188 replies to this topic

[Damany]

Heya,
Anyone know whether there is any body for co-ordinating streak running in Australia, such as this one in America:

http://www.trizera.com/USRSA/

?
Anyone out there have an unbroken streak going? Are you using the 1 mi criterion to judge whether a run is acceptable?

Thanks for your help
Dam

[Kenny]

No help (and definitiely have not got a steak going) but love the idea and willing to take the challenge (but can we put it in kms. I have no idea how far a mile is)

[Spehry]

My belief is that the minimum is 3 mile or 5k to count as a day.  Anything less than 20 minutes doesn't provide a worthwhile training effect, and is hardly worth getting out of bed for surely!  (My PB is 512 days! 12/92 to 05/94)  Cheers.

[kb]

I'm about to have a look at the web site mentioned.  But in the meantime....what is streak running....does it involved clothes?????????  Or is that something that only happens at the cricket??????

  

Wt

[Damany]

Wildthing;
Streak running has nothing to do with nude running (although there is another thread about that floating around this board). It involves running at least x miles a day, every day whether injured or sick or cold or whatever. One of the most impressive streaks I have heard of is that of Ron Hill who ran twice a day six days a week and once on Sundays for 26.2 years. More here:

http://www.realrunne...nningstreak.htm

How far a runner must run every day to be in the midst of a streak seems open to debate. One mile was chosen by the USRSA as the minimum distance but I have sympathy with the idea that this might be too little.
What do other people think about this 1mi (or say 1.6k) minimum?

[krystle]

I think that 1 mile is a good minimum distance. What about the people who are just starting out (or coming back into) running? It would be added motivation to have something like a 'streak' site to continue and improve. Does anyone know of an Australian streak site?
  :)      :)

[kb]

After posting my question yesterday I got onto an Ultramarathon web site which explained the concept of streak running - fascinating and bizarre - not surprisingly a concept that's popular in America!!!

The record is currently held by a 64 yo dude named Bob Ray who has been running every day for 35 years.  I wonder if he looks like Forrest Gump?  

The web site didn't say how far he runs each day.

I think that 1 mile isn't far enough.  I like the idea of 5km.

Next question:  are there streak police?  Who would be the wiser if Bob Ray decided to sleep in one day because he couldn't be bothered going out into the cold, dark morning?????
        

WT

[Colac]

Wouldn't it be better to do something really challenging and worthwhile like Australian, Nobby Young a postal worker, who walked 365 marathons around Australia in 365 days in every weather possibility?  

I think an American ran 365 marathons in 365 days in training to prove he could do it.

[Damany]

Colac:

It might be better to run a marathon per day for 365 days but I don't think it is more acheivable that running 1 mi a day. Certainly these people you mentioned have acheived great milestones - but I think streak running is a possibility available to the everyperson. And to ask the question about whether a Australian Streak running society exists is not to belittle these acheivements.

[trav]

1 km is to short! It has to be 5 km! And as wildthing said what about the streak police.I recon I run 1 km per day just at work, or running after my children, or playing back yard cricket with them!

[Jogger]

I have never seen anything about such an organisation in Australia, and I get to see / hear about most types of activities on the running scene.

Maybe you could start one. Doesn't need to be too fancy. A friend of mine started an organisation for people who have run over 100 marathons.

[Phantom Strider, retired]

Definition of obsessive compulsive disorder (a mental illness)includes

"repetitive, ritualistic behaviors, which the person feels driven to perform"

or is this too close to the bone for some of the wannabe streakers here.

However, don't despair there is help out there.

[weary]

As someone who is currently injured, I am struggling with the logic (sanity?) of streak running.

I am a complete advocate of high mileage, and doubles, but I nevertheless think there are definitely times when taking a break is what sanity dictates (like when you've got a stress fracture for example).

What can possibly gained from running daily regardless of injury or illness? And is this really something we should be applauding?

adw

[gunnin']

One advantage of having a streak going is that it does get you out the front door every night.  But that's about it!. I started one a couple of years ago after my brother did.  He fell just short of 1000 days due to stress fractures.  I was stopped in my tracks at 601 days after breaking my foot doing something non-running related.  2.5 km was my minimum (10 mins).  I don't intend to start another one because like adw said, "there are definitely times when taking a break is what sanity dictates".  There are also those days when it's 40 degrees, or 5 degrees, wet & windy, or you've just got home from work at 11.00 pm and the last thing you want to do is go out for a run. I believe I can run just as well, probably better, without streaking. I'm now making Saturday a compulsive rest day as Sundays are either events or long runs. Try one if you want the challenge but look at other challenges first, your more likely to stay injury free.

