Streak accomplished!

I did it. And I'm continuing on. December I ran a minimum of 30 minutes every day. As of tonight I've not broke the streak however am not worrying about the 30 minutes rule but may try to continue on following the streak running association rule of one mile minimum. 

I'm just really enjoying running and want to get out. I guess that's the whole point of the December streak. I'm not too bothered with breaking it but for now I'll continue on. 

In other news I may be running my first cross country race in 20 years! I've been recruited by the local running club after being "discovered" on Strava by breaking  someone's segment time! More on this later.

Day 27

The December streak holds strong. Lots of treadmill time has been actually kind of nice. Getting caught up on movies! The only difficult part about this streak has been finding time. A few late nights but motivation has been high so despite lack of sleep I get it done. Only a few days left. 30 minutes minimum each day. 

Adversity and choosing when to run

The past week has been a rough one. Some illness is hanging on and won't let go. Seems to be a stomach thing as I've lost my appetite, very weak, have random bouts of stomach cramps, and had a fun night and following morning of diarrhea. Seems like norovirus. Add that to kids keeping me up at night and I'm fairly wrecked. Coffee isn't even appealing! 

Most runs feel ok though and the motivation is high to chug out 30 minutes minimum since I've ran the past 20 days. Physically running-wise I feel fine. Overall I feel out of it. This next week I'll run a bit less since the Chariot will be out of use with my daughter home. No big deal. The goal is minimum 30 minutes a day. 

I know I bitch a lot about not running in the morning and I'd guess people wonder what my wife is doing, why can't she watch the kids? Well that is my decision. Being a stay at home dad I see it as my job to be there for my kids when needed. Whether that's up a few times at night like last night or up at 5am everyday sacrificing my mornings. 

Also running is a very selfish activity. I will fit it into my schedule and use my personal time which currently happens to be at night. Yeah, I don't prefer it, but it's what I've got now and even if I complain I adapt. Besides no one can complain about my running if I'm using MY time can they? 

From an ultra training standpoint I'd assume having an odd schedule, lack of sleep, and recently pushing through sickness I'm adapting to all sorts of things making my mind stronger. Adaptability and perseverance to obtain a goal seems to be key components of racing ultra distances. 

So five days left of Advent Running and eleven left to run all of December. I won't let the shits stop me.

A few recent photos, I can't caption them on my phone app. A couple from the Wyre Forest and a Saturday post lunch break run pulled pork sandwich. My stomach felt like shit but I needed some calories! 

Day 13 I stumbled. Lack of sleep and busy days built up but I recovered and went forth with 30 minutes to hold the streak. The wife seems to have forgotten that I'm running every day this month. I guess I misspoke in my last post that she is understanding the importance. 

Feeling down a bit but will hopefully snap out of it with a good run on the Wyre Forest later today. I feel mediocre in everything and want to be better, but that takes time and patience. I need to realize that. Take it one day at a time. 

Ten days streaking are done. Minimum of 30 minutes. I'm feeling great. Motivated. Having fun.

I've actually been using the treadmill a fair amount and enjoying it. It's an easy way to run worry free at night. I've been watching YouTube videos of Arrowhead 135, Rovaniemi 150, and a bunch of other similar stuff. I'm considering hooking up our old tv! Could be a bit overkill though. 

I hate running at night outside and it's been my only option 5 days of the week for a year now. I've been saying it for months now but hopefully the little guy will shift soon!

I think it's all going smoothly, despite still being forced to run at night, because my wife has realized the importance of running to me and the effect (sp?) it has. 

Well it's December 1st. It's time to run if I intend to streak the month. Not sure how motivated I am in all reality. I need to try though. Went through a pretty good bout of depression a couple weeks ago which is probably a good indicator that I need to run. 

I've begun to hate the holidays and the winter. The stress involved seems to erupt all at once and the trade off of supposed fun is minimal. Planning ahead solves all though in reality so I have no excuse. Every weekend is something going on with the wife's friends which is alright but I have to work which requires me to try to get days off or leave early which is difficult in the retail world adding more stress.

Still not running in the morning which has been almost a year now I'd guess. You'd think I'd adjust, but no. Some days I think if it's all worth it even?

Right now I have the opportunity to take my daughter out in the Chariot but she's changed her mind and wants to go with mummy despite mummy leaving already. So I guess it will be a night run. 

