Streaking

About six weeks ago I read an article in the New York Times about a growing trend in streaking. No, not the "running naked through campus" streaking, but a goal oriented type of streaking. This group was from the United States Running Streak Association ( www.runeveryday.com ) and their goal is very basic.... run every day. Yep that is it. Run every day.

It does sound pretty simple. Running is very simple. All you need is a good pair of shoes. Well, I decided to take this on as a personal challenge. Yep..I'm running every day. I used to run about 3 days a week for about 2.5 - 3 miles. The USRSA requires you to run at least one mile each day. About every 3 days I only run one mile, but most other days I run 2-2.5 miles.

I started running on May 23, 2011. I have a couple of routes in my neighborhood that I take. I've gone to the Y to run on rainy days. I even ran every day on vacation. I ran when I didn't feel like running. I ran through a terrible hangover. I ran in 95 degree heat. I ran and ran and ran.

Today marked my 1st goal of running every day for an entire month. Today I woke up with a double ear infection, a sinus infection, a respiratory infection, and an incredible headache. Today I had to run. I had to meet my goal. I woke up at 615am and slowly put on my running gear. I carefully stepped outside with the sun coming up and barely made it to the end of the driveway with my head spinning and throbbing. I had to pace back and forth for a few minutes to muster up the strength to run one mile. I kept telling myself, "Once this is over you will feel so much better! Once this is over you will feel so much better!" Once it was over I felt like I was going to die. I crawled up the steps then laid myself out on the living room floor. I stayed very still. Tod came in and nudged me to see if I was still alive. Barely. But....I did it. I ran every day for an entire month. It may not seem like much, but for a non-runner like myself this is quite an accomplishment.

Ask me what I will be doing tomorrow at 615am. Running.

Hooray! Hooray!

I remember my Mom reading the Berenstain Bears books to me as a little girl. My absolute favorite book has always been The Bears' Vacation by Jan and Stan Berenstain. It is a story about the Bear family going on their summer vacation and Papa Bear is showing Small Bear how to stay safe while on their trip. Whenever my family took a trip as we pulled out of the driveway someone from the front seat always quoted the very first lines of the book...

Hooray! Hooray!

We are on our way!

Our summer vacation

starts today!

I know this may seem like a silly memory, but it has always created that excitement of a family vacation. It always felt like we were starting off on the right foot. Usually my sister and I would roll our eyes as Mom and Dad would quote the book, but deep down we were reciting it ourselves.

Well, I am totally outing myself here...

After we had kids....I now quote The Bears' Vacation book as we pull out of the driveway. And yes, there are three sets of eyes rolling! It doesn't bother me at all. I know that the spirit of a fun family vacation is in front of us. I know that we may have a long car ride, but that is all part of the adventure.

We are headed to my parents tonight in North Carolina to cut off some of the travel time tomorrow. Then on Friday we head to the Bluegrass State!!

We will have a big O'Donnell Family wedding on Saturday and lots of family fun the rest of the week.

The boys and I will then fly to Louisiana to see my Grandmother. She is 90 years old and cannot wait for us to get there. I am sure I will gain 10 pounds in crawfish while there! Yum!


I almost cannot contain my excitement that we are starting off our summer with two fun family vacations. I might as well start now.....

Hooray! Hooray!

We are on our way!

Our Summer vacation

starts today!!!!!