The final week of Project 90 is here. What I’ve learned is invaluable. Everything about the program will go into my bag of tricks.
Without having someone with you daily, the program does a superb job of not allowing you to feel like you’re out there on your own. I attribute that to the forward thinking of the staff.
There are weekly topics focusing on something that we have considered or questioned. It could be something we thought we were doing correctly, but we were doing it incorrectly.
That’s okay. Failure is part of running. That may sound pessimistic, but you learn to do better as a result of what you do wrong. Even with knowing it takes time and diligence to fix the problem. Creating good habits is key. Remain consistent in your efforts.
Take me getting injured as an example. I hated the feeling and wouldn’t have truly understood why, if it didn’t happen. Project 90 didn’t miraculous heal my injury, however, it has helped me continue to run without injury, which is equally as important to me.
I was oblivious to chaffing, but once I found out I never leave home without Aquaphor. I once thought I was impervious to blisters. That was proven wrong during my second marathon. I tried a few things and was introduced to Swiftwick socks and have been blister-free ever since.
These solutions have worked for me, but it doesn’t mean they will work for everyone. There are other ways to deal with injuries, numerous anti-chaffing products exist, and there are a smorgasbord of socks. Reading reviews is a great way to get an idea, but become your own tester. No one knows how the proposed solution will work for them until they try it.
After The Endurance Challenge, I hope everyone will continue running. The fall brings cool temperatures and less daylight. Lights and reflective gear are imperative. Be safe out there. November is National Running Safety Month. Many brands have gear designed to help you run safely. Reflective vests, apparel, and blinking lights are some of them. If you’re running at night or in the morning, it’s imperative to be seen.
Another crucial piece of gear is some type of identification. I don’t run with my drivers license. I wish I was running fast enough to need to. In the event something happens, I want to help people help me. I wear an ICEdot band, which stands for In Case of Emergency.
It’s a nifty piece of equipment, as is their Crash Sensor. I’m not a cyclist, but if I was, I’d have one. Road ID, 1BandID, and Yikes ID are other companies that have identification bands and other products. They are great for running, but I wear mine all the time. Accidents can happen at any time. 
The final week will be bittersweet. The Project 90 team has sent out an e-mail about race week preparations. Additionally, they will be sending out daily e-mails with videos and other tips from the trainers to get everyone ready for the big day.
Hopefully with my bag of tricks bigger, I’ll remain off the injured reserve list and I’ll be able to be more consistent. Project 90 has afforded me an alternative. It’s up to me to take advantage of it.
