April 2023 Monthly Running Challenge

quilteryoyo · April 2023

@Teresa502 So glad that your friend is doing great and healed well. You both looked great in the pictures.

The internet was out yesterday until it was time for me to be off of the computer, so I just didn't log on. I did get a 2 mile treadmill walk in after church and before lunch with mom.

Today I was scheduled to work 12-3, so I got up early enough to get in a short, faster, run before making a couple of phone calls and getting ready to leave. I walked a total of 1.0 mile for warm up and cool down and then did a run/walk of 3 x (3/1 min at 6.0/3.8 mph), 1/3/1 min at 3.8/5.5/3.8 mph, then 6:09 min at 5.0 mph. That made 2.00 miles in 23:09 min for an average pace of 11:35 min/mile. Avg HR was 139, with a max of 153 bpm.

I'm thinking about signing up for a 5K and seeing if I can PR in a couple of months. There is one here on 29 April, but I'm scheduled to play league tennis that day. I can't do both. Plus, I think I'll need a bit longer than 4 weeks. My current PR is 33:42 a 10:52 min/mile avg pace. Any advice as to how to get faster would be appreciated.

Teresa502 · April 2023

tarun_yadavA wrote: »

@Teresa502 hahaha
Top 2 desserts so far have been the Cheesecake factory trip, and then this individual portion 'Tres Leches' cake from Whole foods

Been absolutely calorie carnage here. Badly need to reset next week

Vacation this week - back on track next! It’s called balance! :-)

eleanorhawkins · April 2023

@quilteryoyo there are a tonne of training plans out there for faster 5ks. Maybe even try one of the Garmin ones. You're going to have to be prepared to do plenty of speedwork though. I would say you'll want at least 8 weeks.

Life's a bit crazy here as usual, but I'm reading, liking and hugging!

Mari33a · April 2023

Lots of Easter egg damage done over the weekend!

02/04 3.26 miles
03/04 3.24 miles
05/04 3.26 miles
07/04 3.26 miles
08/04 3.27 miles

Total 16.29/40miles

Scott6255 · April 2023

Got 7 miles in this morning with more great weather (55F 2mph wind). Last night tried out some Saucony Kinvara 13 shoes on the treadmill. Got them from Amazon just before we left for Austin last week. I chose the Try Before You Buy option, so had 7 days to try them before I make a decision to keep or send back. Not a perfect way to try them, but if I went outside with them I wouldn't be able to get my money back. I think I will keep them, but not 100% sure. They were half price, so I probably will.

martaindale · April 2023

April total: 33.4/115 miles

4/1: 6 miles
4/3: 4 miles
4/5: 5.1 miles
4/6: 3.1 miles
4/8: 8 miles
4/9: 4.1 miles
4/11: 3.1 miles

Back at work today after a lovely weekend in the hill country. I love this time of year out there with all the wildflowers blooming. The bluebonnets seem to be on their way out. I didn't see as many of those this trip, but there was plenty of other color around.

katharmonic · April 2023

@martaindale love the flowers. Not seeing a whole lot yet here but noticed the trillium are starting to emerge from the ground along the trails. I always love spotting the first blooms of those in the spring. I did see a few dandelions out though.

@quilteryoyo good goal to set a 5k PR. I agree there are a ton of plans out there and probably an 8 week plan at least would be best. Here's a Hal Higdon example https://www.halhigdon.com/training-programs/5k-training/intermediate-5k/. My coach was always of the philosophy that you run longer to run faster. His advice would be 1 day a week you run fast (speedwork), 1 day a week you run long (gradually building this), and the rest of the days short and easy.

Good walks yesterday and today, a little over 3 miles each. 70 degrees today which is so nice. Stella tried to catch several snakes on our walk today. They were everywhere! Little things, but still made me jump every time.

I wanted to share the race report of a friend of mine who I'm sure I've mentioned on here before. She is 70 years old and working on a marathon in every state. She's currently at 46 states. She's amazing and is probably the sole reason I stayed with running when I started, and am still a (currently sidelined) runner.

Teresa502 · April 2023

Thanks for sharing your friend's race report @katharmonic. It was a good read.

But snakes everywhere on your walk? That sounds nightmarish!

chris_in_cal · April 2023

quilteryoyo wrote: »

Any advice as to how to get faster would be appreciated.

Coaching coaching coaching.

In person, a book, Garmin Connect, etc.

kgirlhart · April 2023

April Goal: 110 Miles

4/2: 11.03 miles
4/4: 6.02 miles
4/5: 5.25 miles
4/6: 5.51 miles
4/9: 11.02 miles
4/12: 5.25 miles

44.08/110 miles completed for April

I ran 5.5 miles today. It was a nice morning. The weather was nice, 55°F and not windy. I did see a possum, but it was mostly an uneventful run.

Laurz9191 · April 2023

I was able to run 11km yesterday while my oldest was at soccer practice. It was a really windy run in parts. I was happy to be able to squeeze a run in.

@katharmonic I also enjoyed reading the race report of your friend.

@quilteryoyo The main things I’ve found that helps increase overall speed is doing speed work (which it sounds like you do quite often), getting enough rest between speed work workouts to avoid overuse injuries, plenty of sleep, strength training, and trying making sure that your form is as efficient as possible (with the last point I have the most problems myself, because without a coach or actually filming myself, it is kind of hard to tell where I could improve my running form).

April kms so far 65.1/175km.

