An ALMOST zero week

While I didn't quite manage my zero mile goal, I came pretty damn close. 

REALLY LOUSY week of running over here. The weather was pleasant, the roads were clear, and my legs sucked more than my legs have sucked in a million years. 

I'm not sure what the issue was- no pain, just BLAH. Very poor. (I did enjoy the weather though!)

Because I had such a poor showing this past week, my crown has been taken (and VERY deservedly so) in the current challenge I am in. I absolutely earned my loss this week. 

Also! No hiking because of bad weather, and the need to attend to quite a few things that I tend to put off when the weather is good (I always say "I will save this for a rainy day, and go enjoy the outdoors while it is nice!) Anyway, rainy day happened and I spent an entire afternoon and evening tending to responsibilities. LAME. (but this means I can play next weekend!!) 

ALSO. NO PHOTOS. 

When I was not having some of the worst runs of the year, I clearly was not filling my time with photo ops. 

So, for the coming week. I would actually like to climb back into first place, since I am tasting the shame of defeat over here. I hope my legs feel better, and that I can manage 4 runs, before enjoying some hiking time over the weekend. 

Stats:  

Miles run: 14 and change PATHETIC

Walked for reasons not work related: 2.5

Warmest day: Several days in the 60's

Coldest day: Gross rainy 38 degree Sunday. 

Snow: NOPE

Place in Challenge on Sunday night: 2/44 THE STING OF DEFEATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Mt. Washington, Bad running, Boston 2021

*forgot to hit publish for days*

So. For next week we need a new plan. SET THE BAR LOW. If I just say straight up that I plan to run ZERO miles, then anything will seem like an amazing accomplishment! Hence, the new plan. ZERO MILES NONE. 

Ugh. Yeah, last week was just not a stellar one for getting things done. I managed to get in 2, 6 milers outdoors that felt pretty solid, and a lame 3.5 miler which was miserable on the treadmill. 

Spring is coming, so the outdoor running days were quite lovely.

Still looks like winter though

Eric, Ellie and I had an absolutely ridiculously amazing hike up Mt. Washington via the Jewell trail on Sunday. 

It was one of those days that make Mt. Washington seem like a friendly place. Temps in the upper 50's at the base, and above freezing at the summit meant that the whooping FIVE mile an hour wind that we felt for SIX seconds was tolerable. Not to be lame, but there aren't enough words to describe what a day like this is like on this silly hill. 

Dorks hahahah

We definitely loved being outdoors for this one, every minute was a blast (well, we probably complained a little on the ascent. And I'm always mildly scared about losing my feet and falling into the ravine, but all the issues were very low key.)

NOT A CLOUD

The hike was BY FAR the highlight of the week, and an incredible start to the Spring hiking season. Super excited SUPER excited to get out there!! (not that we have stopped getting out there. but the Spring season is always exciting!!!)

And yes, last week The BAA announced plans for "Boston 2021" and the internet was mad, as usual. 

I have a 9-ish minute buffer (I don't remember the exact number and I am too lazy to check) Usually I would feel pretty confident, but who knows. My instagram friends think I'm all set. 

A hopeful bunch

So people are mad because:

-The field size has been reduced to 20,000 THE HORROR

-*anyone* is allowed to run the virtual race THE NERVE!!!

-Everything us UNFAIR

a: "I am a first time qualifier, I should be prioritized"

b: "I am an old qualifier, I should be prioritized"

c: "Everyone else BUT ME aged up last year, and gained an extra 5 minutes. UNFAIR!!! I SHOULD BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THEM!!!" 

d: I had a baby. I should be put to the top of the list. 

I am not even halfway making any of these up. I don't have the imagination to do so. I am quite sure that not EVERYONE is upset, but mad people are the ones to leave the internet comments. 

So, here is my feeling:

I qualified, and pretty well. I might not get in. Too bad for me. 

I did not age up, and actually LOST 5 minutes last year when I did, because new rules. Too bad for me. 

None of us might be able to run, because Covid. Too bad for us. 

Apparently there is a special medal for this race, which makes me want to run. Fact. But too bad for me if I just don't get there. 

So, we shall see. The end. 

Stats:  

Miles run: Like 16?? maybe??

Hiked: 8.8 up WASHINGTON!!!

Warmest day: So warm on Sunday, 60 in our town

Coldest day: It was 15 when I woke up on Thursday. 

Snow: NOPE

Place in Challenge on Sunday night: 1/43 

My return to running (after my amazing *7 day break*)

Yep yep, I was back to it last week. The grand total of 24.5 miles (all outdoors!) was a nice uptick from the previous week's zero total.

