New Years Eve 2012
Annapolis, MD
I thought it would be fun to review my races from 2012. It is nice to look back on them. I have favorites, and not so favorite races.
I only started running a few years ago as a way to get a few pounds off. I was never athletic growing up. I did not play a single sport. After the birth of my daughters (4), I would just watch what I ate, and walked regularly to drop the pregnancy pounds.
When I hit my forties, it was a totally different story. I needed to be more aggressive to loose and keep the pounds off. I found a love of running. Almost a hobby, if that is possible.
My daughters are all grown up. My husband works a lot and he has his hobbies that he enjoys. I am thankful to have running as "my thing" and my family is amazingly supportive!!
Listen, I have NEVER said that I was a fast runner. So many blogs that I read have some amazing, inspiring paces, but that is not me. No, I am not fast. I am slow. I am steady and consistent. I am FINALLY at the point where I am fine with my race times. I would often HATE when someone asked what my time was for this or that race. Almost embarrassed. Imagine that!! I was running for the enjoyment. I was running to keep the pounds away. I was running for a healthy heart. I am simply running for me.
Annapolis, MD
I thought it would be fun to review my races from 2012. It is nice to look back on them. I have favorites, and not so favorite races.
I only started running a few years ago as a way to get a few pounds off. I was never athletic growing up. I did not play a single sport. After the birth of my daughters (4), I would just watch what I ate, and walked regularly to drop the pregnancy pounds.
When I hit my forties, it was a totally different story. I needed to be more aggressive to loose and keep the pounds off. I found a love of running. Almost a hobby, if that is possible.
My daughters are all grown up. My husband works a lot and he has his hobbies that he enjoys. I am thankful to have running as "my thing" and my family is amazingly supportive!!
Listen, I have NEVER said that I was a fast runner. So many blogs that I read have some amazing, inspiring paces, but that is not me. No, I am not fast. I am slow. I am steady and consistent. I am FINALLY at the point where I am fine with my race times. I would often HATE when someone asked what my time was for this or that race. Almost embarrassed. Imagine that!! I was running for the enjoyment. I was running to keep the pounds away. I was running for a healthy heart. I am simply running for me.
Rock 'n' Roll Half 03/17/12 2:30
Super excited to run this race, the Rock 'n' Roll half in Washington, DC. I have heard amazing things about this series and it was a first to come to my area. The weather was cool and sunny. Perfect conditions for a race. This is when I learned what your IT BAND is. I struggled terribly starting around mile 8. Crossing the finish line in tears.
Super excited to run this race, the Rock 'n' Roll half in Washington, DC. I have heard amazing things about this series and it was a first to come to my area. The weather was cool and sunny. Perfect conditions for a race. This is when I learned what your IT BAND is. I struggled terribly starting around mile 8. Crossing the finish line in tears.
Cherry Blossom 10 miler 04/01/12 1:54
Honestly, the Cherry Blossom 10 miler is my FAVORITE race. This was the second year in a row for me to run this. Unfortunately, the DC area experienced some not so great weather prior to the race and sadly, the cherry blossom were gone from the trees. This race is done by a lottery system and I am super excited to get in again for 2013.
Honestly, the Cherry Blossom 10 miler is my FAVORITE race. This was the second year in a row for me to run this. Unfortunately, the DC area experienced some not so great weather prior to the race and sadly, the cherry blossom were gone from the trees. This race is done by a lottery system and I am super excited to get in again for 2013.
Iron Girl Half 04/29/12 2:23
Athleta Iron Girl half was the first race without my husband taking me. I had joined a running group and went with a few other runners also running it. This race was only about 20 minutes from my house and thought is was silly for my husband to have to wait around for me. I did feel sad crossing the finish line with him not there.
Athleta Iron Girl half was the first race without my husband taking me. I had joined a running group and went with a few other runners also running it. This race was only about 20 minutes from my house and thought is was silly for my husband to have to wait around for me. I did feel sad crossing the finish line with him not there.
Frederick Half 05/05/12 2:20 PR
Woohoo PR for me!!! The Iron Girl and the Frederick half were run one week apart!!
I ran the first half of this race with my friend Jess. By mile 7, I could tell I was slowing down, so I told her to go ahead. So mad at myself after I crossed the finish line. I should have hung with Jess for the entire race. She rocked it and I PRd!!!
Woohoo PR for me!!! The Iron Girl and the Frederick half were run one week apart!!
I ran the first half of this race with my friend Jess. By mile 7, I could tell I was slowing down, so I told her to go ahead. So mad at myself after I crossed the finish line. I should have hung with Jess for the entire race. She rocked it and I PRd!!!
