2010 in Review. What were your personal highlights?

mudrunner · Dec 26, 2010

RunNY posted the question in another thread.."What was your favorite or most special run, race or event for 2010?
 
I had a bit of an "off "year as far as running went. I started off with a groin injury (not running related) & didn't get back into it until February...the truth is that I just couldn't find my mojo, but there were some wonderful moments where I wouldn't have rather been doing anything else. Here are my top moments from 2010.
 
May 2010: Juan de Fuca Trail (somewhere on Vancouver Island's Wild West Coast):
Not a race, but a point-to-point running adventure with no aid...50km of coastal running through temperate rainforest on slick boardwalks, shifting beaches, & oozing muck with 4 buddies....finished off with copious beers & homemade burgers in the small town at the end of a logging road....Port Alberni.
 
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/68519/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="IMGP2782[1].JPG" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15610" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15610/width/640/height/480" style="; width: 640px; height: 480px"></a>
 
 
 
June 2010: Western States
I had the privelege of paceing KateMD.... the epitome of what running trails & long distance is all about....a road trip, camaraderie, memories, suspense, friends (old, new, & imaginary), on an historic trail that is the epicentre of the trail running world on that particular weekend. Thanks so much to Kate, Karen, Leslie, et al for allowing me to tag along. I would put this as my favourite single running event of 2010.
 
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/68521/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="P1030995.JPG" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15611" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15611/width/375/height/500" style="; width: 375px; height: 500px"></a>
 
 
July 2010: Fat Dog 100
Grossly underestimated, & 25% longer than measured. It was the most spectacularily scenic race I have ever done....bar none. To put this race in perspective....I had gone into it with the shittiest attitude a racer could have...I intended to run the first 50km & then drop out before nightfall....I had a nagging injury at the 30km mark....I got lost (which saw me drop from 3rd place to 7th & losing 45 minutes)...all before the 50km aid station. Anyway...long story short...the scenery & the trail were far more impressive (& tougher) than I had imagined. I ran the last 17 hours with the lead woman & it turned from a "race" into a nice long run in the mountains. If I had to make a comparison, it would fall somewhere between Wasatch & Hardrock for both scenery & difficulty.
 
This is the race that I am gunning for in 2011.<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/68517/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="P1040113[1].jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15609" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15609/width/667/height/500" style="; width: 667px; height: 500px"></a>

Just Jim · Dec 27, 2010

I started the year with a number of goals, they included; run 2010 miles for the year, and complete a race of 26.2 or higher every month. I managed both of those - I will be close to 2100 miles and I started 15 ultras and 3 marathons. DNF'd in two of those ultras.
 
Highlight was probably my "vacation" in July - crewing at Badwater, then heading straight to Tahoe for the 50 mile race on the Tahoe Rim Trail. What an awesome race. I am going back for the 100 in 2011
 
Whiskey at 8 miles, double shot at 40, plus beer at 30 and the finish. Was coming off of two 50 mile DNF's so all I wanted was the finish, and I got that and had a lot of fun along the way. Just stunning scenery, perfect weather and I even coped with the lack of oxygen at 9000ft.
 
 
Vacation part 1
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/68548/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="34535_103138379741339_100001355325237_18722_6732077_n.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15619" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15619/width/667/height/500" style="; width: 667px; height: 500px"></a>
 
 
Vacation Part 2
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merigayle · Dec 27, 2010

Badwater pacing/crewing is definitely on the top of my list. Umstead for my 3rd 100 mile finish there was good. My first 100 mile finish since having Zoe. I completed 2 100 mile races, a 48 hour race and a 100K, not too shabby for my first year back after having a baby

cgerber · Dec 27, 2010

No doubt about it...kissing that rock was the highlight...
 
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/68785/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="37672_408419047313_615607313_4631144_4471910_n.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15639" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15639/width/604/height/453" style="; width: 604px; height: 453px"></a>

fatozzig · Dec 28, 2010

#1 Personal Highlight - Finishing my first 50-miler, and having my husband and best friend, Karen, crewing for me, as well as Karen kicking my ass as my pacer to get me across the finish line. It ended with a fantastic DFL, a hard-earned jacket, tears of joy, and a kick-ass present for finishing DFL: A whole box of Mojo Clif bars and a very cool Patagonia backpack:
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/68878/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="DSC_0655.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15648" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15648/width/333/height/500" style="; width: 333px; height: 500px"></a>
 
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/68880/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="DSC_0673.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15649" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15649/width/752/height/500" style="; width: 752px; height: 500px"></a>
 
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/68882/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="DSC_0686.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15650" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15650/width/752/height/500" style="; width: 752px; height: 500px"></a>
 
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/68884/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="DSC_0691.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15651" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15651/width/752/height/500" style="; width: 752px; height: 500px"></a>
 
