I just felt like running

Easy loop around the 3M trail.  We are having a 12 week fitness challenge at work.  If you complete one of several goals you get a cash prize.   The running goals (Mile under 7:20 or 5K under 32 min) aren't a challenge so I want to pick a different one this year.  I considered trying the 5K challenge but running backwards.  Several people at work said that would be showing off and discouraged me from it.   5% weight loss is one but I don't want to be focusing on that during marathon training.   The inclined walk on treadmill and the elliptical challenges don't seem challenging enough either.  The one that remains is the bench press.  For my age, I need to press 80 lbs  26 times on a Harris machine.   The bar is on a rail with bearings.  Went to the fitness center to see how far I'm away from that.  I was able to do 6 the first attempt.  I jumped over to the treadmill and did 2 miles at 8.3mph (7:13pace) and then did 7 on a second attempt.  I have a long way to 26.   I talked to some guys that lift at work and one of them thought I had a shot to get to the goal in 3 months.  The other thought I had no shot at all.   There was some talk that the bearings in the Harris machine hadn't been greased in awhile so that gives me a little hope.  The bar had noticeable resistance on the rail as it moved up an down.  I have a week before I need to commit to a challenge.  I'm sore the morning after from the 13 bench presses.  I need to get stronger regardless of what challenge I do- I haven't incorporated any lifting into my routine.