January 2021 Monthly Running Challenge

I signed up for 600 miles in 2021, you can bike ride, swim, run, walk, ect. I plan to do it all in running because I also want complete the YVSTY challenge that is 1021km, or about 634 miles

1/1-2
1/2-6
1/3-4.25
1/4-2
1/5-2.25
1/6-2.5
1/7-2
1/8-3
1/9-3.5
1/10-3.25
1/11-Worked extra shifts and decided the extra sleep was needed

January Goal-30.75/60
2021 Goal-30.75/634

Another 60 minute aerobic run this morning - out early to beat the heat and it was pleasantly cool. Finally gave myself the much needed kick up the pants to get my heart rate up into the right zone - not a lot faster than usual, but 10-15 seconds per kilometre which did the job, and I felt great when done.

Beautiful run today. While we were getting ready, it was dreary and I thought it was going to be my least favorite weather - barely above freezing and wet. But then just as we left it started snowing hard. It was too warm to stick on the ground, but coated the branches and leaves quickly, then just as quickly stopped. By the time we got to the far side of the Wolf it was a winter wonderland. We don’t get snow here but maybe once or twice a year usually, and then not much, so even a little bit is an unexpected treat. Even better if it doesn’t ice over and cause all the hopeless local drivers to crash into each other!

We saw one guy at the park, walking, which was honestly one more than I expected, since Memphians are allergic to snow. We passed him as far on opposite sides of the trail as possible and he said, “Which way are you going at the turn?” And we said left. And he said in a gruff voice, “Then I will be going right.” Carry on, antisocial dude!

I love birds in the snow. They were all zooming around and chattering like a neighborhood full of people discussing big news with each other. Did you ever think that many animals born this year are seeing snow for the first time? Like my friends the raccoon family. I saw them trundling along the fence line this evening. The two young ones were born last February!

Our pace was very slow. We dressed too warmly because we wanted to be able to stop and walk and take pictures if we felt like it. Got 7 miles, maybe 4 and a half running.

So, my observation for the day is that sometimes when you set out for a run, it just seems really hard. Your muscles are sore, you’re tired, maybe you have stuff on your mind and things you need to do and the weather is terrible. Sometimes getting out there and running just feels impossible. And one of my favorite moments - one of the main reasons I run - is that moment when your inner voice changes over from, “I can’t do this, this is impossible,” to “And yet, somehow, I did it anyway.” That happens almost every time. But there is another moment, which happens more rarely, which is even better. It’s that moment when you’re out there doing the impossible run and suddenly you realize not only is it possible, it’s magical. Today it was going past a field of cattails where every cattail had its own little cap of snow. It’s not something you can count on. It doesn’t happen every time. It’s rare. But the thing is, if you don’t keep doing the hard thing you will never experience the magical thing. You have to do the hard part so the magical part has a chance to happen.

Thought I would do a quick RED January update. Yesterday's run was the first time I could really feel my legs, so the rest of this week will be the minimum 2 miles, so that I can attempt a HM at the weekend to keep my monthly HM streak going. TBH I wont b too sad if I don't manage it, I don't want to injure myself just for the streak!

01/01 3.6
02/01 2.3
03/01 2.2
04/01 4.2
05/01 2.5
06/01 6.2
07/01 3.7
08/01 3
09/01 5
10/01 3.1
11/01 4.3

40.1 miles so far. Last time I did RED Jan, in 2019, I did 83.7 miles total with a minimum of 1 mile per run, so I think I'll beat that this time.

missed a couple of runs because foster dog had a cold and was having a hard time. lots of a snuggles.
she's still coughing but speed demon and I got out for a couple of miles. legs weren't very happy. but speed demon was all about the run.
we had a dog "charge" us. he only got mad when Speed Demon ignored him.