#2 Personal Highlight - Being part of KateMD's crew for her fantastic run at Western States. I'm sure Muddy was wondering what the heck he was getting into when the evening before included personal stories of passing gas, then the next day being "stuck" with 2 gals he didn't know from Adam. But what a great time we had! And the best part of all - the screaming, hollering, and laughing that accompanied Kate as she sprinted around that track as fast as her tired legs would take her, finishing yet another 100-miler in under 29 hours. It's an experience I will won't soon forget.
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/68886/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="DSC_0178.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15652" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15652/width/752/height/500" style="; width: 752px; height: 500px"></a>
 
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<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/68890/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="DSC_0252.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15654" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15654/width/333/height/500" style="; width: 333px; height: 500px"></a>
 
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/68892/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="DSC_0254.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15655" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15655/width/333/height/500" style="; width: 333px; height: 500px"></a>
 
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There's a lot of 'em, but a picture is worth a thousand words!

SportiGrl · Dec 28, 2010

I had a wickedly weird year, sabotaged by injury, new jobs, and abysmal training/milage ... despite the hurdles the few races I did went fairly well
 
 
I almost got a PR at Boston (shocked the heck outta me) and met a truckload of awesome kickrunners from various boards *COOL*
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/68910/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="019.JPG" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15659" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15659/width/640/height/480" style="; width: 640px; height: 480px"></a>
 
 
 
I met my goal of breaking 10 hours for my 50 miler at Mohican and somehow won the women's division *shocked* and happy

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6 weeks after really buggering up my pinky toe in my new Vibrams I toed the start of my first 100k at Oilcreek ... and somehow won the women's division there too!
(yes, ErieTom, I stopped at the sign-in boxes during the race and left my autograph, hahahahaaaa)
 
 
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/68914/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="Oil Creek 2010 090.JPG" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15661" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15661/width/667/height/500" style="; width: 667px; height: 500px"></a>
 
 
 
 
 
I sure hope I get some decent training in and get my injuries kicked so I maybe can see what I'm capable of in 2011 ;-)

markc7 · Dec 28, 2010

My top personal highlight was finishing a 100 miler for the first time in over two years. After a nagging injury and a DNF earlier in the year, I was worried that I didn't have 100 milers in me anymore. Proving to myself that I could still finish a long race was pretty awesome.
 
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/68919/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="DSCF1012.resized.JPG" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15662" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15662/width/375/height/500" style="; width: 375px; height: 500px"></a>
 
My other highlight was my longest daily running streak of my life, at just over a month long. Not particularly lengthy by most people's standards, but for a low mileage guy like me this was a pretty big deal. I would love to run that much all the time, but eating enough to keep the energy up was getting expensive!

gumbee · Dec 28, 2010

Great pictures and stories, folks.
 
If I had to pick 'one' thing or event, I would say my recent quad (four marathons in four days)
 
My highlight of 2010 was more a combination of events:
Lowered my marathon PR
Ran my first 100k (Where's Waldo)
Was relatively healthy all year
Met a ton of new people (for me this is hard as I am an introvert)
Completed 5 marathons and 11 ultras for the year

crunningman · Dec 28, 2010

I've run quite a few races, but never these actual specific distances or timed event. 
<ul><li><a href="http://www.quarrymanchallenge.com/index.php" target="_blank">5/08 Quarryman Challenge 10M (1:10:46)</a></li>
</ul> -A hilly monster of a road course for the midwest anyway. If you ever get to Lemont, IL in May, you have to give this one a try.
 -Super windy and in the low 40s.
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/68962/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="QC10M_05082010.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15673" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15673/width/667/height/500" style="; width: 667px; height: 500px"></a>
 
<ul><li><a href="http://www.psrr.org/" target="_blank">5/23 National Heritage Canal Trail 25K (1:55:41) - 12thOA/3rd AG</a></li>
</ul> -2 weeks later in Channahon, IL, Temps reached over 80F during this race. 30 runners dropped!!!
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/68964/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="NHC25K_Pic_1.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15674" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15674/width/640/height/394" style="; width: 640px; height: 394px"></a>
 
<ul><li><a href="http://sunburnsixinthestix.blogspot.com/2009/04/general-information.html" target="_blank">7/17 Sunburn Six in the Stix 6 Hour (38.50M) - 2ndOA</a></li>
</ul> -Temps hovered in the low 90s for most of the day with no shade on this 2.28M loop course.
 -Can't wait to run the 12 Hour version in July 2011<img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;">
 -Me and the lead runner, early on in the event.
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/68966/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="Sunburn_(Matt_and_I).jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15675" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15675/width/667/height/500" style="; width: 667px; height: 500px"></a>
 
 And there OFF!
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/68968/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="Sunburn_Early_on.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15676" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15676/width/667/height/500" style="; width: 667px; height: 500px"></a>

mudrunner · Dec 29, 2010

Nice stuff people.
Question for the Badwater crew-folks....did anyone of you try to fry an egg on the pavement? I'm assuming it's one of those "must-do's".

