Well, 2010 was a memorable year in running for me, as I seek to run a race in all 102 counties in Illinois. In 2010, I ran 13 races in 13 different counties. I am now up to 55 counties that I have run in.
I met most of my stated goals for the year. I wanted to run more than 10 races and I easily did that. I ran three races in deep southern Illinois, including one in Massac County on the Ohio River. I knocked out some counties along the Wabash River and I did one half marathon.
Better yet, my times for the year went way down. The half marathon was my best time for a half in 23 years. I also had my best 10K in more than 20 years and I really brought down my times for 5ks.
Overall, I ran one half marathon, two 10ks, a four mile race, eight 5Ks and a 2.85 mile trail run. That's more short races than I would like, but I ran races in some counties where races are hard to found, such as Gallatin, Warren and Brown counties.
The highlight of the year for me was probably the Heartland Half Marathon in Effingham County, but I was also very pleased with my time in the Tax Dodge 10K in Kendall County. Running in the Superman 4 mile race in Massac County was a highlight too, as I got my picture taken in front of the Superman statue.
My overall running was up this year over last year, with my total number of miles for the year exceeding 500. Last year, although I ran a marathon and a half marathon, my overall miles for the year were way down, at about 330.
The only regret I have for the year is I missed a race or two that I would have liked to have done. But, in the three years since I started this goal I know that that happens.
In the mean time, I saw some great Illinois scenery, ran in some great races, met some great people and even contributed to some great causes. As such, I'd have to say 2010 was great.