This week the consecutive exercise streak began its 12th year! I have been off on my counting over the years, and so I double checked with an app the number of days from 9/26/07 when my streak began, until today, and I was off by 14 days in my counting. My actual consecutive days of exercise as of today is 4022! The important part is the day I started, so I guess I can allow myself some leeway of not having the number of days right over that time period. It has been fun, but it has also been work. The first year was still the hardest, and the now the rest is habit. I still have to plan at the beginning of each week when I plan on working out each day that week. It is still work, and takes a commitment on my part to stick with it. Many obstacles have gotten in the way over the years, including illness and some injuries, but nothing severe enough to bring the streak to an end.
Weather definitely plays a part when you live in SD! Rain, snow, ice, below zero temps…but what it boils down to if I were to miss is that it would just be another excuse. Once the excuses start, it is very hard to stop. You just put your head down and dig a little deeper.
Some days are tougher than others, but I have learned to hang on. I made this commitment to myself, and it was, and is, important to me. That I guess is really what is important. My goal of telling everybody I see every day that they need to work on their health by working on their diet, and trying to exercise, at least I practice what I preach! If you want it, you have to earn it!
I have had many training partners over the years, both 2 legged and 4 legged. They have all helped me to stay motivated to keep going as well, and hopefully the same as occurred in return for them. We all need help at times, so if it is ever offered, then take advantage of it. That day will come when you can return the favor. So, with that…
…the consecutive streak, just like the races, will continue. Every day is a new record. As long as I am in control, it will continue to keep going. Other things make it easy to keep this going as well.
When you work out, or exercise for a purpose, especially when it can be to the benefit of someone else, is always a motivating factor!
The friends made along the way has become priceless. Running is what brought all those relationships together, and we all work together to keep each other going. No task is too large when you have a automatic group of support backing you up along the way. Feel free to join us anytime, and if that does not work for you, then create your own support group that will work for you. Maybe you are tired of waiting for someone else to start it, so you start it! It has to start with, and by, someone! What are you waiting for!
I am planning on having a lot of running adventures with Sarah over the coming years. I have now ran in 33 of the 50 states, so now have to start hitting some of the rest of those states so that I can say I have been in all of them! There is always something to strive for. What is it you want? What are your goals? Have you told anybody else your goals? Make those goals known. When somebody other than you knows them, you become even more committed to making them a reality. What are you waiting for? Keep moving everybody…and have fun along the way!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 4022 (after having those days in I miss counted)
