Mom in the Mtns

I can’t believe 2013 is going to be over tonight!  I had a seriously fabulous year and I don’t know how 2014 can top it, but I guess I’ll have to try!  In 2013 I:

GOT MARRIED!

Honeymooned in Alaska!

Did some fabulous fall hiking in Acadia National Park during the government shutdown!

And did tons of camping, hiking, kayaking, and road tripping throughout the year!  There’s nothing better than spending time outdoors and seeing new things  🙂

And I definitely got better at running!  In 2013 I ran 9 races, 3 of which were 10ks.  I FINALLY achieved my goal of running a 5k under 30 minutes (28:41!!!!!) and ran my fastest 10k at 1:03:23!  I started a goal to race in all 50 states and knocked 3 states off of my list.  I also learned how to run in the cold, snow, dark, and rain and enjoyed it way more than I thought I would.  I learned how important foam rolling is, started doing running yoga, and made it through a 34 day run streak!  And I also started this fabulous blog and got to know all of you fabulous bloggers out there  🙂  And like everyone else, I’m linking up to Miss Zippy’s “Year of Running” post!  You can check out the other blogs in the link up here.

Best race experience?  The Hershey 10k in April!  It was the first time I ever felt like a real runner.  I’d never run 6.2 miles before and running the last miles of the race through the park and finishing in the stadium was an amazing experience.  Plus there was tons of free chocolate and after the race I ate the most amazing chocolate peanut butter milkshake at Chocolate World!

Best run?  It’s probably a tie between my 4.3 mile loop of the entire running trail at Ridley Creek State Park (there is a hill in that park that literally lasts for an entire mile, and it’s really steep!  So I never thought I would ever be able to run the entire trail) and running my 7 mile distance PR in the snow on Forbidden Drive.  They are both runs that I never thought I could physically do and I’m so proud of myself for doing them!

Best new piece of gear?  Another tie – it’s either my Garmin Forerunner 10 or my foam roller.  My Garmin has helped me run faster/farther, and my foam roller prevented what I’m sure would have been a ton of injuries during my run streak.

My BFF

Best piece of running advice you received?  That a mile is a mile, no matter how slow it is.  I think I will always obsess over getting faster, but during my run streak I learned that I can still use my slow miles as great workouts.  And even 1 short mile can count as a workout since it’s getting me up off the couch (and I usually end up running more than 1 mile once I start running!).

Most inspirational runner?  I can’t possibly choose because I’ve met and read about so many amazing runners this year!  So I’m going to have to say that every single person whose blog I follow, and every single Sweat Pink Ambassador and I’m Fit Possible Ambassador that I’ve connected with this year has inspired me!  You all challenge me to be my best and your stories inspire me to keep running.

If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be?  That I’m capable of way more than I ever thought possible (this applies to my non-running year too!)

How was your year of running?