March 2018 Running Challenge

vandinem · March 2018

Date      Miles      MTD
-------   -----    -------
Mar  11     2.8        2.8 
Mar  17     3.6        6.4 
Mar  23     3.7       10.1 
Mar  24     3.7       13.8

rheddmobile · March 2018

zdyb23456 wrote: »

3/1 6.86miles
3/2 rest
3/3 10miles
3/4 rest
3/5 6.57miles
3/6 5miles
3/7 6miles
3/8 5miles
3/9 10miles
3/10 4miles
3/11 rest
3/12 4miles
3/13 5.2miles
3/14 5.35miles
3/15 rest
3/16 3miles
3/17 rest
3/18 13.1miles!! Shamrock race!!!
3/19 rest
3/20 5.3miles
3/21 7miles
3/22 4miles
3/23 5miles
3/24 3.06miles

So I ran the Don’t sit on Colon cancer 5k this morning. I decided I wanted to beat my best Garmin time of 26 minutes. So I headed out pretty fast. This race is pretty small and winds through hospital and a concert venue. We even ran through the seating area so two small hills! I sprinted the last minute so no one would pass me at the end and I finished in 24:30! I was psyched!!! That was my best 5k time a few years ago!

As we were driving home I looked at my Garmin. The race was short by .04 miles so Garmin didn’t recognize it as a 5k PR. Hahahaha! Now I need to find another 5k race...

I’m headed out now to run another 7 miles to complete my long run for the week.

3/18/2018 Shamrock half marathon
3/24/2018 Don't Sit on Colon Cancer 5K
10/7/2018 Crawlin Crab half marathon
10/13/2018 Joggin for Frogmen 5K
11/18/2018 Norfolk Harbor half marathon

Wow great time! Congrats!

lporter229 · March 2018

@zdyb23456 - Awesome job on the 5k! That is so funny that you need to do another to get the Garmin record!

lporter229 · March 2018

As great as yesterday's run was, today's was equally crappy. It was supposed to be a group run of 11 miles with 9 at race pace. It started off well enough, slightly cold and windy, but pleasant enough. Most of us commented that we were over dressed since we were expecting it to snow.

The first few miles went by okay, but one of my friends in the group was struggling a bit with the pace. I decided that she probably needed the company more than I needed the tempo, so i hung back a bit with her. About half way through the run the "snow" (read wet, icy pellets) started. It wasn't bad at first until we turned to head back and realized that we would be heading back straight into the wind. The snow was coming down pretty good at this point and it was that kind of snow that stings your face as it hits you. The last half of the run was trudging along with head down and just keep on keeping on until you are done. Around mile 10, my friend stopped to add her layers back on and told me to keep going. I was miserable enough that I did. I caught up to another member of our group. His whole torso was a blanket of white snow. When we got back to the store, everyone agreed that it was one of the most miserable runs of the year. I am glad to be home, showered, drinking my coffee and watching the snow accumulate on my deck.

polskagirl01 · March 2018

The sun is shining and the snow is melting... revealing another hazard to avoid - dog poop. Everywhere! Watch out!

sarahthes · March 2018

3/1 - 7.4km
3/2 - rest
3/3 - sick / snow day
3/4 - 10.0km
3/5 - rest
3/6 - 8.0km
3/7 - rest
3/8 - 8.0km
3/9 - rest
3/10 - 14.0km
3/11 - rest
3/12 - rest
3/13 - 8.0km
3/14 - walk
3/15 - 8.1km, first km with Spiderman
3/16 - rest
3/17 - rest/sick
3/18 - 10.0km
3/19 - rest
3/20 - 8.1km
3/21 - walk
3/22 - 8.2km
3/23 - rest
3/24 - 16.1km

105.9/115km

Great weather for a run, sunny with cloudy bits and hovering right around freezing. Still some slippery bits out there and at one point I had to detour around waist high snow drifts from the blizzard Thursday night but otherwise a nice run.

Now to finish getting cleaned up so I can go for my hair appointment. Not sure what colours I want this time.

Upcoming Races:
1/1/18 Resolution Run 5K ~38:00 (no official times)
3/4/18 MEC Road Race #1 10K 1:30:57
3/17/28 St Patrick's Day race 10K 1:24:53
4/7/18 Jasper Half Marathon
4/22/18 MEC Trail Race #1 5K
5/20/18 MEC Trail Race #2 10K
6/24/18 MEC Trail Race #3 15K
8/18/18 Edmonton Marathon 10K
9/2/18 MEC Trail Race #4 10K
10/7/18 MEC Trail Race #5 15K

zerlinna87 · March 2018

I'm looking for some suggestions for a couple of questions I have. I'm a fairly new runner, although I have run in the past. My longest distance is a 10k. I don't think I'll ever be a half marathon/marathon runner. Anyways, I've been doing the c25k training program. I'll be done with that in early April, but I don't plan to run a race until early May. I need advice on what kind of running I should be doing after I complete my program. Also, what keeps you motivated when you're not training for a race? That's been my pitfall in the past. Plus, I live in South Carolina, and it gets really hot here in the summer. That's when I tend to stop running.

