Streak Day 22 and I'm still heading out for a run. There is no doubt that I'm feeling rather tired but it's still up for debate if it's because of a lack of sleep or if its from the constant struggle to run. Yeah.. I'm a runner and I struggle every day with a lack of motivation. Hard to hear that from a guy who has now run for 22 consecutive days, all of the days of 2010 and the new decade. Every day before I even lace up my shoes I say to myself, "Maybe this is the day I'll take a rest.. this is the day I'll take a goose egg." And then I remember, that one rest day easily turns into 2 and 3.. and I'm back into that other vicious cycle. I'd much rather have a cycle of movement, of exercise and well being.. then a cycle of slothery and laziness.
I am feeling MUCH better then I have in previous months. Happier, healthier. My pace has picked up averaging 7:50-8:05 miles as opposed to the usual 8:45-9:30. My leg turnover rate is much improved as my pace stays below 10 minute miles while running up long hills in the neighborhood. I've had a good time exploring new roads and new routes here in Epping. Not far from my front door, maybe a half mile up the road are a cluster of large and expansive horse farms; the smells that emanate from this area reminds me so much of the Vermont 100 and as the road turns to dirt and gravel I cannot help but slip into memories of races past. I get excited and I get hungry... hungry for that finish line once again. New buckles, new people, new places.. I have been reminded why we train.. why there is this time of year in New England. While I certainly hate winter.. I enjoy throwing myself to the elements and testing my mental toughness. I've run in rain and snow. Under sunny skies and star lit skies. I've trotted down icy streets, through frigid puddles and been stood up straight in ferocious bone chilly negative zero winds. All in 22 days... and yet I remain in constant motion.
This Sunday is the first 50K run of the year, returning to an old tradition of running at least one ultra distance run in each month of the year. Josh Robert is hosting this weekends run, two 14+ mile loops in the town of Hillsboro, NH. After the two loops, a tiny trot down some snow covered trails to bring the run up to 50K. If any one would like to join for one or both loops.. please by all means let me know. It is never too late to test yourself and it is never too late to start your own running streak. Even if it is only 1 mile a day... it's better then ZERO miles a day.
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