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Monday, January 31, 2022

A Streak Like None Other


It definitely was a streak like none other.

I'm referring to my ninth consecutive Winter Run Streak. It's been in the rear view mirror for a month now, but is still quite fresh in my memory.

Care to hear a few highlights?

Every year, since the winter of 2013, I have taken part in the Runner's World Winter Run Streak. This involves, in the simplest of terms, committing to run at least one mile everyday from Thanksgiving through New Years Day. Since all (or most) of my races are over and done for a few months, there's no pre-planned training schedule to jinx or jeopardize. 

As I have said before, I embrace this annual Streak because it gets me through the Winter Solstice and ushers me into a brief off-season. Kind of a last hurrah before the spring races come into play. Also, since I am NOT a year-round streaker, it's a chance to step out of my usual routine. After all, I am not a fan of stagnancy and/or doing the same thing all the time, fitness or otherwise. That said, as much as I look forward to the Streak each year, I'm equally happy to sit-it-out come January 2nd, LOL.

This year had many of the same features as in years past, but also a few new nuances: 

For starters, there wasn't much for snow...but, none the less, there were several doses of cold weather. 

Yes! It was 18F (with a 0 feels-like in that 22mph wind) on Thanksgiving morning

It's been my goal, since 2015, to do all of my streak runs outdoors. It may seem trivial, but keeping the runs outdoors adds a fun twist to daily running mix. Thanks to the weather gods, I was able to keep up that tradition again this year.

Since last May, I've been doing monthly full moon runs. Thankfully, the full moon was shining bright on December 19th, and I had three friends join me.



This was the first Streak to encompass four multi-state runs! Obviously, the majority of my runs happened in Iowa. I also snagged 1-milers in the states of Kentucky and Georgia while en route to Florida (just after Christmas). And, there were several streak runs that took place on several streets after we arrived in the sunshine state.

streaking in Georgia

The final Streak run was a solo endeavor, in the wee-dark hours, on New Years Day.



My total streaking miles came in at 112, which technically includes five miles run the day before Thanksgiving (you know, #5at5). Of all these runs logged, 14 of them were 1-milers. The longest run was eight miles (Christmas Day), and there were two other 7-milers. Other than those, the runs were kept short (usually between 3-5 miles) and all were run at what I consider easy paces.  

So, yeah! It's surreal to think I've been doing this streaking gig for nine years! I'll have to come up with something big for the 2022 Streak since it'll be the big 10-year milestone. Stay tuned!

Related post: Another Winter, Another Run Streak

***I realize, and respect, not everyone has an interest in run streaking, even for a short period. Myself, I was a big skeptic until I gave it a try.***

How about you? Ever tried run streaking, even for a much shorter period of time? Do you utilize any tricks to get through the dark days of winter?

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

I'm also linking with Debbie, DeborahLisaLaura and Jenn for the Runners' Roundup


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29 comments:

  1. Awesome, Kim! I love that you do all your streak runs outdoors, this definitely adds a special twist.
    And great stats, too. 112 miles with only 14 1-milers!
    I really must try this sometime. So far, I simply lacked the discipline!

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    1. Having done the Streak so many times, discipline is no longer an issue for me, LOL. Once the holiday season approaches, I just know it'll be time for streaking.

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  2. It definitely doesn't appeal to me, but I'm not you -- it obviously brings you joy and that's the important thing. Can't wait to hear what you come up with for this year!

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    1. One of the big things I really like about this winter streak is that it's so different from my usual routine. It reinforces the fact that I wouldn't want to do it year-round, but also that I have the grit and determination to "just do it" (but with caution).

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  3. Glad that you found the streak another great experience!

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    1. Yes, it went well! I'm so glad I ventured out of my comfort zone nine years ago and gave it a try ;-)

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  4. I did a month of running 1 km/day and for a few years I would alternate months of closing all my rings (exercise, stand, calorie goals) on my Apple Watch.
    I've really burned out the last 12 months or so, but I DID streak at least 1 km of walking outside in January and loved this. It felt a lot easier than running because it has been so cold/snowy, the only way I could do a streak outside everyday was to walk in full winter gear. Day 1 of February and the streak is still going and I think I'm going to try to keep at the 1 km outside walk/day for the foreseeable future.
    Running will just have to wait until spring because I couldn't handle any more treadmill an I want to enjoy running, which I really wasn't anymore once it was too dangerously icy/cold outside.

