April 2018 Monthly Running Challenge

Two weeks from today is marathon so I guess it is that time again...



Probably take this week much as normal, but skip the long runs and then try and pull back next week. Biggest problem will be not eating 1000+ extra calories each day without the big deficits of run days

Also tomorrow I start a new job in a new town and know nothing about the running environment/culture in that area. Not sure where I will be able to run. If at all since it is in an actual city.

I did my first ever trail race today. 5k in 39:03 which is 21 seconds slower than my road pb. It was tough but I’m happy with my time.



01.04.18 10k
04.04.18 5.6k
08.04.18 5k
14.04.18 5.9k
16.04.18 3.25k
22.04.18 5k

Total 34.75/60

Upcoming races:
22.04.18 The Longhorn Trail 5k 39:03
07.07.18 7@Severn
October 18 Green Leek 10k
04.11.18 Rockingham 10k

Did my first ~5K Trail Race today. Finished around 48 minutes which I'm pleased with since I had to powerhike the hills. In the mud. Also, I don't think I finished last although official results won't be available for a few hours yet.








Gosh that was fun.

@PastorVincent It was so muddy. So fun! Some people avoided the puddles... I just kinda charged right thru.

Today was a big day for me! I finished writing my Master's thesis (aside from a bit of formatting and then defending it in two weeks) and I just got back from an evening 10.79 km run! I gave up logging my calories today (due to chocolate consumption provoked by finishing said thesis) but I'm feeling refreshed and accomplished with a monthly total of 116.1 km. That puts me 16.1 OVER my goal.

9 miles today, pace not what I wanted.

4/1 = rest day...sort of (moving day)
4/2 = 9.5 miles
4/3 = Vinyasa yoga class and 3.5 miles
4/4 = 3 dreadmill Miles and 20 minutes strength training
4/5 = travel for work
4/6 = travel for work
4/7 = 13 miles (Outlaw 1/2 Race)
4/8 = rest day
4/9 = 7 miles and strength training
4/10 = yoga class
4/11 = 10 miles
4/12 = 3.5 miles
4/13 = 14 miles
4/14 = running rest day - walked the pups instead
4/15 = 10 miles Run/Walk intervals with the running group
4/16 = 3 miles and 30 minutes strength training
4/17 = 6 miles
4/18 = 10 miles
4/19 = rest day (stupid work crap)
4/20 = 15 miles
4/21 = strength training
4/22 = 8 miles (Group Run)

April mileage goal = 125 miles / April miles complete = 115.5 miles

Ran to the gym, did a gym session, ran home. Did a tiny bit extra to nudge myself over the 40 mile mark for the week. I haven't run this much in a week since before my calf injury in September (even though I've been recovered since early November). 40 is a benchmark number for me, so I'm really pleased to have worked back up to it. Plus the gym session was great, and then I came home and sat on a blanket in the sun and drank a beer. It was a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

4/1: 7 miles
4/2: 4.1 miles
4/3: 6.7 miles
4/4: Rest day
4/5: Lazy day
4/6: 5.2 miles
4/7: 10 miles
4/8: 4.5 miles trail demo
4/9: 5 miles
4/10: 7.2 miles Track Tuesday
4/11: 8 miles Tempo Wednesday
4/12: Rest day
4/13: 3 miles
4/14: 6 miles
4/15: 2.9 miles + gym sesh
4/16: Rainy rest day
4/17: 7 miles hill repeats + gym sesh
4/18: 5.2 miles
4/19: 6.4 miles
4/20: 4 miles
4/21: 14 miles
4/22: 2 miles + gym session + 1.5 miles

April miles: 109.8
Goal miles: 100

Upcoming Races:
April 29: New Jersey Marathon 4-person relay
May 20: Watershed 10k trail race

April running update

Week 1: 35.4
Week 2: 50.5
Week 3: 44.3

Total to Date:130.2

Did my first ever trail race this weekend for 15 Miles. Wow. Very fun, but clearly different from traditional road races. I went into the event not knowing the course or really what to expect. I initially thought I might be able to try and run at marathon pace as a practice run ....that plan changed quickly. Within the first quarter of a mile we were going up a step incline onto a single trail track and then after an open turn we went up again, it opened up slightly and then another set of turns around trees marked by flags and volunteers stopping us going on the “normal” trails with more inclines and variety of turns around a path that was only beaten down from those that set and ran the course previously. I was feeling the impact of navigating the trail conditions and was at a pace that normally would be an easy pace on the roads...but not here. I’m sure the conditions could have been worse but we had our share of muddy areas, puddle jumping, fallen trees, a number of tree roots, rocks and did I mention elevation that was challenging going up as well as down? The course was a 5 mile loop that then had the traditional ultra station to fuel up, gain support, etc. (There was a 50k/30 mile ultra option for those inclined to do that loop 6 times). By the middle of the 2nd loop I was basically by myself other than another runner that was around my age and would vary being 20 to 100 feet behind me depending on if he would slow on the inclines etc. Near the end of loop 2 there was a very steep incline where I needed a breather to power walk up he caught up and we chatted briefly and when I shared I was only doing 1 more he expressed something to the effect that if he kept up with me he would be in trouble as he was in the 50k. Well, He was in better condition and he eventually did pass me and basically became my pacer for my final loop. I was fairly shocked to see I placed 11th of 120 overall and 1st in 50-59. The 50k had perhaps as many runners but there you could see where people DNF after running anyhwere from a couple loops or perhaps 5 loops in over 7 hours not making the 6th attempt at least officially. And some taking 8.5 hours to finish. Major kudos to them!!!

