My top 5 favorite runs of 2011
In the past I have done this post as a top 10 list, but this year, there was not much to separate what would be those runs 6 - 10. I have even left off my two marathons—Boston and MDI—from this list, not because they were not important, but because I have talked about those runs more than enough. Here are my top 5, in order, from 2011.
5. 21 Miles - 2/20/11 - DFMC Group Run: This was my first 20-miler of 2011. One of the few really longs runs when I actually felt good from the beginning to the end. When you live on, or near the Marathon course, you are no stranger to the Newton Hills. This route covered the Newton Hills out and back, but the last 2 - 3 miles were downhill and that helped greatly.
4. 18 Miles - 3/19/11 - DFMC Group Run: The only other DFMC group run that I am putting in my top 5; however this run made the list because the conditions were much needed during what was a terrible winter. Abundant sunshine, low 30’s temps, no wind, and great company. Newton Hills again, but I was in great shape for this run and even had the energy to record this 7 miles into the run (WHY I RUN top 10). One take!
3. 9.23 Miles - 9/16/11 - Reach The Beach: If you have ever run the Reach the Beach relay, then you are definitely aware of leg 20. I think you can only hope that there are no weather conditions that you have to compete against during this run, because the elevation climb of 550 ft to 1,120 ft over the first 5 miles is enough to battle. I was so glad I got this run—which started just after 2am—in my ideal running conditions: low 30’s, no wind, and some downhills. Since I still had some energy after the first 5 miles, I was able to fly down the hills over the last 4 miles. I also knew to carefully gaze up to the sky to see the stars but looked back down to make sure my foot didn’t find a small pot hole. Thankfully I had a warm blanket to wrap myself in, a great van to crash in, and sweedish fish to nosh on just after 3:30 am.
2. 13.1 Miles - 2/28/11 - Hyannis Half: My new PR: 1:49:36 on a snowy, sleet-y, rainy morning in February. What a great time to take a drive down to Cape Cod. This is the only race that I am putting into my top 5, because it was my only PR of the year—by 35 seconds from the 2009 BAA Half. I had worked hard to finally set a new PR, and I was coming into this race with a good training season. The conditions didn’t bother me so much and I just used it as motivation to finish as fast as I could. My boss was also in the race, so you got to believe that also added some motivation. I work with a lot of runners and therefore can’t always claim that I finished first in a race, but that morning I passed my boss by mile 10 and I was still feeling really strong. If I knew the course would be that easy, I definitely would have gone out a little faster. I’ll have another shot at a PR there in 2012.
1. 5.1 Miles - 5/12/11 - Crossroads: This was not my favorite because it was my best run—it was good and I did some pull ups at the small workout area along the Charles—but the post run drinks, 3 mile walk home, and good group of friends made this my favorite run of the year. Here’s the slightly sentimental part of this list, I was very lucky to have such amazing people to run with this past year. Mallory M, Justin B, Brian S and I ran the 5 miles, and then Mallory, Justin, and I stayed at Crossroads to have several beers. The three of us were hurting the next day, not because of the 5 miles, but because we laughed so hard that night. We saw a gripping end-of-semester break up, got to meet a guy who lives in a van, and then we found $10 on Beacon street. No, really, we did find $10.
I have a better 2011 recap to come, but I hope everyone is enjoying their holidays and have great plans ahead for the New Year!
