SUMMER CHALLENGES!

MY SUMMER CHALLENGE: Update as of August 12
The three summer challenges suggested on the BLOG in the late spring  (MAY 21, 2016 ) included:

1. Streak Running: I'm going strong!
   
2. Earned Runs RUN-WALK ACROSS AMERICA virtual journey: Week 11 completed...YAY!
   
3. 5K RACE or Race Series (fastest): I set a personal record in a '5K' on Mackinac Island, MI
   

 
As of yesterday Monday August 15, I've kept up with the STREAK RUNNING (at least 1 mile/day) and not missed any days. This continues to be the most difficult of the three challenges to complete, as I mentioned in a July post. Getting out everyday means all the preparation must be performed, regardless of the distance run, which is time consuming. I could probably get away with skipping the stretching and MYRTLs, but I am still haunted by memories of being injured so I do them. Another negative is that every day is a bad hair day in this hot summer.
 
RUN-WALK ACROSS AMERICA WEEK 11 contained the most fun trip segments of the entire itinerary for me, as the virtual course ran through the part of the country I love the most, the Lake Michigan eastern shoreline, and Michigan. Walking some of the miles is also more enjoyable than running them all. These walked miles are usually covered in the evening when the days activities have slowed and there are no tasks left to complete other than spending time briskly strolling in the warm, balmy outdoor air.
 
I ran an ‘organized’ (not certified) 5k race on Mackinac Island, Michigan while vacationing there. It wasn’t organized in the usual sense (the distance was not exactly right and the finisher place/time was not available for all runners) but it was not a personal race. Nearly everyone in this race was someone familiar to me, and I had long- time and newly-met rivals to push me harder than I have ever been pushed. It was a great event and I accomplished my goal of running my fastest 5k. I think concentrating on speed work in training helped a great deal.
 
There are less than 3 weeks remaining to official summer, which ends on Labor Day, September 5, 2016. I’ll be happy to have completed my 3 challenges (maintain streak, complete the RUN-WALK ACROSS AMERICA, and run a personal Labor Day 5K) and move on to others for the FALL. Start thinking about what you wish to accomplish!
 
RUN HAPPY!

http://www.earned-runs.com/blog/3-summer-challenges