When I accepted this personal challenge I wasn't sure I could do it. What if I got sick? What if I got injured? What if I was just tired?
6 years, 6 months, and 25 days later and I am still running at least a mile a day. This is something amazing to me considering I was maybe running 3-4 times a week before I started. And I was getting sick, injured, and had I am just plain tired days. How did I manage to achieve this?
First, I want you to know I am no more special than any one else out there. I do not have super powers. I am a normal working mom struggling to make ends meet and hold myself together but by the grace of God I was given the gift of finding joy in running. Okay, not every run is joyful but overall, I find joy. With that said, after 2,400 days of running every day I want to share 24 things I have learned through my running streak.
- You can achieve things greater than you ever imagined!
- A mile really does not take too much time out of your day.
- I am getting sick less often with regular daily exercise.
- When I do get sick, I am recovering faster.
- I am experiencing less running injuries and none have completely sidelined me.
- I listen to my body better.
- It is okay to slow down and/or run less miles today in order to run longer and faster tomorrow.
- Running outside is easier than running on a treadmill.
- Hotel treadmills can be an uncertain experience.
- Running in and through airports during layovers does work.
- People often look at you funny when you are running through an airport.
- People will always tell you that you need to take a rest day or you will damage your body.
- Many people accept the counter argument that a 10-12 minute mile is no different than spending some time in the garden, walking up and down stairs, or doing errands - all normal events that people do every day without damaging their bodies.
- You do not need energy gels, energy foods, or other processed items to run long.
- You can run long during a fasted run.
- Public restrooms are very hard to find in parks and play areas around Katy, TX.
- Public transit drivers may be some of the worst drivers - steer clear of them as much as possible during your runs.
- Maui needs more sidewalks and/or running routes.
- Running times and race results really aren't the most important part.
- You can run in capris in 100 degree weather and not overheat.
- You can chaff in areas you never knew you could chaff.
- You can run long and not lose any toenails.
- Listening to podcasts may slow your running pace.
- A running streak is built from good and bad runs - removing either would break your streak.