In terms of my athletic goals and experiences, 2009 has been an excellent year. (It’s been a great year for other reasons as well, just not necessarily central to this blog :)). I have met some of the coolest runners and triathletes, some of which I have been fortunate to develop relationships with, others who passed through my life for a day, as I did through theirs. So many smiles, so many words of encouragement. Peace, love and light to all of you in 2010! I’ve enjoyed interacting with all of you here on my blog, on twitter, at races and elsewhere.
2009 was by far the most active I have ever been in terms of participating in official racing events. Prior to this year, I completed only 1 or 2 organized events a year–mostly to contribute to charity, rather than to train or officially race. But, ever since I finished my first marathon in 2008, I’ve been bitten by the racing bug, and I can’t get enough. In addition to the road races of 2009, I completed my first triathlon, and followed it up with 7 more! They are too much fun–I highly recommend giving tri a try. I’ve posted race reports for most of these races in earlier entries, so I won’t rehash the details. I do want to reflect, just a bit, however, on what running and triathlon has done for my life.
Training and racing has helped me recapture a part of my identity that I didn’t realize was important to me: being an athlete. I rowed in high school, and for a little while in college. I also coached my high school team for a few years. I loved it: the hard work, the community, the healthy competition. But, as the years passed, I got further and further away from my athletic history. I went to the gym to workout, but there was nothing like training or community experience about that. It has been almost 15 years since I thought of myself as an athlete, and I’m glad to have found that part of myself again. My training reminds me of the value of discipline, and the intrinsic rewards of hard work.
Training and racing has helped me to be a better wife, friend, family member, and teacher. The focus of training has led to focus in other areas of my life as well. It has given my husband and I a shared activity that comprises the majority of our conversations (maybe too much sometimes!). I’ve reconnected with members of my extended family over races, like others might do over dinner or parties.
Racing has allowed me to be active in contributing to charity. Most of the races I’ve done, have a charity component to them–if not held strictly to raise money for charity. I get to do something I love, while also helping others. How cool is that?
Here’s summary recap of my 2009 racing year (for those who are interested):
| Date | Name | Type | Distance | Time | Comments |
| 3/15 | Annual AC St. Pat’s Day run | Road race | 10 miles | 1:16:41 | PR over last year’s 1:23:25 finish; 3rd in my age group |
| 3/30 | Ocean Drive Marathon | Road race | 26.2 miles | 3:41:28 | Of special note, I was in the top 10 of female finishers, and 2nd in my age group. This was my first BQ! (Too bad I dragged my feet on registering for 2010) |
| 5/23 | Hammonton Triathlon | Sprint tri | ¼ mi swim
12 mile bike 5k run |
1:14:29 | My first triathlon ever. I got so panicked during the swim, I had to swim most of it with my head out of the water. LOL! |
| 5/31 | Belleplain Triathlon | Sprint tri | ¼ mi swim, 16 mile bike, 5k run | 1:20:45 | Much better showing in the water this week. I was able to swim all of it with my face in the water J |
| 6/6 | Jersey Genesis Triathlon | Sprint tri | ½ mile swim, 16 mile bike, 4 mi run | 1:33:~ | First in my age group |
| 6/27 | Atlantic City Bridge-to-Bridge 5k swim | Swim | 5k (3.1 miles) | 2:38:~ | I lived through it! I was 6th from last place – but I finished. Not too shoddy for just learning how to swim freestyle in March. Ironically, because I was the only woman in my age group – I “won” my age group. LOL! |
| 7/4 | Killington Triathlon | Sprint Tri | .35 mile swim, 15 mile bike, 4 mile run | 1:55:11 | Holy hills, Batman! This was a killer – the downhill scared the heck out of me because it was pouring rain, and I had never rode down such steep hills before. First in my age group. |
| 7/18 | Sunset Lake Triathlon | Olympic Tri | .9 mile swim, 25 mile bike, 10k run (6.2 miles) | 2:44:~ | Placed third in my age group. Not too shoddy for my first Olympic distance! |
| 8/1 | Brigantine Triathlon | Sprint tri | ¼ mi swim, 11 mile bike, 4 mile run | 1:16:37 | 2nd in my age group. Didn’t love this race. |
| 8/9 | Mt. Snow Trek Women’s Series Triathlon | Sprint Tri | ¼ mi swim, 12 mi bike, 5k run | 1:06:14 | First in my age group, 7th place overall. I redeemed myself on the hills! |
| 10/4 | Bassman Triathlon | Half iron Tri | 1.2 mi swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mi run | 5:55:~ | My first half iron – ouch! |
| 11/15 | Atlantic City Half Marathon | Road race | 13.1 miles | 1:44:~ | 3rd place in my age group. Had no idea I’d run this race like this! |
| 11/22 | Philadephia Marathon | Road race | 26.2 miles | 3:38:59 | BQ for 2011, baby! |
Goals and plans for achieving them are important parts of a well-lived life. Throughout John and I’s married life, we set and achieved many goals. (And, we’ve fallen short of some as well, as must be expected.) For 2010, I’ll be working toward a new set of goals:
- Raise $5,000 for the Iron Scholarship Fund (details here)
- Finish my first ultra marathon – 50k – sub 6 hours
- Finish the Annual St. Pat’s Day 10 mile run w/ a new PR: 1:13:~ would be nice!
- Finish a half ironman triathlon in 5:50:~
- Finish a full ironman triathlon
- Finish a 50 mile ultra marathon in sub 11 hours
- Finish a local triathlon in the top 5 females overall
2010 race calendar (more to be added as I get closer to the season):
- January: PHUNT 50k trail run
- February: No races planned. But, I’ll be swimming, biking and running.
- March: Annual AC St. Pat’s Day Run
- April: Bassman Spring off-road sprint triathlon
- May: Jerseyman Half Iron Distance Tri
- June: Mooseman Half Ironman
- July: Ironman Lake Placid
- August: No races planned. I will probably pick up a small tri or run race somewhere.
- September: Vermont 50. I’m so excited to return to the VT 50 in 2010 as a participant, rather than a pacer.
- October: Atlantic City Marathon. Where it all began. I’d love to run this race every year.
- November: ? Looking for some great trail runs – any ideas?
- December: ? Looking for some great trail runs – any ideas?
In addition to what I have already scheduled, I’ll be looking to do some sprint olympic distance triathlons in May and June to keep the speed sharp for IMLP in July. Depending upon how recovery goes, I hope to be able to do a race or two in August.
