2015 - It happened

I'm desperate to leave behind 2015 and move on, but there's one final piece of business to take care of: the dreaded review. Let's start high-level and then drill down.

My mileage will never be impressive, but I can always strive for more. I was actually on track to beat last year's total by a couple hundred until October, November, and December happened. I wound up a mere 4 miles short of last year's total (1136 vs. 1140), based on Strava and Garmin's flawless accounting system (right, Jonny?). It's not much, but it's still better than any other year since 2002.

If we look week-by-week, there are lots of peaks and valleys. I was able to fill in some of the valleys with cycling and other activities (roller skiing!), but a few were filled with nothing but tears. Two such weeks were during the pre-move mayhem in August, when I was consumed with moving logistics and work. The others were at the end of the year, after sustaining running and cycling injuries in rapid succession.

Now, on to the 2015 goals.

Goal #1: Stay injury-free: FAIL
I probably would've given myself a pass until the Achilles injury happened in October after running too many hills, too hard, too soon. I blame California. 

Goal #2: Sub-4:30 mile: FAIL
I didn't train for the mile nor race one on the track. In fact, the only mile I ran hard was at the final WTAC fun run (4:43). I was happy with the time, but it's still a missed goal.

Goal #3: Sub-16:21 5K: PASS
Somehow, I ran just two road 5Ks in 2016. The first was an underwhelming performance at the Super 5K in February, but I turned in maybe my best race of the year in the second, running 16:17 at the Battle of Stonington for a road 5K PR.

Goal #4: Sub-47 Li'l Rhody: N/A

I'll go easy on myself and waive this goal, since I was no longer in RI for my favorite race.

Goal #5: Sub-21:30 4 miles: FAIL

I ran just one 4-miler, and it was on a tough course in Bridgton, ME. The 21:43 there wasn't quite fast enough.

Goal #6: Win 4th Season Trail Series; PASS

I achieved this, but with some caveats, of course. First, it was actually a tie with Eric Lonergan. Second, he missed one of the races (so did I, for that matter, so maybe it evens out). Third, Greg Hammett let me win one of the races after I took a wrong turn. If not for his gentlemanly gesture, there'd be no victory here..

Goal #7: Run more miles than in 2014: PUSH

I was four miles short per Strava, but that's within the margin of measurement error, so let's call this a push.

Goal #8: Complete a century ride: FAIL

Nope, never went for this. My longest ride was just short of a half-century.

Goal #9: At least one race in the Gunks: N/A

The two races I was targeting were post-CA move, so I missed my chance.

Goal #10: 20 consecutive pull-ups: FAIL
I made it up to 18 in a row by August, but the move wrecked this one, too. Without a bar in the house out here, I got lazy and weak. 

So, what do I want to fail to accomplish in 2016? Let's keep the list simple this year:

1. Run more miles than in 2015
2. Get and stay injury-free
3. Sub-1:16 half-marathon
4. Sub-16 5K
5. Jump and touch a 10-ft rim (this was inspired by Greg's blog. Who knows what's after this. Maybe a two-handed dunk in 2017??)
6. 20 consecutive pull-ups
7. More data analysis!

Despite all of the goal misses, I had a great time training in 2015. Some highlights include:

• Completing my first triathlon in 10 years - 2nd place at Block Island (thanks to Jeff and Tommy for the motivation)
• WTAC fun runs with and without strollers and friends to help push them (Tommy and Mike)
• Ragnar Relay domination with the awesome Foolproof team
• New deer fly murder PR: 40
• Exploring the amazing trails around my temporary home in California
• Epic training weekend with childhood friend Mike. Running/biking around Block Island, video games, and more. I'll never forget it and will never grow up.

Finally, some other stats:

• Highest mileage week = 41 miles (8/3 - 8/9)
• Lowest mileage week = 0 miles (11/16, 12/7) - Achilles pain
• Most hours run/bike in week = 8:56 (+30 min roller ski) (5/11 - 5/17) - Bike to Work Day, two lunch runs with Jonny, and a long ride with Jeff and Tom
• Longest run = 14 miles (7/24) - Blessing of the Fleet race + wu/cd
• Most climbing on a run = 2709 ft (7/5) - Baldface Mtn in Maine
• Longest ride = 47 miles (11/7)
• Most climbing on a ride = 4419 ft (11/7)
• Number of races = 14 (1st place -3 times, 2nd place - 3 times, 3rd place - 5 times, plus a team win at Ragnar)
• Number of states/commonwealths/territories run in: 11 - I don't love traveling, but it is fun to explore new places. Lots more to come in 2016...

Here's to a better year in 2016!