2022 Year End Review
The word that best describes 2022: Balance. There were ups and downs, but overall, everything evened out!
The year started a bit slow. January began with a snowstorm that lasted a few days, and the month ended with a trip to Ithaca, New York, to visit my boyfriend’s family. In between, I ran 30-40 miles/per week.
I upped my mileage in February and felt ready to race in the spring. I also took on a temporary promotion at work. I knew I couldn’t give both equal attention, and I decided to focus more on my career.
When spring sprung in March, I ran the 2022 Reston 10 Miler and the 2022 Rock n Roll DC Half Marathon. And then, in April, I ran the 2022 Cherry Blossom 10 Miler – three races in five weeks! I performed well in all of them, so I was feeling great about running.
Then, in mid-April, my boyfriend and I went on a two-week trans-Atlantic cruise. We left from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Our first stop was Bermuda, and then we had several days at sea before reaching the Azores. I was trying to watch the 2022 Boston Marathon as we were pulling into Lisbon. The trip ended in London. It was fantastic, but all save one run was on the treadmill.
Back from the trip, I threw myself back into running and was quickly back to 40+ miles/week, and by mid-May, I was training for the 2022 Erie Marathon!
During the summer, my non-running life took precedence. I also got a job promotion – the temporary job became permanent in June. We also took a few short trips to Massanutten, Virginia, Atlanta, Georgia, and Bethany Beach, Delaware, knowing more work responsibilities would likely mean fewer vacations. I also had my highest mileage week at the end of July – 64 miles.
In mid-August, we traveled to Maine for a family vacation. I thought it would be ruinous for my training, but it was the best thing to have happened. My training runs in Acadia National Park were terrific! I finished August with the 2022 South Lakes 10K.
In September, I went into the 2022 Erie Marathon with a healthy amount of doubt about how I would do – I missed a lot of threshold-paced runs over the summer – but in the end, I re-qualified for the Boston Marathon! The next day, I broke my toe and took almost eight weeks off running.
By November, I was up to running 30 miles/week and even felt good enough to run the 2022 Alexandria Turkey Trot 5 Miler. I ended the year by starting my training for the 2023 Boston Marathon!
Training
Most Memorable Training Runs
3. Running on the Ship. After several days at sea, I was desperate to run outside when we reached the Azores. The sunrise was amazing, and even though it was a short run, it was invigorating.
2. Atlanta’s Beltline. In May, I traveled to Atlanta to celebrate my niece’s birthday. I ran on the same section of the Beltline as I did many years before. It was amazing how much of it was exactly as I remembered, but also what had changed.
1. Acadia National Park. I had trouble finding the park on my first run, but except those first few miles, I enjoyed every minute of my runs on the carriage roads in Acadia National Park.
Racing
Number of Races: 7 in-person
Marathon: 2022 Erie Marathon
Half Marathon: 2022 RnR DC Half Marathon
10 Miler: 2022 Reston 10 Miler, 2022 Cherry Blossom 10 Miler
10K: 2022 South Lakes 10K
5 Miler: 2022 Alexandria Turkey Trot
5K: 2022 Anacostia Parkrun #150
Most Memorable Races
3. 2022 RnR Roll DC Half Marathon. It was great racing around Washington, DC again. I felt strong and relatively fast! [Race Report]
2. 2022 South Lakes 10K. I really poured my heart into this race, and I was rewarded with a good result. [Race Report]
1. 2022 Erie Marathon. It’s hard to put into words how proud I was of my performance on that day. It may be my best executed marathon. [Race Report]
Mileage Total: 1,877.3 miles
Time Total: 12 days, 20 hours.
Average Pace: 9:52 pace
Longest Run (Distance): 26.2 on September 11th
Longest Run (Time): 3:52:29 on September 11th
My Racing Schedule and Race Reports
Weather
It was a pretty unremarkable year for weather in Washington D.C.
Here were my hottest and coldest runs based on the temperature at the start:
Hottest Run: 79 degrees during Anacostia Parkrun run on July 30th.
