Running Year In Review: 2015

It’s that time of year again can you believe it?  Time to look back and in my case, be grateful for all that happened.  It’s time for a year in review.  I did this last year and really like looking back at these.  So enjoy!

Best Race Experience

New York Marathon – The fact that I can even say I ran a marathon this year is amazing to me but aside from the 26.2 itself, this experience was unlike any other.  From the time I agreed to do it at the beginning of September to the time I crossed the finish line, it’s an experience I’ll never have again.  I used the words LIFE CHANGING in my recap and I wasn’t joking.

Best Run

This is a tough one.  I think probably the 5K at Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona WAY back in January and not so much because it was a good run for me but more so it was because it was the first run that my husband of 7 years and I ever did together.

Best New Gear

Rediscovering Asics Gel-Nimbus.  I ran my first marathon in these way back in 2006 (I think) and love that they got me through my second!  Hands down, one of the best pair of shoes ever.

Best Piece of Running Advice

I think it will have to be the fueling for a long run advice that Coach Kastor gave me during my marathon training.  Here’s what he said:

“Fueling for your long run needs to start the day before!  Eat a high carbohydrate meal in the evening before your long run, a meal with potatoes, pasta, or rice.  Eat dinner plenty early, 5pm is perfect timing, as the meal will be completely digested by morning.  Once up, consume a large glass of water while your prepare your breakfast, which might include; 1 piece of toast with butter and jam, half of banana and some coffee or… my favorite pre-long run breakfast, oatmeal with salt, butter, brown sugar, walnuts and banana slices!  Eat your meal about 90-120 minutes before you start running, yes, this means getting up very early!

Once you start your training run, consume 3-5 oz  electrolyte beverage every 20-25 minutes.  If you like taking GU like products or “Gels,”  consume those every hour you are out there on the road.  Be sure to take the Gels with a water chaser.”

Most Inspirational Runner

I think this year it has to be a tie between Sarah Hall and Deana Kastor.  Sarah because she’s not just dipped her toe into motherhood she jumped right into the deep end by adopting 4 sisters from Ethiopia and has managed to stay on track with her Olympic training.  Similar story with Deana.  I got to meet her adorable daughter and watch them interact and the thing I loved the most is that she is a MOM first and runner second yet she manages to kick but at both.  As someone who is constantly making the decision to parent first and foremost, seeing her be successful is inspiring and comforting.

Aside from these amazing women, my year was full of faces that continue to inspire me…I have an ENTIRE post coming dedicated to those runners!!

If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be?

Beyond words.  I ended up running in Arizona, California, New York, Missouri, Georgia, and Illinois.  I completed 6 half Marathons this year, 8 5Ks, and 1 MARATHON!  I’m very happy with how the year went.  I’m even happier that I managed to steer pretty clear of the injury bug.

What’s one of your goals for 2016?

I think for me, it’s to do more runcations.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE the combination of traveling and running and when I can take my family, that is my happy place!  I don’t know if a European adventure is in the cards next year but it’s definitely on my list.  So is the possibility of more triathlon and more public speaking events.  I haven’t really plotted anything out just yet but lots to think about.

How was your year?  What would your year in review have in it?  What accomplishments or races are you most proud of?