Year of Running: 2013

Hi all! 

Hope you had a good weekend. Mine was pretty low-key. I was sick with a head cold for most of last week, so I don't have a workout recap for you since I got in two 4 mile runs and that was it. I probably could have run, but that would have meant less sleep, and I chose rest and recovery. I think it was the right choice since I'm feeling 100% today!

 

Plus, before I got sick, I was able to get in a run and see this gorgeous sunrise.

I picked up our itty bitty NYC apartment-sized tree on Saturday. I've been eating breakfast at the coffee table the past few days so that I can have the tree in my sight line while I sip tea.

I also got together with some lovely runner friends to celebrate Leticia's birthday at Jacob's Pickles! Fabulous brunch, fabulous lady. Happy birthday, Leticia!

Feedie App

My friend Hana shared this fun app with me. If you're someone who likes to take pictures of your food at restaurants -- or even if you aren't but are someone who likes to help people -- this app is a neat way to share food with those who need it!

From the app's website:

Simply sign up via Facebook or Twitter, and visit a participating restaurant. When you use Feedie to take a photo of your meal and post it, the restaurant makes a donation to The Lunchbox Fund—a non-profit organization that provides daily meals to schoolchildren in South Africa. Your post thanks the restaurant and spreads the Feedie message!

It's a totally free way to make a difference. And now you have a retort when someone makes fun of you for photographing your food! You can download the app here. (Sorry, Android users, looks like it's only for iPhones right now.)


Year of Running: 2013

In lieu of a workout recap this week, I'm participating in Miss Zippy's Year of Running once again (here is last year's post). I love her running blog and thought it was a fun way to cap off 2012, so here goes...

What was your:

Best Race Experience? Chicago Marathon. No question. Everything came together in an incredible way. I honestly don't think I could have had a better first marathon experience. I've never felt so strong or so happy during a race. I still can't quite believe it happened!

Best Run? This one is tougher. I ran in some incredibly gorgeous places this year, and my location always has a big impact on how I feel during a run. I think I'm giving this one to the run I did before flying back to NYC, when I went home to Washington to study for the bar exam for 10 days. A full moon was rising over the mountains as the sun set and I felt incredibly happy and peaceful after a stressful weekend of studying.

Best New Piece of Gear? My Saucony Kinvara 4s. Not everyone likes these shoes, but I'm a big fan of them for speed work and love running in them. I've nabbed two PR's in them so far for shorter races (a 5K and 5 miler).

Best Piece of Running Advice Received? Embrace easy running. This has made running so much more enjoyable for me. Sure, if I was pushing hard and felt good running was fun, but if I didn't feel great that day then running became a chore. Focusing on feeling rather than pace has totally changed how I view running.

Most Inspirational Runner? Hmm.Probably my dad! At 62, after running for just a year, he ran his first half marathon, the fairly hilly Wenatchee River Run. He trained hard, ran strong, and inspired me so much. Not to mention his regular emails detailing his runs, regardless of rain or wind, inspire me to get outside and get running!

If you could sum up your year in a few words, what would they be? Running is a metaphor for life: the effort you put in dictates the rewards you'll receive.


Now your turn: please answer as many questions as you'd like about your year of running.