Several non runners asked me why I was doing the run streak. If you're not a runner...you just don't get it. Am I right? Why would I run EVERY day? Why would I get up early for just one mile? Why would I run while I'm on vacation? Well....to answer your questions...I just love to RUN!
And it was a challenge...for myself. I completed the run streak last summer so I knew I could do it. But last summer was a little easier. I belonged to a gym so I could run on the treadmill if it was raining. My family didn't go on vacation last summer. This year...no gym membership and a week in Disney during the streak. Could I do it? Could I run every day despite the weather? Could I run while on vacation on sore walking around Disney World legs? Well people I am so PROUD to say again...I DID IT!!!! :-)
Now that the streak is over...I miss it!!! It was such a feeling of accomplishment every day when I finished that run...regardless if it was only a mile or 5 miles! I would have liked to continue to streak...but I know that my body needed a rest. 39 days is a long time!
Here are some highlights and things I learned from my run streak:
- I ran 71.67 miles during the 39 days (it would have been more but when I was on vacation I only ran a mile each day during that week).
- I ran my fastest mile in 8:37!
- I ran my fastest 5K in 29:50 (not a 5K PR but the fastest 5K I ran during the streak).
- I saw one alive snake during the streak...and it was a copperhead! YIKES!
- I ran while on vacation!!! (yes I'm super proud of this)
- My body is capable of more than I realize.
- My boys and hubby are proud of me for being a runner.
- Stretching and compression socks are key to recovery and tired, sore legs.
- Even if I didn't want to get out of bed to run...once I got out there I felt great.
- Streaking keeps me motivated to run in the hot summers here on the Gulf Coast.
- Running just one mile at a fast pace can make you stronger and faster.
I want to give a shout out to Brian from Pavement Runner for the awesome badges he created for the #RWRunStreak!!!
And I created a little collage of some of my pictures from the streak!
Runner's World also has a holiday run streak. You run at least one mile from Thanksgiving Day to New Year's Day. I've never attempted that one because I'm always in the middle of marathon training. Risk of injury is higher when I'm running more miles so the holiday streak seems more difficult to me.
Will I streak again? Absolutely! I plan on making it a summer tradition!
QOTD: Did you run the #RWRunStreak? What did you learn from it?
