My goals for 2018 were:
1. To continue with my 50 in 50 goal. I ran 12 races in 2017. If you add the three that I ran in 2016, (I started this venture in October 2016 with the I Dream of Jeannie Half) then I had run 15 races by the end of year 2017. I ran 17 races in 2018, so by the end of 2018 my grand total races completed was 32.
2. Run at least a mile for 365 days -- I DID complete that goal -- and even got a medal for it.
3. Run at least 1000 miles. -- I ran somewhere around 1600 miles in 2018 -- even got a couple medals for that.
4. Add in some cycling and some swimming. -- More on that later.
Running stats 2018
1559 miles run
199 hours spent running
220,000 + calories burned running
Avg. 7.4 miles per hour
17 half marathons
Best time 1:36:38
Best 10k 41:50
2018 Race recap
January 2018
The Rain Run, Redmond WA
This was a smaller race. I chose this race because it was the day before I was scheduled to work in Seattle. Since I was already out there, I thought it would be a great idea to knock out Washington. This race was called the Rain Run and they purposefully schedule the race during the rainy season. People actually want it to rain. Fortunately for me, maybe not for them, it did not really ever rain that day. There was a light mist before the race, but no rain during the race at all. I raced fairly well and ended the race with a PR 1:42:09. The first PR of 2018... more to come.
Best part of the race: The post race cupcake and a PR
Best part of the trip: I did not have to travel (I was already scheduled to be in Seattle)
Vineyard Vines Half Marathon at Pebble Beach
Just seven days later I left from Seattle and stopped in California to race at Pebble Beach. This was an inaugural race at Pebble Beach. It was not very well advertised. They put it together on a short time frame as I understand it, and therefore was not terribly well attended -- only 359 runners. It was a pretty course on 17 mile drive, an out and back race. I enjoyed the scenery and although there were some steep hills, they were steep up and then back down, so my race time was pretty good. I earned another PR. 1:40:33 That is two PR's in a row. A nice way to start 2018.... and I got first place in my age group!!
Best part of the race: The scenery of 17 mile drive and a PR
Best part of the trip: the the uniqueness of running in this venue
February 2018, Austin, TX.
Austin Marathon and Half Marathon Valerie's brother lives outside of Austin, so it only made sense to run my Texas race in Austin. The whole family went on this one and we were able to spend some time with Uncle Michael and Aunt Angela. Always a good time. The race was a very well organized race. Lots of entertainment and nutrition and fan support. Valerie was able to find a few spots to catch me running by and cheer me on a bit.
This was a much bigger race, with some 15,000 runners, so not much chance of placing in this one, but I had a decent race anyway. I was a bit concerned about my ability to run as I had a swelling on the top of my foot... presumably tendinitis... two days before the race, but it did not hinder my performance. I actually forgot about it. No PR this time, but a solid 1:42:55.
Best part of the race: the part on the trail by the river
Best part of the trip: Fun with the family
March 2018, NYC, NY
United Airlines NYC Half Valerie loves NYC. I don't know if she would ever want to live there, but I know that she always likes to visit. We went out, just the two of us. A nice little vacation for us. We stayed in the city, at a hotel, just off Central Park. A friend of ours bought us some tickets to go see Hamilton and we had a great time.
This was a HUGE race. There was really nowhere for Valerie to go and see the start because it was across the bridge in Brooklyn... but she was able to see me running up Times Square and then again at the finish in Central Park. It is a good thing, for her, that she was not at the start, because it was FREEZING!!!! 20ยบ F and we had to stand out there in the cold for an inordinate amount of time. I was shivering.
Big race, lots of folks. Very cool running through Times Square and Central Park. Raced fairly well. 1:43:27.
Best part of the race: running through Times Square
Best part of the trip: A NYC vacation (are you kidding me?)
April 2018, Louisville, KY
Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon I went out by myself on this one. I stayed directly across the street from sluggers field. The race ran into the front gate of Churchill Downs and around the infield. I thought it would be super cool, but the infield was a bit of a let down because all we could see was trucks and tents, etc. being set up for the festival. It was really cool running through the front gate though. The rest was just the streets of Louisville. I had a great time though, mostly because I had a good race. Another PR. 1:39:05. My first sub 1:40 race!!! -- BTW. I love this picture because it makes me look like I am running super fast.
