1 mile a day for 100 days

On January 1st, 2024 I committed to take running more seriously. In 2023, I had just completed my first marathon in about 4:25 - it wasn't the best time in the world but the advice you always get on your first marathon is just to get it done. So this year, I challenged myself to sign up for the Jersey City marathon again - and hopefully run a PR.

Here's what I learned from running 100 days in a row - rain or shine - even with international travel mixed in.

1) We overestimate what we can do in a day but underestimate what we can do in a year. - Bill Gates (maybe)

When I started running, my heart rate would spike if I ran faster than a 9:00 per mile pace. Comparing two 10K runs exactly a year apart, both at a tempo pace, I found my average heart rate was slightly higher in the more recent run, but I completed it nearly 1 minute and 40 seconds faster. If you asked me last year if I could've done that run faster, I would've said I could've run a minute faster - little did I know I'd be running it 10 minutes faster just a year later!

2) Consistency is everything.

Running every day is not the ideal training plan. Almost every running coach will tell you the importance of taking days off to let your body recover. But they will also tell you that being consistent is more important than any other factor. This is true not only in running but in everyday life. To me, the fact that I showed up for myself every single day for 100 days straight meant that I was committed to my goals and dedicated to building a lasting habit. Consistency isn’t about pushing yourself to the extreme every single day; it’s about steady progress and maintaining the discipline to stick with your routine, even on the days when you don’t feel like it. This principle of consistent effort over time has been the cornerstone of my success, teaching me resilience, patience, and the power of incremental change. In the end, consistency is what transforms ambitions into achievements and dreams into realities.

3) If your goals don't scare you, they aren't big enough.

Setting a goal that initially seems daunting can be incredibly motivating. The fear and excitement of pursuing something significant can propel you to new heights. When I decided to improve my marathon time, the challenge was intimidating, yet it spurred me to push beyond my perceived limits. This bold goal forced me to prioritize my training, refine my strategies, and stay committed even when obstacles arose. It’s the audacity of these big goals that leads to breakthroughs and profound personal growth, teaching us that the real magic happens outside our comfort zones.

The Jersey City marathon is on Sunday. I'm excited to see how much faster I am than I was a year ago!