Raised over $3,750 for charitywater.org
Nasser Beg, a 62-year-old, amateur athlete and a Fair Lawn, NJ resident for over 25 years, recently crossed a major milestone - a Run Streak of 1,826 days and over 8,750 miles on April 28, 2025.
He began running during the pandemic in 2020, to stay fit through the lockdown. “All my runs are outdoors – no treadmills or gyms for me – and I run in any circumstance, any condition, any city, any country and in any weather. Of course I prefer winter running to any other season, as that is when I perform best.”
Before 2020 he had been cross-training at Maven Physical Therapy Center, Paramus and running for about 4 years, 3-4 times a week. So when the Corona Virus struck, he figured, “Let's begin running everyday and see how far it takes me… It’s mind-boggling now to look back and see that 5 years have piled up. Frankly I think anyone can do it, with a little bit of discipline, consistency and motivation”.
One does have to think of it as a lifestyle, and therefore one does need to be mindful of diet, a reasonable mix of proteins, carbs and fats and proper hydration. He usually has a protein shake after every run/workout, but he says his go-to foods are beetroot juice, raw spinach and sprouts – “These are the real super fuels that turbo-charge my gas-tank/engines. Yes, I do have a crazy weakness - I am a die-hard chocoholic and usually have a bar after dinner.”
Nasser generally runs at Saddle Brook Park, NJ and ends off with a short work-out for about 20 minutes right there in the park, or if the weather gets too rough, on the deck in his backyard. “I have run several 5K’s, 10K’s, Spartan Sprints and a few Half Marathons over the past 4 years, and I had trained for several months with my good friend Mr. John Kennedy from Maywood, himself a marathon runner, who had coached High School Runners for many years, and is now retired. I draw inspiration from John and his amazing wife Mary Kennedy, also a huge inspiration who passed away recently.”
Every single run and workout is posted on Facebook and Instagram (@begnasser) daily, as he believes that daily log is what helps him stay accountable, or he might not be motivated to show up the next day. “People always ask me, how do you find the motivation to do it day after day? There is also nothing scientific about my approach to running, I just show up and run. Anyone interested in running with me just message me on Fb or dm me on Insta. Of course, it is not easy pushing yourself day after day - before every long run is a race between your mind and an excuse - win it! And over time you begin to realize that - the journey is far more incredible than the destination. Besides all these valuable life lessons, it is imperative that you pay very close attention to any and all signals that your body gives out. Adequate rest and hydration are key to good distance running.”
He adds, “Sure, there will be many days when your body just refuses to move - for a multitude of reasons - sore back, muscle pulls, knee or joint pain, blisters, bruises, tummy or headaches and an assortment of aches, sprains and strains. And coming back from an injury will be an uphill battle and motivating myself is even tougher, so it's important to understand and remember that - You are your own healer. The best reaction I get is from my Primary Care Physician at my annual physical check-up, he looks at my results and says, “You’re fine – Get Lost.”
According to him, “The benefits of running are – increase in lung capacity, strength, endurance, mobility, pain tolerance, mental relaxation, an overall youthful feeling. One can go on and on – but a lot will depend on how passionate and invested we are in the activity.
Nasser concludes with his favorite quote, “I consider myself extremely lucky as “I don’t have to do it… I GET TO!!”
Fundraisers: Total raised over $12,000
April 2025 – Current Year Target $3,750 – Charity: Water.Org
April 2022 - $3,425 – Charity “Hope for Ukraine”
April 2021 - $5,285 – Charity “No Kid Hungry”
