April 2023 Monthly Running Challenge

Laurz9191 · April 2023

@eleanorhawkins We are going to rock it this Sunday! I am confident that both of us will make it through our respective athletic endeavours, no matter how long it takes to get to the finish line.

I went on a 50k bike ride this morning, deciding to get some hands on experience on part of the race course, including the second climb (man that was a doozie). I made it up and safely back down. I got some practice with the gears and with being in an aerodynamic position for a couple of hours. When I finished, I was so stiff and my toes were frozen that I couldn’t lift my leg over the frame. We’ll see how that goes on Sunday. I can tell you exactly where I will have lots of pain after and during the race (hint - it’s in a private place

).

Lessons learned: 1. The wind and terrain can be both my greatest friend and greatest challenge (not so different from running , but felt more extremely on the bike). 2. I NEED more fuel. I took one gel and a bottle of water with electrolytes. The gel I had at the top of the mountain. The last hour I spent thinking of all the food I was going to devour when I got home, which is exactly what I did right after getting home

. 3. It will be uncomfortable.

I saw (and smelled) cows and horses, but mostly I was on the lookout for painful potholes. I heard loud wind, traffic and sometimes nothing. I feel more confident yet also more humble going into Sunday’s race. Bring it on

!

polskagirl01 · April 2023

I miss you guys. Thought I'd stop by with a long-covid health update.

I'm phasing out of most of the therapies I've been doing. They helped for a few months, but now might even be interfering with recovery. Mostly they require healthy mitochondria to work. Mine are like starving or something?

My last HBOT was this week, then I'm taking a break for minor surgery on Monday (nothing serious but also not something I want to put off), then finishing up with the weirdness of the Lakhovsy coil machine, blood ozonation and vitamin infusions, and probably at least a month more to finish bioresonance therapy. The bioresonance numbers are looking good for some things, but progressing more slowly for things that also happen to be culprit-theories for LC (long covid)... so it's interesting to me, and I want to see if I'll feel better as those numbers go up.

Light therapy continues, 20 minutes daily at home, and it's still the most promising thing I'm trying. The data they're seeing from us is exciting, too! Especially what's going on in our blood, and how it reacted to the light. But it's a loooong way from anything publishable. They could use more study participants, even in the remote study like I'm doing, if you know anyone with LC...

I'm probably 90% sticking to the [still crazy but now more manageable] diet, by my own choice. I did it very strictly for 2.5 months and am now allowing myself the freedom to tweak it slightly on occasion. I'm back down to my weight from when I completely stopped running in October, but that was still high for me and my goal is to slowly go a bit lower. Not top priority though. Sticking mostly to the diet helps as eliminating sugar and flour do a good bit of the work for you and leave room to be hungry for healthier foods.

Random: I've discovered that a half cup of coffee doesn't make me all jittery now 🤔 - I have no idea.

I miss running so much. But it's not worth the dizziness and head-craziness etc. that come when I even walk too far or sit up too long.

I got approved for a 2-month medical leave from work this summer. I'm "dumping" the kids with their very-excited grandparents in the US, and plan to spend the summer on a beach chair by a lake nearby. Hubby is staying in Poland to work.

Pictures of food, just for fun:

Pickle soup and wheat-free cornbread!
Hmm. The flowers on my bowl look like viruses 🤣

TL;DR: I'm nowhere near running again. But seeing some improvement? Maybe?

tarun_yadavA · April 2023

Hi all.
Managed a very painful 5K

@shanaber - no, feels like an injury I'm afraid. I don't know when/how, but something's 'gone'. (Doubt it's shoe related)

I think I'm gonna have to take some time off. Join a gym (God help me - use the Elliptical! 😭)

tarun_yadavA · April 2023

PS: @shanaber - will be watching the London Marathon go by. I live between miles 10 and 11.
Shame Kipchoge opted for Boston over London this year. London switched back to its pre-Covid timing of April. Which clashes with Boston. Typically, these guys opt for London over Boston. (Mainly probably because London is flat, Boston has hills). Neither did he win Boston, nor is he going to get a chance to break the 2hour record.

eleanorhawkins · April 2023

@tarun_yadavA get yourself seen by a physio... I thought I'd ruined my knee after my first half, turned out my muscles were just super tight and knotted from overdoing it. Took a few massages and a few weeks of rest then a gradual return.

