MARCH 2024 Monthly Running Challenge

AlphaHowls · March 3

3/1 14.17 miles, Crazy Laps! Cold drizzle
3/2 18.52 miles, Running Partner A, High Fog
3/3 27.26 miles, not planned or intended, just kept going

ContraryMaryMary · March 3

Monday hit hard this morning. Slept in. Rush to get smallest ready for school. Late. A little laundry. Time wasting on interwebs. A second breakfast. Trying to find the motivation to preserve the summer produce glut. Tomatoes on stove. Summoning strength to begin strawberry jam. More laundry to procrastinate. Hopefully I’ll find the energy to run later today.

chris_in_cal · March 3

I centerpunched the rain. It rained as I prepared, and started up again just as I finished. Timing, right?

March Running Goal: 17 runs, 55 miles

Mar 3 -5.00 miles

Current: 1 runs, 5.00 miles

SummerSkier · March 3

@AlphaHowls those are the best types of runs. But really 27 miles?!!!!!🙃

daria0919 · March 3

3.65 miles this morning. 15:23 pace

7lenny7 · March 3

Sorry to hear you're not feeling well, @martaindale . Hopefully it resolves quickly. <just saw your next post, glad you got some running in yesterday! Sounds like taking it easy is a good plan>

A tasty looking old fashioned, @tarun_yadavA ! I'm a whiskey guy myself, though I normally drink it neat.

@AlphaHowls some things never change, like you're amazing running! Did you once have a huge streak of daily runs of half marathons or more? Or maybe you still do...that wouldn't surprise me. Great photo!

7lenny7 · March 3

I learned a valuable lesson yesterday. Don't eat large, spicy meals a day before a long run. My wife and I went out for dinner and I had 1/2 pound "El Diablo" burger. it was fantastic with jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, and a super spicy sauce. I should only have eaten half of it but I didn't stop. My mouth was burning!

I had planned to get out early yesterday for my long trail run my insides were twisted up and I didn't start until 11:30pm. My goal was to run from 8am to sunset but I only got 6.5 hours in for a total of 26 miles. It was AWESOME! For most of this year my trail miles have been on terrain which gave me about 160 feet of gain per mile but yesterday was only 75 feet of gain per mile so it was easier than usual and closer to what I'll experience in my next race. I was very happy with my pace.

My first 16 miles were running, followed by 10 miles of practicing my power hike with my trekking poles. I've been consciously working more on my lower gear this year since there's more room for improvement than working on my higher speed and I suspect I'll be power hiking about half of my next race. The long distance also gave me some practice with my nutrition and hydration plan, which is basically eat as much as I can and drink enough so I don't get thirsty.

The weather was amazing, topping out in the upper 50s F. I met another trail runner out there and rand with him for several miles, then met a man walking his hunting dogs and had to talk to him for quite a while. I sure miss my running buddy.

With the crazy weather (way warmer and way less snow than usual) the trees are budding and animals are waking up. Below is a photo of a endangered Blanding's turtle crossing the trail on the way to look for a nesting site. That usually doesn't happen until late April. I sure hope a cold snap doesn't mess up the wildlife too much (except the mosquitos and ticks...they can die. And yes, I know many animals depend on them for food).

After that long my feet were sore last night but I feel surprisingly fine today. Still, I'm going to skip my run today and go for a walk instead and run tomorrow, my normal day off.

daria0919 · March 3

@ContraryMaryMary and @7lenny7 I think I found you on Strava. I joined this group in October. Used to run HM and marathon in my 50s, but a son with cancer derailed my life for a number of years. Last fall I decided I’d try to start up again, slowly. Typically will stick to 10Ks or less until I lose the weight I gained, along with trying to work around past injuries to a hamstring and knee.
I really enjoy this group and everyone is great about cheering each other on.
Nice to ‘meet’ you both.

ContraryMaryMary · March 3

daria0919 wrote: »

@ContraryMaryMary and @7lenny7 I think I found you on Strava.

Yup, you did. I’ve followed you back - I find it fascinating to ‘see’ where the people I chat to online are running in the world!

Welcome to the chat. I’m sorry to hear about your son and I hope he’s ok now. I’m glad you’re back on the running wagon.

AlphaHowls · March 3

@7lenny7 wrote: »

@AlphaHowls some things never change, like you're amazing running! Did you once have a huge streak of daily runs of half marathons or more? Or maybe you still do...that wouldn't surprise me. Great photo!

Love your pictures!

HAHA! I did have a long Half marathon streak as well. My last race from October 2023 took me out.