Best part of the race: running through the entry gate of Churchill Downs and a PR
Best part of the trip: seeing the sights and how close my room was to it all
May 2018, Alton, NH
Big Lake Half Marathon Valerie ran this one with me. It was a smallish race. You know they are a small town race when they meet and start at the elementary school. The scenery was great around the Big Lake and the weather was perfect, as I recall. The finishing food lacked a little something.... like variety and taste... and then there were the hills. Omagosh, these were some super steep hills. Valerie actually turned and walked backwards down one of the hills it was so steep. She had tweaked her hamstring a bit, but she was still able to jog well enough to finish respectably. I finished with 1:40:43. I was not too terribly disappointed. We had a nice time together.
Best part of the race: the super fast downhill parts
Best part of the trip: a mini vacation with the wife
June 2018, Steamboat Springs, CO
Steamboat Half Marathon I suppose it is not possible to get a PR on EVERY race. It certainly did not happen in Steamboat. This race wins the award for most scenic area. The race was not so much as scenic as the town. I had never been to Colorado in the summer before. Many times in the winter, but never in the summer and I have to type, It was beautiful. The weather was amazing. I just know I would have loved this race more if I could have handled the altitude -- at least I am blaming my lack of speed on the altitude. I sure petered out quickly... but I would definitely like to go back in the summer again sometime. Race time 1:54:40... BTW. I love this picture too because it makes me look like I have wings and therefore flying.
Best part of the race: the beginning, when it was downhill and the sun peaked out from behind the mountain and warmed me.
Best part of the trip: The beauty of the area
Also in June 2018 Anchorage, AK
Anchorage Mayor's Marathon OK... so, now there is a new front runner for most scenic area. We had never been to Alaska before, but I am certain that ALL of us want to go back again sometime. What a beautiful place. It was great having my family there with me, Valerie, the kids, Mom and our friend Coral. We had a great time. It was Keeley's birthday too, so it was all kinds of a good time. Summer weather, eternal daylight, glaciers, snow, ice, dogsleds, helicopters... a big list of lots of fun. I had a decent race. 1:41:30
Best part of the race: the "turkey call" from the family
Best part of the trip: Vacation with the family
July 2018, Easton, MA
Narragansett Summer Running Festival Oh, the pain. I tore my hamstring one week before this race. Multiple times I considered canceling, but decided that I could "man-up" and "muscle through it", "suck it up", etc... It was ugly. I hobbled through the entire race,,,, BUT I FINISHED! Cute little small college town. Decent course. I'm glad I do not have to do it again. I ran slow, but I ran! 2:04:46.
Best part of the race: the quaint view of the little college town
Best part of the trip: recognizing that I could finish while still injured
Aug 2018, Akron, OH
Goodyear Half Marathon I was alone for this one as well. The course started inside and ended outside of the Goodyear test track. This was a no frills race for me. Not because of the race or the set-up, entertainment, support, etc... but because I was just not all that in to it. It was a fine race. I ran OK, not great, but OK. I just did not make much of it. I walked to the start. I ran the race. I walked back to the hotel. I went to the airport. No frills. Race time. 1:46:11 Not too bad considering I was still healing from my hammy injury.
Best part of the race: The pace car escort at the start on the test track
Best part of the trip: running to the hotel while face timing Valerie
Sept. 2018, Santa Fe, NM
Santa Fe Thunder Ohmagosh!!! This race was terrible. I mean, the race was fine. It was terrible for me, personally. The first couple miles were uphill at altitude. I could not handle it. I had to stop and walk twice in the first couple miles because I was dizzy and nearly blacked out. It was ugly. I even lost several miles in the middle of the race. I don't remember any part of them. I was able to find a pace I could sustain, albeit fairly slow. race time 2:01:55
Best part of the race: That moment when I realized I was three miles farther than I thought
Best part of the trip: flapjacks at iHop
Also Sept 2018 OCNJ
OCNJ Half Marathon Valerie went with me and we met up with a friend. The weather was super nice and the boardwalk was a lot of fun. We played tourist and had a nice time. This was the 50 states half marathon club annual meet up. Valerie and I did not do a whole lot of socializing, but we did go to the dinner and awards banquet. We even went to the Friday night cocktail party... but we did not even speak to anyone. Anyway, the race was nice. Running on the boardwalk was fun and allowed Valerie to basically stay in the same spot and catch me running by a few times. In all it was a fun race. I was running quite well for the first 8 miles, then fell off a little, but finished with a decent time -- another sub 1:40 -- 1:39:52.
