Week 7: B2B2B 624K Challenge

Well I called it from day one. 

This was not the week to get anything done in the running department. 

Between having some of the WORST (and I mean, WORST) heat and humidity that I can remember, to having a BRUTAL work week, AND a sneak hay delivery (of course) I was shit at running. 

Yet another Maine morning

Even though I expected it from June 15th, it was still frustrating to miss my 30 mile running goal by so much this week. I did manage to get in the minimum mileage after a decent hiking day... But, BOOO. 

In retrospect, it may not have been a great week of running even if the stars had aligned for ultimate perfection. I was legit tired. Dragging ass. Maybe after backing off the *intense* mileage for a week, I will have lost my zombie expression.

We did have a glorious family hike yesterday. Whiteface and Passaconaway presented a good challenge on a hot day. It was nice to (sort of) unplug for a bit, and get out in nature. 

Outdoor fun day

And now, onto another busy hot/humid/hurricane??? kind of week.

And let's see. In the Challenge the silver and bronze medals have been awarded. Looks like 4th place will finish up tomorrow. I'm pretty sure that the top 5-10 placements will definitely be determined by who is willing to kill themselves in the heat. Maybe me. Like, for 10th. 

Miles run: 18.7. I am legit not amused by this. 

Miles Hiked: 11.9

B2B2B standing on Sunday night: 11/43 Gotta step it up
Hottest day: A brutal 93 degree/absurd humidity Monday. GROSS. Tuesday also sucky. The rest of the week pretty fucking hot. 
Longest run: 6.3

Week 1: B2B2B 624K Challenge

Damnit, week one over and I'm already behind on mileage!!!

In order to complete this challenge by September 15th, one must run 29.5 weekly miles minimum. I managed 24 miles last week, and since we all know what numbers are, we know that was not enough!

WHY???
Well, reasons.

The biggest reason was that it was over 90 for 3 days, and I put 900 bales of hay in the loft (sneak attack hay- like a month early!!) We also had plans for a 11-13 mile Sunday hike and had to ditch our Funday plans because I had some work issues to deal with.

Anyway.... It's a new week, it's a fucking NEW DAY and I'll catch up a bit. I actually hope to get some bonus miles in the bank pretty soon, because the last week in July, and the first week in august are presenting some scheduling nightmares.

Hey, I got my new watch! A Garmin Forerunner 245 and not only is it so cute, but it seems to record mileage! I am excited to take it on my forest route, hopefully on a cloudy day to really test its legs.
Also, since Garmin pics are basically what everyone does I need to remember to take some.
In the meantime, here is a pic of this tomato that I'm growing. A blog without photos is depressing.

I possess gardening skills

So one word about the B2B2B challenge.
There are some really motivated runners doing this.
And how do I know?
They have a LEADERBOARD!!! This is wonderful, because shame is my best motivator. When I noticed that I was sitting solidly in 30/38 place at the end of the week yesterday, I knew I would have to make a move. (and here's the thing. the leaders are already well established. no catching them! but I hope not to finish in the bottom 1/3...)

This makes Pandemic running pretty fun. Really, the leaderboard is clutch. Without that I would just squeak by and end up in 30/38th place NBD.

Anyway:

Miles run: 24
B2B2B standing on Sunday night: 30/38
Hottest day: 94
Longest run: 7

Training for Marine Corps Marathon: Week 2. When summer hits.

No doubt about it. Summer is here!

It was an active week. Busy at work. Several solid runs. 14 miles of hiking. Definitely not a lazy time!

I lucked out again on Saturday, and by the time I got out to run the weather had changed from 92, blazing sun and cloyingly humid to 75, thunder and rain (and cloyingly humid.) Other than the inevitable chafing they occurs, there is nothing bad about a rainy run!!

The one area lacking this week was speed work. I am going to have to figure how to toughen up and get it done. Yes it was 86 degrees during my "speed work" workout time, which left me feeling incapable of any speed at all. I imagine it will probably be that hot for many runs. The thought of getting onto the treadmill is just horrible- so I will have to figure this out.

I have ended up concluding that my long runs will just have to be "sometime" on the weekend. I ran a 9 miler last Sunday to try to "get ahead". As it turned out, I ended up deciding this whole notion was dumb and confusing and I just went out for a normal "long" on Saturday. I was planning to count the 9 from last Sunday in this weeks mileage, since I did not technically count it last week.
SEE: STUPID.

Things are going pretty well. It's gross running in the summer but it was my choice to do this so I'm going to either make excuses, or make it happen. I'm going to become a god damn summer warrior.

To the pub in the thunder

To a mountain top (at a walk hahah)

Over the bitch hill

Stats:
Miles: 27.5 (an yes, the poor lost 9.1 is still not being counted hahaha)
Hottest day: 86 gross (92 but I didn't run then)
Longest run: 10.4
Hiking miles- Close to 14