At the close of every year I like to do a short wrap-up post of the year in racing. This year will be extra short as we have company coming over and I have a little more baking to do!

My Favorite Race: Hands down- the Little Rock Marathon.

Most Fun New Distance: I had never run for time so the 1 Hour Track Run in January was very different.  I love track running so it was a fun combination.

Most Scenic Race:  Definitely the San Francisco Marathon. Best way to tour the city!

Most Challenging Course: I’d have to go with the San Francisco Marathon on this one too.

Most Surprising Race: The Chase Race 2 miler far exceeded any expectation I could have ever had.  This was 6 days after Little Rock Marathon and I went into the race thinking I could possibly have to walk and I ended up breaking a 19 year-old personal record.

Most I Was Tempted to DNF: The Hogeye Marathon in April was a struggle.  It was a month after the Little Rock Marathon and I wasn’t physically or mentally ready for this course at all.  My hip started hurting before the half point and things went from bad to worse.

Most Well Executed Race: This would be a tie.  The Caring for Kidneys 5k (Oct.) was a strong negative split race and I felt great.  I wish I felt like that every time I raced!  The other one that was raced well was the Breakaway 10k .  I was prepared and everything came together in just the right way on race day.

Worst Executed Race: This would probably be the Minuteman Cross Country 5k.  It’s been a while since my cross country days and I was not prepared for the terrain or this style of running at all.  Positive split like a champ and I was so glad it was only a 5k!  This race is on the GP schedule next year so hopefully I’ll be a little more mentally prepared.

Most Fun I Had While Racing: The CASA Half this year was supposed to be a training run so I went into it very relaxed and ended up feeling great.  I honestly enjoyed all 13.1 miles and it never felt like a race. I’d also have to add in the Arkansas 20k.  Tough course in hot weather but I had such a better experience this year than ever before.

Toughest Race: This would have to be my last race of the year- the 3 Bridges Marathon.  The weather and a recent illness made this race extremely challenging for me but I’m proud I didn’t completely let go the way I did in Hogeye.

 

Number of Races: 29.  This is actually down a few from last year so I’m doing a little better!

Number of Race Wins: 25.  

Number of Marathons: 4 total with 3:00:23 being best marathon time this year.

Number of Half Marathons: 3 total with 1:25:31 being best hm time this year.

Most raced distance? As usual, the 5k which is my favorite distance to race. (Ran 7 this year with the best being 18:16.)

Number of PR’s: 5 personal records this year (and not in my usual distances): 2 mile, 8K, 10K, 15K, & 20K

Total Number of Miles Run in 2016: 2,722

 

2016 was probably the best running year I’ve had.  (2013 is a close second.) I’m thankful for good health, a great coach, my friends in the running community, and my family. I could never do this without them.