You know how it is- you reach the end of a training cycle and immediately begin searching for another race to run. A few weeks ago, I contemplated running a local half-marathon at the beginning of December. I’d already planned to keep training with Sara, as her race isn’t for a couple of weeks, so why not, right? Well…the more I thought about it, I didn’t care for the idea. Ideally, I’d like more rest time than three weeks. I’d also like to improve on my W&D time, which wouldn’t be easy. Ultimately, I decided to wait. Rest. Continue running, obviously, but also devote more time to strength training- something I neglected as I got closer to race day.
I knew I still needed to focus on a goal. As luck would have it, I had some free time to read the latest issue of Runner’s World last week and saw an article about the RW Holiday Running Streak. The challenge is to run every day from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. It only took about 30 seconds for me to decide to participate. I’ve never done a running streak, so my plan is to keep my current schedule (four days of running, one of them a longer run) and add a mile to the remaining days. They may not be fast. Or maybe I’ll feel like running more than a mile. Maybe I’ll feel like running less. Perhaps I’ll take the girls for a run on the track near our house or do laps on the soccer field- totally counts, right? My goal is to complete the streak with the least amount of planning possible; I think it will be more fun that way and less stressful during an already busy time.
I hope this will allow me to consume more Christmas treats! No, really, I hope this will make me a stronger runner. I have speed goals and while I’m not focused on them right now, they are always lurking in the back of my mind. I’ve read that one way to increase speed is to increase one’s total weekly mileage…so let’s see, shall we?
In other news, I wrote a guest post over at Sara’s blog, The Classy Crafter. Check it out to find a cute family craft that you can enjoy for many Thanksgivings to come (or at least until you add another family member and have to make a new one.
I also committed to the RW Streak, it’ll be a challenge for me to get out every day but I think it’s important with the amount of runs I have coming up. Good luck with your streak!!
Yes! You do have a lot coming up; rock on, Heather. We’ll have to keep each other accountable. 🙂
I was just talking about this today! I think it will be a challenge for me since I’m not a daily runner, but it will keep me consistent though the end of the year. Let’s get our streak on! 😉
I’m not a daily runner either. I’m just going to keep reminding myself that I just have to do a mile a day. We can do this!
I committed to the Holiday Streak as well! I’m a little intimated by it and not having rest days, but I’ll take those one mile “rest days” as easy as possible. I’m hoping it will help make me a better/ stronger runner. Plus, it will force me to get out there as it starts to get colder and snowy!
Yes, slow and steady one miles will have to be enough rest. It’ll be fun! Right? And I’m with you, I hope it helps become stronger. It’s not cold yet here, so good luck with the weather! Thanks.
As long as my foot is up to it, I am planning on streaking with you. I really hope my foot can handle a mile a day. If not, I suppose I have bigger fish to fry.
Woohoo! Go you and go your foot! Slow and steady. 🙂
I’m streaking too! I loved the summer streak (it was my first) but did something similar last November/December without realizing it. Advice: make a plan, and have back-ups. What’s your normal run time, and what happens if it doesn’t work out? Also, remembering it only has to be a mile. One little mile 🙂
You are so right! I’m already envisioning a quick run with the double jogger and my oldest scootering along with me because Christmas break will occur in the middle of all this fun. It’s a little over one mile to my gym and back (total distance), and framing it that way makes it seem a lot less daunting. Thanks for the tips, good luck and have fun!
I’ve been intrigued by the idea of running streaks since I started running earlier this year, but I haven’t committed to one yet. I think I’m going to do the RW holiday streak. I’m already running four days a week and working out six days most weeks for marathon training, so it shouldn’t be too hard to just get in a mile on each of my three non-running days. On the other hand, I won’t hesitate to end the streak if I feel like it’s messing with my overall training.
Let us know how it goes, Ben! Good luck with your marathon training!
My roommate just hit 27 months for his streak
Yeah! That’s awesome; my friend just hit 2 years earlier this week.
I would LOVE to do a streak. Really wanted to do it in September for Million Mile Run. BUT, I have a kid. And, I DON’T have a treadmill. And, my kid gave up the stroller just around 3 years of age…including the BOB. Now the kiddo’s schedule dictates my running (and every other) schedule. Until she is in school “full-time”, I guess it will be that way. Such is life! Good luck with you streak! Raaaar!
Ah, mine will still go in the stroller for a short run. There might be bribery involved. 😉 The issue there is that it’s built for two. We’ll see how it all shakes out when the girls are on holiday break. Thanks, Megan!
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