Remember back in May when I decided to run 100 miles for the month? Well, I loved that so much I am doing it again for September.
It gives me a great focus, and just enough of a “training plan” where I don’t get burned out. Sure I’m running nearly every day, but the miles are short which makes them manageable. I kicked off the month with a 4 miler that was SO CLOSE to being under a 9 minute average I could taste it.
I’m not a fast runner, at all. I bounce between a 9:30-10 min pace depending on my mood, energy, and my food intake. Lately I’ve been bouncing around 9:45min/miles which I love. Anything faster and I’m usually chasing the ice cream truck or trying to get into a line at Disneyland.
Where am I going with this, OH YES, my pace was a 9:03 average which has given me a new goal of breaking into the 8 min mile range. I don’t know when, but I know it must happen. I did run the last two miles of that 4 miler at an 8:40 pace, however my goal is for the overall average to be sub 9. Boom.
My favorite part about running everyday is the carb destruction that follows. Run for carbs and carbs for run, thanks to this routine my runs have all been great so far, the kind that leave you on a natural high.
I also attribute my success to good music, and good coffee. This song is fantastic for running. Obsessed.
My current regimen.
My run on Saturday was supposed to be 3 miles, but I wanted to keep going for one more because it was one of those “ponder life” runs where I was so lost in my thoughts I could have run all day. Then I got hungry. I also found a treasure.
Perhaps somewhat ironic that the item found on this run (I find a lot of random things) was a symbol of death. Or maybe just a symbol of the upcoming holiday, Halloween is my favorite after all. I intend to leave this skull prize at my bosses house, where I am currently dog/house sitting. I wonder how long it will take for her to find it. 😉
As large and cuddly as this lovely dog may be, I miss my cats.
So, I went to visit them.
My Halloween baby, I just love that yogic beauty.
Q: What’s one of your goals for the month, week, or even just today?
Blissfulbritt 
65 thoughts on “100 Mile September”
The Poetic Moose is on the Loose!
Well done and keep it up. When I used to run lots (too much) back in the 80s I always used to do a longer / slower run at the weekend early in the morning. If you try to run at the same(ish) pace you can get into a rut / or think that you are not improving. Mixing it up helped me. Run faster for a 100 yards / then slowly for a 100 yes to recover your breath. That sort of thing made a difference to my running. Most of all – enjoy it. G:)
Brittany
Great ideas, thanks! 🙂
Amy
YESSSSSS! The only time I can run faster than a 10-min mile is at Disneyland too. No shame! 😉 I think your 100-mile goals are fantastic. It sounds like great motivation to get out there, even when you’d rather sleep or hike or walk or eat a cupcake. (Or, umm, three in my case…) I think one of my mail goals right now is to start going to bed earlier and waking up earlier. I miss the quiet calmness of the mornings and need to remember to shut down better at night so I can fall asleep!
Brittany
The stillness of the morning is what I sleep for. It cannot be beat.
kathy at more coffee, less talky
so awesome!!! daily (hard) workouts are so amazing; i don’t know what to do with myself when i don’t workout daily. also, the refueling is the best 🙂
GiGi Eats Celebrities
I’m a be your RUNNING COACH when you come to visit… I will find me a golf cart and drive next to you as you run… And scream. RUN BITCH RUN! 😉
shellybartz
That was great! Laughed out loud !
Anthony
I did not set any goals for September, but I will have to think about it a bit. I should set some kind of goal.
By the way, my cat looks just like the one in your pictures.
Brittany
You’ve got yourself a dapper little feline then. 😉
Amy @ A Desert Girl
100 miles in a month – that’s awesome. Oh and that food looks delicious. As do your Halloween/fall decorations.
shellybartz
Great post! I’m starting to add jogging to my walking regimen again… I didn’t jog far but it felt good to pound the pavement again!
Brittany
Getting out there is all that matters really!! Distance and speed come with time. I am a prime example. 🙂
whostardis
your goal of a sub 9min mile pace is my goal too, i need the cooler weather to get there though so i can see some progress. i have been hovering around the 10:30/11 mark but its just been so hot and humid here. my september goal is to finish my half marathon under 2:30. all my previous races have been disney and as you know those races arent always about the time but the experience. this will be my first half for a real race time.
Brittany
Oh yes, Disney races are hard to make about time. My one and only (and first) Disney half was completed in 2:30 so once I started running other races my time continued to improve. My PR is currently 2:09, so my goal is one day to break that 2 hr mark!
Diane @ Life of Di.
