2020 JANUARY

I kicked off a new year and a new decade- although I guess there is controversy about when a decade actually starts - by not having a lot on the calendar but having fun at those things that were scheduled.

January 1st - we kicked off the 465 Virtual Challenge. The goal of the 465 Challenge is to complete at least one virtual loop around Interstate 465 in Indianapolis which is 53 miles. This challenge runs from January 1st thru February 29th. To make it one loop, you would need to average .88 miles a day. You can complete the miles however you choose: running, walking, cycling, swimming, etc. There is no right or wrong and - like all virtual races - it is on the honor system. There are also 2 "sub-challenges" within this event. The 24 Hour club - for people who completed the 53 miles in a 24 hour period. Most of those folks have been cyclists. The other group are the Loopers - if you make it around twice (106 miles), you are a Looper. I was confident when registering, I could at least complete 2 loops. Time will tell how many I finally complete.

Naturally my very first run needed to be 4.65 miles!

Within the Facebook group I try to stay active but not overpost. On Mondays, I post a #MondayMotivation to the page and then on Wednesday's I created a "Little Susan" that visually tracks my progress around a map of 465 that I enlarged and put on my wall. People say that they have enjoyed watching my/her progress!

On January 22nd, I was able to report that I had started my second loop. 

So Little Susan began running with a pennant that had the number 2 on it.

I don't do many virtual races but one of the thing I've loved the most about this one has been the Facebook group of participants. Everyone is so incredibly encouraging to one another. It has been amazing to be part of that.

January 4th - the RUN(317) ambassadors had a post-holiday Holiday Party at Tracie's house and it was a blast. I adore these people and am incredibly thankful to be part of the group! 

But "no shoes worn in the house" was enforced!
Rules are rules

January 8th - we had our first official RUN(317) meeting of 2020. There are some exciting changes coming this year and I can't wait until we can tell everyone about them. 

January 11th - I noticed on Facebook the night before that there was still a need for a volunteer at a night-time trail race at Eagle Creek Park. Volunteering for races is good running karma and since I didn't have anything else going on, I agreed to help. The people that did this race definitely are mentally stronger than me. First of all, I'm not really a fan of trail races and certainly not at night. But the weather for this one was awful. It had rained almost all day on Friday and continued to rain on Saturday. This didn't make pleasant conditions for me either. By the end of my shift, I was wet and cold! But I really did enjoy being out there helping to keep those participants safe. 

January 23rd - this date marked 100 days until the Indy Mini Half Marathon on May 2nd. I was contacted a couple of days prior by a staff member at the 500 Festival stating they wanted to feature me on this day since the race will be my 100th INDIANA half marathon. 😎 Naturally, I was okay with this. You can read their blog post here: 100 Days Until Susan's 100th Indiana Half

And that pretty much sums up January 2020. 💋

2019, May - REWIND

The month of May = WOW!

MAY 1st - the month of May is incredibly exciting in Indianapolis and this year there was a big kickoff at noon downtown so I walked over to partake in the festivities during my lunch hour. 

Always good to see my friends!

Boomer is one of the best in the business

Doug Boles - Mr. Indianapolis 500 (and President of IMS)

MAY 2nd & 3rd - although I was not running the Indy Mini Half Marathon this year, I went to the expo. And it is always a goal to get another picture with Frank Shorter, the very first person to win the race back in 1977. I also worked the RUN(317) booth there one day. I love a race expo and go as often as I can. Luckily this expo is right across the street from where I work so how could I NOT go multiple times?!

MAY 8th - Run With Racers at Speedway Run Club. Although at this point in time I wasn't an official member yet, I had been going to many of the Wednesday night group runs. Always in May, they get some racecar drivers to come run with the group. 

MAY 10th & 11th - I made a whirlwind trip to Kansas for the Running With The Cows Half Marathon. You can read more about that here: RWTC Half

MAY 14th - Taco Run Indy. FUN! FUN! FUN! It was the 2nd year for this Racemaker Production event and I was super excited to be doing it with my friends from Speedway Running Club. I "may have" brought some extra margaritas! 😲🙌😜 

I thought my shadow on this person in front of me was too funny not to snap a photo of! 

I won a chance to crack open the pinata and I was the last person to "take a swing" at it and thus was the one to open it. I have learned that you do NOT want to be the one to bust open the pinata. By the time you realize it is open and can get the blindfold off, everyone has bum-rushed the area and grabbed all the good stuff. 😢😡😠

MAY 16th - our first RUN(317) event, downtown on the Circle. There were some very bad storms hours before this event and it almost got canceled. Luckily it was merely delayed. This is one of my favorite events. And I took AAAALLLLLL the pictures! 

My friend and coworker Katie

AMBASSADORS!

FRIENDS!

MAY 17th thru 19th - We headed down to Chattanooga, TN to volunteer at the Ironman 70.3 and also so my husband could run and ride some of the course in preparation of his 140.6 down there in September.

Friday night we met some of his extended family for dinner at the Frothy Monkey. 

Then on Saturday while we was riding and running, I went for a run as well. 

Later on Saturday I went and listened to the panel of female professionals.

But is was lights out early on Saturday because we were working body marking at 4:30 AM on Sunday!

MAY 27th - Honor the Brave 5K always takes place on Memorial Day. This race is put on by 131 Events and if you are a connoisseur of medals - like I am - you usually can't beat their bling. Bonus this year was that my friend Angela was there too!

MAY 29th - was the kick off to the Summer Fun Run program put on by our local parks department. In the past, I've made it to almost every Wednesday night run but - spoiler alert - in June I officially joined the Speedway Running Club and since they meet on Wednesday as well, this was the only SFR I did. I was very happy to see my friend and former coworker Pattie that night. 

MAY 30th - last but not least, I participated in a free demo Boot Camp class at the YMCA near my house. Three of my Speedway Running Club friends joined the festivities as well.  It was HARD! And with my shoulder issues there were several stations I couldn't do. While this would have been a great class to register for it was out of my price range. But we sure had fun that night.