The word that best describes 2022: Balance. There were ups and downs, but overall, everything evened out!
The year started a bit slow. January began with a snowstorm that lasted a few days, and the month ended with a trip to Ithaca, New York, to visit my boyfriend’s family. In between, I ran 30-40 miles/per week.
I upped my mileage in February and felt ready to race in the spring. I also took on a temporary promotion at work. I knew I couldn’t give both equal attention, and I decided to focus more on my career.
Then, in mid-April, my boyfriend and I went on a two-week trans-Atlantic cruise. We left from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Our first stop was Bermuda, and then we had several days at sea before reaching the Azores. I was trying to watch the 2022 Boston Marathon as we were pulling into Lisbon. The trip ended in London. It was fantastic, but all save one run was on the treadmill.
Back from the trip, I threw myself back into running and was quickly back to 40+ miles/week, and by mid-May, I was training for the 2022 Erie Marathon!
During the summer, my non-running life took precedence. I also got a job promotion – the temporary job became permanent in June. We also took a few short trips to Massanutten, Virginia, Atlanta, Georgia, and Bethany Beach, Delaware, knowing more work responsibilities would likely mean fewer vacations. I also had my highest mileage week at the end of July – 64 miles.
In mid-August, we traveled to Maine for a family vacation. I thought it would be ruinous for my training, but it was the best thing to have happened. My training runs in Acadia National Park were terrific! I finished August with the 2022 South Lakes 10K.
In September, I went into the 2022 Erie Marathonwith a healthy amount of doubt about how I would do – I missed a lot of threshold-paced runs over the summer – but in the end, I re-qualified for the Boston Marathon! The next day, I broke my toe and took almost eight weeks off running.
By November, I was up to running 30 miles/week and even felt good enough to run the 2022 Alexandria Turkey Trot 5 Miler.I ended the year by starting my training for the 2023 Boston Marathon!
Training
Most Memorable Training Runs
3. Running on the Ship. After several days at sea, I was desperate to run outside when we reached the Azores. The sunrise was amazing, and even though it was a short run, it was invigorating.
2. Atlanta’s Beltline. In May, I traveled to Atlanta to celebrate my niece’s birthday. I ran on the same section of the Beltline as I did many years before. It was amazing how much of it was exactly as I remembered, but also what had changed.
1. Acadia National Park. I had trouble finding the park on my first run, but except those first few miles, I enjoyed every minute of my runs on the carriage roads in Acadia National Park.
It was a pretty unremarkable year for weather in Washington D.C.
Here were my hottest and coldest runs based on the temperature at the start:
Hottest Run: 79 degrees during Anacostia Parkrun run on July 30th.
Coldest Run: 18 degrees during an easy run on January 21st.
Most Memorable Weather
After purchasing a treadmill last year, I didn’t have as many foul weather running days.
2. Post-2022 Erie Marathon. It was raining fairly hard at the end of the race, and somehow, I missed the mylar blankets they were handing out. I put on the clothes I had worn to the race start, but I was still freezing during the long walk back to the car.
1. Rainy Run in Acadia National Park. One of my runs in the park was rainy. But instead of being dreary, it was serene. I felt at peace.
Clothing
Notable Products
3.Rabbit EZ Tank. I love the Rabbit shorts and plan to wear them for the Erie Marathon. I thought it would be nice to have a matching singlet. I selected this one and was very happy wearing it. It feels like butter! I bought extra small and the cut is a little short on me, but overall it fits well, and would have been great for summer running. Price: $45.
2.Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2. I bought the vapor flys! I figured I needed every advantage to run a Boston qualifying time at the 2022 Erie Marathon. I ran in them for the VO2Max workout this week, and I didn’t feel much different than my other shoes. I noticed they are lighter, and I like how narrow they are, but that’s it so far. I’m hoping I’ll see a difference on marathon day. Price: $250.
1. Lululemon Energy Bra. It doesn’t seem that the Brooks Juno sports bra is ever coming back. In my years long search for a replacement, this bra is my new favorite. It’s a reasonable price for a high-impact support bra in larger sizes. My biggest problem with it is that it doesn’t wick water (i.e., sweat) very well. Price: $58.
