Another year over, another year of running done! This year I’ve actually ran the most mileage ever, beating my previous record by over 500 miles, so that’s a definite positive. I’m not sure 2020 will hold the same amount of mileage but you never know. I’m still deciding on my plans and goals to be honest.
Anyway, here’s how my 2019 year in running went.
Stats for the year
Runs: 145
Distance: 1,377 km / 855mi
Time: 162h 44m
Elev. Gain: 7,069 m
Races: 5
Blisters: 3
Lost Toenails: 0
Races in 2019
This year was actually quite low on the race number count, ending at 5. Previous years I’d fit in a lot, like in 2017 when I completed a race every month, however 2019 was definitely more focused on the training.
It was my first year completing a marathon. Of course.
It meant I was spending most of my weekends focusing on the slow, long runs instead of racing. I actually really enjoyed it for the most part, and I learnt a lot about myself in determination and passion I guess. I managed to keep up running 4 x per week for a few months, pushing myself outside on those tired days and getting the job done.
Looking back on the actual races this year, focus has been all the ‘bigger’ distances. I completed just one 10km, one 10 miler, two half marathons and one full marathon. Race recaps for all can be found below.
- Wigan 10 Miler
- Petrolina 10km Energy Race
- Great Manchester Run Half Marathon
- Rock n Roll Dublin Half Marathon
- Chester Marathon
Favourite Race
Has to be the Chester Marathon, no doubt about that. The route itself was nice, but wasn’t anything particularly special. Lots of streets, some country roads, a few bridges and landmarks to see. It obviously just felt a bit more special with it being a marathon and my first one.
I felt good throughout most of it which definitely helped. The last 10km were definitely tough, but the pacers were brilliant and their running plan was super helpful. Overall, it was just a big day that thankfully went pretty well.
Worst Race
Sadly it has to be the Rock n Roll Dublin. It just fell a bit flat for me. I’d imagined these races to be super loud, lots of noise and great music. There was great music dotted about, but a lot of the race course was actually really quiet and empty. It was just a bit boring. I definitely enjoyed seeing a bit more of Dublin/Ireland though.
Marathon Training
As touched on above, I had a lot of focus on marathon training throughout 2019. I worked with Runner’s Connect (previously gifted membership) on my training plan again as I find it super helpful to just have someone tell me what to do. It’s easier, I know I can trust them. Job done.
We started way back in May, 5 months or so before the actual marathon. What I wanted was to be running consistently and to build up that good base. So to begin with my training was all easy stuff, just getting my legs used to running 4 x per week. Eventually we moved onto more speedwork/harder sessions, and then I had the ‘main’ marathon training for the last 12 weeks.
The last few weeks were incredibly tough, and I think mostly to blame is how I was looking after myself. I wasn’t working on strength, wasn’t stretching enough and probably wasn’t getting the right nutrition or amount of sleep.
However, I made it through without any big injury – just a few aches and pains in my left shin/foot. I had many rest days in the last month but ultimately I knew I’d put in the training, and I just hoped the few days off here and there wouldn’t hurt me too much on race day.
Race day went as well as I could have hoped. I ran for the majority of the time with some pacers, and got to the end in one piece. I wasn’t so sure when I first finished, but I can confirm that it hasn’t put me off future marathons… With a 4:46 finish, I definitely want to aim for nearer to 4:30.
Places Visited Whilst Running
A lot of my training takes places on similar routes. I have a few different circles that I can do on local roads depending on what distance I need to cover so they formed the base. During the summer I very much tried to get more off-road, though that mostly included the same canal towpath routes.
Occasionally I managed to actually get out somewhere a bit further afield, giving the run a little more interest. This also included running whilst I holiday – I managed to run whilst in Cyprus, both as a training run and during an actual race. I also managed to get a 26km run done on a quick trip to Brighton. I’d always wanted to visit and I managed to see a lot of the coast during this run.
Favourite Place Visited
My absolute favourite run has to be the one I did on Easter Sunday at Dovestone Reservoir. It was my first time there, the sun was glorious and I experienced a range of different trails. I ran around the reservoir itself, I ran through woodland, I ran across fields and up hills, I ran past farms and down little country roads with cute terraced houses.
It was just beautiful, and I really enjoyed myself that day. I covered 16km in total, and you know, it wasn’t an easy run really due to all the hills and different trails, but mentally it was perfect. Exactly what I’d needed at that point in time, and I can still remember how it felt afterwards.
Least favourite
I don’t really have a least favourite place, but it was definitely a downer when the dark nights started drawing in early and the rain started to get heavier. I’m an after work runner, so when it’s dark and miserable outside, the motivation hits an all time low. It also meant I had to stick to well lit roads to feel safer whereas I much prefer running along canals and trails rather than roads.
However, I did manage to get out there for almost every training session, no matter what the weather.
Final Thoughts on The Year in Running
After my marathon, running definitely took a slight hit and I really struggled to get back into it for the last two months. The aforementioned dark nights and weather really got to me, and this is where I lost my goal for 1,000 miles. December has been a write off with having tonsillitis/coughing for the first two weeks and then just being super busy over the holiday period.
Never mind though, overall it has been a very good year for running. I trained well, didn’t get injured and finished my first marathon! Pretty pleased with a total of 855 miles. How has your year gone?
