2014 - My Year In Running

Running is gift. Enjoy it.

We've reached that point in the calendar when we look back on the past 365 days.

To say 2014 was a roller coaster would be an understatement. There were plenty of highs mixed with a number of lows.

Here were my goals for 2014:

• Sub-4:35 marathon
• Run an ultramarathon
• Sub-2 half marathon
• Post a 200-mile month
• Run 1,800 miles for the year

Guess how many I accomplished? None. Nada. A big-fat goose egg.

Does that mean the year was a waste or not a success? Absolutely not.

I had grand running plans for 2014, but life happened. New position at work, injuries and well ... LIFE ... threw curveballs that I wasn't expecting, and it altered my running plans.

Yes, it is true that I didn't accomplished my goals, but that doesn't mean it was a failure.

On my way to a marathon PR.

First, I ran 2 marathons and posted a PR of 4:41:58 - more than 9 minutes better than my previous best. Sure I'd like to have gotten that sub-4:35, but it does not mean I will not stop trying.

2014 was supposed to be the year the ultramarathon. Call me crazy, but the thought of seeing how far I could go excites me. I love a challenge. I even had the race picked out: the Triple Lakes Race in Greensboro, N.C., a 40-miler in later October. However, with the job change, I struggled getting a handle on my training schedule. Figuring out when I could get a run in was now the challenge. So, instead of running an ultra, I ran my second marathon of the year. BUT I will get to cross this off my list in a matter of days as I'm running the Pistol 50K on Saturday.

There's a simple and logic reason as to why I didn't run a sub-2 half marathon: I didn't run a half marathon in 2014. Not sure why I didn't. I enjoy the half marathon. It's a fun distance. Having ran 5 marathons, a half is an easy weekend run to me. Yet, a sub-2 could happen in 2015 as I'm already

Medal for winning my AG at a 5K.

signed up for 2 half marathons this spring. 

In my eyes, a 200-month seemed to be the loftiest and hardest goal I put out there. Heading into the year, I think my best was 175. This year, I hit 187. It is what it is.

For 2014, I finished with 1,560 miles. 240 miles shy of my goal. But when you considered I had three months with less than 100 miles, I'll take it. Plus, this is 3 years in a row with over 1,500 miles. Nothing to be ashamed about.

Other 2014 highlights include:

• A 5K PR of 25:01
• Running my first 10K race
• Winning my Age Group at a 5K

So, while I didn't accomplish all I had hoped in 2014, I am couldn't be happier with how this year went. After all, I do enjoy a good roller coaster.