April 2020 Monthly Running Challenge

After a bad, restless night and bearing in mind my legs are sore and missing my physio and Hal was being too demanding, I decided to ditch the tough 10km training plan I was doing. Instead, I plugged in the date for the Runs on Expresso *kitten* the Sun race, telling Hal I want to run a HM distance with a nice conservative time of 2:45. He has come up with a base training plan for now that seems to include almost as much mileage but at paces that are far more sustainable for me on the 'rather-be-deadmill'. So I've revised my goal for the month, and feel much less likely to collapse or end up lame.

In other C-word news, we've been told we're going to continue locked indoors until at least the 26th of April. They don't expect the kids to go back to school until June.

01/04: 4.81km tempo
02/04: 6.57km base
04/04: 9.6km easy
06/04: 5.08km easy

Revised April goal: 140km. Run so far: 26.06km

username301 wrote: »

So after a very good Jan and a very wobbly Feb. March was just a complete fail. I am really very annoyed with myself. But I just don't want to run.

April is another chance. But if I can't stick April, its probably curtains.

1 April...5k, morning routine and Weights.

Guess who wrote a really long and meaningful post and pressed 'done'. Yep, you're right.

Anyway, I do want to run. I have been hit by a bit of a perfect storm of:
1. Hitting two fairly long term goals together. So felt a bit rudderless.
2. Away for part of feb so couldn't run and drinking/poor food was expected.
3. Running and performing fairly poorly because of the above, which is a big motivator for me.
4. Not feeling entirely safe where I run.

But mainly the alcohol which has carried on into March. So I have to keep hitting the reset button until something works. And my earlier post might have done the trick.

Last Week:
Two runs = ttl10k, slow but it doesn't matter.
Three weight sessions
Seven Morning exercises (sit ups etc etc).

@TheMrWobbly Love the Pac Man analogy. You certainly are cleaning up your space!!! WTG!

You can do this @username301 !

Yesterday was a very nice day here....sunny and warm. It was a rest day, so I sat outside and enjoyed nature. Problem was, nature right now is pollen, so my seasonal allergies have flared up. Today, it's my left side - nostril and eye pouring their respective fluids. And sneezing! Does anyone else have to bend over when they sneeze so they don't hurt their back? I know it's allergies and I will survive. It could be a lot worse. The running may take a hit this week though. I'll just have to wait and see how it goes.

@Scott6255 I'm so sorry for your loss.

With 91 posts over the weekend, I'll just say "yay!" for everyone who met their running goals and hugs to everyone who is struggling with various physical/life restrictions right now.

I had my first run with the hydropack yesterday. I was VERY worried at the beginning because I was so distracted by the weight of the water bottles (2 20 ounce packs). But after the first mile, I was used to it and obviously it was lessening consistently throughout the run as I was drinking the water. I think I can do this! The pack itself was very comfortable -- no chafing or anything.

4/1: 7.75m
4/2: 4m
4/3: 2.5m
4/4: 7.25m
4/5: 13.5m
4/6: 1.25m

@Teresa502 If it makes a difference, it's comforting to me to see so many people still chasing their running goals during this period of uncertainty and sadness. Your weekend run and bike ride sound great. I'm glad you were able to find some beauty this weekend.

Whether it's running, crafting, time (physical or virtual) with loved ones, reading, or whatever, we all deserve to connect with our pleasures - they're even more important when times are hard.

April Goal: 100 Miles

4/1: 5.16 miles
4/2: 5.15 miles
4/5: 9.02 miles


19.33/100 miles completed for April

330.72/1000 miles for Run the Year Team Pavement Pounders

I didn't get a chance to get on here yesterday to post my run. I ran 9 miles and it was a pretty good run. It was chilly starting out so I wore capris and a t-shirt with sleeves and gloves. But I was just a mile in when I realized that I was already getting warm so I took my gloves and sleeves off. Since I was near my mom's house I just stuck them in her mailbox instead of putting them in my pockets. It was about 50°F when I started out and not really windy and about 54°F when I finished. But starting at 97% humidity that was only down to about 90% by the end made it kind of clammy. So I went back and forth between wishing I had worn shorts and a tank top and being glad I wore the capris and t-shirt. It was a mostly uneventful run. I only saw one person out running, but honestly I rarely see anyone out running any way. The main difference now is there isn't anyone at the park when I go past it. And since it is a small town there's never a lot of traffic so I don't notice much difference there either. So at least running still seems totally normal for me.

After my run I came home and made pizza and then I had to go to the grocery store. I wore a mask that I had made on Saturday. I felt a little silly but there were others wearing masks too. My son said that wearing a mask feels weird at first but you get used to it. He said in Japan almost everyone wears them and it is really more uncommon to see people not wearing them during flu season. When I got home I spent the afternoon making more masks. I did decide to use ties instead of elastic. The first masks I made for my husband, my son and myself needed quite a bit of adjusting and since I am giving the other masks to my sisters and my mom and mother-in-law I thought ties would be easier if they need to adjust them.

@scott6255 I am so sorry for your loss. There are really no words. I hope that you and your wife stay safe and healthy and that your aunt will make a full recovery.

To everyone else I liked lots of post and gave some hugs, but I was so far behind that I just can't respond to everyone.






2020 races:
5/16/20: Run for 57th AHC Half Marathon 🤞

@brittanystebbins95 - I too was that kid who hated running. I was the chubby one who was SO slow and always finished last. I didn't find and start to enjoy running until I was in my mid-50's and then only because my trainer told me to give it a try, one block at a time. I have pretty much the entire story on my profile if you are interested.

It is pouring rain out right now with a flood warning so no run this morning. Hoping maybe to get out this afternoon and if not I will get in a strength workout. I do have a 'lunch' on the calendar today with my girlfriends. Our first video meet up.

April's running challenge 40 miles

April 2 - 3 miles
April 4 - 4 miles
April 6 - 4.3 miles