Happy New Year - 2016!

Yeah!!  We made it to 2016!  So glad the holidays are over.   Don't get me wrong, I love this time of year because I get to enjoy my time with family and catch up with friends, but it can also be a stressful time of year.  I was off work two weeks for the holidays and there is always so much to do during this time that it can be hard to eat clean because I'm always on the go.  This is also the time of year where I eat out more and it's hard to discipline myself.  Needless to say, I had more cheat days causing me to gain a couple pounds.  However, I did stay on track with my workouts and running schedule.  Cowtown Marathon is still coming and I want to make sure I'm ready.  So, as of today, I'm back to clean eating and hopefully loose what I gained.  I do notice that I'm slower when I run but I'm not going to get discouraged.  I have no regrets and now I have to get back on track.

With all the rain in Fort Worth, this used to be flooded.

I ran 18 miles yesterday to start off the new year and it was a good run.  I actually slept in and didn't run until 9:30 a.m.  The weather was perfect.  No sunshine, no rain or wind, just cold in the low 40's.  I woke up with a stuffy nose, but figured the run would help open my sinuses.  Besides, that would never hold me back from running.  There are days when you don't feel 100% and don't want to get up and go run, but I think those are the days you have to make yourself get up and go.  Because it's those days that after you run, you feel glad you did and feel a great sense of accomplishment.

           Boston Marathon - April 20, 2015          Finish time 3:31:46

     Chicago Marathon - Oct. 9, 2015       Finish time 3:24:09

               New York Marathon - Nov. 11, 2015    Finish time 3:34:21

2015 was a great year for me.  I ran three of the most popular marathons in the nation.  I qualified for both Boston and Chicago and lucky to have great work connections in NYC that I was able to get a free pass and run NYC Marathon again this year!  I was faster and healthier than I ever have been and that helped me run fast get a new PR at Chicago Marathon of 3:24:09 which qualified me to run NYC Marathon 2016!  You see, NYC marathon qualifying time is tougher than Boston qualifying time because it's the largest one in the world!  For my age group my qualifying time is 3:45 for Boston and NYC marathon it's 3:25!  That's a huge difference!  I just hope and pray they accept my application when I apply.  I always get nervous every time I submit my application to run Boston Marathon because it is not a guarantee you get in.  It seems like it's just a big lottery.  To say that I actually qualified to run NYC Marathon is a dream come true!

This year will be a great year!   Good Lord willing, I'm scheduled to run three marathons again this year.  The Fort Worth Marathon in February (my hometown), Boston in April and hoping to get in NYC in November, this year on my own!  I pray for my family, new job, good health and to stay injury free.  I also hope to get me a new dog this year to run with me on my long runs.  It will be a dog that both Eddie and I can train.  He can take use her to go hunting with too.  I'm thinking of either a Vizsla or Rhodesian Ridgeback.  Both are extremely athletic and can run long distance.  I'm excited to get this running buddy.  One that will be ready to go run whenever I want, protect and pace me on my runs.  Yes, it will be a great year!

Happy New Year and best wishes always!