Happy New Year (plus a few days)! I can’t believe we’re already at the end of the year and it’s already time to look back at 2019. In terms of running, it was a good year. Here are some highlights:
Returning as a Cleveland Marathon Ambassador
I once again was asked to return as an ambassador for one of my favorite local races – the Cleveland Marathon! I joined several new and returning ambassadors to help promote the race, which is held in May every year. As part of the ambassadorship, I was able to be featured on the running podcast, Rust Belt Running! You can listen to my episode here.
Me and last year’s ambassadors
NOTE: I’ll be running the race again in 2020 and returning as an ambassador. You can use RUNCLEMELISSA10 for 10% off your registration!
Running the Cleveland Marathon Challenge Series in the crazy heat – 8k/Half Marathon
Being an ambassador is about so much more than promoting the race – it’s about running it as well. In 2019, I participated in the 8k / half marathon challenge series. I admit that during the half marathon I felt discouraged at parts, going much slower than I had wanted. BUT, the race was much hotter than I anticipated – I had trained all winter in 20s and 30s and even in spring run mostly in 40-50 degrees – with race-day temps being humid and 80s. So, I managed to change my attitude a few miles in and focus on just having fun and finishing. Which, thankfully, I did! You can read my full recap here. I also did a recap sharing my feelings in processing the race.
Doing a few 5K races with the family – stroller in all!
This year brought on a new challenge for running – having two kids. Not only was it hard to find time to run around their schedules, but I wanted to find a way to incorporate them, if I could. I did this by doing several stroller runs in the warmer months and even a few stroller races! B and I ran as a family with the kids (me pushing FW and him pushing LM) in a few close races this summer.
Not getting injured
Any year that I don’t get injured is a good year. Ever since the infamous marathon training stress fracture/boot incident, I’ve tried to take better care of myself and make sure to get new shoes and insoles when I need them (and the right kind for my feet). After my piriformis issues a few years ago, I’ve tried stretching more. I know I still have a long way to go (my stretching includes 2 minutes and 2 stretches and I roll my foot on a tennis and golf ball to prevent flareups of my plantar fasciitis), so I’m especially grateful for running injury-free all 2019!
Beating my goal of 2019 km (or 1,255 miles) – I ran 1,350+ miles!
I ended up 2019 with 1,351.53 miles, meaning I beat my goal of 2,019 km in 2019. I’m pretty happy with that number, considering I only trained for one long race this year — the rest of the miles were mostly fun!
And, I finished the year with a 2019 run – I found a few streets nearby that looked like a 2019 and covered it by foot. Pretty fun, huh?
Some questions for you:
- How would you rate your 2019 in running?
- Have you signed up for any 2020 races yet?
I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.
I Crashed The Web 
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