[tomr]

I would be very interested to hear about streaks achieved by Australian Runners.  Has anyone run all 6 foot track marathons?  I know that a couple of members of the Victorian Road Runners (who run a monthly 8km run around the tan) have put together some amazing streaks of over 100 runs without a break. What streaks has Graham "Mountain Man" Kerruish achieved in his marathon running career apart from the most number of marathons?  I would be more interested in these than a 1.6km daily run streak.

Tom

[John Dawlings]

What a great thread.

I had two friends who made a very small bet of about $10 as to who would miss a day's training first (defined as 5 kms).  One of them got out of bed at 11.00 pm one night to run a few kilometres realising that all he had done that day was run a 1,500 metre track race.  It was all over a couple of months later when the other one was on a 24 hour flight!  But both believed that it focussed the mind (if not the brain) on their training.  All light hearted and neither would have run through an injury.

On Ron Hill, I've heard that during that amazing streak, he ran in the early morning one day before going into hospital and then managed to run the day after as well.

As I said earlier, it may focus the mind but not necessarily the brain!

[Jogger]

Just to answer tomr above, there is precisely ONE person who has run all six foot track marathons (19 so far). He has also enetered this year, the 20th year. His name is Max Bogenhuber - ask him how pleased he is that he ended up being the only person to have run all of them. I have no doubt he is immensely proud of his achievement but I suspect that it is doing his head/body in.

[Snailpowered]

Would it be okay to start running at 11.45 pm and run for 30 mins to finish 15 mins after midnight to get two days training at one time, then miss the next night before repeating the double the next night.

Wouldn't want to run past Colac's place though, at the witching hour.

[laotze]

I have a kind of reverse streak going.  I started out to run every day of the year in 1972, and each year since.  So far I have never managed to get right through the year!  But I still fancy I will one year.  But after that I am going to deliberately miss on my birthday (if I've got that far), just so I don't feel compelled to keep up a real streak.

[Streakrunner]

Damany, on Feb 4 2003, 03:57 PM, said:

Heya,<BR>Anyone know whether there is any body for co-ordinating streak running in Australia, such as this one in America:<P>http://www.trizera.com/USRSA/<P>?<BR>Anyone out there have an unbroken streak going? Are you using the 1 mi criterion to judge whether a run is acceptable?<P>Thanks for your help<BR>Dam

Hi there, I am busy with my second running streak and am on day 880. I have asked UARSA to allow a club in Australia to be affiliated with them, but have not heard back yet. Whether they allow it or not, I am planning to start a club here in Australia within the next few weeks. The principals of a running streak is simple, you have to run a minimum of a mile (1,61km) per calander day, each day. You cannot bank a few days and then not run. If you have not been able to run in any one calander day, you start all over again on day 1. In answering a question posed earlier, I have not seen any reason why you cannot run at quarter to midnight and then start another mile at 1 minute past midnight for the next day. Strictly speaking you have fulfilled the requirements. Running on a treadmill is also allowed. FYI I always set my treadmill to 1 degree incline, which I believe is similar to the intensity on the road.
I would love to hear from anyone else out there doing a streak run. I know there won't be many, but we might as well share our experiences.

[Gronk]

I wonder how Colac and his ghost(s) are going ?

[Streakrunner]

Gronk, on Aug 5 2009, 02:55 PM, said:

I wonder how Colac and his ghost(s) are going ?

Any news on whether Colac will ever happen again or any other 6 day events in Australia.

[Bandanna]

I thought this thread had to do with nudie running  

Nice to see Max Bogenhuber mentioned by Kev back in 2003......his Six Foot Track streak is still going

[Streakrunner]

Bandanna, on Aug 5 2009, 03:09 PM, said:

I thought this thread had to do with nudie running  

Nice to see Max Bogenhuber mentioned by Kev back in 2003......his Six Foot Track streak is still going

At least with this heading we will get some interested readers - even if they have to leave dissappointed! Even better, maybe more people will take up this mad hobby and I will not feel so alone.

