I want to give up my streak but I just can’t. It’s been over 1000 days. I achieved my main goal of OTQ but I keep running. I feel like it’s taking away from my work and family responsibilities at this time. But I keep running. Please help.
I want to give up my streak but I just can’t. It’s been over 1000 days. I achieved my main goal of OTQ but I keep running. I feel like it’s taking away from my work and family responsibilities at this time. But I keep running. Please help.
Don't be a p%ssy, Ron Hill had a running streak of well over 50 years.
Stop running when you break 2:01:39, flake.
0/10 for content, 1/10 for helpfulness. Nice try troll
Mike Deren wrote:
0/10 for content, 1/10 for helpfulness. Nice try troll
I wasn't trolling. You just have sand in your vagina.
0/10
I achieved my main goal of OTQ but I keep running.
Would have been believable without this
This is why I love letsrun, so many helpful posters...
Others must have had a streak going, did they choose to stop it on their own accord or let injury force their decision. Do they have any regrets with their choice?
I’m having an internal debate about ending the streak just to end the streak on my own choosing, and I have had doubts like this before, but not this strong.
From an outsiders perspective, It does seem silly to run a few miles everyday just because, with no particular endgoal.
Reduce your required mileage to qualify as running. A friend of mine had 4 miles as his minimum until he broke his foot.
For my log, I enter distances as short as 0.5 miles. My rationale is that it's running. Then again, I have no ambition to do a streak. I think it's dumb. There are days when you're injured or sick that the best thing for your health AND your future running is to take a day off. But to each his own.
Congrats on the OTQ!!! Running has been such a big part of your life, so I am sure that there is an empty void now that you have achieved such a big goal. Maybe try to take up a small second hobby so that running isn't still consuming you or anything?
Sorry to do this but I looked you up and it looks like you just had a kid pretty recently. As you grow into that stage of life, you will start to have less time to run. That will maybe force you to break your streak at some point. Just be flexible, have fun, and support your family.
Once you break that streak, I think that it will be a weight off of your shoulders. It is okay to NOT run. A lot of people do it! Don't associate yourself as just a runner. People are more dynamic than that. (had to tell my wife's sister this when she was struggling running in college)
Probably didn't help much. Hopefully you got something from that.
My kids are 22 and 26. Neither has known a day when I didn't go for a run. Both run seriously. I spent loads of time with them when they were growing up. When I'm cranky my wife tells me to go for a run because she knows I'll be better company when I come back. Ron Hill raised a family and has been married forever while not missing a day in 52 years.
Imagine you take a week off now. You're not giving up the sport, right? You're going to run the Trials, right? (And major congratulations there.) So you're going to be putting in an hour or two nearly everyday after your time off. How did that week or two lessen the need to accommodate to your family over the long haul?
Thank you for the helpful responses fisky, HRE and King Hobby Jogger! I appreciate the different perspectives on the streak. What I’m taking away from the comments is:
- Don’t be afraid to end the streak, as ultimately running is a hobby and should be treated accordingly but family should always come first.
- Adjust the minimum in order to take a small “break” from the daily grind of running and let motivation return and recover. I think my minimum will be dictated by changing my shoes and stepping out the door (or onto the treadmill) as that usually leads to at least a mile run.
- It is possible to continue to run with children as HRE (and Ron Hill) have shown and still have time for family. This is quite motivational and the inspiration I needed.
I think I will continue to run, but keep these thoughts in the back of my mind. Maybe my New Years Resolution this year will be to take a day off in the upcoming year!
Don't become a slave to your streak or your running log. I know guys who have carried that burden for over twenty years. Their self identity is dominated by that self image. It really isn't healthy...physically or mentally. Take control of your life and miss a day.