March 2019 Monthly Running Challenge

@quilteryoyo I'm sorry for your loss. Also, hope you feel better soon!


10k easy on trails - the weather is back to being cold, my nose won't stop running. This was the first time we had been to WC Johnson park since the flooding of the Wolf River. As it happens, all three of the parks we run regularly are along the banks of the Wolf, but about twenty miles apart, so we hadn't gotten to see how high the water got at WC Johnson. Well... based on the level of the rings of muck around the trees, it was as much as three feet deep over some of the trails we run, and up over the boardwalk but not as high as the boardwalk railing. We've seen it as high as the railing before, but that's been several years ago during a historic flood. That year the boardwalk was actually lifted off its concrete foundation and swept aside. This was a little tiny flood in comparison.

However: Yep, that's what's left of our trail. The river gives and the river takes away - in this case about ten to twenty feet of riverbank has given way and slid down into the river, for about a fifty foot stretch. We ran this trail a month ago as part of a race! You can see the other end emerge from the collapse, it's the white winding path visible behind the trees to my left.

Fortunately the park groundskeepers have been expecting this and there's a little detour which is now the main trail. There's a second similar mudslide which ate a smaller part of the trail further down. There's also sand everywhere. You can see some under my feet. I always thought the sand had something to do with the Army Corps of Engineers, trying to prevent erosion, but then I read recently that the sandbars are a natural feature of the Wolf River. So, sand. Yucky!

@rheddmobile That sure is one washed out trail! Good thing there was a detour in the works. @7lenny7 I love the brilliant sunshine in your photos!

I got out for my first March run today, and it was lovely and sunny again, right around 50. There are some years where we don’t see the sun for weeks around this time, so I am really appreciating it. I did 6 miles, although my long run was scheduled as another week at 5 in the training plan. But my rationalizing is that I had long runs of 5 miles before I started the training plan—so I hope it’s not too bad of an idea. And it was so nice! I also have two more cross country work trips before the half marathon, both in April, so I’m a bit worried about keeping up during those. I’m off to do some good foam rolling before bed, for further penance for straying from my plan..

March goal: 60 miles

3/2 6 mi

March total: 6 mi

Races:
3/16 Kirkland Shamrock Run 5K
5/6 Vancouver BMO Half Marathon?

Ran the Rotorua Off-Road Quarter Marathon this morning. Fantastic trail, perfect weather, and the smalls came along to do the Little Devils Dash. Medals for everyone!!!

@rheddmobile just need to carry a raft with you on your runs. No biggie.

7lenny7 wrote: »

Trails along a river are typically flat and easier, so you could look for those too.

@7lenny7 Unless you are in my little town where all the trails zigzag up and down the riverbank with lots of interesting challenges. We only have 2 trails that follow the river bank and they are short connectors between other segments. Great Photo's of your Trail Run, looks like you almost lost your Running Buddy under the snow - Squirrel Hunting?

amymoreorless wrote: »

I am already a member of AllTrails so I will start poking around there. I use AllTrails to find the best hiking places. I know some great trails for hiking but I can't imagine running on them (I like hiking on really technically difficult trails).

@amymoreorless A technical trail with a backpack is a differant trail ( a lot easier ) when all you have are running shoes and a small hydration bag. Definitely hit the local running stores ( web site/FB or In-store bulletin board if they have one ) for Trail Running info/contacts.

@rheddmobile Sand along rivers is a very normal occurrence where I live, being heavier than the silty soil it tends to drop out of the water flow and build sand bars. Quite often you see the traveling - fishing tourist with their boat stuck on top a sand bar - usually at a turn in the river. That's why you should always have a shovel in your boat on rivers.

@ContraryMaryMary Spent some time in NZ back in 1989. Actually did the traverse/climb of Mount Ngauruhoe, that would be a wicked - fun trail run/race from what I remember.
Of course after Lord of the Rings it is probably over run with Mt. Doom Tourists with no mountain experience and poorly equipped for altitude dehydration. Video's indicate they did a lot of trail setting/erosion control which is a good thing.
Edited to add: Of course there have been a few eruptions since I did the crossing so it may be a completely differant experience.

It warmed up over night, it's only -32C this morning.

March miles:
1 - 1.75
2 - 7.5 - trail run - gorgeous run, in gorgeous weather yesterday. My goal is 75 miles again for this month, last month I was 16 miles short of this goal, but I don't think weather will be as much as a factor for March, I hope! Happy running!




March Total: 9.25 miles
March Goal: 75 miles

Bridge to Brews 10k (4/14)
Rhody Run 12k (5/19)
Scramble XXIV - 6-Mile Scramble (6/30)

Getting in my miles on a snowy Sunday!

4.97/ 50

3/3: 3.1Km

Total to go: 64.9Km

eleanorhawkins wrote: »

Finally got my first run of the month in today and completed c25k at last. Probably covered around 4km and change. I need to learn how to slow down again or start taking walk breaks again though if I'm going to go by what the runners world pace calculator says my easy pace should be. Need a Garmin or to start carrying my phone in my hand again. Sigh.
I'm really looking forward to getting back onto a distance-based plan now.
Couldn't get out until after 12.30 and oh boy was it warm, reminded me why I much prefer to run around 8am. Headed for the river in search of shade, forgetting they pretty much bulldozed all the plants along the trail for last week's race. Ugh. Note to self: take a cap and/or sunglasses for sunny runs!

03/03: 4km
March goal: 40km

Woo hoo well done. You know I've started c25k half a dozen times but never got beyond week 7. Granted moot point now. I'm always impressed with someone who actually completes it.

Oh and I ALWAYS wear my visor. Even in the pitch black of the morning in case of rain lol.

@ContraryMaryMary woo hoo looks like you had a blast! I love Rotorua. I need to find ways of travelling more to do more events, we are just so far away from everything sigh