Coldest Run: 18 degrees during an easy run on January 21st.
Most Memorable Weather
After purchasing a treadmill last year, I didn’t have as many foul weather running days.
2. Post-2022 Erie Marathon. It was raining fairly hard at the end of the race, and somehow, I missed the mylar blankets they were handing out. I put on the clothes I had worn to the race start, but I was still freezing during the long walk back to the car.
1. Rainy Run in Acadia National Park. One of my runs in the park was rainy. But instead of being dreary, it was serene. I felt at peace.
Clothing
Notable Products
3. Rabbit EZ Tank. I love the Rabbit shorts and plan to wear them for the Erie Marathon. I thought it would be nice to have a matching singlet. I selected this one and was very happy wearing it. It feels like butter! I bought extra small and the cut is a little short on me, but overall it fits well, and would have been great for summer running. Price: $45.
2. Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2. I bought the vapor flys! I figured I needed every advantage to run a Boston qualifying time at the 2022 Erie Marathon. I ran in them for the VO2Max workout this week, and I didn’t feel much different than my other shoes. I noticed they are lighter, and I like how narrow they are, but that’s it so far. I’m hoping I’ll see a difference on marathon day. Price: $250.
1. Lululemon Energy Bra. It doesn’t seem that the Brooks Juno sports bra is ever coming back. In my years long search for a replacement, this bra is my new favorite. It’s a reasonable price for a high-impact support bra in larger sizes. My biggest problem with it is that it doesn’t wick water (i.e., sweat) very well. Price: $58.
Gear
Notable Products
3. Nathan Exodraw 2.0 Insulated Handheld. Last week, I threw away my old, moldy handheld. I went to my local running store for a replacement. It didn’t have the same model, so I purchased this one. The strap placement took a little getting used to because it doesn’t hold the bottle steady. Also, I have to use the bottle refiller at water fountains because it’s flexible. Overall, it’s not a favorite, but it’ll do the trick for the summer. Price: $55
2. Aftershokz Open Run. After over three years of loyal service, my current pair of Aftershokz headphones wouldn’t charge. I bought this newer model, and I think the sound quality is better. I was disappointed that only the Pro model, which is $50 more, works with the app. I would have liked to customize the music settings. Price: $129.95
1. Garmin 245. My old Garmin hadn’t held a charge for very long, so I decided to get a new one. I went to DC Rainmaker’s website and read up on the models. The more expensive 945 didn’t have any features I wanted, so I settled on the 245. I also decided not to get the version with music because I didn’t use it with my old Garmin.
Once I decided which watch I wanted, I wanted it now! I called my local running store. They had it at their downtown location, but going there would be a hassle. (They could transfer it to a nearby store two days later.) I checked online, and REI had it! I’ve had it for a couple of weeks now, and the battery life is fantastic. Price: $299.99
Nutrition
Notable Products
I didn’t try many new products this year, so this list was short.
1. Recovery nutrition. Xtend. I drank this recovery drink that I purchased at my local grocery store after feeling fatigued after so many runs during marathon training. The blue raspberry ice flavor was very tasty. Each serving has 7 grams of BCAAs. Price: $27.99
Routes
Notable Developments
3. Wheels and Heels on the W&OD Trail. While this wasn’t a new development, it was the first time that I encountered it and… I hated it, mainly because the areas where the separation begins and ends are confusing.
2. Route 1 Connector to Four Mile Run Trail. This little connector was a bit of a surprise. It made getting to the eastern side of Route 1 much easier.
1. West Glebe Road Project. The new project that impacted my running the most this year was the detour for the West Glebe Road project. Rather than staying on Four Mile Run, the trail detours onto the sidewalk, so I had to watch my footing, especially during speed work.
Favorite Pictures
3. The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. I don’t make it downtown as often as I used to, so it was a treat running by The Reflecting Pool on a cloudless summer day. I could see the U.S. Capitol Building in the distance.
