Now that we are at the finish line of 2017, it’s fun to look back and reflect on the year’s highs and lows–or for runners, its fasts and slows. 🙂 Putting together my 2017 running year in review reminded me of all the miles I ran and the friends and family who supported me along the way.
Speaking of supportive friends, I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia!
The Year of Destination Races
2017 was the year of destination races. We took the train to New York City for the NYC Half Marathon, flew to Denver for the Colfax Denver Urban 10, and drove to Bethlehem for the Runners World Half Marathon. Of these, I’ve already signed up to go back to Denver because I can combine the trip with a visit to my daughter and because it had the best post-race festival I’ve ever seen.
Photo courtesy RunColfax
The Year Of Half Marathons
While I still prefer 10 milers, 2017 turned into the year of half marathons. I started the year with the NYC Half Marathon in March, and then ran the Runners World Half Marathon in October and the Wilson Bridge Half Marathon in November.
13.1 miles is a long way!
The Year Of Age Group Placings
I consider myself a solid middle of the pack runner, but this year I earned a few age group placings in smaller races: Reston 10 Miler (5th), Denver Urban 10 (5th), Reston Perfect 10 (5th), Jingle All The Way 15k (2nd).
The Year’s Best and Worst Race
The NYC Half was my goal race of the year, and it did not disappoint. My husband and I enjoyed exploring the city the day before the race, and the race logistics and weather conditions ended up being perfect.
I have the best race photo to remember it by
The NYC Half also ended up being my worst for “injuries” since I broke my crown on a Cliff Shot Block some where around mile 8. That also made the NYC Half my most expensive race of the year, once I added my dentist bills to the tally!
Best and Worst Race Shirts
I think my favorite race shirt was from the Runners World Half.
I like how they integrated the old Bethlehem steel factory stacks into the design.
On the other hand, the Reston 10 Miler, Denver Urban 10, and GW Parkway Classic are tied for the worst, although I think the Denver shirt is the dullest of all.
What’s with all the grey?
A Year’s Worth Of Bling
I really don’t run for bling, but I do like clever medal designs. Here again I think the Runners World medal wins with its industrial I-bar design.
Not shown: medals from the Lawyers Have Heart 10K and Army 10 Miler
And, that’s a wrap!
Start the first weekend of 2018 off right by joining Deborah and me on Saturday January 6 for the Ultimate Coffee Date link up!
Do you have a best and worst for 2017?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
It’s fun to look back on a year full of races. I agree that the grey colored shirts are not my favorite either. Happy New Year!
I was worried it was going to be the year of grey. Even Cherry Blossom had a grey background!
Nice year, great recap! I like the 10 mile distance too, but we don’t have many of those around here.
I would have to say that the RnR Chicago shirt was the worst. Dull gray…I was pretty surprised by that!
Happy new Year!
Maybe there was a discount on grey shirts last year ….
You had a great year with the destination races and three half marathons! That is an excellent pic from NYC. I’d like to get back to Denver for a half this year. What is up with all the gray colored shirts? I’m not a fan. Happy New Year and thanks for linking!
Oh, you should check out the Colfax Half in May — it goes through the zoo!
Its looks like a great year.
Did you know that they changed the route for NYC Half for 2018. You are lucky to have done it already.
This is the first year that I didn’t enter the lottery. Got tired of rejection so I am going to Florida instead.
Hope your 2018 is just as rewarding. And injury-free!!
Yes, I saw that! I’m glad I got the Central Park start, although the new Central Park finish could be good too. I got in the first year I tried by I entered the lottery on my birthday for extra good luck. 😉
I like the idea of destination races–I’d love to visit Colorado someday! I hope you have an awesome running year this year as well!
I’m sure you’ll find a reason to visit CO — hiking? skiing? there’s so much fun to do there.
What a great year you had! Having so many grey race shirts would make me a bit sad too. Maybe use them and others to make a race shirt blanket? I wound up having one made last year out of a bunch of shirts that I never wear. I love the way that my blanket turned out!
