Sunday, February 6, 2011

30 Days

As I sit here today, I'm on day 31 of my streak.  As I mentioned in my last post, I had high hopes of making it to at least day 30, but now that it has come and gone I sit here thinking what's next?  Through out these 30 days I have learned a ton about myself.  I have learned that I'm stronger than I thought, that my legs are strong and resilient, but above all, I have learned that when you have a goal in mind, all that stands between you and the finish is the mental attitude that you can get there if you really want to.

Running every day has become such a part of my routine, it's hard to imagine one day in the future of not lacing up and heading out for a run.  My day doesn't feel complete until I've logged my miles and had a good sweat.  I think there is some real truth to the 21 day habit thinking - it has become a habit, it has become more apart of me now than even before I started the streak.
I'm amazed at what I have accomplished.  By the numbers, here is where I stand at the end of the 30 days:
day started: January 8th - Crystal Springs Trail Half Marathon - 14.57 miles
miles logged: 255.4
average pace/mi: 8:15
long runs done: 4 - topping yesterday's 30 streak with a fast 18
pounds lost: close to 9-11 (I'm amazed at this!)

When I look at the raw numbers, I'm pretty dang proud.  I had no idea where this little streak would send me, but I just finished day 31 with another 8, and capping out my week with 68 miles - my highest mileage in I can't even remember!  Amazingly, my legs feel great!  I was a bit tired today when I set out, but it was windy and very warm, about 76, but I just pushed through and averaged a 7:55/mi pace - a pace I would have been ecstatic about just a few short months ago.

More than anything, I have seen my legs get faster.  I would not have imagined that would have happened over the course of running for 30 days straight, I would have thought the exact opposite.  But with the combination  of loosing quite a bit of pounds, rolling out daily and taking an ice bath a few times a week, my legs are loving this and are finally turning over at a pace I have been only dreaming about.  I feel almost as proud as when I crossed the finish line at CIM in December, and that's saying a lot!

With today being day #31, I can only think what's next?  I have been being very smart about my running, I'm eating a ton better, icing, stretching, rolling out, and I do believe this is what has kept me going.  My legs feel fresh everyday, and I am going to continue to ride this wave for as long as possible.  Right now I'm shooting for 60 days, but in all honesty, I would love to hit 100.  There's just something about 100 that sounds so bad ass! I know though, in order to keep going, I need to be smart about it.  I need to continue to listen to my body, fuel it well, and treat it like that temple that it is.  As I got farther and farther into the streak, I really tried to focus on what the benefits would be to me.  In the grand scheme of it all, I'm hoping that it will reap dividends when I toe the line for my first 50K in March - knowing what tired legs feels likes will really help me mentally when it gets tough out there.  Oh wait, forgot to mention that didn't I?  Oops!  I kind-of agreed to run a 50K in March with Punky.  Our friend isn't going to be able to run it (boo!) and offered me her bib!  Yayyy!  But, at the time I agreed to it, I hadn't looked at the date!  Oops again!  It's the day before my Shamrockin' Half!  Oh well, if I don't know what tired legs feels like now, I will then!  My original plan was to try and qualify for NY at Shamrockin', but now it will be just a fun run with some of my favorite running peeps.  There will be plenty of other half's this year to get that NY qualifying time, so I'm not at all bummed about that.  Oh, and if you noticed on my little side bar of upcoming races for the year, I added the Eugene Marathon on May 1st.  I was very much in need of a training plan when I signed up, I needed something to shoot and train for.  I have heard so many awesome things about this race and the timing just seemed to be perfect - AFTER tax season was all I needed to read ;)

As you can see, I have a busy schedule ahead of me.  But for the first time in a long time, I am finally feeling like my running has purpose, and that is a big relief to me.  I love to run, I love everything about it, but I do so much better when there is a carrot hanging in front of me like a goal race.  I'm hoping for a BIG PR there, so watch out, I'm thinking I'm going to have some more big weeks to come before race day.  Thanks again for all the support, knowing I have all of you cheering me on means a ton ;)

Congrats to all my friends who ran and raced this weekend!  Especially my buddy L.B. who had a HUGE PR at Surf City this weekend!  And my girl Page who also had a HUGE PR there in the half - that's a NY qualifying time!  You both are rockstars in my book!  Very proud of you both!!! CONGRATS!!

I'm off to catch off with all of you, enjoy your Super Bowl Sunday!!
Happy Running peeps!

18 comments:

trailturtle said...

Hi Katie,
Well, speaking of Super Bowls, my team (Pgh) isn't doing very well, so it was more fun to go check my blogger dashboard-- and there at the top was yours! Congrat's on the great streak and how your body is handling things. Wish my body could let me decide to do an ultra on a whim, especially to accompany a friend like Punky. Glad things are looking up for you. Hope to see you soon.
Nice post, period. Run well, Ann

Angie said...

31 days!! That's awesome!! Congrats! I just found you blog, you have a very impressive race history! :)

Jill said...

Did you go down to SC to watch them run? I thought you said that once...but I can't remember.

You are just the Energizer Bunny...you keep going and going! Love that about you!

We need to chat soon! I miss ya tons!!
xoxo

Ewa said...

Oh, you will get to 100 days for sure and then you wil want to get to a full year. It is addictive.
And boy, are you fast!!!
Today was a hard day to run. Way too warm and too windy. So much for CA winter.

MCM Mama said...

Amazing! I can't even imagine running that many miles in a week.

Great job!

Marlene said...

Girl, I am in AWE! You have been posting some solid runs so obviously this is doing something good for you.

A 50K and HM back-to-back in the middle of possibly a 100 day steak?! OMG, I can't wait to see where this takes you.

AWESOME!

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

Wow you are a ROCK STAR!! Amazing all that you can do when you have focus. you will be amazing at the 50K.. and speedy, holy WOW!!

misszippy said...

You are doing SO well! Very inspiring. Keep it going.

Emily said...

i'm super impressed that you're still feeling your legs gain speed. sometimes when I'm training a crazy amount, i start feeling super heavy in my legs and have to back off to get fast. you are amazing!

Denise said...

nice job!! keep it up but be safe!

Katie said...

gorgeous girl, i'm so proud of you! keep rocking out those miles! muah!

J said...

Way to go on your streak! I had a mini streak during december and january where I didn't take a day off from exercise and it really made me feel awesome. I lost a little bit of weight and I felt strong and healthy! So I think the human body responds well to streaks with the proper fuel and care! Seems like you got everything going good! keep it up!

Jess said...

Congrats on 31 days! That's impressive, especially with such high mileage.

Val said...

Nice work on the streak! And with such high mileage! I'm streaking myself but I do 3 to 4 longer runs a week and just 1 mile every other day so I'm super impressed with you! I agree, though, that it becomes a routine part of the day just like brushing my teeth, changing into pajamas and putting on anti-wrinkle cream (ha!). Keep up the good work.

sisterbison.blogspot.com

Heather said...

Wow, you are on fire! I can feel your reignited passion in this post and am so happy for you. Keep it up. :)

B.o.B. said...

Whoa! You are my hero. I may have to try this out but I'll start with 10 days in a row. LOL!

Anonymous said...

I honestly commend you; I do not think I could run everyday. And not because I don't love running, but seriously...and I am being serious...my hair! Holy Cow...it takes me so long to do my hair!

Anonymous said...

I love that your streak is still going strong! keep it up girl!