March 2022 Monthly Running Challenge
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Got out to WC Johnson for a short trail run yesterday - I’ve been trying to stretch my trail runs a little longer, but got out late and wasn’t feeling it, so did 5k. It’s clear the trails out here were also flooded last week - all the ground cover which was green a week ago is brown and dead now and covered in silt, and what’s more alarming the trail that runs along the river is washed out in several places, including one that I would have thought was solid. The park service has clearly been busy and there are fresh new trails plowed and rolled about twenty feet further in.
We ran a briskish 5k loop through the woods and were almost back to the boardwalk when we passed some walkers who warned about a snake in the trail. Uh huh, we said, and continued. Met a woman runner who had passed us previously coming back towards us who turned off onto the little sprue which has a “trail closed” sign and goes through ankle deep mud. Well, that’s unusual, but not unheard of, there’s one ultra-runner type who always goes that way. But it quickly became clear that we were not getting back to the boardwalk unless we either reversed direction and ran another three miles, or took the sprue, because THIS GUY:Yep, cottonmouth, and boy was he mad! Normally we would just go around but he was standing up and rotating to face us and making threat strikes. So we left and took the sprue! We learned later that some teen boys had been throwing sticks at him trying to make him move, which was why he just wasn’t having it by the time we saw him.
That wasn’t the only snake we saw! On the boardwalk heading back we heard a hawk repeatedly calling and another hawk answering. Well, turns out what she was saying was probably red-tail for “Hey hubby, come help me with this darned snake, it’s trying to get away!” She finally got a good grip on it and flew right over our heads with it writhing in her talons. We were praying for her not to lose her grip!
Raccoon fans will be pleased to hear the stinky brother is back with his siblings, seemingly no worse for wear. I’m surprised at how quickly he was able to get clean after reading about animals being stinky for weeks, but then raccoons like the water, so maybe he was able to wash fairly well7 -
@katharmonic It sounds like the weather is a rollercoaster everywhere. Such sudden changes in temperatures makes it hard to get out. You are doing great. I hope you can get in some longer runs to prepare for your half.
@Aine8046 I did see the cat and it didn't even occur to me that hotels don't allow them. LOL Your son has a great view!
@rheddmobile I'm glad you were able to get out for a run and that the park service is making a safer trail. Yikes on the snake. They are usually so afraid of humans that it isn't a problem. I guess this one had had enough and was going to stand his ground, regardless. Funny about the hawks. I would have worried she would drop it too. I'm glad the racoon has been accepted back into his family.0 -
3/1 – 6.51 miles
3/3 – 6.01 miles
3/4 – 4.08 miles
3/7 – 5.06 miles
Total – 21.67/100 miles
After a short yoga session, I headed out for a run getting out the door around 6:30 am and surprised to find that it was already getting light outside. This morning the temp was around 59F. We have a rain and wind advisory in effect for this afternoon so I’m glad I was able to get out this morning.
@quilteryoyo – Many of the ponies like to lick the salt off your hands/arms etc. We petted a couple of them before we saw a sign that prohibited feeding and petting them. Oops! One solid black one that I held out my hand to backed up and lifted his leg like “no way lady – get out of my space.” While one that was on the trail just stood there as we passed by within a foot of her. The park gets a lot of visitors on pretty days and I think they have probably become accustomed to people. There was a professional photographer up there photographing the ponies when we were there.
That snake did not look happy @rheddmobile. I would have turned another way also. And yay for stinky brother being back in the fold!
@shanaber – Have you seen the Peabody Ducks in Memphis? https://www.peabodymemphis.com/peabody-ducks
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@Aine8046 Enjoy New York!! I have never been and eventually will have to make my way up there.
@marisap2010 Awesome job! So close to sub 1 hr. The weather makes such a big difference for me regarding speed. It is so hard to push for speed when it's warm.
@Teresa502 The hike sounds great. Nice pics as always, and yeah, those ponies don't look too wild. They are very cute!2 -
March total: 11.4/75 Miles
3/2: 2.1 miles
3/4: 4.2 miles
3/6: 3.1 miles
3/7: 2 miles
Like so many of you, we are also in the middle of dramatic spring to winter temp swings, and I am soaking up every bit of the cold weather I can get. Yesterday it was low 70's and 95% humidity at 8am and this morning low 50's and 85% humidity! I am still doing shorter runs as I recover from race weekend. My legs are feeling so good and I keep wanting to go farther, but I keep reminding myself that I need the recovery time. I'll be back at longer runs soon enough and I have to admit it is nice to have so much time in the mornings. It takes so little time for a 2-4 mile run and I love a leisurely morning.
Unrelated to running, my kid had a climbing competition this weekend. Pics in the spoiler.
