100 Days of Running Challenge 2018

It all started with a message from my friend Aashika, who informed me about 100 days of running challenge. I heard this type of running challenge for the first time and hence multiple thoughts & queries started running all over my mind. So to answer all my mind queries, I read everything in & out about this challenge and finally decided to accept this challenge.

28th April 2018 was the first day of this 100 days of running challenge. I ran 10.3 Km on my first day. I wear Mi band while running so to submit data, just sync with Mi Fit app and then submitted my first day data on HDOR website. 2nd day I ran only 5 Km, then 3rd day- 15.3 Km, 4th day- 5.9 Km, 5th day- 6.5 Km and so on. I made my mind that I will run minimum 5 Km everyday, although criteria is 2 Km per day for this challenge.

Welcome to Mira Bhayander Runners (MBR) :-

I was running regularly for this challenge but 14th May 2018 was a something new for me. I was introduced to MBR group and from this day, my running level went one step ahead. MBR organizes long distance running on monthly basis but I missed my first long distance run due to some personal work. I never ran more than 15 Km distance but on 3rd June there was a revolution. I ran my first half marathon and also my first barefoot running on 3rd June 2018. You can check out my run on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/1613431605

Diet & Routine :-

People started observing change in me during this 100 days of running challenge. A shocking news for me ! I  saw I had lost 3 kg because of my normal diet. So took advice from MBR coaches & read some online stuffs to increase my carbohydrate & protein intake. I always preferred running early in the morning by adjusting office hours and had regular 6-8 hours of sleep during this challenge. I think Pre run & Post run stretching was the most important to maintain consistency during this challenge.  

First Official Half Marathon :-

After my 1st 21K run with MBR, I ran my next 21K with Mumbai Road Runners on 10th June, and again on Day 58: 21.5 Km. I heard about Mumbai Suburban Half Marathon and registered for this run, so for practice I ran another 21K run on 1st July. I met with Manish Sir & Reena Mam on the 8th July at the marathon venue. Manish Sir told me

Chal aaj 1.50 me karte hai (Let's do it in 1.50 today)

but I said No at that time. After sometime when I was waiting at the start point, I thought pichla 21K, 1.58 me complete kiya hai maine to 1.50 kya hai.. Let's try. So with this thought I started running and was constantly following Manish Sir & Reena Mam during the race. I started with little low pace but in second half I increased my pace and successfully completed my first official half marathon in 1.55.56. You can also check out my result from below link:- (Bib no: 2316)
https://results.chronotrack.com/event/results/event/event-41896

After one week, that is on Day 80 ran another 21K. My friend Vivek told me Now go for 25K. So I thought, if I can run 21K then why not 25K ? To achieve this, I practiced another 21K on Day 93rd. Now one week to go for 100th day. Finally on 96th day, achieved 25K also- https://www.strava.com/activities/1741529552.

Final 100th day :-

5th August 2018 was final 100th day. Although it was Sunday but I could not attend any celebration run of this 100 days of running challenge. I was running my 100th day without a single day break, this itself was a big celebration for me. I ran 25K on final 100th day- https://www.strava.com/activities/1750343125.

HDOR Certificate & Results*

*Source: https://100daysofrunning.in

Conclusion :-

If you think you can then really you can. 

I thought of doing this 100 days of running challenge and did it. Special thanks to Aashika for bringing me into this challenge. Thank you Raju Sir for running most of the time with me during this challenge. Thanks to Inder Sir, Umesh Sir, Manish Sir, Reena Mam, Dinesh Sir, DSK Sir & all MBR friends for inspiring and motivating me in some or the other way throughout the journey.

Finally with God's grace & your support, I did it. So this way a memorable & wonderful journey of 100 days running challenge 2018 edition is completed now. Hope to complete the next edition also.