• Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • St. louis

Moms Little Running Buddy

Always striving, never quite achieving balance

DSC_0142 cropped 200 topright_text
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Running
  • Workouts
  • Pregnancy
  • Parenting
  • Partnerships

2014: Year of Running in Review

December 10, 2014 27 Comments

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Every year,  Amanda invites us to reflect back on our year of running.  This is my first year really taking part and just thinking about what I wanted to talk about has been good for me.  I ended up running 4 halfs (and I really wanted to do two more), I PR’ed the 5K and just got stronger.  I really fell into a rhythm this year like no year before.  I’m enjoying some downtime but also looking forward to a strong year ahead!Year of Running

Year of Running In Review

Best Race Experience

Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles – This race happened pretty much at the peak of my mileage so I felt strong the entire race, the temperatures were amazing and the people were even better!  I even managed to cut 4 minutes off my time for the year.  I think any race where I get to mingle with Team Chocolate Milk Teammates, Pavey, and Stuft Mama, it’s gotta be good.

Best Run

Hands down, the 5K at Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago.  When you get to pace with Shalane Flannigan, you know the chances of PR’ing a race are pretty good and that’s exactly what happened.  I have never see times like that at a race before and it really made me ask myself…”what more can I do?”  I accomplished one of my 2014 goals which was to beat my PR!

Best New Gear

This is a toss up between the New Balance Fresh Foam Running Shoe (seen in the picture above) and wireless earbuds.  I am highly dependent (to a fault) on music when I run and having the freedom to separate my phone from my earphones has been awesome for me.  You can check out my gift guide for my recommendation on a pair.

Rock 'n' Roll Chicago 5K

Best Piece of Running Advice

I agree with Christine on this one.  I loved and message behind “Embrace the suck”. There is a great article by pro triathlete Chris McCormack about how you have to learn to embrace the suck. Pushing to a limit I didn’t know existed in the 5K in Chicago, I really had to overcome and push through when it was so unpleasant.

Most Inspirational Runner

Everyone that I ran with at every race and every one of you that helps me get and stay motivated.  I have been so inspired by your stories, your perseverance, your passion.  We are a community and it’s in that community that I draw my strength.  You all have no idea seriously how much you mean to me.  We might not be able to run together physically but it doesn’t matter.

If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be?

Exciting, Strong and Addicting

I feel like I overcame a huge hurdle when it comes to wrapping my brain around 13.1. It doesn’t scare me like it use to.  I actually look forward to running it.  I wasn’t there at the beginning of the year.

I’m still trying to pull together my 2015 goals but as soon as I figure them out, I’ll share.  One thing I do know for certain is that I’ll be starting the year with a bang in Phoenix for Rock ‘n’ Roll AZ in January.  Come and run with me!  I’ll even give you $15 off to do it!  Use code: MOMSLRBAZ and meet me in sunny, warm Arizona in January.

Love this Year of Running Recap! What an amazing year!

Click To Tweet

How was your year?  What accomplishments or races are you most proud of?

More from my site

  • Funk, Rut or InjuryFunk, Rut or Injury
  • Truth Is…Truth Is…
  • Fontanta2SD – Rock n Roll San Diego RecapFontanta2SD – Rock n Roll San Diego Recap
  • Baseball, Running, and ChildhoodBaseball, Running, and Childhood
  • Is it Just Life or Internal Sabotage?Is it Just Life or Internal Sabotage?
  • One Day You Have It..The Next Day You Don’tOne Day You Have It..The Next Day You Don’t

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Email

Comments

  1. Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says

    December 10, 2014 at 11:57 pm

    Love this Katie! You had an amazing and strong year and can’t wait to see what 2015 has in store!!

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      December 11, 2014 at 12:41 pm

      Thanks Christine!

      Reply
  2. Tina Muir says

    December 11, 2014 at 5:48 am

    What a wonderful post, so happy, so strong, so positive! You make me feel bad about mine haha, I am definitely not embracing the suck, I am making everyone feel sorry for themselves hahha! Just kidding, this made me feel a lot happier right now, can’t wait to follow your journey in 2015!

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      December 11, 2014 at 12:40 pm

      Thank you Tina!

