2014 Reflections

As I look forward to 2015 and my Boston to Boulder adventure and training starting next week, it is time to take stock of 2014 and a great athletic year.  The significance connects to my successes but more importantly to those with whom I shared these experiences.

Let’s look first at the success side of things:

•  2014 Boston Marathon – 3:14:31, a marathon PR by about 5 minutes
• T-Rex Tri series best – 1:05:09, a series PR by about 2 minutes
• Ironman Steelhead 70.3 – 4:50:35, a 70.3 PR by about 6 minutes and second sub five hour 70.3 race (heck yes!)
• Detroit Free Press Half-Marathon – 1:27:44, a half-marathon PR by a lot, not sure how much actually

I’m not sure things could have gone much better.  No significant injuries, lots of great training, a lot of fun, and a lot of faster times!  It is all the result of five years of consistent training and work that marks my 40s.

But 2014 was much more than PRs.  Let me show you what I mean:

Before the start of Ironman 70.3

#1:  Probably the best moment of the year...Ironman Steelhead 70.3 with Ryan, his first long-course triathlon.  It was a blast! Ryan's wave went off 10 minutes ahead of mine. Given the way he swims and the hellish swim I had in three foot rollers that day, I wasn't sure I'd see him all day.  Turns out I caught him toward the end of the bike that day and found out the swim was a struggle for everyone.  In any case it was an awesome experience to share this event with him.  Looking forward to more fun in 2015!

T-Rex Series Awards - Everyone's a Winner!

#2: The T-Rex Tri series is likely the most fun of the year: three sprint distance triathlons mid-week sponsored by Running Fit and Randy Step.  It is always a blast.  It was even better this year.  Ryan and the Muncie boys (i.e. my "adopted" sons) were a part of the fun with me this year.  More people = More fun!  And at the end of the series, each of us placed in our age groups . . . but we don't have to mention who has the most competitive age group.  And we don't have to mention who dominated the 2014 series time and overall placement in the races.  However, for the record, Ryan has already said next year is the year I'm going "down."  We all know it is inevitable.  At some point the young buck will learn how to suffer and win. Whether that time comes in 2015 or not is yet to be determined.  #olddontmeanslow

Dinner with Scott, Steve and Ron After Boston

#3: It is crazy to think Boston could be #3....it is the only event I've had to qualify to participate in since high school.  It was a privilege to be there (especially in 2014, the year after the bombings), was great to prepare and participate with so many friends, and I can't wait to tackle Boston again in 2015.  Boston 2014 actually defined the year more than any other event for me.  Looking forward to participating with Steve and Scott McLean and Ron Shashy at Boston again.

These three events and the moments of fun and friendship they represent were a lot of the spice of life in 2014.  I'm hoping that 2015 can measure up....I think it will.  Training starts next week!