With only a handful of days left of 2016 my only thought is God please don't let anyone else die! We just lost George Michael, Carrie Fisher, and Debbie Reynolds in a span of a few days on the heels of so many others, including my father in law. No, 2016 hasn't been the greatest year, and most of us are quite eager to get on with 2017 in hopes of better things to come. Still, as far as running goes, at least for me, it was an awesome year of running, possibly one of my favorites, so I suppose the ending of 2016 is a tad bittersweet for me.
I used to try to lay out all my favorite runs in a top 10 list, but I think I'd like to summarize my runs to include not just my favorite races, but the most memorable runs as well. And so whatever the count ends up being, 10,12, who cares. Ok, here goes:
The 4 marathons. It's rare that I actually pull off 4 marathons in one year, in fact, I've only done it once before and it didn't end well. It's impossible to rank them in order because they were all so amazingly unique. I loved them all. The LA marathon, the Fargo marathon, the Kansas City marathon, and finally, the Rehoboth Beach marathon in Delaware. Still, of all my marathon photos this one probably captures my single most favorite marathon moment, running on Rodeo Drive in LA.
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| I love LA |
The Dallas Rock and Roll Half Marathon. I got a free entry from the cancelled 13.1 race in October, otherwise I would never have ran this race. I was surprised at how well organized the whole event was, but I was especially impressed with the course. I truly love the layout of this course, as it showcases a lot of what Dallas has to offer. If only our local marathon route could encompass some of this route, such as the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, the Bishop Arts District, and Kessler Park.
The Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon: I went to this event with the objective of seeing hot air balloons, but that didn't happen. A major storm blew in shortly after I crossed the line, scattering all of us to our cars instead, so that part was disappointing, and truth be told, the pre-storm humidity made for a painful run, but it was one of those runs where you run with a friend and share stories like therapy, and I will never forget that. Oh, and the medal was a stunning spinner to boot.
Runs while away on vacation. Running in Boulder was predictably spectacular, but the one run that stood out was the one where we encountered the raccoon with a can on his head. Toby wrestled with it until he managed to loosen it off. The raccoon just stood there, stunned, looking at us (probably blinded by the light), until he wandered off the path. It wouldn't seem that memorable to most people, but for an animal lover like me it was pretty emotional, and I was once again reminded why I love Toby.
Running in New York City is always predictably spectacular too, but running in Central Park the day before the New York City marathon was probably one of my most favorite runs of the year. For those that don't know it, the finish line of the marathon is in the park. A lot of the marathoners were out doing their last shake out runs or getting together for team photos. We saw several running teams from different countries out and about. The energy in the park is amazing, and the park itself is gorgeous that time of year.
Another bonus was chasing this guy, along with several others, along the course on race day.
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| Toby's year for running |
Running in Lubbock. Toby and I have gotten attached to running in an area around and including Mackenzie Park. We have a 7-8 mile loop that includes an amusement park, a windmill farm, a man made lake, and a cemetery. Back in August we had long runs on our schedule which conflicted with a family visit, so we decided to run 2 loops (and then some) of this route. It ended up being a much needed break from the heat in Dallas! We are thinking that this might be a yearly thing as a break from summer marathon training!
Training in the summer. The suffering we endure! Reduced to walking, feeling like death afterwards, the sweat, so much liquid leaving the body, it's just so so awful. And yet from these runs so many memories emerge. Like the "dead possum run". Ginna and I will never in a million years forget that run. It was a 22 mile run where Jean, Ginna, and I ran Laura (LSP) to the start of the TdF race, then ventured on for more. Even though it was mid September we were still enduring relentless heat and humidity. Ginna was off her game that day, battling a sickness of some sort, and for a long time ran about 100 feet behind us. Eventually, near the end, Ginna and I came across a dead possum (he really was dead) in the middle of the road, and both of us thought the exact same thing. We just wanted to do nothing more than to lie down in the middle of the road, just like that possum. We approached the car and the Garmin read 21 miles and some change. I hit stop and said "F it, I'm rounding up." After that run I knew I could handle anything! That run is what made me write "Tough Bitch" on my arm the morning of the Kansas City marathon, knowing it was going to be hot and humid marathon. Hey, we trained for it!
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| The fruits of our labor |
Loop the Lake. As tradition, we all gathered at the lot to celebrate the end of the year in the best way I know how. I'm always honored that I am not sick or injured and can make the "loop" with my closest friends, i.e. my running "family". Even though the picture was taken at sun up and is hard to see everyone clearly it is my favorite picture of 2016. Happy 2017 to everyone!
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| Last run of the year! |
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