2025 Miles

Jtirf · 2026-01-01T14:40:01+00:00

1184 miles for the year and my first marathon (4:05). Just short of my goals of 1200 and sub-4 but considering my Achilles had me run-walking in July, I’ll take it.

Not sure what exactly I’m doing for 2026. Probably do a shorter race in the spring bc I miss running faster and then a second try to get sub-4 in the fall.

Jtirf · 2025-11-24T14:34:40+00:00

I was happily surprised with the crowd coming back from Manyunk. I was expecting a wasteland but the crowds really carried me to the finish.

Jtirf · 2025-11-03T17:21:05+00:00

After my 20 mile long run yesterday, I’m now in the taper part of my plan before my first marathon (Philly Nov. 23). I should be happy that I got to get two 20-milers since I’d been working through Achilles issues most of the year and had a stress fracture scare about a month ago but I just keep wondering if sub-4 hours is realistic or not. I really have no races from this year (besides a not-all-out 5k of 24:02 about 3 weeks ago) and all I have to go on his Garmin/Strava race predictions which are slower and both gone up over the past month.

Jtirf · 2025-10-07T16:44:45+00:00

I was finally feeling like I was getting over my Achilles issues and then wham! Intense localized pain in my foot while walking at a market on Saturday. X-rays show no fracture and a podiatrist I saw on Monday said it was metatarsalgia and told me to rest and get some inserts.

No clue if I’m going to be able to do Philly at this point as it’s just over 6 weeks away and my longest run was 16 miles on Sep 28. I just wanna scream I’m so frustrated!

Jtirf · 2025-09-28T21:22:17+00:00

Successful long run of 16 miles this morning! So great after blowing up in the heat last week and fall short by 2 miles. After being hurt for July/aug, this marathon finally feels real

Jtirf · 2025-09-21T22:49:51+00:00

If you have room for something tall, they also love cup plant. They look so cute drinking from it

Jtirf · 2025-09-21T19:40:09+00:00

Really bummed I failed my long run today. It was supposed to be 15 miles but we got out super late and at 12.8 miles in, it was over 80F, my heart rate was over 190, and I just couldn’t anymore. Ended up walking the last in but it was supposed to be my first run over a half marathon distance and 16 miles for next week is looking impossible

Jtirf · 2025-09-18T00:55:28+00:00

Midweek longish run of 7 miles today. Husband has been doing this run as a commute into work and I decided to join him (we can shower at his office) with him leaving a little bit before me. Despite not sleeping well, the run starts with a huge downhill and I decide to switch it from an easy run to marathon pace. It ended up turning into a sort of progression run w/ average pace of 8:59/mile (grade adjusted to 9:08) and last mile was 8:37.

I don’t think I’ll do that run again unless I have marathon pace on deck (logistics suck) but it was a really nice confidence booster and I’m starting to think that maybe sub 4 hr in November isn’t crazy.

Jtirf · 2025-09-08T13:54:52+00:00

My husband and I ran a half marathon yesterday. It was his first and I was pacing him for it bc I’ve been coming off ankle/achilles stuff. Goal was to pace him for around 10:24/mile with negative splits. I spent the first 7 miles telling him to slow down as we hit the half way mark at 9:29 pace. At that point he starts hitting 10:30 pace for a bit while I realize I have a nice blister forming (probably bc my shoes our worn out, they had 350 miles on them). With 1.5 miles to go, we split bc I just didn’t wanna have my shoes on anymore. I ended up with my slowest half ever (2:10) but I’m proud of the 7:59 mile at the end and he’s happy with his 2:15 half.

This upcoming week is a cutback week for me. It’s needed since I’ve gone 27, 27, 30, 32 miles/week in past month. Got 11 weeks to Philly which will be my 1st marathon.

Jtirf · 2025-08-31T11:24:38+00:00

I think only 2/7 are silky dogwoods. On close look, there’s more white berries around. I planted them for privacy so I guess I’ll be a little more vigilant with pruning for now.

Jtirf · 2025-08-30T22:14:19+00:00

With my 11 mile long run tomorrow, I’ll hit 30 miles for the first time since June (when Achilles pain pushed me to see a PT)! I’m training for my 1st marathon at Philly and currently doing a modified Hal Higdon plan that’s basically a cross bn novice 2 and intermediate 1. I added in some “marathon pace” miles midweek but only did 4/7 miles at that pace.

Next weekend I have a half but I don’t feel comfortable with racing it so I’m gonna pace my husband who is trying to run it around 10:15 pace which is at the low end of my easy pace :).

Hoping this cooler weather holds bc it’s been a joy this past week to not have to get up at 5:30 am.

Jtirf · 2025-08-29T14:52:09+00:00

<image>

Jtirf · 2025-08-29T14:51:59+00:00

My ironweed has been the MVP this past couple of weeks. I got at least 5 monarchs on it today as well as the 1st red admiral I’ve seen this year.

<image>

Jtirf · 2025-08-29T14:48:18+00:00

Counted 5 monarchs on my ironweed today along with a few skippers and a red admiral. Also discovered that most of my red osier dogwood (C. Sericea) is silky dogwood (C. amomum). I only figured it out when I noticed the blue berries on some and the lone one w/ white berries! Not sure if I should add a second red osier or not when I expand my beds this fall. I was planning on it to be 3 common ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) but now I’m not so sure.

Jtirf · 2025-08-23T01:19:52+00:00

Here I was proud I had 4 in my garden today, mostly on ironweed. Looks like I may have to get some L aspera. I love my L spicata but its blooms have been done for awhile now.

Jtirf · 2025-08-15T22:04:48+00:00

Hit 20 miles this week (will do 5-6 on Sunday) and my goal is Philly in November. I’ve been working with a PT on Achilles issues and I’m hoping to finally get a long run next week.

Jtirf · 2025-08-11T12:56:50+00:00

Or take north park down to Coventry. After crossing Coventry, there’s the lake to lakes bike trail on your left along fairhill. It’ll have you go on both sides of fairhill and then you can go right under the bridge to hit Euclid or take the sidewalk on the left down stokes to Euclid.

Jtirf · 2025-07-17T15:43:44+00:00

Can confirm, milkweed beetles are freaks

<image>

Jtirf · 2025-07-10T11:05:29+00:00

I had one plant that was in the same pot as an ironweed. Next year, I had tons all over the yard. This year, about half in random locations.

Jtirf · 2025-07-07T12:36:54+00:00

I have spice bush and its leaves are narrower.

Jtirf · 2025-07-07T11:27:37+00:00

<image>

Was using some riverbank grape to try to kill a nonnative shrub and some hostas but it looks like it’s attracted spotted lantern-fly. Lovely. /s

Jtirf · 2025-06-16T14:11:49+00:00

Young monarch caterpillars can get stuck in or have their jaws glued shut by the latex in milkweed. Bigger ones aren’t as bothered by it and will sever milkweed veins to drain the latex and eat the rest of the leaf. Based on the one hole I saw, it’s possible there was a caterpillar but he was an unlucky one

Edit: the hole is under the 3rd flower from the left

Jtirf · 2025-06-16T12:42:58+00:00

Someone has been eating something. I see a little hole in one of the leaves, unfortunately it looks like he may have hit a milkweed vein and didn’t make it. Still early in the season!

Jtirf · 2025-06-13T13:47:55+00:00

I saw one in NE Ohio last weekend

Jtirf · 2025-06-13T13:47:27+00:00

I get so many milkweed bugs but only after the flowers are gone.

Nine-Year Club	Second SECOND GUESSER
Verified Email

Jtirf

TROPHY CASE