As I reflect on the death of another famous contemporary, Paul Allen, it demonstrates that anyone, no matter how wealthy or healthy is vulnerable. (See Post #701). At the same time, every day I helplessly watch our aging dog Tinker have more and more difficulty getting up and down our stairs. Her eyesight is failing her and even her once iron stomach is now a concern. Only in the mirror can I see the changes in myself, but that biased reflection is filtered by my stubbornness to accept the inevitable. It’s solely by watching those around us where we get an honest gauge of the slow aging process. I can feel it in my bones, but can’t see it in my face.

Every day I go for a run, motivated solely by maintaining my daily streak. I can think of many reasons why I started it including weight control, personal challenge, and better health, but I don’t think about those things any more. I’m simply driven to run at least a mile every day for as long as I can. After nearly 10 years of doing this, I can’t even imagine not starting my day this way, but someday it will end. For now, aging has simply slowed me down, as related aches and pains seem magnified. My mile times are slower and it takes longer to complete any distance. 

I never knew Microsoft’s Paul Allen, just as I don’t know 76-year old Sam Johnston of Naples, Florida. Sam and I share simply a last name and a common interest in running. Every once in a while I check the USRSA (United States Running Streak Association) website at www.runeveryday.com to do a comparative check. Sam’s streak extended for over 41 years (15,023 days) and he was #13 on the active list. I currently stand in the low 200’s, and I hate to think of moving up on that list at the expense of Sam Johnston. Here are his words about ending this remarkable streak:

“After running 1.26 miles, I stopped and walked for twenty painful minutes and decided that it would probably be my last official day of being a streak runner. It was over. I told my tolerant and loving wife that I was quitting, but I did plan to run the next morning just to make sure. On Saturday morning I went out and got a couple of minutes into my run and I decided quitting my streak was the right thing to do. And even though I could have run a mile, I didn’t. I finished 1-k and stopped. I then turned off my music and took a very slow, reflective, one hour walk before going home. Saturday was a long day filled with the benign torment from my decision. I went to bed at about 10:30 that night and oddly enough I woke up later and looked at the clock. It was 11:59. And just as I glance at it, the clock changed to 12:00. It was officially over.”

Regrettably, attrition is the only way to move up this run-streak list, as opposed to other ranking lists in life. I will probably never reach Sam Johnston’s mark. I would need to continue for another 31 years, and then celebrate my 100th birthday with a mile run. At some point, my knees may give out like his did, or worse yet, meet the same unfortunate fate as billionaire Paul Allen. In his case, others may have moved up on the list of the wealthiest, but my only accomplishment is living longer. On the other hand, Sam Johnston has not only run longer but also has the edge in age. Hopefully, he’ll prove that there is life after running. Congratulations on an amazing accomplishment, Sam. Maybe we’re related?