One.....more.....mile!

One....More....Mile! Poll

2011-05-19T04:44:00.000-04:00

I want to know...if I revive One....More....Mile! how many people would be interested in participating again? I am thinking about starting this up later this year...maybe in August or September 2011....

One Month to go!

2009-11-30T23:30:00.001-05:00

One month to the start of the next version of One....More.....Mile! I will start putting notices on as many running boards as possible, but please help spread the word if you are a fan or competitor of the One.....More......Mile! Challenge!

Hear ye, Hear ye!

2009-11-02T18:27:00.002-05:00

Due to MY own laziness/business/incompetence/you pick, the November 1 target for starting up the Challenge this year passed without me doing much of anything about it. By consensus of the two people who tried to enter anyhow, we are moving the start to January 1st and I will be making much more of a hoopla about it leading up to that date so hopefully we get a fuller field than even last year, numbers wise.

Please tell your friends and cajole them into joining us!

It will be kind of neat starting it on January 1st anyhow to symbolize a new year each time! I like it. I have been thinking about designing a logo for the race with a stylized depiction of a "+1" to symbolize our goal each day. If we can get some shirts printed at a decent price maybe we can raise a few more dollars for charity this way as well.

Entry form...

2009-10-06T11:49:00.003-04:00

I will post the entry form updated for 2009 within the week...anyone who is antsy and wants to get entered in the One.....More.....Mile! Challenge for 2009 can still submit the 2008 entry form...it is right here:

Entry form 2008 still usable

The entry fee will stay the same

2009 edition getting primed up...

2009-09-15T04:11:00.003-04:00

I will put up the registration post for the One.....More.....Mile! Challenge soon...same rules as last year...same everything! Just wanted everyone to know that it is still coming...start talking your friends into joining this one with you and create mini-challenges between yourselves to see who can stay in the game the longest! I will definitely go farther this year myself!

Ten.....More.....Miles! say WHAT?

2008-12-14T15:14:00.002-05:00

I put up the website for the Ten.....More.....Miles! Challenge today...nothing extraordinary yet, but the premise and framework is there, and I will put up an entry form in the next week or so. Please comment if you have something valuable to say, either there or here.

It is at: http://10milechallenge.blogspot.com/

The Check is in the mail!

2008-12-12T11:23:00.004-05:00

I put both donations ($200 to each charity) in the mail this morning, one to Mercy Ministries in Fenton, MO on behalf of Erik and one to NAMI Hawaii, my choice to help those with mental illness and sent to Hawaii to honor Devon. He busted his ass on this challenge and now is going to have surgery on his knee which takes him out of running the HURT 100. When I receive receipts I will post them on here as well.

On another bit of news, really, Ted and I were interviewed last week and on Friday evening the local NBC affiliate channel 4 in Columbus had a news piece on about the challenge and Ted. I am trying to find a way to get and post the video on here, but right now the only source I have is Ted's DVR and I don't know how or have the equipment to convert that yet.

OUR WINNER!

2008-12-02T12:14:00.004-05:00

If you click on it, you can see why I call him HANDLEbarr Erik Barr
I don't think he wears the mustache anymore.

Erik Barr, a former co worker of mine and a resident of El Paso, TX is our winner. He ran for 31 days straight adding one more mile each day. He actually had this won yesterday at 30, but we pushed him to go One.....More.....Mile! to get to 31 and earn the doubling of the charity pot that Josh and I had pledged weeks ago. Having never even run an ultra before Erik pushed his body beyond previous limits and I would like to hear back from him one more time about how well he held up.

The result of all this running is now that 400 dollars will be going to two charities. 180 from entry fees for 9 runners. 20 dollars from Don Baun and 200 dollars from Josh and I due to making it to mile 31. 200 dollars will be sent to NAMI of Hawaii, a charity that directly helps people suffering with mental illnesses. 200 dollars will be sent to Mercy Ministries, Eric's charity of choice which helps women in desparate need in his area. I will report on the blog once the checks are sent (waiting on Josh's input) and then once receipts are received.

