15 in Review

It's that time of the year of again, the end-of-the-year blog posts. I've created a trend on my end-of-the-year posts that each post ends up being longer than the last. So this will be a lengthy post, especially as I have plenty of time to write it. I started writing this post on December 24. Click here for last year's post.

Best of 2015 Photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015 Goals in Review

I'm going to start with what I always start with: if I made my 2015 goals or not. These goals are not just from my 2014 in review posts, but also include goals I set during Cross Country Recap.

2015 Goals:
Sub-4:45 Mile The only mile race I ran this year was the Bottone Mile. I was looking to break this goal at Bottone, and it happened. I was thrilled with my time, but it barely broke my goal, as the official time was 4:44.8.
Sub-17 minute 5K This goal seemed to slip away from me and seem unachievable because after almost two-thirds of the way into 2015, my best time was 17:26, only a four-second improvement over last year. I knew I could do it when a ran a 17:02 at Schonning. I went under this goal four times: with a 16:59 at East Bay Challenge, with a 16:35 at Class, with a  16:29 at States, and with a 16:49 at Turkey Trot.
Run a 10K and a 4-miler (I skipped out on those race distances in 2014) Obviously, this wasn't a hard goal to beat. I did both, the 10K at Race for the Cure and the 4-miler at Run 4 Kerri.
Sub-50 minute Little Rhody Yes, well under. Official time of 47:44.
Sub-64 minute 10 Miler (Hopefully Blessing of the Fleet) Also broke this goal by more than a minute with a time of 1:01:42.

Indoor Track (9th Grade) Goals:
Sub-9:20 3000m Didn't happen, but came close. I ran a 9:24 at the Sweeney Last-Chance Meet, and was hoping to break 9:20 at states, but didn't have my best race there. I didn't make that time in Outdoor, either.
Sub-4:30 1500m Did this on my first 1500 since Middle School, with a 4:29. Got it down to 4:25 by the end of the season.
Sub-59s  400m Yes, with a 58.5 effort in a 4x400.

Indoor Goals (for December, 10th Grade) -Top 6 in Two of the Invitationals (B Goal: Top 6 in One of the Invitationals) Yes, I barely made it at RITCA with a 5th place finish in the 1K, but made it in easy at RI Classic for the 3K.
-Win an event in the Dual on 12/14 (B Goal: Finish runner-up or higher) Surprisingly, I ended up winning two events- the 3000 and the 600.
-PR in the 600 and 1000 (if I run both) Yes, I PR'd in the 600 at the first dual meet (1:32) and the 1000 at RITCA (2:45).
-sub 9:20 3K (same as PR'ing, B Goal: Sub 9:25) Yes, I crushed it with a 9:10 at the RI Classic.

Worst Races of 2015

I planned this as a lengthy list, but looking back I only found two performances that just didn't go well. I wasn't happy with my tri performances at Goddard and Fat Clam, but they weren't too bad. The following two races I left disappointed and unhappy with my performance.

2) New England XC Championship
I knew I could break top 100, and maybe even get in the top 70, but I ended up not pushing myself at all until the very finish. This resulted in a 110th place. I could've easily made up 10 places to crack the top 100, but I never did. Not a very good close to my season.

1) State Indoor Championship
Unlike the other entry in this list, this one wasn't bad because I could've put much more effort into the race, but rather that I just had a bad day. I had a cold that day, something that didn't affect my race too much, but may have been a slight factor. I was happy to make the state meet as a freshman, and was looking to beat the 9:24 I had run the other day, but I ended up running 9:44, one of the worst times of the season.

Stats

Total Mileage: 1,826 Miles
Highest Week: 46 Miles (Mid September)
Lowest Week: 24 Miles (Late March) Actually had a 8 mile week, but am not counting it as I broke my arm that week.
Longest Run: 13 Miles on July 4th
Longest Running Streak: 68 Days in a Row
Number of Races (Including Multiple Events at One Meet): 81
Number of Track Races: 52
Number of Cross Country Races: 10
Number of Triathlons: 3
Number of Times PR'd: 42
Number of New PR's: 12

Best Running (Non-Race) Locations of 2015

I explored a lot of new and old trails and roads in 2015. These were the best.

