Run # 376 - The Migraine Headache Cure Run

Running has often cured headaches for me.

This run was no different.

I barely made it because I wanted to puke to start but I felt better along the way and finished strong.

My reward came in the form of the headache returning even worse. I guess I should have kept running.

Run # 375 - The One Headphone Run

Decided to run to Summer Moon/Sleeping Moon for this one.

An old pair of headphones I realized why I no longer wear were with me.

They kept falling out so I went with just one.

I probably looked pretty odd but the annoyance of the situation led to me running with anger. At least that's what the look on the face of the pizza guy I passed suggested.

Run # 374 - The 20th St. Run

My ambition to run to 16th St. and back was thwarted with a typical decision to only run to 20th St.

In this case I was actually pressed for time and didn't start this run until 11 pm.

The highlight of this one for me was avoiding traffic as, for some reason or another, I stepped out in front of an oncoming car but had a good 4 or 5 seconds to run past it.

Run # 373 - The Forerunner Returns for Aimless Mile Run

I do enjoy running aimlessly whenever I feel like it.

Monday night was one of those aimless nights.

I ran fast by my standards, with about an 8:30 mile, for just over a mile.

Run # 374 on Tuesday, May 27th.

Run # 372 - The No Music, No Watch Mile

A run down to Summer Moon and back where I went "neanderthal style."

I define that as no music and no watch; I enjoy doing this from time to time. Well, not really but when I am too lazy to go back upstairs to get my I Pod and watch, I do a run like this one.

Run # 371 - The Hill Run

If the Hoh Run was a favorite in 2007 (and I think it was for a few months), the Hill Run is a favorite in 2008.

I still think it's funny how small and short it is compared to Nikki's Knocker, and what's primarily funny about that is how I think about it almost every time I run it.

I should try Nikki's Knocker again soon.

Run # 370 - The Blades of Steel Run

I took another timeout from one of the best video games ever to run just over 1 mile.

The streak is alive and well.

Unfortunately so is this blog.

Maybe in the coming weeks/months/years I will find a reason to have an entertaining blog.

In the meantime, thank you for continuing to check in.

Run # 369 - The Sleeping Moon Downpour Run

In an odd turn of events, the weather in AZ went from 112 at the beginning of the week to 54 and pouring ran by Thursday.

It was around 11 pm and raining cats and dogs when I started this one so I chose to run down the water filled street by my house to Summer Moon (that I've re-named Sleeping Moon) lane.

The rain felt great as usual but I was soaking wet by the time I was done.

I'm still not sure if the shoes I wore have dried out, but it was well worth it.

Year One in Review

I'm taking a time out from my current game of Blades of Steel to review Year One. As you may have read, I received a Nintendo Wii for my birthday. The Wii is great for many reasons but the ability to download and play games from my youth is especially tremendous. Blades of Steel is highly addicting and I can't stop playing.

So run # 365 took place in Denver on Sunday and I really wanted to post with some highlights from year one. I've decided I'll post bullet points to make it easier to read through.

• I want to start off by thanking the following people for actually running with me during the streak: Chuck, John,Derek, Erich, Amy, Chris, Steve, Bobby, and whoever I'm forgetting but I think that is it. Also thanks to those who I ran with during the Tucson Marathon and P.F. Chang's Marathon.
• I'd also like to thank my Ragnar Relay teammates. They are Zack MetroMint, Biscuit/Bushman, Chris, Tyson, Paul, Pat, Jerry, Sarah, Panda, Dan, and Dan. That race gave me my best mile time during the streak over more than a mile run when I ran 2.9 miles during my second leg, got passed by a guy with a mullet, finished as strong as I could and ended up puking at the exchange. This was after I slept sitting up in the van and was running on just a few hours of sleep at the break of dawn.
  
• Speaking of the relay, I have to mention and thank Nikki's Knocker for giving me character. I'm not sure I've ever been happier than when I finished that one.

Now on to some more thank yous/ highlights:

• I want to thank John again for telling me I wouldn't make it to 3 months of the streak.
• I want to thank Chuck again for telling me I would make it at least a year.
• I want to thank the cops for radaring drivers by my house. It was fun to run by you and have you look at me with anger.
• The girl who pulled over and yelled something out the window at me was definitely a highlight. I still wonder what she said.
• The drunk girls who yelled something to the effect of "we just saw your life flash before your eyes" as they slowed down to avoid hitting me.

Which reminds me to offer some numbers here:

• Total number of near collisions with a car: 3
• Total number of collisions with a person: 1
  
• Total number of times I fell: 1
• Total number of times I watched Chuck fall into a bush: 1
• Total number of times I puked: 1
• Total number of times I ran in street clothes: 1
• Total number of kills during the relay: 3 or 4
• Total number of times I was called disrespectful: 1
• Total number of times I discovered a snake: 1
• Total number of times I thought about ending the streak: 56

The Hoh run was an early favorite but it was 2.25 miles long.

The "mode" of the streak is by far a 1.0 - 1.3 mile run over various courses and I honestly wouldn't want to have a streak of 3 miles every day like some do. It's really incredible that there are people who do that because I would have given up by now if that was the minimum.

There are many more highlights I can't think of without going back and reading through the blog.

With that being said, I'll keep the blog up but I'm not sure how often I'll update or how extensive it will be in year 2. The USRSA requires me to have a record of the runs, and I'll use this space for that, but I've found I just don't have the desire or motivation to make this even remotely interesting.

Thanks again to all for making this a memorable year and thank you for reading.

Run # 368 - The Wii Run

Run # 367 - A Slow Mile

Ran this one on May 20th, 2008, exactly one full calendar year after I started the streak.

Run # 366 - Year # 2, Run # 1

Run # 365 - The End of Year One Run

It wasn't pretty as I'm pretty sure Denver's heat and air isn't quite something a person like me gets accustomed to easily after a year of running mainly in Phoenix.

I ran along Cherry Creek again and took the Forerunner with me even though it didn't work that well.

I didn't feel too much adrenaline but I felt great after I was done.

A longer recap will follow with some highlights and thoughts from me on year # 1.

I also have a few people to thank who will never read this blog.

Run # 364 - The Downtown Denver Run

You were correct, downtown buildings seemingly disarm the Forerunner.

It's strange that didn't happen in Phoenix, but understandable considering how weak downtown Phoenix is when compared to downtown Denver.

I ran a short portion of this one downtown, but then crossed over to Cherry Creek for a while before looping back to my hotel.

After drinking the night before, something I don't recommend to prepare for running in the sun, I felt sluggish the entire time.

I also realized this was my 2nd day in a row of running during the middle of the day, something I'm completely against but do only when it's absolutely necessary.

It will be again for run # 365 on Sunday, when I plan to re-visit the Cherry Creek and complete year one of this streak.

Run # 363 - The Downtown Phoenix Run

This run was done prior to me leaving for Denver.

I only had about 15 minutes and I didn't enjoy the heat as it was about 4 pm when I started.

I ran aimlessly, with the highlight of running through Valley Metro's Central Station where someday I might catch the lightrail.

I also continued my tradition of running along the lightrail tracks, which is probably something I'll do even when the lightrail begins operation.

Run # 362 - The 16th St. Run

Saul Williams' "List of Demands (Reparations)" is a pretty good running song.

The Forerunner says I ran about 2.15 miles in 17:54:13, good for 8.19 minute miles.

Run # 363 in Downtown Phoenix on Friday.

Run # 361 - The Run # 1 Re-Visited Run

I ran the same route I started the streak with since I determined tonight will be the last night I could do it before 365.

It's about a 2.7 mile stretch around my neighborhood and I did it in just over 24 minutes..9 minute mile pace that again is too slow according to my "Virtual Partner," - the Forerunner.

Tomorrow I plan on running to Lifetime and back and Friday I will probably just do a short 1.3 miles or so before I head to Denver for Saturday and Sunday.

I am sort of perplexed as to how I'll exactly feel when I hit 365. I really don't think I'll be overjoyed, but I'm curious as to how I'll react when I cross the 1 mile marker that day. I wouldn't be shocked if I tripped and fell.

I will stand by my statement to many others though that I will hit 365 even if I have broken bones in both legs.

Many have also wished me luck in getting there as well and to all of you who aren't reading this I say "Thank you."

Run # 360 - The Downtown Run

The setting was beautiful downtown sunny Phoenix.

Right outside of the beautiful Arizona Republic/azcentral.com building.

I ran about 2 miles or so with very few highlights.

Running along the light rail was fun until the cops showed up.

I'm not sure if anyone has ever been arrested while merely jogging, but I know people have been cuffed and stuffed after trying to run away from police.

In this case, I just jumped off the rail line and kept going along the sidewalk, past homeless people, trying not to breathe in the black air.

The best part was having my watch and I Pod back on, and wearing my normal running attire vs. the khaki short look.

Run # 361 is next.

Run # 359 - The Khaki Shorts No Music No Watch Run

At many points throughout all of time, people have run at least a mile with no watch on and no headphones blaring music into their ears.

However, I wonder how many times someone has done it in the modern age, all the while wearing khaki cargo shorts.

At least one I know for sure.

Run # 360, with the hopeful return of my watch and music, is next.

Run # 358 - The Schmuck Run Part 2

I just had to run to the Schmuck sign again to see if it was real.

Indeed it was so I passed it and ran a bit further than the inaugural Schmuck run.

Seven runs to go.

Run #357 - The Hill Run

I must say this run was hard to start and finish.

I put it off until about 11 pm and I'm getting bored with running the same short routes.

