FORT DRUM, N.Y. --
Pride, a sense of self and a new love of running has made one Fort Drum an official "streaker."
Ashley Lee, garrison command group administrative assistant, earned the title Sunday for running at least one mile every day for 365 days -- and she's not stopping there.
Rain or shine, sickness or health, Lee made a commitment to herself to complete a tough task.
"The first month was very difficult. I didn't enjoy it at all," Lee said. "I was a person who never wanted to run. My husband, Keith, encouraged me to do it and keep doing it one day at a time."
After a couple of weeks, Lee said she shared with her co-workers that she was running every day.
"They gave me accountability, and you can't quit when people are following up on you," she said.
After the first month, Lee said running got easier. She said she actually began to enjoy it and would look forward to her daily run.
While she often starts her day by running, Lee said she also uses treadmills in Hays Hall at lunch or on breaks to make sure she logs at least one mile every day.
"Usually, I start off my day with a run," she said. "That puts me in high spirits throughout the day and gives me a bounce in my step."
Lee, a self-proclaimed "positive person," said that running in the morning gives her more energy to do all of the extra activities she loves. Whether she is helping with projects for her school district, helping with church programs or chasing her two daughters around, running has helped Lee keep her commitments with not only herself, but to her family and community.
Lee convinced her daughters, Mackenzie, 6, and Marissa, then 4, to join her for the last mile of her run on the Saturday before Mother's Day.
"That counts as my most memorable mile throughout the whole year," she said, smiling. "They ran with me then because we had church on Sunday. I couldn't believe their little legs carried them through it. They were so excited."
Her daughters also helped her celebrate her "streakaversary" Sunday by running another mile.
Aside from giving her more energy and getting her family members involved, the most visible change is her more-than-30-pound weight loss.
After running 365 days, an individual is officially named a streaker with the U.S. Running Streak Association. Lee said she is one of only about 20 streakers in New York.
"I enjoy running most of the time. When I don't, I go exactly one mile and call it a day," Lee said. "Of all the people who run marathons, there's only a few who (run) every day. It's fun."
Looking back on the past year, Lee said she has accomplished many things she never would have expected before.
On Thursday, she participated in the 4.5-mile Mountain Mudder. Although she admitted her feet were tired, Lee said her heart was happy.
"I'm so shocked that it really has been a year," she said. "Wow, it all started with one mile.
"I would have never thought I could have done a 4.5 mudder a year ago. I couldn't have," Lee added. "One day at a time, one mile at a time, I can say, 'I completed it.'"
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