by Elizabeth Schnittker

There’s a gentleman in Maryland who has laced up his shoes and gone for a run every single day since April 4, 1967. He’s the longest known “streaker” recognized by the U.S. Running Streak Association. This brings up two interesting points:

A) There is someone out there who has run every darn day, rain or shine, for almost 41 years and,

B) There is an actual association that recognizes streakers. But if you want to join this particular streaking club, put those clothes back on; in this case, “streaking” refers to the challenge of running numerous consecutive days (or years).

My streaks are generally pretty short. But in my running career, I have bonked, hit the wall, sulked away with a DNF and received some cool hardware after running a negative split for a PR. What does this mean, you ask?

• Bandit — Runner who participates without registering and/or paying the entry fee; sometimes overheard claiming “I’m just running to support my friend/husband/wife.” See also: cheapskate.

• Bonk — State of exhaustion where glycogen is depleted, blood sugar levels are extremely low and a little devil appears on your shoulder telling you you’re going to die.

• DNF — Did Not Finish. A big slice of humble pie served up as the result of a personal bad race. Possibly caused by weather, undertraining, overtraining or too much Luigi’s garlic bread.

• Hardware — Finisher or age group medals handed out in addition to awards for the overall winners. An essential wardrobe accessory as you limp your way to dinner after a marathon.

• Hitting the Wall — Similar to bonking: depletion of glycogen and blood sucrose, triggering the feeling of exhaustion and erratic emotions — possibly causing the outburst of anger towards a Mariachi band at mile 23 of a marathon.

• Negative Split — Finding the energy from deep within to run the second half of a race faster than the first half.

• PR — Personal Record. Your very best at that particular distance. And who cares if you didn’t come in first place; you’re a winner.

• Race Swag — Cool stuff found in your race packet in addition to the T-shirt and bib number; aka stuff you normally wouldn’t buy, but somehow when it’s presented in miniature trial-size form, it’s fun.

More at gjfreepress.com

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