I was inspired by Runthistown’s top 5 runs of 2011 to make a list of my own. Please give him credit if you want to make one too!
5. Emerald Nuts Midnight Run, New York, NY. January 1, 2011: The sponsor is extremely appropriate for this event, because it is nuts. Sometimes when I go to running-related events I get the sense that I’m entering this shadow world, with the shock and wonder that all this time this stuff was going on right under my nose, and I never knew about it. THIS was one of those times. (I guess I read The Borrowers a lot as a kid… heh.) I snuck away from my friend’s party with running tights in my bag, to find, oh what could it be, ANOTHER party, complete with crazy costumes and fireworks. I joined Runningbeautiful and her friends and I didn’t PR, but who cares? I woke up later that day (heh) feeling all sorts of refreshed.
4. Summer night run, Brooklyn, NY. August 11, 2011. This wasn’t the fastest, nor was it the easiest, and I remember feeling totally wrung out from all the humidity in the air as the sun set — but I saw my normal running route in a way I’d never seen it before. I ran through a surprise concert, games of touch football and people walking their dogs, and home on the dark streets past illuminated windows. There was something magical about it.
3. Coogan’s Salsa, Blues and Shamrocks 5K, New York, NY. March 5, 2011. The weather conditions could not have been worse, and the company could not have been better. I majorly PR’d (one that I wasn’t able to match for the rest of the year) and I met tons of my new teammates over brunch. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming; I realized how silly my fears about meeting other runners were. I’ll miss Coogan’s next year because I’ll be in New Orleans, but it’s a terrific race and you should do it if you are local.
2. Eight-miler over the Brooklyn Bridge, New York, NY. September 17, 2011. After the long and hot summer, this was the first fall run that felt fallish. I remember screaming over the bridge feeling unstoppable. In 2012 I’d like to do more runs that go places, not just loops; while logistically tricky they’re almost always worth it.
1. Asbury Park Half Marathon, Asbury Park, NJ. April 16, 2011. What can I say? You never forget your first. It was windy, the turnaround was annoying and afterward I felt like I had been beaten with a rubber bat… I wouldn’t change anything. I felt so happy and grateful and proud. Whatever you have to do to get that feeling, start working toward it now. You will not regret it.
