2017 Running Review

I didn't post a running review for 2016 because I injured my hip and had to sell off all my ADC bibs.  By the very end of Dec last year I was just starting to run maybe 20 mins every other day.  To help with my recovery I joined a neighborhood bootcamp.  Bootcamp helped me to strengthen my core and hips and reboot my fitness and health.  I had gained a lot of weight due to my injury and hit an all time weight high.  Bootcamp and my meal plan helped me to lose 20-25 lbs and strengthen my body again so that I could run!

I was able to run the Texas Independence Relay in March and Deutschen Pfest 5K in May.  I had a couple set backs and residual pain but after June that disappeared all together.  

Then my friend Jenn decided she wanted to run Austin Full for her 40th bday so I begrudgingly agreed to run it with her.  Hence began my training for marathon #3!  So far training has gone really well.  I had one set back in Sept when I broke my right baby toe and couldn't run for a good 3 weeks.  However by the 1st week of Oct I was back at it and was able to run the 80's 8K for my birthday.   ;)  Talk about being lucky!  I've heard some people couldn't run for over 2 months after breaking a toe.  Who would have ever thought a baby toe could be so bloody painful!?!?!

In November I decided to try the Shiner half marathon.  OMG this race is so much fun!.  :)  I will totally do this again next year.  I even got the hubby to come out and run the 10K.  They throw an amazing after party where you get 2 free sausages and 4 free beers!  BEST RACE EVER!

To end the year we signed up for the Austin Rockin' Resolution Race 20 miler.  We had to run a 20 miler anyways for training so why not do a race and get a medal!!  We braved the bitter cold 38-36 degree temps (yes it got colder as we ran), 13 mph winds, oh and misty/overcast conditions for an overall great run!  I took 3rd place in my age group!

Total miles ran in 2017:  744 miles according to Garmin.  Not bad considering my hip injury at the beginning of the year and a broken pinky toe!

Races:

3/25-26 - Texas Independence Relay, ran 13.5 miles total

5/21 - Deutschen Pfest 5K - 26:02, 8:21 pace

10/8 - 80's 8K - 42:32 (garmin), 8:33 pace

11/18 - Shiner Half -  2:02:36, 9:22 pace

12/31 - Rockin' Resolution 20 miler - 3:13:34, 9:41 pace, 3rd place in age group.

Upcoming races for 2018:

1/21 - 3M Half

2/18 - Austin Full

3/24-25 - TIR

April - Cap10K

May 20th - Deutschen pfest 5K 

Sept 30th - 80s 8K (ADC)

Nov - Run for the Water 10 miler (ADC) and Shiner

Dec - Decker half (ADC)

Jan 2019 - 3M (ADC)

Feb 2019 - Austin Half (ADC)

I plan to run the Austin Distance Challenge in 2018-2019.

Race Recaps 2017 - 80s 8K, Shiner Half, NYE Resolution Run

I've been bad about blogging my runs this year and have missed 3 races!  Recaps below.

80's 8K in October (my bday run!) followed by birthday brunch.
It was a great morning for a race!  68 degrees, 66% humidity and clear.  My toe did great (broke it Sept 2nd) and didn't bother me at all.  I finished in 42:32 (garmin) with an 8:33 pace!  Official chip time was 42:30.

Shiner Half in November.
This race was so much fun!!!  Totally running this again next year.  We arrived Friday night in Gonzales, the race and after party was Saturday morning, then we had a late dinner and spent the night to recover, heading back home Sunday morning.  An awesome weekend for sure!  Official time 2:02:36 with a 9:22 pace.  Malek ran the 10K in 1:04:44 with a 10:26 pace.  Thankfully it was overcast for the race as it was warm!  71-76 degrees and overcast with 16 mph winds.  The half course reminded me of Decker, but not quite as bad.  There was even about 1 mile where the course was loose gravel!  After finishing the race the sun came out which made for an amazing day partying in front of the Shiner brewery!  Couldn't have asked for a better weekend.

Arriving at the race grounds

Celebrating after the run with free beer and sausage!

haha Beef vs no meat athlete!

dinner and come and take it bar & grill

official race photo

official race photo

official race photo

NYE Austin Rockn' Resolution Race - 20 miler (training run for Austin Full).
Closed out 2017 with a 20 miler race!  Braved the bitter cold 38-36 degree temps (yes it got colder as we ran), 13 mph winds, oh and misty/overcast conditions for an overall great run!  I even managed to snag 3rd place for my age group.  I loved that we had RR donuts and champagne at the finish line.  Thank goodness for my partner in crime (Jenn C) who ran with me.  I wore a lulu long sleeve half zip, team beef tank, tights, rulu ear warmers (which I took off at mile 8), gloves (which I took off at mile 3) and hydration vest.  I ate 4 gu's the entire race as well.  The course was a bit short at 19.6 miles, so after we crossed the finish line we finished the last 0.4 in the parking lot.  Official time 3:09:34 with a 9:29 pace.  My Garmin had me at 3:13:34 for 20 miles with a 9:41 avg pace.

7:30am start, the warmest part of the day (38 degrees)

Feeling good at the finish!

official results

Garmin results

the medal