As per the feedback from people and via the polls on the sidebar, I will run this deal again next year, same time, same place (wherever you are!) I will also put up the "Ten.....More.....Miles! Challenge" in the next few days and post about it with a link. This will be a yearlong challenge through 2009 to increase your long run 10 miles each month, starting with 10 miles in January. This should be right up any ultra runners alley, and with the flexibility to run it ANY time in the month, should be very doable for some to stay in quite awhile....but it will have to be one long run....not a combo of different days. People will be able to walk, just like an ultra, and stop for food, bathroom, even naps if you are running, as long as you go right back to running after the nap. That kind of deal.

DAY 31 (496 miles run???)

2008-11-30T22:16:00.002-05:00

Ted has tapped out and I am putting this post up now, hoping that Erik has the juice to go two more days! We are all watching closely now Erik.....

DAY 30 (465 miles per runner)

2008-11-29T09:17:00.002-05:00

30 miles...holy keep on running crap!

DAY 29 (435 miles per runner)

2008-11-29T09:06:00.002-05:00

This is what I imagine Erik's 29th mile might look like.

29 freaking days of this! I am amazed guys. Now I believe you can go past 30. Josh, get your cash flow ready man!

DAY 28 (406 miles per runner)

2008-11-28T09:36:00.002-05:00

DAY 27 (378 miles per runner)

2008-11-26T22:53:00.002-05:00

Just One.....More....Mile! and I will be free!

Happy Thanksgiving Guys!

So you GET to spend part of your day running for others...what could be more appropriate? Thankful for our health, thankful for our friends, our families. Thankful for the perspective that pushing myself from time to time lends me. Thankful for those who inspire us (I can think of TWO real quick right now...)

Thankful for all those who have come before us to allow us to be who we are today, in our careers, in our personal endeavors whether they be spiritual, athletic, or other.

While I have your attention....

2008-11-26T01:46:00.002-05:00

I have two questions that have been bouncing around in my head...I want YOUR comments (that means regardless of who the "you" in YOUR is - please comment!)

A. The consensus for those who have voted on the sidebar looks to be that the Nov. 1 timeframe is most desired to repeat this deal next year. That being known, when do most think registration should open for the next Challenge? Right away to give people the most time to get in? Wait til sometime in 2009? What say you, the masses?

B. In deference to the abilities of some of the people who become involved in this (ultrarunners namely) I have been debating the idea of a concurrent "Ten.....More.....Miles!" Challenge that would take the following basic format:

January 2009 - MINIMUM long run of 10 miles
February 2009 - Min long run of 20 miles
March - 30 miles

and so on, until

December 2009 - Min long run 120 miles.

Same entry, same charity breakup, etc. Long run in this case should be consecutive, i.e. not separate days, but I wouldn't want to limit it to 24 hours or anything, especially for the runners who might make it past 100 miles...I would want them to feel free to walk and take 24+ hours to finish....honor system as always. Runs could occur at any time during the month, with the deadline being the last day of the month at midnight for posting.

So - I would love to hear some feedback on both A. and B. if you could just post comments in that fashion....

i.e.
A. - I think yada yada yada.
B. - I think yada yada yada.

DAY 26 (351 miles per runner)

2008-11-25T20:19:00.002-05:00

This picture just didn't need any tweaking. I liked it "as is."

Will - to help you put a face to Erik's name, you might visit my blog posts where I ran with him...

Erik Barr Run #1
Erik Barr Run #2

DAY 24 video of Ted

2008-11-25T07:36:00.001-05:00

I had to use Youtube as it is longer and wouldn't upload directly to Blogger. Thanks Ted!

DAY 25 (325 miles per runner!!!)

2008-11-24T19:01:00.002-05:00

Congratulations guys! The way I see it you guys have a ticket to beat each other senseless and REFUSE TO LOSE! as long as you like. I gotta say I think alot of people are very interested in how far you can take this, and I am one of them. Besides pushing the limits of daily endurance you are helping some good causes...remember that! (and Vince is putting together a prize package....so there is some swag too.)

