Another week, another hike, and feeling nostalgic for racing

After our vigorous hike up/down Pierce last week, I spent the next several days feeling as though I had run a downhill marathon. This was completely deserved, and not at all awesome. 

After a day off on Monday, I hobby jogged both Tuesday and Wednesday (sadly) before having 3 perfectly good outdoor runs to wrap up the week. It was not a super high mileage week, but I felt pretty good during all of my outdoor running time. Because of my "post marathon" legs, I did not embark upon any speed or hill adventures. Kind of lame, but I'm ok with it. 

The normal view on my normal lame run

I did ONE strength workout, and while it was a good one, I awoke that night with quite a debilitating series of leg cramps. Most unpleasant, and a bit upsetting. Typically, this means I have overdone it in some way, shape, or form and likely underdone it in hydration. I was pretty careful of the leg for a couple days, and closely monitored my fluid intake (it can be hard to remember to drink in the winter.) Thus far, no further issue. 

I must admit, as we cruise towards Spring, that I am really missing the occasional damn road race. It is possible that I just miss running with people, or seeing my running friends, or am having these feelings because Spring usually equals excitement (Boston! Half marathons leading up to Boston! All the people so excited and filled with dreams of PR's!!) Either way. Someday.... SOMEDAY. 

Moving on......

The weather was on our side yet again on Sunday, and Eric, Ellie and I enjoyed a snowy 7.5 mile hike up Mt Waumbek, and Starr King. We did these mountains just under two years ago, and it was a great time seeing them in the full blown winter season. 

Magic. Pure, damn winter magic

The bonus to winter hiking is that the snow covers the rocks, and if you time it correctly, the crowds are somewhat less. 

It seems we were able to knock most of the rust off during our Pierce hike, and neither of us were nearly as sore afterwards. 

Let's see. So this week. Hoping/planning to do 3 strength sessions to pay for my slacking sins. Hoping/planning to do either speed, or hills. Not so sure a hike in is in the cards for the weekend, but we always hope! 

Stats:

Miles run: Ummmm like 26?

Hiked: 7.5

Warmest day: Um. Not great but like, 32?

Coldest day: Mid 20's

Snow: two shit storms, we were supposed to get over 20" over the week, only got 4" SO SAD NOT

Place in Challenge on Sunday night: 1/39 STILL WINNING!!!! (I am actually really shocked.)

Cold weather and hiking on Valentine's Day

Crap. It's already the middle of the week, and I have not yet recapped the drama and excitement of last week. 

Who am I kidding. It's 2021, and there is nothing going on other than running by your lonely self. 

Last week was kind of a mess. I felt horrible (female issues, NOT Covid.) It was cold AF. Gross. Not a good week at all. 

I ran a total of 23 miles, all on the treadmill, which I swear is broken in some way because running on it is such a struggle. 

But it was so cold and such a shit show. 

NO

Thankfully, the week took a big upward turn on Sunday. The weather was finally decent (over 20! amazing!) and we took off for our first hike since January 1st (also, my first half day off since then. gross. I need to get it together with the personal time FFS.) 

We scooted up Mt. Pierce in mint conditions and had a blast. Such a super way to enjoy Valentine's Day! 

Heart shaped hiking donuts 

Then.... We decided to run all the way down. It WAS FUN SO FUN OMG!!!!! WHEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

And THEN! For the next 3 days I felt like I had run a downhill marathon. Whoooooops. Totally worth it, but not only have we NOT trail run since September, or hiked since January, but I was in legit winter boots and we packed for hiking not running. So, ouch. Also, we are old. The end. I would do it again. 

Oh, and it other good news. I managed two strength workouts. I'm clearly going to win the fitness olympics here..... 

Stats:

Miles run: 23 barf 

Hiked: 6 YAY

Warmest day: One million below

Coldest day: Same

Snow:Nope

Place in Challenge on Sunday night: 1/33 STILL WINNING!!!! (probably not still trending this way, but I don't bother to log miles until the end of the week)  

Boston Marathon Training: Week 7 recap

Kidding.

