2009 In Review

I looked back at the races and runs for 2009 and realized what a great year for running and for my personal self. I won't get all emotional, but you can look back at the 2009 posts too to see I learned a lot about support, struggle, and strength all in 2009. I ran more than 1,550 miles this year and ran races from 2.5 miles to 26.2 miles. I ran two marathons and 22 miles of a third in a torrential Nor'easter storm. I ran on the road, on the trail, in the woods, and even in snow shoes. I ran by myself, with my dog, with my husband, with my friends, with strangers, and even with a coach. While 2008 was when I learned I loved running, 2009 was when I realized all it had done for me and that I needed it. I used running as a goal, as a networking tool, as a problem solver, as a way to focus, and sometimes as a way to forget.

Whomever said you can't run from your problems, never laced up a pair of running shoes or they would have known you can run from them and even through them, and always always feel better at the end than before you started.

Here's to another great year of running in 2010. I think I'll start with a race on the 1st!

A New Way to Run

Sure there are different ways to run: slow, fast, at race pace, easy pace, sprinting, even "like you mean it." Today, I experienced running in a new way unlike these--with snow shoes in 18 inches or so of beautiful virgin white powder. It was amazing! The woods were pristine and a group of friends and I traversed the woods for 5 miles both on and off trail even jumping baby streams at times. We ran when we could, often taking advantage of straight aways without brush, tree limbs, or inclines. I even took off in front of the group, as the newbie, charging down a hill that had not a flake disturbed. . . well, not until I got there.

After just a few weeks back into running after taking a month or so off of training after the marathon to rest and spend time with my family, this was an amazing way to fall in love with running again. Further, this new way acted as a crude reminder that no matter how much time I spend running on the road, or even working out in the gym, my body can always be challenged in new ways. My quads and glutes burned as I lifted my legs and snow shoes above the drifts and through the powder as a reminder that we are a team. The bruise on my knee from my fall, reminds me that the team may not always work perfectly together. Yet, the little balls of ice on my eyelashes reminded me of the joys of seeing nature through different lenses. These lenses that my snow shoes brought me showed me childlike joy and an appreciation of nature.

Indianapolis Marathan Proves Monumental

I must say that the Indianapolis Marathon was in fact Monumental for me. With the help of the support noted in the previous blog, I shaved a substantial amount of time off my marathon finishing time wrapping up the race in 4:03, over 13 minutes off my Burlington finish. This race was one of the most organized races I have run with a ton of water and Poweraid stops, lots of crowd support, ample start and finish line amenities, and a fabulous t-shirt that finally fits me without the aid of my sewing machine! The weather was great and even got a little warm at the end. My favorites moments, besides running with the support of my family and finishing with my husband next to me, were running down Meridian street and running around the Circle Center monument. I later learned that while we Hoosiers call this just that, "Cirlce Center Monument," it is really the Soldiers' and Sailors' monument recognizing Indiana vetrans. Next time I am in town, maybe I'll climb the 331 steps to the top and observe the city from yet another perspective. In the meantime, here are some photo highlights of the race.