I set a goal at the beginning of the year to run 100 miles a month for the entire year. Most months that’s slightly less than 25 miles a week. This is not a super high number for me. I’ve managed 20+ mile weeks for probably 90% of the weeks in the last two years.
So, why is it that I’ve found myself packing in miles in the last week of each month? The last two months have required major mileage right up until the last days of the month. In September, I had to run 21 miles in the last three days. For October, I’m in a little better shape with only 16.5 miles left (I ran 9.5 miles in the last two days to get to that), but I have two days this week when I won’t be able to run at all and two days that will require short (4 miles if I’m lucky) runs. Good thing I’m meeting my friend to run for 8 today (in the wind, rain, and lightning apparently). Why is this happening? Because I’m not planning my running. Life is crazy busy right now. If I don’t make a plan at the beginning of the week, my mileage suffers.
My goals for November? First, to surpass 100 miles by at least a few miles and second, to at least tentatively plan my month so that half the miles are run in the first half of the month and the other half are run in the second half. Otherwise, Thanksgiving will totally blow my running out of the water.
Do you have plans to keep your running on track through the holidays?
(More info on the Reston Zoo up on Metro DC Mom)
Splitting your mileage up for the two halves sounds like the way to go. I foresee a cramp run on the 14th too. lol I'm working on getting a treadmill so that I'm not at the mercy of the weather this winter. I'll be in my first marathon training (March marathon)so I'm going to try and be as religious about my runs as possible.
I think you need a December/January race to train for! I just started a 7 week plan for a half in mid December. The holidays/winter are a tough time to workout. Good luck!
I'm running through the holidays. I put some little races on my calendar to keep me going. Plus I have plans to pace a friend of mine during some of his long runs as he marathon trains. That will be good enough for me!
I'm having the same kind of problems now that I'm without a detailed training plan. I need to plan MUCH better than I am…
I have a half scheduled for mid-December, my first since having my second child. And I am signed up for a half at the end of March, where I hope to do a sub-2:00. That plan keeps me in check through Thanksgiving, allows a little slack at Christmas when I will be traveling, but makes sure I get back on track quickly. Although this is my first winter running in NOVA, and I don't have a treadmill. I am a little worried about the wind and rain.
Holidays can do a doozy on my training. It doesn't help that I am traveling many weekends to see the BF too and not always getting my workouts in… Good luck!
The same thing would happen to me if I didn't have a plan. After a week off, I already have another one in place. :)Good luck hitting those miles – I know you will!
Thanksgiving comes during my marathon taper and I will probably still be recovering by Christmas!
A plan works best for me. Good for you for sticking to your 100+ goal all year!
I'm all over the place without a plan. I actually need to sit down to schedule what should happen around the holidays. I always plan on doing less because inevitably I'll have to be at some family function I didn't know about or something will go much later than planned.
ohhhh just wait the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge is going to help kick you in to gear for the rest of the year 🙂
If I don't plan ahead of time to take into account days when Sophie can stay at daycare late, etc., I would never get any runs in! Good luck finishing out the busy month. 🙂
Having a plan to get your mileage in is way different than having a plan for a race! Don't be affraid, go ahead and plan it!Nice work though, at least you're keeping your goal!
I think that you are doing a pretty good job of staying on track. Life gets busy…especially with kids. Try not to be so hard on yourself:)For the winter months I am going to try to get outside and run at least three times a week. Maybe I can find some type of cross training. I will try to stay on track too!