Well, we’ve been here before.
365 days (and counting) of running every day.
The first time I did it was in November 2018. And that time I kept going for another (almost) five years.
This time feels different, but before I explain why, let’s first look at how the last year has gone.
Why I Started Streaking Again
As my training for the Chicago Marathon was winding down last September and October, I knew that I wanted to start a new running streak when it was done.
I missed it because of the constant opportunity of success it provided. A bad run or a bad race? I could always fix that on the next day’s run. And, as the streak continued to grow, there’s additional satisfaction in knowing that, no matter what was going on or how I felt, I had now run every day for however many days.
So, eventually, I decided ‘why not start the new streak the day before the marathon and then continue on?’.
And, that’s what I did.
The day before the marathon last October (the 12th), I ran a few miles in Chicago; then, I ran the marathon the next day and when I woke up the next day, I ran again.
And every day since.
That’s all it takes to get started.
Early Days
It didn’t take very long to get back in the routine of running every day. After all, it had only been about a year since my 2,153 day running streak ended in October 2023.
As the weather got cooler and colder, I was really starting to enjoy it. Running on snowy or icy days was a little tricky, but I managed those.
As we got towards Christmas and the New Year, I started to increase the mileage, with the help of the annual Dad Bod Jog Club 12 Days of Running Challenge in December followed by getting ready to run half marathons in Las Vegas and Washington, DC in the spring.
After a bout of fatigue right before Las Vegas, I rallied and had a good time running the 5k and half marathon down the Strip. Then, two weeks later, it was something a little closer to home – the Rock n Roll DC Half Marathon, where I met up with some new friends before the start and then spent the whole race following them around the course!
Around that time, I also decided to take on my biggest challenge to date – training for a 100km trail race in England in July. Adjusting to a new terrain as well as a new mindset, I enjoyed the increase in mileage, effort and difficulty.
After completing my first 50km trail race in May, I really struggled to progress from there with my training, and it started to feel like a 100km race maybe wasn’t the best idea for right now.
With my confidence taking a bit of hit, I decided to defer my 100km race.
Running Free in England
The decision to not run Race to the Stones was a difficult one, but I was still taking the trip to England, so I was determined to make the most of it. Which I did by meeting both new and old friends to run, hang out or both.
Even though it was vacation, running was still a main focus of the trip, as it is anytime that I travel. I think it’s the best way to see and experience new places!
So, first up, was a short and slow run just after landing, followed by a difficult 5-mile run along the coastal paths a couple of days later, where I might have seen a cow flip sideways over a fence and then all of the rest of the herd follow it through the fallen fence to the cliff side.
Then came a 19.5 mile run to the sea a couple of days after that with my friend, Mark. This was a tough run on a warm day, but it felt good to get this kind of distance for the first time in a couple of months.
Even though I wasn’t running the Race to the Stones, I still wanted to see what it was all about. So I ran a short ‘streak maintenance’ run around the Avebury Stone Circle before seeing some of the incredible runners finishing the 100km run. A group that included my Instagram friends, Robin and Dylan, who I met for the first time as they crossed the finish line.
Then, finally it was on to the Peak District, where I had the chance to hang out (and not come last place in a pub trivia night!) and run with Robin on some of his local trails – just 3 days after he completed the 100km!
All of these runs and experiences will be great memories of mine – not just for where they took place but for who they were with and the feeling I had while running.
Why This Streak Feels Different
Whether it’s coincidence or not, I’m not sure, but ever since these runs in England I have been running with a rediscovered freedom and confidence.
Even throughout the rest of the summer, I enjoyed my running in the heat and humidity, which is something that I have rarely said in the past!
Without any true structure to my training, I have made sure to keep up with some speed workouts and some long runs. And when I’ve had to adjust for whatever reason, I have done it with no problem.
My last streak started in an effort to lose weight, while gaining some confidence and better consistency in my running. For those things, that streak was a success!
I haven’t really set any targets or goals for this streak, but as I’ve said, this streak is more about having fun while still making progress with my running!
What Now?
Am I in my best shape ever? No.
Will I run any personal best times in the next few months? Probably not.
But starting a new streak wasn’t about that. It was about finding (and keeping) my confidence again and, more importantly, enjoying the feeling that running every day gave me on my first running streak and running races when (and how) I want to.
Eventually, I might want to speed things up or increase my mileage, but for now I’m just happy to be riding the wave and consistently enjoying my running again.
- Year 1 Stats:
- Runs: 365
- Distance: 1,905 Miles (3,066km)
- Average: 5.2 miles per day (8.4km)
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