Four Years, 1432 Runs, Countless Lessons
On 2019-12-31, I laced up my shoes and went for a run, not knowing I was starting something that would shape the next four years of my life. Since that day, I’ve run every single day… until today. On 2023-12-02, my streak came to an end.
That’s 1,432 consecutive days of running — or 3 years, 11 months, and 2 days without missing a single day.
If you want more backstory, I’ve shared parts of this journey before in 365 Days of Running Every Day and 730 Days of Running Every Day. Those posts cover how it started, what I learned along the way, and why I kept going.
This one is about how — and why — it ended.
Why the Streak Ended
For the past few days, I’ve been feeling under the weather — most likely COVID. And while I’ve run through fevers, storms, and some pretty gnarly injuries before, this felt different.
Pushing through sickness, especially something that could impact the heart, isn’t worth the risk. Myocarditis is real, and no streak is worth permanent damage.
So today, I rested. It was strangely difficult — not physically, but mentally. After more than four years of automatic momentum, I finally stopped.
What Running Every Day Taught Me
Running every single day wasn’t just about fitness. It was about discipline, self-discovery, and resilience. Here are some of the biggest lessons I’ve taken away:
1. Fresh air changes everything
Spending time outdoors every day did wonders for my sleep, energy, and mood. It’s amazing how much simply stepping outside — rain or shine — can reset your body and mind.
2. Discipline compounds
Waking up every morning knowing I had to run created a ripple effect. When you prove to yourself that you can show up consistently for one thing, you start showing up for everything else too.
3. Nature stops being an excuse
Before this, bad weather affected my mood and motivation. Now? Snowstorms, rain, blazing heat, freezing cold, lightning — I’ve run through it all. Weather stopped being a barrier; it became part of the experience.
4. Solitude is underrated
Some of my favorite runs were in quiet forests, just me, my thoughts, and the sound of my breathing. Learning to enjoy your own company is an underrated life skill.
5. Movement fuels better habits
Knowing I had to run later made me more mindful of other choices — what I ate, when I slept, how much I worked. I tested this theory by running after demolishing half a chocolate cake… let’s just say the data was conclusive.
How I Made It Sustainable
A streak like this doesn’t happen by accident — it requires eliminating friction:
- I standardized everything: same shoe model, same clothes, same headlamp (essential in Swedish winters).
- I mixed things up when needed: different routes, terrains, podcasts, music, and sometimes no headphones at all.
- I made it enjoyable: I stopped thinking of running as punishment and started treating it like a gift.
- I learned to respect recovery: rotating shoes, strength training, cross-training, and actually listening to my body kept me healthy.
The biggest insight? Habits stick when they’re frictionless and rewarding.
Hard Truths I Discovered Along the Way
- Injuries happen — but most are preventable with recovery, strength work, and variation.
- Running every day doesn’t make you fast — it builds endurance, but true speed requires a different approach.
- Sedentary days make running harder — if I sat still all day, evening runs always felt heavier. Movement begets movement.
- Speed doesn’t matter — unless you’re a pro athlete or being chased by a bear, consistency matters far more than pace.
- Saunas are magic — I’ve been going twice a week for years now, and it’s been a game-changer for recovery and mental clarity.
- Some days suck, but none are wasted — I’ve had brutal, demotivating, rainy, freezing runs… but I’ve never once regretted doing them.
What’s Next
Even though the streak is over, running isn’t. Far from it.
What changes is how I run. Instead of logging miles every day, I’m shifting toward quality over quantity:
- Longer, more intentional runs.
- Harder sessions balanced with real recovery.
- More strength training and cross-training.
And yes… I still have a few big goals. A 100-mile ultramarathon is on my bucket list. I’m not committing yet, but the idea is lingering in the back of my mind — and I suspect it’ll keep knocking until I answer.
Final Thoughts
I started this streak as a personal challenge. I kept going because it became part of who I am. And while stopping feels strange, it also feels right.
The biggest thing I’ve learned? The habit mattered more than the number. The streak isn’t the achievement, showing up was.
1,432 days later, I’m proud.
And tomorrow, I’ll probably run. Just… not because I have to.