JulieS3103 · March 2018

March 1 - 3 mile Treadmill run
March 2 - Strength workout
March 4 - 8 mile run
March 6 - 3.5 mile Treadmill run
March 8 - 4 mile Treadmill run
March 10 - 6 mile run
March 14 - 3.14 mile Pi run
March 15 - 2 mile Treadmill run
March 17 - USO 10 miler Ft Campbell
March 20 - 3 mile Treadmill run
March 21 - Strength workout
March 22 - 4 mile run
March 24 - 4 mile Treadmill run

50.64 miles so far/Goal 55 miles

Upcoming Races:
4/28/18 Brown Deer 10k
6/10/18 Manitowoc Half Marathon
8/18/18 Madison Mini Half Marathon
9/16/18 North Face Endurance 10k

kgirlhart · March 2018

After Thursday's sucky run I was hoping tomorrow's long run would be better, but it may not happen. I am down in my back this morning after doing some yard work. It didn't seem strenuous and I don't remember doing anything to hurt my back. I am going to try to be smart though. I have 8 weeks until my HM so I'm sure if I play it smart then I will be ready. I may not make my goal this month, but that isn't what is most important. I'm just reminding myself that I gave myself extra time to train so if I have to take a few days off it will be fine.

Congrats on you PR @zdyb23456. Sorry that yiur Garmin didn't recognize it.

@zerlinna87 After I finished c25k I did the c210k training before I ran my first race. If you did c25k then you start at week 9. I liked doing that because I had something to follow and since I was regularly running more than a 5k when I did the race it seemed easier since I was used to running longer distances.

PastorVincent · March 2018

kgirlhart wrote: »

@zerlinna87 After I finished c25k I did the c210k training before I ran my first race. If you did c25k then you start at week 9. I liked doing that because I had something to follow and since I was regularly running more than a 5k when I did the race it seemed easier since I was used to running longer distances.

I agree, move on to the 10k version of that plan.

garygse · March 2018

@MNLittleFinn Good luck in your race today!
@7lenny7 She was 18. Old enough to be unsupervised, but as she was not a driver, she just didn't know the area properly.
@amymoreorless Glad you got the root cause to your woes identified. If you want a tasty intake of B6 and B12, try MiO's water enhancers...their vanilla orange flavor is terrific, and I add it to the sparkling water from our Soda Stream for a zero-calorie thirst-quenching treat.
@zdyb23456 Congrats on a great race!
@zerlinna87 Never say never to the half/full marathon! Once you complete your c25k, just continue running - whether you go on to c210k, or just go to your favourite paths and trails and make things up as you go along is up to you. As for motivation, I just enjoy running...I get so much me-time and I love it! I also like food a bit too much, so running helps there as well.

Last night's run was another 30-miler, but this time towards the end, I have to say I definitely felt a lot stronger than the previous two long runs, which is encouraging. And now I get to recover over the weekend, and this morning I enjoyed a nice bacon and chip butty. For the non-UK folks, that's a sandwich of buttered bread, bacon, steak fries, and ketchup. Absolutely deeeeelicious!

Also, I'm now only 127 miles behind where I should be at this point if I'm to reach my goal of 3000 miles for the year, so I've definitely gained a lot of ground on the slow start I made to the year caused by the stress fracture.

polskagirl01 · March 2018

So if anyone needs some encouragement... at least you aren't running the Barkley Marathon this weekend!!!
Statistically speaking, pretty much everyone is going to lose. Why is this so fascinating to me?
https://mobile.twitter.com/BarkleyMarathon

MobyCarp · March 2018

zerlinna87 wrote: »

I'm looking for some suggestions for a couple of questions I have. I'm a fairly new runner, although I have run in the past. My longest distance is a 10k. I don't think I'll ever be a half marathon/marathon runner. Anyways, I've been doing the c25k training program. I'll be done with that in early April, but I don't plan to run a race until early May. I need advice on what kind of running I should be doing after I complete my program. Also, what keeps you motivated when you're not training for a race? That's been my pitfall in the past. Plus, I live in South Carolina, and it gets really hot here in the summer. That's when I tend to stop running.

