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Anna's avatar

I am hoping to run a half marathon this year as it is the year I turn forty. I also have a one year old child and a fulltime job so the biggest challenge will be to stay motivated and use the pockets of time I can find to fit training in. It feels daunting and maybe like I won't be able to, for that reason I have shared this goal only with three people, and I guess now in this weeks old comment thread!

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

Hi Anna! I totally hear you about the challenges you'll have in getting your training in, but it *is* do-able. When/what time of the year are you looking at running your half?

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Anna's avatar

Thank you Terrell! I found a lowkey one nearby at the end of May, which I'm hoping would be enough time yet not too far away to lose momentum. I think I may just sign up?!

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Melissa Metzger's avatar

I’m hoping to return from nagging injuries and be able to enjoy running again. My pace has slowed over a minute per mile and I’m frustrated and depressed. Trying to accept where I am and enjoying running again. I miss it.

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Derek H's avatar

Just before covid hit, I set a goal of running a half marathon in all 50 states. Since then, I've only run one additional state for a total of 4. This year, I want to get to at least 5. I'm also going to enter the lottery for the NYC marathon, and I'm signing up for my first (sprint) triathlon!

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Steve Thomas's avatar

I am running the Princess Half-Marathon at DisneyWorld at the end of February, so my goal for the first two months of 2023 is to continue to push myself in my training!

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Nilima Srikantha's avatar

I run well downhill. Uphill can be a challenge, but I walk fast!

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Nilima Srikantha's avatar

I have! Looks like fun. . . esp. the tunnel. Are you and your wife going to be there again this year?

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Nilima Srikantha's avatar

Good idea!! I tried to do that this year in October--Carmel or south toward San Diego. Couldn't get my daughter to move off her fat you know what! Now that she has experienced cold weather for herself this year, I bet she moves a lot easier this upcoming year. I guess 60s will still do, but 70s are a lot better. :)

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Jon Katz's avatar

I have been training, far from perfectly, but have not lost commitment, for the Jekyll Island half on Jan.15th. Plan is to finish training and get there. I hope that will encourage me to be even more committed to running and wellness in 2023.

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Dave Weinstock's avatar

Best of luck. Beware of spectator holding sign at Mile-12 that reads “Run faster. This sign is getting heavy”

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Nilima Srikantha's avatar

Ha Ha! Not. We had to move apartments due to a renovation eviction on December 1. It has been cold,cold with snow ,rain and ice (it is rainy mist today, snow predicted the rest of the week.). I looked at the training and said no way am I going to run for 6 months in this stuff just for the supposed glory of running 26.2 miles along the California Coast where it may be either rainy or foggy! That would be stupid! Some may call me chicken. I call it practical! Age is not a factor. I really hate to be cold--especially for a long time!

Have not given up on running. I use our complex's treadmill and gym almost daily. I have gotten smart though. No more early spring or fall events! I still have a 10K along the Embarcadero for the SF Marathon in July. Much more my speed! :) Thanks for asking!!

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Betty Jones's avatar

Good for you I say.... As with me, the longer I run, and esp race, the Smarter I get!!!!! About what's Healthy to do, do I can continue to run..... Upright and With a Smile....🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️

Merry Christmas to you, and God's blessings in the New Year....

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Nilima Srikantha's avatar

We do have to stay healthy and learning to be smart helps a lot! I'm so glad not to be pressuring myself into doing something that is totally uncomfortable. I'll be happy with a smile through the holidays and on!

Merry Christmas to you and yours! Best wishes for the upcoming year!

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Dave Weinstock's avatar

… and that reminds me of the very old joke about the guy whose father was told by his doctor to run two mile every day. Now two weeks later, he’s 56 miles from home and nobody knows where he is!

