Ever Fancied Streaking?

I will let you into a reasonably well known secret - our very own ju-ju- streaks. And furthermore she is a proud streaker - over a year of running daily. Wow!

Me on the other hand - a nascent streaker. I have my Alzheimer's running challenge and ju-ju was really brilliant at giving me some helpful advice on racking up mileage, without doing an injury. So a week of streaking was my plan.

I thought I'd try streaking, keeping my kms low, but doing them regularly. As ever, the C25K mantra of being slow and steady was the key, so I have spent seven days streaking. Running every day, and what did I achieve? Well I am proud to say 49+km in one week. More or less 6/7 kms a day. And today's run looked like this:-

jancanrun.com/2018/02/07/fe...

But I only ran seven consecutive days - ju-ju has managed over a year. That's over 365 sets of running tights, base layers, socks, tee-shirts washed and dried, all ready to go for the next run out. This woman is truly a star, a shooting star.

So what's the final view on streaking then?

1. ju-ju is a star, running every day is not to be sneezed at

2. Streaking is as much a mental effort as a physical one

3. ju-ju is a star - repeat as often as is necessary

4. Every day running is not for me, I'm not a star

5. There are many people on this forum who give you invaluable advice and all those who answer are just amazing. Their help kept me streaking.

6. Running is as much in your head as in your legs - when I didn't fancy going out, I couldn't do the distance. I still went out but it wasn't as successful or as much fun.

7. Smiling when running helps! I reckon ju-ju smiles a lot.

I ran just under 50km in one week and I'm chuffed to buckets, but It couldn't have been done without C25K, without this forum. Because without this place, I can't think of any of my friends or family who understand what running can mean, and you all do.

[SaskAlliecat Graduate]

Wow! Good job on your streak! You definitely have a big task this year but what a great idea to explore different ways to meet your miles. For myself, daily running would also become a chore so I don't think I could do that. I have found training for my half marathon next month has put pressure on me in these challenging winter conditions so some days the runs were feeling like a "chore". I have to say though that I still always felt great after the run, but the pressure to get out the door is a challenge some days. I'm sure you'll figure out a strategy that will work for you and will still keep running enjoyable, which is why we do it.

[Hidden in reply to SaskAlliecat]

I think I made it worse making my target include a minimum distance of 5km... but February is all about experiments. And I intend running today, but not tomorrow. I’m with you afterwards I feel fab, it’s just I don’t feel that way on each run. Still you find out what you’re made of. And half marathon training I take my hat off to you. The HM figures in my plan for this year but later on when it’s warmer... your weather conditions and commitment. Well they make you a star too...

[O505k Graduate]

Well done. That is an amazing achievement and for an incredibly worthwhile cause. The logistics of running 🏃‍♂️ every day is tiring in itself. !

[Hidden in reply to O505k]

I love Lycra but it does feel like a treat wearing normal clothes!

[HGVDan Graduate]

Well done I did October

After 31 runs of 5k I had ran enough and it took the fun away for a few weeks

I ran in gear that was at times damp and musty and washed what I could when I could around work etc

It was good for strength and fitness but didn’t really loose weight unfortunately

Good luck for any future runs

Also I agree it’s your head not your legs that stop running

[Hidden in reply to HGVDan]

Yes I am with you, every time my head says stop, I tend to come to a halt. Whereas if I can just find something to aim for, or like the other day someone cheered me on. Well it makes a huge difference.

[Langley-Loper Graduate]

Wow Jan, you are amazing!

I think the key to streaking if you are a full time working mum of two is to use the time before breakfast. Ju-ju's 10 minute runs at 6am are the key to her continued streak.

Unfortunately my drugs allow for minimal functioning before 7am so much to the relief of everyone in the neighbourhood I will not be streaking any time soon!

[Hidden in reply to Langley-Loper]

Yes and I think I made a slight error giving myself a minimum km of 5km per run. I think a 10/15 minute run would help no end. I don’t have the excuse of medication, I remain a teenager when it comes to sleep. I am of the type who believes 6 is only ever a time in the evening....

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Well done Jan, you did so well!

Keep us updated and good luck!

[Hidden in reply to Millsie-J]

Thanks, if my determination is matched by wellbeing, I should get this challenge done. Still it’s early days and I don’t want to jinx it....

[ju-ju- Graduate]

Well done Jan that’s really fantastic! How are the legs and body? I hope all ok? It certainly is a positive wellbeing boost - and for confidence in life. Yes - I am a proud streaker. 🤭 I thought of you on my run this morning and gave you a shoutout on instagram ( I do a lot of live vids!!) - it keeps me centred. Thankyou for your really kind words, they have really boosted me. happy panthering always 😻😻😻😻

[Hidden in reply to ju-ju-]

Thanks so much, seriously knowing you do this daily kept me going. Legs and bod are good. I started the streak with one day rest after having done the 21km, so experienced DOMS for a lot longer. But 2 days in and I was fine. Actually am streaking today, but do have a rest day tomorrow... am thinking my next test is mini streaking 4 days on, then a day of rest. How do I find you on Instagram? Thanks for the motivation and happy panthering to you too😻😻😻😻

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Hidden]

So sorry I’ve been in London for a family do and not on here!!! On instagram I am @ju-ju-1970. I am not sure how to do an embedded link!! Xxx

[Theziggy Graduate]

I think we'll have to add " Hidden is a star" - as part of the mantra too!

