Jut two more consecutive days of running at least 1 mile, that’s all I needed to complete the 30-day running streak I’d started back on May 3rd. But on Monday, June 1st I thought, Screw that. I’m not running today.
I’d been struggling with my energy level the entire streak. Right around the time I began the streak, both my job and my personal life kicked into overdrive, so everything was demanding something extra from me, all the time. I literally never got a break the whole month. I became so run down that I even called in sick to work one day, the symptoms being dizziness, inability to think clearly, and weakness. Sounds like dehydration and plain ole exhaustion to me. After a whirlwind wedding weekend in hot Chicago, I returned home on Monday morning with those same symptoms. At first I spent a couple of hours hammering out a few projects for my job, but after a while I was so depleted all I could do is lay on the couch and watch episode after episode of Justified off the DVR. The obligation of my 29th day of running pressed upon me and made it impossible for me to get comfortable. Evening rolled around, the air got cooler, and I knew that if I was going to run, the moment had arrived.
I thought I would feel guilty, a bit cowardly, or disappointed in myself for not gutting it out for two more measly days. But when I finally, actually admitted to myself that this 30-day streak was no fun at all, and in fact had become a burden and an obligation I resented, any remorse over not making it to 30 quickly dissipated. There are already far too many obligations in my life that are imposed upon me. And besides, the whole point of the streak was to use it as a way to make running fun again, but instead it felt like drudgery. Here I am again, dragging myself through another 1-mile run, just to feed the streak beast. Nah. 30-days is an arbitrary number anyway, right? I ran for 4 weeks consecutively–that’s another clean way to organize time if you must, but we certainly don’t have to.
This week, I’ve run only one day, Wednesday June 2nd, because it was National Running Day. My route took me through the New Calvary Cemetery, to celebrate the quiet death of my 30-day running streak. I am still exhausted, but I am feeling better. My feet aren’t itchy yet, and I’m going to Charleston, SC for work this weekend so who knows if I’ll feel like running in the heat and humidity I know awaits me there. This isn’t laziness. I’m just tired, people, and if I don’t feel like running nothing and no one is gonna make me.
Pigtails Flying 
You did good TK. 28 days of running in a row is outstanding. Why danger your health to run 2 more measly days.
ROCK ON!!! Have a safe time in SC!
I think you made the right call. 28 days of running is damn impressive and 30 is just another number!
Safe travels this weekend!
I am proud of your streak! But sometimes it is best to give the body the rest it needs, physically and mentally. 4 weeks is a month last I checked! Let’s just say that your streak was in February:)
People always laud the consecutive game streak of Baltimore Oriole shortstop Cal Ripken, Jr. (2632). Yea, how great of a work ethic he had, but @ what cost?! I argue that had he taken 5-10 games off a year he would have been much more productive.
Same goes for former Yankee Hideki Matsui who played in over 1500 consecutive games between Japan and New York. Now he struggles to field his position due to bad knees and is relegated to a DH role.
Brett Favre would have been better off w/o his streak as well.
You ran every day for a month! You are now rested and ready to go get’em again!
xo
rD
That’s amazing … Glad you listened to your body and stopped guilt-free!
Running to make an arbitrary number = bad
Mental health days = good
I think there’s something debilitating in our office air. I too have been feeling enormously exhausted lately with some of the same symptoms you had. PLUS yesterday afternoon I was hit with one of the worst headaches of my life, and I very rarely get headaches of any kind. Let’s storm HR and demand an investigation! We have Media Challenge races to run, damn it.
At any rate, like everyone else who’s posted, there’s no question that you did the right thing to let the streak end. If it had been fun or energizing, terrific, but I don’t know of any training plan that has streaking as one of its components. Hope you feel better soon.
The streak was a good idea, but bagging it was better. Your goal was to have fun post-London, and when it became a chore, it outlived its usefulness.
Plus I think it great that you exercised good judgment notwithstanding that you had told everyone about the streak and said I control whatever “streak” I have, it doesn’t control me.
Awesome streak, but yeah, sometimes it’s good to quit while you’re ahead, and move on to some new goals. Besides, you risk injury running when your heart isn’t in it. How lame would it be (pun not intended) to get injured during a streak you didn’t enjoy, before your media challenge and GMR races! You also want to be able to spectate next weekend when the pregger girls run around central park!
Boy do I feel you.
I’m in LA moving my apt, and the last three days have been packed from top to bottom with logistics, hauling and goodbyes. I finally just realized I had to excuse myself from running these two days. There’s just not enough me to go around!!