One Thousand Miles: What I Learned

Late in 2024 I decided to set a goal to run 1,000 miles in 2025.  I have been jogging for years, but I wanted to step it up a notch, and see if I could accomplish this goal.  Now for some people, 1,000 miles in a year is not difficult at all.  For others, 1,000 miles in a year is quite a challenge.  I am one of the latter, for me it is challenging.  But as of today, December 29, I have met my goal of 1,000 miles in 2025.

Here are some of the things I have learned while running 1,000 miles this year.

  1. Running only when you feel like it will get you nowhere.  Sometimes you don’t feel like doing it.  Do it anyway. This is also true in life.

  2. Two miles is better than zero miles.  Do the little that you can do.  There are days I just don’t have it in me to run 8 miles, but I can do something. (Also true in life)

  3. Having a bad week (or month) is not the end of the game.  When you look at the big picture there is always time to recover.

  4. There are always excuses not to run.  Don’t listen to them.  I can make excuses when it is 65 degrees and sunny, when it is 90 degrees and humid, and when it is 28 degrees and snowing.  Don’t make excuses.

  5. Your mind will tell you to stop long before you body needs to stop.  Don’t listen to that voice in your head, it doesn’t always tell you the truth.

  6. Run fifty miles in the first ten days of each month.  Work hard for a great start.

  7. Enjoy the scenery, whatever the season.

  8. Ten minutes or eight minutes, a mile is a mile.  It takes as long as it takes.  There is no shame in slowing down.

  9. Sometimes a change of scenery is essential.  Find another place to run.  This year most of my miles have been in the Village and in my neighborhood, but sometimes I’ve had to find other places to break up the same-old same-old.  I’ve included running in the Midlothian Mines Park and on the James River trails in Richmond (Buttermilk Trail and Belle Isle). There are many beautiful places to run in the RVA area.

  10. Running is my best anti-anxiety, antidepressant, and stress reliever.  Getting my heart rate up, lungs pumping, and legs moving will change my perspective.  Being outside, touching grass, looking at the sky, the trees, and breathing fresh air is essential.