MARCH 2024 Monthly Running Challenge
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3/1 14.17 miles, Crazy Laps! Cold drizzle
3/2 18.52 miles, Running Partner A, High Fog
3/3 27.26 miles, not planned or intended, just kept going
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Monday hit hard this morning. Slept in. Rush to get smallest ready for school. Late. A little laundry. Time wasting on interwebs. A second breakfast. Trying to find the motivation to preserve the summer produce glut. Tomatoes on stove. Summoning strength to begin strawberry jam. More laundry to procrastinate. Hopefully I’ll find the energy to run later today.12
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I centerpunched the rain. It rained as I prepared, and started up again just as I finished. Timing, right?
March Running Goal: 17 runs, 55 miles- Mar 3 -5.00 miles
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@AlphaHowls those are the best types of runs. But really 27 miles?!!!!!🙃7
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3.65 miles this morning. 15:23 pace
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Sorry to hear you're not feeling well, @martaindale . Hopefully it resolves quickly. <just saw your next post, glad you got some running in yesterday! Sounds like taking it easy is a good plan>
A tasty looking old fashioned, @tarun_yadavA ! I'm a whiskey guy myself, though I normally drink it neat.
@AlphaHowls some things never change, like you're amazing running! Did you once have a huge streak of daily runs of half marathons or more? Or maybe you still do...that wouldn't surprise me. Great photo!
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I learned a valuable lesson yesterday. Don't eat large, spicy meals a day before a long run. My wife and I went out for dinner and I had 1/2 pound "El Diablo" burger. it was fantastic with jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, and a super spicy sauce. I should only have eaten half of it but I didn't stop. My mouth was burning!
I had planned to get out early yesterday for my long trail run my insides were twisted up and I didn't start until 11:30pm. My goal was to run from 8am to sunset but I only got 6.5 hours in for a total of 26 miles. It was AWESOME! For most of this year my trail miles have been on terrain which gave me about 160 feet of gain per mile but yesterday was only 75 feet of gain per mile so it was easier than usual and closer to what I'll experience in my next race. I was very happy with my pace.
My first 16 miles were running, followed by 10 miles of practicing my power hike with my trekking poles. I've been consciously working more on my lower gear this year since there's more room for improvement than working on my higher speed and I suspect I'll be power hiking about half of my next race. The long distance also gave me some practice with my nutrition and hydration plan, which is basically eat as much as I can and drink enough so I don't get thirsty.
The weather was amazing, topping out in the upper 50s F. I met another trail runner out there and rand with him for several miles, then met a man walking his hunting dogs and had to talk to him for quite a while. I sure miss my running buddy.
With the crazy weather (way warmer and way less snow than usual) the trees are budding and animals are waking up. Below is a photo of a endangered Blanding's turtle crossing the trail on the way to look for a nesting site. That usually doesn't happen until late April. I sure hope a cold snap doesn't mess up the wildlife too much (except the mosquitos and ticks...they can die. And yes, I know many animals depend on them for food).
After that long my feet were sore last night but I feel surprisingly fine today. Still, I'm going to skip my run today and go for a walk instead and run tomorrow, my normal day off.
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@ContraryMaryMary and @7lenny7 I think I found you on Strava. I joined this group in October. Used to run HM and marathon in my 50s, but a son with cancer derailed my life for a number of years. Last fall I decided I’d try to start up again, slowly. Typically will stick to 10Ks or less until I lose the weight I gained, along with trying to work around past injuries to a hamstring and knee.
I really enjoy this group and everyone is great about cheering each other on.
Nice to ‘meet’ you both.10 -
@ContraryMaryMary and @7lenny7 I think I found you on Strava.
Yup, you did. I’ve followed you back - I find it fascinating to ‘see’ where the people I chat to online are running in the world!
Welcome to the chat. I’m sorry to hear about your son and I hope he’s ok now. I’m glad you’re back on the running wagon.3 -
@AlphaHowls some things never change, like you're amazing running! Did you once have a huge streak of daily runs of half marathons or more? Or maybe you still do...that wouldn't surprise me. Great photo!
Love your pictures!