My goal this week: Try something new twice! I went to a body pump type class this morning. It wasn’t my favorite but I am glad I went (too much lower body work – I prefer upper body!) Also, I need to add jogging back into my workout. I just walk and do easy cardio. I miss jogging and just can’t seem to get into the habit!
PS – LOVE that song!
B
Good luck on reaching your goal! And your cat is adorable! My goal is more long term, paying off my credit card.
Brittany
GREAT goal!
Lindsay @ A Runnaroundd Life
Yes yes yes to “Electric Love.” It’s the BOMB. Way to go on this goal–so excited for you! :)))
Brittany
YES! I have you to thank for that song discovery. I should have credited you in this post! 🙂
Bradley on the Run
Love your photos and I love your cats! My cat – Osker – is also a Hallowe’en beauty, pure black. My goal is to prep for a my first even trail race next weekend! Eek! As long as I don’t twist an ankle, I’m golden!
Brittany
Sending positive strong ankle vibes your way!!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
Yes! Cats are the ultimate yogi masters. They’ve got us all beat.
I’m digging on that song too. Totally with you. We shall run in Cleveland and it will be fun, slow but fun. 🙂
Last I want to eat all that asparagus. Please.
Brittany
I have 3 miles on my calendar for each day I’m in Cleveland, I cannot wait for you to come with me on some or ALL of those. Slow and steady is FINE BY ME! I just need to make room for the treats.
Lauren @ ihadabiglunch
I loved the month I ran 100 miles! You’re right — it was such a good goal to work towards and I felt so great at the end! Especially because I was just doing it for myself, to accomplish a goal that I had set. I’ll be adding that song to my marathon playlist!
peanutbutterandellie
You crack me up. I LOVE that your cat does yoga! You should do it together sometime 🙂
Wow, great idea of running 100 miles in September! It’s already the 8th, but I think I might join you (or at least run 50 miles in September since I’m starting late)!
Brittany
DOOOIT!!
peanutbutterandellie
I realized that I’ve already run 10 miles so far (3 runs in 9 days). Why not?! What do you do each week (how many runs a week, mileage of each run)? I will run today!!
Brittany
Most of the runs are 3-4 milers, with a handful of 5 milers towards the end of the month and a few 2 milers sprinkled in to have somewhat of an active rest. I gave myself two scheduled rest days with no running at all, but if I feel I need more I will try to add the miles I missed onto another day. I’ve also been running more than what I initially wrote for certain days to give myself a bit of a “piggy bank” of miles. For example yesterday I wrote to run 4 miles, but I woke up sore and tired so I ran two, but had three miles extra that I ran on previous runs that allowed me to cut two off that run, but still be on track for the month.
17 three mile runs
1 four mile run
7 five mile runs
1 six mile run
That’s what I wrote out for the days, and like I said I’ve already altered it a bit by running more 4 milers than 3 milers. Long story short, just get a piece of paper and write each day of the month and break up the miles by day according to what you think you can get done. Don’t save them all for the end, and I would sandwich longer runs with shorter runs. For example on Tuesday maybe run 3 miles, Wednesday run 5 or 6, and then Thursday run 2. It’s all whatever you want to do!! I hope that helps. 🙂
peanutbutterandellie
Awesome — thank you so much for all that info!
I’m running 4 today! And I’m thinking mileage over speed 🙂
Ellie
My goal for the month is to get myself organized to go on vacation, get there and then ENJOY IT!
familyrulesbyplainjane
Whew, I have been committed to trying to do two blog posts per week but now that I’m running out of the material I had already before I started the blog, it’s getting tough. May have to rethink that.
familyrulesbyplainjane
P.S. I was staring stupidly at the cat for a long time and kept thinking: Why does that cat have 5 legs??
Brittany
This comment wins all the comments on this post. HAHA.
Nicole Marie Story
This post makes me want to run!!
My goal for September? Let’s say twice daily yoga!! Yay!!
Pip {Cherries & Chisme}
This is such an autumnal post, I love it! And coffee also, obviously.
My goal for the next couple of weeks to rest and relax, I have my first half marathon on Sunday and my dissertation deadline on Tuesday so I need to be on form!!
Brittany
I CAN’T WAIT TO READ ABOUT YOUR FIRST HALF!! YAYAYA.
Heather @ HeatherRunsFast.com
You got 100 miles in the bag! Your cat has quite the yogi skills 😉 Goal for today is to pass my glucose test!
