I’ve been streaking

On May 1, 2016, I set off on a run streak. The requirement is to run at least one mile every day to keep the streak alive. It’s now 365 days later and I’m proud to report I’m still running. I’ve run with a migraine, I’ve run with a hangover, I’ve run along the snow-packed roads of Michigan when we were on vacation in December. Christmas morning, Thanksgiving, New Year’s Day, Easter, my birthday. You get it.

In the past year, I have run a total of 822 miles. That’s an average of 2.25 miles per day, which I was hoping would have been a little more. My longest run over the past year came a few weeks ago when I did 10 miles. It was the first double-digit run since October 2015. So why did I start this streak in the first place? Several members of my running group, The Yellow Donkeys, embarked on run streaks and I was looking for a new running challenge. In 2014 I ran my first half marathon. My first marathon came in 2015 and in 2016 I ran all three legs on the River to River Relay (it was the first time I’d done all three).

I don’t know how long to keep this streak up. I wanted to reach a year, but with my competitive nature (believe it or not, I am competitive) I don’t want to just quit. However, I also want to add more to my fitness regimen. But ultimately, keeping the streak alive doesn’t take more than about 10 minutes a day. I am starting to feel the effects of all that road time on my ankles and knees. As I write this the internal debate grows stronger on how long to keep this up. Nevertheless, I am going to continue running for the immediate future. I want to stop on my own terms though and not because of an injury. Fellow streakers have you had second thoughts about moving forward?

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