DAY 24 (300 miles per runner)

2008-11-24T00:00:00.003-05:00

Signs, signs, everywhere are signs.

Yes that is right, 300 miles run by Erik and Ted WHEN they finish today. Wow. Let's remember that if either makes it to 31 miles, the pot will at least double for charity....

DAY 23 (276 miles per runner)

2008-11-22T20:58:00.003-05:00

I mean, the Michael Jordan and Lebron James photos were all out there for the taking, but this guy seemed to say "USE ME!!!!"

DAY 22 (253 miles done per runner)

2008-11-20T02:54:00.001-05:00

A message from the Sacred Church of the Holey Shoes. We are drawing interest from some pretty "high" places!

DAY 21 (231 miles run by each runner)

2008-11-19T21:32:00.004-05:00

Damn guys, you are doing something incredible here! I am very inspired.

DAY 20 (210 miles by each remaining runner)

2008-11-19T01:20:00.003-05:00

DAY 19 (190 miles run by each remaining runner)

2008-11-17T22:01:00.003-05:00

We are all rooting for you guys!!!

DAY 18 (171 miles run each)

2008-11-17T01:57:00.002-05:00

Holy Tin Man! You guys definitely have the heart! You are rocking this one out my friends! Keep going...remember, get to December and both Josh and I are upping the ante with some more cash to the charities!!!!

Published early, just for Ted!!!

DAY 17 (153 miles in for each runner)

2008-11-16T00:14:00.002-05:00

Hey! Look Pretty Now!

DAY 16

2008-11-15T17:20:00.003-05:00

Legs feeling like this yet? Today was 136 total miles run if you are still running.

DAY 15

2008-11-14T09:55:00.004-05:00

Today was 120 miles run by each runner still in the Challenge.

DAY 14 (6 runners left)

2008-11-13T22:06:00.002-05:00

Well, I wouldn't say you are ALL slow...but some of you must be slowing down now...sorry to see Josh The Pickle drop.....

On On

Today makes 105 miles each for each runner remaining. I will start including how far each runner has gone each day....

DAY 13

2008-11-13T04:03:00.002-05:00

Just think guys. It's only a half marathon...I know you all have done full marathons easy. This is cake! (don't beat me up, I am just having fun...)

Best wishes to Devon and his Grandmother.

DAY 12

2008-11-12T07:24:00.003-05:00

day

DAY 11

2008-11-11T01:22:00.003-05:00

Down to 7 runners, the "RD" dropped...

Not a surprise, I never intended to try to "win" my own thing, but I was going to go further. Was chafing a little too much for my liking and I want to heal up for an even this coming weekend I am doing called a Rogaine. It will be 12 hours on my feet from midnight to noon and I don't want to be totally miserable...so after two miles last night, I pulled the plug for me.

The 7 guys remaining all seem to have the ability to take this thing alot further though, and I am excited to watch where it goes!

One competitor suggested I make it known that you could donate to this charity thing via PayPal if that would help. If you feel like you want to make a donation and paypal is your thing, give me your email address and I will give you my paypal account info to donate to. I don't want to just post it to the blog for general viewing but will set something up if we email.

DAY 10

2008-11-09T23:35:00.002-05:00

Day number 10 fellas. Double digits have arrived.

DAY 9

2008-11-08T23:44:00.003-05:00

Later this week, I am supposed to overnight in Phoenix so I would like to say that I believe I get the time zone difference in that case (I am going to need it to run that night.) I will lose any benefit when I fly home the next day...so it is a net balance. Does anyone have a problem with that?

I would also like to say that I see that this blog is getting a fair amount of visitors/traffic. PLEASE everyone feel free to comment and spur us along to not quit...even if you aren't a competitor in this, your comments ARE welcome.

DAY 8 - Week two begins

2008-11-08T03:42:00.002-05:00

This will be a 77 mile week for all who complete it.

