I love these End of The Year Running recaps! Today I am linking up with Montana from Pretty Little Mudder to reminisce about this past year. Well 2015 did not exactly start out the way I expected….
I developed a very nasty case of Plantar Fasciitus last December and I couldn’t run for almost 4 months! Yup 4 months of limping around, icing, rolling and sweating my butt off in spin class to stay in shape. I unfortunately had to DNS to quite a few spring races. I was vigilant about my rehab and determined as hell to get better.
Best Race Experience
My “Moms Do It All Night Long” Ragnar team won an entry in the Cape Cod Ragnar last May and there was no way I was going to miss it! We all flew up for the weekend and took on The Cape. With only 5 weeks of actual running before the race, this was quite the comeback.
The Cape Cod course was so enjoyable and a lot flatter than the DC course we did last year. This race is so well “run” and organized it makes staying up all night and running at crazy hours more fun than we ever imagined.
Best Race Swag-
I would have to go with Ragnar this year too. These medals are amazing and this year is my most treasured. All 12 of our team’s medals fit together like a puzzle-How cool is that?
Best Race Advice-
A few years ago, my trainer told me to “Run my own race”. That was never more important than this year. It did not matter how fast or how far I had run in the past. I needed to focus on this race on this day at this time. That is advice I try to always remember.
Best New Running Gear
After running for about 10 years in the same model of ultra stability shoes, I switched to the Mizuno Wave Inspire with a light stability. It was love at first run! No more foot pain at all. Coming back from my injury, perhaps I changed my running style I am not sure or maybe just sometimes you just need to switch it up. Right now my Mizuno’s and I are very happy together.
Favorite new Skirt Sports print: tantrum in the running skirt and the Redemption Capri.
Biggest Race Achievement
Returning to doing Triathlon races this summer after a 4 year hiatus. I had a so much fun training and racing with my MRTT buddies it almost made brick workouts fun. I had forgotten how seriously hard these were and how great it feels to cross the finish. I completed 2 Sprint distance tri races this year and have a few more lined up for 2016.
Race I am most proud of
As you may have seen in many of my recent posts, I trained my husband to run The Jingle All The Way 5k a few weeks ago. Helping him prepare and see him run over the finish line that day was just really so meaningful. Having my son there to run as well just made for a perfect day.
My Year of Running in a couple of words
Finish stronger than you started
My 2016 Goals
Hoping for a year of injury free running and racing for all of us!
How would you sum up your Year of Running?
Also linking up with Erika, Patty and Marcia for Tuesdays on the Run
You had a tough injury to come back from, but you came back better than ever! So much to be proud of 😀
I am proud of coming back stronger it was a rough start. You will see you will too 🙂
I didn’t realize you actually took time off for you PF! I hope I don’t get to that point.
Glad you ended the year on such a high note!
Oh Wendy it was terrible really I could barely put weight on it. Hope we both have a PF free year 🙂
Oh yes, injury free fairy dust for everyone!
Maybe your husband could rub off on mine? He just has to start doing something a few times a week (besides when I badger him into walking the dogs with me on the weekends); it doesn’t have to be running.
Sounds like you came back really strong from your injury & I’m really enjoying everyone’s recaps.
I really hope that my husband will continue doing something to stay in better shape. He has not done anything since the race 🙂
My year of running post would be really short. Not one of my better years. Can I write about 2014 please? Or 1999? Ha!
I’m glad you got through your plantar and discovered a shoe that works for you. I love my Mizuno Wave Riders for the same reason.
WE all have good and bad years. The first half was really rough this time but maybe makes me love the second half even more. Here’s to a great running year for both of us!
Yay! What a great year of running- way to come back and rock it!
Thanks! I am so glad to have a strong finish and I am looking forward to all that is on tap for next year.
I love these posts! Just did mine yesterday.
Hearing your story about plantar fasciitis scares me though since I’m currently battling it. Any advice?
Ugh it really can be terrible. I wish I had taken a break when I first felt it come on. I have stopped wearing any shoes that don’t have support. I need to stretch it a lot and ice it when I feel a flare up. Good luck
Love that tantric print and you all in your matching capris for rangar!! How much fun. You staged a great comeback this year.
Thanks I am feeling good about finishing the year strong.
I didn’t realize the PF nagged you for so long. Most importantly you bounced back and had a great year. The puzzle effect of the Ragnar medals=pure genius! Thanks for linking up!
love the tantrum print. Congrats on a great year!
Thanks! It didn’t start out well but sure had a great finish!
Yeah Ragnar!! Such an awesome experience-nothing like it!
Those tights are cuuuuttteeee!!
I am attempting tris in 2016….we will see how it goes.
Congrats on a great year even with a 4 month run break due to injury.
Ooh let me know which tri races you are doing. So far I am signed up for Iron Girl again and that indoor warm up tri in a few weeks at lifetime fitness.
