Week of Pi Challenge 2021

Oops, I did it again (and I don't regret it).

Since last year's inaugural Week of Pi was so successful, it was a given that it would happen again. After all, not everyone is blessed with a birthday that falls on the National Pi Day. That right there is a recipe for celebrating!

The thing is, I'm not only a runner, but also a bit of a numbers nerd. Most of us have probably played the game of runners' math (calculating how far one has run vs. how much further remains). I have also  done many tribute runs, where I base my mileage off of a significant date or number. Call me weird, but I like to mix things up and not do the same-old-same-old repeatedly.

For many years, I have done such a tribute run on my birthday. A 3.14-mile run is short enough that it can fit into most any day (or night). It's also long enough that it feels like a substantial workout, regardless of how fast, or slow, it's run.

In 2020, March 14th landed on a Saturday, giving me an entire calendar week to have some fun. Thus, the Week of Pi was born. And, just last week, it happened again. 

Here's what went down this time around...

Day 1 - Monday, March 8th

With it being chilly in the morning, and having run a somewhat tempo-ish 4-miler the previous afternoon, I opted to save the run for after work. Our weekend's spring-like temps had turned to summer, and I wasn't complaining. I headed out on the county road, on the north edge of town, and did the tried-and-true 5K route (with a little extra added on). This run felt especially easy, and I let my legs have their way. Pace - 9:37.

Day 2 - Tuesday, March 9th

Another day with a chilly morning, but the promise of a warmer afternoon. Well, the temps were definitely pleasant (68F), but the wind a bit crazy (22mph). Even though this was only Day 2 of the Pi Week's festivities, I also had run a 5-mile race on Saturday (with a 1-mile warm-up) and those four Sunday afternoon miles. I typically don't run four continuous days, so I think I was feeling a bit fatigued. The wind wasn't making things easy, either. Needless to say, this run felt tough. I just focused on keeping my pace (somewhat) steady while fighting the wind. Pace - 9:51. 

Day 3 - Wednesday, March 10th

This run happened rather spontaneously. Rain had been in the forecast, so my friend and I had cancelled our usual 5:00 Wednesday run. I'd gotten up, ready for an indoor bike ride, when the weather gal (at 6:00) told us the rain was arriving later than expected. I promptly changed into my running gear and was out the door by 6:15. We'd had some overnight rain, so the streets were wet, the air was damp and there was a little bit of mist and fog. But my legs felt great! Even with a 16mph wind out of the south, this run felt relatively easy. I was really glad to have seized the moment and gotten the run done early, because the wind later picked up to 24mph, with a tornado watch in effect. Pace - 9:44. 

Day 4 - Thursday, March 11th

Another cold morning, with a not-so-cold afternoon in the forecast. I opted for a morning bike ride, and met up with a friend, after work for this run. Gotta say, the sunshine and the company were awesome! This was another run that kind of ran itself. Pace - 9:46.

Day 5 - Friday, March 12th

With a late afternoon run the day prior, and sub-freezing morning temps, this was an easy run to postpone for later. The temps weren't a whole lot warmer, and the sunshine wasn't too strong. I'd had a long day at work, and received my second shingles vaccine over my lunch break. I accidentally chose a somewhat hilly route, in a part of town where I don't run very often. None the less, a Pi run is still a Pi run. Pace - 9:50. 

    

Day 6 - Saturday, March 13th

Yowza. Remember the shingles vaccine the day prior? Yeah, I awoke in a world of discomfort, with an achy body, low energy, and serious brain fog. I had made plans to meet up with my friend, Barb, for the run (and she would continue on and do her own thing afterwards). The cold morning temps (mid-30F's), though, were oddly invigorating. We ran our Pi miles, and I actually felt much better than when I'd left the house. Even my pace felt steady and strong. Funny how that happens. Pace - 9:40.

 

Day 7 - March 14th...the Grand Finale!

Wouldn't you know it, I awoke to the sound of rain pelting the skylight in our bathroom. My treadmill was out of commission, so my only option was the great outdoors. The weather app showed the rain increasing throughout the morning, as well as the wind getting stronger. Best to just go with it, right? Once I got outdoors, it didn't feel as cold as anticipated, and the rain lightened. I had to dodge a few puddles, but I chose a north/south (mostly out-and-back) route, and never felt the least bit chilled. I figured if I could run a marathon in torrential rain, a mere 3.14 miles would be easy-peasy. And I was correct with that assumption. Pace - 9:49. 

  

So, I did it! Another Week of Pi, done and dusted. I can really see myself doing this, for many years to come. After all, it's my birthday and I'll Pi if I want to. If you're interested, here's what happened last year (HERE).

Some thoughts:

***I got really lucky with the weather. As mentioned, my treadmill was out of commission, so it was the outdoors or it wasn't happening. Thankfully, the temps were pleasant (though the wind was a little testy). I was even able to wear shorts for almost all of my runs! That's a total score this time of year in the Midwest. 

***To keep things interesting, I purposely ran a different route each day. I didn't care about finish times, so it didn't matter if the routes varied in terms of hills, sharp corner turns, or traffic.

***Even though my routes changed on the daily, and my energy level wasn't always at 100%, all of these runs had very similar finish times. I didn't glance at my Garmin while running, so the finish times were always a surprise (even when some runs felt much harder than others).

***In addition to the daily 3.14-mile runs, I also added a few other fitness options to keep it interesting. It turns out that 3.14 kilometers is equal to 1.95 miles...so that distance was walked a few times. I also took Gustavas (my mountain bike) out for his first 2021 ride, to the tune of 3.14 miles.   

***Lastly, I was blessed many times over with endless support, encouragement and camaraderie from numerous runner friends. Several ran one day of the Challenge. Many ran 3.14 miles on my actual birthday (March 14th, National Pi Day). Some opted to run 3.14 miles several times, and some even ran or walked with me every day of the week. WOW.

Consider yourselves warned, this will be an annual endeavor from here on out. I'm always up for a challenge, and this one fits the bill with perfection.

Have you ever taken on a challenge, such as this? Do you do a tribute run, to honor your birthday? Care to Pi with me next year?

I'm linking this with Kim and Zenaida for the Tuesday Topics Link-Up

I'm also linking with Debbie, Deborah, Lisa, Laura and Jenn for the Runners' Roundup

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