Brown January

It was a zero weather week, and that makes me very happy. No snow. No ice. No rain. Brown (ish) January in full effect.

One might notice that I am somewhat consumed by the weather, but I work outside, so it is legit. 

Pretty normal week in the running department. After last week's "good bye 2020" week long Dopey Challenge, I went back to more sustainable mileage (about 35 miles) I am not yet sure how this impacted my standings in either challenge. Last week, upon investigation, I concluded that in both events I had landed in with runners/walkers who log weekly mileage that is not realistic for me. So, I imagine I will fins myself sitting a few places lower. 

The 202.0 winter challenge is totally being dominated by people in their 60's who literally walk ALL DAY! I'm pretty impressed. My parents are in their 70's and still walk everywhere, and are unreasonably active, so one would think that in 20 years I'll be the retiree dominating the mileage challenges.

After a short "break" at work around New Years (literally 3 days with limited lessons, so not a vacation) we are back to it in a big way this week. I managed to run outdoors, sometimes in the dark, every day but one. The roads are AMAZING right now- dry, zero ice, just super. So I'm getting out there whenever I can. I did take a rest day on Tuesday- the first one since October. I certainly realize that during this non competitive year, my running has been about quantity over quality, and that is fine for now. If I knew I had an event on the horizon, I would take a few days, then begin to regiment my workouts quite a bit more. But hey, for now junk miles 6 days a week are fine, and are doing the trick. 

Same plan for next week. Sticking in the 30-35 mile range and hopefully sticking to the totally decent weather. My mileage is right on track, minus the actual workouts, for Boston Training. Apparently old habits die hard. 

Stats:

Miles run: 

Running: 35.07

Warmest day: 36

Coldest day: 34, low of 18

Snow: NOOOO SNOWWWW or rain YAYYYYY

Place in Challenge (s) on Sunday night: 

Boston to Bar Harbor: 123/573 NO CHANGE. NONE! Weird. I figured I would drop- I'm definitely in with the people who hike around 50 mile weeks regularly. I literally refreshed the results a couple times to make sure this was legit

202 Winter miles: 42/1414- I dropped down 15 places this week, because I dropped my mileage. 3 people have finished. It is my goal to finish in the top 50- but since people keep joining weekly, with fully completed mileage, it is hard to know how the competition will shape up! B goal is top 100. 

FALL (and New Years 2021)

Yes, we have had all the seasons in the past few weeks.

It was a glorious fall this week, with a nice brown, 42 degree New Year's day (BYE 2020 ya fucker) And then, as is to be expected after fall, winter came back. 

It was a big mileage week, as I wished to complete enough miles for my own personal Dopey Challenge (48.6) A while back, Danielle and I thought we might complete it in its intended form (5k, 10k, 13.1, 26.2) to welcome in the New Year. However, we have both improved our adulting skills in the last 10 years, and each decided that it would be foolish to take on such a challenge. 

In the end, I concluded that I could probably tough out the distance over a weeks time, and I did, with a bonus mile added (I believe.) 

I had one of my better runs in a while, a 9 miles on New Years Eve. I ran an unusual route, kept a sup 9 pace, saw a trailer fall off a truck at 50MPH, and then went home to shuck oysters for Covid NYE. 

The one skill I perfected in 2020. Shucking. 

We got a 9 plus mile hike in on New Years Day, which was really refreshing. I had been almost a month without so much as a half day off (not winning at balance, at the moment) so it was extra great to get some time away from the grind. We had never done a Pierce to Eisenhower trek in the winter months, and it was a perfect day to hit two peaks. Eric and I are definitely hikers who really enjoy seeing old favorites. We are close to completing the New Hampshire 48, but are really in no rush. We like to hike where we want rather than live by a list, so that's what we do. 

And it was an amazing day. Temps in the 20's, sun, and only a tiny, gentle breeze on occasion. 

The whole family

I'm currently on day 63 of my run streak, and have very little intention to keep it up. 

This was a solid week for both the NEVERENDING Boston to Bar Harbor Challenge, with many bonus miles. I also held my own in the 202.0 challenge, which, as expected, is a fast and furious charge to the finish. Since I do not see many more 49 mile weeks in my future, I expect to fall in the standings rather than continue to climb. 

