I celebrated it with a 5K run, 3 scoops of ice cream, and new Lululemon Speed Shorts.
If you have been following along you'll know that I initially took on a challenge to run at least 1 mile a day every day in 2012. Well, when 2012 came to an end I just kept running. I wasn't sure how long I was going to do this run streak but trying to stop became harder than going out an running every day. 366 days became 400 and once I got to 400 I decided 500 was a nice round number.
There were a few days when I was going to stop. And I wasn't going to stop because of injury or illness..I was going to stop because it seemed just a little crazy to be running every day for 400 something days. I had two friends who kept me going, Kathy and Dee. Kathy messaged me a couple of times to keep going and Dee put the idea of going for 500 in my mind. These two gals have been friends of mine forever and have been nothing but supportive in my crazy quest. We all need cheerleaders in our lives and I am lucky to have these 2!!!
Anyway, every time I was about to stop I came to my senses and went out and run. There were two nights that I fell asleep, woke up, and bolted out of bed for a 9pm run. On those days I have to thank the hubby who either ran with me or understood my crazy need to go out and run. I am lucky to be married to a man who totally gets that I am goal-oriented and will go to crazy ends to complete something that I set out to do.
This 500 day journey has taught me a lot about myself. I have learned that I am strong, stubborn, and can pretty much accomplish anything I set my mind to. This journey has made me mentally tough. I remember the day after the North Shore marathon. I was in the worst pain of my life and I somehow hobbled 1.5 miles through the pain. Hopping, shuffling, sometimes walking, I pushed through and was mentally stronger than I was physically strong. It is empowering to know that my mind can pull me out of such situations, and as a marathon runner it's important for me to know that I can rely on my mind to pull me through.
Another thing I learned in this journey is that planning is everything. I am a very busy mom of two, I coach, I have a part-time job, and I give in to my kids' every whim. Therefore, I always had to have a plan in my head about when I would run. Football season that coincided with soccer season was always tricky. I would either have to wake up early and run before everything started, or run after the football game was over. Sometimes I would come home from work and run a fast mile because we had plans in the afternoon. This taught me that if it is important you WILL find a way. I will never again complain that I don't have time to work out because the truth is, is that EVERYONE has time to work out. You just have to make it a priority and plan accordingly.
I know the big question now is, "How much longer are you gonna go?" To be honest, I have no plans. I will keep running because it is my passion and my mind craves the quiet calm it gives me. I do, however, want to take a break from the slight pressure the streak has put on me. But like with all things in my life I will take it as it comes.
So, the stats from my run streak are as follows:
500 days running at least a mile
Last rest day was December 26, 2011 and before that it was November 29, 2011
Total miles run:
2011 streak: 24 miles
2012 streak: 1764 miles
2013 streak: 629 miles
Total miles in streak: 2418 miles
Average miles run per day: 4.83 miles
I have also run 2 marathons, 5 Half Marathons, and a number of 10 ks and other races in this time period (24 total).
Thank you everyone that has cheered me on and supported me in this endeavor. I dedicate this streak to my family and especially the light of my lives: Dannik and Noah :)
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