April 2020 Monthly Running Challenge

Avidkeo · April 2020

I'm baaacckk!

Oops long post.
My run was awesome!! My plan was to run around 6:20min/k and I managed to achieve that for the bulk of the run, though the last 5k were definitely at speed

ContraryMaryMary wrote: »

I hope your run is going well (you should be nearly done) and I’m sending you energy boosting thoughts for those final few kilometres.

Yep I think it worked!

Run report in the spoiler with pics. (since its not an actual race)

Woke a little before 7, and had a breakfast of yoghurt, banana and a coffee. Waited about an hr for it to settle, then got kitted up. So much vasseline haha but I wanted to make sure I covered everything.

I went out a bout 8:15am with my hydration pack full of water, my drink bottle with power aid placed strategically on a fence and a plastic bag full of jelly beans. Stood there, did a few warm up leg swings and calf raises and started.

Had a bit of a false start as the water in my pack was sloshing soooo loudly and so annoying, so I stopped after about 200m and squashed the air out. Sorted and much better. And can I say carying 1.5kg of water on your back feels really heavy at first but it's great when you get to 16k mark and it's only about 400g and it feels so light!

My run consisted of a 8km out and back in 2 directions from my house which I did 2.5 times.

The elevation isn't extreme but starts with a gentle climb for 1k, then a sharp drop to my first turn around. Odly this time it was the incline from my 5.5k point back thats the hardest, and I figured out with all the extra side streets I didn't need to do it the second time - whew!

Nothing exciting on the run. Lots of red poppies (our symbol to show respect to our service people) and so so many people out walking and running.

My last 5k I started just flying, and I felt awesome. My legs were a bit sore and I started feeling a light cramping in the front of my right shin. Just felt like it needed stretching out.

The most important thing is thou that I felt like I could have kept going, especially if I'd actually done that final 5k at a more reasonable pace haha!

Splits for anyone interested

This training run was going to be my decider, if it went well, I would continue on and do the full. If it didn't then I wouldn't. I think you can guess my decision.

Now the endorphins are taking over and I'm just bouncing off the walls with exhilaration. Can't see it lasting long though lol.

So thank you for listening, replying, giving me all the advice! I know I can be a PITA sometimes, and I love that you all put up with me.

Now pass the pizza. Oh still no takeaways till Tuesday. Sigh. Grilled cheese it is!

quilteryoyo · April 2020

Yeah! Great job @Avidkeo ! I knew you would rock it!!!

PastorVincent · April 2020

quilteryoyo wrote: »

Yeah! Great job @Avidkeo ! I knew you would rock it!!!

Yep! W00T! you rock!

katharmonic · April 2020

@AlphaHowls so amazing but not surprising that you are almost at two years for your run streak. And not just a regular run streak but a high mileage one. I'm sorry about your crazy laps days - I hope you are feeling better. Hope you will pop in to celebrate your two year date with us!

@avidkeo AWESOME job on your HM.

Date :::: Miles :::: Cumulative
04/01/20 :::: 5.0 :::: 5.0
04/02/20 :::: 3.0 :::: 8.0
04/03/20 :::: 3.5 :::: 11.6
04/04/20 :::: 10.2 :::: 21.8
04/05/20 :::: 1.5 :::: 23.3
04/06/20 :::: 2.3 :::: 25.6
04/07/20 :::: 4.6 :::: 30.2
04/08/20 :::: 3.1 :::: 33.3
04/09/20 :::: 3.0 :::: 36.3
04/10/20 :::: 4.0 :::: 40.3
04/11/20 :::: 8.3 :::: 48.6
04/12/20 :::: 3.1 :::: 51.7
04/13/20 :::: 5.1 :::: 56.8
04/14/20 :::: 3.5 :::: 60.3
04/15/20 :::: 3.3 :::: 63.5
04/16/20 :::: 3.1 :::: 66.6
04/17/20 :::: 3.9 :::: 70.6
04/18/20 :::: 7.1 :::: 77.6
04/19/20 :::: 9.0 :::: 86.7
04/20/20 :::: 3.1 :::: 89.7
04/21/20 :::: 1.6 :::: 91.3
04/22/20 :::: 3.7 :::: 94.9
04/23/20 :::: 4.1 :::: 99.0
04/24/20 :::: 5.0 :::: 104.0

How bad does it sound that I parked at a liquor store for this run because I needed wine, and I ran around the neighborhood for 5 miles. I needed to run somewhere new, lol. The run went fine - I explored a really nice neighborhood - but the wine plan came to nothing because when I finished running and was back to my car I saw there was a ridiculous line to get IN to the liquor store so I skipped it.

