Monthly Mileage Report - January
What I Ran, Read, Watched and Learned This Past Month
And….we’re off.
So begins the journey to 1,000 miles.
Honestly, I didn’t believe I would be within 11 of the targeted monthly average to start the year. I assumed weather, bad luck, and bringing back the habit would work against me. So, 73 feels like an absolute win.
This summary of January contains notes on my running, reading, watching and learning.
Ran - 73
For those new to the 1,000 mile in a year framework, here are the averages I’m targeting:
84 miles per month
20 miles per week
2.8 per day
I’m pumped with what I achieved in January, but it wasn’t always easy.
Week of Slow
The accumulation of miles during my Week of Slow started the month of strong. But going slow and far for a week was a complete drag mentally. But, it completely recalibrated my pace perception.
Going slow for a week is a great first step for anyone looking to run more.
80/20 Training Plan
After realigning with my body, I began the 80/20 Half Marathon Training Plan. This increased my frequency as I prepare for my first official race of 2023.
Going into a new training plan, I knew the most difficult part was going to be running/cross-training 6 days a week. Previously, I was running every other day.
So, rather than aim for 100% compliance, I told myself:
For the first 4 weeks, hit 5 of the 6 scheduled days running.
As you may have guessed, there were days when I didn’t want to run. Surprisingly, it was Day 3 of the plan where I first met resistance. The weather and my mood conspired against me.
But somehow, I was able to get out the door. That win created some big momentum. Plus, I learned proper layering and running on the street are the recipe for success in bad weather.
My other key learning was running organization. Above is a screenshot of my Google Sheets tracker. Mondays tend to be my lightest work days, plus everyone is out of the house (dog and family). So, I have nearly zero obligations.
Nothing feels better than starting the week with a win and a long run.
Read - 4 Books
If you haven’t guessed, I’m deep into running. So, my consumption is completely focused on running and running-related material.
I plan on doing longer book reviews on my personal site when it’s ready, but here are my quick reviews of each with an irrational rating system.
Never Finished - David Goggins
🌡 103.6°
I’d rate this book like a high-grade fever. You’ll be fighting off the infection of your old self. Be ready to take on new challenges and realize the work is never done.
As Goggins says, you’re either getting worse or you’re getting better.
And somehow, his second book is BETTER.
I love the vulnerability and seeing David navigate new challenges of getting older and being famous.
A must read.
80/20 Running - Matthew Fitzgerald
⚖️ 64/4
Do you know what happens when you 80/20 your 80/20? You get 64/4, and this book is the essential 4% you need to understand and implement 80/20 Running in your life.
What I didn’t expect was the history into how the running world realized that 80/20 training was the most beneficial. As a complete noob, I thought it would be boring, but it was the perfect introduction to the evolution of training.
Beyond the history, Matthew Fitzgerald arms you with a system and workout plans to get started in your 80/20 journey.
I liked this book so much that I adopted the Half Marathon Training program, and I’m already seeing improvements. I posted my fastest 10k without even trying to PR.
I Hate Running and You Can Too - Brendan Leonard
📊16 Chart Topping Weeks
Uh huh, running's like this
Uh huh, uh huh, that's the way it is
'Cause running's like this
Uh huh, uh huh, that's the way it is
Chill out, what ya yellin' for?
Lay back, it's all been done before
And if, you could only let it be, you will see
I like you the way you are
When we're running next to cars
And you're talking to me one on one, but you become
Somebody else
'Round everyone else
You're watching your back
Like you can't relax
You try to be cool
You look like a fool to me
Tell meWhy'd you have to go and make things so complicated?
- Lyrics adapted from Avril Lavigne’s Complicated
Before we had Facebook status, we had Avril Lavigne explaining how things get complicated. And that’s what Brendan Leonard reflects on in his book.
Running is the constant pull of love vs. hate.
This book is a wash of nostalgia, because Brendan’s thoughts will read like your own.
Highly relatable and easy-to-sing-along to.
Have Fun Out There Or Not: The Semi-Rad Running Essays - Brendan Leonard
🍕1 Slice of Life
If you like Brendan Leonard’s thoughts on running, this is a fun collection to cheer you up when you’re sad after finishing I Hate Running.
A couple of great race adventures and far more about food than it is running.
Eat it up.
Watched - 5 YouTube Documentaries
Like I said, I’m obsessed with running and running stories. These videos represented the best 5 running docs that I watched in January.
In no particular order:
A couple quick notes:
It’s hard to believe that The Barkley Marathons documentary is 10 years old. I remember stumbling into well before running. With more context and a new found appreciation, it was even more enjoyable the second time.
As an unofficial Candice Burt tracker, I was stoked to learn she was running the Hurt 100 in the middle of her now 90+ day streak of running 50K+ per day. I knew of HURT, but I had no idea what the race looked and felt like. The doc above is an excellent primer.
Courtney Dauwalter is an absolute beast, and the more I learn about her the more I like her.
Billy Yang is a great storyteller, and his 100 Miles in Leadville offers insight into the realm of “normal” ultra runners—if there is such a thing.
Learned - 1 Big Takeaway
Looking at everything I consumed and endured over the past 30 days, I can sum it up in one key phrase:
Consistency beats resistance.
Keep showing up and the miles add up.
That’s how I’m already 7% complete on my running 1,000 miles journey.
Barclay marathons was one of the sparks that got me interested in ultras ( besides goggins first book, ironically ). Something about the absolute brutalism and nonchalant attitude is so appealing to me.
> And somehow, his second book is BETTER.
Your note on the goggins book. I had the exact opposite thoughts! I almost didn’t finish it, tbh. It was so lackluster and uninspiring to me compared to his first one. It was nothing new, imo. Crazy we have such polar opposite views! There were some crazy new bumps in his road, but idk. It did absolutely nothing for me this time. I even got the extended audiobook with a few extra hours of ‘podcast’ styled chat.
🤷♀️