AlphaHowls wrote: »

I think it was 1182 days.
From October 21, 2023
Race Report! The good, the bad, the ugly!
Race Day! I felt good, running partner 'released me' to give it my all. She felt I could push and get PR.
I have never pushed like this run. I have never run this fast. I thought my fuel and things seemed to be on point. My legs started to feel weird by mile 6ish. Not really sure, but they just kept moving and I felt like I could not get control of them. I felt top heavy and felt like I was leaning. I had to keep pep talking myself to slow down, breathe, stay straight. By mile 11, not really sure who was running, my legs just did not want to be under my control. I had to 'right' myself quite a bit. Best described as 'jelly legs.' I began to really struggle to stay straight and upright. I was weaving here and there. I could hear the crowd as I got close, "Don't stop! You are almost there!" It was not pretty, but I was not in pain, I just did not have control of my legs or upper body. I was fighting to make the finish line. About 50ish feet, I was mostly bent over and did go down on on all fours. I could hear the crowd, telling me to push through, almost there, you can do it. I could see the line. I got up and wobbled my way, fighting every inch. I actually kept going through the finish, hearing someone yell to the 'medal handers' to leave me alone until I could get control. One lady ran and grabbed water and as I veered past her, she gave it to me. The weird, I felt fine, just not in control of my body, complete jelly.
I could hear the crowd, but it was my spirit inside that screamed at me to get up and get through that finish line.
Not that I feel humiliated or ashamed, but yeah...
I do not have any other pictures yet as they have not posted race photos. I really do not want to see them, due to what I might see.

Race Results:
Me Age 52
36th Overall (out of 162)
8th Place Gender (out of 86)
1st place Age (50-54) (out of 11)
1:55:57
Over all Pace 08:51

ContraryMaryMary · March 4

Ha! @tarun_yadavA - there’s a lot to be said for being properly fueled. I’ve noticed I often run well the morning after a big meal - those delicious restaurant ones with loads of meat and fat. Too many cocktails would be a killer for me though - the wrong sorts of foods can really cramp (sometimes literally) your style, right @7lenny7?

kgirlhart · March 4

March Goal: 130 Miles

3/1: 3.55 miles
3/3: 10.25 miles

13.80/130 miles completed for March

I ran 10 miles today. I didn't head out until 8:50, and it was already pretty warm at 64°F. It was 74°F when I finished. It was warm and windy so it felt kind of tough, but once I settled into it it was a good run. I had to re-route a few times because of loose dogs, but most of them didn't even notice me.

I have decided to sign up for the Possum's Revenge trail race. I am nervous because I haven't run trails before. Any advice for a first timer?

7lenny7 · March 4

ContraryMaryMary wrote: »

the wrong sorts of foods can really cramp (sometimes literally) your style, right @7lenny7?

Indeed!

@daria0919 I just saw that and followed you back. It's good to "meet" you too. I agree with @ContraryMaryMary , it is interesting to see where other folks here run. Stick with it, and stay here. This is an amazingly supportive group. I know you haven't seen me here before but I've been an active participant off (off and on...more off lately unfortunately) since 2015 just after I started running at the age of 48. I'm currently 57.

@AlphaHowls oh my gosh, that must have been so disconcerting to feel like that. What an amazing effort. So you did finish that race, did you then have to take some time off for recovery? 1182 days....I've told a few of my running friends about your mileage and I'm not sure they believe me.

@kgirlhart my number one piece of advice is keep your eyes on the ground. As soon as you look up rocks and roots will reach out to trip you. I tend to look several steps ahead to plan out my foot falls (it's mostly an unconscious thing...I don't really think about it) except for especially gnarly hazards, which I slow down for. Get out on the trails and practice, of course. And know that you will be slower and it will be harder than you're used to. Don't go out with any sort of pace in mind, just take it easy and try to get into the flow of the trail. "Possum's Revenge"... I love the name of that race!

daria0919 · March 4

ContraryMaryMary wrote: »

daria0919 wrote: »

@ContraryMaryMary and @7lenny7 I think I found you on Strava.

Welcome to the chat. I’m sorry to hear about your son and I hope he’s ok now. I’m glad you’re back on the running wagon.

Thanks. Sadly, my son passed away 11 days after his 34th birthday. He fought it for almost 5 years. Has been a rough 9 years or so for me, but I feel I’m heading toward a somewhat steady new normal now. Being a part of this group has helped 😀

AlphaHowls · March 4

@7lenny7 wrote: »

@AlphaHowls oh my gosh, that must have been so disconcerting to feel like that. What an amazing effort. So you did finish that race, did you then have to take some time off for recovery? 1182 days....I've told a few of my running friends about your mileage and I'm not sure they believe me.

I had to look back at my chart and I just could not get my mileage up for about 4 days. Over last four months, I would work my HM streak and then end up with a low mileage day. I am now at day 20 for this one. I got COVID for Christmas and have been fighting muscle fatigue and low energy for a couple of months.
I went to doctor on Friday and he sent me a message just now:
I have been concerned about low energy, muscle fatigue and the like. Lab results indicate my uric acid is really low...symptoms - low energy, muscle fatigue. Medication now adjusted, we shall see.

