As this year is coming to a close, I am linking up with Courtney from Eat, Pray, Run DC to take a look back on my year of running.
It was a great year for me with only a couple of minor, totally neglectable injuries and lots of fun logging miles! I have been able to run constistently and with a plan throughout the year and this was my first year of running races. I am a newbie to all of that is race running and race training and it was fun trying my hand feet at different distances.
Best race experience: My first half-marathon in San Francisco, of course. I’ve only ran a handful of other races (5ks and 10ks), so the half-marathon definitely stood out in my mind.
Best run: The ones where body and mind agree and it feels like you can keep running forever.
Best new piece of running gear: My Garmin Forerunner 235. It’s my first running watch (I only used apps before) and I love having this extra fancy new piece of equipment.
Best running advice you’ve received this year: Run your own race.
Most inspirational runner: My friend Susi (and all of you who get out there every day!). She’s been pushing herself in so many ways this year and that has constantly inspired me to push harder myself.
Favorite picture from a run or race this year: This one – taken shortly before I crossed the finish line of the half! I obviously haven’t mastered the “I am having so much fun at running this race”- photos yet (which is also due to the fact that I wasn’t aware I was photographed), but I am glad I have some photographic memories from the half.
Race experience you would repeat in a heartbeat: San Francisco. Next time the halfmarathon that crosses the Golden Gate, I think.
If you could sum up your year in a couple of words what would they be? This year sparked my ambition. I learned that I can do hard things, that I can put my mind to something and just do it. I love that I want to run more. More races, more miles. This year has really brought me into the sport of running (something that I always considered part of working out, but not my main sport).
Extra note: At the beginning of the year, I set myself the vague goal to run more miles in 2016 than I ran in 2015 (which were 424 miles/ 682 km). When I surpassed this goal sometime in September, I decided to set an even number goal to reach by the end of the year – 1000 km (622 miles).
Today, I did that. I reached 1000 km this morning. Onward and upward! Can’t wait to see what 2017 has in store!
How was your year of running?
Did you reach your goals? Any running epiphanies?
Lisa of Lisa's Yarns
December 30, 2016 at 5:57 amI love that race picture! I never look like I am having fun in my race pictures! I usually push myself when racing since I don’t race often so I am pretty much always ‘in the zone’ and not really smiling, except when I cross the finish line!!
This was obviously not a good year for running for me. I was hoping to run a marathon in June but early in the year I knew that something was just not right with my hip. So I didn’t run from mid-Feb until mid-October, which was really tough for me. I’m getting back to running now, but since I have to limit my treadmill runs (it’s not good for injury prone people to run a lot on treadmills per my PT) I won’t be running much until the weather gets nicer in March or April. But I”m doing lots of other things that are keeping me active. Hopefully 2017 will be a better year for me. My goal is to run a half in the fall.
san
December 31, 2016 at 11:37 amI really hope that you can get back to running in 2017 and cross all these goals off your list :)
Stephany
December 30, 2016 at 6:05 am1,000km! Outstanding. What a year of running this was for you!
san
December 31, 2016 at 11:37 amThanks friend.
courtney @ eat pray run dc
December 30, 2016 at 12:57 pmLove your pictures – what a fun year of running – your first half is so exciting!
san
December 31, 2016 at 11:37 amThank you, Courtney!
Laura @ Laura : Fat 2 Fit
December 30, 2016 at 2:30 pmSounds like you’ve had an awesome year of running, well done! 1000 KM is a great achievement!
and don’t worry, I haven’t mastered the happy running face either, I’m rather envious of peoples running pictures where they’re all smiley and waving! Maybe one day, huh? ;)
san
December 31, 2016 at 11:36 amMaybe one day ;) Thanks for stopping by!
Tanja
December 30, 2016 at 2:59 pmYou are so inspirational – job awesome done!
san
December 31, 2016 at 11:36 amThanks friend. That means a lot.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
December 31, 2016 at 1:58 amWOW I am really blown away. Congrats on such an awesome achievement.
Running has always been the worst in sport for me. I remember one day in PE class where we had to do the 800mfor a grade and I finished last. The teacher said really surprised: your time isn’t even on my grading sheet… I laughed hard and said well it must be 6 then. My only ever 6 in sport among all 1. So no running is horrible to me but I admire people who find joy in it. Good luck with your goals next year.
And happy New Years Eve
san
December 31, 2016 at 11:36 amOh my, that must have been traumatic ;) I’ve played sports all my life and always considered running a part of my workout routine, but I never thought that I would enjoy running just for the sake of running… who knew!? Happy New Year’s Eve.