It’s a new year, a new decade, and I’m looking forward to seeing where this year takes me. Join me for the first Running Coaches’ Corner of 2020!
Looking Forward to 2020 | Races, Coaching, and Running Coaches’ Corner
Happy New Year and welcome to 2020! I’m really excited to be sharing this post with you today for a couple reasons. You may recall that I originally started the Running Coaches’ Corner back in 2016. (Check out my first official Running Coaches’ Corner post here!)
It was so much fun and I had a good run with it until 2018 when I decided I had enough with hosting linkups. At the time, life was super crazy and upside down. I had to prioritize where I was spending my time and energy and sadly, hosting linkups had to take a backseat.
But, as luck would have it, I’m back! And as Debbie put it, it’s the start of a new era! Life is still crazy and upside down, but I’ve decided I’m getting back to my roots with the blog. I used to use it as a bit of a training journal, which I will do again. I also used to use it to share information and tips about health, fitness, and especially running. Which I will also begin again because honestly, writing, editing, and sharing those posts keeps me up to date as well. It’s a win-win and I’m looking forward to it.
Before I get to those types of posts, though, let me reintroduce myself to you.
About Me
First, I’m a USATF and RRCA certified running coach. I’m also a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer, and I’m happy to tack on certified kettlebell coach to those credentials as well.
What does all of that mean? Well, if you’re not into fitness or running, it probably doesn’t mean a whole lot. But if you are, then it means I’ve spent a significant amount of time learning about the human body and how it responds to training to varying degrees of stress and in a variety of environments and conditions. Professionally, this translates to my ability to coach varsity track and cross country, adult endurance athletes, elementary kids, and be a fitness trainer.
In short, I like running, training others to run, and helping people live a healthier lifestyle.
Nice to meet you! Or re-meet you in some cases.
New Year, New Plans!
Since today is the first day of the new year and all, I thought I’d share some things I’m looking forward to in 2020. Chief among them is being back as a co-host for the Running Coaches’ Corner. Obvs. But there are some other things on the horizon this year, too.
Track season is about to begin!
While in the throes of track, it gets rough. Lack of adequate meals due to crazy long meets, standing out in the freezing cold for hours upon hours, and all the coordinating and babysitting of my own kids and my jumps kids — it gets to be a lot.
Having said all that, though… I was unexpectedly sad when track season was over last year. It strangely hit me like a ton of bricks. It turns out I had a blast training and coaching high school. It was the hardest five months of my life but it was amazing. I spent the majority of the summer thinking of ways I could improve the jumps program. I took a jump-specific continuing education course for my NASM certification, and I even got certified as a USATF level one coach. To say track and field is a big part of my life now would be the understatement of the decade.
Brrrrrr…
So yeah. I’m excited for track to start next week!
Race season is right around the corner
The other thing I juggled a lot last year, especially with track but also with cross country in the fall, was racing season. But my own racing season is my favorite and I’ve got a lot of “stuff” in the works. My favorite part of racing season is getting to meet new people and adventure in new places. There’s no better way to connect with others, self, and nature than by spending several hours on foot. Here are a few of the races I’m either already signed up for or are considering heavily. I’m so looking forward to them!
Running with my Gnomies | May 2020
I’m really excited for this race, mostly because it’s called Running with my Gnomies. There are 25K and 50K options. I originally wanted to run the 50K but upon further inspection of my calendar, I have a track meet the night before the race so I opted for the 25K instead. All good. I’m super jazzed for this one!
Eagle Up Ultra | June 2020
Eagle Up has been on my bucket list for a couple years now. The pros: you can choose your distance and get credit for distance run. Let’s say I sign up for the 50K but I’m feeling amazing and complete 50 miles (which won’t happen but this is hypothetical) — I would get credit for running a 50 miler. Another pro? It’s a pancake flat course. The cons: It’s at the beginning of June which would mean my training would have to be super heavy during track season. Just not sure if I could swing that. And it’s a looped course. I’m still on the fence about the loops.
Buckeye Trail 50K | July 2020
I’m tossing the idea of running the Buckeye Trail 50K this year. I really feel like I need a do-over from Moebius last year. The roots and mud just tore me up. My IT bands were not happy in the slightest.
Having said that… I’m not entirely opposed to running Moebius again as a redemption run. Weighing pros and cons between each over the next couple months. Stay tuned.
Burning River | July 2020
I runfess… I really want to run the 50 miler. But I don’t know if I would physically make it and I’m not sure my marriage would survive 50-mile training. At least not yet. I usually go by the “every other” rule, which means one season I run really, really far and the next season I log less miles. I think 2020 will be the season of less miles and there’s no way a 50-mile race would fit into that rotation.
I think the 4-person relay is most realistic at this point. Either way, can’t wait!
Air Force Marathon | September 2020
AF Marathon has been a bucket list race for me for a few years as well. This is a strong TBD, though. I do have a client tackling it as her first full (WOOHOO!!!!) and my husband would complete it as his first half. So there is definitely reason to do it. Honestly, it just depends on how the rest of the race schedule pans out.
Wineglass Half Marathon | October 2020
Wineglass is yet another bucket list race! And this one I’m signed up for. This *could* potentially turn into a full marathon. Depends on a few things but namely if my friend Melissa decides to make it her first and also if there’s space available. But for now, I’m running the half and I’ll enjoy every minute of it!
Kids Run the Nation Returns!
As I mentioned earlier, one of my coaching duties includes coaching little ones. I’m thrilled to be bringing Kids Run the Nation back to the Cleveland area this spring. Details will be ironed out in the next week but if you have a child in the area in grades K-6 and think they would enjoy it, stay tuned for more info. We’ll be running in March and April.
Wow. I feel like I just lived through all of 2020 without ever leaving the comfort of my laptop. How can that be? Hopefully time will slow down just a titch so I can enjoy all these races, events, and activities. I’m so looking forward to all of it! And I’m glad to be back as a co-host of Running Coaches’ Corner. See you on Wednesdays!
xo
Let’s talk!
What’s one big, scary goal you have for 2020?
Are you doing any bucket list activities this year?
Ready to link up with the Debbie and me for the Running Coaches’ Corner? Click the link below!
