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And...just like that...2017 is history!
I've been working on this "year-in-review" post here and there over the past month or so...I posted a review of 2015 and of 2014 in the past on this blog and I regret not doing one in 2016...but I am sure my limited posting during that time period had something to do with nearing the end of pregnancy and being super-focused on that aspect of our life and not-as-focused on running/blogging/the like. Anyway, I am the kind of dork who likes to go back and read old posts to remind myself where I was and how I got to where I am...and I actually found myself re-reading race reports about particular races this year prior to running them again just to remind myself how awful awesome they were! So....I've made putting this post together for the benefit of my future self a priority and am sharing it in case there's anything that can be gleaned from it by anyone else (info regarding a race of interest or whatever!).
Without any further ado, here is my wrap-up of 2017...
JANUARY
I was excited to, once again, join the Often Running Racing Team as a member for the 2017 season - my second season as a member. I ran with the team for the first time in the 2015 season, however I did not run with them (officially anyway) in 2016 due to giving birth in April of 2016 and spending most of that year getting used to being a mother AND getting back in shape during my postpartum period.
For some reason, asking to re-join the team caused me a bit of anxiety (or more than a bit!), but somehow I worked up the courage (spurred on by Clint!) and asked our fearless leader Mitch in the fall of 2016 if I could re-join in 2017. He graciously allowed me to be a part of the group again...and I was excited to hit the ground (literally!) running in 2017.
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| Shot of the Often Running Racing Team from our December 2017 photoshoot with Seanan AlYasiri |
My first race "back" as a team member was the Frosty 5k in Peoria, IL. I was hoping for big things - it wasn't my first post-partum race, but it was my first race back on the team. I was quite excited to come away with a 20:46 which was an 8 second PR at the time! It was a cold, crisp day and I still remember making the second to last turn when I could see the finish line with about two tenths of a mile left - my lungs and legs were BURNING!! It was a great day with some fun friends - Clint and I actually left Gabe with some friends (thanks Kris and Mike!) back in Normal and traveled up to do the race sans baby which was nice.
Race One: Frosty 5k
Total January Miles: I logged 118.3 miles during the first month of 2017, which was the most miles I had run in a month since August of 2015 (my first month of pregnancy and the last full month before my early September 2015 marathon).
Other Notable January Accomplishments:
1) I was awarded the "Comeback of the Year" award at our Bloomington-Normal Lake Run Club year-end banquet for my post-baby race performances after Gabe's birth in April of 2016. This was a really big compliment and it was a fun honor to receive this award. We had a great time at the banquet with a table full of friends and are looking forward to the one celebrating the 2017 season here soon at the end of January 2018. Last year we brought Gabe (he was 9 months old at the time - and pretty quiet and immobile)...but we will not be able to play those cards this year! Ha!
2) My world got rocked a little when I was let go from my part-time job at Easterseals. I had worked for Easterseals for 9 1/2 years - I started in 2007 right when I graduated with my masters and it was, at the time, my "dream job" working as an outpatient pediatric speech-language pathologist. In 2011 I started working at Metcalf (the school where I currently work) and stayed on part-time at Easterseals (it was actually called Easter Seals - two words - back in the day ;)). I have worked for them in a variety of capacities (and volunteered extensively for many events, most notably serving on the Run the Woods 5k/8k committee since 2008)...but then suddenly and unexpectedly in a rather "interesting" (read: insulting and disrespectful) fashion I was notified that the company was not able to continue to employ me (and a few of my fellow part-time employees). Long story short, this was a big slap in the face and really messed with my general morale for a while. However, I have retained some very good friendships and professional relationships that were made at Easterseals in spite of the circumstances, for which I am quite thankful.
1) I was awarded the "Comeback of the Year" award at our Bloomington-Normal Lake Run Club year-end banquet for my post-baby race performances after Gabe's birth in April of 2016. This was a really big compliment and it was a fun honor to receive this award. We had a great time at the banquet with a table full of friends and are looking forward to the one celebrating the 2017 season here soon at the end of January 2018. Last year we brought Gabe (he was 9 months old at the time - and pretty quiet and immobile)...but we will not be able to play those cards this year! Ha!
2) My world got rocked a little when I was let go from my part-time job at Easterseals. I had worked for Easterseals for 9 1/2 years - I started in 2007 right when I graduated with my masters and it was, at the time, my "dream job" working as an outpatient pediatric speech-language pathologist. In 2011 I started working at Metcalf (the school where I currently work) and stayed on part-time at Easterseals (it was actually called Easter Seals - two words - back in the day ;)). I have worked for them in a variety of capacities (and volunteered extensively for many events, most notably serving on the Run the Woods 5k/8k committee since 2008)...but then suddenly and unexpectedly in a rather "interesting" (read: insulting and disrespectful) fashion I was notified that the company was not able to continue to employ me (and a few of my fellow part-time employees). Long story short, this was a big slap in the face and really messed with my general morale for a while. However, I have retained some very good friendships and professional relationships that were made at Easterseals in spite of the circumstances, for which I am quite thankful.
FEBRUARY
I didn't run any races in February, however I worked hard on building strength and endurance as my big A-race neared. I was gunning for the Illinois Marathon at the U of I on April 22, which was also going to be Gabe's first birthday.
I got the stomach flu for a few days, but was able to power through a very-strong-for-me 10-miler after kicking the flu to the curb. I loaded Gabe up in the stroller on Saturday, February 5 and went out to run with low expectations. I ended up running 10 miles at an average pace of 7:50 which was very encouraging.
Another standout run during the month of February was the LOVE RUN, hosted by the one and only Holly-Rae Van Hoof. We ran 12 hilly miles out near her home and then rewarded ourselves with lots of love-ly eats afterwards. PLEASE make this happen again, HR! It was a definite highlight of my year! Great training, great fellowship, great food...some of my favorite things. OH...and gluten/dairy free OATMEAL CREME PIES!!
Total February Miles: 111.9 miles
Other Notable February Accomplishments: Longest postpartum run (18 miles at 10 months postpartum)
MARCH
March has become one of my favorite months of the year - because I get a week of spring break with my boy! It is also the month that ushers in the St. Pat's 5k which is a great area race that brings out lots of local runners for a festive Sunday afternoon adventure. I was cautiously optimistic about this race and was excited to push Gabe in the stroller for this one, too. I was thrilled to come away with ANOTHER 5k PR...20:34, besting my previous 5k PR set at the end of January by 12 seconds! It felt really awesome to be able to do this while pushing my little guy.
