I didn't run.....

...on Tuesday, September 12th. Or September 13th. And I don't plan to run today.

The last day that I didn't run* at least 1 mile was December 28th, 2010. Since then, my husband and I have been "streaking"- running at least 1 mile a day^, every day, no matter what. NO MATTER WHAT. That's 989 days in a row of running at least 1 mile a day. During that time I've completed 7 marathons, 2 half marathons, and 3 triathlons. I carried Zooey for 36 weeks and 5 days and delivered her via c-section. I learned how to swim (hence the triathlons!) and lifted weights. I ran in the snow and rain and 90% humidity after the sun set and well before the sun rose. I ran in the middle of the day and went back to work without showering (oops!). I ran in my Danskos between dinner and drinks in the dead of a Chicago winter with my winter coat on (again, without showering). I ran in at least 12 states (likely more that I can't remember).

(^though my crazy- crazy impressive- husband is running three miles a day in 2013!)

My streak ended as unceremoniously as it began. It started because in December 2010 Adam announced that he was going to run one mile a day in 2011. I thought that sounded like a great idea, and was something I had contemplated doing myself in the past so I decided to join him (I'll admit it, there was some component of me not wanting to be outdone in the fitness arena as well:)). It went so well the first year that neither of us saw any reason to stop. Granted, there were days when it was hard. Certainly, days of illness, travel days, days when running clearly cut directly into sleep time were hard days. Days after the first few marathons were hard, though I do think aided in recovery and by the last few marathons the 1 mile run was no big deal. Some days early pregnancy (nausea) and mid pregnancy (need to pee!) were hard. And my pace definitely slowed late pregnancy. Of course, there were days when the couch called. MANY days when the couch called. But, in all honestly, sitting on a couch for the 10 minutes it takes to run a mile wouldn't result in any meaningful relaxation or rest. I almost always felt better after running whether better meant an improved mood, that last burst of energy to get through the day or just the peace of mind that I continued to prioritize my physical and mental health through exercise. Most days I ran more than a mile (or biked, or swam, etc). But the days I ran only a mile were completely worth it.

Streaking helped prioritize exercise for Adam and I both pre- and post-baby in a way that a non-daily regular exercise routine never would. Let's face it: despite incredible support and help from our family in the past few months (with a special shout out to my mom who moved in with us for 8 weeks!), we are spread very, very thin. And we are people who were already spread very thin. In fact the reason my streak ended is probably in part because I am simply not treating my body the way it needs to be treated- aside from one random night in August I haven't slept more than 4 hours in a row in, well, FIVE MONTHS. And I usually only get 6 hours a night. And I'm a person who needs my 9-10 hours. I'm barely functioning. Adam, I think, is better physically, but mentally stressed from a very hectic job. Bottom line= we have every excuse in the book to forgo exercise "temporarily" or "until things calm down" or "until she sleeps through the night". But because of the streak there has been no question that we need to prioritize and organize such that we each get our runs in. Which has leaked over into making sure I get my other work-outs in as well. From the day after Z's birth, running (*well, walking actually for the first month immediately after she was born), daily has been my 'me' time or sometimes my 'Adam and me' time or even 'family time', but time where I definitely am prioritizing my health and my sanity, which, by the way I think is an excellent example to set for young Zooey.

As I said, my streak ended as unceremoniously as it started. I didn't run on Wednesday because I was too sick to get out of bed. Unfortunately we were on our first vacation as a family of three in Lake Geneva, not the best time or place to get sick. But I was too nauseated and too lightheaded to even walk further than the bathroom. It really wasn't an option, and I didn't even consider running. Same with yesterday. Today I could pull it off, but I'm not going to.

My streak taught me a lot. I'm very strong. I'm very motivated. I'm a bit crazy. I don't mind if other people realize I'm a bit crazy. I am now a faster runner.  My streak strengthened my body. My streak strengthened my marriage. My streak carried me through a pretty easy pregnancy and postpartum recovery that resulted in a wonderful healthy baby girl despite her being a few weeks early.

Will I streak again? Probably. Life can be overwhelming and I'm sure will only be more so in the coming months as I continue the job hunt and then start my practice as an oncologist. Adam, Zooey, and I have a lot of transitions in the coming year and transitions- even when good- can be stressful. I can easily see how exercise might get edged out if (Adam and) I don't continue to fiercely guard our work out time. But I don't know when I will start again. It might be tomorrow. It might be next year. We'll see how I feel. But I know my first streak was great. 989 runs, not all of them great individually, but definitely a great first streak!

Daily Miles in Mexico..And an Unplanned Rant (oops!)

I really enjoy running elsewhere. Seeing new places, being in different climates, working up a sweat before a prolonged happy hour and dinner....so much more enjoyable than trying to squeeze in a workout in an otherwise overstuffed day which is what every day seems to be in Chicago. Too busy. Yes, this is partially a comparison of normal daily life and life on vacation, but for me in the midst of another ridiculously hard year, I'm getting weary of 60++ hour weeks. It shouldn't be hard to squeeze in a 10 minutes of exercise, let alone an hour which is what I really want to do.

