Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Celebrating Running in 2015

The year in medals:
Get Lucky half (PR and 2d place AG), CARA 10 miler (PR), Great Western half (2d place AG), Alpine Races Half, Chicago Marathon, Schaumburg Half

As the year comes to a close, it's time to do Auld Lang Syne. Yep, it's the time of year to reminisce about "times gone by".  As far as years on the road go, 2015 has been nothing short of amazing for me. There have been a few PRs and a few AG awards. A relatively injury free (if you don't count PF) year. No DNS and no DNFs. Lots of adventures on the road. And in life....

What am I celebrating?

Best race experience
: Oh boy, this is a tough one! But I'd have to say my best race experience was my most recent--that Schaumburg Half Marathon that I signed up for spontaneously. While the race itself was a low-frills affair, as are all the races by this race promoter, what made it so great was that my legs felt fresh and I never ever wanted to quit. In fact, I felt so great that I was able to push the pace on the back half and finish with negative splits. I can't stop smiling when I look at this picture!

Last time, I promise!
Best run: I had some really fun races this year. My Chicago marathon, while not a BQ, was a victory of sorts for me...a race that showed me I could redefine my goals and finish strong even while feeling crummy. Yep, I had a migraine during this one. But I finished with a smile on my face, because I paced myself well and shut those negative voices down. That saying that it isn't about finish times, it's about finish lines? That defined the race for me.


Best new piece of running gear: My SLS3 HiP ZiPP holds all the gear and fuel I need for the long run.

Best running advice you've received this year: From Bart Yasso: "Never limit where running can take you. " Perfect advice for my upcoming "year of the destination races", right?


Most inspirational runner: I've had a lot of inspiration this year, and it hasn't been all on the road. First of all is my youngest son, who at 15, took on a brand new sport, rugby, and made it his own. His drive and desire to excel was so inspiring to me. In fact, in one game, he pushed himself so hard and did so well that he was named "the man of the match"! So much pride and love, right there.

I was also inspired by several of my friends, Marcia, Michelle, and Karen, who took on the triathlon, stepped outside of their comfort zones, and crossed finish lines in a new realm. I'm watching the three of them training now, and I can't wait to see what 2016 brings! Ironman, anyone?

Matthew on his way to a try!
Favorite picture from a run or race this year: When I finished Chicago, I got a text from my oldest son telling me he and his girlfriend were finishing lunch in Chinatown and would be coming to Grant Park to meet up with me. He put his arm around me for this picture. What more could a mom ask for?

Tom and me at the Chicago marathon
Race experience you would repeat in a heartbeat: I wasn't able to run the Sarasota Half Marathon in March due to family issues, and I spontaneously signed up for the Get Lucky Half Marathon in Chicago. Clearly all that heat training I did for the Florida race paid off because I ran Get Lucky fast and steady, achieving a PR of over 3 minutes! I also came in 2nd in my AG. I was so happy to have Sara there to celebrate with me!


If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be?  The song that was my mantra for my marathon training: "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey. I didn't, and you shouldn't either!

Can I add a category? Favorite meme of my year?
I'm linking this post with DebRuns--today's Wednesday Word is celebrate! Be sure to head over to her post to check out what everyone else is celebrating!











Linking up with Tuesdays on the Run aka Marcia, Patti, and Erika for their theme of 2015 Running Highlights!










In addition, Courtney at Eat, Pray, Run DC is hosting the annual "Year of Running" linkup! The questions here were taken from her post. I can't wait to read everyone's summaries of their years!

Eat Pray Run DC

79 comments :

  1. You had a breakout year for sure! I love that pic of you and your son!

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    1. I've really enjoyed this year! And yep, that is my FAVORITE picture and happening of the year. Baby steps.

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  2. Mine would be uptownFUNK.
    Next year? No funk :-)

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  3. I am teary reading this marvelous post. So many wonderful photos to relive your triumphs, running and personal. Don't stop believing.

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    1. Thank you, my friend! It was quite a year. I don't know how I can top it! Going to try, tho!

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  4. Love this. And i love that even though Chicago wasn't the marathon that you had planned on it being, you still accept and acknowledge it for how much it gave you. That is the spirit of a true runner, and a true winner!

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    1. I don't think I've ever smiled so much as I did when I crossed that finish line at Chicago. And even though it wasn't a BQ, I look at my splits when things threatened to come off the track--they were slow but they were consistent. So happy with my mental strategy and that I pulled it off.

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  5. Looks like you had an awesome year in running! Tons of great races, varying distances and awesome medals. I'm excited to see what 2016 has in store for you!

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  6. I'd say you had a great year of running!

    I didn't know about that year in running linkup -- thanks for mentioning it. I've been writing that post mentally for what seems like months now. :)

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    1. She's got the linkup open until the end of the year, so you can take your time!

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  7. A great year to celebrate running for you! You have had some great races and good times and a couple nice mom moments too! cheers! I think your thinking of a year of destination races- they are so much fun to plan and train for! :)

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    1. I'm pretty excited about the prospect of traveling to some new races!

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  8. You had a great year - your attitude plays so much into your success and you have an amazing attitude about running and life. So glad that I've gotten to know you better this year through blogging and our community :)

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    1. I'm so glad I got to know you better...hoping we get to meet IRL! I need to make a DC race one of my destination races...

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  9. I absolutely love this post. You had a such a great year and I adore that picture of you and your son!!

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    1. Oh, and you know what we've been through..it's still a work in progress, but that day was amazing!

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  10. Great year and lots to celebrate! Hope 2016 is even better!

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  11. Love this post - you had a great year
    & the son's arm around you - makes me happy for you & probably every mom of teenage sons :)

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  12. Love the advice from Bert Yasso! I need to remember that. You certainly had a great year of running.

