2019 - a race-less year

I love races. The excitement, the energy. The training that gets you to the starting line. The race plans. The frantically checking the weather the week before, night before, hours before. The last minute switching of outfits. The signs. The post race shower and meal. I love it all.

However, 2019 is the year that I really have to buckle down and save to move to a new apartment. The rent that we're paying for our current apartment just doesn't allow any real long term saving to happen and I want to change that.

So that means more saving, less doing. Investing more time and energy into my free running group, free community activities, and game nights at home. No races this year, unless one really really speaks to me (or has a very cool medal). Being very strategic about my travel to visit friends and family (seeking out the very best deals possible).

I'm not a runner that needs a race on my calendar to run. Running simply makes my life better so it's something that I do almost without thinking. However, races were something fun to look forward to and anticipate. The energy on race day honestly can't be found anywhere else.

At 35 I think I finally understand that immediate gratification will ring hollow later on down the line. I could do more races this year but would have to push getting a better living situation a couple of years back and that's just not practical. I need a better apartment so my miles will be put in venues of my choosing that I don't have to pay for. And the races will still be there in 2020, which is also the year that I hope we can find a better, more affordable place to live.

2015 Little Rock Marathon with one of my best friends.