The problem is I'm having a tough time finding the ambition to run further but I have this feeling that once run 365 comes and goes I will be able to return to the non-streaking days of old when I would do long runs on the weekends with no hesitation.

We'll see what happens. The SF Marathon is still on August 3rd and, although I think I could finish it today, I still want to "train" for it and see what time I can muster.

Run # 356 - The Schmuck Run

Tonight I ran with no music and in a hurry.

I thought about how slow I ran the past few nights so I intentionally tried to run a bit faster on this one.

My breathing was labored and I hated not having music.

However, the sign I saw while running the back portion of this down the street and back run made it worth every pain and negative thought along the way.

Apparently a man named Frank Schmuck (that's right!) is running for some sort of political office.

Check 'em out at TeamSchmuck.com

Would you vote for a schmuck?

Run # 355 - The Forerunner says I'm Slow Run

I trust the Forerunner with my life and tonight my 1.4 mile trek was just over 13 minutes long. The math says I'm running a slow 10 minute mile these days if I don't get too pumped up by the music or intentionally sprint at points to bring my time down.

I did notice last night that the Hoh run was much slower than the 4th of July Hoh run I did last year and I'm not sure I chalk the slowing down up to my intentional lack of effort some nights, poor ability, bad running form, burnout from the streak, or all of the above.

To me, time really isn't an issue. It's just about keeping this thing going.

I have told many people I'll keep doing it past 365, and I have every intention to.

Why?

Definitely not to set a record or because I want to run myself into the ground, until I get hurt, or because I want to move up the list at runeveryday.com, etc.

No, it's really simply because I don't think I'll be able to stop. Especially without feeling really terrible about quitting.

I can't imagine the feeling of waking up one morning with the realization that I couldn't even muster a mile the night before.

50 marathons by the time I reach age 50 is my only other goal I've expressed to any one else.

Qualifying for Boston someday would be nice, even running a sub-4 hour marathon would be a feat for me.

But this streak has been for me what I've always thought of it as: a goal I set on May 20th, 2007 and am now on the brink of reaching.

Beyond that, I really have no clue what it will become.

I've read the horror stories of guys having heart attacks during their streaks, running the days their kids are born and graduate. Running the days their parents die, even being physically attacked by animals and neighbors, all the while still waking up the next day dead set on running.

I guess it's a positive addiction to have, but like I said, my times aren't necessarily improving but I'm not sure I've tried to improve them with any strategy that's been proven to work.

I just make sure I do at least a mile everyday.

One thing I know for sure is this: during this entire year I have never finished a run feeling worse than before I started it, and to me that's probably the only reason I've made it to this point.

Run # 354 - The Hoh Run

An old favorite revisited.

It's been a long time since I ran the Hoh, so I felt tonight was a great time to do it again.

Run # 355 tomorrow.

11 runs to go.

Run # 353 - The 16th St. Run

In a stunning turn of events, I left the Forerunner at home for this one.

Carrying only my I Pod, I ran about 2.25 miles or so and felt completely dead after I was done.

Not sure what my problem is, but I'm not quite back to 100% health.

10 miles on the canal on Saturday at 5 AM.

My theory is if I keep typing that last line enough, I'll eventually (this weekend) get off my ass and do it.

Run # 352 - The Hill Run

Another hill run on a night where I aspired to run at least 4 miles.

It simply didn't happen as my body decided sleep was more important.

My computer has also decided it no longer likes the Garmin software, so until I fix that, the blog will remain mapless.

Hopefully when my longer runs do return so will the maps, but then again this blog will probably fold after I hit the 1 year mark of the streak.

Run # 353 on Tuesday.

Run # 351 - Two Lifetime Runs

As promised long long ago, pictures/graphics have returned to the blog. I ran to and from Lifetime on Sunday.

Above are screenshots of what Garmin can do for you.

Run # 350 - The Forerunner is Awesome Run

Did I mention I'm a big fan of the Forerunner 405?

Why I never had a GPS watch before earlier this month I am not sure.

I'm sorry I missed the 10 miler with you this morning, but I took the Forerunner along instead on a run just over a mile.

I didn't feel completely terrible, but the thought of doing another 9 made me nauseous.

Run # 351, marking two weeks away, is tomorrow.

Run # 349 - The Sleeping Moon Mile

An old favorite short run, I kept the streak alive while I felt like shit.

Just over a mile to keep it going.

I'm closing in on 2 weeks.

Run # 350 tomorrow.

Run # 348 - The Thursday Augustana Run

Ran with the new Augustana album "Can't Love, Can't Hurt."

I'm probably the only man in the universe who did that last night, especially while wearing a Forerunner 405.

I feel special and proud, and I'm also getting sick.

But the streak continues.

Run # 349 on Friday.

Run # 347 - The Forerunner 405 Run # 1

1.4 miles with my spectacular new watch.

The thing is amazing.

I never thought I'd love a watch. I do.