      Reply
  3. Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says

    December 11, 2014 at 6:19 am

    You do have to embrace the suck! Most of us are not professional runners and we have ups and downs in running and in our lives. It is important to keep that in perspective. I love the running community and all of the support and friendships I’ve made. Here’s to a great 2015!

    Reply
  4. Michelle @ Running with Attitude says

    December 11, 2014 at 7:36 am

    You had a great year Katie! Looking forward to seeing what 2015 brings you!

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      December 11, 2014 at 12:40 pm

      Thank you Michelle! Back at ya!

      Reply
  5. Marcia says

    December 11, 2014 at 8:55 am

    Congrats on breakthrough year Katie!

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      December 11, 2014 at 12:40 pm

      Thanks Marcia!

      Reply
  6. rachel says

    December 11, 2014 at 9:41 am

    So much fun! You had a great year of running in 2014!

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      December 11, 2014 at 12:39 pm

      Thanks you! 2015 is going to rock for you!

      Reply
  7. Kimberly @ Healthy Strides says

    December 11, 2014 at 12:56 pm

    Nice job! And I think it was impossible to run in 2014 without embracing the suck. It makes the sweet surprises, like good races, all the better. Here’s to a better 2015.

    Reply
  8. Stephanie says

    December 11, 2014 at 4:10 pm

    I love the idea of “Embracing the Suck” I have such a love hate relationship with running that I think that basically sums up my year! This is my first time visiting your site, Love it! I will be back!

    Reply
  9. Kerri Olkjer says

    December 11, 2014 at 4:34 pm

    Great pics! I’ve always thought Rock n Roll Vegas would be amazing.

    Reply
  10. RFC says

    December 12, 2014 at 9:31 am

    Shalane paced you to a PR? That is indeed an unforgettable memory! Congrats!

    Reply
  11. misszippy says

    December 12, 2014 at 9:49 am

    I love reading about a great year like yours! Congrats on pulling it out and cheers to big things in 2015! Thanks for playing along.

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      December 16, 2014 at 8:03 pm

      Thanks Miss Zippy!

      Reply
  12. Kristen :: Kristen Runs says

    December 12, 2014 at 12:05 pm

    What a great post! I might steal this idea… 🙂

    Reply
  13. Tiff @ Love, Sweat, & Beers says

    December 12, 2014 at 2:02 pm

    Wow, reading this *almost* made me want to lace up and go for a run! 🙂 It wasn’t a great year of running for me, but it definitely wasn’t bad. I finished my 2nd half marathon, finally got to try stroller running, and got back my body after baby. No complains!

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      December 16, 2014 at 8:02 pm

      Thanks Tiffany

      Reply
  14. Janice - Fitness Cheerleader says

    December 15, 2014 at 3:43 pm

    Fantastic year Katie! Way to go on embracing the sucks and pushing your limits. I suspect that BIG things will happen for you next year!

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      December 16, 2014 at 8:01 pm

      Thanks Janice!

      Reply
  15. Carly @ Fine Fit Day says

    December 18, 2014 at 10:34 pm

    What an awesome year! 2014 was also the year of the half marathon for me – I loved reading that you started out being scared of the distance and ended this year loving it. 🙂

    Reply
  16. Amy @ Life to the Full says

    December 19, 2014 at 2:11 pm

    Really fun post and looks like you’ve had an awesome year! I’ve always leaned more towards the full marathon but this year I ran two half marathons and loved them! And we found out Baby #2 is on the way. It’s been a great year!

    Reply
  17. Sandra Laflamme says

    December 19, 2014 at 9:30 pm

    Haha! “embrace the suck!” I love it! I will definitely use this to fuel me through some tough runs! Here’s to continued awesomeness in running in 2015.

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      December 20, 2014 at 7:42 am

      Back at ya Sandra!!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Running Year In Review: 2015 | Moms Little Running Buddy says:
    December 14, 2015 at 10:15 pm

    […] in my case, be grateful for all that happened.  It’s time for a year in review.  I did this last year and really like looking back at these.  So […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sign up for Moms Little Running Buddy

receive the latest posts directly to your inbox

Affiliate Support

Shop My Affiliates

Support me by shopping my favorite brands.

New Balance Athletic Shoe