#RWRunStreak: Week 6 and a Full Recap

So here we are, at the week of (technically) Week 6, though it's only a half week through the streak. I can't believe it -- 38 days have gone by!

Week 6. Done AND done.

It's crazy to think that when I first signed for this I was like "Okay, well doing it 38 days in a row will be a challenge, but I can totally do a mile a day, NBD." Wrong. So wrong. It turned out to be quite the challenge -- a sure-fire test of willpower, determination, strength, motivation, and mental capacity. And it was amazing.

But before the whole-38-day-recap, my last three runs:

Monday, July 2: 1.0 mi/8:09 pace/8:09
I knew I was close to the end and was wondering if I had improved my 1-mile time from two weeks ago or so. I was also feeling the beginning of the "Uggggh, just a few more days" syndrome and just wanted to get my mile over with. I figured, then, I needed to at least make my mile count - and whoa, I did! Pleasantly surprised and so excited! Wonder if I kept this up if I could break an 8-minute mile. That thought is crazy.

Tuesday, July 3: 2.72 mi/8:19 pace/23:05
Day 2 of "Ugggggh, so close, just want to finish running already." This was also a toughie because I needed to get it the run done in the morning (which I haven't done during the week in forever), since I was headed to Atlanta right after work. But it turned out to be a pretty good run -- humid, for sure, and felt like I was sweating buckets by the time I got home, but it was a nice morning out otherwise. Maybe I should go back to those morning runs... nah.

Wednesday, July 4: 6.67 mi/9:46 pace/1:04:40
43rd Annual Peachtree Road Race! Recap here [coming soon]. Crazy run -- I was prepared to be very overwhelmed with the crowds, and while it was daunting, it wasn't nearly as bad as I anticipated. I mean, after 43 years, they've certainly got it down to an art. Thankfully! Check out the recap for more stories!

38 Days of Running: #RWRunStreak 2012

Holy crap.  I just ran for 38 days in a row (if you want to be technical, 40 days, since I started with the Mama Bear 5K the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and a run on Sunday before the challenge started). I can't believe it, truly.

It started here. And ended here. 

I had started with a goal of doing at least 2 miles a day, to really make it count. Little did I know how hard it would be to even want to do a mile most some days! Truly, there were a few days when getting out that door was the last thing I wanted to do, and those were the handful of days where I opted for a walk instead with the dog, or the slowest jog I could muster to make it count. Days on the cruise where I thought I was legitimately insane (then realized there were a few others like me on the boat); days where I'd go as late as possible in the day to avoid the heat; and days where I'd rearrange my entire plan just to make sure I got in that mile. Oh, the life of a runner.

In 38 days...

• I ran 80.88 miles.
• I ran 2 5K races.
• I ran 1 10K race.
• I ran on a boat in the Bahamas. 
• I ran the fastest mile of my life - twice! First an 8:26, then an 8:09!
• I PR'd my 5K (27:58). 
• I ran my first speed/track workout.

It is rare that I feel so proud about something I've done, let alone to keep blogging about it and talking about it again. I loved following along on Twitter and Daily Mile, cheering people on, and connecting with folks who were running their minimum 1 mile, or running insane amounts of miles every day. What a fun, pushing, challenging, crazy experience!

While also pushing myself to my true limit, I learned quite a bit not only about myself but about running and what it really takes to make a good run happen.

• I am more stubborn determined than I think am.
• When I set my mind to something, I really can do it!
• The importance of stretching. I suck as a runner in that I don't stretch as nearly much as I should. Like, at all. Lesson learned.: stretch more. Stretch often.
• Community is important -- whether it's a one-time tweet conversation that goes nowhere, or posts and comments from friends on Daily Mile, it goes a long way! No wonder running communities are so strong. We're awesome. 
• Running on vacation, let alone on a boat, makes you look legitimately insane. 

So you ran 38 days in a row... what's next? Darn good question. I have to admit, I'm looking forward to taking today off. But at the same time, what a change in attitude! I wonder if I'll miss going for a run this evening after work. And I kind of want to see how many days I can push myself to do. However, I've also learned that my body needs the rest, and to listen. And listen good.

But as far as what's next, I'm looking forward to running casually for a few more weeks and then starting training for my fall/winter line up. Training for these overlaps nicely, which is always a smart way to do it, as I've learned. :)

• Ragnar DC: September 21-22
• Disney World Wine & Dine ½ Marathon: November 10
• December Half Marathon, TBD
• Surf City Marathon: February 3 (training starts October 1)

Adventures to come. Love my life. Thank you all for your support, encouragement, and love through these last six weeks! I did it!