A Year in Review-The Top Ten of 2013

So here we are at the end of the year. It's hard to believe how fast it has gone by. It seems like just yesterday I was debating on whether or not I should attempt a full marathon. As I look back on what I've accomplished this year, I figured I would do a little "Top Ten of 2013" as a sort of countdown, New Year's Eve Style.

Before I get started with that, I just want to thank all my friends and family for their support this past year. Marathon training made me a little crazy at times and I definitely wasn't always on my best behavior (i.e. I was tired and rungry all the time...and then there was also the times when I was just plain rangry; and don't forget about the taper madness.). 

Ok, moving on. I ran my final run of 2013 this morning. It was nice to get out there and get in a few more miles before the end of the year.

I finished the year with 759.8 total miles! That's almost 260 miles more than last year! I'm hoping to match that total next year, but who knows what the New Year will bring.

Here's my Top Ten of Running in 2013:

10. Registered for the Chicago Marathon

9. Completed my second year as a member of Team Beef of Kentucky.

 

8. Ran my 3rd Half Marathon, Run the Bluegrass.

 

7. Starting my blog. I may not be a great blogger, but I like having a record of my training experience.

6. Becoming involved with the local running community and the Lex Run Ladies. Running friends are great!
 

5. Finding new running routes. 

4. New Running shoes. I love my Brooks!

3. A new 10k PR at the Bluegrass 10k!

2. 759.8 total miles! Wow

1. Crossing the finish line at the Chicago Marathon with my family there to support me!

 

What a great year! It went by so fast! May God bless you all in the New Year!
 

 

 

CHEERS!

 

Merry Christmas!

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Luke 2:10-14 (NIV)

"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

10 Days Until Christmas!?

Wow! I'm not sure where the time has gone, but it's already the fifteenth!

I haven't been very good about updating my blog lately, but with the holidays coming up, I've been busy and let the whole blog thing slide for a little bit. Truthfully, I just haven't had much to write about. I'll give you a brief run down of the past week. It has been pretty uneventful, but that's probably a good thing!

Last weekend the weather was crummy and I didn't run at all. Good thing I'm not training for anything, otherwise I'd probably beat myself up for that. I did get a few short runs in this week; there's not much to tell there either. All three runs could be summed up in a few words. It was dark, cold, and my toes were numb. The end. Speaking of cold toes, I've really got to find some warmer running socks, my poor little toes have been freezing! I've been told that Smartwool has the best winter socks, but they're pricey, but I may just have to get some anyway. I hear they make great stocking stuffers too...hint hint ;)

I planned on a group run yesterday morning, but it was cancelled. So I ended up torturing myself with a fitness DVD.

I love Jillian's workouts! They are brutal, but I feel so great afterward!

I've also been attempting to follow along with a 25 Day Fitness Challenge from Monica at Run Eat Repeat. She's one of my favorite running bloggers. Today's challenge was to hold a plank 20 seconds longer than I did on day 1. 

Success! 

                  Day 1                                Day 8                        Day 15

I did make it out the door today for 4 solo miles after church. It was pretty windy but overall it was an enjoyable run. I've still been listening to podcasts instead of music. It definitely takes my mind off the run and makes the time fly by. 

Well, I guess that's all folks! Hopefully, I'll be more consistent with the blogging and the running for the next few weeks. I'm 13 miles away from 750 for 2013, so that's my goal for the rest of the year!

Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet?

December Goals

Wow! It's already December! Where has this year gone? Well, I don't know, but it sure went by fast. Anyway, it's that time again. What are my goals for this month? Ha! That's a good question! As of right now, I'm not signed up for any races and I'm not quite sure what my plans for 2014 will be.
 I'm considering Run the Bluegrass (RtB) again this year, but NOT the half marathon. It's too expensive for me at $85 and it's a really hilly course so I may just sign up for the Rookie's Run and save some $$ and the torture of running all those hills in the latter half of the course. In the meantime, I plan on maintaining my fitness, while working on getting faster. This year, RtB is hosting weekly group runs on the course itself at Keeneland, or downtown Lexington starting from BodyFit Punch. I ran 4 miles from here on Saturday morning and it looks like it's a cool place! 

Their Tread and Shred Class looks awfully tempting to me as it combines treadmills, resistance, and core training. They have a free week of classes for newbies, so I may have to check it out!

 

Oops, got a little off track there!

 

Here is my December goals:

 

1. Run at least 3 days per week (join the group runs on Saturdays)

2. Stay active this month by following the 25 Days of Fitness from RunEatRepeat.com.

    (Day 1 complete! Plank 1:00:00)

3. Get all my Christmas shopping done early
4. Send out Christmas cards
5. Eat as healthy as possible ( No candy, cakes, cookies, donuts or sweets until Christmas Day)

What are your December goals?

Thoroughbred Classic Recap

Now that I've recovered from my turkey and pie coma I'm capable of rational and clear thoughts...well maybe. I guess we'll find out!

The Thoroughbred Classic is a 5k run/walk that takes place at Keeneland Racecourse on Thanksgiving morning at 9:00am. I've done this run/walk before, running in 2011 and pushing Liam in the stroller in 2012. Leading up to race, I had gotten several emails encouraging participants to pick up their packets before race day. I'm glad I took their advice because it was a rush to get to Keeneland on time, and traffic was backed up to get in and park. Luckily Mike and I made it in on time and had about 10 minutes to warm up try not to freeze before the start. I've been looking to PR in a 5k since the marathon, but I knew today was not going to be the day. Wednesday I woke up with a kink in my neck and it did not go away. So when I woke up Thursday with the same pain, I was just hoping for a strong effort and finish. This has become a fairly large race (2400 participants), so this year strollers and dogs were not allowed on the course for safety reasons. (It'd be nice if people listened)

BLUEgrass Runners

November 27 near Lexington, KY

Please remember: NO pets/strollers at the #ThoroughbredClassic. It's a big race, so this is a safety measure for all participants. Thanks.

Since we got to the start late, of course we were lined up behind the walkers and people with strollers and dogs. Go figure. The first mile or so involved weaving through the crowd and after that I was able to set a decent pace.  Thankfully, the pain in my neck didn't really affect my running, although I wasn't really able to check my blind spots. Sorry if I ran into you! Oops! I ran most of the race at a comfortably hard pace. I tried to push it a little during the last mile, and I was able to finish in 32:02. Not my fastest time, but considering the fact that I wasn't really feeling it, and since I spent a significant amount of time dodging other runners, I'm really happy with my overall effort.

Although, it was a cold morning, it was a great run even if it did take 2.5 miles for me to be able to feel my toes!

I almost ran an extra .10 miles with all the weaving around!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and a relaxing weekend!