March 2016 Running Challenge

3/1: Rest day
3/2: 12 miles (am), 5 miles (pm)
3/3: 7 miles speedwork (am), 6 miles with Thursday crew (pm)
3/4: Rest day
3/5: 7.3 miles
3/6: 15.2 miles
3/7: 6 miles with Joe to Go crew
3/8: Rest day
3/9: 12 miles (am), 5 miles (pm)
3/10: 8 miles (am), 6 miles with Thursday crew (pm)
3/11: Rest day
3/12: 5.6 miles (2.5 mile warm up and 5k race)
3/13: 18 miles
3/14: Impromptu rest day
3/15: 6 miles (am), 8 miles (pm)

The brain funk is broken! I didn't really want to run Sunday, or Monday, or this morning... but after a day of drinking coffee and thesis work at Panera, I came home and like a switch was flipped: I wanted to go out and run. I plotted a hilly route going the opposite direction that I would normally run those hills and off I went! And I paced REALLY fast. So fast that I'm I'm labelling this my weekly speedwork. 8 miles at 7:52 pace with 500 feet of elevation gain. For the first time since last week (probably since Thursday?), a run felt effortless and fun. My legs weren't heavy. My calf is only minimally angry at me yet. My head was in it to win it. It feels good to be back to my normal self!



Upcoming Races:
3/12: Run O' The Mill 5K: New PR! 21:55
4/3: Caesar Rodney HM (Wilmington, DE)
4/16: River Horse 6K (Ewing, NJ)
5/1: New Jersey Marathon (Lots of towns, NJ)

kristinegift wrote: »

The brain funk is broken! I didn't really want to run Sunday, or Monday, or this morning... but after a day of drinking coffee and thesis work at Panera, I came home and like a switch was flipped: I wanted to go out and run. I plotted a hilly route going the opposite direction that I would normally run those hills and off I went! And I paced REALLY fast. So fast that I'm I'm labelling this my weekly speedwork. 8 miles at 7:52 pace with 500 feet of elevation gain. For the first time since last week (probably since Thursday?), a run felt effortless and fun. My legs weren't heavy. My calf is only minimally angry at me yet. My head was in it to win it. It feels good to be back to my normal self!

@kristinegift most awesome!!! I know you don't like the compression stuff, but Skip is swearing by the compression sleeve for her calf. She said it's been awesome and now that she's been wearing it at every practice she feels funny without it.

@skippygirlsmom I have compression sock-sleeves (like knee-high socks). I wear them post-run, but I can't wear them while I run because they cut off my circulation and make my legs hurt. I've been wearing them pretty often after long runs, and I'll probably pal around in them for a while tonight. They definitely do help, Skip's right! Those + some foam rolling and I should be right as rain by the weekend!

MNLittleFinn wrote: »

Today made me realize (glad it was a rest day) That I'm desperately in need of a good jacket to wear for running in the rain. Anyone have a suggestion?

Here's the one I use and like: http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B008F0JL3Y

It's light-weight, sheds water well, seals well at the wrists and such, and packs into itself!

@WhatMeRunning Wow, that sounds like some seriously intense routine the trainer had you do!
I'm still trying to figure out what to do strength-training wise - for the past couple of month, I've been going to the gym twice per week and following a full-body (mostly)dumbbell plan. But I went to a "strength training for runners" workshop earlier this month, and the exercises that instructor recommended were completely different. Mostly plancks and bridges and jumps...

@kristinegift Congrats on feeling so much better today! And on the new shorts and jacket - new running clothes are great


If you can find them, that is... I just spent the last three hours online shopping for a new rain jacket for running. Not easy!
I've had my old for two years, and while it was great in the beginning, in the past few month it started letting the rain through, so I've been browsing the local sports stores over the past few weeks already. Today the zipper of my current jacket got stuck and I partly ripped it out when I was trying to get it to open, which makes buying a new one even more urgent.
It's amazing how many "waterproof" or "water repelant" jackets don't have a hood. Or no pockets. Am I really that weird for wanting a rain jacket with a hood and pockets - preferably one that isn't made out of a fabric that feels like a very stiff garbage bag?

1---3.57 walk
2---7.06
3---3.55
4---7.47 walk
5---5.75
6---3.03
7--- work late, DOMS, rain
8---work late, headache, rain
9---6.61cramps
10---5.05 cramps
11---5.41
12---7.33
13---worked, slept
14---2.3 walk, biked 9
15---7.23 easy


 64.38 miles/150


Upcoming races:
03/19/16 Rock N Roll 5K Dallas
03/20/16 Rock N Roll Half Dallas
04/24/16 OKC Memorial undecided distance
10/16/16 THAT dam half, Lewisville TX
11/05/16 Jenks Half Jenks OK
Run the year 2016  407.30/ 2016

@WhatMeRunning Do you have BCAA's? They help with muscle soreness. I can't find the ones I had been using (cytosport monster amino), and just take L-Glutamine. It's cheap, less than 5$ for a bottle.

@kristinegift @skippygirlsmom I have CEP compression sleeves. I love them. But found out I can't run in them. I get cramps. They are great. But so great for work when my shin bothers me.

@MNLittleFinn I had a hard time finding the right rain gear. I have a thin windbreaker from Columbia I found on sale for 10$. It works for light rain. I also have another that I bought from Academy (outdoor store). It's waterproof, windproof. It works. But sure a specialty jacket would be nicer, but I don't know what I'm missing (yet).

@ceciliaslater Thought of you today out on a run.

Having a good bike trip across the keys this week, but ended up getting in two runs on marathon key (today and Saturday) as I got to run down the remains of the old 7 mile bridge. On the plus side, I'm almost done with my monthly biking quota, so I'll get to focus more on running during the coming week. Attaching a few good pics from the trip.

3/1 - 3.5 miles
3/2 - 10 miles
3/3 - 5 miles
3/4 - 3 miles
3/6 - 11 miles
3/7 - 18 miles
3/8 - 7.5 miles
3/10 - 13 miles
3/12 - 5 miles
3/15 - 6 miles

Total: 82 miles
Goal: 200 miles
Remaining: 118 miles

3/1 - 4 miles
3/2 - 3.5 miles
3/3 and 4 - travel days
3/5 - 5 miles
3/6 - 6.5 miles
3/7 - rest day
3/8 - 5 miles
3/9 - 5.3 miles
3/10 - rest day
3/11 - 7.1 miles
3/12 and 13 - life days
3/14 - 6.5 miles
3/15 - 5.1 miles

48 out of 100 miles


Kind of a miserable run, I was having a hard time breathing, my calves were a little tight. I ran around the office park I work at, when I got back to my truck, I had an ah ha moment, it was 84F degrees. No wonder I was hot ha ha! I know the beautiful blooming trees are trying to kill me too, allergies are going nuts. I'm just happy to be running!