About a year ago- specifically on December 13th, a Friday, I started running. Every day. I am still going.

Running has kept me going- when work gets a bit rough, I know I am running. When things slow down, I know I am running. I haven’t lost any weight, but by running through Katie’s third pregnancy I didn’t gain any either. Somehow some of the tougher runs are still on the weekends, when I have to leave everyone behind.

Now I am 10 days away from completing a year of running, and less than a month out for completing the calendar year. At various times during the year I mixed in a few workout runs- intervals, tempo runs, but now I am getting into some more structured training for the next Tobacco Road Marathon in March and the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon in June. I don’t know how or if a running streak will fit into marathon training, but for now I am taking it… one day at a time.

“People sometimes sneer at those who run every day, claiming they’ll go to any length to live longer. But don’t think that’s the reason most people run. Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest. If you’re going to while away the years, it’s far better to live them with clear goals and fully alive then in a fog, and I believe running helps you to do that. Exerting yourself to the fullest within your individual limits: that’s the essence of running, and a metaphor for life — and for me, for writing as whole. I believe many runners would agree” ― Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

Over the year my shortest runs have been 1.5 miles, over about 15 minutes. The Rock N Roll Raleigh marathon remains my longest run of the year. My yearly total is approaching 1900 miles, and 2000 on the year is in my sights.

Regardless of the totals, or how long the streak continues, I am pretty excited to be coming up on a year. With that, I am just going to leave this right here. (Would that I could have embedded the video). http://deadspin.com/cbs-praises-browns-for-no-turnovers-browns-immediately-1659400609