2020 to 2021

 2020: The Year That Wasn't-We've read in on news sites, heard it on TV, and discussed it over and over with family and friends, but 2020 is a year that most of us would like to forget.  Walking into the year, none of us planned for or were prepared to live through a pandemic.  The pandemic led to so much loss-lives, jobs, relationships, mental/physical well being, opportunities for socializing, and the cancellation of just about EVERYTHING.  While the cancellation of most races out there was sad and disappointing to many of us, it was a small scale loss in the grand scheme of things. With all of these shutdowns, social distancing, and risks, my main fitness goal changed to just remaining active.  While I have continued to battle injury issues throughout the year, I absolutely stayed active.  So let's get to those measurable goals that I posted at the start of 2020.  Here goes...

Goal Assessment

-Since I didn't race many regular distances, the best measuring stick I have is the 5k.  I still love the 5k over any other race distance and would like to try to run them fast for as long as I possibly can.  GOAL NOT ASSESSED.

-Stay active almost every day of the year.  It shouldn't be that hard.  Besides my love of running, I have plenty of other activities that can keep me going. GOAL ACHIEVED.  I'm pretty sure I was active in some form almost every day.  That fitness or activity may not translate to many run miles but I definitely included a variety of activities (Running, Biking, Swimming, Weights, Core, Stretching)

-Speaking of staying active, I'd like to do another Sprint TRI, swim race, and go skiing a few times in 2020. PARTIALLY MET.  Shara and I did get to ski at least once before the COVID shut down.  The TRI never happened.

-Complete the WTAC Clamshell. NOT MET

-Run sub 5 or as close to sub 5 as possible in the mile. MET.  Ran 5:00 flat during a hard mile mile on 7/26 at Ninigret.
-Go for stroller runs with the girls and continue running with Riley and Lulu. MET.  I ran with all of them and thoroughly enjoyed it.
-Continue running races with Shara and compete in team racing with the WTAC. NOT MET
-Swim 1x a week. Was on track through March, NOT MET    

Goal Synopsis: I felt like I was completing a teacher evaluation or filling out a report card while assessing those goals. COVID led to many NOT METs or NOT ASSESSED.  It's funny how quickly plans, goals, and things can change in a split second.  If 2020 taught us anything, it's that you can't get fixated on things that you can't control.  Full disclaimer: There are some goals that I could have done better with on here, regardless of the COVID.

What went well in 2020

• I continued to find ways to incorporate my family into my running (Shara, the girls, and the dogs).  I try to appreciate every time I run the stroller and get the opportunity to run with Riley and Lulu.  To mix things up a bit this past fall, Shara was even willing to do some trail or "bush" running with me.
• Running early.  While this is not a change from recent years, I've continued to live by the motto, "the earlier, the better."  To meet my various commitments on work days, those early runs pay dividends even when it isn't always fun to get out of bed or the door in the morning.
• Haley's Fun Runs.  With WTAC Kids Fun Runs cancelled due to COVID, we came up with this fun idea and Haley was usually game most weeks to participate by running a 1/2 mile around the block.  Various fans, including her grandparents, Mikey B & family, and The Gazelle appeared at these runs.  The adults usually closed out Haley's fun runs with a hard mile or easy run.  It was especially fun when Mike and Jeff joined me and we ran down to the beach to float in the waves and enjoy the summer.
• WTACs drive to put on safe events.  Although I only made it the L'il L'il Rhody (aka the short race), I offer up a huge kudos to the club for putting on fun runs, the Bottone Mile, and fall trail series during these crazy times.  I can't imagine the effort it took to meet regulations, keep things safe, create an authentic race experience, communicate with stakeholders, and break even in costs.  As for the L'il Rhody short race, it was fun, super organized, and definitely safe.
• RWYC.  A big shout out to Jeff V. for organizing this group and holding these weekly socially distanced runs.  While the group is not new, I remain especially impressed by it's inclusiveness.  Run as fast or as slow as you want and you will always find a warm and friendly group of running enthusiast to at least start with you.  The atmosphere and camaraderie are great!  Jeff was even kind enough to put on a couple of self timed  "pickup" 5ks on Thanksgiving and for the holidays.  I had a blast running 18:00 on Thanksgiving in the pouring rain and then 17:47 2 days after Christmas as we "Ran Away from 2020."  Group members provided swag in a few different ways at these fun events.
• My basement.  This area became a key workout spot for me in 2020 and will likely remain that way for the time being.
• Jeff's blog.  A big shout out to Jeff for maintaining his weekly blog.  I thoroughly enjoy reading about his adventures and experiences throughout the year.  *Disclaimer: this is a shameless ploy to encourage him to keep his blog running!

