Blah...

It was a rather disappointing week for running.  I ran 12 miles during the week and was all set for a nice long run on Saturday, but the wind that day was ridiculous.  I managed 5 miles but it felt like I ran 30...I didn't feel this bad after the 10 miles I ran the previous Saturday.  I could not get into a rhythm and struggled the whole time.  I figured I could make up some of the mileage for the week the next day, but that didn’t work out too well.

Both Ella and I got sick Saturday night and spent the whole day laying around watching TV… not that that’s not fun, but it’s always more enjoyable when you’re feeling well (thanks to Pam for making sure her patients got all the care they needed).  Needless to say, I did not run on Sunday, and wound up with only 17 miles, which is below the pace I need to keep each week.

I’ve felt better today (so does Ella) and actually got in a run this evening.  Hoping that this week turns out better…
--17 miles this week (145 total miles to date...$72.50 for Mike)--

A personal best...

 

A great week of running!  I did not quite make up for the previous week’s shortfall (remember I was sick…), but I did reach a major milestone.  Perhaps it was the sunny and clear, although slightly chilly, morning…perhaps it was the banana I ate before I drove to Centennial Park…perhaps it was the well-timed change on the iPod to Journey's Separate Ways…or perhaps it was just a combination of all of these factors, but I ran 10 miles on Saturday!

Lame...

 

I have previously not run more than 8 miles, and really struggled to do that, so this was just unexpected.  I guess I just got into a great rhythm on Saturday.  I never felt really tired until the last ½ mile when my legs started to feel sluggish.  I think if I had been able to eat something, or have some water during the run, I would have been able to keep going.  I will definitely be better prepared for the next long distance attempt, although I absolutely refuse to wear a water bottle fanny pick thing. 

 

Ultimately, this has given me new confidence to attempt a half-marathon race this year (and maybe an attempt at 26.2???).  I’m actually thinking that I will attempt 13.1 miles in a few weeks just as part of the overall 1,000 mile challenge.  The challenge seems a lot easier when you knock off 10, 11, 12, or 13 miles at a time.

 

So I can't wear a fanny pack, but admit that I play old Nintendo games

The toll of the 10-mile run was felt on Sunday.  I was rather sore and just could not get motivated to do anything…although it was Sunday after all.  So, I reacquainted myself with an old 8-bit Nintendo favorite that I recently purchased for the Wii…Mega Man 2!!!  What a great way to kill 2 and ½ hours.  I did beat the game after not playing it for twenty years…I’m not sure if that is impressive or pathetic…

 
--22 miles this week (128 total miles to date...$61 for Mike)--

A little setback...

So last week was a difficult one.  I was only able to run 12 miles, since I came down with a cold on Monday.  My nose was stuffed up and running at the same time…how does this happen?!?!  In any event, I did not feel like running until Wednesday evening, which was a struggle due to the lack of being able to breathe issue.   I felt better by the weekend, so I was ultimately able to somewhat salvage the week.  “They” say that it’s best to continue your exercise routine as best you can as you fight a cold.  I must say that I was able to overcome this most recent cold fairly well, while maintaining a minimum level of exercise.  Perhaps “they” are right.  Personally, I think my quick recovery is due to my near religious belief in the greatest cold remedy of all time…Dayquil!  

Oh how I love thee...

I’m aiming to play catch-up this week, so a steady dose of 3-4 miles every day should do the trick. I’m hoping Saturday is relatively nice so I can get an 8-miler in.  Seems like every weekend these last couple of weeks there has been some variation of rain/snow/ice.  I’m hoping for sun and 50 degrees, is that too much to ask for in February?!?! 

--12 miles this week (106 total miles to date...$53 for Mike)--

Reflecting on the challenge...

I've been thinking quite a bit recently about this year-long 1,000 mile challenge.  The original impetus for me establishing this challenge was to set a long-term running goal that would hopefully allow me to achieve other running goals along the way (i.e., run a half-marathon, trail-running, etc.) and to ensure that I stay fit.  I wanted to ensure that I would be held accountable for the goal, so I started the blog.  But I'm beginning to realize that this challenge is rather self-serving.  I mean who really cares about me running?   There should be a greater purpose to this challenge. 

So I've done some reflecting, and I've determined that this challenge will be to honor my cousin Mike.  Mike  passed away last May after a long bout with cancer.  He passed well before his time, and it caused me to evaluate and appreciate the truly important things in life...family, friends, and striving to ensure that you do all that you can to help others.  Focusing on these priorities has given me the idea to donate $0.50 for every mile I run this year to the American Cancer Society. 

It's unfortunately too late for Mike to benefit from the work that the American Cancer Society does for those suffering as he did, but perhaps we can continue to support their efforts to help others and hopefully eradicate this disease.  I ask those of you who read this to consider those people that you know that have also been afflicted by cancer.  I don't want to pressure anyone to donate, but if interested, let's work together to donate as much money as possible this year to the American Cancer Society.  Whether you just go and donate on your own, or if you would like to link my running with your donation ($0.05 a mile, $0.10 a mile), all is appreciated.

Thanks everyone for your support over the past month.  I promise to continue putting forth my best effort to ensure that my cousin is honored by this challenge.

--18 miles this week (94 total miles to date...$47)--