So, how are those challenges going?

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m doing HBBC, 30for60 and Tall Mom’s mile a day for December.  The question of the day is whether that’s working for me.

I’ll have to say an unequivocal YES!  So far, I’ve hit 30 minutes of working out for 20 days, I’ve eaten 7 fruits and veggies a day for more than half the days, and I’ve managed to walk or run at least a mile every day so far this month.

I can tell you right now that there would definitely have been some “eat junk and sit on my butt” days if I hadn’t felt accountable.  In fact, one night at 9:00pm, I hit the treadmill and the weights so that I could keep my record going.   Yep, I’m apparently very externally motivated.  LOL

Today I ran 9.1 miles.  The first 3 miles were mostly uphill, which guaranteed I started slow.

Mile 1: 11:12 (hit a long light)
Mile 2: 12:27 (long light + complete outfit failure:  my iphone armband fell off and I was too hot in my windbreaker and I couldn’t get the jacket and the armband separated.  I’m sure I looked like an idiot, standing on the side of the road trying to get myself together.  I actually almost turned around and headed home.)
Mile 3: 11:04 (holy uphill, Batman!)
Mile 4: 11:01 (another long light, am I never going to have a mile faster than 11 minutes?)
Mile 5: 11:00 (%$#^ light)
Mile 6: 10:30 (It’s about damned time!)
Mile 7: 10:51 (Meh.)
Mile 8: 10:43 (Ready to just stop)
Mile 9: 10:37 (Whose bright idea was this last mile anyways?)

I actually contemplated 10, but when I hit mile 9, my speed dropped to about 13 minute miles and I knew I was just done.  I actually think I ran at about 10:30-10:45 for most miles, but I never stopped my garmin at lights (I always forget to start it again…).

And that’s it for long runs for 2011.  Next week is an easy recovery week.  And every single part of me from my hips on down is in need of that break!