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
100 miles?! Now there’s a goal I wouldn’t mind making one day. Right now I’m mostly working on improving my speed while trying not to stress about it TOO, too much because that just takes the fun out of it. And carbs. Yes. My life source. I’m not a pleasant human to be around when my diet is lacking in carbs.
Shawna
love this goal!! i should try to do that, too. maybe i will. goal for lately life is to clean up the eating and spend less $ on going out/eating out.
An Unrefined Vegan
You are rockin’ and rollin’! My current goals are: daily yoga, less computer time, and to shake up my strength-training routine in anticipation of running a Warrior Dash for my 50th birthday YEAR (2016…).
Brittany
First of all…doing a warrior dash – HELL YES. Second, NO WAY you are nearing 50. You inspire me in many ways my friend, and continue to do so with that fact right there. Vegan diets prevail, you look amazing.
Jade
Cats are the best. Where are you running that you find treasures? I mean, sometimes I see a really round pebble that I think is cool, or a stray bobby pin…
Brittany
Literally EVERY where HAHA. I usually just find pennies or dimes, but sometimes I find random bigger objects like this skull thing. Small town running.
Emma (@bemomstrong)
Awesome goal and way to stick to it! I’ve never added up my monthly mileage!
Emma
http://www.bemomstrong.com
Rach @ This Italian Family
Those autumn decorations are lovely! As is your kitty. 🙂 And kudos to you on the 8:40! You’ll make your sub 9 goal, no doubt!
fionajarrett
Great running, great work. You really do make asparagus, salad and potatoes look like the just the best thing to eat. Gotta get some of that 🙂 Oh and totally on board with the coffee contribution: good coffee is good for the soul!
Melanie
LOVE that you’re going to run 100 miles this month again! Amazing! I also love that your chasing an average sub-9 pace. I’m shooting for the same thing!! It’s so tough to increase overall speed, but so satisfying when you do. LOVE that running song too! Listening to it makes me want to ruuuuuuunnnnnn!
wwwpalfitness
Reblogged this on wwwpalfitness and commented:
Thats been about my average even when not training. It is good to have goals.
wwwpalfitness
I am more of a throwback. I have run a 15 minute 5k but more of a long sprinter with chronic fatigue and all the trimmings including tachycardia and fibromyalgia. I can sometimes bang out some long runs, have done a half marathon in under 115. However my capillaries do not expand and it causes alarmingly high heart rates, I mean in short intervals of drills by the 4th set going over 200. I ran two mud runs without training for distance and unfortunately the ones closest to me are canceled. So I am training and when able I plan to do more track workouts and runs. I have done some decent ones.
Keep it up and thanks for liking my post. 🙂
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
Hahah, yeah, any time I am running fast it is usually because I am chasing something food related.
I love how your home is decorated. Beautiful!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables
That’s such a great goal!! You’re gonna rock it 🙂
willrunforpizza
Our pace is pretty close! My goal is a sub 9 min pace too. I’d really like to break 2 hours in the half next year. Nice job!!
Fran loves
ive never thought of having a monthly running goal before.. what a cool idea! definitely gunna try this!!
The Vegan 8
You are such a champ for all that running girl! Way to go! I don’t run anymore like I used to, so I really admire you!
Lucie Elizabeth (@CollectingLight)
You are amazing Brittany! Absolutely amazing (also, love your face!)
Luv What You Do
Way to go! Great goal!
I need to start thinking about this month’s goals. Today’s goal was to plan some awesome kids yoga classes and get some new little ones engaged in the class!
Lauren | Just a Pinch
Nice goal for the month! And congrats on breaking into a sub 9-minute mile pace. Very impressive! I need some motivation to get my butt out the door…maybe this is it? 🙂
Kayse
You’re amazing! You’re so darn close to getting under nine minutes, there’s no way you wont crack it by the time september is over! Alsoooo, great find with that lil skull. Amazing what you can find when your eyes are open to the world around you!
Nicole
#1. I really need to be back into running again!
#2. I LOVE that first pic!! 🙂
Brittany
Bahaha, thank you. 🙂
katalysthealth
Hey lady!
Great job on your running for the month! And while I’m not a runner, I SOOOO understand the eat carbs to run and run to eat carbs thing – though mine is more so with lifting 😉 and it’s been Ice cream lately instead of carbs haha. Missed you girlie!!
Brittany
Missed you more, SO glad your blog is up and running!
Tania @ Run To Radiance
My favorite part of running would also be the carbs! 🙂 and girl you are FAST!!! I’m lucky if I get under 11!!
bonnev659
100 that is all… i am in pain typing that
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