The First 100 of the First 1,000
The First 100 of the First 1,000
10% Complete By 10% Of The Year. Here are 10 lessons from every 10 miles.
I’m a bit shocked to be here…already.
The weather cooperated. My body cooperated. And as of publishing, we’re onto 110+.
At this point, I thought I’d be nervous about being behind or how long it would take. Fear was my expected emotion.
Instead, I’m elated.
My good friend, Jeanne Torre says, “Every run has a lesson.”
And looking back at the first 100, these are 10 lessons from every 10 miles.
Mile 0-10: You have to start
“Well, shit. Here we go.”
I figured a 5k would be a good baseline for the year ahead. This wasn’t a mad dash, but it will become a reference point for health, strength, and ability throughout the year.
What I didn’t know is that I’d be so wrong about how I was running.
Mile 11-20: You need to slow down
The Week of Slow, 80/20 Running, was the first revelation. My body and my mind had to meet each other on new terms.
I was able to bank lots of big miles early, but there was a lot of doubt. I was covering bigger distance, but I felt like I was spending way too much time running.
Despite what I wrote in the above tweet, I wasn’t sure I believed it yet.
Mile 21-30: You’re not all the way back yet
The Week of Slow ended on a sour note. The 5.5 miles to end 7 days of turtle running were among the worst of the first 100, but they served such a powerful lesson.
In feeling bad, I had to remember that I had regressed big time in December after an incredible November of running.
So, my comeback would take time. I needed to be patient.
Mile 31-40: Develop A Training Mindset
The more I reflected on the changes from November to December, I realized the big difference: a clear goal.
And while I can boil down the 1,000 miles to averages, the end is far from a monthly checkin. I need something tangible.
So, I wanted to train for something in the nearer future. After all, my first sprint triathlon is what got me into running.
I looked at the 80/20 Training Plans, and Matt Fitzgerald, the author, mentioned that half marathon training created the best all-around running shape.
To me, that sounded like the perfect challenge.
Mile 41-50: Prepare For The Early Resistance
As I jumped into the training plan, I didn’t expect Day 3 to be the biggest obstacle. A few days prior, I had discovered something by pushing myself on another 5k (tweet below).
So, I wondered, “Could this plan do the same? Could I find the same mental edge?”
As it got later and later on Friday, and I was more ready for the weekend than a run. The resistance closed in on all sides.
But, I did it anyway.
This early win was so critical to the training mentality.
I like to say:
First is the worst.
Second is the best
Third is the one that puts the hair on your chest.
And so it goes.
Mile 51-60: Trust The Process
As I continued on the 80/20 Training Plan, the doubt subsided thanks to surprising results.
On my weekly long run, I set a PR for 10k…without trying.
I bought in.
Mile 61-70: Chip Away
As I gained on best running month yet, I saw the power of consistency. Showing up 5 times a week—even with less than 3 miles—proved more effective than my every other day method.
Putting in the work…well…works.
Mile 71-80: Beating Your Past Expectations
My precedent in November proved to be a powerful motivator.
I couldn’t let the cold weather stop me from making January the best month of running yet. It was the win my body and mind craved.
I bundled up and got it done.
The wins were starting to rack up along with the miles. And I was running far past where I thought I would be.
Mile 81-90: Stay flexible
Another 10k, another PR.
It was almost coming TOO easy.
I was so stoked for a beautiful day that I went for far more miles than required. That meant that I had to flip-flop my training.
Exchanging long run for hill sprints was a great decision.
I got such a mental lift from the sunshine and the fresh air that the PR was really the icing on the cake. Plus, running hill sprints in the cold a couple days later proved more rewarding.
Mile 91-100: Focus on the big picture
As I inched closer to the first 100, I got obsessive over the mileage. It thought I’d never get there (I lost sight of the logic).
Even on the run that would get me over the hump, I forgot to start my watch on the first segment missing about .4 mile. Woof.
So, I stayed out a little later. I put in an insurance mile to make sure that I was over 100 total on the official Garmin mileage.
As I walked home, I realized how silly I had been.
But crossing 100 changed something.
It felt like I got the monkey off my back. This was doable, I could make 1,000 miles.
After 100
The joy has carried over. The habit has been established. I love the ritual of running.
And the mileage total, it’s a bonus for all the other positive life changes:
Feeling better.
Sleeping better.
Eating better.
Less drinking.
Looking forward to the adventured of the next 90 miles.
So proud of your Brian! You’re crushing it!
I agree with you though. The whole go slow so you can go fast seemed absolutely bullshit. Learning to trust my coach and the process, AND letting go of my ego (getting passed by people who are nowhere in as good of shape as I am) have been the hardest part for me.
Glad to watch your progress and growth, brotha 🦾🦾. Austin marathon for me this weekend. Couch to marathon in 12 weeks, LFG 🚀