5 things I learned running everyday for a year
The rules are easy: run at least 5 km outside everyday. On August 31, 2021, I completed 365 days of running.
Why am I telling you this now? Because today I hit 400 days.
When I started this challenge, the goal was to see how many days I could go for a run in a row. I wanted to beat my last streak of 230 days. That streak only ended when I finished my first 100 miler race and couldn’t walk properly for three months. Therefore, when I hit a year at the end of August, I kept going.
Here is what I learned.
The trail doesn’t care
The paths, sidewalks, roads and trails you run on don’t need you. In fact, they’ll be just fine without you. Regardless of the time of day, weather conditions or how you are feeling, the trails will be there. Every single day. The trails don’t quit and if they don’t then neither should I.
I know if I miss a day and end my streak, the trails’ streak continues. If I wait until the night to run (which I often do), I spend most of the day thinking about the woods and planning until I’m able to lace up my shoes and head out.
Maybe I run because of the trails, or maybe in spite of them. Just knowing they are there and that they don’t care about my excuses motivates me to keep going.
Running is better shared
For the last 400 days I’ve run and most of those days I’ve run alone. But there have been runs that I’ve done with others and those runs are so much more fulfilling than just by myself. Most runners or friends I have who run, have other things in their life that they focus on; work, family, other passions, etc. When they are inspired to run, I’m not usually the first person they call.
There is a perception that “serious runners” don’t want to run with hobby runners. I can assure you, this is not the case. I started running as a hobby and taking it seriously because of the local community of serious runners. They welcomed me in and treated me just like any other runner. I was never left behind or made to feel like I don’t belong.
So, if you are hesitant to ask your runner-friend out for a jog, don’t be. If they are in the midst of training, they’ll tell you, but they are more than likely excited to have someone to run with. And if you can’t find someone to run with, I’ll run with you. Message me!
Also, if you feel like you’re slow, RUNNING SLOW IS FUN! My worst runs are the fast ones. My favourite runs are slow ones with my friends.
Stretching is optional
Stretching is not optional, but when it comes down to either not stretching or not going for a run, I’m going to risk it. Let me explain. When I train for a race, there are four things I focus on: training runs, stretching/body maintenance, cross-training, and nutrition. Because of the pandemic, I haven’t been racing too much and have focused mainly on the habit of running.
Take care of yourself. I try to listen to my body and stretch and rest as my body tells me. I’ve been running for several years and have a pretty good idea when things don’t feel right and how to fix them. That’s why I’m not going to sacrifice my running streak because I’d need to skip the post-run stretch. But if you are just starting out, get in the habit of taking care of your body.
Mind over matter
Running sucks. If anyone tells you differently, they’re lying. There are some incredible moments on the trail, watching the sun come up over the river, crossing the finish line to cheers from onlookers, and pushing yourself further than you ever thought possible, but fundamentally the action of running is hard on your body and mind. I spend a lot of time with my own thoughts and body pains and it is not fun.
Once I accepted the fact that running everyday is going to be hard, my mind eased. When I’m down about going out for a run or if I struggle while on the trail, I remind myself that I only have to go 5 km. That’s 5,000 meters. That’s only a half hour.
If I’m really not in the mood to run, I give myself permission to quit. If I don’t want to do something, then I know I don’t have to do it. Knowing this, and knowing what I’d give up if I don’t finish gives me that push.
Let me be clear though, there are many training runs that I’ve given up on. I’ve abandoned an 80 km training session after 60 km and I’ve only finished 5 km of 25 km sessions. It goes back to listening to my body and knowing what I can do that day.
Don’t trust technology
I have a really good watch that has been with me for the whole streak, but even the best can break down. It happened this morning. Over the last year my watch has freezed a handful of times and I lost the data from the run and the first couple times it was really upsetting. I’d usually go back out for another run.
It took me a long time to let go of that data and remember that the important thing is doing the thing. I try to keep focused on the run and my goal, but I do like the stats. So I always try to have a backup to measure my runs, usually the GPS on my phone.
How long will this streak last?
There is no way of telling how long I can keep this streak going. There is so much uncertainty with the pandemic and I feel like I could be forced to isolate any day.
But I’ll keep going until I physically can’t.
