15 years ago, I stepped on a treadmill in an effort to combat postpartum depression. I had run as exercise off and on over the years, but I’d never considered myself a runner. Once I realized that running helped me cope with my emotional state and a challenging newborn, running became a regular part of my life. Slowly but surely, I began to think of myself as a runner.
15 years later, I’ve gone from a 30 minute run a few times a week to a steady runner. While I have my lower mileage months, I regularly run 100+ miles a month. And every time I think, I got this running thing pegged, I learn something new.
So, what did I learn about running in 2016?
- I learned that a strong base will carry me farther than a few long runs will. Regularly running half marathons has built my base to a point that I only need to add a few longer runs to prepare to run a full marathon. (Note that I’m not saying this allows me to race a marathon. It allows me to run one and have fun and not get injured.)
- I will never be a hot weather runner. Years of trying and failing are starting to sink in. This may or may not prevent me from running Marine Corps Marathon in the future.
- I don’t enjoy training past the 15 mile point. After that, it’s just not fun any more. Probably a good thing I no longer think that 20 mile runs are necessary.
- Sometimes it’s good to shake things up. I did a lot of half marathons this year + MCM. I need a short break. (I may have signed up for 5 shorter races with a local race company on a whim…)
- 5-6 days a week of running is my sweet spot. My legs prefer to run often. Running often makes me happy. Win/win. Now if I can just figure out how to add in some strength training to help prevent injury.
2016 was a good running year for me. 2017 may be better, but it may not. It will definitely be different and I’m sure I’ll learn something new then as well.
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I have run several 15 mile plus run with a friend just because. I do not know if I would say I really like that either. Although it does hold me accountable and if my friend is going to do it, why can’t I? I do always feel better at the end a long run. I guess it’s true what they say, you are never going to regret the runs you take, just the runs you don’t.
One thing I learned is that I love hot weather racing/training this year, but it’s probably because most of it was spent on the bike/in the pool with runs no longer than a 10K!
I hear you on heat. Blech. MCM won’t always be hot like that. I predict you’ll be back.
I’m not a warm weather runner either. Good thing I’m moving out of Texas, but that’s what we get most of the year.
My sweet spot for running seems to be 4 days a week, and while this year was crazy, at least I got to do it more often than I didn’t.
I am not a hot weather runner either. That is, I do it, but I don’t race a whole lot in the summer. Which is why I am presently racing every week . . . but that will come to an end after this week.
You gotta know your strengths & weaknesses!
You did have a great year of running! I am jealous of how much you can run by body just won’t have it.
That’s a good point about having a strong base! I think the back to back half marathon training I did in the late summer / early fall has been a huge part of why my body has held up to marathon training so far (fingers crossed!).
Hmm, and I’m slowly learning that I loathe cold weather. Like, for realz…
You and I both know you’ll be running MCM next year. 🙂
man
I aspire to be you in the “ok I started as a smallish runner and BOOM FELL IN LOVE!!!”
I’m so not a summer runner either – the heat and I don’t mix, especially as I get older!
You had a great year of running!!
Did you do the Pacers deal? I missed it because I couldn’t decide but I’m trying to spend less money on races next year since I got into Berlin…fingers crossed I can do that!
Yes, the 50% off deal was so good I basically got 3 races free to run the two I want to run. Plus Beer Geek has been enjoying short races, so I wanted to run a few of those with him.
Great lessons. Sounds like a grat year.
I prefer 4 running days a week… I tried adding a 5th, but that just was too much. Getting in strength is a challenge for me too, I try to do some exercises like squats/lunges/pushups after easy run days.