‘Determination was her mantra…’

This past year I tested my limits as a runner.

I ran the most mileage in a month, in a week, in a single day.

I also missed two marathons, one 20-mile race and a half marathon. There were six weeks in which I logged zero miles. There were several weeks when I failed to make it into the double digits.

I learned my body has limits. That I can’t run 56 hard miles in a week without taking a few easy days. That going “balls to the wall” is okay but only in moderation. That backing off is acceptable and that I have nothing to prove by getting hurt, except that I’m stubborn.

A new year is a few weeks away. I’m determined to run smarter. For me. For my friends and family who hate to see me injured. For the Multiple Myleoma Research Foundation. For my dad, my colleague Ruben and others who suffered from or still fight multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer. (I learned this evening a second coworker has multiple myeloma.)

Becoming a stronger, faster runner is important to me. Accomplishing good while running means even more. I hope I can do both. That’s why I plan to formally join Minnesota RED, a running club, next month.

The club is my secret weapon to being injury-free in 2012. And I have proof the group is exactly the rope I need, to pull me in when I push too far. I went out with the group Monday evening. After a fast (for me, all things considered) loop around Lake Harriet, I was ready for a few more miles with the group. But the members, who hardly know me, reminded me of my battles and frustrations this past year. That recovering and making it to the Big Sur Marathon, which I’m running for the MMRF in April in an effort to raise $5,000 for multiple myeloma research, are more important than one feel-good run. I stopped after one loop.

In 2012, I’m ready to respect my limits because I’m determined to do more than log a lot of miles.