Now that I have talked about some of the lessons I learned in 2016, I wanted to reflect on the year overall. I’ll be joining Courtney for the Year of Running Link-Up. I wrote this Year of Running post in 2014 when Amanda was hosting and last year I did my own running highlights post.
Best race experience:
I only ran 4 races this year and they were during the months of April to June. I would have to say my best experience was PRing at the Baltimore 10 Miler. It was a really hot day, and the course is tough, but I managed do better than I ever expected. Lets not talk about what followed that race though…(spoiler alert: a 5 month injury) Out of the 4 races I ran this year I managed to PR in 3 of them so that’s definitely a success from this year!
Best run:
There was only one time this year that I ran the half marathon distance and it was a random Saturday in May. I didn’t plan to run 13 miles but just kept running. That was the run that reminded me that I am still a distance runner. I love those runs where you zone out and don’t feel like you are running for 2 hours!
Best new piece of running gear:
Does a bike count? I actually didn’t get any new running gear this year that stands out. There were several new pairs of running shoes tried but none have been a perfect match. I am pretty grateful for Theraband Kinesiology Tape that helped me through part of my injury!
Best running advice you’ve received this year:
I think I learned a whole lot this year. Most of the advice I received was more focused on injury prevention/recovery than actual running. Some things that stand out are being told I don’t need to stretch (at the UVA speed clinic), that my core is really not engaging when I run (also at UVA) and that I’m a “hip person” rather than a “foot person” with hypermobile joints (at PT). This isn’t so much advice but information that could help me to make decisions.
Most inspirational runner:
There are so many, how can I pick just one? This year I really enjoyed following Kara Goucher. Even though she placed 4th in the Olympic trials she really gave it her all and handled it with grace. I loved hearing her story on this podcast about signing with Oiselle. Did you know that at first they turned her away because they didn’t feel like they could make her a fair offer? For Kara it wasn’t about the money, it was about being a part of a team that she respected and would help to support her.
Favorite picture from a run or race this year:
There weren’t many great race photos from this year but I guess I will pick this one from the Sole of the City 10k
Race experience you would repeat in a heartbeat:
Out of the 4 races I ran this year I would say Sole of the City. It was a fun race with good weather and a decent course!
If you could sum up your year in a couple of words what would they be?
Frustration and Patience! This year may have been frustrating but it definitely taught me to be patient with myself, my body, and my running.
[Tweet “Sharing #2016 #running highlights with the Year Of Running Link-Up! @milebymilerun”]
How was your year of running?
Who is the most inspiring runner for you?
this year feels like a blur to me! I didn’t run many races (maybe 4 like you?!, I don’t even know off hand lol) and almost forget that I had my half pr in the spring! all I really remember is that the summer was a hot one which made running a little bit hard and slow.
This year really does feel like a blur! I feel like the year just started yesterday but at the same time the spring feels so long ago.
Patience is definitely something I”m short on. I felt you this year–it had to be hard to be sidelined! It was for me. I’m looking forward to a fresh start in 2017 for both of us.
Yes! A fresh start is always good.
This was a rebuilding year for you in so many ways. But now that you have a solid foundation, oh, the places that you will go!
I sure hope so!
Running ebbs and flows and you definitely saw that this year. You’re such a champ about figuring it all out and I’ll bet things come back together for you soon.
Hopefully Ive actually figured it all out! Im over dealing with the injury drama.
Oh injury leaving you sidelined for a bit is never fun, but it sounds like you learned a lot through the rehabilitation process. Congrats on a great 2016 and wishing you a healthy 2017!
Thank you! I did learn alot and hopefully I can move past it all in the new year.
Congrats on your races. Even though you didn’t race many this year, you still rocked the ones you did. Rehabbing your injuries are so important so you can come back next year and be a stronger runner, and fingers crossed no more injuries. You always seem to do a lot of cross training and strength exercises.
Thanks! You are right that the rehab is so important!
The injuries are definitely when we learn the most! With all of that behind you, I have a feeling there will be more prs in 2017 for you. And congrats on 4 strong races!
Thanks! I hate that it took an injury to make me learn some of these things, but I just hope I can move past it all in 2017!
2016 was definitely the year of figuring out how to run again after two knee surgeries. There was a lot of training, only 3 races, and lots of rehab. The start of 2017 will be a continuation of rehab, but I’m looking forward to much more speed work and hopefully some PR’s! Gotta dream big, right?
It sounds like you had a tough year but I hope that all you went through will lead to a very successful 2017!
That’s awesome you pr’ed 3 times this year! I think the bike Def counts as running gear as it will help you be a stronger and healthier runner. I really wish the bike didn’t bother my itb! Whenever I read your posts it makes me want to spin!
Its so weird that the bike bothers your itb so much! I agree it can be considered running gear since my main purpose for using it is to help me stay in shape for running!
Sorry you were sidelined this year, but congrats on the races you did run–sounds like they were great ones! Here’s to a healthy and strong 2017! 🙂
Thanks- same to you!
I understand frustration and patience. I still have to juggle those, but I keep making progress. It’s slow, but I know if I tried to do too much, it would set me back.
Being patient is definitely important in preventing setbacks!
Some would say the knowledge you gained this year would equate to a great running year. We always have to be open to feedback and information to help us improve.
You are so right!
Even though you had injuries this year, you learned so much about yourself as a runner that will only make you stronger for years to come. And you still crushed racing this year with PRs! I have no doubt that 2017 will only bring you more PRs…making all that patience well worth while.
Thanks! I definitely hope that everything that happened this year will lead to successes in 2017.
Great job on all your PRs this year! That’s amazing. 🙂
Sorry to hear about your injury, though. Hope 2017 is injury-free.
Thanks! I hope you have a good year of running next year!
Such a fun link up! I think it’s so important to learn about recovery and our bodies and it seems like this was the year for you to do that. Hopefully 2017 will have you back racing more and running injury free. Great that you had 3 PRs though!
Thanks,I hope so too!
I heard about the UVA running clinic on the Run to the Top podcast! I lived in Charlottesville for 5 months last year, I wish I had known about it then and gone in for a visit!
That’s too bad that you didnt know about it when you lived there! Hopefully you can get back sometime.
Frustration and patience – we can all relate to that! I love Kara as well 🙂 Happy holidays!
Those are lessons that all runners will need to learn one way or another for sure! Hope you enjoy the holidays as well!
I definitely feel you on frustration with injuries. I had one for a few months this year and it just made me very impatient. I do enjoy it when I’m told on what to work on to help improve running and getting fewer injuries.