2015 in 2015 Challenge - Two Month Check-In

Back at the start of the year I wrote about the 2015 in 2015 Challenge, and how Woody, Grace, and I joined forces to take it on. Two months in, it's time for a check-in.

Woody did a little math (cause that's how he rolls) and found that we need approximately 1.84 miles per day over the course of the year. That's a lot of miles, and while I've been running a number of years now, I think the only year I may have run upwards of 650 miles in one year was 2009, when I ran the NYC Marathon. This all means I have to buckle down, tie up my laces, and get on the treadmill if that's what it takes to log the miles. 

Warm weather running in Florida - Dec. 2014

So, here are my stats so far:

• January - 63.19 miles
• February - 74.3 miles
• Total - 137.49

My highest mileage week was last week, tied with this week (including Mar. 1) at 18 miles. While this isn't much for some people, it's solid work for me and I'm really proud about it. After suffering from chronic stress fractures for several years, and being diagnosed with osteopenia, I have to be careful.

Running a few laps of Wash Park when Grace visited Denver - Jan. 2015!

As a team through February we've run 353.38 miles, ahead by 27.67 miles! While Mother Nature was shining on Denver during much of January, there's been a lot of snow and cold lately - less running outdoors - so we're off to a fantastic start.

Wash Park

To support the increase in mileage I've been focused on getting enough calcium (through a variety of dark leafy greens, tofu, supplements...) and protein (beans, vegan protein shakes, nuts, tofu, quinoa...) in my diet. A little planning and prep is all it takes!

Did you run this weekend? * Have you been logging more miles on the treadmill lately or are you an all-weather runner? * Are you participating in the challenge?

Join Us to Run 2,015 Miles in 2015

Last week I shared a few of my goals for 2015, well, I've added another that will help me achieve those. I've teamed up with Grace of Lean Girls Club and Woody to go after the 2,015 in 2015 Challenge! 

You've likely seen this on Facebook as I did, and you may have even been like me immediately dismissing it because it just seems so daunting! Even the 1,000 mile challenges have been out of reach for me in the past (I've tried and failed) so what I really love about this challenge is that you can do it with a team to split the miles and have a built in support system.

It breaks out like this for each person:
1 person = 2,015 miles in 365 days (5.5 miles/day)
2 people = 1,007.5 miles in 365 days (2.75 miles/day)
3 people = 672 miles in 365 days (2 miles/day)

672 miles in a year, I'm pretty confident I can handle that! It'll keep me accountable - not only to myself but to my teammates - helping me achieve those PR's I have my sights set on, and encourage Woody to keep up his new hobby. He's more competitive than I am, so it'll be interesting to see how he takes this on!

The challenge is organized by Adam Goucher (retired pro-runner, running coach and husband to Kara) and Tim Catalano (running coach and educator) - co-founders of Runner the Edge - and from what I've seen thus far it seems apparent that a lot of thought and preparation has been put into the program. 

Registration will be left open for a little longer, so there's still time to join in the fun. If you're thinking about it, here's what you need to know:

• The basic cost is $25 (more if you choose options like the finishers medal or a shirt)
• While teams are more than welcome, it's best to cap your team at 3 people or the challenge becomes less of a challenge
• You can form a team before or after you join, but each person needs to register individually
• Miles can be accumulated through running and walking however because the challenge is meant to be accomplished on foot, biking doesn't count. (But this doesn't rule out snowshoeing!)
• The challenge is open to anyone around the world
• Once you sign-up, you'll be able to join a private Facebook group for updates and to share encouragement with other participants, and there are freebies and discounts from partners including Oiselle and Nuun

If this all sounds fun to you, please join us! You can sign up HERE.

Grace and I will be sharing our journey on our blogs and Instagram, so if you're not already following her, be sure to head over to Lean Girls Club!

Whether this or another, what challenge are you setting for yourself this year?