I've neglected this blog this past year. Well, much like everyone else, 2020 didn't do me any favors for running. I had 2 races on the calendar and both were cancelled. Hellbender was going to be my spring race, which then became my late fall race until it ultimately cancelled. Wyoming Range was on, until it wasn't. We thought seriously about going to WY for a training run on the original race date, but golf courses were not accepting non-member play, so that put a damper on the trip for Mark. I considered going back to Stillhouse 100k, which has been reincarnated, but my achilles started acting up. Plus, school and work were pretty stressful. In the end, it was better accepting that 2020 was going to be a reset year. As I look back, I am happy with that.
I can't say that it was a bust. I set an unsupported FTK on Shawnee Forest Backpacking Loop that lasted for a short time. I was so happy when Beth, then Jennifer, crushed it. Those two ladies are bad-ass, so it didn't surprise me when each of them reached out to let me know.
I killed my Strava account as I had no use for it. I found I really didn't care about what others thought about my running. Half of the time this fall, I ran without a watch. I'd run known routes and glance at the clock as I left the house to determine the duration. It was refreshing to not worry about it too much. To be back where I was so many years ago. To run for myself and well-being.
I'll admit, I had FOMO many times this past few months. Watching my friends race, while I sat on the sidelines. But I also knew that it wasn't right for me. Not mentally or physically.
I started training again last week. It is time to focus again. I'm just under 9 months from WY Range. I may or may not race before then. I haven't raced since High Lonesome in Jul 19.
I don't know what the year will bring, but it has brought a renewed spirit to me for my running. And that is a good thing. I don't need racing for a reason to run.
So here's to a new year...