After I went through a 5K training program, I thought the 4.4 mile Turkey Trot was the perfect distance for my second race. But the crowds, lack of parking, and logistics put me off; I ran a 10K on the other side of town that Thanksgiving, having run over 6 miles for the first time something like 9 days before the race.

After I ran my first 10K, my ever-so-helpful sister noted, "A 10K is almost half of a half marathon." That was a little bit of a nudge that kind of pushed me over the cliff. I 3 weeks I'll be running my 3rd Boston Marathon.

So, first point: Never say never. Say, "not this year," and leave your options open.

Now, what kind of running should you be doing? Regular running, of whatever type you find enjoyable or satisfying. After 5K training, I just set out to run 4 days a week. There's nothing magical about 4 days; if 3 days suits you, that's fine. Just don't run 5 days a week until after you've run a couple months of 4 day weeks without any nagging physical problems. Too much, too soon is a way to get injured.

Experiment with different things to find out what you like. Some people love the solitude of running alone. Some people love the socialization of group running. Some people like to run to music. Others can't stand noise in their ears when they run. Some people love running the roads. Others love running trails. Some people like to run on a treadmill, particularly in climates where it's hot. Others hate the treadmill so much they'd rather run outside at 91º F (33º C) (waves hand). Some want to run races, some find that races aren't their cup of tea and they just want to do recreational runs. Of the race runners, some stick to 5Ks, some do many different distances (waves hand), some distance runners regard a 5K as too short to be worth bothering with. Many runners like multiple types of running, road, trail, race, recreational, obstacle, whatever.

Without trying different things, you won't know what it is you like best. So talk to any local runners you know, read what people enjoy here, and try different things to find out what it is that *you* enjoy. One size does not fit all.

What really keeps people motivated is love of running. If you run primarily because you want to burn calories and lose weight, there's a good chance you won't keep it up. But if you fall in love with running, you'll keep doing it and come to resent life events that keep you from running.

MobyCarp · March 2018

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
3/12 – rest day
3/13 – 6.51 warmup and group run
3/14 – 6.01 at marathon pace
3/15 – 6.23 easy
3/16 – travel day
3/17 – 6.99 warm up, 8K race, cool down
3/18 – travel day
3/19 – 6.11 easy shading to MP
3/20 – 5.29 easy with hard stop
3/21 – 6.62 group run
3/22 – 6.51 easy
3/23 – rest day
3/24 – 17.97 warmup, 15K race, cool down

March running total to date – 140.78

Nominal challenge goal: 180 miles

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

Today's notes – Today was the Spring Forward 15K. Yes, I know it's not the time change weekend; the name of the race dates from when the time changed in late March, not in early March. The forecast last night had been for a temperature of 33º F (+1º C) at gun time. Got up this morning, and the temperature was 24º F (-4º C). But there was a little less wind. Changed my idea of what to wear, and to be fair it did get up to 30º (-1º C) with stronger wind by the time I got to the post-race cool down.

Spring Forward is a pretty course that runs through Mendon Ponds Park and some roads near the park. That means lots of rolling hills. It's a course that can discourage people who don't know what to expect; it all looks like rolling hills, but the low point of the course is about at the 10K mark. So you run the first 10K net downhill, and feel great, then have to make all the elevation back in the last 5K. And this is disguised by the constant up and down of hills.

My original plan for today was to use Spring Forward to practice pace control for Boston, and wrap a 20 mile day around a 9.3 mile race. After I fell down on Tuesday, I moderated my expectations. I told Coach on Thursday that I'd go see how much distance I felt like running today.

Well, I set the alarm for 4:30, and woke at 4:15. Felt better than I have all week, and started thinking about 20 miles again. Got up, did my typical pre-long run stuff, and got to the parking lot a bit past 6:30, for a race that has an 8:00 gun time. Hmm. Not quite enough time to do a course preview before the race, so I started in the parking lot then ran the Summerfest 12K race course. Because I'd added distance on the front end, that left me a tenth of a mile shy of 8 miles, and I did the OCD run till Garmin says 8 miles thing. It's now 15 minutes till gun time. Perfect. Use the rest room, drink the rest of my coffee from the travel mug in the car to go with pre-race sport beans, go line up, and I'm still pretty well warmed up.

I see my co-pace leader from training, Joe, holding his 8:00 pace sign. His mission is to hold a steady 8:00 minute mile on a course of rolling hills. This is not an easy course for holding a steady pace! He asks if I'm running with him. I tell him I'm practicing pace control for Boston, and expect to run between 8 and 7:30. Don't let me suck you out. A girl I've never met from 2 rows further forward offers to run with me. She feels a need for pace control, maybe as fast as 7:25.

