Tuesday Topics: 2019 in Review and 2020 Plans

By | January 14, 2020

Yeah. This has been marinating for a bit. Between the injury that spanned 2019-2020 (some things never change) and the uncertainty around it, I wanted to wait until a place when I was more settled. Yep, running/training is a head game.

Joining up with Kim and Zenaida to talk 2019/2020 in running. And in my delay, I’m accidentally on topic.

so I don’t have 2020 running goals-yet- but I am thinking about what I want from the year. I also haven’t done a proper 2019 in running because it could be summed up as HOLY SHIT, I RAN A MARATHON!!! Given that I successfully completed the NYC Marathon, I was happy with 2019 but wanted to take this chance to look back on my 2019 goals.

But first I had to actually go back and put my 2019 steps since injury in my log. Yep, major ostriching there because not hitting goals, even with a legit reason, really bothers me.

I kind of ran a lot last year!

Running: B

  • Mark two years running in some fun way: January 6
  • Run 800 miles.
  • Run the NYC Marathon
  • Don’t get injured
  • PR in the Half Marathon: 2:34:35 (Brooklyn)
  • PR in a 10K: 1:10:11 (Women’s Mini 2018)

I’ll be honest, once June and marathon training started, I didn’t care about anything but 3/4. Three of my four Halfs were while I was walking wounded and fourth was in the leadup to the marathon, so wasn’t risking anything. I didn’t PR in the Mini, but the 2019 race was so much better than 2018’s struggle bus. And the injury well, better now than during marathon training. More on the PRs below in 2020.

Walking: A

  • 5.75m steps on the year
  • Run/Walk 2,600 miles
  • Do the Great Saunter?

Had both of these well in land before the IT band issue rendered me somewhat less mobile. I opted not to do Saunter as it seemed risky coming off the Achilles, so calling that choice a smart one. It’s not something I missed out on as it was always TBD.

December Totals

  • 351,623 steps
  • 154.66 miles run/walked
  • 38.73 miles run

9 gym visits/37 September – February cycle

2019 Totals

  • 5,898,830 steps
  • 2640.71 miles run/walked
  • 862.97 miles run

December steps were were my lowest since I started running, but hard to be disappointed in the year. Although yeah. That .03 miles. LOL.

While I’m not officially doing #RunTheYear this year, I’m continuing on with GoTheDist. Re-thinking the challenge and my goals has been  a fun hard as it has always been a version of Beat Yesterday with yesterday being the prior month, or that month the prior year, but that’s not going to work so well without another year of marathon training. More on that below in 2020 goals.

Weight: A

  • I can’t count the number of times I’ve said that the coming year was the last I was going to start overweight. I’ve failed each time. But I’m happy with what I did this year even if it wasn’t perfect. I can do way more than I ever thought my body could and the scale is headed in the right direction. So keep it up, and buckle down a little.

I’m down year on year and lost weight during marathon training. Calling that a victory.

Other: B

  • New states. None new in 2019 but 50 before 50 still a possibility. Maybe my old southern road trip that hasn’t happened for three years running.
  • Read 100 books again. Probably not doable as I don’t have two beach vacations in the plans, but it’s something to shoot for. Mid 80s would be acceptable. I’ll finish 2018 with 105, probably.
  • Upgrade my wardrobe. I have some pieces I love, but also many I don’t and some that don’t love me. Bless Poshmark for this.

Marathon training killed my reading. Got 70 read. Got four new states though, and that trip was amazing. Wardrobe is a work in progress, but I’m getting there.

2020 Plans

Goal v. Wish

I need to get away from the numbers, since missing number goals just frustrates me. Usually unnecessarily, but why ramp up the anxiety? Similar to ceasing to live and die by the scale, I want to look at my 2020 goals differently this year.

  • Run Smart. I learned in 2019’s physical therapy that dem bones isn’t just a childhood song. Our bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and beyond are connected in so many ways. I’m using 2020’s physical therapy to fix my running forms (my hips are never aligned!)
  • Heal.  Part of the reason I sat on this until mid January was I didn’t want to rush it. I have no step/distance or other goals for January/February other than follow PT and (hopefully) be able to run without pain. I don’t want to rush anything and risk the balance of the year..
  • After the marathon, my goal was to PR in the Half in 2020. I’m putting a pin in that right now. Not for good, but for the first half of the year. While I have started running since being cleared by my PT, it’s just jogging and no workouts, and I don’t want to put pressure on the knee. I also don’t really want to do treadmill speedwork coming off this, which is the best winter solution. So I’m going to enjoy Bermuda (which, to be honest, was always the plan for that one) and maybe think about a fall half. Any suggestions (besides Mohawk Hudson, Darlene/Judy, that’s on the list) and Staten Island?
  • Summer or Fall racecation? this was on here before I decided to do Cherry Blossom in lieu of the deferred Fort Lauderdale. I might find the budget and PTO to do another. Any favorite US races? With Spain and Bermuda on the calendar, an international racecation will have to wait.

10 thoughts on “Tuesday Topics: 2019 in Review and 2020 Plans

  1. Darlene

    You are very smart to forget about those numbers. PRs will happen but do they really matter if you get injured or do not have fun.

    Yes marathon cut into a lot of things. But it was worth it and somehow we stayed healthy until after and had a perfect weather day.

    Can’t wait for Bermuda.

    Reply
  2. Birchwood Pie

    Agree, if the numbers do not serve, let them go. Quality>quantifying everything. The running and the PRs will be there waiting once you’ve healed.

    Reply
  3. Kim G

    I’m a huge believer in quality over quantity. Also my body seems to operate better when I run less miles.
    Completing your first marathon was such a HUGE achievement for 2019!!

    Reply
  4. Wendy

    I’ll just piggyback on what everyone else said above about quality over quantity. Hoping 2020 is a great year for you! I never set reading goals but I read about 55 books last year. I was pretty pleased with that number! REally, if I can read 3-5 /month, that’s a good thing!

    Reply
  5. Shathiso @thegaboronerunner.com

    I love your RUN SMART goal. I’ve taken it easy this week because of a niggling knee issue and at first was hard on myself (as I wouldn’t reach the numbers I needed to) and then I thought “No, listening to my body and protecting it should always come first”. So that’s an awesome goal to have. As for your 2019 goals – you did amazing, especially that Marathon!

    Reply
  6. Liz Dexter

    Good sensible aims. As you know, mine for 2020 are to run round the 11 route, having not done London Marathon because that will mean a friend has had to drop out, and to do the Canal Canter marathon in August, hopefully with Mary Ellen for her first mara distance. All nice and relaxed this year.

    Reply
  7. Zenaida Arroyo

    Your comment about Dem Bones made me laugh. I actually started singing it. Right now focus on getting better and stronger to avoid more injuries. Have a great time in Bermuda.

    Thanks for linking up with us!

    Reply
  8. Lisa @ Mile by Mile

    You had a really great year! Those numbers can get really frustrating. Its smart to not focus on them as much this year! When you look at your overall progress, you are doing amazing, even if you didn’t reach the numbers you set!

    Reply

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