{An aside - This was my very first stroller race of 2017 ... though not my first stroller race, ever. Our very first stroller race was the Dog Days 5k on July 16, just under two weeks after my first postpartum race - Park 2 Park 5 Miler on July 4, 2016 (I ran that one solo, report here). In 2016 I ran 3 stroller races with G - Dog Days 5k, the We Care Twin Cities Half Marathon, and the Oglesby Turkey Trot 3-miler, which makes St. Pat's my 4th stroller race.}
{An aside - This was my very first stroller race of 2017 ... though not my first stroller race, ever. Our very first stroller race was the Dog Days 5k on July 16, just under two weeks after my first postpartum race - Park 2 Park 5 Miler on July 4, 2016 (I ran that one solo, report here). In 2016 I ran 3 stroller races with G - Dog Days 5k, the We Care Twin Cities Half Marathon, and the Oglesby Turkey Trot 3-miler, which makes St. Pat's my 4th stroller race.}
Race Two: St. Pat's 5k
Later on in the month, Clint and I decided to run the Run for Hope 10k on a TOTAL whim. It is a Sunday morning race and we literally drove to the race and registered mere minutes before the race-day registration closed. And - I won overall female (in spite of a bit of "controversy" that I found out about the next day from some others due to displeasure that I ran pushing a stroller and may have had an "unfair advantage)! To be completely honest, while I joked about this "situation" with friends (and continue to!)...this whole thing really bothered me. Anyone who has run pushing a stroller knows that it is in no way an advantage...and I don't include Gabe in my racing as a way to obtain "trinkets and accolades." I simply love to run, love the camaraderie of racing, and absolutely love sharing life and its adventures and friendships with my son and husband.
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| These Pro Compression socks are some of my FAVES. |
Race Three: Run For Hope 10k
Total March Miles: 163.7
Other Notable March Accomplishments:
1) Our big, silly kitty Richard got out on March 2...after some sadness and lots of help searching for him, he came back in the middle of the night two nights after his big "escape" - Clint got up to use the bathroom in the night and Richard walked up to our back door! As annoying as that cat can be sometimes - we were really glad to see him return. Gabe LOVES his Richard!
2) Holly-Rae and I ran one of our biggest marathon training runs together on March 4 - 20 miles from Shirley, IL to Towanda following Route 66! Coach Clint dropped us off in Shirley and then picked us up 20 miles away. I remember it was a really windy day and we were DEFINITELY spent at the end of that big run. We also came away from it feeling really strong - thanks for the company, HR!! This also closed out my biggest week, mileage-wise, of the training cycle.
3) Gabe, Clint and I (and some other friends) spectated Tanya out at the Clinton Lake Ultra on March 25 - and Amber, Holly-Rae, and AP and I went for a run out on the hilly roads while TG raced, too!
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| 1st Overall Female and 1st Overall Male - it is always fun to share the honors with a friend! |
Total March Miles: 163.7
Other Notable March Accomplishments:
1) Our big, silly kitty Richard got out on March 2...after some sadness and lots of help searching for him, he came back in the middle of the night two nights after his big "escape" - Clint got up to use the bathroom in the night and Richard walked up to our back door! As annoying as that cat can be sometimes - we were really glad to see him return. Gabe LOVES his Richard!
2) Holly-Rae and I ran one of our biggest marathon training runs together on March 4 - 20 miles from Shirley, IL to Towanda following Route 66! Coach Clint dropped us off in Shirley and then picked us up 20 miles away. I remember it was a really windy day and we were DEFINITELY spent at the end of that big run. We also came away from it feeling really strong - thanks for the company, HR!! This also closed out my biggest week, mileage-wise, of the training cycle.
3) Gabe, Clint and I (and some other friends) spectated Tanya out at the Clinton Lake Ultra on March 25 - and Amber, Holly-Rae, and AP and I went for a run out on the hilly roads while TG raced, too!
APRIL
April....oh April! I looked forward to the arrival of April this year with excitement and anxiety. Not only was it the month of my Moment of Truth (the Illinois Marathon - my A-race of the year!), but it is also Gabe's birth month! Parents, I am sure you can relate when I say the whole baby-turning-one thing is pretty surreal and crazy!
Before all that, though was the Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon. I wasn't "supposed" to PR at this race...it was simply supposed to be a good tune-up for my big marathon. But - I ended up feeling pretty amazing and pushed the envelope and came out with a PR and 2nd in my age group. What a day!! The age group awards were gold-colored stainless steel water bottles - LOVE! What a great, functional award - I used that thing with pride right away and continue to love using it today!
Race Four: Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon
I didn't get too crazy during taper time for my marathon, because I had Gabe's big birthday to focus on. Ready or not, both events arrived more quickly than I ever anticipated. Why on earth did I run a marathon on my baby's first birthday AND plan a party for him that same afternoon!? I am crazy, I tell you what! It all ended up just fine and beautiful and memorable and all that jazz...but it did get a little crazy! HUGE thanks to all who helped with both events, in particular my mom who drove down to babysit Gabe while I ran!
And...the best race of my life...
I didn't get too crazy during taper time for my marathon, because I had Gabe's big birthday to focus on. Ready or not, both events arrived more quickly than I ever anticipated. Why on earth did I run a marathon on my baby's first birthday AND plan a party for him that same afternoon!? I am crazy, I tell you what! It all ended up just fine and beautiful and memorable and all that jazz...but it did get a little crazy! HUGE thanks to all who helped with both events, in particular my mom who drove down to babysit Gabe while I ran!
And...the best race of my life...
Race Five: Illinois Marathon
It was pretty perfect, from start to finish. I ran faster and more strongly than I thought was possible. I really thought sub 3:30 was possible, but "pushing" it. 3:23:07?! A dream day. Now, though, it's made me realize that I really don't know what my limits are...and I want to keep pushing to find what they are. I do so love that silly marathon distance. It's my favorite, hands down.
Total April Miles: 130
Other Notable April Accomplishments:
1) Clint and I celebrated our "first" of our yearly anniversaries on April 1 - our second anniversary! Let me tell you - those two years felt as if they FLEW by and it "felt like yesterday" since we had snuck up to the courthouse in Peoria for our secret April Fools' Day wedding!! Love you, my partner in crime, Clint!
2) April 22, 2017 was our son Gabe's first birthday and marked one year of postpartum life for me. I ran 1015 total miles during that first postpartum year, which is something I am really proud of. I started running again at just over a month postpartum (4 weeks, 6 days), so I accomplished 1015 miles in about 11 months.
And...speaking of our sweet boy...let me take this time to spam y'all with some of my faves from our family picture shoot that took place in early April with our favorite Cole Wilson/Christopher Cole Photography...
Truth be told, he was actually less than pleased during most of this photo shoot...and the day afterwards he got diagnosed with an ear infection! Poor baby was probably miserable, darn it all!
3) The weekend after Gabe's birthday, this mama went off for her very first Moms' Weekend in Chicago with some girlfriends! I was definitely anxious about making the trip but am SO glad that I did. It was a great weekend with some awesome, sweet girlfriends (Jillian, Susan, Jen, Adelle, and Katie) - and I hope to make a similar repeat of the trip this year! It was so nice to shop, eat some amazing food, and chat about girl-y/mom-y things. One morning I went off to a hot yoga class solo and on the walk back to our hotel I happened upon an AMAZING smoothie bowl joint where I got some post-workout breakfast. It was all a heavenly, luxurious experience for sure!
It was pretty perfect, from start to finish. I ran faster and more strongly than I thought was possible. I really thought sub 3:30 was possible, but "pushing" it. 3:23:07?! A dream day. Now, though, it's made me realize that I really don't know what my limits are...and I want to keep pushing to find what they are. I do so love that silly marathon distance. It's my favorite, hands down.
Total April Miles: 130
Other Notable April Accomplishments:
1) Clint and I celebrated our "first" of our yearly anniversaries on April 1 - our second anniversary! Let me tell you - those two years felt as if they FLEW by and it "felt like yesterday" since we had snuck up to the courthouse in Peoria for our secret April Fools' Day wedding!! Love you, my partner in crime, Clint!
