Wednesday, October 31, 2012

100 mile month

100 miles in a month! Pretend you're looking at an artsy photo of my running shoes here because it was too dark for me to take one when I finished!

My cross country partner in (licorice, spray paint and running related) crime Lauren and I had batted around the idea of a 100 mile challenge and October ended up being our month. We both succeeded! Yes, we realize that there are people who can do 100 miles in a week. I'm not ever going to be one of those people, so I'm feeling pretty accomplished right now. My highest monthly mileage previously was 75 miles.

If running bores you to tears, skip the rest of the post and come back tomorrow for cake. 

I basically needed to get in five miles a day five days a week to hit my goal, which is fine except I wasn't doing anything longer than three miles in the beginning because I was coming off a vacation. For the first two weeks, I ran two miles in the morning a M-W-F plus three miles each evening after work. I did longer Saturday afternoon runs with D to get my mileage up. I had Sundays for rest. I honestly wasn't sure my running would improve because of the fast increase but by the third week I was much stronger and could knock out five miles runs each day after work relatively easily (and even had one epic 9 mile run, which is the longest continuous distance I've ever done!). 

I should warn you that this was a straight up challenge with no real planning. There was no end goal and it probably isn't the way you should ramp up your running, but I'm a sucker for a good dare.

I didn't lose any weight and I didn't even attempt to work on my speed. My pace was between 9 and 10 minutes/mile the entire time, which is my comfort speed. I did give up some sleep and I definitely had a lot less free time. During the third week it occurred to me that I could watch TV on my phone during my treadmill runs and that really helped - I can now combine my trashy TV with something virtuous! 

I did feel pretty great about myself (once I got over the first week adjustment where I felt nauseated and tired every single evening). The interesting thing about exercise for me is that the benefits are almost entirely emotional. If I up my exercise, my anxiety decreases, I'm more cheerful and I feel better about my body even if there is absolutely no physical change. 

This month, I'm going to ease back on the running and aim for three 5 - 6 mile runs each week, with at least one being speedwork. I don't think I'll ever be a fast runner, but I like working on it. 

I'm going to use the free days to transform myself into a deadly weapon. I convinced D to buy a Groupon for a month of Krav Maga classes with me and I can't tell you how excited I am. It's a lifelong dream of mine to be secretly awesome at street fighting. We'll see how far a month gets us.

Anyone else planning on some sort of fitness challenge? It's a good time to year to start, I think, because it combats the sluggishness that sometimes comes along with cold weather and dark evenings. 

40 comments:

  1. That is an awesome challenge, and congrats on succeeding at it!

    I ran a 10K at the end of September and pretty much immediately afterwards convinced my boyfriend to sign up for a half-marathon with me in January. We started training a week ago today -- 2.5 to 4 miles, four times a week, for the first week, and ramping up steadily from there over 11 more weeks -- and yes yes absolutely yes about how running makes you feel emotionally so much better regardless of actual bodily change. I am the exact same way. Even when a run itself is shitty I am so glad to have done it.

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    1. I'm so impressed! Before this month I would NEVER have considered a half marathon, but now it seems vaguely possible. Good luck training!

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    2. You got up to nine miles already! It is totally possible.

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  2. this is awesome! i signed up for a half marathon and loved the training. I loved being held accountable. I've had to take a break since my race because of a knee injury, so I don't think I can just jump into a 100 mile month challenge, but i definitely want to do it soon! it's getting dark and cold in Boston though, which means I'll soon be a treadmill only running. yuck. any good tips?

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    1. Boo for injuries! The only thing that gets me through treadmill runs (and I had to do a lot of them, because with my work schedule at this time of year I'm not home till after dark) is watching TV, honestly. That might not be super helpful to you! I downloaded ABC Player and HBO Go and it helped so much, even just watching re-runs of stupid shows.

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  3. I've seen in my own very modest kind of running that without a race or goal it's near impossible to stay motivated. Even with that awesome runners high that comes at the end of a good run. Think I'll go with a 100km a month challenge for now until I'm forced to use miles once I move to the US. Thanks for an inspiring post.

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    1. I rarely get the runners high, even with good runs, so I really rely on the motivation! Having Lauren as my partner really helped - maybe see if you have a friend, even long distance, who wants a challenge too?

