Up for a May running challenge?

Let's run towards a goal together, starting today

Over the weekend, I ran into an old friend of mine when I was out getting coffee. He likes to run over at the same park by the Chattahoochee River here in Atlanta that I do, and tries to get over there for a couple of runs every weekend.

For about a year, though, the longest distance he has been able to work up to is five kilometers. That’s about one loop around the park’s main trail, an out-and-back from the parking lot.

“You know, Terrell, I was just feeling it last weekend,” he told me. “And I just decided to see what I could do.”

Out of nowhere, he pumped himself up and said to himself, “let’s do two of these,” and finished 10 kilometers for the first time in years. My friend, I should add, is no slouch. He played college football, so he was once more of an athlete than I’ll ever be.

But the years, a legal career and three kids have meant he hasn’t been able to exercise with anywhere near the consistency that was once routine for him. So, having recently entered his 50s, he’s trying to recapture a little of what made him an athlete in the past.

The feeling of running a 10K after all those years — decades, really — of not having done it felt “really good,” he added. “I honestly wasn’t sure I could do it… now I know I can.”

To be honest, I miss that feeling too. So I feel like doing something about it.

Last year, in March and May, together we completed month-long running challenges that — for me, anyway — were an absolute blast. Every day, I shared with you a thought or an inspiration to get out there and run — from great runners like Courtney Dauwalter, Kara Goucher, Des Linden, Deena Kastor, Meb Keflezighi, and many others. And every day, you chimed in with your thoughts, and how your run went.

Some of you picked modest challenges (like me!), with mileage numbers of 50 or 60 miles. Others aimed for 100 or even 150 miles. Some of you even went beyond that… and seriously, I’m in awe that you did.

I’d love to do that again this month, both because May has 31 days in it — which allows us the maximum number of days to reach our goal — and because temperatures won’t yet be as warm as they’re expected to be later this summer.

Here’s an example of what everyone participating last year received, which I sent out each day in the Substack app:

My goal: 75 miles

For me, I’m going to aim to run 75 miles this month, which is a little aggressive for the mileage I’ve been running lately. But I think (hope?!) it’s doable. Remember, any goal you set is arbitrary; there’s no right or wrong answer — just what’s right for you.

What is a meaningful goal to you? What — once you complete it on May 31st — would give you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction? Let that be your guide.

In the meantime, let me leave with you with a thought by Dauwalter, which she shared in this great profile published last year — thoughts I’ll be keeping in mind all this month:

“In general, I think everyone’s bars are just a little bit too low, and that we should raise the bar for ourselves,” she says. “We should go after the thing that sounds a little bit crazy or sounds a little bit too difficult and just see, because, why not?”

So, what do you think? Are you in? Let me know in the comments! 🙌

Your friend,

— Terrell

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