2025 Favorite Runs

-

With only 3 days left in the year, I logged 2130 miles, 289 runs over 293 hours. This is the second year in a row where I've hit this kind of mileage. In some ways it just came as a natural consequence of two very solid training blocks, and because so many days were spent "running the mile I'm in" the reflection back makes the volume pretty eye-opening.

So with this much mileage, what makes a run special? Is it possible to handpick a few that made a lasting impression. I'm going to try. The more miles I run, the more I understand running is as much about building stories and experiences as it is about the actual physical motion. Part of why I take all these photos, videos, and keep this journal is to have an outlet at the moment, but also store them up and look back to during this incredible stage of my life. 

Glass City Marathon (Well...half-marathon) When my training went off the rails with an injury and then an insult to the injury after a bike crash, it broke me down. I worked hard to get to the start line of a marathon, not half the distance. But all things considered, running the half-marathon turned into the proper decision, and it felt redemptive to get a personal best and create a benchmark for the distance I could measure future runs against. I got my trainings with and the fitness did not go to waste. 





Birthday Run

Vacation runs are always interesting because of the unusual environment and routes. This year, the combination of a vacation run and my birthday put things over the top. When I planned the route on the map it involved driving to the location, a rarity, and a trail, also very much a rarity. At some risk to life and limb I ran through the woods over stones, crossing roots, up and down, (mostly up) until I reached the trail's terminus. The view of the dawn over a valley gorge and a long bridge far off in the distance turned out to be pure magic. One of the most beautiful runs, not just this year, but perhaps ever. 




Volkslaufe

Ah.... the Volkslaufe. I had placement goals this year. I wanted second. All cylinders fired for the whole race until about 400 meters to go when I got dropped and missed my goal placement by 4 seconds. I ran 2 mins faster than last year so it's tough to complain about that. 






Parent Race

The Parent Race at the Hawks Classic proved to be as fun as it sounds. A bunch of moms and dads running around the school yard for nothing more than bragging rights. I thought if be able to take the whole thing, but shortly after the unceremonious "go" two dads took off while I trailed behind. Not loosing ground, but certainly not gaining anything. I ran by pure feel because I didn't have time to start my watch, and I felt awful. Luke for me the dad I front of me felt awfuller, and I managed a pass in the final 200 m. I know I know it's just a mile parent race, but my competitiveness crept in, and I gave it my all. 





Mackinac Island

After being on a boat for 44 hours, you'd think walking would be tough enough, much less running. As it turned out, with a night's rest following a sailing from Port Huron to Mackinac Island, I still could make it around the 8-Mile island. A beautiful sunrise sweetened the deal. 




Ellsworth, MI Snow Storm

While visiting some friends in northern Michigan, a snow storm blew through. It dumped a crazy amount of snow. A sensible person would have stayed in, but surely I am not so sensible. Hills and snow? Yes please. I'd end up getting injured the next week, but still glad to get this one in the books.





Popular posts from this blog

Heart and Mind are Hemming and Hawing

-
Image
I am in a constant state of framing and reframing just what my next move is for this weekend. Strikes against the marathon: 1. Diminished fitness  2. Calf niggles continue 3. Facial fractures 4. Poor practice with nutrition And yet it's tough to to leave it on the line at this point.  The race organizers say I can downgrade (perhaps "modify my registration" or "Transfer" are gentler words) to the half marathon until the close of the expose (Saturday afternoon) So if i scratch the marathon what do I have left.  A 3 month masters class in endurance to draw from sometime down the road? A plaque that says, "love the process?" I'm not at the point of resignation yet, but I'm getting there with some reflection. Perhaps I rushed signing up for a marathon when a half-marathon would have be suffient with aims as Chicago in 2026 and the Boston in 2027. Its interesting how on track I was 4 weeks ago and how quickly things unraveled.  Alright so I run the ...
Read more

hot

-
Image
 It's blistering hot. I got home from work last night sorta late, but got a full nights sleep and resolved to do a 10 miler. The weather through the night passed, but still threatened downpour. That would have been a welcome relief. The morning just got hotter and hotter mile after mile. I tried to stay hydrated and maintain some semblance of pace even if not as intense as other runs.  Now that I've run through a harsh winter, I think I prefer the cold, even the freezing, to the heat. I feel like I get duped into thinking the summer running will be pleasant, but then the reality it strains my body more than I expect. I suppose I just need to acclimate. Adjust the expectations. Leave the house know that I'll be running in a sauna. I hear all the pros are using saunas these days. 
Read more

All the feels

-
Image
There is a little incline at mile 3 of the Glass City Marathon and a turn into a boisterous cheering crowd. It happened for me about 22 minutes into the race.  Today the chill of the morning and perfect light made this moment the one where I teared up inside, and a little outside. It's been a long winter. It's been a long past 4 weeks. But in that moment I remembered the joy of participating in an endurance race. It might not have been the 26.2 I wanted or planned, but the overwhelming sense of accomplishment against the challenges surfaced as the crowd rang cowbells, held signs with silly phrases, and yelled words of encouragement. I didn't know a single person on the sidelines today, but it didn't matter to them and it didn't matter to me.  Over the course of this training cycle I've experienced a slew of emotions. I learned to feel the feels no matter how they came: Wonder Hope Disappointment Discouragement Resolve Satisfaction Pride Optimism Frustration Wear...
Read more