200,000 kilometers, Baby!

It's been a long time from milestone to milestone. It was October of 2012 when I hit the 100,000 mile mark on this wonderful running journey. Today came 200,000 kilometers. If you're wondering about 200,000 miles.... well, I'd have to live to almost 110 year old and still be running strong. Unlikely - you mean there is still a chance?????

Just the same, I've been looking forward to this one for a while now.

Long past are the days of Personal Bests, age group placings and the hunger of the race. Present instead, is the joy of the run and the pride of longevity. That, of course, does not mean I have no goals.

First, there's 2000 miles a year. That has always been one of two strict guidelines I've held in my adult running. A year isn't a serious running year unless I cover 2000 miles. Today, at months end (and a short month too) I am at 338 miles and that projects to about 2020-2060 miles. By the way, the other strict guideline is that any run less than 3 miles does not count (could be altering that when I'm in my 80's - who knows).

Then, most certainly is the Mont Blanc 23k race in June. Now don't get me wrong, my "A" goal in the Alps is to finish under the cutoff time of 6 hours. When I break down the miles, seems like that should be easy. Looking at the terrain, the elevation and the distance, maybe not so easy. Nonetheless, that's the big goal.

While I no longer have "streak" goals, it is of note that I have, so far, run everyday this year. Shhhhhhh, don't jinx it. Would like to see that consistency be duplicated in stretching, lifting, and some of the other essentials to remaining healthy. Would also love to get back to the weight in the 100,000 mile picture. That might be the biggest goal of all (biggest?).

Just the same, I've been on a nice little "run" lately with very few knee issues. Oh, it's not pain free but it's also not popping and buckling like it used to. We keep on ixing, bvuzzing, massaging and so forth.

On the 100,000 mile blogpost, I wrote this (and you can see it all here - http://runspittle.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-100000-mile-report.html :

"And upon reaching the 100,000 mile mark, I am grateful for what this simple aerobic activity has done for every facet of my life and being.

Running was/is a simple activity, cyclical in its nature. One foot placed in front of the next in order to move forward: to cover ground, to open my mind, to allow me opportunities to escape my troubles or celebrate my triumphs. Mostly, to connect me to and strengthen my relationship with this planet upon which I exist. For that, I am ecstatically, humbly grateful.

John Parker Jr. said it best in his epic story, Once A Runner, “Running to him was real; the way he did it the realest thing he knew. It was all joy and woe, hard as diamond; it made him weary beyond comprehension. But it also made him free.”

I am proud to be a runner."

Still goes.