“It’s hard to wait around for something you know might never happen, but it’s harder to give up when you know its everything you want.” – Unknown

Bitter 2017 but that enhanced my running “self”

After a brand-new start in year 2016 with a goal of at least a marathon or ultra every month with just few months of running experience, it was life changing. Soon 2017 came and I found myself on a rollercoaster ride with many things happening at personal and professional level with move to California, new job (after 11 years in my old job) and many other events not worth mentioning on social media. I found myself struggling in 2017 at all levels!! There are no miracles in running, you get what you put in. when I started running, I had decided to myself that I would never quit and would never get any DNF (“did not finish”) in any race. I got my first taste of DNF at Bryce Canyon 100 miles attempt in 2017 with vastly underestimating the weather (>100 degs) and those sandy hills and came out humiliated with severe dehydration and blisters and showed up my lack of experience. I channeled my anger and frustration from this DNF and ran few back to back races.

“I ran 15 races in 2016 with no DNFs – 5 ultras including 100K and 9 marathons on diverse terrains.”

“I ran 12 races in 2017 with 2 DNFs including 6 ultras (mostly 50Ks) and 1 marathon”

I ran more consistently in late 2017 and gathered lot of experience especially on Californian hilly terrain as compared to relative flatlands of Texas. It laid a good foundation for me to start 2018 confidently.

“Life is like photography. You need the negatives to develop.” – Unknown

2018 – getting more matured every day but overall a great year of running for me

I had 2 loosely defined goals in 2018 – 2018 miles in 2018 and get at least one 100 miler finish. I was quite confident about the former than later but eventually ended up attaining the later. I got my first 100 miler buckle at Rio Del Lago 100 miler but couldn’t finish 2018 miles though I got closer (~1900 miles with ~230,000+ ft. of climbing).

“I ran 20 races in 2018 with one DNF including 13 ultras, 2 marathons. 13 ultras including one 100 miler finish, one 100K, two 50 milers, one 60K, seven 50Ks, 1 Quad Dipsea (28.4 miles)”

The best part about running is the friendships that you develop. I have made many good friends along the way and I don’t know what I would have achieved if I would not have run with them. I focused more on strengthening my core, flexibility by doing Yoga, Pilates, Stretching and Warmup/Cool-down routines that helped me a lot in running with plantar fasciitis pain and keep some of the other injuries under control. Also I did not let “life” to get in the way of my passion this year.

Every day, every race and every run, it’s a continuous learning and I am glad that I have started this wonderful sport. It’s never too late.

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” – Steve Jobs