An Unexpected Outcome

After I finished the Zooma Holiday Challenge, I took a few days off. Then, on January 1st, the Love Run Challenge started. This challenge is basically a run/walk streak. I am running, walking, or biking at least one mile a day until February 14th. Because this challenge began right on the heels of the Holiday Challenge, I've truly gotten into a routine.

According to Strava, I've done 66 miles this month, and that doesn't include the walks.

Usually, I run every-other-day or so. On days I don't run, I do nothing. Sometimes doing nothing leads to a kind of inertia, and one day of rest becomes two, two becomes three, and three becomes a whole week of sitting on the couch. The has forced consistency of this challenge has had an unexpected impact on my mindset.

I'm trying to get on the Peloton at least once a week.

Adding walks to my non-running days has given me mental balance — I no longer feel lazy or depressed on days I don't work out. Plus, when I go on evening walks, Matt tends to join me, so it gives us both a chance to get out of the apartment and spend time together without screens to distract us.

We've explored a couple new parks and our neighborhood on walks this month.

Another thing that has surprised me with the Love Run Challenge so far is how weirdly easy it's been to commit. I never thought a physical tracking chart in plain view would motivate me to keep a commitment to myself, but it really has. The chart is great positive feedback, and at this point completing my daily activity feels non-negotiable. It's just...something I'm going to get done.

Rain or shine, I'm getting it done! At this point I've really weathered my fear of running in cold rain.

Honestly, why did it take me so long to figure out that I'm the kind of person who needs a tracker for accountability?

No matter the weather or time of day, I've made it happen.

Daily exercise has also made adding just a little bit of arms and abs daily feel totally doable. If I'm already moving and warmed up, it's not hard to do a few minutes when I get home, and I feel like doing a little bit a day is more effective than doing a longer set once or twice a week.

The last time I did a run streak was in 2014; I remember feeling committed and I definitely got stronger and faster, but I also felt a little burned out by the time it was over. I hope when this challenge ends, I'll have undergone a true lifestyle change that will stick with me.

The bottom line is that I feel like I'm getting a lot out of this, which I honestly wasn't really expecting, and I'm so glad Skirt Sports merged with Zooma and put it on my radar. Zooma offers these sorts of challenges all year round, and I think I'll stick with it. If I do a challenge every season, who knows where I'll be this time next year?

ABK

PS: Skirt Sports is back from its brief hiatus, now with Zooma owner Sarah Ratzlaff at the wheel. You can snap up some of the winter looks and get 20% off with code SKIRTISBACK this week! You may even see a familiar face on the new website if you look hard enough.