Another year, another 365 days of pushing my limits. As the clock ticks down on 2024, it’s time to reflect on the streaks that defined my year, the lessons learned, and whether these habits still serve me.
Timecap
I’m still using the great, simple app on my phone.
Running (3158-day streak)
As of December 31, 2024. I have run six or more miles for 3,158 consecutive days. I ran at least 15K daily in 2024 for over 3000 for the eighth year. I also logged the second most miles (3,804 in 2020).
I struggled with running this year. I injured myself more than in the past. I had some hamstring issues, and my left leg gave me issues for the last four months of the year. I focus intently on my magic games while I’m running, not on my form, and I am probably ignoring discomfort that is leading to injury.
I had to replace my treadmill belt for the first time (2032 hours) and wonder if that change could be a contributing factor. For the first time in recent memory, I am considering voluntarily ending the streak and seeing if giving my body a month to recover would be for the best and to understand if my leg pain is running-related or general health issues.
Verdict: Listen to my body. Streaks can die.
Intermittent Fasting (1752-day streak)
Fasting has become second nature. I have fewer days when I need to eat before 15 hours. When I do struggle, I am just thinking about food and need to find a distraction. If I work on one of my other streaks for a while, I can easily get lost in that task and forget that I am hungry. I will break it at 14 hours a few times a month because maybe I ate so late the night before that being up too long makes me hungry. I want to ensure I don’t accomplish anything because I am just in a hunger daze.
I did two days that were close to 24 hours of fasting by accident but never accomplished a multiple-day fast as I had considered. It is still a possibility.
Verdict: Continue fasting and try one 48-hour fast in 2025
Sleep
I upgraded from my Fenix 5 to a Garmin Epix 2 Pro and have been paying closer attention to my sleep quality. The Epix gives a morning summary and shows my HRV and sleep score. Earlier in the year and last year, I had a lot more frequent sleep apnea-like events. I also noticed that I sleep better with reduced back and nerve pain. I’m probably rolling over a lot and moving to get comfortable, which causes a lower quality of sleep. I struggle to sleep for more than 8 hours, and although I generally get around 7 hours, I can still be disrupted by our dog or have a bad dream.
If I sleep under seven hours, I will lie back down for a nap, but that is not often the case.
Verdict: Continue to prioritize getting at least seven hours of sleep each night.
Vegetarian (1369-day streak)
With my nerve pain reoccurring in different ways the last few months of the year, I have contemplated if getting meat back into my diet might help me out. My lower leg would hurt, but not like a muscle pain injury, but like a pressure and throbbing. It would change positions and
Ultimately, that is just an excuse, and I do not intend to eat meat. I’m also eating fewer eggs after reading more about how similar they are to meat healthwise. I was eating three eggs every day and then eating protein bars that had egg whites. I am not avoiding them entirely, but I will not get protein bars with them or cook them up as breakfast.
Verdict: Stay meat-free
100 grams of Protein (2463-day streak)
I am starting to understand that you can eat too much protein. The main reasons for eating a lot of protein are to ensure my muscles are able to rebuild themselves after I tear them down, to run 70 miles a week, and to keep myself full. Fiber may be a better macro to track than protein.
Verdict: End this streak.
One Punch Man Workout (2831-day streak)
Still doing my Saitama routine. I have no superpowers yet, but I can do some quick push-ups.
Verdict: Keep going bald
100 Seconds of Planking (730-day streak)
After my push-ups are done, I start planking. I can easily do my 100 seconds, but I generally stop immediately after. I haven’t tried expanding my duration like I had dreamed. I do think a long-term goal of being able to plank for 10 minutes is good, but slowly building up is difficult, as 100 seconds vs. 600 seconds is a large canyon to cross.
Verdict: My plan for next year is to add 5 seconds to my plank each week, aiming to reach 3 minutes by the end of 2025.
Dancing (2197-day streak)
I wish there were more opportunities for dance. I force myself to dance alone in my bathroom for a few minutes. It does a good job of sparking joy but is awkward and disingenuous.
Verdict: Dance because I want to; I left my friends behind.
Coming Soon: Blogging, Video Games, No Caffeine, Sobriety, Journaling, Playing an Instrument, Writing Code, Reading, Shaving, Vitamins, Meditation, Teeth care, and Food Tracking.
