March 2020 Monthly Running Challenge

I went to the group run this morning for the planned 6.5 miles keeping in the back of my mind that I would cut the course short or walk if my body told me this was too much too soon. Turns out there were only 3 people (including myself and the coach). All 3 of us were recovering from injury. So we all agreed to keep the pace closer to 12 than 10. After we started we realized we had missed a planned turn and the coach decided we would run the course in reverse. We also stayed north of the bayou instead of crossing over which cut our planned course short a bit. The coach was apologetic, but the short course worked to my favor. We ended up with 5.8 miles instead of the planned 6.5. This is really a safer increase for me. So I’m thankful the mistake was made. We had a few stops along the route at water fountains and walked a little during our water breaks. My injured leg is definitely more tired than the uninjured, but it felt stronger than it did on previous runs. I ended up skipping coffee at Parkrun so that I can sneak in a nap. The coach’s plan is for a slow build on the mileage to work up to the half marathon distance over about 16 weeks. If all continues to go well, I’ll plan to continue with this group run.

quilteryoyo wrote: »

Glad the run went well @emmamcgarity ! Do you have a HM in mind, or just want to get back up to running that distance?

I don’t have a race in mind really. The training was being offered by my run club at my pace and I just didn’t want to miss out on the opportunity for free coached training. The timing isn’t really ideal since it would finish around the beginning of Summer. But it would mean that I’ll be in better shape for the Fall series of races. There will be several 10 mile races in the Fall and I know there is a Fall series half marathon in October. The next race I have planned is a 5k in May for my Wednesday night group. I haven’t really raced much. So I should poke around the run calendar to see what’s out there.

Good call going on the training run @emmamcgarity. I think you would have regretted it if you didn't try.

9 miles for me this morning. Struggled with myself to get up and out the door. Just didn't feel wild about a long run. But gathered myself together and made it out the door. First mile was rough, but got better as it went. In the end I was glad I went out. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

We had the final 5k trail race of the series today!

Kids had fun, too, even though I made the mistake of telling my son last night that we had our races today. Stressing about it triggered a behavioral meltdown. Turns out, his main competitors didn't even show up, and we knew at the start line that his 2nd place overall for the series was already set. But then he got 1st place today, and the look on his face was priceless

I had a great race! Weather was perfect, almost Spring-like, and very little mud. I thought I might be in PR shape, so I had planned ahead and knew exactly what my goal pace needed to be. It's a moderately challenging course with hills placed in such a way that it can really wear you out, but I know the course by now and tried to adjust accordingly.

I thought of my fellow mud-puddle-charging MFP'ers in the middle of the race. There's a section on a logging road that's straight and long and uphill and pretty much the worst part, and I just wanted to get it done. So I had momentum and was getting past a few people but suddenly a girl I was passing slowed down to get around a huge puddle and I knew I could either slow down and kill the momentum (or maybe crash into her in the process) OR just go through the puddle and probably splash water all over the poor girl... so I said "dang it" under my breath and called out "I'm sorry" as I splashed through. I didn't catch whether her response was an acknowledgement of my apology or a swear word, and I felt bad but also didn't look back to see the damage and I don't think she ever caught back up to me. Someone else did catch up and stayed right behind me until the final stretch when she finally came around and I cheered her on and then raced her to the finish (she won by less than a second) but I don't think it was the same girl.

The male organizers were at the finish line handing out roses to the women for Women's Day, which was a nice surprise. Also, I had met my goal and have a new course PB by 25 seconds. Wow! The effort felt similar to the other times I've run this course this season and got results a minute or more slower. I really think Parkrun (basically weekly hill training) is having an effect! Something is working, anyway!

This result moved me up to #10 in my AG for the series, which doesn't get any special recognition but is pretty cool to me

March goal 100 miles (stretch goal 200 km)



Upcoming races:
Mar. 7 - CityTrail 5k (#6 of 6)
Mar. 22 - "Green Shoelaces" HM (Puławy, Poland)

@7lenny7 Kody is adorable! Hope he isn't injured.

Great run @polskagirl01 ! I had to laugh about splashing through the puddle and splashing the girl trying to avoid it. Congratulations to you and your son!

I haven't felt the best today, so opted for a walk instead of a run. I'm hoping my tiredness is a result of not getting enough sleep over the last two weeks and not that I am coming down with one of the many things the kids/teachers in day care have had this week - flu, norovirus, and strep. I only walked 2 miles at about a 16 min/mile pace. That at least got me outside and moving.

March Goal 40 miles
Miles to date 11.5

New shoes today ! Didnt have the Saucony Eschelons I ran in last year so I went with the Brooks Dyad 11s. I have run in Brooks before and they were fine but the toe box became an issue as I got older . I guess my feet spread. Brooks now has wide sizes that seem like they will be fine. Hard to tell on the first time out and only a couple miles so time will tell I suppose. I always get nervous changing shoes but the people at the store always stear me right .