“One day I won’t believe I was able to do this, but right know I do believe – and because of that I am going to keep on going.” – Me

***

A number of years ago, I had a great idea. I had decided that was going to run every single day for an entire calendar year. That was 2017. Full of desire, focus, determination, and commitment, I made it all the way to January 4.

I ended up a long way from my goal.

But, we only fail if we give up trying.

The next year, 2018, I did better. I made it to February 23. I had run for 53 consecutive days. That was something. I was proud of how far I had gone, but, again, I fell way short of my goal.

By 2019, I was battling a series of tears in my right Achilles tendon. I wasn’t ready for surgery, but I knew the idea of running every day at that point wasn’t even a possibility.

In January 2020, I had the surgery.

In 2021, I was still working my way back, being smart and cautious.

But this year, 2022, I am determined, once and for all, to achieve that goal.

In short, I don’t know how to give up trying. I’ll never give up trying.

***

“Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.” – Hebrews 12:1

***

This morning, with my five-mile run, I completed my 250th consecutive day of running. I’m now 68% of the way toward completing my goal. And I have no intention of stopping. I have just 115 more days to go.

***

“Now bid me run, and I will strive with things impossible.” – William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar

***

I am striving with things impossible. I am focused, I am determined, and I am able. I am confident that I can achieve this goal. It will just take a bit more determination and focus… and, of course, the blessings of good health.

In 2022, I have now run 1, 018 miles. I’m averaging more than four miles a day, each day, every day, this year.

In order to count for a run, I determined that I would have to run at least one mile each day. I am proud to say that I have only run that amount twice this year, once on February 27, when I was battling severe back pain, and again in June.

On the other hand, on more than 70 occasions, I have exceeded five miles, and since I am ramping up for the 2022 New York City Marathon, there will be plenty of ten-mile plus runs coming in the days and weeks ahead.

***

I will never give up trying, and because of that, I will succeed.

115 days to go to reach 365 consecutive days of running. I will get there.

***

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7

That will hopefully soon be true, but once I get there, I won’t stop. I may not keep running every single day, but I’ll still set goals, new goals, and I’ll still dream. I will still stive for greatness in all that I do.

But for a moment, at least today, I’ll feel proud that I made it this far.