It’s a month in the making. Contains so many numbers about running. Shows the battle I’ve faced to try to keep this thing going. Below are my daily posts to either Run Every Day December (RED) or Marcothon. Both are attempts at running every day in December. The rules? Well – run every day in December….. obviously!! Run the minimum of 25 minutes or 5k (3.2 miles). Whichever comes first! That’s it. Sounds soooooo simple!! There’s even one guy out there who’s running a marathon every day in December! Gulp!
Just a note – I’m not sharing this because I want to impress you. I’m sharing this to hopefully show that taking one step at a time, something amazing can happen. It’s tough. It’s mentally NUTS. Though, somehow, I’ve managed to run for 1,96.8 miles, over 325 hours 1 minute and burnt 170,819 calories this month! Loads of people in the RED and Marcothon groups dropped out due to illness and injuries but they all TRIED!! Plus, at a point where I really wanted to quit, Spacebook showed it’s positive side and got me motivated to run the minimum on day 21. My lowest point!!
Plus – I thought this year was tough. My legs have been tired on many occasions and I’ve been tough on myself thinking I’m not putting in enough training. Looking at each individual day I couldn’t see what I’ve accomplished. I was too close to the training/running/planning/plotting to see what I’ve achieved.
2011 I ran 217 miles – 3 months of 30+ miles.
2012 I ran 478.9 miles – 3 months of 60+ miles.
2013 I ran 1069.8 miles – 6 months of 100+ miles.
2014 I ran 1309.4 miles – 8 months of 100+ miles.
2015 I ran 1496.8 miles – 1 month of less than 100+ miles a month!!
No wonder my legs have been feeling tired!!! I’m a little faster than I was last year but what is more noticeable is that I can rock up for a 5k with little thought for the distance. That in itself should show me that I’ve put in some effort towards improving myself. Here’s hoping 10 miles, 20 miles, 30 miles become just as easy with the effort I’m going to put in next year.
Day 1
Day 1 – Run every day December!!!!!
Tough going
13:15
Distance 3.29 miles
Time 31:54
Pace 9:43mm
Calories 433
Run 2 – less tough than this afternoons run and quite fast for me. Not the way to start run every day December hahahaha!!!
19:47
Distance 3.11 miles
Time 27:38
Pace 8:53mm
Calories 402
Day 2
Day 2 – Run every day December. Legs are tired so took it easy…….. To begin with then changed my route and ran some hills. Shivering at the start, toasty warm after 15 mins. Sticking to 1 layer of clothing for running for as long as I can this month!!
12:15
Distance 3.37 miles
Time 33:25
Pace 9:55mm
Calories 441
Day 3
Day 3 run every day December. It would have been so easy to just stay indoors and snuggle up with a cup of tea. So easy!!
18:57
Distance 3.85 miles
Time 39:41
Pace 10:18mm
Calories 469
Day 4
Run Every Day December – day 4 – 3.6 miles done, 17.22 miles so far. Surprised I was faster today but didn’t push myself at all. I can relax this evening now, phew!!
13:06
Distance 3.6 miles
Time 35:03
Pace 9:44mm
Calories 464
Day 5
RED December day 5 – still in the game. Phew!!
16:28
Distance 7.18 miles
Time 1:16:33
Pace 10:39mm
Calories 853
Day 6
Day 6 Run Every Day December. Legs felt like concrete but still managed a good pace.
16:46
Distance 6.68 miles
Time 1:08:58
Pace 10:20mm
Calories 776
Day 7
RED December Day 7 – full on, all out, lung screaming, sweat inducing lunchtime run. Well why not?
13:11
Distance 3.28 miles
Time 29:25
Pace 8:57mm
Calories 419
Day 8
3.2 lunchtime easy miles done. Still in the game. Well done everyone who’s still going and keep up the positive and not so positive posts. It’s tough to keep going out day after day but just think of all those festive pounds you’re not adding this month wink emoticon
12:37
Distance 3.27 miles
Time 32:56
Pace 10:04mm
Calories 425
Day 9
Day 9
3.4 miles
32 minutes 37 seconds
Hip pain and shin pain are being managed, not getting any worse so all’s good.
Why does this feel like a shipwreck diary?
What will happen on day 10?
Will I start talking to a random volleyball?
Will I call it Wilson?
Will Wilson start running with me?
I need to run with someone…….
12:23
Distance 3.49 miles
Time 32:38
Pace 9:22mm
Calories 450
Day 10
Day 10
3.2 miles shuffled
37 minutes 18 seconds counted
Did NOT want to run today.
Got my kit on then decided thought why not! As long as I’m dressed for the part, might as well!
Cold 1 – Helen 1
Wilson the Volleyball chickened out. He said it was too cold.
19:58
Distance 3.27 miles
Time 37:42
Pace 11:31mm
Calories 415
Day 11
Day 11
3.5 miles bimbled
38 minutes 24 seconds counted
Various path dips, puddles, stones kicked/tripped/bashed – that’s what I get for running half blind in the dark!!
