Each year I set a movement goal to keep myself motivated. Some past challenges I have done are 52 Hikes, 365 Miles in a Year and 500 Miles in a Year. In 2024 I was hit hard with symptoms of perimenopause. While exploring ways to help manage these symptoms a friend suggested I try running, as she found it helpful. My husband had taken up trail running and was constantly trying to get me out with him. I have never been a runner and always hated running. In trying to manage my hormones I was willing to try anything, so I slowly started running in September of 2024.
At the end of 2024 I found running helpful in managing my hormones, but I was not always motivated to go for a run. I have been fairly successful with setting goals for myself, so I set a goal to run a race each month. No distance or speed goal, just a goal to run any organized race. Below is how I did on that challenge.
January: Peanut Butter Chip Race Temple, NH. At age 42 I signed up for my first ever race. The race took place on New Years Day, I was so nervous. It was a 5k loop around the roads of Temple, which had a couple good hills. I had to do some walking throughout the course. Thanks to a friend who ran with me and a cheering section at the end, I was able to complete my first race.
February: Monadnock Milers Winter Chiller Race in Jaffrey, NH. I remember driving to this race after we had just had a snow and ice storm thinking it was beautiful, but I how am I going to run in these conditions. With the help of my Nanospikes, determination and friends at the finish line I completed my second 5k race of the year despite the messy weather.
March: Monadnock Miler Winter Chiller Race in Hancock. A friend asked to join me on this race, I always feel weird when friends want to run with me as I know I am slow and do not want to slow them down and I have to walk at times during the races, but my friend insisted she wanted to run with me. This was a nice 5k course through the roads of Hancock. It was helpful to have someone to motivate me along the way.
April: Stonyfield Field Earth Day 5k Londonderry, NH. As we were driving to this race we were at the tail end of a snowstorm. We could not believe the race was still happening and that it snowed this much in April. This was one of the more crowded races I did. With so many people it a felt a little intimidating. My friend ran with me. We ran through the neighborhoods of Londonderry that had some hills. My friend helped keep me motivated. Afterwards there were booths set up with food, alcohol and swag. It was a fun atmosphere despite the snow.
April: Issac 5k New Ipswich, New Hampshire. Held in New Ipswich was a road race for a special boy who was diagnosed with cancer. The race ran through neighborhoods of New Ipswich all to support Issac. It was great to see so many people turn out for this race. My daughter even joined my husband and I on this run. It will be a yearly event.
May: Brookline Bolt, Brookline, NH. I really enjoyed this race. The start line was at Camp Tevya. I ran 1.6 miles on the railtrail before turning back to the start line to complete a 5k. My husband stayed with me for this race to help keep me motivated. The scenery was pretty and with the race being on a railtrail it was nice and flat.
June: Mines Falls Trail Series Nashua, NH. This 5k race was on a Monday evening on a 90 degree day. I remember my co-workers telling me I was crazy, but I had to get my June race in. The race course was beautiful running through the trails of Mines Falls. It was also fairly flat, which was nice on the hot day. I was able to complete this race with the support of my husband and ice cream and cooling towels at the end.
July: Monadnock Milers Scorched Sneaker Race Hancock, NH. An evening weekday race through the roads and a short section of trail around Hancock. My friend joined me again for this race. This was a different course than the winter run and a little over two miles. I love the support of the Monadnock Milers, they are such a great running organization.
August: I unfortunately could not do a race in August due to a hip injury. I saw my physical therapist at Elevation Physical Therapy. She was able to get me back to running.
September: Viking 5k New Ipswich, NH. Every year on home coming weekend there is a 5k that goes through the woods of the elementary and high school’s grounds in New Ipswich. This is a double loop race with some hills. With the hills and going through the woods this race is not easy, but a fun one with the support of the community. My friend ran this race with me.
October: Groton Town Forest Race Groton, MA. When I registered for this race I did not think of the timing as a friend and I planned to hike our first 4,000 in the White Mountains two days before this race. I decided to stick with the race. Despite being sore from my hike. I did not do too bad. There was different mileages for this race, I did the 5k. I ran by myself, but kept my eye on a couple runners in front of me that kept me motivated to keep running. The trail through Groton Town Forest was pretty and I would like to go back and explore these trails further.
November: Running for a Cause House of Hope 5k Peterborough, NH. A newer running organization is holding a variety of races to provide support to local organizations and those in need in the Monadnock Region. It was a pretty road race along a river. I had a couple friends run with me for this race and it was nice to have the distraction of the two of them talking.
December: Yule Light Up The Night NH Motor Speedway Loudon, NH. Many years we have driven through the Lights at the Motor Speedway so when I heard they did a 2.1 mile family friendly race through the lights, I had to sign up. My friend who has run most of my races with me, joined me for this one. It was so fun to run through the lights. The course was a little hillier than I expected for a track. With so many people it was a slow run, which I was fine with as we were running to enjoy the lights, not to get a fast time.
Even though I did not run a race in August, I still managed to get 12 races in by running two races in April. As someone who was never a runner, I cannot believe I was able to complete the goal. Once I got past feeling guilty for being slow or having to walk, I found it helpful to have someone to run with as it kept me motivated and preventing me from walking too much. I am not sure what my goal for 2026 will be, but I know it will be hard to beat this one.
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