2) April 22, 2017 was our son Gabe's first birthday and marked one year of postpartum life for me. I ran 1015 total miles during that first postpartum year, which is something I am really proud of. I started running again at just over a month postpartum (4 weeks, 6 days), so I accomplished 1015 miles in about 11 months.
And...speaking of our sweet boy...let me take this time to spam y'all with some of my faves from our family picture shoot that took place in early April with our favorite Cole Wilson/Christopher Cole Photography...
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| Being his mama is the best thing...a true blessing |
3) The weekend after Gabe's birthday, this mama went off for her very first Moms' Weekend in Chicago with some girlfriends! I was definitely anxious about making the trip but am SO glad that I did. It was a great weekend with some awesome, sweet girlfriends (Jillian, Susan, Jen, Adelle, and Katie) - and I hope to make a similar repeat of the trip this year! It was so nice to shop, eat some amazing food, and chat about girl-y/mom-y things. One morning I went off to a hot yoga class solo and on the walk back to our hotel I happened upon an AMAZING smoothie bowl joint where I got some post-workout breakfast. It was all a heavenly, luxurious experience for sure!
MAY
Gabe was just two weeks old at last year's Lake Run, so he and Mama spectated as Dada ran (I remember feeling disheveled and massively sleep-deprived)...but I definitely missed running it! I was excited to get to run it again this year and looked forward to bringing Gabe along for the ride. I had won the 12k at this event back in 2015 (pre-pregnancy) and, pie in the sky, was thinking it might be fun to repeat that feat. It wasn't to be, though. Even though my time was a bit faster than my time in 2015 (earning me a 12k PR, even with the stroller!), area speedsters Carrie Mack and Aimee Dziekan bested me and I wound up with (a still respectable!) third place.
Race Six: Lake Run 12k
Later on in May, I decided to hit up Fleet Feet's Memorial Mile to see what I could bust out on a hilly mile course. I ran it twice - once in the "elite" heat and then again with Gabe/the stroller in the "recreational" heat. It was, honestly, a blast!
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| One of my favorite pictures of me racing with Gabe this year |
Race Seven: Memorial Mile
Total May Miles: 131 (123.5 stroller miles = my highest number of stroller miles in a month!)
Other Notable May Accomplishments:
1)I ran a 5:54 mile during a track workout on the ISU track - while pushing Gabe! This was my fastest mile, ever...and I wonder if I will ever be able to do that again!
2) May marked the last month of the school year...and ushered in 2.5 months of "summer vacation" aka working only part time and being mostly home with Gabe! We used the opportunity of more time together to attend two weekly events that we attended most weeks during the summer - Tiny Melodies music classes at Developing Melodies on Tuesday mornings in Bloomington (classes purchased with Gabe's birthday money!) and Sign and Stroll events in Peoria. The Sign and Stroll events were held on Thursday mornings on the riverfront in Peoria - some weeks we went with or met up with friends there, but most of the time it was just Gabe+Mama time! We enjoyed walks together along the riverfront followed by a fun group time of singing/signing/stories hosted by Communication Junction.
Total May Miles: 131 (123.5 stroller miles = my highest number of stroller miles in a month!)
Other Notable May Accomplishments:
1)I ran a 5:54 mile during a track workout on the ISU track - while pushing Gabe! This was my fastest mile, ever...and I wonder if I will ever be able to do that again!
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| Gabe at a track workout with Dada in May |
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| Tiny Melodies class at Developing Melodies - our good friends Ruby and Nadya also attended these classes which was awesome! |
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| Sign and Stroll on the riverfront in Peoria! |
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| Gabe loved to clap and bounce along to the songs and stories at Sign and Stroll! |
3) I was hired by SPICE of marcfirst in Normal as a part-time contract SLP and began the pre-employment process in May. I joined my good friend Jillian who had started working at SPICE after enduring a nearly identical "situation" with Easterseals back in January - and have been so grateful for her encouragement, our new boss's welcoming spirit, and the whole new situation in general. I started working with clients in June.
JUNE
A really great way to start summer racing was to get 1st overall female with Clint getting 1st overall male at the Toluca Double Diamond Dash 5k - it was our first time running this small-town race and we had a lot of fun.
Race Eight: Toluca Double Diamond Dash 5k
After running that new-to-us event, we ran an old favorite - The Steamboat Classic 15k on our very own Holly-Rae's birthday! We had the privilege of driving her to the race - and sharing some birthday gifts with her while we drove. Holly-Rae, we are so grateful for you and your friendship - and for your entire family!
Race Nine: The Steamboat Classic 15k
Classic race photos...HA! Yes, this race hurts as much as these photos portray.
Classic race photos...HA! Yes, this race hurts as much as these photos portray.
Total June Miles: 98.2
Other Notable June Accomplishments:
1) June marks the start of Heat Wave, a womens' summer running group sponsored by the Lake Run Club and Often Running. This was my third summer helping out as a group leader and it is one of my favorite things to be a part of each summer.
2) Clint, Gabe and I had a great time volunteering at the three summer evening 5ks Fleet Feet put on this summer - the first of these events was in June! It was fun to be out there as a family cheering on runners - and also to have the privilege of not suffering running through the heat for the moment ;) !
3) June brought Gabe's FIRST INDEPENDENT STEPS (at approximately 14 months old)!!! June also brought Gabe's first Kids Run for Fun event! We went to one last summer, but he rode in the stroller and just "cheered on" the other bigger kids and his cousin Macy. This year we were privileged to watch him go from needing to hold our hands/be carried through his 200-meter "race" to, by the end of summer, being able to do a {small!} portion of the event independently!
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| Matchy-matchy with two of my fellow Heat Wave leaders, gal pals Amber and Holly-Rae! |
3) June brought Gabe's FIRST INDEPENDENT STEPS (at approximately 14 months old)!!! June also brought Gabe's first Kids Run for Fun event! We went to one last summer, but he rode in the stroller and just "cheered on" the other bigger kids and his cousin Macy. This year we were privileged to watch him go from needing to hold our hands/be carried through his 200-meter "race" to, by the end of summer, being able to do a {small!} portion of the event independently!
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| Wells Family at Gabe's first real Kids Run For Fun |
JULY
No better way to start off a month than by running a race, right?! July 1 brought our first-ever attempt at the Downs Freedom 5k in our friends the Van Hoofs' hometown.
Race Ten: Downs Freedom 5k
Three days later, we continued the 4th-of-July-themed running with a return visit to the Park 2 Park 5 miler running from one park (Miller Park) in Bloomington to another park in Normal (the Normal Cornbelters' stadium). Hooray, Freedom! Hooray, America!
Race Ten: Downs Freedom 5k
Three days later, we continued the 4th-of-July-themed running with a return visit to the Park 2 Park 5 miler running from one park (Miller Park) in Bloomington to another park in Normal (the Normal Cornbelters' stadium). Hooray, Freedom! Hooray, America!
Race Eleven: Park2Park 5 Miler
And, all of a sudden, it was time to "celebrate" one year of postpartum stroller running with a return to the Dog Days 5k! Gabe ran this with me last year as his first race outside of the womb with Mama and it was special to once again be able to run this race together (on a similarly hot, dog-days-of-summer-esq night!).
