Running Review 2021

As I like to do with many areas in my life I want to take a look back at my year of running.  Off the bat I accomplished two big goals, running my first marathon and completing my first sprint triathlon.  With accomplishments like that you might think I was focused and keeping up with my training programs.  Well I am here to tell you that was not the case.  I started out strong after signing up for the marathon in December 2020, I knew I needed to start training since I only had 16 weeks.  The first four months of the year I was able to hit at least 50 miles each month, this was less than required for the training program but for me it was a significant increase over 2020. After the marathon at the end of April my motivation for running went by the wayside. In May and June I ran less than 20 miles each month.  July saw a bit of improvement with the triathlon at the end of the month, I needed to get some training runs in, they were not that great as I wound up walking most of the 5K portion of the tri. August was another light month and my Beach to Brewery race in September showed me exactly what not training results in, another race I could not run the entire distance.  Sometime in August I decided another marathon is just what I needed to get my training back on track. 

Early October was the Crest Best Run Fest, a 5k and 10 mile race.  This was going to be the test to see if I could salvage my marathon training or defer to the next year. If I could not run both races without walking I would defer.  I reached my goal and ran both races from start to finish.  Marathon training was back on.  October was my best running month ever!  I hit my sub 30 minute 5K at the Crest Best Run Fest and 2 weeks later I crushed a 5K at the Run the Vineyard race with a sub 28 minute run!  The sub 28 goal was something I planned to work on for 2022.  I ran a total of 100 miles for the month. November started out strong, until my last 20 mile training run before the marathon.  I learned a valuable lesson about shoe life. I did not realize at the time just how many miles I had run in my Brooks Ghost 11s, I knew I needed to replace them before the marathon and had just bought a new pair to break in over my two week taper period before the marathon. I estimate I had over 700 miles on the Brooks when I last ran in them, there was not enough support and I injured my ankle.  I tried to do a couple of 2 mile runs after resting but realized that I needed to see a doctor before I did more damage.  Running for the year was over for me and I deferred my marathon entry till 2022.  512 miles, 88 miles short of my year goal of 600.  I must also keep in mind last year I ran 300 miles so even if I fell short of my goal, I still made a huge amount of positive progress.  I try to learn from my mistakes so that I grow.  Other than the obvious of not putting so many miles on one pair of shoes, if I was a bit more consistent with my running I would not have had so many miles left for December.  The biggest item to note for my running year is that none of it would have been possible without the support of my family, friends and my running club. To them I am extremely grateful and thankful!   My running goals for next year include running 60 miles per month, working towards a sub 27 minute 5K, and a sub 2 hour half marathon.  What areas of your life do you perform a year end review on? How has it helped you grow?