Wrapping up 2013

I'd like to finish off the year by writing about my top ten runs, like I did last year, but truth be told, 2013 was not exactly one of my best years, running-wise. Plagued with injuries and burn out, there were only a few shining moments of 2013 worth mentioning. Of course the greatest run of the year was my one and only marathon, the Newport Oregon marathon. My second favorite was not just one single run, but the weekly tempo runs Ginna and I ran on the Luke's Locker Wednesday morning runs in the summer. I really miss those and can't wait to get back to them! Running in Central Park was special. I ran past the Fred Lebow statue, which is especially meaningful to me because when I ran the NYC marathon in 1992 it was the year he also ran it with Grete Waitz. (He was the founder and race director of the marathon and died of brain cancer 2 years after finally running his race). I'm excited about being injury free and able to run in the upcoming Loop the Lake on the last day of this year! I am always grateful for every single run, good or bad--even my DNF at a half-marathon this year was somewhat of a fun "adventure" trying to get back to the finish line via multiple car rides of sorts. I was originally with the police escort, but he had to stay back and check on the "banana", a runner in a banana costume seemed to garner a lot of concern, so I hobbled out along an abandoned side street until a volunteer truck came by and let me hop in the back. That injury ended up being a dreaded "long term" injury with my marathon training coming to an abrupt end. Gels, electrolyte pills, bottle carrier, all of it left untouched as the marathon came and went. Even when I look back on the beginning of the year I recall that I started off with an injury, and then another! I was dragging my marathon training out further and further. My April marathon plans were foiled by family matters, so once again, the marathon training was extended until I finally ran Newport in June. The problem with burn out is it is not as easy to pick up on as a nagging potential injury. It's especially hard to pick up on in the summer, when quality running is hard to come by as it is. Well, looking back I can clearly see that I didn't have enough recovery between Newport and the ramp up for the next marathon. The long term injury was waiting to happen, and when it did happen, for the first two weeks my body didn't seem to mind the break at all. Most unusual. I must say that it is really hard to have a DNF in a race, and even harder to watch your friends run the marathon without you 3 weeks later, but gratitude grows. Some people have commented that it has to do with my age until I remind them that I have been straddling the injury/peak line for over 20 years now. The problem is as you get older the line moves. It's harder to tell what you can get away with. The short answer is, a lot less. I'd like to say I'm going to run "smarter" next year and continue to do my new stretching routine after every run (so far so good), but I struggle with playing it safe, so we shall see. As a matter of fact I am into week 1 of marathon training...here we go again! Here's to 2014 and I will see you on the road!