Happy New Year! 2016 recap.

Warning! This is a late 2016 recap. People who are on top of things had theirs done weeks ago.

Mine is here today. It is done before my taxes are, so it's still winning.

2016 was the year of the medals!! If Eric or I could find way to add a medal to the pile of loot, we did. (I think I finished the year with 17 or 18 medals. Looking at Instagram last week, I saw that some people have like, 60!!! Holy shit people, that's a crap ton of race money! And a lot of 5k's that give out medals, hahah.) But seriously. For me, this is a lot of bling.

The proof is in the picture below. While, obviously, I received only one medal at Boston, my little trophy wall deserves mention. #muchathlete

I got ultra creative and made my Dopey Challenge medals into magnets. (so maybe #muchartist!!)

I ran the New England double (VT City AND Hartford) for another 3 (well, 4, cause Eric and I made VT city a relay too! But then I went and lost that medal..)  (so... #muchfail?)



Finally we had Lumiere's Challenge to round out the year. PHEW. #MUCHdisney

Clearly a LOT of winning happening in our home. 

 

Medals, medals galore

Dopey was definitely a highlight of the year. The whole event was a lot more fun than I had anticipated, and the three of us had a really good time.
If/when we return to a Disney race it will be this one!
(as everyone knows, we returned for Lumeire's challenge in November. It was fun, but not on the same level.) Maybe it's because Andy wasn't there....

Dopes at Dopey!

Boston, and the lead up to the race, definitely fills in the #1 slot of 2016 racing.
My training was the best I have ever had.
My two lead up races (Hampton and Eastern States) were excellent.
Despite inconvenient race day temps, I ran smart, and finished strong and healthy.
There was nothing better than having a great group of friends there too. So much fun!
Add in the fact that it's also a fun family weekend and it can't be beat.
Boston weekend: #1 for 2016!!

The big winner

Hartford was good too, but in a different way.
I was so pleased to finally, FINALLY, chip a few minutes off the old 3:33:xx, which had been my go-to time for 2 years.
I also had the best 23 miles of any race, possibly in my running lifetime.
I did not have the most delightful training though. The heat, my busy schedule and generally feeling "blah" for the final 3 weeks got me down.
That being said, a 10 minute 2018 BQ time might balance out the general dislike.

Gritting my teeth at the Hartford finish

In general I felt that had a smart and solid year.
I claimed age group PR's in the 10k, 13.1, 26.2 and (I think) the 20 mile distance.
I raced two strong marathons and finished two others, just for fun.
I had two very dedicated and focused training cycles.
Eric and I ran some new races, and saw some new places (like Burlington, which I LOVED!)

This year I really enjoyed both training, and racing. I am comfortable with who I am as a runner, and with how I do my running. As with any sport it took me a while to get here, and I still have a lot to learn. I feel that I'm doing at least a little something right though. I hope to continue to be lucky enough to enjoy my hobby for many years to come.

I do not know how many miles I ran last year. At some point I will look.

In MUCH more important news....
In 2016, I also drank some very, very good beers.
Since good beers REALLY is what this blog is about, here are a few of my favorites. 

WINNERS. Like, real winners not just "here's your finishers medal" winners.

And just like that, it is 2017.
Today was the first day of Boston training.
This winter is shaping up to be a monster!
And guess what? Still no treadmill, or ANY sign of one! *shocking*