GREAT Job Sarah!! Very impressive considering you were sick earlier in the month!

 

MTA: and to think you weren't sure you would get to 226. You've surpassed that very nicely!

 Thanks Pam. 200 even seemed unlikely when this all started, so it's good to have managed a bit more than that.  The intro to doubles has been interesting, and something I wouldn't have tried were it not for the throwdown.  In some ways being sick was a way to kick me into action, I knew I was going to have to work for it, so perhaps it stopped me sitting back too much and sticking with the usual routine...ie bring in doubles and mix things around in terms of what I run and when.  I was worried I'd have to run everything as recovery pace, and although I've done very few faster miles (but only thrown into the end or middle of a normal run).  I'm pleased that a number of runs have been in the mid to low 8's.  Not much variety and no workouts, but then, looking back on my year, that's often been the case...I'm not very good at actually training.

I think the same goes to you with regard to surpassing goals...but you didn't just surpass you absolutely crushed!

270

 

Not sure that I'll be able to achieve this with all that's going on this month, however I may as well give it a shot. Not that I really need to do that much this month however it will be a good start for my 50 mile training.

 Thanks Pam. 200 even seemed unlikely when this all started, so it's good to have managed a bit more than that.  The intro to doubles has been interesting, and something I wouldn't have tried were it not for the throwdown.  In some ways being sick was a way to kick me into action, I knew I was going to have to work for it, so perhaps it stopped me sitting back too much and sticking with the usual routine...ie bring in doubles and mix things around in terms of what I run and when.  I was worried I'd have to run everything as recovery pace, and although I've done very few faster miles (but only thrown into the end or middle of a normal run).  I'm pleased that a number of runs have been in the mid to low 8's.  Not much variety and no workouts, but then, looking back on my year, that's often been the case...I'm not very good at actually training.

 

I think the same goes to you with regard to surpassing goals...but you didn't just surpass you absolutely crushed!

 It's amazing at how much we can do in the end despite how difficult the task of running less seemed to be at the beginning. Had it not been for this challenge I would have NEVER even thought of doing the mileage that I've done.

BTW I'm just finally LEARNING about training and I've been running for 6 years now.

I've got the scalps of the two local boys to pin up on my wall.  The baby, however, may have other ideas.  Went to the doc today and while they did not send us to the hospital they did try to convince us to stay in the office for a few hours to see what happened.  I'm off to the treadmill soon, as any miles I get in may be my last for the year.

Baby spaniel may be our only hope to pull out a win. 

Congrats to everyone for meeting, beating, and crushing your goals.

I just need a little over 10 tomorrow to make my second highest ever month. That'll help remind me to run tomorrow.

I just need a little over 10 tomorrow to make my second highest ever month. That'll help remind me to run tomorrow.

 Cool! I have 10 miles to get my highest ever month, though I have 13 on tap

(Never mind what I said - your training plan just changed, or I was seeing last week's or something...)

 No Perry I just changed it, when I added next weeks schedule. I wasn't sure about the mid long run tomorrow until I checked my HR a little while ago. It got down to 46 which means other than sore legs tomorrow I should be good to go for a mid long run.

Phew.  Done.  Finished with a 10.95 miler which was made even better by my husband joining me for the first hour.  Thanks for the motivation everyone.

As an end of year summary, this is my annual mileage the last 4 years (basically since I started running).  I didn't log times much in 2009 though, and I know some runs are missing in 2008 but don't think I got much more than 350 miles in that year.

December the last 3 years has looked like

2011   263.8    38:08:15   8:41      (my first real 60+ mile week, first ever doubles, highest mileage month ever)

2010  178.5     27:09:51   9:08      (my first ever 40 mile week, highest mileage month to date)

2009   22.8                                    (my first walk/runs back after 4 months off, 6 weeks in a cast, and generally having a messed foot/cankle)

MTA: posting this seems almost boastful and defintiely weird, so sorry, it wasn't meant that way.

I don't know what to do/aim for in 2012.  I don't think mileage should be the big goal, building that could be tricky with work and life commitments.  However having some goals would be good.   I suppose I should start thinking.

I don't know what to do/aim for in 2012.  I don't think mileage should be the big goal, building that could be tricky with work and life commitments.  However having some goals would be good.   I suppose I should start thinking.

You have plenty of base, so an option now is to focus on racing.