2015 was my 2nd full year trying to be a “runner” and it was full of a lot of “mile”stones. (see what I did there? Eh?! Eh?!) It really was big though. By the measures of some of my running friends, not so much. But for me, the guy who hates running, this has been quite a wild ride. I still can’t believe it.

Who have I become?!

I don’t even know who I am anymore!

Let’s review how I did with my goals. (here’s last year’s write-up)

Mileage:

• Goal: 500 miles
• Actual: 627.8 miles! I was very excited and surprised to get this much more without significant overuse injury. And, this WAS with a few weeks out of commission after a back problem. Otherwise, I bet it would have been around 700.

Vert:

• Goal: 100,000 ft. elevation gain
• Actual: 111,490 ft. elevation gain. I’m not a peak  bagger, but am pleased with this.

Summits:

• Goal: Timpanogos, Box Elder, Olympus and Lone Peak
• Actual: Timpanogos and Box Elder. I just never made it up to SLC county. 🙁

Race and Adventure Runs

• Goals:
  • Complete one of the Farmington 50 Mile or Marathon Challenges
  • Run a 50k (already scheduled for June – Bryce 50k)
  • Run other non-race marathons and 50ks – just as adventure runs.
• Actual:
  • I did NOT complete any of the Farmington 50 Mile or Marathon Challenges. If I hadn’t moved 50 miles south in May, I think I would have.
  • I DID run my first 50k (Bryce) and my second 50k (Antelope Island). Boosh! Someone noted that if I only ran one, than I could only say “I ran An ultramarathon, whereas if I did it again I could say, “I run ultramarathons.” I like the sound of that!
  • In addition, I did a bunch of fun adventure runs, including a few in the 20+ mile range. See a list of adventure run and race reports here.

 

My 2015 Monthly Mileage

My 2015 Monthly Elevation Gain

Now, my 2016 Goals

Mileage:

• Goal: 600 miles
  • Only 100 more than last year and 27 less that I did this year? Yup. I really want to focus this year on smart mileage. Getting in a good steady base of easy miles so I don’t get another dumb overuse injury. I don’t want the stress of hitting higher mileage goals to push me more than I should, get me injured and ruin my race season.

Vert:

• Goal: 100,000 ft. elevation gain
  • Same as last year. Seems like a good round number

Summits:

• Goal:
  • Timpanogos (again, but from the Aspen Grove side. Hopefully lots of summits)
  • North Timpanogos or South Timpanogos or Bomber Peak or Robert’s Horn. Basically, something new on the Timpanogos massif
  • Lone Peak
  • Mt. Olympus
  • Big Baldy
  • Mt. Mahogany

Race and Adventure Runs

• Goal:
  • Races:
    • Monument Valley 50k
    • Zion 50k (or 50 mile?!)
    • Bryce 50k (or 50 mile?!)
    • Capitol Reef 1/2 Marathon
    • A local race. Maybe the Antelope Island 50k again. Maybe Timp Trail Marathon, maybe Elk Run 50k.
  • Adventure Runs:
    • President’s Day Good Water Rim / Wedge run. At least 21 mile route like last year, but maybe the full 50k
    • Do another pavement 1/2 marathon. Maybe try to drop closer to 2 hours.
    • A pavement full marathon? We’ll see how much I hate myself and feel like I need punishment.