Well, we’ve almost made it to the finish line of 2017, and what a year it’s been. I’ll save my year-in-review recap for the Weekly Wrap on Sunday, because today I’m focusing on year-end runfessions. It’s our last chance to bare our soles souls before we embark on 2018.
Thanks to Marcia for hosting the monthly Runfessions link up, and to Rachel and Lacy and Miranda for hosting the Friday Five link up every Friday.
2017 Year-End Runfessions
1. I Don’t Set Yearly Mileage Goals, But Then …. I runfess that I shy away from making yearly mileage goals and don’t monitor my yearly mileage until the end of the year–when I usually wish I’d checked it sooner so I could hit a nice round number.
This year was no different, and I’m so tempted to get in 4 more miles by Sunday, but ….
2. My PF Lingers. One reason I don’t set yearly mileage goals is because I know they would make me even less likely to listen to my body and miss a planned running day. Even without current running goals, I runfess that I haven’t been doing what I need to do to heal my plantar fasciitis. I prioritized work over chiropractor appointments, slacked off from doing my ankle mobility exercises, and am still trying to talk myself into taking two weeks off from running to see if that helps.
3. Santa didn’t bring me any new running gear. Now, before you think I was on the naughty list, I must runfess that my family gave me cycling-related gifts instead of running gear this year. I think it’s because they know I have all the running stuff I need, or maybe it’s just because they found some really cute cycling things.
Of course, I can wear that Castelli headband running.
4. I didn’t participate in many group runs this year. As much as I love my Moms Run This Town group, I didn’t participate in many group runs this year. The women I had been running with were coping with injuries and/or schedule changes, and I didn’t make an effort to find new running buddies. I know it impacted both my running and my running mojo, though, so I will try to join more group runs this year.
5. I’m reluctant to fill up my 2018 race calendar. Although I am already signed up for two races–the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run in April and the Colfax Denver Half Marathon in May–I’m dragging my feet on signing up for the GW Parkway Classic in late April, even though it is a perennial favorite. I runfess that I missed the earliest of the early bird pricing deals and am waiting for a sale–I’m just not ready to drop $78.93 on a 10 miler.
[Tweet “A year’s worth of #runfessions or just the last runfessions of the year? “]
Start the first weekend of 2018 off right by joining Deborah and me on Saturday January 6 for the Ultimate Coffee Date link up!
Did you set a mileage goal for 2017?
Are you setting one for 2018?
Do you have a goal race for 2018?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
Ouch on $80 for a 10 miler!
No, I don’t set mileage goals. I track my weekly mileage, but I don’t tally my monthly or yearly miles. I’d rather just follow Rachel’s plan & know I’m training wisely.
Unfortunately in our very small running group, now that my friend has flown south for the winter, there’s no one for me to run with. Everyone is much faster than me. I never seem to find anyone who runs my pace. 🙁 And it just sucks to run by yourself when everyone else is running together & having fun — especially when it’s not even a place you want to run.
I hope that PF eases up soon! It’s hard to not run when you want to — although the weather is actually helping with that!
We have a lot of women your pace in my group. My pace is between the most active groups — some are slower and some are faster. Plus I can only run early, early. Anyway, once I get this PF chased away I will figure it out!
I did not set any running mile goals this year. I haven’t even looked at my Garmin to see how many miles I did. I did set a huge PR last month which I am quite happy about. I do not have goals (running related) for next year. I have signed up for one race in April though.
Congrats on that PR! It’s a nice way to finish the year!
I didn’t set a mileage goal this year, because who knew what my year would turn out like? I haven’t gotten the final total for 2017, but it’s close to 1100! Who knew? What the heck? Wow! Ok, then. On to 2018. No goals, just run.
1100 miles!! You are amazing! Just run is a great goal. 😉
I seldom set yearly goals either…for the exact same reason. Even with my run streak (which is near completion), I find myself lacing up and just doing it, even if my body really could benefit from some down time. Fortunately, the Streak is only for a short time so I just go with it and take my down time seriously after it ends LOL Happy 2018!!
I think your run streak is a nice balance to your time “off” this summer!
Every time I try to set a yearly mileage goal, I get injured so no not doing that either. I have taken this whole week off of running and I really hope that it helps knock out some of those lingering injuries. I’ve never done GW Parkway but ouch that is pricey and I think it’s the same weekend as that new women’s half that is coming to town. They also have an 8K that I signed up for. See you at the coffee date!
The Parkway holds a special place in my heart — I’m still holding out for another sale. The beach is a great place to take off from running. I’m not sure skiing will rest my foot as much ….
#1, HA, yes, me too. I don’t set a mileage goal, given the amount of cycling/swimming crosstraining I do. I tallied my numbers and am also 4 shy of the next hundred, and I’m doing that 4 today! I think you should get your final 4 in…just do 2 today and 2 tomorrow, done!
You are such an enabler!
I also don’t make mileage goals for running. I tried that one year and realized that I was running a lot of junk miles just to reach the number I set and that wasn’t good!
