No, not that kind of streaking. My days of partying and doing something stupid like running across campus in fewer clothes than are publicly acceptable are over. I’m talking about a running streak!
In my quest for improving my pace and staying motivated, I decided to join the Runner’s World run streak, running every day from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. On Thanksgiving Day, I started my streak with a 5k. Unfortunately for me, I decided to do this after my big meal! The results were, well, disappointing, but I did it. I almost puked a couple of times, but survived. That run went about as well as I thought it would.
Since Thanksgiving, I’ve run at least a mile each day. Some days, it’s been after work when it’s already dark, so I’ve broken out my Noxgear vest. It’s so amazing! I definitely feel seen. On my country roads, it’s necessary to be visible! No one actually drives just the speed limit on the road I live off of.
Basically, I’m plugging in a mile or two on the days I don’t have a 5k or 10k run planned; my winter off-season schedule is two 5ks during the week and a 10k on the weekend. It’s a far cry from my marathon training schedule, but it gets the job done. It’s worked well for years, and makes it super easy to jump into a half marathon training plan for a spring race.
The last time I attempted a running streak, it was a few years ago. I made it about 2 weeks before I got sick, including a high fever, and that was that. I’m crossing my fingers that this time, I can make it the entire 37 days to New Year’s Day.
I’ve largely avoided running streaks in the past, fearing injury. However, my most accounts, I’m a more experienced runner at this point in my life, and I plan to keep my overall weekly mileage low to help decrease the overall stress to my older body. This week, I will only accumulate just over 18 miles. I am also planning to be done with the streak and not continue past the 37 days.
What I’m finding so far that it removes the stress of planning out of my fitness schedule. I already know I’m going to run. It’s kind of a relief. I’m also avoiding the gym, which seems to be a good thing with Covid cases on the rise again.
On some of my really short runs, I’m trying to push my pace and my cadence. It’s still disappointing that my effort seems so much faster, but my Garmin tells a different story. However, I have had some miles that are under 11 minutes, so that’s something. And I used to be able to run sub-30 minute 5ks. Sigh…
Today’s “run” was a different story. I brought my dog, Ellie. She’s ten, and she has arthritis. So our short mile turned into more of a brisk walk with some spurts of jogging mixed in. But so much fun for her with pit stops to potty and to sniff all the things.
Wish me luck that I can keep this up! Hopefully, I will emerge a stronger, faster runner!
Have you ever done a run streak? I’d love to hear about your experience! Check out the links below for more info on the running streak. As always, I hope you all are safe and healthy.
Anne the Vegan 
Aww, Ellie! I attempted to do a streak a fear years back. I think I lasted like a week and a half. Definitely think my attention span would be much more disciplined this time around! Excited to see you do this!
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Thanks, friend! It was about 4 years ago for me, too. I’m not going to put any pressure on myself to go past the 37 days, though! I think it helps that there’s a definite end date mentally.
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Agreed! Cheering you on!!
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Sounds like a good idea to keep motivated, especially during the winter. Good luck 🙂
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Thanks!
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