2016 Running Recap

It's already January 2017, but I wanted to recap my year of running in 2016. Better late than never I guess.

These were my goals from 2016 (copied and pasted from my post at the end of 2015):

1. Run 1,200 miles (I've fallen short of this goal the past two years, but not by much.)

 

I am proud to say that I exceeded this goal. Although 2016 got off to a slow start with sinus infections and just plain lack of motivation, I logged 100+ miles each month beginning in April through December. My total mileage for the year was 1,243 miles.

 

 

2. Moon up in Half Fanatics. I'm at the lowest qualifying level and would love to improve my stats.

 

I mooned up to Saturn by completing 4 half marathons in 28 days.

 

February 20,2016

Sea Turtle Half Marathon

 

 

March 5, 2016

Tuscaloosa Half Marathon

 

March 12,2016

Montgomery Half Marathon

 

March 19, 2016

Blue Angels Rock n' Fly Half Marathon

 

 

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.

 

My previous PR was 1:59:57. It wasn't easy and it wasn't by much, but I did manage to PR the half marathon by exactly  1 minute and 1 second at the Pensacola Half Marathon in November. My new half marathon PR is 1:58:56!

 

November 13, 2016

Pensacola Half Marathon

 

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.

 

I didn't run a full marathon in 2016. I had all intentions of running my third full marathon at Pensacola in November. I registered as soon as it opened in March and began training in July. I was consistent with my training until our house sold in late August. I struggled to complete my long runs while house hunting and packing. We found a house in the final stages of construction, but it wouldn't be completed until one month after we moved out of our house. We had to put everything in storage and move in with my grandfather for a month. This meant two moves: one on the date of my 18 mile long run and the second on the date of my last 20 mile long run. I decided to drop to the half marathon in Pensacola.

 

Shortly after dropping to the half in Pensacola, I registered for the Mobile First Light Marathon in January 2017. I've completed my training and I am hoping to finally break that 4:40 time goal that I've had for over a year now.

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!

 

 

Michael bought me a bike trainer in May. The trainer is not going to help me gain confidence shifting and steering, but at least the bike will get some use. I was riding once or twice a week for a few months until we sold our house and the bike was put in storage. I only logged 67.5 miles for the year. I hope to get back on the trainer soon. I could definitely feel the difference when I was riding consistently.

 

I accomplished most of my goals for 2016. Here are a few other accomplishments that weren't included in my goals for 2016:

 

I PR'd the 5K. It was only by 21 seconds, but a PR just the same.

 

WES Frankenstein 5K

24:12

 

I also PR'd the 10K by almost 2 minutes!

 

Shrimp Festival 10K

51:26

 

I ran my first ever trail run.

 

AUM Warhawk Challenge 4 Mile Run

33:45

 

I completed the Runner's World Summer Run Streak, 39 days of running at least a mile each day from Memorial Day to the 4th of July. I wanted to do the Winter Streak too, but it interfered with marathon training.

 

 

 

I've thought long and hard about my goals for 2017. I'm sure that I will think of many more goals as the year progresses. These are just a few:

 

1. PR the marathon (4:45 or better). I'm hoping to check this one off my list on Sunday, January 8th.

 

2. Run 1,300 miles for the year. Why 1,300 you might wonder? That's an average of 25 miles a week for 52 weeks. I think this will be a nice challenge.

 

3.  Be more consistent with cross training. I include this one every year because I still struggle incorporating activities besides running into my routine. One day it is going to catch up with me.

 

To help me be more consistent with cross training, I will add a mileage goal for cycling (250 for the year). That is only 20 miles per month. I am number's person and I do better working towards goals that can be tracked or measured over time. I'm sure that is the teacher in me (It's all about that data).

 

Did you reach your goals for 2016? What are your goals for 2017?