IF YOU WILL IT, IT CAN BE DONE
My goal was “consistency.” Results: Crushed it!
Goal: I pledged to run at least a mile each and every day, no matter the weather, how cranky I felt that day or complications brought by a busy holiday schedule.
Result: I managed to run two laps, or 5.5 miles, around Edmond’s Mitch Park’s multiuse trails almost every morning. When the schedule was too busy on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I ran one time around, but I made up for that by running an extra lap during weekend runs when I had more time. In January, when I had to take my vehicle into the repair shop, I ran back home and ran back to the shop the next day when it was finished.
Bonus: 360 miles total for the 65 days, averaging a tiny bit more than 5.5 miles each day. That gives me a pretty good running base leading up to warmer weather when being outside is a lot more fun.
Serendipitous bonus: The weather
wasn’t really all that bad. Only one snow and ice storm and only a few mornings with temperatures lower than 25 or windy.
Lessons learned:
It’s easier for me to run first thing in the morning, before I’ve had a chance to think of some excuse. If I’ve already run, no unexpected complication later in the day will derail me.
If I dress in layers, it’s easier to stay warm or to adjust to changing conditions. Light gloves in cool weather keep my hands warm, and I put wool mittens over those as it gets colder. Ski gloves are the last resort on the coldest days. Varying thicknesses of stocking hats help, too.
Some days, such as running in windblown sleet, just aren’t going to be much fun.
Rewards: I bought myself a new pair of running shoes and I’m eyeing the Oklahoma City Marathon, trying to decide between the full or half.