Yesterday I shared with you the top nine recipes you loved throughout 2016. Today I’m continuing with the theme of looking back over the last year. So much has happened and it’s fun to take a walk down memory lane. This is my year in review — the 2016 edition. Thankfully it’s been mostly good… π Let’s begin, shall we?
My Year in Review: 2016 Edition
As a running coach…
Professionally, I’ve had a pretty great year. I trained an amazing group of ladies in the spring for the Kiss Me I’m Irish 10K, and then another group over the summer for the Rock City 5K. Both groups did an amazing job and accomplished all their goals — and then some.
I served on the committee for the 2nd Annual Race N Taste Trail 5K at Hiram House Camp. It’s a small but noteworthy race and I look forward to working on it again in 2017.
As a blogger…
On the blogging front, I launched my new look back in January. I’ve been really happy with it overall. It’s a lot cleaner and more crisp than my old blog.
I had the opportunity to work with amazing brands, races, and programs in 2016. Everything from the Cleveland Marathon, the Hoosier Half and the Lake Health Running Series to programs like If Girls Ran the World and products such as Orange Mud and Fartlek Running Company.
Linkups
In 2016, I came up with the idea for a linkup for coaches. I invited a couple other running coaches to join me and in February, the Running Coaches’ Corner linkup was born. The Running Coaches’ Corner is one of my favorite linkups, and for good reason. It brings like-minded individuals together to share and swap fitness tips and tricks, as well as provide guidance for improving race times or running abilities. It’s been a pleasure to work with my friends Lora Marie, Debbie, and Susie and I look forward to an amazing 2017 with them.
Also in 2016 was the launch of the Friday Five 2.0 linkup. With the ending of the famous Friday Five linkup by the DC Trifecta, the ladies from Fairytales and Fitness and I saw an opportunity to carry the torch and continue the tradition. It’s been an amazing ride so far and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2017!
The Meatless Monday linkup with Annmarie and I held strong throughout 2016 as well. We’ll definitely be continuing through 2017. I hope you’ll join us for lots of amazing meatless recipes!
On the health front…
A few things happened on the health front. I battled my IT band a couple times — at the Cleveland half in May and again at MCM in October. A nagging ankle/foot issue kept coming up, which is apparently starting to flare up again. I had a weird pain on the side of my left foot which turned out to be some bones that were out of place — ewwww. I also had another health issue come up just before MCM. I’m still going through the motions of trying to figure out the next steps but I think it might explain a lot of my running injuries over the last two years. Hopefully I’ll have answers soon.
On racing…
I didn’t race nearly as much as I would have liked, but I also needed a break from racing in 2016. On Friday, I recapped some of my favorite races, but I left a couple things out. I needed a break because I wanted to focus on having an amazing marathon in October at the Marine Corps Marathon.
I had a pretty amazing training cycle and I went into the race feeling fantastic. Unfortunately I fell short of my goal due to an old injury cropping up, and in the months that have followed, I haven’t been able to shake the disappointment completely. I did have a wonderful time even if I didn’t have the race I was hoping for — after all, it was a complete 180 from my first marathon experience and for that I am eternally grateful. But I worked hard and poured blood, sweat, and tears into training. I was hoping with marathon #2 under my belt I would be able to move onto bigger and better things. But I’m dissatisfied with my performance and therefore cannot move on yet.
With friends and family…
So many amazing runs with friends in 2016. Hundreds of miles shared, hundreds of stories swapped. Incredible memories were made all around.
And I can’t forget the moments with my family. My son trained for, and completed, his first 5K. My daughter joined me for the majority of my training runs throughout 2016. And I think I’ve even convinced my husband he should run with me on the regular. The memories created through 2016 with friends and family I will not soon forget.
Oh! And I got a puppy in 2016. Who’s now a 40-pound dog! And soon to be my long run running partner (I hope).

Look at this face!!!
Overall Achievement of Goals
At the beginning of 2016, I had some major goals. I wanted to run Woodstock, I wanted to run Sedona, I wanted to PR a spring half marathon. I didn’t accomplish any of those things — nor did I even try. But when I look back on the goals I wrote down, I accomplished the two that mattered. I ran MCM in October and I trained new clients to achieve their goals and dreams.
Other items of notable mention: I perfected the running leap. I successfully trained humans and dogs of all ages and abilities. Strength training and yoga were on point. I worked my tail off and accomplished great things. I wonder what’s in store for me in 2017…
And that’s the 2016 edition of my year in review. Overall, I would say 2016 was good to me. I feel very fulfilled as a running coach, as a blogger, and as a runner. There are a whole bunch of things I’ll do differently going forward, but every experience is a learning one and without them, we can’t improve ourselves or enrich our lives. Meet me back here on Thursday and I’ll tell you my hopes and dreams for 2017!
xo
TALK TO ME!
What was one goal you accomplished in 2016?
What’s one event or situation you learned from in 2016?
Linking up with My No-Guilt Life, Marciaβs Healthy Slice, and MCM Mama Runs for Tuesdays on the Run, and HoHo Runs and MissSippi Piddlinβ for the Weekly Wrap.
40 Comments
sounds like a great year for you! I agree on the racing.. it is fun to race from time to time but once you have the motivation to run without a race goal, racing is not as urgent as it once was. π happy holidays and looking forward to read your goals for 2017.
