MCM Mama Runs

MCM Mama Runs for Beer and Bling

  • Home
  • About MCM Mama
  • Racing the U.S.A.
  • I Heart Craft Beer
  • Product Reviews
  • Recipes
  • Disclosure
You are here: Home / running / How to safely become a streaker

How to safely become a streaker

January 16, 2015 by MCM Mama 23 Comments

You know I’m referring to run streaking, right? I mean *I’d* never do something as crazy as go streaking. Nope, not me.

But I am run streaking.  I’m on day 17 and so far, so good. It’s helping me rebuild my workout habit. 4-5 days a week are part of my training plan for my upcoming races, but the others I just use running as a warm up to get me motivated to do another work out. Will I keep this up for a year? For a lifetime? I don’t know. My goal right now is the end of January, but I’ll re-evaluate as necessary.

Want to do one too?  Here are some tips for safely starting a streak:

how-to-safely-streak

1. Build your mileage slowly. If you haven’t been streaking, you’ll be adding at least a mile a day to the days you don’t normally run. If this only adds a couple of miles to your week, no problem.  But if you’ve been only running three days a week and suddenly you are doing seven or you try to add a longer run on the extra days, you could be setting yourself up for injury. You may even find you have to cut your usual runs a bit shorter until you can slowly (no more than 10% per week) add mileage.

2. Take at least one rest day per week. And by “rest day”, I mean a day where you run short and slow. If you are new to streaking, your body is used to having a day when it doesn’t run. Making at least one day a short easy run allows your body to adapt. (From what I’ve read, the longer you streak, the longer your short run can be.)

3. Cross train. Yep, just because you are running every day doesn’t mean you can drop the cross training. There are still lots of non-running muscles out there to use. Do some strength training and try to fit in a bit of other cardio.

4. Listen to your body. If something doesn’t feel right, back off a bit. Slow down your runs and shorten them as needed. Stretch, foam roll, try different shoes. But if whatever is bothering you doesn’t start to feel better, you may need to move on to step 5.

5. Realize that you may need to end a streak. Some people can run without injury for years. Some need to take the occasional break. Others can never run more than a few days in a row. If you have never done a run streak before, you may not know which you are. Also, there are things that can strike down even the most dedicated streaker: illness, injury, weather, and travel to an unsafe place are reasons that come to mind off the top of my head.

Bonus: Enjoy the streak – it’s meant to enhance your life, not be a burden. If it’s not fun, why do it?

Have you ever done a run streak? How long did it last? Was it a good experience for you?

I’m linking up with Courtney, Mar, and Cynthia for Friday Five. They are all talking about what’s in their gym bags, but, umm, I don’t have one, so that would be a really boring post. ;o)

Follow on Bloglovin follow us in feedly

More from my site

  • I heart compression – Tuesdays on the RunI heart compression – Tuesdays on the Run
  • If I coud go back…If I coud go back…
  • Phoning it inPhoning it in
  • TOTR: Running from DepressionTOTR: Running from Depression
  • It’s Friday, so it must be runfession timeIt’s Friday, so it must be runfession time

Filed Under: running, streak, tips

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. misszippy says

    January 16, 2015 at 6:40 am

    This is a really great post for anyone considering a streak. I never have, but I have always thought it was a cool idea!
    misszippy recently posted…Relearning fueling for the long runMy Profile

    Reply
  2. CARLA says

    January 16, 2015 at 6:42 am

    the child and I are STREAKING again!
    in our own little halfmile way.
    CARLA recently posted…Fitnessista convinced me to HIIT it.My Profile

    Reply
  3. Pam says

    January 16, 2015 at 8:02 am

    No streaking here, but I started running at the age of 57! It would not be practical for me now, but I do find it fun to follow others who do it. You have great tips and runners definitely need to heed their body signs.
    Pam recently posted…What’s in my gym bag, take twoMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Kristen says

    January 16, 2015 at 8:17 am

    great suggestions! I helped organize a running streak for our moms run this town facebook group which ran from thanksgiving to NEw Years and I am still streaking! Yesterday was day 50! It is fun and has become part of my daily routine (I’ve even done some days in my pjs) I am happy with the streak I’ve completed so far and do not have an end date in mind– kind of just running and seeing what happens 🙂
    Kristen recently posted…2015: The year of just letting it happenMy Profile

    Reply
  5. Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says

    January 16, 2015 at 9:27 am

    Part of why I’m fearful of starting a streak is that I’ll convince myself to either run when my body is screaming at me not to do so, or it’ll cause me to not make time for cross training. I think its important for everybody considering a run streak to think about whether or not it is right for them, not just start one because they’re jumping on a bandwagon.
    Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Friday Five – January 16thMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      January 19, 2015 at 6:37 pm

      Yep – I don’t think I’ll streak for years and years. Breaking it occasionally keeps you from getting too invested in the numbers.

