Spectacular Streakers & Their Amazing Stories Compiled By Judy Mick

   So it's been a little while since I've blogged here. Part of it was because of ZENVEDA where I was trying to put out a daily video podcast. I did it and I now have a much bigger appreciation for all of those hardcore video bloggers out there. You guys and gals put out some amazing work. I managed to streamline my own production process down to about 20 minutes. But it was still really challenging to get something out daily. 

   

   Part of it was that certain aspects of my personal life are going to "hell in a hand basket" right now. I'm not going to go into any details here. But I've never been one to sugar coat my blog or video podcast. It's just not what life is or who I am. I've got issues and challenges like everyone else and they are a bit overwhelming right now. Some of you have picked up on what's going on and I can't tell you how much I appreciate those of you who've reached out to offer support! Truly a great running community.

   Part of it also was that my marathon training was ramping up for the final big push and then down for the dreaded taper. I'm going to write a race review in the near future. I managed to finish the race. But fell well short of my time goal. Just happy to finish this one.

   When I first started streaking about three years ago I met fellow streaker Judy Mick. She's known as the Streaking Runner and for good reason. She's been running at least a mile a day for 30 years! Just incredible. As we got to know each other and talked running shop I discovered she's not only a running coach and streaker, but a writer as well. At the time she was asking for submissions from her fellow streakers to tell their stories about how they got into streaking for an upcoming book she was writing. I was too self-conscious to submit my own streaking story by myself. But after some prodding from the Coach I agreed. 

   I finally got around to reading the book and it's more of an awe inspiring collection of greatness than a story. And I'm not just saying that because my streaking story is on pages 9-19. Living a busy life means sometimes seeing things only from your perspective. From that view point you can assume that everyone else running out there is having sunny, 60 degree, wind at their back days where they easily knock off 10 miles without breaking a sweat. Sometimes you forget that everyone has their own uniquely challenging story and incredibly powerful reasons why they run. This book tells 18 of those stories. I came away from reading the last one, where Judy tells her own story, with a greater appreciation of the various struggles all runners go through to get where they're going. It's challenging enough to be a runner, add to that trying to run a mile non-stop everyday to be a streaker as well, and you have what defines us as the incredible human beings that we are! It also reminded me of how terribly I wrote those first few days of blogging and how special my own story is. 

   That first streak has come and gone due to that dreaded back injury. I vividly remember how hard it was to let that go. I was on the verge of passing out that final time I tried to limp through a mile on my treadmill. But 609 days was well beyond my original 366 day goal. So, I'll take it as a win. Sitting here a year later 243 days into my second streak I'm reminded how fickle life and running can be. Last year I thought I would never walk, run or work again. But here I am doing all those things and living my life like I used to. Sometimes all it takes is a little reminder that each of us have hills to overcome. Some are bigger than others, but they're still hard to run up regardless their size. Check out the book if you're interested in running and streaking. The stories are motivational, inspiring and like the title implies, spectacular.

   If you're interested in hiring a gifted coach, learning more about Coach Judy and buying this and some of her other books check her out here: Run Happy Coaching!   

As I wade through this current mess that is my life, I'm reminded that I'm still here and I'm not done yet! Thanks Coach for including me in your book and for keeping me afloat.