Three hundred sixty five days ago, I started run-streaking with a group called “Streaking With The COOL Kids.” It was supposed to be for the month of June, in honor of Global Running Day, and I figured that I could definitely manage to run, walk, or jog one purposeful mile per day for 30 days. One month become two and two became three, and I decided to see how far I could go.
How Did My Run-Streaking Start?
I had seen the @StreakingWithTheCOOLKids hashtag on Instagram, but I was pretty sure I would never really get myself involved in an actual 30 day streak. However, it occurred to me that while I don’t run every day, I do walk every day I’m not running. Suddenly, a crazy idea became not so crazy. With my subpar ankle, daily movement is pretty necessary, and I liked the idea of having a quantitative goal.
What Was The Easiest Part Of The Streak?
Since I broke my ankle, my body needs movement to keep from stiffening up or aching. Coordinating that need with a run-streaking initiative just made sense.
What Was The Most Challenging Part Of The Streak?
To be honest, one daily mile wasn’t a huge change to my schedule. It was hard when the weather was bad, or when I wasn’t feeling great, but I could put it off until later in the day or walk the pugs (they can do a mile if conditions are mild) so it wasn’t that big of a deal. I found vacation and travel days to be the most difficult. Vacations meant getting up super early so I could walk or run before departing on a trip or before the family woke up to explore for the day.
Summer camp with the Scouts was tricky, too – there was plenty of space to walk, but I had to find the time to make it work.
What Was Gained From Run-Streaking?
Over the course of 365 days, I logged 1,813 miles. That’s a pretty solid number. I also found myself dedicated to hitting at least one mile a day. This was a fantastic habit and I really appreciated having something to work towards, even on days when I wasn’t feeling super motivated. I confess that I didn’t make much use of the Facebook group geared towards the run streakers, but that’s ok. It didn’t negatively impact my streak.
Will The Streak Continue?
Jen (@PinkCupcakeGirl), the founder of this particular run-streaking movement, has bowed out after eight years of streaks. That’s a pretty impressive legacy, and I was sad to see things come to an end. Then three more runners, Kristin, Stephany, and Kait, stepped up and said they would take over, so… I guess I’m back in. At least for the month of June. If I can make it through summer, then we might be on for a second year.
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Have you ever gone run-streaking? Will you join this year?
Impressive streak! Good for you for setting goals and sticking to them. I love the idea of daily movement. Happy global running day
To you too!
Well done, Jen! I can see you easily doing this for another year. In fact, you might break PinkCupcakeGirl’s 8-year streak!
One mile a day is very doable, although some situations can be challenging as you describe.
Ok, 8 years is a lot! But it’s a goal!
Congrats on making to to 1 year! I always feel better when I get outside for some movement, but like you said sometimes it can be hard to find the time.
It means getting up early every. single. morning. And that’s no fun.
I somehow didn’t realize you were on a streak, but looking back it does make sense. i remember you getting those walks in at boy scout camp! Nice job- a year is impressive. Funny how you initially thought you couldn’t do 30 days, and here you are starting on your second year. I’m sure your ankle is happy!
LOL! Yes. I was kind of quiet about it, just because I didn’t think it would be a winner, but here we are. My ankle is just never happy, but it’s happier than doing nothing.
Congrats on your streak! You racked up some big miles! I don’t think I could maintain a streak–I don’t have the desire, which I guess is the most important thing, lol
The walking helps, and worst case scenario, I can just walk the dogs and that will get my mile. And yes, desire definitely helps.
It can’t be easy to get out there in the Summer in FL so great job! It’s very rare that I don’t walk outside, but it happens & I’m ok with that.
Looking forward to see what happens for you going forward!
Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…Compassion: May 2022
It’s awful. We are used to it, but it sucks.
Congrats.
It’s great that you can substitute walks for runs.
I probably run or walk everyday but I couldn’t want to commit to it.
I do agree, my ankle feel better than I do something everyday.