2023 Year-End Review
The word that might best describe 2023 is pressure. I put a lot of it on myself last year as I returned to the Boston and New York City marathons for the first time since 2019.
In January, I was already three weeks into training for the 2023 Boston Marathon. In mid-February, I ignored the Hansons Plan guidance and started working in long runs over 16 miles. In March, I received my lottery results for the New York City Marathon. In April, I ran the Boston Marathon.
In May, I recuperated and then ran the Capitol Hill Classic. I continued running regularly through June.
In early July, I started training for the 2023 New York City Marathon. In mid-August, I traveled to The Netherlands for work. In October, I was firing on all cylinders, preparing to return to New York City, including a great 2023 Army Ten Miler. But, I learned I wouldn’t return to the 2024 Boston Marathon as I missed the cut-off by 5 seconds. In November, I returned to the New York City Marathon.
In December, my boyfriend and I went on a cruise that included ports in Spain and Portugal.
Training
Mileage Total: 2.227.4 miles
Total Time: 15 days, 12 hours, 18 minutes
Average Pace: 9:47
Longest Run (Distance): 26.2 (2023 New York City Marathon)
Longest Run (Time): 3:56:47 (2023 New York City Marathon)
Most Memorable Training Runs
3. Track Runs. This summer, I returned to the track at Wakefield High School and had some great workouts there.
2. Treadmill Runs. This summer, I ran many miles on the treadmill to escape the heat and humidity. I ran them using the Zwift app, which helped reduce boredom.
1. Rotterdam Runs. In August, I traveled to The Netherlands for work and had great training runs around Rotterdam.
Racing
Number of Races: 10
Marathon: 2023 Boston Marathon, 2023 New York City Marathon
Half Marathon: 2023 RnR DC Half Marathon
10 Miler: 2023 Cherry Blossom 10 Miler, 2023 George Washington Patriot Run, 2023 Army Ten Miler
10K: 2023 New Day New Year 10K, 2023 Capitol Hill Classic 10K
5 Miler: 2023 Alexandria Turkey Trot 5 Miler
5K: 2023 Cherry Blossom 5K
Most Memorable Races
3. 2023 Army Ten Miler. I didn’t write a race report for this event, but I performed well, finishing at 1:20:45 (8:05 pace), and felt great doing it.
2. 2023 Boston Marathon. When I finished the 2021 Boston Marathon, I looked back at the finish line because I thought I might not see it again. But I worked my way back in 2023!
1. 2023 New York City Marathon. It’s hard to describe how much it meant to return to my favorite race- the New York City Marathon – and have some of my closest supporters there. It was truly overwhelming.
Weather
It was a fairly unremarkable year for weather in Washington, DC, but there were a few unusual days.
Most Memorable Weather
2. 2023 George Washington Patriot Run. On my trip to the race site, it was raining, and I thought it would be a miserable day. Thankfully, it stopped before the race.
1. Late July Storm. In late July, a strong storm moved through the area. It uprooted many trees, including some on the Custis Trail. Navigating all of the obstacles was quite an adventure!
Clothing
Memorable Products
Gear
Memorable Products
FindMyMarathon Pace Band. I really enjoyed running with one.
Heart Rate Strap.
Nutrition
Memorable Products
Routes
Memorable Developments
Media & Motivation
Favorite Pictures
Memorable News
1. “22,019 Qualified Athletes Have Been Accepted Into April’s Race,” Boston Athletic Association. This year, the buffer was 5 minutes and 29 seconds. My time from this year’s Boston Marathon was 3:49:36, which means I was only 5 minutes and 24 seconds under the standard, which means I will miss out on the race due to 5 seconds!
Favorite Movies, Books, and Podcasts
3. Ali on the Run, “Episode 656: Erica Stanley-Dottin, 2:52 Marathoner & Tracksmith Community Manager.” This show was the second of two podcasts that I listened to this week on masters female runners. The guest was more relatable because she worked hard to get to where she was rather than make it seem like she was naturally talented. It would be interesting for her to speculate on why “The List” is so short.
2. “Episode 486: Brad Stulberg – Master of Change, “ I’ll Have Another. I mentioned this podcast in Week 10. I listened to several interviews with Brad Stulberg as he does press for his new book, but I think this was my favorite because he coached the host during the show! Her podcast has changed, and that’s okay. He also talked about aging being a change, which I’m working through now with my running.
1. “Episode 328: Should I Do a Prep Race (Or Not)“, Running Rogue. I started this podcast disagreeing strongly with both hosts because they seemed to take a black-and-white perspective on “tune-up” races. The most important reason missed: racing is fun! If it weren’t for racing, I wouldn’t be a runner. Even though I enjoy the training process, it would be joyless if I went four months – the standard length of a marathon cycle without racing.
Favorite Songs
3. Flowers, I can’t believe how much I played this.
2. What was I made for?
1. I played this more than any song.
JT Running DC
Top Posts
These were the post page and post views on my blog this past year (except for the home page.)
1. Guide to Washington DC Area Running Routes. (1,449 views). This was the most popular page/post on this site last year! It’s long overdue for an update.
2. My 2023 Boston Marathon Training Plan. (516 views.) I was surprised to see so many views for my training plan.
3. My 2023 New York City Marathon Training Plan. (481 views.) My training plan for New York wasn’t too far behind Boston.
