Join my run challenge: How far can you go in 2014?

How far can you run in 2014?

It’s the perfect MoneySaving sport – a pair of trainers, shorts, T-shirt and you’re off! And right now I’m cheering – hurrah! Even though I’ve got shin splints and had plantar fasciitis, I broke my record and ran 695 km in 2013. In 2014, I’m determined to break 700km. Want to join me? There’s no better motivation.

Before this year, all my previous running – which I’ve been doing for just under four years – was all about trying to beat my personal bests for each distance and route run. However, as progress isn’t linear, I realised this actually started to be demotivating. In other words I’d aim to do a 10k, realise I wasn’t close to my record, so I’d cut it short.   

At the end of last year, I added a new column to my graph (of course I’ve got a running graph, don’t you?) to focus on annual distance – and totted up what I’d done in the past.

It’s been a huge boon, because even when I’m less fit or sparky, when running I often fall on the obsessive mantra of "need to feed the graph, need to feed the graph".

It’s helped spur me on, even though work has been so difficult finding a second was tough.

At one point I was on to break 800km for the year, but then the injuries hit. This last month though, recovering from shin splints, I managed to just beat my previous record, though I admit it was with some pain.

Want to join my run challenge?

It occurred to me that a great boost of motivation for 2014 would be to make this public and get others to join in. The aim isn’t for you to beat me or vice versa. It’s to all beat our own goals. A mutual run club support challenge.

Here’s what to do to join...

In the comments section at the end of this post (or via the forum link) first of all, write your pledge:

My name is ????????. And my running challenge target distance for 2014 is ??????? km."

Then if possible tell us a bit about yourself, for example:

• Age (if you’re willing).
• Fitness level.
• How fast you typically go.
• Whether you have any official races planned.
• Distance run in past years, if you know it.
• And whether you have a running spreadsheet.

Whether it’s to do 50k or 5,000 miles, it doesn’t matter. The key is an achievable, hard, but not overly ambitious target. After all, you don’t want it to be such a stretch that you quickly realise it’s unachievable and get demotivated. Think about how many runs you can do a week, and the maths (I’d calculate it on 46 weeks, not 52, you’ll always miss some due to injury, or other commitments).

Each month I will blog my progress and you can update yours, hopefully supporting each other. As well as in the forum, I’ll post the blog on my Twitter and Facebook pages, as well as in the weekly email so you can ensure you stay in touch.

How to measure your distance

If you’re running on a treadmill, it’s easy. For those running outside, there are a few ways…  

• Smartphone apps. Most smartphones have apps that can track your run and distance (do suggest your favourite below). So strap one to your arm and use it to play your music too (the beat can help regulate your pace). I don’t use one, so if you know a good one please suggest it in the comments below.
• Use Google Maps’ tool. Choose a path, follow the route and you can then measure the distance afterwards on Google Maps (there’s a special tool to do this on the non-mobile version). If you’re using this method, I suggest you stick to a few routes and repeat to make the process easier.
• GPS watch. Alternatively, if you’re lucky enough to have a GPS watch (as I am – it was a birthday present from Mrs MSE) then that can be a real boon – but only buy one if you can afford it, it’s not necessary.

My charts

So to get you going, here are my charts over the last three years.

As you’ll see, I’m mainly an outdoor runner (last year 616k outdoors, 79k on treadmills) and I tend to get more mileage in during the summer months. You can see from the the table below where injuries suddenly slowed my distance in 2013.

Now to start the club…

My name is Martin Lewis and my running challenge target distance for 2014 is 700km."

Your turn.

PS. Since writing this blog, only three days later on Sunday I woke up with agnoising pain in my ankle and ended up in A&E in a cast. That’s now off but I’ve got gout and I’m on crutches. So while running club is still on, my January isn’t going to look too pucker!