New Year Running Reflections

Happy New Year friends!  Are you one to set resolutions?  I must say I'm not.  I put enough pressure on myself without having to have a word define that I should get something accomplished.  But I do like setting goals.  (Notice how the slight change in word gives some wiggle room to get out of it all) ;)

I spent some time yesterday reflecting on 2014.  I went into the year hoping to run a half marathon.  December of 2013 I ran my first 10K post having my littlest, and did NOT feel prepared for the Hypothermic Half I was set to run in February.  I'm excited looking back that not only did I run that half, but by the end of the year, running a half became an easily accomplishable goal.  I even ran my first full marathon in June!

Running in Banff beginning of December.

Such a beautiful course.  This is on my must do list now!

Running into the finish at Drumheller.

With the full marathon under my belt, I've set some time goals for myself for 2015.  In May I will run the Vancouver full marathon, and would love to see a time of 4:30.  I ran Calgary in just over 4:40 after having some difficulty on course.  I have some ways to mitigate the issues I had if they appear again in Vancouver, so feel sort of confidant about the 4:30.  

What a treat to train for the Calgary Marathon in Hawaii!

Running becomes a way of life when you look for local races to run every time you travel :)

2015 will be the year that I actually start training again.  Not just running.  I'll be saying hello to hills and speed work again, as well as increasing my weekly mileage.  Woah it's been a long time since I had a mid week run of 10K.  Yelp!  I'm feeling a little bit daunted, but think that's a healthy mindset to have. 

Even my kids ran their first race!

2014 saw me finish off doing the Strides run streak.  It ended up being my heaviest mileage month of 2014, running a total of 155K, and 15 hours.  That tops my marathon lead up month by 14K!  Knowing I am capable of running every day makes the higher mileage coming up seem more accomplishable.

As for my half distance, yesterday I ran a new PB (on a long run, not a race) of 2:02.  That's a cut of 13 minutes from when I ran the half in February!  I'd love in 2015 to see that time chip below the 2 hr mark.

Seeing my family for the first time on course at the Calgary Marathon.  My family are my pit crew, my motivation, and support.

Never thought I'd see the day where I would get to "run" with family.  Wonderful to celebrate with my older brother at the Marathon as he completed his first Ultra of 50K.

Finishing off the year yesterday with a new half PB!

This morning I'll be signing up for a couple more races for the upcoming year.  A trail race, and a run in a new town.  Might even add in one more race (or two!) on the west coast.

I'm so pleased to be back in the place I was before kids, where running is a big part of who I am.  As my husband says, I'm happier when I come back from a run.  It decompresses me, gives me time to think, and makes me a better me.

Have you set any fitness resolutions/goals for the year?