What? You thought I gave up blogging? Well, I definitely took a "break". It might continue. But reflecting on my 2013 year is something I
should talk about! I mean, it
was pretty amazing! Half Marathons, Full Marathons, Ultras, Duathlons, Triathlons, 200 mile relay (along with 5k's through 10 mile runs). It was quiet a year!
Half Marathons
I did 6 half marathons, which is the most I've done in one year.
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F^3 Half, Chicago (January)
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Kelly, Maggie, Nicole, Me |
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Bad ass (socks) |
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Illinois Half, Champaign (April)
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Derek and I |
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Indianapolis Mini, Indianapolis (May)
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Becky and I |
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Rock N' Roll Half, Chicago (July)
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My Charity UPS for DownS: Josh, Me, Liz |
- Chicago Half, Chicago (September)
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Me and Derek (my support staff) |
- Santa Hustle, Indianapolis (December)
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Derek and I |
(Fell off blogging for those last two halves. Oops. Spoiler...I finished them).
Relay
Um...did you say
Ragnar Relay? Yes please! I had tons of fun and it was super exhausting. Running with 8 other friends of mine 200 miles from Madison, WI to Chicago, IL! Can't say I would do this again in the near future but this is an experience I will never forget and puts a smile on my face every time I think about it.
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My team before the race! |
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Running through the corn fields during my first leg |
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Team finish photo (including our drivers) |
Duathlon and Triathlon
I participated in my first Duathlon and my first outdoor Sprint Triathlon!
Duathlon, Tinley Park (June)
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F'N Runners at the Duathlon |
Naperville Sprint Triathlon, Naperville (August)
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Swim |
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Bike |
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Run |
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Derek and I - Triathletes! |
Marathons/Ultras
I did 2 full marathons and 1 ultra marathon (50k). Oh did I mention they were all within 6 weeks? I guess I needed an extra challenge! As much as I don't want to focus on any disappointment on here...I was initially disappointed with my times for the marathons. BUT, when I think that I did 3 in 6 weeks, with 1 being an ultra...I CANNOT be disappointed in myself at all! That also puts a smile on my face! Especially since after Fox Valley, I said I wasn't doing the other two. Then after Chicago, I said I didn't want to do the Ultra. Then I had the best time at the Ultra! So glad I did all 3!
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Fox Valley Marathon, St. Charles (September 22)
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Me, Julie, and Meg at the start |
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Mile 21 with my support runner Jill.
HUGE help is an understatement! Thanks Jill! |
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Chicago Marathon, Chicago (October 13)
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Lakefront Ultra 50k, Chicago (November 2)
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At the start L-R: Julie, Nicole, Me, Susan, Joe |
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Half way done! |
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Julie and I - Ultra marathoners! |
Wow! Did I get it all? How much fun did I have last year! I also ran about 900 miles for the year.
2014 may not have that many firsts or that much excitement but I'm trying to focus on quality rather than quantity this year. Although hearing about my friend Julie signing up for as many full marathons as possible makes me wish I could do that along side her! And my friend Jill signing up for her first FULL marathon this year. And my friend Melanie doing her first Ultra this year! I mean...I may not have these firsts, but my friends do. And you better believe I will be right along side of them cheering them on like they did for me this year! Awesome friends and awesome memories. Because in the end, the time it took me didn't matter, but they memories will last a lifetime!