I was happy to complete all 4 runs outdoors, on nice dry roads, and in some actually pleasant weather! 

(shockingly, we had two days in the 50's last week. MUD season arrived!)

Obviously, after The Spring Of Deception, Winter 3.0 came rolling in for the weekend, and it was actually kind of horrible. Sunday's weather was wildly vacillating between sunny and (relatively) nice, and complete and insane blizzard conditions. WTF.

Today Boston announced details about registration, etc, but I am going to save that chat for next week.

Sooooo as I sit here, enjoying Winter Reincarnated, I'm looking forward to some warmer temps later in the week. I'm hoping to get in about 30 miles this week, and maybe sneaking in a *very long* run (of like, 7.5 miles. you think I am kidding but I am not.) 

This post is so boring that it even bores me. 

Next week will be more exciting. 

Stats: 

Actual Last Week

Miles run: 24.5

Hiked: zero boooooooo bad weather on hiking day

Warmest day: FOR ONE SECOND IT WAS SIXTY

Coldest day: It was kind of cold-ish for a few days. But cold like, 34.

Snow: Flurries

Place in Challenge on Sunday night: 1/43 

A zero week, and ONE YEAR since my last race

I quit running last week. 

For a little while I have felt the need for more than a day, or even two off. Prompted by a week of truly FRRRRRREEZING weather, and work that was just INSANE, I decided that last week was the week for a big fat ZERO.

Yeah. ZERO LIKE THE WEATHER. 

 It was just fine and dandy, and I managed to catch up on some odds and ends, as well as get in one boring walk and one very pleasant hike. (Mt. Pierce again, for the 3rd time of the 2021 season.)

Mt Pierce!

The week before I believe I ran exactly 30 miles, and we enjoyed a hike on a lovely day, but in some sticky/messy conditions up Mt Tom, Field, and Avalon. 

Mt Tom

Today marks the exact one year anniversary of my last race, which was the Half At The Hamptons. (this also *celebrates* the one year mark since I have traveled more than about 50 miles from home, dined out, been to a movie, had friends over for dinner, stopped by the pub, or generally felt like life was "normal.")

Oh that's a lie. I actually had to drive about 200 miles to bring a horse or two to the vet last year. UGH!!!

While, generally, the Covid news seems to be somewhat better, and the vaccines are rolling out, things still feel far from normal. I certainly see that some people (and sone states, *ahem Texas* are ready to steam roll ahead, I can't help but to think that a more cautious re-entry is more my style. Not a week has gone by where I have not seen someone in my circle impacted by Covid, and so I hesitate to think we are out of the woods yet. 

I am very happy to say that my parents are either fully vaccinated, or halfway there. 

And if I dare to hope a little, maybe this summer will help us to reduce the numbers to almost nothing. 

(and then I remember that there are plenty of things that could derail these hopes, but here's to being positive!)

Today, somebody asked me if I was getting "ready for the Marathon" and I had absolutely no clue what they could be speaking of. As it turned out, it was a very genuine question pertaining to what I am "usually" doing in March- prepping for Boston. I mentioned that the race had been moved to October, but that none of were actually sure of any details yet. They then said "apparently they are not going to give medals this year, because that would mean that volunteers have to interact with racers!!" I think this gives a really good inside view of how little the general public understands about just HOW MANY volunteers it takes to run a race, and exactly how many people are involved. (and this is NOT critical of the general public, Just factual.) From the race expo, to the water stations, to the medal distributors, and the thousands of others people helping, ALL races are volunteer driven. (and, I can't help but think that the LAST thing on the mind of the BAA is eliminating medals to spare those specific humans.....)

We'll see what happens. 

Anyway. Another week another week. This week I hope I run about ZERO MILES. Just kidding. I'll probably do something around 30. I hope it's nice out and we can hike. I hope I win the lottery (I don't play....) I hope the weather is as good as it is supposed to be. I hope Covid goes the fuck away. So, basically the usual around here. 

Stats:

LAST  LAST WEEK:

Miles run: 30

Hiked: 7.6

Warmest day: I can not remember

Coldest day: Same

Snow: A sneak attack couple of storms, both of which required plowing

Place in Challenge on Sunday night: 1/39 STILL WINNING!!!! 

Stats: 

Actual Last Week

Miles run: ZERO FUCKERS ZERO

Hiked: 6.1

Warmest day: LAST WEEK WAS SHIT. Like, actually 28 .

Coldest day: So fucking cold. Windchill of -35 all day on Tuesday and I quit.

Snow: No

Place in Challenge on Sunday night: 1/42 WHAT??? I do a 9 mile week and still win??