It’s that time of year when everyone is making their lists and checking them twice. If you are like me, you have been browsing the websites, catalogs and aisles of your favorite athletic stores, looking for the latest running gear to put on your wish list. I am pretty well outfitted for the time being, but there are a few things that I think are on every runner’s wish list.
1. An injury-free year. I have struggled with plantar fascitis, ITB syndrome, and other injuries that plague runners. By balancing my running with strength training and yoga, I was able to fend off major injuries in 2013, and I hope to do the same in 2014.
2. A Personal Record. Unless you are new to running, you can’t earn a “PR” in every race, but most runners hope for–and train for–at least one PR every racing season. The Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run is a great race for a PR because the course really is mostly flat and fast.
3. Flattering Race Pictures. I’ve run a lot of races, but have very few race pictures that I would want anyone else to see. If I knew where to expect the race photographers along the course, maybe I wouldn’t pick that moment to take a swig of water or wipe the sweat off my face. Race photographers must realize that we are more likely to buy those pictures if we actually like them! Maybe MarathonFoto (the official photographer for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run) will come through with great race pictures for everyone.
What’s on your runner’s wish list?
~ Courtenay, @Got2Run4Me
Courtenay is an attorney and Virginia native, born, raised and living in Alexandria, Virginia. She started running after graduating from law school, and has been hooked on the endorhpins ever since. Her favorite race distance is 10 miles.
Haha! I agree with the list. I have had 3 minor injuries early in 2013, but managed to do better with cross-training & stretching the latter half of the year to reduce that.
Also, since I just ran my first half marathon and just go the official pictures back, I strongly agree with the last statement. They were horrible! Lucky for me a friend snapped a few and they turned out great…is it any wonder because it was pouring down rain and she couldn’t see through her glasses lol, but she just snapped away. 🙂
For 2014? I would like to run injury free and maybe run another half marathon.
Great list! # 1 is # 1! (I was doing great this year until my back went out snow shoveling 2 days ago..). For #2, I’ll change it to “recent PR’s”, as PR days are past me. # 3: Seriously! They tend to be horrid and when I sign up for a race I really do not want to sign up for a bunch of bad pics of me being posted! # 4: I’ll also add to the list, shoes I love! After all these years of running, I still have an issue finding perfect shoes, probably because they are changed so much! What shall I wear at Boston? I want shoes I love that love me back!
I’ve always told my runner friends that Rule #1 at races is to always see photographers before they see you — otherwise those pictures are going to be scary! I know the MarathonFoto people usually have on bright yellow vests, but I wish they could have one of those tall skinny bike flags nearby so runners could see them from farther out. I guess that could cause a bottleneck of people hamming it up for pictures.
I love this kind of wish–list!! I hope your wishes come true!
Great list! 🙂
To continue running with the wind…and sometimes against it too 😉
This is a great list! I agree that staying healthy is the most important. But I think growing as a runner is also important. Learning about those things that make you a better runner 🙂
This is a PERFECT wish list!!! Yes to all three! I had to laugh at the flattering race picture. Oh so very true!!!! 🙂