In Every Run That Must Be Done; There is an Element of Fun (comments welcome)

[Naomeri]

Btw I really admire your total shovelling time for December congrats

It’s a nice alternative strength workout, that’s for sure.

 

[striker1064]

Oh I am a Lego kinda guy, and Starry Night has been on my list ever since it was revealed. I am quite color-deficient though, so I'm pretty concerned I would do it all wrong.

All my Lego are still packed in their boxes at the moment but I have... lots.

 

[Naomeri]

Oh I am a Lego kinda guy, and Starry Night has been on my list ever since it was revealed. I am quite color-deficient though, so I'm pretty concerned I would do it all wrong.

All my Lego are still packed in their boxes at the moment but I have... lots.

The nice thing is, for the background, they had the different blues in different bags, so I dumped them into different plastic bins. Also, it’s not like anyone would know if you accidentally switched a medium blue for a light blue once in a while.

 

[striker1064]

The nice thing is, for the background, they had the different blues in different bags, so I dumped them into different plastic bins. Also, it’s not like anyone would know if you accidentally switched a medium blue for a light blue once in a while.

I didn't know that! Actually gives me hope I could do it, haha.

 

[Naomeri]

2022 Workout Summary

Because I’m a nerd, and because I have an art degree, and because I have too much time on my hands (January isn’t exactly a busy time in crop insurance, shockingly ), I made an infographic for my Workout Summary

 

[avondale]

That was....busy.

 

[Naomeri]

50 Days Until: Princess Weekend 2023

I got to run today, and it wasn’t on a treadmill, and it wasn’t cold! How, you might ask? A nearby city has a community center with and indoor track and a bubbled outdoor track. Oh, and it’s totally free for anyone to use! I chose the “outdoor” track, and it was pretty good, except when the kids’ soccer teams were switching out because kids and parents feel like they can just stand around on the track, or worse, go against the flow of traffic to get to the door. I guess it was good practice for Disney races

Speaking of Disney races, I’m so excited about the announcement of details for the first Disneyland race weekend!! And I’m so glad that I have CrD so I don’t have to fight both Disney IT and the general public to get registered (thought I have no doubt that they’ll introduce some kind of a premium coast-to-coast tier soon enough). I’ve even already figured out which hotel I’ll book for the trip. Doing the DL race weekend will mean skipping Princess in 2024, but I’ll still do Springtime, and maybe one of whatever other DL weekends get announced for later in the year.

I had a virtual 10K from Main Street Bella to do today, and it took approximately 25 loops of the track to do it. Apparently the GPS signal gets a little wonky, so I might have to set it on “indoor run” next time



I guess I haven’t lost too much fitness with my injury/illness/weather downtime because my time today was only 30 seconds slower than my 10K PR.

I wish I could run outside, because the snow on the trees is super pretty, but the roads are a MESS and I’m fairly sure the trees won’t look so pretty after I fall on my butt into a snowbank BTW, I’ve already got a little over an hour of shoveling for the month.




I gave one of my squirrels an orange yesterday and he was very excited.




2023 workout data to date: 4h 24m 31s of exercise; 2,026 active calories burned; 2,454 total calories burned

 

[azrivest]

a bubbled outdoor track

I did not know that was a thing. So awesome that you can train with it!

 

[Naomeri]

I did not know that was a thing. So awesome that you can train with it!

It’s so nice, because it’s not as hot as running inside, but not as cold as running outside. I was fine in a tshirt, but my hands were cold for the first half mile or so. The soccer parents standing around were in their winter coats though.

 

[Naomeri]

47 Days Until: Princess Weekend 2023

I’ve copied this from my QOTD response in The Running Thread

My 2023 Goals:

I want to get faster, so I’d like to add speed work into my training. I tried to add it to the current training plan, but ended up with achilles tendinitis and now I just need to focus on keeping up fitness for Princess.

