Let's Go Streaking – Part II:Additional Nuggets About Lacing 'Em Up Every Day

When I launched my blog back in 2008, I tried to make it more engaging with a feature called, “After the Post.” It was an insightful nugget I felt compelled to share – either feedback I received about the post and/or an additional thought I had while I was in the shower (example right – click to zoom).

After Monday’s blog post about my running streak, I received some incredible feedback that I wanted to share. I also thought about several other things worth mentioning about the experience.

Here is a quick follow-up – a new spin on “After the Post.”

INSPIRING STREAKERS

I love the fact that I’ve inspired other people to start a running streak. Unfortunately, one of those individuals recently had to stop. We traded text messages yesterday.

He wrote: “I got to 140+ days and had to stop last week due to injury (back/hip). Disappointing, but it was either keep fighting thru it or take a break and keep the likelihood of half-marathon in two weeks.”

This guys is a fighter. He’ll rally and crush that 13.1 miles.

Good luck, Mike!

'IN IT FOR THE LONG RUN'

I recently stumbled upon this wonderfully great article about "streakers." It does a fantastic job of capturing the essence of this crazy phenomenon.

Excerpt:

...life offers daily challenges and unexpected events. People get sick, get married, have kids, go on vacation, experience a death in the family, get stuck at the office, stranded at the airport, snowed in. Sometimes you just don't feel like going for a run.

The streakers still manage to run a mile every day.

"Everybody who runs every day has some stories to tell about how they kept their streaks alive," one streaker said.

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS?

I had a couple other people say they wanted to start a streak since reading my anniversary post. I think that’s awesome, BUT it’s important to know that this is NOT for everyone. You also have to be smart about it.

The United States Running Streak Association even posted a commentary, presenting the dangers of streak running.

I thought I’d offer a couple few tips of my own. These nuggets helped me get to 365 days:

• TIP 1: Only increase your mileage by 10 percent a week

If for some reason you ONLY run 7 miles one week (1 mile a day) – make sure you ONLY run 7.7 miles the next week. Apply this principle even if your running 20 miles a week and then you fall off to 12 miles the next week (For those non-math majors: You’ll increase your mileage to 13.2 after that “off week.”)

Reminder: The key is staying healthy.

• TIP 2: Plan ahead

If you know you’re going out that night – dinner, drinks, etc. – get your butt out of bed and run in the morning. Reminder: It only has to be 1 mile. The worst scenario – which I lived out several times – is running AFTER you go out. It’s on the other end of the spectrum as fun and/or enjoyable!

I was forced to do this once on a business trip to New Orleans. I was on the first flight out of Dallas in the morning – so an early run was out of the question. When I landed in NOLA, I worked ALL day. Then, my client took me out on Bourbon Street.

All I’ll say: Four beers. Two Hurricanes. Hotel treadmill. One mile. BAD! I just stared at the wall in front of me and kept whispering, “Don’t throw up. Don’t throw up.”

• TIP 3: Always remind yourself “it’s just one mile.”

Even if you’re the slowest runner of all-time – getting your run in won’t take more than 15 minutes. That completely negates the excuse: “I don’t have time.”

'OH, ONLY ONE MILE?'

Not all the feedback that I’ve received about my streak has been positive.

I can remember several occasions when I received a passive judgmental snub. It started off with intrigue and excitement, but that was quickly replaced with: “Oh, only one mile?”

I would just smile and think to myself: “I want to see YOU do it!”

Running one mile for one or two weeks is easy. Then life jumps up and tests your merit and want-to. I've always been tempted to respond with complete arrogance:

“I want to see you lace 'em up when it’s 33 degrees outside
AND raining.”

“I want to see you go run after working a 16-hour day.”

“I want to see you pound the pavement when the Mexican food you ate for dinner is brawling with the BBQ you had for lunch.”

QUESTION: WHAT IF...

I forgot to share a question my mom asked me during the last 365 days.

Mom: “What if you had to miss a day?”

Me (without hesitation): “I’d just lace 'em up tomorrow and start a new streak.”

I couldn’t imagine not running every single day. It’s a part of my life – a part that I love and cherish. I know it's going to end some day – life is cruel – but my streak of NOT running will be short-lived.

I HAVE to keep going.

Whether it’s for 8 minutes, 20 minutes or 2 hours, running gives me time to have conversations with myself, fight my demons and answer those million-dollar questions that I can’t address while sitting in front of my computer or laying on the couch watching TV. While some people refer to running as an escape from the real world, I consider it more of an exploration of myself.

This streak embodies that soul searching. The next streak will hopefully do the exact same thing.

Run on, friends!

Let's Go Streaking! I've Got 365 Reasons Why It Will Change Your Life

When I lace up my shoes and go out and pound the pavement tonight, it will mark the 365th straight day that I’ve done exactly that.

Yes, my consecutive days of running streak celebrates its first birthday today. (They grow up so fast, don’t they?)

For the last year, I have run at least one mile – Every. Single. Day.

On February 6, 2011, I stopped making excuses why I wasn’t consistently running and dedicated myself to doing it every day.

Please know that I’m not looking for praise and admiration with this blog post. I just thought 365 days was a good milestone to mention and share. After the next couple/few paragraphs, you’ll understand why I don’t deserve any special recognition. (Other words....cancel the parade.)

