365 Day Running Streak

Actually, as of today I can say 366 day running streak, but....  Yesterday marked my 1 year anniversary of when I started my running streak.  It started with the commonly known Runner's World Summer Streak
where you run everyday from Memorial Day to the 4th of July.  Then there is another streak that takes you to Labor Day.  That dies down and there is a Holiday Running Streak (Thanksgiving to Christmas day) and then a New Year's Streak (every day in January).  So, if you are not ready to think big or commit long term then you can always start with one of their smaller streak challenges.

The rules behind streaking are very basic & simple: you must complete at least 1 mile each calendar day.  It is called a running streak, but running can mean different things to different people.  I encourage people all the time to get started with walking and if that IS all they can do then that is THEIR running.  Honestly for me recently I did have to walk some of my miles.  I had a serious injury that prevented me from running, but I still laced up and walked.  Some days it was at a slow pace, but it was the best I had to give.  The main idea is to get out there and get moving.  There are 1,440 minutes in a day.  In a general sense, do you not have 30 minutes to give some time & effort to walking or running to help aid in your quest for fitness?  I know many of you can do it in less than that, so what's your excuse?  Yes, I know some/many of you have good reasons to not do this.  But if this mother of 6 children can find time for it, so can you!  Of course, if you want to look at it from a broad spectrum this can be applied to any form of fitness like biking, elliptical, yoga, lifting weights, etc. etc.  However, I will look anyone in the eye and say "no time" is no excuse!  Ok, give me a second to step down off my soap box :)

Anyway, I'm done preaching and will turn this back to me.  It is all about me, isn't it....hahaha!

I started out a year ago with my streaking.  I've mentioned it plenty of times through out the year.  It has helped keep me motivated.  It has helped greatly in my running and especially in my recovery time from some very big races.  I know it's a common mindset to "do nothing" the day after a race or long distance, but I'm of the opposite thinking.  It's helped me tremendously to get out there and get moving when I'm sore from head to toe.  I think it's one of the best things you can do for yourself.  Sure, it hurts and yes I'm twice as slow, but i do it anyway and I have seen great benefits from it.  Again, realizing that everyone is different, but I've seen where it's been one of the best things for my running.  Aside from my recent injury I have by far had the best running year of my life and I give large credit to my streaking for it.

Here is a break down of my mileage for the last year:
2012                                  2013
May - 15.9                        January - 136.6
June - 101.1                      February - 141.4
July - 127                          March - 190.3
August - 127.5                  April - 163.7
September - 106.2            May - 91.2
October - 128.8
November - 121
December - 111

That gives me a grand total of 1,569.26 miles for my 365 day running streak!  If you break that down it's *only* 4.3 miles a day.  Yeah, I know some of you want to slap for putting that *only* in there.  I know I run some crazy miles, but when you break it down I don't think it seems like that much at all.  I have a little non crazy in me too :)

(after my run yesterday)

I'm not sure where I'm going from here.  For now the streak continues.  I'm been blessed with physically being capable of getting out of bed & moving each day.  Looking over the last year I know I've had some crazy runs and I've sometimes gone to extremes to get my 1 mile done instead of just letting it go.  Someone asked me today how I became so determined.  He said, he'd never use to word stubborn or hard headed, but simply DETERMINED.  I like, no love, that word as a way to describe me.  Sure you can use other words if you want, but for now I'll stick with being determined to continue to my running streak.

Have you ever tried a running streak?

What about just committing to get moving for 30 minutes a day?  20?  10?  You have the time!  Why not get started?!?!