A Look Back at 2014

     2014 will soon be coming to an end and it will be 2015. A new year with new goals, but before we start talking about our new goals let us reflect a little on the goals we set in 2014.  I had high hopes for 2014 and you will see some of my goals were a bit extreme but I always say, sometimes you have to make the goals extremely hard so you will work just as hard.  Here is my goals from last year.

1. Run 2 Marathons: GOAL MET -  I ran Pittsburgh in the spring and Columbus in the fall.

2. Run a certain time. I never stated what the time was in last years post, all I said was it would be a BQ: GOAL NOT MET- As much as I wanted to get my BQ this year things just didn't go right. I trained properly, but made some bad decisions. I knew Pittsburgh was going to be a hard one to get it in, but like a rookie I got over excited and didn't drink any water and got dehydrated.  In Columbus I went in armed and ready for battle with a water bottle in hand to make sure there was no Pittsburgh repeat. At mile 16 as I was on pace maybe not for a BQ, but for a great PR I got sick. Boston will have to wait a few years for me, but I will get there eventually. 

3. Run a sub 5 minute mile: GOAL NOT MET- Like I said earlier sometimes you have to set extreme goals. I have not ran sub 5 since high school, so I knew this one would be very hard.  Even though I did not reach my goal, I did almost 20 seconds faster than last year at the Liberty Ave. Mile. I plan on continuing to work on my speed and improving even more this year. One thing I needed to realize was, I am no longer in high school and I am not the runner I was back then. That doesn't mean I can't get back there it just means it will take a little more work.

4. Place in my age group for at least 50 percent of the races I ran this season: UNSURE ON THE GOAL: Before you ask how I can be unsure let me explain. Most races have a 3 person age group. Most age groups are also 5 year increments. If all the races I ran were like this then, yes I think I met the goal. However some races were not like this so no I did not meet the goal.  I will let you decide.

5. Help other runners along their journey: I would like to think I met this goal:  I have met many great people this year and I have talked to so many people that I have never met. I tried to help anyone that may have needed it along the way. Like wise I was helped along the way by some great people too. I am always here for advise if anyone ever needs it. Running isn't about who is the best or who is the fastest. Running is about crossing a finish line and sometimes people need a little help to get them there. This year I learned we are all alike, we want the others to succeed as well.

6. A injury free year: GOAL MET: I was able to run all my races and except for some minor aches and pains I was injury free.  As I get older I have learned that I need to do more to ensure I stay injury free. Hopefully this will carry over into the next year.

2014 was a great year. I tried my first obstacle races and got hooked. I met some great people and got to run for a charity with some friends. Even though all goals were not met I wouldn't change a thing.  Here are a few pics of some of my favorite memories through out the year.