I Just Ran Every Day For A Year

I did it.

I ran every. Single. Day. For. A. Year.

Stats first because runners like numbers:

Distance: 800.79 miles
Times: 144 hours, 45 minutes, 29 seconds. (6 days is 144 hours.)
Shoes: 5 pairs
Number of runs: 375. There were days with 2, even 3.


What we ran through:
Wind, rain, sleet, snow, heat, humidity, hills, roads, trails, treadmills, w/ kids on bikes, w/ clients, w/ a jogging stroller, w/ running groups, through the flu, through a head injury, while driving 2 days across the country, while moving, while changing jobs, while changing jobs again, the day before races and PR attempts, the day after races and PR attempts, the same day as wedding, birthdays, events, before getting on or off airplanes, in running clothes, in jeans, in sweaters, while on the phone with friends, while texting, while not paying attention to anything, while listening to music, while listening to podcasts, while solving all the problems in the world, in at least 5 different states, from one town to another 10 miles away in Iowa, as early as 5am, as late as 11pm, to work, home from work, circling playgrounds, circling parking lots, back and forth on soccer sidelines, with and without compression sleeves, with and without knee braces, with food, without, with liquids, without liquids (up to 2 hours), with coffee, without coffee.

This was always a story about coffee.

I love you, Kiwi. :)

I'm sure I'm forgetting some.



Lastly, questions. If you think of a cool one not answered here, please email or post.

Why? Because I felt like it.

But a year is 365 and a 1/4 days. What about that? Go away, annoying person, I'll be running tomorrow morning for that exact reason. PS- when you string together 800 miles of running, you can judge mine.

Don't you need rest days? Do you stop brushing your teeth to give your teeth a rest day from toothpaste? Didn't think so. Every run is not full out. Check my average time per mile. Upward of 10 minutes. That's because speed training and long distance are interspersed with lazy, mindless miles. I ran for 5 years before trying this. So there was a solid base. Also, my orthopedist and athletic trainer have just written me off as crazy. That helps.

Will you keep running? Yes, but not likely every day. It was a huge accomplishment but I have other running goals to work toward now.

Didn't you skip, like, ever? Really bad depressive days? Period cramps? Injuries? SOMETHING? No. I ran through all of those and a rest stop in Kansas while moving across the country. There are no skip days. Did I almost cry because it was so hard to get out the door? Sometimes. But you do it.

What would you do if you couldn't run? Be sad. Then find a pool.

How do you start a run streak? Mine was me just trying to see if I could run every day in November. I did. Then I just kept going. Runner's World "hosts" a Thanksgiving-to-New-Year's streak every year, and the delightful people at United States Running Streak Association have streaks that make mine look like a joke (upward of 25, 35 years).

Would you do it again? Yes.

What piece of gear or clothes are non-negotiable, that you won't run without? Nothing. I *like* having a ponytail holder, sports bra, and running socks & shoes, but at some time in the past year I've run without each of those.

What's the most important thing you learned? That time will pass anyway- you have to decide how you want to have spent it. Looking back, I have 144 hours of not watching tv, playing on facebook, or eating junk food. I have at least 144 hours of using my body. And that every single time you move toward a goal, you become a little more invincible.




....any thoughts, Kiwi?
I'm bored. Let's go for a run. To the coffee place!
I love it. To the coffee place.

Love Kasha AND KIWI

Mile High Half

Last weekend, Kiwi and I raced the Denver Rock and Roll Half Marathon. It is the 2nd of 3 Rock and Roll Races (4 if you count 2 in Savannah) we will run this year.

So here's a quick recap.

Hockey Goalie dropped me off at the designated drop off and I started walking in the general direction of the corrals. Half a block over were porta-potties, and the next block over were the corrals, and specifically, MY corral! Yeah! Easy! So I waited in my throw-away outer garments til race time. Then, off we go! A bit of hill, a bit of cold, and a bit of wind. I hit the 5k mark right over 30 minutes, then the 10k mark at right over an hour. That was a PR at altitude! Yeah! Then I realized I was doing pretty well and tried to hold on to my speed.

By mile 11.25, I was hurting. That distance-speed combination that doubles you over and makes you feel like throwing up. So I eased up a bit but kept running. I crossed the finish line at 2:20:45, which was a PR for altitude and within sight of my overall PR. Yeah!

Also, I used runner tracking this time, so it was really easy for Hockey Goalie to find me at the finish line as he knew exactly when I crossed. The finish line was well stocked and the medal is pretty cool.

