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Running Streak: Month Three

  • Ran in one state
  • Ran in one city
  • longest run: 8 miles
  • shortest run: 1 mile (minimum requirement to keep the streak alive)
  • total August mileage: 76 miles. This is just one mile short of last month's total, although I went about it very differently. Unlike July, I went back to embracing the 1-milers, but I did it with a very specific purpose: so that I could increase my speed and distance on the other days. I did a much better job this month of alternating hard and easy runs. As a result, I did accomplish some faster times. I always count it a great success when I can average 9 minutes for at least three miles, and most summers, I get there (I managed a 27:27 three-miler this month). I'm guessing my 3-mile time was just a bit faster than that on my 5K, since my total time was 28:14. 
  • total streak mileage: 200 miles. Even with a bunch of 1-milers, I am still averaging more than 2 miles per day. 
  • I ran 24 times by myself and 7 times with others: Tammy, Amy J., and I celebrated mile 200 with Paul, Kevin, and Linda. I also ran two races this month. I did the running leg of a spring triathlon (just 2 miles), and I ran the After Dark Dash 5K with my friend Fitz and my eldest niece, Jenn.
  • slowest mile: I don't have an answer for this, although I'm sure the slowest miles came during my very hilly 8-miler with Amy Jones, way north on Eagle Road. That was such fun, challenging run. I look forward to doing it again sometime.
  • fastest mile: I'm not sure about this either. I didn't specifically time myself for a single, fast mile. I did run a 9-minute mile during the triathlon, and I think I ran an 8:50 during the first mile of the 5K, but I'm basing that on overhearing some other people talking, since I did not wear my Garmin, and I didn't see any mile markers. 
  • I also did my first two-a-day of the streak. I'd done an easy mile one Sunday afternoon, and then Tam texted later to see if I had run yet. I decided to run again with her, and we enjoyed an easy 3!

Last month I wrote that I expected July to be my highest mileage month, and it probably will be. But I was pleasantly surprised to run nearly as many miles in August. I have been back at school now for two weeks, and as I expected, fatigue is having an impact on my distance and speed.

On the other hand, I am still enjoying the self-imposed discipline of this streak. I am not any thinner, and I'm not much faster than a month ago, but I am stronger, both physically and mentally, than I have been in a long time. I love that I am running into 50, and by the grace of God, I'll be able to continue my streak for another six months (at least).



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