After running the Hot Chocolate 5K in 2013, and thoroughly enjoying myself, I set a goal for myself to run at least three 5K’s and a 15K before the end of 2014.  It had been years since I last ran competitively, but I’ve learned a thing or two about smashing limits in my lifetime.  As you may know, I am affected by AEC Syndrome (also known as Hay Wells Syndrome) and don’t sweat properly.  That said, I was taught to set my own limits, and not allow others to set them for me.

Race training, or running for that matter, when you don’t sweat properly can be challenging.  But, it’s not impossible.  I’ve learned to compensate for my inability to sweat properly.  I make sure I have plenty of water with me.  I keep a wet cloth or mister bottle with me on hot days or long runs, and use it to mimic the evaporative cooling process of sweat.

So, how did I do with my 2014 goal?  Let me show you…

This is after I ran the Color Run 5K in April.

after running the Color Run 5K

This is me finishing the I Love Forest Park 5K in September…

finishing the I love Forest Park 5K

This is me running the Flat as a Pancake 5K in September…

Running the Flat as a Pancake 5K

This is after I ran the Huxman Run 2 Sweat Virtual 5K on my own in October…

after running the Huxman Run 2 Sweat Virtual 5K

Here I’m crossing the finish line of the Skippo10K Trail Run in November..

crossing the finish line at the Skippo 10K Trail Run

And this is after I ran the Hot Chocolate 15K this past weekend…

2014 Hot Chocolate 15K Finish Line

Yes, you counted correctly.  I ran four 5K’s, a 10K, and a 15K, which surpasses my goal for 2014.

My goal for 2015 is to run at least one half marathon.  I just have to choose which one.

I have AEC, and I CAN run!

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