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Rewind to the spring of 2020. Despite being a full-time Runner’s World editor, a lifetime reader of the mag, an ex-collegiate DI distance runner, and a marathon finisher, I had not yet attempted an RW Holiday Run Streak. I decided it was time to commit to the 35 days of running at least one mile a day for the 2020 summer edition.
Not even halfway through, I flubbed it.
I wasn’t sick or injured, I certainly wasn’t inexperienced, and the weather wasn’t even bad. Nevertheless, my training log still has a big goose egg on June 10th because my day had gotten busier than expected, and I knew I wouldn’t have enough time for the run I had planned. Instead, I’d likely only have time for a quick mile. That was all I needed to complete the Streak, but I hated the idea of curtailing a workout—so much that I consciously decided I’d rather not run at all. But, I picked the Streak back up the next day and finished strong—if a little disgruntled—without missing another run. When the 2020 Holiday Run Streak rolled around in November, I knew I’d be able to complete it. And I did.
My winter attempt was much different, so I want to share all the things that got me through successfully the second go-round. Yes, I’m a test editor for RW, so some of this is physical running gear. But a lot of it is more of what I’d call mental running gear—that is, the equally important tools and apps that helped me cultivate the right mindset to finish. For me, this means leaving behind the “all-or-nothing” headspace that sabotaged my first streak and simply getting out the door for those first stiff, slow steps.
Last year’s holiday streak and my most recent summer streak came to 65 and 104 days, respectively—I don’t think I’ll shoot for 105 this winter. Still, I’m curious to see how many days of running I can string together after the holidays. Feel free to join me if you’d like to try to extend your own streak a little longer past January 1st—here are some tips and gear that can help you power through the days and keep your streak alive.
Shoes I Love
First thing’s first: running shoes. My all-time favorite pair is the first version of Reebok’s Floatride Run Fast. Big points to Reebok for making a light, soft, springy, and fast shoe that continues to wildly impress me with its durability. (No points were awarded for the creative naming of “Run Fast,” but I’ll let that slide.) According to my Athleticore shoe log, I’ve put over 400 miles on a single pair before I felt a significant loss in responsiveness. Before a streak, I’ll buy a new pair, and maybe even a backup pair. I’d recommend doing this for any shoe you love that you already know works well for you before starting a streak or a new training plan.
I’ve since bought a fresh pair of mine on Amazon for around 50 bucks, and as of this writing, there’s still a good amount in stock if you’re interested (just save me a few women’s size 9s.) Also, I’ve already hacked mine accordingly to my personal preferences—those holes in the upper aren’t blowouts from excessive wear. After I had surgery on my right foot back in high school, I’ve found I need more forefoot space around the scarred area. I get that by carving some extra slits on both sides of the toe box for additional wiggle room.
Toasty Gloves and Mittens
In the past, frozen hands kept me on the treadmill for most of my winter running. I thought the solution was bigger, bulkier gloves—I even went as far as to buy a pair designed for snowboarding. I’ve since learned the trick is to layer. One of the best combos I’ve experimented with is a thin liner glove beneath a Brooks windproof lobster mitten. (Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate loves a good Smartwool liner paired with a Tracksmith mitten on top. He walks you through his layering process step-by-step in the video below.)
The specific duo you choose is up to you. For the bitter cold, my matchmaking recommendation is a fleecy liner glove plus a wind-blocking shell. Ensure the pair closest to your hands is a soft, moisture-wicking material that’s also good at regulating temperature. (Unlike cotton, fleece and merino wool help prevent sweaty palms and still feel cozy against the skin.) The outer layer should be a mitten to trap warm pockets of heat around your fingers. I always double-check the product description to ensure the material is windproof, or at least wind-resistant.
That said, for runs in the mid-to-high 40s, I can still get away with a nice convertible glove. I’m really liking this pair from TrailHeads for its great touchscreen compatibility and longer cuffs. The mitten portion stows away easily on the back, two tiny magnets keep each with its buddy, and a plushy swatch of fabric on the thumbs allows for quick snot rocket cleanup.
Awesome Wireless Earbuds...
For many years I ran without headphones, music, or podcasts of any kind. It’s still something I enjoy doing from time to time, but I also like having a little motivation in my ear when I need it. That requires a super reliable pair of wireless earphones. My favorite are JLab’s Epic Air Sport ANC True Wireless earbuds, and they cost less than $100. The rubbery sport hooks give the most secure fit I’ve had of any wireless buds, without any uncomfortable suction causing that annoying high-pressure thump with each footstrike. Plus, when my ears need a breather after a run, I’ll use those support wings to let the buds dangle off the top of my ear while my sweat dries, until I’m ready to switch to noise-canceling mode for writing back at my desk.
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The battery life holds more than enough juice for marathon distance—even if you were to walk it. (If you’re running about three miles a day during the Streak, you’ll be able to go almost a month before reaching for the wireless charging case.) I’m no audiophile, but I’m also impressed with the sound quality; the bass comes in full and robust—not weak or tinny—and you can tune to your specific preferences in JLab’s companion mobile app. Just switch off the hear-through mode while running (if you’re preferred route is safe enough that you can get by without being fully tuned into your surroundings), since it does amplify wind noise.
