2018 will be a big year for me in terms of running. Not because I am taking on a new race distance or aiming for a new PR; it will be special simply because I can return to racing. It has been more than 18 months since I raced the Door County Triathlon in 2016. I completed the Half Iron distance three months after running the Boston Marathon. Shortly after the triathlon, I completed 5 weeks of treatment in a partial hospitalization program for eating disorders. I have missed racing greatly. For me, few things can compare to the feelings I get on race day: the excitement and the butterflies before the race, the joy and agony during the race, and the relief and celebration when the race is finished.
While my respite from racing was not entirely voluntary, it was necessary. I had let my perfectionism and my eating disorder transform my love for running into an all-consuming pursuit. I was not my self most of the time and my friends and family noticed. I hurt people with my single-minded ambition and I will not let it happen again. My time off allowed me to get back to the basics. My runs were free from headphones, a GPS watch, or training goals. I focused solely on listening to my body and relishing in the peaceful moments to myself.
Life as a Working Mom can get pretty crazy sometimes, so having time to tune into my thoughts and my breathing brings me back to center. I am looking forward to going into this new racing season with little to no expectations other than to enjoy the experiences and be grateful for what my body allows me to do. I am looking to add three more states (Iowa, Indiana, Illinois) this year to bring me to 6 for my goal of 50 marathons in each state. I will have more updates as the year progresses, but here is my 2018 racing line-up:
Redefined Runner 