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Nilima Srikantha's avatar

Oh, Dave! You are a card! Love the humor--reminds me of Charlie on the MTA!!!!! :)

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Dave Weinstock's avatar

Consider going south to LA area ... being a Floridian since 1961, I am one of those folks who that when the temperature drops below 70, the weather is broken

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Karen sullivan's avatar

Happy holidays everyone! My goals for next year generally come as the year goes. However, I do have a couple of things I want to accomplish. Signed up for the Charlotte covered bridges 1/2 in Shelburne, VT in September. This is a race you highlighted a few months back Terrell and I took the leap and signed up! I want to try and get my friends to commit to running the Colfax Marathon Relay here in Denver in the spring but we shall see....also, my running bucket goal is 1300 miles next year, that’s a lot and that number may adjust once I crack open the money jar on January 1st to see what my mileage was in 2022. Staying healthy and happy is also up there!

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Sharon's avatar

Late October I ran my 1st half since April 2021. If felt great. Since then I’ve been running 5-6 miles each time I go on M,W,Sa

Which is up from my old standard 4. My goal for 23 is keep the M,W,Sa run at 5-6 miles (with Saturday’s maybe up to 7). The holidays and January always challenge.

I’m treating this post as my declaration and declarations seem to assist getting up and over the hill 🤗

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Dave Weinstock's avatar

Declaration ... affirmation ... motivation ... all those “tion” words keep us grounded. Best wishes for a healthy 2023.

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Donna's avatar

The goals I’m looking forward to achieve in 2023:

First Goal - stay injury free, commit to strength training 2-3 days a week!

Second Goal - run a full marathon at 10 min pace (scheduled on March 5th)!

Third Goal - run 4 half marathons each in a different State than what I’ve run in before!

Important Goal - have fun running 😊!

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Dave Weinstock's avatar

Lofty goals ... I look forward to learning of your accomplishments.

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Nilima Srikantha's avatar

Lets see. I think rather than trying to set my sights on something that may be unreachable and be disappointed, I'll just take it as it comes.

I almost--just almost-- put my name in for the lottery for the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler yesterday which was the closing date. I emphatically told my self "Nope" and that was really hard! With my luck, I'd win and have to figure out how to go from the PacNW to DC. I already did that with the Big Sur Marathon, hoping I would not get drawn and I did. No way am I going to do it again. If I want to race, it will be going to the start line and pay my money there! Sounds discouraging, but I've done Early Bird Planning too often, that I should learn!!

So, if something comes along in the meantime that I can get jazzed up about, we'll see. I run for the joy of being outside. Unfortunately, goals seem to get in the way. :)

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Dave Weinstock's avatar

Consider the Jack and Jill in North Bend (near Seattle) WA. Downhill aspect of this race is a challenge.

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Betty Jones's avatar

How's your training going for your Marathon.

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Dulce's avatar

Hoping to run at least four 1/2 marathon in 2023. I just signed up for the Akahai 1/2 marathon for January 21st. I want to include a destination 1/2 marathon and hopefully, be ready for the Honolulu marathon since I skipped it this year.

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Michael Watson's avatar

Hey everyone! I'm on the lookout for a marathon i can enter for the first time! I posted a few months back that i was preparing to run my first half marathon and received a lot of encouragement and tips from this community. With your help I finished in 2 hours 7 minutes which i was delighted with. Thank you and happy holidays to all 😀

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Dave Weinstock's avatar

Consider the Jack and Jill in North Bend (near Seattle) WA. Downhill aspect of this race is a challenge. July

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

That's awesome, Michael! LOVE hearing that!! Are you looking for a marathon near you, or are you willing to travel?

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Steve Leitschuh's avatar

I'm looking forward to getting healthy by Jan 1st. As most runners know, life is not good when you're not up to speed. I haven't laced up my shoes in over a month, and the doctors have finally figured out what's wrong. In four weeks, I'll be back pounding the pavement with a smile on my face.

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

This is great to hear, Steve!!!! SO happy you are on the mend.

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Nilima Srikantha's avatar

YAY you! Hope there is a cure for what was wrong! Have a wonderful Christmas. best for 2023!

