Hello Runners.
So....here's my running summary for 2020, a crazy year.
I set my 2020 goals as follows (of course, prior to knowing about Covid).
Notice, that my goals are all process oriented. No time or race goals. Frankly, I had no idea how I'd run in 2020, and at 53 figured all my PRs are behind me.
So, how did I stack up against my goals?
Be a good team mate
I joined Athletics East toward the end of last year. AE is an Master's track club based in the DC area. My first running team (I was on a cycling team 25 years ago). I joined in on workouts and races - ran a relay on an indoor track, and placed in some road races representing the team. I worked with the other guys during races, "pulled" a team member to a mile PR, and had a shit ton of run. I consider this goal a big green check mark.
Have Fun
I've made running too important in the past, and took my running too seriously. This year my focus was on my own improvement and making running more social (both on the Team and the Ashburn crew). I avoided (best I could) comparison to others, and focused on my process and how I'm feeling, in the moment. Except for a few moments in 2020, I've achieved this goal.
Avoid Injury
Complete success! (Almost). I had to take about 5 days off in August due to a tight IT band. I ran a mile race, and 7 days later did some hard 800m repeats. The back to back weeks or very fast stuff got the IT going. I immediately took a few days off and did some rehab, and was back in action. I'm proud that I was able to take the days off when I needed them....and avoided a bigger injury. That may not have been the case a few years ago.
Try New Races / Training Methods
I ran indoor track January thru March this year. I did a 3k, 2k, a couple 1500's and a 400m relay race. All new to me, hell I'd never even been on an indoor track before! And, since I had no prior experience, I had no expectations...it was a blast. I also started a new training plan provided by my Coach on AE. The new plan includes different workouts than I was doing, and focused more on fast paced work. The change itself I think was worth it, I was stuck in the a rut of doing the same workouts over and over again. Goal complete.
So, how was my race performance this year?
Even tho my goals are all process, race results are still the barometer of a good or bad year for me. And, I got faster this year....even with Covid.
- 10k PR - 37:43
- Almost a minute off my old PR.
- I ran a small DCRR race in March coming off the Indoor races.
- Completely surprised myself....it was fantastic.
- 1 Mile PR - 5:16
- 1 second improvement from my prior PR (set 4 years ago).
- Same course, Loudoun Mile, in Winchester, VA.
- I had a couple team mates helping push thru....
- 5k PR - 18:06
- Small race in the Fall under Covid restrictions.
- My PR prior to this year was 18:40.
- This year I ran 18:25; 18:18; and 18:06....solid improvement.
Here's to hoping 2021 gets back to normal (or at least closer). Looks like Spring is going to be light on race opportunities, but maybe the Fall we can get back to larger races?
Carry on....