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  4. Congrats!! I've never done more than 80 miles in a month, but you're so right- all of the mental health benefits make challenges like that extra worth it. (Especially here in New England, where November begins The Dark Months.)

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    1. That's part of the reason October sounded like a good idea - a little push to get us on track for winter!

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  5. go team us! as you know, the ease with which you started knocking out those fives really motivated me to step up my pace (i never managed a significant increase in single-run distances, but the week in which i had to knock out three in the morning and another three in the evening to bank miles before my running-hiatus trip to california was much easier when i could report excitedly to you about it). i'm starting to think there is something to the emotional benefit, as well; i wish i could Run Until The Feelings Go Away in re: this hurricane mess. post-holiday hundred this january?

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    1. The reporting was crucial! Also, the fact that it would have been really embarrassing to be the one to let down the team. So glad we did it.

      I think the hurricane mess is exactly the sort of situation where you need those runs. But, sadly, I'm sure it's really complicated by the electricity and general upheaval. But your walk is pretty epic - perhaps you can walk until the feelings go away?

      Thinking of you, running partner.

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  6. That is amazing! Congratulations! My husband and I are new at running, but are really enjoying it. I'll take this down as a future goal. :)

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    1. Having a partner makes it so much better! During the summer D and I sometimes run together after work and it's great (sadly, it's too dark to run after work during the winter and we're generally too lazy to do it in the morning).

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  7. I'm a way better dieter than exerciser, BUT I vow to stretch thoroughly before I hop into bed. I find that I sleep better and wake up with no kinks in my neck. That is the extent of my exercise, besides carrying a huge toddler around all the time.

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    1. Well, dieting is definitely more crucial for physical change, I think! And I think how much exercise we require is pretty individual. I've always needed quite a bit to feel my best. And you surf, lady! That's exercise too!

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  8. this is so motivational. i can't wait to get back into running post pregnancy. i wasn't running before getting pregnant but years ago i used to run long distance for the same euphoric feeling of strength and happiness you've experienced and now that i'm in a position of where i can't run, of course there's nothing more that i want to do. even if you feel like there's no physical change, i can guarantee that your body is definitely changing. exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle and i like that you set the goal and accomplished it. kudos!

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    1. Congrats! And I'm sure that it's tough when you can't run and feel like it! Walking is peaceful but doesn't give quite the same feeling. Hopefully you'll get back into it after you've recovered.

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  9. That's so great! November is my month for a fitness challenge. I've pretty much been terrible at working out the last year or so, so I've mapped out a plan for the month that includes a Couch to 5k running plan and some exercise DVD's that I can do when I don't feel like going to the gym. It's more for mental peace than anything else, since I feel so much better, in general, when I'm exercising regularly. I plan to get back into weight-lifting as well because being strong makes me feel happy, too. I hope you post about the Krav Maga classes; they sound like they'll be fun.

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    1. It's a great month for a challenge! I did the C25K plan the first time I started running and it was such a good ramp up. I have DVDs at home too - just need to get better about using them!

      I'll definitely post a wrap up on the Krav Maga classes - I just hope I haven't hyped them so much in my mind that they end up being disappointing (then again, it was only $40 for the month, so not too big a loss).

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  10. The 100-mile challenge sounds really awesome! I think I'm the same way re: the benefits of exercise/running. I don't always go consistently, but when I do, I notice an improvement in mood, etc. (so a reason to run more).

    Have fun with the Krav Maga classes! My fitness challenge consists of moving from a 5K -> 10K -> 10-miler -> half-marathon (at Disney maybe?).

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    1. Oooh - exciting! People love the Disney runs. I have several friends who've participated and had a great time. Nice motivation!

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  11. I love running challenges, even if it's just signing up for a 5K. I always need something to keep me motivated, especially now that it means running in the dark most of the time. Way to go! My motivation right now is to keep running through my pregnancy! 4 months in and feeling good, planning to sign up for a Turkey Trot and Christmas run too. Staying in shape for the baby and birth has been more motivating than I expected, even during the nauseating first trimester. Running and working out actually made me feel like myself again.

    And yes, the body image/working out is amazing. I can feel icky and after just one run look at myself in the mirror differently. crazy!