@polskagirl01 hugs. I love you.

@shanaber and @Laurz9191 thank you. I'll be fine but I'm not good at waiting and have an overactive brain haha.

martaindale · April 2023

@eleanorhawkins The taper crazies are getting to you! I'm sure the hot flashes aren't helping. You've done the work and I can't wait to hear how race day goes! Best of luck!
Good luck to you too @Laurz9191!

@tarun_yadavA Second going to see someone if a few days of rest don't improve/resolve it. In the meantime, low impact exercises are a good idea. Everything is connected so it is totally possible that you have no structural problems and are suffering the consequences of some weakness on one side of the joint or the other causing tightness. I get ankle pain if my anterior tibialis is tight and get instant relief if I spend a few minutes with the theragun just on that 1 muscle.

@poskagirl Good to hear from you. Sorry to hear you aren't recovered enough to start running again. I hope you get back to doing what you love. Planting yourself on a beach sounds like a fabulous idea!

@spl8 Not so great news on the knee front. I hope your ortho has encouraging news. Hugs on the kid issues. It's hard having a kid who is having a hard time and not being able to just make it better for them.

martaindale · April 2023

April total: 69.6/115 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
4/14: 10 miles
4/15: 6 miles
4/16: 4.1 miles
4/18: 6 miles
4/19: 7 miles

Oof, yesterday brought a sharp uptick in temps and humidity with conditions basically like what I typically see mid summer. I ran along my neighborhood trail, whish is mostly shaded and very peaceful. And I forgot my salt chews. I'm not in the habit of taking those but I really need to try to remember. They really seem to help on these super sweaty runs.

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
April 16 – 6.01 miles
April 18 – 5.01 miles
April 19 – 3.09 miles
April 20 – 504 miles
Total 52.96/95.00

After work yesterday, I ran 3 miles. It was sunny and 80F which I am definitely not used to. I paused my watch at 0.06 to take a picture of a couple of turkeys and forgot to resume it until a mile later. Luckily, I knew the route and the distance I had covered so I am comfortable in saying it was a mile undocumented. This morning I met a friend at 5 am and we ran 5 miles. It was 48F and uneventful.

@martaindale – The Lone Peak’s may work for you since you are used to running in the 5mm drop Hokas. I’m going from 12mm to 0mm (I know, not the smartest move).

Glad you are seeing an ortho about your knee/leg @spl8. Hopefully, they can make some suggestions to speed up your recovery. Hope the issues with your child are improved soon.

@eleanorhawkins – Sorry about all the pre-race jitters and other stressors. I have no doubt that you can start and finish the race – all in an upright position! I hope you get into the relay. I enjoy doing group relay events but they are exhausting!

@tarun_yadavA – I think @shanaber had a great idea of you running on the Tumbelator at the London Marathon expo and I’m pretty sure we will need a video…

shanaber · April 2023

tarun_yadavA wrote: »

PS: @shanaber - will be watching the London Marathon go by. I live between miles 10 and 11.
Shame Kipchoge opted for Boston over London this year. London switched back to its pre-Covid timing of April. Which clashes with Boston. Typically, these guys opt for London over Boston. (Mainly probably because London is flat, Boston has hills). Neither did he win Boston, nor is he going to get a chance to break the 2hour record.

@tarun_yadavA - I read an article that said he essentially went out too fast on the initial flat part then had quad issues on the hills. He also hadn't run the course previously and even though having driven it he didn't have a real feel for how hilly it was. There were also a few elites who planned to run Boston and go immediately to Londo to run there as well. 😳

I agree that maybe getting checked out by an ortho or physio would be a good idea. Especially if a few days rest doesn't set it straight again. In any event, I hope you will stay with us whether running right now or not.

