No, I did not run a 100 mile race, nor do I have one on the schedule. But I am currently participating in the Roanoke 100 Miler. So what is it? It’s a 100 day active living challenge to get the Roanoke/New River Valley community involved in any exercise that is human powered (run, walk, hike, bike, paddle, etc.). The program lasts for 100 days, from January 7 to April 15. Participants keep track of their miles, and pledge to complete, on average, one mile per day, therefore doing 100 miles in 100 days (or more!). Throughout the program, participants receive emails from a guy called “Active Andy”, who is essentially the mascot/fictional spokes person, giving them tips on how to get out there and get active. Active Andy also gives us a heads up when there’s an event, such as a 5K, happening in the area.
With my running schedule, I hit 100 miles in the first or second week of February. But the miles aside, I like supporting this program, which is in it’s second year, because I think it’s a great idea. What better way to help motivate people get up and get active, even when the wather is not ideal, than creating a program that holds them accountable? I’m hoping to hit 200 or more miles by the end of the program.
Plus, you can sign up (an extra $10, I think) for a nifty technical shirt. Although we’re only a little over halfway through the program, the t-shirts had arrived, so they held shirt pick up this week. The shirt is pretty nice, and they offered both adult and youth sizes. Maybe next year they will have women’s sizes as well!
I think it would be awesome if communities across the country had programs like this (and for all I know, they do). It’s a great initiative to help people on their way to an active, healthy lifestyle. I’ve read that running regularly becomes a habit after 3 to 6 weeks, and I imagine it can be the same for other forms of exercise as well. This program is perfect as a stepping stone to developing that habit and it’s rapidly growing. This year there are at least 1,200 participants, and last year over 178,000 miles were logged.
That being said, today was a rest day from running for me. I did do level 2 of Jillian’s 30 Day Shred this morning before work. This was my second day at level 2 and it was still really tough, but not as bad as yesterday. I’d definitely say level 2 is more difficult than level 1, based on my heart rate and the amount of sweat I produced this morning, ha (TMI?). I am fixing stuffed shells tonight for dinner, after seeing Now I Run’s pictures from making them last night. Everyone go wish her good luck in her FIRST full marathon this weekend!!
Does your town/community have an active initiative like the Roanoke 100 Miler?
What are you having for dinner tonight?? I may have to steal your idea for tomorrow night!
Any exciting Friday night plans?
Turkey Runner 
That is a really cool concept! We are low on food (we grocery shop on Saturday mornings), so I scrounged up some left over pizza dough, pasta sauce, parmesan cheese, and topped it with zucchini, squash and onion and then roasted/baked some green beans and sweet potato fries on the side. I’ve gotten really sucked into a book, so I think to my boyfriend’s dismay, that is what I will be doing tonight, ha.
Sounds like a pretty good scrounged up dinner to me! My “scrounged up” dinners usually consist of scrambled eggs or a bowl of cereal, haha. My poor husband also loses me to books, from time to time. Nothing like a good book 🙂
What a great idea! I love programs like that that take place over several weeks–so motivating. The t-shirt is great too, and if people assume you did a 100-mile race, no big deal right? LOL
Haha exactly! I’m excited to walk around in a shirt that says “Roanoke 100 Miler” on it. Of course if someone actually asked I would explain what it was, though.