2013: A Year of MUCH Running • Erica Finds...

Just a few of my many running highlights in 2013!

In 2012, my goal was to run less, but to run smarter. And, I did it! This year, my goal was to continue to run strong and to have fun with it. And, I think this year was a big success! I did a running recap last year and also 1st quarter 2013, 2nd quarter 2013 and 3rd quarter 2013. There was A LOT of running this year, people! This year I am linking up with Miss Zippy on her post “How was your year in running?” In a word – “awesome”! I did not run the fastest or the farthest, but I ran the “funnest”. I did well and I did not take myself too seriously! Success!

Fun with Stacy and Ken in my first race of the year - Carlsbad Half Marathon — Fun with Stacy and Ken in my first race of the year – Carlsbad Half Marathon

Here is my 2013 running year in review:

# of Miles Run – 2191

# of Races Run– 32- that is 11 more than last year! I ran 4 back to back race weekends. Most of the results are on Athlinks if you are interested.

# of Miles Run in Races – 315.3 – almost 100 more than last year!

Races Run– 31 – marathons (1), half marathons (14 – 13 road and 1 trail), 10 milers (2-one trail), 5 mile trail (1), 8k (1), 5k (6), 9k (1), 3.5 mile (1), 10k (1), up a mountain (1!), one mile (1) and a duathlon!

# of Age Group Awards-16!

Fun Race Destinations–Carlsbad, CA, Austin, NYC (2), Cleveland and Vancouver.

Coolest Non-Race Runs: – a farm road in Nicaragua, a snowy run at By Pond Farm, Stanley Park, Central Park…

Best Race– Austin Half Marathon. It was close to my fastest this year, but it was definitely my best paced, most strategic and the race where I felt the strongest. It was the fastest I had run in several years. I was with good friends and I was delighted. I also got 2nd in my age group and won a terrible photo from Marathon Foto (they picked it – ouch!). I will not share it with you. North Country Trail Half was a close second. We did so much better than we expected to and had a blast! And we took home prizes! Kristin won, I was 1st AG/3rd overall and Stacy was 1st AG/5th overall! Not bad for a bunch of road running, flatlanders.

Worst Race– None. I was grateful for all of them again this year. The Indy half was tough but Emily joined me for the last 4 miles which helped a ton and Esprit de She was brutally hot but it was only a 5k. (Bonus: Register for Esprit de She Chicago 5K/10K before Dec. 31 and you’ll get a limited edition lifestyle tank, a one-year subscription to SELF magazine and more extras!)

Personal Records (PRs)- 3! Well, sort of… I ran 3 races for the first time thus setting PRs by default. I did a duathlon, Mt Washington Road Race (7.5 miles) and a 9k. I may never get a PR in the traditional distances but I will keep trying!

Number of Sidelining Injuries– 0. Yay! Thank you Pilates, strength training, cross training and rest-and a little bit of luck.

Best Running Advice I Received This Year: Get rid of the junk miles and run less days/more miles per day.

Best New Running Product I Tried: HB Tune iPhone holder and Salted Caramel GU!

Inspirational Runner: Annabelle – she kicked butt, took names, won races and had a blast!

Guest Posts on Running I Wrote for Other Blogs:

I am not exactly a running blogger but according to Fleet Feet Chicago, I am a half marathon expert!

From Couch to Ironwoman: My First Marathon (vintage post)
Road Runner Girl: Runner Spotlight
Out and About: Running in NYC versus Chicago

Popular Running Posts:

For a blogging runner, that’s a lot of running blogging! My goal for 2014 – stay injury free, keep having fun and try for some time goals that I have in mind!

What running stuff would you like to see here in 2014?