Resolution Run 2014

Another year has come to pass. It seems as though time is passing so quickly. The older I get the faster it goes. This year, like the last, I set out with some running goals. Last year I vowed to run a race every month in 2013 and succeeded! So, this year I made my goal to run one half marathon every. single. month. For the entire year of 2014. You can read about last year and my goal here: 

http://thehawkinsfamilyblog.blogspot.com/2013/12/resolution-race.html

This proved to way more challenging than I thought. Not physically, but challenging in other ways. Let me explain... First, Half Marathons are hard to come by. What I mean by this is that I had to travel. And travel some more... 2 of the 12 were close to home. The rest required hotel stays or leaving at 4:30 in the morning.  7 of my races required a hotel stay. Secondly, for those of you who don't run or participate in races, half marathons are expensive! I lucked out on my first half and got to do it for free! But I paid the price for the other 11. Anywhere from $50 to $90 a race. (And let's don't forget the hotels and food!) 

Now, I am not saying that I didn't love every minute of this challenge, because I totally did! It was just a little more trying than I had expected.  I most definitely could not have done it without some special running buddies though. I want to take a minute to tell these gals thanks. Thanks from the bottom of my heart for all your support and help and encouragement! Elaine Mangham- who I ran my first AND last half with, My mom, who came along for the adventure on a race or two, Ashley Green, who ran in two of these races with me, Stacy Morris who I not only suckered into running one, but THREE half marathons with me and countless miles weekend after weekend, and last my wonderful sister who I had the privilege of dragging across the finish line of her FIRST half marathon and even managed to talk her into a second one! I really can't tell you how awesome it is to have friends who are there for you when you need them the most.

Okay, I have posted a picture from each race below. Under each pic is a little bit about the race and all the details of date and location. Okay, here we go:

Red Nose Half Marathon

January 4, Columbus GA

My first half of the year! This was not only the coldest race of the year- 22 degrees, but this was also my fastest half of the year. I managed to finish this one in 1:58 despite the numbing cold..

                                       

Run the Reagan Half Marathon

February 15, Snellville GA

This race was another cold one. It had just snowed also, so there were piles of snow in the parking lots! I had a great race- finished in 1:58 and won 2nd place in my age group!

                                      

Publix Half Marathon

March 23, Downtown Atlanta, GA

I ran this one last year as well and it is one of my favorites! I did this one with my best running friend. It was her first half marathon! We finished up in the rain, but had a fun night out in Atlanta and ate a HUGE sundae at Hard Rock Cafe.

Georgia Peach Jam Half Marathon

April 19, Big Creek Greenway, Cumming GA

Thank the Lord for running buddies! Ashley and I stayed in a hotel for the Peach Jam Half. I loved this course. It was through a beautiful park and most of the path was on wood plank boardwalk! This one I finished in 2 hours.

Pre-Memorial Day Half Marathon

May 25, Tribble Mill Park, Lawrenville GA

This was a nice little race. Not too many people and located in a nice park. I found this racing outfit online and it worked well with my schedule so I signed up. This race ran several laps through the park, unlike most races.

                                       

Bootlegger Half Marathon

June 7, Dawsonville GA

I took the whole family on this one. This race started and finished at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame. Not to interesting of a course, but the museum was pretty awesome! This was a hot race, and I finished in 2:05

Rockin' the LP Half Marathon

July 6, Lenora Park- Snellville GA

Unfortunately, half marathons in the Georgia summer are hard to come by. This was another race with the small outfitter called Deborah Montgomery Racing, like the May race. It was very small as well and done in a park where we made multiple laps. Finished in 2:07

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The Hotlanta Half Marathon

August 24, Underground Atlanta GA

Talk about HOT. This was the hottest race of the year. I think it was 85 degrees by the 3rd mile. This was an awesome route! This was the inaugural year for this race. I hope to run it again next summer. Several miles of the course was ran on the Atlanta Beltline, which I had never seen! Despite the heat, hills and humidity, I finished in 2:04

The Diva's Half Marathon

September 6, Peachtree City GA

The Diva race was awesome! It took place on the golf cart paths of Peachtree City.At the finish line we were greeted with hot, shirtless fire fighters, feather boas, crowns, roses and champagne! We were treated like true queens! My friend Stacy ran this one with me. Unfortunately, the humidity got the best of this race and both were pooped by the finish. And due to my marathon training, I had to run 2 miles BEFORE the race to get my 15 miles in!

Michelob Ultra Half Marathon

October 4, Cumming GA

This was the second part of the Publix half. I suckered my sister into this one. She runs a little slower than me, but I wanted to stay with her and help her across the finish line! We had a great time and managed to finish.. even though she was DONE at mile 12.. ;)

Race For This City, Benefiting Impact Racing Ministries

November 27, Griffin GA

Who is that I see in that picture?? Yes, my sister! I got her on board to do another one! This was a local race. It benefited Impact Racing which is a running ministry that caters to inner city kids. They run every weekend and get the kids in the local neighborhoods involved in something physically active and keeps them off the streets!

Hope For Orphans Half Marathon 

December 6, Griffin GA

My last half was also a local race. This time benefiting Hope for Orphans. The proceeds from this race went to the adoption of a precious little boy from South America who has cancer. He is now with his new family here in Griffin receiving cancer treatments! Lots of my friends were at this race! We all got yummy BBQ plates at the finish line too! Although this wasn't a cold race , it was a WET one! It was pouring the last mile on us!

And there you have it. My running resolution year in review. I managed to complete my second year of running goals! Now, looking into 2015... what do I have up my sleeve for this year? Well, I still plan on doing at least one race a month.. after all I am on a 24 month straight race streak! But this year, I plan on branching out. I am looking forward to dualthons, triathlons, a tough mudder and a Spartan race. I want to mix it up this year! 

I encourage you all to set your own fitness goals for 2015! Whether it be to walk three times a week, or maybe do your first 5K! Get out there and get moving! Your body will thank you.

Also, if anyone is interested in running FOR someone with special needs (I run for Erica), please see this post: 

http://thehawkinsfamilyblog.blogspot.com/2014/08/i-run-4.html