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Great job to your daughter @martaindale! Just watching climbers makes me nervous!2
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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
3-5 - 1.0 mile walk - 2.75 mile run out the road
3-6 - 1.0 mile walk in the neighbor's field
3-7 - 1.0 mile walk - 2.0 mile run out the road
17.05 miles/60 mile goal
I went out for a run this morning before taking mom to the dermatologist. I got a bit of a late start, so decided to run 2 miles and go a bit faster than I have been running. I was pleased that my breathing was some better - not normal, but better. I also ran the last quarter of a mile at an average pace of 9:32 min/mile. That's pretty speedy for me. The entire run was a 12:13 min/mile speed. I also walked one mile total for warm up and cool down.
I also saw more signs of Spring.
Daffodils I saw in my neighbor's yard while running.
My periwinkles are blooming.
Love your encounters with the ponies @Teresa502 . Ooops on breaking the rule about petting unintentionally.
@martaindale Nice job on sticking to your recovery runs. Your "kid" looks great up there. It looks like long legs are a must for that sport. And upper body strength of which I have very little.
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@SummerSkier yeah, sometimes we have all 12 seasons in the same week 😜
@martaindale good job keeping to your recovery plan. And your daughter looks like a pro climbing that wall.
Did 6 miles on the treadmill this evening. Was waiting for a phone call so needed to stay close to home. Of course the call never came 😡
But was good to force a slow easy run. I think I might try doing all slow easy runs this month and see if I can get fully recovered.
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I knew it was going to storm tonight, so I managed to walk on my lunch break, and then I did strength training when I got home.3
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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
3/6: 8.10 miles
3/7: 2.02 miles
29.22/100 miles completed for March
Another short 2 mile run for the streak today. It wasn't a bad, but it was pretty cold. I wore long tights, a long sleeved shirt and a jacket. I would have been too warm if I had run much further, but I was good for twenty minutes. Tomorrow is supposed to be cold again, but it isn't supposed to be windy. Hopefully it will be a good run.
Scary snake @rheddmobile!. I am glad to hear that the raccoon is back with his brothers.
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@Scott6255 It is so frustrating waiting on a phone call, especially one that never comes! You did great getting 6 miles on the treadmill.
It was windy here yesterday too @kgirlhart ,but at least it was warm. You did great on your 2 miles.0 -
No run today, but I did get a 3 mile walk in on the treadmill. Yesterday the morning temp was 59F and this morning it was 34F. Can I send that cold front back to you Texans? :-)3
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March goal: 60 km
03/01: 5.3 km along the Danube shore
03/03: 7.7. km around the old town
03/06: 7.6 km - hello NY!
03/08: 6.7 km - rainy Texas, so running on a treadmill
Total: 27.3 km
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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
03/07/22 :::: 2.8 :::: 17.6
03/08/22 :::: 3.1 :::: 20.7
Progress on consistency if not longer miles. Yesterday I left work a little early and walked Stella in the remains of a little warmer weather - it was still about 40 degrees and not bad at all. Then I went to the gym and ran on the treadmill before strength training. By the time I came out it was pelting rain and had dropped way down in temp and was so windy. This morning I was not pleased to wake up to a dusting of snow. I went to yoga this am and then ran on the treadmill after to get it over with. It's a good thing I did because the day went downhill quickly at work and I did not have time later.4 -
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
3/7: 2.02 miles
3/8: 5.60 miles
34.82/100 miles completed for March
It was cold as expected this morning. I ran 5.6 miles though and it was a decent run. It started drizzling on me about halfway through. And by the time I went to work this morning it was sleeting. It is supposed to be cold again tomorrow. It is just so hard to get out of bed and out the door when it is cold.
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I managed to get out for a 3.38 mile walk tonight. Then I followed it with a 2.10 mile run. No walk breaks… felt stronger. I’m still taking it slowly, but it felt good to run a little further.
3.62 of 20 miles for March complete
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@Aine8046 Nice job doing a treadmill run in a hotel. That takes dedication. I try when I travel, but am about 50-50 as to whether I actually do it or not.
@katharmonic Great consistency and glad you got it done before the day went down hill. I hope today is better for you.
@kgirlhart You are doing great getting out there in the cold. I think it's even harder this time of year when we are teased with warmer weather on some days.
Nice run and walk @emmamcgarity !
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@Teresa502 We are still feeling the cold front for now, but in a couple of days, feel free to send it back our way!
@Aine8046 Where in TX are you visiting? Seems like all the TX runners on here had the same crappy rainy cold weather yesterday and we are several hours apart!
@quilteryoyo That mile was speedy! Good work picking up the pace and glad your breathing is improving some.1 -
March total: 16.4/75 Miles
3/2: 2.1 miles
3/4: 4.2 miles
3/6: 3.1 miles
3/7: 2 miles
3/9: 5 miles
I was supposed to run yesterday but opted to avoid the crappy rainy cold weather. That combo happens so rarely I don’t really have clothes for it and being wet and cold sucks. This morning I tacked on an extra mile because I skipped yesterday and the weather was great! About 40F, slight breeze, and dry! I am really enjoying how fresh my legs feel on these lower mileage weeks. Every run just feels so easy, even though my average pace has picked up, especially on the colder days. I didn’t realize how tired they were those last few weeks of the training plan, but it is noticeable in retrospect.4 -
quilteryoyo wrote: »@Aine8046 Nice job doing a treadmill run in a hotel. That takes dedication. I try when I travel, but am about 50-50 as to whether I actually do it or not.
