2023 was another solid year for me in terms of racing and staying active. Even though races are the big events where I get to apply my training and celebrate the hard work I’ve done, the daily training is probably even more significant overall. It’s become a way of life for me and I can barely go a day or two without doing something or I will feel “off.” Exercise brings so much positivity, confidence, and empowerment to my life that it makes perfect sense that I crave the constant movement. I kept moving quite a bit with 17 races on my schedule in 2023.

I favor the longer distances and only ran two 5Ks and one 10K last year. I did two 10-milers, and the half marathon continues to be my sweet spot – I ran five of those. I also ran two marathons, did four triathlons, a 5K swim, and ran a looped course enough times to rack up close to 25 miles. I had some pretty good variety in 2023. No real PRs other than completing a new distance, but still plenty of significant accomplishments.

One big goal for the year was to complete the “Run the Year” challenge. I ran over 2,100 miles in 2022 so I figured it was very doable. I usually don’t aim for mileage goals simply because I know injuries can pop up and I don’t want that goal in the back of my mind pushing me to do more when I should rest. Several friends created a team for the challenge and asked me to be a part of it so I agreed. It was a lot of fun to follow along with everyone’s activities and to encourage each other along the way. However, once December came along I was a bit concerned that I might not get all of those miles. I had put in a lot of miles throughout the year, but I also had a couple of tweaky spots that made me back off at times. I was relieved to get over 2,023 miles with just two days to spare. That cut it closer than I would have liked, but I did it! Thanks to encouragement (or peer pressure!) from friends, I signed up for the 2024 challenge as well.

With a couple days left to run after achieving my goal, I actually ran a total of 2,044 miles. When I looked at my training log a week before the end of the year, I realized I was close to hitting a big number for swimming as well. I was at 195 miles for the year at that point. I like the nice round numbers so I couldn’t resist doing a couple more big swims to get past 200 miles for the year. Biking is typically one of my lower priorities and I came in with 1,025 miles for the year.

Another big moment was running the Boston Marathon for my third time. Although I’ve run it a few times, the excitement that surrounds that race has not grown old. It motivated me to work extremely hard throughout the winter to prepare myself for the race. Hamstring issues that had lingered since the previous October finally lead me to physical therapy just weeks before the race. I was a little wary about how I might hold up, but I had a solid race. I was especially happy to BQ at Boston for my second time with a 3:37:18. My qualifying time is 3:40:00 so I made it by 2:42.

Although there had been no cutoff time for a couple years and everyone who had qualified actually made it into the race, I still felt a little wary about whether that would be enough of a buffer. I usually feel more comfortable if I have at least five minutes to spare. Because I’ve enjoyed running Boston SO much, I wanted to try to improve my qualifying time at a fall marathon. I had originally signed up for the Holland Haven half marathon in early September, then realized the race fell on the final weekend before the Boston-qualifying window would close for the 2024 race. I decided I better switch to the full marathon and give it a shot there. Good thing I did – I ran 3:34:19 which gave me a buffer of 5:41. I figured that was safe and didn’t realize until several weeks later that even a buffer that big would barely be enough. After sorting through all of the applicants, it was determined that people had to run 5:29 faster than their qualifying time to make the cutoff for 2024. I only made it by TWELVE seconds. I’m very thankful that I ran such a good race at Holland Haven, and I’m very thankful that I have the opportunity to run Boston again in 2024. I probably don’t need to go every year, but I’ve loved it so much each time I’ve gone that I still feel like if they’ll let me in, I’ll go!

Once again, Boston will keep me motivated to train extremely hard throughout the winter. I decided to go for it and commit to a fall marathon too – the Detroit Free Press Marathon. Registration opened on January 1 and I had decided a couple months ago that this should be the year that I FINALLY run the hometown race. It almost feels wrong to be a marathoner living in the Detroit area without having done that race. When I realized that there were several “challenges” available to sign up for, I couldn’t resist. I went all-in and signed up for “The Supreme,” which involves running the 1-mile race followed by the 5K on Saturday morning, then the full marathon on Sunday. I was inspired by my desire to make it to Disney World sometime soon where I’d love to run one of their crazy challenges. They offer the Goofy Challenge (half marathon and full marathon on back-to-back days) and the Dopey Challenge (5K, 10K, half, full). Running “The Supreme” in Detroit will give me a little taste of what that could be like.

Another fun thing about the past year was getting to be an ambassador for both Picky Bars and Epic Races. An ambassador (or “amBADASSador” in the case of Picky Bars!) basically shares the love and encourages others to get in on the fun. I swear by Picky Bars and eat them before running, during biking, after swimming, and any random time when I have a craving. It’s been fun to be an ambassador for them for a few years now.

It was my first time representing Epic Races which was a lot of fun too. I’ve done so many Epic Races in the past and have loved them so it was fitting to share my enthusiasm as an ambassador. I covered the Olympic distance at their Island Lake and Ann Arbor Triathlons. I did the Swim to the Moon 5K, I ran the Ann Arbor Half Marathon, and I loved doing the crazy 10-part Battle of Waterloo adventure triathlon once again. I worked really hard to prepare for Swim to the Moon and my fourth time doing the race was a good one. I’m thrilled that the Battle of Waterloo is back again in 2024 since it used to take place every other year. I’ve already committed to that and Swim to the Moon this year!

While talking about triathlons, probably the most significant accomplishment last year was doing my first 70.3/half Iron-distance race in Grand Rapids. I’ve told myself for years that I could do it and finally proved it to myself. It took me right around six hours to complete as I guessed it might, but I didn’t guess just how hard that run would be. I knew 56 miles on the bike would feel like forever and obviously it would slow me down for the run, but that half marathon was HARD. So what did I do? I went ahead and signed up for the race again this June! I also decided to try my first officially branded half Ironman in Sandusky, Ohio in July. Always pushing myself!

My closet and medal racks are practically overflowing after all of this racing. Here are 2023’s additions:

As always, one challenge heading into 2024 is to avoid or minimize injuries and random tweaks. I’m not real happy that I’ve slacked off a bit on strength training lately and need to make a point of doing more. I know it’s necessary to avoid developing weaknesses so I need to be more disciplined. I will see if putting TWO 70.3 races on my schedule makes me spend more time on the bike. Between those two races, the Boston and Detroit marathons, Swim to the Moon, and the Battle of Waterloo, I have a lot to look forward to and to help keep me motivated. There are a few other races already on my schedule too, and many more to come, I’m sure! 2023 was a solid year so I will hope for more of the same (or even better) in 2024.

– Janet

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