Chill out with Abe Lincoln in Lincoln, NE
What a wild ride of a year it’s been! The year began on the treadmill and ended on a new, improved treadmill. It was a year of boosting and crushing challenges and running with abandon.
Here are the highlights for me: in March, I ran wild while marathon training, running a self-supported “Braveheart” full marathon. In May, I ran a full marathon in Lincoln, finishing a marathon inside Memorial Stadium for the first time.
In the summer, I learned I had high cholesterol and was told that I must make some dietary and fitness/lifestyle changes, including daily kale smoothies and more vegan cuisine including vegan protein powder (chia, flaxseed, and quinoa for all!). Switched to 2 meatless days/week (Monday & Friday) instead of one. Lost 42 lbs. this year thanks to a lot of support from friends, family, and MyFitnessPal. THANK YOU amigos!
Won a bronze medal in my age group for the Cornhusker State Games 5k. On my birthday in July, I stacked runs to reach 26.2 miles (#13 counting the non-competitive marathons). Two X 200 mi running months (July & August). December was just short of 200 miles. Two long run streaks (40 days+). Still run-streaking to at least Jan. 1 or maybe Jan. 31(started Nov. 19). Last year I ran 735 mi. This year, I ran more than double that, 1,603 miles! Aimed for 2,013 miles (#RunThisYear) and missed it by 400 miles but at least accomplished 2,013km+. I focused more on the quality of my runs and not just on the quantity of miles (Quality matters too, don’t fall into this quantitative-only running miles trap!). Trained for but gave up on running the Omaha Marathon due to knee injury. Bounced back and my knees recovered. Ran an unexpected 5K PR in the fall. A little chilly weather here recently has moved most of my runs to the treadmill but still have gotten outside for some longer runs recently.
Even Abe looks chilly!
Looking forward to a very fun but challenging, hard-running 2014. Writing my Running Resolutions for 2014. Aiming for dreamy but realistic. What are your running and fitness resolutions for 2014?
No Grinches Allowed in Lincoln. Ever!
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