There are just a couple of weeks left in 2017…can you believe it?
As December comes to a close, I’m finally taking the time to look back and reflect on this past year of running, training, and racing. I have a few posts this month where I plan to reflect on 2017, which I’m grateful to say was a great year for running! First up, I’m linking up with Courtney to share my Year of Running in 2017 recap! Be sure to check her site and see how everyone did!
Check out my Year of Running recaps from years’ past. It’s crazy looking back and seeing how much I’ve grown as a runner!
I’m also linking up with Marcia, Patty, and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run, Debbie, Lora, and Rachel for the Running Coaches Corner and Annmarie and Nicole for Wild Workout Wednesday!
Year of Running Recap -2017
Best Race Experience
I ran a lot of fun and interesting races this year, but from top to bottom, my best race in 2017 was the Buffalo Half Marathon! Not only did I finally get a new PR after 5.5 years, but I had family there to cheer me on in my hometown. I felt completely confident during this race. The weather wasn’t too hot or humid. And the crowd was great throughout the course. It was amazing to see my hard work really pay off!
An honorable mention goes to the Love Run Half Marathon. This was the race that showed me that I could finally break 2:10. I was more emotional about the results of this race than the Buffalo Half! It was a huge turning point for me and a great race in Philly, my current home!
Best Run
Right after the proposalI love running in new places, and we had a run in New Orleans that was just fantastic and so much fun. But I have to say that the best or most memorable run I had this year was on September 16, 2, 17 when Bret proposed to me on the Wissahickon trail!! I was completely shocked and it’s a day I’ll never forget. What was supposed to be a 12-mile long run turned out to be something so much more special!
Best New Piece of Gear
I’ve been able to review a few different types of gear on the blog this past year, like the OOFOS OOmg recovery shoes that I love, but my favorite pieces of gear from 2017 are my Knuckle Lights and my Garmin 235 watch. Knuckle Lights are SO important for runner safety, especially this time of year where there’s a high likelihood of running in the dark. I bought the Garmin after my Nike+ watch failed me during the Seattle Half Marathon. Now I’m completely in love!
Best Piece of Running Advice You’ve Received
The best advice this year was from my running coach Laura: I have to do my injury prevention exercises! Staying injury-free was another big goal for me in 2017, and thankfully I succeeded. I’ve been taking a lot of barre and yoga classes though I still need to up my foam rolling and clamshells on a regular basis!
Most Inspirational Runner
Shalane Flanagan winning the NYC marathon was awesome!
Favorite Picture from a Run or Race This Year
Like I said, I was an emotional wreck during the Love Run this past year…LOL!
Race Experience You Would Repeat in a Heartbeat
I had so many great experiences running this year. But Ragnar Relay was a bucket list race that I couldn’t have found a more amazing group of women to experience with! While I didn’t have the most brutal relay legs to contend with, it was challenging, it was exhausting, and such a great way to get know my fellow City Fit Girls and for them to get to know me better! I was so nervous about “fitting in” or whatever but thankfully my fears were totally unfounded! We were all first-timers and had a BLAST! I would love to do another Ragnar event in 2018…any takers? 😛
If You Could Summarize the Year in a Couple of Words, What Would They Be?
When it came to running and racing, 2017 was adventurous and fun! Met some great people (like Kim!) and traveled all over to run races. I’m so glad that I expanded my horizons!
Don’t forget to check out Courtney’s page to see everyone else’s recaps of 2017, just click on the image below!
For running, I’d say a bucket list year. I did 2 races I had on my list, and I met some pro athletes. That was pretty fun.
That’s awesome! Glad you had a great year!
Boy, I’ve barely even had time to reflect back on my year yet! I find it hard to believe that I will ever have as good a year of running as I had this year, for which I am very grateful.
Of course the run where Brett proposed would be a favorite. I mean, c’mon! Seriously! I know your year had many ups & downs, but overall it sounds like it was pretty darn awesome.
You had a really great year, it was fun to follow you as you kept getting those PR’s!
