January Challenge: A Mile A Day
Boy did 2017 fly by. Have you made any resolutions yet? While I already made a few goals for 2018, I've also decided to do a little challenge this month.
The Challenge: Walk/Run at least ONE MILE per day, every day of January.
Sounds simple right? Who's on board with me?!
I regularly exercise but I notice when I don't run, I don't get enough steps each day (if I swim or bike ride for example). So, this challenge is to make sure I'm consistently putting in the effort to get more daily steps.
One mile doesn't seem like a lot, but, on those days where you just want to lay on the couch and binge watch Vanderpump Rules, this may be challenging.
I'll be keeping a log on this blog post with my progress so I can keep accountable for my daily mile and share with you any obstacles that come up along the way.
Let's get moving!
January 1: Batiquitos Lagoon New Years Day Walk
Total Mileage: 3 miles
New Year's day my boyfriend and I went for an easy three mile walk around Batiquitos Lagoon in Carlsbad, CA. The perfect walk for more of a 'chill' day (I had gone to bed by 9pm on New Year's Eve with a head cold, so I was really partied out). I'm optimistic and looking forward to the January Challenge!
The beginning of our walk. An easy 3 mile trail perfect for family walks incluging your dog.
Batiquitos Lagoon in Carlsbad, CA
Interesting bird sculpture.
January 2: Tri-City Wellness Center
Total Mileage: 3 Miles
Dreadmill, how I love to hate you.
If you're not fortunate enough to access the outdoors during winter months, the treadmill may be your best friend to squeeze in mileage.
Gym day. I do not like the 'dreadmill'. However, full disclosure: I'm doing a 14 day free trial at Tri-City Wellness Center and so far I'm loving it! So I put a few miles in on the treadmill alternating between walking and running. The time flew by when watching the ever sophisticated show, The Real Housewives of Orange County.
January 3: Tri-City Wellness Center
Total Mileage: 1.5 Miles
Today I tried out a barre class for the first time and I can already tell it's going to be hard to walk tomorrow. So I loosened up after the class with an easy walk on the treadmill. Boring, but it got the job done. So far, so good and not too hard to make time to squeeze in a mile or more.
January 4: Pacific Beach Walk
Total Mileage: 6 Miles
Walking is always better with friends! I visited my girlfriend Carrie in PB for a sunset walk and wedding talk! The miles always fly by when you're having fun.
Friends Make the Miles Fly By!
PB Sunset
January 5: Tri-City Wellness Center
Total Mileage: 4 Miles
Today I tried a Body Pump class at Tri-City Wellness and it was a killer all body workout. We used barbells, free weights, and a step and I'm pretty sure I won't be able to walk tomorrow (but not really because I'm going to finish this challenge!). I ended up walking on the treadmill for four miles after the class listening to the new Justin Timberlake song on repeat.
January 6: San Elijo Lagoon
Total Mileage: 6 Miles
I can't believe I've tried two new trails in San Diego before the first week of the year has finished! My boyfriend took me to explore this trail a little inland from Cardiff State beach. We ran the horse trails and the lagoon. I'll definitely be back to run it again, maybe next time I'll be in better shape!
Running San Elijo Trails
January 7: Del Mar
Total Mileage: 3 Miles
Today, was a chill day. My boyfriend wasn't feeling too hot (probably contracting a cold from me), so we walked to get coffee and did a little loop around his neighborhood. We later went closer to the beach and walked around downtown. Sometimes, it's nice to take a breather.
January 8: Tri-City Wellness Center
Total Mileage: 2 Miles
Today I did another body pump class as my trial membership nears an end and did a 2-mile walk on the treadmill post weight lifting. So far, this mile a day hasn't been too bad.
January 9: Tri-City Wellness Center
Total Mileage: 3 Miles
In my defense, it was raining today so that is why I took it inside yet again for another gym sesh. After a spin class, I watched some Vanderpump Rules on my phone and slayed all day on the dreadmill. #werkit
January 10: UTC Mall
Total Mileage: 1 Mile
After a killer swim workout this morning, I really didn't want to put on my shoes and walk. So, when I went to the mall to do some shopping, I made sure to get my steps in. Shopping + Walking = the perfect day.
January 11: Encinitas/Cardiff
Total Mileage: 6 Miles
It was a gorgeous day outside, so I pounded some pavement and went for a run.
January 12: Tri-City Wellness Center
Total Mileage: 4 Miles
Another day on the treadmill, another episode of Vanderpump rules.
January 13: Encinitas
Total Mileage: 4 Miles
Before a day and night out in PB for Carrie's bachelorette party, I squeezed in a four mile run in Encinitas. I never regret waking up early to watch the sunrise!