Up next:
365 Day Run Streak
The Savannah Rock and Roll Half
The Savannah Rock and Roll 5K
Thanksgiving 10K
RunDenver 5K
RunDenver 5K
RunDenver 5K
RunDenver 5K
RunDenver 13.1

...and whatever Kiwi signs us up for in between. :)

The Dark Side Of The Race

Recently, Kiwi and I volunteered at a race event. It featured multiple distances and staggered start times. Instead of being out on the course, we helped with set up, registration check in, lost and found, packet pick up, gear exchange, and take-down afterward. We've always been grateful to the people who make our events possible, especially when the cold weather makes it easier to run than to be stationary.

But you know what?

We hated it.

It was miserable.

The weather was okay, and so were 90% of the thousand-or-so athletes. The other 10%? They were awful.

Example 1:
K: Hi! 5k?
I need a bib.
K: Yes. For the 5k?
Yes, I just need the bib.
K: Are you registered?
I need a bib.

...Guess what, idiot? A lot of people needed bibs. Some were registered, some were signing up that day. You were the only one who didn't seem to be able to make the distinction.

Example 2:

K: ID, please.
I don't have one.
K: You need a photo ID or facebook or email. Some way for me to see that your name matches you.
Okay!
(Athlete leaves then returns)
K: ID?
No... but I have my car registration.

....do you often drive around without your legally required photo ID? Smart one.

Example 3:

K: Hi! What size (are you hoping we have left)?
Medium
K: I have a men's small and a women's large. I suggest the men's small. It's comparable to the women's medium.

...Athlete then spends 7 minutes comparing all three shirts, trying them on, and generally holding up the line of others hoping to exchange. By the time she asked me, "Which one do you think looks best?" All I could think was "Any of them, you jerk! Go away!"

So not a very fun experience.

What do you think, Kiwi?
Wanna do it again.
 What? Why? I didn't like that at all!
Try 'gain, Kasha. With coffee. Didn't have any coffees.
Oh. Yeah. That's actually a really good point.
I know. Got 20/20 hindsights.
Is that like "hindsight is 20/20?"
I dunno. But I gots it! And I signed us up to do it again!!!

Oh. Suppose that settles that. Thanks, Kiwi.

Anytime, Kasha!

Craft Week With Kiwi- Summertime Pumpkin Pretzels

Kiwi wanted to make pumpkin pretzels.

Let me correct that. Kiwi wanted ME to make pumpkin pretzels for him. I did the pumpkins and stems while he did those little green piles of ew. He swears they're leaves. Whatevs.

Here is his picture:

There ya go. Summertime Pumpkin Pretzels with Kiwi.

~Kasha

300 Days of Running

Recently, Kiwi and I celebrated our 300th day of running in a row. We've logged over 600 miles in that time for a daily average of 2-point-something. While some of those were just one-milers, others were half marathons and the equivalent distance (13.1 miles). Kiwi likes the days that we run early and he can cross it off our list. I certainly understand that. I usually agree with him. But I'm most proud of the days that were busy. 2 driving across the country, one running 10 miles from one city in Iowa to another while on a trip, the days I worked double shifts and got up before the sun to fit in the miles. Some were rainy, hot, humid, windy, snowy. Pretty much "all the weathers," as Kiwi would say. But we did it! Our next goal will be to hit a full year.

During that time, we'll also have another half marathon to add to what we've completed this year; including a 10k last weekend. And immediately following the 1 year mark, we'll have back-to-back races in Savannah and will find an event for Thanksgiving because we ALWAYS run on Thanksgiving morning.

In closing, here are 2 pictures from our 10k that Kiwi likes:

Dog Days 5k Recap

Two weekends ago Kiwi and I ran the All Out Multisport 5k. We've been working hard to get back under a 30 minute 5k, and we did it! 29:07 is about 2 minutes slower than our sea-level PR (9:24/mile), but certainly a move in the right direction. On top of that, I was 6th out of 30 in the 30-39 women's age group, 20th out of all the women (there were 108), and 33rd out of everyone (158 runners all together). Yeah!

This was the first race we did that was free. So we've moved from paying to race, to free races, to hopefully (eventually) getting paid to race. Bitty baby steps!

Kiwi clocked me at an 8:33 the first mile, so we're hoping to improve the other 2 miles to match that. He also took some pictures. We put them below. We're headed out now to run and get ready for our next event at the end of August.

~Kasha

AND KIWI!!!

 

Finish Line!

One more push at the end.

Kiwi Goes To A Rave

In keeping with Kiwi's microblogging & craft projects, he's been knocking out things from Pinterest lately. Last night was "Rave Night." Actually super easy. We taped glow sticks to a fan. That's there video.There's no sounds as he hadn't found his turntables at that point.