Specific speed goals, in order from most to least likely:

• get my half marathon under 3:00. PR is currently at 3:03:03
• get my 5K under 35:00. PR is currently 35:59
• get my 10K under 1:15. PR is currently 1:16:50
• get my 10 Miler under 2:10. PR is currently 2:13:32

I’m not having great luck running this weekend. I tried the treadmill last night and only made it .68/4 planned miles—I just wasn’t feeling it. Also, it sounds like the treadmill might be dying. Today, I headed to the community center track to run, and I only made it 2.52/7 planned miles, plus an extra .47 walking, before I had to quit. My Achilles was bugging me and I didn’t want to push it. And people really need to learn the difference between “inside lane” and “outside lane.”

Also, I tried using the “indoor run” workout on my watch, and my pace seemed SUPER slow compared to my perceived effort. According to my watch, I averaged 14:18.

I did manage to have a little fun on Friday. The Arb had a full moon snowshoe hike, so I got 1.18 snowshoeing miles. It was enjoyable, but not something I’d necessarily want to do on a regular basis. But it was certainly pretty.





2023 workout data to date: 6h 43m 12s of exercise; 2,996 active calories burned; 3,650 total calories burned

 

[Naomeri]

44 Days Until: Princess Weekend 2023

Well, I had another shortened run last night. I was supposed to do 5, and I got 2.75 (if you include the warm-up half mile I walked). I think I would have been able to do it if I’d been able to use the big track at the community center, but the field house was rented out, so I had to use the indoor track, which is half the size. And since it follows the same odd/even direction as the field house, and yesterday was an even day, I was making all the turns on my bad ankle. I seriously need a solution for this problem, because the weather isn’t cooperating to let me run outside (yesterday was fine, except for the red-level air quality alert ), and my treadmill is suddenly very loud, like something is wrong with the motor, and I don’t know if it’s safe to use.

I got almost an hour of shoveling in on Monday evening. If you’re wondering how I get so much shoveling time in, it’s because I shovel a path through the backyard for my grandpa to use to get to his bird feeders and the deer feeder. According to my watch, it’s about a tenth of a mile from the side door of the garage down to the deer feeder, plus there’s some side paths along the way. I was bored on break yesterday afternoon, so I walked it and took pictures The deer and squirrels are also appreciative of the path and use frequently use it instead of tromping through deep snow.





2023 workout data to date: 8h 21m 7s of exercise; 3,735 active calories burned; 4,562 total calories burned

 

[Naomeri]

43 Days Until: Princess Weekend 2023

I got to run outside today, and it was great! I did the full 5 miles that were on the schedule, and I could have done more.




I had a few twinges from my ankle, but nothing bad, and it sorted itself out entirely later in the run. I got to properly try out my NoxGear, and I didn’t get hit by any cars, and I was able to see where I was going and avoid any potential icy spots (which were few and far between, thankfully). I saw a little bunny rabbit before it got fully dark, and I was going to take a picture, but a car went by and it hid under a bush. I also spooked some deer, but I never saw them, just heard them crunching through the snow.



Bonus picture: I went out and got McDs for lunch today (so I wouldn’t be hungry after work and could go for my run), and Princess Mia thought she was entitled to a share.



2023 workout data to date: 9h 58m 20s of exercise; 4,509 active calories burned; 5,508 total calories burned

 

[Naomeri]

38 Days Until: Princess Weekend 2023

I finally ran my Hot Chocolate virtual 15K! This was supposed to happen Sunday, but the day got away from me, and I messed up my ankle a little bit standing on a couch to work on my medal rack (you remember—the one I built back in October? I still haven’t hung any medals on it, but I added another row because I didn’t think they’d all fit) And then my great aunt and uncle came over on Monday so he could try to solve the noise problem with the treadmill, and we though he’d fixed it, but the noise came back later I would’ve run after they left, but the weather was uncooperative. I don’t mind running in the rain, and I don’t mind running when it’s 35°F outside, but I draw the line at running when both are happening at the same time

I tried to do the run on the noisy treadmill, but something about the muscles I use on the treadmill vs on the road irritates my Achilles more than I think is healthy, so I only made it 2 miles. So, despite the fact that it snowed after all the rain on Monday, I was determined to get this blasted race run. I originally planned to go to the community center track, since the roads were slushy, but it was closed for a private event in the evening, so it was roads or nothing. I used the Strava “create a route” thing to see if the local neighborhood roads could be combined to make up 15K without having to do multiple loops. This is what my eventual route ended up looking like. I almost achieved my goal of no doubling up, but needed just a tiny bit of extra mileage and chose a flat 1/4 mile to repeat towards the end.



