Resting Up

So far, I've been able to resist the urge and not run, but mentally and emotionally, it just doesn't feel right. I love to be outside in the fresh air and see that blue sky and listen to all the sounds of nature. My self-imposed "rest time" from December 18 to the end of year is important, though. I can tell that my oft-injured left hip/groin area is getting better. I've been doing daily stretches and some strength training, and certain movements that hurt ten days ago no longer do. That gives me hope for the new year. These last two weeks of December have been very cold (some days never got above zero) in northern Wisconsin. Hopefully, Mother Nature will get most of the super cold days out of her system by the start of January when I will be running again.

2017 Year in Review - Running PRs

My running in 2017 is over. I'll be resting until January 1, 2018. I thought it would be a good time to review my personal records (PRs) that I accomplished in 2017. This will also set the stage for what I will try to break next year.

Compared to 2016, I improved all my records except for my 1K time:

1K = no change, still at 3:54

1M = 13 seconds faster, 6:32 down from 6:45

5K = 53 seconds faster, 21:44 down from 22:37

10K = 1 minute and 11 seconds faster, 47:53 down from 49:04

Half-Marathon = 5 minutes and 27 seconds faster, 1:50:34 down from 1:56:01

Full-Marathon = never been attempted

Farthest Distance = 1.81 miles farther, 15.01 up from 13.20

Total Yearly Distance = 1,000.05 miles in 2017 up from 573.58 miles in 2016

1,000 Miles in 2017 - Goal Update #22 - GOAL COMPLETE

My running goal is complete. I ran for 1,000 miles in 2017. I started this journey on January 19, 2017, and finished on December 17, 2017. Thank you to everyone for the encouragement. It feels great to be done. My body bent but never broke this year. I plan to take the next two weeks off to rest and heal up, and then get back at it in the new year.

Final 2017 stats:

Runs: 243
Distance: 1,000.05 miles
Total Time: 148h 20m 08s
Avg Distance Per Run: 4.12 miles
Total Calories: 137,359
Avg Speed: 6.7 mph
Avg Pace: 8:54 min/mile

Here is my monthly breakdown:

1,000 Miles in 2017 - Goal Update #21

I ran 7.19 miles today. I wasn't very fast, but I just couldn't get going in the snow. My loop rarely gets plowed, so the snow was a good one to two inches all the way around. I didn't want to slip and get hurt, so I'm stuck with plodding along. The wind was cold, the snow was cold, my body was cold. Actually, my body didn't get cold until I started to sweat. Even with 3 pants, 3 pairs of socks, and 4 shirts, a sweaty body in winter is a recipe for unpleasantness. I have about 2.21 miles left. The plan is to run that tomorrow and jump for joy. Stay tuned.

Current yearly stats:

Runs: 242
Distance: 997.79 miles
Total Time: 148h 01m 37s
Avg Distance Per Run: 4.12 miles
Total Calories: 137,048
Avg Speed: 6.7 mph
Avg Pace: 8:54 min/mile

Days Left in Year: 15
Miles Left in Year: 2.21 miles
Daily Average Needed: 0.15 miles

Funny Spam Emails - new book on Amazon

New book alert! Funny Spam Emails takes the awkward, creepy, and surprisingly funny emails out of my spam folder and puts them front and center for you to laugh at, cringe at, and shake your head at. Funny Spam Emails is available on Kindle and in Paperback on Amazon.

1,000 Miles in 2017 - Goal Update #20

I'm inching closer to my 1,000 mile goal. I ran for 6.67 miles on Saturday (super cold and windy) and 3.68 miles on Sunday (slightly warmer). I am under 10 miles left for the year. See the picture of me below. That was on Saturday. I wore 3 pairs of socks, 4 pants, 5 shirts, 2 pairs of gloves, 2 hats, and a face mask. Real feel temp was around 0 degrees. I was toasty after running a few laps, but then my sweaty face mask froze later.

Current yearly stats:

Runs: 241
Distance: 990.60 miles
Total Time: 146h 39m 31s
Avg Distance Per Run: 4.11 miles
Total Calories: 136,081
Avg Speed: 6.8 mph
Avg Pace: 8:53 min/mile

Days Left in Year: 21
Miles Left in Year: 9.40 miles
Daily Average Needed: 0.45 miles

1,000 Miles in 2017 - Goal Update #19

What a dismal turn of events. The weather immediately turned super cold and windy after my last running post, and I've been stymied. I was able to only get outside once, otherwise the bad temps and shrinking daylight have derailed me. I guess the silver lining is my left hip is healing up. My plan now is to go all-out on the weekends, no matter the weather. I have to utilize the only daylight I'll have access to. So, I'll try to do about a 5 miler both Saturday and Sunday for the next two weeks. I'll be testing my ability to run wearing no less than 3 pairs of socks, 4 pants, 5 shirts, hat, gloves, and face mask. I'm pretty sure if I fall down, someone will find me later in Spring.

Current yearly stats:

Runs: 239
Distance: 980.26 miles
Total Time: 144h 49m 01s
Avg Distance Per Run: 4.10 miles
Total Calories: 134,638
Avg Speed: 6.8 mph
Avg Pace: 8:52 min/mile

Days Left in Year: 23
Miles Left in Year: 19.74 miles
Daily Average Needed: 0.86 miles

Stupid Random Tidbits - paperback book available on Amazon

Stupid Random Tidbits is available for sale on Amazon on Kindle and in Paperback.

Full of quick-fire funnies and completely random thoughts and ideas, you'll appreciate all the inane, childish, and ridiculous tidbits sure to tickle your funny bone.

You'll experience such instant classics as:

"If you get apprehended in a cemetery with a bag of body parts, remember to identify yourself as Igor, otherwise you will have no credibility with the police."

and

"If you find a treasure map with X-marks-the-spot, save yourself the trouble and throw that map away. The last thing you need is a sore back from all that digging."

1,000 Miles in 2017 - Goal Update #18

Well, it has come down to this. The last month. December is here. And surprisingly, the weather has been very generous lately. Mostly in upper 20s to mid 40s recently. I'll take that any day of the week when considering what it could be like in northern Wisconsin. The only injury I'm nursing is my left inner groin tendon and general hip area. Otherwise, I've been able to rest a day here and there to gradually heal up everything else. I'm gonna make it. 1,000 miles, here I come.

Current yearly stats:

Runs: 238
Distance: 976.20 miles
Total Time: 144h 14m 49s
Avg Distance Per Run: 4.10 miles
Total Calories: 134,079
Avg Speed: 6.8 mph
Avg Pace: 8:52 min/mile

Days Left in Year: 29
Miles Left in Year: 23.80 miles
Daily Average Needed: 0.82 miles