Good-Bye 2016; it's been real.

As I sit here on this blustery New Year's Eve, I look back on the race year.  There were many "firsts" for me.  I did my first Spartan race, did an Ultra (which I said I would never do), conquered a warped wall with the help of some friends, and had a blast the entire journey.  I completed 40 various races.

I did set out in 2016 with the intentions of doing the 1000 mile challenge.  Unfortunately, I made it to barely 700 miles.  I suppose if I had counted my elliptical miles, I would have hit my goal but I wanted this to be strictly running, whether it be treadmill or road.

I had a lot going on this year.  While it is no excuse, it did effect my running and fitness endeavor.  My daughter went overseas for 2 months, I went to Africa in the summer, had to plan Vacation Bible School, and plan a wedding in 6 months.  It took it's toll on me.  I now find myself feeling like I should be doing something when, in fact, I don't have any pressing matters to attend to.  It is definately a strange feeling.

I have been going to the gym more and adding lifting to my regime.  I am not a body builder by ANY means but am proud of my progress.  It is slow and steady but I feel stronger.  My husband has big goals in 2017 and I want to be there right beside him.  However, I can't accomplish them to the best of my ability if I don't strive to be better.

Another disappointment was weight gain.  Yes, I gained about 13 pounds this year with everything going on and dealing with various things.  While I am not stressing over it, I still am looking at the scale with a disappointing sigh.  I will lose it, that I have no doubt.  However, it feels like a set back. 

So what are my goals for 2017?

I am going to do the 1000 mile challenge again.  I will conquer it this year.  I want to lose the 13 pounds I have gained and then another 15.  I want to tone and lift like a beast.  I want to push myself to my limits and see how far I can go.  Matt and I are hoping to qualify for the OCRWs.  Will see.

I am blessed that I get to do it all with my husband.  He pushes me to be better and I push him.  

We got this.

Race Review - Eagle Creek (virtual)

Again, I had to catch up for the end of the year....this one we had to do virtually due to conflicting races.  It was suppose to be a quarter marathon (6.55 miles) trail run.  However, I had to force myself to do it on the dreadmill --- ahem --- I mean treadmill.

Nothing fancy. Just 6 miles of suck.

So the review of the event Eagle Creek Quarter Marathon:
Terrain - treadmill
Organization - virtual race
Cost - $25
Time of the race - 7pm
Overall - virtual
Swag - a medal
My Time - unsure
Race #40 (60 total to date)

Race Review - Kent's Run 5K (virtual)

A virtual race is one you do on your own time.  Some companies require you to send proof and you get your medal....others just send the medal and you do it in good faith.

This one was one that we never got to make it to.  Therefore, I had to get it in before the end of the year.  Sure, I could do it ANYTIME really.  However, my OCD kicks in and I couldn't rest until I got all my races for the year caught up.

The race was established to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to honor the life of Kent Ribordy, a student/athlete who passed away in 2007.

I did it on the treadmill.  Nothing fancy.  I hate the treadmill, as I am sure most runners do, but it does come in handy.

So the review of the event Kent's Run 5K:
Terrain - treadmill
Organization - virtual race
Cost - $25
Time of the race - 8pm
Overall - for a good cause
Swag - a medal, shirt
My Time - 31.10
Race #39 (59 total to date)

Race Review - Caribbean Christmas 5K

Another 131 event, imagine that!

Our pal was suppose to join us but to our (and her) disappointment, her truck wouldn't start and she had to miss out.  The beauty though, the race director let us pick up her packet and her medal.  So she can run it virtually.

The event was the same as the Brew HaHa we did in October.  It was pretty dang cold.  I was glad to run.  However, once you stop running the sweat starts to cool and then you freeze again...brrrr.

Needless to say, we didn't hang around long after.

They had a live band playing reggae music (until their equipment froze) and had hot drinks and nachos.  They also had bananas, granola bars and square donuts for after the race.  Always well done.  I was excited when they announced a Froyo run this coming summer.  Score!