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    1. His advice is perfect for my upcoming year of destination races!

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  13. A wonderful, titanic year to celebrate Wendy! I'm excited to see what 2016 brings, for you and me both!

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  14. You had an AMAZING year Wendy! I definitely always look to your website for inspiration and motivation when it comes to running! And my fav quote "Never limit where running can take you."

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    1. I'm so glad for this year! Showing those 50s who's the boss...

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  15. What a great year you've had, Wendy! I'm so excited to see what your year of destination races will bring! And thank you for sharing the Year in Review link - adding that to my editorial calendar because I love these reviews.

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  16. Just awesome!!! I'm not sure what I love more, the inspiration from your youngest son or the picture of you with your oldest. And, I hear you about the "finish lines" since that's how NYC went for me.
    Loved this recap and looking forward to your year of destination races!! Can I come?? :-)

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    1. I'd love to have you at one of my races. But you'd probably already be showered and on your 2d beer before I cross the finish line!

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  17. Hi! My mantra for the year would be "progress, not perfection". You're an inspiration! I just started running within the past few years and my longest one is 10 miles. My next challenge will be a half. I'm visiting for the first time from Fitfluential!

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    1. I'm so glad you checked out my blog! I'm heading to yours...and keep running! It's addicting.

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  18. Congrats on a fantastic year, it's been great following along on your Journey - haha, get it? :) On to 2016!

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  19. You had a great year.

    Mine was full of ups and downs - fast races and disappointing ones. But on the whole, it was successful because I was healthy!!

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  20. What a great year!!!

    What great advice from Bert Yasso!

    You look great and strong in all of your pictures!

    didn't know about Courtney's link-up-thanks for that info!

    Tamieka@fitballingrunningmom

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    1. Bart is my new favorite runner! You should read his book--talk about inspiration!

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  21. The summary words of this past year.....I did what? You're Kidding me!!!! I still can't believe just how far I've come. 2016 is going to be a great year for the both of us!

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  22. best.advice.ever! I'll remember it when I'm eyeing a destination race!

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  23. Amazing year, Wendy! I still can't believe you ran a marathon with a migraine! Very cool about the finish photo with your son...it is nice to know our children take pride in our accomplishments, even if they don't always let on.

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    1. I'm pretty sure the running kept my mind off the migraine...it's funny what we can push through, isn't it?

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  24. What a spectacular year!!! I have to start my year-in-review post early since I'll be "traveling" when it's time to post it (if I choose to post it in a timely fashion). You failed to mention your "biggest waste of money" .....remember showing up with a BIG box of donuts and no one would eat one? ;-)Congrats on all your big accomplishments in 2015!! I'm so glad I got to witness all of it (via the computer screen);-)

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    1. Those donuts did not go to waste! Plus I got to see you all and realize that I NEVER want to run an ultra! LOL!

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  25. You had a GREAT year, Wendy! I love the joy in the Schaumburg Half picture AND the look of determination in the Chicago photo.

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    1. It was fun to write this post! Nice to reflect back on a great year!

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  26. Girl, you had an amazing year and I have enjoyed following you throughout the entire thing. You are such an inspiration to a lot of people, myself included!

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  27. Sounds like you had an AMAZING year of running! Congratulations on all of your success! I can't wait to see what 2016 has in store for you :D

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  28. Indeed, so much to celebrate ! What a great year for you. I truly enjoyed following your training & races. You are an inspiration to me, thank you.

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    1. I'm looking forward to seeing you run your marathon in 2016! Thanks for hanging on for mine.

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  29. Thanks for sharing a great post to an incredible year of running. I heard Bart Yasso interviewed on a couple of podcasts I listen to and he mentioned that quote a few times. Definitely inspiring.

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    1. It was the perfect advice for me as I plan to do some destination races next year!

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  30. You had a FABULOUS year Wendy and I suspect 2016 will be even better. I LOVE that Journey meme. My best friend and I share a love of that song - it always reminds us of each other. It came on at the party we were at on Saturday and the two of us grabbed each other, started dancing and singing at the top of our lungs, ha ha.

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    1. It was my mantra for last year. What a fun year! Looking forward to following your journey in 2016!

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  31. You should definitely celebrate all that you accomplished! You've had a fantastic year and I am excited to hear what big goals you are headed for in 2016!

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  32. Definitely a great year in running for you! I would agree that chicago was my best run as well. Not my best race by a LONG shot but best run because I gutted it out in that heat and ran 26.2 miles!

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  33. You had such a great year! I loved following along and Im excited to see what next year brings for you! That's great advice from Bart Yasso:)

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  34. Wow, you had a great year! 2014 was a better year for me as for age group wins and PR's, but I can't complain about 2015. Here's to a fabulous 2016 for both of us! Let me know if you decide to run the Spring Chicago Half, and we'll have to meet-up before the race.

    Thanks for linking up!

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    1. I probably won't do that one because I'm running Big Sur, but you never know! I have been known to jump into a race at the last minute...

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  35. I still can't quite believe it all happened! But I'm looking forward to some laid back travel fun!

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  36. What a great year! I still think that race photo is the best. Pretty good way to end the year, too. I wonder what 2016 holds!

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    1. I'm so happy with this year. It has been really my best year of running!

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  37. I can't believe another year is over. I love your pic from the Schaumburg Half :)

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  38. Great year of running! Congrats!

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  39. What an awesome year! I'm thankful that my teen son still likes to give me a hug - I know that will end soon!

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    1. There were a lot of ups and down this year, but in the end, it was an amazing year!

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  40. Love that song too. It's a great mantra to live by! So cool you got to meet Bart Yasso. I got to meet him at Big Sur Marathon. He is an inspiration in himself.

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    1. I can't wait to run into him again at Big Sur! He gave me some great advice and I'm going to follow it...

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