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Thomas Aussem's avatar

Hope to complete my 3rd Marathon -- Myrtle Beach (3/4) and run the Harper's Ferry Half in May. Will see if at 66 I can run a 50K.

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Clark Rose's avatar

I plan on getting into and staying in half marathon shape so I can run whenever and wherever I want as long as this aging 75 year old body lets me. And I will run with only two goals in mind: Experiencing the joy of my body in motion and the exhilaration of running with others❗️👣❗️

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Betty Jones's avatar

Great to hear Our Age group with goals of still running these races we love. Turned 70 in May, feel no different as in still wanting to do races, and keep running. Thank you Clark, and Steve I hope you're back running soon.

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Steve Leitschuh's avatar

As a fellow 70-year-old, my goal for next year is to keep running when and however much I want to. Also, no injuries to slow me down...

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Elaine Ricks's avatar

I just want to start running again. Been allowing an injury to thoroughly heal for 6 months now. Got to run for 5 minutes on a treadmill at PT this week. Goal to slowly return starting first week in January. Soooo excited and ready! Signed up for a half in June 🤞

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Betty Jones's avatar

Good for you, I know how you feel in '14 I had foot surgery didn't run for 4 mts, started out running 5DECONDS and walk 4 min. Even that was great.🏃🏼‍♀️. You will be ready in June!!!!

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Stan's avatar

me too, first, has plantar fasciitis [?] then had a car accident - took me off the street from end Jan thru Aug, wife wanted to kill me for driving her nuts!

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Steve Leitschuh's avatar

Hope you're healed soon...

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Jim Gilroy's avatar

I hope to complete my 13th Binghamton Bridge Run - a half marathon in Binghamton, NY. Clearly not a destination race, but I grew up up there and have run the first twelve. Can’t stop now. Along the way I hope to use the Cherry Blossom 10 miler (which is a destination race) as a tuneup. At least I’ve entered the lottery. Best wishes to all for a great 2023.

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Steve Leitschuh's avatar

Good luck with the lottery...

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Cameron Fisher's avatar

In 2023 I have my sights set on completing a quest to run a half marathon in every state and surpassing 100 half marathons total. I just completed state #44 and half #96 in Portland, Oregon at the Holiday Half.

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Dave Weinstock's avatar

Keep up the good work … I’m in South Florida and did 111 a couple of weeks ago. Stay healthy

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Steve Leitschuh's avatar

You're my new hero!

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Stan's avatar

Merry Christmas to all!

I'm looking forward, right now, to having my school semester over, grades completed, and just being able to step back, take a wider perspective and enjoy the down time for the short time it will be!

As for running, I'm looking forward to being able to complete and reach my running goal for this "season" of having an event a month, in order to keep me driving forward an enjoying the challenge of improvement. So far, so good.

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Dave Weinstock's avatar

Consider virtual … I have because I have become a bit of a shirt freak. Check out Huntington Beach, CA “Run in The New Year” … 12/31/22.

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Stan's avatar

Great idea! Though, would rather go...

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Bob Coxe's avatar

Last ran a 1/2 marathon in 2009 when I was 59.

Now plan to run another June 3 in Colorado with my daughter.

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Karen sullivan's avatar

Bob what half is that here in Colorado?

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Bob Coxe's avatar

Revel series half-marathon June 3, downhill from Evergreen to Morrison

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Karen sullivan's avatar

Just say the answer!🤦‍♀️make sure your toenails are cut properly! Beautiful race and a bit tough on the quads if you go out too fast!

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Bob Coxe's avatar

Thanks for the heads up

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

Awesome, Bob!!!! Which half is it?

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Bob Coxe's avatar

Terrell, have a 20 week plan for a 72 year old to get ready?

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Bob Coxe's avatar

Revel series 1/2, downhill from Evergreen to Morrison. Ever run it?

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Gloria English's avatar

I plan on running my 6th marathon end of March.

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

Way to go, Gloria! Which marathon is it?

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Gloria English's avatar

Modesto, CA. I live in the Central Sierras this is the closest marathon to my home. Flat course.

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