I went to the grocery store next door for my necessities and picked up some beer (they don't sell wine or hard liquor at grocery stores here, only beer, it's annoying). This was the first time I've been to the store when it was really busy and the first time since we were required to wear masks. It was chaotic and stressful and I don't want to go back. I wanted to cut out with only about half my list but I absolutely didn't want to have to go back out again in a couple of days so I finished.

PastorVincent wrote: »

quilteryoyo wrote: »

@dreamer12151 Some weeks are just hard. At least you are getting out and walking. You aren't just sitting on the couch, so give yourself credit for that. Sometimes the hardest part of running is those first couple of steps. The virtual 5K sounds like a good one for you to do. Prayers for little Emma's family.

I agree. Often the first 10 seconds of a run is hardest.

Focus on the wins, not the lost run. The more you focus on the misses, the worse they seem.

@dreamer12151 This is all good advice. It was a tough week for me to get out there - every single day I did not want to do it, but getting started was definitely the hardest part. I certainly didn't expect to get 5 miles in today, and I wanted to cry when I was still in my house thinking about still having to go out and run. Those first few minutes were tough, but then I kept talking myself into a little more because I was already out there, might as well. Don't beat yourself up for a bad week. Hopefully the weekend and next week will feel better. I'm glad you found the 5k to inspire you, though so sorry to hear about the loss of that little girl.

Avidkeo · April 2020

Guh I think one of my pairs of shoes are on the way out. Before I went out I was having some niggles in my anterior shin, that got worse over the HM run. The shoes I wore last are about 10 months old so while they have been rotated through, they are definitely the oldest and have done a lot of Kms. I'm confident it's not the shoes I wore today as they are the newest.

So I'm going to take the old ones out of circulation. And will nurse the muscles over the next week. Fortunately it's a cut back week this week.

MUST stay injury free.

eleanorhawkins · April 2020

@Avidkeo well done! Nurse those legs now, definitely not the time for injuries.

rheddmobile · April 2020

@avidkeo great job!

7 miles today, longest run since lockdown. One of those runs where it just feels like your shoes are on sideways. But pleased with my stamina otherwise. Last week of my race series is 8 miles which is coming up 3 weeks from now.

Ran into a jerk bicyclist. Coming up fast behind us, kept swapping sides of the road so we couldn’t figure out which way he wanted us to go, then yelled “Pick a damn lane!” as he passed. Then I watched him nearly run down the lady walking in front of us, who had headphones on. Dude! Passing safely is your responsibility as the person passing! If you aren’t going to pass on the left, call out which side you plan to pass on! Use a bell so people can hear you coming! I don’t have eyes in the back of my head or psychic powers either. What is it with these testosterone drenched young guys on cycles? I feel like they would be much less rude if they had to stick around and deal with the consequences of cursing at a man’s wife in front of him. I would give him the benefit of the doubt but I’m pretty sure a super fit guy in a race singlet covered with logos has been doing this long enough to know basic passing etiquette.

Husband’s comment: “The adrenaline burst from wanting to punch that guy gave me an energy boost for the next mile and a half, so I guess I ought to thank him.”

We stayed out long enough that we got to run with a bunch of BATS! I love bats. They were swooping all over the road having breakfast, and several of them dipped down to take a good look at us.

Faebert · April 2020

@Avidkeo - yay! Brilliant job. Enjoy your well-earned rest and refuel!

@rheddmobile - that cyclist sounds annoying and a bit scary. I have found it easier to keep going out super early while it’s quiet in lockdown as roads and pavements are so crazy. Normal rules seem suspended - cyclists on pavements, runners on roads, cars speeding because there is less traffic. And everyone leaping around trying to maintain 2m - a recipe for disaster!

I actually went out later than intended this morning but it was still quiet. Maybe because it’s Saturday or because it’s cloudy and chilly for the first time this week. Took the opportunity to get a long run in. Tomorrow is the date of the cancelled London Marathon and I imagine lots of people will be out running. There is a bit campaign to earn money for charities that are losing out on marathon income. Anyway, 6.6 miles today is my longest so far in 2020 and takes me very close to 100 miles total - exciting!

