The Broad Running Broad

It’s New Year’s Eve, and I would be remiss if I didn’t include a reflective year in running post if I’m calling myself The Broad Running Broad.

So here it is.

I started out 2025 with my traditional volunteering at the First on the First 5k, with the first race a month later at the 5th Line 5k. That was a fun race – you really can’t go wrong with finishing inside of Nationwide Arena in frigid February.

Then in March my mother and I headed south to Virginia Beach for the Shamrock Marathon weekend. I ran the Dolphin Challenge – an 8k on Saturday followed by the half on Sunday – and discovered that coastal winds are not for the weak.

I’m still glad I got to cross running alongside the Atlantic Ocean off my bucket list, and that Mom and I got to go on a girl’s racecation we’d been talking about for a few years.

My other spring half races were local(ish.) It only took 8 years, but I finally ran the Cap City Half after a black flag in 2017 and 2020 …. well, being 2020. Then in May Mom and I took a weekend trip up to Cleveland for the half. We had a ball walking around the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame and I felt strong during my half, so I was happy with my race.

The first Sunday in June was the traditional Columbus 10k to unofficially kick off summer. The highlight of that race came in the finishers village when I met a lady walking her daschund. The pup was wearing a hot dog costume.

It was a weiner in a weiner.

Then the latter half of 2025 came. The momentum I started the year out with didn’t last at all. I was constantly exhausted and my running wasn’t up to training snuff. I also didn’t do myself any favors going on the work trip to Phoenix the week leading up to the Detroit Half Weekend, since that incredible time wore me out more than I was anticipating (no regrets) and I registered for the Wonder Challenge for Detroit.

The Wonder Challenge consists of the 1-miler and 5k on Saturday, followed by the International Half on Sunday.

Granted, Detroit River winds are nothing compared to Atlantic Ocean winds. So I figured I had a chance.

That Saturday was perfect for Mom and I when we did the 5k. Then Saturday evening heavy rains and wind rolled into Detroit. The forecast was so severe I wound up modifying my reservation so we would check out on Monday instead of Sunday after my run. Mom and Ididn’t trust that we’d be able to safely drive home if the rain and winds were going to be that bad.

Which it turns out they were.

The Sunday morning walk back to the corral was terrible. The rain was coming down and the wind pretty much assaulted all of our faces. I was completely soaked through by the time I was moving towards the start line and had a time staying warm, in spite of the humidity.

Then for the duration of my half, the rain stopped and held off. Still had the wind and humidity, which was nerve racking when I was running over the Ambassador Bridge. But once we were coming down the other side of the bridge and heard the volunteers cheering us and welcoming the runners to Canada, I was able to relax into my race.

That race was a race of pure grit.

Which brings us to the totals of 2025. Nine races. 11 medals. Total miles ran: 567.

Overall it was one of my lowest mileage years since I started running and tracking. Work and the rest of my life needed my attention, and I was tired. So I decided to shift my focus elsewhere and take some time to move a little more slowly.

I think that was the right call, and I’m feeling well-rested for 2026 tomorrow.

So Reader-Friends, I hope the new year is good to you. I hope it heals you if 2025 put you through the wringer, and I hope you’re able to have some fun along the way.

Yours in running and life,

Allison