Pile on the Miles 2009

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I feel like Meghann – my lunch consisted of a bunch of random items thrown into a salad bowl! 🙂

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The star of my salad was a pomegranate.  I love how POMs are so time-intensive to cut open, but in the end, you have 2 cups of arils to show for all your hard work!

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How to cut open a POM fruit (without ruining your shirt).

 

My salad consisted of:

 

  • Green lentils (cold)
  • POM arils
  • Feta cheese
  • Carrots
  • Lettuce

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It was an unusual combination, but it worked!  I think the feta cheese balanced the salty flavor of the lentils and the sweetness of the arils.

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I had a serving of crackers on the side.

 

I also snacked on a mini Glo Bar this morning:

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The Second Annual PILE ON THE MILES 2009 Challenge

 

Last November, I signed up for Bobbi’s Pile on the Miles Challenge.   I’m really excited to help her host this blogger/reader challenge again!

 

It’s almost part of the holiday season to slack off between November and December, and then vow on January 1 to get back on track.  It’s hard to stay focused on your workout and eating goals when there are office parties, family dinners, and Christmas cookies at every turn.  But this year, let’s try something new.  Instead of piling on the pounds, let’s PILE ON THE  MILES!

 

Last year, Bobbi’s event had amazing results.  As a group, we piled  on 1,763.52 miles!  In third place was Lacey @ Common Objects and Everyday Events with 127 total miles; in second place was Monica @ Run, Eat, Repeat with 131.38 total miles; and the winner, Sammie @ Running With A Recipe, ran 135.78 total miles!

 

From November 1 to Thanksgiving, keep track of how many miles you run or walk.   We’ve created a group Google Document so you can post your miles on the spreadsheet.  Be honest!  🙂

 

To ensure everyone has a chance to win, we’ll be selecting three winners this time. 

 

  • The Grand Prize winner will be based on total mileage.
  • To qualify for the General Entry category, all you have to do is pile on at least 10 miles during the month of November!
  • To qualify for the Operation Beautiful entry, you must spread the Operation Beautiful love while out on your runs.  Get creative – carry chalk with you, bring post its, or write it in the sand.  But you’ve got to take a picture and e-mail it to me! 

 

We’re working on pulling together some amazing prizes for the winners!

 

Last year I piled on 67 miles as part of Bobbi’s POTM 2009 challenge.  This year, I’m aiming for 100 miles.  🙂

 

The POTM 2009 Challenge is a great way to stay motivated, participate in the blog world, have fun, and be healthy during the holiday season! If you’d like to participate, e-mail me at seebriderun@gmail.com and I’ll send your the link to the Google Document spreadsheet.  You have until October 31, 2009 to enter!

 

  • Note 1: I am double checking with Bobbi, but I’m 99% sure that you must physically RUN or WALK the mileage.  Biking, elliptical, swimming, etc is awesome, but it cannot count for this challenge because then we have to do all sorts of weird calculations.  Yes, POTM is a runner-specific challenge, but I still love all you non-runners, too.  🙂
  • Note 2:  You don’t need a blog to enter – anyone can!

 

POTM 2009!  Remember, if you want to participate, you must e-mail me (seebriderun@gmail.com).

{ 82 comments }

 

  • Juicy Jessy October 26, 2009, 1:10 pm

    nice! i’ll definitely will be joining! i’ll email you rightaway! too bad i’m not training for a marathon right now (next one will be in April :-))

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is October 26, 2009, 1:11 pm

    Ummm…do I have to run for pile on the miles? Because my total would be about 2.

  • Jenna October 26, 2009, 1:14 pm

    great POTM challenge!!
    jenna

  • Juicy Jessy October 26, 2009, 1:15 pm

    oh yeah… when is thanksgiving? haha we don’t celebrate that 🙂

  • Ginny October 26, 2009, 1:18 pm

    Just sent an email to sign me up. I love this kind of challenge. Thanks!

  • Mary @ Fit this girl October 26, 2009, 1:19 pm

    Wow!! What a wonderful incentive!! I am IN!

  • Gloria October 26, 2009, 1:19 pm

    do you think the latest “Hangry Pants” post is taking a dig at you in any way?

    • caitlin October 26, 2009, 1:27 pm

      no. heather and i are friends and she’s not the type of person to make blog-digs at other people anyway. i think she’s just going through a troublesome time.

  • chandra October 26, 2009, 1:21 pm

    Awe, I TOTALLY want to join POTM but I’m not sure when I can start running again! 🙁 I miss running and it’s only been a week, I have no idea how you did over a month!

  • MelissaNibbles October 26, 2009, 1:24 pm

    Fun! I’m in!

