Run everyday for a year

[Luigi]

Hey guys,

I'm looking for a few others that are ready to commit to the task of running everyday for a year. I think it would be an awesome way to push yourself, and would become an amazing reference point in everyones life that does it.

I got the idea from Steve, in his article "30 Days to Success", and immediately realized it's something that I want to do. I've been building up my base, starting with jogging half an hour three times a week in late September, and last week I jogged half an hour six times a week. I plan on jogging six times a week up until December 31st.

If anyone has a decent base in running already, and wants to do this with me, pm me, and I'll give you my e-mail. We can set up an e-mail list for everyone that's doing it. This is definitely the biggest goal I've set for myself so far, and I'm really excited. I hope there are at least a few other people that want to do this.

Luigi

[skinnyninja]

I'm already doing four to six miles, three times a week, but I can't see myself making the jump to every day. For one thing, my legs still get sore after doing six miles, and I need the day off to recover a bit. For another thing, I feel like the benefits that I get from running carry over to the next day. I'm not feeling any sort of lack on my "off" days.

Nevertheless, I am very committed to this schedule. I have kept it up without missing a day for over 7 months now.

[javierga]

Is this still on?
I'd love to try this with others, therefore having the motivation, since I'm doing it with others. If you plan to put up a list make sure to contact me, want to run college marathon on Dec. 16th and need to be ready by then

[Jim]

Here's a story along these lines that can serve as inspiration...
Tendai Marathon Monks: The Run of A Lifetime

[Lucas]

I am in, I think a motivational peer group like this is an excellent idea. I cant run very long distances right now, but I want to get better.

[micth]

Lets hope no one gets sick/injured and has to miss a day

[skinnyninja]

I'm pretty pumped up after finishing my six miles this morning.

For about a year now, I've been stuck at jogging four miles, tops. But two weeks ago I managed to do six. Then I did it again. Then I slipped to four for a day, and then the next time it was six.

So today while I was jogging, I started thinking: "Five is not an option."

Forget running four miles. And forget five too. It's not even an option. I kept telling myself, five is not an option.

So I went six. Felt real good. Woo-hoo!

[Luigi]

That's awesome skinnyninja. Six miles is the most I've ever run. After I ran I drank two huge Gatorades. I loved it so much. I remember the rest of that day, I told everyone I knew that I had run six miles. I was proud, and the rest of the day I just watched James Bond movies. I felt like I had already conquered the world that day, and nothing else had to be done.

I'm glad there are a few people that are going to join me in this adventure. I'll PM all of you guys as 2007 gets closer. Hopefully we can get a few other people to join us. I'm going to start a little blog (on blogger or something), to track my progress and let everyone know how it's going.

My criteria for successfully running each day is going to be thirty minutes of continuous jogging - outside or on a treadmill. I think it would be sweet if other people that wanted to start exercising committed to thirty minutes of walking a day for a year, or on the other end of the spectrum, someone wanted to run ten miles a day. You can always start out on the lower end, and work your way up over the year.

Luigi

[Mitalp]

I started runing about two weeks ago and it is absolutely amazing. I feel so much healthier and I've got more energy throughout the day. The best part is what running does for my mind and my confidence. While running and immediately after my run, I have so many creative ideas and such clarity. I set my goal to run a little bit further everyday, this keeps me growing and achieving a new goal everyday. It really helps with my mindset. Another thing I do is right before the run everday, I visualize the whole run. That also seems to help. Well I don't know if I can comit to everday, because some days are just impossible for me, but I think it's a great idea!

[Jaben]

After completing your year successfully, be sure to register amongst these 140 people who claim to have run at least 1 continuous mile every day on their own power for at least one year, five have done it for over 35 years non-stop!

I'm thinking of making this my new years resolution.

[Lucinda]

How do you track your distance when you run? Do you wear one of those watch like things that track your distance?

[Jaben]

I have a bike odometer, so I measure what I run that way. Local running clubs or athletic clubs might have routes mapped out with distances.

[mattsonn]

Good luck everyone. I was a serious runner for four years. I started with high school cross country & track and continued in college at the club level. Here are a few basic tips to keep with you as you train:

1) Keep your breathing nice, deep and steady. Focus on it consciously if you have to.

2) Don't start your run too fast. There's no shame in starting out at 10:00 mile pace. I often did, even when I was in peak shape.

3) SOFT TRAILS. This is the most important piece of advice I have.

4) Treadmills. When you're running outside, you can distract yourself by all the changing scenery. But on the treadmill, it's just you and your body. Deep down, does running bore you? Do you dread it? Do you have bad form? Your true self shows when you run on a treadmill.

5) Running with other people. If you're extroverted like me, running with others is an important source of motivation. And if they're all better than you, trying to keep up with them can help bring you up to their level. But it's a double edged sword. You'll pay less attention to your body and injuries will be much more likely to happen.

6) What happens when you get good. Your body becomes a lean, mean, fighting machine. Your form is so good that running feels as smooth as roller blading. Your body starts to feel like a car: when you're not running your body is just in 'idle.' Your legs will become toned and you'll be proud to show them off--even if you're a guy. Running will become more than just fun It'll become an important way of connecting with the environment around you. If you get involved competitively, the memories that you get from training and racing with your friends will last a lifetime. One night, as you finish up a fast run, you realize how you've gone from being the slowest kid in elementary school to being able to maintain 6-min miles. As you cool down, you'll look up at the stars and thank God for having given you this privilege.

