Holiday Mile-A-Day Challenge - Week 2

Thor · Nov 29, 2011

Holiday Mile-A-Day Challenge - Week 2 of 6 
Challenge 
Run at minimum a mile per day from Thanksgiving through New Year's. Why? Because we can. As of this writing, we have 20 streakers, so know that you are not alone. Know that on those days you don't feel like doing anything, someone else is feeling the same way; and both of you will get up and do it. Why? Why not! 
Also, it's not too late for newcomers to join. I can add you to the list. 
Remember that this is for us. Which means that if your body says, "I cannot physically run a mile every day," you have grounds to redefine "Mile" to be anything that works with what you have. Just don't cheat. Mile-A-Day means doing something every day. And this challenge is meant to keep it light and provide fun ideas. Week 2 - Monday, Nov. 28 thru Sunday, Dec. 4 
First full week, so let's make it count! Monday & Tuesday 
Since I suck (re: late getting out this note), you were on your own for the first two days of the week. If you still have Tuesday to complete, why not pick your favorite 3 mile loop, only today you will do it in reverse direction of the way you normally do. I swear when I say that it'll be like doing a completely different loop. You will notice houses and things you don't normally. Changing up routes in this way keeps things more fresh. Which keeps you fresh. Wednesday 
This, if you're following a plan or the traditional training week, will be one of your more quality runs. Do that as-is. You need nothing more. If you're not following a plan, such as myself right now, you have Wednesday open for some good miles. Today do a route that you have never done before. Go for 3 to 4 or even 5 or more miles. Your call. But try a different route. I will do a new route tomorrow. Since I have run on nearly all roads in my area, I will have to be creative. But I'm game. Thursday & Friday 
If you ran quality yesterday, you'll likely go short on one of these days, presumably the day after, and it might be just a mile. Why not warm up a half a mile and then do some easy strides of 10 to 15 seconds on the return leg? If you didn't do quality or go longer yesterday, pick your own here. Maybe even treat yourself to a run with music -- bring your iPod! Or you can do what xflbk does and try to do a mile on the fast side! Saturday 
Saturday or Sunday is traditionally a long run day. I challenge you to do your long run -- or whatever will serve as your "main" weekend run, be it 3 miles, 5 or 15 -- with a friend. Yes, send an email to a friend or group and ask if they want to run. Running with company is the single best way to keep you motivated and running strong toward your goals. It's a fact. I am coming on 8 years of streak running, and I promise you that I could not have gone that long, nor committed this to lifestyle, without social runs. While you are running, you will also ask this person to run with you next week during the week. Because next week, you will run with them. Got it? Good. Sunday 
Assuming you ran yesterday, Sunday might be an easy, down day. If so, and if you want to only go for a walk, chose a walking route that is not the same as any of your running routes. Maybe cruise through the neighborhood across the street. Walk for 20 minutes or more. No stress. Just start walking. Don't even think about where you will go. Instead, slip into the cartoon in your head. 
*Next week will start a few really fresh ideas for keeping your runs fun. If you're up for playing along, these will be fun. And they really keep you highly motivated. Plus, there will be a slightly tougher challenge. But I promise it will be fun. But it may not sound fun at first!

Stitcher · Nov 29, 2011

Monday for Rabbit and me was a quick 6 laps around the collesium.....for a bit over our mile. Yukky weather, bad sleep, work, and hunger meant that we hit it after we ate dinner and headed home. Scenery included several majorettes rehearsing their audition routines for next year's marching band.
 
Tuesday saw a renewed dedication to being more studly than the others in the neighborhood. For two who live in the south and deal with thin blood, the hi 30s and drizzle was almost enough to keep us indoors......but instead, we pounded out 3 miles. Later this evening is master's swimming where our main goal is to keep the snot INSIDE our noses rather than in the pool.
 
