2019 Crunching the numbers

I know i have said this before with all of my other year end posts but I LOVE doing these posts!  I love looking back and seeing what progress was made during the year and what I dropped off on and need to pick back up.

How many races did you do in 2019?

Well, this was the year I cut way back.  I didn't pace as much and I didn't race as much, but that is okay. I think my body liked the lack of events better anyway.  I do miss it and I will continue to use races along the way for my long runs for sure if they fit.  I did 6 total events and had two DNS, one due to a death in the family and one due to running fever in the middle of summer (who would have thought).  I had two fairly technical trail marathons, 2 road halfs, one 50 and one 10 miler on the trail.  Other than the two road half marathons, all of the other races I did with my stella ella by my side.

Total miles:

Garmin Connect: 1571
Strava: 1640

Again this depends on who you ask and I have NO clue why these numbers are so different this year.  I import my data using Garmin Connect since I have a Garmin 235 that can do indoor miles now using my watch and that dumps into Strava.  I have had lots of fun with Strava this year and will continue to use both to log my running, occasional biking, and to see my training effect.  I do occasionally if my watch dies mid run log the miles in strava only which is probably why Strava has a little bit more.  Plus sometimes my watch and my dreadmill get so off that I will get rid of my garmin data and just log it per the treadmill data straight into strava. But still, I have no clue why the huge disparity in mileage.

2018 Goals met?????

Let's revisit my 4 goals and see how I did per my 2018 number crunching goal post from last year.

1.  50 miler.  A+  Done and done!  I had a wonderful experience both training and racing this race and can't wait to tackle my next 50 miler!!!!

2.  Get on more technical trails and do a technical trail marathon.  A+  Again, done and done!  While I don't always train on technical, I did do a better job of getting more time on trails this year the first part of the year and I did 2 technical trial marathons in the Rockin K and the Hawk.

3.  Keep at Crossfit.  C- I had started Cross fit the year before and LOVED it.  Then my coach graduated and moved and I started running 5 days a week and craved sleep more than lifting on my rest days.  Wah wah.  Excuse, excuse, I know.  I even attempted to purchase a women's bar and some weights and that fell through.  Oh well, I LOVED lifting and I will be back to it soon, just have to figure out what that is going to look like.

4.  Learn to fall in love again with speed work.  B.  I am going to give this a solid B.  I didn't exactly fall completely head over heels but I did do every other week once a week work and I am currently doing some mile repeats that I don't totally hate so there is that.  I don't think I will ever go back to speed work twice a week as my goals are not to PR at any distance (although I do have to run my next 50 in under 14 hours so there is that).     

2020 Goals:

1.  To stay injury free another entire year.  Shit happens, I know, but I had a mostly injury free year this year and it was so nice to be able to run and just enjoy it instead of thinking how bad this hurt or if I was doing damage to something.  I need to stay on my massage/strength training/nutrition this year again.  Yes, it cost money, but it is either money for prehab or money for rehab.

2.  To train smarter.  I want to have more great races so I have to stay smart.  Smart with mileage volume, races entered, and strength.  No junk miles, just good mileage at proper paces.  Plus, work with a coach again to make sure I am doing everything right.

3.  As always get my nutrition dialed in and under control.  I have let my weight creep up again past the point i am comfortable with the way my clothes are fitting and the number on the scale, so I need to get back to food logging and cut back on eating out for lunch. 

2020 Races:

Goal races 50 miler Flint Hill's 50
100k TBD

Other races I will do as part of training for my 50 miler:
Run Toto Run distance TBD
Pi Day at Clinton Lake distance TBD
Cindy's FatAss Race distance TBD
Wicked Marathon (road race)

Races that are possible in the future dependent on my fall goal race and how I recover post 50:

The Bill Snyder or Running with the Cows Half marathon (both road races)

Kettlemoraine 100 as a pacer

The Hawk distance TBD

Hennepin 100 as a pacer 

Dark and Dirty  distance TBD

Night Hawk distance TBD

Thunderbird 100k ?? possible goal race

I am still so amazed at how well this year has gone and am thanking my lucky stars that everything aligned and worked out well for me.  I can't wait to see what 2020 has to offer!  Bring on the miles and smiles!