19,032

I saw a story in the Washington Post earlier this week about the end of the longest running streak in history. Englishman Ron Hill concluded his streak with a one-miler last Saturday, January 28. Health concerns forced him to the sideline. The 19,032 refers to the number of consecutive days he's laced up his shoes and headed out-- every day since December 21, 1964.

Every day. Didn't miss one. He didn't skip a day because he stayed up all night drinking. He's run 115 marathons, and chose to keep the streak alive after each and every one of them by running at least a mile the next day. 

That... is dedication.

There is so much meat in this story that I don't really know where to start explaining how amazing the numbers really are. Health problems such a car accident that led to a broken sternum, plus bunion surgery that called for short runs and two canes. He powered through it all and didn't miss a single beat for fifty-two years.

Rain? Cold? Didn't matter. Even if he just didn't feel like it, which I'd guess happened a lot, he got himself out there and did his road work for the day. 

I am truly amazed at the level of commitment Hill showed. 20+ miles a week is a victory for me. I'll crank out an occasional seven-miler, but it's unusual if I run anything besides a 4 or a 5. 

Hill ran his final marathon at age 57, a 3:12 at Boston in 1996. His mileage isn't reported, but needless to say it's a big number. And it's no less amazing.

I consciously choose to not be a streaker, even when Runner's World has those summer or holiday streak things they do. I don't want the streak to control my life and dictate what I do. Don't misunderstand, I love, *love* to run, and I love writing about it, but I try to keep running in its place. 

Besides, I manage my time so poorly already.

Anyhow, the new record holder is a gentleman in suburban Los Angeles, California who has run every day for a lousy 47 1/2 years. He apparently puts more stock in logging his miles, as the Post reports he's run over 190,000 miles. Injuries also seem to be a part of his life as well, as he's kept the streak alive through dings such as ten broken bones, two knee surgeries, and more. Assuming running caused the injuries, it would seem to cast streaking in a poor light.

I've upped my goal to 95 miles per week in 2017, and I booked 106 miles in January. My running year is off to a good start!