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Everyday Heroes: Larry Guzy

IN DECEMBER, LARRY GUZY REACHED A RECORD OF RUNNING A 10K A DAY OR THE EQUIVALENT FOR 1,000 DAYS. PHIL SKINNER FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION

Credit: Phil Skinner

Credit: Phil Skinner

IN DECEMBER, LARRY GUZY REACHED A RECORD OF RUNNING A 10K A DAY OR THE EQUIVALENT FOR 1,000 DAYS. PHIL SKINNER FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION
By Nancy Badertscher, For the AJC
Dec 17, 2023

Larry Guzy is staying committed to daily exercise even though aches, pains, and -- maybe, age -- have thrown him a little off track.

Earlier this year, this inspiring Marietta man could boast of running the equivalent of a 10K race for 1,000 straight days and counting.

IN DECEMBER, LARRY GUZY REACHED A RECORD OF RUNNING A 10K A DAY OR THE EQUIVALENT FOR 1,000 DAYS. PHIL SKINNER FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION

Credit: Phil Skinner

icon to expand image

Credit: Phil Skinner

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At 75-years-old, he started his streak at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak when his local gym was forced to close.

“There wasn’t anything else to do, so why not run,” said Guzy, a retired owner of an independent insurance claims adjustment company.

Through wind, rain, cold, and faraway vacations, Guzy never missed his daily run of about 6.2 miles. By mid-December 2022, he’d logged 6,387 miles and retired about 16 pairs of running shoes.

He wasn’t alone in his desire to keep moving when the world had stopped.

The United States Running Streak Association/Streak Runners International, which tracks records set by its members, saw a 60% jump between 2020 and 2021 in members who ran 365 straight days, said Mark Washburne, the association’s president.

Guzy was on their radar but never expected to come close to Jon Sutherland of Utah, who has been running daily since May 26, 1969.

Guzy was still running his daily 10K in March of this year when he twisted his right knee and self-diagnosed his condition as a torn meniscus. He kept pushing through, but on April 18, his 3-year, 1-month streak ended.

When his gym closed due to COVID-19, Marietta's Larry Guzy launched on a streak of daily runs. Now, he is back at the gym with the same commitment to daily exercise.

Credit: Photo courtesy of Larry Guzy

icon to expand image

Credit: Photo courtesy of Larry Guzy

His commitment to daily exercise and fitness stayed. Running was replaced with a daily workout on the elliptical and strength training.

As of mid-October, the meniscus seemed to have healed, he said.

The doctor recommended Guzy have a total knee replacement. But right now, Guzy dismisses the idea.

“Surgery would get in the way of exercise,” he said.

“It took until mid-September for me to not seriously miss the running -- like losing a friend,” Guzy said. “Every day I see a runner makes me want to restart. But at nearly 76, a streak seems like it would be hard to start.”

Guzy’s Guide to Maintaining Motivation to Exercise

  • Remember the saying: If I’d known I would live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself? Think about doing something about it early.
  • Exercise is Me Time. It is a great way to escape, and no one will object.
  • You have a feeling of personal accomplishment once you are finished,
  • You know you have done something great for your body and mind, whatever form suits you at the moment.
  • Exercise has literally saved my life, all for a few minutes a day. Keep it up.
  • If it’s hard, remember that if you eat a live toad first thing in the morning, nothing worse will happen to you for the rest of the day!
  • I want to look back on my life and feel that I have done well for my body.
  • I’ll meet more of my neighbors who enjoy similar pursuits.
  • You can have that favorite donut.
  • Hearing the amazement in others when you mention what you have done.

About the Author

Nancy Badertscher, For the AJC