Monday, January 4, 2016

Oops, I did it again....2015 Holiday Streaking Wrap Up










Well, I have done it again. Streaking, that is.

This was, hands down, my easiest running streak. Ever.
A very warm run (temps in the 50's) had me positively giddy
Like last year, I wanted to do every run outside. Kind of a grandiose scheme, considering I live in Iowa (and it is the winter season, none the less).
Day #1 of streaking. our neighborhood's annual Turkey Trot
The Runner's World Holiday Streak began on Thanksgiving Day and concluded on New Year's Day. Runners were encouraged to run at least one mile everyday, but can run longer distances if they choose.

My streak started a couple blocks from my driveway (Turkey Trotting) and concluded on a beach in Santa Monica while on vacation in California. 

As mentioned, this streak seemed much easier than the other four streaks I have done.
Christmas Day...it was Day #30 of streaking, but my first day with snow on the ground
For one thing, we had very mild weather in Iowa....a few days had some cold temps and rainy conditions, but no snow on the ground until Christmas Eve. Christmas Day found me cross country running on the grounds of the nearby golf course due to icy road conditions. Not to worry, because a day later I found myself streaking across the Golden Gate Bridge!
It's not every day I have the opportunity to streak across the Golden Gate Bridge!
The majority of my streaking runs were in the evening hours. My job as kept me very busy, giving me limited availability for daytime running. And that's alright. I was not training for anything major, so there was no need for excessive miles.
That's four (count 'em, four!) miles under the Christmas lights
I take my off-season very seriously. Running the minimum daily mile was not a stress on my body whatsoever. In fact, I think getting outside every day did my body good, and I actually looked forward to lacing up and heading outside, even if it was only for one mile on some days. 
An especially warm December day of running....
My total streaking mileage came in around 92 miles, which is a conservative approximation. I seldom have my GPS watch with me, and the routes that are 5K's are "rounded down" (for simplicity's sake), so there are several "(.1) miles" not accounted for. I'm alright with that, too.
One of the many runs illuminated by my Knuckle Lights and reflector band
Technically, this Streak is meant to end on New Years Day. Well, I spent that day (after a very early wake-up) at the Tournament of Roses Parade, speed-walking, stair-running (parking ramp), more speed-(hilly)walking to/from the Rose Bowl game, and more stair-running. I had a 5K race the next morning, so I decided to forego that daily mile on January 1st. After the previous 36 days of streaking (and 92+ miles run), I decided all was (indeed) good. I'm alright with that as well.

Here's some additional highlights and memories from this Streak:
Christmas Eve...we (finally) have snow in Iowa!

Another cold (and rainy) run


One of the very few day time runs

Brrrrr!


Santa's Snow Shuffle...yes, I am running bare-legged in a Santa outfit...in Iowa...in December
 
Concluding the Streak on the beach path of Santa Monica (in my UofI Hawkeye colors)

The day after....another beach run, this one in Huntington Beach on January 2nd
So, will I streak again? Absolutely! But for now, I plan to enjoy my "regular" routine for awhile. I don't have any long-distance events on my roster in the immediate future, and I plan to enjoy my off-season a bit longer. 

Have you ever done a running streak? What are your thoughts on daily running? Do you take an off-season?

I'm linking up with Holly from HoHo Runs and Tricia from MissSippiPiddlin for their Weekly Wrap. I invite you to head over and check out what all of bloggers have been up to!
























21 comments:

  1. I love how you always look like you're having run.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ha! That's because usually I am having fun ;-) Life is too short to be serious all the time, especially about something you truly enjoy doing ;-)

      Delete
  2. You make streaking look like so much fun! We've gotten off easy on winter so far. Now that I said that, watch out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am NOT an advocate for daily running, whatsoever. But I do like an occasional streak, mainly because it's so different than what I know is right for me...it's a great comfort zone violation. This winter was certainly an ideal winter for streaking!

      Delete
  3. You made it! I think you get extra points for running in two different states as well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ha ha!! I agree about the extra points! I'd like to someday be able to say that I ran in all 50 States...outside, of course ;-)

      Delete
  4. Congratulations! You make me want to streak. Maybe. We've had so much bad weather lately (excessive lightning) I'm not sure I would have made it. It's very cool you ran across the Golden Gate Bridge. Enjoy your regular routine for a while. Thanks for linking with us Kimberly and Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy New Year to you, too!! I'm not a daily runner advocate, but an occasional streak does me good...especially on those days when I only have time for that one-mile-minimum. I can get that done and feel like I've accomplished something.

      Delete
  5. That's pretty amazing! You make it looks so easy and fun (says the runner who is sidelined with PF)...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You may be side-lined because you spanked that big 2015 KM goal....you deserve some R & R for that! What an achievement! #badazzWendy ;-)

      Delete
  6. It really was beautiful running on the beach....I don't get that kind of opportunity very often. The streets of San Fran were pretty incredible, too (more on that in an upcoming post) #staytuned ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Kim, great job. I've never done a streak. I don't think my body could handle it. I'm in awe of what you did.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I bet you could do a streak! I do not do them very often, and I certainly do not do them for very long...but they're a great way to shake up the routine during a lull in racing.

      Delete
  8. I think I could do this! I like your thinking, the one mile isn't much on the body but makes you get out and get your heart rate up! I love all your pictures, you are having a ball!!! So love the arm sleeves your sporting on the beach! Thanks so much for linking Kim!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As much as I detest the "daily running" thing, I don't mind streaking once in awhile. This was the first time it didn't start to feel like a chore towards the end...maybe because I knew I'd be finishing up in sunny California ;-)

      Delete
  9. I have never streaked before! (Nekid or running!) LOL! Great job, I'm completely impressed. I love the last picture of you on the beach, too. What a great way to spend the New Year. #ubagebabe

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, #ubageSis! This streak actually was a lot of fun and very easy...probably due to the unusually warm December. Having the opportunity to streak through the streets (and beaches) of Cali was kinda cool, too ;-)

      Delete
  10. Congrats on completing your streak! I love your pictures! They are a testament to our crazy weather this year. One day you're bundled up in the snow, the next you're running in shorts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes, the weather certainly has been crazy! Back to life, back to reality....January has been much colder than December...and we have a bunch of that white stuff on the ground....

      Delete
  11. Totally impressed by you streakers!! Way to go, better you than me, lol ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ha ha ha...I could say the same for those of you who love treadmill running ;-) Better YOU than me LOL

      Delete