With 30 days down, my Runner’s World Holiday Running Streak is officially rocking around the Christmas tree. Forget laughing all the way, I’m running all the way, logging at least a mile a day from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. It’s Christmas Eve and I’ve almost made it through two of the big three holidays I celebrate: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s (with a little Hanukkah thrown in for my Jewish family and friends). I’ve got to run on Christmas tomorrow and then there’s just one more holiday to go.
Today marks one full month of consecutive running as part of the Holiday Running Streak. Week 4 proved to be the most challenging, but also the most rewarding. I upped my mileage from 16.55 to 20.55, but also got pretty tired and run down toward the end of the week between work, holiday shopping, travel and all the other trappings of the season.
If I hadn’t come this far in the streak, I might have been tempted to give up the other night. I had only slept about four hours the night before and then had a non-stop busy day. Come 8 pm, the last thing I wanted to do was run, even for a mile. I just wanted to wrap myself in cozy sweats and melt into the sofa.
But thank goodness for dogs. My trusty furry girl, Cinderella, needed a walk. So I laced up my sneakers and we jogged through the streets of the quaint New England town where I’m spending the first half of my Christmas break. We admired all the holiday lights, jogging past houses and businesses on an easy route. The air was fresh and crisp, and I was suddenly so glad I’d taken 15 minutes to stop and smell the candy canes. The Holiday Running Streak lived to see another day, another week, and another holiday.
Tomorrow morning, I’ll be making my way to blustery Canada where I won’t have the crutch of a treadmill. But with just eight days to go, I’m now determined to finish the streak. I’m looking forward to New Year’s, and hatching some running resolutions and racing plans to capitalize on the nice winter base I’ve built for myself.
Until then, Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to everyone out there celebrating. And for every out there doing jingle bell jogs and hot chocolate themed runs, knock ‘em dead.
Karla Bruning is an award-winning journalist and running nerd. She has completed four marathons, trains with the New York Harriers and is a member of New York Road Runners. Follow Karla’s “Notes From a Running Nerd” at RunKarlaRun.com, Facebook and Twitter@KBruning.
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