Just Jim · Dec 29, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by mudrunner <a href="/forum/thread/71835/2010-in-review-what-were-your-personal-highlights#post_1972738"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> Nice stuff people.
Question for the Badwater crew-folks....did anyone of you try to fry an egg on the pavement? I'm assuming it's one of those "must-do's".
</div>
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Good question - it honestly didn't cross our mind - We did measure the road temps though, I think we saw 167F, which would have been warm enough to cook an egg.

merigayle · Dec 30, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by mudrunner <a href="/forum/thread/71835/2010-in-review-what-were-your-personal-highlights#post_1972738"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> Nice stuff people.
Question for the Badwater crew-folks....did anyone of you try to fry an egg on the pavement? I'm assuming it's one of those "must-do's".
</div>
</div>
 no, but we toasted bread, LOL. Where do you find an egg in death valley? LOL! Maybe I will remember to try that next year. Our runner's shoes did melt!

Sherpa John · Dec 30, 2010

Finished a loop of The Barkley.
Youngest Competitor in the Grand Slam with finishes at WS100 and VT100

mudrunner · Dec 31, 2010

Nice! The Barkley's sounds like the Buckley's Cough Syrup of ultras....;-)
<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Sherpa John <a href="/forum/thread/71835/2010-in-review-what-were-your-personal-highlights#post_1972921"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> Finished a loop of The Barkley.
Youngest Competitor in the Grand Slam with finishes at WS100 and VT100
</div>
</div>

cgerber · Dec 31, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Sherpa John <a href="/forum/thread/71835/2010-in-review-what-were-your-personal-highlights#post_1972921"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> Finished a loop of The Barkley.
</div>
</div>
Cool!
 
I thought about trying to figure out how to enter that, but then got sidetracked by something shiny. I think the date has since passed. One of these days I'll dig out a license plate and all of the other required weirdness and see if I can figure it out.

runNYtrails · Jan 2, 2011

Despite it being a very difficult, busy and overwhelming year i managed to do quite a few very enjoyable and challenging things with my running. There were some nice accomplishments and some good performances ( by my modest standards, of course ) and surprisingly my mileage was also pretty good. It was my goal to try to do new things and not repeat the same old same old
races. There were some that i did repeat tho , but i wasnt sorry that i did. Accomplishments in the standard organized events were good but were definitely not my favorite or the most enjoyable. 
My favorites were the small time, low key unique things that i did including The 12 hour 100 Mile Relay that shellerz and i did together in July, a couple virtual events and a few FA's ! My favorite event was in April on Holy Thursday, The Seven Churches Pilgrimage i did around town. It was a gorgeous spring day and i ran from church to church stopping in for a brief visit in each one, taking pictures and sayin' a little prayer. It was about 18 miles worth of running and took me from late afternoon to early evening. I ended at a very nice church where they were just getting finishing up with mass and getting ready for their pilgrimage . . . by bus !! I will definitely do this again in 2011 and maybe pick different churches to visit.
 
One of my favorites, The Basilica in Lackawanna, NY
 
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/70219/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="IMG_2576_3.JPG" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15759" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15759/width/561/height/500" style="; width: 561px; height: 500px"></a>
 
 
Another favorite, which is just down the street from The Basilica . . . Greatful Bear Parish 
 
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/70222/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="Thirsty Thursday Church of the Grateful Bear - Almost there !.JPG" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15761" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15761/width/640/height/481" style="; width: 640px; height: 481px"></a>
 
.

ChrisG · Jan 3, 2011

I've been struggling to define what 2010 meant for me.
 
The Bad
I usually run by myself so I sign for a ton of races... At almost every race last year, I did not meet my expectations.
I had 2 100 mile DNFs, a marathon DNF, and 1 DNS.
I finished 2010 with a lingering chest cold. After 6 weeks, it is finally better.
 
The Good
I found a running partner for races/adventures runs.
 
Lisa, Ginseng, and I did several amazing adventures in Colorado. Trips include 25% Hard Rock 100, Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness area (twice!), Indian Peaks Wilderness area, Lost Creek Wilderness area, Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Area, and Colorado Trail. Some multi-day trips. 
 
Ginseng and I joined Team CRUD, the local ultra-running club.
 
I'm back on track. After my DNS in September, I put my head down and started TRAINING. It has been a struggle as work is hectic. I'm looking forward to 2011.
 
The Ugly
I have seen so many beautiful places that are too far from the trailhead to share with my husband.
 
Chris G

2010 in Review. What were your personal highlights?

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