I am joining the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly from HoHo Runs and Tricia from MissSippiPiddlin. The Weekly Wrap is a blog link up where bloggers share their active lifestyle and other exciting things weekly. To find out more, click on the image below. Feel free to join in on the fun.
I have really been slacking lately on my blog posts. It's been three weeks since I've linked up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap. It took me a while to gather my thoughts after my second marathon at St.Jude to write a recap. The race was a success! I exceeded my fundraising goal for the third year in a row and managed to run an eight minute PR. After the race, I took a whole week off to rest. I'm now following Hal Higdon's marathon recovery plan. Instead of recapping my week of recovery runs, I thought I would recap this year of running. Here's some highlights from 2015.
I PR'd every distance except for the 8K. I ran my third 8K in May, but I didn't come close to my current PR.
CCAP 5K- 24:33
Ready, Set, Geaux 10K- 53:19
Resurrection Run 15K- 1:23:49
(No pictures from this run)
I ran my first 10 Miler, so that's an automatic PR, right?
Capitol 10 Miler- 1:34:11
I ran my first sub-2:00 half marathon when I least expected it. I only had three seconds to spare, but I'm still proud of this accomplishment. It took me six half's over a year and a half to reach it.
I ran an 8 minute PR on my second full marathon at St.Jude Memphis. It wasn't the 4:40 finish I hoped for, but I'm still proud that I managed a PR.
St.Jude Memphis Marathon- 4:45:44
Mom and I qualified for Half Fanatics in March. We both ran two half marathons in thirteen days. I made some foolish decisions to run one half with a sinus infection which developed into walking pneumonia before the second half. Runners are a pretty stubborn bunch. I wanted to qualify and nothing was going to stand in my way. I wouldn't recommend running while sick. It took me months to fully recover.
Debra-HF #10824
Theresa- HF #10829
Mom and I ran our first 5K with Ainsley's Angels, an organization that ensures everyone can experience endurance events. We had so much fun running with Kylie, our assisted athlete. This was one of the most memorable races of the year. I would love to run with Ainsley's Angels again one day.
Kylie, Mom, and I crossing the finish
I participated in my first ever virtual run through Girls Run Fast. As a Girls Run Fast Ambassador, I thought this would be a good one to participate in as my first. I chose to run the 5K option. Just a few weeks after submitting my results, I got some really great prizes in the mail. This medal is huge! The picture really doesn't do it justice.
I started blogging in July. I've read running blogs for years. I finally decided to start one of my own as a way to recap my races and connect with other runners. I still have a lot to learn about blogging and networking, but I'm proud of where I'm at in just six months time. I've connected with so many other runners and I've even had the pleasure of meeting a few fellow bloggers in person (Cecilia from MommiesRun, Debi from Girls Run the 901, Kristin from BamagirlRuns, Mindy from Road Runner Girl, and Tricia from MissSippiPiddlin).
I've had the opportunity to join some great ambassadorship programs through blogging. These programs also allow me to connect with other runners and like minded people who are as passionate about leading a healthy, active lifestyle as me.
Girls Run Fast Ambassador
Sweat Pink Ambassador
Honey Stinger Hive
I've thought a lot about my goals for 2016. I've come up with a few definite goals. I'm sure I'll add more as the year goes on as I'm a constant work in progress. Here's just a few.
1. Run 1,200 miles (I've fallen short of this goal the past two years, but not by much.)
2. Moon up in Half Fanatics. I'm at the lowest qualifying level and would love to improve my stats.
3. PR the half marathon. This is going to be tough since it took me so long to sub 2:00, but I think I'm capable of reaching it one day.
4. Run a 3rd Full Marathon in the fall and hopefully reach my 4:40 goal or better. I think I may have settled on which full, but more on that when it's official.
5. Be more consistent with cross training. I purchased my Trek a year ago and I'm ashamed to say I've only ridden it a handful of times. I fell while test riding it and I've been nervous ever since then. I want to gain more confidence on the bike, and the only way to do that is practice, practice, practice!
Did you reach your goals for 2015? What are your goals for 2016?
Congratulations on all of your PRs! What a great year. :) I also ran a half while sick and it was terrible. I was sick for a while after and I didn't really put two and two together than maybe running and not taking time to get better didn't help. Your goals for 2016 sound great. Have a great New Year!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Some of thone PR's are going to be tough for me to beat, but I'll keep trying. It took months for me to feel good running after being sick and not allowing my body to fully recover. I felt well enough to finish the races at the time, but I didn't think about the long term effects. Have a Happy New Year!
DeleteWhat a great year for you! Running a sub-2 half is huge, but I can see how the race with Ainsley's Angels was the most memorable. Congrats on an awesome year!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jennifer! It seemed like it took me for ever to reach that goal, but I was so excited when I made it even if it was by only 3 seconds. Running with Ainsley's Angels was an incredible experience. I can't wait to do that again! Have a Happy New Year!