...With Audio Inspiration to Match
Headphones aren’t much use to me unless I’ve got something either interesting or energizing pumping out of them. As for music, I really enjoy running to a group called Two Friends. The duo makes roughly hour-long mixes that are mashups of all sorts of music. (I should mention that they’re definitely explicit and NSFW.) And, they really get me psyched to run fast—and long. I’ve had many recovery jogs become uptempos and daily efforts become unplanned long runs with these mixes as my soundtrack. The music itself is hard to explain, so it’s best to listen for yourself to get a taste—you’ll either love it or hate it, but, I can promise that Matt and Eli will never fail to surprise you with their insane combinations. For instance, if you think there’s no way to make a runnable mix of The Beatles’s “Yellow Submarine” and Rihanna’s “B**** Better Have My Money,” well, you’re in for a treat. Other notable combos include Don McLean’s “American Pie” remixed with Mike Posner’s “Cooler Than Me,” a collision of Queen and Eminem, and even the Pokémon theme song played over a classical bassline.
As for podcasts and audiobooks, my tastes are pretty eclectic and run the gamut from nonfiction to novels to running-related content. I use Apple’s podcast app and the Audible app for that variety of listening. Sometimes it’s easier to say, “I’ll head out just for a quick chapter,” rather than a mile. Most recently, I’ve discovered John Green’s The Anthropocene Reviewed, in which the best-selling author explores topics from Lascaux Paintings and the Taco Bell Breakfast Menu to Halley’s Comet, Viral Meningitis, and Tetris—and then rates each on a five-star scale. It’s insightful, witty, and appropriate for ears of all ages. (One episode is just long enough to get me through a quick two miles.)
One Heavy-Duty Blender
The last thing the internet needs is another runner touting their “go-to post-run smoothie!” recipe. But I’d be lying if I said I don’t use my Blentec blender every day. Yes, it is fairly expensive, but this brand is one you’ll often see pureeing fruits and veggies in smoothie shops and big chains like Jamba Juice or Smoothie King. I’ve had mine for almost three years, and it’s still going strong. It’s a refurbished model, which did knock a decent amount off the price tag, and I’d never know the difference in terms of its performance. (I should also mention that I’ve burned through a lot of blenders in my day—from brands ranging from Ninja and NutriBullet to Kitchen Aid and Hamilton Beach—and my Blentec has lasted the longest by far.)
Smoothies are fast and simple ways for me to get in both recovery-boosting protein (usually from powder) and some extra veggies. After hot summer workouts, I’m not always ready right away for a meal—but I know the sooner I get in a mix of carbs and protein, the sooner my muscles can start replenishing and repairing. That’s important all the time, and especially so when trying to keep fresh legs for a run streak. These days, most of my smoothies have been coming out orange since I’ve been on a turmeric kick—the recovery benefits are legit. When I get bored of a recipe, I’ll try something less conventional like pairing dark cocoa powder and cayenne pepper for a spicy frozen Mexican hot chocolate.
I’ll also make a smoothie to get in a serving or two of vegetables when I’m either in a rush or, honestly, too impatient to preheat the oven. Personally, I love adding spinach and kale, but I definitely notice the change in taste and texture they impart (even if some people swear they don’t). I’ll add beets and greens only when I’m in the mood for something fresh and earthy. One thing I can recommend to up the veg count is adding chopped pieces of frozen zucchini. Unlike darker leafy greens, the taste is much more muted and thickens a smoothie without watering it down like ice does. (At the height of the cauli-craze, I experimented with cauliflower as well, but you’ll need to steam the florets before freezing to eliminate a chunky texture. I realized the total prep time starts to add up, at which point it’s smarter for me to just prepare an actual meal.)
Support... and Emoji Tracking
Last but certainly not least, I use Emojis to track my daily runs during the Streak—it’s more fun than just ticking boxes with an “X” or a check mark. Some selections are pretty obvious, like the turkey on Thanksgiving or the tree for Christmas, but I had to get a little more creative (and sometimes personal) for others. For example, the boxing glove was a punny take on Boxing Day, and the snow cone on the fifth row was from a post-blizzard jog when I made a quick bathroom pitstop in a snowbank. The Ferris wheel was from a run during which I listened to a podcast by Tim Ferriss; the smiley in a party hat was for my cousin’s birthday, and well... I’m sure you can guess what the unfortunate poop Emoji means.
Either way, the Emoji method gives me something to think about on the run and helps me be more present to what’s around me—whether it be things I see, smell, hear, or occasionally step in. Plus, it’s another excuse to ramble on about running with my sister, also a fellow run streaker, when we share what Emojis we choose for each day. (Personally, I don’t post or share it on my Instagram, but tag @runnersworldmag if you do!)