I am saving shirts for a blanket – I may have enough now …
I don’t run for bling, either, but always appreciate nice bling — who doesn’t? I did the RW Heartbreak Half a few years ago & it’s one of my favorite medals! they do a good job, for sure.
Good to know about the after party for Colfax Denver. Someday I’ll be doing CO, of course, although Skirtsports does have a half there, too.
I do find it kind of hard to believe that you consider yourself MOTP, though!
I forget what time of year the SkirtSports Half is — and that’s in Boulder, right? I guess I know a lot of runners a lot faster than me — it’s all relative and why we need to not compare. 😉
What a great year of racing and running Coco! I know you prefer 10 milers, but heck, you crushed those half marathons as well! NYC Half is still on my bucket list of races …maybe one day! Wishing you a happy, healthy and blessed 2018!
Thanks! I trained hard for the NYC Half and then got in the groove with the others.
Congrats on a great year – I definitely had a year of half marathons too. I meant to sign up for the NYC Half (or at least enter the lottery) but missed the deadline by a day…looks like such a great race! The Parkway Classic shirt is so bad I forgot I owned it when I found it in my drawer, lol! Happy New Year!
LOL. At least the Parkway has a decent graphic on it. Denver had …. not much!
IT’s fun seeing all of your bling (in one place) LOL. Yes, what is up with all the grey? Personally, I love grey, but for a race shirt it’s not really very “sporty.” Congrats on a great year…your pace blows me away 😉
I don’t mind gray shirts, as long as there’s a good design on it. I agree that the Colfax is dull.
The Cherry Blossom shirt had a grey background, but really popped with the pink cherry blossom design.
It’s always so much fun to look back on your running journey from the year.
You have some great shirts and medals from this year too. Happy New Year!
Thanks, Kim. Happy new year wishes to you, too!
When I used to run, I preferred 5ks. I had the long distance races. You ran a lot of races.
When I used to run, I preferred 5ks, I didn’t like the longer races. It seems like you ran a lot of races in 2017.
Congrats on a fabulous year! I think you are pretty darn speedy 🙂
Being able to plan a trip and add a race is the best! I hope to get to Colorado one day, it is so pretty.
I love 15K’s and 10 milers but I can’t seem to find enough options close to me.
Thanks. The 10Ms have caught on around here, but 10Ks and Halfs are still more common.
What a great year of running! I have always wanted to go to Denver. I gotta make a racecation out there!
There are a lot of good race options in the Denver and Bolder areas. 🙂
Sometimes I wish we could opt out of race shirts, no runner needs another race shirt 🙂 congrats on all yor age placements, that’s exciting!
Actually, a lot of our races do have that option — and will give you a $10 gift card to a running store instead.
What a fun post! I only did three races last year – the best race t-shirt was Ragnar Trail, the worst was Ragnar Niagara. As for medals I think the Ragnar Trail spork wins.
Interesting that the Ragnar Niagra shirt was so much worse than Ragnar Trail. Hopefully both events were good — I loved my one Ragnar experience.
What a wonderful year and a great review! That sure is a lot of bling! I don’t know, I kind of like your Denver shirt!
Thanks. Maybe I can learn to appreciate the streamlined look?
That’s a great year of racing! I don’t even look at race shirts these days. Very rarely is a fit good enough that I will keep it to wear it.
IDK. I kinda like the Reston shirt. 🙂
Great year of running and cheers to 2018!
I love that this was year of Destination Races! It has been so fun to follow your journey!!
Looks like you had a great year! I really hate dull t shirts, I’d rather have the option to not even get one.
Sounds like a great year! I love the green of the shirt from the Runner’s World race 🙂 It’s not a color you see much in race shirts.
I love half marathons and am not a fan of 10 miles. 15K is OK – I must be crazy.
Great year! I love destination races – especially NYC!
What do you have on tap for 2018??