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in Run Happy Team, Runners' Roundup, Running · November 4, 2020

Reflections After a 36 Day Run Streak

Now that my run streak is over, I thought I would share a little bit about how it went. This was my first run streak (that was intentional) because I’ve always been really nervous to miss out on regular rest days. I thought I would talk a little bit about why I did this run streak, how it went, and what I would do differently if I decided to do another run streak in the future.

After my 36 day run streak, there are a few things I would do differently. Here is what I learned from my first run streak and tips what how to plan your runs if you decide to try a run streak.

Why Did I Decide to Do a Run Streak?

I don’t have a really good answer for this, other than that I was ready for a new challenge. Over the summer I have built up my mileage and I hit a 40 mile week in early October. I wasn’t planning to do much more than that in a week, and I was kind of feeling over virtual races. (Even though I still did one in October). So when I saw Brooks and Des Linden post about “Rundestober” I thought it would be fun to join.

Reflections after a 36 day run streak

Des ran every day in October, but she ran the miles of the day of the month. So last week she was running 26, 27, 28, 29, etc. miles each day. Wow! I definitely wasn’t planning to do that. At first I thought I would run or walk every day. I was already running 6 days a week and I’ve been doing that since July. During the first week I was like “maybe I’ll just run a super easy mile on the day I walk”. And that’s what I ended up doing each week.

Reflections after a 36 day run streak

How did my Run Streak Go?

Good! I mean, I completed it, so that’s one way to measure success. I also didn’t get injured, which is another huge win. And for the most part I was feeling good throughout the month. It was a little harder to manage any tightness or niggles, because usually I would assess how I am feeling and consider when my next rest day was. If it was soon, I would use that as a day to really recover and hope that it took care of what I was feeling. Without that full rest day it made me a little  nervous that I wouldn’t recover as well. I ended up being way more vigilant about foam rolling and mobility, so that’s a win!

Reflections after a 36 day run streak

I do think that this challenge impacted my virtual 10k. If I was really going for a PR or a certain time I would have wanted to take a rest day before the race and do a mini-taper. But I was in week 3 of my run streak and I ran a virtual stroller race two days before, so clearly I wasn’t that committed to my 10k time. 

Reflections after a 36 day run streak

I don’t think there was a single day that I didn’t want to run. Before this one of my concerns about streaking was burnout. That didn’t seem to be problem. I think it was because I changed things up so much. Some runs were with the stroller, Rob came with us sometimes, some runs were alone, some on the treadmill, I did some workouts and some virtual races. Also, the weather cooperated up until the last week when we had alot of rain. 

What I would do differently

So this kind of goes along with what I said earlier, but I wouldn’t plan any races during my run streak. I don’t think I would want to be training for anything either. Ideally, I would keep my mileage lower. The first full week of October was when I ran my highest weekly mileage in 5 years. That’s probably not the best way to start out a streak. (However, running every day helps to increase weekly mileage, so there’s that.)

Reflections after a 36 day run streak

I definitely think it was helpful to have one day that was a very short, very easy recovery run. That made me feel like I was still getting almost a rest day. But I think my other runs would be on the shorter end as well, and I might even consider not doing long runs.

Reflections after a 36 day run streak

Oh, and I would probably start my run streak after a rest day. Before October 1st when this technically started, I had run for 5 days at the end of September. So if you really want to just do the 1 month streak, rest the day before it starts!

What helped me through my Run Streak

I really liked having a community on Instagram of other runners who were doing the same thing. It’s nice to know you’re not alone. Also, seeing Des go out and run 20 miles in the morning and 10 miles in the afternoon was pretty motivating. I also liked that it was only a month. That amount of time seemed very manageable! 

Reflections after a 36 day run streak

I’m not sure if and when I’ll do another run streak, but it seems like 2020 was a good year to do it. There weren’t real races to run and I needed something to keep me motivated and distract me from life, so this was a good option.

