This is my second year hosting the Year of Running link up – first started by Amanda of Miss Zippy. It’s a lot of fun and easy to play along – answer all the questions in your own blog post, add my button (if you choose) and add your link to the link up. I always love reading everyone’s answers. The link up will remain open through the first week of January! note: this post contains affiliate links.
Here’s how this works:
- Grab my button below.
- Answer the following questions.
- Link up your blog post below!
- Best race experience: I ended up racing 19 times this year and had a number of awesome race experiences. I think in terms of best overall experience I’m going to go with the Shamrock Half Marathon. While the weather was terrible, this race really showed me what I was made of and there is nothing like getting faster with each of the final miles. Plus, finally going sub-2 was just an incredible experience.
- Best run: Easy – all the super fun snow runs that Caitlin and I had over the winter. We had a blast running all over the city in our YakTrax!
- Best new piece of running gear: I didn’t really buy any new running gear per se, but did buy lots of new running clothes. I’d have to say that my best purchase was probably the Yaktrax because they provided me so much joy during winter running!
- Best running advice you’ve received this year: Master the discomfort. This came from the awesome notes that Oiselle includes in its orders and it stuck with me.
- Most inspirational runner: I’m inspired by so many runners and by so many stories. This is always the hardest question. In an Olympic year, there are so many choices but I’m going to go with Kate Grace who went after it in such a gusty and inspiring way. She’s such a boss.
- Favorite picture from a run or race this year: This picture captures the pure joy I had running the Chicago Marathon. Such a wonderful experience – I absolutely loved it!
Picture courtesy of my friend Kelly – about.me/kellywils0n
- Race experience you would repeat in a heartbeat: Chicago for sure. Without a doubt. Easy question!
- If you could sum up your year in a couple of words what would they be? Mind opening. I thought I knew what I could do, running – wise and I blew past what I thought my limits were.
Link up your Year of Running post below – I’ll try to get to each post before the end of the year!
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I am glad you enjoyed running the Chicago Marathon and would do it again in a heartbeat. 🙂 I like that advice from Oiselle. I must remember it as I train for my half marathon this winter.
It’s a good reminder!
You had an awesome year Courtney! That is a great pic – love how much you enjoyed Chicago.
This post is always a fun one to read – I’ll be sure to link up!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…Last coffee date of 2016
Yay – can’t wait to read your answers, Michelle!
I think Shamrock was everyones “bad” race moment. That weather was crazy but we needed it to move on with the year You had a great year of running, congrats.
Thanks Hollie – 2016 was a good year for my running, for sure!
Oh I think I’ll have to get involved in this! I’m sure you’ll see a post up on my blog soon 😉 I’d love to run Chicago one day, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see! Reykjavik Half Marathon was my absolute race highlight of the year, I loved it so so much!
Oh that sounds like it would be amazing!!
I love this: “I thought I knew what I could do, running – wise and I blew past what I thought my limits were.” You are such an inspiration to me! I am ready to put in the work and see what happens when I push my own limits next year!
Thanks Jennifer – you inspire the heck out of me! I’m going to see if I can make being in Philly for the marathon work – I’d love to cheer you on!
This is such a fun post, Courtney; I can hardly wait to see how you tear it up again next year – woo hoo! I think you’ve motivated me to publish a post, just so I can participate…to be continued. 😉
Yes! Please do, friend. Looking forward to it!
Congratulations on a fantastic year of running! And thanks for the motivation to get a 2016 recap post up – here’s my year in running:
http://www.marathonsandmacarons.com/2016/12/07/year-running-2016/
Gabby @ Marathons and Macarons recently posted…Year of Running 2016
Congrats on having such a great year! It was exciting to watch you knock out so many PR’s. Looking forward to what’s next!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Marathon Runfessions – November 2016
Congratulations on an amazing year of running! I love that picture of you running in the Chicago Marathon, too – so much energy and joy! Cheers to an even more incredible 2017 to come. Thanks for hosting this link-up – I plan on joining in sometime within the next few weeks. =)
You have had quite the year and it’s been so fun to follow along! Can’t wait to see what 2017 brings for you. I will be linking up next week 🙂
Alaina @ The Simple Peach recently posted…5 Winter Running Must Haves
Great recap! It is really fun to look back and reflect on some of the year’s best moments. I added mine to the linkup and I can honestly say this put me in a really great mood!
Yay – I think it’s a really fun way to end the year as well 🙂
What a great year you’ve had! It’s amazing what we can do when we challenge ourselves. Thank you for hosting the link-up. First time participating…I’ll see if I can work it!
