November and December running wrap-up: Closing out the year with two 100-mile months

Posted on by Vanessa Junkin (She Runs by the Seashore)
Selfie of Vanessa Junkin in a winter outfit with the text "November 100.25"

It’s been a while since I did a monthly wrap-up, and before I get to my 2023 year-in-review, I’m going to wrap up my November and December running.

  1. I ran 100 miles during both months. My total mileage during November was 100.25, during which I again participated in the 100 Miles in November challenge. In December, I decided to make it to 100 miles again, running 100.46 miles.
  2. My fast 1600 in November was 8:26, and my fast 1600 in December was 8:12. The 8:12 was my fourth-fastest of the year. I also got out for a second 1600 in December, which was 8:15.
  3. I ran two races in November and one in December. In November, I ran the Bay Bridge Run 10K and the Turkey Trek 5K. In December, I paced the 2:45 half at the Rehoboth Seashore Half Marathon.
  4. I started the Winter Tour. The Winter Tour, created after the success of the summer Tour de Salisbury, features eight courses around the region. In December, I ran the segments at Pemberton Park, Winter SBY (City Park and surrounding roads), Gordon’s Pond, Naylor Mill and Assateague.
  5. I participated in the Crouse Family Christmas Day 5K. This was my first year participating in friends Phil and Amy’s Christmas Day tradition, and it was a fun way to start the day. I finished the 5K in 29:30, which I was happy with.
  6. I also ended the year with a Champagne Mile. I ended the year with a Champagne Mile and Tipsy Two hosted by Kristin and Carla on New Year’s Eve. The mile involved drinking a little champagne (or non-alcoholic drink of choice) after each lap, and we then ran some more.
  7. I ran with a few different groups. In addition to my regular runs with the Eastern Shore Running Club and the runs already listed, I did a turkey-shaped run with Delmarva She Runs This Town, ran a couple times with the 11:30 Club and ran with the NCR Trail Snails for a hilly run by the Loch Raven Reservoir in Baltimore County.
  8. I ran on the Paint Branch Trail. In addition to running in different places through the Winter Tour and the run with the NCR Trail Snails, I ran on the Paint Branch Trail in Montgomery County.
  9. I kept working on my speed. My runs with the 11:30 Club were fast for me, and I also did some fast two-milers, running 18:06 as my fastest non-race-time of the year. I also did some watch workouts that prescribed certain paces.
  10. I kept up my DribbleUp streak. The classes can be short, but I did one class per week to keep up my streak. As of Jan. 20, I’m at a 36-week streak, and plan to do a class today to make that 37.
  11. I got off my normal yoga schedule a little. I did two classes in November and two in December.
A photo of a winding paved trail in the woods with the text "December - 100.46"

It was a good few months of running. Here’s to 2024!