NEW YORK, January 1, 2012—On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 2011, I set out to tackle the Runner’s World Holiday Running Streak, running at least a mile a day every single day from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. It wasn’t always easy; squeezing in even a mile on some days was surprisingly difficult. But somehow I stuck with it, and I’m happy to say I did it. I just completed Day 39 with a bang: 7.75 miles in New York City’s resplendent Central Park.

At the start, I told Runner’s World’s “Training Daily” blog my reasons for attempting the streak: "My winter training is usually erratic, unfocused, and lackluster. And that's putting it nicely. For once, I'd love to start spring training with a healthy base. I also like to eat—a lot. But when I run better, I eat better. So here's hoping the streak will help keep my holiday sweet tooth in check.”

My streak was a success on both fronts. I made it through the holiday season without any weight gain, which is a near miracle, and I also built a nice foundation for my next year of training, logging 100 miles in 40 days. More importantly, I tackled my allergy to winter running, logging runs in the snow, in below freezing temps, and a good share on the treadmill too.

My last week of running was a true challenge. I came down with a cold around Christmas and haven’t been able to completely shake it. There were a few hairy nights when I was ready to throw in the towel. But two key people kept me motivated to keep the streak alive—my mother and my fiancé. They’d remind me when I’d “forgotten” to run and motivated me out the door when I was ready to quit. My fiancé even joined me a few times on 10 and 11 pm runs to get the job done. To them, I’d like to say thank you.

It reminds me that making it though any sort of challenge, no matter how big or small, is difficult without a support team. As runners, we are so often lonely soldiers plodding along alone on the road, alone on the treadmill, alone on the trail. And some prefer it that way. But even when we run alone, there’s usually a cheerleader or two at home encouraging us when we need it most.

So today, as I finished the streak and started a brand New Year of running, I couldn’t think of a better way to do it than with friends. I laced up my shoes and jogged to Central Park with my fiancé, his sister and two other friends. We joked that we looked like a team in our semi-matching windbreakers and black tights, bounding down the New York City sidewalks. It reminded me of the funny fake sport of Synchronized Running of “30 Rock” fame.

We laughed, but for today’s run we were a team. We warmed up and cooled down together, before breaking into two groups to tackle a loop of the park, chatting and matching each other stride for stride.

I’m so glad that’s how I chose to both end and start my year. The Holiday Running Streak has been an amazing experience for me, a runner who usually shuns winter training. I feel ready to tackle the New Year with gusto, and already have my eye on a few keys races and personal bests.

So here’s to 2012 and every one of you out there tackling a challenge of your own. Congratulations to everyone who finished the streak, ran part of the streak, and those who are still streaking. Happy New Year!

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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