When it's threatening to "slurpee" outside in Alabama in November, you know that the southern weather has gone wacky.

zojmn151 · Nov 29, 2011

yesterday was walking, walking and walking some more around Kittery...
 
Today - weights FIB bike...DM was looking too "dreadful"...

Thor · Nov 29, 2011

Streakers, live on!
 
I'm good, too. Had a social run this morning that, believe it or not, I've been doing for almost 10 years. What's really cool is that I have witnessed my running friends' kids grow. Pretty cool to share that kind of thing. Tomorrow I will follow Wednesday's advice by doing a loop I have never done before. I'll need to get creative, but it'll be fun. Report back about how YOUR new loop went, if you went on one. Who knows, maybe it'll turn into one of your standard loops. If nothing else, it'll be good for the mind and body to try something new.

Thor · Nov 29, 2011

An update in case you haven't been to the Week 1 thread...
 
As of this writing, we have 20 streakers, 18 of whom in Week 1 earned the Adam Cohen Gold Star!
 
Sparty On!

em73 · Nov 30, 2011

(whoops, thought I was in the daily)

jenotter · Nov 30, 2011

Thanks for the ideas Thor!!
 
Yesterday spent the day pushing the little otters around Disneyland. Between that and the 1/2 mile walk from the parking garage to the park, then back at the end of the day, I called it good. They are really too big for the stroller, but you know...had to keep with the streak!! <img alt="biggrin.gif" id="user_yui_3_4_1_7_1322628745079_160" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">
 
Today - was planning on a 1m run/walk with the pooch...ran her for a mile, then dropped her off and ran 2 more. Just 'cuz. Tomorrow looking at maybe intervals or hills and P90X at night.

TriAndStopMe · Nov 30, 2011

Another two miles on the rower on the rower. Tomorrow should have room for more. Today was packed with work and aftermath from the B&E.
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Thor · Nov 30, 2011

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Originally Posted by jenotter <a href="/t/75809/holiday-mile-a-day-challenge-week-2#post_2021178"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a>
 
Yesterday spent the day pushing the little otters around Disneyland. Between that and the 1/2 mile walk from the parking garage to the park, then back at the end of the day, I called it good. They are really too big for the stroller, but you know...had to keep with the streak!! <img alt="biggrin.gif" id="user_yui_3_4_1_7_1322628745079_160" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">
 
Today - was planning on a 1m run/walk with the pooch...ran her for a mile, then dropped her off and ran 2 more. Just 'cuz. Tomorrow looking at maybe intervals or hills and P90X at night.
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Nice!
 
If you do hills, and if you are looking for something different to try, you could pick a longer hill, say one that takes roughly 2 to 3 minutes to climb, start the hill with an easy work rate and, when you hit half way, kick it up a notch. But be sure to pace easy on the first half. Or break the hill into thirds, where you go very, very easy the first third, increase effort slightly in the second third, and then increase again for the last third. But don't kill the hill. You want to be able to run over the top. And do just that. Run over the top.
 
Another workout is to pick a short hill for hill bounds. Short hill might be 15 seconds to a minute. Charge the sucker.

And when you do hill repeats, keep them "light" by only doing enough repeats where you're still running them strong. If you time yourself on each, when your time up gets out of range of the others, say by 8 or more seconds slower, stop... you're done for the workout. Go cool down.
<div class="quote-container"> <div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by TriAndStopMe <a href="/t/75809/holiday-mile-a-day-challenge-week-2#post_2021183"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> Another two miles on the rower on the rower. Tomorrow should have room for more. Today was packed with work and aftermath from the B&E.
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So I have an idea. You've been given a bad hand. If you double up today or some other day this week, use that extra workout as yesterdays. It all counts. And keep the extra workout short and easy, if you do it. Don't want to burnout doing too much too soon.
 
So for me this morning, I followed my own suggestion above by carving out an entirely new route, one I have never run. It was fun. And I know in doing this, it keeps me fresh in the days and weeks, even months, to come.
 
