2017 Reflection: I didn’t meet my running goals, but I still had a great year

Posted on by Vanessa Junkin (She Runs by the Seashore)

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I ran for 20:17 on the last day of 2017. Credit for the idea goes to my friend Liz!

Although I really didn’t meet any of my running goals in 2017, I’m still considering it a successful year.

I did meet all the goals I set for my blog, I became a BibRave Pro, and I started a weekly slower-paced run on Wednesdays with the Eastern Shore Running Club in addition to the Tuesday night run. I also had a lot of fun, including running 26.2 miles at age 26.2. I was also thankful to be given the opportunity to pace two races.

So, here goes…

Goals

My 2017 goals were:

  • Run a 10K in less than 50 minutes.
  • Get a PR in the marathon.
  • Run more than I did this year.
  • Drink more water.
  • Lose weight.
  • Bike more.

Since I didn’t meet these goals, I am planning to set fewer goals this year (look for those in the next post).

My closest 10K to 50 minutes this year was a 55:55, but I know it’s an attainable goal, because in 2014, I ran a 50:20 and 50:15. I just need to put in the work. I am still about 30 minutes away from my marathon PR, but I did run my third fastest marathon and fastest marathon since 2014 at the Anthem Richmond Marathon.

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This was one of the items I gave away in 2017.

I logged 1,132.05 miles this year, which was not more than last year, when I ran 1,223.42 miles (my highest ever). My 2017 mileage was also lower than my 2014 and 2015 mileage, but these four years of mileage totals are all within 100 miles of each other, so it’s not like I drastically decreased my mileage.

I did track my water intake all year, but I didn’t drink as much water as I would have liked to. I didn’t lose weight — I stayed pretty close to the same weight but gained a little bit. I won’t be doing anything drastic, but I would like to lose a few pounds in 2018. I also really didn’t bike very much.

As far as my blog goals, though, I was able to meet all of those!

Those were:

  1. Once again, have more blog views than the previous year. My 2017 blog views surpassed 10,000 and increased about 38 percent compared to 2016.
  2. Get to 600 Facebook likes. I made it to the 600-like mark on Dec. 30! Thank you to everyone who has liked my page. If you want to help me get to the next goal I set, like my page on Facebook here.
  3. Get to 160 WordPress/email followers. I was able to double my following by making it to 160 WordPress/email followers in 2017, and I am now at 172. (Follow my blog from the homepage here.)
  4. Have a giveaway. I was able to host four giveaways this year — for SmellWell packets, an Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Duffel, Knuckle Lights and a Rehoboth Beach Seashore Marathon/Half Marathon entry. I was excited to be able to do this!

Races

I ran these 25 races in 2017. I put my fastest time for each distance at the end in hopes that I’ll beat some of these times in 2018. I’m still pretty far from my PRs, but I’m hoping that I can get closer.

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I ran 26.2 miles at age 26.2 at The Louisiana Marathon in January 2017.

I ran races in four states (Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and Louisiana) and Washington, D.C. in 2017.

One 50K: The Algonquin 50K – Fastest 2017 time (only 50K time): 7:48:46

Two marathons:  The Louisiana Marathon, Anthem Richmond Marathon – Fastest 2017 time (Richmond): 4:47:52

Five half marathons: United Airlines Rock ‘n’ Roll Washington, D.C. Half Marathon, OCMD Island to Island Half Marathon (pacer), St. Michaels Running Festival Half Marathon, Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon, Rehoboth Seashore Half Marathon (pacer)  – Fastest 2017 time (Virginia Beach): 2:14:17

Three ten milers: Tim Kennard River Run, Bottle & Cork 10 Miler, Seaside 10 Mile Run – Fastest 2017 time (Seaside – course was a little short according to watch) – 1:34:45

Three 10Ks: Run for the Animals 10K, Mike Sterling 10K, Across the Bay 10K – Fastest 2017 time (Mike Sterling): 55:55

One five miler: Running for Recovery 5 Miler – Fastest 2017 time – 48:12

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I became a BibRave Pro in 2017 and got to run races like the Crystal City Twilighter 5K for BibRave.

One 8K: Dogfish Dash – Fastest 2017 time: 46:40

One 7K: On The Bacon Trail – The Naylor Mill 7K – Fastest 2017 time: 57:28 (it was a trail race)

Six 5Ks: eRace the Stigma 5K, Tacky Prom Free 5K Fun Run, I Thought They Said RUM Free 5K Fun Run, Crystal City Twilighter 5K, Summer Cross Country 5K Series, Run, White and Blue 5K – Fastest 2017 time (Run, White and Blue): 26:33

One 1600-meter track race: All-Comers Track Meet – Fastest 2017 time: 7:57

One Beer Mile: Beer Mile – Fastest 2017 time: 20:05

Products

Through BibRave, I was able to test some awesome stuff in 2017!

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I tested the OOFOS on the right and left of this photo for BibRave in 2017.

Here’s what I tested:

Apparel: BOCO Gear 360° Visor®

Safety: ROAD iD Wrist ID Elite, Knuckle Lights COLORS

Shoes: OOFOS OOmg low shoes, OOFOS OOlala, OOFOS OOriginal Project Pink Sandals, Under Armour Horizon RTT Trail Shoes

Sunglasses: XX2i Optics France 2, XX2i Optics Bahamas 1

Subscription Box: 5kCrate (summer), 5kCrate (fall)

Tech: Weav Run app

Travel: Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Duffel

Watch: Garmin Forerunner 935 Multisport GPS Watch

Miscellaneous: SmellWell 1, SmellWell 2

I keep monthly recaps here, if you are interested in reading more about my running each month.

Stay tuned for my next post, which will be on my 2018 goals!

Want to read more? Check out my most-read posts of 2017. 

Like She Runs by the Seashore on Facebook here.