Just seeing if anyone is paying attention :-)

I had a solid week of running last week, with a good "speed" workout on the treadmill (quite a few 400's- NOT fast. I think ONE was at my normal Marathon pace.) Compared to the speed I have been keeping lately, getting to MP is actually quite quick. 

I headed up Bitch Hill on Thursday after a rest day. It was quite a good run, on a pleasant evening, and done at a solid pace. I think having very well rested legs, nice dry roads, and having a change of scenery all played parts in the relatively speedy workout. 

On top of the first hill of Bitch Hill

I was able to get out and about again on Saturday, on a lovely day (39! sun!) I enjoyed 8 miles, which I can absolutely count as a long run at the moment. 

A pretty winter day

I did fall a bit short in my strength work goal, only logging one session. I'm not in the habit of fitting in extra workouts, so it's going to take some determination. 

Weather wise, it was a messy mixed bag. Snow, cold, sun, warm-ish.....

I continue to see the bitching about Boston on the internet and have helpful thoughts (to the people that are OMG HOW CAN I RUN CHICAGO AND BOSTON AND LONDON BLAHBLAH!!!!)

-YOU DON'T KNOW ANY DETAILS YET, SO SHUT UP

Boston has said NOTHING about details- no field size, no day to register, nothing. They could EASILY still cancel altogether, limit the field to Elite's or ANY number of things. Covid is NOT GONE.

If you get to run ANY major this year, you are lucky. So zip it. Take your first world problems and shove them. Suck it. CHOOSE one race and be thankful. 

Anyway, thank you for attending my Ted Talk. 

Stats:

Miles run: 32.1

Walked: 4.3

Warmest day: 39

Coldest day: Hmmm, I think it was a high of 22 on Tuesday

Snow:12" Tuesday, 2" Friday

Place in Challenge on Sunday night: 1/28   WINNING!!!! (not for long, I imagine) 

DONE with the Boston to Bar Harbor Challenge

PHEW! That was a long challenge, but a good one. 

I began the Boston to Bar Harbor 750 Mile challenge way back on August 21st, and wrapped it up yesterday, January 31st. 

Whoot! Medal monday. 

I had a very strong start, as not only was I running, but we were in the height of hiking season (AND I ran Virtual Boston during that time.) There was a significant speed bump for a couple weeks in September, as I dealt with some work/horse related issues that took significant time and energy. After that, I was back on track. The Half-K-A-Day November challenge gave me the miles I needed to get back on, and then ahead of schedule. 

This challenge was slightly harder than the previous one (Baxter, to Baxter, to Baxter) even though the required weekly mileage was exactly the same. Without our weekly (or so) hiking miles, it was just more challenging to stay ahead. No big deal, a challenge is supposed to be challenging! Honestly, I only wanted to complete this one on schedule, and I managed to wrap it up close to 3 weeks early. 

The thing I noticed about this challenge, and the 202 winter miles one, if the fact that there are some VERY active seniors out there, who CRANK out walking miles. Literally, hundred mile weeks of walking along in South Carolina (or, similar.) I have to admit that I am very impressed, and hope that I am still zooming along like that when I am in my more adult years. 

I have been enjoying the distance challenges very much, and think that not only are they affordable, but they offer me some good motivation during a weird time. 

The next one on my list is "only" a 400 miler, but is unique, as it offers the option to do the miles any way- walking, running, cycling, skiing of any type, rowing, and "other". I plan to get all my miles running or hiking, and imagine that anyone cycling this challenge will be done in a couple weeks! 

As we move into February, I'm looking to create more structure and variety within my running miles. I have done a great job chugging out junk miles for the past couple months, and definitely feel that I have hit a very predictable plateau/slump. So, time for some hills/speed/long/easy days instead of just fiddling along. 

I'm also planning to add some basic strength work- just a little- but 2 days a week for 20 minutes should be manageable, even for the laziest of people (me). 

