It’s been some time since I’ve updated this blog, but do not mistaken that for a hiatus from running. Quite the contrary… I believe I am running more regularly than ever before. This month, I dedicated myself to running at least 3 miles a day. It’s 11/15 and I am 48 miles in to my goal.

After a summer plagued by health issues, I am incredibly thankful for every run I have the privilege of enjoying. I ran the Bellingham Bay half marathon at the end of September, and while it was not a PR, I finished 2 minutes faster than I did at the same race last year. I was so happy to pull it off and cross the finish line. I owe much of my success to my lovely friend and running buddy who joined me for many of my long runs in the month leading up to the race.

I did get to experience a PR this fall. Yesterday, I ran my fastest 10K to date, and it was at a race, which made it quite official. The 10K has really grown on me as a favorite distance. Unlike a 5K, which favors the speeding bullets, a 10K requires runners to be very intentional with their endurance and speed. I like the 10K because it is long enough to get into the zone (after the 2 or 3 miles it always takes me to fully warm up), but I still have a lot of energy when I finish, and I am not sore the next day.

Next up, I have a few more 5K races planned before the year is up. I am toying with the idea of doing a trail half marathon on New Year’s Eve… just at a leisurely pace for fun. The winter will be dedicated to training for the Whidbey Island Half Marathon. I hope to get my fastest time yet in April.

How thankful I am to have a running practice in my life, and relationships with myself and others that are deepening as a result of this practice.