2. The Lincoln Memorial from the Mount Vernon Trail. Some views never get old. The morning view of the Lincoln Memorial from the Virginia side of the Potomac River is on that list. It makes me feel at peace.
1. Eagle Lake in Acadia Park. It was difficult finding the carriage trails in Acadia Park from our AirBnB in Bar Harbor, Maine, but once I did, I was rewarded with a spectacular view of Eagle Lake.
Media & Motivation
Memorable News
3. Sisson Breaks American Record, USATF. It’s been great watching Emily Sisson develop as a runner. She’s consistently moved up in distances, beating her American competitors as she goes, so it shouldn’t have been a surprise that she broke this record.
2. With Patience and Grit, Sharon Lokedi Wins Womens Race at the 2022 New York City Marathon, Runner’s World. The one thing that made me feel better about the New York City Marathon was watching the women battling it out! Watching her outlast Salpeter was one of the best marathon finishes I’ve ever watched.
1. “Ultramarathoner Michael Wardian Runs Across the U.S. in 62 Days: ‘I Feel Like I Was Made to Do This’,” People Magazine. I’d been tracking our local running legend, Michael Wardian, on his cross-country trek. I remembered how he wanted to do this in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused him to put it off. I was so happy that he could finally accomplish this dream that he had to defer.
Favorite Movies, Books, and Podcasts
I received several running books for Christmas but didn’t read any of them by year’s end. And I didn’t see any running movies this year. So, this list is all podcasts.
3. “Episode 204: Tommie Runz,” The Morning Shakeout. This cast was a powerful listen. I got a sense of how this strong runner turned his life around. And, for the interview skills of the host. It was clearer a hard topic for the guest to talk about, but as a listener, I was glad he got Tommie to open up. (It turns out he also ran the 2022 Erie Marathon!)
2. “Episode 287: On Dreaming Big and Broken Hearts with Kara Goucher,” Running Rogue. This episode gave me a few things to mull over going into the 2022 Erie Marathon. I’ve had a lot of disappointing races – this marathon could be another on the list. But I only regret running a handful of them. Out of the hundreds of races I’ve run, that’s not an alarming percentage.
1. “Brad Stulberg,” Rich Roll. This episode was powerful from the start. It drove home how I might not know how someone else is struggling. Overall, the episode is about groundedness and having more self-compassion. His takeaway advice is to focus on steady progress and consistency over perfectionism and start with things you’ll do or let go of in service of your core values (2:12:15 mark).
Favorite Songs
Honorable Mention. “Unstoppable,” by Sia. This song wasn’t released this year (or last), but I discovered it this fall. It powered me through my training for the 2022 Erie Marathon, and at the end of that race.
3. “Levitating,” Dua Lipa. Ultimately, I put this song in my top three because it was a favorite for most of the year. It’s a fun, magical song to take along on a run.
2. “Beggin’,” Maneskin. My boyfriend and I heard this song on Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve show for 2022 and were both hooked. I listened to this song non-stop during the spring and summer. It’s a great remix of a classic song.
1. “Industry Baby,” Lil Nas. This song was my anthem this year and appeared in all my race playlists. My favorite part of the song is the refrain:
You was never really rootin’ for me anyway
When I’m back up at the top, I wanna hear you say
He don’t run from nothin’, dog
Get your soldiers, tell ’em that the break is over.
My Guide to Media and Motivation
JT Running DC
These were the top page and post views on my blog this year (except for the home page).
3. Thoughts on the Hudson Plan. I wrote this piece several years ago, and it’s consistently the most-read piece on this site! With 275 views in 2022, the same as in 2021, it cracked the Top 3. I may update the post this year even though I haven’t revisited the plan in many years.
2. Guide to the New York City Marathon. I was surprised to see this page in the Top 3 because I didn’t run the New York City Marathon this year and had no opportunities to promote it. Nonetheless, it got 392 views this year.
1. Guide to Washington DC Area Running Routes. With 1,061 views, this was the most popular page/post on this site last year! It is past due for an update; hopefully, I’ll get around to that in 2023!
