Monday, May 27, 2013

Two Years Of Streaking

Runners can be funny with their obsession, and I'm no different. Add the fact in that I'm a stats geek in large part to my job as a director of sports communication, and that obsession goes to exponential proportions.

In addition, runners have the habit of getting caught up with streaks. Runners' World, in fact, promotes two different running streaks - one from Thanksgiving to New Year's and another which began today (Memorial Day) and rolls to the Fourth of July. During these streaks, runners are encouraged to run at least 1 mile every day.

You can follow along with everyone's progress by following the hashtag #RWRunStreak on Twitter.

While I'm going to attempt to complete this running streak, I'm not going to stress over it. My longest run streak is 11 days. My body needs rest, and I'm not a fan of injuries.

However, this post is not about the #RWRunningStreak but rather a different running streak of mine.

After my run this morning, I have logged 100 miles or more in 24 months in a row.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

There's Nothing Like A PR - 2013 Knoxville Marathon Recap

A beautiful morning for a race. Let's do 26.2!
P - FREAKING - R!

There! That's my recap!

Now, you know better than that. I love to talk, especially about running. So, sit back because I fear this could get very long.

I went into the 2013 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon with several different goals I wanted to achieve, and I met all but one. And with a little extra work, I might be able to hit that goal next time if everything else comes together like it did for this year's first.

My goals were: 1. finish (check). 2. sub-5 hour time. (check). 3. PR (check). 4. hit 4:45 (not quite). And 5. have fun and enjoy the fun (double check).

In the end, I posted a time of 4:51:11 - 7:32 faster than last year's race (and my first marathon). While I feel I can improve on this, I know I gave it my all because after I crossed the finish line, collected my medal and running hat, I found my beautiful family in the front row of the stands and just collapsed against the padded wall, lying my head on top of the wall.

I had laid it all out on the course. I had nothing left to give. So no regrets on not getting my ultimate goal time for this race of 4:45.