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    1. The 1 km outside each day is a great goal! That's how my daily "outdoor streak" began, over a year ago. After my 2020 run streak ended, I decided to continue getting outside, everyday, for at least a 1-mile walk (on my non-running days). I really love the fresh air, and I think that has been a big part in my not getting sick this past year.

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  5. Not a fan of steaking. Not because I feel it's too much running but it's exhausting in the winter to get all those layers on.

    In the summer maybe...

    Glad it works for you and it brings you joy. Keep it going!!

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    1. I agree, all the layering is a buzzkill...but on the 1-mile days, I don't get too OCD-ish on the layers since I'll only be outside for 10ish minutes anyways.

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  6. Now this is what I'm talking about (ha ha, I did a post today about big goals.) I love this idea! I've been running for a long time but never done a streak. Maaaybe if my foot is solid (fingers crossed) I'll do the RW streak from Memorial Day- July 4. Or, (and?) maybe I'll join you next winter for your 10 year anniversary streak- that would be fun!

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    1. I did the Memorial Day-July 4th streak several years ago. That was a fun one, too!

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  7. I haven't tried streaking but I love that you kept a good chunk of the runs short! Plus it's pretty neat that you got to run in other states as well!

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    1. I think one has to keep most of the runs short and easy or your body will definitely burn out...and not in a good way, LOL!

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  8. Yes, streaking is not for everyone but after a few years of living vicariously through your adventures it was time for me to join in the fun. We've already talked about this, but I found the 1 mile days to be so refreshing, it helped to take the edge off the darkest month of the year, and in general I thought that it was a really nice tribute to the holiday season. I'll be back next year! I only ran in one state but I never ran the same one mile route twice and I got in 5 races during that time.

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    1. I'm so glad you gave the streaking a try, and I'm really glad it went well for you, too!

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  9. Congrats on another successful run streak! You racked dup some great mileage this time. Nice job

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    1. Thanks, Deborah! I really look forward to this Streak every winter becasue I know the days will be getting longer (a tiny bit, LOL) once it ends on January 1. Anything to distract me from the winter weather!

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  10. Congrats on another run streak! Its great that you are able to do your runs outside. I tend to embrace the treadmill much more in the winter.

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    1. Well, you know how I feel aboutmy treadmill. If I allowed myself some treadmill runs, I fear I'd dread the runs, and the streaking wouldn't have a good ending.

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  11. Congrats on another successful run steak. Next year will be your 10 year run streak anniversary - any big plans?

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    1. I'll have to come up with a plan for next year. Maybe I can do a "Run With Me" challenge and try to have at least one friend run virtually with me every day of it?

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  12. Congrats on another successful run streak and in 4 States too! I am sure that those full moon runs were very fun.
    I am not a fan of this program, above all for the age because, to stay injury free, I prefer to run every other day, so I have all the time to recover from the last workout.

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    1. Streaking definitely does not appeal to every runner, and that's quite alright. I like the short-term streaking, but cannot wrap my head around the value in doing it long-term...like for years on end.

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  13. I probably would attempt a run streak if I didn’t work 12 hour shifts. I work 6a to 6p so it would require getting up at 4:30 to run a mile and while that is totally doable for the 2 days I work, it’s not really appealing to me. Who knows though…never say never, right?
    Kudos to you though!

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  14. Congratulations on completing your streak! I'm generally not pro-streaking but there are exceptions and to each his own. One of my former Ragnar Trail teammates, is over 10,000 days and I'm in awe! For myself, I'm just not good at it. I tried a short 45 day streak a couple of years ago and I lasted less than a week. Ah well.

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  15. Well done! I'm in the middle of run streak right now (Sunday will be 250 days). It's a run/jog/walk streak, though, so I have a little more flexibility and it's a little easier on me.

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  16. Well done! Kudus for doing this streak for that many years. I am not a big fan of streaks but I ended up doing one for a year. It was "easy" to do since I was already running 6 days a week. But the weather does play a big factor. Maybe I'll attempt one again once it clears up here.

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  17. Forgot to add: Thank you for linking up with us!

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