Runner perseveres arctic temperatures to keep streak alive

The Measly Mile Mafia has made St. Joseph the streak-running capital of the world, and the winter weather will not take that away.

Bobbi Howe has a run streak of 416 days and has to push through feels like temperatures of -18 to keep the streak alive.

“The streak means everything to me... Devoting just 10 minutes a day to myself means everything because the world, everything coming at us and we just feel like we can’t get a grasp on anything,” Howe said.

Despite the rules to keep a running streak alive stating it can be done on a treadmill, Howe finds herself running outside because of an incentive put out by the Measly Mile Mafia.

If runners are able to continue their streak in the brutal conditions the winter season can bring, they will get an opportunity to buy an ‘Arctic Forces’ season sweatshirt.

Howe said 250 runners in the group of over 600, started on Thanksgiving running outside and now midway through February, a little over 200 are still running.

One of the obstacles this winter was the blizzard that hit the area in January. Howe was able to dodge some of the chaos.

“Once there were tracks in the road, it was running on the track in the road where a car had already driven,” She said. “That storm came through on a Sunday, Monday I believe. Tuesday I had to drive up to Iowa for a speaking gig... When I got to Iowa there was no snow so I only had to deal with it for about a day and a half here and then I got to run in Iowa so for me it was not too bad.”

This is now her second streak, first one made it to 135 days. Now at 416, Howe still admits running is not her favorite.

“I absolutely hate running I think running is the worst thing ever...” Howe said. “I like running when it is done but the reason I keep running everyday is because I like what running does for me.”

The mental release, knowing she has time devoted to herself and seeing the improvement in her running is what she loves getting out of it.

Getting the run out of the way early sets the tone for the day and allows her to feel optimistic about the rest of the day.

“Nothing else that hits me the rest of the day will is going to be as hard as going out for ten minutes in -20 degree weather today and knowing what that feels like,” Howe said. “No matter what the rest of the day throws at me, I know I can accomplish it and I know that I can overcome it.”