Edward Dela Cruz Jr.
STICKING to a commitment is one of life’s greatest challenges, but Edward Dela Cruz Jr. demonstrated his dedication on Sunday by marking eight consecutive years of streak running — running at least a mile every single day.
Dela Cruz, 33, began his journey on Jan. 12, 2017 with a 30-day run streak. “It was not a New Year’s resolution; let me be clear. I just wanted to run better, so I forced myself to run every day,” shared Dela Cruz, who credits Terence Leung for inspiring him to do a 30-day challenge. Dela Cruz said he is also grateful to Rep. TJ Manglona for “forcing” him to get out and run on day 1.
When asked what motivates him to continue running every single day, Dela Cruz answered, “At this point I can just say it’s really monotonous now. Looking back, it didn’t look like a commitment.”
“The first two years felt like it was, but after that it was pretty easy to do,” Dela Cruz said. “You just must have the right people that understand how important it is to you. If they don’t, they are not a part of my life now.”
Dela Cruz believes that his eight-year streak has greatly benefited his physical and mental health. “Health-wise, I feel my cardiovascular never degraded and mental-wise, it’s just such a big positive impact on my days. After a run I’m just happier and not depressed,” Dela Cruz said.
For others taking on the challenge, obstacles such as work, illness, travel, and family commitments often arise, making it difficult to maintain the practice of running a mile each day.
For Dela Cruz, the toughest challenge he has faced remains the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.
“Running around parking lots or indoors was just ridiculous,” he said. “When [the government] gave the lockdown orders, I’m like, ‘What am I going to do now?’ I thought this was it.”
For those who want to join the streak running challenge, Dela Cruz advises to always have Vaseline, a pair of running shorts and shoes in your car every day.
An Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighter II and president of the non-profit organization Run Saipan, Dela Cruz is also a husband and a father. But he continues to prove that with enough commitment and dedication, it can be done.
“If you’re going to have a very busy day, just get it over with when you wake up. If you’re feeling hurt just be smart about it. Run slow and at an easy pace and do it on a treadmill for maximum low impact. And lastly don’t do the run streak if you’re doing it to cut weight. You can never outrun a bad diet,” Dela Cruz said.
With eight years now under his belt, the obvious question for Dela Cruz is how much longer he plans to continue his running streak.
“As long as my legs work,” he said. “It’s just part of my daily routine now — to get a run in. I can’t imagine my life without it.”
Dela Cruz added, “My next short-term goal is this March when I’ll hit day 3,000, then my next milestone will be the 10 years, which is around the corner in 2027.”
“Thanks to everyone that’s been a part of this,” he said. “I wouldn’t trade the experience and relationships I built through this streak for anything. And thank you, James and Variety for sharing this story.”