A SIDE NOTE

2008-11-06T18:56:00.002-05:00

I want to say that I am honored and proud to have received a donation from Don Baun to add to our total amount when the LAST (Last Athlete STanding) finally takes a day off. He really liked our event but this wasn't the year for him, he hopes to do it next year. For those unfamiliar Don is basically the architect of the modern Mohican 100 race course and a retired Forester now coaching cross country and motivating young whipper snappers like me. His blog is at: http://runforesterrun.blogspot.com/

Thanks Don! We all appreciate it! It will make the finish that much sweeter for two special charities.

DAY 7

2008-11-06T13:44:00.001-05:00

Put em down fellas...on your feet and in the comments!

And now, a word for our sponsor - VERTICAL RUNNER: Have you taken the time to check out their website? They are one of the greatest running resources in NE Ohio. A cozy (NOT cramped - cozy) running store that not only is the area's only REAL resource for trail shoes and advice, but also has about everything else you could need. Socks, jogging strollers, GPS, regular watches, nutrition and recovery needs, first aid and stretching needs, hydration packs, bottles, running publications, and a wide assortment of men's and women's clothing for all seasons.

Then on top of all that, they are not just there to sell you stuff, they ARE a large part of the local running community and organize training runs, races, and other beneficial events. They have had nutritional classes, and famous running speakers. They really have it all. If you have a chance and you are in the Hudson, OH area go check them out, they are right downtown on the main street.

DAY 6

2008-11-05T22:03:00.003-05:00

And then there were 8. I had to respect Ed's wishes and he has dropped (big race coming up, had to taper) So now we are 8. (I will edit this post if Ed rallies and walks 5 miles or something before midnight.)

I like the idea I got from Jeff for a race/event slogan...

The race where you have to be LAST to be first.

Last Athlete STanding

Closest guess to final total mileage run for charity when last runner finally takes a day off gets 50 points on my other blog. Cheesy, I know. Josh, start guessing buddy! One guess per individual.

DAY 5

2008-11-05T03:46:00.000-05:00

5 miles....

(don't quit Ed! just walk a day or two....)

DAY FOUR

2008-11-03T18:28:00.000-05:00

4 miles today people!

Has anyone run any miles on treadmill yet? I haven't seen any. Any race miles yet? Also not sure on that.

I would like to post that I think we are going to receive a "non-runner" donation to add into the pot of our donations to charity...not sure, but someone (you know who you are) indicated a relative might contribute!

Also - if you didn't see it in the comments yesterday, would everyone please state what charity you would donate to if you are the LMS? (henceforth - Last Man Standing - next year may be altered to LRS - Last Runner Standing if we get some lady runners....this year we can be sexist.)

DAY THREE (NOV 3rd)

2008-11-02T22:02:00.000-05:00

First off, can I stop putting the date in parentheses? I think we are all smart enough to at least get that through day 30 on our own right?

Collectively we have all now run 27 miles in this charity....a marathon of running so far. Tomorrow is another 27 if we all stay in! I think I just found my new sidebar item...see sidebar.

DAY TWO (Nov. 2nd)

2008-11-01T19:24:00.000-04:00

Remember to report in before midnight on this post for your two mile day!

DAY ONE (NOVEMBER 1ST)

2008-10-31T12:18:00.000-04:00

Please report your run by midnight EST in the comments below to stay in the challenge! (If you live in another time zone (say HAWAII!!) I will accept midnight your time zone.

Let the game's begin! If you haven't read the comments from the previous post, we have a pledge of an additional $60 from Josh if anyone makes it to December (31 miles.)

One.....More.....Day!

2008-10-31T00:08:00.000-04:00

With one day to go, I received another entry from my friend and former coworker from TX, Erik Barr. Will anyone else join us or will 8 be the total???? It is not too late, if you have your entry POSTMARKED by Nov. 1st (Saturday)

I can't wait.

