2023 ended up not being quite the year I had planned when it came to running. I had some goals that I set at the beginning of the year, and unfortunately, only a few of them were accomplished in the way that I wanted.

I had set a goal of three gravel trail based races for the year. The first being Sugar Badger 50K. I had enjoyed this race a few years prior, and set a PR, and wanted to go back and enjoy the course again. However, a few weeks before the race the RD reached out and asked if I’d be interested in taking photos instead. Since the race wasn’t my “A” race of the year I decided to take the gig job instead and so my son and I went down to southern Wisconsin and had a great day of shooting. I knew I could do a long run anytime, so I wasn’t too concerned about missing this one.

Next up was my big goal race of the year, the Badger 100 mile race. I put in one of the best training blocks I ever have done for a race, and went into the event as ready as I could be. However, as you can read in my DNF report, my intestines and my mind gave out on me and I left with a ton of regret for how I couldn’t push through.

Finally, I was going to go to Nebraska to do the Gravel Worlds double event that consisted of a 25K running race followed by a 75 mile gravel bike race the next day. As the event got closer the weather started to look less and less favorable, and I started to doubt the wisdom of driving all that way for something that might end up being miserable. Plus, there was a miscommunication with my wife about what events I was planning, and she was not going to be able to join me for the trip, making it even less appealing to go.

So that’s it for 2024 events, zero for three. Yet, that only tells part of the story of my year of running. As I mentioned earlier, I had some of the best training blocks I’ve ever had. When I hit peak week before my Badger 100 attempt, I was nailing my plan, and feeling good about it. As I look back on some of those runs I feel proud that I executed well and set myself up for success, at least physically.

In the end I got just under 1200 miles on the year, making this my fourth highest total yet since I started running. I could have been a bit more diligent towards the end of the year with keeping my base higher, but I know that it won’t take too long in the new year to build it back up.

One other thing to note is that I got to spend a lot of trail time with Mike and Beth. Even though our big races were at different times we all kinda helped each other along and joined in on each others runs to try and make us all as successful as possible. It’s been great having them as my running partners-in-crime.

So this year’s wrap-up is a bit less exciting that in year’s past, but in many ways that’s probably OK. Every year can’t be amazing performances, one right after the other. Sometimes it’s OK to just get some activity in and work on being healthy overall.

Onwards to more adventures in 2024!