Posts Tagged ‘Runner’s World’

When the Runner’s World Holiday Run Streak came to an end Sunday, the next day I did what just felt right — I went for a run. Then I went for another run Tuesday. 41 straight days of running.

Today, though, as I shift my focus to Shamrock Half Marathon training, the streak comes to an end. I thought about extending it to 50 days, but that mark is no more special to me than 41. In fact, streaking isn’t all that “special” of a thing to me, but it’s a lot of fun. Those people who go for 100 days or 1,000 days, I completely understand why — it’s just not for me.

Here are some highlights of running 41 straight days:

• 3 races (the streak started with the Turkey Trot; Christmas Classic; and Jingle Bell Run)
• 0 consecutive days of only 1-1.9 miles for “rest” days
• 114.4 miles
• Weather ranging from wind chills in the teens (yesterday) to about 60
• 5 different cities and 2 states — Lynchburg, Bedford, Roanoke, and Richmond, Va.; and Asheboro, N.C.
• Wide range of times of day, from as early as about 6:30 a.m. to as late as 9 p.m.
• Ran in 2 different years
• Hit 2 big milestones — hit 1,000 miles for the year Dec. 17 and passed the most miles ever in a year on Dec. 21.

My dog, Duke, joined me for a few miles at the Peaks of Otter today.

In the past two years, one of my top moments was running at least a mile every day for a month. I learned a lot about myself in April 2010 with how to push through tired legs if I needed to, how to still get effective rest even without taking a full rest day, and how to just enjoy running.

Day 2: Peace and quiet around the lake.

I’ve thought a lot about doing a streak since then. At one point earlier this year I made it a goal to streak in June, but I pulled out of those thoughts in the last minute as I continued to build mileage after my injury.

As the end of the year approaches and I stay focused on the “end it stronger than I begin it” goal, my eyes lit up at the inaugural Runner’s World Holiday Run Streak — simply run at least a mile every day between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day to take part.

Even though I have cut back on my mileage this month, I am becoming more and more passionate about running — I know how the highs and lows can come and go, and right now I am eager to carry this high into 2012. To me, the Holiday Run Streak is a perfect opportunity to discover new things with running and to push myself at a time of the year that I’ve never really pushed myself.

My plan is as easy as the streak sounds — on my normal non-running days, I’ll stick to the 1-mile approach for a rest day. If I have to get up early to run a mile I’ll do it; if I have to wait until 10 p.m., I’ll do that too. If it rains or snows or ices, I’ll run. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I’ll run. If I drink too much, I’ll still run the next day.

Yesterday’s 5k and a run at the base of the Peaks of Otter this morning were a great way to kick this off. I’m excited about what this streak will hold as I head for two more 5ks in the next couple of weeks, as well as crossing 1,000 running miles soon. It’s an absolutely perfect way to end 2011.