2014 has been a good year for me for running- I accomplished some goals, had some good results, and learned some things.
The previous few years had been all about the Boston Marathon- all of my training was dedicated to getting a BQ, so running in the 2014 Boston Marathon was a big deal for me. The whole experience was great- the whole city revolves around the marathon for that weekend, so for those couple of days all the runners there felt like celebrities. I didn't have a great race (you can read the full report here- http://dadontherun.weebly.com/blog/2-weeks-later-my-thoughts-on-the-boston-marathon) but overall the experience was amazing.
The previous few years had been all about the Boston Marathon- all of my training was dedicated to getting a BQ, so running in the 2014 Boston Marathon was a big deal for me. The whole experience was great- the whole city revolves around the marathon for that weekend, so for those couple of days all the runners there felt like celebrities. I didn't have a great race (you can read the full report here- http://dadontherun.weebly.com/blog/2-weeks-later-my-thoughts-on-the-boston-marathon) but overall the experience was amazing.
With Boston qualified for and run, I could really switch my focus to where my real running love is- trails. For the past few years the plan has been to run Boston and then turn my attention to trails since I enjoy running off the road so much more than running on the road. I'd fit in shorter trail races when I could squeeze them in without disprupting my road marathon training, but this year I was finally able to give trail racing some focus.
My first trail race of the year was the Red Barn Snowshoe Race in Napanee ON. As always, Derrick Spafford (http://healthandadventure.com/) put on a great event, and we were fortunate to have a beautiful day- a few degress below freezing, a bright blue sky, and lots of snow on the ground. I came out of the that race 4th overall, and the 1st Master.
My first trail race of the year was the Red Barn Snowshoe Race in Napanee ON. As always, Derrick Spafford (http://healthandadventure.com/) put on a great event, and we were fortunate to have a beautiful day- a few degress below freezing, a bright blue sky, and lots of snow on the ground. I came out of the that race 4th overall, and the 1st Master.
The next trail race I did was the Great Adirondack Trail Run in Keene Valley NY. That was the second time I've done that race, and it's an event that I really enjoy. The short version is that you run up one side of a mountain, over the top, and down the other side to the finish line. It has lots of stiff competetion too- fast locals, and a smattering of Olympians, depending on which of the US National Teams are training in Lake Placid at that time (this year it was the US Biathlon Team). I finished that race 15th overall, and 3rd in my Age Group. Here's the full report- http://dadontherun.weebly.com/blog/race-report-great-adirondack-trail-run1.
The big events for 2014 were my first 2 Ultra Marathons. My first ever ultra was the Conconheague 50K in Blain PA (http://dadontherun.weebly.com/blog/my-first-50k-a-great-day-on-the-trails). I had a really great time there- I felt good for the whole race, and ended up 2nd overall.
That set the stage well for my 2nd ever Ultra, the Ultra Trail Harricana in Charlevoix QC (http://dadontherun.weebly.com/blog/race-report-ultra-trail-harricana-65k). Again, I had a great day. I was tired (as one should be when running that far) but I never bonked like I usually do in road marathons, and I had a great result- 17th overall, and 3rd in my Age Group.
The big events for 2014 were my first 2 Ultra Marathons. My first ever ultra was the Conconheague 50K in Blain PA (http://dadontherun.weebly.com/blog/my-first-50k-a-great-day-on-the-trails). I had a really great time there- I felt good for the whole race, and ended up 2nd overall.
That set the stage well for my 2nd ever Ultra, the Ultra Trail Harricana in Charlevoix QC (http://dadontherun.weebly.com/blog/race-report-ultra-trail-harricana-65k). Again, I had a great day. I was tired (as one should be when running that far) but I never bonked like I usually do in road marathons, and I had a great result- 17th overall, and 3rd in my Age Group.
Since the UTHC in September I haven't raced at all. I paced bunnied a local marathon, but I've been quite content to let my body rest up. Over the past 5 years I haven't given myself much recovery time at all- maybe a couple of days of no running then a week or so of easy running after a road marathon, but never any extended rest. This fall I took a couple of weeks completely off (to let a nagging hip/ glute issue settle down) and the rest of the time it's been almost all easy runs- I'm still getting out 5-7 times per week, but mostly for easy runs, and mostly with the intention of keeping some of my base fitness (and giving the dog some exercise). My plan is that when I ramp the training back up (which is starting now) my body will be well rested and ready to get at it again. I think having the discipline to rest and recover was probably the most important thing I did for my running this year. I have big plans for 2015 (the Cayuga Trails 50 Mile and The Ultra Trail Harricana 125km are my goal races) and I want to come into the training for those events feeling strong and refreshed.
I'm quite happy with how my year turned out. I had a lot of fun with my training and racing, I'm happy with the results, and I'm happy with what I learned. Now I'm really looking forward to what will happen in 2015.
How was your year?
I'm quite happy with how my year turned out. I had a lot of fun with my training and racing, I'm happy with the results, and I'm happy with what I learned. Now I'm really looking forward to what will happen in 2015.
How was your year?