It’s the end of March, which means we are through the first quarter of 2014… crazy, right? Since I have some pretty big plans for the year, some of which I have not shared, let’s take a look back at the first quarter of the year:
The stats:
- 3 marathons
- 1 DNS, or Did Not Start (read about it here)
- Over 350 miles
As you can see, my times got progressively worse, but the courses were also progressively more challenging. I would love to have bounced right off of my 3:37 PR in December and nailed my sub 3:30 soon after, or even have snagged a PR around 3:33. That would give me something to hang my hat on, so to speak. But I struggled as the year began and pushed it a little too hard trying to achieve something that my body wasn’t ready for. That led to my DNS this past weekend at the Livermore Half Marathon and my deciding to ease into the month of April.
My miles were pretty good. I cracked 100 each month, which is always great. With a race in January and 2 in March there were taper weeks built into it along with me taking most of the last two weeks off. I would love to get my monthly miles closer to 150/month, but it will definitely be about quality mixed in with quantity.
What the stats DON’T show:
All the amazing experiences. Seriously. I have been spoiled in the opportunities that have happened this year. In January, I got to be a part of an amazing tweet up in Arizona and hang out with the one and only Run EMZ on stage, then run with her a marathon with her the following day. I also got to be reunited with a lot of the #SA2LV crew and finally meet Heidi of BananaBuzzbomb.com
>>Click to enlarge<< Side view of that selfie. Pretty cool, huh?
SA2LV reunion photo with Andrea Barber, RunEMZ and Heidi. Photo credit: Paul Nestor
If that wasn’t enough to make my year, I then got to be a part of the ASICS blogger challenge team at the LA Marathon. It was a weekend that makes me think “how did this whole running-blogging-social-media thing happen?” and “how crazy is it that THIS is my race weekend?” From meeting all the bloggers that I read and look up to and then meet and kick it with elite runners that I root for and cheer on… I know we are all just people, but c’mon, theses are THE American superstar endurance athletes.
The stats also don’t show that I’m feeling like a missed opportunity came and went… twice. This IS NOT A PITY party and I’m not looking for pats on the back. This is me just being real on my blog and letting you know how I feel. I missed sub 3:30 twice, and it’s eating at me. I flat-out just missed it at AZ. THAT was where it needed to happen and if it had, I think it would have spring-boarded me into an intense February and March with all the confidence. It was a flat course and I had the perfect pacer to get me there, my brain and/or legs just weren’t into that day. It then put more pressure on me to achieve that goal on a harder course and hotter day in LA. I can’t control the weather, but it was a doable time on a reasonable course. My goal in Oakland was to run a smart race, but I went out too fast straight up a hill and combined with tired legs, it burned me and sidelined me with a wonky knee.
If it wasn’t for the amazing experiences and meeting so many incredible people, I’d be having a pretty lousy start to the year. This of course, is in no way compared to many others who are dealing with real issues. I know that these are #runnerproblems and I should be happy for the opportunities I have been given… and yes, I am truly grateful and thankful. My little issues on not running fast enough fail in comparison to the challenges that many other face on a daily basis. #fact
Looking forward:
With the first quarter behind me, I have a race coming up on April 6th. It’s the San Francisco Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon. I’ll be doing it for fun, running with friend and taking a lot of pictures. I will be testing out my knee this week on short runs to make sure its ready to go on Sunday. More to come on what is going down race weekend.
After that, my next scheduled race will be the Bay to Breakers race in San Francisco on May 18 — $5 off code: PAVEMENTRUNNER5. It will be my FIRST time running the race, so more to come on that as well. In June, I’ll be running the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Full Marathon and have yet to decide what my plans will be for that race. I ran it last year and it isn’t necessarily a “fast” course, but from what I remember, has some fast segments in it.
Either way, I’ll definitely be taking April and May to work on my basics. I’ll be taking a look at my form, working on areas to improve and introducing more cross training and strength building. I think that part of my not being able to finish these races “strong” has been not being able to rely on things other than my legs.
Cheers to an amazing first quarter and to an even stronger second.
Guest Post:
I was also featured on WeightOffMyShoulders.com: Running: Is it your 2nd Job? last week. Shout out to @IrishEyes1982
How has 2014 treated you so far?
I had a very fortunate start to the year Boston qualifying several weeks ago at the Quintiles Marathon here in Wilmington, NC. It is a fantastic flat course with just once bridge to cross 3 times and I hope the word will get out so others will come support this fantastic race! Hope your second quarter is a great one!
I LOVE THE LINE WHAT STATS DONT SHOW.
right now that is everything here.
the stats dont show how Im rocking my world right now because all Im rocking be the small stuff.
and thats ok :-)
2014 got off to a rough start. I wasn’t sure what goals I wanted to work towards this spring, but I figured it out my February. I’m training for speed to PR in the 10K, and conditioning for endurance to cycle across the country this summer!
