I got a note this morning that Dr. William S. Stark, 69, a professor of Biology at St. Louis University, abruptly ended his four-decade daily running streak after 14,876 days (almost 41 years).  He was #9 on the official U.S.A. active running streak list as compiled by the United States Running Streak Association.  I do not know him, but we had one thing in common – running every day.  If any of you are interested you can find the list and details at www.runeveryday.com.

I have very few athletic accomplishments to tout in life, even if you take into account my Super Hero post #120, and the theory of “the older you get, the better you were.”  I was never a long-distance star, but have completed 3,080 consecutive days of running and rank tied for 211th on the list.  To maintain the streak, it takes nothing but discipline.  It doesn’t matter how fast or slow I go, and believe me I’m pretty slow, all I have to do is complete a mile.  This morning I completed 3 miles, which tends to be my norm, along with my wife and our 2 dogs.  They walked while I run loops to stay close-by.  On occasion, our dog Tally will run with me.  I coughed and sniffled the whole miserable way.  Tomorrow, I will be on my own and will run at a little faster pace.  I only hope I feel better!

I’ve kept pace with Dr. Stark the last 9 years, but he started long before I ever new about this every day running challenge.  I likely will never catch him, since he was forced to stop  nearly 12,000 days or 32.8 years ahead of me.  I would have to live until I’m almost 99 years old and continue to run every single day to catch him.  He does drop off the active streak list, moving me up one position, at his expense.  I felt his pain, as he described the hernia that plagued his daily run, and the necessary surgery that ended his streak.  He said he would take a break and then start another one.

My daily run is what keeps me going.  To even think about not being able to do it is troubling. I’m not sure I would have the same attitude as Dr, Stark.  He’s only 3 years older than I am and still working, so he’s already got more ambition than I do.  Hopefully, he enjoys teaching as much as he does running, so he will continues to feel accomplishment.   I only enjoy having completed my run each day, and don’t necessarily look forward to it.  In fact, I was not at all enthused about doing it this morning after being up most of the night with a nasty cough.  I also really haven’t moved from my desk since gladly unlacing my running shoes.

This cough and cold is the first chink in my body armor since I can remember.  I don’t think I’ve missed more than a day or two of work in all my years, and haven’t spent a night in a hospital since infancy.  I’ve had an attitude of invincibility most of my life, and to even think of Dr. Stark’s situation is scary for me.  Yes, it’s only a cold and my concern silly, but missing a day is one thing; missing a day of retirement is a near tragedy.

I’m enjoying my retirement, and realize how fortunate I am.  I’ve seen friends and family pass away, and I’ve heard stories of others where one illness has led to another.  I don’t like the idea of my body and mind deteriorating with age, and that my life is vulnerable.  I’m thankful I don’t have heart problems, weight problems, or memory problems.  I’m not in a hospital bad, in need of assisted living, or in a wheelchair.  Retirement, however, is a function of health, and life is precious.

I went out of my way to serve the community as part of my career, serving on boards, lending a hand, teaching, providing exposure, and writing checks.  Between work and community, I got pretty burned out.  I must not have had time to be sick!  Since the first of the year, I’ve been pretty selfish with my retirement time.  After all, don’t forget the ME in retireMEnt!  By design, it’s been all about ME, “my time,” and travel.  Hopefully, over the years, that will evolve and the urge will strike to get back into volunteer work.  My retired friends have found some worthwhile causes to occupy their time.  I’ve been a slacker, and apparently it’s made me sick!