HAHA! I did have a long Half marathon streak as well. My last race from October 2023 took me out.AlphaHowls wrote: »
I think it was 1182 days.
From October 21, 2023Race Report! The good, the bad, the ugly!
Race Day! I felt good, running partner 'released me' to give it my all. She felt I could push and get PR.
I have never pushed like this run. I have never run this fast. I thought my fuel and things seemed to be on point. My legs started to feel weird by mile 6ish. Not really sure, but they just kept moving and I felt like I could not get control of them. I felt top heavy and felt like I was leaning. I had to keep pep talking myself to slow down, breathe, stay straight. By mile 11, not really sure who was running, my legs just did not want to be under my control. I had to 'right' myself quite a bit. Best described as 'jelly legs.' I began to really struggle to stay straight and upright. I was weaving here and there. I could hear the crowd as I got close, "Don't stop! You are almost there!" It was not pretty, but I was not in pain, I just did not have control of my legs or upper body. I was fighting to make the finish line. About 50ish feet, I was mostly bent over and did go down on on all fours. I could hear the crowd, telling me to push through, almost there, you can do it. I could see the line. I got up and wobbled my way, fighting every inch. I actually kept going through the finish, hearing someone yell to the 'medal handers' to leave me alone until I could get control. One lady ran and grabbed water and as I veered past her, she gave it to me. The weird, I felt fine, just not in control of my body, complete jelly.
I could hear the crowd, but it was my spirit inside that screamed at me to get up and get through that finish line.
Not that I feel humiliated or ashamed, but yeah...
I do not have any other pictures yet as they have not posted race photos. I really do not want to see them, due to what I might see.
Race Results:Me Age 52
36th Overall (out of 162)
8th Place Gender (out of 86)
1st place Age (50-54) (out of 11)
1:55:57
Over all Pace 08:514 -
Ha! @tarun_yadavA - there’s a lot to be said for being properly fueled. I’ve noticed I often run well the morning after a big meal - those delicious restaurant ones with loads of meat and fat. Too many cocktails would be a killer for me though - the wrong sorts of foods can really cramp (sometimes literally) your style, right @7lenny7?8
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March Goal: 130 Miles
3/1: 3.55 miles
3/3: 10.25 miles
13.80/130 miles completed for March
I ran 10 miles today. I didn't head out until 8:50, and it was already pretty warm at 64°F. It was 74°F when I finished. It was warm and windy so it felt kind of tough, but once I settled into it it was a good run. I had to re-route a few times because of loose dogs, but most of them didn't even notice me.
I have decided to sign up for the Possum's Revenge trail race. I am nervous because I haven't run trails before. Any advice for a first timer?
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Indeed!ContraryMaryMary wrote: »the wrong sorts of foods can really cramp (sometimes literally) your style, right @7lenny7?
@daria0919 I just saw that and followed you back. It's good to "meet" you too. I agree with @ContraryMaryMary , it is interesting to see where other folks here run. Stick with it, and stay here. This is an amazingly supportive group. I know you haven't seen me here before but I've been an active participant off (off and on...more off lately unfortunately) since 2015 just after I started running at the age of 48. I'm currently 57.
@AlphaHowls oh my gosh, that must have been so disconcerting to feel like that. What an amazing effort. So you did finish that race, did you then have to take some time off for recovery? 1182 days....I've told a few of my running friends about your mileage and I'm not sure they believe me.
@kgirlhart my number one piece of advice is keep your eyes on the ground. As soon as you look up rocks and roots will reach out to trip you. I tend to look several steps ahead to plan out my foot falls (it's mostly an unconscious thing...I don't really think about it) except for especially gnarly hazards, which I slow down for. Get out on the trails and practice, of course. And know that you will be slower and it will be harder than you're used to. Don't go out with any sort of pace in mind, just take it easy and try to get into the flow of the trail. "Possum's Revenge"... I love the name of that race!
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ContraryMaryMary wrote: »
Welcome to the chat. I’m sorry to hear about your son and I hope he’s ok now. I’m glad you’re back on the running wagon.@ContraryMaryMary and @7lenny7 I think I found you on Strava.
