2012 Race Review
I wanted to take some time to reflect on my year of racing, it was prompted by me finding the data for this tweet:
\[tweet https://twitter.com/davidwilemski/status/275343866285142016\]
(and, yes, pun partially intended)
This is mostly going to focus on late Summer through Fall since that’s when I was the most dedicated and began to start reaching for goals I’ve had for a long time. Who doesn’t love data?
First, let’s look at those 18 races: <span style="color: #ff6600;">Color=PR</span>
Date Race Time Pace
1/5/2012 Super 5k 21:44:00 7:00:38
<span style="color: #ff6600;">2/29/2012 Leap Year 4 Miler 26:51:00 6:42:45</span>
3/11/2012 Shamrocks & Shenanigans 5k 20:20:00 6:33:32
3/24/2012 Passion for life 5k 20:54:00 6:44:30
<span style="color: #ff6600;">4/14/2012 Martian 10k 42:53:00 6:55:00</span>
<span style="color: #ff6600;">5/26/2012 Bayshore 10k 42:06:00 6:47:25</span>
<span style="color: #ff6600;">8/11/2012 Run Thru Hell 10 miler 1:15:20 7:32</span>
8/26/2012 Run For the Corn 5k 19:28:00 6:16:46
9/16/2012 Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo 5k 18:18:00 5:54:11
9/22/2012 Michigan Fall Classic 5k 18:54:00 6:05:48
<span style="color: #ff6600;">9/29/2012 Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational 8k 31:05:00 6:15:15</span>
10/6/2012 Run Scream Run 5k 17:57:00 5:47:25
10/14/2012 MSU Spartan Grand Classic 5k 18:47:00 6:03:32
10/27/2012 headless horseman 5k 17:19:00 5:35:09
11/10/2012 A2 Turkey Trot 5k 18:23:00 5:55:48
<span style="color: #ff6600;">11/13/2012 Wayne lightfest 8k 30:15:00 6:05:11</span>
<span style="color: #ff6600;">11/22/2012 Detroit Turkey Trot 10k 37:34:00 6:03:32</span>
<span style="color: #ff6600;">12/1/2012 Holiday Hustle 5k 17:12:00 5:32:54</span>
That last PR is the one I’m most proud of both because it has been a goal to improve my 5k since high school and because it compares most favorably against my other PRs. (It’s my "best" race)
Additionally, I ran a number of new race distances this year. I ran my first 4 mile race - but was just getting back in shape then and that distance is not too common. I ran my first three 10k races (and improved on each one - arriving at a PR I’m pleased with for the time being). I also ran my first two 8k races, one of them being during cross country season with MRun. Lastly, I ran a 10 miler. That race, of all of these races, was by far the most difficult. I clearly was not prepared for a longer distance race at the time and the soreness I had for days afterwards reminded me of that.
I only really got back into training at (what I would consider) a high level in the end of August. Noting that, I can be nothing but pleased with what I was able to accomplish this year. Additionally, it makes me extremely excited for what I can accomplish with a full year of quality training during this coming year.
Now comes the part where I set goals for next year. I have 3 main goals and an additional set of milestones that I think will happen if I’m able to accomplish my goals.
Goals:
- Race my first half marathon. Time goal: ideally sub 1:20, will be happy with sub 1:25
- Finally run a sub-17 minute 5k
- See what running a 100 mile week feels like
Other things I think are achievable on my way to meeting these goals:
- Sub-36 minute 10k
- Run over 3000 miles in a year - I think even close to 4000 is possible
- (maybe) Complete a marathon
The goal that will make me happiest is the sub-17 5k but I think that the combination of all of these things are possible on my way there. I feel that I am finally improving as a runner again, picking up were I left off 4 years ago. I want to see how far I can take this.