Race Twelve: Dog Days 5k
July's biggest claim to fame in my world is, of course, The Bix. "Let's Bix Again Like We Did Last Summer" is kind of my motto. Yeah, #sorrynotsorry, I am obsessed.
And, all of a sudden, it was time to "celebrate" one year of postpartum stroller running with a return to the Dog Days 5k! Gabe ran this with me last year as his first race outside of the womb with Mama and it was special to once again be able to run this race together (on a similarly hot, dog-days-of-summer-esq night!).
Race Twelve: Dog Days 5k
July's biggest claim to fame in my world is, of course, The Bix. "Let's Bix Again Like We Did Last Summer" is kind of my motto. Yeah, #sorrynotsorry, I am obsessed.
Race Thirteen: The Bix 7 - So my biggest dorky-running-related-regret of the year is never writing a race report for the Bix! If you know me, you know how much I love the Bix (check out the race website here). This year was my 14th time running the race (my 14th consecutive Bix, even!) and my 16th time completing the course. Honestly, I kept putting off writing my report/race recap because I wanted to write a really GREAT report with tons of detail...but instead of carving out the time to write it, it just never got done.
Leading up to the race, they host "Bix at 6" training runs on Thursday evenings on the actual race course in Davenport, IA and I went up to run one with my sister Megan this summer! I wanted to push Gabe in the stroller on the crazy-hilly-awful course, but strollers are not allowed in the race...so Bix at 6 it was! The Bix at 6 events are free events that are open to anyone and are typically attended by thousands (seriously!!) of runners - and people who live along the out-and-back course are out in their yards handing out water and ice and fruit, and some even turn their sprinklers on into the road for hot, sweaty runners to run under! There are two official water stops (one at the halfway/turnaround) and one earlier on in the course that you end up passing again during the second half. People are even just out spectating this spectacle! I am thinking a BloNo runner group field trip should occur next summer to head up for a Bix at 6!
The last time I had the opportunity to attend a Bix at 6 event was back in June of 2007 when I was wrapping up my medical externship as the final requirement of my speech-language pathology masters degree program at Trinity Medical Center in Rock Island, Illinois. Some of my coworkers were running and invited me to join in the fun. I was all-to-eager to join in, of course (that July would mark my third completion of the race).
My sister (who lives in Davenport) met up with me and Gabe on Thursday, July 13. Here's what I wrote in my Garmin log regarding the experience: "The Bix is no freaking joke. The course is a hilly beast and is one many love to hate....I was so glad to attend a Bix at 6 event this summer and to bring Gabe! Pushing the stroller on the Bix course was a big challenge but I am so glad to have had the opportunity to "share" it with him! ... I saw a few other people pushing strollers out there as well. I saw a man doing the course in his motorized wheelchair with a big grin. It was all really awesome. Gabe loved me pushing him/the stroller through sprinklers on the course - and snacking on ice cube chips I fed him to help him stay cool! Fun fact - my PR on this course is 52:01, set in 2015 when I was at my fastest pre-Gabe. My time last year (2016) was 55:33 (at 3 months postpartum). So, my time today of 53:12 (7:36 pace) was my second fastest Bix course time! I'm looking to go sub-50 at the actual event in 15 days. Without the stroller, I am thinking it is within the realm of possibility! Megan (my sis) has only been back to running after two months after a long haul of health issues. She ran the course in a 9:22 pace - her goal was to do it in 9:30s! It was a great night all around." Afterwards...we refueled in the most appropriate way: with delicious Mexican food!
So, fifteen days later when I returned to the course on race day I was able to absolutely kill it. I got my PR and my coveted sub-50. I got a 49:39 which is a 7:06 average pace per mile. Here's hoping I can smash this next year and get my average pace under 7 minutes. Big shout out to Clint here for not only being an awesome coach and helping me reach this big PR - but for putting up with my Bix obsession and accompanying me to this race since 2014! Get ready for a lifetime of Bix-ing, Mr. Wells! :)
Bix time History:
2005- 1:05.23
2006- 1:09.02
2007- 1:09.01
2008- 1:10.25
2009- 58:36 (FINALLY UNDER AN HOUR!)
2010- 56:42
2011- 59:00
2012- 58:03
2013- 56:46
2014- 56:46 (Identical to the previous year?! Craziness!)
2015- 52:01 (PR for two years!) (Race report here)
2016- 55:33 (3 months postpartum)
2017 - 49:39 WOOOOOT!!!
Total July Miles: 139 - biggest mileage month in 2017! (But not my biggest lifetime mileage month - that was in August of 2015 when I ran 150 leading up to the Last Chance BQ2 Marathon)
Other Notable July Accomplishments: I really can't think of anything in particular...I ran a lot...hung out with Gabe a lot...visited our Quad Cities family...worked on my two doctoral independent studies (that may or may not have really stressed me out a time or two :))...helped edit a friend's doctoral project...worked a bit at SPICE...swam with with my boy...and generally did my best to ENJOY summer and time with family and friends!
Leading up to the race, they host "Bix at 6" training runs on Thursday evenings on the actual race course in Davenport, IA and I went up to run one with my sister Megan this summer! I wanted to push Gabe in the stroller on the crazy-hilly-awful course, but strollers are not allowed in the race...so Bix at 6 it was! The Bix at 6 events are free events that are open to anyone and are typically attended by thousands (seriously!!) of runners - and people who live along the out-and-back course are out in their yards handing out water and ice and fruit, and some even turn their sprinklers on into the road for hot, sweaty runners to run under! There are two official water stops (one at the halfway/turnaround) and one earlier on in the course that you end up passing again during the second half. People are even just out spectating this spectacle! I am thinking a BloNo runner group field trip should occur next summer to head up for a Bix at 6!
The last time I had the opportunity to attend a Bix at 6 event was back in June of 2007 when I was wrapping up my medical externship as the final requirement of my speech-language pathology masters degree program at Trinity Medical Center in Rock Island, Illinois. Some of my coworkers were running and invited me to join in the fun. I was all-to-eager to join in, of course (that July would mark my third completion of the race).
My sister (who lives in Davenport) met up with me and Gabe on Thursday, July 13. Here's what I wrote in my Garmin log regarding the experience: "The Bix is no freaking joke. The course is a hilly beast and is one many love to hate....I was so glad to attend a Bix at 6 event this summer and to bring Gabe! Pushing the stroller on the Bix course was a big challenge but I am so glad to have had the opportunity to "share" it with him! ... I saw a few other people pushing strollers out there as well. I saw a man doing the course in his motorized wheelchair with a big grin. It was all really awesome. Gabe loved me pushing him/the stroller through sprinklers on the course - and snacking on ice cube chips I fed him to help him stay cool! Fun fact - my PR on this course is 52:01, set in 2015 when I was at my fastest pre-Gabe. My time last year (2016) was 55:33 (at 3 months postpartum). So, my time today of 53:12 (7:36 pace) was my second fastest Bix course time! I'm looking to go sub-50 at the actual event in 15 days. Without the stroller, I am thinking it is within the realm of possibility! Megan (my sis) has only been back to running after two months after a long haul of health issues. She ran the course in a 9:22 pace - her goal was to do it in 9:30s! It was a great night all around." Afterwards...we refueled in the most appropriate way: with delicious Mexican food!
