The end of the year is near. As much as I'm about and around and enjoy going out and socializing, I also take time to rest and appreciate the fact that I'm on the sofa with my legs up, resting up from a busy holiday week, good workouts and getting ready for my long run planned for tomorrow.
I'm already excited for 2014, because I have some exciting races, events and racecations planned. A big one will be my 4th marathon in February, I'm halfway in with my training and it's going according plan so far, I always enjoy running during fall and had a good season.
Since 2014 will be here soon, let me reflect on 13 fitness related highlights of 2013 plus a few things I'm excited to explore in 2014.
1. First visit to California and running the Carlsbad Marathon, a small boutique marathon with beautiful Pacific Ocean vistas, lonely stretches, great volunteers and a new marathon PR, finally getting below 3:50.
3. Winning my age group in Long Island with the Robbie's Run 5k, while my BFF and running friend and her niece placed too! That was fun!!
5. Upon returning from the Netherlands totally joining Revolve Fitness as a regular rider and saying bye bye to equinox. That decision gained me improved form, more confidence on the roadbike outside and new friends, especially Kristin, the amazing pro-cyclist instructor and inspiring athlete who gets you out of your comfort zone, and Jennifer and Ashlee who love riding in class together as well as crazy fun ideas and are not afraid for double, triple and even quad days! So much fun at Revolve!
6. Selfies after workouts; what can I say....hmmm, let's just say that my revolve partner in crime, Jennifer, and I were inspired by a selfie and made a point of snapping pictures after epic workouts. Usually the endorphins are dripping off of us hence the huge smiles and crazy poses.
7. Ironman courses you can accidently ride when not reading a map well.
So my friends Susan, Liz and I were in Lake Placid for cheering support of Liz her boyfriend / Ironman, and we decided on a 25-30 mile bike ride, that ended up being a 50 mile loop of the Ironman course. Oops.... It was one of the prettiest bike rides I've been on though, so I've no regrets there, just always make sure to have: a fully charged phone, bike lights and the address of where you're staying with you and don't go full speed ahead and think your friends are right behind you. 😳 important bike ride etiquette lesson for me! And ironically I had just attended Kristin Kenney's RealRide workshop the week before so I should have known better. No gold stars for me! ;-)
On Saturday I finally ran the NYRR Club Team Championships instead of being cheerleader since the previous years I was on the mend from an injury. It's always super hot and humid during this race and I had been cycling and swimming a lot too, but I ended up with a nice 5 mile PR and came in 11th woman on my team so I barely missed scoring for the team, but great race followed by great team picnic made for a great day! Love my team the New York Harriers!
9. On Sunday I competed in my first Sprint Triathlon, the Smith Point triathlon in Shirley, Long Island, NY. What a great experience! For my first tri I have no complaints or regrets! I could of course work on my swim, which is something I will do next year, and transitioning, I didn't have a special tri belt to make it easier so my bib got stuck between armpit and bike tank top, but my swim wasn't the worst, it was chaos and disorder and I should start more in the front next time to get the hell out of the chaos. Bike and run portion went well and I thought I would be able to do this race in 1:15-20 since it was the first time, but I ended up with 1:05ish and I was pretty pleased!
10. Being a cheerleader for the NYC marathon runner friends by doing part of their long runs with them and be on the course to cheer them on around mile 18. Memorable training runs this summer and fall with Liz T, Liz E, Annette, Susan and Charley.
First time I wasn't running the NYC marathon since joining the Harriers and being able to cheer, what an exhausting and fun day!
Proud of all the friends who ran and killed it!
I was fortunate to run with my friend's 8 year old daughter as part of her Girls on the Run program in New Jersey. This beautiful 8 year old held my hand for the most part, allowed me to yell 'You Go Girl', totally got into the passing people game, and enjoyed a post-run bagel as much as I did. On the coldest day of November! Best part of this experience; inspiring a young girl to set goals and bond with her over something positive. There is nothing better than seeing a young girl over the moon because she just ran a 5k and earned a medal!
A few weeks later I ran another GOTR 5k with the NYC chapter. Another cold day and heartwarming experience. The girl who picked me to run with by grabbing my hand gave me three hug goodbyes and left me speechless.
Sweet 5 mile PR on Thanksgiving Day with turkey trot.
I also think that the Grete's half marathon was the hardest most resilient race for me where I really had to force myself not to quit and once I turned things around I ended up with a pretty decent race and I felt ready for racing the weeks after! This is how I looked and felt:
13. Attending cool parties with fellow athletes who clean up really well!
So fun to dress up and enjoy a nice celebratory drink during the holiday party or a friend's 40th birthday party. Great nights to be inspired by athletes who look 10-15 years younger than they are and who are leading by example!
A couple 2014 exciting fitness plans and goals to share:
- marathon in February
- trying duathlons kicking of with a relay version in March - more swimming practice
- another triathlon - Olympic distance possibly
- attending CRCA coaching sessions and women's race clinic to try racing on the bike
- more involvement with Girls on the Run
- more running with my young runner girl friend
- Big Sur relay with good Harrier friends
Have a happy and healthy and fun new year full with love and friends and positivity!
