I started running every day on August 16th 2016. I had just gotten a new watch but had already run the day before, so normally I’d take days off. Wanting to test my new toy I ran a successive day and just never stopped. Coming up on 7 years now, 2515 days.
It’s been transformative, to say the least. And I have run at weird places and weird times to get that run in, but so far neither fatherhood nor covid have made me lose the streak.
Listening to your body and doing plenty of slow and short runs is essential to staying injury free, and I would recommend working up to it.
Biggest benefit, it requires no discipline and motivating to do once there is a habit and a streak counter. It’s like brushing teeth, just something that happens, no matter what (pouring rain, ice, after a long day, whatever).
Who else is doing this and what have been your experiences?
Typically, this is how I get my best consistency, though certainly never for that long. Most I’ve gone has been maybe 6-7 months. Expect to go everyday. This is why I train with Hansen’s marathon training, because it’s 6 days a week, which is much better for me since it’s a habit and it feels weird when I have a day off, instead of taking many days off.
That’s an amazing streak. Congrats on keeping it going!
Streak running was exactly what got me over my initial barrier back when I was struggling with recurring injuries in beginner-level marathon training plans. I think the consistency of those easy runs really built up a foundation for more focused training in a way that the on/off schedules couldn’t. I dropped the initial streak just before finishing a full year, but I have a feeling I’ll circle back eventually when I’m running just to stay active instead of training for specific events.
I tried that back when I was only getting into running. If I recall correctly, I kept it up for a little over a week before I overloaded my achilles heel and had to stop running for a month. Since then, I’m only doing occasional shorter streaks, e.g. when on organized runners’ camp or retreats.
Running every second day is easier for logistics, especially the laundry! :)
Preach on! I’ve crossed my 3 year mark in April, and I had exactly the same experience as you: once it’s a habit, motivation is secondary, good discipline regarding slow recovery runs, and I also had some weird runs. Including the one where I ran around the hospital while my kids were waiting inside, with their mom. It was 11PM, we’ve been waiting for 7 hours at that point, and I had office clothes and shoes. It was snowing outside, but I had to feel the parking meter again, so I made it a quick run, just to keep the streak alive.
I’m not a streak runner, but I have kept up a 4-6 days per week habit for the past two years. I have been surprised by the benefits that come from keeping up with the training through the cold months. E.g. I dropped 15 minutes from my half the first year and another 10 minutes the second. But the biggest benefit is similar to what you said about motivation and discipline. I just don’t struggle with it any more now that running is a year round habit.
