Half way through this year I made peace with the fact that I wouldn’t be hitting my running goals for 2020. I had a relatively short list: hit a sub-6:00 mile, get a marathon PR (3:30 or better), and be active in the running community.
And here’s what I thought my race schedule would look like:
March 1: Atlanta Half Marathon
April 20: Boston Marathon
June 19: Joseph Maley Road Mile (Indianapolis)
July 18: 8-Hour Dream Endurance Relay (Indianapolis)
August 31: Sioux Falls Marathon
October 3: Fort Ben Half Marathon (Indianapolis)
Normally I’m a find-a-way, push-through sort of person. But if I have any one takeaway from the trying year that is 2020, it’s the necessity and power in showing myself grace. Those goals were made without knowing the full conditions the year would throw at us.
Cancelled races were of course a major factor, but eclipsing that was the sum of the daily stresses. The worry over the health of those I love, uncertainty of the future, the political climate, the complications of formerly simple things like grocery shopping, and just plain missing being with people.
I’m not upset about falling short because all of the above.
2020 Goal Results:
❌ hit a sub-6:00 mile,
❌ get a marathon PR (3:30 or better),
✅ run 2,500 miles,
✅ be active in the running community.
❌ hit a sub-6:00 mile
I actually started working on the sub-6:00 mile in November, but I have a long way to go, and I’m running out of real estate on the calendar to get it done. Maybe there’s a slim, had-the-best-day kind of chance, but right now, in the first week of December, I’m not even near my former mile best of 6:28, and my coach has me scheduled for only one attempt at it.
❌ get a marathon PR (3:30 or better)
When I started training for virtual Boston, it was my third start on training for this race. The start/stop, is it happening or not happening? roller coaster had worn me out. I knew this would be my only marathon for the year, but I wanted to enjoy the run more than I wanted to get a PR, and I wasn’t sure if a solo run was the best set up for a personal best anyway. I just let go and deferred this goal to 2021. I don’t regret this for a second, since I had such a joyful race experience.
✅ run 2,500 miles
UPDATE: As of 12/27/20, I surpassed 2,500 miles. This marks a new personal best. In 2019, I ran 2,187 miles. I set 2,500 knowing it would be a jump up, but not too much. It felt good to hit at least one of my running goals.
✅ be active in the running community
I’m claiming success here because I showed up to the extent that this was possible. The crowning highlight was volunteering for Atlanta Track Club on course at the US Olympic Trial Marathon. After that, major events were pretty much cancelled for the year, but I joined the virtual Womxn Run the Vote Relay that raised money for Black Voters Matter, got run coach certification through RRCA, joined USA Track & Field as a member for the first time, and spectated for and ran with friends. These outlets meant so much to me. Without the occasional friend run, I’d have felt so much more isolated this year as they were often my only social interaction.
My race plans crumbled, along with everyone else’s. What my schedule actually looked like:
March 1: Atlanta Half Marathon
That last little window before we knew what was what with Covid-19.
September 12: Boston Marathon (Virtual)
I’m just glad I got in one marathon.
October : Tecumseh Trail 50K
A surprise addition, and hey, running an ultra wasn’t even on my goal list, so take that, 2020!
There weren’t a lot of great races, but there were so many joyful, wonderful runs. I needed it more than ever, and I think running is one of the main reasons I stayed positive and healthy. Though they weren’t race PRs, there were still highlights along the way:
I experimented with my neighborhood routes.
Found new trails near me.
Finally got into a rhythm with easy and recovery runs.
Made a regular habit of getting my dog out with me.
Launched my run coaching business.
Ran 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon personal bests in training runs.
Invested in hiring a coach for myself for the first time.
Surpassed 2,500 miles, a new personal high.
It’s been good to reflect back and realize that as challenging as this year has been, there have been wins and magic too. I know we’re still deep in this pandemic, but I am feeling hopeful. New years are always motivating for me, and I’m kind of fired up about having unfinished business too. I have a meeting with my coach next week to talk about my 2021 running goals, and I have a long-ish list of possibilities. Let’s go, 2021!