We ran for 167 days in a row, initially we wanted to target 100 days. Then we got ambitious.

We extended it to 365 days.

365 days, that’s a lot of days.

Unfortunately a couple of ankle sprains and a substantial sprinkling of achilles tendonitis has meant we’ve pulled the plug. The ankles are getting stiffer, less mobile and more painful every day. Pushing on just isn’t an option.

We did however learn a huge amount. Running every day was a great habit, it feels very strange and almost empty without it.

It was also a fantastic gateway, a gateway to living better.

Before we started we’d tend to do the usual thing in the evenings, sit about, maybe have a glass or two of wine, watch TV, go to bed.

Running everyday broke that up, it created momentum to do other things.

Instead of watching TV, we’d get back do some stretching or some yoga and then grab a book. Maybe write something, or draw (in Gabby’s case).

Instead of wine we’re drinking herbal teas, water, hydrating better.

We’ve been stopped for a few days and weirdly the old habits are sneaking back in. Without that little burst of endorphins from even the shortest of runs we’re finding ourselves, lower on energy, back to sitting on the couch.

So what have we learned?

1. Doing something exercise wise everyday, no matter how small, has a massive positive knock on effect on our lives.
2. Running every day, might not be the best option – your body needs time to recover from the repetitive impact
3. We’re much, much happier with much higher energy levels when we don’t do the sofa thing.
4. It’s incredibly easy to fall back into the easy old habits

The moral of this story, do something, anything, to tax your body every day. Swim, bike, run, walk, stretch or what ever it takes to get the blood pumping. It really does make you happier, fitter, more relaxed and energised.

Get out and do something!