My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

Exercise

100 Miles by Halloween (Run/Walk/Cycle/Hop etc.)

268 replies

RunFatGirlRun · 16/08/2013 09:59

NB: suspect this should rightly be in a fitness topic but wanted folk to see it - happy to ask MNHQ to change it if need be.

Would anyone like to join me in a fitness challenge to do 100 miles by Halloween, of your chosen sport?

I have just started running and want a challenge that's doable but challenging for me. I can currently do 2 miles on a good day, but to do 100 miles would need to sustain this (and improve) over the next 10 weeks.

So I wondered if there was anyone out there who is improving their fitness and starting out cycling or jogging or hiking (or even swimming!) and wants to hang out here?

I'm guessing this is more appealing for novices like me but heck, anyone's welcome.

I'm not using a pedometer because they're not too accurate for runners apparently, but using websites that enable you to track your route and work out distance travelled. I'll find some links if anyone's interested.

If so: my name is RunFatGirlFun, I'm overweight and unfit and getting old, and today I ran 1.5 miles, and I have 98.5 miles to go!

OP posts:
Report
RunFatGirlRun · 16/08/2013 10:07


OP posts:
Report
RunFatGirlRun · 16/08/2013 10:20
OP posts:
Report
NicholasTeakozy · 16/08/2013 12:18

I'm not running, I'll walk. There are a fair few geocaching routes nearby and some of them are just too long (about 8 miles) to do in one go, so I'm splitting them up into chunks. Good luck with the running, I'm off for a walk along the river.

Report
RunFatGirlRun · 16/08/2013 12:53

Oh hey Nicolas - I was feeling a bit foolish just then!

Walking sounds great. I'd quite like to use this thread to keep a record of progress so feel free to post your stats when done...

OP posts:
Report
RunFatGirlRun · 16/08/2013 12:53

PS what is 'geocache' and is it fun?!

OP posts:
Report
NicholasTeakozy · 16/08/2013 13:35

I know I probably won't sell this very well but... Geocaching is a game, a bit like a nerdy treasure hunt. You go online and search for caches nearby, download the coordinates and go and look for it. It can be any size from a tiny capsule to a huge chest and can be placed anywhere. I've found some made from hollowed out logs, a pine cone attached to a tree, a snail stuck to a magnetic strip on a tree, a fake branch in a tree and a hollowed out bolt stuck to a bridge in plain view.

It's a fun way to introduce exercise to kids too. Also, it takes you to places you'd never think of going, even places that are geographically nearby. It's more fun than I make it sound, honest! :o

Report
RunFatGirlRun · 16/08/2013 14:03

That sounds fecking brilliant Shock !

So a 'cache' can be anything you choose to put there/someone else put there?

I've heard people talk about it but had no idea what it was! I am now going to look and see if there is anything on my run route...

OP posts:
Report
RunFatGirlRun · 20/08/2013 08:36

Hi Nicholas - how's it been going?

I logged 2 miles yesterday, taking me to a grand total of 3.5 miles, with 96.5 to go Grin

Hoping to do 1.5 this afternoon....

Look in the mirror this morning and am starting to see some real changes so that should see me through the infamous 'wall' (which in my case happens after about ten yards).

OP posts:
Report
NicholasTeakozy · 20/08/2013 09:22

I've just recovered from a foot injury so have only really got out properly the last couple of days. On Sunday I walked a couple of miles and yesterday afternoon I did about eight around a local beauty spot. The plan today is to walk a four mile loop of local caches which should be fun.

Good luck with the run!

Report
RunFatGirlRun · 20/08/2013 19:43

Eek - hope you're on the mend: I live in dread of twisting my ankle or something, so this frankly insane foray into exercise gets stopped just as it begins! How's it been feeling - did you manage your walk? You're going quite the distance and are likely to hit 100 miles long before Halloween!

I've just done 1.5 miles, so that's 5 in total, 95 to go.

Tried to do 2 miles but don't seem to be able to do it without DH my personal trainer which is a bit paffetic!

OP posts:
Report
grassroots · 20/08/2013 20:23

I'm up for it....not much chance of a run before term starts but could definitely kick off start doing a walk every day. Count me in!

Report
RunFatGirlRun · 20/08/2013 20:27

Yay, another ... Another...oh, I can't think of a term for people on the threadConfused Grin

Pleased to see you grass - and good luck. Have you done much running before?

OP posts:
Report
RunFatGirlRun · 20/08/2013 20:28

(although, reading your post again, I see you'll start with walking...in which case going by Nicholas' example you'll do your hundred miles in no time!)