Have a lovely weekend everyone. X

April goal: 75 miles
April total: 97 miles

1/4: 3.6 miles
2/4: 3.7 miles
3/4: 3.5 miles
4/4: 4.1 miles
5/4: 3.5 miles
6/4: 3.6 miles
7/4: 3.5 miles
8/4: 3.5 miles
9/4: 3.5 miles
10/4: 5 miles
11/4: 4 miles
12/4: 3.7 miles
13/4: 3.6 miles
14/4: 4.5 miles
15/4: 6.2 miles
18/4: 5.6 miles
19/4: 5.1 miles
20/4: 4.7 miles
21/4: 3.8 miles
22/4: 4 miles
23/4: 3.8 miles
24/4: 3.9 miles
25/4: 6.6 miles

March: 76.4 m
February: 17.8 m
January: 0

eleanorhawkins · April 2020

Hal has been working me pretty hard this week, he's had me on that dreadmill for 5 hours (and that's without counting the 10 minutes I spend walking before and after each run, so around 6.5 hours altogether!) for a total of 35.5km (4 more than last week).

Next week is identical overall distance but split up differently, with a way too much speedwork for it to be easy (1x fartlek run, 1x speed intervals, 1x base run and 1x race simulation)... wth? Does he want to kill me? I'm sure all this speedwork will have its benefits as long as it doesn't break my legs. Quite looking forward to seeing what happens when (if?) I get to run outside again.

01/04: 4.81km tempo
02/04: 6.57km base
04/04: 9.6km easy
06/04: 5.08km easy
08/04: 8.5km hill repeats
09/04: 8.06km easy
11/04: 8.34km hard
13/04: 5.15km fartleks
15/04: 6.6km easy
16/04: 8km fast intervals
18/04: 11.5km long
20/04: 4.56km tempo
22/04: 8.23km 'easy'
23/04: 9.6km fast intervals
25/04: 13.1km long

Revised April goal: 140km. Run so far: 117.7km

Aine8046 · April 2020

April goal: 80 km

April 1st - 2.5 km
April 3 - 5.5. km
April 5 - 8.2 km
April 7 - 7 km
April 9 - 5 km
April 11 - 10 km
April 13 - 5 km
April 19 - 6.6 km
April 21 - 5 km
April 25 - 10 km

Total: 64.8 km

Scott6255 · April 2020

Yay! Great run @Avidkeo! Excited for you to start full marathon training.
Unbelievable @AlphaHowls on your (almost) 2 year run streak. That is a lifetime of miles for most mortals!!

quilteryoyo · April 2020

@Avidkeo Yes. Take care of yourself. Now is not the time to get injured. Well, I guess there is never a good time to be injured, now is there.

I'm thinking I may need to get new shoes too. I only have one pair that I have had a little over a year. They still seem to be okay, but I have put a lot of miles on them. Should probably get some before I start having issues.

Great run @rheddmobile . Sorry about the jerky bicyclist. I know that bats are good for the environment and eat mosquitoes, but I have to be honest. They scare me a little. Not sure why.

@katharmonic Glad you got your run in. Sorry you didn't get your wine. They do sell wine in the grocery stores here now. I think it's been about a year now that they started allowing it.

@Faebert Yeah on the mileage. That is exciting! Your are doing great!

@eleanorhawkins Sounds like Hal is a little sadistic.

Sounds like you did great this week. I'm sure you will rock next week too.

Tramboman · April 2020

Avidkeo wrote: »

I'm baaacckk!

Oops long post.
My run was awesome!! My plan was to run around 6:20min/k and I managed to achieve that for the bulk of the run, though the last 5k were definitely at speed

ContraryMaryMary wrote: »

I hope your run is going well (you should be nearly done) and I’m sending you energy boosting thoughts for those final few kilometres.

Yep I think it worked!

Run report in the spoiler with pics. (since its not an actual race)
Woke a little before 7, and had a breakfast of yoghurt, banana and a coffee. Waited about an hr for it to settle, then got kitted up. So much vasseline haha but I wanted to make sure I covered everything.

I went out a bout 8:15am with my hydration pack full of water, my drink bottle with power aid placed strategically on a fence and a plastic bag full of jelly beans. Stood there, did a few warm up leg swings and calf raises and started.

Had a bit of a false start as the water in my pack was sloshing soooo loudly and so annoying, so I stopped after about 200m and squashed the air out. Sorted and much better. And can I say carying 1.5kg of water on your back feels really heavy at first but it's great when you get to 16k mark and it's only about 400g and it feels so light!

My run consisted of a 8km out and back in 2 directions from my house which I did 2.5 times.