Itadakimasu7 · April 2023

Oooh just saw this - I'm in! Currently I have a weak ankle / head and chest cold that I'm calling a F4 CHEAD (chest + head cold). I suck at running, been at it since 2007, maybe in another ten years my times will improve

Bookmarking this, if I'm not too active in April with miles - will be here in May.

polskagirl01 · April 2023

Itadakimasu7 wrote: »

Oooh just saw this - I'm in! Currently I have a weak ankle / head and chest cold that I'm calling a F4 CHEAD (chest + head cold). I suck at running, been at it since 2007, maybe in another ten years my times will improve Bookmarking this, if I'm not too active in April with miles - will be here in May.

Welcome! Your skills at combining words to describe things make you a perfect fit for this group 😀 Also I have zero running miles and yet here I am posting... so low mileage is welcome as well.

tarun_yadavA · April 2023

shanaber wrote: »

tarun_yadavA wrote: »

PS: @shanaber - will be watching the London Marathon go by. I live between miles 10 and 11.
Shame Kipchoge opted for Boston over London this year. London switched back to its pre-Covid timing of April. Which clashes with Boston. Typically, these guys opt for London over Boston. (Mainly probably because London is flat, Boston has hills). Neither did he win Boston, nor is he going to get a chance to break the 2hour record.

@tarun_yadavA - I read an article that said he essentially went out too fast on the initial flat part then had quad issues on the hills. He also hadn't run the course previously and even though having driven it he didn't have a real feel for how hilly it was. There were also a few elites who planned to run Boston and go immediately to Londo to run there as well. 😳

I agree that maybe getting checked out by an ortho or physio would be a good idea. Especially if a few days rest doesn't set it straight again. In any event, I hope you will stay with us whether running right now or not.

@shanaber awww thanks. 😊
Joining a gym tomorrow for 30 days. Hopefully be back running before that. 🤞

@eleanorhawkins @martaindale thanks for the tips.
Taking Narproxen and Deep Heat gel being applied. Will do some leg stretches. Seeing my sister (the Doc) on the weekend for her to poke around and make some Doomsday diagnosis!

eleanorhawkins · April 2023

tarun_yadavA wrote: »

shanaber wrote: »

tarun_yadavA wrote: »

PS: @shanaber - will be watching the London Marathon go by. I live between miles 10 and 11.
Shame Kipchoge opted for Boston over London this year. London switched back to its pre-Covid timing of April. Which clashes with Boston. Typically, these guys opt for London over Boston. (Mainly probably because London is flat, Boston has hills). Neither did he win Boston, nor is he going to get a chance to break the 2hour record.

@tarun_yadavA - I read an article that said he essentially went out too fast on the initial flat part then had quad issues on the hills. He also hadn't run the course previously and even though having driven it he didn't have a real feel for how hilly it was. There were also a few elites who planned to run Boston and go immediately to Londo to run there as well. 😳

I agree that maybe getting checked out by an ortho or physio would be a good idea. Especially if a few days rest doesn't set it straight again. In any event, I hope you will stay with us whether running right now or not.

@shanaber awww thanks. 😊
Joining a gym tomorrow for 30 days. Hopefully be back running before that. 🤞

@eleanorhawkins @martaindale thanks for the tips.
Taking Narproxen and Deep Heat gel being applied. Will do some leg stretches. Seeing my sister (the Doc) on the weekend for her to poke around and make some Doomsday diagnosis!

@tarun_yadavA if she tells you running's bad for your knees I'll scream

martaindale · April 2023

eleanorhawkins wrote: »

@tarun_yadavA if she tells you running's bad for your knees I'll scream

🤣🤣🤣

martaindale · April 2023

April total: 73.6/115 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
4/14: 10 miles
4/15: 6 miles
4/16: 4.1 miles
4/18: 6 miles
4/19: 7 miles
4/20: 4 miles

Sweaty 4 miles after work. I've been lazy with stretching/rolling and I'm getting stiff. I've already done some work after my run today and I'm going to make sure I stay on top of it so nothing gets out of hand.

Scott6255 · April 2023

@polskagirl01 sorry things aren't getting much better for you. I hope some beach time will help!
@eleanorhawkins sorry for your taper and pre-race anxiety. I know it doesn't help to know everyone has it to some extent. But we all know you will show up and crush it.
@Laurz9191 that is some serious miles on the bike for not having done much lately. I hope you are able to make it to your race! I am sooo impressed you are doing this on top of your running!
@tarun_yadavA damn man! I hate to hear you are injured. I hope your sister doc gives you good news that it isn't too serious! Rest up.

