I set a goal for myself to run 100 miles in November.
I set this goal for a couple reasons.
First, I kind of fell out of a running routine, and I know that the best way to solidify a habit is to get as many reps in as possible, so that was going to force me to run just about every day.
Second, I ran a little over 100 miles last December 2018, and I want to do more than that this year. So I figured I’d better get going in November and that way I’d already have momentum going.
Third, I’m running a 5K turkey trot on Thanksgiving, and I haven’t broken 30 minutes in a 5K in a couple years and that is pissing me off.
Fourth, I set another goal for myself. I want to run one 5K race (or longer) every month in 2020. And after setting that goal I decided I’d start in November to get a head start.
I had a good exercise week this week. Even with a few bumps in the road.
I ran a little more than three miles every day.
Most of those days I felt awful while I was running.
I expected this.
Saturday was my 12th consecutive day of running. My body was TIRED.
This was also the week my mom went in for surgery after receiving a cancer diagnosis, so I was not only physically drained, but emotionally drained, too.
But I knew if I could run all 7 days I’d feel really, REALLY good about myself.
My mom had surgery last Wednesday (the 13th). I made sure I ran before I went to the hospital.
Thursday is my therapy day. I see my therapist every Thursday morning at 9 a.m.
I don’t have time to run before I go see her, and I don’t like waiting until I get back home because inevitably I procrastinate and I’m often not working out until 11 or 12 and I really don’t like working out that late in the morning.
So I wore my running clothes to my appointment, and I went for a run there, as soon as I got out of her office. It felt so good to do that and get it over with before I went home.
Last week on my last two runs I averaged 10:29/mile and then 10:23/mile.
I couldn’t come close to that this week.
As the week progressed, I got slower and slower.
That’s because I was tired and is to be expected.
If you are just starting to run consistently and find that you are hitting a plateau or even getting slower a couple weeks after you start, don’t freak out.
Your body is just broken down a little. It’s okay.
On Sunday I had a decent run. I did 3.1 miles and averaged 10:26/mile.
As the week goes on, I try to increase my mileage by a little bit each day. Just a tenth of a mile or so.
On Monday I increased my mileage by a tenth of a mile and averaged 10:39/mile. Fatigue was already setting in.
Tuesday I did 3.2 miles and averaged 11:02/mile.Tuesday’s run totally sucked. And I did the same route as the 2 days before, so it wasn’t because I ran a harder loop or anything.
Wednesday I felt a tiny bit better. 3.39 miles at 10:52/mile.
Thursday was the run by my therapist’s office. It was hillier than the route I like to run at home, so that’s part of the reason I was a little slower. 3.5 miles at 11:08/mile. I was also just super fatigued.
Friday was 3.66 miles at 10:41/mile. I had a phone call at 9:15 a.m. so I kinda had to hurry.
Saturday wasn’t too bad. A little shorter. 3.21 miles at 10:47/mile.
I ran a total of 23.27 miles.
The week before I did 18.94 miles.
So I ran 4+ more miles last week than I did the week before.
My goal for this week?
4 miles a day.
I took today (Monday) off to give myself a little bit of rest.
We’ll see how it goes!
If you are struggling to exercise consistently, start with something you can manage every day. Even 5 minutes will make a difference.
Pick something you can sustain and then commit to it.
You can check in with me next week and let me know how you did!
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