Run # 317 - The End of the Streak Run

While I feel defeated and mostly in shock, I must come to grips with the fact that I just didn't accomplish my goal of running at least one mile every day from May 20th, 2007 - May 19th, 2008.

It's hard to write about how/why the streak ended, so I'm choosing not to elaborate at length right now.

I'd have to pull out the measuring tape to see if I actually made it a mile and the streak really is intact (I honestly think I made it .8 miles before the freefall), but it's probably in the best interest of my body if I just realize it's over, rest for a few weeks, and maybe start a new streak.

It's the price you pay for sprinting down a hill, headphones blaring when you lose your footing, literally tripping over yourself and you end up diving back into the safety of the sidewalk after you had spilled onto a street with a 45 MPH speed limit - cars coming at you down that very same hill. Talk about life flashing before your eyes.

My ankle is probably just severely sprained, I'm icing it as I type, and I hate the idea of paying a doctor to tell me it is (or worse) and then sitting out, all the while realizing I came within 48 days/runs of something I really wanted to do.

Life goes on I guess. This streak doesn't.

Tomorrow would have been Run # 318. I guess Run # 1 will be whenever I can muster it.

Run # 316 - The Mohave Run

Run # 315 - The North Mountain Run

While I didn't actually go up any hills, I found a way to run through/around North Mountain in North Phoenix.

I'm not 100% sure that's what it is called, actually I don't think it is, but the name is good enough for me.

This was about a 2 mile run in 84 degree heat and I was spent.

San Francisco Marathon training starts Thursday.

Run # 316 on Sunday.

Run # 314 - Another 20th St. Run

Run # 313 - The Lifetime Run

Ran with Chuck around a loop that goes to and from Lifetime Fitness.

A quality workout day for me since I ran and I also did what appeared to the unsuspecting as lifting weights.

Run # 312 - The 20th Street Run

Run # 311 - The Near End of the Streak

I barely made this one I was so tired.

I honestly pondered just not running as I took a nap at 10 pm and barely woke up at 10:50.

I started the run at 11:30, running over one mile or so in about 12 minutes.

Brutal.

Run # 310 - The 16th St. Run

Becoming a new favorite of mine, my new goal is to be able to do this one in 16 minutes. Tonight I finished in 18 or so.

Run # 309 - The Cut Off Keisha Run

A simple mile on a boring Sunday night.

Run # 308 - The Rocky Point Run # 2

Run # 307 - The Rocky Point Run # 1

My proudest run of the streak.....

Run # 306 - The Hill Run

Run # 305 - The 16th Street Run

Run # 304 - The Cut Off Keisha Run

Run # 303 - The Warm AZ Run

Aptly titled due to the fact that it was in the 50's vs. the 30's of Nevada.

Run # 304 on Tuesday, March 18th.

I've decided to start training in April for the SF Marathon on August 3rd.

Run # 302 - The Final Reno Run and a Reflection

While on this Reno Run (note that I just like typing Reno Run since I'm a fan of alliterations), I thought about all the cities and states I've run in during the streak.

Here are the ones that came to mind during this run and while I am writing this.

In no order whatsoever:

Phoenix, AZ
Lake Pleasant, AZ
Tonto National Forest/Nikki's Knocker, AZ
Kansas City, Missouri
Omaha, Nebraska
Seattle, Washington
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Reno, Nevada
Milton, Wisconsin
Johnston, Iowa
El Cerrito, California
Austin, Texas
Black River Falls, Wisconsin

Run # 301 - The Reno Run Day # 2

Pretty non-descript as I repeated the first Reno run, only this time with no music.

Again, if someone told me years ago I'd someday be running in Reno, especially with no music, I would have really thought hard about not taking up the sport.

Run # 300 - The Cold Reno Run

It's been a while since I've run in 30 degree temps, but it wasn't about to stop me.

I ran around a man made lake around my hotel, which I later determined had island greens for the driving range connect to it.

The wind was atrocious during this won, and I ran along side a highway for a while as well.

If someone would have told me years ago that I'd be running alongside a highway in Reno, I'm not sure I would have wanted to live.

Run # 299 - The Reno Run

I'm off to Reno, Nevada today where run # 300 will take place tomorrow.

Run # 298 - The Mohave Run

Run # 297 - The Tuesday repeat of Monday Run

Run # 296 - The Monday Night Cut Off Keisha Run

An Apology to My Reader(s)

I need to apologize to anyone who reads this blog at anytime.

First and foremost, I need to apologize for it's lack of depth. I had written a while back with a pledge to update it with more lengthy posts, a return of the maps, etc. and none of that has come to fruition.

I continue to find it is easier to keep the streak alive than it is to blog about it.

I also need to apologize to those who are still looking to read about my experience during the Ragnar Relay Del Sol - especially my teammates.

I just haven't committed to writing about it although I recall in detail most everything I'd like to say. I'm sorry for telling you I'd have more to come, dating all the way back to the Snake Run, and I'm not sure when that time will be.

Perhaps I will include my thoughts when I close this blog out. If one thing is 100% sure, it is that I will write at length about my experience overall during this streak and I'll comment more on whether or not I'll choose to continue it after run # 365.

My apologies again.

Run # 295 - The Hill Run Sunday Morning at 4:45 AM

Run # 294 - The Hill Run Saturday at 10 PM

Run # 293 - The Modave Run

Run # 292 - Chuck's New House Run

Run # 291 - The North Phoenix Hill Run

Run # 290 - The Super Tuesday II Run

Run # 289 - Another of my "hill" runs

After my experience with Nikki's Knocker, these other hills I pick to run on just pale in comparison.

While I was intimidated by NK at first, I feel she allowed me to look forward to bigger and better hills to train on.

Unfortunately, the areas around my house are pretty flat, so I ponder longer distances on the flat areas with shorter runs up bigger climbs whenever I can.

Run # 290 tomorrow. I'm hoping for another sheet cake at 300.

Run # 288 - The Pre-Pubescent Nikki's Knocker Run

Formerly called the Hill Run, this one had to be re-named after my experience with Nikki's Knocker.

It's so small in comparison it reminded me only of a fraction of what Nikki's adult size, augmented knocker was like.

Somewhat steep, but not nearly as thick.

A solid recovery run of about 1.3 miles in 11 minutes.

My legs hurt but it felt good to stretch them out.

The streak continues.

77 days and counting until decision time.

Run # 287B - The Ragnar Relay Run # 3 - The Nikki's Knocker Run

The much anticipated pre-run, run, and post-run coverage will be added soon.

Run # 287A - The Ragnar Relay Run # 2 - The Mullet Pass Run

The much anticipated pre-run, run, and post-run coverage will be added soon.

Run # 286 - The Ragnar Relay Run # 1 - Holy Shit It Was Dark

The much anticipated pre-run, run, and post-run coverage will be added soon.

Run # 285 - The Pre-Relay Mile