Teresa502 · April 2023

April 1 – 3.33 miles
April 3 – 4.04 miles
April 4 – 5.50 miles
April 5 – 5.10 miles
April 10 – 5.32 miles
April 12 – 5.01 miles
Total 28.30/95.00

Met a friend for 5 miles this morning. There were supposed to be four of us meeting but by the time I got there we had dwindled down to two. One wasn’t feeling well and the other overslept. The temp was 44F but it seemed a little colder. I was dressed pretty good so the only thing that got cold were my hands. Didn’t think I would need gloves.

Laurz9191 · April 2023

Got some speed work in this morning - vo2 max intervals. It was really hard to keep the pace, but on all except for one which involved running slightly uphill into wind I did, so I felt it was a successful workout

.

I ran a total of 8km.

April kilometres 73.2km/175.

chris_in_cal · April 2023

I got sunburnt. Time for me to dig out the long sleeves, and goop up before I run mid-day.

April Running Goal: 12 runs, 25 miles

April 2 - 2.49 miles
April 4 - 3.58 miles
April 6 - 3.68 miles
April 9 - 2.76 miles
April 11- 2.92 miles

Current: 5 runs, 15.43 miles

Scott6255 · April 2023

Wow @chris_in_cal sunburn in mid April...it's not going to be a fun summer I'm afraid. Hope it isn't too bad.
Nice speedwork @Laurz9191! I agree with your suggestions to @quilteryoyo regarding training to get faster.

I got in 7 miles this morning. It was on the slow side, but I just wasn't feeling it today.

kgirlhart · April 2023

April Goal: 110 Miles

4/2: 11.03 miles
4/4: 6.02 miles
4/5: 5.25 miles
4/6: 5.51 miles
4/9: 11.02 miles
4/11: 5.25 miles
4/12: 5.26 miles

49.34/110 miles completed for April

Today's run was another 5.25 miles with really nice weather. 52°F with no wind. It was basically the same run as yesterday, but I didn't see any critters today. Even though it was practically identical to yesterday's run, it more enjoyable. I don't know why, but I just felt better. I was faster too. Yesterday my average pace was 11:56 and today it was 11:09.

Teresa502 · April 2023

April 1 – 3.33 miles
April 3 – 4.04 miles
April 4 – 5.50 miles
April 5 – 5.10 miles
April 10 – 5.32 miles
April 12 – 5.01 miles
April 13 – 5.51 miles
Total 33.81/95.00

Another nice morning for a run with the temp at 45F.

martaindale · April 2023

April total: 36.5/115 miles

4/1: 6 miles
4/3: 4 miles
4/5: 5.1 miles
4/6: 3.1 miles
4/8: 8 miles
4/9: 4.1 miles
4/11: 3.1 miles
4/13: 3.1 miles

Another quick run before work this morning. It has been very pleasant this week in the early morning (mid 50's). There are more people than ever out exercising at 530-6am in my neighborhood. I used to rarely see anyone, but now there are 4-5 people I see almost every morning.
I went to pilates on tuesday. It was a good class and my body was tired that evening, but I wasn't sore the next day. Yay! That means I've been going enough that my body is adjusting some. I think I'm going to shoot for another class tonight.

katharmonic · April 2023

Who flipped the switch to summer? It has be 80+ degrees here in upstate NY the last two days. I don't mind except that there is not enough shade in the woods as the leaves aren't out yet. Stella and I were hot on our walks. There were a few creeks to cool off in for yesterday's walk but today was too hot for Stella's liking and I wouldn't let her drink out of this boggy gross area. Anyway, we did probably 5 miles yesterday and maybe 3 today.

Good news! I got my two remaining drains out yesterday and it is a huge relief. I feel so free. I went to Target and bought a couple of new sports bras to try and a tank top, which I immediately put to use on our walk today. I so enjoyed being able to sleep a little more on my side and have a shower unencumbered by tubes.

Also - I put a deposit on a new car. I have to wait until at least the end of the month for it to be delivered but it's decided and I am getting excited. Not for the car payment but upgrading a full decade in car model years is going to be amazing.

@martaindale I have always wanted to try pilates classes. Maybe I'll do that when I get cleared to fully work out again.

quilteryoyo · April 2023

Thanks everyone for the advice. It is greatly appreciated.

@Scott6255 I hope the shoes work out for you. Half price is great. Shoe porn?

Beautiful flowers @martaindale ! No wonder you enjoy the hill country so much.

Those are some great walks @katharmonic . Thanks for the links. I'll check them out when I have a little more time. Just trying to catch up now. You are doing so good with your recovery. I would not like the snakes being everywhere. What kind are they? Tippy would bark, but as far as I know, she has never caught one. Yeah for getting out the other drain tubes! I know you must feel so much better. Also, yeah for the new bras, shirt, and car!

@Laurz9191 It's great that you get in running while your son is at soccer practice. Great use of your time.

@chris_in_cal Great running. I hope your sunburn isn't too bad!

I haven't posted in a couple of days due to internet issues, again, and just being busy. I have kept up the running and walking. I played league tennis on Tuesday night and my partner and I won! We were excited.

This morning, I got up and did a short treadmill run before heading out for my follow up cardiology appointment. I walked 1 mile total for warm up and cool down and ran 1.5 miles in 17:10 min for an average pace of 11:21 min/mile. I did a run walk at 5.5/3.8 mph for 7/1/4/1/4:01 min. My Avg HR was 133 with a max of 149.

The cardiologist said, "Everything looks great. Keep running. Come back next year."

April 2023 Monthly Running Challenge

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