The elevation isn't extreme but starts with a gentle climb for 1k, then a sharp drop to my first turn around. Odly this time it was the incline from my 5.5k point back thats the hardest, and I figured out with all the extra side streets I didn't need to do it the second time - whew!

Nothing exciting on the run. Lots of red poppies (our symbol to show respect to our service people) and so so many people out walking and running.

My last 5k I started just flying, and I felt awesome. My legs were a bit sore and I started feeling a light cramping in the front of my right shin. Just felt like it needed stretching out.

The most important thing is thou that I felt like I could have kept going, especially if I'd actually done that final 5k at a more reasonable pace haha!

Splits for anyone interested

This training run was going to be my decider, if it went well, I would continue on and do the full. If it didn't then I wouldn't. I think you can guess my decision.

Now the endorphins are taking over and I'm just bouncing off the walls with exhilaration. Can't see it lasting long though lol.

So thank you for listening, replying, giving me all the advice! I know I can be a PITA sometimes, and I love that you all put up with me.

Now pass the pizza. Oh still no takeaways till Tuesday. Sigh. Grilled cheese it is!

Well done, @Avidkeo!!!!! Enjoy that grilled cheese!!!

Tramboman · April 2020

AlphaHowls wrote: »

4/1 14.48 miles, 702 days on the run
4/2 15.31 miles
4/3 2.48 miles
4/4 16.28 miles, 705 days on the run
4/5 14.01 miles
4/6 15.2 miles
4/7 15.02 miles
4/8 15.39 miles
4/9 15.35 miles, 710 days on the run
4/10 15.23 miles
4/11 15.09 miles
4/12 15.1 miles, 1st mile crazy laps, waiting for break in rain
4/13 15.14 miles
4/14 14.28 miles, 715 days on the run
4/15 6.37 miles, crazy laps
4/16 2.26 miles, crazy laps
4/17 1.34 miles, crazy laps, depressed, trying to get a grip
4/18 15.28 miles
4/19 14.01 miles, 720 days on the run
4/20 16.49 miles
4/21 14.12 miles
4/22 6.1 miles
4/23 7.01 miles
4/24 26.41 miles, 725 days on the run

A few more days and I will have run every day for two years.

@AlphaHowls you are truly an inspiration!!!
I read somewhere the current consecutive running streak is 50 years. I'd start one of my own, but I don't think I'll be running at 118 years old.

Tramboman · April 2020

4-1 7k easy
4-2 7k easy
4-3 8k slow
4-4 7k moderate
4-5 7k moderate
4-6 7k easy
4-7 rest
4-8 7k moderate
4-9 7k easy
4-10 7k easy
4-11 7k easy
4-12 7k moderate
4-13 7k easy
4-14 rest
4-15 7k moderate
4-16 11k slow
4-17 7k moderate
4-18 7k easy
4-19 7k threshold
4-20 7k easy
4-21 rest
4-22 7k easy
4-23 7k easy
4-24 7k moderate
4-25 11k easy

April Total: 163k
April Goal: 170k

January Total: 161k
February Total: 167k
March Total: 181k

2020 Total through March: 509k

Sunny and mid 40s F today. Weather is supposed to go downhill for the rest of the weekend, so chose today for a longer run. Felt pretty good physically; even the usual niggles were unusually mild.

When you pop in here claiming your December 2020 mileage, what accomplishments will you have made?

Return to a good running weight of 175 lbs
Run at least 4 5k races
Get a 5k PR
Average at least 138k per month, to meet my Run the Year pledge of 1,020 miles
Stretch goal: If I can average 169k per month, I can run 2020K in 2020

Run the Year Team: Pavement Pounders

2020 races:

5-23 Race for the Parks 5k, Hudson OH
6-20 Freedom Run 5k, Aurora, OH

Scott6255 · April 2020

Didn't look at my watch until just before I got in the shower. I was ticking the miles off in my head, and was just going for 10 miles today. To my surprise, I ran 11. Have no idea where that last mile came from. I might have been sleep running or something.

shanaber · April 2020

@avidkeo - Great job on the HM and keeping such a consistent pace then pushing it at the end! Now for a good epsom salt soak for those legs! Well after that grilled cheese!
@AlphaHowls - You Are Amazing!
@quilteryoyo - how many miles have you run on your shoes since you got them?
@rheddmobile - I don't understand why cyclists are so rude and disrespectful either. I had an irate cyclist yelling at me from behind. I was running with Hobbes to the left so the cyclists and faster runners could go by me without interference as is the rule here on a marked two way path and he had a clear lane to just keep going by me. I caught up to him at the trailhead parking lot and gave him a piece of my mind and was so surprised when he apologized.
@Scott6255 - are you able to run outside? I figured you would need to on quarantine? It is always nice when you get so lost in a run that you end up going further than planned!