That took a long time to write, so don't expect me to post that again! Have fun.

[Luigi]

Mattson,

Thanks for the tips! I appreciate it. I've been running for about four months now, and I'm slowly beginning to like the way my legs look, and I'm a dude! Yeah, I feel weird saying that but whatever.

I just sent out private messages to the few members who expressed interest in doing this. If you're interested in doing this, pm me or reply this post, and we can do this together.

-Luigi

[openeyes]

This guy may be a bit of inspiration to some of you, just showing what's possible:

Wired 15.01: The Perfect Human

"Dean Karnazes ran 50 marathons in 50 days. He does 200 miles just for fun. He'll race in 120-degree heat. 12 secrets to his success."

[mattsonn]

Originally Posted by Luigi

Mattson,

Thanks for the tips! I appreciate it. I've been running for about four months now, and I'm slowly beginning to like the way my legs look, and I'm a dude! Yeah, I feel weird saying that but whatever.

I just sent out private messages to the few members who expressed interest in doing this. If you're interested in doing this, pm me or reply this post, and we can do this together.

-Luigi

I can't join you guys right now because of an issue. If, by some miracle, the issue gets resolved, then I'll hop in.

[mattsonn]

Originally Posted by openeyes

This guy may be a bit of inspiration to some of you, just showing what's possible:

Wired 15.01: The Perfect Human

"Dean Karnazes ran 50 marathons in 50 days. He does 200 miles just for fun. He'll race in 120-degree heat. 12 secrets to his success."

"6. SHOW YOUR BODY WHO'S BOSS"

Sigh. Injuries happen so much in running, it's not even funny.

[Cassie]

that link on the Tendai Marathon monks is unbelievable. I have to show that to my bf, who is a seasoned runner, and a self-proclaimed monk in a past life ;p

[Lucas]

I am so amped up for this. I have been working on my ChiRunning form, and I am glad we are doing this. I will be extending my goals throughout 2007, but the minimum is 30 minutes a day, at whatever pace feels good, for a year.

This is my main new years resolution.

[Lucas]

One day down!!

[mattsonn]

Bump! How's everyone doing?

[mattsonn]

Hellooo? I can't believe that noone is updating this. Are you guys still doing it?

[johnp]

This year I started running for 20 minutes every day. I used to be fit, but after many years of living a live behind the computer, its not what it used to be, so I start slow.
Today was day 7 (started on 1/2), and I start to feel great!

Anyone else who started?

[Luigi]

Day 9 is down. Woohoo. It already feels like a habit to me.

[Kiba]

I am on day 8.

My family didn't want me to exercise last Sunday. They fear that I will get sick.


I don't have a choice. I am a mere 15 year old

[Lucas]

I am still on it, I feel great. I can already run 2x longer without stopping than I was before. The best part is the glow I feel after doing it, for a ood hour I feel great.

The real test starts tomorrow, now that our winter actually hit. Its 25 degrees and snowy now, heh.

[johnp]

When it gets really cold I run in the gym. Its a bit more boring, but with some music or motivational talk on the ipod its still great!
Yesterday I ran a bit faster than normal, and I can feel that now. Today, back to normal speed. What about those stories that we need days inbetween to recover? Is that BS?

How many runners do we have here? I count at least 4: Lucas, Luigi, Kiba, and myself. Great! Lets keep on running!
Anyone from Europe btw?

[Jaben]

I've been running every day so far, closing in on 3% of the year I have to bring my 4 year old son with me in a jogger half of the days, I've been averaging 2 miles per day. The run has made a nice transition between work and home, releasing tension and reenergizing body and mind. I'm very glad I made the decision to run every day this year.

I'm planning to run outside in all weather. Does a tread mill count?? I would vote that it doesn't.

Kilba and JohnP and everyone else doing this can PM Luigi to get into the runeveryday yahoo group. Currently there are 3 members.

[and]

I'm committed to running 3 days per week. IMO this is a better (more realistic) goal.

I think it also help psychologically to have an ultimate goal in mind, such as running a marathon or 10K run, it gives the mind something concrete to look forwards to.

Helpfull tool: I've started to use this website to keep track of my running and my routes. I ran this route last sunday.

Best of luck...

[Lucas]

Originally Posted by johnp

When it gets really cold I run in the gym. Its a bit more boring, but with some music or motivational talk on the ipod its still great!
Yesterday I ran a bit faster than normal, and I can feel that now. Today, back to normal speed. What about those stories that we need days inbetween to recover? Is that BS?

How many runners do we have here? I count at least 4: Lucas, Luigi, Kiba, and myself. Great! Lets keep on running!
Anyone from Europe btw?

I find that after 10 minutes the cold doesnt even bother me. Today near the end I wanted to keep running, but I dont want to push too hard. As for needing rest, check out my Chi Running thread

Chi Running

It's an excellent paradigm shift in running mentality. You can run longer with less pain, all by relaxing more. Its worth looking into, especially for people doing this.