2024 has been a year of transformation for me, both in my running and personal life. I faced challenges on and off the roads and trails. Every mile, literally and figuratively, changed me. Tonight marks the end of the year. I am reflecting on the miles I logged in 2024 and thinking about the milestones I accomplished.
- January: The year started the same way it has for several years. It began with a virtual 5k benefiting the organization Still I Run. It also began my second year as a Champion Ambassador for this group.
- Races run: Break the Stigma 5k (virtual) 46:50, 15:02/mi pace
- Miles logged: 33
- February: I did the Winterlaufe 8k. I have done this race almost every year since I first ran it in 2015. This year I ran/walked with a new friend of mine, Kristin. As I am typing this, I can’t believe that I only met Kristin in person this year for the first time at Winterlaufe. It feels like we have been friends forever. I also ran the WTF 5 mile race, a trail run, with Kirsten.
- Races run: Winterlaufe 8k 1:24:47, 17:01/mi pace; WTF 5 mile 1:18:12, 15:33/mi pace
- Miles logged: 39
- March: This month I did something I had never done before. I flew by myself on an airplane to visit my friends Tiffany and Zac. We ran the Shamrock 8k together, and had a fun weekend just hanging out.
- Races run: Shamrock 8k 1:14:35, 14:50/mi pace
- Miles logged: 59.2
- April: On April 19th, Taylor Swift’s 11th album came out. I also completed my final comprehensive exam for my master’s degree the same day! The day after I participated in the inaugural Thumb Coast Ultra 50 mile relay with a team of incredible women. My friend Jackie, who I met randomly in college while working at Subway, joined us all the way from Maryland. While I loved the concept of the race and our team had a great time, I didn’t enjoy the course. Especially because it smelled like cow manure the entire 8.9 miles I ran.
- Races run: Thumb Coast Ultra 50 Mile Relay (8.94 miles) 2:16:05, 15:14/mi pace
- Miles logged: 45.6
- May: I didn’t run any races this month. However, something pretty huge happened in my life. I graduated with my master’s degree! My husband, dad and I took a road trip out to the east coast so that I could attend my graduation ceremony in person. While on the trip we got to see Boston. We drove the marathon course, took a tour of Salem, and spent a day in Niagara Falls.
- Races run: none
- Miles logged: 33.4
- June: I started training for the Detroit Marathon this month. We didn’t end up running the marathon after all. However, it did get me out on the road more. I also spent more time on the trails. I ran the STFU race
- Races run: STFU 5 mile 1:14:10, 14:39/mi
- Miles logged: 65
- July: I started marathon training in June. My running pace made me very skeptical about whether or not I could finish the marathon within the cutoff time. July’s running helped me feel more confident. I ran three races and managed to pull of paces I hadn’t seen on my watch in quite some time. I also celebrated my 37th birthday with my friends Liz, Tiffany, Nicole and Amanda in Washington D.C. seeing Green Day. It was one of the best months of the year for me.
- Races run: Volkslaufe 10k 1:46:36, 16:50/mi; Canadian Lakes 5k 39:45, 12:41/mi; Elsie Dairy Dash 5k 37:56, 12:19/mi
- Miles logged: 68.8
- August: This was the month that my friends Kirsten, Brian, and I made a decision. We weren’t going to run the Detroit Marathon. We wanted to drop from the full marathon distance to the half marathon, but the race was sold out. Luckily we were able to sell our bibs. August also brought the re-launch of our local Still I Run chapter that I co-captain with my friend Jessica. Our first meet-up in August had a great turnout. We continue to meet every other week to run, walk, bike, skate, etc. for our mental health.
- Races run: none
- Miles logged: 50.5
- September: I decided to sign up for a half marathon. I had already logged a lot of long runs in preparation for Detroit. I could easily train for and run a half marathon in October instead. At the beginning of the month I ran the Run Woodstock 5 mile race with Kirsten. I definitely preferred that distance to the half marathon that we ran last year!
- Races run: Run Woodstock 5 Mile 1:17:49, 15:34/mi pace
- Miles logged: 72.8
- October: A week before we would have run the Detroit Marathon, Kirsten and I completed the Hot Cider Half Marathon in Lansing. Thanks to Kirsten I have grown to prefer trail running. This half was on paved trails. It was the closest thing to being out on trails. It was on the river trail in Lansing that winds through woods and along the Red Cedar River. I pushed myself at that race and ended up beating the goal that I had set for myself.
- Races run: Hot Cider Half Marathon 2:58:52, 13:37/mi pace
- Miles logged: 49.2
- November: I started the month with another trail race, the Bonfyre 5 mile. The same group who ran it last year went together again (Staci, Kirsten, Brian and me). This year Staci and I did the 5 mile race again. Kirsten and Brian chose the 10 mile race. We all had a great time, enjoyed the trails, and of course the post-race food and drinks. I got a PR for my fastest 5 mile trail run!
- Races run: Bonfyre 5 mile 1:13:37, 14:27/mi
- Miles logged: 42.1
- December: This month was the most challenging month of the year for me. Our cat got fleas and had to go to the vet. My dad had a stroke and was in the hospital for 4 days. We ended the year with one of our cars needing major repairs. It was A LOT. I ran on 12/1/2024, 12/29/2024, and 12/31/2024, my lowest mileage month of the entire year, and for many past years. I give myself grace because of all that has been going on for me personally. I’m ready to start 2025 fresh.
- Races run: Out With the Old 5k 48:02, 15:20/mi
- Miles logged: 5.9. It was probably closer to 8 miles. My watch was also on the fritz this month. I didn’t record the run on 12/29/2024.
As I look back on the 561.4 miles I’ve logged this year, and the 13 races I completed, I see that running has been more than just a physical activity. It’s been a journey of growth and discovery. Each mile shows not just distance, but the effort, determination, and joy that came with it. As I close out 2024, I’m already setting my sights on new goals for the coming year. I’m excited to incorporate more trail running into my routine. I am aiming to run 50 miles each month in 2025. This includes both trail and road running. I will incorporate more cross-training to keep building consistency and strength. I’m also determined to tackle a half marathon and maybe, just maybe, challenge myself with my first 50k in 2025. The miles ahead are full of potential, and I can’t wait to see how they’ll change me next. Here’s to another year of running, exploring, and pushing past what I thought was possible.
RD on the Run 