STREAK RUNNERS INTERNATIONAL UNITED STATES RUNNING STREAK ASSOCIATION

THE STREAK REGISTRY

ONE SCORE* FOR STREAK RUNNERS OUR STREAK ASSOCIATION TURNS 20

USRSA Founders Dawn and John Strumsky

VOLUME TWENTY NUMBER THREE

FALL 2020 * A score is 20 years. For students of American history, President Abraham Lincoln was referring back 87 years to 1776 and the Declaration of Independence when he started his Gettysburg Address in 1863 with the words, "Four score and seven years ago . . ."

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THE STREAK REGISTRY Fall 2020 – 79th ISSUE

Dawn Strumsky John Strumsky Founders Emeritus Millersville, Maryland George A. Hancock Honorary Founder Windber, Pennsylvania Robert C. Ray Chairperson Emeritus Baltimore, Maryland Steve Morrow Vice President, Webmaster Eagle Lake, Minnesota Diane Washburne Treasurer Mendham, New Jersey Julie Maxwell Chair Retired Female Kasson, Minnesota Mark Covert Chair Retired Male Lancaster, California Barbara S. Latta Chair Active Female Raleigh, North Carolina Jon Sutherland Chair Active Male West Hills, California Mike Johnson Assistant Webmaster Daphne, Alabama John I. Watts Chaplain Nampa, Idaho Board Members Stephen W. DeBoer Rochester, Minnesota Geza Feld Farmingdale, New York Robert R. Kraft Miami Beach, Florida

Mark Washburne President Mendham, New Jersey Table of Contents Streaking Anniv. p. 2 John Strumsky p. 4 George Hancock p. 13 David Blaikie p. 16 UW News (1999) p. 18 US List (1999) p. 25 Brian Cleven p. 27 Ben Dillow p. 30 Traversing the Tundra Steve DeBoer p. 37 Member Updates Diane Shumway p. 42 Shalaleh Tarbiat p. 42 Amber Shumate p. 43 David Hamilton p. 43 Chris May p. 43 Shannon Pijanowski p. 44 Noel Rangel p. 44 Jason Van Der Horn p. 44 Jeff Ealey p. 45 Noel Shafer p. 45 Wayne Bartlett p. 45 Boris Ivanovic p. 45 Anthony Horyna p. 46 Travis English p. 46 Andrew Le p. 47 Ed Goff p. 47 Gregory Lloyd p. 47 Julianna Coughlin p. 47 Jane Dial p. 48 Jeremy Doody p. 48 John Urban p. 48 Dan Miller p. 49 Gerard Fehling p. 49 Jamie Meshew p. 49 Genevieve Clark p. 49 Emil Falsen p. 49 Pravla Vencelova p. 59 Masashi Hotta p. 50 John Krajewski p. 50

Lauren Housman p. 50 James Unger p. 51 Daniel Westfahl p. 51 Steve Gress p. 51 Christine Brewingston p. 51 David Ingerslev p. 52 Lane Pelletier p. 52 Bruce Mortenson p. 52 Tammy Roether p. 53 Alex Ketchum p. 53 Doug Campbell p. 53 Ivan Fink p. 53 Flip Robison p. 54 Kyrstin Lockwood p. 54 MaryAnn Hill-Pitts p. 54 Paul Theron p. 55 Luis Jimenez p. 55 Lena Hedin p. 56 Adam Saynuk p. 56 Logan Mueller p. 57 Valerie Perez p. 57 Adam Leishman p. 57 Mitchell Passero p. 57 Jessie Holeman p. 58 Debi Carden p. 58 Rick Kerr p. 58 Mark Misch p. 58 John Chandler p. 58 Stephen Wilkinson p. 59 Brad Leedy p. 59 Christina Stromer p. 59 April Stevens p. 59 Martin Knight p. 59 Mariah Cressy p. 59 Nicole Watson p. 60 John Winowiecki p. 61 Brad Galbraith p. 61 Earl Wacker p. 61 Mercedes Murolo p. 61 Merlina Newman p. 62 Lawrence Dooley p. 62 Alison Sturman p. 62 Adam Fritz p. 63 Angie Malcore p. 63 Tom Michell p. 64 World Active p. 65 World Retired p. 97 SRI Online p. 113 The Finish Line Mark Washburne p. 114

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STREAKING ANNIVERSARIES From The Masters to The Grand Masters (35th anniversary) Randy James Rogers 1985-08-13 Tomball, TX, US From The Dominators to The Masters (30th anniversary) John Wolff 1990-09-01 Bonita Springs, FL, US From The Highly Skilled to The Dominators (25th anniversary) Richard J. Kerr 1995-07-30 Kokomo, IN, US From The Well Versed to The Highly Skilled (20th anniversary) Lee Berg 2000-06-02 Torrance, CA, US From The Experienced to The Well Versed (15th anniversary) Enzo Calabrese 2005-06-01 Bari, Puglia, IT Timothy J. Eshelman 2005-07-24 Roanoke, IN, US Peter T. Eshelman 2005-07-27 Columbia City, IN, US Lawrence Dooley 2005-08-25 Grapevine, TX, US D. Scott Cyphers 2005-08-29 San Diego, CA, US From The Proficient to The Experienced (10th anniversary) Lucy E Nolan 2010-06-01 Kirkland, WA, US Casey Coppedge 2010-06-01 Brooksville, FL, US Jen Engorn 2010-06-06 Fort Lauderdale, FL, US Jane L Dial 2010-06-16 Moscow, PA, US Brian D. Cleven 2010-07-02 Marinette, WI, US Jessie E Holeman 2010-07-03 Northborough, MA, US Stephen Pretak, IV 2010-07-04 Fort Collins, CO, US Nicholas Weide 2010-07-20 Whitefish Bay, WI, US William Callahan, Jr. 2010-07-21 Wyndmoor, PA, US John Hogan 2010-07-30 Washington Twsp., NJ, US Doug Holland 2010-08-03 Tucson, AZ, US Adam Fritz 2010-08-24 Brookings, SD, US Zoe Schultz 2010-08-31 Timonium, MD, US From The Neophytes to The Proficient (5th anniversary) Jennifer Starr Suarez 2015-06-01 Miami, FL, US Helen Frees 2015-06-02 Clark, NJ, US Ryan Trimmer 2015-06-04 Philadelphia, PA, US Steven Brad Guy 2015-06-07 Opelika, AL, US Tarang Saluja 2015-06-08 Roslindale, MA, US Teresa Vincent 2015-06-08 Haydenville, MA, US Sarah Madaio 2015-06-09 Parrish, FL, US Tine Kogovšek 2015-06-11 Ljubljana, Dravlje, SI Eileen V Donnelly 2015-06-11 Roseville, MN, US

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Megan Leeds 2015-06-12 Littleton, CO, US Kevin Braman 2015-06-14 League City, TX, US Chuck Morehouse 2015-06-15 Saint Petersburg, FL, US Melissa Wacker 2015-06-20 Chicago, IL, US SooHee Lim 2015-06-21 Haverford, PA, US Renate Tomesch 2015-06-21 Bayside, WI, US Genevieve Clark 2015-06-22 Orem, UT, US Michele A Krantz 2015-07-01 Valparaiso, IN, US Todd Kane 2015-07-01 Huntley, IL, US James Unger 2015-07-01 LaGrange, KY, US Doug Campbell 2015-07-02 Cambridge, MA, US Benjamin Labovitz 2015-07-02 St Louis, MO, US Michelle Corbett 2015-07-04 Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, US Elizabeth Storey 2015-07-04 Corona, CA, US Adrien Friggeri 2015-07-11 New York, NY, US David Metraux 2015-07-21 Newton, MA, US Jackson Stempke 2015-07-27 Buena Park, CA, US John A. Brackney 2015-07-28 Centennial, CO, US Yamil Romero Cedeno 2015-07-28 Clarksville, TN, US Lis Bentham 2015-07-31 Chorafakia, Akrotiri, GR Joyce Weber 2015-08-01 Atmore, AL, US Stephen J Wilkinson 2015-08-03 Knoxville, TN, US Joy Marlow Braitberg 2015-08-08 Orinda, CA, US Michael Lett 2015-08-09 Farmington Hills, MI, US Earl Wacker 2015-08-15 Crown Point, IN, US Patric Ljung 2015-08-17 Linkoping, SE Stephen Leach 2015-08-18 York, PA, US Lisa Dawn Florack 2015-08-19 Durham, NC, US John A Griswold 2015-08-20 Laurel, MD, US Paul Seibert 2015-08-20 Fort Mitchell, KY, US Craig Nash 2015-08-31 Littleton, CO, US ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Reprinted with permission from artist Dan Piraro.

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OUR STREAK ASSOCIATION – TWENTY YEARS IN THE MAKING By: John Strumsky

[Editor’s note: On 7 August 2000, Dawn and John Strumsky founded and incorporated the United States Running Streak Association (USRSA) in the State of Maryland. John Strumsky was also the first President of USRSA (2000-2011) and, along with his wife Dawn, were the first editors of this newsletter.]

Hi, my name is John Strumsky, and Mark Washburne reached out to me to talk to you about my running, the early days of streak running and the founding of the United States Running Streak Association. So here goes: I ran as a child, and as most children do, loved it. Other than in loosely organized gym classes in grade school, and junior and senior high school I played no organized sports until I turned 16, when I pitched and played shortstop on a local baseball team, but only for that one summer. Thereafter, I worked part-time jobs after school and during the summers to add to the family coffers. We had little in those days and lived in public housing until I turned 12 in 1952. The week after I graduated high school in 1958, I enlisted in the Marine Corps, and found myself at Parris Island undergoing recruit training. There I had to run most days, and as most recruits do, hated it.

John Strumsky back at Parris Island in 1962.

