Year of Running 2016
Let’s chat about this year of running!

Organic Runner Mom’s Year of Running 2016
Ok, how is it possible that we are almost at the end of 2016? I’ve swam, run, and biked my way through the new year and am ready to reflect on all of the adventures. I am linking up with Courtney from Eat, Pray Run DC to share my year of running with you! If you aren’t already reading Courtney’s blog you should take a look! I got to meet Courtney at ZOOMA Annapolis this past year and she is truly an inspiration!
Now without further ado let’s dive into the nitty gritty and fun of running in 2016!
Year of Running 2016
Best Race Experience

Eastern States 20 Miler
It’s so hard to choose for this one because I love racing and all of the people that I have gotten to meet and celebrate running with along the way. My best race experience this year was actually the Eastern States 20 Miler which I ran in preparation for the Boston Marathon 2016. This race experience was great for many reasons one of which was that I got to hang out with and get to know better my running/blogging friend Sarah Canney from Run Far Girl. Sarah, a fellow New Hampshirite/New Hamspter? like me is a die hard runner and loves a challenge (we would later both run the Jay Peak 25K to the dismay of our quads). I went down to the coast of New Hampshire to stay with Sarah the night before the race. It was such fun to have a girls night out even if we were planning to run 20 miles the next day. The morning of the race was crisp but beautiful. Perfect running weather and right on the beautiful New Hampshire Coast. This race is run really well and most runners are racing in prep for the Boston Marathon or in prep for their upcoming spring marathon and Boston Qualifying Attempts. Sarah and I started the morning with a lot of laughs and I felt relaxed and ready to run! When the race started my body felt relaxed and my legs were full of go power. This was to be the run that I should have had at the Boston Marathon 3 weeks later. Early in the race I paired up with Chris, a runner for Team Hoyt and a podcaster from RunRunLive (listen to my episode HERE). We would run most of the race together and the miles just ticked by. This race was one of those magical runs where the paces just came easy. Finally at the finish, medal in hand I knew that I was ready for Boston.
Best Run

Running on the Big Sur Coastline
Last January Organic Runner Dad and I headed out to California for a work trip and vacation. Part of our trip included time in Big Sur. Somehow I magically convinced Jesse to run with me during the vacation. The coastline is so breathtaking in Big Sur that its hard not to have a good run. We got up early and headed to a state park that would lead us on a winding path out to the ocean. There we found a footpath that wound its way along the beach. It was spectacular and I wanted to run forever! I hope we get to go back there again someday!
Best New Piece of Running Gear

Hoka One One Clayton Review
Since dealing with Peroneal Tendonitis and a back injury a few years ago along with the advice from my Physical Therapist I made the running shoe switch. I had been running in the Brooks Adrenaline GTS for years but the added footbridge of this support shoe and the thousands of miles that I had run finally told my body to stop. So I ended up trying a variety of different running shoes until I discovered Hoka One One. It is hard to pick just one style of shoe from Hoka One One to share with you because I have several favorites but the latest running shoe love in my life is the Hoka One One Clayton which carried me through the Timberman Half Ironman and the NYC Marathon and all of the training that was involved. You can read my review of the Hoka One One Clayton and find out more about this fantastic running shoe!
Best Running Advice You Received this Year

Ultra Runner Dean Karnazes giving running advice
This is actually advice that I received last year from Dean Karnazes at the North Face Endurance Challenge Trail Marathon in Park City Utah. Karnazes a famed Ultra Runner and North Face Athlete said that when the going gets tough in a race which it always can that you need to just tell yourself to keep putting one foot in front of the other. He said that forward motion is always motion in the right direction. Even if you have to focus on one footstep at a time you will get there. I have used this advice as a mantra, “Put One Foot in Front of the Other” which has greatly helped me through many dark places during a race.
Favorite Picture from a Run or Race this Year

Me and Olivia. We did it!
My favorite picture is of me and my friend Olivia (also Fellow Smashfest Queen Triathlon Teammate) after completing our second Timberman Half Ironmans this summer. Olivia is an inspiration to me with here determination in life and in competition (she even recently published a book-Know your Worth, Get your Worth. Salary Coaching for Women) I am so very proud of my accomplishments in Triathlon in the past couple of years. There is definitely so much more room to improve. I am stoked for more Triathlon racing this summer and for more races with Olivia!
Race experience you would repeat in a heartbeat

Here is our whole awesome group before the start of the Leaf Peepers Half Marathon
This would definitely be the Leaf Peepers Half Marathon in Waterbury, Vermont. This race was more about the whole weekend of celebrating running, strong women, and health at the second annual Rise. Run. Retreat (read more about the retreat here). The race was the icing on the cake of an amazing weekend with bloggers who I now call my friends. The race itself was challenging and to call it hill would be putting it mildly. I loved being able to run this race with so many of my friends and to be able to see them all working so hard out on the race course each trying to meet their own personal goals. I hope to do more racing with friends in the upcoming years!
If you could sum up your year in a couple of words what would the be?