And, most importantly. 

2020 is over. 

Even the good times of the past year were overshadowed by a pervasive feeling of impending doom. It was a tough year in many ways. It was also a good year in many ways, but let's travel back in time one sentence to see why the good wasn't worth much fist pumping. 

2021 is not the magical cure for what is happening in the world. things are LEGIT bat shit crazy. But, I'm hopeful that we will begin to see the covid situation improving, as vaccines become available. 

Anyway. on to 2021 with much hope!

Stats:

Miles run: 

Running: 40.4

Hiking: 9.3

Total: 49.7

Warmest day: 42

Coldest day: 27, low of 16

Snow: 6" on the 2nd

Place in Challenge (s) on Sunday night: 

Boston to Bar Harbor: 123/573 A 7 place improvement. And, I will confess, the first time in a while that I have been surprised to see such a small jump. With almost a 50 mile week I figured it would be better (but I could be getting into the fringes of the runners who run 50 miles weekly, no problem. I have not been keeping close track to the "competition" because this challenge is SO LONG.) 

202 Winter miles: 26/1302 (the top 14 people are all well over 100 miles)

Spring

It was a short winter. So sad. 

BROWN BROWN DECEMBER!!!!!!!!!!!

Brown December is back on full swing, after christmas brought us a thoughtful 55 degree day, with at least 2 inches of rain. You might think I am being sarcastic, but I was 100% ok and on board with this event. I even headed out after work for a very pleasant, early summer rainy day run. ZERO complaints. PLUS, it rained enough to legit wash it all away- no annoying residual ice to cope with!

Looking fancy on Christmas

It was a really decent week on the running front. There was some treadmilling along, since I worked A FUCKING TON this week, but I also was able to get outdoors several times. 

At this point, sunset has thoughtfully moved to the *convenient*  hour of 4:10, so we are beginning to gain ground. I believe sunrise is still at 7:17 though, so woking sunrise to sunset is still no challenge at all for me. 

Well. That's not ugly. 

I joined in another challenge this week, mostly because it has a really pretty medal and I have precious few of those from this year (which is a fact, but to be truthful, I find these challenges to be quite motivating!) Of course, I still am plugging along, and slowly gaining ground, on the positively endless Boston to Bar Harbor (I am over 75% done at this point.)

The new challenge is much shorter, and from the looks of things, is going to be downright fast and furious for the leaders. (someone logged over 70 miles in week one, so there's that!) The goal is to complete 202.0 miles before Spring (March 20). This certainly is a much more manageable number of miles that any challenge I have done this year, but I am hoping to finish it in 6 weeks. 

So. We are moving quickly towards New Years and 2021. While I know that the change of year will not be a magic cure, I will not be sorry to see 2020 leave. Good things have happened this year, but the shadow of actual, real doom has been ever present. I am very happy to report that both my sister (ICU/Critical Care nurse) and my mother (home care nurse) have been given their first Covid vaccine with no ill effects. All of us are having zero family/friends holidays, and are collectively feeling annoyed by people who can't seem to have a merry zoom Christmas. *sigh* 

I don't really know how my running numbers look compared to years past, but I'm sure I'll compile some data this week for an end of the year wrap up. I certainly know, that the lack of races sis not cause me to quit running, so I guess I'm not  fair weather athlete. 

Happy Holidays kids. Wear your masks. 

Stats:

Miles run: 

Running: 37.3

Straight up walking: 0.0

Total: 37.3

Warmest day: 55

Coldest day: Not cold this week. 30 I think

Snow: 2" rain

Place in Challenge (s) on Sunday night: 

Boston to Bar Harbor: 129/572 A 10 place improvement. Slow and steady, and ahead of schedule. 

202 Winter miles: 33/994 A good start. New Years will make this one crazy, I bet, with a lot of people logging enough high mileage to finish very quickly. 

Winter.

Week one of Boston training complete!!!

Whoops. Old habits die hard. 

Pretty ordinary winter week around here. Monday through Friday on the treadmill due to work/darkness, COLD cold weather, and another (much less hideous) storm.

Winter certainly set in mid week and brought us the first deep freeze of this winter season. With lows in the single digits, and highs in the teens, we all remembered why we do not like it here!!

