Looking Over 2012/ Goals for 2013

I really cannot say enough about this year in my running.  It has been by far the best year of running for me in my short running career.  Although the year did have some lows, nothing really was that bad as I had hardly any injury issues.  I didn't race much, not that I ever do, but I made almost every WNC Trailrunner fun run this year (PRing on most of them), joined up with some other local groups, and ran some races I would have never ran before (the 5k).  I feel really proud of my numbers as well.  I ended up running more miles in one year than ever before and definitely more vertical feet than ever before. Below I will detail out the highlights and the numbers for the year.

Most Satisfying Run
This year's Roan Adventure Marathon is still without a doubt my most memorable and most successful run.  After having quite possibly run my worst run ever out on this course in 2011,  I came back this year and busted out a sub 6 hour RAM finish.  This run means a lot to me as it was the run that drew me into joining the Pisgah Nation a few years ago.  This area is still my favorite section of trail to run and it is absolutely gorgeous.

Roan Highlands

Most Disappointing Run
This would have to be a tie between my first attempt at running Pitchell, which I DNFed and the second running of the Linville Gorge Madness Marathon, where I ripped my brand new shoe, then slammed my leg into a tree, and finally pulled out 13 miles later.

Ripped shoe at Linville Madness

Biggest Surprise
Of the two races I actually paid for this year, they were both 5k's.  I had never ran an official 5k before since I started running.  I PRed on my second despite being sick and took home a 3rd place Age group award.  Crazy, but I am still pretty slow at the 5k (20:11 PR).  I will definitely be trying to get into the teens this coming year.

Medals

Favorite Place You Ran
This one is tough, but I absolutely loved running in the Marin Headlands north of San Francisco.  The grass covered ridges reminded me of the Roan Highlands and running on the side of cliffs that plunged straight down into Pacific Ocean 800 ft below was astonishing.  I have ran and explored so many places this year it is hard to single just one out though and not mention some other great places which include:  Handies Peak, Mt. Massive, and La Luz just to name a few.

Coastal Trail (Marin Headlands)

Coldest Run
Although we had a mild winter this year, one day in February we had a harsh cold snap and Mad A, Ryan Carlson, and I ran the High Top/ High Windy Loop.  Temperatures at the top were most likely near 0 degrees, but the windchill might have been near -10.  That coupled with near blizzard conditions on the summit made this one quite memorable.


Hottest Run
While on our road trip, Hannah and I did a run in Kings Canyon National Park.  We started around 9 am and it was already about 90 degrees.  It just got hotter while we climbed up to an overlook.  I wasn't expecting that after just running in 60 degree temps the day before only a couple hundred miles away in the Marin Headlands.

Looks familiar, huh?

Favorite Pics I Took This Year

Big Sur Sunset

Rocking on Rock Jock

Tire swing......not gay

Big Sur

Coming off the backside of Mt Massive

The Numbers

Miles = 2,116.6 miles
Hours = 387 hours
Vert = 356,560'
Marathon/ultras run = 7
12+ mile runs = 53

Weekly Averages

Miles - 40.7
Hours - 7.4 hours
Vert - 6,857'


Running Goals for 2013

1. Try to average 8 hours a week of running throughout the year, this goal seems reasonable and I almost got it this year, but the low weeks of summer staved off the goal. 
2. Run at least 2400 miles in the next year.
3. Run my first 50 miler
4. Finish Pitchell
5. Run a sub 7 hour finish at the Uwharrie Mountain Run.
6. Run a sub 20 min 5k.
7. Stay healthy (generic I know)
8. PR in the 50k (should be easy)
9. PR in the marathon (should be easy)
10. Make it out to as many WNC Trailrunner fun runs as possible.