It is lots of fun to race! But I’ve totally learned to enjoy the journey much more. π Happy end of 2016!
A fabulous year. Really. I know that it has had its ups and downs (For all of us), and yes, it was a weird year, but it was also a really positive one. I stopped having major running goals awhile ago–now, it is just about running for funning.
Running for funning is the best way to do it. So much more enjoyable.
It’s been a great year. Hoping 2017 will be even better!
I definitely learned that a flat & fast course is very helpful to me (hello, big half PR!).
I would so looooove to have a hear with any weird aches and pains, or battling niggles. I’ve been very, very lucky that there’s been nothing major the last couple of years, but it seems there’s always something.
Sedona is the best. I don’t think I would ever want to race there (like I thought I would) but I loved being there & running there & hiking . . . someday I will definitely be back!
Here’s to a better 2017, Rachel (not that 2016 sounds all bad).
Sedona made my 2016 list bc my family lives in PHX and I thought if I raced out there I could convince some of them to lead a more active life and run with me. Of course it didn’t happen though… ?
2016 was pretty good for me. Hoping 2017 is even better!
looks like you had a great year! cheers to even more greatness in 2017 π
Thank you!! Cheers!
Congrats on all your accomplishments in 2016. I’m sure training clients is just has fun watching them meet their goals and succeed knowing that you had part in that. We have enjoyed hosting the link up with you as well. Here’s to another great year in 2017.
Thank you so much. It’s been an amazing year all around. I’ve loved coaching and helping everyone reach their goals. π
You had such a busy year! Congrats on all of your accomplishments and I’m sure 2017 will be another awesome year π
Thank you so much. I was incredibly busy but in such a good way! Looking forward to 2017. π
What a great year!!! You’ve accomplished so much- beyond running and you have much to be proud of. Cheers to 2017!!
Thanks, lady! Looking forward to seeing you in 2017!
What a fantastic year!!
Thanks!
An amazing, and inspiring year! π
Thank you!
Great year! It’s definitely not all about the prs, although I totally get sucked into that. Hope you can figure out the foot issue quickly going forward!
Absolutely. But a nice, shiny PR is always nice… π
I can totally relate to your thoughts/feelings regarding MCM because I had a similar experience with Route 66. Just when I think I have closure on all the disappoints vs. endurance to finish vs. another eluded PR….something will trigger a thought/memory/revelation and I’m back at the post-race “party” trying to figure things out. UGH. It certainly gave me a lot to ponder as I await my recovery to officially end LOL Alas, it has been a great learning experience and made me ever-so-grateful for the gift of running. I look forward to seeing what 2017 has in store for all of us π
It’s so dumb, isn’t it? Why do we go back and forth so much on race results?! Sense of accomplishment, that’s why. I think. π
We will have a great 2017! And nail those races!!
It sounds like it was a really good year for you. You have a lot of things on your plate, but you seem to manage just fine π Thanks for all the awesome linkups that you (co-)host… I enjoy all of them.
Oh I “manage” but sometimes it ends up being a shitshow. ???
I’ve so enjoyed getting to know you over this past year! I’m looking forward to sharing experiences–I think we’ve got some common goals–in 2017! Thanks for all your support.
I’ve enjoyed following you as well! I feel somewhat comforted knowing someone else is going through something similar. Runner. Blogger. Patient. It makes it… easier? Not really. But less scary maybe.
Are you coming back for redemption at MCM 2017? I keep saying I’m not running it, but apparently it’s like childbirth and I’ve already forgotten the pain of (not) training.
Hope you get some answers about the injuries and that you can run injury free in 2017!
I am! I’m putting in for the lottery and hope I’ll get in that way. But if not then I’ll try my hand at fundraising. I NEED redemption. Need.
Congrats on a great year! Of course, we’ve all had our ups and downs. I was grateful to serve as a race ambassador for the first time this year and definitely hooked up with some great bloggers that I didn’t know prior to this year. I love that your family is all bitten by the run bug, including your dog!
I’m so excited for 2017. I just need to figure out what I want to accomplish!
I know what you want to accomplish: MCM…! ???
Isn’t it so fun being a race ambassador? I have a blast with all the races I’m involved with!
It sounds like 2016 was a great year for you! Your puppy is so adorable π
Thank you π π π
I’ve appreciated all your link-ups and tips throughout the year Rachel π You did so much for the online running community (recipes included)! Some years, I think racing take preference, other years it’s about overall impact on your audience. I look forward to 2017 with you.
Thank you so much! What a nice thing to say. π
I look forward to 2017 as well! Cheers!
Just because someone doesn’t complete a list of things written down at the beginning of a year, doesn’t mean they have a bad or unsuccessful year. I think you had a fantastic year. Ideas form. Goals change. Life happens. Fun ensues. That is so much more important than what’s on a list. Now I’ve got to go and practice my running leap! Congrats on the success of your linkups too! I’m going to link on Coaches Corner in 2017! Thanks for linking right here, Rachel!
All very good points. Fun always wins anyway. Because without it, what’s the point? π
The running leap is the best… but I always seem to make the same face. Have to work on that for 2017. #lifegoals
Happy New Year!
What a great year! π
I may join you for Friday Five 2.0 in 2017. Sounds fun!
I hope you do!
It’s already on my calendar. π
Yay! π