But that’s how I spent the next four years. It was part of the daily regimen of my duty to my country, and though I enjoyed many aspects of the Marine Corps lifestyle, I never warmed to the runs. Within a week of when I was honorably discharged 4 years later in 1962, I was attending college classes at night, and working both a full-time and a part-time job to pay for it. There was no GI college bill during the period after Korea and before Vietnam, and school and those 2 jobs to pay for it was my life during the next 9 years. Not that I would have, but there was no time for running any more. However, I did run once in 1966. One dark, cold night that November, I was on my way to school when I heard a scream as I was driving past a side street in rush hour traffic. As I passed the side street, I heard a woman scream, and saw a giant of a man punching her to the ground. I rounded the block and as I came back to their street, I started to stop my car to help her, but she yelled, “He’s got my handbag. Please, my rent money is in it.” So, I gunned my engine, and drove past him, then jumped out in front of him and chased him up and down back streets and through alleyways. I cornered him once, but he pulled out a knife, and I moved back when he flashed it at me. He took off again, and not being the brightest bulb in the pack, so did I. (He still had the purse.) After another flurry of runs through side streets and dark alleys, he turned down an old narrow alley that was bricked off at the end. I was stuck. This giant of a man, who was at least a half-a-head taller than me, and

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probably outweighed me by 20 or 30 pounds, turned with the knife and began waving it at me again. As he started running towards me, I saw a metal garbage can, grabbed the lid and began running back towards him. We hit each other hard, and we both went down hard. We both scrambled for the knife, but as I grabbed it, he punched me hard in the chest, and I threw the knife into the darkness. However, at that instant, 2 other civilians came running around the corner of the alley to help me, and 2 police officers were not far behind them. The police took him into custody, and for the next several days the story dominated the news. It turned out he was an escaped convict from the Maryland Penitentiary who was serving a life term for having raped an elderly lady. A year later the Baltimore City Police Department presented me with a Certificate of Honor at its next recruit class graduation ceremony and made me a job offer. I felt like the running almost killed me, and refused the job. Further, that night was one of only a handful of evenings that I ever missed class. I had no choice. I had made a promise to my college dean to faithfully attend class. In retrospect, when I graduated junior high school, I enrolled at a vocational-technical high school, because I realistically knew I could not afford college. (That was why I went directly into the Marine Corps.) However, when I came back to attend college, I decided that for my next round of hell, I was signing up to go to Johns Hopkins University. I called for an application and submitted it. The dean of students sent me a nice form rejection letter. I called to make an appointment to meet with him. He sent me another form rejection letter. I called to plead my case. He rejected me once more. I took a half-a-day off work, and went to his campus office unannounced. I waited a long time. I kept sitting, waiting quietly. (He didn’t know it, but I would have sat there all night if necessary.)

His assistant finally went into his office, and she came out to send me in. The dean advised me that he did not want to see me fail, and that if I was that determined, I should apply to a local community college. (That was my original plan. I couldn’t afford to attend Hopkins.) I told him that if I could survive the Marine Corps, I could certainly make my way through Hopkins. He strongly disagreed due to my lack of an arts and sciences background. When he stood up to end our very short meeting, I remained sitting. He asked me to leave, but I would not get up. I glued myself to his chair. I knew if I did get up, it was over. We finally agreed to just one semester on probation. I was a Hopkins student. When I made it through the semester, I was rewarded with another semester on probation. I barely made C’s and C-minuses both semesters, and I was totally sleep deprived, but he had challenged me. Finally, my C’s became B’s, and my B’s became A’s. Then, on a bright, sunny late morning in June of 1969, I became a college graduate. Fortunately, I had to run only that one night two years earlier.

John Strumsky with Certificate of Honor and

Johns Hopkins Degree.

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I had begun my full-time job as a teller trainee in the bank 7 years earlier. By graduation, I had been through several supervisory promotions at the bank, and was a department manager. My part-time job as a meat cutter in an A&P I gave up as a graduation present to myself. By the fall of 1970 I met the young lady who was destined to become the future Administrator of the USRSA, but it did not yet exist. Six months later, in the spring of 1971, the bank made me a junior officer with the unimpressive title of assistant secretary, and three months after that, the young lady and I became engaged. Another 15 months later, Dawn—her name was Dawn; she and I married. A bit over a year after that, in the fall of 1973, I became the bank’s newest assistant vice president. I was finally a bit prosperous, and even slightly prosperous bank officers did not sweat in public, so I wasn’t about to run.

Strumsky’s Wedding Party.

Well, prosperity many times manifests itself through an expanding waistline. The manifestation was fully expressing itself by the time I was promoted to a full vice presidency in 1978, but instead of seeking out a physical challenge, I left my wonderful banking position when I felt I needed another challenge in life, took our joint savings and my stamp collection, and opened a shop for high-end stamp collectors. Soon prosperity was fully manifesting itself around my middle

again. So, after just 4 years I sold my great stamp shop to an attorney who also wanted to escape the corporate culture, and I retired at 42 in 1982. This time I was concerned that I could actually be on the brink of major health problems due to the ongoing manifestation of my middle. I toured several national fitness chains, and purchased a family membership to one for both Dawn and I even though she hadn’t gained a pound or changed an iota since our marriage. (She had never been anything other than polite, pleasant and accommodating—except when she was not, but she let this one slide.) We met with my personal trainer for the first time on November 8, 1982. He showed her a few light exercises to get her started, then turned his wrath on me. (I had a drill instructor all over again.) There was a running track around the perimeter of the gym. I had not noticed it on our tour of the facility, and I felt dread. He patiently explained to me that it was standard operating procedure to begin each workout with a jog to warm up the body’s circulation. In turn, I explained to him that I would rather warm up for my workouts by lifting some light weights—not jogging. We quickly decided to establish and maintain an adversarial relationship. He ordered me onto the track beside him to jog a very pedestrian quarter-of-a-mile. I tried. It was under protest, but I tried. Instead, I fell and passed out. That was it for the day. A couple of days later—when Dawn reminded me it was time for us to return to the fitness center—I told her I may have picked the wrong trainer in the wrong facility. (Remember how I described her pleasant and accommodating personality—except when she was not. She was not!) Although still apprehensive, I somehow felt safer going to the gym with her, than being alone with her in one of these rare agitated moods. I decided to keep my thoughts about the trainer and the gym to myself for a while.

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But between the two of them, I worked my much-hated jogs three or four times a week up to 5 miles by New Year’s Eve. They would run on either side of me to keep me distracted and moving forward, or Dawn would sit on the side of the track and count down my remaining laps to go for that day. As for me, I hated the hell out of it, but fair was fair. Why did she have to do it with me anyway? I ended 1982 with 22.7 much hated miles logged in my workout book. Well, another month passed, and on January 30, 1983 I completed my first race, the “Frozen Finger Five Miler” north of Baltimore in 47:28. I was still a big guy, but my fattiness was feeling tighter and more resilient. While I wasn’t sure I liked running yet, I discovered that the race was a lot of fun. Who knew I’d run my heart out to finish 283rd instead of 284th out of about 350 runners? I loved the competition and the comradery. It was like being a kid all over again. I started my first streak with that race—a racing streak. I raced 644 races over the next 22 years, of at least a race a month, every month. In April, 1983, I joined the Baltimore Road Runners Club. Then came the big day. I was now working out every other day, always with a long hard run of up to 5 miles to begin the session. But on May 23, 1983 I decided to try to run every day, first by running through our neighborhood to vary my route, before going to the gym to work out. I also decided to break through my glass ceiling that day and run 6 miles. (I had always stopped at a maximum of 5 miles, but that was my one-time maximum for the month.) Even though I kept working out every other day, I now decided on running every day. So, I went outside again on May 24th and ran 3 miles without a workout scheduled to follow that day. But later that day I ran a second time for another 2 miles. For my warm-up for my next workout on the 25th, I kept running, and didn’t stop until I hit 8 miles. However, on the 26th I did 2 runs again, 6 in the morning and 3 in the evening. On the 27th I only did a 3-miler in the morning, and on the 28th I only

did 1 run of 1 mile for the day, but decided to never go below that distance on any given day again. I kept running every day, and reached 10 miles on June 6th. By then, even though we did not know what it was called yet, Dawn and I both knew I was in a committed daily running streak. The daily streak would continue for 25 years and 8 months, or 25.72 years, or 9,395 days in a row. The exhilaration of running and racing had been wonderful. My weight had dropped by 60 pounds, and, thanks to the workouts, my body was rock-solid once again. That is, until February 7, 2009, when I slipped on ice while running in a heavy ice storm, flew through the air, and snapped the Achilles tendon on my left heel when I land hard on it. It was a long limp home, but I completed 2 full miles on that run before the fall. The 8th and the 9th I could only barely complete a mile, but on the 9th, I could not do it without knee and ankle braces. Then on the 10th, I went out 7 different times throughout the day from early morning to late night to attempt to complete a mile, but could not do it. The streak was over.

Approaching Marine Corps Marathon Finish

Line in 1983.

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But many wonders had happened along the way. Never fast, I broke a 6-minute-mile (5:58) on October 8, 1983. On November 6th, I ran the Marine Corps Marathon in 3:22:18. In January, 1984, I became a columnist and the assistant editor of the Baltimore Road Runners Newsletter. April 25th saw me drive my one-mile race time down to 5:24. On May 14th of ’84, I carried the Olympic Torch into Baltimore City on its cross-county relay run. Ten days later, I celebrated the first anniversary of my daily running streak. On Canada Day (July 1st) I ran a double-marathon (52.4 miles) near the magnetic North Pole from what was then a mining town called Nanisivik to an Inuit village named Arctic Bay, and back again, to finish the Midnight Sun Ultramarathon in 9 hours, 42 minutes and 20 seconds for 10th place. In early spring 1985, the Baltimore Road Runners Newsletter was selected by the Road Runner Clubs of America as the “Outstanding Club Newsletter for 1984.”) I also joined the New York Road Runners Club and the Annapolis Striders, and began running and racing throughout the world.

John Strumsky carries the Olympic Torch

into Baltimore City.

May 31, 1992 saw me begin a twice daily running streak. (I am nothing if not highly obsessive-compulsive once I really get rolling.) The twice-daily streak inside the daily streak would go on for 15 years and 11 days or 5,489 days in a row before I realized it was not fun anymore, and I stopped my second daily run on purpose. (But believe me, I had to psychologically wrestle with myself all day to keep from going out to run a second time on June 10, 2007.) The next day was Dawn’s birthday, and I told her that giving up the second daily streak was my present to her. Her comment to me was “Finally got tired of it, huh Bunkie?” Another highlight was running in all 50 states on the streak between May 23, 1983 and September 17, 1999 when I checked that box off by running in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I also was lucky enough to run in 15 foreign countries during the streak. For me—and as many others have also discovered—the hardest part of most of my runs was getting out the door and planting that first foot in front of the other. Once in motion, the urge to continue to procrastinate rapidly disappeared.