Anybody else do a new route?

Tri-Tammy · Nov 30, 2011

I'm sore, but I'll take it because yesterday marked 7 straight days of running! <img alt="biggrin.gif" id="user_yui_3_4_1_7_1322670331681_151" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;">
 
My workouts prior to this challenge were: trainer 2-3x per week, swimming 2-3x per week, running 3x per week. Now with the added mile to the other 4 days that I wasn't running I'm noticing that I need to mindfully stretch everyday and roll every other day or so. But all is going really good and I feel great!!!!
 
Keep up the great work everyone!

Thor · Nov 30, 2011

<div class="quote-container"> <div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Tri-Tammy <a href="/t/75809/holiday-mile-a-day-challenge-week-2#post_2021245"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> I'm sore, but I'll take it because yesterday marked 7 straight days of running! <img alt="biggrin.gif" id="user_yui_3_4_1_7_1322670331681_151" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;">
 
My workouts prior to this challenge were: trainer 2-3x per week, swimming 2-3x per week, running 3x per week. Now with the added mile to the other 4 days that I wasn't running I'm noticing that I need to mindfully stretch everyday and roll every other day or so. But all is going really good and I feel great!!!!
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You will get stronger through this. But before I get there, let me say CONGRATULATIONS to you and many others, maybe as many as 18, for 7 consecutive days! Very impressed.
 
The more you run the stronger you will get. Take TransRockies for me, where I ran 120 miles over 6 days. You would think that it gets harder and harder and that your body gets less and less responsive. That is true to a point. It does get harder, at least for the first three days, but then you start to get stronger, and when your mind realizes this and stops fighting the fatigue, it gets yet easier, because you know you will do it. You learn to ignore the tired feeling in the legs as something that means, "stop running," and instead you know it is just fatigue -- and nothing more -- because, after all, you've been at it many days in a row. Even with a mile a day, you will get stronger.
 
But you bring up another point, that about stretching and, quite related, pace. During the first 2 to 3 weeks, as your body adapts to the daily pounding, you will probably need to stretch more often. Please do so. Even if just a for 5 minutes here or there. Lean into stretches gently, but make sure to hold them for 45 seconds to a minute or longer, all the while gradually leaning more and more into it. The muscle will elongate and you will be leaning further and further. However, if you feel tearing or something that might seem like it, even if it's just a thought, pull back until you no longer feel that. You can do damage on those micro tears, but you'd likely know already if that were the case.
 
On top of that know that when you run every day, you must vary your pace. You don't want to head out for every run at tempo pace; nor do you want to run fast. You'll have your quality workouts, where you are free to run hard and fast, but the other runs, just get out there and enjoy it. Pick a nature breathing pattern and hold it there, regardless of what the pace is. We're in off season. No need to crush yourself just yet. And when you run everyday, you must have easy days.
 
Sparty On! (my new phrase)

Yo Sake · Nov 30, 2011

Good work all, woohooooo!!!!!!
 
So far my week has been:
Mon - 5.5miles
Tue - 5.25 on TM including 5x800m at a tempo
Wed - 5.25 on TM (hotel)
Getting wimpy a bit, under the weather/unfamiliar city/in the dark. 
I am planning to take Thor's suggestion on calling friends thing this weekend. Supposedly better weather. Planning to do the season ending cross race on Sunday!

runNYtrails · Nov 30, 2011

Anybody else do a new route? <img alt="cool.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/cool.gif"> me, me, me ! 
i been following along pretty closely , getting miles in each day and injoying the suggested assigments for tryin' new stuff. Today's 4 MILE LUNCH was a modification of the usual route so, Yeah , i did a new route . . . which for us OCD runners is a diffiult undertaking. As was yesterdays backwards route <img alt="razz.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/razz.gif"> <img alt="biggrin.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"> but i got em done and the werld didnt end !! 
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Stitcher · Nov 30, 2011

Not a new route, but a new drill in the pool.
 
