047 📆 My year in review (2024)

Second edition here in the newsletter

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How was the overall running year?

Last year I wrote that I had actually had other plans and everything turned out differently, and this year was no different. Originally, the UTMB was planned for May, after which the year was supposed to transition into shorter competitions. Unfortunately, neither one nor the other materialized. Somehow none of it was really good. The training volume was good in the first half of the year, non-existent in the second half. But I can live with that.

How was my (mental) health?

It's difficult to draw a conclusion on this question. My mental health has definitely improved. The family situation has stabilized, which means less stress, and thanks to therapy I've made progress in several areas, such as dealing with illnesses and the associated fact that I can't run as much during those times. Nevertheless, there were stressful and challenging situations, but overall I feel better equipped to deal with crises. My general health was okay, but in the second half of the year it was rather hindering with various minor issues, childhood illnesses, and so on. There weren't really any injuries either. My thigh would tighten up from time to time, but that was about it.

How many k did I run this year?

It's heading towards 1600k (last year around 1900k), which makes this the second-worst output in the last 10 years.

The best/worst race?

Last year I wrote that I hadn't had a single bad race because I could assess my strengths and weaknesses well. Lol. This year was quite different in many ways. Let's start with the best race. In April, I ran my first half marathon race. Coming out of a longer period of illness, it went really well. The race was fun and a completely new experience, as HM races and 5K races are vastly different. The half marathon in July also went well, although I had expected a better time. It still ended up being a PB.

The worst race was a 10K race in June at around 30°C. I hadn't eaten enough and completely broke down after two laps on the circuit that had to be completed four times. I completely misjudged myself in that race. Towards the end of summer, I had another 5K race, but that didn't go according to plan either. So next year can only get better.

The best/worst training run this year?

As mentioned before. The running year was rather mixed. The worst training run was this one.

The best or most beautiful one was once again in the Allgäu. Going up and down in summer is one of the most beautiful things you can do on vacation. Also surprisingly great was this training run. 25K so fast without it being strenuous. Well - a little bit towards the end.

How many personal bests?

One HM-PB. (Last year: Two 5k-PBs.)

The longest run?

The longest run was also the worst run (see above). However, I did run over 30K again this year and that run was really nice.

The shortest run?

3k. Stopped after realizing that my thigh might need a few days of rest.

My favorite training?

In my preparation for the UTMB, I ran up and down a "mountain" here 16 times. In total about 20k and 1000 meters of elevation gain. It was special, but also great. Next year again.

Which training sessions do I dislike?

Copy-Paste from last year. "Still the long, slow runs. I know they are important, but if I can avoid them, I will."

How many new routes have I explored?

I'm still finding new routes in the area here, which surprises me. Especially because I often ran much further out in the first half of the year, several new paths were recorded. Additionally, a few new routes in the Allgäu, as we spent our vacation in a different area.

How many pairs of shoes did I run in?

8 different pairs of shoes (Last year: 9 different pairs). I covered the most kilometers in the Hoka Mach X - almost 800k.

What equipment did I not want to do without this year?

A new heart rate monitor from Coros. It is on your arm and not on your chest. Pretty reliable and much more comfortable.

What did I learn last year?

That not running isn't the end of the world. That was essential this year and a huge huge step.

What do I still need to learn?

Still need to learn how to properly dose training.

Who or what helped me this year?

Easy answer. Therapy helped a lot this year.

What am I most grateful for this year?

I'm 47. I definitely don't take it for granted that running is still going so well.

What do I expect from next year?

A somewhat more consistent year 2025. Clearer goals and consequently better results.

What are my goals for 2025?

In 2025, I will focus more on shorter distances again. That's simply what I enjoy the most.

The end:

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