Some Highs, Some Lows. A Recap of Running in 2024.
Each year, on January 1st, I set my running goals for that year. At the start of 2024 my goals included running a total of 1000 miles for the year, qualifying for the National Senior Olympics, running at least four or five races including a few of my favorite races (Volkslaufe in Frankenmuth, Cruise in Shoes on Woodward Ave., SterlingFast), earning medals for 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in my 65-69 year-old age group in multiple races, and to stay healthy and injury-free.
As the month of November started I was on track to meet every one of these 2024 goals. I had run over 890 miles and was ahead of pace to reach 1000 miles. I had completed 11 races including my favorites, and placed 1st in five races, 2nd in one and 3rd in another and qualified in the Michigan Senior Olympics to compete in the National Senior Games in 2025.
Bringing Home the Hardware
The speedwork I had been doing in training was paying off in the races this year as I earned 1st place medals in five of the 11 races, 2nd place in one and 3rd in two races. Two of the remaining three races only had 10-year age groups (60-69) instead of 5-year groups (65-69) so I was racing against “young” guys. I placed 4th and 5th in those two and the final race did not have any age group awards. So, overall, it was a productive racing year.
The “Missed” Goal Was The Biggest
Unfortunately, the last goal for the year turned out to be the most important. I was unable to stay injury-free. About a week after completing an early November half-marathon, I was finishing a normal easy 6 mile training run and felt pain in my hip and top back of my leg. After resting it for a week it was no better so I saw my orthopedic sports doctor. He sent me to PT for a few weeks but that didn’t help. He’s now thinking it may be a tear at the top of the hamstring where it connects to the pelvis bone. I’m scheduled for an MRI next week to see what that finds. I’m praying it improves with time and doesn’t require any major medical repair or sideline me much longer.
It’s been almost two months without running and I miss it. I’d give up the medals to get back to running pain-free. So for now my only running goal for 2025 is to run. Wish me luck.