2023 Year end Review

2023 YEAR end Review 🙌

🏃‍♀️ 2023 miles ran: 2654
6️⃣  pairs of running shoes
⌚ Time to reflect
🥰 Friendships
🦄 Proof that dreams do come true!

Boston didn't come easy. The failed years made 2023 all the more sweeter. 🦄💙💛

Winter was off to a strong start as I started training for the Boston Marathon. #flatcindy joined me on my training, along (feel free to ask about her) with my husband (also training for Boston) and friend Kristi (training for Eugene Marathon).

Cascade Half Marathon & 10K half (January) was run as a tempo/pacing a friend race. The weather was incredibly bad, but as always, if you're with the right person, it can still be fun! FYI, my friend earned a PR (personal record) that day!

Shamrock Run Portland 15k (March) was raced as part of my training for Boston. I was pleased with my effort and felt strong. I could feel my training working.

The grit of the early mornings was my biggest obstacle. I was working on the "just get it done" mindset. My personal growth through this time was huge and flowed into many areas of my life. I was a mixed bag of emotions but stayed really focused. Training was good for me.

I have many wonderful friends and strangers that came alongside me throughout my Boston training. The support during this time was amazing, from collecting pop-cans, selling cookies and turning in used sneakers for credit. If you missed my updates, my trip to Boston wasn't a financial stress at all 💙💛 because of the response I had 🩷

My Mom, Sister-in-law, two nephews and a friend all joined Jerry and me in Boston. It was everything I dreamed and so much more. I wrote a lot about this experience in my news feed/blog. I'm not going to go into all of it because it's just to much. So much goodness, emotions and words!

I dealt with a minor issue during training that caused my hamstring to tighten during the Boston (April), but I still ran a BBQ (Boston Qualifier, in Boston). I was nowhere near a PR (personal record) and had come to terms with that before the race even started. As most runners do, I did start Boston in hopes that it my hamstring issue would magically be gone!!! 🤷‍♀️ I don't regret anything I did!

I left Boston on a high that left me completely full, yet completely exhausted. I went through a really difficult time personally after coming home. I knew running wasn't over, but really struggled to figure out what to do with my running. To some, this may sound silly. I get it, running isn't all that important in the big realm of things. The thing is, running is my lifestyle, my well-being. It does matter to me and I am a better person due to running. My personality also is one who sets goals. Small goals and big goals all in an effort to do a little better each day.

For the first time after a marathon I felt blank. I felt lonely. I wanted to run, but why, where, for what reason? I felt crazy for a while, crazy and alone. Running always has had great purpose to me. Thanks to a friend with a distance runner husband, I was called out on this issue. She told me I wasn't alone. She told me she was worried this would happen to me. This is something I just cannot explain.

I had signed up for Eugene half (two weeks following Boston). I went to support Kristi who had training alongside me. I ran the half to celebrate, she raced the full. I was pleasantly surprised how good I felt to run that celebration race. I was so thankful to get to be in the race atmosphere and support Kristi and a few other friends who were there that day.

After Eugene, I talked a couple friends into signing up for Newport half in early June. Newport the year before is where I had qualified for Boston. I thought it would be cool to go back, run the half, and "go full circle."

From Newport, to Boston and back there's a road that goes from Newport to Boston (Route 20 - America's Road), so it just made sense to me. I did well in Newport and loved every moment of that weekend. This race was something I needed!

After Newport I went into a 6 month season of base training/off season. I had spent the last year doing training for two marathons and my body had taken a toll. I had some minor issues and my body needed a break. I continued to run, but didn't do intense workouts. I mostly ran easy and loved when friends would join me. I went into a season of just running to enjoy. I ended up learning a lot personally during this time. It was such a positive for me.

I ran a little fun run on July 4th, it ended up being extremely hot that day. I was still able to run strong. I was really happy with being able to keep my body in decent shape.

In August I was a runner on a Hood To Coast team I ran my 3 legs (running segments) with no injuries, lingering pains and feeling like a million bucks!

I continued into the Fall keeping a strong base and making sure my body stayed healthy.

My friend talked me into running Eugene 2024 so I will end 2023, going into marathon training for the first time in a whole year!
I am leaving 2023 a more confident runner and person in general. It feels good.

2023 races 👇👇👇

*Cascade Half, January 15th (1:44:29)
*Shamrock 15k, March 12th (1:09:23)
*Boston Marathon, April 17th (3:47:22)
*Eugene Half, April 30th (1:47:02)
*Newport Half, June 3rd (1:39:57)
*Mini Marathon (2.6 miles), July 4th (19:17)
*HTC/runner 2, August 26-27th

*Dallas Glow Run 5k, Oct 14rh (22:16)

*Run'ucopia 15k (8.87 miles/cut short), Nov 23rd (1:05:29)

How to make Running Fun

 Do you think Running is boring? I used to find long runs on my own could lead to boredom quickly. I've really come a long ways in loving being alone with my own thoughts but understand the struggle for most runners out there.