So much amazingness in this post! A Ragnar is on my bucket list and now seeing that multi-medal pic, I really want it….. I have not even ever thought about trying a triathlon, so seriously impressed!!! Looking forward to seeing what 2016 hold for you…. 2015 was for me was about setting some goals and knocking each one out of the park….I’ll make it a post sometime soon:)
Thanks I did have a rough start but finished strong so did you! It’s been great getting to know you lately and look forward to connecting more. Looking forward to your post
Love the Ragnar medals! Sorry about the plantar fasciitis however despite it, looks like you had a great year.
The PF is the worst but yes the year ended on a high for me! Thanks
I’d almost forgotten you had battled back from PF, but as soon as I read it I remember how difficult those 4 months were for ya, if I remember we were even going through similar treatments at the time. So happy you not only made it back, but you definitely have had some seriously awesome races this year! So much fun! Love all the pictures!!!
Thanks! It was a rough start for both of us and I am sorry to hear that you are still having some issues. Here’s to an injury free 2016 for both of us 🙂
Great recap Deb and glad you are feeling more positive about 2016. I’m sure it will be a successful and most importantly, more pleasurable running year for you. xx
Thanks so much! I certainly did have a rough start but ended on a high note. I was glad to have some of my best running memories with you too. I do hope 2016 brings many more running memories for both of us.
Love this post! Your highlights were my highlights! (May I cut and paste this to my page, editing a photo or two and cutting out the PF part?!). So much fun sharing in the fun of training and your comeback races this year! Looking forward to an even more amazing 2016, my friend :)! American Odyssey, here we come!
I am so glad that you were such a big part of my favorite running memories. I know we have may more to come
You had an awesome year! Still can’t wait to do a Ragnar 🙂
Oh you must do one sometime!! Random idea we should get all the bloggers in our group to be on one team-how much fun would that be?
That would be a blast!!! Let’s make that happen!
Let’s talk to Ann Marie she is an ambassador still I think
Glad your year finished stronger than you started. Completing a triathlon is a huge accomplishment, I loved following the training. And I hope Ragnar comes to France one day !
Now that would be amazing!! 🙂
Tantrum is one of the coolest prints! I had a safari obsession for a while and got a lot of stuff in that, but I definitely need some tantrum in my life. I also love the Mizuno shoes! I run in the Prophecy’s and Creation’s and both are amazing. And I love your advice! Congrats on your year in running and coming back from injury!
Thanks so much and yes you need tantrum before it’s gone!
Despite starting the year off with an injury, you had a really good year! Hope 2016 is even better…and injury-free!
Thanks so much I am thrilled to end on a high note!
I would LOVE a ragnar medal! It’s just so cool when they’re all put together and it makes one giant medal!
I know aren’t they?! Hope you have the chance to do one someday
It’s awesome that, even with the rough start, you accomplished so much this year! Also, those Ragnar medals are so cool 🙂
Thanks! Yes the medals are pretty sweet
Im IMPRESSED, you had a blingtastic year! Awesome memories and really cool swag! 2016 is going to be amazing
It definitely started off rough but ended on a high note. Thanks happy 2016 to you too!
I love that you overcame such a serious injury and made this year so amazing. Definitely something to be proud of.
thanks so much! I really hope to keep it up
Awesome! Dani and I are doing a Best of 2015 Link Up next week too! More the merrier! 🙂
Oh Yea I can link up sure. Which day?
We will post details on Saturday / Sunday! Fun!
great!
What a great 2015 recap! I would agree that the Ragnar bling was the best!!! I hope you sat injury free this year, too! Here’s to a Happy New Year!
Absolutely for both of us!
Hi Deborah! I really enjoyed this post… very inspiring to someone like me who is coming back from an injury 🙂 I think ‘run your own race’ is awesome advice. You could even apply that to other aspects of life, not just running. Looking forward to what is in store for you next year!
Thanks Sam! Coming back from an injury is not easy at all. Just take it slow. I agree it can apply to lots of different things even parenthood. Thanks for stopping by!
You did finish better than you started, great year! I know you are beaming with pride to coach the hubby for his first 5K- exciting stuff!
Thanks it was a great finish to my year
I’m impressed that you ran Ragnar with only 5 weeks of running since being injured. But it does sound like a race you just can’t miss, and the medals are great.
Here’s to an injury free 2016 for everyone!
Yes happy injury free running for both all! Thanks for stopping in!
Looks like such an exciting year for you, Deborah!! You are such a champ.
Merry Christmas!
It is fun to look back on the year in pictures
Congrats on your year! Ugh, I do remember you battling with PF, so glad you’ve recovered and found the perfect pair of running shoes! Can’t wait to see what 2016 brings 🙂
I did have a rough start but finished strong!