January 2021 Monthly Running Challenge

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.

All I’m so far behind but did read the posts. I’m hard to work all day with my ankle propped up so by the time the day is done I’m off the computer.

@eleanorhawkins the race director the HMs is a friend of mine, they own the local Fleet Feet, if she said $15 she will stick to that. They are awesome folks.

@quilteryoyo glad the surgery went well, prayers for continue and quick recovery

@kgirlhart nice picture of the snow, we got some it was on the grass for half the day, pretty much all gone now. I was so sad not to be able to drive up to Monte Sano and run. My friends were kind enough to send me pictures.

Yuck @rheddmobile on glue traps but beautiful trail pictures

Monthly questions:
1. I have 2 dogs, Macy and Champ
2. Yes, but I noticed as I get older they are getting louder when I don’t
3. I’m assume this means nice for someone else. Yes I have not killed anyone yet today ha ha
4. Nope, you keep asking them
5.
@mbaker566 I hope the dog didn’t get to you. I love seeing your doggy pictures, well and pictures of you too.

Update on me:
My surgery was moved up til tomorrow, I went in to see surgeon yesterday so she could look at the fracture blister and she asked if I wanted to move it up. Oh yes let the healing begin, plus Skip leaves on Sunday for school so it will give me a few more days with someone here. I asked her more about recovery, so basically 6 weeks in the cast, then 1-2 in a boot (which is up to me mostly depending on how I feel), 6 weeks of physical therapy will start after cast comes off. Then I can start to walk when PT starts and add distance to walking. After a month of walking she will let me add in short (like a mile or two the most) slow running a couple days a week. She said when she says full recovery she means what I was doing the day I fell. She said I will be running my Oak Barrel half marathon next April. She said by January I should be racing again. I said trails? She said after you get some comfortable distance walking on the street we can discuss some walking on the baby trails LOL.

Rock on tomorrow @skippygirlsmom

Didn't feel great today, didn't feel like running - so I ran up the nearest hill, Bo Peep. 1.9km, 440ft, 20% max gradient ranked in the toughest 10 cycle climbs in Sussex. I do actually feel better having done it, though I wouldn't recommend it!

martaindale wrote: »

@skippygirlsmom That's great news! I'm glad you will at least get a few recovery days with someone around and it sounds like your return to running will be quicker than it originally sounded.

@martaindale the doctor's nurse offered to come stay with me for $1,000 a day ha ha. I said I though we were friends.

thanks @katharmonic and @TheMrWobbly

@skippygirlsmom hope your surgery goes well, the timeline sounds better than it did initially.
I've talked myself out of the HM challenge thing, it's quite a lot of money and there are family things that are more important.
However.... the Runderwear bra I ordered as my birthday present from my mum arrived today. I have never spent that much on a sports bra before... it had better make me run faster when I try it out tomorrow!

OH my, I absolutely cannot keep up with yall.. This has to be the fastest moving thread in the west. and east and north and south.

I love reading all the stories tho.

Summer

swenson19d wrote: »

Making coffee and not killing anyone or giving them the stink eye counts as something nice in my opinion at least. @katharmonic I donated clothes yesterday too. It was self serving though. I just need to get rid of stuff. I suppose it half counts that I didn't put it in all in the trash. Represses or proper? I'll make up for it...

Oh, @swenson19d my donation was self-serving as well. I'm having a major and much-needed home reorganization spree. I completely emptied and swapped/repurposed two rooms in my house so far. I have a new uncluttered home office and another room that is now a dressing room/extra closet and a workout space. I feel so much better and it is accomplishing one of my 2021 goals of minimizing and decluttering. I still have work to do but I may be able to have people enter my house without dying of shame now.

I'll go with proper

Hey our map is done in the RTW challenge. It's very cool! That's a long route to run, and the ocean crossings are going to be tough. We're currently in France. Looks like we may be ending at @noblsheep's house? We can meet up there

Skimmed all the posts. Lots of great running going on. I am at my mom's for a few days. I hope to retrieve my computer from my house tomorrow afternoon, so I'll be able to comment more. I have a hard time on my phone.

@skippygirlsmom I'm so glad that your surgery got moved up and your recovery is going to be more active than we originally thought. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow.

Mom and I went for 2 walks today. We went about 35 minutes and around 1.25 miles. I'll add it up to be more accurate. Even though I was slow, I guess I'll count it on RTW, if that's ok with everyone.