I honestly cannot believe that 2016 is almost over. It felt like yesterday we saying goodbye 2015 and hello to 2016. 2016 has been an epic running year for me. 2015 was a hard year because at the height of my training season for the Dopey Challenge I was diagnosed with a femoral stress fracture. Right before my eyes I watched all my plans for training and races disappear since I had to stop running for 8 weeks. When I came back in mid December, I also watched my normal pace and race time become a struggle. The blessing in it all (there is a blessing in everything) is that I really needed a running break. To save a little bit of my bit of my fitness, I also did other exercises and kept my eyes fixed on Dopey.
I am happy to say that 2016 turned out better than 2015. I met all my goals and hit some unexpected ones too. Below were my goals for 2016.
Goals for 2016
1. Run uninjured all year
2. Complete the Dopey Challenge
3. Become a Double Agent (Half Fanatic and Marathon Maniac)
4. Complete the Triple Peach Series
Goal #1: Run Uninjured
Since 2014 I had struggled with injuries in November. In 2014 it was Achilles Tendonitis after running the Rock 'n' Roll Savannah Marathon. In 2015, it was femoral stress fracture from running twice a day and overtraining. This year I had a plan of running every other day and accepting whatever distance or workout I achieved in the time I had allotted for the activity. Thankfully, running every other day and cross training worked and I am happy to say that I am still running.
This year I ran:
4 Marathons: Walt Disney Marathon, Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans, Montgomery Marathon, and New York City Marathon.
8 Half Marathons
2-15ks
1-10k
Honestly I don't know how I ran 4 marathons. I would have never imagine running the NYC Marathon. It was a great adventure I was glad to be selected from the lottery.
Goal #2: Complete the Dopey Challenge
The Dopey Challenge is hard for the average runner, but imagine having to take 8 weeks off for training. I was cleared for running 2 weeks before the race. It was an interesting adventure. The 2 am wake up calls were no joke. Thankfully, I made it through all four races uninjured. The aches and pains went away after 4 days and the adventures continued.
Goal #3: Become a Double Agent (Half Fanatic and Marathon Maniac)
This year I made the goal to become a Double Agent. I tried 2 times unsuccessfully to achieve Half Fanatics. Thankfully the third time was a charm. For Marathon Maniacs, I qualified on my first attempt.
Goal #4:Complete the Triple Peach Series
This goal played off Goal #1. I have never made it to the Thanksgiving half marathon mostly due to injuries. This year I ran all three races!
Special thanks to the Atlanta Track Club, BibRave, Team Beef, and Beast Pacing for all the running support.
On to 2017.......