me 😊 named after the town we were in (Baarlo)4
