2019 Year End Review
Training
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Mileage Total: 2,481.8 miles
Days of Running: 277 days (88 days off)
Time Spent Running: ~15 days, 15 hours
Average Pace: 9:06 pace
Longest Run (Distance): 26.2 miles the 2019 Boston Marathon, 2019 Cleveland Marathon, and 2019 New York City Marathon.
Longest Run (Time): 4:07:46 on November 7, 2019 at the 2019 New York City Marathon.
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Most Memorable Training Runs
3. August 24, 2019, Long Run to Flisvos Marina in Athens, Greece. I still remember running through a seedy part of town on cracked sidewalks, arriving at this beautiful port district, and the lovely street vendor who gave me some free gum “For after” my run.
2. October 20, 2019, George Mason Drive Attack of Exhaustion. Training for the 2019 Brazos Bend 50 Miler, I was doing double long runs during the wekends this summer and fall. This was supposed to be my second long run of the weekend – 14 miles – but just 3 miles in, I knew I couldn’t do it and something was physically wrong with me. I ended up taking an ride-share service home.
1. September 29, 2019, C&O Canal Attack of Exhaustion. This run was my first sign of trouble. After finishing this double, my jaw locking up and I thought I was going to faint. I was so panicked that I almost flagged down another runner for help! I walked two miles back to my car. (In November, I was treated for high blood pressure and a Vitamin D deficiency and am currently on the mend!)
Racing
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Number of Races: 8
Marathons: 2019 Boston Marathon, 2019 Cleveland Marathon, 2019 New York City Marathon
Half marathons: 2019 Rock n Roll DC Half Marathon, 2019 Maryland Half Marathon
10 Miler: 2019 EX2 Adventures Fall Backyard Burn 10 Mile Race #1: Lake Fairfax
5K: 2019 Firecracker 5K for the Troops
Relay: 2019 Ragnar Sunset Washington DC
Personal Records: None.
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Most Memorable Races
3. 2019 Ragnar Sunset Washington DC. This was my first time captaining a Ragnar relay team! I have to admit – it was a little stressful. Unfortunately, we received an unofficial result, even though we “doubled-up” and started our Runner Three and Four together before the 7pm cut off. The National Harbor was a great venue, though.
2. 2019 Cleveland Marathon. Based on the warm weather forecast, I adjusted my expectations considerably and just wanted to finish. If this race was a week or two earlier, I think it could be a destination event – it was well organized and there’s just enough to do around downtown for a three-day weekend.
1. 2019 New York City Marathon. There is so much I could write about the physical and emotional journey I took during this marathon! I hit a wall around Mile 17 and thought this might be my first “Did Not Finish” in a race. But, I just kept putting one foot in front of the other and ultimately finished the race.
(My Racing Schedule and Race Reports)
Weather
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It was another record setting year weather wise. Washington D.C. tied the regional record for 90 degree days; and also set the record for days over 80 degrees, the wettest 365 days, and most rain to fall within an hour.
Hottest Run: 88 degrees on September 21st.
Coldest Run: 23 degrees on December 19th.
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Most Memorable Weather
3. January 31, 2019, Polar Vortex in Washington, DC. The night before, a “polar vortex” moved across the region bringing single-digit temperatures and some snow to the region on Thursday.
2. September 21, 2019, Ragnar Sunset Washington DC. We cooked all day under a tent and then raced in 88 degree temperatures.
1. April 17, 2019, Cleveland Marathon. The spectators were fantastic – spraying runners with hoses and giving out water. In the final miles, the temperature was 84 degrees!
Clothing
Favorite New Products
3. Outerwear. Oiselle Flyout Jacket. Last winter, I searched for a jacket that would keep me warm during in the winter. This jacket seemed the most promising but after wearing it a few times, I thought it was best suited as an outer shell on moderately cold days than as a protective layer during long runs in the winter. The fit is nice, though and the fabric really moves!
2. Shorts. Oiselle Mac Toolbelt Roga Short. This version of Oiselle’s classic short has a pocket that spans the entire waistband. It’s great for carrying cards, gels, or even a small smartphone. The fit is near perfect on me with adequate coverage in the rear. The fabric was a little heavier than I prefer but was still very comfortable. The only downside was a tag on the back that caused chaffing but it was easy to cut out.
1. Visors. Brooks Chaser Visor. I purchased this visor at the 2019 Rock n Roll DC Half Marathon and it fits my small head. And, I liked the adjustable band better than Velcro, which is used by some manufacturers. The brim is a little shallow but I’m happy to just pull it down because it actually fits well.
Gear
Favorite New Products
3. Hydration packs. Camelbak Circuit Vest. After the 2018 San Diego 50 Miler, I decided I needed a hydration pack that holds bottles. This pack has two large, deep pockets in the front for handheld bottles or flasks, and 1.5 liter Crux Reservoir in the back. On the right shoulder, there’s a mesh pocket suitable for nutritional products and on the left, a zippered pocket for a phone.
2. Safety Identification. Road ID. Now that I’m taking medication regularly, I ordered new medical identification to wear on my runs. This time, I chose a wrist band with updated contact information (one next of kin and one friend who lives locally), my blood type, the name of my medication and “NKA” (no known allergies). Revisiting the site, it seemed to me that the vendor has tried offering more options, including fashionable ones, to generate interest in wearing some type of identification.
1. Headphones. JLab JBuds Air True Wireless Earbuds. My quest for a study pair of wireless headphones continued. I bought this set from Best Buy so I could get a warranty in case they broke. They are very small and might be the most comfortable pair I’ve tried so far. Unfortunately, the play time isn’t great. I only get about two hours on a full charge.
