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In June 2020, I embarked on a mission to run just one mile. The pandemic had left me feeling confined and overwhelmed as I juggled full-time work and parenting from home. I craved some personal time outdoors. My initial goal was to run a mile every day until my birthday, which was a week away. What began as day seven quickly turned into day ten, and then a month turned into three. At that point, the thought of going from 90 days to zero was unthinkable, especially with day 100 on the horizon. Before I knew it, 100 days morphed into 200, and now I’ve successfully completed over a year of daily runs.
When I started, I envisioned myself becoming a runner. My partner, Alex, is passionate about running—he loves discussing routes, personal bests, and his latest footwear. However, those aspects of running don’t resonate with me. I attempted to time my runs for speed but found it only added stress and detracted from my enjoyment. My focus was on completing a mile, irrespective of how fast I went. The streak itself became my daily personal record. I’ve stuck to the same route 90% of the time and haven’t even purchased new running shoes. After logging more than 365 miles, I can honestly say that I don’t particularly enjoy running. What I truly relish is the post-run feeling and the commitment to avoid making excuses. The determination to maintain my streak has kept me moving forward.
Facing Challenges
Committing to this streak meant running regardless of the weather or any challenges the day threw my way. I found myself running in conditions I never imagined I would face. I donned a headlamp after putting my kids to bed, braved a 45-mile-per-hour windstorm while dodging fallen branches, ran without power during a blackout, and even ventured out in a blizzard, reminding myself to “run like a penguin.” I’ve worn everything from tank tops to parkas while running through significant life moments—returning to in-person work, my youngest starting kindergarten, Halloween, New Year’s Eve, and even on vaccination days. Most importantly, I ran on the day I decided to pause my streak.
Before any vaccinations were administered, my kids were placed in quarantine following a COVID-19 exposure at pre-school care. A week later, my youngest tested positive, while the rest of us remained negative. That phone call from the doctor brought a wave of fear for my five-year-old and uncertainty for the rest of us. We masked up, isolated, and faced a sense of entrapment and anxiety in our own home. The best-case scenario was that my daughter would experience mild symptoms, and we’d stay negative while being housebound for 20 days. Or, one by one, we could contract the virus, facing an unknown outcome.
Overwhelmed and scared, I decided to focus entirely on my daughter’s well-being and recognized that the only thing I could control was my choice to stop running. Throughout the day, I tried to accept this decision. I avoided thinking about running and even moved my shoes away from the entrance. As I prepared for bed, my older daughter asked if I would resume my streak someday. I honestly didn’t know. After over 200 days, could I really start back at zero? That’s when I realized I still had the power to choose. I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but I felt healthy that day.
Finding a New Way
I rearranged furniture to create a running space inside my house and set a timer for 12 minutes. With my mask on and my favorite tunes playing, I ran laps indoors. My five-year-old, drawn by the sound of my sneakers, cheered me on from the top of the stairs, clapping as I passed. My other daughter joined in from the kitchen, banging a spoon against a pot each time I ran by. My partner held our dog to prevent her from chasing me. I captured moments on my phone to remember how our family came together during that challenging time. Despite the fear and chaos, we showed strength and support for one another.
I continued my indoor laps throughout the quarantine, with my family cheering me on, turning my running into a highlight of our monotonous days at home. After three rounds of testing and 20 long masked days, my husband and older daughter remained COVID-free.
A Family Affair
While I initially set out to run for myself, I soon realized how much this streak had become a family affair. My children kept track of the days and helped plan my one-year anniversary run. Alex, an experienced distance runner, became my biggest supporter. He acknowledged when I tackled challenging runs, and on early mornings when my alarm rang at 5:30 a.m., he would express pride instead of annoyance. He also introduced me to podcasts, which I’ve come to love; I’ve listened to over 100 hours, with “The Moth” and “Dolly Parton’s America” being my favorites.
Over the past year, I’ve noticed my legs growing stronger and my endurance improving. But more than that, my confidence and self-perception have transformed. I set a goal, and I achieved it. While I haven’t splurged on new running shoes, I did invest in hiking boots. The miles I’ve run have rekindled my passion for physical challenges, revealing that exercise is more about mental resilience than mere physicality. Next month, I plan to hike Katahdin, Maine’s highest peak at 5,269 feet, which marks the end of the Appalachian Trail. I anticipate being sore the following days, and that may signal the end of my running streak.
Conclusion
The essence of my journey wasn’t about the duration of my runs but about setting and achieving a goal. In my 40s, while balancing family, work, and life’s chaos, I discovered my potential by eliminating excuses, digging deep, and embracing new possibilities.
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Summary:
In June 2020, I committed to running a mile every day, seeking an outlet during the pandemic chaos. What started as a one-week challenge evolved into a year-long streak. This journey transformed not just my physical endurance but also my mental resilience and family dynamics. Although I don’t particularly enjoy running, I cherish the sense of accomplishment and the support from my family. As I prepare to hike Katahdin, I reflect on how this experience has shaped my identity and highlighted the power of eliminating excuses.
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