• Bluff Point/Haley Farm
• Watch Hill Roads
• Weekapaug Roads
• Misquamicut Roads
• Westerly Beaches
• Tom Brown Park Trails (Florida)
• Treasure Island Beaches (Florida)
• Burlingame Trails
• Stonington Borough Roads 
• Catamount Trails (Vermont)
• Mont-Royal Park (Canada)
• Woody Hill
• Pawcatuck River Roads
• Grills Preserve
• Carter Preserve
• Duval
• Barn Island
• Lantern Hill

Races I Want to Run in 2016

It's getting frustrating not being able to run many races I want to due to conflicts with cross country or track. I had to miss out on races I usually run last year because of the racing seasons. Some I didn't mind, but these I either miss running or wish I could run. I'm not including obvious ones that I always do like Schonning or Rhody, but these are the ones I either haven't done yet or want to return to.
January
Resolution 5K- It was a fun event that went over a great course. I never got a fair chance to test myself on it, as last year I slipped on ice and struggled to finish.
Will I do it?: Unfortunately, I won't be able to. I have a meet the next day, and will have to miss out on my favorite event of the Galoob series.
Chili 5K- It sounds like a fast and fun event where I can test if how I can run in a road 5K (after many track races).
Will I do it?: Probably not, but it isn't completely out of the question. It's actually not close to any meets, but I guessing my coaches want me to use that period as rest, since the weeks before and after it are filled with frequent racing.
February
Belleville Pond 10K- I did this once, but don't remember a thing about the course. I wouldn't want to do it if it snowed, because I'm a terrible thick snow runner and I hate running those kinds of races. I would love to push the pace and try to stick with the leaders there.
Will I do it?: Not a chance. It falls right in the middle of the championship season for track, and may even be on a day I have a meet.
April
Jamestown Bridge 10K- I've looked at this race several times, and the idea of racing over a bridge for several miles sounds extremely fun. The rest of the course looks awesome too.
Will I do it?: Maybe. It's right around when the first outdoor meet starts, so it's possible.
RI State Police 5K- Another great opportunity to test out speed on a flat road 5K. The competition there is usually strong, so I think it'd be a fun one.
Will I do it?: Probably not. Too late into the season.
May
Shad Bloom 10K- I looked over this one and it seems extremely fun with a variety of terrain. Plus, who doesn't love running in Block Island?
Will I do it?: Definitely not, as it falls late in the track season.
Twilight Trails Races- I love the Groton fun runs, and it'd be cool to actually race the trails there. I'd like to do this.
Will I do it?: No. Way too late in the season.
July
Sailfest- A great road 5K that I was fortunate enough to be able to run this year.
Will I do it?: Maybe, depending on scheduling with vacation.
Loon Mountain- A popular mountain race in New Hampshire with some extreme climbs. Seems like a challenge and while I'd struggle through it, it seems fun.
Will I do it?: Probably/Hopefully. I'd like to cross it off my bucket list, but Dad would also have to be on board.
Run with the Beavers- I hate two loop races, but I'd like to push the distance on racing trails and this seems like a fun course with great competition. Also, it seems like I'm one of the few WTAC members missing out.
Will I do it?: Maybe. Really don't know where summer vacation will fall this year.
September
Wahaneeta 5K- Unofficial title, but WTAC's new trail race after a successful run for the pumpkins. I liked most of run for the pumpkins, so I don't see why I wouldn't like this.
Will I do it?: Probably not, as I think it falls on the same day as the opening XC meet.
October
Pell Bridge Run- Another bridge race that looks like a lot of fun. Hills would be especially interesting on this one.
Will I do it?: Probably not, as I couldn't do this year even though I wanted to. It's in the middle of championship season.

Best Shoes of 2015

One enjoyable part of running is trying out gear. And the most important running gear is shoes. I explored different kind of shoes throughout the year, and I liked most. Some stood out more than others, and these are the three best.

Honorable Mentions: NB Vazee Pace, NB Fresh Foam 980, Nike Air Pegasus, NB XC900v2

3) New Balance 1500 Racing Flats
I didn't get much use out of them- but these shoes were perfect for any road racing 10K or less. They provided a comfortable feel while still being able to run very fast. They certainly helped me in 5K road racing from summer to the end of the year.

2) New Balance 890
These were the first pair of NB shoes I used- and they were great. They could be used on a variety of surfaces, were fast, and were reliable for any kind of distances. Although the fit was odd and they weren't as comfortable as other shoes I tried, I forgot about this instantly upon starting any run. These quickly replaced whatever Nike shoe I wore before, and I'm onto my fourth pair already. A great training shoe that can even be raced in.

1) Saucony Velocity Track Spikes
I ended up buying track spikes for price and not what I was interested in my freshman year. I was unsure about trying a new brand, but they ended up being great- being both fast and lightweight. They felt good in all distances I ran on the track- even 400s. I thought about buying new spikes, but I kept the velocity for outdoor, and the shoe was durable enough to last me the entire season. I bought the velocity 6 (I had the 5 before) for my sophomore seasons, and it's already impressed me.

