February 2023 Monthly Running Challenge

2-1 4k slooowww; resistance band training
2-2 golf swing training
2-3 3k treadmill; resistance band training
2-4 golf swing training
2-5 4k slow
2-6 4k slow; resistance band training
2-7 golf swing training
2-8 4k slow; resistance band training
2-9 desultory golf swing training (mind was elsewhere)
2-10 4k slow; resistance band training
2-11 golf swing training
2-12 4k slow
2-13 4k slow; resistance band training; car shopping
2-14 golf swing training; trout fishing
2-15 4k slow; resistance band training
2-16 Lazy...
2-17 4k slow; resistance band training
2-18 Extra lazy
2-14 4k slow

February total: 43 k
February goal: 50 k

Cloudy, mid 30s F, with just a little breeze from the east. Wind is supposed to pick up later, so it was good to finish early.

@tarun_yadavA I also get reeeeeeaaaaalllllly hungry after a long run, sometimes with a major time lapse.

Immediately after I finish, I pretty much always eat something quite healthy with some protein in it- and I agree, food after a run always tastes especially delicious . But later on in the day or even the next day or two after longer runs, I find myself wanting to “refuel” all of the expended calories. I always find this to be a shame, because I wouldn’t mind losing another 5-10 pounds. But hey, it is what it is . I try to always bring a bunch of healthy snacks and lunch with me to work, so I am not tempted to grab anything in a wild rungry frenzy. I do usually keep some dark chocolate in my desk drawer for emergencies though .

After two days off, I was back at it today, with 10.3k incl. 8x 1min intervals. In between intervals, I did 3 minutes at recovery pace. I do worry about my form when I really pick up the pace, so I think I’m going to be integrating some form drills into my routine a couple times a week.

So far for February, I am 148.8/200km.

@tarun_yadavA - I have not run a marathon but many HM's (I know it's not nearly the same). The person who got me started and signed up for my 1st HM was a very experienced runner/marathoner. She told me after that 1st one to expect to need to 'refuel' for as many days as the miles in my race, so 13 days for a HM and 26 for a full. She also said to make sure to eat enough protein because it fuels the recovery of the damaged muscle fibers. I don't know that I paid that much attention to it but it did seem like my runger typically lasted about 2 weeks after a race.
I am also one who is rarely hungry after a run but had it hammered into me by a nutritionist, that I must eat something (good mix of protein and carbs) after a run. I usually have a smoothie or a protein shake and some carbs on the side.

@chris_in_cal - I don't use Garmin so no GarminConnect for me but there is a MFP group in Strava if you upload from Garmin there.
I had a metatarsal stress fracture in 2018. It took me mostly out of running for about 4.5-5mos before I could start ramping back up to my normal mileage. I was in a boot for ~2 months of that. The ortho doc told me to increase very slowly and if I felt any discomfort to back off. It took time but has no longer been an issue for me.

@Laurz9191 - love this expression 'in a wild rungry frenzy'! For whatever reason I visualize the Tasmanian Devil cartoon character spinning and eating everything in sight 😂

We took off to Anza-Borrego Desert state park on Thursday looking to hike a little and look for wildflowers. It was gorgeous weather, if a bit cool. We even hit snow and ice, surprisingly, on the drive there. There were cyclists on this crazy narrow steep highway and we couldn't figure out why they were weaving all over the road until we got closer and realized they were dodging the ice on the road. I took Hobbes for a short hike looking for wildflowers and then we drove out to some more remote, off-road areas. There were flowers but not the superbloom we thought we might see. We were a bit early and there may be more later in March. Hobbes was especially interested in the teddybear and barrel cacti and I couldn't get a picture of them without worrying he was going to stick his nose on them. None had blooms yet but had many buds that looked like they could open any day. I promised @SummerSkier some pictures and they are under the split below.
I was exhausted yesterday so didn't get out but today felt better and the weather was perfect. Right about 60F with a cool breeze so Hobbes and I walked a bit over 4.5 miles. Apparently feeling tired and having joint and muscle pain is common with shingles but I hope it goes away soon. I am already tired of it and want to get back to running!