Bob Ray (center) John Strumsky (far right)

at Bob Ray Day Race on April 8, 2000. Bob Ray of Baltimore, Maryland first owned the longest running streak in the United States, which he began on April 4, 1967. He had started running on a regular basis in 1953, and had accumulated about 22,000

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miles before his running eased into an everyday streak occurrence. I first met him late in 1983, when my streak was but 4 or 5 months old.

Bob Ray Day Celebration.

Next is a photo of the Bob Ray Day Celebration in Towson, Maryland on April 8, 2000, the first Saturday after the 33rd anniversary of his highly exceptional running streak. Towson is just north of Baltimore, which, at the time, was a major hotbed of running in the country. Bob is at the lower right hugging one of the runners in the reception line waiting to congratulate him, while other runners are congratulating the other streak runners who came in from around the country to honor Bob. I am at the upper right, serving as the banquet chairman. This was the first known gathering of streak runners from across the United States, and 11 streak runners joined with the 125 runners and guests gathered there to honor his 33 years of running without missing a day. As a runner, Bob had a feather-like glide that gently kissed the ground, and he could be deceptively fast. At the time of his celebration, I said of this gentle gentleman: “He lifts the human spirit, inspires us all to extend our reach, and makes us happy for having known him.” He started his streak three days before his 29th birthday, and finished it on his 68th birthday. He ran 100,000 streak miles for a total of 122,000

miles, and completed 500 races. Astonishingly, Bob was a letter carrier for the U. S. Post Office for many years, and walked a postal route for 6 to 7 hours after running 5 miles every morning. Years later, Bob and I would become known in the Baltimore running community as “Big Streak” and “Little Streak.”

George Hancock. Now we come to a picture of streak runner George Hancock back in the mid-1980s. George started his original running streak on February 26, 1978. It was he who published the first running streak list in the Runner’s Gazette. It contained the names and streak starting dates of 50 runners throughout the United States as of December 1, 1994, and was compiled in response to an inquiry about streak running that appeared in the November 1993 issue of Running Times. George then periodically sent out updated streak lists to those on the list. George’s initial running streak started on February 26, 1978 and ended on May 24, 2002 for 8,854 consecutive days or 24.24 years. After a 4-week hiatus, his second steak began on June 22, 2002 and ended on December 29, 2017 for 5,670 days in a row or 15.52 years. And, I recently discovered, his third streak began on September 1, 2018, and continues to be active. You go, buddy!

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John Strumsky & Margaret Blackstock

Our next picture is of Margaret Blackstock of Atlanta, Georgia with me in the 1990s. Margaret’s “running career” and streak both started on the same day—on September 9, 1979, and she originally had the longest documented female running streak in the United States until it was discovered some years later that Julie Maxwell of Kasson, Minnesota had a longer one that dated back to July 5, 1978. However, it was recently certified that Lois Bastien of Pinellas Park, Florida has a still active running streak that was the first female streak to hit 40 years in length.

First Streak Registry Cover.

Here we have a photo of the first Streak Registry cover, which was published in April, 2001, and which contained the first of three USRSA logos purchased on behalf of the future association. While George Hancock and I were calling and writing back and forth, we had a conversation about how great it would be to someday have a national organization for streak runners, and back in May of 1999 Dawn Strumsky commissioned 3 different logos for the USRSA through an art contest held at Lansdowne High School in Baltimore. We purchased the 3 best logos on behalf of the future United States Running Streak Association, Inc. through small scholarships to the 3 students with the winning designs, which we then contributed on behalf of the future group, and held in trust on its behalf.

Third of the 3 original USRSA Logos.

We next come to the third of the 3 original USRSA logos. The United States Running Streak Association, Inc. was officially incorporated on August 7, 2000, and Dawn and I both felt the idea for the USRSA was more George’s idea than mine, and we offered him the original leadership of the group, but he declined, feeling that he did not then have the time to lead it.

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Dawn and I then went about creating the initial USRSA advisory board on November 21, 2000, which consisted of me from Millersville, Maryland as the Founder and President, and Bob Ray of Baltimore, Maryland (the longest male streak runner), Margaret Blackstock of Atlanta, Georgia (the longest female streak runner), and George Hancock of Windber, Pennsylvania (who would accept the title of Honorary Founder), as the rest of the board. On December 12, 2000, we expanded the board to a total of 10 to balance its representation across the country.

Team Strumsky.

A picture of Team Strumsky is next. The USRSA commenced operations on January 4, 2001, and while I assumed the role of President, Dawn promptly became the glue that bound the group together. She became the Administrator of the Association and Editor of The Streak Registry. Immediately, she sent out press releases about the formation of the organization to all the running publications in the country, and it was she who would faithfully keep the records of the organization in good order for the next 10 years. In July, 2001, the Internal Revenue Service approved our tax-exempt status.

John Strumsky and Godchildren at the Marine Corps Mud Run.

Next are the before and after photos of our godchildren and I and the course diagram from the 2004 Marine Corps Mud Run held in Roanoke, Virginia. During the summer of 2004 I shared with my godchildren that at 64 the time was nearing for me to stop racing, so they decided to find a memorable race that we could all do together, and this is the result. Running through a river, several obstacles and a mud pit turned out to be a surprisingly enjoyable way to run one of my last races. Think kids running and playing in the mud!

John Wallace III.

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Our next picture is of John Wallace III, who, at the time, was Vice President of the USRSA, and was running across the country from the West Coast to the East Coast, with all his clothes and supplies in his running cart. He covered 3,805.9 miles through a dozen states in 124 days from September 26, 2004 to January 27, 2005. His transcontinental run started at the Pacific Ocean at Westport, Washington, and finished at the Atlantic Ocean at Tybee Island, Georgia, where a group of USRSA runners, including myself, were on hand to run the final few miles with him to the finish line.

John and Karen Wallace.

Next, we have a picture of John and Karen Wallace with the running cart that contained their sleeping bags and supplies that they pushed from north to south across the United States. These 2 north/south transcontinental streak runners are the parents of the west/east transcontinental crosser, but their foot-tour of the country “only” involved 1,300 miles of running over 82 days. They left Marquette, Michigan on July 7, 2007, and arrived at Biloxi, Mississippi on September 26, 2007.

John Strumsky Nearing the Finish Line. Our final photo is of me nearing the finish line in the Field of Honor 5K Race at the Charlestown Retirement Community in Catonsville, Maryland on May 22, 2015. The race was held in conjunction with the 2015 Memorial Day festivities at the retirement home where Dawn and I now live. At 75, after a 10½-year absence from racing and a 6-year hiatus from running I returned one last time to finish this race as the first male Charlestown resident and the winner of the 70 to 79 age group. There are so many other great USRSA memories, and so many other great streak runners I wish we had the time to include here, but this has to end for now. GOOD RUNNING MY FRIENDS

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George Hancock

STREAK RUNNING AT 20 YEARS

--George A. Hancock runnergah@comcast.net

The SRI/USRSA organization has reached the 20 year milestone. A milestone that nearly eluded me. Perhaps, it was our tumultuous current year or various episodes that define my retirement life. I had no idea. A recent email request from Mark Washburne alerted me to this milestone. Mark asked me to pen a few words about this historic occasion. The running streak project for me actually began back in 1994. My running streak at that time was 16 years old. I often wondered how my streak ranked among other streak runners. A letter to the Editor in the November, 1993 Running Times magazine by George Messenger sparked the project. Messenger inquired whether anyone was tracking running streaks across the United States. I was intrigued. My thought was simple. I can do that. And, I did. I started writing for the monthly running newspaper Runner’s Gazette and editor/publisher Freddi Carlip in 1986. So, by 1993 I had amassed 7 solid years writing about numerous running events. I decided to compile an active running streak list. I located an extensive list of running clubs, groups and associations across our country. I prepared a letter detailing my project while asking for running streak information. Running Times magazine also printed my letter requesting running streak information. The Runner’s Gazette newspaper also printed my request for streak running information.

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The response was phenomenal. Remember, this occurred before the internet and emails. Streak runners replied by letter through the U.S. Mail. A few phoned this running writer. I collected the data and prepared a running streak list. This streak list and my article appeared on page A-8 in the December, 1994 Runner’s Gazette newspaper. The article and information request created a tidal wave. My initial running streak list featured 51 runners. This original list featured one John J. Strumsky with his May 23, 1983 running streak. Strumsky would later play a pivotal role in the running streak culture. My data base in 1994 was index cards. I recorded the streak runner’s information on lined cards. The information was updated as needed. I used this method until computers, software programs and email were readily available in the late 1990’s. Email and the internet quickly transformed the running streak world. Information flowed freely now. Streak runners no longer toiled alone. Folks across the country were aware that people were running every day and some for many years without taking a day off. I wrote a book about my running life. The book My Running Odyssey was published by the Daily American in 2018. I cover in detail these same points concerning the development of my original running streak list. My book provides more background information on the running streak culture. This book is available from Amazon or the Daily American’s online web site www.madeinsomersetcounty.com . My Running Odyssey is also available from the author. There are two other excellent books available dealing with running streaks. Laura Lee Huttenbach’s 2017 book Running With Raven details the extraordinary running exploits of Robert “Raven” Kraft. The other book is Mark Covert’s 2018 book Never Missed. This book describes Mark Covert’s lengthy running streak. Both books are available through Amazon. Every streak runner is different other than running every day. These books give the reader answers to the questions: Why run every day? Are you crazy? Do you ever get bored? Why? I’m frequently asked the question are you surprised how popular streak running is. My answer right from the beginning was no. Running every day is a common goal. It’s no different than training hard to run your best race. The question how long can I run every day intrigues the average runner. Can I run every day for several years? Or, can I run every day for several decades? Running is a simple concept. Children learn early that running is fun. Running gets you from here to there quickly. Perhaps the main issue for so many individuals loathing running is due to coaches using running as punishment. If you do something wrong at practice or in gym class then you run. Running as punishment remains a key concept. Run for fun? Are you kidding? Running hurts. I wrote in my book on page 48 “running every day is a popular concept. This concept ranks with the thoughts: How far can I run? Can I run at least one mile every day? How fast can I run this race? Can I run every day when I get older?” So, how popular running is every day is the main reason why I never attempted to organize a group or club associated with streak runners. I was content with interviewing and reporting on

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those involved in this unique running subculture. I did not have the time required for organizing a running streak organization. Enter Mr. John Strumsky, Jr. John contacted me in October of 1998 about developing an organization devoted to running streaks. I explained my concerns. Running streaks and streak runners are more common than thought. I did not have the time necessary for this type of organization but John did. John and his wife Dawn did an incredible job developing and organizing the United States Running Streak Association. The USRSA was incorporated on August 7, 2000. Several months later the group had a quarterly magazine The Streak Registry devoted to streak running. A quarterly magazine based on the four seasons was my suggestion. Dawn became the magazine editor. Dawn did an excellent job promoting the running words and thoughts of numerous streak runners. We all learned streak runners are average folks that share a common running every day goal. Today, Mark Washburne heads this vast organization. The Streak Registry magazine is now in a digital format. The active running streak list is incredible. Am I surprised? No, running every day is a nice goal. I’m the Honorary Founder of this outstanding organization. I remain proud of my early involvement. And, I’m still a streak runner nearing two straight years in my third running streak. I run every day because I can and enjoy running. My advice is simple. Run well, run smart! Happy 20th Anniversary all!