Great post, PRB. I am going to borrow the concept!!
hey running ONE marathon is a HUGE accomplish… running THREE in that short of time?!?! brian… YOU’RE AWESOME! and like you said – stats don’t show everything by any measure!
You’ve been a busy boy! I can tell you’re the kind of guy that’s going to get the sub 3:30 — it will come!
Ah. stats. I have none. Actually, I guess I do, I just don’t know what they are since I don’t log them or pay attention =) Ha! As for the ‘lousy’ start to the year…just think, a couple years ago you probably never dreamed you’d be where you are doing what you’re doing or have already done. It’s human nature to want to become better and achieve goals. But no worries friend, I have no doubt you’ll get there. Enjoy the journey =)
This is a great post! Its so important to remember that race stats not only don’t show everything, but they don’t define us as runners either. All of the other experiences, as well as how we approach everything, is what defines us. Best of luck in the next quarter in conquering your goals!
Stats can leave so much out! This year has had a rough start for me with injury but I’m coming out of it and ready to rock the last 3 quarters!
I started 2014 injured so it is coming a lot better than it started! I just started back running over the past month and I am doing well so far! Looking forward to what the rest of the year has to bring – INJURY free!
I agree with what everyone else has said, stats only show a small amount of what you have accomplished, there is so much more underneath numbers. I appreciate you being real, as usual, because that is what it’s all about and sometimes disappointment comes and we just have to learn and grow :)
Behind the scenes…what the stats don’t show. I love that. And it’s so true. Like when I competed…all the amazingness that went on backstage are where a lot of memories are made too :)
You are still an amazing running super-star in my books! My first quarter has been awesome. However, I am looking forward to relaxing a bit this next quarter and focusing on the FUN of running! :)
I’ll be at Rock And Roll SD too! I hope we get a chance to meet.
May I say something from the heart, as someone with over 20 years of running and 35 marathons under her belt? If it’s all about the experience, meeting people, and having an awesome time, keep doing what you’re doing. Lots of races are fun, I love reading your recaps, so don’t get me wrong. But…
I think you’re racing too much to get the proper training to run that sub-3:30. You know from experience that to achieve your running goals, you need to train properly, and you can’t do that if you’re racing every other weekend. And that’s not even taking the increased risk of injury into account.
I know it’s none of my business and you should do the things that make you the happiest. But it is said with love and admiration for everything that you bring to the running community.
Stats can be helpful, but only tell part of the story. I love that you have so many amazing experiences beyond the numbers!
I’m taking the view that by managing to run at all this winter while living in a polar vortex region AND not having a treadmill/gym membership, I’m doing great. But I definitely did not do what I hoped to do at my first race, so I completely understand how you’re feeling right now. (Granted mine was just a 5K, but still.)
How are we already a quarter of the way through the year?! That is CRAAAAZZY!
You have had an amazing quarter, and although it was not what you wanted, I am actually more proud and happy for you than if you would have run well and made it through them all….because you probably would have been so burned out that the rest of the year would have been spent recovering. As you were smart, and you reflected, you took a step back (which takes more courage than plowing through), you will be abck stronger than ever! Cant wait to see what the other 3/4 has in store for you :)
My 2014 is going well so far, first race of the year/since the marathon this weekend, so nervous, but I think I am moving in the right direction towards my 1:13 half marathon goal next month :)
Awesome post! I am also a HUGE stats geek, but the numbers totally can’t tell all of the story.
2K14 has been treating me well. The highlights have been a half marathon PR, submitting a manuscript for publication, and moving. The low-lights have been going through the peer review process for that manuscript…and moving.
Is it a sign of my misplaced priorities that I was on mapmyrun planning running routes at my new address before I transferred my utility bills? Or that I unpacked all of my spandex immediately, but I’m eating out of pots and pans still?
I would say that is a pretty EPIC first quarter. My race season is really just starting, so I am jealous of all your epic races!
The thing is, stats are just stats and definitely don’t show the whole story behind it all – good and bad. You have an a pretty epic year so far and I think that those experiences will make you stronger over the rest of the year. And those experiences you’ve had? Amazing. You’ll have such a blast running Bay to Breakers. I ran it one year and it was so much fun, even running with my siblings :-)
I have loved following you this year in your running journey- you put a lot of miles in- so impressive. I hope we get to race together again this year- I had so much fun in October.
My stats suck thus far. I have been off an on with running the first 3 months of the year and somehow survived the Livermore Half. My stats show a lack of running with sporadic bursts before weeks of nothing. I agree that stats alone don’t make the runner. The experiences surrounding training, the race and those off and on days aren’t really shown. They’re just numbers after all. The stats aren’t the true memories of a run or life.