Shout out to my running brothers, Tony and Jake, for running a 10-miles with me this morning.  Today we finished off my 1,000 consecutive-day running streak.  I haven’t taken a day off since October 31, 2019.  Wind, rain, cold, pandemic, vacation, work travel…it didn’t matter, no days off.

I originally began a running streak in 2016 which came to an end in after my car accident injuries occurred.  My total at that point was 506 days and I was very disappointed when I couldn’t make it day 507.   Multiple doctors declared my injuries permanent 17 months after the wreck but also told me running would not cause further injuries to my spine.  Six months after receiving doctors’ clearance to run, a new streak was started.  I was determined to get to 1,000 days.  I also added another component:  average 42 minutes of non-running exercise per day.  

I give God all the glory for this streak.  A few of my doctors told me I was too hurt and too sore to resume the miles I ran before the accident, let alone increasing mileage without rest days.  God put the right recovery plan in place and gave me the strength and discipline to go get it.  I still had daily pain until around day 280, but it was reduced enough for me to run every day.  I also knew that most of my other exercise would focus on increased core strength and flexibility which would help make my sore back stronger.  Nine months into the streak, the daily pain was eliminated.

Once the daily pain went away, I set my eyes on another goal:  run an ultra-marathon.  I had no idea that I would run three 50k races, a 50-miler and a 100k during the streak.  I was also fortunate to complete two marathons, seven half-marathons (including the Pikes Peak Ascent) and two 4x4x48 challenges.

I ran 4793 miles, completed 491 hours of DDP Yoga and 392 hours of additional exercise over the 1,000 days.  I may have spinal stenosis, but I am in the absolute best shape of my life at 47 years old.

And I’m still pain free.

And God willing, I have many more goals to crush.

But I think I’m ready for a rest day.

Go Get It