For me, running has always been the most effective form of exercise. However, when it comes to “pounding the pavement,” some are more fortunate than others. Somehow, I’ve been able to avoid serious knee and lower back injuries that have caused others to avoid the activity. Running keeps my weight under control, burns fat, and fires the furnace of metabolism. I have become obsessive about doing it every day, but it has never been fun.

I have been able to find two other “streak” runners here in the Portland area, but there are more that I’ve yet to run across. These particular two are both female members of the United States Streak Running Association (USSRA) and run everyday without fail, just as I do. (See Post #6). This morning my “streak” reached 3,275 days, with the nine-year anniversary coming at the end of this month. One of the Portland women is only 3 days behind me, while the other is at 2,160 days, approaching six consecutive years. I don’t have to keep track of the days any more because the USSRA website does that for me at www.runeveryday.com.  The current record holder is at 48.56 years and only one year older than I am. In addition, both of the Portland woman acquaintances are not only more than a decade younger than me, but also in the fitness business, so chances are good that they will pass me some day. In the meantime, to keep my lead, I simply have to get in at least a mile run every day – I usually do three.

A few weeks ago, I spoke with one of these ladies about running, and she said that even after all these years it is still fun for her. I countered by saying that “I hate to run.” Every day I somehow force myself to do it, and to me it’s simply a task. Once I’m done, I always feel full of energy and satisfied with the accomplishment, so it’s well worth the effort. It’s the hardest thing I do every day, even before I retired. Weekdays are usually a routine, so I don’t really have to think about it, but on weekends, it’s admittedly hard to get out of bed. This morning I was wishing that I had the more positive attitude of those runners that think it’s fun. I did arise, however, with a poetic mindset, playing with the rhyme of “fun” and “run.” What I quickly came up with is short and sweet, but for me says it all:

Fun to Run?

Some people say,
That they like to run.
They go so far,
As to say it’s fun.

But I often think,
Even before I’ve begun.
I just want this task,
To be over and done!

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