Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend! I was happy to have a four day weekend to start off the year, and I tried to enjoy and make use of that time off as best as I could!
What I Learned During the #RWRunStreak
The Run Streak is definitely one of the wildest rides I’ve had since I’ve been running. In a lot of ways this was more challenging than training for a half marathon! It takes a lot to get out the door every single day, but for me, I made sure to keep my mileage as low as possible since I have never been a high mileage runner. My longest run during this experience was probably 4.5 miles, and I’m okay with that! I learned quite a bit doing this challenge, and here are my biggest takeaways.
- It’s not that hard to get into a routine to run every day. It’s true! Of course, it doesn’t hurt when you have an entire social media movement behind you, thanks to #RWRunstreak. Habits take time to establish. If you can get through the first week, you should be pretty much set.
- Running more actually makes you faster. This should be common sense, but for the longest time I wondered why I couldn’t make any real progress with my speed. The truth is, I don’t really run enough to make those gains. Participating in the Run Streak allowed me become a more efficient runner, imagine that! I need to keep it up!
- My calves and shins have their limits. I was already having a shin issue before I started the Run Streak, but once I was running every single day, I really started to suffer. I also ran a majority of the time out on pavement, which probably didn’t help matters. I am now giving my lower body as much time to rest as possible. I’m glad they were able to make it to the end!
- I will do anything to get my runs in. It may be 8 or 9 pm, I may be out of state, I may only have dirt roads, but I realize that either I’m very stubborn about not breaking the streak, or I really care about making the most of this challenge. There were definitely times when I was tempted to not run, but thankfully I shook it off each time!
- Recovery tools are essential. I have my cheap foam roller and a really nice foot roller that I discovered also works great for my calves. These were essential during the streak. Most of my runs were a little over a mile, but still–your body is being put under a lot of stress. Be sure to have a good warm up with dynamic stretches and take the time to cool down! Make sure you have what you need before taking on this challenge!
Oh, and last–I am NEVER doing the Run Streak again! I’m glad to know that I can do it, but it did take away time that I would have wanted to focus on other workouts, not to mention those calves! Maybe I will change my mind when it comes back around, but for now….I’m good!
What’s Next in Fitness
Now that the Runner’s World Run Streak is over, I have time to get back to what I really want to do: cross train! My first big event of the year is the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Stair Climb, and I really need to get ready for it.
So I’m thinking that I need to work on those squats, lunges, and practice on a LOT of stairs. I also need to work on my core and flexibility–I hate when I feel stiffness from doing too much with weights! So yoga will definitely be in the mix as well.
A few weeks after the stair climb is the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler and the Clean Air Council 5K. I am going to contact Coach Kristy in the next week to discuss a training program. By the way, if you’re a new customer, Kristy’s offering a FREE month of online coaching! This is what I used to get through training for the Rock and Roll Philly Half, and I would absolutely recommend her services!
Workouts for the Week:
Monday 12/29: Ran 2 miles after work, with my Superfeet insoles back in for the first time in a few weeks. About a mile in, my shins were giving me problems again. I was able to run in average pace of 9:37, but I could barely walk when I finished. So that was definitely a clue for me to slow down.
Tuesday 12/30: What was supposed to be a 4 mile run with Bret ended up being only 3 miles for me. Even though I kept it slow, in little over a mile and a half I had to stop because my calves couldn’t take it anymore. I did some nice long calf stretches and walked a bit, ended up having an average 12 minute/mile pace.
Wednesday 12/31: I ran 1.54 miles with a 9:48 average pace.
Thursday 1/1: The last day of the run streak! I ran 1.58 miles with 9:35 average pace. I actually felt really good, and finally my shins/calves didn’t make it excruciatingly painful.
Friday 1/2: A FULL day of rest!!
Saturday 1/3: It was rainy all day and I was lazy…no workouts
Sunday 1/4: “Perfect Score” 30-minute workout on Nike Training Club. Lots of core work and weights, so that was refreshing.
