Let’s be honest, 2020 was basically Groundhogs Day for an entire year. Filled with race cancellations and social distancing. Despite the fact that every day felt the same as the day before, I used my time being isolated from others to log some long miles.
Even though being cut off from everyone has its mundane and boring moments, it’s only as bad (or good) as you make it. Your time can be used to focus on your goals without any distractions.
Since races kept getting cancelled and future races were uncertain, I couldn’t help but to feel a loss of control in the running world. The best way to take back control is to set a running challenge for yourself.
The running challenge that I chose didn’t have a name and I had never heard of it before. It starts out slow, tricking you and making you think completing it will be a breeze. Before you know it, the challenge ramps up and you end up struggling to keep up. The best way to describe this challenge is the Challenge2 Running Challenge. This challenge involves running a specific mile, squared, for the same number of days.
Here is a visual of the Challenge2 Running Challenge:
Run 1 mile, 1 day in a row
Run 2 miles, 2 days in a row
Run 3 miles, 3 days in a row
Run 4 miles, 4 days in a row
Run 5 miles, 5 days in a row
Run 6 miles, 6 days in a row
Run 7 miles, 7 days in a row
I stopped counting at the 7’s because it would take roughly a month to complete at that point (a total of 28 days, not including rest days) for a total of 140 miles. Since this is your own personal challenge, you can add or remove as many rest days as you want.
What my version ended up looking like:
1
2-2
3-3-3
4-4-4-4
Rest
5-5-5-5-5
Rest
6-6-6-6-6-6
Rest
7-7-Rest-7-Rest-7-Rest-7-Rest–Rest-7-7
My summary after completing the Challenge2 Running Challenge
I was so excited to start this running challenge but even happier to say I finished it. I couldn’t help to feel like a winner when looking back at what I achieved for myself in the process.
Since days 1-4 weren’t too difficult for me, I completed those days without a rest day. I took my first rest day between 4 and 5, then again between each new mile marker.
After finishing the 6s without a rest day, the feeling of disbelief and amazement flooded my whole body. I couldn’t believe I made it this far in the challenge without quitting or getting an injury. At this point I had accomplished two big personal records for myself. Most days ran in a row (10 days) and most miles ran in a week (36 miles). I wasn’t able to finish the entire challenge in a single month (took me 36 days) but eventually I would run the most miles in a month (119).
The 7s were the most difficult section (obviously) and I was only able to do the first two days in a row, then take a rest day after each day of running. My goal was to do all 7 days of 7 miles in a row but my body just had nothing left. Eventually I want to try running the 7s only just to say I finished those without stopping, something only a runner would say.
Unexpectedly, staying consistent and keeping up with laundry were the most difficult parts of finishing this challenge. At times, this running challenge was a lot of fun. Other times, this running challenge made me feel anxious to even put my shoes on. If you are looking for something different, crazy and want to feel completely drained after completing it I would definitely recommend the Challenged2 Running Challenge.
Have you attempted this running challenge? What was your experience? What running challenge should I try next?