THEN he threw glow sticks around the room and danced to house music.

....for 3 hours.


There's really nothing else I can possibly add to this. Kiwi is as Kiwi does.

~Kasha

Craft Time With Kiwi

We don't run all the time, just most of the time. So recently Kiwi decided to do a craft project. Here it is, in pictures:

Before.

Taken apart and cleaned.

Spray paint with accent color.

Dry. Cover accent sections with painter's tape.

Spray paint with base color.

Dry. Take the tape off.

Jewelry holder!

So there ya go!
Now you know what Kiwi does in his downtime and I know what he was doing with all that spray paint!

~Kasha

Summer Breeze Race Recap

Summer Breeze, Mile 13.1

A few weeks ago, Kiwi and I raced our second half marathon event in Denver. It went well. The weather was nice and slightly overcast, the course was an out-and-back; well marked. All-Out Multisport put on the event, and they do a great job.

They start the half marathoners, then 30 minutes later the 10kers head out, followed by 5kers. This means the 5k is finished first and their have awards and a raffle right away. By the time they clear out, the 10k is ready to wrap up, followed by the half marathoners. So 3 events, well-staggered, and well staffed. Every runner gets chocolate milk, gatorade, water, a breakfast burrito, and a medal & shirt for each distance. And free picture downloads. Also, the raffles are huge! There are always enough prizes for everyone. At my first event, I won a 3 month membership to Massage Envy. What a perfect runner gift! At the Summer Breeze event, I won a free pizza from Papa Murphy's. Again- great! They make sure everyone goes home with something.

The events are very spectator friendly, with the coordinators announcing when and where the best places to spot us might be. Also, parking and bathrooms are always a stone's throw from the start/finish line.

Obviously, I enjoy these events. I've also joined All-Out Multisport's volunteer program where you help with packet prep, early pick up, or a day you aren't racing and in exchange you can race for free. What a deal! Love it! And Kiwi gets a volunteer shirt all of his own.

As far as my experience this particular race, it was a lot smoother than my first try at the half distance at altitude. My breathing and legs were a lot more comfortable and I took 10 minutes off my first race. I still have a ways to go to PR here as opposed to at sea-level, but we're closing the gap!

Water, Water Everywhere

Kiwi touched the other day on how I'd swapped over to drinking only water. Having been in Colorado for 4 months now, that's probably the best improvement I could make for my running. The first 3 months saw me back at my beginner pace of 10 to 12 minutes per mile. I really couldn't manage must faster for any distance. Now, 2 weeks after going water-solo, 9 minutes per mile is normal again. I also don't have to carry water for runs less than an hour.

So for a few months, I going to focus on the shorter distance races (5k & 10k) and attempt new PRs. As of this morning, I was less than 3 minutes off my current 5k PR.

At the end of July, I'll be racing All Out Multisports again, as they've begun a volunteer for race entries program. This means if I help them do packet prep, I run for free. Love it!

I was going to write more, but Kiwi insists we continue with the "micro-blogging" for now. Did he make up that word? I haven't heard it before.

Also, he just walked by with a candelabra and can of spray paint, so like it or not; I need to go.

~Kasha

Cross Training with Kiwi (Or Kiwi Goes To Yoga)

Kiwi Found this pic at www.soulseeds.com

Hello! Kasha here.

And Kiwi. I'm here too!

Yes- this is a duel post, so as a reminder- Kasha writes plain-

BECAUSE SHE IS BORING!

And those italics up there clearly belong to wonder-fone.

Since we finished yesterday's run in the morning, we went to yoga last night. My background is very Bikram (hot yoga), and Kiwi, well; Kiwi likes "animal poses." You wanna tell everyone what that means, Kiwi?

I like cats and cows and crocodiles and dogs and scorpions and butterflies and NOT warriors or happy babies or trees or mountains.

Why? Why do you like the animals and not the others? What's the difference?

Animals are better than everything. And I like to make the animal sound when I do the animal pose.

This is true. We got some weird looks on that one. But that's okay. Thanks to Kiwi's insistence that we run early, cross training happened! I don't think I've practiced yoga in over a year now, so the all-levels class was great for jumping back in. So, Kiwi- I think there's a boot camp style class tomorrow. You know, if we run early again.

Yeah. I got my camo and boots.

Morning, Noon, and Night

From Walk, Jog, Run

Kiwi is parked in front of the tv watching "How To Train Your Dragon." I told him it was a how-to manual type movie. He has a notepad and hasn't figured it out yet....