I love all the cycling gear that you received for Christmas!
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2018!
I can’t even motivate myself to do junk miles. Not worth the hassle of getting all sweaty!
I don’t set yearly mileage goals either – I will occasionally set a monthly goal but only as it aligns with my current training plan.
It’s great that they gave you cycling gear – are you eyeing any big rides for next year? Hopefully, your PF will settle down soon.
Happy New Year!
So far it looks like other plans conflict with the closest Fondo options — including the new one in Virginia. I’m so bummed!
I set a lose goal every year and try for 1,000 miles but that has been disrupted the past two by injury. I do hesitate with goals like that because I am guilty and will push through too! I do hate when I get close to rounding off any number lol I am tempted but less lately, this old body doesn’t respond well to pushing lol
I have only signed up for one spring ace so far, I am just not ready for 2018 yet.
I am sure you will get good use of the cycling gear!!
Yeah, my body sets me straight too frequently these days!
I don’t set mileage goals either, because I would put pressure on myself, and it wouldn’t be fun. I have goal races, but those are supposed to be fun as well.
2016 was the first year I tracked mileage and I was in the 800s so this year I set a goal to crack 1000. As of today I’m at 1771, but that’s because I was laser focused on running and didn’t do as much biking or lifting. I have races planned for next year through June and then hope to get back to other activities. This year was a total anomaly.
$80 for a race is so expensive! I hope they hand out champagne at all the water stops!
Wow, that is a lot of miles! How many pairs of running shoes did you go through? 😉
Not champagne, but pretty good craft beer at the finish. 😉
I have one big goal race for 2018, Paris Marathon on April 8th. After that, I will focus on the sport I have been learning, golf. I do have a race in Feb. and another end of April, but then golf season will be in full swing, so I am dedicating Jan to March to running, then the big race, then we will see. Hope your PF gets better. Boo.
Oh how fun! Sounds like my focus on cycling this year. I’m so excited for you about the marathon.
Sorry to hear about the PF lingering 🙁 I kind of set a mileage goal this year in that I joined a team of 4 to get 2017 miles in the year total between the four of us. We hit it shortly after Thanksgiving 🙂
I usually try for 1000 and did it that for the second year in a row. That means that I have been healthy more than anything else.
Hope your PF clears up soon. At least it is during the winter.
I set a mileage goal in 2016, and met it… upped it this year and I’m a little off. That first year I was so stressed about hitting that number, this year I didn’t worry about it as much. I think I’m over the mileage goal, I haven’t even come up with anything goals yet for 2018… maybe it will just be a run and have fun year… we’ll see!
I think run/fun is a great goal!
My goal was to run at least 1,000 miles this year and sadly I did not meet it. There is always next year! 🙂
That’s quite a chunk of change for a 10-miler! I wouldn’t want to spend that much either.
I hope your PF clears up. You should definitely take two weeks off to see if it helps. And absolutely do your ankle mobility exercises! They will help so much. Do you do toes pose? And roll on a golf ball? Those helped me so much.
Happy New Year, Coco!
I definitely do the rolling. Will have to look up toes pose!
Nah, I never set mileage goals. I tend to be injured at least a few months out of each year so it would only frustrate me even more. I love all of your cycling gear gifts …someone needs to drop a few hints to my family for next year! 🙂
This was the first year I set a mileage goal – 600 miles. Very manageable, I thought. There were quite a few months that I wasn’t 100% sure I’d make it, but I crossed the threshold on Christmas Day. 🙂 I was grateful I’d set a yearly goal rather than a monthly goal. lol
I tend to be a solo runner that I set a goal of 8 measly group runs in 2017. I’m ending the year with only 7. 🙁 C’est la vie, I guess. My 8th was going to be the day after Christmas, but they skipped that week. Argh!
See you next weekend for virtual coffe!
I loved reading your runfessions! Enjoy the new cycling gear!
Ouch – $80 for a 10 miler is a little too rich for my blood. 😉 Can you reach out to them about being a race ambassador?
I usually have a vague idea of total running goals for the year, but that usually goes out the window by early fall. We’ll see what this year brings…
I am the world’s worst tracker. I’ve never set mileage goals and half the time I don’t wear my Garmin so it’s anybody’s guess how many miles I run. I simply don’t care enough. Whatever it is, is fine with me and obviously enough. I hope you get a handle on that PF soon! Happy New Year!
I don’t set mileage goals for the year either…too much pressure! I’ve hovered around 700ish miles/year the past 3 years, so good enough for me!
I never ask Santa for running gifts…I know my family thinks I have way too much stuff, ha!
Hope you have a Happy New Year!
Looks like a great year of running. I dont set yearly mileage goals either, anytime I hit really high mileage I get injured, so I tend to shy away from putting a number on my running.
696 miles is amazing! You should be so proud! Also, I live in the Denver area. I’d love to come out and cheer you on when you do your half marathon 🙂