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| before... |
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| after |
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| happy to be dooooone!! |
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| Our friend Aaron (who lives in the Quad City area) also ran! (Aaron is seen here in the blue shorts.) |
So, fifteen days later when I returned to the course on race day I was able to absolutely kill it. I got my PR and my coveted sub-50. I got a 49:39 which is a 7:06 average pace per mile. Here's hoping I can smash this next year and get my average pace under 7 minutes. Big shout out to Clint here for not only being an awesome coach and helping me reach this big PR - but for putting up with my Bix obsession and accompanying me to this race since 2014! Get ready for a lifetime of Bix-ing, Mr. Wells! :)
Bix time History:
2005- 1:05.23
2006- 1:09.02
2007- 1:09.01
2008- 1:10.25
2009- 58:36 (FINALLY UNDER AN HOUR!)
2010- 56:42
2011- 59:00
2012- 58:03
2013- 56:46
2014- 56:46 (Identical to the previous year?! Craziness!)
2015- 52:01 (PR for two years!) (Race report here)
2016- 55:33 (3 months postpartum)
2017 - 49:39 WOOOOOT!!!
Total July Miles: 139 - biggest mileage month in 2017! (But not my biggest lifetime mileage month - that was in August of 2015 when I ran 150 leading up to the Last Chance BQ2 Marathon)
Other Notable July Accomplishments: I really can't think of anything in particular...I ran a lot...hung out with Gabe a lot...visited our Quad Cities family...worked on my two doctoral independent studies (that may or may not have really stressed me out a time or two :))...helped edit a friend's doctoral project...worked a bit at SPICE...swam with with my boy...and generally did my best to ENJOY summer and time with family and friends!
AUGUST
Running-wise, the month started out with a bang! I ran a 20:20 (PR!) at the Evergreen Lake 5k! I was really hoping to FINALLY go sub-20 (a big goal of mine), but I wasn't able to quite get there this time. Still, I was very happy with the results...and, man, reminded how badly 5ks HURT!!
Race Fourteen: Evergreen Lake 5k
After the race, Clint and I went up to the Quad Cities where we dropped off Gabe with my parents and headed to Iowa City for one night to celebrate our two-year anniversary (our "second" wedding/large ceremony with family and friends was on August 1, 2015!). We had actually planned to go to Chicago and stay in a nice hotel, have dinner in the city, catch a yoga class, etc....but then decided we didn't want to deal with that much driving (about three hours from my parents' house) and that we would just keep things simpler and head to Iowa City (about 45 minutes away). We had a great time - used some hotel points for a free stay, found some great places to eat including a cupcake place with gluten free cupcakes, and went for a run in the morning that ended up being near the University of Iowa's cross country course, so we jumped onto that for a bit of our run! It was a great (though short) get away.
Total August Miles: 97.4
Other Notable August Accomplishments:
1) TROPHY NIGHT - the final Kids Run For Fun event of the summer was on Friday, August 11 and Gabe was (and still is!!) pretty dang proud of that trophy.
2) August marks the re-start of the academic year. It was EXTRA-big-and-crazy-feeling and, frankly, stressful for me this year because I had a lot of anxiety regarding preparing to teach my very first undergraduate course. I ended up getting kind of sick ("under the weather") and my running suffered (which is really understandable now, looking in the rear-view mirror!). Can't do it all, can we?! Unfortunately mid August ushered in a kind of "running funk" that lasted really through the end of the year (on and off). Looking back, my body was probably just telling me to sloooowwww down! As I write this post and reflect I am realizing just HOW busy this year really was!
3) On the evening of Friday, August 18 after work, Clint and Gabe and I were sitting around outside on our driveway (seriously - HA!), trying to think of something to do. It jumped into our heads that it was the evening of the Danvers Days 5k...and that Paul and Steve were running it! We jumped into the car and drove out to Danvers (about 20 minutes from our home) to spectate...and I actually ended up jumping onto the course and running with Paul for about a mile and a half...with Gabe in the stroller and with me wearing jean capris and Toms! HAHA! What a fun, silly night we had!
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| Me with my best boy |
Other Notable August Accomplishments:
1) TROPHY NIGHT - the final Kids Run For Fun event of the summer was on Friday, August 11 and Gabe was (and still is!!) pretty dang proud of that trophy.
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| One of the mid-summer Kids Run events |
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| GABE'S FIRST TROPHY!! I just can't get enough of that smile! |
2) August marks the re-start of the academic year. It was EXTRA-big-and-crazy-feeling and, frankly, stressful for me this year because I had a lot of anxiety regarding preparing to teach my very first undergraduate course. I ended up getting kind of sick ("under the weather") and my running suffered (which is really understandable now, looking in the rear-view mirror!). Can't do it all, can we?! Unfortunately mid August ushered in a kind of "running funk" that lasted really through the end of the year (on and off). Looking back, my body was probably just telling me to sloooowwww down! As I write this post and reflect I am realizing just HOW busy this year really was!
3) On the evening of Friday, August 18 after work, Clint and Gabe and I were sitting around outside on our driveway (seriously - HA!), trying to think of something to do. It jumped into our heads that it was the evening of the Danvers Days 5k...and that Paul and Steve were running it! We jumped into the car and drove out to Danvers (about 20 minutes from our home) to spectate...and I actually ended up jumping onto the course and running with Paul for about a mile and a half...with Gabe in the stroller and with me wearing jean capris and Toms! HAHA! What a fun, silly night we had!
SEPTEMBER
Race Fifteen: Quad Cities Half Marathon
Total September Miles: 88.6
Other Notable September Accomplishments:
1) Labor Day weekend we traveled up to Michigan to spend three days with my family as a mini-vacation. We had a similar trip last summer (August of 2016) and had a great time - but we were even more excited this year since uncle Dan and aunt Laura could join us (they live in California and it is, understandably, not nearly as easy for them to get out to visit the family here often!). We got in some quality runs with my dear sister Megan and had a lot of time for relaxation, which was great (especially after my stressful August).
2) On Tuesday, September 19 I spoke on a panel of four local runners at Often Running on the topic of "How To Have Your Best Race Yet." While I felt absolutely inadequate to speak with any authority on the matter, I did have a fun time speaking (in spite of some nerves!). I posted a wrap-up of what we spoke about here.
Total September Miles: 88.6
Other Notable September Accomplishments:
1) Labor Day weekend we traveled up to Michigan to spend three days with my family as a mini-vacation. We had a similar trip last summer (August of 2016) and had a great time - but we were even more excited this year since uncle Dan and aunt Laura could join us (they live in California and it is, understandably, not nearly as easy for them to get out to visit the family here often!). We got in some quality runs with my dear sister Megan and had a lot of time for relaxation, which was great (especially after my stressful August).
2) On Tuesday, September 19 I spoke on a panel of four local runners at Often Running on the topic of "How To Have Your Best Race Yet." While I felt absolutely inadequate to speak with any authority on the matter, I did have a fun time speaking (in spite of some nerves!). I posted a wrap-up of what we spoke about here.
OCTOBER
Ahhhhhh...OCTOBER! This month has always been one of my favorites {FALL!!} and it is definitely one of the most special months of the year for our family - Gabe's half birthday, Clint's birthday, my birthday (and it is also the month of my mom's birthday and my parents' anniversary!).
