It was a great year of running and reaching many goals!!
With my registration and running date to the Tokyo Marathon to finish and earn my 6th Abbott World Marathon Major Six Star Status and Medal still in question (due to Covid since March of 2020,) this year was such an amazing year regardless! The year was full of running adventures and traveling, fund raising, and pushing myself to hit certain goals. Paying it forward and raising money for charity was the biggest highlight and my most memorable experience. My focus on Tokyo had to be shelved for a bit and my main goal was to run Tunnel in September and run it well. Everything leading up to that was training my body for a possible BQ and to stay fluid for when and if Tokyo would take place. With the help of my coach, Christopher Johnson of Zeren Performance and PT, we made some serious magic happen and I chased down another unicorn.
The first of the year started with running REVEL Mt. Lemmon Limited Edition full marathon in Tucson, Arizona in late February. This run was a bit challenging for me because we were going to be dropped off at the top of Mt. Lemmon and run all the way down to the local high school in Tanque Verde just outside Tucson. I wasn’t sure how elevation, temperature changes, and downhill running was going to be on my body. The start was at about 8,200 ft. at around 36 degrees with a little bit of snow on the ground but I wore compression sleeves and gloves for my upper body and warmed up pretty fast. By the finish at around 2,700 ft. it was fairly warm. The run was so beautiful and we had an amazing time as a family sight-seeing. The REVEL race series did an outstanding job of socially distancing runners, etc. While out in Arizona, we were able to help support other runners from our run club, Boston Buddies, and bond over all things running.
| Place | |||
| Overall | Gender | Division (40-44) | Time |
| 111/187 | 58/104 | 15/24 | 3:58:47 |
In June, we travelled out to Sun Valley, Idaho to run REVEL Sun Valley Limited Edition ½ marathon. This was definitely going to be a test of how well my training had been going and if I was ready to run a fast Tunnel Marathon in September. We were pleasantly surprised with the outcome. We drove out to Sun Valley over two days and just took travels super easy while visiting with family along the way. The Sun Valley area is so beautiful and the ½ marathon starts at about 6,600 ft. near Cathedral Pines and finishes at about 5,800 ft. in Atkinson Park. The morning of the race was super calm and relaxing. And everything just clicked for me that day. Sleep, nutrition, fuel, energy, and pace were all on point and I managed a 2nd age division and 12th gender placement. We were actually able to help and support a few Boston Buddies out for the marathon and help a few other REVEL runners out with somewhere to stay and logistics, etc. The course was so beautiful and we had a amazing time sight-seeing. REVEL race series did an outstanding job again with socially distancing measures, etc.
| Place | |||
| Overall | Gender | Division (40-44) | Time |
| 20/145 | 12/97 | 2/13 | 1:46:33 |
In July, we travelled out to the Dundee Hills in Oregon to run Fueled by Fine Wine ½ marathon. This is a run that I’ve done several times before and it’s super hard and full of hills as you run through tons of vineyards up and down the Willamette Valley countryside. This course is not a fast course and the weather can be on the warm side. This was going to be a fun run for me as I just had raced Sun Valley the month prior. Fueled by Fine Wine is so much fun. We usually rent a house, go wine tasting, and really enjoy the scenery. The course was so beautiful and we had an amazing time with friends and family. This course always kicks my butt. It’s hard but so rewarding with yummy Pinot Noir to enjoy at finish line at the after party.
| Place | |||
| Overall | Gender | Division (40-44) | Time |
| 95/200 | 44/120 | 7/25 | 2:20:59 |
In September, we travelled locally up to the Cascade Mountain range to run Tunnel Light Marathon at Snoqualmie Pass in Washington. This is a marathon I have run a couple of times before and has a very special place in my heart. The course, the scenery, the memories of running after my father passed away, etc. It’s near and dear to me and this is the course that I really wanted to put it all out there if the training and stars were aligned. And they surely were! We start at about 2,545 ft. and finish at about 500 ft. in North Bend. Went out strong and just tried to hold onto that pace all the way through. And everything just clicked for me that day again just like in Sun Valley. Sleep, nutrition, fuel, energy, and pace were all on point and this performance time qualified me for 2022 and 2023 Boston, 2022 New York, and 2022 Chicago World Marathon Major marathons. We were able to help cheer on and support Boston Buddies runners and celebrate with friends and family.
| Place | |||
| Overall | Gender | Division | Time |
| 175/408 | 42/167 | 15/37 | 3:37:53 |
In October, we travelled out to Boston, Massachusetts to run the 125th Boston Marathon for 261 Fearless, Inc. Charity Organization. The charity organization was founded by Kathrine Switzer who in 1967 was the first woman to run the Boston Marathon as a registered runner when women were not allowed to run and almost got kicked off the course by the race director but her fearlessness and perseverance got her to the finish line. What an outstanding role model to all runners. 261 Fearless, Inc. works to empower women around the world through movement and running. We raised an astounding $9,000 dollars for the charity and had an amazing time with family and friends. We decided this would be an easy and relaxed run for me as it was for charity and I had just raced Tunnel and qualified for so much. This was my 4th Boston Marathon and 1st time running it for charity and my most memorable day of the year. We were very proud to represent the charity and make a HUGE difference.
| Place | |||
| Overall | Gender | Division | Time |
| 10,306/15,386 | 4,484/7,444 | 914/1,289 | 4:06:17 |
After coming back from Boston, I finished up the year by deciding to run our local and annual Fall Family Fun Run YMCA 10k, which I have run or my family and I have volunteered in almost every year. This run and local charity event gives back to the local community and was such a wonderful way to end the season! And I beat my time from 2019 by 14 seconds when I placed 2nd overall for my gender!
| Place | |||
| Overall | Gender | Division (40-49) | Time |
| 12/46 | 3/19 | 3/9 | 47:20 |
This year has been challenging but rewarding between trying to find in person races due to Covid to getting out the door each and every day to push myself to run rolling hills in preparation of the REVEL series, Tunnel, and Boston marathons. My coaches training plan was crucial to all my performances and has been a game changer for me. As we come to the end of the year, I’m reflecting on all accomplished this year and my goals for the next year. I’ll be ending the year with about 2,150+ miles and a huge grin on my face. 2022 has some new BIG goals and I’m super excited to get started and rock the roads. As of right now, I’ve started training for the 126th Boston Marathon (my 5th) in April. There are a few other BIG goals that we are planning out as well. I’m still waiting to hear when we’ll be able to safely travel and run the Tokyo Marathon for my AWMM status and star but I’m keeping busy and wish everyone a Happy New Year and running!!! Huge thanks to all my family, friends, and coach. For without your support, none of these goals could have been met.