Thanks. Sadly, my son passed away 11 days after his 34th birthday. He fought it for almost 5 years. Has been a rough 9 years or so for me, but I feel I’m heading toward a somewhat steady new normal now. Being a part of this group has helped 😀14 -
@AlphaHowls oh my gosh, that must have been so disconcerting to feel like that. What an amazing effort. So you did finish that race, did you then have to take some time off for recovery? 1182 days....I've told a few of my running friends about your mileage and I'm not sure they believe me.
I had to look back at my chart and I just could not get my mileage up for about 4 days. Over last four months, I would work my HM streak and then end up with a low mileage day. I am now at day 20 for this one. I got COVID for Christmas and have been fighting muscle fatigue and low energy for a couple of months.
I went to doctor on Friday and he sent me a message just now:
I have been concerned about low energy, muscle fatigue and the like. Lab results indicate my uric acid is really low...symptoms - low energy, muscle fatigue. Medication now adjusted, we shall see.
In bold: When I mention my mileage, I just get this glassy eyed stare back, which is probably the same thing
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ContraryMaryMary wrote: »
Welcome to the chat. I’m sorry to hear about your son and I hope he’s ok now. I’m glad you’re back on the running wagon.@ContraryMaryMary and @7lenny7 I think I found you on Strava.
Thanks. Sadly, my son passed away 11 days after his 34th birthday. He fought it for almost 5 years. Has been a rough 9 years or so for me, but I feel I’m heading toward a somewhat steady new normal now. Being a part of this group has helped 😀
That is so sad. I’m so sorry to hear this. I lost both my mother and younger brother to cancer 24-25 years ago so have an idea of where you’ve at (however, the death of a child has to be far worse). Watching them fight it, with its ups and downs, is heart-wrenching and exhausting.
I’m glad to hear you’re finding a new normal - it’s never going to be the same but happiness and joy do return. Running is sure to help too.6 -
@tarun_yadavA Sounds like you had a really great run considering the night you had. Your stomach was probably asking what you had done to it. Glad you didn't get in trouble with the wife. What is your son's name on Strava?
Great running @Mari33a . I'm glad Dakota was back to his usual self.
Amazing @AlphaHowls !
I hope you managed to find the motivation for a run @ContraryMaryMary .
Great timing and great run @chris_in_cal .
Wow. That's a really long workout/run/hike @7lenny7 ! I'm impressed! Beautiful photos. I'm with you on the ticks and mosquitoes too. I hope the turtle and her eggs survive if the weather gets bad again.
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1 Mar - Walked 1.00 miles - Ran 0.00 mile - treadmill
2 Mar - Walked 1.00 miles - Ran 2.00 miles - driveway laps
3 Mar - Walked 1.25 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - treadmill
5.25/85.00 goal
I did my normal Sunday treadmill walk between church and lunch today.
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@kgirlhart my number one piece of advice is keep your eyes on the ground.
Yup, you’ll have to watch your step. However not all trails are technical - you might have it blissfully smooth and soft underfoot. In that case, enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of nature.
With trail running, it’s more than ok to walk the hills and stop and take photos. Even without this, your pace is likely to be quite a bit slower than on the road, which can take some mental adjustment, but once you’ve got your head around that, make the most of it.8 -
Oh yeah, I have to tell you about my big adventure coming up later this year. I entered the lottery for my ULTIMATE, race ever...and I made it in! The Superior Fall 100 Mile Trail Race on September 6th & 7th. It will be, by far, the hardest race of my life. I've had my eye on this as my ultimate goal since I started trail running 8 years ago. I don't think I'm actually ready to tackle it but at 57 years old, I felt I was pushing up against the clock and needed to at least toe the line.
It's one of the first 100 mile races in the country, and certainly one of the more difficult ones. 103 miles point to point, 21,000 feet of elevation gain, and 21,000 feet of elevation loss on the Superior Hiking Trail in the Sawtooth Mountain range in northern Minnesota, over relentless terrain. Cutoff time is 38 hours.
In 2022 I finished the 50 mile race on the second half of the 100 mile course with just 9 minutes left of the 16.75 hour cutoff time, so I have a pretty good sense of what's in store for me.