[Hidden in reply to Theziggy]

Thank you for a really nice comment. I hope to repay your mantra confidence, with making this challenge work!

[Razouski]

Fantastic Hidden I am so impressed with your drive and determination. My time on the injury couch seems to have knocked mine rather. I have managed three short runs last week , 4.5k, 5k and 5.5k. I'm building up gradually. This week I managed 6.5k and this morning I'm hoping for 7 or 7.5k. We'll see. It's quite an effort to get out, and I'm trying to make sure I don't end up knackering my hip again.

Good on you though - well done on excellent mileage for the week. x x x

[Hidden in reply to Razouski]

Good luck on yours, you are winding up the kms so hopefully it won’t be long before you are back to normal on those long winding runs. Best of luck and take care of that hip.

And the cold weather doesn’t help motivation at all, so I know how hard it is to get out there especially after a break.

P.s. vampire kettlebells used in conjunction with Rignold squats....truly I am mad

Xx

[Razouski in reply to Hidden]

Kettlebells and squats - impressive. 👍🏽🤪

[Mimirossi Graduate]

Slight correction to number 4! You are a star!

[Hidden in reply to Mimirossi]

Thank you - what a lovely thing to say... I hope to be a running star, by doing the challenge. Fingers crossed!

[Mimirossi Graduate]

You will!

[SuzyKK Graduate]

Amazing! Hope your still enjoying the running at the end of this year's Alzheimer's challenge! Good luck - thinking of you running out there x

Oh dear... editing this add it sounded negative & want meant to... 8 think what you're doing is amazing, but this weather has really got to me & I'm finding it hard to get out 3x per week as planned... so min 5K daily would totally need with my head (& body!) Good luck & as I said, I'm thinking about your runs... what is the link to your charity sponsor page?

[Hidden in reply to SuzyKK]

It didn't sound negative to me, don't worry. I hope I am still enjoying the running at the end of the year too.... And I'm with you on the weather - I really have to give myself a good talking to... and even then I am a bit flaky. Then I remember the 'why' question and then it's not so bad. I must admit to wondering whether I'll run in 2019... A friend did an Iron man last year and said it is his only one ever, as it was so hard...

Thanks for asking for my link it is here

mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers...

[SuzyKK Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Done & good luck to you - great cause & amazing challenge!

[Hidden in reply to SuzyKK]

Thank you so much, that is very kind. I so have to do this challenge now, I just cant let you all down. Thanks again - it's a real show of support!

X

[ancientrunner Graduate]

Oh, I think you are a star for doing a week - and an even bigger star for those distances. Well done!

[Hidden in reply to ancientrunner]

Thanks for saying so. I just scraped 5.9kms today, but have a rest day tomorrow first in 8 days...

[Sandy_Shoes Graduate]

Well Done keeping going in not exactly the nicest weather! But I also have say thank you and I LOVE your Blog link. I cannot tell you how much that has cheered me up on a period of non-running due to a cough and feeling a bit hippy (not as in 60's free-spirit, but a bit of surely not running-related hip-pain)

[Hidden in reply to Sandy_Shoes]

Sorry about the hippy problem and glad you find some fun in my blog. I enjoy writing it and it keeps me off the streets!

Hope you're running soon - today is my rest day - yahoo!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Brilliant!!! You are doing absolutely fantastic... ju-ju wears lippy too, which I love, makes all the difference...she’s a warrior & you are not far behind Jan...you are a true inspiration to me with every run xxx

[Hidden in reply to Mummycav]

Thanks it’s mutual! Trying the lippy trick for today’s run

[Decker]

Both you an ju-ju are stars Jan. Big respect on the challenge you’ve set before you!

[Hidden in reply to Decker]

Thanks 🙏

[HeleneCorsa Graduate]

Blimey, nearly 50k in a week! And all that washing and laying out of gear!

You truly are a legend, Hidden , another shooting star. I am endlessly impressed by your dedication to this cause and I just know you will achieve what you set out to do.

[Hidden in reply to HeleneCorsa]

Hi Helene, well I am trying to repay the faith friends and family have in me...

Would it be very high maintenance of me to wish for a running gear maid/valet?

[HeleneCorsa Graduate in reply to Hidden]

On the contrary, I'd consider it a necessity...

[Elfe5 Graduate]

That's fantastic, good for you! 😀

... and yes the forum is wonderful. I would like to think that it stops me driving the family mad with running enthusiasm, but judging from some dark muttering from someone in the back of the car yesterday maybe not!!😂

[Hidden in reply to Elfe5]

Thanks I think my family feels the same!