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David Blaikie

EARLY RUNNING STREAK LISTS ON ULTRAMARATHON WORLD

By: David Blaikie

[Editor’s note: As noted in the previous article, George Hancock first published his United States streak runners list in the December 1994 issue of Runner’s Gazette. George Hancock’s running streak list next appeared on Ultramarathon World website hosted by Canadian David Blaikie. “David Blaikie contacted me by phone about my running streak list during the early winter months of 1999,” noted George Hancock in an email to TSR. “We chatted that Saturday morning about my project. David was familiar with my Runner's Gazette running streak list and article. He offered his Ultramarathon World website as a spot to place my running streak information. So, I updated my information and wrote a new article about running streaks with a new list featuring 66 streak runners.” TSR recently contacted David Blaikie for his perspective on streak running before USRSA was founded. Next is Mr. Blaikie’s article, along with the original April 1999 story on streak running that appeared on the Ultramarathon World website.]

Streak Runners International is a phenomenal achievement, putting all of that information together in one place. I salute you and all who have made this possible. Who knew when the modern running boom began half a century ago that streak running would become one of its most fascinating characteristics. I've always thought that streak running speaks to something deep and searching in certain runners, and I find it admirable, if not always wise, given the lengths some will go to keep their streaks alive.

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A long time ago, I wrote this paragraph about ultrarunners: "Perhaps the genius of ultrarunning is its supreme lack of utility. It makes no sense in a world of space ships and supercomputers to run vast distances on foot. There is no money in it and no fame frequently not even the approval of peers. But as poets apostles and philosophers have insisted from the dawn of time there is more to life than logic and common sense. The ultra runners know this instinctively. And they know something else that is lost on the sedentary. They understand perhaps better than anyone that the doors to the spirit will swing open with physical effort. In running such long and taxing distances they answer a call from the deepest realms of their being – a call that asks who they are…" I think the spirit I was trying to convey about untrarunners as a group applies as much to streak runners, perhaps even more in some ways. In some fashion, perhaps consciously, perhaps not, streak running is an exercise in self-inquiry. Streakers are genuinely involved in a quest for some sort for meaning in life, even if only as a matter of daily discipline. And what's not noble about that? There is no big back story to the way my interest in streak runners developed. It was just one of the rabbit holes I went down through a general interest in the vast subject of human endurance. Streakers fascinated me, as did other endurance practitioners, like Everest climbers and those intrepid souls who sail solo around the world. I think the research I did at the time began with Dominik Machek, who was one of the early modern-day ultra runners in Canada. I tracked him down when I was researching the history of Canadian ultrarunning and trying to piece together Canadian open and age group ultra records. Dominik mentioned, almost in passing, that he had run something like 14 years without missing a day. I was thunderstruck and fascinated. He also mentioned others at the time whom he knew about, and I began to make inquiries of "streakers" and to write about them in my newsletter (Ultramarathon Canada, and later Ultramarathon World, a website that, by the way, predated the Runner's World website on the internet). From there, streakers began to contact me. You were one of them, thankfully. And now look what's come of that! I am no longer involved in writing about ultrarunning. I'm also retired professionally after a long career in journalism and communications and I've returned in recent years to creative writing, mainly poetry. But every now and then I'm reminded by a note from someone like you why I spent 25 years immersed in the world of ultrarunning and all the wonderful creatures who inhabit it. Best wishes, to you and to all streakers everywhere. Long may you run. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ “I’m not going to run this again.”

- Grete Waitz after winning her first of nine New York City Marathons.

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Brian Cleven

BRIAN CLEVEN’S STREAK REACHES 10 Years!

By: Brian Cleven

10 YEARS of RUNNING at least 1 mile every single day! July 2nd, 2010 through July 2nd, 2020 for a total of 3,654 DAYS IN A ROW! So many wonderful things have happened in my 10 years of not missing a day of running: married, built our house, Natasha was born, started the Cardiac Rehab program at Bellin Health Marinette, finished 5 of my 6 IRONMANs, went skydiving, took many trips to see the United States and the World, and so much more! Not every day has been easy with a few badly sprained ankles (good thing I’m an Athletic Trainer and can tape myself), quad strains, a dislocated shoulder, a bad stomach bug in Mexico, and a really nasty flu last year that I probably shouldn’t have completed that mile minimum through (which is usually at least 1.05 or 1.11 just in case). At times I’m sure my wife Amy thought I was crazy, but she was the one that enrolled me in USRSA in 2013 as a wedding anniversary gift!

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Overall, I am simply blessed with such amazing support from my wonderful wife Amy, my parents Russ and Kathy, and all the rest of our family and friends along with the grace of God! I have enjoyed chasing Mark Jasper (both at races and with the running streak) who reached 10 years last October 24th. For those who know me best, they know that I love a good spreadsheet for data. Since 2010 when I finished my first IRONMAN I have kept a log of all my running, biking, swimming, rowing, races, and other important moments in life! Below is a quick glimpse of some of the highlights! 😊 To keep my feet and joints happy and to better continue my athletic pursuits long term my running is more focused with less overall volume and more quality so about 90% of my training is indoor or outdoor cycling. FUN FACTS: Competed in 201 RACES between July 2nd, 2010 and July 2nd, 2020 consisting of 1 mile Running Races up to 140.6 mile IRONMAN triathlons. The 201 doesn’t count the 13 consecutive weekend IRONMAN VR Races this year. 21 OVERALL RACE WINS and 2 DuTriRun MultiSport Series wins (2014, 2019) Fastest 1 mile = 5:39 (Ironman VR race 2020, it was outside and not down a hill😊) 2 mile = 11:23 (New Dublin Dash) 5K = 17:55 (UP Northwoods Triathlon) 10K = 39:27 (Bellin Run) Half Marathon = 1:31:37 (Oshkosh) Full Marathon = 3:44:34 (Cellcom) Half Ironman = 5:12:22 (High Cliff) Full IRONMAN = 11:53 at IM WI 2012. Went 10:26 at IM LOU 2019, but it had no Swim TOTAL MILES OVER THE 10 YEARS RUN = 9,366.25 miles / 3654 days = 2.56 miles per day average BIKE = 123,404.45 miles (The number just seems so big, but I cycle indoors or outdoors usually every day for around 90 minutes plus or around 30 miles. Running is my challenge or test whereas biking is my escape! For any doubters 30 x 3654 = 109,620 and many days were much longer than 30 miles training for Ironman.) SWIM = 172.6 miles ROW = 1,900 miles

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OTHER NOTABLES First 5K- Menominee Waterfront 5K Run in 2003 (Long before starting the running streak, but an important event in my life!) A good family friend Glenn Sartorelli spoke words of encouragement that motivated me to give it a try! Never underestimate the power of positive words. You might think your encouragement won’t lead to anything, but you are PLANTING A SEED that one day might grow into something GREAT! May 2020 was supposed to be my debut as a Race Director for the Bellin 5K Heart Run at the Marinette Clinic where my community was going to have the opportunity to experience some of the Bellin Run magic right here in Marinette, but Covid-19 put the brakes on. I’m truly looking forward to when this dream becomes a reality! Greatest Joy- More than winning a race or reaching my own personal goals, my greatest joy with running has been seeing friends, family, and patients cross their own finish lines. There truly is nothing better than watching someone put in the time and effort and then see them so happy when they reach their goal! I truly couldn’t be more proud of my best bud Eric Walters who like me never enjoyed running in our younger years, but tackled his first 5K with me in 2007 (La Crescent, MN which just had to be one of the hilliest 5Ks I’ve ran, LOL You picked Wali 😊). Now he’s gunning for his first Marathon. Or my boy from Boston Kevin Marszlek who saw Amy and I race triathlon and being the competitive person he is did a Sprint, a Half, and then became an IRONMAN in 2014. Or Shane Brown who has been a great friend and motivator who started triathlon with me in 2009, became an IRONMAN in 2014 and now is an Ultra runner and several time World’s Toughest Mudder! Favorite Races- Peshtigo Fire Tower Run, Menominee Waterfront Run, UP Northwoods Triathlon/Duathlon, IRONMAN Wisconsin Strangest Run- Running dozens of circles in a hotel parking lot in Athens, Greece at like 2 or 3AM in 2013 with Amy because the hotel exercise room was closed and the closest road was a major highway. Most painful Run- The day after the Mountains 2 Beach Marathon in Ventura, California in 2015. Went into the race not recovered from heavy training and then 26.2 miles of net downhill trashed my legs. Shane Brown remembers me being in the hurt locker. Favorite Run- Tie between running in the magical scenery in Meteora, Greece with Amy or the final 1 mile to the FINISH of my IRONMAN Triathlons! Still on my running BUCKET LIST is one day running the Boston Marathon and completing the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii for myself, Team Cleven, and Tom. And the question, Will I continue the streak? Absolutely! I will run at least a mile every day that I possibly can! Now after reaching 10 years I am more open to not running the mile because of injury or a life event, but honestly it will take an awful lot to stop. 😊 Final thoughts! Each and every day is truly a gift, enjoy it! I’ll leave you with our Cleven family motto that is slightly stolen from Ironman and other places. “Be Kind, Be Brave, and Always Believe…Anything Is Possible!” Cheers and a very sincere Thank You to all who have helped me on my journey!

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Darla and Ben Dillow

EMBRACING 39

REFLECTIONS ON A RUNNING STREAK By: Ben Dillow

ben_dillow@redlands.edu

[Editors note: TSR received this article from Ben Dillow on Thursday, 20 August 2020. Two days later, Professor Dillow had a serious fall that ended his streak after 14,248 days. We have reprinted the original article and have included an addendum from the Professor on his accident.]