Best Races of 2015

Unlike the worst races, I had a hard time coming up with this list. Last year I had six, this year I'm stretching it out to a top 10. There were so many races where I thought I ran well, so it was hard to narrow it down to 10. Some ranking may not match previous ranking I've had, but I've evaluated it differently this time.

Honorable Mentions: Indoor Division Championships, Stavros, Kerri, Bottone Mile

10) Block Island Triathlon
This year's BI Tri was about improvement. I didn't get a fair test to see what I could do in the run, because of high tide conditions and a shorter course but I still came close to other fast WTAC runner's times. I only improved about 30 seconds from 2013 to 2014, but this year I took 14 minutes off my previous best time, even though only a half a mile of run was taken off. Very happy with each leg of the race as all were faster than I had previously done.
9) RITCA Invitational
I placed well in both events and came very close to achieving both goals that would be tough to get. I also broke my 1500 and 1000 PR's by 4 seconds and was able to hold off upperclassmen who I usually lost to.
8) Indoor Freshman States
I wasn't sure if I'd be able to pull off a win here, but I ended up being three for three in freshman state wins, with a big victory in the 1500 and a two-second win in the 1000. I also was surprised to break my 1000 PR of 2:51, because I had pushed hard for the 2:51 which was a 3-second PR when I ran it. I brought my 1000 down to 2:49 for my second to last race of the season.
7) XC Class Championships
I was expecting a high 16:40s time, and that I probably would have to push it to be top three. I managed a 16:35 for 5K, and was able to stick with the leader for 2.5 miles, only losing to him by 6 seconds.
6) Blessing of the Fleet
I knew A Goal would tough because it was a 6:10 pace, but I pushed through a tough last four miles to run it. I finished in 1:01:42, a giant PR and a big step towards sub-60.
5) Bobby Doyle Summer Classic
Not only was it a fun race on a great course, but it was competitive. I was hoping to break 29, and I expected I'd be just under. I ended up running 28:31, 29 seconds under my goal. I was able to run somewhat consistent splits and have a strong finish in my first 5 miler in two years.
4) RI Classic
I was hoping to finish top 6. My plan was to run a 9:15 for 3000, but wasn't sure if I could do it. I planned to stay with the lead pack for as long as I could. During the race, I broke away to the lead, extended that lead, and brought it in for a win and a big PR of 9:10. One of my biggest wins ever, especially as it was a meet several states competed in.
3) Little Rhody Runaround
I was hoping for the sub-50, but got much more that. My conservative race strategy made the race more fun, got me third place, and continued the trend of giant Rhody PR's. A very fun race with a great end result.
2) XC State Championships
The entire season I wanted to make New Englands. Making New Englands seemed possible, and making all-state would be great also, but All-State was less likely. I was able to push when I got really weak, and ended up just getting into All-State third team. One of best accomplishments to date. And it's my current PR of 16:29.
1) Outdoor Freshman States 
I had no idea how this one would go. Before the race, I was concerned my perfect freshman states record was in jeopardy. And it was. I finished 3rd in the 1500, but still had a four second PR. My best race of the day was easily the 3K, where I pulled through to a big win and new PR of 9:20. I ended up running four races for the day, scoring in each and PRing in three.

2016 Goals

And finally, I'll conclude with my goals. 2015 was a great year and I hope 2016 will be even better. Here's everything I hope to accomplish.
Distance

• Run 2,000 Miles for the Year
• Run 15 miles or more in a single run
• Run over 50 Miles in week

Racing

• Run the Loon Mountain Race on July 3rd
• Run a Trail Race 10K or longer (besides little Rhody)
• Pull off a back-to-back win (options: Bottone, Schonning, Pumpkins, Penguins, Chariho Alumni)

Times

• Sub 4:30 Mile
• Sub 18 at the Westerly Fun Run
• Sub 22:00 Four Mile
• Sub 28:00 Five Mile
• Sub 36:00 10K
• Sub 60 Blessing
• Beat My Time on Narragansett Ave. Summer to Ward Segment (53 seconds, 4:19 pace)

X-Country

• All State-First Team
• Sub 16 3-Miler

Track

• Qualify for New Englands in Indoor and Outdoor (top 6 at states)
• Sub 9 Minute 3000
• Sub 4:10 1500
• Remain all class and all division for both seasons and win a division or class title
• Sub 57 Second 400
• Sub 4:05 800m