I headed to my parents' where I met my grad school roommate and good friend Brooke to hang out at Augustana College's homecoming. Though we didn't get close until graduate school, we did go to Augustana College together, both majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders! We planned to attend the CSD alumni brunch - and I took the opportunity to register for the Homecoming 5k, something I had never done but had always wanted to do! Megan met me there the morning of the race and we both ran it - it was a yucky day, weather-wise, but thankfully the rain that had been forecasted held off! I had planned to bring Gabe and push him but my mom convinced me to leave him with her...a great plan I soon realized and appreciated!
The following weekend, keeping up with the theme of collegiate homecoming 5ks, I hit up the ISU homecoming race!
Race Seventeen: Town and Gown 5k
Total October Miles: 73
Other Notable October Accomplishments:
1) Clint returned to the Hennepin Hundred event the first weekend in October, this year doing the 50-miler (last year he did the hundred...I wrote about my experiences spectating and pacing the end of that beast here!).
2) I turned 35 on October 28 and Clint turned 33 on October 25 (oh, and Gabe celebrated his half birthday and "turned" 18 months on the 22nd)!
3) We celebrated Clint's birthday with a 10-mile family run - I joked and called this "cramming for the test" as the Indy Monumental Marathon neared (and my training had been less than marathon-worthy leading up to it!).
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| Thanks, Clint, for this great shot - one of my faves! |
Total October Miles: 73
Other Notable October Accomplishments:
1) Clint returned to the Hennepin Hundred event the first weekend in October, this year doing the 50-miler (last year he did the hundred...I wrote about my experiences spectating and pacing the end of that beast here!).
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| I was realllllly proud of this shirt I had made for this occasion - ask us who has the current marathon PR in the Wells household!! Hahaha!! |
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| Auntie Megan, Macy and Charlee came out to spectate Uncle Clint, too! We had a great time! |
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| The girlies were pretty excited to run in with Clint to one of the aid stations |
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| Family! Grateful for these memories together! |
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| Behind the scenes shot from Gabe's 18-month photo shoot |
NOVEMBER
November was a really big month in some ways...I learned that I could "fun run" a marathon and get a sub-3:45 while smiling and laughing and taking pictures. We had an amazing weekend at the Indy Monumental event - thanks, again, to my mom for watching Gabe for us at our home. Thanks, too, to all of our area friends who made it such a great weekend - it was like a running-group field trip with so many of "us" there! Definitely a highlight of the season.
Race Eighteen: Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
I also learned I could chase a marathon with a 10k the very next day...
I also learned I could chase a marathon with a 10k the very next day...
Race Nineteen: Canal Connection 10k
...And then...I learned that that all wasn't probably the best idea (SURPRISE!) and I sustained some knee soreness the Tuesday after the big race weekend that has now lasted until the end of the year and rolled into 2018. In spite of it, I didn't let it shut down my participation in my favorite Turkey Trot...
...And then...I learned that that all wasn't probably the best idea (SURPRISE!) and I sustained some knee soreness the Tuesday after the big race weekend that has now lasted until the end of the year and rolled into 2018. In spite of it, I didn't let it shut down my participation in my favorite Turkey Trot...
Race Twenty: Oglesby Turkey Trot
And then just two days later, I rounded out the month with my first-ever time participating in the Festival of Lights East Peoria Illinois River Trail Classic 4-Miler...talk about an awesome/FUN race!! I spectated the team last year at the race (with Gabe!) and after getting that front-row seat, definitely desired to participate. I wasn't disappointed!!
And then just two days later, I rounded out the month with my first-ever time participating in the Festival of Lights East Peoria Illinois River Trail Classic 4-Miler...talk about an awesome/FUN race!! I spectated the team last year at the race (with Gabe!) and after getting that front-row seat, definitely desired to participate. I wasn't disappointed!!
Race Twenty-one: FOLEPI River Trail Classic 4-miler
Total November Miles: 66.9
Other Notable November Accomplishments:
1) I had the fewest number of miles for any month in 2017 this month (66.9)...but I had the most races (4). I actually only ran TEN days this month and took 13 days completely off in the middle of the month, thanks to my right knee giving me fits (patellar-femoral syndrome)
2) On November 17, I FINALLY started a regular strength training routine again (authored by Coach Clint). I have been sorely lacking in the strength department and I know that if I want to be a better, stronger runner I need to do some serious strength training. We don't have a gym membership (and frankly I can't imagine how I would manage treks to the gym on top of everything else going on right now), so my strength training incorporates things we have at home (resistance bands, adjustable dumbbells, and a new weight bench - Clint's Christmas present from his parents!). But, I am happy to report that I have actually been consistent with the weight training and have gotten at least two strength workouts in per week since starting...and am closing out the year with about 13 strength workouts under my belt. Most of these are done in the living room with the beautiful sounds of Koo Koo Kangaroo emanating from the TV to keep Gabe occupied. Whatever you have to do to #getitdone, right?!
3) Canal Connection marked the "end" of Clint's wild 9-week-long "challenge" during which he completed:
-Lake Evergreen 50k,
-Fox Valley Marathon (his FIRST road marathon on an insanely hot day),
-Quad Cities Marathon,
-Hennepin 50 miler,
-Indy Monumental Marathon, and
-Canal Connection 10k.
Total November Miles: 66.9
Other Notable November Accomplishments:
1) I had the fewest number of miles for any month in 2017 this month (66.9)...but I had the most races (4). I actually only ran TEN days this month and took 13 days completely off in the middle of the month, thanks to my right knee giving me fits (patellar-femoral syndrome)
2) On November 17, I FINALLY started a regular strength training routine again (authored by Coach Clint). I have been sorely lacking in the strength department and I know that if I want to be a better, stronger runner I need to do some serious strength training. We don't have a gym membership (and frankly I can't imagine how I would manage treks to the gym on top of everything else going on right now), so my strength training incorporates things we have at home (resistance bands, adjustable dumbbells, and a new weight bench - Clint's Christmas present from his parents!). But, I am happy to report that I have actually been consistent with the weight training and have gotten at least two strength workouts in per week since starting...and am closing out the year with about 13 strength workouts under my belt. Most of these are done in the living room with the beautiful sounds of Koo Koo Kangaroo emanating from the TV to keep Gabe occupied. Whatever you have to do to #getitdone, right?!
3) Canal Connection marked the "end" of Clint's wild 9-week-long "challenge" during which he completed:
-Lake Evergreen 50k,
-Fox Valley Marathon (his FIRST road marathon on an insanely hot day),
-Quad Cities Marathon,
-Hennepin 50 miler,
-Indy Monumental Marathon, and
-Canal Connection 10k.
Having the privilege of being along for the ride for that craziness was something else ;). I am certainly proud of my wild running-man! I am looking forward to seeing what super-human feats he accomplishes during 2018!
DECEMBER
December was ushered in similarly to last year - with our soon-to-be-famous BRRC 5k on the first Saturday of the month. I can't thank each of our participants enough for coming to spend that morning with us (and for supporting our efforts to collect some money for our local Adopt-A-Family program).
