The Road to 156

As a dedicated runner for almost four decades, I am always looking for something to motivate me, day to day, month to month, and year to year, to get out and run.  You know, on those days when I am tired, too busy, or not feeling my best, it's helpful to having something in the back of my mind that convinces me to lace up my running shoes, get out the door, and go for a run.

Last December, I decided I would set a goal of 156 three miles runs in 2025.  No runs longer than three miles, which meant no long runs.  That was different for me, to be sure, because I am a faithful member of the Church of the Long Run.  Running consistently requires discipline.  Running only three miles, 156 times, necessarily required a different kind of discipline.  To be fair, it also took some of the pressure off insofar as I did not have to find the time or energy to run long.  It was nice, even reassuring, for me to know that every run in 2025 could be completed in under 30 minutes.  

In the past, my annual goals have been based on total mileage, the number of runs, or both.  I have run 1,000 miles in a year, most recently in 2020 (1,025), the year I outran Covid-19.  I have run 200 times in in year.  As I have gotten older, I have stopped racing as much and it's been years since I have run a half-marathon.  I will be 60 years old (yikes!) in July and I do not see another marathon on my horizon.  Maybe a half-marathon but not a marathon.  

As I guess is probably true with all dedicated runners, I tend to become obsessed with an annual goal.  It's not so much that I think about it all of the time.  Rather, it's always in the back of my mind.  How many runs do I have this month?  How many runs do I have for the year?  Am I ahead or behind?  I think about those type of things every day.  As such, it's party of why an annual goal works so well for me.  It creates an itch, a pleasant one, that I scratch by going for a run.  It's always been that way for me.

While I am proud of what I accomplished as a runner in 2025, I understand it was not an overly ambitious goal.  For me, though, that was the point.  I wanted to have a year where I enjoyed the simple act of running without worrying about annual milage or getting a long run in at some point during the week.  My running in 2025 was about staying healthy, being consistent, avoiding injury, and enjoying being a runner.  

I ran on treadmills at the YMCA (Downtown, Green Hills, and Franklin) more than I had in the past, at least since Go Performance and Fitness in Cummins Station closed during the pandemic.  I ran a multitude of three miles routes in the neighborhood, often ending with coffee at Barista Parlor in the Village (like today), 8th and Roast, Buck Mason, Hearts, Frothy Monkey, or Honest Coffee Roasters and a relaxing walk home.  I ran after work in downtown Franklin, to Harlinsdale Park and back.  I ran a time or two at Shelby Bottoms, a place where I want to get back to running more in 2026.  I ran in Sewanee.  I ran in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.  I ran with JP, although not as much as I would have liked. 

I listened to podcasts while I ran.  Bill Simmons.  The Press Box.  Plain English.  WTF.  Zach Lowe.  The Daily.  This American Life.  The Ezra Klein Show.  The Rewatchables.  Interesting Times.  Ringer Tailgate.  In terms of music, I listened to John Hiatt several times while I ran.

I ran 156 times, three miles every time. 

Toward the end of the year, before I caught my annual sinus infection, my speed picked up considerably.  I ran three miles, easily, at under 8:10 per mile, something I have not done regularly in a while.  I felt strong and healthy, which was awesome.  

Running is such an important part of my life.  In fact, running is the essence of who I am as a person.  I am so blessed to be healthy enough to run consistently at age 59.  

Every run is a gift.