As we draw to an end on the 2017 year, it is time for my yearly recap. This year I covered a lot of half marathons but my training was not as substantial as years past.
In the past few years I have hovered around 1,000 miles of running. This year I decided against this methodology for quality over quantity. So for the year 2017, I cut down on junk mileage runs, and made sure there was a purpose for every run. Because of this, my mileage reduced, and I ended up with 700 miles.
The year started out really weird. In January we drove all the way to Jackson, Mississippi to run the Mississippi Blues Half Marathon. We met our friends Matt & Kira there. It is a good thing they were there with us because the race was cancelled due to snow and ice! That is right, we drove 11 hours and hardly left the hotel. It was a miserable weekend, but luckily we got to experience the misery with our friends. On the way home, I received an email from the Charleston Marathon that they were offering discounts to those whose races were canceled that weekend (the Walt Disney World Half Marathon was cancelled as well). So, since I live in Charleston, I took advantage of the discount and registered for the Charleston Half Marathon the next weekend, since I was already trained and ready. I finished in 1:57:18 (8:52 pace). This unfortunately did not allow for a new state completed; however, the race directors paid my entry to the Dallas Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon I ran in March to help easy the burden, and allow me to complete another state toward my goal.
My second half marathon of March 2017 took me to Arkansas and my 18th state with the Little Rock Half Marathon. This was a quick turn around race in that I flew out on Saturday morning, and flew back home after the race on Sunday. This race was run in mostly a downpour. I finished this race with a 1:54:28 (8:44).
The third half marathon of the year, which was two weeks after Arkansas, took me to the Lone Star State of Texas for the Dallas Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon. This race was not planned at the beginning of the year; however, with the cancellation of the Mississippi Blues Half Marathon, its race directors paid for my entry into this race. It was another world-wind trip flying out on Saturday and flying back home on Sunday night after the race. I found myself a little tired in this race so my finish time was not sub-2 hours, which is always my goal going into any race. I finished this race with a 2:02:39 (9:22 pace). But I did get the opportunity to complete state 19 toward my 50 states goal.
Cannot go to Dallas without trying on a cowboy hat! But it was far too expensive, so I ended up with a gaudy belt buckle instead!
The next race, which is my favorite each year, with the Star Wars Dark Side Challenge at Walt Disney World. This was in April. In 2016 I just ran the Star Wars Dark Side Half Marathon. In 2017, I was able to get into the Dark Side Challenge, which includes both the 10K and Half Marathon. For the Star Wars Dark Side 10K on Saturday, I set out to run as hard as I could to try and break my 10K PR, since I do not run 10K races often (the last being in 2013). I set out to run a sub 50 minute 10K, but did not quite accomplish that mark, but did PR with a 51:57 (8:22).
The next day was the Star Wars Dark Side Half Marathon. I have reduced my RunDisney race selections to this race each year because they have gotten so expensive. I run this race totally for fun, taking in every single character stop. This year I dressed up as Boba Fett the Bounty Hunter. I finished this race with a time of 2:25:03 (11:04 pace).
Look how much fun I am having here!
What better way to finish, than to have my picture taken with Boba Fett in my Boba Fett running costume with all my bling!
It was a nice haul for the weekend.
