I'm linking up with the Weekly Run Down, please head over to Kim and Deborah to check it out.
I'm going to start off this week's adventures with some bragging on stepson #1. As part of his training plan for a two week Boy Scout hiking trip this summer, he started couch to 5k last month. This was the week that he did his first 20 minute run, and as a result, my husband took him to our [still open for business at the time] local running shoe store to get proper running shoes. "Baby" is now the owner of some nice shiny Brooks Adrenaline and my heart is overflowing.
In our world, hubs and the steps and I are home until further notice. We've voluntarily adopted "shelter in place" - it's not mandatory yet but frankly the writing is on the wall. And with due acknowledgement and sorrow for the many who are facing loss of income and isolation, I have to say that being at home with my family is a dream come true.
Monday: weights and then 5 miles easy outdoors.
Tuesday: first off treadmill speed workout in a long time. 6 miles total with 1.5 mile warm up/cool down and 4 x 800 with 400 recover. I wasn't sure how to pace the 800s, I've been doing them at 6.0 on the treadmill but I'm faster on the treadmill than off it so I took it a little more conservatively on land. 10:36, 10:27, 10:24 and then 10:13 pace just to show off for the final rep.
Wednesday: a rest day, but I decided to "commute" to work by adding a short walk outside to my trip from the couch to our office upstairs.
Thursday: more speed. 6 miles with 2 miles warm up/cool down and 10 x 0.1 mile fast/0.1 mile recover. I wasn't targeting a goal besides "fast" and ended up all over the map. Also worth noting was my wardrobe choice for this workout, I know you're not supposed to wear the shirt before the race of if you didn't run the race, but I think it's OK in this situation.
Friday: weights and hill day! 60 degrees and rainy, and you know I love a good (warm) rain run. I had been keeping my hill runs to 4 miles, which is 2.5 rounds of a nearby hill, but since I have a more flexible schedule now, I did a full 3 rounds of my hill for 4.5 miles total. And though my head likes even numbers, my body was not in the least bit interested in rounding up to 5 miles.
Saturday: long run day @ 8 miles and I let my ego get the better of me and took my first mile way too fast and paid for it dearly for the remaining 7 miles. Point taken.
Sunday: plan A was to be in Chicago this week for spring break and finally getting to run the Shamrock Shuffle...plan B is sitting on my couch taking a rest day and living vicariously through the WRD group. Next year my friends...
Race Cancellation Recap
Half marathon #4 is officially on hold, tentative plan to reschedule the race for August. To paraphrase the email "hey we're a charity and we'd appreciate it if you'd be cool with letting your fees benefit our cause whether the race goes on or not" and yes I am more than cool with that. I'm probably not cool with running a half in August, so race day temperature will dictate whether I run or DNS.
P.S. I think that every race that has to be cancelled should switch to virtual...on race day everyone picks their own socially distant course and sends in their time (100% on the honor system, let's not tie it to a tracking app, not everyone has those) plus a modest shipping/handling fee if you want the swag...I mean all of these races probably have their swag by this point so why not ship it out and get a few extra bucks for it?
Spring Racing Plans
Never did I ever have any interest in running a virtual race before, but times change and so do I. I'm upping my game from my tentative plan to just stay in half marathon shape until May by running along with The Rambling Runner Virtual Race Series. No shirts, no medals, but it's free and a chance to push myself and get the bragging rights. Pushing myself is really what this is about.
Next weekend: 5k, I've picked an optimal race course, but even so I don't believe that I will be able to beat my PR of 30:41 on my own. However, we're guaranteed to miss 100% of the shots that we don't take, so a PR is my A goal, my B goal is 10:30 pace, and my C goal is whatever happens.
April 3rd-5th: 10k, not sure if I will 2x my 5k race course or change up the scenery a bit. I do think I have a shot at beating my PR of 68:14, and I've come close in some of my long runs lately. I'm not saying that I can do it, I'm just saying that I have a shot.
April 17th to 19th: half marathon. I've had consistent Bad Luck with each of my three previous half marathons (weather, poor training, and illness) so assuming that none of those will be a factor this time, I think I have a real shot at beating my PR of 2:38:xx. I came up with what IMO is a pretty nice course that starts and ends at my front door and hits my favorite neighborhoods and the two mile trail in my favorite park on earth, though I reserve the right to change it up for an easier course if I feel like it.
The series concludes with a marathon in May, though that's a bit out of my wheelhouse so I won't be joining in for that😜
Anyone else doing The Rambling Runner Virtual Race Series? Other virtual races? How's life lately?
I don't think I've heard of the Rambling Runner Virtual Race Series, but I bet they will be gaining in popularity given all that's went down recently. Total agreement with your opinion on races going virtual. And, although you didn't get to run that Shamrock Shuffle, you more than made up for it with your running ;-) Wear that pretty green shirt with pride!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim! That green shirt is going to go places!
