I'm still on my journey to complete 100 miles by the end of January, but these last two weeks have made it pretty rough! I feel confident that if I really push myself every single day that I can make it to 100 miles, but it is going to be a much more tight window than before. Anyway, this update consists of a lot of days, but due to circumstances it was better to add them all together here than try to do it in multiple groups. I'm feeling better overall but my times have suffered, maybe this week I can improve, but nonetheless I feel proud each day I try! Just a note on how I track days since I haven't mentioned it before, but a "day" for the purpose of these articles is one in which I ran. Therefore if for example I ran Friday (as Day 1) but not Saturday, I would count Sunday as Day 2.
Day 7:
I tried something new this day, and it was not a smart decision. I had talked to my friend about my running and was asked if I had good form while doing so, and was told that proper form was important. I really wasn't sure about my form, so in the morning I tried to change my form while running and attempt a new method. This was a bad idea. I tried to change into almost like a gallop that a horse does, but at a slow and steady pace, because I thought it would help me to run faster and farther without losing my breath as quickly. However, the way I attempted this gallop had a fatal flaw: it put a lot of direct pressure on my feet, and in an unnatural way. I guess hooves are a pretty important aspect of the horse's structure, because my feet were not cut out for the way I was moving. I tried this method both in the morning and in the evening, and although I felt fast and capable, my times weren't all that impressive, and my feet suffered dearly. I ended the day with 2.6 mile times of 42 minutes and 24 seconds and 38 minutes and 12 seconds. Oh and also my feet were actually injured, to the point where I knew I had done something wrong and would need to take some time to heal. It turns out my original form was correct, and that trying something new to overcompensate in an unnatural and under researched way causes adverse effects.
Day 8-11:
I took it slowly the rest of the week and kept my daily journey to a walking pace to try to heal my stiff and injured feet. I felt a little bit bad about not being able to push myself, but at least I was still able to get my miles in, even if only at walking pace! On the other hand, because the journeys were slower, I really got to enjoy my surroundings a lot more. I experiences much more wildlife, such as a thousand birds in a tree chirping more loudly than a car horn, or eight deer walking next to me in the woods watching me pass. Even the sky, trees, and atmosphere felt more calming and vibrant as I trotted along! One evening as I was about halfway into the journey, I looked to my left and saw a clearing in the trees, providing a brilliant view of a winter sunset over the water. It felt like the whole beautiful experience was just for me, standing there bundled up on the side of the road taking in the shimmering and crimson beauty which danced on the low cresting waves. For me, this 100 mile journey is more than just a daily run, it the beginning of a new mindset of appreciation, solitude, and simplicity, and an opportunity for self reflection. For these walking days, my times were: Day 8 - 53:15 and 50:16, Day 9 - 54:54 and 49:15, Day 10 - 45:42 and 47:30, and Day 11 (1.5 miles due to unforeseen circumstances) - 24.23.
Day 12: The Snow Storm
I had to skip 4 days in a row due to weather conditions, which felt demotivating. I knew that with all of the changes that have come up that getting to 100 miles was really going to be a challenge from now on, but there was not a feasible way for me to make the journey during the bad weather conditions of these days. I used these days as an opportunity for healing, and told myself that when I was able to get back to it, that I would do so with motivation and strength. Finally, after the weather subsided, I was able to start on my 12th day of running. I wanted Day 12 to be a new personal best, but my body told a different story. I was able to do more than just walking for my day 12 journey, but my times are still worse than before, and I'm not really sure if I can get back to those best mile times yet. Even as I'm writing this, my left foot is sore and tight, I'm being careful with it, but it is preventing me from being able to run at my full potential. My times for Day 12 were 43 minutes and 19 seconds and 48 minutes and 30 seconds.
Thank you for joining me on the recounting of my journey so far, I'm pushing myself everyday and working towards a better self!
-Ace