These Run Streakers Share Their Motivation for Logging Daily Miles
It’s about a lot more than just adding to your training log.
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The RW Run Streak is here again, and this year it’s presented by TraningPeaks and Tracksmith! Thanksgiving Day kicks off the winter #RWRunStreak—where for 38 days, from November 25 to January 1, participants log at least one mile of running per day. It may seem daunting, but there are plenty of benefits, both mental and physical, to breaking a sweat every day.
If this still seems like a big commitment, we asked our readers via an Instagram post what gets them running every single day. Hundreds of runners weighed in with everything from motivating others to boosting mental health to continuing some impressive personal streaks. Maybe one of these reasons will inspire you, or you’ll find something else that gets you lacing up for daily miles and join in!
To Regain a Love of Running
“After suffering from a hamstring injury and being unable to run the Chicago Marathon. I need to find my love for running again.” —gazzellesb3
“I’m running this streak WITHOUT timing myself... I need to run to breathe fresh air, and just be in the moment... be happy just being. I hope one day to get back to running another marathon!” —healthyzyialife
“Maybe I’ll get my mojo back.”—hopb4running
“I’ve been a runner since I was 11 years old but hadn’t done a marathon until this June, but that capstone event was frustrating instead of joyous because I injured my IT band during the race and limped the final 7 miles to finish. I’ve been slowly coming back to running since then and feel ready for my first run streak of this length, to regain that runner’s soul inside myself.” —wandering_wendy
“Last summer I completed the #RWRunStreak. I kept going afterward and ended up setting PRs on all my fall races. I had never been as ecstatic about my running or in as good of shape. I ended up getting an injury and then lost my 15-year-old golden retriever and other things in life just happened. I lost my mojo and I have struggled to find it this year. I am hoping this streak will help me find my fire again. Cheers to streaking into 2020 and setting some new PRs.”—kumpfygirl13
[From training tips, to fueling strategies, to improving the mind-body connection, the Runner's World 2020 Calendar will help you run your best all year long.]
For Mental Health
“Ooohhh I'm joining this challenge!!! Doing it because exercising, fitness, and running makes me feel powerful, balanced, and full of shine. And ready to tackle anything life throws at me. When in doubt, I go for a run or go to the gym to clear my head. They are my happy places, and running has always been a place where I find both productive solitude and inspiring social interactions.” —hustle___glow
“Because when I feel out of control, running is what keeps me grounded. It’s been the best kind of therapy.” —caitlininthehouse
“To gain back confidence and keep up my mental health!” —casperea
“I’m gonna do this. I want to do this for ongoing mental health. There is nothing that running and music doesn’t heal.” —cindyboat4
“It helps my mental health and my confidence, and it's so much easier to start good habits now! I'm training for Edinburgh marathon, and I want to do this for me and my own struggles over the past year.” —annastoiljk
For Consistency
“I always struggle with running consistently during the holidays. The #RWRunStreak is my motivation this year to keep my running on track when everything else gets a bit hectic.” —see_sam_run
“I run every day because it’s easier to keep going than to start again. Even if it’s just two miles, that’s 15 minutes more than if I didn’t run.” —djcmic19
“I’m going to be doing at least 5–12 miles everyday to get ready for track season. I’ve found that pushing yourself in the off-season is the only way to get better. And I really want to double up on varsity seasons in my freshman year.” —nolan__keenan
“My motto for the remainder of this year and for 2020 is ‘consistency.’ I haven’t been the most consistent person lately especially when things are optional. I obviously go to my job, take care of my home and family consistently, but I want to be more consistent in every area of my life.” —encouragedandwell
To Overcome Illness
“I did the 2017–18 streak. It was my first time and I had a really great experience. At the time I had been running regularly, but haven’t really since. In 2018 I was diagnosed with OCD after my work performance began to deteriorate. I’m in treatment and am doing much better now, but I haven’t gotten back into running as regularly as I used to. Streaking taught me discipline and showed me that I was capable of doing things I had never imagined. I need some of that again.” —yourboy9
“I’m kicking cancer’s ass! I’ve had surgery and now I’m doing chemo for breast cancer. I’ve been able to run through many days and on my hardest days, the streaking challenge keeps me going and keeps me strong and healthy so I can continue to fight for my life.” —rkrell406
“My most recent streak of 616 days ended due to an injury in July, so hoping to start another on Turkey Day! I suffer from a chronic illness (POTS, a form of Dysautonomia), and running helps manage my symptoms. I notice a significant difference if I don’t run on any given day, so streaking is like my medicine!” —sconnors16
For Self-Care
“Streaking gives me a chance to focus on myself during the holidays. I get some time to go out and do what I love and just focus on the run instead of all of the stress of the holiday season!”—milesintosmiles
“Because for the first time in my life I know I am in physical shape to not only do it, but to crush it!” —marielicruzado
“I like to start a streak this time of year to keep me going after fall marathon season and to get motivated to run in the cold weather we have in Minnesota. Plus, there’s no better way to avoid family during the holidays!” —gedney77
“Streaking is my way of giving myself the time I need to take care of ME! I have gotten my friends and coworkers involved too! One of my coworkers said, ‘Hey make sure you let us know when to start the run streak this year!’” —daniellarceo
“I’m completing the #RWRstreak as a way to center myself in a busy season and focus on forming goals for the new year.” —carraqvv
“I streak because it is a wonderful way to start my day. I am a teacher and I joke with my kids that they will know if I skip a day. Running puts me in the best mood and I can’t imagine a day without it.” —julie_runs_with_john
To Keep Your Streak Alive
“My #rwrunstreak is at 360 days and counting. Now I don’t want to miss a day and break the streak. Also closing in on 1,000 miles for the year.” —scottchamberlain3815
“I’m still going strong with my Memorial Day run streak and plan to go through the new year! For a long time, I’ve had a very turbulent relationship with running, but the #rwrunstreak has helped me accomplish a realistic daily goal when it comes to working out and prioritizing me.” —klenakattack
“I’ve been running every single day since May 15, 2017. My current streak is 924 consecutive days. I’m running to challenge myself every single day to hold myself accountable no matter the circumstances. I’m also doing it for those who can’t walk, let alone run. I will continue the streak until I don’t enjoy it anymore and the new year goal for 2020 is to run from California to New York City, and I will try to complete this task and 50 days.” —hellahgood9
“I’m keeping my five-year streak alive. I always try and get others to join me on my streak because you learn to love it. Also a marathon is on the horizon, and I’m super pumped!” — karli_waldrep
“Today is day 195 of my streak. I run every day because it fuels my soul. It anchors me when life’s waters become turbulent, and it helps me feel the tranquility when they’re calm. I always take it one mile at a time, and I never regret a mile.” —jillian_runs
“I have been running at least a mile every day since December 2, 2016. Just to prove to myself that I could do what I once thought was impossible.” —running_addict2004
“Thanks Runner’s World! I’ve been keeping the streak alive since Memorial Day and it feels great. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started, but I feel great and am enjoying it. Now I want to challenge myself to stay with it thru the Michigan winter. I’m going to run a Memorial Day weekend half next year so that is my goal, to make it to the half and keep my streak going thru the training! I’m so used to the routine that it just doesn’t feel right if I don’t start my day with at least a couple miles.” —djroose16
“I’m on day 695 of streaking. I run in honor of my brother who was KIA in Afghanistan on 28 June 2011. My goal is to finish out the year, making it two years and a day of running.” —mummajc
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