Best part of the race: running on the boardwalk as Valerie ran along side of me (for a minute)
Best part of the trip: touring The Shore with my wife
Oct. 2018, Newport, RI
Amica Newport Marathon Keeley joined me on this one. She loves to travel. It almost does not matter where she is going or with whom... just so she goes. I am not certain if it is because she hates home or not, but she sure loves to be "away". We made a bit of a mini vacation out of it. We played tourist and took a helicopter ride, toured the mansions, walked the cliffs, etc. Oh and there was also a race happening that weekend. RI was/is very pretty. Newport was super nice and posh. We had a great time. There were a few hills in this race, but I still raced pretty well. Another PR. That is PR #4 this year. Race time 1:38:47
Best part of the race: The downhill section at the end -- I felt like I was flying and another PR
Best part of the trip: Vacationing with Keeley
Also October 2018, Des Moines, IA
IMT Des Moines Marathon Super cold, this one. My fingers were frozen until I took a shower after the race. I did not have a great race. I could not seem to keep my heart rate under control, so I kept having to slow up. The after race food was awesome. The best of all of the races so far. I made a meal of it and got my belly full. That always makes me happy. Lack luster race time 1:49:11
Best part of the race: running over the fun light bridge
Best part of the trip: the post race food
Nov 2019, St. Louis, MO
St. Louis Half Marathon Once again, a race on the way home from a trip to Seattle. It was a relatively small race, but pretty well organized. The thing that made this race unique and challenging, was the wind and the rain. It rained the entire walk to the start. It was not raining at the beginning of the race, but the wind was blowing us over. Then about 3/4 through the race, it started raining pretty hard and gusting winds. I got passed by some lady and a fairly old guy toward the end. BUT... I think because I just wanted the race to be over... I got a 5th PR this year. Race time 1:36:56
Best part of the race: walking back after the race being encouraged by all of the runners still running
Best part of the trip: the walk back and another PR
Also Nov 2019, Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Marathon Race Weekend I went out to this one alone again. It was still pretty cold, and the weather was not great, that is, overcast and a bit windy. I wore my Lululemon pants and a jacket the entire race, with a long-sleeved shirt under. Like in New York, my Garmin had a hard time keeping an accurate time, presumably because the GPS was not working properly around all of the buildings and high tech equipment. Anyway, this messed with my ability to pace myself according to plan. However, they did have multiple timers around the course which helped me. At one point I figured out I could get a PR, so.... I did. PR #6 for the year. The course was nice, through historic Philly. If I had all of my wits about me, or maybe if any of my family had been there with me to help me remember, I would have run up the Capitol steps like Rocky... but I didn't. All I was concerned about was getting some food, which was a little lacking. I mentioned I got a PR, but I had to hustle at the end to get it. Race time 1:36:38
Best part of the race: the entertainment playing inspirational music
Best part of the trip: Getting a PR
Dec 2019, Memphis, TN
St. Jude Memphis Marathon Noble went with me on this one. We were able to take some time and visit The University of Memphis, the football practice facility, The University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, my old house, several of my old haunts and restaurants, etc... I was able to see Noble 3 or 4 times on the course and at the finish. There was a super nice post race celebration. I did not really participate in it too much, but I was able to see how it was organized and thought it would be fun to enjoy. In the end, I decided to spend the time with Noble and skip all of the other stuff. The race was nice. I did not like that I knew where I was the whole time because I knew how far I had been and how far I still had to go.
The evening after the race, we went down to the Peabody Hotel and had desert with a friend from dental school. It was nice to catch up.... and nice to spend time with Noble.
Best part of the race: running through the crowd of St. Jude's kids cheering us on
Best part of the trip: spending time with Noble
17 half marathons
365 days of at least a mile
1600 miles run.... phew
My goals for 2019 are still being formulated. To date, I have continued to run every day, but have stepped up the cycling and added in some swimming. Valerie bought me a Tri bike or a TT bike, so now I am flying. I am averaging 22 mph on my long rides and I would like to get to 25 mph. 112 miles is a long way to ride. We will see if I can get myself to that. I will update you when I solidify my 2019 goals. For now, I am still running... I ran two halfs in Jan 2019 and I have two in March. We also will hit Hawaii this year in May, and although I do not have a race in Greece, Keeley and I will vacation in Greece for a week. ... Good times. I'll be 49 years old in less than a month. Dang that sounds old. Next race is in Virginia.
