The itch has returned! No, not the type that requires medical
attention; the running itch! Last week I started the '100 Miles in
January Challenge' and it really jump started me. I did 3 days in a
row of 5 milers and then I took Thursday off. I didn't realize how
hard taking a day off would be once the itch returned. I knew I
needed a break, especially since Wednesday evening I couldn't keep my
eyes open past 8 pm, and I had an amazingly sore buttocks.

However, I was left feeling so anxious all day Thursday. It was
beautiful outside and I hated that I was taking a day off. I wanted to
continue ticking off the 100 miles and make a huge dent in my first
week. Of course, running 15 miles in 3 days IS a huge dent considering
I was averaging 15 miles or less in a week gearing up to this
challenge. So, yes a break was indeed needed.

I'm not a patient person, AT.ALL. Well, I have my moments but
generally I have a very aggressive - go getter personality. I want to
get things done RIGHT THIS VERY MOMENT. If I have something on my
"plate" I feel anxious and uneasy. I always feel the need to be doing
SOMETHING. So having this challenge is going to prove to be harder for
me than I anticipated. Getting in the miles won't be hard, I clocked
my 35th mile today and I have over 2 weeks left to go. It's going to
be hard because I have to be patient. I have to run the miles in a
smart fashion. Doing 50 in a week is just stupid. I know this, but my
patience - or lack there of - doesn't LIKE it.

On Saturday, I met up with my Team in Training peeps for an 8 mile out
and back on the trail. I was partially excited about the trail run and
partially dreading it. I get VERY bored running on the trail. Plus, my
gal pal wasn't going to be there and she's usually the one team member
that runs the same pace as me. When we started the run it was a frigid
28 degrees and my feet had turned into ice blocks. I took off from the
pack and never looked back. (Running hills has really proved to
increase my pace on the flats.) As I was coming out of a tunnel on the
trail I decided to look back and see how far ahead I was from the
group. There was literally no one in sight. I have no idea what pace I
was running, but I felt absolutely great so I kept going.

I planned on going an extra quarter of a mile to get the full 8 miles
(the out and back was really only 7.6) and I figured that would give
some other runners a chance to "catch-up" to me. Fortunately, for my
sanity, I was "caught" and I had a friend to run with for the last
mile before hitting the water stop. We were chatting and running at a
nice pace and I decided to challenge him to a race - "Race me to the
mile post!!!" Well this was a big mistake because he totally dusted my
sorry self, and I felt the energy drain from my entire body the second
we turned around. BONK.

On the 4 miles back, I struggled between wanting to run with the pack,
or hang back (in the middle) and finishing strong. I was really feeling
the weeks total mileage pulling me down. Somewhere around mile 6 my
coach caught up with me. We were chatting for a bit and he mentioned
that I needed to slow down. In true Holly fashion I protested. "I'm
fine! I'm talking, I'm running... I pass the test!!!" He was hearing
none of it. This is a 60 year old man, who just last year ran the
Boston Marathon, I have no business disagreeing with him. He started
talking to me about being a patient runner. (Uh oh, I'm in trouble
now!)

Coach J, who has no clue I am doing a 100 Mile Challenge, or that I
write this blog (and we will keep those on the hush!) explained to me
that the miles I'm running now are my "base miles." Base miles aren't
meant for being raced through or rushed. Base miles are for building
up to the long runs when the first 8 or so miles are critical for
preserving energy. So even though "I felt fine" and could easily talk
through the run, I was still rushing through it, unnecessarily to
boot. Enter patience...

I am going to ATTEMPT to demonstrate patience for the 65.85 remaining
miles of my challenge and hopefully that will translate into my
marathon training. It would be an added bonus if the patience found
it's way into my day to day activities, too!

Run Hard,
Run Strong,
Run for You,
Holly

Wow, what a whirlwind those 2 weeks were! I can't believe Christmas
has come and gone and we're in a new year! Before my little hiatus I
issued a challenge for January. I am challenging everyone to get in
 100 miles this month.* Will it be hard? Yes! Will it take commitment?
 Yes! Can it be done? YES!!!!

I did a fair share of running the past 2 weeks. Nothing too insane but
I did up my mileage and add in some pretty hilly courses. My increased
appetite and my sore buttocks are proof of both. I got my long run
back up to 8 miles and I'm hoping to do a 10 miler this Saturday. I'm
feeling pretty positive about my challenge and really looking forward
to getting back into tip top running shape. Marathon training starts
January 30th!!!!

I have been seeing a great deal of fitness goals for the year 2012. It
seems like now, more than ever, people want to get into shape. I have
recruited my mom, brother and sister-in-law to join my 100 mile
challenge and they seem really excited about it. I am hoping this year
I can influence a few people to incorporate fitness into their lives.
I didn't realize how important it was for me to have until I started
running regularly.

If you haven't committed to my challenge or challenged yourself to a
fitness goal, it's not too late! If you haven't been active in awhile,
start out small. You can challenge yourself to be active a few times a
week for 30 minutes. You can challenge yourself to make better food
choices. You can challenge yourself to run all the way up a steep hill
that you've never managed before. Whatever your challenge, or your
goals, make it so you won't fail. Choose things that are hard, but
within your capabilities. Also, try to get a buddy to do it with you.
It's a lot easier when you have someone else holding you accountable.
You can also make it a race - see who reaches the goal faster! Make a
list of your goals and post them where you'll see them often and get
moving!!!

My fitness goals for this year are:

1) To tone up (especially my core)
2) Run 100 miles in January
3) Run 1,000 miles (ore more) for the year
4) Write new, exciting and fun blogs for you fine people :)
5) Lose 10 lbs - the ones that don't want to go away
6) Run and finish my 2nd marathon
7) Run a few other races. Perhaps a fall marathon??

I am so excited to start another year with T2M2R. If there are any
blog topics you would like to see, please let me know! I may not have
all of the answers but I'm pretty good at making stuff up!

Happy New Year 2012!!!

Run Hard,
Run Strong,
Run for You,
Holly




*Disclaimer about the 100 mile challenge. You do NOT have to run all of the miles. The miles can be combined with biking, elliptical, walking and running. Please do not attempt this challenge if you have not been physically active. We don't want to see anyone get hurt! Aim for a smaller goal if you're just starting back up. The number 26.2 has a nice ring to it for a monthly goal :)