First of all, I didn’t invent, create and/or develop this radical way to exercise. A friend of a friend introduced this concept to me, and it simply intrigued me enough to try it out. (He didn’t invent, create and/or develop it either.)

Come to find out....“streak running” is a really big deal. I think it’s safe to say that it’s a phenomenon – complete with a governing body and a current list of “streakers.”

If you’re in the mood to give some props, reach out to Mark Covert – a 61-year-old teacher in Lancaster, Calif. He’s run at least one mile for more than 43 straight years – 15,919 days to be exact. (Probably more by the time you read this post.)

He’s not alone.

On the USRSA Active List, there are six other people grouped with
Mr. Covert in “The Legends” category, which is more than 40 straight years of running. There are 311 people on the list that have run at least a year.

I’m in the “Neophytes” division (less than five consecutive years). There are 121 other people listed in this division.

Did someone say something about a parade? I didn't think so.

– – –

Since I started the streak, I’ve run approximately 700 miles and it’s been one hell of a journey – each mile different in its own wonderfully great way.

I’ve run in the rain;
I’ve run in the wind;
I’ve run in the stickiest of humidity;
I’ve run in the snow;
I’ve run during one of the most brutal summers EVER,
And I’ve run when the only appropriate adjective
for the weather is “perfect.”

I’ve run with my dog (Cpt. Augustus McCrae was probably with me on half of my runs);
I’ve run with my son,
And I’ve run with friends.

I’ve run in five races, including two adventure races, two 10Ks and a 5K (pics right).

I’ve run first thing
in the morning;
I’ve run in the middle
of the day,
And I’ve run late at night.

Obviously, I’ve run in Fort Worth, but I’ve also run in Central, South and West Texas;
I’ve run in St. Louis (before Game 6 of the World Series),
And I’ve run in New Orleans.

I’ve run sick;
I’ve run tired;
I’ve run hurt (sprained ankle, strained calf and tight hamstrings),
And I’ve run intoxicated (fodder for another blog post).

I’ve run on the street;
I’ve run on the sidewalk;

I've run on gravel roads;
I’ve run on a school track;
I’ve run on a trail;
I’ve run on train tracks;
I’ve run on a treadmill,
And I’ve run back and forth in front of my house while my wife was out of town and my son was asleep inside.

I’ve run sad;
I’ve run pissed off;
And I’ve run over-the-top happy.

I’ve run with “popcorn head;”
And I’ve run with a completely clear mind.

I’ve run with confidence,
And I’ve run with doubt and concern.

I’ve run with joy,
And I’ve run with dread.

The point: I always ran. No matter what!

My favorite part of this new life choice are the questions that I get from family, friends and strangers. Obviously, the most common is “Why?”

Leading up to this anniversary blog post, I used my daily runs to fine-tune my answer to this specific question. It’s a four-part response:

• Reason No. 1: I love to run. Why do I love to run? Because I can!

There is something to be said about having the ability to lace up your shoes, walk out your front door, and just start running. There are a lot of people in this world who can’t do that – whether it’s physical or mental. I refuse to take the privilege and/or opportunity to run for granted.

• Reason No. 2: Like I mentioned before, I was done with excuses. Before I started the streak I was full of them:

– It’s too late

– I’m too tired

– It’s too hot

– It’s too cold

– I’m too drunk

I was sick and tired of lying to myself and saying: “I’ll just do it tomorrow” OR “I’ll start again next week.”

So I took it to the extreme.

“You bet your butt you’ll do it tomorrow,” I said to myself as I glared into the mirror, “and the next day and the next day and the next day.”

• Reason No. 3: I’ve never felt this good and/or looked this good
in my life.

When I started the journey, I weighed in at the heaviest I’d ever been: 182 pounds. (I blamed my 1-year-old son, Whataburger and Shiner Bock.) I wasn’t fat, but I wasn’t proud of how I was starting to look naked.

I was getting sick a lot, too. The little germ machine that I affectionately introduce to people as my son, Crash, was bringing home some quality microorganisms. My out-of-shape, excuse-making, sloppy-looking self was no match.

Since I started stringing days together – I’ve dropped 12 pounds. More importantly, I’ve kept it off – Whataburger and Shiner be damned. I’ve also been relatively healthy, too – maybe a sniffle or sore throat from time to time, but no more obscure, butt-kicking, my-kid-has-been-licking-the-playground-equipment viruses.

• Reason No. 4: I want to be a positive influence on my son.

About a year ago, I attended an American Heart Association event. After the luncheon, they encouraged us to write an inspirational note about the importance of working out to ourselves. They said they would mail us our message in a couple/few weeks.

My note simply said: “Dear Drew...get your lazy butt off the couch and start inspiring your son.”

Hopefully, his 2-year-old brain can process what it means to “go run,” or the fact that daddy goes somewhere everyday in his shorts and running shoes (whether I'm gone 8 minutes or 45 minutes).

This picture gives me hope. My wife recently sent it to me while I was at work. The shoes are great, but the fact he's holding my running watch, too....LOVE!


My other favorite question about my streak is: “What are you going to do after you reach one year?”

For some reason, A LOT of people thought 365 days was my ultimate goal.

It wasn't and it's not.

So to answer that confusing question: I’m going to lace 'em up and keep going.

Why?

Please see reasons above.