I’ve been doing Miss Zippy’s Year in Running post for several years now. I did 2014, 2013 and 2012, so even though Amanda has started focusing on other venues, I had to write this post. Luckily, Courtney has taken it on, so I’ll link up with her instead this year. I’ll admit that this post (and a few others) are written more for me than you, but I hope you enjoy them as well.
Best Race Experience: So many awesome races this year. But one particular weekend stands out – Runner’s World Festival and Half was just flat out amazing. From meeting the Altra folks to visiting Bart Yasso’s house to running four amazing races, this whole weekend stood out as the best. So much to love about it.
Best Run: I had a run recently that reminded me why I’m a runner. I went out for 1 mile and ended up running 7.1. I kept telling myself I need to stop and my mind and body kept begging to keep going. It was truly one of those magical runs with unicorns and rainbows. (Ok, no actual unicorns, but still amazing.)
Best new piece of gear: The Addaday Roller. OMG. This thing is amazing. It gets spots that I can’t with the foam roller and has played a huge roll in moving past the hip issue I was having at Marine Corps.
Best piece of running advice you’ve received: “Think like a guy, lead with your fly” – I was in a running workshop and we were discussing running form and this was thrown out as a way to remember not to slouch. If nothing else, it makes me smile every time I remind myself on the run.
Most Inspirational Runner: I have a really hard time with this most years, but I actually met Deena Kastor at Runner’s World. I can’t even put into words how inspiring yet down to earth that she was.
Favorite picture from a run or race this year: I actually have two favorites. I don’t often get good pictures from races, but these rock!
Race experience you would repeat in a heartbeat: Marine Corps Marathon. The training for this did not go quite as plan and bronchitis and a sore hip meant it was way slower than planned, but my second time running was just as emotional and amazing as the first time. If it weren’t for my hatred of Virginia summers, I’d run it every year.
If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be? Amazing Opportunities. Again, Runner’s World is on the list, but being able to successfully train for and run two marathons in a weekend, to get to travel to the Center of the Nation series, to be an ambassador for both Skirt Sports and Altra Running, to get to run Ragnar Cape Cod. Yeah, it was just an absolutely amazing year.
[Tweet “Joining in on a Year in Running with @eatprayrundc! #fitfluential”]
Your year surely looks incredible! The RW Festival looked/sounded like an absolute blast and I hope to at least make it to the Half next year. Congrats on a great year and I can only imagine what next year has in store for you!
Congrats on a fantastic year! Runner’s World weekend looked amazing, and you got some great photos – I hope to finally make it there next year! And I’m always amazed at your back-to-back races, just incredible!
Summer training is always tough. I promised never to do a big fall race because it would mean training through the Texas summers. No amount of race, bling, or expo will get me to run in that weather.
I love those race pics!! So cool that you got to meet Deena Kastor, love her!
LOVE those pics of you! So cute and you look SO happy! Thanks for sharing your year. You had a good one and I’m super excited for some more Zooma fun in 2016 🙂
You did have a great year of running! Hope to do some of your races with you next year
I think you had an AMAZING year. It was such a blast to follow you and read all your recaps. Truly. I can’t wait to see what you have on tap (see what I did there?) for 2016.