This was clearly the BEST way to start the new year!!! Despite being out celebrating last night, staying up till 1AM and not having run in a week, I had a great race. It helped that the weather was near perfect (57 degrees with light wind) and the course was mostly flat.
It was a typical small town 5K. These races typically do not have chip timing which means your time is modified. I tried to use my MapMyRun app (since my running watch died a year ago) but there was no service halfway through the race so it cut out mid-race. None of this changed the fact that I still ran at a pace I had not run since the summer!
I learned a lot about not pushing myself in 2018. I did all the wrong things early in the year and I paid for it the second half of 2018. I finally had to stop running and rest my knee. Fortunately it paid off! I have a great respect for proper training both physically and mentally. I don’t beat myself up if I have to take a break for a day or two or modify my training. Now I embrace those things knowing that I will ultimately be a stronger runner. With this new found knowledge I know I will realize my goal of doing this crazy stuff well into old age!
I have made the decision to try my Run The Cape Challenge again this year. Beginning it in January means I have a lot more time to get the 15 races in. I will add in a few half marathons and a triathlon or two just to keep it interesting.
Hope you enjoy my 2019 journey!