 |
So, I Pi’d again, for the seventh time.
What started out as a whimsical expansion on the (then) annual 3.14-mile birthday run, has become an annual tradition. Call me crazy, but once I get a zany idea in my head, I seldom put it to rest.
This year’s rendition was probably the windiest Week of Pi on record. Thankfully, there were a few summer-like days, but the chilly spring/fall temps made an appearance, as did some late-winter conditions as well. As I’ve said, many times before, I’m glad I’ve got that #IowaTough thing going for me.
This quirky challenge coincides, every year, with the quirky National Pi Day, March 14th. For those not in the loop, the number pi is a mathematical "constant," used in physics and various fields of math. In short, it is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter (you're welcome). Approximately equal to 3.14, it's only natural that March 14th would be the perfect "National Day" to pay honor to it.
As mentioned, March 14th is also my birthday. What I didn’t mention was that I was a bit of a math geek back in the day.I don’t think that’s a coincidence, LOL.
Anyways, here’s a brief synopsis of the 2026 Week of Pi:
Sunday, March 8th: Day-1
This run saw a decent pace, and negative splits! It also was rich with sunshine and windy conditions (spoiler: that would be the common denominator all week, LOL). Overall, this run felt pretty good, though I was leery how my (sometimes) cranky hip and TFL and ITB issues would hold up by Day-7.
Monday, March 9th: Day-2
Ahh, can you say, “Give me a taste of summer?” The temps were sweet, the wind was mild, and the sunshine was pure bliss. What’s not to love?
The temps were definitely on a downward grade and the sunshine had done a disappearing act, but it was still warm enough to run in shorts! This run was mediocre at best. The pace wasn’t fast, but not definitely not leisurely. I explored the nearby pond, which I hadn’t seen all winter. And the double-digit wind didn’t kill me, LOL.
This run had the potential to be tough, given it was not only the fourth consecutive day of running, but there was only a 10-hour recovery period from the previous evening’s post-workday run. This was my only early morning run, and Kelly and Hannah appeased me and ran the additional .14-mile with me after we finished the regular Wednesday morning 3-mile route. Amazing, my legs (and all questionable cranky parts) felt fine afterwards. The wind was a bit of a bear, though…
Whether it was the 37-hour recovery time (the longest of all recoveries between Pi runs), the tailwind during Mile-2, or the fact that I was reunited with the Thursday night running group…this was my fastest run all week. In fact, it was my fastest run since the Midnight Madness 5K (back in July). Holy yowza, these peeps always turn these club runs into tempo-ish endeavors, LOL. What’s even better? That faster pace felt good, and I had zero post-run aches, pains, or cumbersome niggles.
Friday, March 13th: Day-6
Although each days’ runs were feeling better (and easier) as the week progressed, this particular was one I’d been dreading all day. The temps had been getting colder and the wind had been increasing. I’d made spontaneous dinner plans, so I was a little stressed in getting the run done before heading back out for socializing. Ironically, my dinner plans fell through (late in the day), which actually gave me some breathing room, though the cold weather conditions still prevailed. I decided to start the run going into the wind, which gave me a much more comfortable tailwind thereafter. And, I finished feeling refreshed and more energized than when I started.
Saturday, March 14th: Day-7, The Gand Finale
The fina Pi run came complete with continued cold temps, incessant wind, and cloudy skies. Ironically, this was one of my faster runs, and my splits were pretty consistent (10:04 / 9:56 / 10:00, and 9:46 pace for the final .14). Woot!
Typically, I am not a run-streaker. Although I have done the Runner’s World Winter Run Streak form any years, the bulk of those runs are the minimum 1-mile distance. Doing seven continuous days of 3.14 miles would, typically, be way out of my comfort zone. Since it’s only for those seven days, though, it’s quite manageable. As mentioned above, each of this year’s daily runs felt progressively easier as the week played-out. I was totally okay with that!
 |
| Seven days of Pi running = 22 cumulative miles |
So that’s the Week of Pi, 2026 edition. As mentioned, this was not my first “Pi rodeo.” This began in 2020 (recap) and has continued each year since. You can access other Week of Pi recaps here for 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Have you ever done any kind of tribute run (or activity) for your birthday?
I’m linking this with Jenny and Jenn for the TuesdayTopics Linkup.
Seven years of Pi running! By now, it's a full-on tradition!! I love how it started as a fun birthday thing and now it’s basically your signature event.
ReplyDeleteAlso, a full week of 3.14 miles in that wind is proper grit. I like how you got faster as the week went on - most people would fade, you ramped it up.
You really earned that final 9:46 kick, Kim!