Running Renaissance: One Skip Ahead of my Doom

[RuntheMouse]

Feeling your winter runs up north here! It was 14 and sunny out today and it felt glorious! Great job on the Santa run

 

[GollyGadget]

Since we’re on the topic it was 34 on my run this afternoon and I nearly felt unstoppable.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Hey, I have a shirt like that....

 

[GollyGadget]

2025 Year in Review
As mentioned in the running thread, I somehow ran 1000 miles for the fifth consecutive year . This happened despite only running 12.7 miles for the entire month of June


I intentionally took it easy this summer to give my body time to heal. Turns out, unlike muscles & bones, tendons don’t heal with rest so it didn’t go as planned. Not that I knew I was dealing with a tendon problem at the time... Lesson learned, if something isn’t feeling better after 2 weeks rest, go see a professional.

2025 was my lowest mileage year since 2020, but I’m still quite proud of the year. I didn’t have any races planned after May but still kept running without a big scary goal to motivate me. I’ve definitely found the joy in running. I even missed some of the mileage this summer when I was doing less. This is a much better place to be than burnt out and over it.



The highlight of the year was unquestionably the 2025 WDW Marathon. Like most here, there’s something about WDW that pulls at my heart strings. I also squeaked in 3 minute PR with a 3:54:41.



Apparently, I also ran a 10K PR in April. The 10K is by far my worst distance somehow. I’ve run faster equivalent times in the mile, 5K, 10 miler and half marathon in the last two years. It’s kind of bizarre. This is likely why I forgot about the PR. I expect to be able to run faster than 48:45 but I just haven’t. Oh well, I still got my finisher photo with a cute dog.



By May, it was obvious that my body needed a change. However, I still snuck in another solid 10K performance with an official time of 48:19 although the course was a bit short and followed it up with my 8th sub 2 hr half at the end of the month.

After some travel & recovery in June, I spent more time doing strength workouts and less time running for a few months. I never really found my strength groove or a program that clicked. In hindsight, I wonder if some of that is because my hamstrings & connected tendons were begging for proper attention.

In September, I started ramping up mileage again for a late January half marathon. It became apparent that my hamstrings did not magically fix themselves so this training cycle has been a bit of a dud. It was finally enough that I went to PT but there was no magic fix there either and I’ve had to omit most running that’s quicker than my easy pace. However, I do think I’m finally heading the right direction and while I probably won’t set any records, I will be able to finish my half (hopefully with a smile on my face ).

Not really a spectacular finish to the year, but another year of running and still some highlights to be proud of.

Happy running y’all! May 2026 bring you many happy miles & smiles.

 

[GollyGadget]

2026 Running Aspirations
Now that we’re a full week into 2026, I thought I should document my goals…ahem, aspirations. I’m hesitant to make any concrete “goals” until I get my hamstrings sorted but I do have plans for the year.

1. Fix my hamstring. It’s in a good enough place that I can run but it still bothers me if I run fast. My primary focus is to get rid of that pain and be able to train normally again.

2. Incorporate the Running Rewired workouts. I gifted myself this book for Christmas and really enjoyed it. It was science-y but approachable. My theory is that if I achieve this, I should be able to avoid more injuries. The book also thinks I could be faster but that is secondary to me.

3. Run 1500 miles. This is highly dependent on #1. I’m not going to push it if my body can’t handle it. Since 2021, I have ran 1100, 1300, 1500, 1500, and finally 1000 in 2025. 1500 isn’t a crazy number for me but it does require consistent mileage.

4. Run a sub 7 mile for the 4th consecutive year. Also highly dependent on #1. The mile race is in April and I won’t even attempt this if my body isn’t ready. I know sub 7 doesn’t sound incredibly fast but it will take a lot of work to get me into that kind of fitness. I’m way more suited to longer distances.

5. Run a half PR/sub 1:45. Current PR is 1:46:02 so I’m not very far off but I do need my legs back. The current plan is to go after this in the fall. I’ve been researching a few options and I’m currently leaning toward the Good Life Halfsy in Lincoln, NE. Anyone have experience with this race? Other contenders are Des Moines or Madison. I looked at Twin Cities but I fear it being warm again. I’d much rather chance a cold day which is what I’m likely to get if we go to Madison in mid-November. I worry that might be too cold. Hence Nebraska but my partner isn’t really sold on that being a fun destination .

6. Train for my triumphant return to rD at the WDW Marathon in 2027. I miss marathon training and the most magical place on earth. Really hoping my hamstring is better before registration in March so I have more confidence in my training capabilities but I’ll probably sign up anyway.

7. Have fun! This is just a hobby after all. If it’s not fun, what’s the point?


Happy running y’all!

 

[RuntheMouse]

5. Run a half PR/sub 1:45. Current PR is 1:46:02 so I’m not very far off but I do need my legs back. The current plan is to go after this in the fall. I’ve been researching a few options and I’m currently leaning toward the Good Life Halfsy in Lincoln, NE. Anyone have experience with this race? Other contenders are Des Moines or Madison. I looked at Twin Cities but I fear it being warm again. I’d much rather chance a cold day which is what I’m likely to get if we go to Madison in mid-November. I worry that might be too cold. Hence Nebraska but my partner isn’t really sold on that being a fun destination .

I have a little info for you, not much but a little.

I was signed up for GLF a couple of years ago. We ended up with a scheduling conflict so I didn’t go but they were amazing about offering a deferral or switching to a virtual which I did. They sent all the swag and had great communication the entire time. Also spent a chunk of this pst summer in Lincoln and was impressed with the running community there so I imagine the race is probably well run even if it’s nit the most exciting getaway spot.

This year was in Madison for the 10k and boy was the weather terrible! It was so cold that whole weekend, we even bailed on the Badger game we had tickets for. A little mad because they finally won but we woke up on Sunday, and scrapped the race. So that race can be a gamble as well! I feel you though, I think I’m trying TC one more time even though my brain is telling me DSM is a safer bet. Weather is so fickle!

 

[GollyGadget]

I have a little info for you, not much but a little.

I was signed up for GLF a couple of years ago. We ended up with a scheduling conflict so I didn’t go but they were amazing about offering a deferral or switching to a virtual which I did. They sent all the swag and had great communication the entire time. Also spent a chunk of this pst summer in Lincoln and was impressed with the running community there so I imagine the race is probably well run even if it’s nit the most exciting getaway spot.

This year was in Madison for the 10k and boy was the weather terrible! It was so cold that whole weekend, we even bailed on the Badger game we had tickets for. A little mad because they finally won but we woke up on Sunday, and scrapped the race. So that race can be a gamble as well! I feel you though, I think I’m trying TC one more time even though my brain is telling me DSM is a safer bet. Weather is so fickle!

Much appreciated!! When I saw you replied, I really thought you might try to convince me to do TC . I was signed up for Madison a few years back. Nearly froze at the Badger game beforehand and woke up not feeling well so decided to just bail. I know GL is around the same time but it’s also not in Wisconsin so the weather should be ever so slightly warmer.

I’m sure Lincoln isn’t a tourist hotspot but it’s an easy drive and I’m sure it’s a fun weekend. Heck, I could probably ditch my partner for the weekend and convince a running friend to tag along.

DSM does seem to get pretty good weather and I could walk to the start line but that just feels like a boring choice.

 

[RuntheMouse]

Much appreciated!! When I saw you replied, I really thought you might try to convince me to do TC .

Not trying to convince you anymore. I planted the seed and now I’ll wait to see if it grows.