Race Twenty-two: BRRC 5k
The Saturday after our little BRRC 5k, we had a day-date at the Da Deer Run Run chased by a lovely late lunch with the the Van Hoofs - what a fun day!
The Saturday after our little BRRC 5k, we had a day-date at the Da Deer Run Run chased by a lovely late lunch with the the Van Hoofs - what a fun day!
Race Twenty-Three: Da Deer Run Run
We closed out the running year with a great weekend December 16/17 - on Saturday, we had a team photoshoot at Often Running followed by an impromptu run by a few of us, and that dinner we had our team holiday dinner at Thai House. The next day, a bunch of us ventured up to Varna (about an hour from BloNo) to Mitch and Carol's house to run the HILLS out at Wildwood. I pushed Gabe in the stroller for one hilly 5-mile loop - which was a little insane but also awesome! Shout out to HR for helping me push that stroller up the three beastliest hills!!
Total December Miles: 89.6 - and, with this, my milage is on an upswing!
Total Miles for 2017: 1307.6 - my largest year of mileage ever in my lifetime!
Other Notable December Accomplishments:
1) I had the honor and privilege of accompanying AP on one of his "AP Runs This Town" runs! {In short, our good friend AP made a plan back in August to run every single street in the town of Bloomington! He accomplished this goal as of 12/30/2017!} At 11:00 am on Saturday, December 30, 2017 I met up with him and Holly-Rae and Tanya at Brookridge Park in Bloomington and ran just over 10.5 miles with him for his final run of his self-imposed challenge. While I wish I could've joined him for MORE of his 75 runs/629.99 total miles...I am glad SO I did have the opportunity to run with him this one time! What an amazing accomplishment, AP!
2) December marked the end of the academic semester - and my very first semester teaching an undergraduate course! Yes, this has nothing to do with running...but it does affect my running as it was a big part of my life this year. I was really nervous about teaching for the first time and, frankly, not sure that I was cut out for it. However, I grew to love it. I looked forward to time with my students and it was SO amazing to watch them learn and grow and change over the course of the semester. Although opening the file that was sent to me at the end of the semester that contained the students' feedback regarding the course caused me some serious anxiety - I was STUNNED to receive some really great reviews from my students. This was absolutely rewarding and encouraging.
3) I received two As in the two doctoral courses I was enrolled in this semester. This semester marked the end of eleven semesters (or 3.5 years) of work toward my doctoral degree in Special Education. I have earned 47 credit hours and at the end of this coming spring semester I will have earned 56 credit hours (I am enrolled in 6 credit hours/two courses, plus am finishing up an incomplete course from last summer). I will take my comprehensive examinations in the summer of 2018...after which it is Dissertation Time!
4) I applied to be a brand ambassador for Huma Gel - my very favorite run nutrition item - and was accepted a week ago! I'm looking forward to supporting this brand in 2018 and to using it to chase more PRs and big goals!
5) Celebrating Gabe's second Christmas with our immediate family, extended family, and various friends was pretty special. Here are a few highlights:
Our family's Christmas card (one of my favorite things each year is sending and receiving holiday cards!) -
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| One of my fav race shirts - I actually have been wearing it so often that when Clint wore his the other day, Gabe looked at it and said, "Mama!" while pointing. HA! |
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| Team Dinner at Thai House |
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| Wildwood Warriors |
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| Teamwork makes the dream work! |
Total Miles for 2017: 1307.6 - my largest year of mileage ever in my lifetime!
Other Notable December Accomplishments:
1) I had the honor and privilege of accompanying AP on one of his "AP Runs This Town" runs! {In short, our good friend AP made a plan back in August to run every single street in the town of Bloomington! He accomplished this goal as of 12/30/2017!} At 11:00 am on Saturday, December 30, 2017 I met up with him and Holly-Rae and Tanya at Brookridge Park in Bloomington and ran just over 10.5 miles with him for his final run of his self-imposed challenge. While I wish I could've joined him for MORE of his 75 runs/629.99 total miles...I am glad SO I did have the opportunity to run with him this one time! What an amazing accomplishment, AP!
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| Taken somewhere on the State Farm Corporate South campus as we Ran This Town! |
3) I received two As in the two doctoral courses I was enrolled in this semester. This semester marked the end of eleven semesters (or 3.5 years) of work toward my doctoral degree in Special Education. I have earned 47 credit hours and at the end of this coming spring semester I will have earned 56 credit hours (I am enrolled in 6 credit hours/two courses, plus am finishing up an incomplete course from last summer). I will take my comprehensive examinations in the summer of 2018...after which it is Dissertation Time!
4) I applied to be a brand ambassador for Huma Gel - my very favorite run nutrition item - and was accepted a week ago! I'm looking forward to supporting this brand in 2018 and to using it to chase more PRs and big goals!
5) Celebrating Gabe's second Christmas with our immediate family, extended family, and various friends was pretty special. Here are a few highlights:
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| Seeing Santa with Mama at a party...Gabe was skeptical but Santa gave him a thumb's up! (HA!) |
Our family's Christmas card (one of my favorite things each year is sending and receiving holiday cards!) -
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| Designed by Holly-Rae (BIG THANKS!!)... after I told her what I envisioned doing with this "family photo fail" :) |
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| (Back of card) |
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| Very special Christmas Eve celebration |
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| He got his very own jogging stroller on Christmas Morning! |
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| Gabe enjoyed sharing one of his favorite gifts (from Grandma and Grandpa Wells) with Olivia |
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| This boy's love of reading has increased drastically this year! One of his most-uttered requests is "Read! Read!" |
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| Gabe put his new "cell phone" in the cupholder of his new tryke (independently) - hysterical. |
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| Snacking while Dada reads in matchy pjs |
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| Do not be deceived...it wasn't all fun and games...hehehe! |
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| Runners be crazy |
Speaking of PRs....
New PRs:
This year I earned PRs in 10 of the 11 (strictly-running) race distances I have ever completed (I am NOT counting triathlons - I haven't completed a triathlon since 2015)! It is SO empowering to come back from pregnancy and post-partum life FASTER and STRONGER...something I truly didn't think would be possible. AND...four of these PRs were actually set while I was pushing Gabe in the stroller!
5k: 20:20 (Evergreen Lake 5k/Hudson, IL/August 5, 2017) My 5k distance PR was actually whittled away at 3x this year - with gradually faster PRs set in January, March, and August
4 mile: 27:32 (FOLEPI River Trail Classic/East Peoria, IL/November 25, 2017) *Set with stroller*
5 mile: 35:34 (Park2Park/Bloomington, IL/July 4, 2017) *Set with stroller*
8k: 39:02 (Da Deer Run Run/Hudson, IL/December 9, 2017)
10k: 44:30 (Run for Hope/Bloomington, IL/March 26, 2017) *Set with stroller*
7 mile: 49:39 (Bix 7/Davenport, IA/July 29, 2017)
12k: 53:18 (Lake Run/Hudson, IL/May 6, 2017) *Set with stroller*
15k: 1:08:22 (Steamboat Classic/Peoria, IL/June 17, 2017)
13.1: 1:33:39 (Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon/Springfield, IL/April 1, 2017)
26.2: 3:23:07 (U of I Marathon/Champaign, IL/April 22, 2017)
(*The only distance I did not PR at this year was the mile - my current mile race PR is 6:17 which was set in July of 2014. I did run a 5:54 mile in June this summer - but it was during a track workout with Gabe in the stroller and not during a race, so I am not counting it as a true PR)
This year, I am looking forward to *HOPEFULLY* seeing more PRs with paces in the 6s. Currently my 5k PR and my 4-mile PR are both in the 6s (6:33 and 6:53, respectively). However, at distances longer than that my paces jump to the 7s (5 mile PR pace is 7:07 and 10k PR pace is 7:10).
