RUNDOWN! 2023

The RUNDOWN of 2023 had a lot of surprises for me. I met goals and created goals halfway through the year. 

Races for 2024

January: Out with the Old 5K, Lake Apopka 30K
February: Snow Moon Trail 25K, Winter Loops 1st place female, 21.75miles
March: Pot o' Gold Female Masters 31:39 4 mile
April: Trail Weekend 50K
May: Flying Pig Marathon, High Ball to Thurmond 50miler 
June: Loopty Loops 38miles
July: Bastille 15K, Red Moon 25K
August: Crim 10m
September: Run Rabbit Run 50miler, Atwater Growler Gallup
October:  Monster Dash 1/2 marathon
November: Flying Monkey, Turkey Trail Trot 10K, Black Toenail 1/2 marathon
December: Run Like the Dickens 10K

Total Days active:

244 days: No, I do not run everyday! 

Total Elevation: 

159,121

August I ran over 20,000 feet preparing for Run Rabbit Run in Colorado.

• Mt. Fairweather in Alaska is 15,325 ft.
• Mount Bear in Alaska is 14,831ft.
• Mount Rainer in Washington is 14,417 ft.

Total Distance:

 3,120

The MOST milage I have ever run and WILL ever run again. This was stupid!

July was my highest milage, My superpower is running in the heat, 317 miles. 

• 1,316 miles to visit my brother in Stuart, Florida
• 1,964 miles to the Grand Canyon
• The Appalachian Trail is 2,198 miles long.
• The East Coast Greenery is 3000 miles long from Maine to Key West Florida

My Longest Race: 

Highball to Thurmond, 54 miles. It was a 50-mile race I got LOST at! 

2023 GOAL was to run shorter races. Oddly enough, my yearly milage depicted the training of a 100 miler. 

Hardest Race:

Run Rabbit Run. The hardest part of this race was losing my phone. This messed with my head space so bad I struggled to stay motivated. I found myself discouraged and a disaster. 

I had confidence it would show up, However, by the time I TRULY BELIEVED that I had to drop a gear to finish before dark, that was my goal. 

Silliest Race:

I pace the Crim every year, 10min/milers. I love getting dressed up and encouraging others. The crowds at this local favorite are full of hype and even in the August heat we are all having fun...ish! 

Inspirations:

Andy challenges me to step out of my comfort zones, we hiked the Grand Canyon last year backpacking and camping each night, afraid of heights I conquered so many fears. 

1. Andy! He proved you can turn 50 and still set PR's! Watching Andy work so hard always challenges me and motivates me. He encourages me without a lot of fluff. Andy doesn't sugar coat his words, testing me to work with my abilities not my emotions. 

I have plenty more inspirations, truth is, all my running partners inspire me in different ways. I could say something about every person I run with. 

Favorite Shoes:

1. Trail: Altra Timps, Topos Atmos
2. Road: Saucony 

Nutrition: 

POUCHES, Applesauce w/Chia, Baby Food with protein. Roctane Gu Expresso, 

Post RUN: COFFEE, Recovery Smoothie

Run Supplements: AG1, Gu Recovery Protein, Collagen, Tart cherry juice. 

Hardest Training RUN/ROUTE:

I did 20 miles on Fox Lake rd. I ran some with friends and finished solo. It was a little sketchy out there by myself, this only made me pick up my pace. Focused and hyper alert gave way to one of my best efforts out there. I was sore for almost a week! 

About 2500ft of elevation. 

States I Ran a Race IN:

• Florida: Lake Apopka 30K
• West Virginia: Highball to Thurmond 50mile 
• Tennessee: Flying Monkey Marathon
• Colorado: Run Rabbit Run 50mile
• Ohio: Flying Pig Marathon 

"The Spirit helps us in our weakness" Romans 8:36

2023 GOALS:

Last year's goal was to NOT run any races OVER 50miles. And technically I did that until I got LOST and turned my 50 miler into 54! 

I also SET a goal 3/4 of a way through the year, to run 3000 miles. I do not look closely at my overall training and decided to check it out only to discover that it was possible to run 3000 miles. 

(And still have a life)!

A great reminder we can set goals anytime we want. Setting goals flippantly gives us a reset. I had moments when it was fun, and I had moments when I thought I was a little ridiculous and so was running! 

As I close out my recap of 2023, I end with humble gratitude. Every day is a gift. 

The Lord gave me this gift to reach others, to love others, to encourage others. 

This is how He has me communicate with others. 

I run ONLY because HE has given me breath in my lungs, passion in my soul and His strength in me to Run for Him. 

I can do nothing without Him. 

That is the beautiful reasons why I run but there is also the Brutal reasons why I run. 

Running heals my broken places. I can step out of my disruptive thoughts and run them out. Not every run is heavenly. But every run I feel heaven healing. 

"Your greatest runs are rarely measured by racing success. They are moments in time when running allows you to see how wonderful your life is.' Kara Goucher 

In Peace, Not Pieces, 

Anita