I couldn't get up early enough today to run so did 6 miles on the treadmill after work.

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
4/13: 6.02 miles
4/16: 11.01 miles
4/18: 5.5 miles
4/19: 5.26 miles
4/20: 5.10 miles

82.23/110 miles completed for April

Thanks @shanaber!

Today's run was a warm and windy 5 miles. I am taking tomorrow as a rest day and my 10K will be on Saturday. So far it looks like the weather should be nice at around 50°F and not too windy.

Good to see you back @polskagirl01 Sorry you still aren't feeling good.

Good luck on your races @eleanorhawkins and @Laurz9191!

Hope you get good news from the doctor @tarun_yadavA

Mari33a · April 2023

Another run yesterday evening, even though the weather is "nice" I'm hating it, yes its sunny and bright but its really windy which I hate. I have somehow lost the charging cable for my watch, I searched for 2-3 hours yesterday morning and then ordered a new one. Its really frustrating me because it is always in the same spot and no use to anyone else. There's only 16% left on my watch so I turned it off to make it last, I do have another watch so it's not like it's stopping me running😅
02/04 3.26 miles
03/04 3.24 miles
05/04 3.26 miles
07/04 3.26 miles
10/04 3.27 miles
13/04 3.25 miles
14/04 3.25 miles
16/04 3.27 miles
18/04 3.27 miles
20/04 3.26 miles

Total 32.59/40miles

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
April 16 – 6.01 miles
April 18 – 5.01 miles
April 19 – 3.09 miles
April 20 – 504 miles
April 21 – 7.13 miles
Total 60.09/95.00

I ran 7 solo miles this morning. My morning running group has fallen apart for various reasons. Thankfully, at this time year it’s a bit warmer and getting daylight a little earlier so it’s not as hard to get out by myself and there are always the evenings to run if I don’t get out the door in the mornings. Good to have options.

Somehow I missed a ton of posts yesterday. ☹

Good luck @eleanorhawkins and @Laurz9191 this weekend – enjoy the heck out of your races! You signed up. You paid the money. Now go get ‘em!

@polskagirl01 – Man what a struggle LC is for you and so many others. I think sitting in a chair on the beach (with a good book) is just what you need. I will continue to pray for your recovery. BTW – that cornbread looks so good!

@tarun_yadavA – Hope your sister can help figure out your knee problems and give you some exercises to stretch, strengthen and heal.

Welcome @ltadakimasu7! Feel free to jump in anytime.

@kgirlhart – You’re racing too this weekend? Good luck and can’t wait to read your race report!

@martaindale – I’ve been doing some foam rolling lately but I’ve also gotten lazy about stretching. I love the feel from doing yoga but have a hard time finding the time and discipline to actually start it.

@mari33a – Now that you’ve ordered a new charging cable the old one is bound to turn up!

Laurz9191 · April 2023

@mari33a That sucks with the charging cable. On the bright side, when your first one turns up you’ll have a spare to stash somewhere

.

@tarun_yadavA Good luck with your knee! Fingers crossed it gets better soon and you have fun cross training at the gym in a way that doesn’t bother it.

Today we finally got some warm temperatures! 16C (60F) AND sunshine - which meant it was legitimately warm enough to run in shorts and a t-shirt. I did an easy 9k. I am not exactly sore from my bike ride yesterday, but I am feeling the effects of using muscles I am not used to using - especially in my neck. I need to watch a few more YouTube videos tomorrow about proper biking technique. Hopefully that will make up for not actually training on the bike

.

What I hope for my race on Sunday -
- no falling off the bike, crashing, or almost crashing
- it would be nice not to finish in last place (I had a look at the times from last year and the slowest times are definitely faster than my practice ride yesterday, so even though I was not racing yesterday it is psyching me out a little)
- make it to the top of all the climbs successfully without stopping
- no flat tires or the like. I won’t be able to fix them…
- the weather will not involve pouring rain
- to have fun!

I’d like to give you a short race report even though it’s not running.

So far 116.7/175km completed for April! I am going to have to get some longer runs in next week!

April 2023 Monthly Running Challenge

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