3.Nathan Exodraw 2.0 Insulated Handheld. Last week, I threw away my old, moldy handheld. I went to my local running store for a replacement. It didn’t have the same model, so I purchased this one. The strap placement took a little getting used to because it doesn’t hold the bottle steady. Also, I have to use the bottle refiller at water fountains because it’s flexible. Overall, it’s not a favorite, but it’ll do the trick for the summer.Price: $55
2.Aftershokz Open Run. After over three years of loyal service,my current pair of Aftershokz headphoneswouldn’t charge. I bought this newer model, and I think the sound quality is better. I was disappointed that onlythe Pro model, which is $50 more, works with the app. I would have liked to customize the music settings. Price: $129.95
1.Garmin 245. My old Garmin hadn’t held a charge for very long, so I decided to get a new one. I went to DC Rainmaker’s website and read up on the models. The more expensive 945 didn’t have any features I wanted, so I settled on the 245. I also decided not to get the version with music because I didn’t use it with my old Garmin.
Once I decided which watch I wanted, I wanted it now! I called my local running store. They had it at their downtown location, but going there would be a hassle. (They could transfer it to a nearby store two days later.) I checked online, and REI had it! I’ve had it for a couple of weeks now, and the battery life is fantastic. Price: $299.99
I didn’t try many new products this year, so this list was short.
1. Recovery nutrition. Xtend. I drank this recovery drink that I purchased at my local grocery store after feeling fatigued after so many runs during marathon training. The blue raspberry ice flavor was very tasty. Each serving has 7 grams of BCAAs. Price: $27.99
3. Wheels and Heels on the W&OD Trail. While this wasn’t a new development, it was the first time that I encountered it and… I hated it, mainly because the areas where the separation begins and ends are confusing.
2. Route 1 Connector to Four Mile Run Trail. This little connector was a bit of a surprise. It made getting to the eastern side of Route 1 much easier.
1. West Glebe Road Project. The new project that impacted my running the most this year was the detour for the West Glebe Road project. Rather than staying on Four Mile Run, the trail detours onto the sidewalk, so I had to watch my footing, especially during speed work.
Favorite Pictures
3. The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. I don’t make it downtown as often as I used to, so it was a treat running by The Reflecting Pool on a cloudless summer day. I could see the U.S. Capitol Building in the distance.
2. The Lincoln Memorial from the Mount Vernon Trail. Some views never get old. The morning view of the Lincoln Memorial from the Virginia side of the Potomac River is on that list. It makes me feel at peace.
3. Sisson Breaks American Record, USATF. It’s been great watching Emily Sisson develop as a runner. She’s consistently moved up in distances, beating her American competitors as she goes, so it shouldn’t have been a surprise that she broke this record.
I received several running books for Christmas but didn’t read any of them by year’s end. And I didn’t see any running movies this year. So, this list is all podcasts.
3. “Episode 204: Tommie Runz,” The Morning Shakeout. This cast was a powerful listen. I got a sense of how this strong runner turned his life around. And, for the interview skills of the host. It was clearer a hard topic for the guest to talk about, but as a listener, I was glad he got Tommie to open up. (It turns out he also ran the 2022 Erie Marathon!)
1. “Brad Stulberg,” Rich Roll. This episode was powerful from the start. It drove home how I might not know how someone else is struggling. Overall, the episode is about groundedness and having more self-compassion. His takeaway advice is to focus on steady progress and consistency over perfectionism and start with things you’ll do or let go of in service of your core values (2:12:15 mark).
Favorite Songs
Honorable Mention. “Unstoppable,” by Sia. This song wasn’t released this year (or last), but I discovered it this fall. It powered me through my training for the 2022 Erie Marathon, and at the end of that race.
3. “Levitating,” Dua Lipa. Ultimately, I put this song in my top three because it was a favorite for most of the year. It’s a fun, magical song to take along on a run.
2. “Beggin’,” Maneskin. My boyfriend and I heard this song on Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve show for 2022 and were both hooked. I listened to this song non-stop during the spring and summer. It’s a great remix of a classic song.
1. “Industry Baby,” Lil Nas. This song was my anthem this year and appeared in all my race playlists. My favorite part of the song is the refrain:
You was never really rootin’ for me anyway When I’m back up at the top, I wanna hear you say He don’t run from nothin’, dog Get your soldiers, tell ’em that the break is over.
These were the top page and post views on my blog this year (except for the home page).
3. Thoughts on the Hudson Plan. I wrote this piece several years ago, and it’s consistently the most-read piece on this site! With 275 views in 2022, the same as in 2021, it cracked the Top 3. I may update the post this year even though I haven’t revisited the plan in many years.
1. Guide to Washington DC Area Running Routes. With 1,061 views, this was the most popular page/post on this site last year! It is past due for an update; hopefully, I’ll get around to that in 2023!
Training [dropshadowbox align="center" effect="raised" width="875px" height="" background_color="#ffffff" border_width="4" border_color="#d0021b" rounded_corners="false" outside_shadow="false" ] Mileage Total: 2,481.8 miles Days of Running: 277 days (88 days off) Time…