This is how it is going to start. Friday I will put up a post with the title "DAY ONE" and each entrant simply comments BEFORE MIDNIGHT, that you have run your mile for the day. Preferably give a simple description....(trail, treadmill, etc...) and so on. I will put up the posts for each day (sometimes a few at a time in case I am going to be busy) and simply put your comments under the appropriate day. Should be easy to track. If anyone makes it into December - i.e. 30+ miles, then I will personally double the donation that the winner gets to send to their charity. (UNLESS I get like 20 entries tomorrow, I can't afford that.) As it stands with 8 entrants that is 160 dollars total and 80 will go to NAMI and 80 to the winners choice, unless they go past 30 miles, then 160 to their charity. Make it an ultra and I will make an ultra donation for you!

Clarify

2008-10-21T15:12:00.000-04:00

I had someone ask me the question of whether it is too late to sign up...the answer is

NO!

The rule that will be followed is as long as your entry is postmarked by Nov. 1st then you are good to go. If you mail your entry right at the cutoff, then just enter your mileage as normal and I will watch for your postal entry.

Once Nov. 1st gets here, I will put up a post each day titled like "DAY ONE....." and the runners (or WALKER's!) job is to simply post a comment to that post each day before midnight. Midnight will be a hard cutoff...the only exception I can imagine is if you tell me ahead of time you are in an ultra or something and unable to post. I can post it for you in that case. You CAN have someone else log in and post your miles for you if you cannot get to an internet connection. Just have them put it under your name...

Nudge your friends and running partners to join this along with you! The more names on the list will make it more fun to watch it dwindle day by day.

Mike

PS question - does anyone think they would have preferred to enter by combination of email and PayPal? I have that available if that would have been helpful, but hadn't thought of that yet.

Let's go runners!!!

2008-10-17T12:04:00.000-04:00

Some of you have told me you are going to be doing this and I haven't seen the entries. They need to be postmarked by Nov. 1st to enter. If you mail it last minute and email or tell me I will put you on the list and give you credit as you post runs the first few days, but it has to be postmarked by Nov. 1.

This doesn't have to interfere with any other running plans and you don't have to plan on winning to join and have fun!

Rule Mod....

2008-10-02T11:02:00.000-04:00

After talking to an ultrarunner friend, I think it makes sense to modify one of the rules. Once this shindig starts - would some of you all please sign up who said you were - it will be allowable to do the runs in separate times of the day. For example, on day 8 you CAN do 4 in the am and 4 in the pm as long as you post them all be midnight. This lets people have a shot at making it further into this deal who are forced to run separate runs each day due to work and family.

As an aside, if we can get 10-20 runners signed up (or MORE!!!) then I hope that it will come down to a duel between two runners at the end, neither of which is willing to give up and quit.

If you are interested and going to join, please do so before it is too late, and please spread the word. The more names we can have to watch, the funner this will be! And the more it will benefit the charities of course.

!!!SPONSOR!!!

2008-09-14T02:05:00.000-04:00

Vertical Runner of Hudson, OH

The great folks at Vertical Runner of Hudson, OH have agreed to sponsor the One.....More.....Mile! Challenge in the form of some sort of prize package to the "last runner standing" (geez, would that be the "last VERTICAL RUNNER?")

I don't know what it will be, but am very grateful that they (by they I mean Vince) are willing to step in and support this charitable effort. I hope to get a flyer into their store advertising our challenge and wanted to recognize them on here for their generosity!

Thanks Vince, Mel, Steve, and the others their at VR!

PS - haven't had any entries in a little bit...who is going to step up and be next?

Entry #4

2008-08-30T16:14:00.001-04:00

Entry #4 is Ed Kirk from Kentucky. He claims that he doesn't think he will go TOO far, but I will take all who say that with a grain of salt or two.

I have had an email switch and am not on the ultralist just yet with the new email, but I hope to get another email out to the list, and to post on some running boards too. We are around two months from the start of this and I am really excited to see how it goes. Please share and encourage friends to participate even if they don't think they will go "TOO far..."

2008-08-21T13:17:00.001-04:00

Entry #2 received. Michael Ward. I am thinking, maybe runners should PREdeclare their charity of choice should they be the last man standing....what says the masses?