The“other”Benny,firstnameJack,loved39somuchthatlongafteritnolongerpassedmuster,hewouldcontinue,whenasked,toclaimithisage.Ihaveembraceditatleasttwice:first41yearsago,whenmeasuringmyage,thenagain,thispastweek,whenchartingthelengthofmyrunningstreak.

ThelastdayIdidn’trunwasAugust19.1981.

Dependingonthesetoneuses,that’s39years.Or,ifyou’dprefer—14,246days,or72,000+miles,ornearly3timesaroundtheearth,orathirdofthewaytothemoon.OnlyRoadRunnerSportsknowshowmanypairofsneakersI’vegonethroughwhileaveragingatickabove5milesadayfornearlyhalfmylife.

UnliketheotherBenny,ifcircumstancespermit,I’llgladlyembrace40—andhopefullybeyond—butfirst?There’sa39toconsider.

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Thestreakstartedinnocentlyenough.Itwashot(didImentionitwasAugust,anddidInoteIliveinthedesert?)Iwastiptoeingbackintomyfallroutineofrespondingtoaschedulegovernedbyworkratherthanimpulse,andbothweatherandscheduleconspiredforrunningearly.TheprevioustwoweeksIhadnotrunatall—notthatunusualformyrunninghabitinthosedays.Iwasbeingcourted,butnotyetmarried.

Iran“short”thatAugustmorning—3miles—andfilledinthespaceinmyjournal—someblueinkfinallyafterallthatopenwhitespace—andthoughtlittlemoreofit.ThatrunwasfollowedbyrunsonSaturdayandSunday—andwithlittleforethought,eachofthedaysthefollowingweek.Itwasanafterthought,I’msure,whenatthestartofSeptember,InotedIhadrun12daysinarowwithoutamiss.“Interesting,”Ithought,buthardlysignificant,thoughIdorecallwonderinghowlongImightkeepthatupandsoIstartedkeepingtheconsecutivedaytotaleachweekalongwithdailynotationsofcumulativemileagerun.

Ashorttimelater,onSeptember12,aSaturday,afterafamilypizzagathering,fullgutand10:00PMnotwithstanding,relaxedandcomfortable,anotioncrossedmymind:“Ben,youhaven’truntoday.”Amonthearlierthethoughtwouldneverhaveregistered,butnowthedevilwhispered,“Getoutorstartover—”

Inretrospect,IthinkthatSaturdaywasthe“real”birthdateofallofthisforitwouldbefromthatdatethatIwouldhaveahardtimedenyingthepullof“TheStreak.”

Alongthewaytherewereother,manyother,hurdlesmoreformidablethanatummyfullofpizza,andanyonewhohasastreakofamonthormoreknowsthembyname.Thelist

58YEARSANDCOUNTING

chronicles challenges turned aside, sometimeswith questionablewisdom,most of the timewithsimpleresolve.Familyandworkchallenges,healthand injury issues,weather, travel, timezones,competingpriorities—allofwhichconspiretoweakenthewill,ormakeitdifficult,orindeedunwise,andultimately,forusall—impossibletorun.

Sofar,sincethe19thofAugust1981,I’vemetthatlittleDevilandturnedhimaway.

Andthepayoffandvirtueofmylabors?Afistfulofflotsam,littlemore.Ataletoldbyanoldman,signifyinglittle—abitofsoundperhaps(particularlyonuphills)butrarelyanyfury—(savewhenthehighschoolboysdrivequietlyupbehindme,honkloudlyandthenroaroffintheirpickupfilledwithraginghormonesandlaughter!)

Nothingnoteworthyaboutmyspeed—indeed,Iamnowrunningabouthalfasfast(ortwiceasslow)asIwasin1981—andIwasn’taspeedsterthen.Iinheritedneitherwealthnorfasttwitchmuscles.

ThispastNovember,IranintheAnnualRedlands“TurkeyTrot”onararecoolrainyday“with”my14-year-oldgranddaughterHailey—.Isay“with”whileengagingsomemodestrhetoricalhyperbole,sinceabout25secondsafterthestarter’sgunwentoff,I lostsightofheruntilthefinishline.Sheaboutfrozetodeathwaitingforme.“Yougetlost,”shewonderedasIfinished.“Yah,somethinglikethat,”Ismiled.

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Ben Dillow and Granddaughter Hailey Allen

Noristhereanythingparticularlysignificantaboutmymileage—Istilltrytopost4omileweeks—goalsaregolden—combiningrunningandwalkingwhilealwaysgettingmyonedailyrunningmileinofcourse.Thisgivesmemy2,000milesayear.My“long”run/walkeachweek,onMonday, isgenerally10-12miles;awarmupforsomeofyou.MypharmacistneighborHuy,all100poundsofher, runsultras—100milesatacrack;sheusually finisheshermorningrunaround7AMas I’mheading out—we smile and chat a moment. I inquire, “—how far this morning?” She generallyanswers,“Oh20orso—.”

We’reboth“runners,”butourlistofsimilaritiesisawfullyshort.

Irarelyrunracesanymore,eventhoughtheyoftenareforgoodcauses.Ihavedrawersfullofshirtscommemoratingeverythingfromfunrunstomarathons,butoflateItakepleasureinknowingIcanrunoutthefrontdoor,upthehill, intotheorangegroveswithoutevergettinginthecartodriveanywheretostart—andIdeterminethestartingtimeanddistance—andonmostdaysIevenenjoythecompany.

Foryearsrunningmeantcollegiality.Agroupofuswouldgatheratthegymatnoonandoffwe’dgo,but fateandyearshavealtered thatand for thepastseveralyears Ihaverunsolo.Atone time IworriedwhetherIwouldcontinuetorunwithoutcompanionship,butitwasafalseworryforIhavedevelopedadeeplyvaluedappreciation for themultiplepleasuresofsoloing.Nowevenmy iPodseemstoomuchcompany.

Howdoesonegettoover14,000consecutivedaysofrunning?Wellsimple—likethewordsoftheoldgospeltune,“OneDayataTime.”Butinfairnesstheremaybemoretoitthanthat.

I’vethoughtaboutthisabitandconcludethattherearemanyroutestoalongstreak,butforme?IcometothisnumberattheconfluenceofLuck,Persistence,andInsight.

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AnyonewithastreakofanylengthatallmustbefriendswithGoodLuck.

IliveinSouthernCaliforniawheredayafterday,yearafteryear,norunischallengedbyweather.IgrewupinasmalltownoutsideChicago,havetraveledaroundtheworld,andknowthatweatheralonecanbeadefiningissueforarunner.I’veruninChicago,Buffalo,MinneapolisandDuluth—inthewinter—butIdidsoknowingIwastherefor2-3days,not3-4months.ResolveaswellasthenosetakesabeatinginDuluthintheWinter.

ThehardestseasonforrunnersinSouthernCalifornia?Well,handsdownit’ssummer.WhereIlivesummersgethot.AsIwritethisinmid-Augustithit110today.Itpromisestowarmthisweekend.Andevenwiththepromiseof“dryheat,”110ishot.Butifyouheadoutearlyyouwilloccasionallyfindabitofmorningcloudcoverandnotuncommonlytemperaturesbelow70.Andasthesungoesdown,sotoothetemps...sosolutionsareeasytofind.And60milesfromhomehereinRedlands?2sonsandagranddaughteratthebeachwheresummertempsrarelyslideabovethe70s,andanoceanbreezetakesthestingoutofeventhat.80milesfromDuluthorBuffaloinJanuary?StillWinterandtheresolvetoheadout,dayafterday,inbittercoldandanyofitsequallychallengingbrethren,justmightbeabitmorechallengingtothewill.

Ialsowasluckyinthegenepoollottery.Buddieswholovedtorunhavestoppedrunningnotbecausetheylostinterest,butbecausetheirknees,hips,backoranklesordoctor(undertaker?)toldthemto.Mine,at80,arestillsubmissiveandcooperative.That’sjustluck.

AsIwritethecountryistryingtomakesenseoutofapandemicnowreachingintoitssixthmonth.5millioncases,160,000deaths—so far,and“so far,”LadyLuckhasallowedthiscrazyviruswhichseemingly knows no boundaries to pass us by. My wife this past winter had an emergencyappendectomy.Shelikestowalkeachdaybutwasforcedtotakeabreak—nonegotiation,nochoice.Hardtorunifyou’restrappedtoagurney.

I read that Serena Williams took offense when someone attributed “luck” in some part to herexcellence.“Luck,”sheresponded?Luckhasnothingtodowithit(myemphasis)becauseIhavespentmany,manyhours,countlesshoursonthecourtworkingformyonemomentintime—”Pointtaken.She(andalmosteveryotherprolikeher)workhard—butwhocandiscountherluck?OrTiger’s?WorldClassbutwiththegiftofbirth,circumstance,physicalgiftsandsupportthatallowedthatworktomaterializeintoworldclassperformers.IhavetotellyouthatevenifImatchedSerena’stimeonthecourt(orTiger’sonthepracticegreen)I’dneverhavebeenabletocompetewiththem.Theirfinelyhonedskillsatage10alreadywouldhavesoaredbymine,andI’mprettysurenomatterhowmanygroundballsIwouldtake,orswingsinthebattingcage,IwouldstillbeconsignedtowatchingnotplayingfortheDodgers.Myluckinthegenepoollotteryallowsforsatisfyingmediocrity,notexcellence.

Speakingofluck,thesupportandunderstandingoffamilyhasplayedamajorroleinthisstreak.Fornearly40yearsmywifeof58yearsandmyfamilyhaspatientlywaitedandtoleratedmy“need”togetinarun.Everyday.Whateverwasontheschedulethey,assurelyasI,madetimeformyrun.1hour?2,sometimes3?I’vetriedtobethoughtful,buttheyhaveadjusted,waited,anddonesobyapplaudingandsupportingratherthancomplaining,andIcanonlywonder,“howluckyisthat?”Ifforcedtomakeachoicebetweenfamilyandrunningthatchoicewouldhavebeeneasyandthisessay

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wouldneverhavebeenwritten,butIcanhonestlysaymywifeandfamilyhavenever,notonce,doneanythingbutsupportmyrunning.

Butgoodluckaloneisnotenough.

