Well I can not believe 2014 is almost over, it was a big year for me, my goal for 2014 was to do a race a month and I managed to do this and then some. I did 16 races, 3 triathlons and 13 running plus I swam 3 heats at the World Master Swim Championships in Montreal in August. Not all my races had bling but this is the bling I did accumulate this year, quite a collection.
Jan - Disney half and full marathon
Feb - Ottawa BIA 3K for the Heart and Stroke Foundation
Mar - Around the Bay 30K race (PB)
April - 10K for Kideny Health (PB)
May - ORW Half Marathon
June - 70.3 Tremblant
July - Canada 5K
August - The National Capital Olympic Triathlon (PB)
Sept - 70.3 Muskoka and Army Run half marathon
Oct - Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon
Nov - Mec half marathon, Rock and Roll Las Vegas 5K and half marathon (PB)
Dec - Santa Shuffle 5K
Will I do it again, not for a while, next years race plan is much less, 8 races so far but it included the big one, Ironman Mont-Tremblant, the one I have been working toward for 2 years. I was thrilled to see that the voice of IM, Mike Reilly would be at IMMT...all I want for my 50th birthday is to hear him say "Allyson Chisnall....you are an Ironman".
Part of the year end review is to assess what went right (not a lot), what went wrong (lots) and figure out how to get better (listen to my coach). I think I can best sum up what happened as this, I lost my drive to get outside my comfort zone. I did not push myself enough, I was comfortable and until I got uncomfortable, the magic did not happen.
After a frustrating spring, summer and fall, I figured this out at the MEC half marathon on Nov 1. This was a tough hilly race and I had no intention of running it all but that day, I decided enough was enough, I was going to get uncomfortable and run it all...and I did. I set an aggressive time goal for my Las Vegas half marathon and I was so close to hitting it (6 min per km pace) that next time I have no doubt I can do it, I did get a PB however. Next year, I need to be uncomfortable, a lot and push myself outside my comfort zone. I need to trust my training, give 110% for all my training and follow my program...always. I am glad I learned this lesson now and not on Aug 16, 2015 when I start my long day of fun (that is how I want to think about it), it will be hard, it will hurt but I will have fun because I will have finally grown into the person who can accomplish it!
I am looking forward to 2015, first up is the Miami half marathon on Jan 25th, a chance to hit that 6 min per km goal before I go on a cruise with my friend Debbie. I have enjoyed a few weeks of reduced training and am excited to get started on next years goals, goals that include a 2 hour half marathon and a 4:30 marathon as well as my Ironman. 2015 will be uncomfortable and I can't wait to get statrted!