Great run today @tarun_yadavA . I love that you are running different routes while you recover.

Great run @Teresa502 ! That was a chilly. The sun was nice yesterday though.

Nice run @Mari33a !

Nice early morning run @Tramboman ! Getting out before the wind picks up is something I would do too - or wait and use the treadmill. I don't deal with cold wind well.

You are so consistent @SummerSkier ! There's a reason most plans have a rest day after a long run. LOL

Great interval run @Laurz9191 .

@chris_in_cal I have not had a stress fracture, but I know a high schooler who did in both legs. Her mom and doctor think it was because she took off doing too much after having some time off from being sick. I would guess if you continue to build up slowly, not 5 miles a day right off, that you shouldn't have the same issue. Did you ask your doctor about your running plan? I hope you don't have any other issues.

@shanaber Looks like a great trip. I hope you can go back and catch some more flowers in bloom. I also hope you get to feeling better soon!

I did my normal Sunday Rest Day walk on the treadmill between church and lunch today. I walked 2.00 miles at 3.7 mph.

Morning everyone ☺️
Got in a 4Miler @quilteryoyo thank you! ☺️
@Laurz9191 @shanaber laughing at 'Rungry'. In my head, I'm picturing it as Scooby Doo saying it, muffling up words, then proceeding to stuff his face with food. Lol. Tasmanian Devil works too! My youngest said I was like Slimer from the Ghostbusters shoving trays of food down my mouth!
@shanaber think your friend might be onto something, with that number of days thing...
Typically, I walk at a weight of around 175-180 lbs ("Light Heavyweight" for those into Boxing/MMA). I consume 2500-3000 cals gross, and then there's the 700-900 I burn from exercise. Week before Marathon, I made it a point to run less that week, and up intake to around 3000-3500. We're now a week on (8 days to be precise), I haven't really done anything I'd count as 'long' (7 miles yesterday is the most), but body just seems to want 3000-3500 ALL the time regardless.
The other day - Did make the mistake of skimping on dinner, thinking 'no', 'I have eaten. This is enough', while still being peckish.... Should have eaten more, but nstead of eating the nutritionally-dense calories from dinner, I passed... By 11pm, couldn't sleep, ravenously hungry, then decided something sweet would be nice... And lo and behold, ate 3 snickers ice-cream bars 🤦🤦🤦.
So since, asked wife to get Dark Chocolate Lindt. That way, if I want more I know I will stop if I eat a square or two of that after. Not a massive fan, it's okay. But acts like a "stopper". Once you've gone Dark, and that too mint, can't eat say, white chocolate or caramel after that. Would taste too weird.

2-1 4k slooowww; resistance band training
2-2 golf swing training
2-3 3k treadmill; resistance band training
2-4 golf swing training
2-5 4k slow
2-6 4k slow; resistance band training
2-7 golf swing training
2-8 4k slow; resistance band training
2-9 desultory golf swing training (mind was elsewhere)
2-10 4k slow; resistance band training
2-11 golf swing training
2-12 4k slow
2-13 4k slow; resistance band training; car shopping
2-14 golf swing training; trout fishing
2-15 4k slow; resistance band training
2-16 Lazy...
2-17 4k slow; resistance band training
2-18 Extra lazy
2-19 4k slow
2-20 4k sleasy; resistance band training


February total: 47 k
February goal: 50 k

Partly cloudy, mid 40s F, with just a little breeze from the north and west. Right on the borderline between warm clothes and cool clothes, so I opted for shorts and short sleeves. FINALLY got my pace up to sleasy (between slow and easy), but I have to keep reminding myself that my pace times were calculated from race times when I was still racing. Saw a pair of mallards; heard a song sparrow, and thought I might have heard a bluebird, although it's early for bluebirds.