You can tell by my pace where the slushier sections were, because I had to slow down. Also, it was dark. But it’s a PR no matter what, because it’s my first 15K (and potentially only, since it’s such an uncommon distance).




So, I’m having FOMO about MW 2024. I’d really like to try to figure out a way to go, but the timing is SO awkward. The DL Half weekend is much better timing, and it’s nice that it seems like it’s early registration opportunity is included in the current CrD benefits with no extra charge, which is not guaranteed to be true for whatever future DL weekends they add. But the FOMO is real, and I wish I didn’t have to make the decision so soon, but I know if I don’t jump on the DL registration, then there’s no second chance.


2023 workout data to date: 14h 13m 9s of exercise; 6,580 active calories burned; 7,990 total calories burned

 

[WillRunForPizza]

That's dedication!

So, I’m having FOMO about MW 2024. I’d really like to try to figure out a way to go, but the timing is SO awkward. The DL Half weekend is much better timing, and it’s nice that it seems like it’s early registration opportunity is included in the current CrD benefits with no extra charge, which is not guaranteed to be true for whatever future DL weekends they add. But the FOMO is real, and I wish I didn’t have to make the decision so soon, but I know if I don’t jump on the DL registration, then there’s no second chance.

If I weren't going to be in Orlando already, I would totally go for DL! Sounds like the courses are a lot of fun and accommodation is much cheaper.

 

[Naomeri]

36 Days Until: Princess Weekend 2023

I finished another run as scheduled! I had to run it at the community center because we got 3 or 4 inches of snow today and the neighborhood was not runnable. Since they’ve got a nice seating area outside the dome, I decided it was a good opportunity to try my post-race food plan, which is an Uncrustable, some kind of salty snack (tonight was goldfish) and a bottle of water with hydration mix. It went down well, and didn’t cause any issues in the hours afterward, so I think I’m all set on that.




After I got home, I shoveled my patio and the feeder paths, since A) it needed to be done; and B) I had run + strength on the schedule. It took me 47 minutes to get it all done.


2023 workout data to date: 16h 21m 38s of exercise; 7,423 active calories burned; 9,028 total calories burned

 

[Naomeri]

33 Days Until: Princess Weekend 2023

The subtitle of this journal entry is: A Tale of Two Runs

I ran yesterday at the community center and today in the neighborhood. Both runs were about the same distance and time, but yesterday was inconsistent and sort of blah, and today was much better. It probably helped that today, I didn’t get hit in the face with a soccer ball or stabbed in the back with a coat hook

Saturday’s run:




Sunday’s run:




When I was getting up from the couch to go to bed Saturday night (well, technically, early Sunday morning), I just about had a heart attack when I saw this on the patio:



She and her friends have been eating my shrubs and they’ve just absolutely destroyed them—they’ve never done that in the 21 years we’ve lived in this house.

We had a lot of freezing fog this weekend, so the neighborhood was very pretty, all covered in hoarfrost for my run today.







2023 workout data to date: 19h 11m 58s of exercise; 8,796 active calories burned; 10,670 total calories burned

 

[Naomeri]

31 Days Until: Princess Weekend 2023

Yet another run completed as scheduled. It’s like I’m on a roll or something I have had to rearrange this coming weekend’s runs due to forecasted temps. This is supposed to be my Princess simulation/virtual MW medal-earning weekend, but Saturday and Sunday are going to be single digit highs, so spending 3 hours outside is maybe not a brilliant idea. So, I’m taking a couple hours PTO to get off early on Friday to do the virtual half, then I’ll do the 5K on Saturday, and the 10K on Sunday. I can go to the community center for Sunday’s run if I need to. Saturday’s run will be done after dark (even though it will be somewhat colder then) because I want to do a test run with my Maleficent staff, and I feel like I’d look like a weirdo if people could see me

I did today’s run on the hilly road, and checked out a new neighborhood because I’m trying to build a half marathon route without any repeated areas that also doesn’t use the curvy, no shoulder, higher-speed roads. I think I’ve got it figured out now, the route builder on Strava has measured my route at 13.3 miles, so that gives me little leeway.




