September running wrap-up: Many miles and many races

Posted on by Vanessa Junkin (She Runs by the Seashore)
Photo of two inflatable mushrooms at the entrance to a trail in Pemberton Park. Text reads "September" and "131."
Pemberton 24 runners, I know you recognize this spot! I ran 131 miles in September.

September was a busy month of running — so much so that I’m just now getting to my September wrap-up on Oct. 13. So, here goes…

  1. I ran 131 miles. This was my highest monthly mileage of the year so far, and it was also higher than all but one month in 2020.
  2. I ran my fast 1600 in 8:37. I kept up this year’s goal of running a fast 1600 at the beginning of each month. This month, my time was 8:37.
  3. I ran five races. September has so many good races! In September, I ran the Mike Sterling 10K, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon, the Run, White and Blue 5K, the Skipjack Run 10K and the Pemberton 24.
  4. I ran my longest mileage in a single event. Although it was split with a night of sleep, I completed 37.2 miles at the Pemberton 24, which is the highest mileage I’ve completed during one event.
  5. I met one of my 2021 goals. With my finish time at the Mike Sterling 10K, I met my goal of beating at least two of my 2020 standard race distance times. I did this for the half marathon and 10K. There’s still time to see if I can improve on my marathon or 5K times!
  6. I went to yoga four weeks in a row (in September). I’ve gotten into a regular schedule of going to a 6 a.m. yoga class on Wednesdays at Soul Yoga. Including October (and this morning), I’ve now gone six weeks in a row. I’m not a morning person, but I rarely have other plans at 6 a.m., so it’s something I can make time for in my schedule and not back out of because I have a conflict. I’ve been enjoying it, and it’s a good way to start the morning.
  7. I got in some long runs for marathon training. In addition to the races that doubled as long runs, I got in a 14-miler and a 12-miler. Both were with my friend Diana, and one was also with my friend Richard, at Trap Pond State Park.
  8. It finally started to feel cooler! Not every day in September was cool, but it was so nice to finally have some weather that was not stifling hot and humid.