2016 did not turn out to be the year I had planned in a lot of ways and on a lot of fronts, some of which will eventually be discussed here. Running certainly formed one of those fronts.

Admittedly, I started off declaring that 2016 was the year of no goals, the year of rebuilding which ironically for me, turned out to be precisely true. I said those words with the thought in the corner of my mind that the rebuilding process would conclude prior to year’s end enabling me to resume competitive training just in time for a winter marathon. I eyed Keowee for this comeback.

God had other plans, like He usually does.

I used the first part of the year to build back up to the marathon distance. I wanted some redemption after the Chicago DNS. I successfully executed a decent marathon performance at Tobacco Road in March but thanks to my slow build up and the warmer than usual temps, my time was nowhere near the time I had originally wanted to notch.

Next came the return to square one. After a reasonable time off period I resumed running again but began to be plagued with aches and weirdness in my left leg too. In May I took advantage of a coupon for Performance Therapy that had been offered in the race packet for Reedy River. This was hands down the best decision I have ever made with regards to running.

I ended up not using the coupon but rather taking full advantage Performance Therapy’s services. I started with the free assessment for functional training. Naively, I thought I would discover what was the root of my problem, pay attention and get some more exercises and be all hunky dory. I had no intention of actually paying for any services. I am a frugal weirdo after all.

My trainer, Liz, spotted a lot of the same weaknesses that Kent (the physical therapist I went to in October 2015) noticed before. This proved to me that I had a lot of work still to go and would not reasonably be able to fix this on my own. So, I bit the bullet and paid #300 for the ten session package.

Liz was awesome. There must be something about the name Liz when it comes to trainers. (My personal trainer years ago had the same name.) After the initial session she formulated a plan that would help me work on my trouble areas: weak glutes and hips aka the same thing that Kent observed.

Every habit takes a while to build; it takes just as long if not longer to undo the habit and replace it. I wanted a quick fix but had to keep reminding myself of the process. Through this time – albeit not the entirety – my left leg decided it had had enough and wanted some of the attention. Although I never found out a specific name, it likely was simply the result of years of incorrect form and the new effort to fix and improve said form.

In June I started to have huge success. On of the ART (Active Release Therapy) specialists performed a quick gait analysis and gave me three important tips that I still strive to include: lean forward, minimize the bounce, keep lugs under body.

Then came big life changes in July, the end of my ten session training package, renewed issue with my left glute and the start of my renewed teaching career. With everything happening at once, I had no problem backing off in intensity, duration and frequency.

The thing that finally helped things turn around – the missing puzzle piece – was ART. The theory is that my left leg got irritated and there was something in the glute that needed to be worked out. A few sessions of ART and I was raring to go.

I had a tiny set back recently when I got slightly too aggressive in strength training and irritated the left glute again. Thankfully I had a maintenance ART session scheduled for two days later. Things finally seem to be back on track for the next year in running.

After a year of rebuilding, what does 2017 look like?

First and foremost, I plan to continue rebuilding. I have learned a lot about myself as a runner and about running in general. That will continue. Running is a journey that keeps evolving. The runner I am today is not the same runner that ran her first half marathon in 2010 nor am I the same as I will be when I run my hundredth. (Yes, I intend to run at least that many.)

In specifics, this is what rebuilding will look like. I plan to keep up with regular ART sessions. At the most frequent these will take place once a month. If I remain injury free the appointments will be spaced out further. Sometimes muscles get tight in a way that simply stretching and foam rolling cannot address. Additionally, it is much easier to maintain and head off potential problems than it is to fix those long ingrained. I will also maintain the hip and glute routine Liz gave me for a minimum of four nights a week. I also intend to keep up my weekly sessions with Mom and Ellis. The core strength has helped tremendously with overall fitness.

Second, I plan to chase the BQ goal again. Iv’e thought that previous years were “my” years and yet the goal still eludes me. 2017 may not be my year either but after a year without an attempt, I plan to chase it. My first marathon of the year will be Hilton Head in February. As much as I would like to shoot for the moon, I’ve learned that the fall sometimes causes a pretty significant set back. This year’s attempt will come in October, at Chicago. I shelled out the almost $200 and will make the trek up north in search of a little redemption.I have no idea what training will look like since that will be the start to a new school year but I know it can happen. Hilton Head is good practice for that.

As for the inbetween? I want to rack up the half marathon medals. I will run an occasional 5k but I really want to focus on the longer distances, build up a more substantial base.

The running talk on this blog will likely be limited to race recaps although the occasional goals post may crop up.

Here’s to the new year in running!