So the review of the event Caribbean Christmas 5K:
Terrain - pavement
Organization - organized well, as are all 131 events!
Cost - $30
Time of the race - 9:30am
Overall - I recommend any 131 event, always well done and they take care of their runners
Swag - a medal, shirt (love the shirt)
My Time - 32.40
Race #38 (58 total to date)

Race Review - Turkey Trifecta

This is another repeat for us.  We did this one last year and enjoyed it.  It is 3 races in one...a 4K, 5K then a 6K equaling just over 9 miles.  You run each race and get a portion of a medal and all three pieces connect making one large medal.

It was cold.  But it is expected.  The route was poorly marked.  People got mixed up, some ran extra miles...some ran shorter miles.  It was a mess.  They had small flags to represent which race based on color.  But it was all trail run therefore runners were running over the flags and they would get buried in leaves and mud, making it hard to see them.  It was not as clearly marked as it was last year.  People were not happy.

I enjoy trail runs because there is no expectation.  You are suppose to take it slow.  There were some points where we had to stop and wait for someone to step over a creek or a fallen tree. Sometimes people would walk and I would want to run but had no way to pass around due to space.  So, there were frustrating moments.

There was little rest time between races.  I remember last year, we waited for awhile between races because I would cool down and get chilled.  Not so this year....it seemed like I just got over the finish line and got a drink and a banana (which they ran out of) and it was time to line up again.

Over all it was okay....but this year was disappointing compared to last year.

So the review of the event Turkey Trifecta:
Terrain - grass and trails
Organization - organized decent other than the marking of trails
Cost - $50
Time of the race - 9:00am
Overall - I would do this race again but it wasn't that great this year and the medal is way too big.  It is the size of a small plate and I can't hang it up
Swag - a medal, shirt
My Time - unsure
Race #37 (57 total to date)

Race Review - Halloween Fall Classic 5k

This race was the second one of the day.  I was tired.  But we went ahead and did it.  The race was very small.  Not even sure how many people were there but I doubt it was more than 50.

While I like small town races, this one was rather complicated.  The route was nice.  It went through a park area that was all pavement.  It had a couple of hills and I even had to hop over a snake that was crossing the path (that was a first!).

Once I crossed the line, I waited for Matt and other other 2 that were with us.  Then we waited.....and waited.  Finally the director had to figure out the times because his timing mechanism wasn't working properly.  Then he FINALLY announced winners and kept messing up and TAKING BACK awards that were handed out.  What the.....?

I got second place and Matt got third - that is great an all.  What did we get?  A store bought glass with a computer made sticker on the front. That was a first.  I can understand small town races and lack of funds but seriously?  

Guess there was a back story to this director and another director and some "bad blood".  And it showed.

Would I recommend?  Not at all.  However, I did like the tee shirts had our names on them.

So the review of the event Halloween Fall Classic 5K:
Terrain - pavement, some hills
Organization - organized poorly
Cost - $22
Time of the race - 4:00pm
Overall - wouldn't recommend any event by this coordinator
Swag - a medal, a store bought glass
My Time - 30.32
Race #36 (56 total to date)

Race Review - Brew HaHa 5k

Another 131 event...we love these events and the bling that comes with them!  This one was no disappointment.  We did this one last year and signed up again this year.

Matt and I didn't have time to put much effort into a costume, so we went as the same as last year....I was pizza and he was a TMNT.  It was a nice, warm day compared to last year.  It didn't take long for me to strip off my onesie and tie it to my waist!

The route is the same as last year too.  Very simple to follow and familiar.

The events from 131 are always well done and no hassle.  Bananas, water and square donuts always wait for us at the finish!

So the review of the event Brew HaHa 5K:
Terrain - pavement
Organization - organized well
Cost - $30
Time of the race - 9:00am
Overall - rarely have a negative thing to say about 131 events
Swag - a medal that lights up
My Time - 30.48
Race #35 (55 total to date)