At the start of 2017, I was about 16 months postpartum and fresh off November marathon and half marathon PRs, records that had taken a good three years (and getting pregnant again) before finally falling. For the first time in a long time, I decided to forego a spring marathon in the interest of doing short stuff. In essence, for the better part of the last decade, I had convinced myself that I was/am more of a marathoner than anything, that the discomfort from running 26.2 as fast as I could was more bearable than doing the same for 13.1, 6.2, or god forbid 3.1.
The stories we tell ourselves, or hey, let’s call a spade a spade and qualify it for what it is — the limitations we impose on ourselves — seem to have a way of becoming self-fulfilling prophecies. For years, I had all but purposely shied away from racing, much less training for, short distances because I was convinced that those distances just weren’t in my wheelhouse because anytime I did them, it just wasn’t enjoyable. Racing any of the PA races with my team was never an option simply because I never felt I was fast enough to do anything productive, lest I forget that I was always training for a marathon and always told myself that I “wasn’t in half, 5k, 10k, or (insert any other non-marathon-distance) shape.”
At any rate, I don’t know why I had decided that a spring 2017 marathon would be an unwise route for me to take — if memory serves, the only time in recent history when I haven’t done a spring marathon was in the throes of pregnancy — but in doing so, it left me with a gap to fill. I felt I was far enough along postpartum to begin pressing things a bit more earnestly, so going after the shorter and arguably harder non-marathon distances seemed to make a lot of sense at the time. Something unbelievable happened, too: I actually enjoyed non-marathon races. It wasn’t until after halfway through the year that I’d get back into the marathon, and it was in that opposing world where I spent most of my time training for the second part of the year.
When I talk about 2017, I can rattle off lots of statistics:
2,501 miles run (not a distance PR, but just shy of the 2,56x from 2014);
winning a couple races (SIB baby mama 10k, Hearts and Soles 10k, East Bay 510k);
running new-to-me distances/races (XC);
and having several non-racing or non-mileage-focused experiences that were still very meaningful (pacing SRM; spectating at BSIM, IM Santa Rosa, and my eldest’s first tri; participating in a Hoka Women Who Fly weekend; the tons and tons of stroller runs; and bike-stroller run-ride commutes with my kids).
I’ll be the first to admit that all that stuff matters to me, but when I think about my 2017, the connective thread between all of it is the community in which this sport enables me to immerse myself. It’s the community that made taking the plunge to do different stuff — stuff that I wouldn’t otherwise be so keen to do — more feasible, a welcome change of both literal and metaphorical pace. There was a time in my life when I’d sign up for a race; show up and do the thing; and then go home, both when I lived in Chicago and since moving to the Bay Area.
My 2017 was basically the polar opposite.
It’s the community in this sport — and the so many people with whom I got to spend time, train, and race alongside — that just makes me cheshire like a damn fool when I think about my running in 2017. Sure, notching personal bests (and working my ass off to get myself to a place where I can do that) is important and enjoyable, but the people, man. The people are where it’s at in this sport.
Rather than belabor every lowlight and highlight of the 2500 miles from 2017, I think the more appropriate way to adequately express what I’m talking about — why this community thing meant so much to me in 2017 — is to show you.
I’m not completely sure what I’m chasing after in 2018, at least not yet. I’m inclined to focus my year in much the same way as I did in 2017, by doing the shorter stuff in the first half and the marathon (SF, CIM) in the second half, but we’ll see.
What I do know is that I’ll be in good company again this year, and that in and of itself is pretty damn exciting.
Consider this your standing invitation to join in the fun anytime.
Congrats on a tremendous year. That really is a stunning amount of miles, PRs and accomplishments in a single year. You were really smart to take that month (essentially) off after CIM for some well-deserved R&R. Looks like you have an incredible running community out there and glad they helped get you out to do some shorter distances. All of your incredible race pictures have me pumped to start racing again this year. Since you mentioned that the GGP race was at the height of the “nonsense surrounding my liver” is it safe to assume that you are on the mend in that department and that there is a positive end in sight?
thanks, Pete! I haven’t taken a month “off” since pregnancy/fresh off of giving birth, so it was a big change (and one much welcomed, at that). and yea, the liver thing — I think! — is almost said and done. I had to get another round of bloodwork on 12/26 that showed some enzyme levels were still elevated, but not egregiously so (and still within the “normal” framework), and I am supposed to get a repeat MRI of my liver in Feb. As long as that comes back normal (or normal-ish) as well, then it’ll all be behind me. In the interim, I’ve gone off my colitis rx — which my GI kinda came to believe was the source of all of this stuff — so I’m hoping that all that shitty nonsense (bad pun) stays at bay as well… otherwise I’m kinda fucked and have to find a new medicine and start all over. Fingers crossed!!!!
