Running for Books in 2019
Fun fact about me: I used to be a runner until I was sidelined by a running injury back in November 2014 (another fun fact: I jokingly blame the injury on The Turkey Incident since that was my last painless run). Other than hiking, running is my favorite fitness activity in the world and it’s been sucky to not be able to run. I decided that this year I would stop being sorry for myself & work back up to running.
Sam and I discovered last month that we both wanted to train for a half marathon in 2019, and the wheels of my brain began to turn. What if we picked a race and did it together? What if I put together a “running club” for book lovers that provided people with tools, a community of support, and accountability? A few of my friends encouraged this idea and here we are… Running for Books!
This post is as much my personal training plan as it is an announcement to invite anyone interested to join me in this adventure. If you are interested in walking, hiking, or maybe even running this year and want a support system, then keep on reading – I would love to have you join us!
Training Plans
If you’ve been around for a while, you probably know that I like to make plans for everything. So it should come as no surprise that I’ve put together a rough training plan (based on my personal needs & goals) for the year that can easily be modified.
January – March: Walk, hike, swim… just start moving!
April – May: Couch to 5k (9 week run/walk running program to build beginner runners up to running 30 minutes at once) to start a running habit
June – July: Bridge to 10k (Bridge to 10k takes c25k graduates to get them to run/walk a 10k; I might just stick with c25k runs and do long backpacking weekends)
August – November: Hal Higdon’s Novice Half Marathon program to begin training for a ~November half marathon TBD
For me personally, I am going to spend the first couple of months going on walks and hikes to get active again before diving in. Since I also personally have a goal of doing a thru-hike of the West Highland Way (96 miles) in mid-September, my own training will be a little loose but honestly, any training will be better than my half marathon in 2011 so I am not too concerned!
✨ Running / Walking Training Tracker Spreadsheet ✨
One of the reasons that I love running is that it is so easy to track and see progress, so I will to see how my mileage increases over time and thought I would put together a spreadsheet. It’s mostly automated so all you need to put in is the number of minutes and miles run/walked/hiked/elliptical’d that day. You can download this template for free from Google Drive.
Discord Server
When I polled Twitter on what would most motivate people, overwhelmingly people said they wanted to be able to chat with other participants and support one another. Same, friends. Same. So I created a Discord server for the group! I’ve added guides and links to running training programs and set up some initial channels, but really I am looking forward to shaping the server as it grows to suit the needs of everyone
If you would like to join the server, please message me on Discord (kalhalla #3464) or DM me on Twitter so that I can send you an invitation.
My Personal Accountability
In addition to the spreadsheet and having ambitious fitness goals for the year, I will be launching a new semi-regular feature here on my blog called Outdoor Adventures! This post will discuss that’s week’s hike with photos as a way to incorporate the outdoor adventure part of my life with my bookish adventures.
I think that is everything, friends! I sincerely hope that if you’ve been looking for support in getting active that this will be the gentle & loving push that you’ve been looking for because I would love to share this journey with you!
Whether you want to participate or simply boost this “running group” for lack of a better word, feel free to grab this Running for Books button designed by Kat @ Novels & Waffles!
💖 If you like the work that I do here at Reader Voracious, consider fueling my pumpkin spice latte and black tie addiction by buying me a ko-fi! ☕
Let’s go on another adventure together!
Kaitlyn
January 6, 2019 at 9:27 AMThis is a great idea! I’m hoping to get more active again (starting with yoga, then adding running in later after I have a good core base), and I think this would be perfect!
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious
January 11, 2019 at 1:18 PMI am also starting with yoga, gotta get some flexibility going (and wow is it good for my mental health!). Best of luck on your journey Kait, and let me know if you want to join the discord server!
