Out With The Old, In With The New

     So another year has come and gone, and boy am I happy that 2015 is gone.  It started out on a bit of a down note dealing with my IT Band injury, but things started to head in the right direction once I started getting treatment for it.  I got hooked up with my AWESOME Physical Therapist at Elite Sports & Orthopedic Physical Therapy, who got me stronger and helped me correct my bad running habits.

     April turned out to be the best month of the year and in one case my life!  Alisha trained me for my comeback race at the Glass City Half Marathon, where I ended up crushing the shit out of my PR by more than 12 minutes, which was awesome!  I would say though the most shocking day I had was at my run-aversary race, when I not only set a new 5k PR, I won the whole fucking race!  Oh yeah, and how could I forget one of the proudest and greatest moments in my life, day that I hit my weight loss goal!

     I would say I took things fairly easy for the next couple months till I was getting ready to start training for my second full marathon in early July.   That is when my year in running took a total shit.  I was out on one of my runs when pain and tightness in my hip showed up.  After a couple visits to my PT, anti-inflammatory meds and rest the pain would go away.  I ended up going to see a specialist that eventually diagnosed my pain as a labral tear in the hip joint.  After months of dealing with insurance company bullshit December 3rd was finally the day that I could start looking forward again.

     I took a pause at looking forward so I could look back at what goals I set for myself and what I was able to get accomplished.

2015 goals in no particular order

Get back to regular running
I would say this was partially accomplished in the first half of the year anyway.  Once the hip injury entered the picture that goal pretty much was over.

2015 or more total miles for the year
Really, do I need to state the obvious.

Run a trail race

I did a couple of trail runs to try it out, but again the hip.

37 miles on my 37th birthday
Nope

Complete an Ultra Marathon
HAHA yeah right

Complete the Detroit Marathon
I held out hope till the very end but not a chance

Hit my goal weight of 173 lbs
2 years, 3 months & 8 days to make it happen.  One of the proudest day in my life!

Maintain my weight within the range of 168 - 178
I'm going to take this one.  I'm close on this and really I have managed to keep it right at about ten pounds.  Plus this goal was made with the thought that I was able to run all year, so I would say I did it. 

Try more fruits & vegetables 
I have added cabbage to my lunch pita sandwiches, I now eat 1 to 2 apples a day and I tried a banana twice, so yeah I would say I accomplished it.

     After looking at that list, I would say I set some big goals for myself, and to be honest I didn't think I was going to do them all, but I sure wanted to try.  So 2016, what do I say, well as much as I want to go big I think it would be stupid to put undue pressure on myself, so here is my modest list of goals:

Get back to running regularly
For me to accomplish this I want to be able to run 3-5 days a week consistently.  I know it will take time to get my distance built back up so if I am getting in the daily runs and able to increase my mileage consistently then I will be happy.
Run and complete a 5k and a 10k (stretch goal would include a half as well)
As I build up my mileage I don't want to push myself to hard, there is plenty of time for that.
Hit my goal weight again (stretch goal would be 165lbs)
While I am happy with how well I have maintained things with the lack of exercise I really want to get back to my goal weight.  
Incorporate regular strength and cross training to help prevent future injuries  
I think this will be the key to it all.  nuff said 
Try more fruits and vegetables
No matter what this should always be a goal of mine
And last, try to be a better blogger
I haven't done a great job of blogging regularly, pretty much since my hip injury.  I think being down and depressed about things had a big affect on me.  I started this to bring hope to those who needed help and inspiration like I did over three years ago, and I am not keeping up my end of the bargain. 

     Well there you have it.  While 2015 was a bust, well except for Star Wars, that was pretty f-ing cool.  Anyway, I am no longer looking back and have my eyes fixed on the future!