March 2018 Running Challenge

3/1 = rest day
3/2 = 2 slow miles with the dog
3/3 = rest day
3/4 = 13 miles - Alamo 1/2 Marathon
3/5 = 2 miles - Attempt # 2 at trying to "run" with my dog.
3/6 = 9 miles - easy pace
3/7 = 2 miles - Attempt #3 at trying to run with my dog
3/8 = Vinyasa yoga class & 6 miles
3/9 = 14 miles
3/10 = rest day
3/11 = 7 miles - walk/run intervals with the running group

March Goal Miles = 150 / 55 Miles Completed

Upcoming Races:
4/7/18 = Outlaw Half Marathon
10/28/18 = Austin Haunted Half
1/27/19 = Miami Marathon

3/11 4 miles

Total 4/35

Finally! Well, it was easy because it was a race. ATT sucks and can't figure out that AZ doesn't follow daylight saving time so my alarm went off at 4 instead of 5, even though I double checked all the settings and time zones. Both Mountain time zones spring ahead. I had to temp change it to Pacific to get the correct time. I laid in bed for an hour just dozing in & out once I got the time right.

Overcast today, perfect weather for a run. It hinted at maybe raining on the run so I put my phone in my back zip pocket of my hydration vest instead of its usual spot in the water bottle pocket. It kind of misted but not much. Phone would have been ok in its usual spot.

OH before race: I brought my umbrella.

That was a first for me. Never thought or saw anyone with an umbrella at a race before!

So, on the course sometime past mile 2, there was an intersection the cops had traffic stopped at and allowing runners to go diagonally across. I guess some drivers were getting upset? I didn't hear anything but I overheard another first... a runner complaining that the officers didn't stop the runners to allow the cars through! He was all, no one here is competing. They could stop the runners. Ummm... I am competing. It might be with myself but I'm still trying to do well. Also, I've been stopped for traffic before around the same mile mark, which happens to be right when I start settling into a grove, pace, stride and you know how much it *kitten* sucks?? It takes me another 2 miles to get back into it after having to stop, stand around, and wait. Throws your whole race off to have to stop for traffic.

I will try to remember to post the shirt and medal later. The medal is large and the middle pops out to be a coaster!

mommarobb wrote: »

I am in love with running/jogging/ walking. I am amazed at how much better I feel already and I only started a few weeks ago. Really noticed a difference on the stairs at work. Before I used to barely make it to the top and now I can run up them...Yay me!!!!.
Anyone else have issues with people being negative about running? I have been getting comments about how bad it is for your knees;joints. I tell them I have never felt better Then I invite them to run with me lol.

YAY! So glad you're hooked! I've had one person tell me it's bad fo my knees. It's not ya know. I just remind them that all the people we work with that have had partial or complete knee replacements, none were runners. All are sedentary and over weight.

Don't listen to the negative Nancy's!

Date      Miles      MTD
-------   -----    -------
Mar  11     2.8        2.8 

Starting back after a long layoff is always a challenge. Had to address a few injury and recovery issues, and had some success with a Keto eating plan that helped me lose some pounds ... I think the extra weight was contributing on the injuries. Short outing today. I'll have to build up my aerobic capacity again ... had to stop for a couple recovery intervals. Still, happy to lace 'em up again!

@mommarobb congrats on all your success so far! I experience other people projecting their own issues onto me re: running often.

Something that the poet Prince EA mentions in my favorite work of his (I listen to it before I race because its message is that vitally important) is that "...see some of us are afraid of the thief who comes in the night to steal all of our things- but there is a thief in your mind that is after your dreams. His name is doubt, if you see him call the cops and keep him away from the kids because he is wanted for murder for he has killed more dreams than failure ever did."

Do not ever allow the thief in another persons mind take things from you and limit you. You are infinitely goddamn powerful so chase the dream, run for your life- struggle and criticism are pre-requisites for greatness! They will either cheer you on down the line or continue to live scared for knees they are actually abusing more than you are- neither of those results have to be your property .

#McBridefeelz

Ran 2.3 miles today. It was HOT where I live. I'm not ready for this summer weather.

Can't remember the MFP rules on this so...I might get warned or put on a time out for this but I don't care. Sometimes you got to run for more than just yourself: https://www.gofundme.com/miles-for-miranda

March Running Totals (miles)
3/1 – 5.57 easy
3/2 – rest day
3/3 – 16.09 paced run
3/4 – 7.22 easy with hills
3/5 – rest day
3/6 – 6.21 easy with fast finish
3/7 – 6.60 group run
3/8 – 6.24 easy with fast finish
3/9 – rest day
3/10 – 18.07 paced run
3/11 – 6.54 easy

March running total to date – 72.54

Nominal challenge goal: 180 miles

Real goals: Build base. Work toward being able to run 26.2 miles by Patriots' Day.

Today's notes – After yesterday's 18 miles of hills, I thought maybe 5 to 8 miles of mostly flat today. Ran around RIT campus, and didn't have much in the way of little hills to get over with lots of not much incline or decline. Legs felt tired, no big surprise. I really needed to stretch by the time I got done, and made that a priority. Now, I feel like I had a nice recovery run.

In my ad hoc, seat of the pants, informal marathon training plan, it's about time for a cutback week. So today was a little shorter than the last two Sundays, tomorrow is a rest day, and Saturday I'll have an 8K race instead of a long run. Probably come in with 33-37 miles for the week; but sometimes less is more.

2018 races:
February 17, 2018 Freezeroo #5 (Valentines Run "In Memory of Tom Brannon" 8 Mile) (Greece, NY) finished in 54:48
February 24, 2018 Freezeroo #6 (White House Challenge 4.4 mile) (Webster, NY) finished in 28:46
March 17, 2018 USATF Masters 8K (Shamrock 8K, Virginia Beach, VA)
March 24, 2018 Spring Forward 15K (Mendon, NY)
April 16, 2018 Boston Marathon (Hopkinton, MA)

@Elise4270 your comment made me realize that all the people I work with that have knee problems don't run either.

@JessicaMcB Thanks for the wonderful inspiration and quoting the poetry. I loved it so much I shared it with my friends. I think it is amazing that you did a run with your girl and that she was able to do 5K. And I love that you run through mud lol.

I had a new after picture taken tonight and I am so proud of myself. My before picture was taken when I joined MFP but I had already list 28 lbs when it was taken. So even though my ticker says 71lbs lost I have lost in total 99 lbs. Almost in the 100 club!!!! When people tell me that running is bad for me or ask why I would want to run, I am going to show them this pic and say "this is why I run" plus I love running and how it makes me feel. I keep saying that over and over and I think it is because I never used to be able to do it and it makes me feel wonderful.

I ran again yesterday!!

I've had to abandon the Hal Higdon Marathon plan because I need to start back slowly with walk/run and not raise my heart rate too much.

I found a beginners marathon plan online which focuses on time on feet which works a bit better for me, and for now am sticking religiously to it. Once I know my heart rate has stabilised a bit I might push it a bit more and add another easy day (it's only a 3 day a week plan which I don't think is enough for a marathon).

Yesterday I did feel I could run further, but I was behaved enough to stick to the plan. I'm hoping to go back to lifting weights this week as well, as despite most people having over-active thyroid losing weight fast, I am steadfastly NOT.