Wilson the volley ball tried to talk my out of running but he just doesn’t understand. He’s holding me back!!
Keep going everyone. Nearly halfway!!
18:53
Distance 3.55 miles
Time 38:25
Pace 10:49mm
Calories 449
Day 12
Day 12 of the Marcothon challenge
7.16 miles run/shuffled/bimbled
1 hour, 19 minutes, 41 seconds counted
After finding out Wilson had managed to get to Singapore with Carol Goodwin he came home and rested up Whilst I went out for a run. I gave him the night off due to all the traveling. I wonder where he’ll get to next just to get a day off from running???
Keep up the good work peeps, you’re all amazing smile emoticon even the ones not taking part anymore.
17:23
Distance 7.16 miles
Time 1:19:42
Pace 11:08mm
Calories 918
Day 13
Day 13
45 minutes 26 seconds huffed and puffed and coughed
4.26 miles traveled – running! I was running!!
Wanted to run further but with sinuses and throat feeling a tad rough I took it very easy. This cold has two more days then it’s out!! Out I tell ya!! Wilson did try to get out today but ended up playing with the dogs. He’s recovering in a warm bath. Hopefully the bruising will clear up by tomorrow. Those dogs play rough with balls!!
Keep on chipping away at those miles wink emoticon well done everyone
17:37
Distance 4.26 miles
Time 45:27
Pace 10:40mm
Calories 554
Day 14
Day 14 – nearly at the half way point, so close!! Will big brother get involved at some point and start chucking people out of the Marcothon household? Who knows!
4.25 miles travel at speed (ish)
44 minutes 20 seconds on the same route as yesterday. Faster today, yay!!
Wilson stayed in the warmth and had a cup of tea waiting for me. Gotta love Wilson
18:51
Distance 4.25 miles
Time 44:20
Pace 10:26mm
Calories 542
Day 15
Day 15 – went for a run with the club. Decided to add on some bonus miles because? Well, because I’m starting to strangely enjoy this daily gentle run thing. Yeah, you read right. Feel free to quote this to me on day 31 when I’m howling about my feet turning into bloody stumps!!!!
Miles traveled – 5.08
Time counted – 1 hour 1 minute 22 seconds.
Wilson? Who’s Wilson??
19:33
Distance 5.08 miles
Time 1:01:22
Pace 12:05mm
Calories 613
Day 16
Day 16 – legs DID NOT want to go outside today. Hip felt awful. Body felt meh!! Glad I did though. Feeling much better for it!
4.08 miles traveled
44 minutes 15 seconds counted
Roll on tomorrow
19:36
Distance 4.08 miles
Time 44:15
Pace 10:51mm
Calories 480
Day 17
Day 17 completed. Feeling so much better. The cold is finally lifting.
4.22 + 0.9 miles traveled.
Felt so good and then had a coughing fit. Hopefully the last. Well done to everyone who’s still going. This running every day thing is pretty darn tough. Well done!!
19:20 & 19:33
Distance 0.95 & 4.22 miles
Time 8:51 & 46:43
Pace 9:17mm & 11:04mm
Calories 115 & 543
Day 18
Day 18 – Taking the dog to the vets via the long route there and back!!
1.35 + 1.75 miles
Took it nice n easy.
Nice ready run planned for tomorrow before a marathon on Sunday woohoo!!
18:10 & 18:43
Distance 1.75 & 1.35 miles
Time 19:11 & 17:03
Pace 11:00mm & 12:38mm
Calories 218 & 151
Day 19
Day 19 – feeling like April out there!?!?!
3.49 miles run
34 minutes 1 second counted.
Wasn’t intending to run that fast. Just felt good to run today. Yeah, it felt good!!
Giving the legs and feet their daily massage reward
11:05 & 19:08
Distance 3.49 & 1.58 miles
Time 34:02 & 22:32
Pace 9:45mm & 14:13mm
Calories 448 & 168
Day 20
Day 20 – Portsmouth coastal marathon.
Knackered!! Drenched!! Blow dried!! Mud! Tarmac! Beach! Mud, mud, mud and more mud!!
Met loads of familiar faces and loved/hated today.
Hope everyone else has had a fabulous day. 11 days left. And this is the longest running streak for me EVER!!
Also – I’ve never lost weight running until this month. I’ve lost 2kg this month!! Blimey!!
9:15
Distance 26.67 miles
Time 5:15:35
Pace 11:50mm
Calories 3213
Day 21
I’m out. Gracefully pulling out. I’m impressed I got this far. But after yesterday’s marathon I’m all out of running mojo. Hopefully a day of rest will be enough. Keep going you lot. Massive respect for all of us. Those who have started and those who have pulled out. You’re all awesome!!
Last minute. Com. Still in. Aaaarrrrggghhhh!!!
Flump – still in.
G-night zzzzzzzzzz
Okay. I’m not usually one to be pushed into carrying on. In fact I would more than happily dig my heels in and say NO!!
