2013 Review/2014 Goals

What can I say about 2013? It was an interesting year. I ended 2012 completely burnt out from too many races I didn't really run for myself, so I pretty much took a lot of 2013 off from organized training. I decided I wouldn't run anything more than a half marathon this year, and really couldn't see myself running anything longer than that ever again. In 2012 I had come to hate the long distance races. Sometimes you need a rest day, sometimes you need a rest week, sometimes you need a rest year. I was in desperate need of a year not running every race anyone suggested to me and just enjoying life a little.

I took things pretty easy as the year started, basically working out when I felt like it and not working out when I didn't. No set training. I was working out most every day, but my workouts were generally shorter distances, weight training, and unstructured. I just mentally wasn't into it and the more time went by, the more I felt like I had no interest in running longer distances than half marathons again.

One of the great parts of 2013 for me was a trip to Pensacola, FL in May. It was the second time I'd been to Pensacola and third time in Florida; the most recent having been about 11 years before. I loved Pensacola the last time I was there, but this was my first time visiting as an active person. It's almost hard to believe what all an active person can do with a week in Florida. I surfed, stand-up paddle boarded, ran (including a run on the beach), rode my bike (which I had taken with me), snorkeled, and even did yoga on a stand-up paddle board! Kristy & I ran in a race while we were there; the Fiesta 5k/10k. Kristy ran the 5k, I ran the 10k. It was a great race and an amazing vacation. It really helped remind me why I enjoy being an active person.

We came back home to Kansas and I got back to random working out. Again, when I felt like it I worked out, when I didn't, I didn't. I did spend a lot of time volunteering this year, which I truly love doing. One event I volunteered at was the Rock On! Lake Perry 50k a couple days after getting home from Florida. The highlight of that event for me was getting a chance to run with my friend Leia. She was running her first 50k and I was working a mid-course aid station. When she came through our station I ran out with her a little bit, then ran back to the station. After the last runner came through, we cleaned up our aid station, then I made my way over to the last station. There I met up with her and ran her last 2 miles of the loop with her. I wanted to be there to offer her some encouragement. She is a very positive and encouraging friend, so I was happy to help her a little.

I did end up running a lot of races this year, although almost all were done just for fun:

1/5/2013- Coleen's Frozen Fat Ass Trail Run (Olathe, KS) - 9.3 miles in 1:47:43 (11:32)

3/16/2013- Aggieville St. Pat's 2 Mile (Manhattan, KS) - 2.0 miles in 14:37 (7:19) - New PR

3/16/2013- Aggieville St. Pat's 10k (Manhattan, KS) - 6.2 miles in 53:54 (8:42) - New PR

4/20/2013- Garmin Half Marathon (Olathe, KS) - 13.14 miles in 2:04:16 (9:31)

5/4/2013- Fiesta 10k (Pensacola, FL) - 6.23 miles in 52:32 (8:27) - New PR

5/18/2013- Kansas City Corporate Challenge Half Marathon (Overland Park, KS) - 13.1 miles in 2:02:38 (9:23) - New PR

5/29/2013- KC Corp. Challenge Bike Race (Kansas City, KS) - 3 miles in 8:27 (21.3 mph)

6/3/2013- KC Corp. Challenge Track Meet 400m (Overland Park, KS) - 400 meters in 1:19 (5:16)

6/4/2013- KC Corp. Challenge Track Meet 1 Mile (Overland Park, KS) - 1 mile in 7:05 (7:05)

6/5/2013- KC Corp. Challenge Track Meet 100m (Overland Park, KS) - 100 meters in 0:15 (4:02)

6/6/2013- KC Corp. Challenge Track Meet 800m (Overland Park, KS) - 800 meters in 3:16 (6:32)

6/16/2013- KC Corp. Challenge Triathlon (Shawnee, KS) - 500 meters swimming in 11:41; 9.02 mile bike in 31:04 (17.4 mph); 3.22 mile run in 28:28 (8:47) - New PR

8/2/2013- Psych Night Trail 10k (Kansas City, KS) - 6.2 miles in 1:24:14 (13:38)

8/10/2013- Coleen's Sweaty Ass Run (Olathe, KS) - 8.6 mles in 2:04:19 (14:27)

8/25/2013- Midwest Meltdown Triathlon Long Course (Paola, KS) - 1500 meters swimming in 35:55; 20.56 mile bike in 1:10:57 (17.4 mph); 5.15 mile run in 58:43 (11:19) - New PR

9/2/2013- Bike 4 The Brain 75 Mile Bike Tour (Mission, KS) - 75.65 miles in 6:08:44 (12.5 mph)

10/5/2013- Pumpkin Run 5k (Olathe, KS) - 3.11 miles in 24:36 (7:54) - New PR

11/9/2013- Pilgrim Pacer Half Marathon (Shawnee, KS) - 13.1 miles in 2:14:44 (10:21)

11/28/2013- Ward Parkway Thanksgiving Day 5k (Kansas City, MO) - 3.11 miles in 24:03 (7:42) - New PR

12/14/2013- Alternate Chili Trail Run (Kansas City, KS) - 10.35 miles in 1:56:17 (11:19) - New PR

 

 I had some really good, some really fun and some new race experiences this year. I got to set a few new PRs, I got to race my bike on the track at the Kansas Speedway, I got to set a new longest bike ride ever. It was a good year from this standpoint.

As for mileage, here's how things ended up: 916.89 miles running (509.34 of which have been since 9/1), 1630.46 miles cycling, 41.05 miles trail hiking, 73.72 miles swimming, 283.06 miles walking (although I only started counting my walks during the last few months of the year), 4.61 miles SUP, 28.81 other miles (SUP, kayaking, etc.). 2975.23 total miles.

In September, I finally started to get my head back into structure running and training. I'd started my training for the Pilgrim Pacer Half Marathon when my friend Brandon decided he wanted to run his first 10k and he started running with me (other than my long runs, of course). Running with him helped me get excited to run again. Then I volunteered at the Lake Perry Rocks! 50k (there are two Trial Nerd 50ks there per year) and got to again witness several friends run their first 50ks. I was fired up after that and decided to sign up for the Psycho WyCo Run Toto Run 50k. This would be my toughest 50k to date, but I was ready to really challenge myself again.

In late October I got a second opportunity to visit Pensacola. This time I got to do some trail running with my friend Jamie who lives out there. I really enjoyed running through beautiful Blackwater State Park. When I got back home, I ran the Pilgrim Pacer Half Marathon with my friend Katie, then the very next day started training for the Toto 50k. I even decided to train my Husky, Katya, to run it with me! It's been great running the trails again and it's been great spending so much time running with my Trail Nerd and Mud Babe friends and with Katya. I'm currently on track to meet my goals of getting my weight to 165# by the race (2/8) and set a new PR at the 50k.

So that leads me to my goals for 2014. I'm setting goals a little differently now. No mileage goals, no long list of race goals. I am now on a plan of one target race in the first half of the year and one in the second half of the year. Between the two, I will focus on general fitness and having fun. I have three goals for my fitness in 2014:

1. Get into the best shape of my life. Part of that is my weight, part is strength, etc. A lot of things will play into this, including time between race goals.

2. New 50k PR at the Toto 50k in February.

3. New marathon PR in the fall.