[SlowManiac]

Hey SR, why don't you tell us more about your streak - what got you started, do you do just the minimum per day, have you ever been close to missing a run, what happened to your first streak, stuff like that?

[Streakrunner]

SlowManiac, on Aug 5 2009, 03:25 PM, said:

Hey SR, why don't you tell us more about your streak - what got you started, do you do just the minimum per day, have you ever been close to missing a run, what happened to your first streak, stuff like that?

Hi SM - you should know better to ask a runner to tell you about their running - but here go - you asked for it (LOL).
I started running in 2000 and my first streak started in 2003 when I just couldn't get committed to any type of training program. I would have the best plans in the world and come the end of the week all I had was a bag full of excuses not to run. So I decided, run every day, minimum of 10 minutes (who does not have 10 minutes) and this happended to equate to 1 mile (at 6 minutes a km pace). I then found out about the streak running club, in the USA and decided to keep it up. I kept going for 580 days and after yet another night of rushing back from a party to get to my treadmill before quarter to 12 (midnight), I just gave up as it felt as if the running was controlling me. I didn't enjoy it anymore, allthough during this period, I did my best and most long distance running. The discipline and effort of putting on my runners, most of the times resulted in me running longer than just the mile.
After emigrating to Aus in 2004 I decided it was time to get back into running, and once again all the training programs came to nothing, until I started my second streak. I now run 4 times a week (minimum 1 hour) and the other 3 days just my mile - these are my "rest" days.
I have had some amazing experiences in doing the streak, such as running at airports, the lobby of a Las Vegas Hotel and on a cruise ship treadmill during a huge storm, when staying standing was a challenge, nevermind running.
I now run my mile every morning as I get up so that it does not control me later during the day and I do not see it as a hassle anymore.
I hope this gives you a bit more insight into the life of a streak runner. I love it and will keep it up for as long as I can.

[SlimDJ]

awiseman, on Feb 27 2003, 12:00 PM, said:

Streakrunner, on Aug 5 2009, 02:29 PM, said:

I wonder if anyone kept the streak going between these two posts. ie. between 27/2/03 and 5/8/09.

That's 2355 days between posts.

[Mouse]

At first I thoguht this was "steak running" - I like steak so was interested.  Then I though it was nude "streaking" and was again interested - streakers are funny.  Now I realise it's a serious thread I can't help but feel a bit disappointed  

[Streakrunner]

Mouse, on Aug 5 2009, 04:08 PM, said:

At first I thoguht this was "steak running" - I like steak so was interested.  Then I though it was nude "streaking" and was again interested - streakers are funny.  Now I realise it's a serious thread I can't help but feel a bit disappointed  

Mouse - if it is any consolation, I made the rule that streak runners should perform the following milestones in the nude - just to make it a bit interesting - 100th day, 1000th day etc.

[HillsAths1]

Thanks for bringing this topic back from the dead, it was great to read about Max, he used to be a member of the Hills athletics club with his brother Joe.
His other Brother who lives in the US is also a regular Six Foot participant.

[Streakrunner]

I heard back from USRSA (United states running streak assoc) and they have approved of an affiliated club here in Australia, so if there are any other streak runners out there, please let me know. I would like to know if there is a need to have your streaks officiated and registered.

[staggy]

Streakrunner,
You are not the only one out there mad enough to be on a streak. Mine has just ticked over 585 days. However my criteria is a little tougher. Runs have to be over 6km in length. I just don't think that 1 mile is sufficient. That's my opinion though.

Have so far ran with a broken little toe and a knee that refused to bend for a week. Ran ultras and marathons in that time and also doubled up on a lot of the days. Have to beat a mate who made it to 1050 days. Averaged over 80km per week for the last year and a half, and loving it!!

My streak started when I said I would run every day in 2008, and it just kept on going. Also setting new pbs in many distances, (even though getting older) so I can say streak running is definitely helping my running.

Keep the streak

[Streakrunner]

Halluluja!!!! at last there is someone out there who can identify with me. Staggy you have made my day, no....my year. Congrats on your 585. Would you be interested in getting your streak registered? I would also like to hear from your friend that you challenged. I, as you, love my running and have found the streak very beneficial - nearly like a force. I am planning to keep the rules the same as the USA so minimum 1 mile (1,61km) per calander day, every day, come rain or shine, or broken toe or ........
So obviously you qualify with your 6km per day.

