Is there a point to running with no races on the calendar? For many people, the answer would be a resounding no, but my 2015 looked exactly like that.
The year started with recovery from the Honolulu marathon with Saucony 26 Strong, but I was gung ho for a sparkly new half marathon PR come Fall. Then my wacky world of travel took me to Iceland, the Caribbean and Prague early in the fall and of course we up and moved to Denver! 
I never found the right time for a PR race between jet lag and packing. Yet, I still ran nearly 1600 miles because for me running has always been about more than the finish line…and it was kind of nice to have a year that reminded me of that.
While writing this I came across a great quote from Martin Dugard in To Be a Runner:
“When would crossing the finish line of yet another superhuman test of endurance make me feel complete? A still, small voice in my head reminded me that the time I’d been happiest in my athletic life was when I was just a runner. Just a guy who laced up his shoes and ran because it felt good. That was enough.”
PAST PERFORMANCE (miles)
Linked years are a recap from that year! Unfortunately I didn’t start digitally tracking til half way through 2007, which means I’m not 100% of my numbers for the first 5 years of my running career. I’d love to know what my true total is!
As noted before I don’t look at monthly or weekly mileage until December hits then I become curious and this year I was excited to surpass 1600 once again.
2008: 1423.3
2009: 1277.7
2010: 1600.3
2011: 1600.3
2012: 1458.5
2013: 1618.3
2014: 1603
2015: 1571.5
— Highest Month: Dec 165.4 (darn the stomach flu or I’d have tied my 1600!!)
— Lowest month: January 99.8 (post marathon)
| Biking | Swimming | Cardio | Walk | Strength/Yoga/PT | |
| 2015 | 12 hours | 0 | 70 hours | 730 miles | 118 hours |
| 2014 | 45 hours | 0 | 5 hours? | 690 miles | 90 hours |
| 2013 | 58 hours | 1 hour | 13 hours? | 560 miles | 120 hours |
| 2012 | 70 hours | 3 hours | unsure | 620 miles | 100 hours |
| 2011 | 42 hours | 2 hours | 29 hours | 980 miles | 137 hours |
| 2010 | 13 hours | 3 hours | 30 hours | 1068 miles | 86 hours |
I’d say my lack of choosing to swim answers the ongoing question: “will you do a tri?”
I didn’t really notice how I had shifted this year, it just happened.
But I went from lots of time stretching to very consistent cross training with T25, Daily Burn, TRX and lifting. I can tell a difference in my muscles and my body overall, which hopefully means I’ll be ready to rock some 2016 PR’s.
Definitely looking at 2015 as a year of building!
States Run in: 8 (FL, MO, CA, IL, VA, NY, CO, MN + Czech Republic, Iceland, Caribbean Cruise Ship x 3)
Longest Run: 14 miles (WICKED!! It’s been many years since I haven’t trained for a marathon and yet somehow my mileage was roughly the same!)
Most interesting run: Every step in Iceland was mind blowing, it would be quite difficult for me to choose any other place. It was the perfect vacation, the landscape thrilling and the weather perfection.
4 countries, 1 move cross country 1565 miles – Running Not For the Races
Can you run without racing?
I’ve long known that I didn’t need to have a race on the calendar to keep me motivated. In fact, all the races I ran this year were more based on travel than any PR interests, I just didn’t realize it until the end of the year was upon us.
Most exciting #runnerd moment: Possibly one of the first years in awhile, I didn”t have a chance to rub elbows with an elite runner at an event, which means my runnerd moment…was probably something very silly like when Rich Roll tweeted me!
How did this year compare? It was entirely unexpected. I had goals and was so focused coming out of Honolulu, then I needed to let my knee recover and I found myself in a place of simply wanting to run for me. I didn’t want to train for a marathon because of a sponsor and I didn’t want the pressure of Florida summer training, so I just ran…and enjoyed it!
Best race: I LOVED pacing my college friend Amy to her first sub two half marathon in Chicago! She hated me for a few minutes near the end, but it was great to help her achieve that goal. I think pacing for me is often more fun than PRing.
