Friday, December 13, 2013

2013, in running

2013 was the year to Make Shit Happen - in my life but in my running as well. And while I didn't smash any PRs or take on a new distance, I did fulfill a dream to run Hood to Coast with Team Nuun and finish a few races where, literally, shit happened.

So, I'm linking up with Miss Zippy to share my year on the road.


Best race experience. I think every runner has an event that will make the calendar every year - regardless of life or fitness - and, for me, it's Fort4Fitness. It's a well-organized event that unites and motivates the community, and it's the one to see and be seen. This year, it kept its place as the only course where I have broken two hours in the half and I did so by staying mentally strong. Crossing the finish line with a the number 1 at the front of the race clock and with my newfound friends in the pace group behind me was so satisfying.

Best run. The training, the runs - they all seem to blur together as the miles pass. However, I feel grateful that this was the year that I connected with my local running community and logged some miles in a group. The 8-miler I had the week before Veterans where G pushed me at a strong pace was confidence boosting, and my most recent 8 with J was reinvigorating. They were both outings where I felt glad to be a runner.


Best new piece of gear. I made big changes this year in terms of shoes. I ditched the Nike Structure Triax for the Brooks Ravenna in April, and I'm now flirting with the Altra Provisioness 1.5. I'm really loving the Altra - from the airy feel to the speed it inspires. The wide toebox is good for me as I often get black toenails, and I do feel like it is changing my gait for the good.

Runners up: Anything by Oiselle. I raced Fort4Fitness in the Flyte tank, and it's long and lean. I scored a Lux Layer for Hood to Coast and it's by far my favorite winter running shirt. It's soft on the inside, a gorgeous color and very flattering.

Best piece of running advice. Finishing is winning, courtesy of an Another Mother Runner T-shirt.

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Most inspirational runner. Everyone who runs inspires me but I was particularly impressed and awe-struck by Kim. She was smart and steady about running through her pregnancy and was logging miles past her due date thanks to a stubborn and gorgeous girl. It's been so long since I've been pregnant that I almost fear if it happens again that the prospect of running pregnant would be daunting. Kim and a few others (Jess + Liz) made it a reality again. The pregnancy, though, is not. Just to be clear.

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If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be? Abundant. I raced much more than I anticipated and in places I could only dream. I tackled a second marathon when I didn't think I would, and I found people to carry me through the training and the race. It wasn't the year I planned but I couldn't ask for more.

How would you describe your year?

17 comments:

  1. What an amazing year!!! I love that you hooked up with your local running group and made some new connections that made you love running even more! :)

    And yes! Kim is such an inspiration! I love that she was able to run for so long! I bet she will be back at it soon.

    Hmm, I would say my year was... typical! Ha ha! Most running in the cold months, not as much in the warm ones. Lots of races with friends :)

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  2. What a great way to be able to describe your year of running! I love your "make shit happen" mantra, too. I'm sure hood to coast was amazing--on my bucket list for sure.

    Thanks for linking up!

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  3. My running year was...relaxed. I ran what I wanted when I wanted. And I liked it that way :)

    Looking forward to pushing myself again in 2014. I hope I get to run with YOU!

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  4. It's always good when one can make shit happen and that you did! I'd love to be able to swing HTC one of these years.

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    1. HTC is definitely something to make happen. It's just amazing. I'm not sure I'll ever get there again, at least not any time soon.

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  5. Aw thanks! You inspire me...and make me laugh! Here's to more races and runs together next year!!

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  6. You really did make shit happen this year! I'm not sure how I would sum up my year. Seasonal and faster? I raced a half marathon in every season this year and PRd the crap out of the 10k, half and 25k distances. Hopefully we will get to run a race together next year!

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    1. You are such a rock star. I hope you can send some of that PR magic to me. And yes to racing together!!!

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  7. A great look back at your year. I would describe my year (running wise) as amazing! I've done things i've never thought I would.

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  8. A great look back at your year. I would describe my year (running wise) as amazing! I've done things i've never thought I would.

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  9. You've had a great year! I would describe my year as a fun one...I traveled a lot for races and enjoyed seeing new places. (By the way, your arms in that first picture look amazing!)

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  10. Sounds pretty stellar! One more goal for me this year (finishing the HUFF), then 2014 will be about 1 marathon (Circular Logic) where I'd love to be under 4:30 this time, and then I promised my husband I'd just do halves since at some point, he'll be in training and away. So, I'm thinking 2014 will be the year to join half fanatics. The over-arching theme next year will be to Roll With It. Given how much uncertainty we're dealing with in regards to moving and the fact that we can't plan anything, that's going to be the biggest challenge- to relax and Roll With It. Hopefully, I can find you at another race before we leave the area!

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  11. That's a great year! I connected with a local running group this year too and I'm so happy I did - it makes those long runs much more bearable! My year was amazing - it's the first year I got serious about running! I ran my first half marathon (and another!) and had tons of pr's!

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  12. Congrats on an awesome year! You rocked 2013!

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