running: the dawn

Wow.  Another year?  Seriously?

My favorite thing about this time of year is looking back over the past 365 days and remembering the highs and lows, hoping to learn and grow from another year in the school of life.  I love reminiscing, “at this time last year…”

On that note….

This time last year I was getting ready to take running seriously again.  It had been 4 years since my last full marathon and only three races, two half-mary’s and a 15k, had filled the in-between years.  I talked my dear friend KT into training for a marathon and was beside myself with energy and joy to be reentering the world of running. I got to work figuring out a long run schedule for us to follow that lead from January to June where we would run the San Diego RnR Marathon.

Then, shortly after the first of the year I discovered running blogs.  And a whole new world opened up to me.  I remember an entire weekend devoted to scouring the web for race reports and drinking in the stories of marathons gone by.  I was enraptured.  Something about reading the stories of so many like-minded people who share their wisdom and would allow me to learn from their experiences.  Within a few days I knew that I needed to start giving back to a world that was giving me so much.  So I began my blog.  I had no idea what would happen from there…

• KT ended up not being able to run in San Diego
• I struggled with setting my own goals
• I decided to try and get a sub-4 marathon
• I trained with Pete Pfitz
• I watched Boston

*pause for a brief author’s note*
The day after the Boston Marathon I had a sit down chat with Mr. Dawn.  I haven’t ever written about this particular conversation on my blog, but I think its interesting to throw it in here.  I’ve always had Boston in the back of my mind.  I even remember, shortly after my first marathon in 2006, saying to a few very select people that I would love to run the Boston Marathon before I turned 30 (which obviously didn’t happen).  And then, for some reason, Boston 2010 enchanted me in a way that I can’t really explain.

Anyway, after I got home from school that day, Mr. Dawn gave me Gigit (the Garmin) with a note attached “Hope this helps with your BQ!”  I was breathless.  He believes I can do it?!?  Really?  He was studying outside so I went out to join him in the sunshine.  We talked about my upcoming San Diego Marathon and I told him that if I was able to get under 4 hours then I would try to qualify at a fall marathon.  “Where?” he asked.  “Grand Rapids.”  “No, I mean where do you want to stay in Boston?”  Like it was already a done deal.  It’s so amazing to have a husband who is supportive and believes in me more that I do.  Especially considering that this conversation happened while my best marathon time was 4:28.  I would have to knock 50 minutes off my PR (which wasn’t my most recent attempt!).

Anyway, back to the timeline:

• I finished San Diego in 3:58, a 30-minute PR
• I ran through the heat of the summer
• I found a new FAST running buddy
• We ran a race together and met some friends along the way
• I qualified for Boston taking another 18 minutes off my PR
• I registered for Boston

Wow.  That’s all I can say.  This year has been amazing.  I can’t believe what a difference 365 days has made.  I have so much to look forward to in 2011: plans, goals, travels, and even some changes….but for now I’m content to look back and celebrate all that 2010 was for me.  I started the year as a 4:28 marathoner, and here I am qualified and headed to Boston!!!!

I am so thankful for and to the community of runners and supporters that I have.  Thank you all for being a part of this journey and I can’t wait to continue to learn from each of you!!!