So I set off to run with Victoria. The start of a race is a different experience when you're deliberately targeting a restrained pace. People pass you, then you pass people and wonder if you're working too hard. Several times, I had to slow down and Victoria dutifully slowed down with me. We chatted about the course, and running, and runners we both know from the Buffalo area where she is based. Along about 4.5 miles she told me the next hill had been a psychological challenge for her last year. I see no reason that particular hill should be a physical challenge; we've run more significant hills, and we're still on the net downhill section with the downs being longer than the ups.

But midway up that hill, I noticed that Victoria had dropped. Checked my watch. I'm doing about what I want to do, so I just keep running. (Turned out I gained about 2 minutes on Victoria in the last half of the race.) I pass a few more people in the last half of the race, kind of wondering why I should be catching up to these runners who are clearly too fast to be early start people. Oh, well.

The pace control thing worked pretty well. I hit the first significant uphill in the net uphill section about 15 miles into my day, as compared to Newton showing up at mile 16 of Boston. I worked on not challenging these hills, as I think working the Newton hills too hard is part of why the last 6 miles of Boston felt like a death march two years in a row. I hope I remember what that feels like on Patriots' Day.

After the mile 9 flag, I gave myself permission to challenge the last hill. Then there's about 200 meters of downhill to the finish. In past years, that has been on a gravel road and resembled trail running. Since the last time I ran it, that road has been paved. Today it was smooth asphalt, no challenge at all. Average pace on the segment after Garmin ticked over 9 miles was 6:51 per mile, reflected the end of race kick. Full mile splits ranged from 6:28 (mile 9, smelling the finish line) to 7:40 (mile 8, net uphill and possibly the most mentally challenging mile of the course). Garmin says average pace is 7:33. On certified race distance, it was 7:37. That's right around MP for a 3:20 marathon, which is what I would target if I were totally healthy.

Official time was 1:10:47. I finished 38th of 317 overall, and 2nd of 19 in the M 60-64 age group. The age group winner was almost a minute ahead of me, a familiar name from race results but someone I've never met. So, no nut butter for me this race!

Went out for a cool down run, thinking to run not quite 3 miles and get my 20 in. Early in the run, I was bothered by the increased north wind on my wet clothing, and I had a minor cramp in my left calf. If this were really a marathon, I would have popped a salt tab (none with me today), guzzled the rest of my Nuun, and babied it along. Because it's a training day, and my body has other stuff to work on healing up, I cut it short at less than a mile. On the bright side, the award for 2nd in the age group was just a dust-catcher curved glass plaque; so I felt no obligation to hang around for the awards ceremony. Got in my car, came home, and stretched where it was warm.

Didn't quite get 18 miles in today, but 18 miles in Mendon is like 20 miles in less challenging terrain. I'm happy with the distance, and very happy with holding MP for 9 miles in a race environment.

Now I just need to have control this good for 20 miles three weeks from Monday.

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) finished in 31:55
March 24, 2018 Spring Forward 15K (Mendon, NY) ran at MP, finished in 1:10:47
April 16, 2018 Boston Marathon (Hopkinton, MA)

7lenny7 · March 2018

I intended to run 5 this morning but couldn't get out of bed. Once I did get up, I needed to get to work on our bathroom remodel. My wife is hoping to have it done for Easter...

I needed sleep more than miles so I'm not too disappointed. Tonight I'll fit some glute work in so it's not a complete waste of a day, running wise. Tomorrow I'm going for 20+.

Not sure why but my back, right between the shoulder blades is really sore. Making it hard for working on the bathroom, and might make my run difficult tomorrow

fitoverfortymom · March 2018

10 miles on trail today and exceeded 2000' elevation gain. Upcoming race has 2000' gain so I thought it would be good see what that was all about. It was pretty hard. The first four miles were basically all uphill, and quite technical in places.

Beautiful weather, though, and I ran in shorts! New hydration vest will take some getting used to, but I definitely drank more since it was easier with the tube.

Two more long run chances before race day. Gotta find some good ones!

marisap2010 · March 2018

3/1: 2.5
3/3: 3
3/4: 4
3/6: 3
3/9: 1.7 of hill repeats
3/11: 3
3/12: 3
3/18: 4
3/19: 2.3
3/21: 4
3/23: 3
3/24: 3

36.5/50 miles for March

I got up early and ran 3 miles in my neighborhood. I have been so focused on pace/intervals/cadence/everything else you can imagine lately, so today I covered my watch and just ran what I felt was comfortable. I ended up with a great time for my distance and felt so less stressed at the end!

zdyb23456 · March 2018

So I found out my 5k race results.