  • Brie (The Fit Bride) October 26, 2009, 1:25 pm

    I’m in!

  • Matt October 26, 2009, 1:26 pm

    Finally a challenge I am good at 😉

  • Madeline @ GreensAndJeans October 26, 2009, 1:27 pm

    I wish my biking miles would count!

  • Abby October 26, 2009, 1:28 pm

    ohhhh man! I REALLY want to do it but I can’t with this freakin’ broken foot!!!!!!!!!

  • brandi October 26, 2009, 1:32 pm

    what a fun lunch combo! I love pom.

    I definitely want to do this challenge. I don’t know how much I can do, but I’ll give it my best!

  • Amy October 26, 2009, 1:33 pm

    Oooh, yay! Consider me in 🙂

  • Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) October 26, 2009, 1:35 pm

    I emailed you because I definitely need a running motivator and this challenge fits the bill. 🙂

  • Priyanka October 26, 2009, 1:38 pm

    Does a running and walking combination qualify?????

    • caitlin October 26, 2009, 1:40 pm

      yes, as long as you are on your feet, it counts 🙂

  • Joelle (The Pancake Girl) October 26, 2009, 1:40 pm

    Oh man, I want to do this challenge! I need to fix my bum foot first, though. :/ Does walking on crutches count? Lol.

  • Diana October 26, 2009, 1:41 pm

    That salad may be a little random but it looks good!

  • megan October 26, 2009, 1:41 pm

    I’m glad you said run or walk! Once it gets cold, I definitely don’t run, but I do try to walk every day. My normal workout is on the elliptical, but maybe I”ll switch to the treadmill so that it will count…

  • ari October 26, 2009, 1:41 pm

    i can’t run that often cause it hurts my knees 🙁 can i count the miles that i ellipticalled or step milled?

    • caitlin October 26, 2009, 1:46 pm

      im checking with bobbi but im guessing the answer is it must be run or walk. will let you know via an update to the blog post.

  • Lauren October 26, 2009, 1:43 pm

    You are so lucky you went on that Pom tour. That must have been great to learn so much about Poms and learn how to open them. I need to find me some pomegranates!

    Can’t wait for the POTM Challenge!

  • Priyanka October 26, 2009, 1:46 pm

    Yay I am in this is just the motivation I needed!!

  • Jane October 26, 2009, 1:52 pm

    Hi Caitlin, do you need to have a blog in order to enter this challenge?

    • caitlin October 26, 2009, 1:53 pm

      nope! the more, the merrier!

  • Ali October 26, 2009, 1:55 pm

    OOh fun! It gets pretty dang cold in Wisco during the next month, and I hate running the treadie, but its a def. possibility!

  • Jane October 26, 2009, 2:01 pm

    Yay! I am very excited for the challenge, what a terrific idea!!

  • Sara October 26, 2009, 2:01 pm

    I’m so excited!!! I want to participate!!

  • chandra h October 26, 2009, 2:07 pm

    I’ve emailed you 😀

    looking forward to november 1!!

  • Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance...after a 100+ POUND weight loss! October 26, 2009, 2:23 pm

    What a great idea & challenge!!!

    I know I am worried a bit about the holidays….as I am sure every women is and this is a great way to stay motivated, though I am not sure I can achieve 100+ miles in 3 weeks, YIKES!!!

    But I will do as many as I can.

    Good Luck Everyone!!!

  • Amy October 26, 2009, 2:27 pm

    Aww man, I just ran a marathon yesterday — can those miles count?!? 🙂

    No doubt, I am participating in this — I had a severe inability to calculate my mileage until last week when I got a Garmin! So, I am all about keeping track of my mileage now. Sounds like a fun challenge!

  • Lizzy October 26, 2009, 2:34 pm

    this sounds like so much fun! i think i’m going to enter! great challenge!

  • Jess (Fit Chick in the City) October 26, 2009, 2:34 pm

    Love it! Count me in!

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) October 26, 2009, 2:36 pm

    Love the POM salad!

    I’m in for POTM! 😀

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) October 26, 2009, 2:41 pm

    I bought a POM yesterday, so I will have to refer to those instructions for how to open one and take the goodness out without staining my shirt!

  • Jenny Eastwood@ JennyLikesToRun, On a mission to run a marathon to fundraise for The Breast Cancer Foundation October 26, 2009, 2:45 pm

    I love this idea! I’m in!
    What a great way to stay motivated 😀

  • Julie October 26, 2009, 2:45 pm

    what a great challenge .. I am getting ready for a 5k on THanksgiving morning .. This will really keep me motivated with my exercise schedule until then .. thanks 🙂

  • Lo October 26, 2009, 2:48 pm

    this is just what i need to get my running groove back!