If you're interested, here's a really good 10 minute video from last year's race:
https://youtu.be/_PKnDH8str8?si=hWNUMF05QDRlGdm9
A much shorter video is here:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=625141188785344
In preparation for that race I'm running a 100M in Georgia on April 6 & 7, the Bootlegger 100, which is much "easier". It's a looped course with two 5 mile loops so your hitting the main, and only, aid station every 5 miles. I attempted this last year and only made it 70 miles before dropping out. I was hallucinating and falling asleep WHILE I was running. The hallucinations I had - one was a rock in the trail I thought was a hedgehog. The other one was worse, I thought a rabid skunk was coming out of the base of a tree to attack me. I actually jumped off the trail and got my poles ready to defend myself. It took several moments to figure out it wasn't really a skunk. It was 4am and I was alone and decided I just had to stop the race when I got back to aid station.
My other prep race is the Voyageur 50M near Duluth, MN in July. It's also on the Superior Hiking Trail but a different section. I've run half of that course in a previous trail marathon and it promises to be a great challenge as well.
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@chris_in_cal - your timing was certainly better than mine. It wasn't raining when we headed out and wasn't supposed to rain at all. Interesting that as it was pouring on us my weather app kept saying it wasn't and that it was partly cloudy. Technically it did get partly cloudy for an instant when the rain stopped before it dumped on us again 😂chris_in_cal wrote: »I centerpunched the rain. It rained as I prepared, and started up again just as I finished. Timing, right?@7lenny7 - 💔 Kody 💔
Don't even want to think about the day when Hobbes can no longer go with me.
Sounds like you had a great run despite the spicy large meal! Love the pictures! Hope the turtle finds a good nest site that will protect it even if there is a cold snap.
@AlphaHowls - my doctor's eyes glazed over at my mileage which could never compare to yours. I am sure they find you as amazing as we all do!
@daria0919 - Cancer sucks!😢 Running, walking and just getting outside definitely helps me.
@kgirlhart - Good for you signing up for the trail race. Watch out though you may end up like @eleanorhawkins tearing up the trails!
I had my first (wet) outing of the month for 2.83mi.
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Hi everyone!
I didn't get around to posting my run yesterday. I went on a nice an easy 11km run, doing the last few km at my tentative M race pace. Thanks so much for the link @martaindale . When I entered in my 10k stats, it bascially gave me the exact result I got in the HM I raced last year and the pace I bascially had in mind to try to attempt for the M. So, that means I think I was intuitively on the right track! I am going to be integrating it into some of my runs now to get used to what it feels like to run at that pace.
Today I did 8x 1 minute intervals. For me, this is the hardest workout of all running workouts. I always get tears in my eyes the last 2 or 3 reps. But it went well and I ran 10km. Tomorrow is long run day
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34.2km/250km for March.
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@kgirlhart I checked out that race. It looks like there is quite a bit of elevation gain, so I would definitely recommend doing some "hill" days before the race and, what @7lenny7 said - getting practice out on trails nearby so you get used to running on different terrain. Yes, and look at the ground while running. I also try to do more foot/ankle strengthening exercises because it is especially good to make sure you have a strong foundation there when the ground isn't level to avoid injury.
@AlphaHowls Great job on your unplanned marathon! It sounds like it was a wonderful day for a long run for you!!! And I agree with @quilteryoyo It's great to be able to go home, refuel and then get yourself out again for more running. That defintely shows motivation/dedication.
@7lenny7 I enjoyed reading about your ultra-training run. That sounds like an intense but also very rewarding type of training. Beautiful pictures too!8 -
Morning everyone!
Got in 5 (at 09"56).
Ooohh so many messages on alcohol 😂
@emptydog thank you Sir!
@Mari33a same! Nice whiskey sweet Old Fashioned! 🥃
@7lenny7 think a cocktail was more socially acceptable at Noon!
But I do love whisky too... Either Speyside Single Malts (Glenlivet) or sweet ish Bourbons. Dalwhinnie is another nice one.
Ones I can't do are the super peaty ones like Lagavulin, Laphroaig etc.
Oh.. and when I took my sabbatical and did my 48 State Road trip... Went to Makers Mark. In a town called Loretto in KY. Fun fact: only American whiskey that is spelt without the 'e'. Whisky. The lady that ran/owned it was Scottish! Hence the Scottish spelling!
