Les Shoop, right, with his daughter Lindsay Shoop-DeFelice. Shoop has run at least 1 mile every day since April 28, 1980. Butler Eagle file photo

Jimmy Carter was president, the country was still riding the wave of the U.S. men’s hockey team’s “Miracle on Ice,” the original Pac-Man was gearing up to chomp its way to global success and the Empire was about to strike back.

It was April 1980, and Les Shoop laced up for the start of a decades-long run.

Through sweltering heat and bone-chilling cold, rain or shine, the world turned and Shoop kept running, logging at least a mile every single day for 16,384 consecutive days, or just 53 days shy of 45 years.

It’s a testament to dogged persistence in the face of whatever life throws you. Nothing, not location, life events or even medical emergencies stopped Shoop from continuing his routine.

Until something did. Early last year, Shoop suffered a fall on the ice that finally put on the brakes. He was just a handful of years from the age of 80, and his streak had lasted more than half his life.

While Shoop expressed disappointment at not quite hitting the full 45-year mark, it’s something he should be proud of and something we can all take inspiration from.

Shoop’s determination shows how impressive achievements can be realized through perseverance and determination. It shows what can happen when you press on even when it’s hard.

In Shoop’s own words, “It was easy to run when the sun was shining. Nobody wants to run when it’s raining or if it’s cold outside. I just decided I was gonna run every day regardless of the elements.”

Shoop’s streak shows what you can accomplish if you just put keep putting one foot in front of the other, one step at a time, even when the sun may not be shining.

— JP