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    1. Nice! Do you read Hungry Runner Girl at all? I check in every once in a while and she ran serious distance throughout her entire pregnancy. Crazy! But maybe some extra motivation?

      I have the same mirror thing. I know logically that a single day of exercise doesn't make me look any different, but I feel like I look different!

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  12. My best friend started taking Krav this past spring and she LOVES it. Her skills are awesome. Have fun!

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  13. I keep telling myself I'm going to do a 30-day hot yoga challenge..... And then I don't.

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    1. You need a partner! Um, no way I'm volunteering. Hot yoga makes me want to die.

      Last November (or maybe the one before that?) D and I got a groupon for a month of unlimited yoga and we were managing 5 times a week. But man, the time that takes! 1.5 hour yoga classes are hard to fit in after work.

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    2. i've yet to find a hot yoga studio that isn't so boring that i'd actually want to go 30 days in a row.

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  14. I signed up for my first half marathon ever this past June. During the training for the half, my colleague somehow convinced me that we could run the Chicago Marathon in October and so we signed up in June. It would be the first marathon, ever, for the both of us. I completely agree having a partner/running buddy really encouraged us both to get our short runs and long runs completed for the week.
    I prefer to run outdoors and without music. Running helps me think clearly and I also love the emotional benefits. I don't think I lost any weight, but that's not what I was going for. I don't see any outstanding physical changes but I feel the best I've ever felt in my life. And while it was a painful journey at times, running and finishing the marathon is an accomplishment that I will certainly savor for months to come.

    Looking for the "next challenge" to continue motivating me to run and I like the idea of 100 mile month. Thanks for sharing!

    Evelyn

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    1. So amazing! I'm in awe of you - I can't see myself running that far ever!

      I like running outdoors too (even though it's harder than the treadmill it's less boring) but I still need music. My compromise is to run with one headphone in only, so that the ear I have next to the street is clear. I really love having that beat while I run.

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  15. I do krav maga once a week. can't wait to see how you like it!!!

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    1. Ooooh! Good to know! I hope we like it, even though I can't like it too much because the place near us only does monthly memberships and there's no way I can swing that cost.

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  16. Congrats on finishing your challenge. I love a good challenge and keeping up with it to the end is a challenge in itself. Yay for you!
    Tomorrow first thing I am signing up for a 10K or quarter Marathon! (I like the sound of quarter marathon- sounds way more awsome than a stinking 10K). I am not really a runner. I do some work outs at the gym on the tread mill so this will be a challenge.

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    1. You can do it! Training for a race will be really good motivation to step up your workouts.

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  17. Congrats! I am not a runner, but I do love hearing about people's fitness routines for some reason. And I am just like you when it comes to exercise- the emotional benefits are instantly felt (I'm happier, more content, feel good about myself and my body regardless of any actual physical changes).. yet I still struggle to commit to exercising.

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    1. I'm similar - love hearing about what people are doing for exercise, which is so weird. Exercise voyeurism?

      Everyone is different, but I find that I'm most consistent when I have a strict exercise schedule built into my work day. After I've done it for a few weeks, it stops being a choice and just becomes part of my routine and that's when it's easy.

      Easier said than done, though. I go through periods of time where I don't workout and then have to get back on it, even though I know I feel better when I'm working out daily.

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  18. Pretty impressive ladies.

    I'm trying to start running again. the puppy is making the task easier and perhaps even a little bit fun. Also I've signed up for beginner ballet classes that start tomorrow.

    And I don't even know what to say about you guys being willing to run twice a day.

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    1. A puppy is definitely a good running partner. If she agrees to run, of course. Circe is a short distance sprinter, but can't handle much mileage. : (

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  19. I have been doing a running program and finished my 5k a couple weeks ago and just started the 10K program. I have never necessarily liked running but I have learned to really love it!! But congrats on doing 100 miles in a month! Holy cow that is one accomplishment!!!

    xoxo,
    Alyssa

    sincerelytrulyscrumptious.com

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  20. Y'all are amazing. I've had a hard time running just once a WEEK lately (I partially blame the heat that just will not completely go away), so the thought of going morning & evening some days is beyond me.

    Enjoy Krav Maga! A friend of mine used to teach classes. She loved it.

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