I’m glad you had such an awesome year and a great experience at Chicago! I entered the marathon lottery this year so I’ll find out next week if I’m in- I know it’s a long shot but I hope I get in! I want my first marathon to be a big one!
Montana @ Pretty Lil Mudder recently posted…2016: A Year in Running & Racing
That’s awesome! I hope you get in as well. If you don’t consider raising money for RMHC – I wrote about the amazing experience I had. I wouldn’t run Chicago any other way, honestly!
What an exciting year you’ve had!
Master the discomfort. I like that. Well, not the discomfort part but that saying. Gotta work on that one…as always! Thanks for hosting the link up. I love looking back over the year.
Angela @ happy fit mama recently posted…Year of Running 2016
Your year was epic! It’s been so fun to watch you crush your goals. I cannot wait to see what’s next for you!
A little late to the party! You had a fabulous year and it fun to watch you crush your goals. Thanks for the link up
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Looking Back On My Year in Running 2016
You had a great year, indeed. It’s been great following all of your accomplishments!!! Here’s to a fantastic 2017!
You look so incredibly happy running Chicago! Probably one of the best race photos I’ve ever seen.
Congrats on your sub-2 half marathon. That is so exciting.
PS I wasn’t blogging at the end of 2015, so didn’t realize that Miss Zippy’s site was no longer. I was still going to do a Year of Running post now that I’m blogging again, so I’m incredibly excited to see that you picked this end-of-year link-up. Yay!
Clarinda recently posted…Week In Review 12/18
Thank you – I’m so glad you are still going to participate in the linkup 🙂
Courtney, congratulations on a fantastic year! Your dedication and enthusiasm continue to inspire me. All the best for 2017!
Leana recently posted…Year of Running 2016
Congrats on a great year! You look so happy running in Chicago!
Lisa @ MIle by Mile recently posted…Year of Running 2016
Yay! This is my second year participating. I love this linkup! Also, that’s a great picture of you running the Chicago marathon. Running pictures are the best (or worst, sometimes LOL)!
Jill @ RunEatSnap recently posted…End of Year Review: Running in 2016
This is a great idea. This is my first year of linking up. 🙂 Congrats on finishing the Chicago marathon. I’ll be running that next year! I’m so excited. Will you be running it again?
You will love it! And no – I’m running Berlin this fall!
Oh, are you going to run all 6 world marathons? That’s my goal, but I’ll have to figure out how to get faster to run Boston. Lol
Yes, that’s my goal. Boston will be last – I’ll need a few years to get faster and older 🙂
That’s so exciting! How many have you done so far? I’ve only done NYC and Chicago is my next one. I can’t wait to hear about your Berlin one. 🙂 Good luck!
I agree, the picture of you running in the Chicago Marathon is so fun! I’m working on my linkup and hope to post it early next week.
Merry Christmas, Courtney!
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…Giving Running A Shot Can Result In A Lifetime Of Enjoyment
Thanks for hosting this again! Chicago sounds incredible. Happy Christmas!
Thanks for the opportunity!
I have heard such great things about Chicago Marathon…glad you enjoyed it!!
Congrats on a great racing year!!
Looking forward to 2107!
So fun to read about your year, Chicago may be a bucket list marathon for me! Congrats on a great year and good luck in 2017!! My post can be found here: http://maximumpace.com/max-pace-blog/yearofrunning2016
Great post! I found this through my wife, Allison aka The Running Princess, and have just done my own post here – https://stevebonthronept.wordpress.com/2016/12/29/my-year-of-running-2016/
Have a great New Year when it comes and wish you lots of happy, memorable runs and blogging in 2017 🙂
What a great year, Courtney. I love the last photo!
Thanks for hosting this linkup! It’s great to reflect on the year!
San recently posted…Our Christmas
Finally linking up! I enjoyed doing this last year, I couldn’t pass it up this year. Love the Chicago photo! I’m looking forward to running it in 2017.
Congrats on what sounds like an amazing year of running! 🙂 Definitely think I may have to get some Yaktrax for the winter months, had a very frosty/icy morning this morning and it was very difficult to run on.. I can only imagine the ease with these!
Thanks for the linkup! I’ve loved linking up and reading everyones recaps for the year!
Laura @ Laura : Fat 2 Fit recently posted…Training Diary // Cambridge Half Marathon // Week 2 Recap
That Chicago photo is amazing! You had such a great year. I love that you pushed the limits and then crushed them! Can’t wait to see what you do in 2017!
Congrats on a great year my friend! You worked incredibly hard and the results showed. Excited to see what 2017 has in store for you!