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat October 26, 2009, 2:50 pm

    This is a great challenge!

  • ashley October 26, 2009, 2:59 pm

    Great challenge!

    Also, I was wondering what kind of bread you normally use for your toast and such? I’m looking for a good, lower cal bread. Thanks!

    • Caitlin October 26, 2009, 3:00 pm

      i like arnold or nature’s path whole wheat bread. they are both 100% WW and have about 100 calories a slice. a good alternative is the arnold sandwich thins, they have 100 calories for the entire sandwich bun.

  • Ali @ Food, Fitness, Fashion October 26, 2009, 3:00 pm

    YAY! I am so excited for this challenge!!!!!

  • Laura @ Backstage Pass to Health & Happiness October 26, 2009, 3:13 pm

    A fun challenge!

  • Anne Marie@ New Weigh of Life October 26, 2009, 3:22 pm

    I love thrown together salads like that-sometimes they are the tastiest 🙂

  • am October 26, 2009, 4:58 pm

    What weekend is American Thanksgiving?

    • Caitlin October 26, 2009, 5:03 pm

      Thursday, November 26th

  • sirenjess October 26, 2009, 5:51 pm

    Sounds fun and it’s perfect timing for me since I’ll be training for Boston.

  • D October 26, 2009, 6:02 pm

    Hi, I’ve posted a few times and as always, I love your blog 🙂

    About two months ago I went on my “long run” of the week (11 miles) and ended up with an achy knee that progressed to actual pain on my following runs. I couldn’t do more than 3 miles for a while, and even opted out of a race I had signed up for because I was too scared, upset and concerned to attempt it. After a couple of weeks off, I tried again and got a knee brace, iced, etc, but the pain never went away. I ran tonight for the first time in 3 weeks ( I have been crosstraining) and while there wasn’t pain, I still feel hesitant. I’ve never experienced this before, and I followed your blog as you went through a similar frustration. The only thing that is keeping me positive is seeing you complete double digit runs!! My question is this – how did your knees feel in the “introductory” runs followingg your hiatus? Is a slight achiness okay? I am wearing a knee brace and icing, as well as taking it slow for a while. My “injury” occurred at the end of 2 months of intense running (almost every day, usually more than 5 miles. I also didn’t follow the 10% increase rule at all). I’d love some advice on how you FELT when you started again, physically. Thanks so much!

    • Caitlin October 26, 2009, 6:07 pm

      i am sorry you have knee pain 🙁

      i FELT physically slow and sluggish. my pace had dropped almost 1 minute/mile. but my knees felt normal. no pain or discomfort or weirdness. they really shouldnt feel achy or sore still. it might mean they aren’t 100% ready for running.

      remember that when i start to run again i did like, 7 miles in a week TOTAL. and then 9. and then 10. VERY SLOWLY. i would take it easy for the rest of the week (if you just ran today) and try again next week and see what happens. as you know, its very easy to injury yourself and not very easy to heal. slow and steady DEFINITELY wins the injury race.

      good luck 🙁

  • Susan October 26, 2009, 6:43 pm

    My weekly mileage is still pretty low BUT I will be doing this in spirit! I’ve already committed to Angela’s “Project Snow” so I have no plans on cutting back on running as it gets cold out. I also have no plans on skimping out on spin class and weight lifting through the holiday season. If anything, I could use it as an excuse to take a break from my family! 😛

  • chandra h October 26, 2009, 6:55 pm

    hey caitlin! quick question about tracking POTM mileage. i don’t have a garmin or pedometer or any way to track exact mileage, and i usually walk/run outside on the street or on paths, not on a track or a treadmill. to get a general idea of my distance i say 10 minutes jogged = 1 mile and 15 minutes walked = 1 mile. is that way ok for POTM?

    • Caitlin October 26, 2009, 6:56 pm

      yes 🙂 its all based on scout’s honor, so just try to be accurate in your guesses.

      you could also use google earth!

      • Runningwriter October 27, 2009, 7:02 am

        http://www.mapmyrun.com/ is another useful site for mileage tracking and you can save routes there.

        I’m excited about POTM, I’ve emailed Bobbi already!

  • Jesse October 26, 2009, 11:17 pm

    Hi!

    This sounds like a great way to stay motivated to keep up with the 1/2 marathon training I’m doing and to stay motivated to stay on track during the holiday season!

    I’m gonna email you right now to participate!

    Thanks!!!

  • katherine October 27, 2009, 7:44 am

    This sounds like a great challenge – thanks for organizing it! You’ll be seeing an email from me soon.

    Hope the book drafting is going well!

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