Tiny hotel gym treadmills are the worst. If I am traveling somewhere scenic I am so much more likely to get out for a run but most of the time I just plan to not run when I am traveling. 50/50 is better than my average for sure.
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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
03/07/22 :::: 2.8 :::: 17.6
03/08/22 :::: 3.1 :::: 20.7
03/09/22 :::: 3.1 :::: 23.8
Today's weather bag had snow! I ran after work and it had been snowing since late morning, but above freezing so melting on the roads for the most part. It was a little slushy but the footing was not bad. I did step in a couple of cold puddles though and did not love the wet feet.6 -
The storms cleared out this afternoon, and I got home early from work, so I got out to do some speedwork. I’ve been trying to incorporate one day per week of either hills or speed. Today was cadence repeats.
I also ordered new shoes today. I was originally going to order the Brooks Launch 8, which I have worn for a couple of years, because the 9’s came out and the 8’s were on sale. However, after some research, I ended up getting the Ghosts. They are supposedly better for longer runs, and I’ll start my marathon training before too long. Hopefully, they will work out well.
2.16 miles
March miles: 13.77 -
@marisap2010 I think you will be happy with the Ghosts. Good luck with the marathon training.
8 miles this evening. Had to scrape ice off my windshield this morning, and this afternoon I ran outside in shorts and a t-shirt at 60F. Friday it's supposed to snow/ice. This planet is bipolar 😉
Today's run was nice and easy. HR stayed below 120. 4 -
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
3/7: 2.02 miles
3/8: 5.60 miles
3/9: 5.15 miles
39.97/100 miles completed for March
It was even colder today than yesterday. It is so hard to get out the door when it is cold. But I did and I ran 5 miles. It was a nice run. It was 27°F, feels like 23°, but it wasn't windy and it was clear. It was dark starting out, but light at the end. It should be a little warmer tomorrow. I think you are right @quilteryoyo. Having some nice spring like weather makes the cold weather seem worse.
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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
3/6: 8.10 miles
3/7: 2.02 miles
3/8: 5.60 miles
3/9: 5.15 miles
3/10: 5.15 miles
45.12/100 miles completed for March
Today's run was pretty much the same run as yesterday, but it was a little warmer. Yesterday I wore a jacket for the whole run and today I wore two pairs of sleeves and ended up taking them off halfway through. It was a nice run and I felt pretty good afterwards. Tomorrow we are supposed to have wintry weather. It is going to be hard to get out there, but I only need to do one mile for the streak, so hopefully it won't be too bad.
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Did we ever have a monthly question for March? If not, I have one.
Do you like to listen to music when you run? And if so what are some of your favorite running songs?
I like to listen to music when I run. I use Aftershoz headphones so that I am able to hear what is going on around me. I have a very eclectic playlist. A few of my favorite running songs are:
Queen - Don't Stop Me Know
Eminem - Lose Yourself
My Chemical Romance - Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)
Gorillaz- Feel Good Inc.
Tom Petty - Don't Do Me Like That
Benny Goodman - Sing, Sing, Sing4 -
@kgirlhart YES! great monthly question. I listen to music when I run always and am kind of bummed if my headset fails and I have to listen to my breathing and stomping. I have a "sprint" mix which has bpm of 180 or over. My pace is definitely significantly effected.
Im So excited Pointer Sisters (BEST one)
Tell her about it Billy Joel
Born to Boogie Hank WIlliams
are 3 good ones. I just googled popular songs at my tempo to keep adding more.
I will have to look up the tempo on the ones you mentioned above. It's funny how music can energize or relax or make you happy. I know when I am REALLY stressed about something I have to listen to classical music because I don't want to hear words...
44,95 miles out of 150 goal to date. I did some sprints today. 2 in the morning - barely broke 10 min avg. 2 at lunch 8:53 avg
2 after work 8:37 new PB
I guess I wanted to build up some mileage because it seems like tomorrow is not going to be a pleasant Tx day - rainy, blue norther winds, cold etc... and right now it's 72 sunny and light southerly winds. Shorts weather.
and tomorrow is TGIF!
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@martaindale I'm glad your runs are feeling better and your legs are fresh.
Glad the snow didn't make the roads treacherous for your run @katharmonic . We are supposed to get snow Friday night. I'm hoping it won't stick on the roads since it has been so warm.
@marisap2010 Nice running and yeah for new shoes!
Nice running @Scott6255 and I agree that the planet is bipolar.
@kgirlhart That would have been too cold for me. You did great.
@SummerSkier Great paces. You are getting so speedy.
I have just walked the last two days due to time constraints and just being tired. I did get my Holter monitor put on this morning. I have to wear it for two weeks and then mail it to TX to be read. It has a different design from one's I've had before and it sort of in the way of my bra strap. I'm hoping it will be okay when I run.
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