HonestyrequireseachofustocourtPersistence,forwithoutheralongstreakjustdoesn’thappen.Goodluckopensthedoorforus,persistencecausesustolaceupourshoesandgoforarun.Everyday.Foraslongaswestreak.Persistenceisrequiredoftheworldclassathlete,andpersistenceisrequiredforanoldstreakerlikeme—andforeachofyouaswell.

Inoneof the rarequotes attributed to “SilentCalvin”Coolidge “persistence,” he argues, “ismoreimportantthananyotherquality—.”ThisstretchesitabitIthink—butpointmade.Therearethosedayswhencrazyschedules,travel,weather,diminishedwill,nagginginjury,abugortwo,teamupandembracetheappealoftakingadayoff.Itwouldbesoeasy,andwhowouldcareifwedidn’trun?Persistenceallowsustokeepfillinginthedatesinourrunningjournalwhenwillorweatheror—whisper“takeadayoff.”

We’veallheardthelittlevoice,“Nottoday!”andsometimesabiggervoice,“Areyousureitswisetoheadouttoday?”Sometimesit’syourvoice,“GoodLordIfeel—fillintheblank—“awful,tired,lousy,overwhelmed—”today.

Sometimesit’sthevoiceofotherswhoseweightshouldcarrysomeforcewithus.

IsatuncomfortablyontheexaminationtableasDr.Watsonlookedatthex-rayofmyrightlegandwithoutturningsaid,“AsIthought—amultiplestressfractureofyourfibula.Lookslikeyouwon’tberunningforawhile.”

Ihadactuallyhadheardthebonepop3weeksearlieronthegolfcoursebutwasn’tbrightenoughtoheadtothedocstraightaway—therewasthattriptoHawaiionthebooksandoceanbreezesareterrificremediesforwhatailsyouIthought.Don’tatsomelevelweallbelievewithinattentionpainwilljustgoaway—?

Theroomwassuddenlyquiet,Dr.Watsonturnedandlookedatmeandnotedmegazingatthefloor.“Wait—haven’tIseenyourunningthepastweek?”Thegooddoctorlivesthreehousesupthestreet.

“Yes,”Isaid,Ihavebeenrunningabit.Hurtit3weeksago,beforeourtrip.”WatsonlookedattheX-rayagainandsaid,“You’vebeenrunningonthisfor3weeks?”

Silenceintheroom.

“Runners!”hesaidinresignation.(Notsurethatwasacompliment.)Helookedatthex-rayagainandsaid.“--wellit’shalfwayhealedsoIguessit’snowyourcall—ifyoutakeiteasyandcanhandlethediscomfort."

IsaidIthoughtIcouldifhepromisednottosqueezethelegagain.

Sometimesthevoiceisclosertohome.Mywife,despiteallhernormallysupportivemoods,morethanoncehascommentedonmyintelligenceasIarosefromasleepless,sweaty,flu-ishnightto“get

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inacoupleofmiles.”Shelikestoaskrhetoricalquestionslike,“Surelyyou’renotplanningonrunningtodayareyou?”

Isaid,“Pleasedon’tcallmeShirley,butyesIthinkI’lltryandgetinacouple.”

Runforamonthwithoutmissingadayandyou’llstartcollectingyourownstories,whichattheircorehaveincommonabitofpersistencethatmakesthestreakpossible.Itrequireslittleresolvenottorun,butyoubettermakefriendswithMs.Pifyouwanttosteak.

Andofcourse,takenasawhole,andafterabitoftime,allofthisbeginstoofferupsomeinsighttous.Running,ourtallysheetshowsus,makessenseforus—andsowecontinue,oritdoesn’t,andsowestop.

Costbenefitsinsneakers.Werun,afteralldowenot,becausethebenefitsoutweighthecosts.

WasitnotThoreauwhoobservedthathecouldnot“preservehishealthandspiritsunlesshespentfourhoursaday,atleast,oftenmorethanthat,saunteringthroughthewoodandoverthehillsandfield,“absolutelyfreefromallworldlyengagements.”What’strueofthe“saunterer”isalsotrueoftherunner.

DoesthisfromThoreausoundfamiliar?“I,whocannotstayinmychamberforasingledaywithoutacquiringrust,havemanytimesstolenforthatthe11thhourtoredeemtheday.”

Notoverlyimpressedwithhisendurance,heobserveshisastonishmentatthepowerofenduranceofneighborswhoconfinethemselvestoshopsandofficesthewholeday,forweeksandmonths,“ayeevenyears—Iknownotwhattheyaremadeof.”

Andthis:“Nowealthcanbuytherequisiteleisure,freedomandindependencewhichisthecapitalthatcomestousfromtheGraceofGod”(bywalking.)

Insight.Bornofexperience.Packagedandshippedwitheachnewpairofsneakers.

Perhapswe can’t replicate the eloquence of Thoreau, but the streaker understandsmuch of hissentimentandsharesit.LikeThoreau,wecometoenjoywhatfallstousas“ambulators.”

Eachofuscanrecallwithblessedclarityrunswehavetaken10,20,30yearsago,thatintheirbeautyandprofundityremainvividinourmind—andsowerun.Daily.Knowingthepromisetousisthattoday’srunjustmightpostanothermemoryinthebank,andthatpromiseleadsustoourfrontdoor.

Luck,persistence,andinsight.Runningisbothendsandmeans.

Iturned80afewweeksagoandmyhealthcarecompanycalledfortheannualconversation,thistimea virtual physical onFacetime—"Medications,” he inquired. “None.” “Hospital stays in thepast5years?”“None.” “Operations,ever?”“None.”“Weight?”“170.”“Howdoesthatcompareto10yearsago?”“Prettymuchthesame!”“Heartrate?”“Hoversinthelow40s.”“Sleepwell?”“Likealog!”“Drinkmuch?”“No.”“Smoke?”“No.”“Howwouldyoudescribeyourlevelofemotionalhealth?”

“Well,Isaid,aslongasIdon’twatchFoxNews—”“What’syoursecret,”heinquired.

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Isaid,“Puredumbluck,alittlebitofpersistenceandawholelotofinsight.Andohyes—Irunalittle.”

Ben Dillow

IlikemyrunandIlikemystreak,butneitherarethecenterpiecesofmylife.

Thatspaceisdeeplycrowdedandreservedformywifeof58yearswithwhomIshareadeeploveandgenuinemutualaffection.Nestlednotfarfromusarethreeyoungmen(wellthey“were”youngatonetime)whohavetransitionedfromgoodkidstogoodfriends.Aroundthem?5grandkidswhodelight.Andscatteredacrossthecountryalargebuttightlyknitfamilythatlovesnothingmorethangatheringaroundourgenepool.

WillIcontinuetorun?

Ihopeso,butIalsohopethatIcancontinuetotravel,playgolf,readgoodbooks(maybeevenwriteanother),listentobeautifulmusic,sharetimewithgoodfriends,enjoyquietdinnersandeveningswithmywife,puzzleoverquestionsoffaithandrejoiceinthegreatgoodfortunethatlife—arichlife—provides.

Andwhenitcools,Imayevendosomeyardwork,trimtheroses,picksometomatoes,andtakeadipinthepool—andpencilinthetimeIexpecttogetinmyrunthenextday.

August19,2020Redlands,CA

Addendum from Ben Dillow dated August 24, 2020: Well we plan and God smiles. Ironic my note to you spoke of luck. Good luck. On Saturday, day 2, year 40, I was finishing my Saturday morning jog on fraternity row at the University of Redlands, my professional home these past 50 years. My wife was to meet me for a lovely park like walk— I geared off the asphalt to the dirt for a few yards at the end for variety, heard her car come up behind me, turned to transition back to the pavement, caught the edge of the road full force, mid stride and went down hard on my face on asphalt with very little cushioning from my hands—Crushed my face—so tomorrow I get screwed! And plated. Eye sockets, nose, cheek, jaws, sinus—My sweet granddaughters started a “Run for Grandpa” FB group running to keep my streak alive

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(which of course they can’t) but how sweet is that? 120 have signed on...So it’s done. Finished. I’m sad about that—I really looked forward to 40, but it’s not to be. Wish the surgeon good thoughts tomorrow for his important work!

Steve DeBoer

Traversing the Tundra Consistently at High Mileage

By: Steve DeBoer

It was 2 years ago that I tallied up the number of years many of our streak runners (who keep track of their mileage and have run over 70,000 lifetime miles) have surpassed 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 miles. So it must be time for an UPDATE, again using the names on that 70,000 mile list. If you have run a minimum of 35 years over 2000 miles or 23 years over 3000 miles, or 10 years over 4000 miles, let me know and I will add your name to future UPDATES. Bruce Mortenson (MN) had his first running streak (about 6 months long) in 1965 and has had 5 that made it to one year. His current one (since 2011) is his longest. But he has run more than 2000 miles (10 years between 2000-2499) every year since 1960, just after his 16th birthday. His lifetime miles were over 179,600 by the end of 2019. Steve DeBoer (MN) has run at least 2000 (all years over 2500) miles each year since age 17 (1972) and at least 3000 miles since age 20. His minimum 1-mile per day streak began June 1971 (3rd longest in the world), though he ran shorter distances daily since July 1970. He has never run over 4000 miles in one year but had completed over 168,200 through 2019.