Kaitlyn
January 25, 2019 at 6:57 PMThanks, Kal, I appreciate it! I hope your journey goes well, too. 🙂
Madam Mim
January 6, 2019 at 9:32 AMWhat a lovely idea! I’m just starting to get fit again by doing yoga and taking long walks. And while I don’t run, I love to hike so I’ll definitely be following the new feature with interest 🙂
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious
January 11, 2019 at 1:19 PMI am also starting my journey back to health & who I want to be through walking and yoga, working on up to longer hikes. Excited to have you along and I would love to hear your progress as well!
Madam Mim
January 11, 2019 at 1:27 PMThanks Kaleena 🙂 I’ll be following the posts, so I’m excited to see what happens!
Consu
January 6, 2019 at 9:40 AMI live this idea! And the discord seems a great way to encourage each other. I think I’ll give it a try 😁
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious
January 11, 2019 at 1:20 PMAwesome, Consu! I will DM you on Twitter with an invite to the discord server shortly!
Consu
January 11, 2019 at 2:13 PMThank you! I got it 😊
Rae
January 6, 2019 at 9:54 AMSo cool! I plan to increase my running in 2019, but I don’t plan to run a half. Good luck! Looking forward to your updates. 😊
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious
January 11, 2019 at 1:21 PMGood luck with your goals, love!
Rae
January 11, 2019 at 5:27 PMThank you!
peaksandpages
January 6, 2019 at 10:48 AMThis is such a cool idea! I can’t wait to see how it goes! 😊
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious
January 11, 2019 at 1:47 PMThank you so much, I started off with a bit of a bumpy start with torrential rain and the flu but I am ready to kick it’s butt!
Jessica at Booked J
January 6, 2019 at 11:13 AMI love this! I’m a runner as well (who doesn’t run as much as she used to due to an injury!) and this sounds so fun/perfect.
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious
January 11, 2019 at 1:48 PMSorry you also were sidelined for an injury! Would love to have you join us!
Arya D. @Arya's Fangirl Lexicon
January 6, 2019 at 11:15 AMWhat a great idea! I dont think i could manage a half by the end of the year but i am hoping to get back into walking and hopefully running before the year is over!
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious
January 11, 2019 at 1:49 PMI might not manage a half either given my hiking goals but I want to try regardless. Good luck with your goals!
waytoofantasy
January 6, 2019 at 12:24 PMWhat a great idea for a challenge! Good luck with it!
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious
January 11, 2019 at 1:50 PMThank you so much!
waytoofantasy
January 11, 2019 at 2:26 PMYou’re welcome!
Becca Leighanne (Bex)
January 6, 2019 at 2:33 PMI’m so excited to break this spreadsheet 😉
Really though, I’m so excited to 1) get into shape with you, but most importantly 2) SUPPORT YOU ALONG YOUR JOURNEY!
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious
January 11, 2019 at 1:53 PMYOUR COMMENT HAS ME CRACKING UP. I look to you to break my spreadsheets so I can make them better!
I love you so much thank you for your support and I can’t wait to get into shape with you this year!
Becca Leighanne (Bex)
January 12, 2019 at 12:01 PMLmao, THAT’S WHAT I’M HERE FOR.
I love you so much & you’re so very welcome!
Shruti | This is Lit
January 6, 2019 at 5:52 PMAhhh this is a great idea, Kaleena! I ran my first ever 10K yesterday and it felt so good! I also try and jog almost every day but I’d love to have a bunch of bookworms keep me accountable too. Can I join the group, even if I won’t stick to the plan until June/July (because I already jog/walk 5km everyday 😅)?
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious
January 11, 2019 at 1:54 PMShruti that is amazing, congratulations on running your first 10K! Definitely looking forward to your “experienced” running expertise and encouragement as I struggle to get off my couch!