Did I mention the road tonight was hilly?



2023 workout data to date: 21h 13m 49s of exercise; 9,540 active calories burned; 11,564 total calories burned

 

[Blue Caterpillar]

31 Days Until: Princess Weekend 2023

Yet another run completed as scheduled. It’s like I’m on a roll or something I have had to rearrange this coming weekend’s runs due to forecasted temps. This is supposed to be my Princess simulation/virtual MW medal-earning weekend, but Saturday and Sunday are going to be single digit highs, so spending 3 hours outside is maybe not a brilliant idea. So, I’m taking a couple hours PTO to get off early on Friday to do the virtual half, then I’ll do the 5K on Saturday, and the 10K on Sunday. I can go to the community center for Sunday’s run if I need to. Saturday’s run will be done after dark (even though it will be somewhat colder then) because I want to do a test run with my Maleficent staff, and I feel like I’d look like a weirdo if people could see me

I did today’s run on the hilly road, and checked out a new neighborhood because I’m trying to build a half marathon route without any repeated areas that also doesn’t use the curvy, no shoulder, higher-speed roads. I think I’ve got it figured out now, the route builder on Strava has measured my route at 13.3 miles, so that gives me little leeway.
View attachment 734717
View attachment 734716


Did I mention the road tonight was hilly?
View attachment 734718


2023 workout data to date: 21h 13m 49s of exercise; 9,540 active calories burned; 11,564 total calories burned

I like your snow / deer pictures very stunning. I can't(well don't like to) run if it's below freezing. I get cold just looking at them. I'm eagerly awaiting the return of the chipmunks!

 

[Naomeri]

I like your snow / deer pictures very stunning. I can't(well don't like to) run if it's below freezing. I get cold just looking at them. I'm eagerly awaiting the return of the chipmunks!

I don’t mind running in the cold, I just want the roads to be clear. I’m ready for chipmunk season too—I get a lot more general movement when I have something to do outside.

 

[Naomeri]

27 Days Until: Princess Weekend 2023

Well, I didn’t end up running yesterday, despite taking the afternoon off to do it, because the wind was over 20mph and it was giving a feels like in the single digits. So, I decided that if I was going to run in single digit temps, it might as well be when there would be less wind. It was still cold, and anytime I was running due north without any kind of windblock, it seriously sucked. I was this close to bailing in mile 10 because the wind was cutting into me and the road I was on was fairly treacherous. But I persevered and set a new PR! I also checked off one of my 2023 goals already (finish a half under 3 hours)

I chose to start my run on the east side hilly section, on the assumption that I wouldn’t want to do repeated hills at the end of the run. If I’d known exactly how bad the west side less hilly section was, I might’ve done that first just to get it out of the way on fresh legs—the little mincing steps on the icy parts were hard on my legs.

I got a great character meet & greet just before the end of mile 6–there was a big friendly black lab that came out to jump on me and get pets. I had to bodily turn him around and nudge him back into the snow path in his yard so he wouldn’t run off with me I would’ve grabbed a picture, but it was too cold to take my mittens off.




I’ve been working on costumes and props for Princess and Springtime Surprise. I finished my Maleficent staff, but haven’t had a chance to do a test run yet. It’s only for the 5K, so there shouldn’t be any problems.





I also came up with a brilliant costume for the Springtime 10K: WALL-E! It’s one of my favorite Pixar movies, and i]the idea just popped into my head last week. After a few google image searches for DIY costume and Disney Bounding examples, I ordered the shirt, sleeves, and crop top I needed from Amazon. I painted the crop top with acrylic paint to look like WALL-E’s front panel. For his little plant-in-a-boot, I hit up Goodwill for a pair of kids’ boots, since I didn’t want to carry an adult-sized boot for a whole 10K, and grabbed a little fake plant (at 40% off—bonus!) from Michaels.



2023 workout data to date: 26h 4m 49s of exercise; 12,035 active calories burned; 14,605 total calories burned