For me, probably the biggest goal achieved/highlight was running the Athens Half Marathon last month with David and Stacy -- it was so much to fun to meet up there, and even though the course was (very!) hilly, it was fun to see Athens in a light I'd never seen it in before, and run through neighborhoods I'd never encountered, even though I've visited there probably dozens of times over the years.
Hey Terrell! 2024 was a big year running-wise for my wife and I. In June we ran the Maryland Half Marathon (which literally runs right by our house). We were able to get bibs for our Foundation for the Falmouth Road Race again which was our second year running it, such a great event and an awesome fundraising effort by our team. And lastly we capped off our year with running the Marine Corps Marathon, which was my wife’s first marathon, she did great. What an amazing course running along all the sights in D.C.
Love reading and following along, thanks for all you do!
That's a really big year, Nick! How cool -- I've heard great things about the Falmouth race, and would love to make it up there to run it someday myself. LOVE that you ran the MCM -- isn't that such a fantastic event? How did your wife like it? Did she get the bug to do another?
Yes Falmouth is an amazing race and overall great weekend of events. We have a bib for you if you ever want to run it 🙌 And my wife loved MCM, I know she said that’s going to be her one and only Marathon but that’s what I said after my first one too, you never know haha
Running for me transformed into a run/walk method for me. I have had three major surgeries in three years and each takes time to recover from. I found that healing is more challenging with each year I get older and run/walk has been the best method for my body to get the endorphins I need and keep back and hips happy too. I was an ultra runner/marathon girl but have found my happy place with a half marathon a year. I have rounded the corner from obesity to being healthy. I traded food obsession to exercise obsession to now finding a happy balance. Life on this earth is a journey and I’m learning it changes everyday.
This is so interesting, Jenna -- what an amazing journey you've been on; I can only imagine the challenges you faced. I'd love to know more about your transition from ultras to halfs -- what was the pivot/decision point for you?
Time, getting older. Truthfully, fear. I have severely injured both ankles (roots, tripping, weakness) and the thought of doing it again makes me hesitant. I love trails/outdoors/the woods, but the thought of another rolled ankle just took the fun out of it. One day I will step out of the fear and I will tackle another ultra. Right now, I’m just enjoying the freedom of run/walking and no injuries. 😃. I have worked really hard to become strong and balanced, emotionally and physically and I kinda like it here. Lol
Ok, I'm going to *try* not to mock you for running on a treadmill in Atlanta in December! what is it - 45 degrees? I'm still wearing my tank and shorts in this weather :)
I've written here before about the 'great smashing' - my running accident a year ago that resulted in some serious trauma and injury.
My goal for the year was to get back to at least the place I was last year before the accident. and i did it!
last saturday (25 degrees! I was wearing a single long-sleeved shirt and shorts with compression knee socks :) ) I did a 12 mile training run at 10:16/mile pace. Easy peasy! for me, this is a comeback :)
I felt like my running slacked off a bit in the summer and a bit in the fall. Weather sometimes pushes me to the treadmill. I’m a Goldilocks runner, I don’t like to too hot or too cold, I like it “just right”.🤭
That said, I did just look at my 2024 stats, and found that if I stay steady these last 2 weeks, I will hit 1000 miles for combined Run and Walk. And possibly 1000 miles on the bike (started end of May).
Wide range of comments about the year. My year had bits and pieces of many of the posts. A nagging March injury took 6 months to recover from. As a Galloway runner, I shifted my run: walk ratios to accommodate how I felt on any day, and on many days, I walked more than I ran. The usual dose of eight half marathons was reduced to three, and I discovered new joy in racing 5k's again! A sliver of a silver lining in the comeback. My resiliency was tested. I have this little book of readings called The Pocket Guru by Dr Siri Sat Nam. I'm sharing the words from the book on resilience:
"Who has not had setbacks? A setback is simply a setup to test our determination. Keep your eyes on the prize, take a deep breath, brush yourself off, and get back on the track of life."
My issue seems trivial compared to the struggles of so many others. It's easy to speak the words of resiliency - much different when becoming a practitioner. One foot in front of the other... we roll forward into 2025 with all the hopes of a great year ahead!
I love the shorter distances too, John! I'm scheduled for a 10K in January, and can see myself running a lot more of those next year. So, so agree with everything you've said. And right back at you with the hopes for a great year next year!