DeleteYou have had a great year full of PR's! I totally agree if you've never run a race distance it's an automatic PR! I have really enjoyed getting to know you through your blog and meeting you in person. I hope since we are not too far from each other we'll meet up again and have a little more time to visit. You should "moon" up no problem in 2016 with the amount of half's you do. The Girls Run Fast Tshirt and medal is really cool! Thanks for linking up with us and yes we did miss you the last few weeks. I haven't even finished my St. Jude recap, shame on me! Look forward to seeing what 2016 brings!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tricia! It was so nice meeting you at St.Jude. I hope to see you again sometime. I still gotta run Mississippi. Might look into that Magnolia one next year. I'm looking at the next level in Half Fanatics. I think it's 6 half's in 6 consecutive months. I just registered for my first two, Big Beach and Sea Turtle both in Gulf Shores. I'll probably try to do Tuscaloosa and Montgomery in March. You've been busy with all your traveling and training. You do good to blog as often as you do. Have a Happy New Year!
DeleteLooks like you had a great year! I love that you got to meet some other awesome bloggers.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see what's to come in 2016 for you!
That's what I love most about blogging is connecting with other people. It's always nice to meet them in person. Have a Happy New Year!
DeleteGood to see you back Debra! You had a wonderful year. I know we will run into each other in 2016 at a race! I mooned up in 2015 and by running 4 HMs in 21 days. I'm a Jupiter. The next level is crazy hard. I've been so preoccupied with my injury, I'd actually forgotten I did this! LOL. I'm very impressed you PR'd is so many race distances. Thanks for linking and Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteFour half's in 21 days is incredible! I wanna try to do 6 half's in 6 consecutive months. I've signed up for Big Beach and Sea Turtle both in Gulf Shores. I'll probably do Tuscaloosa and Montgomery in March and Centerpoint in April. I've never ran Centerpoint, hope the timing issues are worked out this year.I gotta find one more. Some of those levels seem extremely difficult to achieve. I hope to see you sometime in 2016. Have a Happy New Year!
DeleteFour half's in 21 days is incredible! I wanna try to do 6 half's in 6 consecutive months. I've signed up for Big Beach and Sea Turtle both in Gulf Shores. I'll probably do Tuscaloosa and Montgomery in March and Centerpoint in April. I've never ran Centerpoint, hope the timing issues are worked out this year.I gotta find one more. Some of those levels seem extremely difficult to achieve. I hope to see you sometime in 2016. Have a Happy New Year!
DeleteWOW. You had an AMAZING year. Way to nab that 8-minute marathon PR, along with all of the other PRs, and qualify for Half Fanatics! I completely understand still wanting to push through for qualification even when feeling under the weather. Run now, recover later, right? Yay for your first 10-miler! That is my favorite race distance - not so short that you have to run at puke-speed, but not so long that the miles become mind-numbing. Cheers to a fabulous 2015 and here's to an even better 2016!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I liked the 10 Mile distance. I would do it again. It's just not offered often around here.
DeleteWow, you certainly had a wonderfully successful year in running! Congratulations - good for you! I remember reading about Ainsley's Angels race and love that you run with your mom. I did fall a few miles short of my 2015 total mileage goal but a hurt leg got in the way. I am still happy with the mileage I did manage though (just short of 1000). Enjoy making all your goals come true in 2016!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Sorry about your leg. Good job on accomplishing almost 1000 miles despite your injury.
DeleteYou have had an awesome year! Congrats on all the PR's! Love that blogging connects us runners together! It is always so fun to meet other bloggers at races! Here's to another great year! Happy 2016!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon! Those PR's will be tough for me to beat, but I'll keep at it.
DeleteWhat a great year, congrats !
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen!
DeleteWhat a great year for you! Congrats on all the PRs!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa!
DeleteWhat a breakout year for you! Congrats on all those PRs! Cheers to an amazing 2016!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marcia! Hope you had a Happy New Year!
DeleteCongrats on everything you accomplished in 2015! I actually PB'd in every distance as well, except for the full marathon - because I didn't run one! Also, that's great you started blogging this year. I am coming up on 2 years in March - hard to believe! Wishing you all the best for 2016!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on a great year of running! Hope you had a Happy New Year!
DeleteCongrats on an awesome year! So many PR's! You've got some exciting goals for 2016. Right now my main focus for 2016 is to complete my first ultra, a 50K, in early April. Fingers crossed training goes well and I arrive at the start line healthy and ready to go!
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a Happy New Year!
Thank you! Good luck with your training for the 50K. That's an awesome goal. I'm sure you'll reach it.
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