Official time 24:26min
28th out of 397 runners
6th female out of 258
1st out of 64 in my age group!!

I was pretty proud after I saw my results!

simcon1 · March 2018

March goal: 60 miles

3/1/2018 5 mi
3/2/2018 rest
3/3/2018 6 mi
3/4/2018 snowboarding w/kids
3/5/2018 xtrain rowing machine
3/6/2018 3.1 mi
3/7/2018 rest
3/8/2018 3.1 mi
3/9/2018 3 mi
3/10/2018 biked 11 mi w/my dad and kids
3/11/2018 7 mi
3/12/2018 bike commute day 1 (9 mi)
3/13/2018 2.4 mi
3/14/2018 3.1 mi + bike commute
3/15/2018 rest
3/16/2018 3.1 mi + bike commute
3/17/2018 rest
3/18/2018 8 mi
3/19/2018 bike commute
3/20/2018 4 mi
3/21/2018 3.1 mi + bike commute
3/22/2018 rest
3/23/2018 4 mi
3/24/2018 slow 1.3 mi with my kiddo

March total: 56.2 mi

Upcoming races:
4/29/2018 5K Top Pot Donut Dash
7/8/2018 See Jane Run! HM?
8/12/2018 Lake Union 10K

Today is really a rest day but I went out for an easy mile and change with my 9 y.o. since we’ll be running a 5K at the end of next month. He did really well! Improved his pace by a minute since last fall, so I’m thinking the donut dash will be pretty fun! I just have to figure out the best configuration of running partners so I can go for a PR

I’m thinking his 15 y.o. sister will be game for it, and they’ll both be happy for donuts and matching racing shirts. It doesn’t seem to have occurred to them that we can buy donuts instead of running for them...

PastorVincent · March 2018

03/01/18 - Rest
03/02/18 - 8 miles @ 8:51
03/03/18 - 9 miles @ 9:29
03/04/18 - Meetings instead of running
03/05/18 - 11 miles @ 9:11
03/06/18 - 11 miles @ 8:59
03/07/18 - 10 miles @ 9:04
03/08/18 - Planned rest
03/09/18 - 7.5mph for 10 Miles @ 4% grade
03/10/18 - Meetings
03/11/18 - 20 miles @ 9:51
03/12/18 - Bah.
03/13/18 - 7.5 MPH for 7.5 miles at 4% Grade
03/14/18 - 7.5 MPH for 7.5 miles at 4% Grade
03/15/18 - 7.5 MPH for 10 miles at 4% Grade
03/16/18 - Rest
03/17/18 - Shamrock Shuffle 17.3 miles in total
03/18/18 - Rest
03/19/18 - Rest
03/20/18 - 7 MPH for 7 Miles @ 4.5% grade
03/21/18 - 7.5 MPH for 7.5 miles @ 4 % grade
03/22/18 - 7.5 MPH for 10 miles @ 4% grade
03/23/18 - 10 mile fast finish @ 4% grade
03/24/18 - 20 miles at 10:14

Big Hairy Audacious Goal: Sub 4 hours in Pittsburgh 2018!

Official Marathon PR: 4:11:28

Next Races (more as I find them):

04/07/18 - Achilles 9.3 Challenge (10k and 5k back to back)
05/06/18 - Pittsburgh Marathon - aiming for sub four hours.
05/12/18 - Glacier Ridge 50k Trail Ultra (I must hate myself)

2020 - Disney World Dopey! (if can raise funds)

Ran this as a test run with my orange mud pack. I wanted to know how it would feel on a long haul. I bought it for 50k trail race after all. I have had 4 days of running, 3 of them hard, going into this long run so I knew it would be tough. Well, after about mile 5 or 6 it was all just stubborn willpower to keep going. My pace was garbage, over a minute slower than my target for race pace, but I kept going.

By mile 12 the orange mud was getting really uncomfortable and I made the decision to run home and drop it off. Was at mile 15 when I stopped there ditched it and grabbed my belt bag. I did not pause the Garmin so my pace reflects that stop.

I then headed out again and ran 6 more miles with my belt bag. Hard but definitely more comfortable than it was with the orange mud. I think I am going to give up on it, try and wash it and maybe put it on Craigs List. Not sure yet.

Ah well, time to find some dinner. I think I earned a few calories.

March 2018 Running Challenge

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