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My 2014 in running has been truly fantastic, and it’s been fun to sit and reflect on the year. I did a 2012 in Running post as well as a 2013 in Running post, so I thought I’d do another one this year! This year has truly been my absolute best and favorite year in running so far, and one where I’ve seen the most improvement. This is the year i finally gained a true running community, which has been fantastic. So, once again, here is my year in running:
1. Best Race Experience. Since this is MY recap, I’m going to choose two races. My first “best race experience” was the Carmel Half Marathon in April. Not only did I come really close to setting a new PR (I missed it by less than 30 seconds which was a bummer, but I was thrilled because I ran faster than my half marathons in 2013), but in a happy turn of events, I met Melissa, who became a HUGE part of my year in running.
We had no idea here that this would be the start of a great running friendship.
My second best race experience was, as I’ve listed the past two years, the Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon. Not only did I get to run with Melissa (for the first 4 miles) and Caitlin (who was there to pace me), but I raised money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society in memory of my grandma AND I set a new PR! After two years of fighting, everything seemed to fall into place in ways I couldn’t have expected on race day, and that race is truly one of the greatest in my life.
2. Best Run. Over the last few years, I’ve realized that I tend to choose 7 milers as my best run of the year, and this year will be no different. Apparently 7 milers are my ideal distance, because they frequently turn out to be an absolutely beautiful run. One of my favorite runs this year was the 7.5 miler Melissa and I did this past September. It was an oddly chilly day, which I think helped our pace, and it flew by. Our pace was fantastic, setting me up for what I hoped to be a PR in November. We negative split the run as well, which I was happy about. Of course our run ended in a trip to Einstein’s Bagel.
My “runner up” for best run is Rock n’ Roll Chicago, because it was totally an unplanned run/race (I don’t even know what to call it!). I accidentally ran a half marathon that day in downtown Chicago, and the story is pretty funny.
3. Best new piece of gear. My Busy Bee headband! Melissa got it for me right before Indy Women’s in June, and I’ve worn it to several races since then (I’m wearing it in the Monumental picture above). It adds some fun and sparkle to runs! My Brooks Adrenalines were also new in January, so I can technically count those too 🙂
4. Best piece of running advice receive: Stay focused on the mile that you’re running. It’s helpful for me to stay in the moment and focus on what I can actually do. Sometimes if I’m aching or stiff and I think about the distance I have to go, I get a little frantic in my head, and that’s just a waste of energy.
5. Most Inspirational Runners. I’m going to have to say Shalane Flanagan! I got to meet her this past summer at Rock n’Roll Chicago, and I totally fan girl-ed. I love her attitude and her drive in improving herself and getting the community involved in running. I’m also truly inspired by the runners I’ve met online, whether that’s through blogging, or chats like #runchat and #bibchat. I’m really inspired by each of you!
6. If you could sum up your running year in a couple of words, what would they be? Thrilling, persistent, focused on a PR.
7. Favorite song(s) to run to: I actually listen to podcasts quite a bit while running, and if I run with someone, I typically don’t listen to music at all. “Shake it Off”, “Hall of Fame”, and “Cyclone” were popular ones for me to listen to this past training cycle.
8. Favorite running quote from the year: I posted the following quote on my blog the day before Monumental, and I think it speaks such truth: “We cannot control the competition. We cannot control the weather. We cannot control the struggles that will undoubtedly arise during the run. All we can control is ourselves. Standing at the starting line, I make the simple commitment to myself that today I will try my hardest. No matter what happens during the race, I will give it everything I’ve got and won’t give up without my strongest fight.” (Dean Karnazes)
9. Most exciting running moment of 2014? Setting a new half marathon PR at Indy Monumental. I wasn’t expecting to PR at all since I had taken the last month off due to injury, but I ran a really smart race, and with Caitlin by my side pushing me, I set a solid new PR, and was totally overwhelmed. Honestly, it’s been about 6 weeks since the race, and I still smile and get a little giddy when I think about it! I also loved having all these ladies with me at Monumental!
This year in running was beautiful and exciting and growing in more ways than I ever thought when I started off the year. This has been my highest mileage year yet, and I’ve loved every minute of it! I’ve loved being able to raise money for a great cause while doing something that I love, and I’ve really loved getting to make running friends and racing with them throughout the last 6 months. Running in 2014 has been so deeply special to me, and I’ll treasure so many of the running moments I’ve had these past 12 months.
Now it’s your turn to share! What was your favorite running moment from 2014? Was there a specific lesson you learned from running?
[…] reading Car’s 2014 “In Running” post, I thought I would sit back and also do a little reflection on this past year’s running […]
I love love love the picture of you crossing the finish line and the look of joy on your face. It sounds like you had an incredible year of running. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments and meeting so many of your goals. Your story is one of inspiration. Can’t wait to see what you have planned for 2015.
I may have to link up and do a post like this of my own. 🙂
I’d love to read a post on your year of running!! This year has been a great one for me in running, and I’m hoping 2015 will be even better.