2014 isn't the first year I was a runner (that was 1998), but it is the first year I kept dedicated track of my training.
I use Marty Jerome's logbook, which is specific for runners.
2014
In 2014, I ran 1861.4 miles total. I ran on 240 days out of the year. This averages out to 7.75 miles per run, and 35.8 miles per week.
In this year, I ran my very first full marathon, the American Discovery Trail Marathon, in 4:51:21. I ran many shorter races, including the PPRR Fall Series.
2015
In 2015, I ran 1875.9 miles total. I ran on 244 days out of the year. This averages out to 7.69 miles per run, and 36.07 miles per week.
In this year, I ran my first ever Pikes Peak Ascent in 4:51:57. I also ran my second marathon, the Denver Rock & Roll Marathon. I had a tough day and it took me 5:39:38.
2016
In 2016, I ran 2171.7 miles total. I ran on 245 days out of the year. This averages out to 8.86 miles per run, and 41.76 miles per week.
In this year, I attempted to run my first ultramarathon race at the Greenland Trail 50k. Instead, the weather was absolutely horrid (blowing snow and frostbitten winds). The race director made the call to shut the finish line several hours early, so I didn't get my first 50k finish, instead completing three loops for 37.5k. This was the first race I actually wrote a blog post about on this blog.
I made up for it with my main goal of the year, which was my first ever Pikes Peak Marathon. (And third marathon ever run.) I broke my Ascent record from 2015 during the Marathon, topping out in 4:24:35. My round-trip time was 7:25:53, a time I was satisfied with.
This was also the year that I ran my first ever ultradistance, although it wasn't in a race. I turned 30 and I ran 30 miles to celebrate, running from Greenland Open Space to Jack Quinn's (downtown.)
This was ALSO the year that Bailey and I ran to Cripple Creek from North Cheyenne Cañon, a big adventure run that I'd been wanting to do for some time.
2017
In 2017, I ran 1749.9 miles total. I ran on 192 days out of the year. This averages out to 9.11 miles per run, and 33.65 miles per week.
This was the summer that I worked at the Garden of the Gods as a park safety (foot ranger). I walked a ton of mileage, which I didn't include in my training log, but amounted to a lot of additional ultramarathon training.
This year, I ran a number of important races, beginning with my fourth marathon at the Sedona Marathon in Sedona, AZ. This somewhat hilly course was a challenge for me, and I finished in 5:12:18.
In April, I ran the 24 Hours of Palmer Lake (Death Race.) I intended to make the full 24 hours, but I bailed after 17.5 hours, giving me a total of 65 loops around the lake and approximately 55 miles by my GPS. Although this was my first time running more than 50 miles, I still hesitate to "count" that distance, since it was completely pancake flat.
Then, in June, I ran my fifth marathon at the Leadville Trail Marathon. This interesting course climbs around Ball Mountain before ascending Mosquito Pass and returning the same way. This was more on par with the Pikes Peak Marathon for elevation gain. I finished in 7:01:08.
My final goal race of the year was the Grand Traverse, a 40 mile point-to-point race from Crested Butte to Aspen which ascends two major mountain passes (Star Pass and Taylor Pass). I had one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life, even though I was only 5 minutes in front of the tightest cut off. I finished successfully, in 11:51:26. (This is a race I never wrote a blog about, but I hope to review in a future post.)
2018
In 2018, I ran 1127.6 miles total. I ran on 109 days out of the year. This averages out to 10.34 miles per run, and 21.68 miles per week.
To start the year off, I ran an adventure run with Bailey, this time from Balanced Rock to Woodland Park.
I got more into weightlifting this year, and ran fewer times on average. When I did run, I preferred to run longer, since my runs were less frequent.
This year, I signed up for the Human Potential Running Series membership, so all of my races were a part of this series. My first race in the series was the 6-Hour Stories Ultra, which was hosted locally in Cheyenne Mountain State Park. I ran 20.2 miles in very muddy conditions.
The second race I ran in the series was the Tommy Knocker 12-Hour Ultra. This was hosted in White Ranch Open Space near Golden. The weather at this race was mystical and foggy, and once again there was a lot of mud along some portions of the course. The race is challenging with plenty of altitude change. I rounded out 33.24 miles. Here is the blog post about that race, with photos.
The third race I entered was the Last Call 50 Miler. This was a crazy midnight-start 50 mile mountain ultra, and I snapped my ankle really badly at mile 14, but walked for another 19 miles until mile 33 where I dropped the race. My first DNF, and the injury still bothers me to this day. Here is the blog I wrote about that experience. Despite the injury and continuing treatment of that, I am thick-headed enough to still be a runner. Go figure. :)
2019
In 2019, I ran 934.0 miles total. I ran on 103 days out of the year. This averages out to 9.07 miles per run, and 17.96 miles per week.
This year, I decided to make one race goal and stick to it. I didn't even run any other races. I went all in for the Pikes Peak Ascent. Unfortunately I had a bad muscle cramp in the race and didn't make my goal time, but I still bested my previous Ascent time, finishing in 4:24:04.
I was hoping to get at least 1000 miles this year, but narrowly missed that goal because I had to take a mandatory 4 weeks of from running after my surgery. Nonetheless, it was a great year for adventure runs! I did a big loop with Jim in Lost Creek Wilderness; and Pawnee-Buchanan loop with Dionne in the Indian Peaks. I tagged 14ers with Dionne and with Lindsay. I saw a lot of new wilderness areas in Colorado, and I finally ascended Pikes Peak via the south slopes. Sharon and I trained all summer for the Ascent with plenty of altitude gain, including one run that "accidently" became more of an adventure when the summit house was closed. It's been such an interesting and fruitful year, and I thank everyone who was a part of my adventures this season.
Looking Forward to 2020
For 2020, I've already modified my goals slightly. My husband gifted me race entry to the Golden Gate Dirty 30! I'm excited and looking forward to this race, which includes over 7,000 feet elevation gain over the 50k course. Since this race is May 30th, I'll still have time in the autumn to do some great adventuring. The Four Pass Loop is still on my bucket list, as is going to the Grand Canyon. I would also like to consider being a pacer for 20-30 miles at the Leadville 100. There's so much to do, so many goals to complete! For now, I'm thankful that I'm feeling better and nearly ready to hit the trails again.
