I do this post every year and I was tempted (due to my current mood) to skip it his year.
And I did not run nearly as many races as I normally do (due to injuries).
But then I decided to focus on the good stuff:
- Best Picture from a Race: FINGER LAKES HM
- Best Weather during a Race: NYC MARATHON
- Best Race Swag: TAMPA HOT CHOCOLATE 15K
- Best Age Group Award: TAMPA HOT CHOCOLATE 15K
1st Place in each Age Group receives 100% off next year’s registration and $40 merch coupon
- Best Race Refreshments: BARN 2 BRIDGE FALL FEST 5K
- Best Scenic Race Course: TAMPA HOT CHOCOLATE 15K
water view the whole course
- Best Race Finish: FREIHOFER RUN FOR WOMEN
who doesn’t love a downhill finish?
- Best Race Finish Time: SILKS N SATINS 5K
- Best Organized Race: MILES ALONG THE MOHAWK (and ALL A.R.E.-sponsored races)
- Best Volunteer Stint: HELDERBERG TO HUDSON HM
it was fun giving out finisher medals to the runners (esp. my friends)
- Best Race Medal:
It’s a tie – prettiest vs well earned
- Best New (to me): FINGER LAKES HM
- Best Race Outfit: FIRECRACKER 4
- Best Vacation Race: FINGER LAKES HM
I enjoyed all of my 16 races in 2023. Each one was special in a different way.
Happy Running! What are some of the highlights of 2023 in racing? Please share.
Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida (The Running Teacher) and Jenn (Runs with Pugs).
and on Wednesday:
with co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, Runs with Pugs, and Laura Norris Running.
My First 5K and More... 
Yes! Focus on the positive stuff! I bet putting this post together helped to lift your mood. So many nice memories! And yes, that NYC was hard-earned, it deserves a special place.
My highlight was the Berlin Marathon. I hope my highlight for this year will be the London Marathon… let’s see!
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I hope London goes well for you.
I agree. This post was therapeutic.
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I agree on the best picture. That’s a great one of you and I love that it’s bokeh with the other runners slightly blurry. And I agree with what you (and Catrina) said about focusing on the positive.
BTW, I love this format and would consider using it if I ran as many races as you do, Darlene! Congrats all around!
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Thanks Debbie.
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You have a lot to be proud of from 2023. I am trying to focus on what I did accomplish and not what I did not. It makes me a lot happier 🙂
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very true… and you, as well, had many good things happen.
Hope we both have an even better 2024.
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I am glad you decided to do this post. I agree it was best to focus on the good stuff. Not every year or every thing will go as planned.
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Exactly. Hopefully 2024 will go well.
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Oh, I love this post! Even though there were some negatives, you had a great year, with lots of highlights! I know that 2024 is going to be even better!
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I hope so. Thanks for the encouragement
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You had alot of great experiences in 2023! Hopefully all the good stuff outweighs the bad. Fingers crossed for an even better 2024!
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I think so. Two big injuries were no fun. This post helped helped me see all the good running in between.
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Yes, I’ll bet it helped a lot to write this. Even with two big injuries, you had lots of fun races and trips. You did more than most people (way more races than I did.) So, let’s hope your ankle heals up soon and you can dive into 2024 for more adventures.
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Yes. I hope so. Getting restless
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