I love this post each year and write it totally for myself. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do, but I really write it because it’s like sitting down with a virtual scrapbook and looking back at my year. While there were some not so great things about 2016, I was lucky once again to have an awesome running year.
January
January started quietly. It was a low mileage month, but sometimes you need a month like that. I realized I was in the 5th stage of running like a mother and oh, what a blessing to arrive there. Winter came to Virginia, first with an inch or so of snow that caused horrendous traffic issues (took us 2 hours to drive 5 miles), and then with a record 23 inches of snow.
February
February started off a bit rough with kids still home from school, thanks to the massive snow. Boredom caused me to begin to think of my race plans for the year and brought on the brilliant idea of 23 half marathons in 23 states in 365 days. Somehow I signed up for the Marine Corps 17.75K again, not at all planning to run the marathon. For a little fun, we managed to go down to Richmond and check out a bunch of breweries.
March
March kicked off with the arrival of my much anticipated NordicTrack treadmill. Then I ran the RNR DC Half Marathon and the UC Half Marathon in West Virginia. I also got to go on a private tour of the Capitol Building and attend Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move event at the White House.
April
April was a busy running month. It started with the Marine Corps 17.75, continued with the Western Rail Trail Maryland Half Marathon, lifetime half #50 at the Loudoun Half Marathon, and finished with the Coastal Delaware Half Marathon. Somehow I also ended up using the 17.75 code and signed up for MCM again. Oops.
May
May was epic! I ran half marathons in New Jersey, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York. It was an epic trip around the NE with Beer Geek and a heck of a lot of miles! I love the Mainly Marathons series and this one included my 25th race with them.
June
June continued the fun! I ran the ZOOMA Annapolis 10K with all my fellow ambassador friends and I got to head out to Denver to the Skirts Sports 13er and Ambassador weekend. Two weekends surrounded by amazing women! Note that I exhibited amazing self control and ran shorter races because I did not need half marathons in either state LOL.
July
July was family vacation month again this year, so we headed to Grand Rapids, Michigan for the amazing beer and beautiful weather. It was a super fun vacation and I also managed to knock Michigan off my states’ quest with the Hungry Duck Half Marathon.
August
August found me struggling to finish the last states in my quest for Mercury. I ended up running the Wausau Marathon (half) and placing third in my age group. I followed that up with a race the next day in Woodbury, Minnesota. Beer Geek and I also had an amazing time at our favorite beer festival.
September
September was back to school time and time for Marine Corps training (or not). I ran Ragnar DC which gave me 16 miles over 3 runs and that was about it for long runs. The other highlight of my month was hosting a Skirt Sports trunk show. So fun and I got to try on all the things.
October
October involved trying to cram 18 weeks worth of marathon training into 4 weeks. I managed a 15 mile run and a 17 mile (very bloody) run, proving that trail runs are not the best place for long runs for me. I was nervous about Marine Corps Marathon, but ended up having the most fun I’ve had at a marathon ever.
November
November was a recovery month. I ran, but not a single long run. I created the most amazing sweet potatoes using DuClaw beer. I also started a run streak that led into the Runner’s World Run Streak. I also started my bullet journal, which has been a huge help in keeping track of all the balls I have in the air.
December
December has been a quiet month since we did not travel for the holidays. I ran my fastest race in a while at the Great Chocolate 5 Miler (where Beer Geek won his age group) and I continued my run streak, surpassing the 1100 mile mark for the year on Wednesday of this week. I also have had the pleasure of being invited back as an Ambassador for ZOOMA (code ERIKA2017 gets you 10% off their races) and Altra Running, as well as being a new ambassador for Ragnar Relay. (Skirt Sports won’t announce until later in January.)
All in all, 2016 was an amazing year and I look forward to seeing what I can accomplish in 2017.
What were some of the highlights of your year???
LOL on the food picture for November. I could sum up December with a giant slab of peppermint bark! You’ve had a great year.
You did pack a lot into your year! Hope to see you at a race soon
Wow, what an amazing year! I also just saw that you’re a 261 Fearless Ambassador! So cool and a great organization. I’m actually running with them (and Katherine) for the Boston Marathon, which I’m really excited about. Don’t know how I got so lucky! Congrats on a wonderful year of running and love your month by month look back 🙂
I’m in awe of all that you fit into 2016. Here’s to an even better 2017!
WoW. You were SO busy!! I think I discovered your blog right about this time last year,because all of these highlights look familiar. Congrats on a great year!!!It’s been fun trying to keep up with you (via the computer screen…no way I could catch you on the run LOL)
It’s been so fun and inspiring watching you run ALL the miles this year! I’m looking forward to you knocking a few more states off your list. I hope to connect with you in Madison this summer!
I am obsessed with your socks from September. Looks like you ran some fun looking races!
Congratulations on a fabulous year!
It was a great year for me, too – Great memories include our anniversary trip to Antigua and my first ever Ragnar Trail Relay. It’s going to be hard to top all that!
You ran so many races this year, wow! Great year! I’m looking for ward to 2017 and hopeful for less injuries 🙂
You had an awesome year! I bet 2017 will be even better 🙂
Fantastic year!! Wishing you nothing but the best in 2017, happy new year!
Lots of great race pictures! I plan on racing more in 2017 so hopefully will have some cool race pics and experiences too 🙂
I’ve been following you for a long time. I have enjoyed reading about your race reports of running 5-7 half marathons in 5-7 days. You have inspired me to start blogging myself. Keep up the good work