The month of May may be winding down, but there's still some mayhem at play.
No, that's not a riddle, but merely my reality.
Even with a relatively race-free summer calendar, there is still plenty to keep me busy. And, quite honestly, that's how I thrive. But, first things first...shall we clear the air a bit and runfess a few things?
I'm going to run (virtually) across Iowa. Okay, isn't every state doing this? Just this week I learned of The Great Run Across Iowa (website HERE), and let me runfess that I was sold on it, almost immediately. It benefits the ALS Association Iowa Chapter. There are three options...(1) a 110-mile distance (from Ames to Iowa City, the cites of the two inner-state rivals...Iowa State and University of Iowa), (2) a 249-mile distance (from the Mississippi River to Council Bluffs, basically the width of the state), and (3) a 315-mile distance (from Des Moines to the Quad Cities, and back). Each distance has a different length of time to finish (40 days, 70 days, 75 days, respectively), and I believe walking and running mileage both count. I'll easily be able to reach 315 miles with both walking and running, so why not? I have until June 3rd to officially decide on which distance...stay tuned!
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Another switcheroo, with no guilt. As many know, I've been doing the weekly 5K time trials (with the UN-Canceled Project series) on Mondays...only this week, on Memorial Day, I also was committed to doing the Wear Blue: Run to Remember 5K (in honor of two fallen soldiers). UGH. It didn't feel right to do both of these events at the same time, so I postponed my UN-Canceled Project 5K to Friday. I can honestly runfess that I had no regrets in giving myself a little extra time between the last week's time trial and this week's. I wanted to run the WBR2R run as a tribute (with no music, no Garmin, no distractions), so it just made sense to run that on its own.
Welcome back to Gustavas! Finally, with the real spring weather here, I have taken my dear bike (Gustavas... remember him?) out of hibernation, dusted him off, and gone for a few rides recently. Oh wow, I have to sheepishly runfess that I'd forgotten the beauty and tranquility of a sunrise ride! Let's not forget the low-impact cardio, as well as recovery benefits, that come from saddling up and riding. I'm really looking forward to many more miles with him this summer!
Will my tenth marathon happen this year? I ran my first marathon (Quad Cities) in September 2013. Since then, I have run a total of nine marathons (two of which were ultras) in the past (almost) seven years. The big #10 (Air Force Marathon, Dayton OH) is scheduled for September 19th. As of this immediate moment in time, the race is still a go...but there is going to be a formal announcement, in mid-June, on the fate of the 2020 event. Can I runfess that I will be alright if this (like most of my other 2020 races) succumbs to the COVID curse? There's no way I'd be interested in running this as a virtual race, but am hoping there will be a 2021 deferral option, should it come to that.
The walking streak is going strong! I'm not sure how it happened (or even when), but in recent months my daily walking habit tanked. I was still walking plenty, just not daily. In mid-April, I got back in the groove, and have been walking at least one mile every day (outside), often times several miles. These are intentional miles, not just accumulated steps (I don't wear a FitBit or a tracking device anyways). Let me runfess it here and now...already I can see (and feel) a difference in my legs, and have been enjoying many a sunrise.
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So, there you go. I've runfessed and feel cleansed. Onward to the new month (how is almost June?).
How about you? Do you have any runfessions to share? Is your state offering a virtual race across the state? Is your summer looking void of activity, or do you have some stuff scheduled?
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I haven't heard of any races like that here...but Maryland is so small that it probably wouldnt be a great challenge! I've been walking so much more since being at home every day. Its really nice to get outside and get some light movement in the middle of the day!
ReplyDeleteYes, walking is such a great "get outside for just 20 minutes" fix. Tennessee was the first virtual state race I saw (like a month ago?), but since then, I think many others have followed suit.
DeleteYes, go for the 315 mile option! I love the idea, especially if its your own state. I wish somebody would set up a race like that for Switzerland. Although, the country is so tiny we could barely fit in a 110 mile race...
ReplyDeleteLove your walking streak! I am intrigued that you don't wear a tracking device - I am addicted to my Garmin and have it on all day.
I have never been a gadget gal. I use my Garmin for tracking GPS (when I don't feel like mapping out a "new" route), or when I'm doing speed work (ahem...those 5K's LOL). I usually have my phone on me, but the pedometer "feature" seldom is in sync with my Garmin, so I don't think it's very accurate.
DeleteWe have The Great Race Across Illinois but I'm opting for the 210 mile distance. I don't count my walking miles in my running total. There's nothing wrong with doing that--it's just not something I do. Good luck on chasing the 315 miles.
ReplyDeleteI'll probably just go with the 249-mile option, which I'm pretty sure I can hit with my running mileage anyways. The 315 does have a nice sound to it, though....
DeleteYep, as soon as I saw my state's challenge I couldn't sign up fast enough. I'm about 5% into my thousand mile journey. The challenge lasts a year and in theory I could do it all by running but I'm including walking miles just in case I need to take a break from running sometime. I really feel that walking is one of the best recovery activities out there. Our local marathon is very insistent that the race is going on in September unless the world ends, so we'll see...