Fog, Fog, Fog again here in Eugene. 42 degrees. Probably sounds like Heaven where you are, but it isn't. So cold the cats haven't come out for treats yet. The hummingbirds are out on their feeder. I managed to row 100,000 meters on the rowing machine. . .running, that translates into almost 62 miles. Only 100,000 to go before December 24th. Whee, I get a virtual certificate and a pin!!! Wish it would clear off. . . I still need to go out and plant garlic and clean up the yard from the last wind storm. One thing I can say healthwise is that my balance has improved from rowing. The hill still baffles me, but nicer weather is coming. . .for you, too! Maui in the spring and summer. Chi Running Meet-up is in Victoria BC on Oct. 25, 2025. No need to apologize on the treadmill. Sometimes it just gets too cold and nasty to fight the elements
100,000 meters on the rowing machine... wow, Nilima! Is that for this month? That's incredible. My wife has done some off-and-on with the rowing machine too lately and she loves it, says it's great for upper body strength.
Yes, that is just from December 1, 2024. Not only is it good for upper body, but if you are doing it right, it is a full body work out. Works on knees, core, ankles, back, arms, shoulders . . you name it. I try to do 10,000 meters per day. . . takes about the same time as running 6.2 miles. I'm a bit old and slow. I love it, but I do get sleepy! Have to say the same, though on a treadmill :) One thing about rowing, though is you can't get distracted by books, video or music. It does take full attention!
I'm not a big fan of winter camping. Coldest I've been camping was in Jackson, WY. in 1971. . . it was only negative 8. My brother in Vermont said a couple of years ago. Montpelier held -20 for a high for over a week. Guess I'm getting soft with this Oregon weather of 40s and fog!!! I'll take the sun any day of the week. :)
When it's nicer out, we'll have to go for a run together! (I've been meaning to get a THM running group together for a while now -- perhaps the new year will be the perfect chance to do that!)
I used Strava for a good chunk of the year, and the app did a Spotify-style wrap of my year’s accomplishments. Apparently I ran 530 miles this year (since using Strava, anyway), which isn’t bad considering I was rehabbing an injury for the first several months! I’m pretty proud of that. And I’m running a half marathon in Dallas on Sunday with two of my daughters, so I hope I’m ready for that, haha. I think I am, but a minor outpatient procedure held me off of running for several weeks, so I’m feeling a little rusty.
Chris, that's awesome!! Especially considering the time you had to take away from running, to still rack up a number like that is even *more* impressive! Will this be your first half with your daughters?
Thanks, Terrell! I actually ran this same half last year. I injured my hamstring in the training for this race, and I ran it anyway because it was my first time and I really wanted to conquer it (and of course I ended up making the injury worse and setting myself up for months of PT!). So now I’m hoping to run it with a little more strength. We’ll see. Coming off the recent surgery, I’m not feeling like my legs are at their best, and both hamstrings feel a little sore when I push my speed. So I might just have to run it at an easier pace. I feel pretty confident I’ll be able to finish it, but I doubt I’ll break any personal records 😊
I was diagnosed with skin cancer at the beginning of 2024, and to be honest, I ended up eating my feelings and gaining a few excess pounds that I’m not really happy with and am still trying to shift. Exercise sort of went by the wayside, but a few appointments and a surgery later and I got the all clear. I’m making it my goal to get back on the horse in 2025 and get back to running and moving in a much more positive direction than 2024.
Right ankle slightly sore but will 12th 2024 half tomorrow … Galloway run/walk DOES work! Squeeze in retirement, rediscovering the gym, staying away from politics, and appreciating good health, my wife Pat, our cat, and The Half Marathoner.
For me, probably the biggest goal achieved/highlight was running the Athens Half Marathon last month with David and Stacy -- it was so much to fun to meet up there, and even though the course was (very!) hilly, it was fun to see Athens in a light I'd never seen it in before, and run through neighborhoods I'd never encountered, even though I've visited there probably dozens of times over the years.
Hey Terrell! 2024 was a big year running-wise for my wife and I. In June we ran the Maryland Half Marathon (which literally runs right by our house). We were able to get bibs for our Foundation for the Falmouth Road Race again which was our second year running it, such a great event and an awesome fundraising effort by our team. And lastly we capped off our year with running the Marine Corps Marathon, which was my wife’s first marathon, she did great. What an amazing course running along all the sights in D.C.