We have a miserable week of weather on the horizon (after a fairly miserable week last week!) So it looks like the treadmill is going to be my friend for awhile. 

If nothing else, the sun is staying out longer every day, and I can now easily get out for a run after work (unless I work late, which is always, but I just wear my blinky flashy vest!)

It's like 4:30 PM and not quite dark!

Stats:

Miles run: 32.6

Warmest day: I feel like it got up to 35 at some point?

Coldest day: High of 14 on Sunday with windchills to -35 (and low actual temp of -4 on Sunday)

Snow: We got a sneak attack 3" Rude. 

Place in Challenge (s) on Sunday night: 

Boston to Bar Harbor: FINISHED!  110/573 I jumped up 19 places this week, and finished 21 days ahead of schedule.

Almost done with all the challenges (running challenges anyway!)

After enjoying a relatively mild winter, we got some pretty damn cold weather this weekend. The recent above freezing conditions meant that high's of 19, and mega wind-chill felt pretty crappy. 

However, before the deep freeze set in, I managed a couple decent outdoor runs. I definitely felt better than last week, but just find that it takes extra time to get moving in the winter. A couple sluggish miles, and then I hit my stride and feel just fine (at least, this week I did!) 

I'm almost done with the 202 winter miles challenge. I don't believe that I'm going to end up making the top 50, but I have finished ahead of my time goal. I thought I could easily do it in 7 weeks, so I aimed for 6, and it appears I am finishing on 5 weeks plus one day (I'm assuming that I'll finish tomorrow.)

In the Boston to Bar Harbor challenge I'm making headway. It seems like FOREVER ago that this one began! There was definitely a time in September when I questioned whether or not I would be able to make up ground, after falling way behind. I'm pleased to say that I have, and am going to finish ahead of the deadline for sure! It actually appears that I should be able to wrap it up in the next two weeks unless something weird happens. 

During these odd pandemic times, I have found these online challenges to be very motivating. I have run more consistently (if not nearly as fast!) then in many past years. 

Still no race goals. I doubt there will be much of a Spring season around these parts, and even if there were, I would probably pass. Boston still "tentative" for "Fall 2021" and there are a ton of question marks around that situation as well. 

So yeah, in the meantime I'll keep cranking out some junk miles, since that is what I do best. I don't seem to need actual in person competition to keep me moving, which has been an absolute bonus during the past year. I would be an actual sloth at this point! 

In a funny throwback moment- I re-read some of this blog from when I first began recording my running adventures. 

Bless me. What an innocent little soul I was! Terribly cheerful and quippy as well, haha! 

Of course, I chuckled at all the mistakes I made. (hey, it's how you learn!) And I was also impressed with how hardcore (to my detriment) that I was. I also kind of miss Daily Mile- I had forgotten about that! 

Anyway. I'm still here, 10 years later. I have figured out what works for me, and the biggest thing I always say is that I'm willing to change plans/shoes/whatever. Being flexible is what has kept me in this for this long, without ever taking a mega multi month break. Need to trail run? Go! Need to try different shoes/gear/fuel, do it. Want to quit marathons and only run 5K? Good, who cares, go for it. 

And that being said, the only way to be any good (goodish) at running is to actually get out there and do it. I bumped into a client while I was out running in the twilight this week and she said "I'm just so astonished that you go out and do this after work" and I was literally like "well..... If I don't do it, it doesn't get done, soooooooo....." I guess that's the moral of the story. 

Stats:

Miles run: 37.8

Warmest day: It was like, 40 on Monday. YEP. 

Coldest day: High of 20 on Saturday, On Sunday windchills felt like -25

Snow: Nothing. Well, like a dusting one night. 

Place in Challenge (s) on Sunday night: 

Boston to Bar Harbor: 119/573 Up three places. Currently at mile 715 of 750- so almost there

202 Winter miles: 61/1480- I dropped 4 places despite running decent mileage. Whatever. This one will be done tomorrow.