A kick your a$$ sort of set that makes you realize that hard work can be fun, require concentration, and still hurt but leave you wanting to do it again, just to prove to the workout that you can be better than it is.
 
Warm up
 
Power Set:
Get a stretchy cord with a belt attached to it. You see the competitive swimmers use them a ton.
Be creative if you don't have one....you can buy them from swim supply stores, too.
 
Anchor it so that it will give you enough stretch to get to about the flags (~5-10-ish yards)
 
Set:
10x moderate swimming as 15 seconds on, 20 seconds off.
When you swim to the end of the stretch, keep swimming trying not to let the cord pull you backward.
 
1 min rest
 
8x hard kicking as 10 seconds on, 15 seconds off.
Same thing, try not to get pulled backward. This time, though, on the "off" portions, don't relax back into the wall.
Grab the lane line and stay in the middle of the pool. Start each subsequent rep in the middle.
 
1 min rest
 
 
6x hard swimming as 10 seconds on, 10 seconds off.
Same thing. No backward pulling, stay in the middle for all repeats.
 
1 min rest
 
 
4x hard kicking as 10 seconds on, 5 seconds off.
Same thing. Except this time, NO PUKING IN THE POOL!
 
Swim ez 200 yds.
 
Do the power set again.
 
Cool down.
 
 
I had to get out after the first set with an asthma issue.....turns out my inhaler was not in my swim bag. Yeah, I'll get a smack on the head for that one.
 
Rabbit made it through the whole workout.

rottensquirrel · Dec 1, 2011

TCOB 1 mile on Mon, Tues, and Weds. Probably won't get more miles/day until the weekend.

Thor · Dec 1, 2011

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<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by runNYtrails <a href="/t/75809/holiday-mile-a-day-challenge-week-2#post_2021320"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
Yeah , i did a new route . . . which for us OCD runners is a diffiult undertaking. As was yesterdays backwards route <img alt="razz.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/razz.gif"> <img alt="biggrin.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"> but i got em done and the werld didnt end !! 
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NICE!!! Nice job. And you know, I swear when I say that incorporating "freshness," such as a new route or running an old one in reverse direction, really keeps you motivated in the long run. But try to incorporate these during your normal training throughout the year. I can't explain it more than to say that it keeps you fresh and your mind plugged in by keeping you stimulated both in mind and body rather than pounding out the same old same old that really becomes the same old stale, same old stale after not too much time. And when you pound away at the old hat too long, your mind burns out. 

Great job!
<div class="quote-container"> <div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Yo Sake <a href="/t/75809/holiday-mile-a-day-challenge-week-2#post_2021319"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
I am planning to take Thor's suggestion on calling friends thing this weekend. Supposedly better weather. Planning to do the season ending cross race on Sunday! </div>
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Nice. You're definitely one who could benefit by doing social runs more regularly. Especially in off season, but specifically during the year. Nice job. It just keeps you fresh and always motivated. I consider group runs, even if just a group of two, almost as freebies, because it's like you're not even running.
 
<div class="quote-container"> <div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Stitcher <a href="/t/75809/holiday-mile-a-day-challenge-week-2#post_2021323"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> Not a new route, but a new drill in the pool.
 
A kick your a$$ sort of set that makes you realize that hard work can be fun, require concentration, and still hurt but leave you wanting to do it again, just to prove to the workout that you can be better than it is.
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And so, your second comment is EXACTLY why changing things up, be it a new route or swim workout, in the end keeps you fresh and motivated. nicely done!!!!
 
 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by rottensquirrel <a href="/t/75809/holiday-mile-a-day-challenge-week-2#post_2021354"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> TCOB 1 mile on Mon, Tues, and Weds. Probably won't get more miles/day until the weekend.
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If you can squeeze in Thurs or Fri, just one mile, then you can double up on the weekend to earn back the other day you missed. I'll count it. If you're motivated to get it all in.

