12 Months: 12 Photos
11 races, 12 months (close enough!).
1 half marathon, 6 marathons, 1 50K, 1 50 miler, 1 100K, 1 100 miler.
413 miles of racing. 1922 miles of running.
Thanks to Coach Ellie for this simple idea to tell the story of 2018.
January
Miami Marathon: 75 degrees, 75% humidity, 25 mph winds.
Training run, 1st half with Jim (if only I didn't have to run another 13.1!): pineapple on course, a tour of Miami Beach art deco, water views, fancy mansions, and going faster than the vehicular traffic, with ridiculous bling at the end!
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| (Selfie, mile 11 ish). |
February
Sean O'Brien 50 miler: 90 degrees, tough, technical climbs.
Another training run, happy they let me continue to finish 50 miles when I missed the cut-off for the 100K. Gorgeous views of the Pacific, high above Malibu, on a course that, sadly, no longer exists. Lessons learned about running the race within the race.
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| (Photo Mile 7: Howie Stern Photography.) |
March.
Way Too Cool 50K: freezing temps, muddy, rain, hail.
An amazingly fun race where I pushed the pace despite the muddy conditions and ended up having the time of my life, garnering my 2nd fastest 50K. Shout out to Veronica seen in purple behind me!
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| (Photo mile 7, Facchino Photograhpy.) |
April.
Boston Marathon: mid 30s, driving rain, 20 mph headwinds.
This is the love I have for this race, 0.3 miles from the finish at the best corner in racing, in the crappiest conditions I have ever run a marathon in, minutes away from a BQ-18 seconds.
For my dad, for Project Purple, for Boston.
(Big Sur was also run 13 days later; the conditions were decidedly better there!)
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| (Mile 25.9, give me all you have Boston! Photo: Marathonfoto.) |
May
Miwok 100K: no complaints whatsoever about the weather.
Final long training run for Western States: taking in the beauty, managing the clock, dress rehearsal with a view.
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| (Mile 29: Photo Glenn Tachiyama.) |
June.
Western States 100: highs in the low 100s, 18K ft of climbs, 23K ft of descents, one river crossing.
Asthma issues through mile 30, blistered feet, and chasing cut-offs, but a dream accomplishment 5+ years in the making. This race was filled with nothing but love for me: all the support I felt is in this photo just before I entered the track.
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| (Mile 99.9: Photo: a friend.) |
July.
Yes, I spent a month reliving this day on June 24th, 2018.
And I'll spend a lifetime cherishing all the memories that came out of it.
Patience & Gratitude.
(And July was all about recovery.)
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| (Mile 100.2; Photo: Facchino Photography.) |
August.
Tunnel Vision Marathon: prior smoky skies, humid, warm-ish.
The body was clearly not recovered from WS100; it was a solid 16 mile race at BQ pace. But GI issues and a lack of porto-potties led to a personal worst marathon.
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| (Somewhere before mile 16; official race photo.) |
September.
Not a single race. Just doing the time, running the miles, back to the grind.
Thursday morning Donut Crew ladies keeping the motivators going!
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| (Selfie with Lorena, Hongan, and Nancy. Hook'em!) |
October.
Urban Cow Half Marathon: ideal conditions, my shortest race of the year.
Patience and a plan: back to being a metronome, giving me the confidence I needed for NY.
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| (Mile 5; Photo: Jim Garrett.) |
November.
New York City Marathon: 50 degrees, sunny, no complaints.
Millions of spectators, deafening crowds, running with 52,000 of your closest friends. I gave it my heart in return for the energy I received running along the best marathon course I've ever run (yes, I did not stutter). New York, I love you. BQ for 2020 and fastest time in 2.5 years.
For my dad, for Project Purple (my gratitude for the opportunity).
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| (Mile 12 Brooklyn; Photo: Jim Garrett.) |
December.
California International Marathon: mid 40s, ideal racing conditions.
My body didn't have it. Nonetheless, grateful for another finish and grateful for friends spectating and friends running with me. And that's a wrap 2018!
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| (Mile 26.2, Photo: official race photographer.) |
