2016 in review – 12 medal challenge

Way back in late December 2015 I decided to set myself a challenge for 2016 which would take the whole year to complete. The 12 medal challenge was simple (in terms of the rules, not the actual challenge itself) all it involved was achieving one medal per month for the whole of 2016. Any distance, anywhere, just one per month.

Today, Sunday 4th December, I have just completed this challenge and with it my race calendar for 2016. So here is a little summary of the year race-by-race. You’re welcome.

I must also add here that you are right in thinking that there are 16 medals in the picture. Overachiever.

A pinch of salt

It is almost marathon taper time. With this in mind, I have decided to give myself some other little challenges to focus on over the next couple of weeks to avoid the maranoia setting in like it did last time. For those who aren’t familiar with it, maranoia refers to all the self-doubt that creeps in during the taper in the last few weeks before a marathon when you scale back your mileage in preparation for the big day.

So, I have decided to set myself 3 health challenges to keep me occupied and my mind on other things and I thought I would outline them quickly here.

I’m back!!

The title of this post has two meanings – one, I’m literally back on the blog, having taken a break over Christmas and January (for reasons I will explain) and also, two – today was my first race of the 2016 race calendar, along with my first long run of the year, meaning I am back in a running sense as well. And it feels good.

How to stay on track this Christmas – Should you even care?

My thoughts for the day, I know it’s been a while…

I’m sure it’s not just me who has been bombarded with conflicting health and training ‘advice’ in the run up to Christmas? So many articles are popping into my inbox with tips on how to stay on track this Christmas, covering everything from eating and drinking to fitting in runs and training.

Oi! You! Put that cake down! 5 pointers for staying on track with that new, healthy lifestyle. By someone who is definitely not an expert.

So far, for me, 2014 has been very different to any other year in that it is now February and my resolutions are still going strong. Perhaps this is because they were less ‘resolutions’ really and more like serious life changes which I realised needed to be done. I’m approaching 30, I’m getting married and I’d like to do both looking like the best version of me possible.