12 races (some used as workouts)
4 PR's
Highest weekly mileage - 77 (had several weeks at 75)
The Good:
What a great year it was for me and my running this year. I was very fortunate to PR in the half marathon twice this year. The first time was in April where I ran a 1:16:10 to shave a couple seconds off my prior PR of 1:16:26 (at the same race the year prior - Rock the Parkway). Then about 2-2.5 months later, I had a surprisingly high finish in Duluth, MN where I finished 3rd and ran a 1:15:43 (Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon)!!
Most surprisingly though, was that I had two really awesome 10k's this fall. I even beat my track time from college, (where I finished 4th at NCAA Division II Championships in 2010). Even if it was only by a second. I never thought I would beat my track time, but thought I could come close. Ended up with a 34:51 at Plaza 10k. This makes me wonder what I could do if I got back on a track?
The Not So Good:
I had a good marathon last year, and was planning on running a stellar PR in Los Angeles at the trials early in 2016, which would have left 10 months geared toward running faster at the shorter distances. Unfortunately, the trials didn't go as planned, but I proceeded forward with my plan of nailing some 10k's this past fall.
My favorites of 2016:
- Best Race Experience - Seems like every year it always goes back to Duluth, MN and Grandma's Marathon/Gary Bjorklund half. This event is the kick-off to summer up there, and the entire town makes runners feel welcome and are genuinely excited for everyone to be there. Plus, the race is amazing: great course, great crowd support, usually great weather! Marshall ran a PR up there this year and finally broke 6:00/mile pace for his marathon (His recap here).
- Most Memorable Race - Olympic Marathon Trials. Enough said.
- Best Run/Workout - There were two I couldn't choose between. The first was 10 x 800 (w/2.5-3 min recovery). All were 2:37 or faster (okay. . . one was a 2:38) PLUS I ended with a 2:32. This was 2 weeks before the trials, and why I thought I would nail that race.
The second was 5 x mile repeats on the track before Gary Bjorklund Half. Splits were 5:28, 5:25, 5:24, 5:25, 5:21. This was a weekday morning before work. . . really didn't see those splits coming!
- Best New Piece of Gear - Saucony Kinvara 7. First shoe to run a marathon in with no blisters!
- Most Inspirational Runner of 2016 - I'm gonna go with Meb Keflezighi. He's 41 years old and still made our Olympic team in the marathon. While I'm sure he would have liked to finish higher at the Rio Olympics, he has the heart of a champion. He even finished in true Meb fashion (doing push-ups after he slipped/fell right at the finish)
Goals for 2017:
- Run a good half/possible PR. I'm going to have 2 really good opportunities for this. In 8 weeks I'm going to be in Phoenix. Then in April, I'm hoping to qualify for the USA Half marathon Championships in Ohio. I should be well under the qualifications with my 1:15 (I think it only requires sub 1:18 for an entry)
- Run another Olympic Trials qualifying time in the marathon. Standards haven't been released yet, but I'm hoping they get released before we head to Chicago in October. Otherwise, I will have to run a standard next year. I'm guessing the B standard will remain somewhere around the 2:43-45 ish area.