AdCo · Dec 1, 2011

Good for Wed.. serious strenuous house construction!

Stitcher · Dec 1, 2011

I confess.......
I'm a southern runner who is a bit of a cold-weather wuss.
I hear about "all y'all" folks who live up north and don't put on long sleeves or tights until it's like.............oh, I don't know 15 below 0 and I just shake my head at your fortitude (or, is it craziness?).
Then, I think about the days when we in the south have to figure out how to stay cool in the middle of summer when the LOW temps can sometimes be as high as 85 degrees without running completely naked, thus getting arrested....and I realize that we all have our issues with Mother Nature, whether it's summer or winter. We all have to conquer her at some point.
 
And, Alaska Mike....You just totally bowl me over with the weather you run in during winter!
 
That being said,
28 degrees in Alabama on the first day of December is still pretty darn cold!
 
But, Rabbit and I did it.
4 miles.....even did the LONG hill route.
We made our own snow on our hats, even!
 
And, yes, we had on a LOT of clothes.
But, our blood is thin......we need the insulation.

TriAndStopMe · Dec 1, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Thor <a href="/t/75809/holiday-mile-a-day-challenge-week-2#post_2021217"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
So I have an idea. You've been given a bad hand. If you double up today or some other day this week, use that extra workout as yesterdays. It all counts. And keep the extra workout short and easy, if you do it. Don't want to burnout doing too much too soon. 
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I was lucky on the break-in day... I was expecting to have a massage/PT appointment that night, so I got the mile done in the morning well before the incident. I'm definitely mindful of overdoing it. Rather than huge volumes, I'm more focused on getting something in everyday. On days like today where a morning workout is required, something roughly equivalent to your "at least a mile" is just about right. Neither my body nor my head are fond of mornings, so for this first full week at least, just getting in something early is good progress.
 
Last night was strength training (weights and squats). This morning I've checked off a mile on the rower. I haven't managed to find a new route for the rower, but I do change up the stroke speed and intensity. ;-)

Thor · Dec 1, 2011

<div class="quote-container"> <div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by TriAndStopMe <a href="/t/75809/holiday-mile-a-day-challenge-week-2#post_2021386"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
Last night was strength training (weights and squats). This morning I've checked off a mile on the rower. I haven't managed to find a new route for the rower, but I do change up the stroke speed and intensity. ;-)</div>
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Thanks for the laugh... and nicely done there, TASM!
<div class="quote-container"> <div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Stitcher <a href="/t/75809/holiday-mile-a-day-challenge-week-2#post_2021385"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> I confess.......
I'm a southern runner who is a bit of a cold-weather wuss.
I hear about "all y'all" folks who live up north and don't put on long sleeves or tights until it's like.............oh, I don't know 15 below 0 and I just shake my head at your fortitude (or, is it craziness?).
Then, I think about the days when we in the south have to figure out how to stay cool in the middle of summer when the LOW temps can sometimes be as high as 85 degrees without running completely naked, thus getting arrested....and I realize that we all have our issues with Mother Nature, whether it's summer or winter. We all have to conquer her at some point.
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Exactly. You have tougher summers, we have crueler winters. I am actually pretty lucky. I run well in both cold and heat. Heat hurts, but I can still perform. Cold is manageable by gear. I truly believe the saying that goes, "There is no bad weather... there is only bad gear." 

And the cold, you get used to it. You learn how to dress for it, and once you realize that your lungs won't freeze shut, and once you experience your first long run in the brutal cold, you're good to go. Last year I did a 20 miler in extreme cold -- extreme for New England. My car read -4F en route to the start. At the start it was -5F. By the time we got back to the car, sweating completely, it was a balmy 0F. To be honest, that was far better than running in a sleet/snow storm at 25F. You can dress for the cold.

Holiday Mile-A-Day Challenge - Week 2

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