I’ve been doing Miss Zippy’s Year in Running post for several years now. I did 2015, 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 again 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: Hands down – Marine Corps Marathon. I did not expect to love it this year. I was undertrained with only 2 long runs under my belt and the temperature was way higher than optima. But I ran the entire race with a friend and felt good for the majority of the race. I even beat 5 hours, which was not at all the plan.
Best Run: All of them. Really. I’m just thankful every time I go out for a run and finish. This was a low injury year and I just love running.
Best new piece of gear: Not sure if this is “gear”, but this year I got given a NordicTrack Commercial 1750 treadmill. It has been the best addition to my running life in a long time. It gets used all.the.time.
Best piece of running advice you’ve received: “Listen to your body – you want to be doing this when you are 80”. Like many runners, I’m guilty of pushing myself when I probably shouldn’t. I get an idea in my head and I don’t want to back down. Perseverance is great, except when it’s not. And I’m still learning when it’s not.
Most Inspirational Runner: All of the ladies in my MRTT groups. Every day they inspire me with their commitment to getting out and running, despite juggling kids, jobs, husbands, etc. Whenever I start feeling like my life is too busy to run, I’m reminded that I have it easy compared to many.
Favorite picture from a run or race this year: I loved Ragnar DC this year! My team, Mad Fox 12 Pack, was amazing and the weather was perfect. In fact, I loved it so much that I applied to be an ambassador and just found out I was accepted!
Race experience you would repeat in a heartbeat: I hate to admit it, but Marine Corps Marathon. It gives me all the feels. I said I wouldn’t be running it again, but…
If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be? Beer, skirts, and running friends. It was an amazing year for all 3 – we got to go to some amazing brewpubs while traveling for races, I got the chance to visit the mothership (AKA Skirt Sports), and I met up with a ton of friends at races throughout the year. I’m pretty sure that there is no way that 2017 can beat how awesome my running year was this year. (So, I have some different goals for next year. Stay tuned…)
[Tweet “Joining in on a Year in Running with @eatprayrundc! #fitfluential”]
Love this – and am curious to hear about your plans for next year. I’m still not sure how I missed you at MCM – what a fun day!
Definitely sounds like 2016 was a winner.
I had a tough year, but the running was good. Thank goodness!
Beer, skirts and friends sounds like a great year to me! I love reading about your journey to race in all the states- I’d like to take on that journey myself soon.
Its so funny how many of us have a love/hate relationship with particular race and/or distance. For me its RnRDC. Its a great race, but boy is it a tough course, especially Calvert Hill!
It’s always fun to look. Ack on our year of running isn’t it!?
You had a great year! And congrats on becoming a Ragnar Ambassador!
Congrats on your year! The MCM looks incredible, I’m seriously thinking about adding it to my bucket list! Ragnar looks like such a blast, and I love your theme’s beer theme!
Can’t wait to see what you have brewing for 2017! Congrats on your treadmill as well as your Ragnar ambassadorship. 🙂