About Me

Monday, August 21, 2023

1,000 Days of Opting Outside


It all began on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2020.

I was slated to start another Runner's World Winter Run Streak that very morning. The Run Streak officially starts on Thanksgiving Day (and goes through New Years Day), so I was primed and ready to go.

That particular run streak was going to be a significant one, due to the fact that I was just coming off a 2-month running sabbatical (recovering from my first-ever stress fracture). Like all run streaks, I'd planned to do my usual 3-4 runs per week, and then do a very easy-paced 1-mile run on all the days that would usually be non-running days. The big difference, that year, was that most of my "regular" runs would be short and easy-paced (no speedwork or long runs on the weekends) since I had to keep things very conservative on the recently recovered foot as I rebuilt my running base.

The run streak went off without a hitch, but then I got a wild idea once January 1, 2021 arrived...

I had seen something on social media about doing an outdoor fitness streak for the month of January, and I was most intrigued. For the past several years, I'd done all of my winter streak runs outdoors. If I were to take on this outdoor challenge, of sorts, I'd already have a jumpstart on it (I'd already been doing all of my "winter streaking" outside, since that first day back in November). This new challenge had the minimal requirement of 15 minutes of daily activity outdoors. Easy-peasy, right?

As I recall, I think this challenge began as a January thing; a way to motivate and inspire people to start the new year with a moderately easy fitness objective - daily movement! Adding the element of doing these daily movements outdoors upped the ante a bit (especially for those of us in the Midwest), because our winters aren't exactly mild. We all know how much I detest the cold weather, so I viewed this challenge as a means to conquer the bitter cold, but on my terms.

January 1, 2021

So, January 1st was not only the end of the 2020 RW Winter Run Streak, but also the beginning of a new quest - Opting Outside on a daily basis.   

I'll spare you all the daily selfies (there were 1,000 of them, LOL). But I will share a few highlights of the journey...

Many of these daily outings were tough, mentally. The winter days are usually pretty cold in Iowa, so mustering the motivation to layer-up and head outdoors, everyday, often had me questioning just how badly I really wanted (or even needed?) the bragging rights of this quest. Often times, those daily #OptOutside obligations were a very brisk 1-mile trudge through unplowed streets with sub-ZERO wind chill. But you know what? A mere 15-minute jaunt was over and done rather quickly. Often times, that "minimum" 1-mile walk morphed into something longer.


As much as I dread the cold of winter, the rain and sporadic weather of spring was equally annoying on many a given day. I mean...we're talking winter-like temps, wind, and rain. Oh, and did I mention wind? It's a given I don't pay much homage to the treadmill, so most of my runs happen outdoors without issue. But on those non-running days, I still had that (self-imposed) obligation to take the recovery walk(s) to the city streets.


Hands-down, the summer season was a no-brainer for me. I love the heat and the extended daylight of the summer. Let's not forget, in those warmer temps, I also had the option of taking the bike for a ride on my rest/recovery days. 


The fall season was fairly easy to accommodate the outdoor fitness as well. Granted, the wind certainly intervened a few times, requiring an extra layer or two. Also, the dwindling daylight meant I needed to be mindful of being visible if I ventured out in the pre-dawn hours or after sunset. But, it was nice seeing the change of colors on the trees and smelling the comforting scent of bonfires.

Nonetheless, I made a commitment, and I stuck with it. It's crazy to think this little conquest took me through three winters, facing my least favorite weather conditions, head-on. Of course, it also had me dealing with a lot of wind (through three springs and two fall seasons). But, I'm ever grateful for the three fabulous summers that played a huge part in this victory. 

A couple of significant pics:

April 9, 2022...Day-500!

August 21, 2023...Day-1,000!

Related post:

So, where to go from here? Well, onward, of course! You didn't really think I'd be finished with this, did you?

Have you ever taken on any kind of a streak, whether it be running, walking, or just daily movement or fitness? If so, would you consider attempting to maintain that streak long term? 

  I'm linking this with Kim and Zenaida for the Tuesday Topics Link-Up

 


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21 comments:

  1. Nothing official but I unofficially try to either walk or hike or run OUTSIDE eveyday. I don't own a treadmill and though now I belong to a gym, I haven't used one.

    Kudos to you!! An awesome achievement... I hope it doesn't end soon...

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    1. Don't worry, I have no intention of ending this funnn streak anytime soon ;-)

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  2. I'm not a streaker, as you know. My schedule and my body just doesn't allow for a daily run. But I do get outside for my runs almost always. It really takes a lot to keep me indoors!

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    1. Doubtful I'd ever take my run streaks any further then the Thanksgiving thru NYD, but this daily outdoor gig has been a great fit ;-)

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  3. I need to get outside every day as I don't always, shockingly! Maybe I should start recording it ... (LyzzyBee)

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    1. I was amazed at how quickly this simply became a daily thing. I don't even think twice, even in the dead of winter, LOL.

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  4. Congrats on the comma!

    I did enjoy doing the winter run streak that one time, but I've never found a "why" to keep me streaking long term. If I ever find the why, then I'll join you in the quest!

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    1. Woot!!! I'd love your company, should the "why" ever surface ;-)

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  5. that is quite an impressive streak! I aim to get outside daily but sometimes the weather keeps me from doing so. Nice work!

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    1. Thank you, Deborah ;-) For me, it's facing the weather that keeps getting me outdoors...I refuse to be a victim of it, ha!

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  6. Nice job, Kim! I've never done any type of exercise streak.

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    1. This one has really morphed into a great regimen ;-) I can't imagine not doing it now...

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  7. I love that you never actually set out to opt outside for a 1000 days - that you kind of took it in stages, and Voila! Here you are. So many (the majority) don't always realise they have a choice to do something differently be it facing their fears or challenging themselves - I love that you keep pushing boundaries every single time you refuse to be defeated by something!

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    1. Awh, thank you, Shathiso ;-) Honestly, any big challenge needs to be dealt with in small increments...the big picture, often times, is far too intimidating.

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  8. Great job, Kim! Streaks are a great way to stay motivated. I go outside every day as well. I can't imagine NOT going outdoors, even if it's only for a walk. I think I'd get very depressed otherwise!

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    1. Agreed! There's just so many more exciting things happening outdoors than inside the confines of four walls.

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  9. A very good job!
    I am not a streaker, I cannot follow a daily routine because I got many fractures and ... I'm old. My plan is running every other day. Here it's possible to run always outdoor because winter is not brutal. Summer is hot but we can face the heat in early morning.

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    1. I wish my winters weren't so brutal! I don't let them keep me locked up inside, but UGH. Slightly warmer temps would be such a treat ;-)

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  10. This is such an awesome accomplishment #kimtwin - congrats!

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  11. Great job, Kim! I am not actually surprised because you are a very active girl. I began doing a similar one - walking or running outside everyday. I began in July. Unfortunately, I could not keep going and stopped something this week when I went back to work. But surely walking in the classroom counts right?

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  12. Way to go, Kim. As you know, the hardest step is always the step outside your front door. You did amazing and have all the bragging rights!

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