It’s official – the house is sold and I’m in temporary housing until I get a few more things worked out! I know I’ll be there at least 30 days – so I’ve decided that I want to use this time to get my training back on track and take off some of my extended off-season pounds. 30 days isn’t a lot of time, so every day I spend in the temporary housing needs to be effective. My bike is officially in storage, so will focus on running as my main cardio.
Overall Goals of the Challenge:
1. Run Every Day: Whatever your level, whether it’s a quarter of a mile or 5 miles, try to get in at least 10 minutes of running a day. If you have hard running days (long run or speed work) be sure to go extra easy on your run the next day. My Personal Goal: Work on Form, barefoot technique, and build a little base to get ready for a ramp to marathon training
2. Eat well: Whether it’s primal, Low GI, or whatever works for you – go for it! My normal training lifestyle: Will focus on lower glycemic index foods such as proteins, beans, lentils, oatmeal, fruits and veggies – avoiding processed foods and higher Glycemic Index fruits/veggies and pasta EXCEPT right before or after a run. Will also take vitamins every day from my good friends at startup www.sevenrunners.com – Note I am one of the testimonials on the site! Pretty cool, will post more about this later.
3. Weight Loss: should be very doable especially with eating well and running every day. My goal: Getting rid of those 5 to 7 offseason pounds!
4. Pushups: Keep in mind that everyone starts somewhere. If you can only do a couple pushups today, you can be doing 20 by the end of the challenge. I’ll be following the plan on www.hundredpushups.com Why pushups for a runner? Pushups actually help strengthen many muscle groups including shoulders, lats, and abs. This upper body and core strength will help improve your form and help keep your running form stronger throughout long runs. My goal: 100 
5. Core Work: This will be a huge help with running form and distance training. There are many ways you can go about this, but during this time, I will do 15 minutes 3 times a week (alternating with push up days). I will do the workouts from these two runnersworld articles.
- http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-263-266-12031-0,00.html
- http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-263–13030-1-1X2X3X4-5,00.html
I am officially starting on Friday, August 12. Who else is in?
Tags: 30 Day Challenge, Nutrition, running
I'm The Running Mike, a triathlon coach, running coach, and endurance athlete that likes to run, bike, and swim. 
word !!
I’m totally in! I love challenges! Great challenge and goals that you set too!
Mike,
Thanks for posting! This looks like a great challenge. I’m wanting to complete a half marathon in November or December so the motivation and core strengthening will help tons since I’m not in as good of shape as I thought I was.
Salina Johnson – johnsosa
Very nice goals you have, I like it
You inspire me. I can do it so I’m in too.
I have done 7.09 miles this week so far. The 10 minute increments are great. Don’t even notice how long I’ve been running and it’s doable. Just started running so I had no idea what to do until your blog appeared. So far today, ran 0.81 mi (10 min), 1 hr of ballet fit, 10 pushups, and now pilates stretches before bed.
Thank you for the program.
Shirley – WOW! That’s awesome! I’m glad that you’re doing a little running every day
Pushups are still killing me, but I can tell it’s definitely helping with my running form. Nice on the added ballet fit and pilates! Congrats again and keep up the good work!