Year In Review – 2017

We are four days into 2018, but it’s been a little busy these past few weeks around the Runspirational household. Thanks to the “Bomb Cyclone” I have a few moments to write my year in review for 2017. Here are my thoughts on year.

Total Races – 11 races consisting of 3 half marathons, 1 10-miler, 1 8K, 1 4-miler, 5 5Ks.

Proudest Personal Accomplishment – Finishing my first half marathon ever, The New Jersey Half Marathon, and beating my goal of running it in under 2 hours by finishing in 1:58:00. It’s amazing what motivation can help you attain.

Best Performance – I’d say the Garden State 10 Miler. I’d never run a race over 4 miles (and that was just a month prior). I felt strong throughout the race. I used it as a test run for the half marathon I was training for.  I ended up finishing in 1:27:17 for an 8:43 mile pace.

Favorite Race – Ashenfelter 8K Classic on Thanksgiving morning. This race will always be special to me. This year, I felt strong throughout the race. I PRd the course finishing in 42:36 (8:34 pace), beating last year’s PR by 1:59. With training for the half marathons, I kind of forgot how to pace myself in an 8K (4.98 miles), but in the end ran a smart race.

Best Race Moment – The Verona Labor Day Classic. I ran the 1-mile race first with my daughter and her best friend. It was their first race ever and so much fun to run with them. Followed it up with the 5K race that my wife and friend ran in too. It was the first race my wife and I both ran.

Favorite New Product – The Garmin Forerunner 935 watch.  I received it for Christmas from my wife and kids. Yes, they spoiled me. I’m still learning about the watch, but I love this thing. All of the data is incredible.

Favorite Course Scenery – Newport Liberty Half Marathon. You can’t beat running while enjoying views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Freedom Tower. Talk about inspiration and motivation.

Worst Performance – Definitely the Newport Liberty Half Marathon. It was such a horrible, humid day to race in September. I tried staying hydrated as best I could. Just didn’t have it that day, but it was ok considering the course scenery.

Toughest Race – I’d say the SuperHero Halloween Half Marathon. The course featured a bunch of tough inclines, especially in the last mile of the race. I really enjoyed the course but it was definitely the most challenging one of the year.

Fastest Race Pace – I ran an 8:07 pace in the C-WC Run for Education 5K. It’s the second fastest I’ve ever run a 5K. The fastest 5K ever was in this same race, back in 2015, when I race it at a 7:59 pace.

How Did That Happen – Easily, this goes to winning my age group at the MSDA Meghan Doyle ’05K run. I can always say this happened once, if it never happens again. The best part was the race was on my birthday. What a gift.

Best Race Day Sign – This one goes to the lady along The New Jersey Half Marathon course that had the sign saying “Great Stamina. Stop By Later.” A good laugh during a race helps with the nerves.

Favorite Race Outfit – This one goes to the guy who looked like Forrest Gump during the SuperHero Halloween Half Marathon.

Favorite Finish Area – The Trinity Reindeer Run 5K. Love this race. Great crowd towards the end of the race for a 5K. Plenty of food, water, coffee. Games for the kids, local companies. Plus, they have a Holiday Boutique inside the gym of the Church and free pictures with Santa Claus. Such a joy to run this 5K.

Favorite Training Program – The Hal Higdon program I used for The New Jersey Half Marathon. It had me prepared and the training load seems right for me. I’m using it again for the United NYC Half Marathon.

Happy That I – Bought and started Runspirational.com and started my Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram profiles. Also thrilled to have found the BibRave community and participated in a lot of the weekly BibChats. What a great group of people. I’ve met so many wonderful people this year through running.

2017 was a great year. Here is to an even better and healthy 2018. Time to break some PRs.

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