Love reading and following along, thanks for all you do!
-Nick
That's a really big year, Nick! How cool -- I've heard great things about the Falmouth race, and would love to make it up there to run it someday myself. LOVE that you ran the MCM -- isn't that such a fantastic event? How did your wife like it? Did she get the bug to do another?
Yes Falmouth is an amazing race and overall great weekend of events. We have a bib for you if you ever want to run it 🙌 And my wife loved MCM, I know she said that’s going to be her one and only Marathon but that’s what I said after my first one too, you never know haha
Running for me transformed into a run/walk method for me. I have had three major surgeries in three years and each takes time to recover from. I found that healing is more challenging with each year I get older and run/walk has been the best method for my body to get the endorphins I need and keep back and hips happy too. I was an ultra runner/marathon girl but have found my happy place with a half marathon a year. I have rounded the corner from obesity to being healthy. I traded food obsession to exercise obsession to now finding a happy balance. Life on this earth is a journey and I’m learning it changes everyday.
This is so interesting, Jenna -- what an amazing journey you've been on; I can only imagine the challenges you faced. I'd love to know more about your transition from ultras to halfs -- what was the pivot/decision point for you?
Time, getting older. Truthfully, fear. I have severely injured both ankles (roots, tripping, weakness) and the thought of doing it again makes me hesitant. I love trails/outdoors/the woods, but the thought of another rolled ankle just took the fun out of it. One day I will step out of the fear and I will tackle another ultra. Right now, I’m just enjoying the freedom of run/walking and no injuries. 😃. I have worked really hard to become strong and balanced, emotionally and physically and I kinda like it here. Lol
Food is a challenge but, as you have found and I have found, it is balancing personal goals and fitting in the right foods that has worked for me.
Ok, I'm going to *try* not to mock you for running on a treadmill in Atlanta in December! what is it - 45 degrees? I'm still wearing my tank and shorts in this weather :)
I've written here before about the 'great smashing' - my running accident a year ago that resulted in some serious trauma and injury.
My goal for the year was to get back to at least the place I was last year before the accident. and i did it!
last saturday (25 degrees! I was wearing a single long-sleeved shirt and shorts with compression knee socks :) ) I did a 12 mile training run at 10:16/mile pace. Easy peasy! for me, this is a comeback :)
HA! I know -- it's my shame! 🤣
Kudos to what had to be a monumental effort to recover and get back to the roads.
I felt like my running slacked off a bit in the summer and a bit in the fall. Weather sometimes pushes me to the treadmill. I’m a Goldilocks runner, I don’t like to too hot or too cold, I like it “just right”.🤭
That said, I did just look at my 2024 stats, and found that if I stay steady these last 2 weeks, I will hit 1000 miles for combined Run and Walk. And possibly 1000 miles on the bike (started end of May).
That's awesome, Stacy! 🙌
Slacking off in summer and fall is standard operating procedure in South Florida … temps in 90s and humidity 24/7!
Wide range of comments about the year. My year had bits and pieces of many of the posts. A nagging March injury took 6 months to recover from. As a Galloway runner, I shifted my run: walk ratios to accommodate how I felt on any day, and on many days, I walked more than I ran. The usual dose of eight half marathons was reduced to three, and I discovered new joy in racing 5k's again! A sliver of a silver lining in the comeback. My resiliency was tested. I have this little book of readings called The Pocket Guru by Dr Siri Sat Nam. I'm sharing the words from the book on resilience:
"Who has not had setbacks? A setback is simply a setup to test our determination. Keep your eyes on the prize, take a deep breath, brush yourself off, and get back on the track of life."
My issue seems trivial compared to the struggles of so many others. It's easy to speak the words of resiliency - much different when becoming a practitioner. One foot in front of the other... we roll forward into 2025 with all the hopes of a great year ahead!
I love the shorter distances too, John! I'm scheduled for a 10K in January, and can see myself running a lot more of those next year. So, so agree with everything you've said. And right back at you with the hopes for a great year next year!
