Running the Year update: 86% and counting

Running 2,017 miles in 2017 sounded like a cool idea, as the new year rolled in. “That’s about 5.5 miles a day,” I said. “Hey, it’s doable.” So I signed up for the Run the Year 2017 challenge.

With November fast approaching (and the end of the year closing in quickly), I decided to run a quick tape total.

Whoo. Looks like I just might make it.

As of today (October 27^th), I am at 1,739 miles for 2017. That’s 86% of the way to the goal of 2,017. That means I have to average 4.2 miles a day to finish by New Year’s Eve. And I haven’t logged today’s miles yet.

Plus, I have a few longer races coming up, which will help.

I’d love to wrap up this total before Christmas. Hey, you never know what wild winter weather may whirl in by then!

Think I can reach 2,017?

You can check the left-hand sidebar on this site (through the end of the year) to see my latest mileage total for 2,017. You’ll find my progress charts for other fitness challenges there as well.

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Thanks, Brooks, for standing behind your sneakers.

Gotta love it when a company does it right.

The best running shoes can be hard to find. How many pairs of pricey sneakers have you purchased, only to discover after a few miles that they really didn’t fit so well after all? And how many pairs broke down or fell apart far too soon?

I’ve been there. I’ve tried countless brands and models. I’ve consulted foot fit experts in the pricey running stores. And I’ve limped home sock-footed from training runs, carrying spiffy new shoes.

Finally, a couple of years ago, I tried Brooks Glycerins. And they worked for me! Since then, I’ve owned several pairs. (Yes, I know you’re supposed to replace running shoes after every 400-600 miles, depending on how and where you run.)

I’ve never had a problem with the fit, feeling, or fortitude of these shoes. Then, about a month ago, I noticed a weird rip in one shoe. Nothing actually happened to tear it. I didn’t take a tumble or get caught in a thorny thicket or anything. So I was puzzled.

After a bit, I decided to write to the company. I included some photos. And guess what! They sent me a brand-new pair of the same shoe.

 Way to go! I wanna cheer when a company stands behind its own product.

Yes, Brooks. I’ll be back in a few hundred miles. You can count on it.

In the meantime, I can't wait to run in these. Oh, wait, it's raining like crazy here today. Maybe I'll slip on a crummy old pair and save the shiny kicks for tomorrow's (drier) run.

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Bring on that winter running!

OK, I may want to retract that statement in a month or so. It almost sounds like I’m daring Mother Nature and Old Man Winter to bring on their worst.

But that’s not the point.

Things just got real around here, as far as winter running is concerned. I went and signed up for a winter race series. (It’s the same one I did last year, but we had an exceptionally mild winter, so that was a lot of fun.)

This particular winter race series has six events, and each date offers a 5K and 10K option. Winter wuss that I am, I registered for the 5Ks because … well … who would want to spend any extra time in a wintry gale? Last year, I averaged about 10 minutes per mile for this hilly, frosty set of races. So that’s about a half an hour on-course. That’s enough for me, if blustery winds and sideways-flying sloppy snow come around on race days.

(Yes, it was really COLD out there that day.)

Why would I subject myself to a winter race series?

It’s far too easy for me to shrug off daily (or nearly daily) training between Thanksgiving and Easter. Sure, I can dash off to the gym and pound out a few miles on the indoor track, the treadmill, or the elliptical. But, if a winter race is on my calendar, with the date approaching fast, I simply have to get out and stomp out some miles under the winter sky.

So I’m in.

And here’s a bonus, especially for a runner who loves her race bling. This winter race series gives out age-group medals to 10^th place. In my age group, that means medaling is much more likely than in the younger groups. Last year, I brought home a medal in every race. (Sure, some of mine are for 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th. There are some real rockets in my bracket. So those are still rewarding.)

Bring on those winter races. I’m ready to bundle up and take off. Who’s in?

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