In bold: When I mention my mileage, I just get this glassy eyed stare back, which is probably the same thing

ContraryMaryMary · March 4

daria0919 wrote: »

ContraryMaryMary wrote: »

daria0919 wrote: »

@ContraryMaryMary and @7lenny7 I think I found you on Strava.

Welcome to the chat. I’m sorry to hear about your son and I hope he’s ok now. I’m glad you’re back on the running wagon.

Thanks. Sadly, my son passed away 11 days after his 34th birthday. He fought it for almost 5 years. Has been a rough 9 years or so for me, but I feel I’m heading toward a somewhat steady new normal now. Being a part of this group has helped 😀

That is so sad. I’m so sorry to hear this. I lost both my mother and younger brother to cancer 24-25 years ago so have an idea of where you’ve at (however, the death of a child has to be far worse). Watching them fight it, with its ups and downs, is heart-wrenching and exhausting.

I’m glad to hear you’re finding a new normal - it’s never going to be the same but happiness and joy do return. Running is sure to help too.

quilteryoyo · March 4

@tarun_yadavA Sounds like you had a really great run considering the night you had. Your stomach was probably asking what you had done to it.

Glad you didn't get in trouble with the wife. What is your son's name on Strava?

Great running @Mari33a . I'm glad Dakota was back to his usual self.

Amazing @AlphaHowls !

I hope you managed to find the motivation for a run @ContraryMaryMary .

Great timing and great run @chris_in_cal .

Wow. That's a really long workout/run/hike @7lenny7 ! I'm impressed! Beautiful photos. I'm with you on the ticks and mosquitoes too. I hope the turtle and her eggs survive if the weather gets bad again.

quilteryoyo · March 4

1 Mar - Walked 1.00 miles - Ran 0.00 mile - treadmill
2 Mar - Walked 1.00 miles - Ran 2.00 miles - driveway laps
3 Mar - Walked 1.25 miles - Ran 0.00 miles - treadmill

5.25/85.00 goal

I did my normal Sunday treadmill walk between church and lunch today.

ContraryMaryMary · March 4

7lenny7 wrote: »

@kgirlhart my number one piece of advice is keep your eyes on the ground.

Yup, you’ll have to watch your step. However not all trails are technical - you might have it blissfully smooth and soft underfoot. In that case, enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of nature.

With trail running, it’s more than ok to walk the hills and stop and take photos. Even without this, your pace is likely to be quite a bit slower than on the road, which can take some mental adjustment, but once you’ve got your head around that, make the most of it.

7lenny7 · March 4

Oh yeah, I have to tell you about my big adventure coming up later this year. I entered the lottery for my ULTIMATE, race ever...and I made it in! The Superior Fall 100 Mile Trail Race on September 6th & 7th. It will be, by far, the hardest race of my life. I've had my eye on this as my ultimate goal since I started trail running 8 years ago. I don't think I'm actually ready to tackle it but at 57 years old, I felt I was pushing up against the clock and needed to at least toe the line.

It's one of the first 100 mile races in the country, and certainly one of the more difficult ones. 103 miles point to point, 21,000 feet of elevation gain, and 21,000 feet of elevation loss on the Superior Hiking Trail in the Sawtooth Mountain range in northern Minnesota, over relentless terrain. Cutoff time is 38 hours.

In 2022 I finished the 50 mile race on the second half of the 100 mile course with just 9 minutes left of the 16.75 hour cutoff time, so I have a pretty good sense of what's in store for me.

If you're interested, here's a really good 10 minute video from last year's race:

https://youtu.be/_PKnDH8str8?si=hWNUMF05QDRlGdm9

A much shorter video is here:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=625141188785344

In preparation for that race I'm running a 100M in Georgia on April 6 & 7, the Bootlegger 100, which is much "easier". It's a looped course with two 5 mile loops so your hitting the main, and only, aid station every 5 miles. I attempted this last year and only made it 70 miles before dropping out. I was hallucinating and falling asleep WHILE I was running. The hallucinations I had - one was a rock in the trail I thought was a hedgehog. The other one was worse, I thought a rabid skunk was coming out of the base of a tree to attack me. I actually jumped off the trail and got my poles ready to defend myself. It took several moments to figure out it wasn't really a skunk. It was 4am and I was alone and decided I just had to stop the race when I got back to aid station.

My other prep race is the Voyageur 50M near Duluth, MN in July. It's also on the Superior Hiking Trail but a different section. I've run half of that course in a previous trail marathon and it promises to be a great challenge as well.

MARCH 2024 Monthly Running Challenge

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