Just because I haven’t anything in a gazillion weeks doesn’t mean that I have stopped running. Quite the contrary. I have been running and steadily building up my endurance. It’s just that I’ve been busy with other things lately. All good things but we’ll keep this post focused on the running since this a blog about running.

I can’t tell you what a difference a year makes. Last year at this point I was training for the Philly Broad Street Run and the Cape Cod Ragnar Relay. I was really overweight and focused on just being able to run three minutes without stopping.

Right now I’m at a much healthier weight with more to go and running much better and longer. Things are so much better that I’m back at the point where I feel a void if I don’t go out for a run. It seems like ages ago that I had that feeling.

I even got a chance to run in the Canadian Rockies last week when I had a quick overnight business trip to Banff. Running there was fantastic and invigorating. I’ve never been to Banff before and with just a quick turnaround I am so glad that I got the opportunity to see a little of the area we were staying in. I can’t wait to go back for a longer visit and run.

It’s easy to forget how far you’ve run when this is in front of you. (c) Stacey Cooper

Next week I’ll be headed to Scottsdale, Arizona for another business trip and found a 5k that I’ll be able to participate in after my meetings are completed. I’ve been following a Coach Jenny training plan so that I can try and improve my 5k time from about a year ago. I’ve been feeling so strong while running that I’m sure I can achieve this goal.

After I take on the streets of Scottsdale I plan on running a local 5k that it about a mile from my home. It will be my first race in this area and I’m really looking forward to it before I start focusing on my next planned race, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Half Marathon in Virginia Beach during Labor Day weekend. My friend and I enjoyed it so much last year that we decided to do this one again. The course is really beautiful and I highly recommend it. Of course, last year we were there for a hurricane that kept the temperatures down so I’m expecting plenty of heat and humidity this year!

What may be the last big trip of the year that I’m in the planning stages for is the Havana Marathon. There are several races on my bucket list and even though I have always wanted to go to Cuba the timing of this race never seemed to fit and so it just remained a dream. Now it seems that the stars have aligned and I’ll be able to go this year! The trip is from November 17-20 and please let me know if you are going. Perhaps we can have a mini scoopsontherun blog meet-up!

I just wanted to give you a quick run-down (ha!) on what has been going on and the future plans. It’s spring and getting warmer so let’s get out there and be active!