100 DAY CHALLENGE

I am a member of Dead Runners Society, an internet running group. Each year one of our members sets up a spreadsheet which we call the 100 Day Challenge. The participants set an exercise goal that they will strive for over the course of the first 100 days of the year. It is totally individual, with some people strictly running and others joining a "workout" sheet which involves running as well as other activities.

I have participated in this for the last 4-5 years and I think I have met my goal once or twice. Last year I was successful in my quest to average 100 minutes, with a minimum of 30 minutes, for 100 straight days. I walked, ran, biked, ellipticated, lifted weights, stretched, did sit-ups and planks and did yoga and Pilates. I actually averaged 106 minutes of exercise for 100 straight days.

One thing that I have I learned is that I should not attempt to run every day.  That is what I tried to do the first couple of years of the challenge and I either did not complete it or I was totally wiped most of the time. My body needs a variety of activities and it also needs rest days from running.

With my personal challenge of 100 minutes for a 100 days, I have had some positive results. I have discovered the very positive aspects of yoga. I try to do one class a week. I also enjoy the core work of my 1-2 day a week Pilates class. The challenge has also made me aware of the benefits of weightlifting and stretching.

Today was a planned run day. Since I have been injured (piriformis/hamstring) for the past couple of months, I have lately been trying a plan of alternating run/walk days with either biking or ellipticating.

My plan today was to walk about a mile for a warmup Then I was going to run 1 mile with a .25 mile walk and do that a total of 3 times, followed by a 1 mile cool down. I was really worried about how I was going to fit this into my day. I left the house about 6:30 am and was on my feet (directing the SteamWhistle 12K race) for 5-6 hours. By the time I got home, my feet hurt, I was tired and it was raining. I waited a couple of hours and kept nodding off as I was fooling around on the internet. Finally, the rain let up and I headed to Thames Elementary track where I figured if it really started to pour, I would not be far from my car. Sure enough, after about a half mile walking, it started to rain. I knew that if I did not start running I was going to get cold. It kept raining, so I kept running. Instead of the planned 3 x 1 mile, I ran 3 continuous miles @ 11:52 pace. I'm posting my very slow time, so that you will be able to keep up with progress as I get over this injury and return to faster/longer runs.

After my run, I walked a half mile and then drove home for a hot bath. Then I stretched and did sit-ups and planks. The total workout time was 69 minutes.