By Patrick O’Dea

EDITOR’S NOTE: Patrick is a 66-year-old runner who participates in both of my running groups in the Fort Lauderdale area. Last year he decided to extend his running into an everyday activity, putting together a streak that now covers 365 days and counting. What follows, below, is his own account of his start in the sport and how he became a streaker. As someone who has ran hundreds of miles with him, I can attest on how much he has improved during this last year, proving that a well-managed life can allow for this type of endeavors.

Hello from a fellow runner who has not missed one day of running in the last 365 days.  My name is Patrick O\’Dea and South Florida has been my home since 1979. I grew up in Ireland and graduated from college there.  I followed my brother Stephen to Miami, and I am still here.  Why? You can only handle so much wind and rain in one lifetime.  Ireland may have 40 shades of green according to Johnny Cash, but it takes lots of rain to keep it that way. 

Back in November 2020, Patrick, Nohra and Ted (all in the red singlets) ran the Virtual Marine Corps Marathon during a Hurricane Watch.

I came in search of sunshine and adventure and I\’m glad I did.  I spent most of the last 40+ years as an educator, especially at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, here in Fort Lauderdale.

Now I am enjoying a slower pace, learning a little Spanish and Irish, serving on my condo board, and on the board of two Irish cultural organizations. I volunteer at St. Sebastian Church and I just finished a Leadership program with the City of Fort Lauderdale. I also run every single day.

I got seriously involved in running about eight years ago.  Three factors got me going: 

1 – My friend and school colleague Orestes, needed runners for a faculty team for the Mercedes Benz Corporate Run. 
2 – Orange Theory just opened a gym in my backyard. 
3 – New Year\’s resolution.

All three kicked in at the same time, and I am still running. 

What has kept me going is the wonderful community of runners that I am privileged to be a part of four times a week.  Every Tuesday and Thursday, we meet at Runners Depot, our local running store, for a 5-mile run, or we run bridge-repeats over the 17 Street Causeway Bridge, “our local hill” in a flat area.  On Saturdays and Sundays, we meet at our favorite Colombian bakery and we run the Hollywood Broadwalk. I have also run with several local groups, which motivates me to run faster.

So far, I have finished 3 marathons including the Marine Corps virtual last year with Norha and Ted, during a Hurricane Watch, no less.  Yes, we are crazy!  I also ran the Marabana, with Orestes and a handful of buddies, during a torrential downpour in La Habana, Cuba. Maybe the rain is following me from Ireland.  Both are memorable events in my running career.  I would love to run the real Marine Corps Marathon, one day. It’s a cool way to see a great city.

Patrick with his 2020 1K Medal at his favorite Saturday Morning post-run breakfast joint.

I have met my 365 goal, already but I want to achieve 1,000 miles this year ASAP. I am amazed by runners who have already done it in 2 or 3 months!  Unbelievable! 

What really keeps me running every day is my local running family, where we are there for each other in good times and bad.  I appreciate their support and encouragement and I am blessed to be part of an amazing group of people who talk the talk and walk the walk.  That is what gets me up before dawn every Saturday and Sunday.

During my 365-day streak, I felt a great sense of accomplishment, and I am proud of my achievement.  I never felt like quitting as I had come too far to throw in the towel.  Even now, I run every day and want to continue as long as I feel good.  I am blessed that I have no pains and aches as I run to keep up with my younger friends.  I have no special diet and I take a handful of vitamins every day.  My advice to aspiring runners:  Just do it!  Lace up your sneakers, put one foot in front of the other and let’s go!  See you on the asphalt. 

Let\’s run!