100 in 100, Done and DONE!

Woo-Hoo! Yes! I got in a run today at lunch (7 miles in 1:06), and it was the 100th run in the past 100 days.

With it, I have successfully completed the "100 in 100 Challenge". That was fun, and it made me run much more than I would have otherwise. Will be fun to take a few days off from running without feeling guilty though! Will post a more complete story later.

100 runs/100 days!!!

Day 99

Second to last day...

I ran 4.1 miles in the morning, after about 20 minutes of weights around downtown Raleigh. Kinda humid but I kept the pace in check.

Then I snuck in another 4.5 miles at lunch time (also very humid).

99 runs/99 days

Day 98

A very un-fun 8 mile run today. Was very humid, and I started out with a stomach full of Junior Mints and a banana. Apprently that doesn't make for a good run, because this run SUCKED.

But, I'm done and only 1 run "behind" with 2 days to go in the 100 in 100 challenge. At the risk of jinxing myself, I think I have a good shot at completing it!

97 runs/98 days

Days 96 and 97

Day 96 = Sunday = 4.5 miles, pushing the kids in the stroller. A very difficult run. No energy at all in legs. Such is life.

Day 97 = Monday = 2 runs totaling 8.5 miles. The first was an easy 4 miles on the indoor track in ~34 minutes. The second was a 4.5 mile loop course, about haf of which was single track, the other half was dirt road. A fun run, but my feet were incredibly sore after wearing my NB790's with no socks. They felt bruised afterwards.

96 runs/97 days

Days 94 and 95

Good and bad...I busted my ass at work on Friday and was able to get in 2 runs...then didn't run on Saturday!

Day 94: 5.5 miles on the road around Centennial Campus of NC State. Easy pace that was astonishingly around 9:00/mile. Then in the PM, I did 4.5 miles of speed intervals on the dreadmill (9:00 jog pace, 6:30-7:00 run pace).

Day 95: No run. 13 mile bike ride towing the kids. Multiple walks with Buddy.

My plan to get this challenge done is to run tomorrow (long-ish run, maybe 12-15 miles), then do 2 days of double runs by Thursday.

93 runs/95 days

Day 93

Well, this is it...home stretch now. After today, only 1 week left. I got in 2 runs today, one of 4.8 miles on the road in the AM. Was a bit humid and my legs took a while to get into it. They're still sore from the weights the other day!

Then, after a "bag lunch" with G at daycare and getting my haircut, I went out on the un-improved section of the American Tobacco Trail for another 4.5 miles of mud and rain. That felt awesome! Need to do that more often.

91 runs/93 days

Day 92

Did a very nice run of 7 miles today in just under an hour. My right knee was giving me issues out of the blue! Go figure. Had planned on sneaking in another quick 4 miles between a seminar and going to get the kids, but got stuck in the lab. Oh well, maybe tomorrow to make up a run.

89 runs/92 days

Day 91

Only managed a 4.5 mile run today (well, yesterday) but I also did some weights/plyometrics so my legs got a killer workout. Things are getting close now...

88 runs/91 days

Day 90

I snuck in a 4 mile run early, and had planned to go again in the afternoon, but ended up having to go pickup the kids (YEAH!), so no double run. Going to be close to get this 100 in 100 completed!

87 runs/90 days

Keep on keeping on...

Friday, run 2 = 5 miles pushing the kids in the stroller, with J, after work. Good run, although foot was sensitive again.

Saturday = No run. Went to Wrightsville Beach with the kids, had a blast.

Sunday = 14 miles. Ran 8.5 pushing the kids, J was finishing up 20. Walked a bit at the end of that leg, but then finished up the run back to the car solo in ~9 minutes pace for 5.5 miles. Felt pretty good. The rest of the day (house & car cleaning, etc) took me out though.

86 runs/89 days

Day 87a

Short run this morning. Left foot really starting again. It's been fine for over a week, and now this! Grrr.....

Anyway, ran 4.11 miles (according to my old Garmin Forerunner 201 watch), and I plan on getting out for another 5 later today. That's right, 9.11 miles on 9/11. Just my own little tribute to what happened 8 years ago.

84 runs/87 days

Days 85 and 86

OK, after today, just 2 weeks left. Ran once each yesterday (7.5 miles) and today (4.2 miles) making me still 3 run short. My schedule is gettign busy, so getting in daily runs for 2 weeks straight, including 3 days of double runs will be tough.

But tough is what I like!

83 runs/86 days

Day 84b

Just finished with another run: 4.5 miles in 36:13, about 30 minutes of which was hill repeats. Fairly steep and run at an uncomfortable pace. My legs are still shaking.

81 runs/84 days

Day 84a

Tuesday morning after a 3-day weekend. Being 4 runs down in this 100 in 100 challenge, I decided to ramp up the dedication! First thing after dropping the kids off at daycare, I went to the gym, changed, then did some weights (squat thrusts, situps, pushups), ran 5 miles in 46 minutes, then did more weights (pulldowns & rows, weighted step ups, situps).