This girl gets so upset when I leave for JKD on Mondays yet when she has my full attention doesn't want it. It upsets me seeing her on Mondays so much I've not gone the past two and am considering only going Thursday's now. After this morning maybe I'll reconsider. 

Anyway. On with the day. 

Fall is here

This morning the two pumpkins we carved appeared to have a dusting of snow on them. It turned out to be mold from the beginning of their demise. Oh I miss winter. Here it seems November arrives and it gets colder, the leaves all are gone, and I anticipate snow. But, it never comes. Perpetual November until spring arrives. I keep my eyes out for cheap used skis to have just in case. With the large grassy park nearby it is possible to ski if we happen to get a dusting of snow.

Speaking of skiing I'm also considering a pair of roller skis with pneumatic tires. I easily could use these at the Wyre Forest, but the cost/time analysis puts me off. They are expensive, I'd need boots too, and I make really good use of my Wyre Forest time now by running. Not to mention if I want to use the Chariot I'd need to get the trekking or Nordic ski package in order to pull it with a kid. I've got an eBay search out there but it's not a priority right now. Sure would give me that ski "fix" though! 

Everyone has been sick the past few weeks. I think I've got it the least for now but it's still annoying. I just shut up and deal with it. It hasn't been messing with my training at all other missing a few JKD sessions due to kids with high temperatures.

Speaking of JKD I skipped my most recent test. October had been a crazy month (hence no blog posts!) and I just couldn't pull it together. I knew everything but just needed to finalise one thing. My brain was fried and I gave up. I was disappointed in myself. My time management had been so good but has been falling and did. Gradings are super fun and I would've had to Thai box spar against a very experienced guy, which although very intimidating, I would've learned a lot in those few minutes. 

In a way missing the test has been a motivator much like entering a running race unprepared. So now I've instilled a basic plan of 20 or more minutes per day of JKD at home. I've also included a basic calisthenics program, something that has slipped as well. I need to set the habit to start small and when the habit has formed grow from there as time allows. 

Running has been good. No pressure. I'm looking at a 25 - 30 mile per week goal right now which is easy to do but should maintain my fitness without burning me out. I'm on the Wyre Forest twice per week with the little dude in the Chariot doing 7 - 10 miles (usually 10) which is as always a super fun run. It's getting muddy and wet but that's part of the fun. The majority of the photos are from these runs, definitely autumn. The other runs are unfortunately at night. I hate night running. Drunks. People heckling me. Almost getting hit by cars. Poor light for photos. End of the day motivation. Just no fun. Still awaiting the little dude to sleep in consistently, as of now we're back to 5-530am.  

I'm hoping to streak December again, running every day. I'm not sure to what extent though. A couple motivational running websites have different plans: 30 minutes minimum (Advent Running) or 20 minutes/3 miles (the Marcothon). The streak running association says minimum one mile. In years past I've done the 20 minutes/3 miles. 30 minutes could be a stretch but it is just a month. I've still got time to decide. 

Once December is over I have 24 weeks until my "A" race, South Downs Way 100. As I've mentioned before I've got a decent line up of races leading up to it but now may be adding one more. A week after the Worcester Marathon I may have an opportunity to run the Brighton Marathon for a charity the wife is involved with. I'd have to raise money, which I hate doing, but it's a super fast flat course as long as it isn't windy. This is still up in the air but it would be fun to see how fast I can go at the marathon distance.

Either way even if I only do the Worcester Marathon I'd be looking to PR despite it being a hilly course. I've never focused solely on a marathon for a PR. All I need to do is focus two days per week of my training on marathon specificity and it should happen.  The mileage needed for an ultra will already be there, just need some threshold work to be able to go faster at the 26.2 distance. 

In other race thoughts it looks like if a trip to the the US happens in July I've got a few options for adding another ultra to the summer. That is if all injuries and motivation play nice! I could be burnt out or in need of rest however it could be good just to race for fun? One race in particular looks cool; Voyageur 50. The Upper Midwest Trail Runners website of July races shows a few options of varying distances. Voyageur 50 happens to be the Saturday before a party I need to be at so the timing could be just right. One fun thing is that you're allowed a crew throughout the race which is uncommon for a 50 miler. Not that I need a crew but if family want to watch it's a bit more spectator friendly.

That's about it for now. Other thoughts running through my mind, I turn forty in 2017 which is pretty crazy. Maybe Rovaniemi 150 could be an option?