From Slump to Streak - and the winner of the giveaway is announced!

Abbey L - thanks for the follow!

Welcome to all the new blog followers! We've broken 100 followers now and that makes me feel very warm and fuzzy… :)

I am feeling pretty good lately.

I think I'm really on to something with this "no mile left behind" thing.  First off, it's gotten me running (today will be my 15th day in a row that I've run!)

Before you worry about me 'over-doing' it - many of the runs have been slower or for 'only' a mile or so. I'm not killing myself with speed or distance on days where I would normally rest. The daily run is more for mood boosting, to burn a few calories and to keep my momentum up for the days where I need to run longer or faster. It's working!

When I started the 'no mile left behind' thing (basically a promise to myself to never 'poo-poo' a run again no matter how big or small. If I only have five minutes of time or motivation - I take the five minutes and run) I had no idea how many people would think this was a good idea.

It's been mentioned in blogs: Racing It Off and Cook Train Race Eat and I was even asked to guest blog about it for Words To Run By.  I'm considering making this thing a movement, of, well, movement!

Yesterday the "no mile left behind" thing really paid off. I was to run 4 miles according to my training plan and I didn't want to do ANYTHING. I was busy developing out a project for work, getting my crap together from after the storm and (admittedly) wasting a little time on Facebook. Finally I reminded myself that if 4 miles seemed too much to ask for  - just go for a mile (it's only around 10 minutes). Then I got out there and decided to go 2. Then decided to go 3. Well hell. I might as well just do the f'in 4!

I accomplished my original 4 by promising myself that I only had to do 1.  That's what it's all about. It was a slower pace than usual but that's OK too. No one ever said I had to PR my training runs. Most importantly I did it and I think that without pushing myself out the door with the thought of only doing one - I would've done none. And then I would've felt crappy.

The bottom line is you can't run 4 or 13 or 26.2 if you're not willing to run 1 and the first mile is what takes you to the rest of them whether it's now or later.

In other news - I finally took the plunge, plunked down the money and signed up for the Atlantic City half marathon on Oct. 16 - I'm very excited.

And in bigger news - the winner of the Pam Reed "THE EXTRA MILE" book giveaway is:

cue confetti and balloon drop:

RUNNING ON WORDS! - drop me a line and I'll mail you your prize! Congrats - it's a great read, you will love it!

my birthday boy

And finally Happy 4th Birthday to my son Benjamin. You were a big part of my initial motivation to get moving and get healthy and I love you.

XO
Jen