"It seemed like a good idea at the time." Ever thought it? Ever said it? Usually it's as you're trudging your way to the start of some race at some ungodly time in some ungodly weather. Usually it is a fleeting thought, a momentary buyer's remorse of such that dissipates quickly as soon as the gun sounds to sometimes reappear in the late stages of an event. Races are not the only way runners get sucked in by glamorous sounding adventures.
In response to the need of athletes to attempt events and distances that seem slightly out of reach, challenges have been cropping up in many forms. One can belong to the 50 States Marathon Club which requires you to complete a marathon in all 50 states, regardless of finishing time, or the 50 sub 4 Club which has you do the same but all qualifying races must be completed in under four hours or you can belong to the Running and Reading Challenge where you must run for 30 minutes every day and read for 30 minutes every day?for a year.
Some athletes like ultrarunner Dean Karnazes like to create their own challenges like running 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days, or Terry Fox's own Marathon of Hope. If you're not up for one of these challenges create your own and attempt to run a half marathon a month for a year, or complete 1000 miles in a designated time frame. See
http://www.triandrunsports.com/1000_mile.html.
A popular challenge that can be done any time of year is 100 runs in 100 days. The rules are basic, run for at least 30 minutes every day for 100 days. You can take a day off but you must run twice on another day referred to as doubling. Doubling for the purposes of this challenge consists of two runs in one day of at least 30 minutes each separated by at least one hour. Creators of the 100/100 encourage those running four to six hours a week to consider this challenge while also providing modifications for less experienced runners starting at 70 runs in 100 days. For an extensive list of fitness challenges go to
http://www.mapmyrun.com/fitness_goals.
Remember not all challenges have to be long in distance or time. Join in, adjust or design your own challenge based on your running experience, injury history and time available. If you are a new runner plan to get in a minimum of three 30 minute runs a week for three months or commit to increasing your long run by one minute a week until you can run for 60 minutes at a time. Other ways you can challenge yourself is to run for a cause, vow to run every day of your holidays for at least 30 minutes or track the distance of every run until you have covered the distance of your home to your favourite holiday destination. Whatever challenge draws you in, listen to your body and happy running! Are you up to the challenge?
