A Running List: My 2021 Year in Running

2021 started slow for races and tours but was more “normal” by fall. Unlike 2020, many races were held this year and I participated in a bunch that were modified with COVID protocols. In fall, I was excited to return to “normal” racing and to the Chicago and NYC marathons. I also continued my run streak from 2020 and am now up to 681 days in a row! While this year was not exactly like pre-COVID, running was a real highlight. I had a ton of fun running this year and that’s really all I can ask for.

Here is my 2021 running year in review:

# of Miles Run – 2541. Average 6.9 miles/day and 48.9/week. This is up slightly from last year.

# of Races Run– 9 –that’s 8 more than last year when I ran 1 before all of the cancellations. I ran my slowest 10 mile race ever but got some mojo back by the end of the year. I didn’t run any personal bests or personal worsts. After a year of pokey running, it took a while for me to adjust my gears for racing again!

# of Miles Run in Races –124.9 (includes 4 legs at Hood to Coast). Up from 13.1 last year!

# of Age Group Awards– 2. Not bad for a “rebuilding year” and for being at the top of my age group (49 in 45 – 49).

Run Streak – I continued my run streak (started 2/20/20) and am now at day 681 (avg 6.9/day).

Running leg 3 of 4 at Hood to Coast

Fun Race Destinations– NYC and Portland for Hood to Coast.

Coolest Non-Race Run: – Montana de Oro in Los Osos, CA.

Best Race– NYC Marathon – it was so great to be back!

Worst Race– N/A – it was great to be racing again! I have no complaints – even for a too warm Chicago Marathon.

Personal Records (PRs)- 0. No surprises here.

Exciting Running News: I was named an Arc’teryx ambassador and got to participate in some great events with them. I’m looking forward to more running fun in 2022. I continued with Go Running! Tours in Chicago. I did a bunch of tours in Lincoln Park, Grant Park and Downtown/the Loop. I have great “bucket list” 5K, 8K and 10K options now. Here’s the 411.

Star Sightings: None.

Number of Sidelining Injuries– 0. Whoo hoo! No bad injuries this year. The Husband and I got mild cases of COVID in December (after vax and booster) but I was able to mask up and run a few miles each day. I had no cardiac symptoms – just a sore throat.

Best Running Advice I Received This Year: “Have fun.”

Best New Running Product(s) I Tried: This is SO tough – like picking a favorite child, friend or pet. The list is long and I recommend you check out all of the awesome products I checked out this year! Go to giveaways or running and check out my reviews.

Popular Running Posts:

For a blogging runner, that’s a lot of running blogging! I’m hoping to continue running with joy and gratitude in 2022 and beyond.

I had 3 marathons and many other races on the calendar for 2021. I got to run two marathons and had a number for London which I passed on (sadly). I signed up for Mountains 2 Beach, Chicago and NYC again and the NYC Half and lots of other fun stuff. Here’s to hoping for lots of great races and miles in ’22.

How was your year in running?? Please tell me about it in the comments.

Here’s to a healthy, speedy and happy 2022 and beyond!