My treadmill miles were labored this week. I go them done, but my motivation was low (no daylight equals pretty low energy me) my legs felt yucky, and it was a slog. 

I did get out for some outdoor miles over the weekend.

I had some pretty sold weather on Saturday, but my legs felt heavy and gross from the week on the treadmill. 

On Sunday, I was generally feeling better (plus, finally an easy work day!) but it snowed like crazy! It actually was not bad at all, but my face indicates otherwise. 

The holidays are coming up, and we have zero plans this year. Covid is going absolutely bat shit crazy around here, so we are sticking close to home (as in: AT HOME.)

My friend Danielle and I had discussed doing a self-supported Dopey Challenge leading up to/into New Years weekend, but we had the maturity to conclude that neither of us were fit for such an adventure. 

currently, my plan is to run the total mileage (48 and change) over the course of New Years week. WE SHALL SEE!!!!

In conclusion, I was able to get all my Boston to Bar Harbor miles in last week, plus a few. I'm still running a bit ahead of schedule, and could take almost a full week off and finish. 

Stats:

Miles run: 

Running: 31.3

Straight up walking: 1.5

Total: 32.8

Warmest day: 30

Coldest day: Low 3, high 19

Snow: 5" 

Place in Challenge on Sunday night: 139/572 This is a 12 place improvement, which (honestly) I am surprised by. I am not cranking out massive mileage at the moment. It will be interesting to see what happens over the Holidays. Since people (HOPEFULLY) are not traveling, I have to think (HOPE) there will be more people, running more miles. 

A week late, due to many ridiculous things

I'm a week behind because for the vast majority of last week we were without power, due to a very messy winter storm.

Ice, rain, snow, countless trees down, 5 days without power. MESS!!!!! 

So, backtracking a bit. I had a pretty big week two weeks ago, wrapping up the half k challenge on Monday the 30th with a solid 9-plus mile day. I believe I managed to run about 35 miles that week, and walk 3. (non work walking. I walk all day for work....)

This past week was not as amazing in the mileage department, but I still ran 28 miles and walked 2. The storm was a real monster, and left me pretty wiped out a few days. Also, poor Ellie got sick, and even though she is recovering nicely, we had a few stressful moments. (days.....) 

I seem to still be on a self-imposed-run/walk streak, and I would like to see it through to the New Year (butttttttt) I'm also recognizing that not a lot of "good" running is coming from this streak. If I decide that matters, I will take a couple guilt free rest days. I have not had any physical issues other than my sesamoiditis flaring- but it can do that basically anytime. 

So just a quick update this week to get back on track. Only a couple weeks left in this crummy year, and only a short time until the days begin to have more daylight. 

Oh, one more thing.

Normally, this would be week one day one of Boston Marathon Training. 

THIS IS SO WEIRD. 

I must assume something of this topic must have recently been published in main stream media, because over the past couple weeks several non runners have asked me the following question. How do I feel about runners in other parts of the country running marathons, and achieving BQ's during this time when many of us do not have reasonable access to events (or would be required by our states/jobs to quarantine after.)

Well, honestly I had not thought about it much. 

I suppose, (not to lame out) that it is what it is. 

Lots of things are "unfair" right now, and this is a pretty small thing in the big picture. BUT, that being said, it does kind of suck that Floridian runners are running and BQ-ing right along, during this time when it is JUST PLAIN UNSAFE to do so. 

The follow up question almost always is "should BQ's even COUNT right now"? I really have no idea how to answer that. Athletes work hard towards those goals, and they should be rewarded. BUT. BUT!!! The thought that major sporting events are still being held now, when hospitals are overwhelmed and people are getting sick by the thousands seems absurd to the extreme. And selfish. 

And then the FOLLOW up, follow up question is: If I had the chance to run a marathon this winter, would I. 

FUCK NO. Not unless something really, really major happens and suddenly COVID becomes not a thing. NOPE NOPE. 

So yeah. That's what I think. 

Stats:

Miles run: (last week)

Running: 35

Walking: 3.6

This week:

Running: 28

Straight up walking: 2

Warmest day: A few days in the 40's, nothing too cold yet

ONE disgusting storm where we got inches of ice, a few of snow, and FIVE days without power. 

Place in Challenge on Sunday night: 151/571 14 place improvement.