      Reply
  6. Becky says

    January 16, 2015 at 9:42 am

    I just did a run streak over the holidays that I ended after 50 days. It was a good way to keep motivated during the food-heavy part of the year. I’ve done another run streak (I think it was 40 days) when I was getting back into running after a break. It’s a great way to get back into the workout habit if you’re smart about it.
    Becky recently posted…I was smart for onceMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says

    January 16, 2015 at 12:01 pm

    Great advice! I would have loved to read this before the Runner’s World Run Streak. It was fun to do but it definitely takes balance if you’re not already running a ton. Streaking helps you build that base. I’m feeling a lot stronger now as I prepare for Cherry Blossom!

    Reply
  8. HoHo Runs says

    January 16, 2015 at 1:25 pm

    This sounds fun, but as an “older” {ugh} runner (with several injuries under my belt) I made a rule never to run more than 3 days in a row. But, rules are made to be broker, right? 😉
    HoHo Runs recently posted…Friday Five: What’s In My…My Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      January 19, 2015 at 6:36 pm

      So far, as long as I fit in some short, easy runs, my body seems fine.

      Reply
  9. Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

    January 16, 2015 at 1:28 pm

    this is a really great post that i think people should read before they start streaking! thanks for linking up 🙂
    Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…Five Things in My {Barre} BagMy Profile

    Reply
  10. Amy @ Run with Perseverance says

    January 16, 2015 at 1:39 pm

    I’ve never done a streak, but I’m also “new” to running. I think a streak will be in my future at some point, but right now I know that my body probably couldn’t handle it.
    Amy @ Run with Perseverance recently posted…Dubai Trip 2014: Deserts and Dinner CruisesMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Deborah Brooks says

    January 16, 2015 at 3:08 pm

    I’ve never done a streak. So glad you are enjoying. Looks like it’s just what you need to stay motivated.
    Deborah Brooks recently posted…A Peek In My Gym BagMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Lacey@fairytalesandfitness says

    January 16, 2015 at 5:30 pm

    I cannot wait to get back into running daily. I have been taking the week off after completing Goofy Challenge. Thor it is nice to relax and recover, it feels weird not running.
    Lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…Scenes from the Disney World MarathonMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says

    January 16, 2015 at 7:01 pm

    I’m intrigued with streaking but it just seems like a lot of work to me–by the time I get dressed in the winter to get out the door, I could have done the mile! LOL!
    Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…#FridayFive: What’s on my table?My Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      January 19, 2015 at 6:35 pm

      I may or may not have run a mile in my pajamas this weekend.

      Reply
  14. Kim says

    January 16, 2015 at 7:55 pm

    I’ve never tried streaking (of any sort) but would love to do a run streak. Knowing that even 1 mile counts helps!!
    Kim recently posted…Comparing Activity TrackersMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Melanie says

    January 17, 2015 at 6:57 am

    I am a run streaker! I’m completed day 626 yesterday! My biggest piece of advice is to keep a run streak going is creativity, especially for those one mile days. Fridays are my toughest days to complete originally but now, I just do them indoors around my classroom during planning. Problem solved! 🙂
    Melanie recently posted…Run Streaking? Get Creative!My Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      January 19, 2015 at 6:34 pm

      Did you measure the room or just go by time? I can totally see me running in circles somewhere at some point.

      Reply
      • Melanie says

        January 19, 2015 at 8:38 pm

        My GPS watch will work inside so I use that most days. If not, I use an app on my phone that counts steps and I run for 12 minutes, making loops. I always do more than a mile with the step counter just to be sure!
        Melanie recently posted…Weekly RundownMy Profile

        Reply
  16. Mar @ Mar on the Run says

    January 17, 2015 at 11:21 am

    great tips! I’ve never done (no would I ever do) a run streak but people should definitely know what they are getting into first!
    Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Friday Five: What’s in My Fitness Closet?!My Profile

    Reply
  17. Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says

    January 17, 2015 at 3:45 pm

    I have never done a run streak. My boys are so unpredicatable that it’s nearly impossible for me!
    Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Mint Chocolate Chip Protein Smoothie Recipe #foodiefridayMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      January 19, 2015 at 6:33 pm

      I’m enjoying it. I made myself run a mile yesterday and it felt so good I ended up doing 4.

      Reply
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Who is MCM Mama?
A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath, and has a minor addiction to the Marine Corps Marathon.

Recent Posts

  • Half Marathon #85: Appalachian Series – South Carolina
  • Half Marathon #84: Appalachian Series – Georgia
  • Coffee with a side of rain
  • Half Marathon #83:Appalachian Series – Alabama
  • Hotel Coffee is better than no coffee…
  • Training for Back to Back to Back Half Marathons
  • Runfessions of a Really Cold Runner
  • Kicking off the year with coffee!

Archives

A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath. Read More…

Half Marathon #85: Appalachian Series – South Carolina

Half Marathon #85: Appalachian Series – South Carolina

Mainly Marathons Appalachian Series – South CarolinaMarch 27, 20222:47:45 What I wore: hat, tank top, long sleeve quarter zip, capris, and Altra Rivera Location: Seneca, SC (State #41!) Let’s just start out with the truth – this race was the hardest of the races and pretty much sucked. I chose to do the early start […]

Copyright © 2023 · MCM Mama Runs on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in