2014 Year in Running Review

It's Tuesday and I am linking up with hosts Jessica Joy and Jill Conyers for their The Fit Dish Link-Up every Tuesday. There was no theme this week, so I thought I'd review my year in running.

What a year it has been! Here is my running recap of the year. 

In 2014 I ran a total of 9 races. The most I've ever done in a year! I ran:
3 half marathons (Seattle Rock N Roll Half, Wineglass Half, & Philly Half Marathon)
1 10miler (Perfect 10 miler)
1 15K (Hot Chocolate 15K)
2 10Ks (Looney Leprechaun 10K and Trenton 10K)
2 5Ks (Big Red Race 5K and Mercer County Turkey Trot 5K)

The year started out with the Looney Leprechaun 10K in March at Tyler State Park in Newtown, PA. This was my first trail race and I remember not being prepared for the hills. It was quite a challenge running through muddy corn fields but it was still a good time. I ran it with my friend Junko.

My second race was the Philly Hot Chocolate Run 15K in April. I had never run a 15K so I automatically PR'd. :) It was a great run and I loved getting the bowl of treats with hot chocolate. It was so yummy after the run!

My third race was in May, the Big Red Race 5K in Lawrenceville, NJ. It was nice because it was a local race and the kiddos got to run too (shorter distances). I was happy because I got a PR of 25:55:2.

My fourth race was the Seattle Rock and Roll Half in June. It worked out great because we were traveling to Seattle for a wedding and my sister was doing the run and asked if I would do it. I was so happy I did it because it was a great run! The route was beautiful and it was a perfect day for running. We both had a great time!

My fifth race of the year was in October, the Wineglass Half Marathon in Corning, NY. This was an awesome run for me. Another scenic route and loved that most of the course was either flat or downhill. I also loved that it was a smaller race. It was so great to see Hubby and the kiddos at the finish line. Here is where I PR'd in my half marathon time since a couple of years ago.

My sixth race was the Perfect 10 Miler at Mercer County Park in West Windsor, NJ. I enjoyed this race as it was another local race so I didn't have to travel far. It was a great run and I felt really strong. Here I got my 10 mile PR.

My last three races of the year were in November, the first was the Trenton 10K in Trenton, NJ. Another race that was closeby. I've been doing this race since they had their Inaugural year in 2012 but I did the Half back then. The last couple of years I've been doing the 10K. It's a great run and organized pretty well other than getting the race to start on time. ;) I did PR for my 10K time here.

My 8th race was the Philly Half Marathon. This was probably my most favorite race of the year. It was an amazing experience! It was a great course to run and the crowd support was the best I'd ever seen. I was not expecting to PR in this race but I managed to PR in the half marathon by one second! :)

My 9th and last race of the year was on Thanksgiving morning, the Mercer County Turkey Trot at Mercer County Park in West Windsor, NJ. It was the first time I ran a race while it was snowing. It was a good run and I PR'd for my 5K time. 

2014 has been a great year! This was the year I decided to do more races and I worked harder in trying to keep in shape. I attempted to eat healthier and got myself to follow a training schedule. I even finished a whole month of Focus T25. I also started PiYo and learned that yoga is actually a great workout to accompany running. And as a fam got out on a bunch of family hikes and a couple of camping trips! It all was worth it and as you can see I PR'd in each race distance I ran this year. I am so happy that I am still improving and feel like I am in the best shape of my life! I hope to accomplish the goals I set out for 2015 and I am looking forward to what the new year will bring! Happy New Year!!

How did your year go?