Fog, Fog, Fog again here in Eugene. 42 degrees. Probably sounds like Heaven where you are, but it isn't. So cold the cats haven't come out for treats yet. The hummingbirds are out on their feeder. I managed to row 100,000 meters on the rowing machine. . .running, that translates into almost 62 miles. Only 100,000 to go before December 24th. Whee, I get a virtual certificate and a pin!!! Wish it would clear off. . . I still need to go out and plant garlic and clean up the yard from the last wind storm. One thing I can say healthwise is that my balance has improved from rowing. The hill still baffles me, but nicer weather is coming. . .for you, too! Maui in the spring and summer. Chi Running Meet-up is in Victoria BC on Oct. 25, 2025. No need to apologize on the treadmill. Sometimes it just gets too cold and nasty to fight the elements
100,000 meters on the rowing machine... wow, Nilima! Is that for this month? That's incredible. My wife has done some off-and-on with the rowing machine too lately and she loves it, says it's great for upper body strength.
Yes, that is just from December 1, 2024. Not only is it good for upper body, but if you are doing it right, it is a full body work out. Works on knees, core, ankles, back, arms, shoulders . . you name it. I try to do 10,000 meters per day. . . takes about the same time as running 6.2 miles. I'm a bit old and slow. I love it, but I do get sleepy! Have to say the same, though on a treadmill :) One thing about rowing, though is you can't get distracted by books, video or music. It does take full attention!
Just as a point of reference, the wind chill in Duluth MN this morning was minus 41 F.
MINUS 41!!! Wow... 🥶
That's cold. The coldest I've ever been was splitting wood in Cogswell, ND when it was Negative 54 degrees. :)
OMG -- Wow!!!
Your fingers get so they don't move in about half an hour (even in winter gloves) Time to go in. . .:)
Yikes! I was winter camping in Boundary Waters, many years ago, and we had -35 F for a couple of nights and several sunny days where the high was -20.
Oh wow... that's the kind of weather this Georgia boy has only seen in movies! 🤣
I'm not a big fan of winter camping. Coldest I've been camping was in Jackson, WY. in 1971. . . it was only negative 8. My brother in Vermont said a couple of years ago. Montpelier held -20 for a high for over a week. Guess I'm getting soft with this Oregon weather of 40s and fog!!! I'll take the sun any day of the week. :)
Complaining or bragging
?
And Terrell, thanks for validating me that it’s cold
In Atlanta and it’s okay to be on my favorite tread 🥰
When it's nicer out, we'll have to go for a run together! (I've been meaning to get a THM running group together for a while now -- perhaps the new year will be the perfect chance to do that!)
Thank you Terrell for this post. Looking at year end stats has motivated me to keep on moving forward! I’ll be ready for the next meetup!
I used Strava for a good chunk of the year, and the app did a Spotify-style wrap of my year’s accomplishments. Apparently I ran 530 miles this year (since using Strava, anyway), which isn’t bad considering I was rehabbing an injury for the first several months! I’m pretty proud of that. And I’m running a half marathon in Dallas on Sunday with two of my daughters, so I hope I’m ready for that, haha. I think I am, but a minor outpatient procedure held me off of running for several weeks, so I’m feeling a little rusty.
Chris, that's awesome!! Especially considering the time you had to take away from running, to still rack up a number like that is even *more* impressive! Will this be your first half with your daughters?
Thanks, Terrell! I actually ran this same half last year. I injured my hamstring in the training for this race, and I ran it anyway because it was my first time and I really wanted to conquer it (and of course I ended up making the injury worse and setting myself up for months of PT!). So now I’m hoping to run it with a little more strength. We’ll see. Coming off the recent surgery, I’m not feeling like my legs are at their best, and both hamstrings feel a little sore when I push my speed. So I might just have to run it at an easier pace. I feel pretty confident I’ll be able to finish it, but I doubt I’ll break any personal records 😊
I was diagnosed with skin cancer at the beginning of 2024, and to be honest, I ended up eating my feelings and gaining a few excess pounds that I’m not really happy with and am still trying to shift. Exercise sort of went by the wayside, but a few appointments and a surgery later and I got the all clear. I’m making it my goal to get back on the horse in 2025 and get back to running and moving in a much more positive direction than 2024.
Right ankle slightly sore but will 12th 2024 half tomorrow … Galloway run/walk DOES work! Squeeze in retirement, rediscovering the gym, staying away from politics, and appreciating good health, my wife Pat, our cat, and The Half Marathoner.
The Cat is important!! :)