[Streakrunner]

On the 5th of December 2009 I ran my 1000th day of my current streak and what better place to run it, than at a safari lodge in Africa, watching Eland, impala and a rhino. I was on the dirt road and the animals were on the other side of an electric fence. It felt so good. Any other streak runners out there, if you would like to PM me, then I will start a register of us here in Australia. There is no cost involved, and this can be the start for the recording of Australian streak runners. I already have approval from USRSA to form an affiliation here in Oz. I don't think there are many of us, but we will not know until we start recording the facts.
See you on the road!

[FreeDickland]

Am mystified - no problem with streak running, no problem with having a register and no problem with an 'association" BUT - why, why, oh why do you/we need to affiliate with and (gord forbid) need permission form any organisation in the USA to do any of these things ??????? (they even try to control my spelling!!!)

[Streakrunner]

FreeDickland, on Dec 15 2009, 04:38 AM, said:

Am mystified - no problem with streak running, no problem with having a register and no problem with an 'association" BUT - why, why, oh why do you/we need to affiliate with and (gord forbid) need permission form any organisation in the USA to do any of these things ??????? (they even try to control my spelling!!!)

Nothing stops us from starting our own register or club or group. However, if you have been into their site, you will see that they have been going for many years, and have some history built up. So why re-invent the wheel? If you have a world athletics body, surely it is most countries aim to be affiliated or part of it? Same logic. If there was a stand alone club already in Oz, it would be the most logical thing to join them, but there is not, so I decided to use my initiative and ask for an affiliation. Nothing still stops us from going it alone, but I feel that with the backing of an existing well run and well established organisation, it would give us credibility and a base to start from. The other issue of course is that I currently do not believe there are more than 10 people in Oz doing a running streak, so if the few of us can be part of a bigger group, no harm done.
I appreciate all input and comments on this issue.
See you on the road!

[Johnso]

I am very disappointed that this is not about running nude.

[Seeker]

I would be interested in the thread about streaking...At university we had a group for 5 years that would run( on the noght before the first day of the year) a 10km loop which included a local mainroad and required all of the runners to enter a local eatery and ring the closing time bell. We weren't completely nude as we had to wear running shoes to run like hell from the police who were stationed next door to the restaurant. Negative splits every time over the last 5km and never caught although we made the newspaper once. Wonder if they still have the club???

[crowpower]

Hi Streakrunner.

I'm one! I ran every day between 28 September 2005 and 15 July 2008. On 16th July I flew to Helsinki and that was the end of that!

Looks like you will pass my 1022 days on Dec 28th.

More info later.  I have to go on my run now as I've got another one going.

[Owly]

I'm intrigued!  I'm kind of an anti-streak runner. I have trouble motivating myself to back-up thaws days but this thread has caught my interest.

I'm going on a vipassana retreat on the 27 Dec so won't be able to do any exercise whatsoever for 10 days but I'm quite interested in starting a streak on the 8th when I leave the retreat.  I'll be fascinated to see how long I can keep it up for!

[DrJH]

I went from 21 June 1984 until 19 May 1991 and had 8 days off with a collapsed lung. Then from 28 May to 16 June 1995 and had 11 days off with a ruptured tendon in my foot. Then 28 June to 19 Jan 1996 and had 5 days off sick. Then 27 Jan to 18 Dec 1997 and had 13 days off (hernia operation). Then 1 Jan 1998 to 7 Jan 2004 and had an on/off period trying to get my achilles to settle down. Then 9 April to 5 December 2004 then 10 weeks off (still trying to get the achilles right). Then 12 Feb 2005 to 29 Oct 2006, having 17 days off before/after a knee arthroscopy. Then 15 Nov 2006 to 8 April 2007 (2 days off sick). Then from 11 April 2007 until the present (985 days straight).

[crowpower]

Congrats to Streakrunner on your 1000 days!

I tried several times in the past to run up 1000 days after reading that Deek had done that in his younger days. However, I could never get past 450 days, usually quitting in January after completing a full calendar year.

