January 2023 Monthly Running Challenge

@eleanorhawkins I wonder why they insist on the hood and not just a hat. hmmm. Well it's a good idea and I am sure they are worried about what race was that where the ultra runners got frozen? 🥹😩

Doing pretty well with mileage this month. 65 plus out of 120 goal. Not including my walks which I am trying to do some more intentional ones during my lunch breaks.

Like @kgirlhart said Thursday was a really ugly day with the north wind really biting and I was pretty tired out from Wed workouts but it was too cold to just walk so I did a REALLY slow 5K. Yesterday was a lot colder in the morning but it was a lot calmer so it was a nicer run. It is starting to get to the time of year where my running coincides with close to sunrise so esp on the weekends I am seeing some beautiful skies. Except for aerobically my tennis workouts do not seem to use the same muscles as I do for running so they are a nice contrast .

@Scott6255 I will wave at you this weekend here in Austin! Have a great visit.

1-Jan-23 10.06 10.06
2-Jan-23 6.25 16.31
3-Jan-23 5.35 21.66
4-Jan-23 5.53 27.19
5-Jan-23 5.51 32.7
6-Jan-23 1 33.7
7-Jan-23 5.33 39.03
8-Jan-23 6.3 45.33
9-Jan-23 3.14 48.47
10-Jan-23 5.31 53.78
11-Jan-23 4.06 57.84
12-Jan-23 3.27 61.11
13-Jan-23 4.32 65.43

Good afternoon everyone! I haven't been on much in the last week because I was dealing with what we assume was the flu (I was covid negative), so I was sleeping a lot more than normal and no running until today.

I had registered for the Museum of Aviation 5K and decided yesterday that I felt well enough that I would try to run it today. I usually do the half marathon race, so this was my first time doing the 5K route. It starts at the Museum of Aviation and goes on Robins AF Base. I decided I wasn't going to look at my watch and would just run and what felt comfortable, as I didn't want to push myself too much since I had been sick.

Surprisingly, I finished 2nd of 24 in the 35-39F age group, 24 of 165 females, and 83 of 292 overall. It definitely wasn't my best 5K time, but I was pleased that I placed! All participants received a finisher medal, and I also received a medal for placing in my age group.

My running club also announced this week that they will put on a half marathon here in November. This is part of the attempt to host the Rock n Roll Marathon series. They want to show that they can put on a larger race going through downtown. I guess that will be my bigger race to look forward to this year.

Congratulations @marisap2010! And, I love your quarter-zip pullover in the picture!

@eleanorhawkins I hope you are having a great race!

I've been at the hospital pretty much all waking hours and also spent Friday night there after my dad's surgery which went well. I appreciate everyone's well wishes. Between juggling work and that, I've been a slug in the exercise department. It's also been really cold and windy here which affects my motivation. Excuses, excuses...Getting ready to head back to the hospital but hoping I will be able to get a run in this evening when it warms up. Hope everyone has a great Sunday!

So, race 'report':
Ended up leaving home later than intended as my husband decided at the last minute that he would drive me there, had trouble parking (small town, 1052 runner between both distances), by the time I found my friend to give her her bib, which I collected yesterday, and visited the bathroom there was no time left to warm up, ugh.
As usual, I positioned myself at the back of the corral, but the first mile or so was flat so we went out pretty fast for me. Once we reached the trail and everyone started hiking, I was feeling it, so when my eager friend started passing people I let her go. Then it narrowed so no choice but to stick to the pace of the person in front unless they stopped and moved aside. The first half went up the northern side of the mountain so we were in the shade, and it was pretty windy, the jacket came off fast but I was very glad to have my sleeves to pull up and down when needed. At the top there's a very rocky section that I find hard to run on, so a couple of people passed me, but once we reached a smoother part and started to descend I caught them again.
I didn't drink as much as I should have done so didn't need to stop at the aid station. I'd been told the really nasty downhill part I hated last year wasn't on this year's route, but it was, so there was a little bit of slip and slide and swear but I managed to stay upright and get down, then let the brakes off and fly. I passed quite a few people on the way down, felt strong going up the final climb (nowhere near as bad when you knew it was coming and had prepared for it). Then it was time to push again and pick off a few more people who were running out of steam, and a final sprint to the finish! My husband says I was going so fast he couldn't get a photo hahaha. Not fast really, but fast for me!
Results show I was the 50th woman at the half way checkpoint, but final place was 42nd woman of 147. In training we had done it in 2 hours twice, today my time was 1hr48. My friend had said we should aim for 1.45 and she did just that! No age groups in the shorter distance, and no medals again which annoys me, but it was still a great morning!
Said friend is still trying to decide about the series, we have 4 hours left to decide and try to get places if applicable. Watch this space....
Now I must go for a walk, my legs don't like me much right now!