So today was the first time in a long time I've run before noon, or even night. Lately (meaning for about the past year,) running has occurred later and later in the day. 11pm was not an uncommon time for me to do laps. Today I got out there before noon and am glad I did. It was hot and a bit trying to maintain my steady-to-difficult pace, so I'm happy for the harder workout. Plus, as all the runners know; getting that run taken care of early on really opens up the day it such a different way from holding on until the evening.

What thing(s) do you find it easy to put off even though you KNOW the value of knocking them off the list early?

I'll be back later, Kiwi just waltzed by with an umbrella and book of matches and I don't know what that's all about.

~Kasha

Kiwi Counts To 520 AND A HALF

Hi.
Is Kiwi. You know that, cause my post aura is good. So you just know.

What in the world are you talking about??

Don't you got some miles to run?

Maybe.

Or a shower. You kinda smell like you got some miles already run.

Okay, I know when I'm not wanted.

She did already run some miles. Kasha ran 520 AND A HALF miles since November. She's doing that thing where she runs all the days.

All. The. Days!

There are 250 days she has run including with kids next to her and on bikes and in strollers. She has run in parking lot circles and trails and rest stops when we came to Lolorado and in the snow and rain and sun and at night time. She ran in races and alone and with other people. She ran when she broke her face on the car door and when her legs hurt from the day before. Some days it was really hard for her to even go a mile (because she never goes less than a mile) and some days she went sooooo far because she felt good. She ran in jeans and a sweater one time with no pony tail holder, and other times with make up.

Kasha is not good at doing things just "sometimes." She is good at all-the-time things (like running all the days) and none-of-the-time things (like she just quit drinking all the things except water and didn't mess up even once, even for coffee).

So now we celebrate day 250 and mile 520 AND A HALF and get ready for tomorrow.

She will run for 115 more days because she says that makes a whole year. Then I don't know if she will keep running all the days or switch to just some of them.

What do you think? Should we call it a day at the end of the year or run until we run all the miles?

Let us know in the comments.

LOVE KIWI

All The Things

Hi. Is Kiwi.

WE ARE IN LOLORADO!

You say it "Colorado," Kiwi; not Lolorado.

Color. Like crayons? That's silly. Can't be right. Lolorado. We are there. And Kasha is still running every. single. day.

Like, all the days, at least a mile. She says she will do it until she turns 31. I think she will do it until she splats on her face.

Did that once. Didn't stop me.

In Lolorado they have races, too. We did one. They have white stuff, too. It is called "snow," and it makes the races cold. Kasha ran a race called "Spring Fever" because the people in Lolorado don't know how spring is supposed to go and she ran through the white stuff, up a mountain, back down a mountain, and was really super slow. That is because there is not enough air for all the runners at the top of the mountains, so it makes her slower. Then she slept for like, 2 days and only got up to, you guessed it- to run.

So then she flew to Raleigh, North Carolina where they did not have white snow or no-air mountains, but they did have their very first Rock and Roll half marathon and humidity. We like humidity because it is like South Georgia. When other runners ask why or how she is comfortable in the humidity, Kasha tells them she was born in a swamp. I don't know if that is true, but I know it was raining that day. Her sister Lily told me so.

At the Raleigh half marathon, Kasha had a good time (a fun time, not a fast time), and got a really shiny new medal. Then we flew back to Lolorado to move all our things into a new place. There's even a room with movies and books for me! 

Those aren't your things, Kiwi.

NOT YOURS EITHER!

Next weekend, Kasha will run a race (here in Lolorado) called Summer Breeze and we will get to see if the people have fixed the snow or air on top of the mountains yet.

I found a picture of the snow-thing for you:

And this is a mountain. We run up one side, then down the other:

 
 
Maybe if I push her, she will go faster on the way down. Like a snowball.

I CAN HEAR YOU, KIWI!

Ooops. Gotta go be somewhere else.

Love Kiwi


 

Interviewer Dan Catches Up With Kasha

Hi. Is Kiwi.
I'm soooo busy taking care of all the things Kasha is 'posed to take care of, but she just runs away. For real runs away. So I made all her resolutions get finished last year and wrote all her resolutions for this year. Then I tried to show them to her and guess what? ...she ran away. We already knew that would happen. 

But Dan is Kasha's friend and he is faster than Kasha. So he caught up with her and did this cool interview about her running. And I got to pet Mr Gypsy. That is Dan's dog and he is really for real one of the best dogs ever. I love Mr Gypsy. And I love Dan's article about Kasha. You can check it out here:

Rocking Runner of the Week

Also look around Dan's site, because he writes neat stuff about running, and dogs, and climbing up mountains, and he organizes big LONG races right in Savannah, and Dan just can't see obstacles. He makes cool things happen- LOOK AT HIS COOL THINGS!

LOVE KIWI