Entry #3 will be me, and I have 4 people (anonymous) who have said on the poll on my other blog that they will be entering....

The Entry

2008-08-11T11:10:00.000-04:00

Please print out this entry and return no later than October 25th to be entered into the One.....More.....Mile! Challenge. Make check payable to Michael Keller with a note in the memo line that it is for the One.....More.....Mile! Challenge. After the last man running bows out and the charities receive their money, the notes of receipt (and hopefully thanks) will be scanned and posted onto THIS blog to certify the funds were distributed as promised.

2008 ENTRY FORM

Name

Age on 11/01/08 Gender

Address

Birthdate

City/County/St/Zip

Phone

Entry Fee: $20.00

Waiver: I hereby for myself or executors release Michael Keller and any sponsors or affiliates from all claims of injury, damage and courses of action whatsoever growing out of my participation in this challenge for charity, and hereby certify that I am physically fit to participate in this challenge.

Signature: Date
Parent must also sign if runner is under 18 years of age:

One.....More.....Mile! Challenge Web site: http://1milechallenge.blogspot.com

Mail to: Michael Keller

224 Cantwell Ct.

Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

The Challenge

2008-08-11T01:39:00.001-04:00

Who will go ONE...MORE...MILE?

Starting on November 1st (henceforth DAY 1) of this year, the challenge is to begin with a one mile run and add one mile to that total daily for as many days as possible. There can be no breaks, in other words, each consecutive day, the runner must add one more mile to the total from the day before. Why? The purpose is to develop as much off season fitness as possible, but also to raise money for a charity of the last runners choice. Walkers ARE welcome, you just have to complete the miles consecutively, i.e. no extended breaks more than a potty break, etc. The speed you take to do it is your choice.

The fee for entry into the challenge will be 20 dollars per runner. ALL collected monies will be distributed to charity - 50% will go to the charity of the final runners choosing (in the event of a final day tie the winners will split the 50% to their charities) and the other 50% will go to NAMI - The National Alliance on Mental Illness - the charity of my choosing, because I will do the challenge tracking and setting up of this site (and I had the idea damnit!) If any runner wants to donate items such as t-shirts for the challenge (Wild Bill?) or a medal or trophy for the winner, please contact me and we will arrange it (along with an ad somewhere on the blog for you! whooo!)

Basic Rules:

The run must be started AFTER 12:00 am (local time zone for the runner) each day and completed and REPORTED by 11:59:59 Local time for the entrant that same day - NO overlapping whatsoever. This means you must end your run in time to get to a computer and report your run to this blog by means of a comment to the blog page. There will be no exceptions for any reason on the reporting rule. Internet outage, power outage, etc....

It will be an honor system as runners will be in various locations, and the run may at any time be longer than the days assigned mileage without any penalty, but must at minimum meet the minimum miles for whatever day of the challenge we are on (i.e. day 12 - 12 miles, day 30 - 30 miles, etc.)

Runs may occur as part of any organized race without penalty, so you will not need to skip any running event planned. Contrary to an original rule, runs MAY be split up and run at separate times during a day...all the miles just have to add up during THAT calendar day.

The running surface and venue is of the runner's choosing. Track, Treadmill, Trail, all are acceptable, just be sure you run the day's mileage wherever you are. In your report via comment indicate what surface (Track, Treadmill, Roads, Trails) you ran on that day. The entrant may also WALK as many (or all) of the miles on any day, as long as they are covered on foot, no bicycles, skateboards, elliptical machines, etc. etc. Walking is a good tool to prevent fatigue from accumulating for anyone unaccustomed to multi day events.

All entry forms and fees must be received no later than October 25th and each runner completing will be listed on a sidebar of the blog page and weeded out as people drop. A comment when dropping is encouraged but not mandatory as I will see when you don't comment and remove you. The admittedly basic entry form is posted to the blog. If it makes you feel special each day, dig out one of your old bibs from a race and you can be whatever number you like!

So - who has the balls to go one..... more..... mile? And how far can this thing be dragged out? I am curious to see who will get past the marathon and where it will stop.