Wednesday, December 31, 2014

2014: A Running Retrospective

How can we possibly be this close to 2015 already?! While there are some things about 2014 that I'm absolutely ready to close the book on (goodbye, stress fracture!) there were so many amazing running memories made with so many awesome people that I'm not quite ready to move on from just yet. After seeing Lauren's Running Retrospective post, I knew this would be the perfect way to wrap up my life-changing year of 2014.

Best Race Experience
This one is a tie between the Walt Disney World Marathon and the Pittsburgh Half Marathon. The WDW Marathon was my first 26.2 and I couldn't have asked for a better day. Even though he was sick, Matthew and I crossed the finish line smiling- and after having ran 22.4 miles in the three days before as part of the Dopey Challenge! And this race is where we first met Nathan, Steff, Jeff, Lauren, Dani, Justin, and a whole bunch of other cool people.

Being a marathoner is the absolute coolest.

The city of Pittsburgh- and the awesome friends we have there- totally stole my heart. The half marathon course was challenging but super fun. It was like all of Pittsburgh was having a party and there happened to be a race running through the middle of it. The crowds and spectators were incredibly encouraging. We also met Lauren H., Gloria, Chelsea, and some other amazing Pittsburgh peeps and got to spend lots of time with friends. It was such an inspiring and uplifting weekend.

Nothing but love. 

Runners-up:



Best Run
I was lucky enough to PR lots of distances this year including a sub 2:30 half at Shamrock which I'm still super proud of and can't believe happened.

But none of those were my best run. My best run was the first one post-stress fracture. After almost four long, painful months of not running, when I was finally able to run, it was the most glorious feeling. If runner's high exists, I felt it on December 6, 2014.

It was cold, wet, and rainy but also glorious!


Best New Piece of Gear
Gymboss Interval Timer. If you run/walk, you NEED this timer. Affordable, easy to use, and works off its own battery so it won't drain your phone.

Best Piece of Running Advice
Listen to your body.

There's no reason to push yourself every run. Sometimes you've just got to back off when your body is telling you to.

Most Inspirational Runner
While all the runners I know inspire the heck out of me, this year's most inspirational runner title goes to my dad. We first started talking about him doing the 2015 WDW Marathon around Christmas last year- that was also when he started getting back into running thanks to the run/walk method.

Finishing the Sole of the City 10k together in April.

When he finally decided to do the marathon, he downloaded the training schedule to his calendar and started chipping away at it. Over the last few months, he's run in the pouring rain, freezing snow, and crazy humid heat- but he's stuck to the schedule. He's done all his long runs and in less than 10 days, he'll toe the line of his first marathon at age 58.

At the Mission 10 Miler earlier this year. Snow, hail, and freezing rain in March. Good times. 

To say I'm proud would be one hell of an understatement. This is a man who took a ten year hiatus from running and is now in marathon shape in just one year! He's my running hero and I cannot wait to watch him run in Disney. While I'm still sad that I can't run this one with him, it gives me great joy to think about him becoming a marathoner. His persistence and dedication to his training inspire me and I know I'll rely on that inspiration when I start training for distance running again.

In summary, my dad kicks ass and I'm just so damn proud of him.


After a particularly hot August training run.

Runners-up:

  • Matthew
  • Coach Jeff
  • My speedy friends: Chelsea, Steff, Lauren, Dani, Nathan


Sum Up the Year in a Few Words
Not what I expected, but filled with friendship and love.

Seriously, this year was full of some of the most supportive and loving people I've ever known. I never would have made it through my injury if it weren't for my running ohana.


So there you have it, 2014 in a nutshell. Injuries, new distances, awesome friends- overall, pretty neat! Bring on 2015 :-)



QOTD: What's your favorite running memory from 2014?



14 comments:

  1. You've had quite the year! I'm so glad that I got to meet you back in January at Disney! Here's to an ever better 2015 - I know that good things are coming your way.

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    1. Thanks, Kathryn! It was great to meet you too and I hope we see each other sometime in the new year!

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  2. Wow so excited that your Dad is running the marathon at WDW. He is definitely bad a** and will have a great time running that course. Is Matthew running it with him? Here's to an injury free 2015 and congrats on a wonderful year despite your hiatus from running due to injury. And I loved spending time with you as you volunteered at MCM!

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    1. Thanks, Pam! Matthew will be running with him so I know he'll be in good hands. And I still can't believe we saw each other out of all those people! Let's run into each other sometime in 2015!

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  3. Sure it's too early to tell, but I'm willing to bet the 2015 Disney Marathon Weekend and your dad crossing the finish line will figure very heavily in your 2015 recap. Its gonna be quite the unforgettable moment. And even with injury, 2014 was quite epic as well. I mean Dopey? First marathon? Seriously? That is awesome and then some!

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    1. It was a pretty cool year. And meeting you was even cooler!!! :-) Best wishes for an awesome 2015!!!

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  4. I'm so glad that 2014 introduced us to each other! You are a major running inspiration of mine and I can't wait to see what 2015 has in store for you!

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    1. Same here! It was so awesome to see you finish the 5k at Pittsburgh this year and I'm looking forward to making more memories with you in 2015!

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  5. I had a few good running memories in 2014. I ran and visited WDW for the first time, and I did a couple of 10Ks here with some friends. I'm glad you're ready to get back into it!

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    1. Sounds like 2014 was good to you. Here's to another year filled with good running memories! :-)

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  6. What a good year for you despite the injury! I am excited for your dad's first marathon and its been fun being ambassadors for J&A! Hope to see ya at Shamrock!

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    1. I can't wait to meet you in person in March!!!! :-)

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