The 2011 Running Report: Crunching The Numbers

Before looking on to 2012 and any new goals that I may set for myself, I would like to take a glance back at 2011 and see how things shook out with those goals.

1. Build a streak of 1000 mile years by running 1100 miles in 2011.I ran a total of 1192.84 miles in 2011—an all-time high for me! My totals were certainly aided by marathon training and I hit a monthly mileage high in October with 142.31 miles run. This averages out to 99 miles run per month, which is exactly where I want to be with my training. I don’t think that I am one of those runners who craves the super high mileage weeks and/or months and I feel my best when I am getting about 100 miles per month. This also starts my streak of 1000 mile years that I was hoping to start when I ran 1013 miles in 2010. I’m ready to go for three in a row!
Grade: A

2. Build upon 2010's success by maintaining/surpassing Personal Records in each distance.
I only managed one new Personal Record this year and that was in the 10K distance. I am happy to say that I got very near to all of my PRs and was within seconds of setting new ones in a couple of distances (5K and 15K stand out most in my mind). I am proud to say that I set some new PRs in distance with the 25K, 20 mile race, and marathon. So this one is tricky—maintaining PRs: yes, Surpassing PRs: not so much.
Grade: B

3. Build a streak of sub 2 hour half marathons by building on the half marathons that I completed in 2010.
We all get one clunker of a goal—right? I admit that I set the bar a little bit too high on this one. I was riding a great wave of half marathons coming into 2011 with three consecutive sub-2 hour half marathons (two of those being sub 1:55). I did manage one sub-1:55 half marathon and five half marathons in 2:02 or less (out of the 12 that I ran). The lesson that I learned here is not to take anything for granted and to always respect the distance.
Grade: F

4. Add variety into training and races by mixing in different challenges (distances, relays, multi-day events, etc.)I experienced a lot of growth as a runner in 2011 and much of it was related to this goal. I set new Personal Records for distance by running a 25K, a 20 mile race, and a marathon. I took part in the Texas Independence Relay where I ran a total of 20 miles in a 36 hour period and lived out of a van in between relay legs. In May I ran two half marathons within a six day period and on New Year’s weekend I ran two half marathons within a 24 hour period. I also gave trail running another chance and discovered that I really enjoyed it. I try to make it a point to get out on the trails at least once a month and I ran a trail half marathon in March.
Grade: A+

5. Run a marathon in 2011.
Ahh…the biggest of all of the goals! On December 4, 2011 I became a marathoner when I ran the Dallas White Rock Marathon. I can honestly say that I enjoyed the training and I enjoyed the race experience even more. The weather was incredibly bad (pouring rain and cold) and I did not run it as fast as I had hoped. However, because it was my first marathon I was only in it to enjoy the experience and run a good race. Marathon time goals will come later. I wondered if I would be a “one and done” marathoner of if it would be something that I would want to repeat. I loved the experience and I can’t wait to repeat and will do so sometime in 2012.
Grade: A

I ran a total of 23 races this year including 1 marathon, 1 20 mile race, 1 25K, 12 half marathons, 1 20K, 2 15K, 1 10K, 3 5Ks, and a 200 mile relay team. I might not have met my time goals for every one of those races, but I learned a lot about myself—both as a person and as a runner. I could not do it alone and have run many of these miles with my best friend, husband, and training partner Erik. We constantly push and pull each other and I could not imagine doing it without him by my side (or sometimes just in front of me).

While the numbers and the miles are fun to look at, running brought me something far more valuable this year and that is friendships. I think that it is safe to say that I set a Personal Record for number of friends gained this year. It was in 2011 that I learned the term “frunner”-- we became friends because we run, but we remain friends for so many reasons besides running. These friendships are forged in sweat and agony at times; we support each other in disappointments and celebrate our victories together. These people amaze and inspire me on a daily basis and I am a much better person because I know them. If I had to sum up 2011 with one word it would be “friendships”-both old and new. I am rich beyond measure!

(Stay tuned....my "Year In Pictures" is coming up next--all of the faces behind the inspiration!)