I can’t remember when I really started to hustle towards the running mileage goal (850 miles this year), but when I finally came to the realization that I only had x weeks left and I’d have to run over 20 miles each week to make the goal, I was unsure if I’d make it. But, I committed to running 4x a week, with at least one long run every week. Luckily, Jenny was a willing partner for 2 of the 4 weekly runs and her company definitely motivated me to get out there on several mornings where I would have preferred to just stay nice and warm in my bed! We did the majority of our runs in the dark morning hours (often starting as early as 6am) and some in some pretty rainy conditions–soaking wet shoes, kind of rain.
I was worried I wouldn’t find the time to run during holiday weeks, especially since we were traveling to LA. But, on the day that Tom’s mom offered to watch the kids so we could head to the gym together, I just decided I would knock out the last 8 miles and be done with it!
So, the last 8 miles were broken up into 2 runs–4 miles while Tom was in the gym lifting and 4 miles with Tom back in his mom’s extremely hilly neighborhood! I ended up with 850.6 miles on December 28th! But, for good measure and to try to remain somewhat consistent, I did another 4 miles in the gym on the 30th right before we headed home. And, once home, we did an end-of-the year Basic Loop with the kids! Thing 1 kept up a good pace the entire way and Thing 2, who was prone to sprinting and then walking, fell back. We peeled off and went through the school which I thought would be a shortcut, but she still ran about 1.1 miles!
All told, that puts my final mileage at 855 for the year! Next year, my goals aren’t terribly lofty. I have a goal of 875 miles with a stretch goal of 900. Let’s see if I can make it….