Before attempting to write this post, I read my post about running goals for this year. I'm happy to report that I achieved all of my goals for the year and exceeded 2020's mileage. My big goal for the year was to run my first 50 miler. I was shocked that I got into my top choice race, the Mt. Hood 50M and it was such an awesome experience. Of course, there are things I would like to improve upon, but for a first 50 miler, I could not have asked for better. I was very nervous about the amount of vert and the cut-off times, but I ended up beating the cut-offs by about an hour and finished well within the time limit for the race. In addition, the trees just smelled so amazing out there on the Pacific Crest Trail in Oregon and the race volunteers, runners and race directors were so friendly. All that, and I narrowly avoided being hit by an elk as it ran across the trail during the race. Special shout out to Aaron Burt, my awesome training partner for the Mt. Hood 50M. It was great to run my first 50 miler with Aaron and we both managed to finish with plenty of time to spare.
When I found out that I had already earned enough points to enter the UTMB lottery for 2022, I was pretty relieved. I thought I was going to have to run two 50 mile races to get enough points, but it turned out that the 50K that I ran in 2019 awarded me some points. This gave me the freedom to pick a different race. I found the Spartan Trail Golden Gate Trail Classic, which was a lot of vert over a 50K distance. It ended up being just slightly less vert over 50K as compared to the 50M Mt. Hood race. It was at this race that I finally became a middle of the pack runner. I really enjoyed training for this race because I practiced power-hiking with poles and did a lot of down hill running to prepare. I consistently did interval work mixed in with the training and plenty of back to back long runs. Shout out and congrats to Chris Gregson, who completed his first ultra, running the Golden Gate Trail Classic 50K with me. He cursed me as I pushed the last 2 miles, but still managed to stay with me and finish seconds behind me.
2021 was the year that I found a way to consistently cross train. I landed on a routine that I enjoyed and was able to squeeze in the workouts with limited equipment- just a yoga mat, some weights, resistance bands and a slant board. I really think that the consistent strength training and core work helped make me a stronger runner.
I have to shout out Matt Scott, a colleague of mine, who did the 100 mile mountain bike race at Leadville this year. Matt told me all about the Hyperice Hypervolt massage gun and he talked it up so much that I had to get myself one. I truly think it was a game changer and kept me injury-free through all of the high mileage weeks. For both the Mt. Hood 50 and the Golden Gate 50K, I arrived to the start lines injury-free, feeling strong and ready.
With my shoulder back in business, I started climbing regularly in the fall. I had my first outside climbing trip since the end of 2019 out in Pisgah National Forest outside of Asheville, NC. Since September, I've been at the climbing gym pretty every weekend with my family and some of my kids' friends. Climbing really is my true passion. I have to say that I love it just as much as I love to run, so I'm thrilled that I'm back at it. I also think that it really helps make me a better runner.
Today, I end to year with 1,776 miles and 124,667 feet of vert. vs. the 1,550 miles and 83,514 ft of vert I had last year. According to my Strava year in review, I was active 339 days of the year, with running as my top activity. I also had 99 PRs on Strava. I think I also had my highest mileage week ever in May with 71 miles for the week.
Other fun running related stuff- I participated in the Ginger Runner Global Run event and ended up winning the "Free For All" event and they mailed me a sweet trophy. I also had my first DNF at a trail race early in the year that ended up being very snow-covered. I was supposed to run 12 miles, but only made it for one 6 mile loop. I did the Squatchapple 20 miler as a training run and it was a tough race for me. But it was one of those races where I felt great at the end because I was able to push through the pain. Apart from formal races, I had some wonderful solo running adventures in the Catskills, the Palisades, Maryland and Tennessee. Locally, I also got to know Baldpate Mountain and the Lawrence-Hopewell Trail very well. It was also great to finally hike the Dipsea Trail from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach. I didn't run it and can't imagine running it.
Looking ahead, winter is here and I'll still get out there, but I'm hoping for some good snow so that I can get some cross country skiing in like last year. This year, I finally found some ski boots that fit, so I can't wait to try them out. I also got my bike trainer set up so that I can cross train on the bike. A couple of weeks ago, I started following one of the Some Work All Play training plans by David and Megan Roche. I'd like to continue working on speed for a few weeks and then when I decide which race I'm training for (probably starting in February) I'll start upping the mileage.
Finally, I want to shout out all of the runners out there who've supported me this year. Your consistent kudos and kind and encouraging comments mean a lot to me. Thanks to my Strava friends Ryan, Greg, Jin, John M, Annie, John S., Blues Lill, Christian, Matt, Robin, Nick, Boris, Rajeev, Stoyan, Jeff, Ram, James, Anthony C, John M, Leel, Bobby, Benjamin, Dave, Michael, Tannia, kokomo joe, Tyler, Paul, Sam, Chuck, Markus, Filip, Asta, Rita, Joe, Asima, Jin Y, Marion, Amanda, Zach, Jim, Roby, Emm, Jonathan, Waseem, Koen, Ian, Rachel and Mauricio. Finally, a shout out to my friend Mana, who is not on social media. She has been running with me and encouraging me for years.
Gotta say that I'm happy with the way running went in 2021. So happy that races are back and I hope that it stays that way!
I think this might be my first ever running-related trophy!
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