My Favorite Races of 2018 • The Rose-Tinted Globe

This year was a big year running-wise for me. I finally finished my first marathon after talking and thinking about it for years. I completed my first ever run-streak of 18 days. B and I decided to make running a half-marathon in each of the 48 contiguous states a team goal. 2018 was a year in which I reminded myself why I started running in the first place, learned that I can be a consistent runner, and realized just how much better my life is when I’m running.

With all of that going on, you might think that each and every run was great. You might picture a perfectly coordinated runner, high ponytail swinging, huge grin across her face, sprinting across finish line after finish line. Ha! If only.

There were a lot of terrible training runs, a lot of doubt that I should be running at all, and a whole lot of lack of belief in my abilities. More about those later though. This post is for celebrating my favorite runs of 2018, not the ones that made me want to puke. 🙂

Favorite 5K: Run with Cops, Oshkosh, WI

B and I signed up for this race pretty last minute and intended to use it as part of a mid-week training run. We jogged to the UW-Oshkosh campus from our house, and I had pretty low expectations for the race. 5Ks aren’t my favorite distance because they tend to be crowded and are often kitschy. Not to mention that although I can jog for miles, I have a hard time running fast, so I still get passed a lot in short races.

This 5K isn’t just my favorite of the year, it might be my favorite 5K EVER. The proceeds from the race benefit local police departments (hence the name), and it was one of the best organized races I’ve ever attended. With “glow” stations every half mile or so that gave out glow sticks, light-up jewelry and bandannas, and a donut stop at mile 3, every step of this race was pure fun. I run for donuts much of the time anyway, so giving me one right before the finish line is much appreciated. This was a fantastic way to spend an evening and I would both recommend and attend again in the future. Bonus: super cute t-shirts and donut medals!

Favorite Half Marathon: Moustache Run, Minneapolis, MN

We ran four different states this year in our quest to #raceeverystate. Minnesota was our final state of the year and this race was two days after Thanksgiving, and one day after we took a 90 minute Zumba/Weight class. This was possibly the most painful half marathon I’ve every run, but oh my gosh was the course gorgeous.

Besides seeing quite a few moustaches, this was a very small race. The Moustache Run consists of a 5K, 10K, Lil’ Mo Mile, and the Half. The Half by far had the smallest number of participants, and admittedly, this race is the closest I’ve ever come to finishing dead last. (But I didn’t!) The smaller race size meant a very peaceful course and tranquil race experience, besides all the moaning and groaning B and I were doing due to extremely sore muscles. This race was made even sweeter when we realized we had a cheering section at the finish line! That doesn’t happen often when you’re running destination races, so it was such a nice surprise!

Favorite Full Marathon: Madison Marathon, Madison, WI

Because this was my first ever and only marathon this year, it gets to stand in as both my favorite and least favorite full. I’ll write more in detail about my feelings during the race, but overall I had a great experience. I was dreading Madison because of the infamous hills on the course. Luckily, I had built them up to be mountains in my mind, so I ended up being somewhat surprised that I was able to run up the majority of them. (Except for you, Observation Hill, you suck.)

I think this race will always stand out in my mind as an accomplishment, simply because it was my first marathon experience and it was one I thought I might never have. Even with finishing just inside of the time limit, I wouldn’t change anything about the day. I’m still so proud this day happened. Also, seeing my nephews, sister, brother-in-law, mom, and husband right before the finish line reenergized me and made me feel like I had rockets pushing me forward, although it looks like I’m barely moving in the video my mom took. (If you love a runner, go to races to cheer for them. It is seriously the best feeling of support.)

Favorite Trail Race: Ragnar Northwoods, Rib Mountain, WI

My overall absolute-favorite race event two years in a row. If you’re unfamiliar with the idea of a Ragnar, I wrote a super-detailed recap of Ragnar Northwoods last year. This year was somehow even more fun. With another stellar running team and a Glampsite at our disposal (highly recommend), the 30-degree temperatures in September barely fazed us.

I had a few more falls than last year, but I soaked in every second in the woods and can’t wait to run this race again next year and hopefully every year that they continue to hold it here. In short, it was 30+ hours of running, woods, crazy boulders, little sleep, and so much dang fun. What more could a runner ask for?