Cheers to more running in 2017!
My year was challenging (in a good way as I am pushing myself out of my comfort zone especially in the realm of triathlon), empowering, and extremely enjoyable! I am lucky to be able to have all of the incredible experiences with running that I have had!
What was your best run of 2016?






Your post reminder me of warm running and no need for layers! You had a pretty great year of Running. All the nest in 2017.
Anna @ Pipers Run recently posted…How to Run During Winter in Canada
What a wonderful 2016, Sandra! I love how you highlighted all of the relationships you have gained through running and racing; we are a remarkable group of human beings. I hope you enjoy the holidays, and I look forward to reading about your adventures in 2017!
Cheers,
Taryn
You had a busy year of running. And looks like you took away a bunch of great nuggets of knowledge!
Such an awesome year of running for you! I was bummed to miss out on the women’s running retreat but so glad I got to see you in NYC!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted…One of my favorite 5k workouts
I love the Best Running Advice. That’s what I try to tell myself when I’m having a rough time during a run. It almost simplifies things and calms my mind down a little bit.
You accomplished so much this past year!! Congrats on all your hard and earned work <3
I so wish I could have been at RRR with you guys. I am jealous every time that you post about it!
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Training for a Destination Race : Climate, Terrain, Altitude (Coaches Corner)
Love it! That Big Sur coastline looks amazing!
I had a lot of great runs this year – it’s so hard to compare and pick a favorite. Probably RnR Savannah (the whole weekend) or Ragnar Trail Alafia River. Both were just fun and unique and great.
Jenn recently posted…tuesdays on the run: 2017 in bling
I just bought a pair of Hoka’s not sure yet what I think! Thanks for sharing your thoughts
Deborah & Confessions of a mother Runner recently posted…17 Ways To Start Off 2017 on a Healthier Note
I loved hearing about all your running stories & accomplishments from 2016! Great job!
Sounds like you had an amazing year in running! Mine was slow and steady getting back into it.
Looks like a pretty awesome year of running! Hope 2017 is just as amazing for you!
So sad no more timberman (but tremblant is beautiful, just a little bit too far away)
Looks like you were running in some beautiful places. Great photos. I’d sum up my here by saying it was challenging. Okay, maybe a little rough. 🙂
Chrissy recently posted…7 EASY HEALTHY ON THE GO SNACKS
Years ago before books and being so well known I met Dean at a tiny race expo. He inspired me to run my first race. Awesome running year!
jill conyers recently posted…Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats
Those views at Big Sur are absolutely breathtaking. I’d love to run along the California coastline some day!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Top 5 Posts of 2016
Sounds like a great year!! I ran on and off this year but I’m hoping to be a little more consistent next year!
I’d love to go back to Big Sur and just run those trails. The Big Sur Marathon was the highlight of my year. What an amazing experience for this midwestern runner!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…The Gift I’m Giving Myself
Congrats on a great Running Year Sandra! Love that you packed in Boston and NYC!
Love all of this so much and really love that I was able to be a part of it!!!
Here’s to another run together (or several or a half-IM or whatever) in 2017.
xoxoxo
Allie recently posted…Truth in Christmas Card Photos
What an awesome year! I am so glad that I got to run with you some at Leaf Peeper!
Laura @ This Runner’s Recipes recently posted…Winter Cross-training for Runners
Loved that I got to meet and hang out with you this year! You’ve had some awesome runs and races – jealous of that Big Sur trail 🙂
I love this post so, so much! Congrats on a great year. Big Sur is SO amazing! I love your pics from there. It is such a special place. And Vermont … there are no words. That was a highlight of the year for sure. Can’t wait to cheer you on in 2017. xoxo
Jesica @rUnladylike recently posted…25 Best Half Marathons to Add to Your Race Bucket List
Loved hearing more about your runs!