I did it! Today is day 25 of my running streak!
If you are unfamiliar with what exactly a running streak is, the United States Running Streak Association, Inc (USRSA) defines it as "to run at least one mile within each calendar day." The run can be done on the road, trail, or treadmill. Sounds fairly simple right? I mean you must be thinking, how hard can it be? It's not like you are required to run 5 or even 3 miles a day. One mile is a piece of cake, who can't run one mile everyday... well let me say, it's not as easy as it sounds. For me, it wasn't about the actual run, it was finding the time to get it done. Life is busy and the days go by fast. As a mom of two (one being a newborn nonetheless) and working full time, there were days where all I could fit in was one mile. There were days where I was super exhausted, lazy, and just did not want to run, but I was determined and knew that regardless of how I felt before, I always felt great afterwards.
So where do I find time to run you ask? First let me give you a little background on what my schedule is like. 4 days a week, my husband and I are like passing ships in the night. He works during the day and I work in the evening and I don't get home till about 3am. By the time I get home and get into bed, I have about 4 hours before my toddler is up and ready for the day...and by the way, those 4 hours are not straight sleep, let's not forget I have a newborn who likes to nurse all night long, because he's missed mommy while she was at work. Bottom line, I'm pretty much exhausted so I don't always have time during the day to get my runs in. It's also been pretty hot here so the thought of running with my double stroller, just doesn't sound fun for me or the kiddos so I have become a lunch break runner. On the days I don't get my run in before work, I make sure to pack a lunch, eat it at my desk while I work so that I can run during my lunch break. It's actually not bad. I bring my running clothes and change back into my work clothes afterwards. Since I work late at night...and my work is not in the safest of areas, I run in our parking lot where there are security guards. Our parking lot is pretty big and according to my Garmin, it is about a quarter of a mile around...just like a track. I've done anywhere from one mile to 6 on my lunch break. Sometimes I just do a nice easy run or I'll even do speed work. I've got quite a few half-marathons coming up in the fall and have a goal time in mind so it's time to amp up the training. Today's lunch break speed workout looked like this:
1/2 mile warm-up
8 x 800s at goal half marathon pace
1 minute rest (light jog to walk) between each 800
1/2 mile cool down
Ultimately it would have been nice to do a full mile warm up and full mile cool down, but I wasn't sure if time would permit it. Also, eventually, I would like to add 2 more 800s making it 10 x 800 at goal half marathon pace.
So there you have it, 25 days have come and gone and here is to the next 25. Have you ever thought of doing a running streak? Or are you currently on a streak and have any suggestions for me?
As always, run happy!
No comments:
Post a Comment