The 10-for-10 Challenge

I've decided I needed a new challenge. As if life itself isn't challenging enough right now in these crazy days. I wanted a running challenge, so I dreamt up 10-for-10, that's 10 miles a day for 10 days in a row. It's my stay-at-home mom, non-professional runner, mini version of Dean Karnazes' 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days. I'll do 10-for-10, and I'll do it in TWO states: Georgia and Kentucky. Is this a smart thing to do? No. It's actually pretty high up on the stupidity scale, since I'll be doing 70 miles in 7 days (and 100 miles in 10 days), and my body is used to about half of that or less on a weekly average. Why, you might ask. I don't know! I guess I got a little bummed about missing 1 1/2 weeks of running due to bronchitis, so I'm making up for some lost time and testing my body. Not to mention, if I can actually get through it, it will certainly help my Boston Marathon training. If I have even and inkling of a problem, nag, aggravation, pain, ANYWHERE, then I'm calling it quits.

I've completed 3 days so far. Day 1 was 10.1 on a treadmill as the kids played in the basement play area and Eric did elliptical with me for a good chunk of the time. Day 2 was on the Silver Comet Trail. I did 10.7 at a pace that put me right to sleep. I was definitely NOT fully conscious on that run. Today, Day 3, I did 10 miles down and up Peachtree Road. I did miles 1 through 6 of the Peachtree Road Race, then turned around and came back. It was slightly cold and a miserable, rainy day. You'd only be out there running if you were trying to prove you're an idiot. I felt a bit like Forrest Gump today. So far, so good. I am recovering well day to day, and have no aches or pains except for my neck and shoulders. Must get away from computer. I finally got some new running sneaks. Had bought a pair on Friday, and when I wear-tested them on the treadmill, they failed. I had two raw ankles at less than two miles into my run! Ethan and I went BACK to Phidippides today, and got some new ones. I'll wear-test them for a couple of miles tomorrow and hope they work out. I really need new shoes to complete this Idiot Challenge. My old ones are bad. Really bad. And that was my last opportunity to get to the running store before we leave for KY Wednesday morning, where I will be doing 5 of the 10 days! Who knows what tomorrow will bring, besides a tired mommy? Until then...I'm off to see Madonna!