Also... Speaking of trip... Duluth was my MN stop!
Good luck with that race!
@quilteryoyo haha. The body was like, "and we were getting on so well..." "What did I do to deserve that?"
March social calendar catching up...
Have a few more planned:
Got a work leaving drinks this Thursday (shouldn't be too too heavy).
Guys night on Fri 15... thAt will be heavy.
Wife birthday... Towards end of the month. Gastropub she wants to go. Unhealthy meal and a few drinks (shouldn't be too heavy).
Fly to the States at Easter. With my FL buddy for weekend... So that probably will be back to back heavy drinking.
Kids... Teen- Deep. 9yr old- Yuvraj. Both under my follower list. Same surname. Teen- super lazy. Either slacks or forgets to turn on. 9yr old- just the 1 run to date.
@ContraryMaryMary oooh musta missed the Strava bit! Will find you as well.
As for the unexpected long run - must've been the carbs kicking in after 4-5M!
@AlphaHowls well done on the unplanned full marathon!
@martaindale get well soon Sarah!7 -
Wow, I take one day off and was two whole pages behind! Lots of tremendous running! You all are amazing!
Purposely set out for a short slow run. Wanted it to feel really easy. It didn't.
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@7lenny7 I'm impressed that you would even want to run that race. It sounds brutal, but the scenery looked really cool. I think I remember you telling us about the hallucinations at the time. Scary stuff. It sounds like you will be ready for it this year, well, as ready as you can be for something like that. Good luck with all of your upcoming races.
@Laurz9191 Great run and sounds like you go all out on your workouts. Enjoy your long run.
@Scott6255 Those are the worst runs.....the ones that you are sure are going to be easy and every step is a chore. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
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@kgirlhart my number one piece of advice is keep your eyes on the ground. As soon as you look up rocks and roots will reach out to trip you. I tend to look several steps ahead to plan out my foot falls (it's mostly an unconscious thing...I don't really think about it) except for especially gnarly hazards, which I slow down for. Get out on the trails and practice, of course. And know that you will be slower and it will be harder than you're used to. Don't go out with any sort of pace in mind, just take it easy and try to get into the flow of the trail. "Possum's Revenge"... I love the name of that race!ContraryMaryMary wrote: »Yup, you’ll have to watch your step. However not all trails are technical - you might have it blissfully smooth and soft underfoot. In that case, enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of nature.
With trail running, it’s more than ok to walk the hills and stop and take photos. Even without this, your pace is likely to be quite a bit slower than on the road, which can take some mental adjustment, but once you’ve got your head around that, make the most of it.
Absolutely agree with all of this. PK is a mix of places you’ll need to watch your step and some where you can take it all in. Trail running folks are the nicest people you’ll meet. I’ve done almost every trail run alone and still felt like a part of the community. To the point about pace, I usually have zero pace goals for trail races. They are about seeing the location, having a good time, and maybe collecting an awesome possum medal!
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March 2 – 7.38 miles
March 3 – 3.02 miles
March 4 – 5.03 miles
I’m going to set my March goal at 100 miles. This morning the weather was 48F and I got out early enough to watch the horizon light up – my favorite time of day. The only traffic I encountered on my 5 mile outing was the school bus passing by. Just me and the birds who were quite chirpy. My dad’s pacemaker procedure went smashingly well. Thanks to everyone for the prayers and good wishes.
I was a few pages behind reading here, but I finally got caught up with liking and hugging as appropriate. You all continue to inspire me to go out there and get it done!
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@7lenny7 I remember reading about the hallucinations you had during that race. It sounded really scary. I guess it's good that you had that experience on a race with aid stations close at hand. I'm rooting for you in the buildup to Superior falls!5
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March total: 8.2 miles
YTD: 209.4/1200 miles
3/2: 4.1 miles
3/4: 4.1 miles
Another short run this morning. This one felt MUCH better! Conditions were pretty similar to Saturday but my legs and body in general felt significantly different. I'll aim for a slightly longer run tomorrow to test things out a bit more. I'm glad to see some recovery happening.10
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