Notable Race Placing:
Overall Female:
1 - Run for Hope 10k/March
2 - Toluca Double Diamond Dash 5k/June
3 - Evergreen Lake 5k/August
4 - Dome Dash (Augustana College Homecoming 5k)/October
"Larger" Races/standout performances
~7th Overall Female at the Steamboat Classic 15k in June/Peoria, IL
~2nd Place F30-34 age group at the Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon in April/Springfield, IL
~3rd Place F30-34 age group at the Illinois Marathon in April/Champaign-Urbana, IL
Pacing:
The three times I had the privilege of running with two different people as they chased some of their own goals were pretty special and were absolutely some of my highlights of this year. I hope to have more opportunities like these in 2018.
~I ran with Holly-Rae when she earned a 5k PR at the Downs Freedom 5k in June and when she earned a marathon PR at the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon in November.
~I ran with my sister Megan in her first half marathon after a few years (during which she was running shorter distances and having babies and living life!) in September at the Quad Cities Marathon event.
Lessons Learned in 2017:
1. Becoming a mom does not mean you have to quit chasing dreams that are not "related" to your child.
2. Becoming a mom does not mean you will become slower or weaker.
3. Getting older does not mean you will become slower or weaker (I am 35 and in the best shape of my life!).
4. Our children watch e-v-e-r-y move we make and try to imitate our behaviors, so make sure your behaviors are worth imitating!! (Example: We call our cat Richard "Dick Dick" because, well, Dick is short for Richard right?! And...well...also, Richard can be kind of a "Dick." What do you think Gabe calls Richard now? Yeah - "Di Di!" HAHA!!)
5. Life is short - and our relationships with family and friends are of the utmost importance. Don't let there be any question for people you care about of how you feel about them.
6. I do not truly know what my limits are - I haven't found them yet and I look forward to chasing them down.
7. I love the marathon - it is truly my favorite distance.
8. The podcast, "I'll Have Another" with Lindsey Hein is an awesome way to pass the time on the treadmill AND it has some amazing running truths that are passed on by some great female runners. Check it out! It's taught me a lot and I can wait to listen more throughout the coming year - it has really made me think about increasing my mental toughness and I LOVE to hear from other women, particularly those like me who are moms in their mid-30s and who are absolutely KILLING their marathon times. It has really made me think about what COULD be possible with my running. Who knows, right?!
Looking ahead...
I truly always love the late December/early January period of each year and taking the opportunity to look at where I was and dream/make plans regarding where I want to be at this time next year. A bright, clean, new year full of opportunity lies ahead...
I haven't registered for any races yet in 2018 other than the Boston Marathon (oh THAT little thing... ;)). I will definitely plan to do all of our Bloomington-Normal area race team circuit races (or at least as many as we don't have conflicts for) and I would like to do a few others...but I don't have anything specific in mind...really, I am just focused on big things in the months of April and October in the coming year...because our family's BIG running-related goals in 2018 are:
1) I am running Boston in April
2) Clint is running TWO 100-milers in October.
(*Clint's goal is not secondary to mine ;)...it is simply listed second because my race is during the first part of the year and his are during the second)
BOSTON...
My A-race this year is Boston, no doubt. This race has been a dream of mine for a long time and I honestly can't believe it's actually going to be happening this year (in less than four months, no less!). Most people I talk to say that my goal for Boston should be to FINISH and to ENJOY the race and not to worry about time goals or PRs. Honestly, I know I am blissfully ignorant since I've never run the course. But - I do really want to do something big there. I want to PR and I want to run ~3:10. A 7:14 pace would give me a sub-3:10 (3:09:39) and this is the goal I am currently clinging to. This might sound big and crazy and maybe it's not even realistic at this point, but I am going to try. There - it's out there!!
After Boston...
I am not sure! If I don't PR at Boston, I might look for another marathon later on this year. If I do PR at Boston, I might look to tackling a 50k. THAT sounds big and scary for sure, but it is something that has been in the back of my mind for a while - I haven't ever done one and ultra-marathoning is a big part of who Clint is, so it would be fun to be able to share that with him. We'll see.
This brings me to...
My Goals for 2018
1. Be the best wife and mom I can be, first and foremost. My family will always come first.2. FINISH Boston...and earn a marathon PR!
3. FINALLY break 20 in a 5k (so close with my 20:20 PR!)...probably in the late summer or early fall.
4. Support Clint through his two 100-milers in October...in whatever forms he needs!
5. Finish my doctoral course work (spring) and comprehensive exams (summer) and get started on my dissertation (fall).
6. Incorporate more regular strength training into my weekly training to be the STRONGEST I can be in 2018!
7. Run a sub-35:00 at the Park2Park 5-miler on July 4, 2018.
8. Run a sub-49:00 at the Bix 7 on July 28, 2018 (this will be my 15th Bix...better make it BIG!).
9. Run 1500 miles total in the year.
10. Pace two people to PRs at any distance.
11. Run some sort of epic stroller race - I think running a stroller marathon would really be amazing if I can find one that works schedule-wise (and one that allows strollers...marathons that allow strollers can be hard to come by I've learned through my research!!).
12. Write regular reports/posts of all of my 2018 running shenanigans (certainly NOT leaving out the most important race of the year again...ahem...Bix!!).
13. Continue to be involved in our local running community by volunteering (and I hope to expand my volunteering to even more events this year!) and mentoring other runners (such as through the Heat Wave program in the summer months).
If you read all of this...I can't really believe it :). However - here's to a great 2018 for all of us! Here's to chasing dreams, crushing goals, discovering new things about ourselves, and to strengthening relationships with family and friends along the way. This "hobby jogging" thing is pretty special to me, but it isn't the MOST important thing in my life. I am forever grateful to my supportive husband (with whom I have a "dual relationship," since he's also my coach :)!), my tolerant, hilarious and sweet son, my incredible family and friends, and to God who for some reason has blessed me with the physical ability to do these "crazy" things. I am also so grateful to Mitch Hobbs for the privilege of being a part of the Often Running Racing Team - it is truly like a second family and I love being a part of this special group of humans with all of my heart. Thank you to each of my teammates for being who you are - I am grateful for the lifelong friendships I have gained and for the way we can challenge one another to be better - in training, in racing, and in life in general. I can only hope I am worthy enough of all of the support...and vow to keep doing my very best in all things! Running is certainly not the most important thing in my life, but it is AN important thing that helps me to be a better "me" in the rest of my life. I look forward to watching how it continues to complement my life as well as how it will continue to shape me as a wife, mom, and friend.
Much love to you (yes you!),
Rachel
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| #RunningFamily |
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| Silly pic during a random group run through Uptown Normal - had to stop for a sweaty pic by the mural! |
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| "Look where your sister is holding that banana! Do you think she did that on purpose!?" ........... |
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| See you next year! |
