Along My Run | 21 - The End of Year Change Up

In November and December, I changed up my running by adding in new routes and trails. Weekend road trips allowed me to explore new cities. The unusually mild temperatures, compliments of El Nino, allowed me to run in shorts on the first day of winter! Overall, I finished up 2015 with two strong running months.

November:

1. Moody Start, 2. Carpet - Another balmy day in November, 3. Running in Spirit With Those Rocking today's Monumental Marathon , 4. Perfect Fall Morning 1, 5. Perfect Fall Morning 2, 6. Perfect Fall Morning 3, 7. Don't Stop Running, 8. Fall's Final Splendor , 9. Ready for Winter, 10. Place of Rest, 11. Classic, 12. Hidden

Fall's glory extended well into November and the end of Daylight Savings time meant we could see the sun rise at the end of our morning runs. Many of my friends ran the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, effectively ending the fall running training season, but fortunately many of our group long runs continued. I visited Madison Wisconsin and Bloomington Indiana where I ran local routes, a fun way to explore a new city.
November mileage: 104

December:

1. The Abyss, 2. Room With a View , 3. Clearing, 4. River's Edge, 5. Chasing the Sun, 6. Got the Morning's run in before it started to pour

I took fewer photos in December, probably because the mornings are now dark when we start and finish. We ran some trails and signed up for a trail race in January. I want to run more trails because of the technical challenge and scenery. I think trail running will improve my overall fitness and work different muscles, hopefully making me a stronger runner. Of course, you can't "zone out" while running those uneven surfaces or you'll end up tripping and falling (as I learned the hard way). I ran in shorts and a t-shirt for 3 runs in December, probably a first for the transition to winter.
December Mileage: 114, my biggest December total ever.

I finished 2015 with 1,088 miles, about 100 miles less than 2014, but a great total considering I took 6 weeks off from running in May - June.

2016 Running Goals:
Run more trails in order to start training for an Ultra Marathon in early 2017, before I turn 50.
Target 100 miles / month, 1200 total. Stretch goal is 1300 miles.
Incorporate Speed work into my running routine
Complete at least one marathon (Chicago) and convince as many of my running friends to run it with me!

Running quotes that recently caught my eye:
Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.
– Robert Collier

As a runner, you have to face the truth about yourself on a regular basis, and it makes you more honest. You can't pretend to be faster than you are. You can't pretend that you are better prepared than you are. You cannot pretend to be a runner, you actually have to run.
– John Bingham

Truth, for sure