Running year in review 2016

We are both so pleased with the way our year has ended up in regards to running. This year was about staying injury free and running New to us races, and a few smaller races just for the experiences! I know this is a long post so we don't mind if you don't read it all but it serves as a nice reminder for us of the races we've done in 2016 and what we thought about them. 

January- The year started with Disney World Marathon. I have sworn of all those race challenges this year, so Yes, I was ONLY running the marathon!  I was on Target to crush all my goals for this race but I totally zonked out the last 10K.  I still PR-ed so I will call it a success! -M

Goofy Challenge- This was the second time for completing the Goofy Challenge and my third Disney Marathon. I ran the half marathon on my own and the full I ran with my sister. We had great weather and were fortunate to have VIP after both races.  -L

March-Rock n Roll Dallas- Having never been to Dallas I was really looking forward to this race and to get out of the cold. It ended up not being any warmer there then up north that weekend. The race was fairly flat with a few hills and pretty windy. A friend paced me and I was able to pull out a new half PR to date.  -L

April- April Fools Race in Atlantic City. This is a race I look forward to every year. I love running on the boardwalk. This particular year it rained. This was my first time running a full race in the rain. I had a slight pain in my foot for this race because of a pair of dress shoes I wore a few weeks earlier. I’ve never worn those shoes again, in fact, I got rid of them! -M

 April Fools Race Atlantic City- I ran the 11k in the pouring rain but still managed to place 2nd in my age group. -L

May- I was a running Buddy for Girls on the Run for the very first time and ran the 5k with two students of mine. It felt amazing to run a race were it wasn’t about me or my time. -M

Cinco de Mayo 5k- Norfolk, VA- This was an inaugural race and I think it would have been a great one had it not rained the whole time because that put a damper on the festivities that were planned for after the race. I was able to place third in my age group.  -L

June – I ran my first relay for life 5K.  I loved the course and the atmosphere and will be a race I will do again! -M

July- I ran my first hot and steamy (and very HILLY) 4^th of July 5k with a friend of mine. Had I known about the hills I would have never signed up. However, I did have a great time and the atmosphere and company were great so I will sign up next year! (I already bought a new red, white, and blue, running outfit).-M

August- I ran the Love Run 5k with a friend. This was another first time race for me. It was a trail run and it was tough but I pulled out a 2^nd place age group finish which I was really excited about.

September- I ran the annual Harvest Festival 5k race with my family. I’ve been running this race for several years and every year I am the only one in my family that does not place. This year I was really hoping to. I got 2^nd in my age group! That’s good enough for me!-M

Rock n Roll VA Beach- This is always one of my favorite races but it is always so darn hot. This year we lucked out and it was overcast and breezy from the storm that passed through earlier that weekend. My running buddy paced me and I finished with a new PR!  -L

October – I really wanted to do a Halloween race but this is when I had my calf injury so thought it would be better to sit out and heal up for Wine n dine in November. -M

Wicked 10k-VA Beach- This is always a fun run. This year my friend and I dressed up and enjoyed the run, but the after party much more. 

Chicago Marathon-My big race of the year. Everything just came together during this race, from the weather, the flat course, my pace, and the energy from the crowd. Not only did I PR in the marathon distance, but I Boston Qualified and I could not have been happier. -L

November-  I ran Mickey’s Holiday 5K, a Christmas themed race at Disney, with a friend for her first race! Later that weekend I ran the Wine and Dine Half marathon. Honestly, I was secretly going to use this as a goal race since it would be the first Disney half marathon I wasn’t injured for, but because I hurt my calf a few weeks before, it quickly shot that idea down.  I’m still pleased with my finish time though and will call that race a success! -M

Disney Wine & Dine Lumiere’s Challenge- I placed 1st in my age group during the 10k. That was probably the most exciting thing, because the course itself was boring. I ran the half with my sister the following morning. And I think we would have both enjoyed it more if it was still a night race.  -L

December- Running of the Elves- I’ve been tossing up this race for a while now but have always passed on it because I thought it would be too cold. Turns out the weather was just fine. There was a huge hill but the atmosphere was fun so I might return next year.

Honolulu Marathon- This was a tough race for me since my legs hurt during the whole time. The race started very early so you were running half of it in the dark. When the sun came out, it got too hot, and there were too many walkers. I say go for the vacation, skip the marathon.  -L

Did you run any of these races in 2016? 

                                                 We are linking up with the gals from TOTR.