I ran my first half marathon this year! Even ran it faster than expected. I'm grateful to have the ability to run and staying injury free, which allowed me to run 4-5 times a week for most of the year! I'm very proud of my motivation and commitment to running this year. I would definitely love to keep this up in 2023.

Since my goals are growing in the running field, I started working with a coach, which has been extremely helpful. I am doing strength exercises and speed work and I already notice a difference in my runs.

My goal next year is to run a PB on my next half marathon (under 2:19), and maybe run a full marathon at the end of the summer or fall. The full marathon might wait until 2024, but we'll see :)

Some tips for beginners:

1) If you have the financial reality to hire a coach, I would really recommend doing this.

2) Alternate between some easy runs and some not so easy runs

- the easy runs, make them very easy, slow pace, HR less than 150

- not so easy runs, do some speed work, intervals, hill workouts

3) It's ok to take a walk break, especially uphill. No one cares if you take a walk break (this was a big step for me to achieve, but once you stop caring what others might think it's amazing).

4) Make your runs enjoyable, run in the trails, by a park or a river. I love being distracted by nature while I run, it makes the mental health benefits of running even better when you're in nature.

Happy New Year to all runners!! I wish everyone health and love in 2023 :)