Sunrise in Encinitas
January 14: Pacific Beach
Total Mileage: 1 Mile
Today was rough. After an amazing night out in PB for Carrie's bachelorette party, walking this morning was not what I wanted to do. However, we took a stroll down the main drag to grab coffee and acai bowls. Mission. Accomplished.
January 15: Tri-City Wellness Center
Total Mileage: 3 Miles
After a body pump class, I walked on the treadmill and chatted with my mom. We then took to the inside track and walked laps. It was a great workout! And...I'm almost halfway through the challenge!
January 16: Torrey Pines
Total Mileage: 5 Miles
Today I ran five morning miles through beautiful Torrey Pines reserve (before devouring pizza later).
Torrey Pines Run
January 17: Downtown Encinitas, Night Run
Total Mileage: 3 Miles
I did NOT want to exercise today. But I committed to a night run with my boyfriend who never lets me back out. To this day, I can't say I've ever regretted a workout (unless I became injured by it!).
January 18: La Mesa, Dress Shopping
Total Mileage: 1.5 Miles
I might be stretching this one...but I did walk almost 2 miles according to my watch so I'm going to let it slide. This wasn't a dedicated mile, but we were walking around from store to store and around the area. And the best part was, my friend decided on a wedding dress!
January 19: Encinitas, Afternoon Walk
Total Mileage: 5 Miles
When the weather is gloomy and you just feel like snuggling up on the couch, it can be really hard to get outside! But I pushed myself out the door and instead of getting ice cream (which is what I really wanted to do) I walked 5 miles. It felt good to get outside!
Encinitas
Even a dreary day isn't a bad one.
January 20: La Jolla, Indoor Triathlon
Total Mileage: 2 Miles
Swim, Bike, Run!
If you haven't read my blog post yet on my first indoor triathlon, you should read it right now, HERE. After two miles on the treadmill, I was beat for the rest of the day.
January 21: Cardiff coastline
Total Mileage: 3 Miles
After a long (3800 meter) masters swim class, I took a nice relaxing walk on the beach. I was still exhausted from the triathlon yesterday!
January 23: Encinitas
Total Mileage: 6 Miles (2 run/4 walk)
I was not feeling the whole running thing today so I alternated between walking and running, but mainly walking.
January 24: Sunset Walk - Encinitas
Total Mileage: 1 Mile
I was struggling today to get my mile on, so I walked down to the beach to watch the sunset. Nothing makes you feel smaller and more thankful than watching the sunset over the ocean. I'm so grateful to live where I do!
Sunset Walk
Encinitas, you're beautiful.
January 25: Mall Walking: Carlsbad
Total Mileage: 1 Mile
After swimming 2800 I was off to the mall to do some new clothes shopping. My mom and I tore around the mall, powerwalking as fast as we could (kidding), but we did get some major steps in and I'm counting it!
January 26: Encinitas
Total Mileage: 6 Miles
Today I took it easy and did six miles of walking behind my house in Encinitas. I stopped at a park bench to do some push-ups, tricep dips, and planks for that extra burn!
January 27: Del Mar
Total Mileage: 6 Miles
My boyfriend, his friend and I went running in Del Mar for a nice Saturday workout. They may be fast, but I did my best to keep up (and I did!). We did a nice one mile cool down walk.
January 28: Encinitas
Total Mileage: 1 Mile (Barely)
I might have failed today. After going out for my brother's girlfriends birthday I was struggling. I went wedding dress shopping with some friends and walked to brunch, but I'm not going to lie, I'm stretching this mile. I get one freebie right?
January 29: Carlsbad Coast
Total Mileage: 2 Miles
Before eating pizza and drinking rose, a girl has to get her sweat on. After a hard swim workout (3200 yards), I met my girlfriend in Carlsbad for a walk and then happy hour. We walked along the coast in Carlsbad and sweated our butts off - it was 85 degrees today - in January!
January 30: Cardiff Coast
Total Mileage: 2.5 Miles
Today my mom and I toured North County apartments and it was exhausting! However, after a viewing in Cardiff, we took the time to get a quick power walk up the coast. The perfect way to break up the day!
January 31: Del Mar (LAST DAY!!)
Total Mileage: 1.5 Miles
I can't believe the challenge is over! While there were a couple days I may have pushed getting in one mile, I ended with a solid walk around my boyfriend's neighborhood.
Overall, this challenge has taught me to be more cognizant of my daily steps and made me realize, I definitely don't do enough most days. January challenge complete!
