RUNNING YEAR IN REVIEW

 I started out 2013 with the goal of completing my first half marathon (RNR NOLA!) and loved it SO MUCH that I knew it wouldn't be my last. I took the plunge and registered for a full marathon (Mississippi Blues is now less than 2 weeks away - EEK! I'm SO READY and SO EXCITED!), and knew my training would take me through a lot of miles and at least one more half marathon this year. I actually ended up running two: one as a trail race in August and one as a PR-goal race in November. There were other races, including a trail 20-miler, a trail 10-miler, a 10K, a 5-miler, an obstacle race, and a 5K (all different distances, so I suppose I like switching things up rather than going for PRs within the same year... other than for half marathons, anyway). That's 9 races in 12 months (plus a couple unofficial races here at work, the Essayons Challenge and Turkey Trot), so I'd say I was a busy runner in 2013. And man, did I ever enjoy those races! The motivation of training going into the races, the excitement of race day, and the thrill of accomplishing my goals are really what keep me running 3-4 days per week. I am so fortunate to be healthy enough to run the miles, to be able to afford the registration fees and experience the races, and to have an awesome husband who allows me to spend hours getting to know my friends of all ages better and better while I pound the pavement (and occasionally the dirt) and claim a bit of "me time" a few days/week.

 

I have no idea what 2014 will look like as far as exact races (other than The Blues), but I'm pretty sure I'll run a 50K, a few half marathons, a few trail races, and a few local 5Ks and/or 10Ks. I had a loose goal of running 1000 miles in 2013 and I almost made it! (I hit 1000 total miles this morning after my usual 5am 6-miler with the crew, but 20 of those miles were from walks/hikes, swimming, and the elliptical). Maybe next year I'll aim to do the same, running the full 1000 miles. Maybe I'll try for more. Maybe it will be less. All I know is that, for me, running is now a significant part of my lifestyle, a fun and addicting hobby, and something that I feel proud of (no matter how far I run or what my pace is - the point is that I'm out there doing it and it's making me happy).

Kinda crazy to see some of those numbers... I spent over 220 hours exercising this year (I didn't always record my time - for some runs you just don't care), burning the equivalent of 808 donuts! (Don't worry, I promise I ate nowhere near 808 donuts in 2013. Maybe 50...)

Specifically, the past 20 weeks (official marathon training) make me smile. Other than my recent week off to heal my IT band/hamstring issue, I ran 20-30+ miles per week. That makes me feel dedicated, and honestly, kinda badass. I know there are plenty of runners out there who regularly run 30-60 mile weeks, but for me, this is a big deal. I never went higher than 21 miles per week during RNR NOLA training, so to have so many weeks above that for 20 weeks in a row for Blues training makes me feel really good. It's been a great training cycle and I'm definitely looking forward to 2014 to see what the new running year brings me! (Though I do not plan to run on the New Year. I'm sure I'll be sleeping in and sleeping off the champagne!)