It’s done.

Today’s 5-miler around Bourne included my 1000th mile of the year. It’s been quite a challenge, at times I wasn’t even sure I was going to achieve it, but having completed it, I feel good, and in fact, very proud of myself.

Considering I also transitioned into minimalist running with the Vibram Fivefingers during the summer I’m well pleased with the mileage.

Here’s some statistics from the year:

• 222 runs
• 179 hours
• 30,161 feet elevation gain
• 1000 miles

Monthly mileage:

• January 95 miles
• February 75 miles
• March 81 miles
• April 73 miles
• May 82 miles
• June 109 miles
• July 45 miles
• August 58 miles
• September 107 miles
• October 93 miles
• November 120 miles
• December 63 miles

Now to decide what to do in 2018…

It’s been another good week:

I’m getting ever closer to the magic 1000 miles. After this morning’s cheeky 3 mile run at the woods with the dog I have reached 919 miles.

Just 81 miles to go.

Which works out at 2.1 miles per day, or 16.1 miles per week. If I carry on as I am, I will indeed be able to have Christmas week off! That’s the plan.

As I was scrolling though my Strava profile to find the total mileage, I came across this wonderful little stat: my total elevation gain so far has been 28,415 feet.

Now, I live in South Lincolnshire. It’s not known for its hills, in fact the biggest hill I probably ever have to climb is the new disabled access ramp they have put outside the bank. So I’m not particularly surprised that it’s relatively low compared to hardcore trail runners. But what I did find interesting is that Mount Everest stands at 29,029 feet, I’ve only got to add another 600 odd feet of elevation to have conquered Everest! Challenge accepted.

Halfway through November and I’m finally feeling pretty confident that I can indeed run 1000 miles in 2017 – although having now said that I’ll probably fall over and break my leg tomorrow!

I’ve managed a few higher mileage weeks through October and November in a bid to make up some miles that I lost through the summer, when I was transitioning to a more barefoot running style. This week has been another good week:

A 9-miler on Monday, followed by a load of 4ish runs, on the road, at the woods and at the gym on the treadmill. Most of my runs, except on the treadmill, are run in the Vibram Fivefingers. I’ve even been wearing Injinji socks recently. It’s all about the toes!

So, 893 miles done, leaving 107 left to be run in the next 42 days: averaging 2.54 miles per day. If I can keep up the good weekly mileage I might even be able to give myself Christmas week off!

Cushty.

With ten months of the year done, and believe it or not, as I write this we have only 57 days left until the end of 2017, a monthly update is on the way.

October, considering it included a long weekend away, was a pretty good running month:

• 22 runs
• 16 hours
• 93 miles

It feels like the 1000 miles, after it being a bit touch and go at some points in the year, is finally within reach.

When I first took on this challenge I was under the impression that I’d definitely be able to do it. Although, after transitioning to Vibram Fivefingers in the summer it meant that I was well down on the mileage. It has taken up to this point to get back on track.

Some stats for the remainder of the year:

• 57 days to go
• 170 miles left to run
• Averaging out at 2.98 miles a day/20.86 miles a week

Definitely doable.

It’s been a good month on the running front: 100+ miles for September. Which means this month finally saw me get through the 700 mile mark. 

2017 mileage = 714

This week I’ve put in another 25+ mile week.

• Monday = rest
• Tuesday = 6.4 miles at the gym
• Wednesday = 4 miles at the woods 
• Thursday = 4 miles at the gym
• Friday = 3.7 miles exploring locally
• Saturday = 7 miles – Parkrun plus a few more
• Sunday = rest 

I’ve also tried to avoid too much running at the woods in the Fivefingers – I wanted to give my feet a rest – last week with all the dodgy surfaces I’ve been running on, it was beginning to hurt my feet a bit. 

This month I’m planning to get a bit more running on grass done – might even do a bit around the school field before leaving at the end of the day. 

The #run1000miles challenge is still within reach. I’m going to try to up the mileage in October and see if I can finally catch-up on where I should be, maybe even get ahead of the game. 

STATISTIC ALERT!

With 91 days left in 2017, the average daily mileage required to hit 1000 miles for the year is 3.1  or 27.1 miles per week. 

Another week done. 5 days running this week. Which, when you consider it has been a busy week, I’m pretty pleased with. 

• Monday = rest
• Tuesday = 5 miles on the trails at the woods
• Wednesday = rest
• Thursday = 4.5 miles on the treadmill at the gym
• Friday = 5 miles on the trails at the woods
• Saturday = 3.6 miles on the trails at the woods
• Sunday = 5.4 miles on the trails at the woods

My legs have felt very heavy and achy today, which I’m putting down to all the running on the muddy trails at the woods. Also, my feet have felt a bit sore, which I’m putting down to running in the Fivefingers on the stoney ground at the woods. Therefore, I think a bit less trail running next week. 

I’m slowly chipping into the lost miles from when I was transitioning into the Fivefingers. 

WARNING: STATISTICS ALERT!

• 311 miles left to run.
• 98 days until the end of the year.

Which means, on average:

• 3.17 miles per day.
• 22.19 miles per week. 

Definitely doable (I think).