Run streak self-discovery: what did I learn? Turns out quite a bit!
I came, I saw, and after 10 days, I failed. That’s right, my run streak is officially over. While my streak was short lived compared to many others who embark upon such a journey, the fact that it lasted that long is quite an accomplishment for me!
When I started out, I was fairly confident I could keep it going for the full 30 days. I was never overly tired or feeling drained. And I wasn’t bored either, which was something I thought might happen. Instead, I arrived on day eight and felt a little… niggly? My left IT band felt slightly inflamed. And then on day nine my left foot felt a little plantar fasciitis-y. I decided on day ten, enough was enough. It was fun while it lasted but indeed, a run streak was not for me. Here’s what I learned:
Find out why I started this run streak in the first place!
Run Streak Self-Discovery: What Did I Learn?
Rest day is sacred.
This is something I’ve said time and again; I’ve said it to myself, to my clients, and to my friends. The rest day is sacred and should be respected. We make huge gains when we allow our bodies to fully rest and recover. Now that I’ve experimented and tested the theory on myself, I can say with conviction that yes, the rest day is indeed sacred and shall remain so!
My mileage didn’t change.
When I initially laid out this run streak plan, I thought for sure I would be adding more mileage. Overall, I added a couple miles, but it really wasn’t much more than when I run 4-5 days per week. Not enough to make a difference. And if I can accomplish the same mileage, and usually more, with a couple days of rest thrown in there, that’s how I’ll roll.
The dogs didn’t get much more training. If anything, it wore them out.
And not in a good way. I was planning on “training” my dogs during the short runs of a run streak. But I think they were more fatigued doing many short runs instead of a couple longer ones. They’ve been resting so we’ll start up again with training soon.
Know thyself.
I’m up for a good challenge as much as the next person. But it’s important to know yourself and your own limits. Could I have pressed on and finished the run streak? Without a doubt. Did I want to? Not really. A run streak isn’t worth the injury risk to me. I have no reason to be doing a run streak, and I have nothing to prove. Was it fun while it lasted? Of course! Is it for me? Not one bit.
And I need new shoes.
If it’s one thing I definitely learned, it’s that I need new shoes. I have a brand new pair that I’ve been wearing on the treadmill. I’m not ready to dirty them up outside. For my outdoor runs I’ve been wearing mostly trail shoes since it’s been wet or snowy, or both. But I really do need new shoes for roads.
Overall, I’m glad I went down this path of run streak self-discovery. If it weren’t for the run streak, I would still be preaching to clients and friends alike the importance of a rest day. I’ll still continue to do so, but the difference now being I can solidly confirm that rest is of utmost importance.
Will there be another run streak in my future? Not likely. I prefer running more than a mile at a time and my body just isn’t up for 3+ miles every day. Which is all good with me!
xo
Let’s talk!
Do you enjoy a rest day as much as I do?
What’s the shortest distance you’ll run and consider it a “run?” <— don’t be shy, we all do it.
