Happy Monday y’all! I can’t believe it’s the last week of December/first week of January. One more work day for me this year! This past year has been quite the busy one. That may be a severe understatement. I guess I’m just not good at being too lazy, so busy it is! This year has actually been my busiest and most accomplished year in racing yet, so I thought I’d share with y’all my thoughts, tips and of course, some pictures!
January
Chevron Houston Marathon
- Training for a marathon is HARD work, but worth it in the end.
- Do your training runs even when it’s raining {not storming, just raining}, it will help you if race day decides to be less than ideal.
- Run with friends. Find someone who runs your pace and train with them. Running with others is great for support, hearing awesome stories and having others see you at your worst.
February
Color in Motion 5K
Rhythm & Blues Half Marathon
Disney Princess Half Marathon
- Color runs are fun. Just that. Don’t try to run fast. Just enjoy yourself and try not to breathe in the color powder. If you do one, let me know how long your boogers stay discolored.
- In February, the weather in Houston can really SUCK for running. 100% humidity and over 70 degrees…no bueno.
- If you ever get the opportunity to do a race at Disney, go for it! They’re truly magical. Take pictures with characters, dress up and don’t try to get a new PR.
March
Dallas Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon
- Come prepared for before the race. If you know it’s going to be cold and windy, pack an extra throw away jacket to wear. You’ll be miserable if you don’t.
- Being miserable before the race doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to race poorly. You may surprise yourself and appreciate the cold and wind later on!
May
Esprit de She 5K
- Running short races in the humidity is good for you. Learn to race in poor conditions and 5K’s aren’t a bad way to start.
- Smiling for the cameras can sometimes turn into a good thing. Aka the race may use you as their race face. I’m famous 🙂 jk…kind of.
July
Run Wild 5K
- Hot, summer fun runs are just that. They’re hot. They’re during the summer. And they’re just for fun. Enjoy yourself and don’t try to get a new PR…not in July is Houston at least!
- Fun runs are much better when running with one of your best friends…and husband too {not pictured, but being an excellent photog!}
August
Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer 5K
- See tips above 🙂 Friends…fun…hot…
September
Alaina Dixon 5 Miler
Zooma Cape Cod Half Marathon
- Getting a half marathon PR on your birthday is 10x better than on any normal day. Especially when it’s been 2 years since your last PR!
- If you get the chance to run a race on your birthday, do it! Don’t forget the tiara and sash!
- Running in the northeast is awesome. If I’m there with you, you’ll probably have ideal weather conditions and sunshine because that’s what happened to me in Philly 2011 and Cape Cod 2013.
October
Houston Half
- Again, train in the rain, it’ll help when you race in the rain. Twice in one year. Bleh.
- Your friends will be the reason you race in the rain. Especially when your husband is trying to convince y’all that you need to just go home and get back in bed when the race is postponed. Don’t listen to him and make him run 🙂
- Don’t run in the rain if you think you’re getting sick though. You’ll probably end up sick because distance running already decreases your immune system’s defenses.
December
FLS Sugar Land 30K
- Ideal race conditions can turn the most horrible race of 2012 into one of your best of 2013.
- Racing longer than a half marathon is killer on your joints. All. That. Concrete.
- Finishing at your goal marathon race pace is a total confidence booster. Especially when you know you’ll have your running girls by your side. Bring it on Chevron Houston 2014…January 19th!
That’s a grand total of 127.7 race miles in 2013…not too shabby if I do say so myself!
What races did you run in 2013? What was your race mileage?
What race are you aiming for in 2014?
