The Little Things
December 12, 2016

Well, 2016 felt like the most difficult year of running that I’ve had, as I got injured in March and it has lingered all year. This is the first year since 2011 that I haven’t run a half marathon (I ran my first in 2012 and have run at least two a year since that time), which really hurts my heart a bit! That being said, running has been a source of health and joy for several months of 2016, so I wanted to still recognize running for what it was.

1. Best Race Experience: My best race experience (I only ran two 5k’s this year) was the Homecoming 5k I ran back in October. It was the first time I’d run a 5k since August, and only my 2nd time since I got injured, so I enjoyed it for what it was- a beautiful run. I ran it much faster than I thought I would, and every step of it felt like a beautiful thing.

2. Best Run: My longest two runs of the year, a 7 and 8 miler, were by far my favorites (I love those 7 milers and eight hilly miles). 7 milers agree with my body the most out of any distance I’ve found. My 8 miler felt so very solid, and I ran more hills than I normally do. I felt so confident after that run.

running 8.3 hills

3. Best new piece of gear: One of the best new pieces of gear I got this year were the 2XU compression pants that I got at the start of the year. I wear it after most of my runs in the winter, and have really enjoyed having compression for recovery!

4. Best piece of running advice received: Honestly, it’s been the PT exercises that I’ve been doing for my achilles tendinitis!

5. Most Inspirational Runners. The 2016 Olympic runners! I found so much inspiration watching them in trials and throughout the actual Olympics. I’ve especially enjoyed hearing about how all of them have come back from injuries along the way. It’s helped keep things in perspective.

6. If you could sum up your running year in a couple of words, what would they be? Frustrating and mostly non-existent.

7. Favorite song(s) to run to: I listened to podcasts or audiobooks on most of the runs that I’ve done this year!

8. Favorite running quote from the year: “Keep your head up, keep your heart strong.” -Shalane Flanagan

9. Most exciting running moment of 2016? Thinking about coming back (at least a bit!) in 2017!

Honestly, I have no idea where 2017 will take me. I’m not sure if my Achilles tendinitis will be feeling ok enough that I’ll be able to run a half marathon. But I’m going to take the runs as they come and try to enjoy the process!

Now it’s your turn to share! Tell me one exciting thing about your 2016 year in running!

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One response to “2016 in Running”

  1. Abby @BackatSquareZero says:
    December 13, 2016 at 9:13 pm

    Wishing you a big comeback in 2017