I’ve dabbled in run streaks throughout my running life, (including right now) but never have I come anywhere close to the amazing runners who are members of the United States Running Streak Association, and Streak Runner’s International associations. Mark Washburne is one of these amazing runners, having run every day for 28 plus years. That in itself is an incredible accomplishment, that Mark also the president of USRSA, and has qualified for Boston number times makes him all the more inspiring.

Thanks Mark for sharing your story!

Name: Mark Washburne (www.runeveryday.com)

Sex: Male

Age (at the time of first BQ): 48 (2004 – Steamtown Marathon in Scranton, Pennsylvania)

Height: 5:7

Weight (at the time of first BQ): Unknown

At which marathon did you get your first BQ? What was your finishing time?

Tell us a little about the race. 2004 Steamtown Marathon in Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3:23:13. This was fifth marathon and first marathon in 13 years when I ran the New York City Marathon in 1991. This was the first marathon I ever did with a timing chip and it is still my personal record

How long had you been running when you ran your first BQ? Did you run in college or high school?

As an adult, I started running and did my first race in 1984 at the age of 28. I did my first marathon at the 1985 New Jersey Waterfront Marathon (3:32:44). It, therefore, took me another 19 years before I BQ’ed at the 2004 Steamtown Marathon.

What was your approximate lifetime mileage at the time of your first BQ?

24,220 as of 12/31/2004

How many miles did you run in the year before your first BQ?

1997 miles from 1/1/2004 to 12/31/2004

Approximately how many races did you run in that year?

16 races in 2004

Did you follow a canned program? If so, which one? If not, can you give us an idea of what your training philosophy was?

Not sure what program, if any, I followed in 2004 in training for the Steamtown Marathon. As a streak runner with a minimum distance of 3 miles per day, I was most concerned with gradually building up my long runs.

Did you run with a running club or utilize a coach?

I am a regular at running clubs but have never used a coach.

Did cross training play a role in your training? If so, how?

No, I run every day.

Did speed work play a role or specific workouts play a role in your training? If so, how?

No, I hardly ever do speed work but typically use races to get in speed work.

Any other thoughts you would like to share with those of working towards a BQ?

Keep trying. It get easier to BQ as you get older.