I’m back from the Seaford Striders New Year’s Day run, in one piece, although I hadn't run for ten days. It’s time to sum up 2017 and look forward to 2018.
In 2017 I ran 559 miles. For comparison, in 2016 I ran 690, in 2015 582, in 2014 395 and 406 in 2013. My best ever recent year was 2005, when I ran 966 miles. As for elevation, I climbed 9,901 metres. My best ever year was, again, 2005, when I climbed 19,066 metres. So it was a modest year.
The year was notable for the 2017 Moyleman, for which I served as Chief Marshal, two successful Couch to 5k events, which I helped lead with Seaford Striders, and, towards the end of this year, the formation of the Libraruns group on Strava, for running librarians.
In the year I ran:
- half-marathons: 2
- 10ks: 3
- 5ks: 2
- cross-country races (varying lengths, usually around 5 miles): 4
- parkruns (not races, I know): 11 at Bevendean Down, 11 at Peacehaven, 1 at Eastbourne, 1 at Wimpole Estate, 1 at Preston Park and 1 at Blandford Forum. I passed my parkrun half-century.
- Twitten runs: 11
I deliberately laid off the Sussex Grand Prix races, which I had run most of in 2016, and set myself the target of a long (10 miles or more) race each quarter, which I achieved, though the long race I ran was not always the one I had intended to run.
i have entries for three 2018 races already, the Brighton Half, which I’m running for the BSUH Charity (sponsor me on JustGiving), the Newhaven Harbour to Brighton Marina
15 mile and the Beachy Head Marathon (my first marathon for five years, and my first Beachy Head for ten).
I look forward to more miles and wish all runners a happy and speedy new year.
