2025 Recap (Running and Beyond)

One thing I know to be true is that running has never been about the number of miles I run, nor how fast I get from point A to point B. Running has always been about who I spend it with, and the energy it gives me, not drains from me.

I ran a lot this year and while I had both a disappointing DNS and DNF, my heart led me to where I needed to be. I accomplished what I could and despite some very devastating circumstances, I am still proud of what I was able to accomplish, but I am really REALLY grateful for those that showed up for me in the times of utter sadness and despair. My family, my friends, and now how indistinguishable the two are now - my FRAMILY, THANK YOU! These people I know were put in my life for a reason and I am eternally grateful to each of them.

Besides running and grieving the loss of my Momma, I did have some good moments of 2025 and I know she'd want me to continue to find joy. Here are a few of my favorite things from the year of the snake:

Favorite Concert:
HAIM at Merriweather on 9.10.25 - FEMALE power!!!

Favorite Album:
Tunde Adebimpe's "Thee Black Boltz"

Honorable Mentions:
Lucius "Lucius" for their emotional serenading
David Byrne "Who Is the Sky?" for his continued brilliance

Favorite Movie:
Rocky III (I know, not a new movie but my favorite of all the Rocky movies)

Best Music Documentary:
Lilith Fair

Favorite TV Show:
Loot - a complete cast of friends, I mean characters. Everyone needs a friend like each of them.

Favorite Book:
Hands down, Cameron Crowe's "The Uncool"

Other Memorable Reads:
Dessert Solitaire by Edward Abbey
How They Named the Stars Andres N. Ordorica
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
Bread of Angels by Patti Smith

Favorite Running Shoes:
The Classic: Clifton 10
The Hype is True: R1
The Unexpected: Puma MAG MAX

Favorite Trail Shoe:
TBD since the HOKA Mafate 4 is no longer.

Races:
Those with the best communities, two of them were free and accessible!
Rocky 50k
Juneteenth Half Marathon
Bull Run Run 50-miler

The One and Done Race:
Marine Corps Marathon - It was fun to run this race with a dear friend as her first marathon, but road races are tough! And I'd never run a race with this many people. I prefer the woods!

Best Travels: (might be all?)
Grand Canyon and Sedona
Outer Banks with family
Dogfish Inn for our anniversary
Boston with the Brandts
Great Wolf Lodge with Fiona and Lucy

Brag Moment:
Won Striders Ultrarunner of the Year (I don't know how since so many in our community who are way more worthy?)

Comments

Bull Run Run 50-miler

Official Time: 12:31:31 ( a 50-miler PR) I did it. I’m not sure how, but I crossed the finish line yesterday of the Bull Run Run 50-miler. It had been an intimidating race from the moment I shared with others who had run it in the past. I heard all sorts of stories - the infamous Do Loop, the rolling hills, the unpredictable weather, the tough cutoff, the rocky sections that might trip you up later on. I also heard about how it was one of the most beautiful races with the BEST volunteers. I chose to keep the latter in my mind! Although the “BRR” makes me think of cold weather, and years past it has snowed and stormed and apparently gone through all 4 seasons in a day one year, yesterday’s weather was not what anybody was prepared for. It was hot and humid with cloud coverage most of the day … until the sun came out at 3:30pm and scorched your left side as you ran along the waterline of Occoquan River. It being early April, I was not acclimated to 90% humidity. For a few mile...

A Day in the Canyon

Find friends who say YES! “For a little while we are again able to see, as the child sees, a world of marvels. For a few moments we discover that nothing can be taken for granted, for if this ring of stone is marvelous, then all which shaped it is marvelous, and our journey here on Earth, able to see and touch and hear in the midst of tangible and mysterious things-in-themselves, is the most strange and daring of all adventures.” -Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire A bucket list National Park, a bucket list trail adventure, and some of the best kind of peer pressure led my dear friends, Lori and Karen, and I to reach out to another amazing strong friend, Amy, who had just completed this with her sister. And the planning begun… Our original plan was to conquer the infamous Rim to Rim to Rim hike in two days. We would hike down from the South Rim, across the base of the Canyon, and then hike up to the North Rim to stay a night at the North Rim Lodge. The North Rim is an isolated, landma...

Redemption at CAT50k a year later

“Be brave. Be patient. Believe.” ~Courtney Dauwalter from WSER100 After last year’s DNF in torrential downpours that turned the trail into a river, I said never again. Well that was stupid, because of course I’d have to try again to get my CAT Card, I’m not a f’in quitter (and I’m quite stupid)!! This year, it was a typical CAT - hot, humid, rocky, hilly, and the leading 20 runners ran off course in the first mile to confuse us all as they ran up from behind us a couple miles into the race. Here’s what I learned: 🦄 Just because someone faster than you says you can’t make the cutoff, doesn’t mean you can’t. 🐝 The worse encounter is one that’s unplanned, like hornets. ⚡️Save some energy for the end. ⛰️ What goes up, goes down. And is more painful. 🧛🏻‍♂️ Never have a single song stuck in your head if you want to enjoy it again. (Like Vampire by Olivia Rodrigo.) ✌🏼 Feed or ditch the energy that surrounds you. ⏰ Know the cutoffs like the back of your hand. Or write them on the ba...

Michelle Runs With It

Search This Blog