OP posts:
Report
Roobot · 20/08/2013 20:30

Ooh! I would love to join! Might be slightly sporadic, as we have just moved house, but want to get back in to running.
How about centurions?

Report
RunFatGirlRun · 20/08/2013 20:34

Centurions! You, madam, are a genius. And welcome!!

I reckon sporadic is probably the way it'll be, what with life intruding and whatnot - but so nice to have a target and some companions. Or fellow-soldiers, in this case

OP posts:
Report
grassroots · 20/08/2013 21:11

Love Centurions!!! HiRFGR - am just getting back into it .....very, very gradually, after not being able to run since DS was born - and he is now 5! Really enjoying it, but only doing gentle jogs on grass at the moment. Paranoid about injuries (am also unfit, overweight and ancient) but so far so good... Have never kept a distance record (far too humiliating!) but will now have to put something on the fridge door so I can keep a tally!

Report
NicholasTeakozy · 20/08/2013 21:36

I'm going to make a suggestion: before you start up with running get a pair of Skechers Shape Ups and do power walking in them. They simulate walking in bare feet on soft sand, therefore making walking harder. Walk up lots of hills, it will make your calves burn. When you do a one mile walk it will feel like you've done much more. You soon get used to them and accept they're helping you get fitter.

Just don't do what I did and not read the instructions. You're supposed to break them in gently, walking in them for about 15 or 20 minutes at first. I used them everywhere and got knackered too quickly. They're ok now though, I swear by them.

Report
RunFatGirlRun · 20/08/2013 21:44

Wish I'd known that before I started Nicholas. I went from not running for years to doing a mile my first time Confused - I think it was sheer, utter, bloody-mindedness - just in a pair of Nike Airs. By about 3 weeks in my Achilles tendons were screaming so I went and got fitted for some amazing Brooks running shoes which are light as air.

It's amazing the difference footwear can make (although I suppose it shouldn't be all that surprising when you think about it)

I just wish it would get easier! I am finding I can go further and further - and I really genuinely do enjoy it, especially the aftermath - but it's just such bloody hard work all the way from the first step to 25 minutes later I suppose as I get lighter (hopefully) and my legs get stronger it'll get easier.

Good luck with getting back in the saddle Grass! The way I've worked out distance was to randomly plot a nice route on the river path, which happened to turn out to be half a mile. This means I can run back and forth and keep a pretty good eye on how far I've gone (and do intervals if for some reason I'm not running too well, which is what happened today...)

OP posts:
Report
KD0706 · 21/08/2013 10:18

Can I join please? Will just be walking as I'm out of shape (lazy!) and have two pre schoolers.

One mile this morning. 99 to go!

How long is it till Halloween? I will try to work out what I'll need to average per day...

Report
KD0706 · 21/08/2013 10:32

71 days. Hmm, hopefully I can do that.
I do have a weeks holiday at the start of October...

Report
RunFatGirlRun · 21/08/2013 11:05

Morning KD, and welcome! Heh, good idea to work out how many days...I am slightly wondering if I've over-estimated my ability to do this, but might as well aim high.

And with any luck 5 weeks of walking before your holiday will shape you up a bit by then, and you might even find yourself running - you never know!

I'm aiming for a 40 length swim this morning and a 1.5 mile run this afternoon. This morning I tried on a dress that hasn't fir in 5 years and it went on like a dream, which has spurred me on somewhat!

OP posts:
Report
grumpyoldbat · 21/08/2013 11:50

I'm in but will stick to walking my knees can't handle the impact. Is counting getting to Uni cheating? I do mean the bit I walk obviously.

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

harderthanitlooks · 21/08/2013 11:56

Room for a not very little one? This sounds manageable I really need to loose some weight. I can't pretend it was baby weight I was fat before she arrivedGrin

Report
harderthanitlooks · 21/08/2013 11:59

I forgot to say I will be walking maybe building up to a slight jog - but only if its dark and no.one is watching!

Report
OddSockMonster · 21/08/2013 12:08

I'm in, walking plus maybe the odd mile of swimming (plus running about the tennis court like a fool, does that count?)

Thinking of walking into town and back tomorrow, plus mooching about the shops, which would be a fine 6-7 miles I think.

Can I add in a walk up Scarfell Pike just before you started the thread? I've just got over a foot injury too so it was quite an achievement (and thankfully only knackered my legs, not my foot again).

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.