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Norm Spitzig (lived in OH when he had an unregistered running streak in 1970s) has run at least 2000 miles, except for 1996, every year since age 22 (1972). He currently is not running daily but had completed over 101,500 through 2019. Herb Fred (TX) did not start running until his late 30s but ran more documented miles than anyone in the world by the time he stopped running in October 2016 at age 87 (253,010 miles). He ran over 2000 miles yearly from age 39 to age 84 (tied for 4th on the list with 46 years), over 3000 miles age 41-81 (2nd on list), and has run over 4000 miles more than anyone else (39 years). He is 2nd place over 5000 (28 years), and 6000 (16 years) miles. Carolyn Mather (SC) is in 2nd place for years over 4000 and 5000 miles; and 1st with 17 years over 6000, and 9 years over 7000. She has not registered her running streaks but her lifetime mileage through 2019 was more than 224,000. Alex Galbraith (TX) has also run over 2000 miles for 44 years (including 38 years in a row), having first done that at age 17 in 1968. He has been running daily since December 1971, which gives him the 4th longest streak in the world. He has traversed over 122,800 miles up to the end of 2019. Larry Baldasari (NJ) is the 3rd person tied for 4th, running over 2000 for 44 years. He first surpassed 2000 miles in 1973, age 23, and has done so every year since except 2011, 2018 & 2019. There have been several years between 2000 and 2500, but he ran only 1800 last year, at which time his lifetime mileage total was over 129,600. Craig Davidson (AZ, but began in MN) is not in the top 10 for years of 2000 or more miles, but is tied for 5th with 38 years getting 3000 or more miles and is in 3rd place for 4000 or more miles, having done that 33 years. He has more streak miles than any other runner (over 210,300) and second most lifetime miles among those with certified streaks (over 212,700) since Carolyn Mather has not certified any of her times when she ran daily. Number of years 2000-2999 miles Number of years 3000-3999 miles Number of years 4000-4999 miles Bruce Mortenson 60 Steve DeBoer 45 Herb Fred 39 Steve DeBoer 48 Herb Fred 42 Carolyn Mather* 34 Norm Spitzig 47 Carolyn Mather* 40 Craig Davidson 33 Alex Galbraith 46 Michael Georgi* 39 Roger Urbancsik 31 Herb Fred 46 Stuart Calderwood 38 Don Slusser 29 Larry Baldasari 46 Craig Davidson 38 Reno Stirrat 23 Simon Laporte 45 George Brown 38 Jon Sutherland 23 Raven Kraft 45 Reno Stirrat 38 Jim Pearson 20 Michael Georgi* 44 Simon Laporte 36 Larry Baldasari 19 Stuart Calderwood 44 Roger Urbancsik 36 Scott Ludwig 16 Jon Sutherland 44 Bruce Mortenson 35 Ron Jackson 16 Don Slusser 43 Paul Driskill* 35 Bob Hensley 15 Matthew Mace 43 Paul Case 35 Bruce Mortenson 15 Bill Moreland 42 Sherry Case 34 Steve Morrow 15 Mark Covert 42 Steve Morrow 34 Ron Jackson 16 Dave Dial ~42 Scott Ludwig 34 Mark Covert 13 Carolyn Mather 42 Bill Shires 34 Craig Snapp 12 George Brown 42 Dave Dial ~32 Dave Dial ~12 Paul Case 42 Barry Abrahams 31 Randy Wiinanen 9 Bruce Sherman 42 Jim Hage 29 Carolyn Mather* 42 Jon Sutherland 28 Craig Davidson 42 Ron Jackson 28

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Reno Stirrat 41 Bob Hensley 26 Sherry Case 41 Jim Pearson 26 Rick Rayman 41 Paul Ladniak 26 Jeff Barros 41 Jim Behr 26 Ken Young 40 Rick Rayman 24 Scott Ludwig 40 Gary Jones 24 Roger Urbancsik 40 Ken Roth 24 Steve Morrow 39 Matthew Mace 23 Gary Jones 39 Mark Misch 23 Jim Pearson 38 Randy Wiinanen 22 Bob Hensley 38 Bob Ray 38 Jim Hage* 38 Rick Porter 37 Craig Snapp 37 Jack Ankrum 37 Homer Hastings 36 Bill Shires 36 Barry Abrahams 36 Paul Driskill* 35 Mike Seaman 35 Jim Behr 35 Tammy Slusser 35 Grant Woodman (30 years) and Mark Misch (28 years) are only persons currently under age 52 to have run over 2000 miles more than 25 years. *Daily running streaks have not been registered For those who have run over 4000 miles in one year, here is the list that includes their highest mileage years (research put together by Roger Urbancsik):

1 Matthew Schauf 9,432 2017 2 Roger A. Urbancsik 8,170 7/11 - 6/12 (2011: 7,850 miles) 3 Carolyn Mather 7,921 2018 4 Herbert L. Fred (D) 7,661.5 1982 5 Dallas Robertson 7,511 2016 (1) 6 Craig A. Davidson 7,400 7 Jerry Caine 7,234 8 Steve Morrow 6,570 9 Mark Covert 6,525 7/71 - 6/72 (1971: 6,342 miles) 10 Dave Dial 6,478 2019 11 Simon Laporte 6,362.8 1977 (10,240 km) 12 Don Slusser 6,297 11/79 - 10/80 (1981: 6,263 miles) 13 Boris Ivanovič 6,243.3 2012 (10,047.6 km) 14 Jon Sutherland 6,206 15 James G. Pearson 6,174.6 1975 16 Craig Snapp 6,017 2011 17 Syl Pascale 5,722 18 Kenneth Young (D) 5,468 19 Lutz Balschuweit 5,424.5 2014 (8,729.86 km) 20 Scott Ludwig 5,402 21 Paul Ladniak 5,400 22 Ryan A. Root 5,117.2 2017 23 Randy Edward Wiinanen 5,037 2014 24 Woody Woodburn 5,032 2015 25 Ronald K. Kallinen 5,025 26 Steven Modica 5,015 2013 27 Alexander J. Krull 5,000 28 Frederick L. Murolo 4,758 2010 29 Michael E. Seaman 4,503 1975

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30 Jeffrey R. Barros 4,474 1980 31 Brad Kautz 4,446.6 1995 32 Hal Gensler 4,404 1997 33 Michael Georgi 4,370 1983 34 Harvey Simon 4,361 35 Frank Thomas Clarke 4,334 1980 (6,975 km) 36 Paul Case 4,220 2019 37 Alex T. Galbraith 4,202 2019 38 Terrell Worley 4,184.2 39 David L. Hamilton 4,100 40 Lucas Henderson 4,051 2018 41 Jeff Gould 4,050 2019 42 John Nikolic 4,002 43 Robert C. Ray 4,001 43 Timothy C. Masters 4,001 45 Barry Abrahams 4,000 45 Stephen Davis 4,000 2015

PS. I recently celebrated two anniversaries. On June 7th, I made it 49 years running at least one mile daily. It was a slow 10-mile run, as I have been dealing with hip bursitis, for which I eventually had a cortisone injection.

My personal 50th anniversary of daily runs (which were sometimes less than one mile the first ten months) occurred on July 20th, which coincided with my retirement event after working as a clinical dietitian at Mayo Clinic for 33 years. The Rochester Post Bulletin newspaper interviewed me the prior week, as they did when I reached 20, 30, and 40 years. It ran on the front page of the July 18th issue. I ran a typical 8.5 miles the morning of the 20th. In the afternoon, I ran another 2 miles with my son, Nate, as we were videotaped by KTTC TV, which ran a story about the streak on their evening news, which they have done every 5 years since 1990, when the streak was a mere 20 years.

PPS. Speaking of a mere 20 years ago, that was when John Strumsky was working on incorporating

the US Running Streak Association. In December, I received a letter from John asking if I would like to join for $20 per year, which I soon did, as well as serve on the board, which I still do. After the first 4 founding members, Robert “Raven” Kraft (12/28/00) and I (1/2/01) were the next. Four more joined later in January (Geza Feld, John Watts, John Roemer IV and John Wallace III), all of whom also joined the board. Many others (including current president Mark Washburne) joined in the spring, membership reaching 34 end of May, 2001 and 53 end of August.

Looking at that first list of 113 active streak runners published in our first newsletter (before the 1-

mile minimum was set), compiled by George Hancock in December 2000, there were 3 women, 2 of whom registered that they had done the one mile minimum (Margaret Blackstock & Debbie Ciccati). They both have since retired their streaks. Of the 110 men, all but 15 eventually registered their mile-minimum daily runs. Twenty-seven of them are still on the active list, with Jim Pearson (50 yrs), Steve DeBoer (49 yrs), and Alex Galbraith (48 yrs) now owning the 2nd, 3rd and 4th longest running streaks in the world. They had the 3rd, 5th and 6th longest in the US at the time, but dropped one place when Jon Sutherland registered a couple years later. The others have since retired, but at least 15 of them have gone on to streak a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th (Jay Kammerzell), even 7th (Terrell Worley) time!

The folks on that December 2000 list ranged in age from 15-year-old Joel Pearson to 71-year old Len

Burton and 30 states were represented (31 if you count those on the 16-person retired list back then). Now, of 1915 active in the US (2329 world-wide) as of 8/3/20, all 50 states plus DC (and 46 other countries) are represented (though no women yet in WV and ND), ranging in age from 8 to 83.

PPPS. I was recently interviewed by Carrie Tollefson, 2004 Olympian from MN. Here is the link to

her podcast - https://www.ctollerun.com/steve-deboer/#more-1855

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My Running Odyssey – George A. Hancock Published by Daily American, 2018

Available at: www.madeinsomersetcounty.com

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Diane Shumway

DIANE SHUMWAY’S STREAK

HITS 20 YEARS

I have been looking forward to this day since I hit 15 years. If there were no leap years, I would be celebrating this accomplishment 5 days ago [message sent on 26 May 2020]. But alas, I have been running the past 5 days for the leap years of 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and today 2020 for a daily total of 7,305. I love to run. But there is one thing I love to do more - run with my dear husband. I love our morning runs together. Besides sharing the same experience, however good or crazy it might be, this is the best time to problem solve or make all our dreams come true. We have even been known to sing, accompanied by barking dogs. And have you ever run with vertigo? That is not fun. That is definitely when having him right next to me was very comforting.

So, while today is fun to celebrate an accomplishment, it is really just another day, because tomorrow I will lace up my running shoes and go out again and say, "day 7,306."

Diane Shumway Provo, Utah

Shalaleh Tarbiat

SHALALEH TARBIAT’S STREAK HITS 4 YEARS

Four years ago today, I stepped on a journey called running streak. The idea came to me after I did a 24 hours relay race with my running club in Cabot Trail Nova Scotia Canada and since then I have never looked back. My run streak has been my saving grace in my tough life days and my celebratory function in my happy days. Thank you Global Running Community for being my support in every step. To many more runs and streaks.

Shalaleh Tarbiat Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

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Amber and Dwayne Shumate

AMBER SHUMATE’S STREAK

HITS 2 YEARS

My run streak continues with 730 days in the books! I never thought I would get beyond the initial streak of Memorial Day to July 4th but here I am! I continue to be inspired every day by the running community and the support they provide to each other. Keep streaking!

Amber Shumate Eustis, Florida

DAVID HAMILTON’S STREAK HITS 4 YEARS

My streak continues but I'm going real slow and most days are just my minimum of 1-1/4 miles. I've officially changed my pace category from glacial, downgraded to the newly created category (by me) of "Plate tectonic." Maybe the streak universe knows of a slower pace than that but it might be labeled "stationary!”

