This week Miss Zippy, one of my favorite running bloggers, asked us to tell her about our year. I couldn’t resist answering and I hope to read lots more responses over the next few days!
Best Race Experience
Harvest Days 8k in Battleground, Washington. This race was one of the few races in a long time where I felt like all the pieces fell into place. The weather was perfect for running, the course was nice, the race was organized, and I ran it smart. It wasn’t the fastest race I’ve ever run, but I ran it pretty fast for my recent times.
More importantly, I got to meet up with Kim from Just Trying is for Little Girls. If she and I lived on the same coast, I just know we’d be causing all kinds of trouble together. And I admit I’m already plotting which states I can meet her in for a race on our individual 50 states quests.
Best Run
Other than races, I haven’t run in any exotic locations lately. Just a whole lot of miles around my neighborhood as I try to get used to monotonous running on tired legs. But, every once in a while, I have one of those runs where I come home practically giddy. Thankfully, I’ve had enough of those that I can’t pinpoint one specific run.
Best New Piece of Gear
I have gotten a ton of new shoes and running apparel this year. Some of it rocks my world, including the Happy Girl skirts from Skirt Sports, my new Athleta Relay Capris, and my Brooks Pure Connects. But the thing that has really made a huge difference in my racing is my ifitness armband. I adore it. I can store my phone, my keys, an id, some money, some gu, a small child… all on my arm. It stays in place, it does not make my shorts or skirt ride up like a belt does, and it fits comfortably. In fact, I find it so comfortable that I often forget it’s there. For someone who ALWAYS runs with their cell phone, it’s an essential piece of gear.
Best Piece of Running Advice You Received
“You can build speed or you can build endurance, but if you try to do both, you’ll probably get hurt.” I’m not even sure who said it to me that directly, but it really stuck with me. I remind myself of that every time I’m unhappy with the pace of one of my runs. Right now, my goal is to build major mileage. After the 5 in 5, I’ll take that endurance and see what kind of speed I can build.
Most Inspirational Runner
All the mother runners I know. I am very fortunate right now to have a very flexible schedule and some free time, so I can focus on this bizarre goal of mine. I am, however, totally in awe of those moms who get out there and run in the early morning or late night or while pushing one or more kids in a stroller.
And I have to mention the runner who inspires me most on a personal level. My dad. The man who turned 65 yesterday and went out for a 10k run on his fifth day of running in a row, just to prove that he could. Now if I could just figure out how to slow him down so we can run a half marathon together…
If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be?
Roller coaster. I’ve been up and down all year. Injury, then half marathon, then injury again. And now I’m climbing a huge hill of mileage, very slowly in an effort to not get injured again.
Thanks, Miss Zippy, for the opportunity to think about some of the good from this year!
Total HBBC points = 188.5
HBBC Week 4 – 36.7
Friday (5 mile run planned, freggies (may have to hit the store) + FB)
Thursday = 3.5(.5 mile walk + 20 minutes yoga + freggies (got desperate and ate carrots, blech) + FB)
Wednesday = 7.7 (5.7 mile run + veggies +FB)
Tuesday = 12.7 (7.7 mile run + one hour hot yoga + veggies + FB)
Monday = 12.8 (10.3 mile run + half mile walk + veggies + FB)
HBBC Week 3 – 51.6
HBBC Week 2 – 46.8
HBBC Week 1 – 50.4
HBBC pre-bonus points – 3
Aw, your post made my morning. It’s been a rough week around here, thanks for the nice words.
We’ll find a race (or double) to do together, you know, one where I don’t back out after your husband commits to taking you.
I am in awe of your smart, methodical training for the 5 in 5. It’s a fun journey to follow on your blog.
Big hugs from Oregon!
You inspired me… I’m working on answering Miss Zippy’s questions now, too!
I particularly liked your inspirational runners answer. 🙂
I love that you get to run with your Dad sometimes. I come from incredibly non-sporting parents and my Dad has trouble just jumping on the trampoline – I can’t imagine how t would have been growing up with a sporting idol in the house for inspiration.