I can't believe it has been just over 2 years since DisneyGroom and I began this blog, and this running journey odyssey.
During 2013 DG and I must have have signed up for every single race we heard of - as our race calendar was jam-packed.In 2014 things took a different turn. We both scaled back. Me more than him. This year, he has twice the number of medals I do. And I have taken on a lot more volunteering at races - in several different capacities. In fact, I'm harboring crazy notions of being a race director some day, and perhaps even a race photographer when I am no longer able to run.
I still find Race Day very exciting. I've just realized that sometimes I'm perfectly okay with cheering and working from the sidelines.
And the races I did run? Well, I worked hard for that race bling. I'm proud of every last one of these medals - and I cherish the memories attached to each.
My 2014 Race Bling
There were many high points and happy moments. But there were a few not-so-great (at the time, but great in retrospect) ones too.
Two of the toughest events of my life took place this year: a single-track trail half marathon and a Spartan Race. I never got around to writing recaps of those - as I was left mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted by both. And that lingered longer than I wish it had. But I will get to a write-up eventually.
As I've taken on other activities in my life after work (animal rescue ... and one I haven't mentioned through the blog, but takes up a big chunk of time -- I'm on the planning committee for the Inaugural North Florida VegFest), the training and the blogging has definitely suffered. But I do still have some BIG goals for 2015 and 2016 (a full marathon, a Ragnar, and a 70.3 Ironman) - and then of course races that will be purely for fun (Gasparilla, Expedition Everest, Wine & Dine.. and the other runDisney events).
DG and some of our local race-obsessed friends ask me constantly to sign up for more races. It's a running joke actually. But like many things in life, priorities and whims ebb and flow.
DG is a social butterfly, so he does his training runs and races with a pack, and chats the entire time. I am okay with that... sometimes. But my priorities are on quiet, reflective, and long trail hikes with my pup. It's my ME-Time. Yes of course there is running happening when one or both of us feel like it. But that urgency of "I HAVE to get in 7 miles today at such and such pace" has been removed. We finish when we finish.
I'm never going to be fast, but I want to stay injury-free, and I want to keep enjoying what I do. So this formula works for me, at least for now.
And my whims? Well, those change often - but my heart is constant and loyal to Mickey Mouse. So God-willing, I'll be run/walking his events for a long, long time.
Happy New Year everyone!
Wishing you all PRs and podium finishes in 2015!Run Happy!
~DisneyBride
