Hello, it’s been a minute since updating the blog but i’ll look to update more often going forward.  Last we left our heroine, she was off to the Marine Corps Marathon last October.  Spoiler alert:  She survived the 10th marathon and 4th MCM overall.  Now that I’ve run 4 MCMs, I feel like i should run a 5th to round out my Marine Corps marathon career.  But not in 2019.    I will post my highlights from the 2018 MCM in a separate blog.  In short, I traveled to DC solo as the family was sick that weekend, but I still had a pretty good race.  I felt really good up through mile 20 but my stats would show i wasn’t going as fast as I felt.  Finished in 4:34 and am pretty happy with that time.  Maybe MCM 2020 will be my 5th and final.

2018.  Pretty great year for running following a not so good 2017.  I ran 2 marathons last year, MCM and the Austin Marathon.   I loved them both.  MCM is comfortable, my 4th time running it, had my plan and just got it done.  Austin was a great trip back to UT where i got my graduate degree.  Fun going to all the old places and some new ones and the marathon course was pretty good.  Damn hilly but good.

I ran more than 1000 miles in 2018 y’all!  I met my goal to run 1000 miles last year, hitting 1000 just before the MCM at the end of October.  Read more about it here 

I ran some halfs (halves?) but never broke 2 hours.  Almost did at the Maine Half marathon in Portland, ME.  This was a first time race for me and the course was pretty flat to a little rolling.  I ran it with a friend and just couldn’t keep up with her after mile 12 but I’m happy with a 2 hr 1 minute finish.  2019 I’m hoping to break 2 hours.

What’s up for 2019?

2019 is off to a great start. I’m making this all about #9.      Run 9 races, read 9 books (not a big reader and already behind the pace on books, ugh!)  Run a sub-2 (1:59) half marathon.   You get the idea.   I am in for the Chicago Marathon on October 13th so official training starts soon.  This is my first Chicago so it will be exciting.   I am hoping it’s as flat as they say it is, after Austin i’m done with hilly marathons!  I don’t have a time goal but considering going for under 4 1/2 hours so 4:29, you get the idea with 9 is my theme this year!   2019 and also i turn 49. 😐

I’ve already completed a few of my 2019 goals and challenges to-date including running a sub-2 hour half marathon!  I’ve run two so far in sub-2 so i’m pretty excited.  I credit my overall fitness to the Taji 100 Challenge (run 100 miles during February) and also Orange Theory Fitness. I’ve been hitting OTF pretty regularly, at least 3-4 times a week.  It’s the one thing that will get me up and out of bed in the wee hours — the $12 cancellation fee if i no-show for class.   I ran the Shamrock Half in 1:59 and the Portsmouth Half in 1:58:39!   The shamrock half was a fluke, i was running along and half way through i realized i was running at a pretty good pace, from then I started making a dozen mental calculations as to whether i could make a sub-2.   The last mile is mostly downhill to the finish but i stopped to walk for just a bit.  Then ran like hell to the finish because i would have kicked myself if that last walk put me over 2!

I also finished an accidental run streak of 100 days of running on the heals of the Taji100.  I had already run every day in Feb and decided to keep going!   I can get a little OCD /obsessed with things but it was so satisfying to see all my Apple watch fitness circles filled in! Ran everyday from last week of January through May 5th.

Next Up the Wallis Sands Half Marathon this coming weekend.   I am wondering if i can 3-peat my sub-2 performance.  Last 2 outings i ate mac’n’cheese the night before the race.  Perhaps this is my new go-to/ lucky/ pre-race meal that will propel me to the finish! That and coffee.

More to follow as i kick off official Chicago training. See you out there, -Jenn