You may also like:
Building Mileage and October Running Plans
The Problem with Rest Days
How I Schedule my Weekly Workouts

Have you ever done a run streak?
If yes, did you learn any lessons from it?
If not, would you ever do one?

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Previous Post: « The Final Week of Rundestober
Next Post: When In Doubt, Run It Out »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Catrina says

    November 4, 2020 at 2:13 am

    Awesome streak, Lisa! 2020 is definitely a great year for streaks,
    I’m glad you could get through it without any injuries.
    What Des did is amazing. Imagine running 31 miles after doing 30 miles the day before!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      November 4, 2020 at 7:40 pm

      I know, right! It made me feel like could definitely get through my streak!

  2. Darlene says

    November 4, 2020 at 8:07 am

    I am always impressed with streaks.
    My longest run streak I think has been 3 days lol.

    But I do agree, it is easier without races. I like my rest day before and after a race. It would also be easier if you don’t work or work from home.

    So I guess the pandemic would be the perfect time for me. But I like walking and hiking too much to just run. And I don’t often have time for both in one day with my work hours.

    That being said, I probably do have a streak of walking or running every day since March 17. How many is that?

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      November 4, 2020 at 7:42 pm

      Well including walking you have a super long streak! I’ve definitely been walking more during the pandemic too. Although now that its been cooler out I haven’t been going quite as much.

  3. Deborah Brooks says

    November 4, 2020 at 9:14 am

    Sounds like you learned a lot from your experience. I have learned the hard way that I need to take days off of running so no run streaks for me. I do like to walk the days in between. I agree that having a goal race in the middle adds some stress to your body and your mind. Congrats on finishing your streak strong

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      November 4, 2020 at 7:43 pm

      Thanks! I don’t think I would want to do a streak much longer than this because I know the rest days are good for me.

  4. Laurie says

    November 4, 2020 at 12:22 pm

    Congrats on your fantastic run streak. Streaking like that with a baby is impressive. I didn’t hear about Runstober. I now kinda wish I had. Des is amazing! Running 26, 27, 28, etc. up to 31 miles per day?!?! Wow!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      November 4, 2020 at 7:43 pm

      I know, isn’t that unbelievable? It was so motivating to follow along!

  5. Coco says

    November 4, 2020 at 9:05 pm

    I’m glad it went so well for you! My run streak this summer was mostly short runs. Motivation for stretching and foam rolling is a bonus.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      November 5, 2020 at 5:32 am

      Thanks! Yes, its a good way to make sure you are doing all the recovery stuff diligently!

  6. Laura says

    November 5, 2020 at 8:29 am

    Congrats on a run streak – it sounds like it was a really enjoyable experience! It sounds like a fun challenge in the absence of fall races.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      November 6, 2020 at 5:14 am

      Thank you! Yes, it was nice to focus on a different kind of challenge without having any races to work towards.

  7. Jenn says

    November 5, 2020 at 11:12 am

    That’s really amazing. I have never done a run streak, and honestly, right now, I can’t see myself doing more than 3 days a week of running. I hope I can get back to 4 and 5 days, but I think I have to be happy where I’m at.

    Congratulations on sticking with it! You rock!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      November 6, 2020 at 5:15 am

      I totally hear you! When I was injured a few years back I stuck to 3 days a week of running afterwards for a long time. You have to do what feels right. I’m sure you will be able to do more than that eventually!

  8. Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says

    November 6, 2020 at 1:38 pm

    Congrats on your run streak! I haven’t done one in years but what I liked about it was how running every day really became a habit. I’m glad you didn’t burnout or get injured. It was fun following you on IG!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      November 9, 2020 at 4:19 am

      Thank you! Yes it definitely makes it a habit. It feels a little weird to take rest days now!

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This morning’s run was an adventure with bugs ev This morning’s run was an adventure with bugs everywhere, lots of mud from all the rain we’ve had, overgrown trees blocking the sidewalks, and 93% humidity. Better than wind and ice I guess! Did you deal with anything annoying on your run today?

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