Also, Much respect to our trail runners in this forum. I can see where the challenge of running trails and ultras can be enticing and very rewarding to push yourself on these conditions and test the limits. I’m not ready to make any dramatic change but it was something different that I enjoyed for the distance I completed.

April Goal: 110 miles

4/1: 6.2 miles
4/3: 4.6 miles
4/4: 4.0 miles (intervals)
4/5: 4.2 miles
4/8: 11.5 miles
4/10: 4.3 miles (tempo?)
4/11: 5.1 miles
4/12: 5.5 miles
4/15: 9.0 miles
4/17: 4.5 miles
4/18: 5.0 birthday miles
4/19: 5.5 miles
4/22: 11.1 miles

80.5/110 miles completed

I had a pretty nice run this morning. It was kind of cool for April but the sun was shining and it was really nice. I only got 11.1 miles in. I had 12 on my schedule but I got started a little late and I didn't have time for the last mile since I had to be at church this morning. I would have just skipped and finished the run but my husband had to be an usher and I had to be a greeter.

I'm feeling pretty good for the HM next month, but I have to admit I am getting tired. My feet are pretty achy today after the long run. I don't know how all you ultra runners do it. I did notice that I have 331 miles on my shoes, so maybe I just need new shoes. I went to the running store in January and they put me in Saucony Ride 10s. I may just order some online this time since the running store is an hour away.

I may not make my goal this month since I was a mile short today. This week and next week are going to be my highest mileage weeks and I don't think I can really add any mileage on to my runs this week. I just need to convince myself that it is better to fall short of my goal than to exhaust myself for a random goal.

@kevaasen great job on your first trail race!

Date :::: Miles :::: Cumulative
04/01/18 :::: 5.3 :::: 5.3
04/02/18 :::: 3.6 :::: 8.9
04/03/18 :::: 4.8 :::: 13.7
04/04/18 :::: 1.5 :::: 15.2
04/05/18 :::: 3.1 :::: 18.3
04/06/18 :::: 0.0 :::: 18.3
04/07/18 :::: 10.2 :::: 28.5
04/08/18 :::: 3.5 :::: 32.0
04/09/18 :::: 3.1 :::: 35.2
04/10/18 :::: 3.7 :::: 38.8
04/11/18 :::: 0.0 :::: 38.8
04/12/18 :::: 3.5 :::: 42.3
04/13/18 :::: 3.4 :::: 45.8
04/14/18 :::: 0.0 :::: 45.8
04/15/18 :::: 8.0 :::: 53.8
04/16/18 :::: 2.5 :::: 56.3
04/17/18 :::: 4.0 :::: 60.2
04/18/18 :::: 0.0 :::: 60.2
04/19/18 :::: 3.1 :::: 63.4
04/20/18 :::: 0.0 :::: 63.4
04/21/18 :::: 2.7 :::: 66.1
04/22/18 :::: 13.1 :::: 79.2

Today was the Owens Corning Half Marathon in Toledo, OH. The day started out chilly, at 36 F but the running conditions were pretty great overall. I wore a long sleeve shirt and ditched it about half way through, although I was later a little sorry and wanted it back. I started out the race thinking I would try to PR if I could, but if it wasn't feeling right I wouldn't worry about it. The half and full marathons started together and I was originally behind the 2:20 HM/4:40 marathon pace group. After a lot of weaving at the start I made up some time and ended up behind the 4:25 marathon pace group so decided to see if I could hang with them for a while (though I struggled to do the math in my head to figure out what that pace was). I was with them until a water stop in mile 2 or so and then let them go. The course was pretty flat, a few rolling hills. I kept telling myself I was strong so don't give up on trying for a PR, as it would be so easy to back off.

As usual, mile 7-9 or so felt eternal. The last two miles or so were along a big divided street that was straight and seemingly endless, and the wind really seemed to be worse there (not terrible, but chilly and much more noticeable). That is where I really wanted my shirt back and to just be DONE. I was happy to turn into the University of Toledo campus and get off that street, and it was mostly downhill to the finish, which was inside the football stadium at the 50 yard line. My final time was 2:13:31 which was a 4-minute PR for me. I was so excited. My slowest mile was mile 1, and my fastest miles were mile 5 and mile 13.

I was happy to head back to the hotel and quickly shower and change into warmer clothes, and then we went back to the finish to cheer in my friend who completed her 50th state marathon (over 60 marathons total). It was really exciting and emotional and inspiring. So happy for her huge accomplishment.