Throughout June in 2020 I set myself the challenge of running 100 kilometres in a month. This is the equivalent to 10km every three days, or 25km per week, so it’s safe to say that running 100km in a month is no mean feat.
I set myself the challenge to contribute to raising vital funds for my nephew Charlie, who has cerebral palsy, so that he could get an off-road wheelchair to be able to enjoy the countryside that we all take for granted. On top of this, I set myself this challenge during the Covid-19 lockdown. The ability to get out of the house, exercise well, and appreciate the amazing weather we had were all factors in deciding to undertake the challenge. I’m incredibly proud to say that we have managed to raise well above the target required for Charlie to get this wheelchair.
In the months prior to running 100km in 30 days, I was running 10-15km a week, so it was certainly a large step up for me. I’d say that if you can comfortably run a couple of 5km routes per week, the step isn’t too huge, though it was certainly big enough that I felt that I had accomplished something. However, if you’re a complete beginner, I would recommend getting some kilometres under your belt before you try running this distance.
Top tips for running 100km in a month:
– Pick a month with 31 days. So I didn’t actually do this myself, but picking a month with 31 days gives you the best chance at completing the challenge.
– Wear good running trainers and socks. The importance of this really can’t be understated. I purchased some brand-new trainers (that I had slightly worn in) before the challenge, and the difference to my old ones was very noticeable.
– Spread out your runs in a routine. If you know that you are running each Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, you are less likely to put off running until the point of no return. Getting into a routine is important to tick off those kilometres
– Listen to your body and take a few days if needed. Contrary to the above, if your body tells you to stop and take a couple of rest days, do it. It’s not worth pushing yourself to the point of getting a serious injury.
– Plan your routes. Running a long-distance across the month means you should focus more on planning your routes. Not only can you get into a routine and know exactly the distances you need to run that day/week, there’s nothing worse than getting lost and losing energy backtracking and trying to get back on route.
Check out my daily blog of running 100km in a month below.
Day 1
June 1
Early start today to get a run in before the heat of the day. As I currently work from home, I got up at 6:45 to leave the house at 7. Wasn’t hugely motivated after a poor night’s sleep due to the heat, but got up no problems.
Decided to head on one of my favourite 10km routes, though I wasn’t sure I would be able to make it with achy legs and my first early morning run for some time. The route takes me through my village of Milnrow to the top of Kiln Lane, along Wildhouse Lane to a thankfully quiet Hollingworth Lake, one loop around the lake and back, and I was pleasantly surprised to hit the 10km fairly comfortably, albeit in a slower time than usual.
Really happy to get a 10km under my belt on the first day, which hopefully lets me get through a couple of shorter runs through the rest of the week to keep on track.
Progress: 10.24/100km
Day 2
June 2
Not much to report from day 2, enjoyed the last of the warm weather with a few beers after work. On to day 3…
Progress: 10.24/100km
Day 3
June 3
Start of the grizzly weather today was slightly depressing, but made for a much cooler run. Headed on one of my most common runs, a quick 5km around the village over lunch. I experienced a bit of ankle pain in this one but hoping it’s just getting used to my new running shoes. It’s my day off tomorrow so hoping to get at least another 5km under my belt, but we will see how it goes.
Progress: 15.26/100km
Day 4
June 4
Another really good day today, managing to get 7km in over lunch. Another one of my local favourite routes, heading through the walking and cycling routes of Kingsway Business Park and back along the Rochdale Canal. Even though this was a longer run, it felt much easier today than yesterday. Feeling good and hoping to get at least 30km before the end of the week.
Progress: 22.26/100km
Day 5
June 5
Another rest day today, planning another 10km at weekend and wanting to rest for a couple of days beforehand.
Progress: 22.26/100km
Day 6
June 6
A second rest day in a row, playing a family zoom quiz tonight, eating curry and drinking wine. Wish me luck on tomorrow’s 10km…
Progress: 22.26/100km
Day 7
June 7
Toughest run so far today. Had very little motivation to run, especially after slightly too much wine and curry last night.
However, I set off on one of my new runs from home up to and around Ogden Reservoir. It has some pretty menacing hills to start which I struggled with, and they are cobbled and fairly slippery at the moment so I took it slow, but the best thing is that from 6km onwards it’s pretty much all downhill, which you certainly earn after the first part of the run. It definitely blew the cobwebs off!