2020: By the numbers

Running miles: 1171

# of runs: 273

Time spent running: 135 hours, 41 minutes

Swimming distance: 36,798 yards

# of swims: 23

Time spent swimming: 10 hours, 36 minutes

*Ended with COVID in March.

Biking distance: 1127 miles

# of rides: 107

Time spent: 59 hours, 19 minutes

*Most of the miles weren't spent on the roads, they were spent on short 20 minute rides in my basement on off running days or when I battle injury.

                                             Fake Clamdigger 2020.  5 mile double stroller cruise

        Haley's fun runs were a huge success.  Hoping the WTAC Kids Fun Runs will be back next  summer.

                                  Convinced Shara to run the length of Misquamicut and back this past summer.

                                                    My Main Guy.  Riley is always up for a run.

                                 Lulu still enjoys getting out there and can run pretty fast when she wants.  

So Now What?  With some hope for things to become more normal in 2021, I'm reluctant to set time goals because I'm still unsure about race opportunities.  As I write this blog post, I'm feeling fairly well but have continued to battle bursitis and tendonitis in my right knee.  To maintain progress, I am mindful of how often I run, how long I run, and the surfaces I run on.  I know I need to plan rest and don't want to overdo it one day and then pay for it for a month.  So with COVID precautions, an unclear race calendar in 2021, and on-going injuries, here are some things I hope for in 2021:

• Continue to enjoy fitness activities and the outdoors as much as possible with my family, dogs, and friends.  
• Complete as many WTAC events as possible.  If I'm healthy, maybe even parts of the WTAC trail series will be in my future?
• Run more miles than I did in 2021.  This is not a mileage goal.  It would be more of a sign that I'm healthy.
• Bike, swim, paddle board to supplement my running.
• Enjoy where I live..so that means running on or by the beach, hitting some trails, or hanging out in some of the neat nature areas right in my backyard.
• Continue to work on core strength and running muscles.
• Run as close to 5 minutes or less in a mile and try to run a fast 5k
• Attend RWYC every now and again.

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2021 and a great year of running and endurance adventures ahead.

2019 to 2020

It's been almost a year since I've put up a blog post, so I figured the new year would be a great opportunity to provide some kind of reflection on 2019 and share what I'm hoping and looking forward to for 2020.

2019
Let me get the negative out of the way..
Overall, 2019 was a relatively poor year of running for me.  I started the year with injury and ended the year with injury.  If you are one of my running or endurance buds, you've probably heard me complain about a lingering hamstring issue.  The balky hamstring and a recently new hip issue have held up my training and left me in general discomfort.  Enough discomfort to shut things down? Not as of late.  Enough discomfort to not run long or at a high volume? Absolutely.  Have these issues impacted my race results?  I actually hope so...or maybe I'm just getting older.  To help maintain my current state, I try to stretch, roll a bit, swim 1x a week (been failing at that as of late), and have been getting dry needling.  Will this recovery plan work?  Only time will tell.

Not fun.

