Notes
It would be easy to say that 2016 was a colossal disappointment but that may be too broad of a stroke. The year started with 3 solid months that included a few of my best post-collegiate performances. But even those months aside, I'm hesitant to label the next 9 as complete failure. I won't rehash all the gory details of the Achilles. I made many stubborn mistakes along the way, but I think I ultimately also did a lot of things well and learned about myself, both as a runner and not. As for now, I feel like I am finally on the upswing again. I'm taking things slow and steady and really trying to listen to my body, even though I seem to say that every year. I don't know what the next few months will look like. I have dreams of weekday doubles and reaching a couple months of 70, 80, or maybe even 90mi weeks going into Boston and running a time there that I'm actually proud of. At the same time, I know the shape I'm in now, I know I'm unfortunately still fragile, and I know 3.5 months isn't much time but I can't rush it. I have a lifting plan ready to help stay healthy hopefully and plan to keep easy runs really easy, but who knows what could happen. I'll keep hoping for the best and see what these sure-to-be interesting next few months bring.
And now, for the race recaps...
THE BAD
-Daniel Island Happy Hour Series (5k - 18:31, DNF) - Hesitant to even count these as races but I put on the bib. Not racing/running drove me crazy enough to hop in and see where I was at. Neither result was particularly encouraging, no matter where I placed.
-Mom's Day Run (5k - 17:31) - Once again, just kind of ran this for a cheap win. Unlike last year, though, I probably wasn't in shape for all that much faster, and I probably shouldn't have run it.
THE INDIFFERENT
-Nexton Cocoa Cup/Mile TT - (5k - 18:09/Mile 5:03) - Objectively I'm not happy with either of those two times, but each was just a fitness dipstick and the results were encouraging after all these months.
-Daniel Island 5k (5k - 16:30) - As far as post-collegiate 5ks go, this is one of my better ones, but I was hoping to run closer to (or finally under) 16 and just kind of fizzled on a warm day on my home turf.
-Charleston Marathon (Marathon - 2:53:31) - This could go in either indifferent or good categories so it's probably best here. The time was certainly not what I was aiming for and it was a real disaster of a race -- the most I've misjudged a race by far. But I have to be proud for doing it and accomplishing the BQ goal, and I know tons of people would love to have that time. Definitely a learning experience. Besides, who would want to have a perfect marathon their first time out?
THE GOOD
-Messa 8K for H20 (8k - 26:50) - Of course before 2013 XC this would have been a huge PR, but it was still a solid time that was in line with expectations. Not a perfect race but definitely satisfying.
-Brookfield New Years Run for Sight (4mi - 21:45) - Felt like I ran the perfect race for the day. Big course PR and a lot of fun running a fast race on a hometown course (first official (non-Roxbury) RR I ever ran I believe).
-Charlie Post Classic (15k - 52:39) - Would have been happy with this on its own, but it was even better coming just 2 weeks after a rough marathon. Huge confidence boost and a very good time for me.
-Cooper River Bridge Run (10k - 33:55) - Tops the list again. Despite the worsening of the Achilles issues, managed to sneak a PR and hit my goal of sub 34. Had a lot of fun with Pat, Rob, and Joey and was in my best shape of the year here.