We did it!
37 days of movement – at least a mile a day – from American Thanksgiving on November 26, 2020 to January 1, 2021. Collectively, we ran/walked/skied/snowshoed about 1200 km. That’s the distance from Winnipeg, Manitoba all the way to beautiful Old Woman Bay in Lake Superior Provincial Park!
2020 was a year like no other. Staying healthy, while developing new connections with others during a pandemic posed new challenges. We resurrected #educatorsONtherun, started by Heather Theijsmeijer in 2019, as a way to support each other and have some positive stories to tell about 2020.
It was a huge success for so many of us. I talked about it a few times on “Hurley in the Morning” on Voiced Radio. One morning I shared that we were offering prizes, and Stephen generously offered the prize of a 2 hour playlist on voiced.ca. We drew that prize on December 18, and Mark McMath was the winner! Mark created such a lovely show with Stephen on Boxing Day – the perfect background music for my own run that day.
We have two more prizes to give away this week. I am donating a one-year individual membership to the EdCan Network for 2021, and EdCan has graciously donated a second individual membership. These will be drawn from the entries in our recording spreadsheet during the first week back to school in 2021.
While we are all feeling extra tired and stressed during this pandemic, the 37 day streak presented me with some additional personal challenges.
On the very first day, November 26, my running partner, Tundra, was tragically and violently killed in a horrible incident that also injured my husband. Without #streak2020away and my #educatorsONtherun #mbedruns support, I would not have been able to take another step.
Every one of my runs in November and December was flooded with memories of places where Tundra saw a grouse, or where Tundra was sprayed by a skunk. Tundra has been running with me for 5 years. Running without him this past month has been heart-wrenching. I am thankful for the online support of my running friends.
Last week, my husband suffered another serious injury that saw us spend about 10 hours in hospital over several days and several visits. Running a mile became running around hospital parking lots at all hours of the day and night.
I have a new appreciation for the importance of movement and fresh air in maintaining health, but also for the power of a group in helping us to make those active choices.
Thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s run streak. Will you keep going? What’s your next step to be #wellatwork in 2021?
Featured image by Jennifer Stark
Donna – I’m so sorry you suffered all of these things. Awful. Shutting the door on 2020 must feel so good.
Thank you!
We are looking at all that is good. My family remains Covid-free, we are moving north to Yukon Territory next week, and we are building a strong understanding of empathy for others. You never know what is happening in peoples’ lives, so we all need to pull together. #weareinthistogether
Stay well in 2021!
Donna, So sorry to hear about Tundra, and your husband.
I’ve been walking every day (225 in a row!) and it feels so good to get out. I really connect to what you say about the power of a group, or even just one accountability partner. I felt like I didn’t want to let my partner down and that was stronger than my desire not to let myself stay in the chair.
Can’t wait to hear about your adventures in the Yukon!
So awesome to hear about your streak, Lisa! I have learned how hard it is to get out there through adversity and fatigue, and I have a new appreciation for these wildly successful streaks!
I look forward to sharing the work with Yukon Education! Happy 2021!
Oh Donna, what a hard time for you and your family. Hoping that your husband is recovering well physically and that your move goes well.
Thank you for sharing your heart and thank you for organizing this year’s streak.
Take care!