2012 in 2012 – January Update

How are your 2012 challenges/resolutions going?

I’ve been doing my 2012km in 2012 challenge for one month now and I thought it was a good time to give you a bit of an update.

First – the all important data…

2012 in 2012 Summary, Tuesday 31st January

Total >> 249.6 km

Average per day (31 days) >> 8.05 km

Total cycling >> 125.3 km | Total Walking >> 122.7 km | Total Running >> 1.6 km

Longest cycle ride >> 18 km | Longest walk >> 20 km

Remaining >> 1,762.4 km to go

[Note all converted from miles to km as I use RunKeeper in miles]

Looking at the numbers I’m actually ahead of where I need to be to get this challenge nailed before the year is out – I should be at either 1/12 of the total (167 km) or 31/366 of the total (170 km) depending on which way you look at it  – either way I’ve smashed it this month. It was really important to have a good January, firstly to get me into this challenge properly and let my body know what is expected of it, and secondly because I know there are weeks coming up soon when I won’t be able to get many km done at all where the extra I’ve built up this month will be needed.

It’s been quite a combination of activity too.  All but 10 km (which was on my exercise bike) was done outside, fitting in with my Get Outdoors resolution nicely.  I ran one mile because I’ve decided to give the Magic Mile thing a go this year.  I did my mile in 9:35 – it was my first run since last July so I’ll take that and be thankful I actually managed it at all.  Now the idea is to get quicker as the year goes on, recording one Magic Mile time each month.  The rest was walking (a combination of tarmac/pavement and footpath due to training for two different walking events this year), and cycling.  All my distances are “on purpose” activities and definitely considered exercise – I haven’t included any wanderings around town or along the beach, or even marching through central London.  I also obviously haven’t included the distance I run during netball club.

As the month has progressed I have learnt a few things about me and exercise and this challenge that will affect how I do things as the year goes on:

• I can walk quicker when I am not holding my mobile in my hand (eg tweeting or texting). I should therefore just leave it in my pocket when I’m out walking. If I’m power walking I definitely do that now, but I can’t resist taking photos when I’m out walking in the countryside on f0otpaths.
• When power walking, my first mile is slowest as it takes me a while to get into a rhythm. Also my last mile seems to be slower as whatever distance I go my legs are well aware where home is.
• I need to eat breakfast. I started by “forcing” myself to have a bowl of cereal before I cycled to work. But I found very quickly that on the days I didn’t cycle (and therefore didn’t have breakfast) I really missed it. So now I eat breakfast every day, even when I’m not cycling to work or not planning on going out anywhere.
• I look and feel stupid when I use my arms to power walk properly.  But I really have to nail this element to get the power walking thing sorted properly – I’m aiming to do the MoonWalk in 6 hours and so need to be going a little quicker than I am at the moment.

I do have a couple of questions for you:

I have always had the grace of an elephant and tend to stomp about – I’m very heavy on my feet. This means my feet, ankles and knees take a right battering when I walk on any sort of surface (and is probably the reason running hurts too). How can I become lighter on my feet and therefore take some of the pressure off my poor feet?  Is this just a case of getting fitter and having more of a spring in my step?  Or are there strength or other exercises I can do to help?

The second is more about kit. I generally walk and cycle in joggers or leggins, but in the weather we’re having at the moment my legs are getting very cold.  I can layer up on my top half no problem, but need to look at what I wear on my legs.  Any suggestions?

Life is all about the journey… onwards into February!

If you’re feeling generous and would like to sponsor me to do the Walk the Walk London MoonWalk (which may well help motivate my training!!) please visit my fundraising page.  Thank you.