2020 Running Goal - Update #30

I felt like I finished July really well. It was the model of consistency. It was a perfect case study on what I need to be a successful runner. My work schedule, sleep amount, food consumption, running distance, running time, running pace, and weather were all remarkably similar for 31 days. In retrospection, it was a pretty darn good month, and it showed in what I accomplished.

August, on the other hand, has been nothing but a weird, depressing month. I cannot get into any running rhythm. It is taking a mental and physical toll.

The weather is unpredictable. One day is hot and humid, the next is a downpour and lightning. Then, one morning is freezing cold, but the evening is sweltering and sticky. And throughout it all, the bugs suddenly have renewed interest in human flesh.

On top of that, I just cannot keep up any energy. I haven't been sleeping well due to stress and the number of hours I've had to work. This, in turn, affects my food choices and amounts. So, all this adds up into wildly inconsistent runs of varying start times, lengths, paces, energy levels, tiredness, and enthusiasm.

Today is August 23rd, and I've only run 10 times. I plan to run later today, but we'll see how that goes.

I should note I had a positive run on August 15th, though. I finished my 9th half-marathon of the year in 1:52:13 with a 8:34 min/mile pace. Only one more left for the year. 130 days to go.

Current yearly stats:

Runs: 194
Distance: 1,085.54 miles
Total Time: 172h 24m 09s
Avg Distance Per Run: 5.65 miles
Total Calories: 127,712
Avg Speed: 6.30 mph
Avg Pace: 9:32 min/mile

Days Left in Year: 130
Miles Left in Year: 414.46 miles (from 1,500)
Daily Average Needed: 3.188 miles

FINISHED TOTALS:

MONTH	MILES	AVERAGE RUN	TIME (h:m:s)	CALORIES
January	118.66	4.39 mi	19:35:19	15,342 C
February	89.63	4.07 mi	15:17:04	11,385 C
March	119.12	4.96 mi	20:15:33	14,746 C
April	128.97	5.37 mi	22:24:57	15,694 C
May	165.16	5.90 mi	25:53:30	18,613 C
June	172.90	6.18 mi	26:43:28	19,211 C
July	218.31	7.04 mi	31:03:04	24,311 C
August
September
October
November
December
SUMMARY	1,012.75	5.42 mi	161:12:55	119,302 C

2020 Running Goal - Update #29

I took a few days off from running to start the month of August. I wanted to rest my body and have a break from the intense exercise.

I took off days 1 and 2. I rested and didn't do any activities.

On day 3, I ran a fast 5K ending up with a 7:25 min/mile pace in 23:00. After that run, I felt like I still had more to give, so decided to try again the next day.

So, on day 4, I ran as hard as I could, and ended up beating my 5K PR by 3 seconds. I ended up with a 7:00 min/mile pace in 21:41.

Then I took off days 5, 6, and 7 due to work and weather.

On days 8 and 9, I ran back-to-back half-marathons in 2:05:36 and 2:01:06.

I now have eight half-marathons finished for the year. My goal is to finish ten by the end of the year. Barring any issues, that should be doable.

I recently realized that the Brooks Ghost 12 shoes I am wearing during my runs have been with me since the beginning in January. So, my shoes now have 1,045 running miles on them, in addition to whatever walking and everyday use miles they have accumulated. I can definitely tell the soles are getting worn down, but overall, these shoes have been great this year.

Current yearly stats:

Runs: 188
Distance: 1,045.14 miles
Total Time: 166h 04m 18s
Avg Distance Per Run: 5.75 miles
Total Calories: 122,792
Avg Speed: 6.28 mph
Avg Pace: 9:32 min/mile

Days Left in Year: 144
Miles Left in Year: 454.86 miles (from 1,500)
Daily Average Needed: 3.158 miles

FINISHED TOTALS:

MONTH	MILES	AVERAGE RUN	TIME (h:m:s)	CALORIES
January	118.66	4.39 mi	19:35:19	15,342 C
February	89.63	4.07 mi	15:17:04	11,385 C
March	119.12	4.96 mi	20:15:33	14,746 C
April	128.97	5.37 mi	22:24:57	15,694 C
May	165.16	5.90 mi	25:53:30	18,613 C
June	172.90	6.18 mi	26:43:28	19,211 C
July	218.31	7.04 mi	31:03:04	24,311 C
August
September
October
November
December
SUMMARY	1,012.75	5.42 mi	161:12:55	119,302 C

2020 Running Goal - Update #28

All right, July 2020 is in the books. I hit some big milestones in my running career. I had my best month ever with 218.31 miles in 31 days (31 hours) averaging 7.04 miles each day.

I am over 1,012 miles for the year with five months to go. With 213 days done, and going by my 4.10 miles/day pace, I needed to be at 873.30 miles to stay on annual pace to finish with 1,500 miles. I am 139.45 miles ahead of that pace, so that's wonderful news. That's basically like an extra month of running for me.

In July, I ran 13 days under 7 miles and 18 days above 7 miles in one hour. My shortest distance was 6.25 miles on July 14th and longest distance was 7.78 miles on July 20th. I finished the month strong with the last six days all above 7 miles. I ran hard on the last day, July 31st, and finished with 7.46 miles with a 8:03 min/mile pace.

Now, I'm going to take a few days off and rest my body and mind. I would still like to try for a PR in 5K and half-marathon this year yet. I am hoping the days off will rejuvenate me and let me run without feeling worn down.

Current yearly stats:

Runs: 184
Distance: 1,012.75 miles
Total Time: 161h 12m 55s
Avg Distance Per Run: 5.42 miles
Total Calories: 119,302
Avg Speed: 6.28 mph
Avg Pace: 9:33 min/mile

Days Left in Year: 152
Miles Left in Year: 487.26 miles (from 1,500)
Daily Average Needed: 3.205 miles

FINISHED TOTALS:

MONTH	MILES	AVERAGE RUN	TIME (h:m:s)	CALORIES
January	118.66	4.39 mi	19:35:19	15,342 C
February	89.63	4.07 mi	15:17:04	11,385 C
March	119.12	4.96 mi	20:15:33	14,746 C
April	128.97	5.37 mi	22:24:57	15,694 C
May	165.16	5.90 mi	25:53:30	18,613 C
June	172.90	6.18 mi	26:43:28	19,211 C
July	218.31	7.04 mi	31:03:04	24,311 C
August
September
October
November
December
SUMMARY	1,012.75	5.42 mi	161:12:55	119,302 C