SPRING INTO ACTION WITH summer PLAN

My 2016 bib summer tally sheet. Taken by PKSenagore September 6, 2016. All rights reserved.

MENTAL PLANNING FOR SUMMER RUNNING: BEGIN TODAY
Now that winter is officially over, the spring season is the time to begin planning for summer running. Remember the 4 seasons re-vamp proposed by Backpacker.com that takes maximum advantage of available daylight, featured in the BLOG on February 8, 2017 about “The Brightening”?
 
Here’s the description provided in the blog:
THE BRIGHTENING: would start February 4; “glorious season in which you can finally plan a trip without a triple set of headlamp batteries”
THE SHINING: should begin May 5; “the season of long days fit for big miles”
THE DIMMING: onset of August 7; “reminder to seize every weekend”
THE DARKENING: starts November 7; “perhaps plan a moonlit hike”
 
In accord with this daylight-based seasonal system runners, walkers, cyclists, hikers, backpackers, and all other outdoor exercise enthusiasts should work out at a least a rough draft of their hoped-for upcoming activities by May 4, in advance of the start of “The Shining” season on the next day. If you wish to take advantage of all that solar illumination, that is.
 
So, here’s a bit of a teaser article to start the mental process that precedes making a schedule and then taking action, on May 5.
 
“Should You Run Every Day?” by Megan Harrington for ACTIVE.com develops arguments both for and against daily running, also known as STREAK RUNNING. Walkers can consider themselves included in this discussion because like runners they are already mentally geared up to get on the road and moving at least several times a week, and may find this an attractive challenge.
 
“Streak Running” was covered at length in a blog post on May 22, last year, in advance of the 2016 summer running/walking season.  On July 4, another blog post reported on the progress I was making with my streak. And a final report card assessment blog was posted after Labor Day.
 
There was ongoing whining about how difficult it was ... blah, blah, blah. As another summer is approaching, I seem to be looking back on my prior streaking experience with greater fondness. When viewed in hindsight, it WAS a ‘pain’ to warm-up, stretch, get ’mobile’ and out the door, but it WASN’T THAT terrible. And it did provide a DAILY sense of accomplishment a bit sweeter than that which comes from completing a day’s pre-race training session. Each run’s tally mark on my summer Earned Runs bib became part of the picture of that summer’s fun*.
 
Harrington starts her article by telling readers about the ending of the longest streak ever that lasted more than 52 years!!! There’s a link to another story about the Manchester, England runner, Ron Hill, who holds this record. It’s not surprising he has many other notable running-related accomplishments. Actively running streakers with 47+, 46+, and 45+ years under the belt are also mentioned. It’s interesting that none of the 4 men seem to be motivated by the record-making aspect of their daily runs.  It’s more about the enjoyment. 
 
Doesn’t this seem like a perfect activity for a summertime challenge?
 
Take the first step and request your bibs for streak running, walking/hiking, cycling, or swimming. Like yesterday’s post on Professor Lupin and the boggarts, it will take just 2 minutes!
 
RUN HAPPY!

* My 2016 streak ended before the summer ended; very disappointing. This year I'll try to do better, by starting earlier and ending when intended. 

http://www.earned-runs.com/blog/running-in-increasing-daylight
 
http://www.active.com/running/articles/should-you-run-every-day

http://www.earned-runs.com/blog/archives/05-2016
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http://www.runnersworld.com/general-interest/longest-run-streak-ends-at-52-years-39-days