As the year draws to an end, it’s time to reflect back on 2013 and my year of running…

 

Best Race Experience…

There were so many great race experiences this year, but I’ve got to say that the Hokie Half Marathon was my favorite for many reasons.  Any excuse that Bill and I have to return to Virginia Tech, our old stomping ground, is a good one.  The weather was perfect, I got to run the race with Bill, Julie, and Meagan, and I won my age group!  All-in-all it was a perfect day!

HokieHalfMeaganDeb

Best Run…

In late October Bill and I had an opportunity to run the trail to the top of Molly’s Knob at Hungry Mother State Park.  It was only three days (and my second run) after my dad died, and I needed to do something challenging to clear my head.  The run up to the peak is about 1.7 miles with 1,010 feet of elevation change.  By the time I got to the top, my lungs were burning, but I managed to shout, “This one’s for you, Dad!”  We enjoyed the beauty and challenge of the run so much that we’re considering running in the Hungry Mother Half Marathon in April.

MollysKnob

Molly’s Knob in a distance

MollysKnobDebDecending

Decending from Molly’s Knob

Best New Piece of Gear…

I didn’t buy a lot of new equipment but I think my SPIBelt would be my favorite.  It was a tough call between it and my new Asics Gel-Scout trail shoes.  I wear my SPIBelt on every single run because I always carry my phone with me and it holds it nice and snug without bouncing.  As much as I love my new trail shoes, I don’t wear them on every run…

SPIbeltCloseUp

Best Piece of Running Advice…

After I hurt my back, I was reminded by the doctor at the wellness center to always engage my core, and I tell this to myself over and over.  If I start to feel a little pain in my right leg when I’m running, I can be assured that I’m starting to slouch and allowing my spine to settle down in my pelvic girdle.  Tightening my core, and picking myself up nice and tall will almost always eliminate that!

Most Inspirational Runner…

I draw the most inspiration from my running friends, the Cruisers.  I’ve watched them hit so many milestones this year!  We had members run their first 5K, 10K, half marathon, first marathon, and even had a team-effort supporting my son in his first 45-mile ultra!  The determination they put into their training either for their first race, or to come back from an injury inspires me!

CruisersAsics

Briefly Summing It All Up…

In 2013 I set some new running goals, ran shorter distances, worked on speed, and fell in love with 5K races, something I never thought I’d do.  You can bet that 2014 will bring more 5K recaps to my blog!

  • Questions:
  • How was your 2013 year in running?
  • If you’re a runner, what was your favorite race?
  • If you’re a blogger, consider linking up to Miss Zippy with your own 2013 recap!