Every Day?

As 2006 comes to a close, I find myself contemplating not only my accomplishments in 2006, but what I hope to accomplish in 2007. It's been a huge year, from a running standpoint. One of my favorite things to do as each year comes to a close is to think back on everything that has happened in the past 365 days, events that I didn't think would happen, or didn't even consider, a year ago this time. Dave has gotten much closer to us over the past year, thanks to running, and I got my mother started on running, as well. I beat my personal race distance record not once, but twice, and am bringing in the new year with a finishers medal from a race I thought I'd never run. I watched Dave win his age group in multiple races, and watched him grow from a casual runner to a more confident athlete, with race aspirations of his own, and a spot on next fall's cross country team at his high school. I watched Ted slowly realize that he could enjoy this, and hold my breath as he continues to push the envelope on his own running ability to see what he is physically capable of. I have gone from an individual runner all the time to someone who looks forward to group runs.

As we enter 2007, I have a number of my own goals set in line. There has been big talk, and now anticipated whispering, between Ted and Dave regarding the Philadelphia marathon. The more they think they can do it, the quieter the talk becomes, as if worried about jinxing themselves. So the Philly Marathon next November is definitely a goal of mine. I am looking forward to a second Broad Street finish come May, hopefully beating my time from last year. I look forward to becoming a stronger and faster runner, and hope to get over my fear of pushing myself too hard and finally becoming friends with speedwork. Ultimately, I look forward to locking Ted into this sport I love, thus having a running partner for life. And while I haven't broken the 500-mile mark for 2006 yet, it is practically a definite that will occur before midnight on 12/31.

But one more goal has been hovering over my head for the past few weeks, ever since the latest edition of my running magazine came in the mail. I'm afraid to mention it, afraid of the possible nay-sayers and others who may question my sanity.

There is an association--United States Running Streak Association (www.runeveryday.com). To join this association, one must be able to log at least a mile a day, and the trick is to do this for years. The association's Active Streak Registry has 140 registered members, 108 of which are active. The member listed as having the longest streak is a teacher from California, who has been running at least a mile a day for 38 years.

What would that be like!? Part of me thinks it can't be as hard as I'd imagine--it requires a 15-minute commitment, tops, dress-time included. That can be done while Ted makes dinner, it can be done by getting out of bed 15 minutes earlier, it can be done over lunch if one were to have access to showers at work. The other part of me thinks back to last weekend, when I was laying on the couch with a stomach virus and the fear of having to move, let alone run a mile. I guess one pushes through that?

Maybe 2007 won't see me registering my running streak, but it would be fun to see how long I can go. How long until I miss a day of running...can I do a week? A month? I guess you have to start somewhere, and wouldn't January 1st be a fun day to start my own running streak?

And on the showers at work note...maybe I have a new goal for 2007!

Happy New Year everyone...