With everything going on in my life right now, I totally forgot and missed an important anniversary. September 2nd marked the one year anniversary since I decided to get my butt up off the couch and start running again. I’ve been an on again/off again runner for most of my life, but last September was when I decided to make a change and be systematic about my training and running. Now one year later I am fully addicted.
These are the highlights from my past year:
- I looked back in my training log and reviewed my times for my first run. I ran 2.91 miles at an 11:10 pace. I had to stop multiple times and when I returned home my face looked like a thermometer about to pop. Today I did it (with a stroller) at a 7:55 pace, and today was not a speed workout day. I can run a mile in 5 minutes and change and so far I’ve been able to maintain a 6:54 mile in a 5K. In one year I took 4+ minutes off my pace.
- On September 2 2008 I weighed 182 pounds and had a spare tire. Today I’m at my target weight of 165 and I am proud to report that the Michellin Man has left the building.
- Last September it had been 9 years since I last ran a race. In the past year I have run in 23 races ranging from 5Ks to half-marathons. I’ve also started trail running and have run in trail races ranging from 3.5 miles to 14 miles. I’m at the point now where I’m starting to run some races for the second time.
- Last year my daughters were 5 months and 2 years and never knew a Daddy who ran. Today my daughters look forward to our runs and speak the language. My oldest knows that gatorade is reserved for run days and what a bib number means. She’s also run in her first kids race and has the medal to prove it too. I hope I’m setting a good example for them.
- Last year my wife was dead set against running on anything other than a treadmill at the gym. Today she is training for her own return race, a 5K in October.
- Last year I knew next to nothing about nutrition, training plans, and goal setting. Today I am working with my friend Justin and we are about to publish our debut podcast called “Run That By Me Again.”
- The year has not been all roses though. Early on in my training I made a rookie mistake and added too many miles too quickly. I ignored the pain and continued to run for weeks on a stress fracture until I succeeded on fracturing BOTH tibias. This landed me in Physical Therapy for 13 weeks and caused me to miss my Spring marathon.
- Today I am much stronger and 36 days away from the Cape Cod marathon.
It’s been a wonderful and life changing year. For those of you that read my blog regularly, thank you. I appreciate your comments and feedback and look forward to sharing more of my journey with you.
: )
Denis (aka RunFasterDaddy)
WOW what a huge improvement in one year! Congratulations! Good luck in the capecod marathon! It’s so beautiful up there!
~ Heather (runfastermommy)
Congrats my friend. That is incredible achievements for your year comeback to running. What a fast pace you can run. I am in awe. It is good to get to know you on Daily Mile as well!!!!
Keep it up and good luck in Cape Cod!!!!
Way to Go !!!! I hope that my 12 month anniversay will be as full of achievements as yours is. Truly inspirational, especially your speed improvement. Thankyou for sharing and keep up the great work!
Good luck in Cape Cod!
@runs2NY
@Heather - Thanks. It’s been a great year (minus the stress fractures), but even those fractures taught me something. I love reading your blog. Thanks for the encouragement for my Cape marathon. I’m just hoping for the right weather.
@Michelle - Yeah, I like following you on dailymile too. Many of the people I follow on DM are also twitter friends, but DM is a better way to share and get to know people. Every time I read your posts I feel guilty for not spending more time on my bike. Keep it up. Next Spring when I finally make the leap from running to triathlons I’ll need the kick in the a$$.
@Kirsten - I don’t think anyone has ever called me inspirational before. Kinda makes me feel awkward. Thank you for the kind words though. I am sure your year anniversary will be a big deal and I look forward to seeing how well you do in NYC.
Thanks for all the comments. I sincerely appreciate all the great support.
Nice write up, nice read and ultra cute photos of your daughter. My son did the Day of Portugal kids race two years before being rained out this year. So it’s great to see your whole family involved.
Keep it up and keep having a blast.
I LOVE the idea of celebrating an anniversary with running — or, more specifically, with yourself. You made a commitment to yourself and your health, and, just like in a good relationship with another human, you got stronger and smarter and better after you made mistakes. Sounds like you’re set up for an even better year to come!
Oh man, at first I thought you were going to say you missed your wedding anniversary. You’d be in deep doo doo if that happened! haha!
Congrats on the accomplishments and improvements you’ve had this year! Keep it up!