There are many days when I get home from work and it's a race to eat, get work done, run, get to bed. The whole evening becomes a panicked rush. Some people may like to be that busy all the time; I don't. We've completely eliminated TV from our lives, we have few outside responsibilities besides work. But our (Adam's and my) work is TOO MUCH.

I know I just have to get through 4 more months. After that I can expect 4 two day weekends most months. I can start to work more of a 8-5 type schedule. Of course, I'll do some work at home- there is no way to be a professional in 2012 without doing some work at home, but maybe my grand-total hours of working including home work will be closer to 60 rather than 60 hours at the hospital plus whatever else I need to do at home.

Enough ranting, let's focus on some of the great parts of my daily runs in Mexico.


Sara and I both found sand running to be hard. Very hard. Finally, on the last day I tried barefoot sand running. SO MUCH EASIER. What was I doing wearing shoes that whole time??

Running on the sand was easier, more tactile, more relaxing, more free. (Don't get me wrong, I'll keep on wearing shoes here in the real world.) I ran right on the water's edge where the sand was more firm and the water intermittently washed up over my feet. By the time I turned around to run back, some of my path was already washed away by waves:

One morning, I was graced with a beautiful sunrise. Just incredible. So glad I always run with my camera when I'm on vacay.

Our first night, Sara and I saw this AMAZING sunset. Just stunning.

The last day of my trip I stayed at Sara's great pad in San Fran and did a hilly, hilly run. I swear my heart rate hit 200. SO HARD. I ran a 12:30 min mile, 3-4 minutes slower than my usual pace but not for lack of trying:)

But now I'm back in Chi-town. Did a treadmill run today (boo!), but a swim afterwards so overall that was good. My swimming has greatly improved. However, I've decided it's time to suck it up and find a new gym. The free in one in our basement just ain't going to cut it. One of the fun things Sara and I did in Mexico was yoga on the beach and I realized that I would benefit from more consistent yoga and other work-out classes. Maybe get back into spinning as well.

In addition to the mildest hint of a tan (come on- I have to preserve the skin for my older years!), I returned from Mexico with 3 goals:

1. Get into yoga.
2. Join a gym.
3. Secret (what- I don't have to share everything do I?)

It was a great trip and I'm thankful for a great friend to travel with and a great husband willing to support my girl-only trips:)

Running Our Daily Miles in Yellowstone National Park

About to start on a run. Do you see my bison horns?

As we do at the end of each vacation, Adam and I catalogue our favorite moments from the trip- this time our 2nd winter trip to Yellowstone National Park.  Interestingly- though not entirely surprisingly- my 3^rd favorite experience of the trip was our daily one mile runs. Since I have ran at least 1 mile a day since December 2010, clearly no exceptions would be made during this journey!

However, it required no small amount of mental fortitude to drag ourselves out for our snowy, cold 1 mile runs especially after a long day of cross-country skiing. But each and every time I was smiling pretty much the whole time and honestly wished I could go a while further than a mile each time (though I never did). Here are some of the highlights for me:

Beehive Geyser

On a run at Old Faithful, Beehive Geyser went off. Beehive spouts water over 200 feet into the air with an erratic eruption “schedule”, going off every 5 to 12 hours, so if we hadn’t gone for that run exactly at that time, we wouldn’t have caught it!

On a solo morning run, I was the very first human out amongst the geysers, though I wasn’t the first animal as evidenced by this coyote footprint next to mineJ

On my last run at Old Faithful I witnessed a beautiful sunrise over the trees. The yellow poles on the right indicate the side of the road, so as you can see, no surface is left untouched by the huge amounts of snow. And this is a a low snowfall year! At one point during a ski, Adam stepped off the trail and sank up to his waist in snow! For some reason, he didn't want to stay in that pose until I got the camera out...can't imagine why not! :)

Other times, we enjoyed snowfalls, a coyote running across our path about 5 feet away, an Old Faithful eruption and always the wonderful smells of fresh Montana and Wyoming air.  Experiences like this are one of the reasons I plan to continue my Daily Mile as long as I am physically able. Sometimes you just need that nudge to get out there and experience life, even when a comfy chair in a warm lodge with an adult beverage beckonsJ

Adam and I during one of our runs.

Adam with Old Faithful to the left.

Well I've Never Done THAT Before

Alternate title: Why Danskos are the Best Shoes Ever

Last night I had a lovely evening with 2 friends from work. We started at a tasty spot called West Town Tavern and ended up at this really fun bar called the Violet Hour (will review both later). Because of some annoying things that kept me at work for longer than I anticipated, I had not yet done my mile run when we set out for dinner. That's no big deal- I've run after dinners out before. But when we decided to go to the Violet Hour and it was already past 8pm, I began to worry. Was I really going to get my run done after a Dark & Stormy?

So, I did something ridiculous. I know it's ridiculous. I appreciate my friends humoring me and actually encouraging me to do this (I know it's so they can have a story about "this goofy girl they know who.....", but that's okay!). Before I stepped into our after dinner bar, I went for a mile run. In my dress clothes....in my work shoes.....with my winter coat on.

There's really nothing else to say about the whole thing. It was actually a really nice night and a good run. I went real slow so I wouldn't sweat. And I have a new appreciation for the ugly but comfortable clogs that many of us wear at work (see right). They actually double very well as running shoes;)

Get your mile in people, no excuses! ;)