Whew, good news. Glad to hear you that you are starting see the light at the end of the tunnel and that you can put all that liver crap behind you! Yes, here’s hoping the shitty stuff stays at bay! Fingers crossed you get a clean MRI in February. 🙂
Man, what an awesome year! I love your running community, it looks like so much fun! 🙂 Running memories are definitely more than the times we post, you’re right, but you also put down a lot of really good times last year. Can’t wait to see what you do in 2018! You’re inspiring me to get back out there after being in my shell as a runner for way too long. And I’ll be in Cali this spring and presumably you’ll be back here this summer, so maybe we’ll even get to run together!
thanks, Anne 🙂 and yea, that would be awesome if we got to run together when you’re here and I’m there! I was just looking at summertime flights over the weekend, as a matter of fact 🙂
Bravo, Erin! I can’t think of a more deserving runner to have such a stellar year. You had your share of challenges and you handled them with grace. The joy and gratitude that you show for your running success and friendships is infectious. Thank you for sharing your running! Wishing you an amazing 2018 in running and life!
10 thoughts on “2017: the annual report”
Congrats on a tremendous year. That really is a stunning amount of miles, PRs and accomplishments in a single year. You were really smart to take that month (essentially) off after CIM for some well-deserved R&R. Looks like you have an incredible running community out there and glad they helped get you out to do some shorter distances. All of your incredible race pictures have me pumped to start racing again this year. Since you mentioned that the GGP race was at the height of the “nonsense surrounding my liver” is it safe to assume that you are on the mend in that department and that there is a positive end in sight?
thanks, Pete! I haven’t taken a month “off” since pregnancy/fresh off of giving birth, so it was a big change (and one much welcomed, at that). and yea, the liver thing — I think! — is almost said and done. I had to get another round of bloodwork on 12/26 that showed some enzyme levels were still elevated, but not egregiously so (and still within the “normal” framework), and I am supposed to get a repeat MRI of my liver in Feb. As long as that comes back normal (or normal-ish) as well, then it’ll all be behind me. In the interim, I’ve gone off my colitis rx — which my GI kinda came to believe was the source of all of this stuff — so I’m hoping that all that shitty nonsense (bad pun) stays at bay as well… otherwise I’m kinda fucked and have to find a new medicine and start all over. Fingers crossed!!!!
Whew, good news. Glad to hear you that you are starting see the light at the end of the tunnel and that you can put all that liver crap behind you! Yes, here’s hoping the shitty stuff stays at bay! Fingers crossed you get a clean MRI in February. 🙂
thanks, friend! Here’s hoping!!
Keep on running, living, loving, and writing about it all, Erin! Love it!
thanks, Amy 🙂 xoxo
Man, what an awesome year! I love your running community, it looks like so much fun! 🙂 Running memories are definitely more than the times we post, you’re right, but you also put down a lot of really good times last year. Can’t wait to see what you do in 2018! You’re inspiring me to get back out there after being in my shell as a runner for way too long. And I’ll be in Cali this spring and presumably you’ll be back here this summer, so maybe we’ll even get to run together!
thanks, Anne 🙂 and yea, that would be awesome if we got to run together when you’re here and I’m there! I was just looking at summertime flights over the weekend, as a matter of fact 🙂
Bravo, Erin! I can’t think of a more deserving runner to have such a stellar year. You had your share of challenges and you handled them with grace. The joy and gratitude that you show for your running success and friendships is infectious. Thank you for sharing your running! Wishing you an amazing 2018 in running and life!
thanks for your support, friend! hope to catch you for a run next time you’re here 🙂 stay warm! xo