Streakers
For those of you expecting to see several of our runners in the buff, you may be disappointed to find out that this is not that kind of streaking! We are talking about run streaking of course. If you are unaware or new to this concept a run streak is simply running on consecutive days, every day without fail. It is also generally considered that the minimum distance of a run for it count towards a run steak is one mile.
Whilst this isn’t nessessesairly a new concept, in recent years it has has become more popular. The benefits of regular exercise are numerous, both physically and mentally, but what are the benefits or drawbacks from running everyday for a prolonged period of time? Is there likely to be improved fitness and injury resilience or is there a risk to over training and an increased risk of an injury?
Rather than speculate on this, what better way to find out the implications running everyday has by speaking to four of our Thanet Roadrunners who are currently on a run streak.
First up is Ultra Marathon hero and one of our Clubs Mental Health Champions John Hunt. John is currently on a 145 day running streak and has clocked up over 1,050 miles in the process.
What made you start your running streak?
“I started after suffering with lack of motivation, weight gain and and then an injury. I felt I’d fallen out of love with running so after my injury got better I decided to see if I could run every day. I had no target or end game in mind. The first 3 weeks were really tough as I’d lost a lot of fitness but its surprising how quickly it comes back.”
Has there been any benefits to your run streak?
“I feel the streak has given me a focus and accountability that my training has never had. It has also had remarkable positives on my physical and mental health.”
Any highlights from your current run streak?
“I think my most memorable run from my running streak was completing a 38 mile run that included an entire lap of Thanet.”
Next up is the Club female marathon record holder and another one of our Club Mental Health Champion Ruby Spencer. Anyone who knows Ruby will know that she is no stranger to clocking up big milage. Ruby is currently on a running streak of 165 days averaging between an incredible 110-125 miles a week!
What made you start your running streak?
“It wasn’t intentional to be honest, it’s not a conscious thing I just personally don’t feel I benefit from rest days. I’d be better to do a slow 4 miles and keep myself ticking over to feel refreshed than have a day of nothing at all.”
Has there been any benefits to your run streak?
“Running is my favourite way to start the day, when I’m up at 5am I’m so much more alert come 8am when I start my working day as I’ve had 3 hours of preparation unlike others who literally got out of bed an hour ago.”
Any highlights from your current run streak?
“The highlights for me is that running becomes easier. There is no luck or coincidence with running, you get out what you put in and the more you run the better you get.”
Next up is Paul Brackenborough. Paul started his run streak last year and has been running for 278 days in a row. In the process, Paul has clocked up in excess of 1,750 miles!
What made you start your running streak?
“I started back on 22nd December last year. Since losing my grandad last June, I’ve been a little lost. Running has provided me with a focus.”
Has there been any benefits to your run streak?
“The benefits have been to my pace which has improved and I’ve had no injuries so far (touch wood). It has also helped me a lot as this club and the people around me have been amazing and helped me out a lot.”
Any highlights from your current run streak?
“A highlight of the run streak has been an improvement to my pace so I would say breaking the sub 40 minute 10k at the Folkestone 10K was also a highlight.”
Last but by no means least is Adrian Smith. Adrian has been running everyday for 514 days and has clocked up in excess of a whopping 2,770 miles!
What made you start your running streak?
“I started this run streak as a challenge to run everyday back in May 2019”.
Has there been any benefits to your run streak?
“I’ve lost weight, I am fitter and my V02 Max has also improved.”
Any highlights from your current run streak?
“The highlights for me are that every day running brings something different”.
And there you have it. Four different but very personal insights into run streaking. Some of them intentional, some accidentally but all of them demonstrating benefits to their fitness with the consistent training that their run streaks has provided.
Of course run streaking may not be for everyone and it is worth bearing in mind that all of our athletes featured in this article are all good, strong runners that have been running for a number of years. You should consider your own fitness levels before committing to significantly increasing your training load by running everyday and ask yourself what it is you want to get out of it.
However, for these run streakers, the consistency of running everyday really has been key for their improved fitness, mental wellbeing, motivation and injury resilience.
We hope that you find this as inspiring, informative and motivating to read as it was for us to talk to these runners and get an insight into their run streaking.
So, over to you. Are you a current run streaker or considering a streak of your own? Either way, get in touch and let us know how you are getting on or provide us with your thoughts or experience of run streaking.