2021 running challenges...

[fungussingstheblues]

I'd like to do one, but not sure what! Has anyone seen a good, long-lasting but achievable one?

I've done RED before, well, a Marcothon in December... done a half marathon, love 10ks and parkruns but don't expect there to be any/many the first half of the year at least... what can I do? Maybe a charity fundraiser one, definitely... any ideas gratefully received!

A marathon is the obvious one, if you've never done one. And if you're aiming for an autumn one (presuming all spring marathons will be off), then the timing is perfect.
You'll need to get to a point by May-ish where you're comfortably running half marathon distance for your long run each week, and then start a 16 week marathon training plan from there..

Hmmm... possibly. I have actually done a marathon before, many moons ago (prob should have mentioned that!). I'll consider it, but was really thinking of something shorter and sharper IYKWIM, as I'm not sure I have the time to devote to the long training sessions. Tempting, though...

A shorter and sharper aim could be a half PB, with a "milestone" time. So going sub 1:50, 1:40 or 1:30 (or whatever) for the first time?

You could put in other milestones along the way to make more of a year of it; building up to a flat and fast half for the autumn.

Alternatively (and this depends a bit on where you live) but how about a fell running challenge? You could aim to run one of the legs of the Bob Graham Round for charity - or the full thing (??!)

During the spring lockdown we did a virtual 5k challenge.
Pick a 5k route near home and week 1 run it at your fastest. Repeat weekly for 4 weeks and see how much you can knock off your time.

A half marathon is 21k. For 2013, I did 13 HMs (13 x 13 miles in 2013, geddit?). I'm considering 21 for 2021, although it is unlikely to be actual races this time.

@BiggerTallerFaster I like the idea of that although that's a half marathon every other week....nearly! I do love a challenge though!

In 2020 I've done loads of virtual races, and have also really got into the Phoenix endurance run challenges as I've never really been about the pace and 'racing' alone even less so. So I've done 2 7 runs in 7 day challenges, (one summer, one Christmas week), a 13 hours challenge which was 1 mile every hour on the hour + a bonus one when the clock went back, and then just today have finished a 180km endurance run over December.

This year I cannot wait to get back to proper races, I love the buzz. I have entered the ballot for London and if I don't get a place, I'll be looking for an alternative. I am planning to up my distances this year, I currently run about 35-40km a week and I'd like to condense that into fewer longer runs with a bit more of a structured training and rest routine,

Dh and I are also planning on hosting a charity run later on this year which I'm really excited about

What was the 180km enduro, @thenewaveragebear1983? That sounds fun!

I’ve done a couple of half marathons. Since I’m hitting a significant birthday this year I feel a full marathon might be in order!

You all sound very fit, that is my goal! I use Race at your Pace to keep me motivated and my intention is to keep increasing my miles until I can do a half marathon hopefully by the summer.

@fellrunner85 it was from a group called Phoenix running, they are on Facebook or online. They do a selection of virtual ultras- this one was Arctic Ice (111 miles, distance between two towns in the arctic circle), they do an M25 one, a Death Valley one... for me it's more motivating to clock up the distances than do a 'race' by myself. I've certainly pushed myself this month to get the miles in.

Was there a time limit on it @thenewaveragebear1983 or was it just a question of finishing? Fair play though; that's 100 miles or so! I find marathons hard enough, let alone 4x the distance.

They do various options, I did mine over December (so with three days to spare) but you could choose eg a week or up to 62 days (dec and jan). For me it meant averaging 6km ish a day every day of December (except Christmas Day!) which was challenge enough without being ludicrous/risking injury. I like the endurance challenges, the 7 in 7 days one (also Phoenix) is a good one, it makes me realise I can push myself harder and also makes me/forces me to really take care of myself when not running which is something I forget to do.

@fellrunner85 I have never done a marathon all in one go though! My longest run to date is 25km

Ah sorry @thenewaveragebear1983 - I got confused there. Thought it was a "normal" ultra run, not spread out over a month!

I had a plan for an ultra in June 2021 but I'm not convinced it's going to happen, sadly. Who knows when races will be back on...

@fellrunner85 no, not as impressive as that unfortunately. Although still a respectable distance over a month!! I have been tempted by an 'normal' ultra, however I am not a trail runner and I would fear injury that would stop me running, even if it was just shredded feet!