In an ideal world, I would have a recap for every race I run. Maybe that can be one of my New Year’s Resolutions… because it definitely didn’t happen this year! After running two marathons in 2017, I decided that 2018 would be the year of NO marathons, and instead focus on shorter races and more races for fun. I am so happy I did that – it not only was good for me physically, but mentally as well.
This was also the first year running with Arete. I have formed some incredible friendships through this running team and am excited to share that I will be a team leader in 2019 for the South Bay! The women in this group inspire me, and the workouts we receive from the coaches keep me accountable … and make me faster. A mile, 5K, 10K, and half marathon PR all happened this past year! Will 2019 be the year of a big marathon PR?? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see!
Hot Chocolate 5K with Mo – January; San Francisco
Kicked off the year with a fun 5K and a 5K PR for Mo! Chocolate is always a good incentive to run fast.
She is Beautiful 10K – March; Santa Cruz
43:53 (7:04 average)
A scenic route with my Arete teammates and a 10K PR for me! Coffee, vegan donuts and avo toast at Verve Coffee made for the perfect post-race bRUNch.
Rock N’ Roll Half Marathon – April; San Francisco
1:38.31 (7:30 average)
Incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge before running up and over it. A very hilly course so I was happy with a new half Marathon PR!
One Mile time trial – June; San Francisco
6:03
The last time I remember running a mile all out was in 8th grade and I ran a 6:07. For speed workouts and interval runs, it’s helpful to know your mile pace. It hurt, but I had a great time with all my Arete teammates.
Wharf to Wharf 6 miler – July; Santa Cruz
48:14 (7:34 average)
A scenic and fun course from Santa Cruz to Capitola. Unfortunately, the corrals were very congested from the start. My average for these 6 miles was slower than my previous half marathon time… at first this really bummed me out, but I had to learn to not be so hard on myself! Training for this race was mid-job change and mid-summer. Not to mention, not every race is going to be a PR!
Santa Cruz Olympic Triathlon – September; Santa Cruz
3:09.44
1500m swim: 33:22
T1: 7:31
25 mile bike: 1:37.43 (15.29mph average)
T2: 2:22
10K run: 48:45 (7:51 average)
My first time competing in an Olympic distance triathlon! This was my first time swimming in 55º water… in a wetsuit… in open water. Triathlon training was a different experience for me as I’m used to primarily running. It forced me to back off on running and split time between swimming, biking, running, and strength training. I couldn’t have done this training without the support from two coworkers who trained with me. Training together made it a much better experience! On race day the swim went much better than I anticipated (I was terrified of being in open water), and the biking portion was much harder/felt much longer than I expected. I was very happy to get back on my two feet and run that final leg!
Silicon Valley Turkey Trot – November; San Jose
20:40 (6:39 average) and finished 4th of 730 in my age group
After a month of unhealthy air quality due to the Wildfires, the morning of this 5K was the first morning with clean air! Gorgeous weather and a fun time helping out at the LinkedIn tent. We provided coffee, bagels and turkey-shaped stress balls to all the LinkedIn employees who came out for the run. Mo also ran the 5K and shaved a few seconds off his previous 5K PR!
California International Marathon RELAY – December; Sacramento
1:35.31 (7:18 average) and finished 3rd in overall female relays
With so many of my Arete teammates running the marathon at CIM, I knew I wanted to be there to support them! Running a marathon relay was the perfect way to participate in this race, while still being able to cheer all my teammates on at the finish. I ran the first half and then “passed the baton” to my teammate, Jenn to finish the second half. Arete had over 70 runners at CIM and multiple Boston qualifiers!
Elf on the Run 5K – December; San Francisco
This fun, no-pressure, holiday run was the perfect way to end the year!
You may remember that last December I qualified for the Boston Marathon at CIM. I received unfortunate news in September that the Boston Marathon cut-off was higher than ever before, and even though I qualified with 4 minutes to spare, the registration filled up before it reached my time. I was one of over 7,000 qualifiers who were not accepted. BUT. I’m coming back stronger, faster, and better in 2019 and will be training to qualify again to run Boston in 2020. I’m confident that it’s not a matter of IF I run Boston… but when. It’s been a great year, and I’m looking forward to see what is to come in 2019!
Eat, Lift & Be Married 