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong with including walking miles in such a big goal like that! When I walk, I'm not just casually strolling (unless I have Max with me, who has to stop and sniff/mark).
DeleteI hope the marathon lets you know if it's going to happen before you have to start training for it. Yep, I'm running virtually across IL. Love the concept! Thanks for 'fessing!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't planned on starting "official" training for the AFM until late June/early July anyways, so I'll be fine whatever happens. Just such a weird scenario...
DeleteThat's so cool about the race across your state! I should see if Connecticut has one...
ReplyDeleteOnce I saw that Boston Marathon went virtual yesterday, I pretty much lost all hope for any Fall races happening :( I am supposed to have a half marathon in October but I can see that either moving to virtual or getting deferred to 2021.
If Connecticut doesn't have one, come "join me" in Iowa!
DeleteI passed on the state running thing felt too overwhelming. I am sticking to my runbet which gets me out walking as well. I am starting another 4 week one in June. It's great that walking and running both count. Doesn't it feel great to get out on your bike again? I was so happy to get on mine this week too.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm so glad to be back out on the bike again!
DeleteI hope you get to do your marathon, but for me, even if a race were to go ahead . . . no thank you this year. Everyone has their own comfort level (and people they're exposing). I do runfess that I really want to go somewhere, anywhere . . . doubtful that that'll happen either.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there's anything wrong with giving yourself more time between trials. I cherry picked the best weather for my virtual 5k this week (although I ran several 5ks in a row). We're out there making the best of a bad situation, after all!
I'm hoping for the marathon, too, but have accepted it just may not be in the cards. It's kind of a relief to not be the one making the decision...
DeleteI have not heard about those virtual runs across the state. Our state is pretty wide so that would be a lot of miles to cover...lol
ReplyDeleteSeeing that Boston was scheduled for September and it was recently cancelled, I would suspect that your marathon in Ohio will also be cancelled or postponed. Although, people come from all over the world to run Boston so maybe that is a huge factor in why it is cancelled.
I have seen all kinds of options for some of the state virtual races. Some are offering east/west routes, or north/south (or diagonal) routes. You're welcome to join me in my Iowa race ;-)
DeleteI am virtually running the east coast of Florida with a friend and I can't wait! We have until the end of October to get it done, and it comes with SO MUCH SWAG!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's not the same as the real thing, but it's something to keep me moving.
It's a bummer we don't have real races happening at the moment,but at least we have some interesting virtual options to consider.
DeleteI heard about a Run Across PA race and was interested in it. When I saw your cool IA shirt, I looked up the PA one. To get a shirt you have to sign up for the VIP option - $60!!! That's pretty salty for a virtual run. For the regular option ($30), you get a bumper sticker. Hmmm...
ReplyDeleteI saw a blog post about a real live, in-person race held in Iowa. I thought of you. It's small - 200 people - and only one person in the starting gate at a time. You signed up for a starting time-slot ahead of time. No post-race celebration or medal, but it sounded interesting. It may be the future of racing, at least for a while. Did you hear about it?
I did see a trail race series in the state that are still on, with the "new" rules of staggered start times for individuals. There'a actually one next weekend that Barb and I are considering, but there may be a conflict due to the start time(s) and BOTH of us getting there.
DeleteAhh, I need to grab my bike outta the shed and go biking again--I miss it!
ReplyDeleteI really hope the Air Force Marathon gives you a 2021 deferral option! It looks like a lot of events/races have been offering something to that effect, so fingers crossed! I've been doing more walking and hoping to do more hiking/dispersed camping soon!
I'm optimistic the AFM would offer the deferral if they have to cancel or go virtual. It's just such a weird circumstance...
DeleteThose intentional walking miles are a good thing for sure!
ReplyDeleteI keep seeing these "run across X state" but haven't found one for Massachusetts yet. I think it would be a fun thing to do.
I hope Air Force offers a deferral option. I still have the Detroit Internat'l Half scheduled for October but I don't expect it to go off since we have to run into Canada. I'm hoping for a deferral there.
You're welcome to join me in Iowa ;-) It would be fun to have a few companions "along" on the run with me ;-)
DeleteI just checked and as of now, there isn't an organized Run Across Virginia. Thirty-one years ago I organized a Race Across America program at our gym where participants won various prizes (koozies, t-shirts, etc.) as they crossed off certain states on their virtual trip to California. Of course, we didn't call it virtual back then. ;-)
ReplyDeleteha ha...who would have thought 31 years ago what we runners would be facing these days? Crazy!
DeleteP.S. I hope the Air Force Marathon happens. I know how much you want to run that one! :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, this is a race that I HAVE to run the actual course for. If it was a race I'd have done before it would be different...
DeleteSo many people are doing those challenges, but they really mess with my head, so I’m just going to log my random Scooby miles. Glad to see your bike out again. ;-) I didn’t get to the monuments this Memorial Day but will always remember the sacrifices that have been made for us.
ReplyDeleteYou are so lucky to have all those beautiful (and significant) monuments so close by. You can celebrate Memorial Day (almost) any day of the week ;-)
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