Run Streaker Rhea Deroian - 10 Years Running Every Day
By Marnie Kunz, USATF- RRCA-certified running coach
Run streaker Rhea Deroian is an inspiring runner is ringing in her 10-year running anniversary of running every day! I met Rhea at our Runstreet Art Run events, and have since followed her running feats on Instagram (she is @run_rhea_run and I am @Runstreet). Rhea sat down for an interview to offer her insights on what it’s like to run every day for 10 years, how to stay motivated, and more. Here is our interview:
Related Post: How to Do a Run Streak: Tips from a Running Coach
Rhea’s Story: Becoming a Run Streaker
RS: What made you start your run streak?
Rhea: I got into running in college and ran my first marathon in grad school. I wanted to qualify for Boston but struggled with being consistent with running so decided to do a 12-day holiday streak the month before my first BQ attempt. I always had every excuse not to run each day, it's too hot, too cold, I just ate, I didn't eat, I don't have something clean to run in, I am too busy, etc. I figured the best way to improve consistency and my running was to just go no excuses and run every day for 12 days. That snowballed and I made it a whole month before my race. I ended up qualifying for Boston and was planning to take a rest day the following day but a friend convinced me to try to run the next day. And I just never stopped!
RS: When did you start?
Rhea: The streak started December 19, 2013.
RS: When will be your 10-year run streaker anniversary?
Rhea: 10 years is December 18, 2023! Wild!
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Running Everyday for 10 Years: Average Distance and More
RS: How far do you run each day?
Rhea: I actually have a spreadsheet of all my streak miles and the average daily mileage is 5.5 miles.
RS: What’s the farthest you’ve run in a day during your streak?
Rhea: The farthest was 64.5 miles this October at a 24-hour race. A fun new challenge! Before that it was 33 miles in a day.
RS: What’s the shortest run you’ve done during your streak?
Rhea: There is a running streak association and rules! So our minimum run streak is one continuous mile per calendar day. I worry about GPS error or shortage so I always run at least 1.11 mile (the extra .01 is so Strava doesn't round me down!)
Run Streak Recovery
RS: How do you navigate recovery days?
Rhea: The biggest lesson I have learned is to listen to my body. If I am dragging, super tired, or sore, I always take those days super easy. There is also a lot of preventative effort to keep healthy enough to run every day. It took some time but I have figured out what works for me and my recovery so that I can handle the daily grind. I also have gotten to the point where the streak is my primary goal, not a race, pace, or weekly/monthly/yearly mileage. So, in that respect, I always tailor my running to ensure I can stay healthy on my streak.
Related Post: Complete Guide to Recovery Runs
Tips for Run Streakers
RS: Do you have any tips for other run streakers?
Rhea: Listen to your body, keep the easy running days easy, but most importantly have fun with it. The longer it goes, the less stress I have on it. There have been days where it can feel like a monkey on your back until you check it off, but most days I just look forward to my run. It has become my favorite part of the day, my me time, time to think, time to zone out, whatever I need it to be. I am actually more in love with running now than when I started it which I think is the best place to be. I just love I get to run every day.
RS: What’s been the best part about run streaking?
“It has become my favorite part of the day, my me time, time to think, time to zone out, whatever I need it to be.”
Rhea: There are so many things I love about run streaking. I have seen so many cool things because I went for a run. I love to travel and figuring the run into travel adventures can be a challenge, but it is a fun challenge. I have seen things traveling I never would have had I not gone out and needed to run that day. Beautiful run-down castles in Ireland, gorgeous sunsets in Iceland, a deserted beach in Fiji, travel running is always guaranteed to be a fun run and memory. I also think the days that have been the most challenging end up being the most rewarding and there is a valuable lesson in that. I had surgery last year and am approaching another surgery in January and it can be stressful to try to figure out the run for the day but it also is such an accomplishment when I manage to figure it out. Another fun perk is all my friends know I have to run that day so they will text me to run together when they want a buddy. I get hit up for friend run dates all the time and it makes me smile every time. I love the time to catch up and check in with people I love.
RS: What’s been the most challenging?
Rhea: Figuring out how to fit the run streak in on the crazy life days. Running through surgery, illness, injury, a car accident, my step dad dying… there’s been some life days where the streak has added an extra hurdle to get through that day. Some challenges have actually been cathartic or rewarding others less so but always afterwards I’m glad I stuck through it.
RS: What will you do after your 10-year mark?
Rhea: Keep streaking! I do have a some things planned next year that will definitely challenge the streak but I plan to take it one day at a time and keep doing what I love.
RS: Anything else you’d like to add?
Rhea: Just that running is truly a gift and I’m so grateful for the friends and experiences I’ve had because of it. I feel the luckiest to do this!
Follow Rhea’s Remarkable Running Journey
Rhea conitnues to inspire us all with her dedication to running. For more photos and videos from her running journey, follow run streaker Rhea on Instagram at @run_rhea_run.
Interested in a running streak or other training plan? Head to the Runstreet Training Center for training plans, free workouts, and more. Happy running to you!
Related Posts: Guide to Running for Beginners, How to Do a Run Streak
Marnie Kunz is a NASM-certified personal trainer and USATF- and RRCA-certified running coach based in Brooklyn, NY. Marnie likes helping people get and stay active to enjoy a better quality of life. When she’s not doing fitness things, Marnie enjoys exploring with her dog, a mischievous rescue Akita.
