April 2019 Monthly Running Challenge

So, I have two runs to report. And you would have thought they happened in two different seasons, and on two different planets.

Yesterday, I attempted my “long run.” (Only back up to a whole 6 miles. Nothing real “long.”) It was beautiful out. That was actually part of the problem. I was dodging blizzards 10 days ago. I am not used to, nor prepared for the big yellow ball in the sky to actually be putting out heat. It whooped my butt. And I was still running like I was at sea level, and so I went out WAY too hard. I made it 3.6 miles, before I was overheated and getting sick to my stomach with waves of feeling “cold.” All signs to me I should not keep pushing. So, at 3.6 miles I walked the rest of the way home, turned on a fan, and used ice packs to cool me down.

So, today I planned to try again. Today, it was 40 degrees, windy, and raining. There is probably a psychologist somewhere that would have a field day about my religious upbringing and how it is connected to the fact that I spent Easter Sunday in self induced penance, making up for my aborted long run. I DID complete it this time. But instead of overheating, I was not dressed warm enough. (Remember what I said yesterday about this square state girl not running in the rain enough?). So, today, I came home, turned up the heat, and took warm bath/hot shower to defrost.
Like I said, two different planets, two different seasons. Welcome to springtime in Wyoming.

3.6 + 6.2 = 28.9/40
Also means I am back on pace to hit my 40 miles for the month.

Yesterday's 50K...

Weather started around 40F and ended around 70F. It was pretty hot towards the end compared to what I'm used to. The course had to be re-routed due to flooding, so it was 4 loops with some steep hills. Nearly 5K ft. of elevation gain according to Garmin. It was super slow, but I made it within the cut-off.

I walked 2.5 miles yesterday and just over 1.1 this morning. Then, after some yard work, my husband and I ran 6.5 miles today. Beautiful morning by the river!

Yesterday I got to run 5.27 miles, my longest run since early February. In spite of the fact that it snowed less than two weeks ago, it definitely felt like summer - the rain last week melted the last of the snow, the lake was blue and liquid, and the path was full of people. I enjoyed the feeling of camaraderie, but I’m going to have to start getting up earlier for my weekend runs soon.

I’m planning on two more weeks of base building, then a low volume week, and then I’ll start the Hal Higdon Novice 2 half marathon plan in anticipation of my first half of the year at the beginning of August. Between now and then I’m signed up for two 10Ks, my first trail 5K, and my first 10 mile race. Barring injury or other disaster, I think it’s going to be a nice summer.

I hit all of my weekly goals for the second week in a row: 122 of 120 minutes of running, 183 of 135 minutes of strength training, 288 of 210 minutes moderate exercise, and 129 of 120 minutes of flexibility/mobility work. I’ve been having a lot more luck convincing my husband to walk places with me now that the weather is nice. I’m a little envious of people who run with their partners, but it’s easier to talk while you’re walking anyhow. And besides, if he ran races with me, who would take my finish line photos?

4/1 Rest
4/2 Strength class, ran/walked 1.13 miles
4/3: Yoga and prehab
4/4: Strength class, ran .75 miles
4/5: Strength class, ran 1.65 miles
4/6: Rest
4/7: Ran 3.74 miles
4/8: Rest
4/9: Ran 1.76 miles, strength class
4/10: Spring blizzard
4/11: Spring blizzard
4/12: Ran 3.38 miles, strength class
4/13: Strength class
4/14: Ran 4.73 miles
4/15 Ran 1.75 miles, strength class
4/16 Rest
4/17 Strength class, ran 1.87 miles
4/18 Rest
4/19 Ran 2.41 miles, strength class
4/20 Ran 5.27 miles
4/21 Rest

April Mileage: 28.44 miles

2019 Races! (bold registered)
January 26: Securian 10K, St. Paul, MN Chip time: 1:05:07
February 16: Half Fast 10K DNS
March 23: Hot Dash 5K, Mpls, MN Chip time: 0:28:39 (*PR!)
April-May: PHRC Pensieve 10K (virtual)
May 19: Women Run the Cities 10K, Mpls, MN
June 12: ESTRS French 5K, Plymouth, MN
June 29 Lift Bridge 10Mi, Bayport MN
August 3: Beat the Blerch Half Marathon, Carnation, WA
September 2: MDRA Victory Labor Day 5 or 10K, Mpls, MN
September 8: Sioux Falls Half Marathon, Sioux Falls, SD
October 5: TCM 10K, St. Paul, MN
October 6: TCM 10Mi, Minneapolis to St. Paul, MN
October 12: Bemidji Blue Ox 26K, Bemidji, MN
November 28: Turkey Trot St. Paul 10K, St. Paul, MN
December 14: Reindeer Run 10K, Mpls, MN

quilteryoyo wrote: »

@zeesparrow Where do you live? That's a beautiful river

That is the Spokane River in Washington. The Centennial Trail is the paved trail we're on, over 60 miles in length total between Nine Mile Falls and Coeur d'Alene Idaho. I haven't run here often in the past, but will spend more time here in the future. No traffic and great views!

April goal: 85 miles

4/2: 5.07 miles
4/3: 4.63 miles
4/4: 5.05 miles
4/7: 8.41 miles
4/9: 5.04 miles
4/10 5.00 miles
4/11: 5.03 miles
4/14: 9.02 miles
4/16: 5.04 miles
4/17: 5.04 miles
4/18: 5.1 miles
4/21: 10.02 miles


72.45/85 miles completed

This morning's run was a beautiful 10.02 miles. I had to go early because our hand bell choir was playing at church. I left about 6:40 am so it was already light out, but I got to see the sunrise. The weather was just perfect. It wasn't hot or cold and it was just really nice. Yesterday I had my family Easter gathering and I ate way more than I needed. And then my husband and I were able to video chat with our son for a couple of hours so I got to bed a lot later than I should have and I kind of didn't want to get up this morning. I was worried that I would be dragging on my run, but it actually was really good and I felt like my pace was pretty decent. I'm on track for my goal this month, and my half marathon is just a month away.






2019 races:
2/2/19: Catch the Groundhog Half Marathon - PR 2:15:17
5/18/19: Run for 57th AHC Half Marathon

Well I'm home again, but it'll take me ages to catch up on the 20 something pages I've missed lol. Had an awesome time, feels like we walked ALL the miles (I turned Strava on in the mornings when we set off on the route itself but didn't use it for afternoon touristy wanderings once we'd reached the place we were spending the night, and it registered 140km in total so that plus the wanderings), most definitely ate ALL the food! Now to get back into a routine and work out how to reduce the calories and ditch the extra weight without killing anyone! Looking forward to a run, but my legs are pretty tired so will wait until tomorrow.

5km today

173 days till my 1/2 marathon