I have every intention of gettign out again this early afternoon for run #2, possibly some time on the treadmill at 15% incline. I'm really need to get my leg muscles ready for Mountain Masochist! That elevation profile ain't no joke!

80 runs/84 days

Up to day 83

Crazy week, sorry for lack of updates! Last Monday (Aug 31st) was Day 76, so through yesterday (Monday, Sep 8) makes 83 days down. Not a good week overall, here's the recap:

Tuesday (D77) - A good 8 mile run in 1:07 with some short steep hills. Only minor foot aches. Temp was cooler, which helped a lot.

Wednesday (D78) - 6.6 miles total in 1:03. I did ~4 miles of speedwork on the treadmill: 2 intervals each of 1, 2, and 4 min at 7:00 pace, with a 1 min rest at 9:00 pace. Legs were cooked.

Thursday (D79) - 7.2 miles, 2 on trail, in 1:08. Left foot hurt on trail sections (Grrr). Left work early to go to Wake County Animal Shelter...adopted a 5-6 year old Golden/Chow mix, will pick up on Saturday. Named Buddy. Took the kids in the bike trailer for ~40 minutes after work.

Friday (D80) - A very easy 5 miles, 3 on trail. That is to say, I took it very easy.

Saturday (D81) - No run. Exhausted from a long day with kids and new dog. Had a good walk with Buddy in the evening, though.

Sunday (D82) - 11 miles in Umstead State Park, the first 5.5 pushing the kids in the double wide. Difficult run, no energy in legs whatsoever. Was supposed to go further, but just couldn't fathom anything more than making it back to the car! Took another good walk in the evening with Buddy though.

Monday (D83) - Was planning on a long-ish run, but life conspired first to cut it short, then to prevent it from happening at all! I did do a lot of chasing G and 2 of her friends around the yard during their playdate. And D was all about wrestling and playing today (cross-training?).

79 runs/83 days

Up to Day 76

Bummer! Just got caught up, and I get a 2 day break from running. Busy weekend, with no running. I did go for a 12 mile bike ride in Umstead pulling the kids in the new bike trailer. Killed my legs!

Today (Day 76), I ran 5.2 miles in the rain...it was awesome. Cooler temps too. Easy easy run, under 45 minutes.

74 runs/76 days

Days 69-73

Bit of break in updates...busy week! Here's we go...

Monday = Day 69 = 5.5 miles, 50 minutes, Nice and easy, no issues with foot.

Tuesday = Day 70 = Early morning run with D on the Tobacco Trail. 5 miles, started at 6 AM! Took me out for the rest of the day.

Wednesday = Day 71 = 4 miles, again early in the AM with D-Mac. We saw a Great Dane that blew his little mind! ALso ran a second time today: 4.8 miles in 45 minutes. Did some quarter mile repeats on grass at ~90% effort. It was hot out, so that translated into not so fast running!

Thursday = Day 72 = 5 miles on the indoor track at NC State (38:13), the first 4 in 30 minutes flat! I did intervals of 2-3 laps (1/3 to 1/2 mile) at fast pace, with equal recovery. I also did 10 minutes (1.03 miles) on the stairmill at 85 steps per minute.

Friday = Day 73 = A quick run today, 4.7 miles in 40 minutes. Then a pizza lunch with G and J at daycare.

73 runs/73 days

Days 66-68

Got some runs in, but all very short. Busy busy busy!

Friday = Day 66 = 4 miles of not fun running. Maintenance run in the heat/humidity.

Saturday = Day 67 = 4 miles on American Tobacco Trail. Hot again, and had major nerve issue with left foot again!?! Maybe it is the NB 790's. Need to get this resolved.

Sunday = Day 68 = 3.5 miles pushing the kids in the stroller. Foot OK, but wore my Saucony Ride (700+ miles!). "Slogged" up the hills to simulate late in race fatigue. Not hard as it was humid, but cooler, yet still my legs were toast.

67 runs/68 days

Days 63-65

Tuesday through Thursday. Days 63-65. Let's see...

Tuesday, Day 63: Another morning run with D-Mac in the stroller, on the American Tobacco Trail. He fell asleep this time. Humid but you can't beat spending time with your kids!

Wednesday, Day 64: Super-looper-dooper busy day at work, so no run. ☹

Thursday, Day 65: Four (4) mile morning run with D-Mac on the American Tobacco Trail. Once again, he was in an awesome mood and had a blast. I struggled, tired legs. After lunch, at about 1:15 PM, I headed out from work and ran to the gym, did 2 miles on the indoor track, then ran back to work. 4.6 miles total. I did the track miles in ~15 minutes, alternating fast strides on the long stretches, and recovery on the short stretches.

64 runs/65 days

Day 62b

OK, luxury today. The construction of a new building next to mine is causing my office desk to shake, and today was a lot worse than usual (they are taking down an exterior wall), so I left for a lunchtime run. Got in 3.2 miles and finished off with some 0.25 mile pickups on the soft grass of Miller fields next to the gym. It was hot, but still fun! Also did some situps, pullups, etc.

61 runs/62 days