SALADO, Texas — On Jan. 17, 2023, Sam Rechtfertig made it his New Year's goal to run a mile every day for a year to stay in shape for wrestling.
On Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, Rechtfertig accomplished that goal, crossing the finish line of his 365-day journey to the cheers of his friends and family.
Rechtfertig said the mile runs got easier and easier as his endurance picked up.
"I think the idea of when I finish and realize that I'm done helped me get through this," Rechtfertig said. "Why would I give up right now when I could just keep going?"
Sam's dad, Brent Rechtfertig, said the moments he'd run in the cold and the heat tested his mental toughness and commitment but said he was right alongside his son to cheer him on.
"A couple of days I'd ride bikes with him, other days when it was really cold I'd be in the car and drive a bit ahead of him and wait for him to catch up," Brent Rechtfertig said. "It's all him."
Rechtfertig called the moment his son crossed the finish line "a moment of pride".
"I don't know many people who could do anything every day for 365 that's that positive," Brent Rechtfertig said. "So the fact that he did it and was truly pushing himself, it's kind of a cool thing to see."
Sam Rechtfertig said he'll be giving his body a well-deserved rest for the next week before returning to a running schedule of three to four times a week.
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