I identify with staggy, and in my 1997 attempt set a 6km/30 minute minimum requirement (depending on where I was) as well as running marathons and doubling up. My (recent) 1022 days comprised 1038 workouts, running twice a day on 16 occasions. That brings me to the question of whether starting at 11:45pm and running for half an hour counts as two days completed. Well no, I don't think so. Otherwise you could claim 1000 days with only 500 sessions, although I think if anyone could actually do that they deserve a medal. Each day should comprise a separate session; getting into your togs, running and then having a shower. I couldn't possibly justify (to myself) shuffling around an airport in a suit for 20 minutes as counting. If other people can, then that's fine.

Minimum workout? Hard one as this is an individual pursuit based on honour anyway. Probably the time it takes to work up a decent sweat (living in a place with cold winters like I do) which would be at least 10 minutes and therefore at least a kilometre. However I agree with the sentiment of "20 minutes or what's the point?"

In my 1022 day streak my minimum run was 2.2 km in 2005, then I bumped it up to 3.5 km in 2006, then 5 km in 2007 and finally 7 km in 2008. The 2008 minimum didn't last too long as I increased it to 10.5 km minimum from 29th February to 23rd June (day 1000) because, paradoxically, I found it easier to do that.

Very impressive DrJH, looks like you have had a number of 1000-day streaks.

[Streakrunner]

crowpower, on Dec 20 2009, 07:12 AM, said:

Congrats to Streakrunner on your 1000 days!

I tried several times in the past to run up 1000 days after reading that Deek had done that in his younger days. However, I could never get past 450 days, usually quitting in January after completing a full calendar year.

I identify with staggy, and in my 1997 attempt set a 6km/30 minute minimum requirement (depending on where I was) as well as running marathons and doubling up. My (recent) 1022 days comprised 1038 workouts, running twice a day on 16 occasions. That brings me to the question of whether starting at 11:45pm and running for half an hour counts as two days completed. Well no, I don't think so. Otherwise you could claim 1000 days with only 500 sessions, although I think if anyone could actually do that they deserve a medal. Each day should comprise a separate session; getting into your togs, running and then having a shower. I couldn't possibly justify (to myself) shuffling around an airport in a suit for 20 minutes as counting. If other people can, then that's fine.

Minimum workout? Hard one as this is an individual pursuit based on honour anyway. Probably the time it takes to work up a decent sweat (living in a place with cold winters like I do) which would be at least 10 minutes and therefore at least a kilometre. However I agree with the sentiment of "20 minutes or what's the point?"

In my 1022 day streak my minimum run was 2.2 km in 2005, then I bumped it up to 3.5 km in 2006, then 5 km in 2007 and finally 7 km in 2008. The 2008 minimum didn't last too long as I increased it to 10.5 km minimum from 29th February to 23rd June (day 1000) because, paradoxically, I found it easier to do that.

Very impressive DrJH, looks like you have had a number of 1000-day streaks.

I am very glad to see more streakrunners out there. It looks as if it will be worth starting a register of sorts.
Dr JH - you definitely have a lot of experience in this area, having done so many streaks (and long ones) since 1984. I will be thinking of you on the 5th of Jan when you reach your 1000th! Looks like your longest streak was 2200 days!With your permission, I would like to put that on record?
Crowpower, how far are you into your new streak? I have to agree with you that this is an honour thing and so much depends on ones own honesty.  The airport runs I have had, were usually in S'pore where they have a gym and a treadmill and shower facilities. I understand that there will be times when you cannot help but run a back to back at midnight, especially with long international flights, but I must agree that if anyone is mad enough to get up at midnight to run a back to back, and they can live with it, so be it. If you are happy to go on record, please let me have the details of your longest streak as well as your current one?
The Owl - let us know if when you start your new streak.  
With regards the distance, I am quite stuck on the minimum of 1.61km (1 mile) per day. Obviously one can make the max whatever you want.
See you on the road!

[DrJH]

Streakrunner, on Dec 20 2009, 09:31 AM, said:

I am very glad to see more streakrunners out there. It looks as if it will be worth starting a register of sorts.
Dr JH - you definitely have a lot of experience in this area, having done so many streaks (and long ones) since 1984. I will be thinking of you on the 5th of Jan when you reach your 1000th! Looks like your longest streak was 2200 days!With your permission, I would like to put that on record?
Crowpower, how far are you into your new streak? I have to agree with you that this is an honour thing and so much depends on ones own honesty.  The airport runs I have had, were usually in S'pore where they have a gym and a treadmill and shower facilities. I understand that there will be times when you cannot help but run a back to back at midnight, especially with long international flights, but I must agree that if anyone is mad enough to get up at midnight to run a back to back, and they can live with it, so be it. If you are happy to go on record, please let me have the details of your longest streak as well as your current one?
The Owl - let us know if when you start your new streak.  
With regards the distance, I am quite stuck on the minimum of 1.61km (1 mile) per day. Obviously one can make the max whatever you want.
See you on the road!

I had a few airport runs in that 7 year stretch. My minimum is a mile. People might say it's not much, but you still have to make the effort to get out there! No problem with puting it on record.

[Streakrunner]

The Owl, on Dec 19 2009, 09:28 PM, said:

I'm intrigued!  I'm kind of an anti-streak runner. I have trouble motivating myself to back-up thaws days but this thread has caught my interest.

I'm going on a vipassana retreat on the 27 Dec so won't be able to do any exercise whatsoever for 10 days but I'm quite interested in starting a streak on the 8th when I leave the retreat.  I'll be fascinated to see how long I can keep it up for!

I am sure after your meditation sessions, you will be able to concentrate and motivate yourself. Enjoy it and let us know when you start the streak!

[crowpower]

I'm happy to have it on your list Streakrunner. As mentioned 1022 days is my longest and I've given the details, unless there is anything else you need. My current one started on 21 October 2008, the day I arrived in Adelaide after a flight from LA. I left LA on the 19th and spent the entire day of the 20th (such as it was) in the air before crossing the International Date Line to arrive home on the 21st. Can't do any running on a plane, unless you're Ron Hill.

I'm only keeping a vague track of days this time (on purpose), so it would be 400+ by now. I'll let you know if it stops!

Soon after I stopped my long streak I ran on a treadmill for 13 consecutive days on a ship and I agree that is legitimate to do in whatever location.

Maybe you could start separate lists for those who achieve 100 days and a calendar year. That would give many other people something to aim for.

[redbackrun]

i know running can be addictive but is there some compulsive behaviour problems behind streak running? surely one must have a rest day every now & then. my compulsive behaviour is doing at least 50+ crunches or situps a day. i've haven't missed one day this year. missed one day last year & kicked myself for it. i know its not much but i feel i need to do them. woke up from knee surgery in '95 & started doing crunches in the hospital recovery room. only missed 1 day that year also. having to run every single day has to be boarding on a compulsive behaviour. comments...

cheers
rbr

[DrJH]

redbackrun, on Dec 20 2009, 09:50 PM, said:

i know running can be addictive but is there some compulsive behaviour problems behind streak running? surely one must have a rest day every now & then. my compulsive behaviour is doing at least 50+ crunches or situps a day. i've haven't missed one day this year. missed one day last year & kicked myself for it. i know its not much but i feel i need to do them. woke up from knee surgery in '95 & started doing crunches in the hospital recovery room. only missed 1 day that year also. having to run every single day has to be boarding on a compulsive behaviour. comments...

cheers
rbr

Most of us have 22 or 23 non-running hours in a day for recovery.

[redbackrun]

DrJH, on Dec 20 2009, 10:46 PM, said:

Most of us have 22 or 23 non-running hours in a day for recovery.

& can be longer. after a morning run/race the next day run could be a night run. great effort on everyone part to keep these streaks going. well done.
cheers
rbr

[Streakrunner]

Crowpower, I like the idea of having two lists, one for 100 days and then one for 365+. I am also splitting it into a current and discontinued streak list so that we can record long streaks even if they have been stopped, for the record. At this stage I will start with keeping the registers, I will endeavour to have registers going by the end of the week and if I need any futher info from anyone, I will PM you.
I also did a couple of days on a cruise ship and the weirdest thing for me was to run in the opposite direction to which the ship went and then to still try and balance the left-to-right movement of the swells. Made for some wobbly walking afterwards!
redbackrun - you look like you will fit in well with the compulsive behaviour - why not start a streak of running?
Have to admit with travelling, a Garmin or any GPS watch comes in very handy.
See you on the road!