The therapist in me loves numbers and data and anxiously awaits each year's end so that I can total everything up and see how I did. That being said, the therapist in me also knows that there is a lot more to a year than simple numbers. I didn't officially make a numbered list of goals for 2013, but I had a few things in mind. Running and fitness are a lifestyle, not a temporary habit so my overall goal is always to be moving forward while having fun. Girl on Fire...that is how I attacked 2013.
Run 1100+ Miles in 2013.
I've never had a daily run streak and I never really intend to, it just doesn't fit my training style or my purpose. However, I seem to have created a bit of an annual mileage streak for myself. In 2010 I completed my first ever 1,000 mile running year. This was a good amount of running for me and I decided that I wanted to see how many of these I could string together. I entered the world of marathon training in 2011 and my mileage saw a slight increase to put me over the 1100 mark. Since 1100 seemed very manageable, I decided to see how long I could keep that going. I finished up my year with 1129.3 miles bringing my 1000+ steak to 4 years and my 1100+ streak to 3 years. Consistency, y'all. I swear by it! This year was slightly lower than the last two years, but I attribute that to some of the cycling goals that I was had added to my training and a minor (thank goodness) foot injury in October.
Ride a Century Ride On My Bike.
When I first got my bike in the early summer of 2012, I dreamed of riding a century ride (100 miles). I knew that it would be possible in 2013 and that my friends had some really great rides on the calendar. I initially thought that my first century ride would be in late June, but the attempt was moved up to early May when the Shiner GASP rolled around. Who could resist a ride from Austin to the little brewery in Shiner? Add in the fact that we had Ninja in our personal "Swag Wagon" providing a great safety net. So on May 4 I saddled up and rode my first century ride. Was it hard? Heck yes, but I had a blast hanging out on the lawn at the Spoetzl Brewery enjoying the shade of pecan trees and all the Shiner I cared to sip. Would I do it again? Already signed up for 2014!
The other monumental cycling event came in early June as I rode back to back Grand Fondos at Tulsa Tough. A mechanical issue during the first day threatened to cut my ride short, but I ended up with 53 miles the first day and the full 63 miles on Sunday. I am so thankful for my bike buddy, Fi, as we enjoyed all of the Shiner and Tulsa miles together. I am looking forward to a repeat in 2014.
I ended up with 967 bike miles this year and another 18 hours on the bike trainer. I don't have a bike sensor to convert those trainer hours into miles, but a conservative estimate gives me in the neighborhood of 275 miles.
Run and PR a Marathon.
I put all of my marathoning eggs in one basket as I train for and run one marathon a year. This year we chose the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon in early October in Milwaukee. I attacked the training with a great deal of commitment (and sweat....my highest mileage month was in August...who does THAT?). Race day came and I ran my way to 4:06:28, a PR by approximately 3:30. I learned even more during my third marathon attempt and know that I am getting closer to that sub-4:00 with each try. I am not sure where we will be marathoning this year, but I do feel a need to get away from the summer training cycle. I need a break from the August 20 milers!
I ran ten races this year, down from 2012's total of 17 -- but with good reason as I added six bike rallies (all of at least 100K) to my schedule. Race distances include 1 marathon, 1 25K, 4 half marathons (life total of 42!), 1 10K, 1 5 mile, and 2 5K. I managed new marathon, 25K, and 10K PRs. I ran a 1:54:03 half in April at the Oklahoma City Half Marathon, my fastest half since 2011. I consider this my "new" PR half PR as my fastest half happened in 2010. I was happy to get past the 1:55 plateau that I had been hovering around for far too long. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the 123 hours spent in the gym, largely at boot camp (thanks Jen!).
The numbers are all very interesting (to some) and give me a measurable look at the year, but they do not tell the whole story. I could not do it alone and have run many of these miles with my best friend, husband, and training partner Mr K. We constantly push and pull each other and I could not imagine doing it without him by my side (or sometimes just in front of me). It sounds cliche, but I fully believe that I have been given the best group of friends on the planet. It has been an honor to cheer them on, both in person and virtually, as they have managed to accomplish nothing short of the incredible. They push me (and sometimes pull me) and encourage me to dream beyond what I thought was ever possible.
What does 2014 hold for me? Only time will tell!
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