Year in Review

By Carissa

**Hello from your Sole Sisters.  It's been quiet here on the blog but not because we aren't having adventures in running and cross-training.  We have been busy with family and all the other wonderful things that vie for our time and attention.  Thank you for sticking with us.**

Did you have exercise goals for 2013?  

Do you remember what they were?  

Did you accomplish them?

At the beginning of 2013 I hoped to accomplish the following:

• Run Boston Marathon with a target goal of 3:20.
• Run a fall marathon and set another Personal Record (PR).
• Break 1:30 in the half marathon.
• Complete a summer triathlon.
• Most importantly... the purpose of my running is the joy of running fast, strong, and the pursuit of discovering my unique personal best within the time constraints of my top priority: my family.

Boston Training: Weeks 16-18 Taper and Wheatfield Race Recap

By Carissa...

Ah taper...It has to be my favorite part of marathon training.  Every run (or lack thereof) feels like a celebration.  My muscles are fresher. I’m excited to spend the weekend in Boston with two of the sweetest running buddies a girl could ask for.  I have a pacing strategy that I’m excited to try.  Yes, my nose started to run and my throat is bothering me a bit but I am PRAYING it heals up quickly with rest.

Two weekends prior to marathon day I ran my last tune-up race, an 8k.  It just so happened that Jodi needed a half marathon the same weekend and found a race that offered both.  The Wheatfield Half Marathon, 8k and 3k was located in The Dalles, Oregon.  I knew it was going to be a small race when she emailed me the registration form that I had to fill out and mail in.

the sun waking up the Columbia River Gorge on our way to the race

The morning of the race Jodi and I made the 90 minute drive through the scenic Columbia River Gorge to The Dalles.  It was a beautiful, unseasonably warm day.  At the race start there was a handful of people.  By 9 AM around 150 runners lined up for the start.