First week already done, and managed to complete just under 33km which I am very happy with. On course to comfortably complete the challenge, but I know there’ll be some ups and downs and tough days in the next few months.
So my brother is a week in to his 100k challenge! Have a watch below to see how he is getting on ??♂️? pic.twitter.com/q7wLQ7qsdn
— Walk or Wheel Blog (@WalkorWheelBlog) June 7, 2020
Progress: 32.5/100km
Day 8
June 8
Rest day today, nothing to report.
Progress: 32.5/100km
Day 9
June 9
Felt good today so decided to squeeze in a few more kilometres on my lunch. Headed on one of my fairly regular runs again through the Kingsway Business Park and back along the Rochdale Canal, and felt really comfortable. Until 5km. As soon as I hit 5km I hit a huge wall and felt like I was running through mud. Made it to 6km running and then had to stop and walk the rest of the way home.
Going to take another rest day tomorrow and hope that I’m feeling better for Thursday when I am hoping to get another 10km under my belt which should take me near enough to 50km.
Progress: 38.5/100km
Day 10
June 10
Rest day again today, feeling good for another 10km tomorrow.
Progress: 38.5/100km
Day 11
June 11
?HALFWAY THERE?
Pushed through a tough 11.5km run today to reach a total of 50km so far this month, halfway to my goal after 11 days so far!
Felt hard from around 7km onwards but broke through the wall and really pleased to get to the halfway point which feels like a good mental barrier to get through. Hoping the nice weather that’s in store next week will help me get a few more kilometres under my belt, but for now it’s a couple of rest days to look forward to.
Progress: 50/100km
Day 12
June 12
Rest day.
Progress: 50/100km
Day 13
June 13
Rest day.
Progress: 50/100km
Day 14
June 14
Pushed through another 6.6km today, but struggled through most of the way again. It was a really hot morning and the legs are aching something awful. Keeping pushing through to that goal though, 2 weeks in and 56.6km total so far, definitely ahead of schedule!
Progress: 56.6/100km
Day 15
June 15
Taking a few rest days due to being ahead of schedule and hoping the blisters heal and the legs stop aching!
Progress: 56.6/100km
Day 16
June 16
Rest day.
Progress: 56.6/100km
Day 17
June 17
Rest day.
Progress: 56.6/100km
Day 18
June 18
Tough run today in the pouring rain, but managed to head back up to the Lake and polish off another 10km! Getting closer and closer to that target!
Progress: 66.9/100km
Day 19
June 19
Rest day.
Progress: 66.9/100km
Day 20
June 20
Rest day.
Progress: 66.9/100km
Day 21
June 21
Ran a quick 5km today to get myself over the 70km mark, on an early run around the village. It’s certainly getting tougher as the challenge goes on, but certainly feeling that I am getting there, and feeling good about the achievement!
Progress: 72/100km
Day 22
June 22
Rest day.
Progress: 72/100km
Day 23
June 23
Decided to get a few more kilometres in before the heat of the next few days hits! Pleasantly surprised to get another 8km in along one of my common routes. Even though the heat hasn’t properly started yet it was hot and muggy!
Progress: 80/100km
Day 24
June 24
☀️HOT☀️
Rest day
Progress: 80/100km
Day 25
June 25
☀️HOT☀️
Rest day
Progress: 80/100km
Day 26
June 26
Rest day
Progress: 80/100km
Day 27
June 27
Struggling through these last few runs, but today was my penultimate run, and I managed to tick off another 10km, taking my total to 90km exactly! This was a nice Hollingworth Lake run in the teeming rain, but after the heat of the last few days it was nice to be able to stay cool. Still completing my 10ks in under an hour despite various aches and pains, so happy with that. One more to go ?
Progress: 90/100km
Day 28
June 28
Rest day.
Progress: 90/100km
Day 29
June 29
Rest day.
Progress: 90/100km
Day 30
June 30
?CHALLENGE COMPLETE?
So I am over the moon to have finished my challenge. Early morning 7am run this morning in the pouring rain before work, but couldn’t be happier to be finished. It’s been really really tough at times and my knee has completely given out after this last run, but I did it! Feels great to complete a challenge and all for a great cause. We have also hit the target today which is a great feeling on my last run. A huge thanks to everyone who supported me or donated during this challenge, your money really will change lives!
Progress: 100/100km
