2015 Year in Review; Goals for 2016

Wrapping up running for 2015, I must say I have been pleased with the year.  A couple of graphs capture much.

Here are my monthly miles for the year.  I started the year with a persistent pain in my right Achilles tendon.  Dr Williams got it diagnosed for me in February and I became very good friends with my foam roller.  From that low point, you can see the miles ramping up, touching 160 miles in both August and September, something I've never done in a month.  The total for the year was 1,538 miles, the second best ever.  Had I stayed healthy, it would have likely been a record mileage year.



I'm even more encouraged by the next graph.  I started my current job in May, 2004.  The job change eliminated 70 minutes a day of commuting, so I swapped the drive time for run time, going back to the sport I first fell in love with in the late 70s.  I'm thrilled to now have 11 bars on this graph, which represent, as of the end of 2015, a total of 15,022 miles.  I am grateful for the good health this represents...it's a gift for which I am daily grateful.

Racing was also good this year.  I reached my main goal for the year, going under four hours for the marathon.  Overall, I ran 23 races, including 9 5Ks, one 10K, 5 Half Marathons, 8 Marathons and one Ultra.  I never get tired of race day, even for our local running club's free Wednesday 5Ks during the summer. 

A true highlight for my year was the budding friendship with Jon, pictured below at the Blueberry Stomp in September.  We've traveled to a bunch of races around Indiana together and have much in common, far beyond our shared enjoyment of running. 

 

Somewhat related, I also picked up (for a song) a 1994 Mazda Miata 2 seat convertible earlier this fall.  What a hoot to drive this little car!  Since Jon has a Miata as well, we have dubbed ourselves the "Miata Maniacs".  

The year also saw the arrival of our fourth grandchild, Stella, born in April.  She's a treat and we are grateful to have her.  It's also fascinating to watch our children be parents.  

Our other three grandkids keep growing and it's great to have them in town so we can go out for ice cream whenever we want.    The twins are now in 6th grade and Miss B is in 4th.  

The running goal for 2016?  

Having run a 3:57 marathon in November, I now know what it takes to run at that pace.  So, I'm going now to qualify for and get entered into the 2017 Boston Marathon during this year.  Practically speaking, this means I need to get a 3:51 marathon on a certified course this spring.  I'll take my first shot at the Carmel Marathon on April 16.  If that doesn't work, I'll try again three weeks later at the Wisconsin Marathon.  I've run both courses before, they are flat and friendly.  Stay tuned...I'll keep you posted here. 

Thanks for reading.  Persevere. 

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