After a very tough 2018 (losing my Dad), 2019 brought some sad times for a couple of my friends.  A good friend, college teammate, former coach, and training partner of mine named Kevin had a freak fall from a tree while playing with his kids that left him in paralyzed.  He was fortunate to survive and works very hard daily to try to make physical gains to get parts of his life back. While recently visiting him, he shared with me some of the trials and tribulations of the injury.  One of the most frustrating parts of the injury for him is that hard work and dedication are not always providing immediate results for him.  This frustrates him because hard work always paid off for him as a runner,  professional, husband, dad, and friend.   Here is to hoping 2020 brings Kevin more healing, progress, and hope.   Kevin's story is a reminder to me to appreciate everything I've got...even the injuries and running times that aren't meeting my expectations...the alternatives could be much worse! The second really sad event from 2019 is the sudden loss of BLS.  She was a wonderful, humorous, caring, and spirited individual who was full of life.  She was taken far too soon.  I have no words.

Team B + my teammate and bud, Jay.  Good to see him!

Hanging with my old college teammates and bus, Tim and Jay at the Big Heart 5k held this year in honor of Kevin.

Onto the positive..
-The biggest, most exciting, and positive thing that happened to me in 2019 was the birth of my second daughter, Addy, in March.  I love being a Dad and involving both of my girls in my active, fun lifestyle.

Addy's first run ever!  The family competed in the Bottone Mile together.

-I stayed active.  While my training volume was low, I did some sort of physical activity almost everyday.  Activities included: running, swimming, weights, paddle boarding, core/stretch work, biking, and I even went skiing for the first time in almost a decade this past week.

-I completed basic requirements for the WTAC Clamshell.

-I had a ton of fun running races with Shara and doing events with my WTAC teammates.  Racing with Shara and my running buds really motivates me and increases my interest in various events.

Team WTAC at the Mews post race.
*Missing Shara (she took the photo)

Race Statistics/Facts
*I did 13 races in 2019.
*Shara did 12/13 races with me.  The only race she missed was the Pell Bridge Run ( I remind her of this on the regular).
*I did a TRI for the firs time since 2016 and came in 2nd OA.  I had a very solid day in the water and on the run, not so much on the bike.
*Completed the Swim to Skim 1.2 mile race in Newport on 8/25.  I did in 34:53, which would qualify me for a big swim race that is on my bucket list.
*Wins: 5
*Distance of my races:
5k: 6,  Best time: 17:08 at the Land Trust Race.
1 mile: 1 (pushing the double stroller)
4 miles: 2
Oddball distances:   BRR and Mews races.
*I competed in some races I really wanted to do-Pell Bridge & Mews Race.  I'd definitely consider running both of these again.

Pre-race at the Swim to Skim (another last minute decision)

I finally did the Pell Bridge Run and competed for Team Clean Ocean Access.  Congrats to Chris on the Big W!

We "jumped" into the Wave Tri last minute.

2020
-l'm not going to get into mileage or distance goals because I really don't have them.  Mostly, I'd like to get healthy, feel strong, and run faster than I did in 2019.
-Since I didn't race many regular distances, the best measuring stick I have is the 5k.  I still love the 5k over any other race distance and would like to try to run them fast for as long as I possibly can.
-Stay active almost every day of the year.  It shouldn't be that hard.  Besides my love of running, I have plenty of other activities that can keep me going (see above).
-Speaking of staying active, I'd like to do another Sprint TRI, swim race, and go skiing a few times in 2020.
-Complete the WTAC Clamshell (it'll probably be on my list every year)
-Run sub 5 or as close to sub 5 as possible in the mile.
-Go for stroller runs with the girls and continue running with Riley and Lulu.
-Continue running races with Shara and compete in team racing with the WTAC.
-Swim 1x a week.

Here's to wishing all of my endurance friends as happy and healthy 2020.  Let's go!

My loyal and trust partner, Riley.  Come rain, snow, sleet, or wind, he's ready.  Lulu likes to get out there too.

Most of Team B (minus Addy).