If you participated, did you make it through the entire Runner’s World Run Streak? What did you learn during the process?
[bctt tweet=”Check out what I learned after 36 days of the @RunnersWorld #RWRunStreak via @Janelle_RWNR! #runchat”]
Aww, thanks Janelle! Can’t wait to have you back 🙂
PS – I love your cover photo!
Thanks so much Kristy!
Ahh congrats on completing this! That’s huge!
Thanks Lindsay!
Congrats on completing the streak! I’ve never been able to complete one – mostly because I’m always injured when they seem to happen.. but I’d really like to do it sometime to know that I can. I am a person that has a hard time doing anything multiple days in a row… oy. I lack some disciple. Maybe doing something like this would help 🙂 And knowing that at minimum you have to run a mile doesn’t sound so bad, right? Hope your shins start feeling better soon!
I did the summer run streak one year, and I learned a lot of the same lessons! I did get faster and I realize that I could make the time if it mattered enough to me. I feel like maybe I should do you want again because I’m looking to gain some more speed again. At the end of the street I was up doing about 6 miles but for the most part my runs for about 3 miles. I’m glad that you accomplished it and that you learn something from it! It really does make you feel so strong doesn’t it?!
I’m not a streaker. It doesn’t work with my crazy work schedule plus my legs really need a break. I think it would be fun to do it but I know my limits.
Oh that’s the thing–you have to know your limits. My shins barely made it but thankfully resting for a few days I am finally running pain-free again!
Congrats on finishing the steak and thanks for sharing your lessons learned. Like you said, I understand it could take away from other workouts plus there are days where I do not mind doing anything 🙂 The Air Stair Climb looks challenging!
The Stair Climb is awesome! I really hope to do better than I did last year, so I’m trying to get ready as early as possible!
Great job finishing the streak! I completed it and felt great! I feel that I got stronger and faster as well! I would definitely do it again! You say you won’t do it again, but just wait! 🙂
I know, I do have a feeling that I may try it again when it comes around…hopefully I’ll be in better running shape by then!
I never tried the streak bc I know my shins and calves can’t take it. The stair climb sounds awesome. I’d love to one of those too.
The Stair Climb is a great challenge! I’m actually getting nervous about it…so much training to do!
I see you have a new layout. It is quite nice. You might consider getting a deep tissue massage for your calf and shins.
Thanks Sheila! I love massages and need to incorporate them more in my training. Thankfully my first run after the streak was pain free!
Fantastic job on completing the run streak!
Thanks!!
I’m doing a #mileaday challenge for January and already it’s challenging because of the weather! Congrats on your Run Streak!
Thank Amy! I can’t imagine doing a challenge this month…we’re now super cold and snowy here! Good luck and be careful out there!
WHOO HOOO! I have so much admiration for run streakers! Way to go chica! I bet it was a challenge on some days. I think I would be where you are at the end – I am never doing it again! – Lol
Haha, yes it was tough and the last week my shins were begging me to stop! It’ll be a long time until I do that again!
Congratulations! That was a major commitment and you owned it!
Thanks Earl-Leigh!
I love the fact you finished the #RWSTreak. That is really awesome. I love reading your lessons learned to. I am afraid to ask what the stairclimb event is. GULP. #wowlinkup
Thanks! The Stair Climb is 50 floors, but they recently added a challenge to go up the building twice, so I’m doing 100 floors! Yes I’m a little crazy lol!
Hey Janelle! It’s funny, I have always wondered about a Run Streak. I thought I’d get injured. But you make a good point – if you run everyday, you will have to switch it up. Even just running one fast mile. And switching it up is good for speed and overall fitness. So maybe I should give it a try!
I think it was a great thing to try at least once…maybe you’ll enjoy it too!
congrats on the streak! I am glad that it went well for you. And I agree that calves and shins have their limits 🙂 #wowlinkup
Thanks Heather! My calves and shins are SO relieved now!