No run today. It is going to be another really hot day (98F yesterday and over 90 again today). I am feeling off and figured it is better to just take a rest day and go tomorrow when it will be a bit cooler. I just need a bit under 16 miles to hit my final marathon and goal for the month.

Date..........Miles........Total
04/01.......2.77..........2.77
04/02.......0.00..........2.77 - Home workout (AKA Vizsla Strength Training)
04/03.......6.91..........9.68 - Gratitude Un-Canceled Virtual 10k
04/04.......6.51........16.19 - Gratitude Un-Canceled Virtual 5k
04/05.......0.00........16.19 - + Stretch and Roll class
04/06.......0.00........16.19
04/07.......0.00........16.19
04/08.......6.94........23.13 - Hope Un-Canceled Virtual 5k
04/09.......0.00........23.13 - + Strength Training @ Home
04/10.......5.44........28.57 - Rainy day run
04/11.......7.92........36.49 - Hope Un-Canceled 10k
04/12.......0.00........36.49 - + Stretch and Roll class
04/13.......6.72........43.21 - Humor Un-Canceled 10k
04/14.......5.64........48.85 - Humor Un-Canceled 8k
04/15.......0.00........48.85
04/16.......5.66........54.51 - + Stretch and Roll class
04/17.......4.42........58.93 - Humor Un-Canceled 5k
04/18.......7.50........66.43
04/19.......0.00........66.43 - Home workout (AKA Vizsla Strength Training)
04/20.......5.65........72.08 - Inspiration Un-Canceled 5k
04/21.......5.24........77.32 - Tabata Tuesday/Inspiration Un-Canceled 8k
04/22.......0.00........77.32
04/23.......7.00........84.32 - Inspiration Un-Canceled 10k
04/24.......4.87........89.19
04/25.......0.00........89.19

2020 Run the Year Team - 2020 R.I.O.T. (Running Is Our Therapy) 593.73/1000 miles (running and walking)

2020 Planned and Completed Races
02/02/20 - Surf City Half Marathon

quilteryoyo · April 2020

@shanaber I'm not sure of the shoe mileage. I think I have it all down, so could go back and check. Do you count walking mileage too, or just running? Some of my walking since I got these shoes I did in my older shoes, so I really won't know about that. I'll check the running mileage after I run today.

Avidkeo · April 2020

Lol @Scott6255 sleep running haha. That would be nice have done that before usually when I'm engrossed in my podcast and I've totally tuned out what's going on around me!

@AlphaHowls wow. Such an inspiration!

@Tramboman I went all out and made a gourmet grilled cheese - pesto, Swiss, smoked chicken breast, cheese slice (I think our equivalent of American cheese single? - in the plastic wrap). It was so incredibly delicious im probably going to have another one today

@rheddmobile we are lucky here that cyclists are generally well behaved, but yeah seen some pretty inconsiderate behaviour from time to time. Just use your bell or voice to state your intentions for petes sake!

@katharmonic damn! Can you not buy from a supermarket there?

I'm awake super early - 5am - and just couldn't go back to sleep. I had had 8hrs,since I crashed at 9pm, So have got up and am enjoying a peaceful coffee by the warm heater. I did a lot of stretching and rolling of my anterior shin last night and the pain has definitely eased. That weird scraping trick I found on YouTube still seems to be a miracle worker, but then it could have just been a good recovery sleep. Who knows.

Today I'll go for a gentle recovery walk, and Do more stretching and rolling. Kind of looking forward to a lower km week this week. Then a build up to 24k! Fortunately our foreshore will be open again then so I can run in conditions more closely resembling what the marathon will be - mild undulations along the waterfront. No more hills haha! Well not for long runs anyway

PastorVincent · April 2020

quilteryoyo wrote: »

@Avidkeo Yes. Take care of yourself. Now is not the time to get injured. Well, I guess there is never a good time to be injured, now is there. I'm thinking I may need to get new shoes too. I only have one pair that I have had a little over a year. They still seem to be okay, but I have put a lot of miles on them. Should probably get some before I start having issues.

Yes. That is what smart and sensible people do*.

*note: post author makes no claims about being smart or sensible

April 2020 Monthly Running Challenge

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