Baltimore Under Armour Half 10/13/12 2:27
I did this half as a training run for my full marathon. My training program called for 12 miles that week, but many people run this race simply for the training. I have run the Baltimore half the past 3 years. This is a very hilly course. I had no expectations other then to run and have fun. Once again, I went with a few friends from my running group. It was the perfect weather for a race. I knew in a few weeks I would be running a FULL and I was excited and nervous at the same time!!!
I did this half as a training run for my full marathon. My training program called for 12 miles that week, but many people run this race simply for the training. I have run the Baltimore half the past 3 years. This is a very hilly course. I had no expectations other then to run and have fun. Once again, I went with a few friends from my running group. It was the perfect weather for a race. I knew in a few weeks I would be running a FULL and I was excited and nervous at the same time!!!
MCM FULL!!!!! 10/28/12 5:30:02
Marine Corp Marathon!!!! No words can express how I feel about it even today. I trained hard. I learned A LOT. I am forever grateful to my body. I am thankful for an amazing family that encouraged me. I am blessed with an awesome husband who is so proud of me. I will never forget the Marine that placed the metal around my neck. EVER.
I ran several 5ks this year too. My running group put on a Labor Day 5k and I also ran the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. All fun races for me.
I had a great year of running. I already have my races for 2013 planned out. I have many things to look forward to in this coming new year!!! Is it possible for me to become faster, stronger and more confident in 2013?
Marine Corp Marathon!!!! No words can express how I feel about it even today. I trained hard. I learned A LOT. I am forever grateful to my body. I am thankful for an amazing family that encouraged me. I am blessed with an awesome husband who is so proud of me. I will never forget the Marine that placed the metal around my neck. EVER.
I ran several 5ks this year too. My running group put on a Labor Day 5k and I also ran the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. All fun races for me.
I had a great year of running. I already have my races for 2013 planned out. I have many things to look forward to in this coming new year!!! Is it possible for me to become faster, stronger and more confident in 2013?
congrats on all of ur races this year and here's to many more in 2013! but wat i love most about this post is ur explanation of finding running and wat it means to u...i always say it's SO much more than a weightloss thing and more on how it makes us feel. ya, eating is just a major perk!! and also, regardless of times, effort is effort, and putting that work in will always merit improvement! so don't compare urself to other runners and say 'i'm slow' instead look at how much u've improved! keep it up!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I did have a great year of running. Your blog keeps me motivated to keep it up!!!
DeleteHey! I just found your blog!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a great running year. Congrats on all the races. Also, HUGE congrats on the full marathon - wow! I'm hoping to run my first full in 2013. Terrified and excited at the same time.
Looking forward to reading more from you!
Thanks for reading and commenting on my blog!!! Whenever I hear that someone is going to be running their first full I get so excited for them!! Good luck!!!!
DeleteWow you've run quite a few races now and it's amazing that you enjoy running :)I love how you're not too concerned about your race time and run for yourself. It's so easy to lose yourself in the numbers that it makes running more of a chore :(
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading your blog and happy holidays :D
What you said is so true! I need to continue to run for myself. Comparing yourself to others is hard not to do!!! Thanks for your comment and Happy New Year!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome year you've had! I can SO relate to being a 'slow' runner. I read other blogger's times and get so discouraged that they're all so much faster than me. I'm glad you're at the place where you have accepted it, and are doing it for the right reasons! Hopefully someday I'll get there too. My goal for 2013 is to get faster though, and get a sub 30 5k!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with wanting to sub 30 a 5k! I am SO close. Now I hardly ever sign up for the 5ks because I want to run farther and longer for the money you have to pay!! lol
ReplyDeleteWhat a great year for you! Never feel bad about what your times are. Running is more than speed. It's about commitment and feeling good about yourself. I think you achieved all of that. Best of luck to you in 2013!
ReplyDeleteThanks Angela. Your blog continues to inspire me!!!
DeleteI still can't believe you have kids, let alone grown children :) what a fun year!!! And NO your race times are not important, girl i've been running 10 years and my times haven't changed that much but I have a changed and that's what matters.
ReplyDeleteThanks Amanda!! Not too bad for a 46 year old:)I am just going to continue to be "consistent" with my running!! Happy New Year!
DeleteWhat a great year for you! I can definitely relate to loving running as a hobby. And speed doesn't matter at all... it's satisfying regardless, and a pr is always an amazing feeling. Reading about your marathon just got me so excited for mine! Wishing you the best in 2013!
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura! I hope to get a few PRs in 2013!! I can't wait to read about all your races this coming year!!
ReplyDelete