Still dealing with a bum ankle (2011) and last Halloween I suffered a badly pinched neck nerve (Cervical radiculopathy). Doctors, specialists, physical therapists, x-rays and an MRI followed. Verdict was bone on bone in 4 discs and arthritis. I later suffered a pinch nerve in the lower back as a result of trying to continue my usual core exercises. Fortunately, both have improved and am mainly dealing with the neck issue. Also, good news is I was able to get off all pain meds except a single one at night. This is a genetic condition in my case and the therapist and doctor said it was just a matter of when as opposed to if. For now, I limit my runs as the therapist said it's not going to help to go longer and could exacerbate the condition. I'm trying to do more on my hybrid stepper/elliptical Bowflex which is very low impact and then just manage it on a day to day basis. Getting old is not for the faint of heart, right?! Other than all that, we're all doing well in these trying times and my job and my wife's job are both in the "essential services" category so we're working as usual. Cheers and streak on!

David Hamilton Vancouver, Washington

CHRIS MAY’S STREAK HITS 8 YEARS

I continue to run daily. My personal streak minimum is 2 miles. I feel great most days and I am grateful for being healthy enough to run each day. I want to thank my family for supporting my habit, as we all know, running sometimes gets in the way.

Chris May Littleton, Colorado

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Shannon Pijanowski

SHANNON PIJANOWSKI’S

STREAK HITS 3 YEARS

My running streak started with just a 37-day challenge. My partner stopped on the 37th day but I thought I might in my wildest dreams be able to push to 100... and now here I am 3 years later! It’s been an amazing experience with ups and downs along the way, but I’m so thankful to God for every day I’m able to run! What a journey this has been! I’ve run a race every month to celebrate and I can’t wait to see where this year takes me! Thankful for the running community as a whole being so supportive of each other!

Shannon Pijanowski Dundalk, Maryland

NOEL RANGEL’S STREAK HITS 1 YEAR

Hurray!

Noel Rangel Pittsburgh, Pennsylyvania

Jason Van Der Horn

JASON VAN DER HORN’S

STREAK HITS 3 YEARS

Today [28 May 2020] is 1096 days - 3 years plus 1 leap day. I feel like the Forrest Gump of streaking, not because I am fast or possess infinite energy (though my IQ may match his), but I just sorta stumbled into it. I started running later than most (in my 30's). I hated it for years, but I kept going by fits and starts until I found out about streaking in Runner's World. I joined a Facebook group #RWRunStreak and I didn't post for the first two years. The third year I decided to post regularly. 40 days went by and I said why not all summer, Memorial Day to Labor Day. That was 99 days, so I had to run one more for 100. Then I got a message from the group about a local group. Then it just continued. With no real plan or purpose, just one more day. Now running is like breathing to me. It has truly been an awesome community of runners that propels and inspires me. I have been blessed with health and the ability to lace up every day and good friends.

Jason Van Der Horn Hamilton, New Jersey

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Jeff Ealey

JEFF EALEY

JOINS USRSA

I am Jeff Ealey, today is May 31 and my 510 RSD. I have been running for 44 years. I ran track and cross country in high school in Dalles, Oregon. I started running with my dad at the age of 14. I now live in Sarasota, Florida. The past 2 months I was out of work due to the pandemic so I decided to set a new PR in May for most miles in a month. My previous PR was 244.3 and I finished May with 306 miles, something I didn’t think I could do. I had not heard about running streak until 5 years ago after reading about Ron Hill. I started mine then but sciatica gave me problems. I then began running longer distances and began a new streak in December of 2018. Three weeks into it, however, I sat down to put on my running shoes for a race and my back muscles tightened up on me and I missed 2 days. I

started again and have not missed a day since. I found help with the sciatica problem with the Psoas release tool and no longer have that pain. I love being a part of the Streak Runners International family.

Jeff Ealey Sarasota, Florida

NOEL SHAFER’S STREAK ENDS

AFTER 2,376 DAYS

My streak ended after my appendix ruptured and I spent 10 days in the hospital.

Noel Shafer Peru, Indiana

WAYNE BARTLETT’S STREAK HITS 2 YEARS

My 5k-a-day streak is still going and documented every day on my Insta, @tophatbanjo. Today [31 May 2020] was Day DCCXXVII (732).

Wayne Bartlett DeFuniak Springs, Florida

BORIS IVANOVIC’S STREAK ENDS

AFTER 3,369 DAYS; HAS LONGEST STREAK

IN SLOVENIA

I fell and broke my shoulder.

Boris Ivanovic Ljubljana, Slovenia

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Anthony Horyna

ANTHONY HORYNA

JOINS SRI

I am Anthony Horyna, 46 years old. A German-based, UK-born, runner of Austrian origin. I started my streak running on January 3rd, 2016 and have been at it every day since. I’ve been very fortunate to be running all over the world - in Japan the same as on the North Cape (the northernmost point in Europe). I’ve kept up the streak even while running ultramarathon races, such as the NUTS Pallas 134k Trail Ultra in Finland (2016), the Transvulcania 73k in Spain (2018), or the Persenk Ultra 160k through the Bulgarian Mountains (2019). In late Summer of 2019, I went on a special challenge: Projekt 19/19. A non-stop through the length of Germany. 45 Marathons in 45 consecutive days. More than 1,900 Kilometers.

The reason behind this special project was to raise awareness on the topics of depression and suicide-prevention. To challenge, inspire and help people. To make an active change. Firmly believing that all of us can make a step towards bettering the world we live in. You’ll find Projekt 19/19 on Instagram: @projekt1919 I am hoping, that I can keep this up for as long as possible. You’ll find my daily progress on Strava – https://www.strava.com/athletes/6218635 – and sometimes posts about my runs on Instagram: @anthony.horyna

Anthony Horyna Wiesbaden, Germany

TRAVIS ENGLISH’S STREAK HITS 5 YEARS

I passed the five year mark this month. Grateful that I found streak running. It’s been a boost to my life, for sure. No matter what, I do that mile. I'm not a distance runner, or a fast runner, my streak average has always been in the 3-mile per day range. This year, I trained for a half marathon, which was a lot of miles for me. Unfortunately, the race got canceled because of COVID. And, my right knee is quite unhappy about the training. So, I've been on one-mile days for the last six weeks. I joined the Facebook group this year. I don't post much of anything, but, I'm sure glad to be able to check in and see the streakers keep streaking. I think the 2,000-day milestone isn't far off. If my knee isn't better by then, it might be time to retire. Or, time to train for a 10k?

Travis English Fountain Valley, California

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Andrew Le

ANDREW LE’S STREAK

HITS 3 YEARS Today (May 31st, 2020), my running streak is at Day 1,095. That is 3 years in a row running. In 2017, I just wanted to run every day. In 2018, I wanted to be a bit more competitive. In 2019, I made it a goal to run a 5K everyday (there were a few days I had to break the run into shorter distances). In that time, I have run 11 half-marathons in 11 states as part of my long-term plan of running. The year 2020 has not been ideal for anyone but it has given me an opportunity to really increase my mileage and allow me to further connect with the sport of running. I am excited to start Year 4 tomorrow June 1st. Be safe everyone and continue running!

Andrew Le Exton, Pennsylvania

ED GOFF’S STREAK ENDS AFTER 14,543 DAYS

This is to inform you that I had a very bad fall on Saturday, June 6th, after my run. I broke my collarbone and suffered a concussion which is making me too dizzy to run so I did not run yesterday, June 7th, 2020, after 39 years and 2 months. It is very disappointing that I didn't make my goal of 40 years but in the abundance of caution, poor physical condition, and oppressive weather conditions I regretfully did not run yesterday, June 7th. Please include me in your retired list although I may start a new streak as soon as I am well enough to do so. I think I have been on the running list most of my streak.

Ed Goff Bradenton, Florida

GREGORY LLOYD’S STREAK HITS 6 YEARS

Six years and still running strong. My mileage has dropped a little, but my enthusiasm remains high - and my good health and ability persists to let me keep up the streak.

Gregory Lloyd Belconnen, Australia

JULIANNA COUGHLIN’S STREAK HITS 6 YEARS

I have hit my 6-year run streak even with a GI surgery and getting covid. I ran at least a mile every day and I love it. Running is life for me and being sick is no excuse.

Julianna Coughlin Falmouth, Massachusetts

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Jane Dial

JANE DIAL’S STREAK

HITS 10 YEARS

Today [15 June 2020] was an exciting day for me... and one that I never even dreamed about reaching. On June 16, 2010, I laced up my sneakers on the first day of summer vacation and vowed to run each day until school started again in September. Somehow the days passed by and summer faded into fall... but I never stopped running... outside... every single day... and today I reached a decade in my running streak! I have run on some of the happiest days of my life and even some of the saddest and scariest days of my life... it is just a part of who I am now. I have run marathons, half marathons and plenty of “streak saving” solitary miles in between. I have run with friends and with family, but most of my runs I am by myself or with one of my four-legged furry running buddies. Each evening at 7:13 PM my alarm goes off on my phone to make sure I didn’t somehow “forget” to run. My family jokingly will ask, “Did you run yet today?” Fortunately, I have been able to respond with a “yes” each day for the past ten years... I’ve run at some crazy times of day, in some crazy weather, and even in some crazy places.... I know my

streak is short compared to some amazing people in this group, but I’m still proud of how far I have come! As a school counselor, I start each year by having my students tell me three things that they would like me to know about them. I always share that I have three sons, five dogs, and that “I run every day.” This last thing always causes quite a stir when I ask the kids to guess how many days I have run in a row... and then I show them my Streak Tracker on my phone... several of my students have even run at school with me in the morning in our own version of a “school streak.” I would love to make this an annual tradition with them as well, once I can figure out the logistics for setting up this kind of program at my school. Who knows? Maybe I can pass along this rewarding running habit to some of these awesome students that I work with... now that would certainly be an awesome legacy to be able to leave behind!

Jane Dial Moscow, Pennsylvania

JEREMY DOODY’S STREAK

ENDS AFTER 6,943 DAYS

Still running, just don’t want the/a streak to ever preoccupy me over what’s really important in life. Be well!

Jeremy Doody Howell, Michigan

JOHN URBAN’S STREAK

HITS 1 YEAR

My 1-year anniversary today [10 June 2020] of running at least one mile every day!!! Completed Day 367 today. Gotta keep it going!!

John Urban Brookfield, Wisconsin

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DAN MILLER’S STREAK ENDS AFTER 2,400 DAYS

A much-delayed note to inform you I hav