2023 to 2024

 2023 Year in Review

Overall, 2023 was a pretty good year of running and sport for me.  

The Start-

I started off the year with with a stubborn heel injury that shut me down from mid January well into March.  As April came around, I was not very fit but resumed some training.  While it took me some time to regain fitness, I jumped into some races (Clamdigger and the Mystic 10K) where I struggled but still enjoyed being a participant.  As the summer came about, I had some additional time to train and continued to work on my fitness and even incorporated some long runs.  

Color Run Fun

Clamdigger 2023

Mystic 10k

Summer-The summer marked some additional personal change for me as we added Teddy to Team B and I made a job change when I had the opportunity to move back to the high school level.  The summer included more racing and some sufferfests.  I suffered through the fun Waterman Eco Challenge and The Blessing of the Fleet.  I didn't feel trained well for either race, but would definitely do both races again in a heart beat.  I ended up running some shorter races (Run4Kerri and Bottone Mile) with better results that helped give me some confidence. Lastly, I jumped into the Niantic Triathlon and had a favorable result considering I didn't train on the bike at all.  I was most pumped to run sub 5 mile in the mile at Bottone with no speed work at my ripe old age..haha.

Niantic Bay & Run4Kerri 2023

Fall-

With my move to back to the high school, my work start time changed by well over an hour and Shara and my running routines started earlier and became tighter.  Prior to the start of our new plan, I was nervous about how it would all play out and how we would fit running in but it has worked out just fine.  The downside of the earlier running is increased tiredness and fatigue but it works out with our busy life.  As for racing, I jumped into the Surftown, Tarzan Brown, and L'il L'il Rhody.  The Surftown was another tough one with crazy humidity and the other races were good fun.  As I moved through the summer until the end of the year, I remained relatively healthy running wise, which was a huge win.  As I compose this post, I'm still working on healing from the shingles, which came upon me in early December.  The shingles have given me a reality check when it comes to health and feeling good and not taking my health for granted.  

Tarzan Brown 2023

Supporting a fast marathoner at Hartford



What Went Well

-Routine.  

-Wearing big, cushy shoes (Asics Gel Nimbus 25)

-Light Stretching

-Jumping into races.  It is motivating even if I'm not always happy with the results

-Attending Fun Runs in the summer.  They are great family events and it is very enjoyable to see our kids run.

-Shara's accomplishments and strong racing.  Some of her highlights included very strong races at Run4Kerri, Surftown, Hartford Marathon, and the Niantic Jingle Bell 5k.  She PRd at Hartford and Niantic.  It's especially remarkable considering how busy she is.  I'm motivated by her strong will, talent, and toughness.

-I ran 1501 miles, which is the most since 2018.  

-Running friends who continue to do remarkable things- Jeff W. completing an IRONMAN and running strong races almost every time he toes the line and Jeff V., who continues to run very strong when he races and for his organization and positive impact with his RWYC group.

Areas to Improve

-I need to spend more time on flexibility, mobility, and strength

-I used to swim 1X a week and that fell way off this year.

-Finding time to do speed work without injuring myself

-Learning how to recover better.  I historically struggle in this area and my tight window of workout time doesn't help.

-Trying to find the motivation to do long runs.  I struggle in this area.

Goals for 2024

-Stay injury free. I need to be especially careful in the winter (especially January) based on my history.

-Run a few 5ks.  I did not run a single 5k in 2023.  It's hard to believe considering it is my favorite distance but there aren't that many good ones around anymore.

-Run some longer races.  It'll be dependent upon my health, fitness, and motivation.  Ideally, a half marathon or two..next level would be a marathon..but I'm not sure where I am with that.

-Teach Teddy how to run.  Continue to do shorter runs with Riley and keep Lulu active and as healthy as possible (she can no longer run anymore due to an ACL tear).

-Do a triathlon..even if I don't train for it.

-Work on my Areas to Improve

Happy New Year! Wishing anyone reading this a healthy and fun year ahead.