AUBURN, Ala. – Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey woke up early Wednesday morning, laced up his running shoes and headed out for his morning run, just like he'd done every day for the previous 365.
An avid exerciser, Sankey's running streak started last spring, soon after the pandemic shut down the SEC men's basketball tournament and closed the commissioner's Birmingham gym, upending his fitness routine.
"I realized quickly that was not healthy for me for many reasons," Sankey said.
A veteran of 41 completed marathons, Sankey returned to his running roots, even though a decade had passed since he'd last run 26.2 miles.
"My goal was to run 35 minutes: 35 because it was five more than 30, and 30 seemed like too easy a number to just pick," said Sankey, whose initial goal was to run at least every other day.
After a month, he upped the ante.
"I'm going to try to run every day for a week," he said. "That was the goal, and then just kind of kept going."
Beginning April 14, 2020, Sankey has run at least 35 minutes per day, every day. Mostly in the morning, always outside.
Good morning after a good run to start a good day with a good bit of sunshine! "Make each day your masterpiece."—John Wooden pic.twitter.com/hPwKVE2aqz
— Greg Sankey (@GregSankey) April 27, 2020
Through the heat and humidity of a Southern summer, the chill of winter, a tropical storm and one early morning lightning flash that kept him close to his house for the final 15 minutes in case the weather intensified, the commissioner kept at it.
"I just enjoy the outdoors," Sankey said. "To get out and get moving, I find that its own reward. It really created a habit that continued on.
"Rain, there was some snow in there, wind, sun, heat, cold. The cold was not as much fun mentally."
My 101st consecutive day of running at least 3 miles (some days have included more, but never less than 3). 21 pound weight loss since mid-March. Today's run brought to you by my 2008 @bostonmarathon cap! pic.twitter.com/Q8hwHMCXVt
— Greg Sankey (@GregSankey) July 26, 2020
Occasionally, the business of running a Power Five conference amid a pandemic required mid-run phone conversations.
Most of the time, however, Sankey listened while others spoke via podcasts. The Master's: Fore Please! Now Driving with Marty Smith was last week's go-to. Andy Stanley and David Platt provide spiritual instruction. Jon Gordon and Patrick Lencioni teach on leadership and team building.
"A lot of U2 music," Sankey said. "And sometimes I'll end up in the classic rock genre if I need a break."
When his schedule allows, Sankey will go long, often running 9 miles. A resumption in travel in recent months led to occasional 4:30 a.m. wakeup calls "to get the run in" prior to departure.
The Streak survived tight hamstrings last summer, then a calf injury that made running painful for a few weeks.
"Never had to stop," Sankey said. "Never did stop but it wasn't easy."
In addition to the physical benefits from daily exercise, Sankey says his mental health advantages are even greater.
"That's been probably at the top of the list for me," he said. "Last year, we were all in this shutdown mode. Life was different. For me, the ability to grab a win early in the day by completing a run, by hitting a goal, was really important."
Through it all, Sankey guided the SEC through the 2020-21 fall, winter and spring sports seasons, implementing policies designed to give student-athletes the opportunity to safely compete.
"When we were trying to sort out things last summer or as the season began, I just really needed a few moments away to gather my thoughts," he said.
"We'd have problems or challenges in front of us that had to be sorted out. It was difficult to do in the work day because there was so much happening. A 35 or 45-minute run would give me the opportunity to step away and maybe focus on a few key thoughts.
"There were a number of times where some effective thinking came to me during the run that helped us solve some problems."
6 mile run this morning brings me to consecutive day 365 ✅ of running at least 35 minutes (most days more than 35 minutes)...Today's run included my @SEC running cap & @fortjackson t-shirt from August 20 PT run with @fortjacksoncg & @PaulFunk2! Now, what happens on Day 366? pic.twitter.com/hLzobJTf38
— Greg Sankey (@GregSankey) April 14, 2021
One week has turned into 52. The commissioner makes no promises that his streak will endure indefinitely.
"I don't know what will happen on Friday, so stay tuned," he said.Before the Streak: SEC commissioner Greg Sankey visited Auburn in March 2020, one week before the cancellation of the SEC men's basketball tournament
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer