I was inspired to start my running streak by Shelly Cable, and she is still going strong and I never want to catch up to her! I will never forget that she is the one who got me to consider running every day. She was a mom and making it happen so I figured, why couldn't I? My initial goal was to run every day in 2012. I started on December 30, 2011 and I am still loving my daily runs.
There is something about running every day that makes you stronger. In 2013 I was racing and PR'ing at every single event. I was running on a very happy runner's high. In 2014, my goals were getting higher and I was falling short. It was a year of reflection and discovery.
Ironically, my power word for 2014 was FAITH and I found myself falling back on FAITH so many times but ironically, my goal to have more FAITH in my running developed into me having more FAITH spiritually. I know running daily is a gift from God and I was inspired by another streaker, Michael Scott, to sign up for a buddy through IR4 (I Run for Michael). I signed up in April and four months later I was matched with my buddy - Toby and he has Down syndrome. Running had deeper meaning to me now. For years I have stated I run because it is what my spirit is meant to do. Today this has deeper meaning.
The clock at the end of the race doesn't matter so much anymore. Yes, I still crave to break a 4-hour marathon. Currently my PR is 4:10:18 but if that does or doesn't happen is not what matters the most. I am honored and blessed to run for Toby and Down syndrome awareness. I am blessed to run every day and to spend much of that time reflecting on my spiritual growth. I am blessed to part of an awesome community of runners who understand why I must lace up and run every single day. I am blessed my six year old daughter gets it…well, she at least understands that I can get a wee bit grumpy if I haven't had my daily run yet.
Running relaxes me and lets me unwind from the stresses of a full-time job, blog writing, social media posting (for my personal blog and full-time job), being a mom, daughter, sister, wife, coach. Running is my time to recharge my battery.
My only sadness is that so many of my miles are logged on a treadmill out of necessity of either when I am running (super dark) or that I am running and being Mommy at the same time. However, my best run stories always involve darling daughter.
Just the other day we had no power, roads were closed, so we had to head outside for me to run my mile. I was just going to loop around the house while she played inside but my daughter decided to join me - in jammies, a robe, and slippers by the way. She was in too much of a hurry and too excited to get into running gear. I started the house loops but our lot is super small. I ended adding in some up and down the road segments that kept her in sight. (Please note, we live off a busy, curvy road that is not conducive to taking a child on the road with you as many times, I have to dodge out of the way of a car.) It was the best run ever! I ran a very slow 1.11 miles but frankly, time didn't matter nor did it matter I had planned to run longer that day. I got my daily mile in and I did it with darling daughter!
Today is day 1,104 of my running streak. It is January 6, 2015 and I haven't run yet…but I will. In fact, I am in my running gear waiting for the sun to come up. Today I am treating myself to a "coffee break" run at work.
Happy Running and God Bless!
Footnote: Today is day 1,163 of my running streak and I have done a rest day mile (okay, 1.15 miles).
Daily Gratitude: I am thankful for the gift of running.
Daily Bible Verse: “Come what may,” he said, “I will run.” So he said to him, “Run.” Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran the Cushite. ~ 2 Samuel 18:23