DeleteI agree with you about races switching to virtual! I'm still stinging from having to walk away from my trail race--it was expensive! I reached out to the RD but never heard back from him, so I guess my entry fee is a donation to the state park!
ReplyDeleteJust saying that it wouldn't have cost them anything to send a "thank you for your support and understanding" email. Boo!
DeleteI was not a fan of virtuals before but now I am! Great way to stay motivated. How nice and fun that your step son is now running too. Good luck w your 5K -like you say, you never know until you try! Thanks for linking up and stay safe and healthy
ReplyDeleteThanks Deborah! Run strong!
DeleteI would hate to be a race director right now..what a challenging role to be in...
ReplyDeleteGlad you could still get out and do your virtual runs. The fresh air is so good for us, especially right now!
Agree, though there's a right way to do it (my race) and a wrong way to do it (Wendy's race).
DeleteI've done virtual races before, and they were okay, but I always felt like they were missing something. But now I feel like the virtual races are a way better option because SO many people are doing them as well. It's almost feels more social now, if that makes sense?
ReplyDeleteTotal sense! I'm very interested to see how close I can come to "real" race times virtually.
DeleteI too, am excited to have my family home. I'm still waiting until I'm allowed to stay home from my Mon-Weds job. Fingers crossed that will happen! "Forced family time" has been quite enjoyable. Good job on the workouts this week!
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed! It's no fun if you're the only one who has to go to the office.
DeleteI like that race shirt and I do think it's OK under these circumstances to wear the shirt before the race. Nice miles this week. I want to increase my mileage now that the gym is closed. I did a virtual half this morning. It wasn't really a race for me - more like a training run.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little scared but mostly excited to do my virtual 13.1.
DeleteThat Rambling Runner Series sounds great! I agree that I wish more races would opt to go virtual vs. cancelling. I do feel so bad for RDs - they must be pulling their hair out!
ReplyDeleteYes, poor RD's. Though can you imagine how popular the fall races are going to be?
DeleteSo exciting for your Scout! One of the young men in my son's troop had to have his Eagle Court of Honor postponed and we are all gutted for him. Additionally, little man is really hopeful his summer camp won't be cancelled. He is so looking forward to it :(
ReplyDeleteWe are also pretty much sheltering in place. Mr PugRunner goes out for groceries but that's it. It's definitely pretty rough.
I do have a race packet from a race I couldn't run, so that will have to be my virtual comeback. From there, we will just see where I'm at.
This trip is a Big Deal and it's so fun to watch him go through his training. Of course there's no way to know whether the trip will go on or not, it's a "do the work and hope for the best situation".
DeleteWhen I first started running I was all about the virtuals, and then I got tired of them. (Or really the organization that offered most). Now I'm eager to do the Virtual Cherry Blossom 10 - I thnk they have both honor system & Strava ones. I probably won't do a full on virtual 5K for my other cancelled race, but totally would if I had another longer on the books.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome re: your stepson. Well done!
Exactly, I had zero interest in virtual until it became the only option.
DeleteGlad you are enjoying your family time, and hope that feeling lasts! I’m in the opposite situation since our kids our older. I invited my son over for dinner and my husband wasn’t sure that was a good idea, but a mamma’s gotta see her baby even when he’s a grown-up.
ReplyDeleteSo far so good. Our family get togethers are always going to be over the 10 person limit so we're sticking with virtual for now.
DeleteSounds like you had a good week overall. Smart idea about that virtual race. Good luck on the 5k PR!
ReplyDeleteThanks Chaitali!
DeleteWhile I totally understand why races need to be canceled, I'm still sorry that so many runners are SOL. What a bummer to have your Chicago trip and the Shuffle canceled. Would have loved to meet you! ZOOMA is coming out with a virtual race series. So funny how I wouldn't have cared less about virtual races before but now it's what we've got.
ReplyDeleteI know, I was going to reach out to you, Wendy, and Zenaida to see who was running and if there was a chance to meet. Next year!
DeleteI have never really been interested in virtual races but now they sound like good options! Thats exciting that your stepson got some Brooks:)
ReplyDeleteI've always felt that I run faster in races so I'm interested in the challenge of how far can I push myself if it's just me? Stepson #2 did the first day of C25K today so now we're all runners!
DeleteI love the race shirt and under these circumstances I say, "Wear it proudly!" Your idea of commuting to work by going on a short walk before heading upstairs to your office is great! It sounds like you're using your usual driving time wisely.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week and stay safe!
I do love having my commuting time for sleeping in and running. I'll miss it when things go back to normal.
DeleteYour commute sounds fabulous!! It makes me happy that your stepson got Brooks shoes. I was also bummed about the race since it is one of my favorites ones in Chicago. For sure next year!
ReplyDeleteI think it's so awesome that you are doing virtual races and continuing to train. Your running had been really consistent lately so it's good to see it stay that way. Brooks Adrenaline were my first real running shoes- he's off to a great start.
ReplyDelete