2016 was a big fitness year. I saw huge improvements week to week, month to month, race to race. Pr’d the half, full, 10k and a few past goals of mine were finally checked off a list (beer mile, Ragnar, Spartan) and i’m realizing I have no limits as long as I continue to train between the ears.

from saturday’s 10 miler

I don’t have resolutions or goals for 2017. I peeked back at my old resolutions and a lot of them are time goals for certain distances, trying different types of races (like obstacle course racing & Ragnars) and to be happy. I’m still conquering those times and distances while constantly trying to become a better, more well-rounded athlete while balancing home and work life, and challenging myself in ways I didn’t think possible. As long as I’m growing as a person and reaching for the next thing, I’m happy.

Those are my constant, daily resolutions. Each morning when the alarm goes off I make choices based on the person I want to be and the things I want to accomplish. If i’m running, lifting, coffee-ing and smiling, life is going to be beautiful.

I kicked off 2017 on New Year’s Day at a local 5k event. No parties for me, just a pan of brownies, a beer (apparently i was carbo-loading for 3.1 miles) and an early bedtime so I could run hard the next morning and figure out reasonable training paces for the next half marathon. (March 11th, DC Rock n’ Roll 1/2)

I caught up with fellow Nuun Ambassadors Colleen & Jim!

Recapping a 5K is so strange. It goes by too fast to remember, and hurts so good you kinda don’t mind forgetting. I’ll say this, I ran to hurt. I wanted to see where my fitness was and get some realistic paces I could use for my next training cycle. This was the first hard effort since the marathon in November. And for a first hard effort, I’m happy.

Jim’s pushing the stroller

I’ve never quite mastered how to pace a 5K. I positive split my way to a PR somehow and I’ll take it. 20:09, 1st overall female. I gained 171 ft of elevation during these 3.1 miles. It wasn’t the easiest course, but it was a perfect day for a race.

Next up is Leo’s Run 5k on February 5th, which is held on one of my favorite running paths in Silver Spring, MD. It’s for a great cause, so if you’re local, sign up and hang out! If you don’t want to run but still want to donate head over to http://www.leosrun.org/ and read how you can help!

The following weekend on February 11th is another 5k for a cause! Cupid’s Undie Run.This is a 5k Silver Spring Crossfit does annually and raises money for Neurofibromatosis, a disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerve endings in the body. So our box will brave the cold, raise money and lower our pants. Should be a fun one! If you’d like to donate to my page click the picture below and if you want to run with me, sign up and we’ll have a very awkward first meet n’ greet! hah

Week of 12/26-1/1 

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: Crossfit, 8.5m easy 7:44/pace

Wednesday: 10.1m easy 7:59/pace

Thursday: Crossfit

Friday: 5m easy 9:15/pace, 30min single leg work

Saturday: 12m easy 8:26/pace, 30min total body

Sunday: New Year’s Day 5k 20:09 6:28/pace (total miles 5.3 with warm up/cool down), 30min upper body

Total Miles: 40.9

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Week of 1/2-1/8

Monday: 5m easy 9:55/pace

Tuesday: Crossfit, 8m interval (8 x 800s @ 6:20/pace)

Wednesday: 5.3 easy 8:30/pace, 1hr Deadlifts

Thursday: Rest

Friday: 7m tempo (5m @ 6:53/pace)

Saturday: Crossfit, 10m long 8:36/p

Sunday: 6.2m easy 9:08/p, 1hr squats/cleans

Total Miles: 41.5

What’s next on your race calendar?

Who ran in snow this weekend!?