Nutrition
Notable Products
3. Sports drinks. Maurten Drink Mix. The sports drink of champions! I finally tried this much touted brand. While disappointed with the sugar water taste, mixing it with other drinks has made it more enjoyable. Each packet goes into 500 ml (17 ounces) of water. Each “sachel” has 160 calories, 39 grams of carbohydrate. For electrolytes, it has 400 micro-grams of sodium.
2. Sports drinks. VFuel Ultra Endurance Drink Mix. I got this packet through a StrideBox way back in December 2016. The taste was very subtle – almost like sugar water with a slight mystery flavor at the end – but good. It has 200 calories, 49 grams of carbohydrate, 235 micrograms of sodium, 85 mg of potassium, 10 mg of magnesium, and 20 mg of calcium.
1. Energy gels. Maurten Sports Fuel Gel 100. The texture was a little weird – like squishy little beads. And, the taste was sugary but bland – like marshmallow. But more importantly, it agreed with my stomach. One satchel is 100 calories, 25 grams of carbohydrate, and 34 micro-grams of sodium.
(My Guide to Running Nutrition)
Routes
Notable Developments
3. Parks. Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove. This spring, I went searching for the bridge that connects to the Mount Vernon Trail from the north parking lot at the Pentagon. I knew it existed but over the years, only attempted to find it once.
gel 100
I found it and thought it was much safer than crossing the near the Memorial Bridge.
2. “County Plans Detour on Four Mile Run Trail Near Sewage Plant,” ArlNow. Once again, my favorite running trail for doing speed work and getting to the Mount Vernon Trail was disrupted. This time, the work only lasted a few weeks.
1. W&OD Trail – Wilson Detour, NOVA Parks. The storm that came through the area in early July had some lasting impacts. For runners, a section of the W&OD Trail under Wilson Boulevard was impassable for weeks and led to a detour over a busy road.
Favorite Pictures
3. Pacific Beach – 06302019. Washington, DC is a beautiful place to run, but I traveled back to my hometown, San Diego, California this summer and got to run along Pacific Beach.
2. United States Air Force Memorial at Sunrise – 07142019. I pass this memorial, which is in my neighborhood, frequently but rarely in time to catch the sun rising over the spires.
1. Last View of the Acropolis, August 30 2019. I also spent a week in Athens, Greece this summer and ran many of my runs past the Acropolis.
Media & Motivation
Memorable News
3. “Nike Told Me to Dream Crazy, Until I Wanted a Baby,” New York Times. In her op-ed piece, track and field star Alysia Montaño chastised Nike for the company’s hypocrisy for elevating female athletes in its marketing:
But, through its sponsorship contracts, undercut women who want to take a break in their career to have children. Shortly thereafter, the company removed contract reductions for pregnant athletes. (At the 11:40 mark of this podcast, the producer of the article, Lindsay Crouse, said she purposefully focused on Nike. Also, professional runner Deena Kastor posted how her experience with Asics differed.)
2. “Shalane Flanagan Retires from Professional Running,” Runner’s World. One of the handful of runners known by just one name, Shalane announced her retirement this year. She inspired so many runners! For me, it was because there didn’t seem to be any quit in her.
With happy tears I announce today that I am retiring from professional running.
From 2004 to 2019 I’ve given everything that’s within me to this sport and wow it’s been an incredible ride!
I’ve broken bones,… https://t.co/DVw7gR4GNe
— Shalane Flanagan (@ShalaneFlanagan) October 21, 2019
Who will forget watching her win the 2017 New York City Marathon?! “F— Yeah!”
40 years later, we have an American women champion at the #TCSNYCMarathon. Understandably, @ShalaneFlanagan just overwhelmed with joy.🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/PSnAcz63GR
— TCS New York City Marathon (@nycmarathon) November 5, 2017
1. “Eliud Kipchoge Breaks Two-Hour Marathon Barrier“, Runner’s World. There wasn’t bigger news in the running world this year! Even non-runners and media took notice of this historic accomplishment.
HISTORY! pic.twitter.com/qjLfofhL5s
— Eliud Kipchoge (@EliudKipchoge) October 12, 2019
Even though it wasn’t record-eligible, it proved that running that fast is possible.
Favorite Podcasts
3. “Episode 492, Comrades Special” Marathon Talk. For loyal listeners, this was a much anticipated episode as host Tom Williams ran the Comrades Marathon (55 miles/89 kilometers) with his father. I swore off running over 50 miles again after the 2018 San Diego 50 Miler, but listening gave me motivation for trying again at the 2019 Brazos Bend 50 Miler.
2. “Episode 112 – Ashley Rollins and the BQ DQ“, Running Rogue. In this episode, Ashley Rollins talked about her training for the California International Marathon and the race itself. Then, the host cut to Derek Murphy from Marathon Investigation who explained her disqualification. It was hard hearing the pain in her voice at the conclusion of the episode.
1. “Episode 53: Brad Stulberg“, The Morning Shakeout. A co-worker, who isn’t a runner, mentioned The Passion Paradox in the context of my job change last year. As a “pusher” myself, I could identify with wanting to put in more work because I love what I do but, as the guest points out, I risk burning-out. I need to stop short some times and rest.
Favorite Songs
3. “Where Is the Love“, The Black Eyed Peas. The version of this song by Josh Vietti has long been on my running playlist but I worked this remake into my music rotation.
2. “Old Town Road,” by Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus. After seeing this viral video, I had to check out the song that inspired this level of pure joy in kids.
1. “Thunderclouds,” LSD – Labrinth, Sia, and Diplo. I listened to this song on repeat for 55 minutes one day, which was a sure sign that I liked it! And, there is the refrain, “You put the running into run.”, so I can pretend it’s running-related.