Bold Moves

2013 was a great year and I am looking forward to an even better 2014!  Running isn’t the center of my life but it certainly serves as the consistent thread that weaves through my 3 life priorities:  Faith, Family, All Else.   Running is a lifestyle for me and as the saying goes, “It’s cheaper than therapy!”

I made an aggressive race plan for 2013 incorporating HM’s into my training plan.  In the April-May timeframe I ran several back to back HM’s with one week inbetween which was challenging but also helped me put more rigor into my training plan.  In total, I ran 7 HM’s and 1 full marathon.  I also ran one 5k that was imbedded into a 10 mile taper run, a first for me.  I enjoyed many “firsts” in 2013!  I ran the coldest HM ever, the Gobbler Grind on Nov 24th in 12 degree weather.  I didn’t PR that race but I did improve my time from the last time I had run that race.  I discovered that I can run well even in bitter cold but I also realized that 12 degrees is way colder than I’d prefer, especially since it took 5 miles before I could feel my feet!  I ran the warmest HM ever as well, the KC Corporate Challenge HM on May 18th, in a very humid 78 degrees.  78 degrees is an awesome temperature for swimming or lounging at the beach, but not so ideal for running 13.1 miles.  As much as I hate cold weather, I decided that feeling dizzy and sick is worse than not feeling my feet.  Conclusion, I much prefer running in cold weather! 

I set 3 PR’s for each race distance which was really cool.  I am still reaping the benefit of being relatively new to the endurance running sport so despite my age, I’m still able to set new PR’s which is so much fun!  I ran a 2:16:01 at the Garmin Oz HM on April 20th, the day before my birthday.  Perfect birthday present to myself!  I hope to someday break the 2 hour barrier so that remains on my list for 2014.  I ran a 29:54 at the Pumpking Run 5k on October  12th, which was also a PR for me over my previous best time of 30:30 that was set almost 8 years earlier.  The really cool part of setting the 5k PR is that I ran the race as part of a 10 mile taper run so I had already run 5 miles to the race start, rested 15 minutes then ran the 5k and ran 2 more miles back to my car.  That was such a fun experience that I hope to do it again this year.  The best PR I set was at the KC Marathon on October 19th where I ran 4:56:51.  I trained all year for that hilly race and was blessed with nice cool temperatures and sunny skies.  My goal was to break 5 hours and despite a 3 mile “death run” stretch from miles 20 to 23 I was able to recover and make up ground the last 3 miles to meet my goal.  Every marathon I run reenforces the importance of nutrition and refueling; my “death run” portion of the race was due to forgetting to take my protein as planned.  Once I took in the protein I was able to recover and run strong the last 3 miles.  Maybe this year I’ll fnally get that right! 

So much to be thankful for in 2013; great running, many blessings for my family, and good health.  Now planning in earnest to repeat more successes in 2014.  I’ve already registered for the Rock the Parkway HM in April and will run the KC Corporate Challenge HM in May again.  I am thinking of running the Garmin Oz full marathon rather than the HM in April, again duirng my birthday weekend.  And this year, rather than running the KC Marathon I hope to run the Chicago Marathon.  So I may  end up running fewer total races but I’m taking my training program up a notch.  I need to get more serious on the weight training and speed work, as well as increase my total miles and become more disciplined on my nutrition.  It’s always challenging balancing that with work and family but we’ll see how it goes!  I’m developing that plan today and I’m really excited!  I also plan to have my 2014 race schedule finalized in the next few weeks as well. 

Yes, I’m getting older and that generally means slower race times but so far I’m defying that.  Three PR’s for the 5k, HM and Marathon distances in 2013.  I’m going after more of the same this year!  What are your plans and goals for 2014?  Why not dream big?  Why not go after something that’s been on your “bucket list?”  There is no better time than now.

God bless and may you have overwhelming success in 2014!