I am a runner.

After a knee operation in 1985, I didnt run until 2016.

Then I listened to Running Ultra, an audiobook by triathlete Rich Roll, once voted as the world’s fittest man. He recommended to use Strava or Twin Peaks as part of the training.

I was inpired to make an impossible goal. From couch potato to marathoner in 100 days.

I missed it because there were no marathons on Thursdays. So I ran my first marathon with 103 days training, 31 years after I stopped running. I initially thought it was a bucket list type of I did it, on to the next one. Was I wrong, because I fell in love, crazy in love.

Silently, Strava recorded my stories. Voila, now approaching 7,000 km of running. That is an average of 909 km per year for last 7.5 years…76 km a month, 2.5 km a day for 7.5 years! Which is why 244 km last December was the CraZyest ever! And still loving it…

True or not? Here is what Strava says (as of January 23 2024, after 7.5 years of running.

Strava Heat Map showing the places I have run, and how often, since June 2016.

Strava also monitors best efforts (PRs and estimated) and all time distances per sport.

Tell me, Google, just how far is 7,000 km? It is approximately the sum of running the US from coast to coast (4,313 km), the Philppines (1,850 km) from the northest tip of Batanes to the southmost and France (962 km), 3 countries in 7.5 years!

For the first time ever, I am no longer running alone. I have a super competitive ABSbundance group that is reviving the CraZYness in me. Thank you team!

I started my love affair with running when I was 51. Runners know how addicting it is. Consider the possibility of starting getting to know running or walking sooner, with Strava as your witness. As they say, if it is NOT on Strava, it didnt happen.

More running inspiration…