Can running be anything but boring? 

Although most runs are at least enjoyable, at least once a week I find myself in a rut! It's hard to even get out the door. I know I will feel better after, so that gets me out the door. If you are a newer runner, this can be extremely difficult as you might not "like running" everyday you have a run on your schedule. New runners take note, as you adapt into running becoming a lifestyle, it does get easier! 

There are some mental games and strategies that have helped my friends and me over the years. 

Grab a friend. 

If you have someone to run with, you are more likely to show up and enjoy the run. Company can be a game changer. I enjoy my lone runs, but I love running with my friends. Somehow the miles go by so quickly and it's just make the whole run fun! 

Listen to music or a podcast.

I generally don't listen to music unless doing a track workout or stuck on a treadmill due to icy conditions. However, I have several friends who love their music and won't have it any other way. The beat can help those legs get a rhythm going and help the time pass with ease. 

Slow it down, give yourself permission to take a break. 

Feeling stressed about heading out for your upcoming run? Give yourself permission to take it easy. If I'm struggling to get out the door, I tell myself, "just give it a mile or two, nice and slow." If you still feel sluggish and horrible, just turn around and go home! Every time I've done this, I feel fine after a mile or two and complete my goal for the day. It's all about giving yourself a break. I have never regret going out, my only regret is later in the day realizing I didn't even give it a try! 

Stop and take a photo or two. 

If you've ever run with me, you know at some point I'll stop and take a photo. Sometimes its really quick and sometimes it's more creative and fun. It's just something I've done for years and I like doing it. I love to look back over the years, see the routes I've taken and people I've run with. This is truly something that makes running fun for me, even if I end up with bad photos that day...no harm done! 

Take a different route.

Tired of the same couple routes every week? Mix it up or find a local running group to run with and ask them for route ideas. I run different routes all the time. I have a couple that are no brainers for me on a day I just need to get up and get it done. Otherwise I'm mixing it up often. 

Dedicate your run/race. 

If your run is feeling boring and purposeless, add purpose and stay motivated by focusing on someone else. You can spend time thinking or praying for people or thinking of ways to help people. Having a purpose for your miles can be fun and really bring fulfillment. 

Sign up for a race or  challenge.

Maybe your boredom is just a lack of goal setting. If you simply take some time to sign up for a race or step challenge, you might find that it's add the motivation you need to get up and get going again. I find that signing up for a race gives my running meaning and motivation to get out the door each morning. A game-changer if you will! 

Do you have other ways you make your running fun? I'd love to hear your thoughts! 

Do You Track Your Running?

 Have you ever considered keeping a running diary? It could be a game-changer for 2024. 

Although I have never keep a "running diary" I am one to keep track of my running. From miles put on my shoes, logging miles ran, details each week/month/season about what I will be doing for training. I also blog about experience, races ran, etc. I feel like this all goes under the same category. My way of keeping a "running diary" is probably different than yours, but some way of tracking to look forward and over past schedules, can bring us great benefits. 

A running diary can be as simple as a cheap notebook or journal. There are also some really great apps, including Strava, that can help with seeing consistently and how well target goals are being met. I personally like Strava as I can edit it with key words. The key words make routes, races and more easy to pull up and compare over time. 

By logging what you are running, over time you can start to have structure in your running goals, see what you need work on and see how the different seasons affect your running. 

Goal setting is something I strongly suggest for everyone. It doesn't matter if you are a casual runner or someone wanting to qualify for Boston. Goal setting shouldn't be over stressful, a little scary? Bring it on! Goals should be specific and smart. If you look back over a month and you felt stress, stop and re-adjust! It's better to hit goals at a slower rate and be consistent, rather than overdoing it and getting injured and or discouraged. 

Some things I enjoy tracking:

*What day's I feel stronger

*A closer look at why I felt fatigued on a run

*How many miles ran each day/month/year (I log on an excel sheet.)

*Writing down goal times for upcoming races and then getting help with training paces to achieve these times. For me this involves a coach. Some seek advice from more experienced runners or simply run with a group slightly faster than your personal current pace. 

*Keeping track of any cross training

*Photos of my training. This is just something I feel like is fun and I enjoy looking at past photos to compare how much stronger I look as time goes by. 

Lastly I highly encourage you to share! Maybe share with a friend, on social media or with a coach. The key with this is the accountability it will bring. I have found that if I write it down, share it out loud and put it into practice, my goals come to life! I spend a short amount of time each week/month and year going over last year and planning the next. Each year I have done this, I have experienced growth the next year (even during years of setback and I've had my fair share!).
Don't be afraid to acknowledge the bad days/runs. This is all part of growth and the diary itself. Acknowledge the good, the bad and the ugly and act on all of it.  This will help you move forward in a positive way.   

Share your upcoming goals. I would love to support you and celebrate with you. ~Julie