Advantages of Running Every Day

My running streak isn't exactly the longest in the history of mankind, but it's my longest by a wide margin.  In the past, I'd be lucky to string together 10 straight days of running.  Now I have 50 days of continuous running.  LET ME REPEAT...THAT IS 50 DAYS OF CONTINUOUS RUNNING!  I feel better than I have in a long time.  There are a lot of advantages to running every single day:

• More running makes you a better runner
• Less running injuries with consistent training
• Confidence that you can run and race well
• Greater ability to "monitor" your body
• Burns calories and keeps weight steady
• Stress reduction every day
• "Bad runs" are erased the next day
• I run smarter today knowing that I want to run again tomorrow and the next day and the day after that.  No more outrageous runs just to prove my worth.  I prove my worth as a runner EVERY SINGLE DAY BY RUNNING.  It's healthier to hold back a bit and run within my limits each day. 

Yes, there are disadvantages to running each day. It can interfere with work and family.  But seriously, how hard is it to run at 6am and then be done for the entire day?  I think training for an ultramarathon is much harder on the body...and interferes with other obligations more than a single 45-60 minute daily run.  I believe the biggest drawback is the possibility of over-working your body and not resting.  That's why I now training conservatively and intelligently.  I want to be back running tomorrow.  I feel the daily runs actually help me recover better than full rest days did in the past.  It took me about 2 weeks to get in the routine of running each and every day.  Now, it's a ritual.  Cross those fingers, but for now, I'm healthy, happy, and injury free.  Only about 350 days to go to break 400 days and complete this entire year!