However!! This will not be a trend. I got my jiggly arse out that door, last minute, and did it. So there!! I’m going to bed now….. After a quick shower!
23:29
Distance 1.87 miles
Time 25:16
Pace 13:33mm
Calories 170
Day 22
Day 22 – after yesterday’s in/out/in/out/in emotional rollercoaster and managing to stay in the game (just!!). Here’s day 22 running/walking/quiz question. Just under 3 miles that took nearly an hour!!
Well done everyone and huge thank you for the supportive messages yesterday.
19:40
Distance 2.99 miles
Time 58:47
Pace 19:38mm
Calories 271
Day 23
Day 23 – bit late on posting. The run was done this afternoon. Technology and love life got in the way of posting earlier teehee!! So an adventurous 4.37 slow miles chatting and getting lost in Newport Pagnell. It was great fun. Roll on tomorrow and hopefully my legs will be a bit more recovered!! Keep up the good work guys n gals
17:22
Distance 4.37 miles
Time 52:39
Pace 12:03mm
Calories 517
Day 24
Day 24 – 6.42 miles – 1hr 8mins.
Felt easy today. I wasn’t fast but it felt easy!! How are my legs NOT dropping off or feeling like broken glass!!
I’m massaging EVERY DAY!!! I’m doing all my extra exercises to make sure there’s no tight spots. It doesn’t feel real. Bonkers!!! Merry Christmas everyone. Well done to all who are still going and tried. Have a fabulous day tomorrow
16:30
Distance 6.42 miles
Time 1:08:37
Pace 10:41mm
Calories 840
Day 25
Day 25 – felt like I had concrete legs and glass knees.
3.51 miles
38 minutes 2 seconds.
I’m of for a shower and a cuppa tea.
Hope everyone else had a fabulous Christmas day. Even though my run was a bit, well, ugly!! I’ve had a fab day.
20:58
Distance 3.51 miles
Time 38:03
Pace 10:51mm
Calories 425
Day 26
Day 26 – had some extra time today. Usually at a friends for boxing day dinner. So decided to do a duathlon. On the turbo trainer with my new tablet bracket to watch Netflix.
10.7 miles cycled
45 mins 2 seconds counted.
Running around after a quick change of shoes.
3.5 miles run
33 minutes 33 seconds counted.
Legs felt much better today. smile emoticon
17:14 Cycling 18:22 Running
Distance 10.7 miles cycled 3.5 miles run
Time 45:02 cycled 33:33 run
Pace 14.3mph 9:36mm
Calories 492 cycled 449 run
Day 27
Day 27 – another duathlon day. Cut the turbo trainer session short, the Jessica Jones episode I was watching was getting a bit tense!! Eek! As for the ride and run….
3.21 miles
30 minutes, 42 seconds
With the warm up of the turbo trainer session in able to get a bit of speed without much effort.
Turbo session
7.98 miles
30 minutes, 58 seconds.
Tooooootally sweaty session!!
17:22 Cycling 18:11 Running
Distance 7.98 miles cycled 3.21 miles run
Time 30:58 cycled 30:43 run
Pace 15.5mph 9:35mm
Calories 385 cycled 406 run
Day 28
Day 28 – sluggish on a full belly and legs tired from lots of walking. Blergh!!
Nearly there folks. This is one helluva challenge!! Just proves that if I really want to train every day – I can!!! Sigh!
21:29
Distance 3.32 miles
Time 36:18
Pace 10:55mm
Calories 435
Day 29
Day 29 – Legs felt super good. So went for it. Kept pushing myself around and pleased with the effort.
3.3 miles
32 minutes 35 seconds
Well done everyone – only a few more days to go
17:53
Distance 3.34 miles
Time 32:35
Pace 9:46mm
Calories 432
Day 30
Due to a technical error my post for Day 30 went missing. I manage to run after going out for a Chinese. Note to self, running on a full belly of Chinese food is NOT a good idea!!
21:06
Distance 3.35 miles
Time 35:49
Pace 10:42mm
Calories 395
Day 31
Day 31 – 13.15 miles in 3 hours 1 minute. This was the halfway point of Flitch Way Marathon and by 1 minute I was over the cutoff. Now yes myself and Max could have carried on. We would have been allowed. But we didn’t because it wouldn’t have been fair on the race organiser. So even though we didn’t get to do a marathon today I still managed to complete the Marcothon Challenge. 31 days of running. Well done everyone else. Well done to all those who started, well done to all those who tried. Well done to those who managed to finish this challenge. It’s been a wonderfully insane experience. THANK YOU and Happy New Year everyone.
10:01
Distance 13.15 miles
Time 3:01:37
Pace 13:49mm
Calories 1385
So there you have it. 31 days of running. It derailed two marathons but taught me a whole bunch. I’ve really enjoyed the challenge and learnt that if I put my mind to it, I CAN ACHIEVE MY GOALS!!
Have a fabulous 2016.
Enjoy
H