2016 - A Runner's Year in Review

What a Year!

I did 20 races this year. On Saturday I'm going to make that number 21.

20. FREAKING. RACES. That's a whole lot of training, entry fees, crappy tee-shirts, carb loading, early Saturday/Sunday mornings, and treasured memories I wouldn't trade for a damn thing.

Before the Run your Heart out 5k 2/14/16 - -10* with the windchill

Reston 10 Miler - 3/6/16. This wasn't pretty

I learned a lot about myself this year. Mainly that I'm getting older (duh) and I can't jump into a race dehydrated, under trained, or hung over...

North Face Endurance Challenge - Half Marathon 4/10/16

Loudoun County Half Marathon - 4/17/16. One of my best races this year, clocking in at 1:52:12

Ocean City Half Marathon - 4/30/16. A long sluggish 13.1

Running is a passion that only grows with experience. It's painful, time consuming, but wonderful beyond words. "I've always thought of running as just dancing forward" - unknown

Loudoun Lyme 10k - 1st place in my age group! 5/15/16

Wine Country Half Marathon - my first real bout with dehydration and racing failure. 6/4/16

Twilight 4 miler 6/11/16. Running with my husband again :)

Firecracker 5K - 7/4/16

This year I tried something new - triathlons. I learned I'm not a great swimmer or biker, but I still had the time of my life, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat if given the opportunity.

Triathlon #1 in Jax, FL - 7/16/16. What an accomplishment!

Triathlon # 2 Jax, FL- 8/6/16. Shaved nearly 4 minutes off my first race with some experience under my belt :)

I faced my first medical blackout during a race at the X2 Hemlock Half trail run. I underestimated how much water I needed, and despite the warning signs I continued on and crossed the finish line. It was a bit reckless, and I should have had a 'did not finish'. I'm glad I crossed the line, but I learned how dangerous running can be.

Hemlock Half - 9/10/16

I completed a second Ragnar Relay and met a whole new crew of running buddies <3 #Yabadabadoo

Leg 3 Ragnar Relay - 9/16/16

Team Finisher Photo - Yabadabadoo 9/17/16

I stayed dedicated to training for a full marathon; something I hadn't done in nearly 2 years. I'm ready to do it all over again - it was fairly painless this go around :)

However, running the race with a UTI proved not to be the best idea. Still reviewing all those medical bills from the aftermath... But despite the obstacles, I finished with a 45 second marathon PR!!

15 mile Training Run - 10/8/16

Finishing 26.2 - Richmond Marathon 11/12/16

And even a seasoned runner, such as myself, can still have new running experiences...

Jingle Bell Jog 5K - 12/11/16

What a great year summed up in pictures. My heart is full, and I can only hope to have just as many adventures to feel wonderful about at the end of 2017,

Recap

Run your Heart Out 5k - 2/14/16 - 24:50

Reston 10 Miler - 3/6/16 - 1:33:24

North Face Endurance Half Marathon - 4/10/16 - 2:24:23

Loudoun County Half Marathon - 4/17/16 - 1:52:12

Spring Fling 5k - 4/23/16 - 25:11

Ocean City MD Half Marathon - 4/30/16 - 1:58:48

Loudoun Lyme 10K -5/15/16 - 52:00

Ringing in Hope 10K - Salute our Troops - 5/30/16 - 53:05

Wine Country Half Marathon - 6/4/16 - 2:21:53

Twilight 4 Miler - 6/11/16 -34:49

Firecracker 5K - 7/4/16 - 25:00

Jax Triathlon Series 2 - 7/16/16 - 1:54:43

Jax Triathlon Series 3 - 8/6/16 - 1:51:03

Hemlock Half Marathon - 9/10/16 - N/A 

Ragnar Relay DC - 9/16 &17 - N/A

Ghost and Goblins 5k - 10/29/16 - 24:40

Richmond Marathon - 11/12/16 - 4:08:06

Freeze Your Gizzard 5K - 11/19/16 - 25:16

Ashburn Farm Turkey Trot 10K - 11/24/16 - 52:14

Jingle Bell Jog 5K - 26:20

Next Up

Hopefully, I'll get an awesome pic to add to this on Saturday at the Ringing in Hope 10K!

Cheers and Happy New Year everyone!

India