Favorite gear: I’ve put together two gear guides, one for summer and one for winter which answers this thoroughly.
Goal for next year? I really do want to crack 1:40 in the half marathon and do my first trail race now that I have all these Denver trails to explore!
RESOLUTION RUN
I’ll be kicking things off this year with the Virtual Resolution Run alongside the many of you who registered!! So I expect to see those pictures in your Instagrams and on my Facebook page! And maybe just maybe this will be the start to a year of some new PR’s…surely this altitude training will pay off by Fall!
What word or phrase describes your year of running?
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SuzLyfe
I love this. Now that the Boston Marathon is likely off the radar, I am looking not only at a year without racing, but also a year with an unknown amount of running. I don't run to race–racing has been a natural byproduct of a few goals that I have had, but I don't race much. I am just excited to get back to running for the shear joy (and ability to do so) of it. I miss that feeling of freedom.
My recent post 2016: A Toast to the New Year
RunToTheFinish
You've had quite a 2015 and I think your mental fortitude is going to lead to some awesome future races!
My recent post Running Without Racing: A Success Story
fitfoodiemama
Was an awesome year of running for you! I totally missed out on signing up for the Resolution Run but I will still be kicking off the year with some miles which will hopefully set the tone for a successful 2016!
My recent post Most Popular Running Tips & Workouts of 2015
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub
This was very interesting. I have always used races to motivate me to run but I certainly feel I’m at a point now where I don’t need the races. I get so much out of running that I would run no matter what.
RunToTheFinish
It's funny how our perspectives change!!
My recent post Running Without Racing: A Success Story
Kathy McElhaney
This year was great. A 7 minute marathon PR and zero injuries! I ran less but added lots of cycling to cross train. Hello!? Cross training works!
RunToTheFinish
Umm 7 minutes is HUGE!! congrats!!! I was planning on running less this year and the miles just creeped back up, but yeah cross training for the win.
My recent post Running Without Racing: A Success Story
luckythirteenrunning
This is a great post. I'm new to running and it's already hard for me to remember back to when I had no time goals or races – just running for the ride and all the amazing side effects. Happy new year!
My recent post In running news…
joyce brooks
your postive outlook on running is amazing and to see your dedication regardless of weather conditions is awesome.
#your number1fan
daveq210
I'm new (ish) to this whole running thing, but I'm glad to see it is not all about the races. I'm thinking of a marathon this year and possibly further later on in the year to celebrate turning 30!
My recent post Not running today, but…
ThisRunnersRecipes
I ran for probably six years before my first race. I love how you emphasize that running is about so much more than a finish line—it's about the journey.
A sub-1:40 half is my goal for 2016 as well and I'm so excited to follow you as you achieve it!
My recent post Mile Markers: Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Training Week 2
Elise
I just wrote a very similar post in my blog as this will be the first year in 20 that I don't train for a race. After two years and two stress fractures I just want to run for me. What a great post and I can totally relate to it all. I'm so looking forwards to my time ahead . I've also gotten into the gym more and it makes a huge difference to how I feel. Plus yoga!
Best of luck .
My recent post 2016….A New Year and New Beginnings
Kristen
I haven't run a race in 3 years. To me, a race is a big hassle — there are the registration fees, the hassles of getting to the race, getting back to the car, the porta potties, figuring out what to do with my gear, and a big chunk of time away from my kids (I work full time, so we have our best time together during the weekends). With my work schedule and my husband's work schedule, the weekend is the only time for a long run, and if I do a really long run, I am spent for other family activities (hiking, tennis etc…). I am a very intrinsically motivated person and while I like the sense of accomplishment after a race, I could care less about a medal or another race shirt or any of that.
That being said, I love waking up most mornings and running my 6-8 miles, sometimes pushing myself, sometimes not, just running by feel. Though I track my steps, I haven't tracked mileage in a long time. It's been quite freeing.
I may run some races again after my kids are grown and I am retired, but for now, running to run feels right.
cherylann
Most of my PRs are behind me as it will be my 45th anniversary of running this spring….now that you live in Colorado you can run Pikes Peak Marathon. One of my favorites!!!
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