For the second year in a row, 2024 found me toeing the starting line at only one race. When I first started this blog almost twelve years ago I declared that I wanted to run forever. Little did I know that I wouldn’t be able to keep that dream alive and that on January 27, 2024 I’d lace up my sneakers for my final official run.

On the flip side, when I started this blog I hated cycling and wouldn’t have believed it if you’d told me that I’d learn to love the sport. In hindsight, I wish I’d picked up cycling sooner to lift some of the burden of the constant pounding I put on my body during all those years of training for marathons. These days cycling is a huge part of my cardiovascular training so I’m adding organized cycling events once again to my Year in Bling recap…

 

2024 RACE STATS

1 5K
1 Total Race
1 Local Race/0 Destination Races
1 Age Group Place
3.27 Racing Miles
29:58 Spent Racing
9:09 Average Pace
Endless Fun

 

2024 New Day New Year 5K Race Recap

What better way to start the new year than to run in a race with friends! The New Day New Year 5K provided the perfect opportunity, and little did I know at the time, this was most likely my last race.

How did I do? I gave this my all and was okay with my race performance considering a lack of focused training. I placed second out of 21 in my 60-69 year old age group and rather than being presented a medal, received a pint glass and discount for my next race.

  • • 5K (3.27 miles) miles in 29:58 (9:09 pace)

 

 

2024 CYCLING STATS

5 Events (Including 2 Races)
1 32-Miler
2 42-Milers
1 Half Century (50 Miles)
1 Century (100 Miles)
5 Gravel Events
0 Road Events
3 Local Events/2 Destination Events
2 Races, 3 Events
277.58 Miles
22, 035 Feet of Elevation
24:51:46 Spent Riding Races/Events
11.1 MPH Average Speed
Endless Fun

 

In my world of cycling, I had never raced, until this year and had only participated in organized events. Being the competitive person I am, I wanted to register for a bike race to see how I’d fare against others in my age group. What I quickly learned is that in the cycling world, unlike the running community, average cyclist don’t enter races. Instead, races are filled with fierce competitors. There are were no back of the packers until I entered the scene. 😉

Average cyclists enter bike events or tours where there are no chipped times or age group winners. Occasionally, one of those types of events will give out a participation medal – kind of like a little kid might receive after running a fun run.

 

US Endurance 100-Mile Gravel Grinder Nationals

With 7,500 feet of climbing, and mostly on gravel, the 100-Mile Gravel Grinder Nationals was a lofty choice for my first cycling race, but those who know me, know that I’m always up for the challenge.

How’d I do? I finished second in my age group, but there were only two of us and the other woman finished a couple of hours before me. Oh, and I got lost once and added a couple of miles to my ride.

  • • 102.73 miles in 8:36:32 (11.9 MPH average speed)

 

Loudoun 1725 Gravel Grinder

My husband and I participated in our fourth Loudoun 1725 Gravel Grinder, and as in past years, had a blast riding in this well organized EX2 Adventures event.

How’d I do? My biggest success of the day was crossing Butchers Branch while riding rather than carrying my bike as in past years. Upon finishing the ride, all participants were given a medal and a pint glass.

  • • 42.39 miles in 3:29:41 (12.1 MPH average speed)

 

GRUSK (Gravel Ride Up Spruce Knob)

Always up for a challenge, climbing Spruce Knob to West Virginia’s highest point seemed like a fun way to spend a Saturday. Initially, advertised as a race, I was thrilled to register for my second bike race of the year; however, organizers switched it from being a race to having several Strava segment challenges.

How’d I do? I felt strong during most of the race; however, it was too beautiful to stay in a racing mindset and we stopped often for pictures along the course.

  • • 54.49 miles in 5:05:47 (10.7 MPH average speed)

 

Tour de Conservation Easement

We awoke to warm and incredibly humid weather, but with the humidity dropping as the day wore on and with very little chance of rain in the forecast, we felt quite lucky.

How’d I do? We cut the race distance in half, choosing a shorter event when afternoon family plans took precedent. We were not the least bit upset at riding the shorter route and were thrilled that we weren’t dead last finishing as we had been two years earlier.

  • • 32.66 miles in 2:48:46 (11.6 MPH average speed)

 

Vermont Rare

The VeloPigs had an fantastic showing at Vermont Rare with a total of 15 piggies hitting the gravel and class 4 roads for a good cause – childhood rare diseases.

How’d I do? I may have been a little out of my comfort zone on those class 4 rock and root covered single tracks, but I stayed upright with the exception of one fall.

  • • 47.31 miles in 4:51:00 (9.8 MPH average speed)

 

Final Thoughts

This look back at my 2024 year of racing brought to my attention that when I needed to pivot, I did just that. It also showed me that as much as I love racing and the running community, I’m slowly finding my way in the cycling world.

Staying fit while having fun is my goal and I’m happy to say that’s exactly how 2024 played out!

 

Questions
  • • How did your racing year end? ~ I only ran in one race, most likely my last.
  • • How many races do you plan to run next year? ~ None, but I do have lots of cycling adventures on the horizon!
  • • Are you running in a Christmas or New Year’s themed race? ~ Unfortunately not.