I can’t complain at all, this was a great year and I had a lot of fun. I’m still trying to figure out what to do in 2018!
omg, that race pic from the Love Run is amazing. You should blow that up and hang it! I am excited I will be joining you on the Bibrave team this year and hopefully we will get to meet up.
That is so awesome Brett proposed to you on a run! Congrats on your engagement and a wonderful year 🙂
Thanks a lot, Karen! Congrats on becoming a Bibrave Pro, I hope we do get to meet next year!!
Oh my gosh! How did I not know you got engaged? I try to keep up on your on your blog pretty regularly. That is so exciting! I have heard those OOFOS are super comfy. I would love a pair of those for Christmas.
Thanks a lot, Lacey! To be fair, I haven’t been blogging as much these past couple of months so it was easy to miss! The OOFOS are great, I love the flip flops too!
Gotta love a year with a proposal AND a PR in it! It was so much fun to follow your adventures this year! Can’t wait to see what the new year holds.
Thanks a lot, Marcia! Hopefully in 2018 we can find an opportunity to finally meet!
You had a great year! Its so special that you got engaged on one of your runs. That is definitely something you will never forget!
Thanks a lot, Lisa! He really gave me the perfect proposal!
You had a great year this year! I do think you have a sub-2 half in you! It’s been fun following you this year–looking forward to seeing you crush more goals next year.
Thanks a lot, Wendy! I would love to get to sub-2 one day…if I could consistently be in the 2:00-2:05 range I’d be so happy!
And likewise, you know I’m a big fan of your blog. Hope you have a great year! Hopefully I can make it to Chicago sometime in 2018 so we can finally meet!
This has been such a great year of running for you and I am so honored to have been part of it. I am so grateful for the opportunity to coach you! You worked so hard and it paid off! I am really excited for what 2018 holds for you in running – although I don’t think anything can top a proposal run!
Thanks so much Laura, you have helped me so much this year and it’s been a pleasure working with you. I can’t wait for next year!! Maybe I’ll have to figure out a post-wedding run lol!
It’s been so fun to follow you through 2017! I LOVE that pick of you from the Love Run! It’s so raw and so real 😉
Thanks a lot, Kimberly…I’ve enjoyed following you too and you’ve recovered so well since your injury over the summer! And the best thing was that for the Love Run the pictures were free! 😛
This has been quite a remarkable and memorable year for you! I remember reading so many of these blog posts and that photo (favourite pic) is one of my all-time favourites of you or any other runner for that matter! Absolutely amazing and I am so looking forward to following your journey in 2018 – as a new runner I can honestly say you have inspired me and you have always somehow managed to say the right words at the right time when commenting on my posts. Well done. Now I will need to start thinking of my own year of running and link up with Courtney!
Thank you so much, Shathiso, that means a lot! I’m so happy that I have been able to inspire you…you have been doing such a great job with your runs and your race recaps are always my favorite posts to read! I can’t wait to see how you plan to tackle 2018!
I’m not sure how I missed it but CONGRATS ON THE ENGAGEMENT!!!!! I’m so happy for you guys! What a fun and unique way to propose. That’s definitely a run that you’ll never forget!
Thanks so much, Kathryn!!
I love all these happy highlights! You’ve had a great year!
Thanks so much, Becca! 🙂
I absolutely love that photo of you from the Love Run – that is what running is all about! So happy we got to meet up at two races this year!
Thanks a lot, Kimberly! That race was so emotional! I’m also glad we got to meet at Montreal and Brooklyn. Hopefully we will see each other again next year!
So many great running memories for you this year!
I always love these posts because it’s fun looking back!
What an awesome year you had! I hope we can meet up in 2018!
Thanks, Nicole! And hopefully you’ll make your way back up to the east coast for a race, it was great meeting you at Disney! 🙂
I’ve loved following your running adventures this year. And your proposal story is so adorable! You’re going to be telling that one for many years to come!! <3
Thanks so much Rachel, I’ve enjoyed following your training this past year too! 🙂
Such a great recap, Janelle! You’ve had an awesome year and you’re truly inspiring. I hope you have an even better 2018! 🙂
You have had such an exciting year – I’m so happy for you and thrilled to see what’s coming in 2018! Thanks for linking up!