My Life After My #Runstreak Ended

For 828 consecutive days, I ran...

I ran at least 1 mile each of those days. Rarely was it just a mile.

Over 828 days:

• I covered 3,841 miles (4.63 mi avg per day)
• I completed 26 half marathons, 5 marathons and 1 ultra marathon
• I did what I had to to get it in: got up at 2:30 am to get a mile in, ran around a parking lot before a road trip home, meandered through a mile after some wine, etc

I started the #WOMSStreak on 10/25/14 to rekindle my love of running. I took it day by day. However long it lasted - it would last. I had tried streaking 2-3 times in the past and found I injured myself or the run - even a mile - felt like a chore.

But this time it was been different. I looked forward to my run. It was me time. It was amazing to see what my body could do AND the support I had from family, friends and blog readers.

The streak was more than just a run it was a great relief for my mind, body and soul.

But on January 29, 2017, I made the decision to end the streak. That same mind, body and soul needed a break. I needed time to heal this IT band injury I had been running through.

So what has life been like since ending the streak?

It's been about 126 days since the streak ended and I feared I would fall into a depression once the streak ended.

But that has been far from it!

I think taking ownership of ending the streak rather than having my body decide for me that the streak needed to end was huge! Plus we had a fun time during the final run of the #WOMSStreak.

Since I still had the Boston Marathon to train for I knew I would continue working on my long runs, but instead of keeping my weekly mileage up - I focused on cross training. I upped my spinning and swimming.

I am wicked happy to be spending more time back in the pool and finding a deep love of Flywheel spin classes! Both are making me wicked happy and feeling stronger. 

I think my numbers speak for itself in terms of upping the cross training.

Since ending my streak, I have only logged 231.7 miles. You know what? I'm okay with that. January was the last 28th-consecutive month of logging at least 100 miles of running.

I've truly enjoyed mixing in more spinning and swimming and feel like my running is paying off. I feel stronger on the hills than I have in years. 

Now I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little jealous of those still streaking. But I know this was the right decision for me. 

So the easy answer to: how are you feeling post streak?

Is simply: content. 

I am thrilled with what I accomplished during those 828 days and I am proud of myself for making it that far.

I did worry that the streak would define who I was as a runner and blogger, but luckily most of you have stuck with me through my post-streak adventures and I appreciate that!

Will I ever streak again?

I will never say never on that, but for now its not in the cards. I need to actually take rest days (especially after dry needling) and focus on getting to 100% healthy as I set my sights on my half ironman in August and the Chicago Marathon (marathon #13) in October.

But be sure if I decide to streak again I will let you all know... and it will be filled with sparkles, selfies and smiles!