Tuesday, December 30, 2014

My 2014 Running Lowlights

In my last post I coveredNot everything that happened to me running-wise in 2014 was a highlight. Trying to achieve some running goals in 2014 was a double edged sword: Sometimes I soared, and then sometimes I fell flat on my face. So, without further ado, here are my running lowlights of 2014:

5) 2014 Ravenswood Run 5k (April) I was shooting for a sub 19:00 and wound up with a 19:29. Maybe it was the 25 mph wind gusts or the fact that I failed to hear Rahm Emanuel cheering me on?

4) 2014 Michelob Ultra 13.1 Half Marathon (June) I won a free entry and had a great time post race, but I made the mistake of playing hard in two softball games about 36 hours before this race and my legs were shredded come race morning. This one was painful for most of the way. Slowest. Half. Of. The. Year.
Trying to eke out a "kick" en route to
my slowest half of 2014 (source)
3) Run for the Stars 5k (DNS) (June) 36 hours before this race, I was at yoga. I kicked a yoga block and stubbed my toe. Really bad. So badly that my toe turned black and I had to get it looked at by a PT. Since the 5k race was only 36 hours later, I had to take a DNS. Although I was only sidelined from running for four days, this $40 race took place during one of those four days. On a positive note, I will spare you a picture of my toe!

2) Chicago Marathon 2014 (October) I hesitate to include this in my lowlights list. However as in life, some lowlights can simultaneously be highlights. In the highlights column: It was my fastest Chicago Marathon and second fastest marathon ever. In the lowlights column: It was the most I had ever trained for a single race and then during the race, my legs proceeded to cramp three times over the last 6.2 miles and I came up a four whole minutes short of a PR.
Hoping my legs don't cramp again
over the last 100m of the race
Drumroll please....and now, my lowliest lowlight of 2014, goes to...
1) Injury  (January and February) Not much to say here, but my wonky ankle prevented me from training for most of these two months. I did get one race in, but it was just for fun (and the schnapps). I had to scrap my plans for a spring marathon since I did not get back to a full week of running until March.

Honorable Mention: I signed up for (and paid) but did not start: St. Michael's Oktoberfest 5k (September)

2014 Lessons learned:
1) Don't kick things in yoga
2) Make sure you look or listen for the mayor cheering you on when you run by his house
3) Play softball before a race at your own risk
4) Train more before expecting to PR, or maybe don't expect a PR and it will happen
5) Don't get injured

25 comments:

  1. This is such a fun spin on the year-end recaps!!! I may steal this topic for use on my own blog. =) Happy new year, Pete!

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    1. Feel free to steal. I did this once in 2012 but skipped it for some reason in 2013. Happy New Year! :)

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  2. Hmm your "lowlights" are much tamer than I had envisioned. ;)

    It seems like the lesson learned is don't do anything outside of running in the days preceding a race.

    I'm with you on the don't get injured thought- but the main question is how to follow through with it!?

    Will there be a 2014 running highlights post??!

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    1. Yeah, the list was mostly done in fun, and luckily the lowlights weren't that low. Including my 2nd fastest marathon ever in a lowlights list kinda says it all. Also, things could have been a lot worse weather-wise and injury-wise in 2014. Yes, don't do anything in the days preceding a race. I am still trying to figure out how to stay injury free but I have learned two things. 1) Strength train and 2) Break in new shoes slowly. I haven't decided on a 2014 highlights post. We'll see.... :)

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  3. So...your telling me that you have to be VERY careful about 36 hours before races. Anyway, as far as the slowest half of the year, something's got to be, right?? I think from reading your posts all year, you have done a fantastic job! But you are so much faster than I am and therefore, much more competitive so I understand your frustrations! Good luck in 2015. I promise to get you that pickle juice. Maybe it would help with your marathon cramping.

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    1. Yes, that 36 hour mark is crucial! Yes, it was a great year, which included two PRs so really I have nothing to complain about. No rush on the pickle juice and I'm sure it will help if I run another marathon! :)

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  4. Hmm I learned that you need to be wrapped in bubble wrap and closely monitored!

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    1. Ha, yes. I need to stay indoors and do nothing before races. Maybe I need to hire a monitor as well! :)

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  5. I see Pete reserving padded rooms before races in the near future. Make sure meals provided don't require any silverware since lord knows something will go wrong there too.

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    1. Yes, great idea. Do you know where I could rent one for cheap? Yes silverware could be dangerous! :)

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  6. I should probably do a post on lowlights too...to keep it all in perspective. This was such a great running year for me, in spite of some bad races...I keep thinking that I can't possibly top it!

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    1. Congrats on such an awesome year! I did have an above average year. and I can't really complain about the bulk of it: 3 out of 4 sub 1:30 halfs. A 15k PR and a 5 mile PR. Plus I am finishing the year injury-free!

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  7. Accident-prone! Glad you made it out of 2014 alive -- so far! :)

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  8. Pete, where are the hightlights bro? Haha,

    These lowlights don't seem that bad. All these lessons you'll take to 2015.

    I would be pissed if I kicked a yoga block by accident so close to a 5k race.

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!

    -Agnes
    http://aggieruns.wordpress.com

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    1. I should probably do a highlights post to show that I can focus on the positive as well. It was mostly a positive year. You are correct, everything is a learning experience! Stupid yoga block! :)

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  9. "4) Train more before expecting to PR, or maybe don't expect a PR and it will happen"

    How's that for motivation! Haha.

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  10. What a great idea for a post! It's always nice to look at what you did right, but sometimes you learn a lot more from what didn't go so well. I still think you had a fantastic year of running! Happy New Year, Pete!

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  11. What a year for you! Hopefully 2015 you can run injury and pain free!

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  12. I really liked this post - I mean, I don't like that you were injured and what not, but it's an interesting perspective to look at all of your running. I hope 2015 is an awesome year for you - and that you hear Rahm on multiple occasions!

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    1. Ha, thanks! Yes, it is nice to look at some of the less enjoyable/more difficult experiences I had in order to appreciate my successes even more. Hope your 2015 is awesome as well. Also, keep your ears peeled for Mr. Rahm too! :)

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  13. Aside from injury, what a great year man. Way to close it out with a PR in weekly mileage too. Good things are a coming... :)

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