Shruti | This is Lit
January 13, 2019 at 3:24 AMEncouragement, I can give. Expertise? I’m not good enough. I run really well for like a week and then go back to the couch. I’m so bad at this “being regular” thing. xD
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious
January 14, 2019 at 3:10 PMhahahaha I have been on the couch literally 13 out of 14 days in January. #winning over here!
betweentheshelves7
January 6, 2019 at 6:13 PMI like this idea a lot! I ran off and on last year, but I want to try to make it more consistent in 2019. This might be the perfect motivation!
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious
January 11, 2019 at 1:55 PMYes, consistency is the main thing that I want as an outcome this year! Even if I don’t run a half, if I have created a healthy and active habit, it’s a win for me. Would love to have you on the journey with us!
Never Not Reading
January 6, 2019 at 7:37 PMBest of luck to you! I know how important running is to so many people (my dad ran every day for like, thirty years before he injured himself), and I hope you get to fall in love with it all over again. I’ll be rooting for you!
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious
January 11, 2019 at 1:55 PMThank you so much, this means a lot! I definitely miss running and hope it will be as wonderful this time as in my past!
theburstingbookshelf
January 6, 2019 at 10:09 PMI love this idea. I’m doing C25K right now, I can’t wait for your updates!
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious
January 11, 2019 at 1:56 PMHECK YES, how are you doing?!
Vera
January 7, 2019 at 3:09 AMWhat a great goal to have. I’ve started running again in Q4 last year and am slowly building up both the mileage and my speed. I’ve recently noticed some niggles in my knee though so will have to make sure I do a good pre-run prep (I tend to skip muscle activation exercises as they are… boring… 😉 ) as well as start some strength training (big yawn… 😉 ). Why can’t I just run? 🙂 🙂
I’m wishing you all the best with your journey, I love the Running for Books idea, I’m rooting for you and wishing you a lot of fun on your running journey. 🙂 I’m not on Discord but will follow your updates on your blog for sure. 🙂
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious
January 11, 2019 at 2:04 PMI am also absolutely terrible when it comes to warming up and dynamic stretching, like literally the worst and that is probably why I hurt myself 4 years ago. I JUST WANT TO RUN!
Thanks so much for your support and best of luck to you on your own adventure, Vera!
Becky
January 7, 2019 at 11:19 AMI LOVE how you spreadsheet everything! Good luck with this and hope you meet your goals. My mum has just decided to do the couch to 5k as well and I think she may make me do it with her, so I’ll give you a shout on discord if I do decide to join! 🙂
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious
January 11, 2019 at 2:06 PMMuahaha, I love that everyone loves my obsessive planning and spreadsheets! Thank you so much for your support and best of luck to your mum! I’d love to have you if you decide to join her on her journey.
Nerd Narration
January 7, 2019 at 1:29 PMSuper proud of you for posting this and organizing it in such a fantastic way! I should have expected only greatness from you and I truly hope your physical and reading goals are met in 2019!! <3
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious
January 11, 2019 at 2:06 PMThank you so much for your love and support, Taylor!
Kat @ Novels & Waffles
January 7, 2019 at 9:28 PMI LOVE THIS ALREADY. Oh and LOOKIE A SPREADSHEET MADE BY THE SPREADSHEET QUEEN. You understand my soul, Kaleena, because like, is it really a complete plan without a spreadsheet? The answer is no. No it isn’t haha.
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious
January 11, 2019 at 2:10 PMIs it a program if I don’t make a spreadsheet for it?! I THINK NOT! Thanks so much for your artistic skills again for the badge and I wouldn’t have done this without your encouragement, so thank you!
Kat @ Novels & Waffles
January 11, 2019 at 3:35 PMDawwwwwww you’re welcome 🙂
2019 running goals + a running community for bookworms! – Happy Bookshelves
January 8, 2019 at 7:08 AM[…] you’re interested, check out Kaleena’s post to get […]
Norrie
January 12, 2019 at 2:10 PMDamn, this is so cool!
Good luck 🙂
I’m literally the worst when it comes to running 😀
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious
January 14, 2019 at 3:08 PMThank you so much, Norrie!