Old Running Shoes

We all have the saying 'Time flies' and as you get older it seems to move quickly than ever, its four years ago this month that I set out on changing my life. Now it hasn't been all smooth sailing I'm not super fit, fast or slim but I'm healthier, faster and stronger than I could have ever imagined.
I was feeling a bit sentimental today amazingly it wasn't  until 2013 that I bought my first pair of running shoes. I even went to the sports shop and got fitted. I spent more on those Running shoes than I had on any pair of shoes I had previously bought. But I loved them the moment I put them on..
Since that first pair I have bought  a few more too many pairs John would say and now I buy my Reebok's for Crossfit. But I have a soft spot for my first pair. They have served me well I have run numerous miles in them. I just couldn't leave them go...They have treated my feet well and fairly. But now its really time for me to part ways with them.

Before

After

I know they are only old shoes but to me they remind me of how it felt to run when I started, the first time I conquered a mile, the first injury I got, all the runs, the finish lines, the laughs, tears and everything in between,  the beautiful summers and cold winters, the people I've met and friends I've made So not just old running shoes.
What if your running shoes could talk what memories would they recall??

Running, Crossfit and 2016 summed up

Since I started out running nearly four years ago 2016 was the worse year for me mileage and injury wise. The year seemed like it would be a good one this time last year but an ankle injury at the start of April and recurring shinsplints towards the end of year made it far from a good running year...
That's not to say I  haven't had good runs but I haven't run as much as I would have wanted to. The biggest run of the year was the Run Killarney half marathon, which I was just happy to finish ...

Finish line photos...

Many runs many selfies...

Every year I do I a running sum up...

Total miles ran:- 384 miles
Highest mileage month :- June
Lowest mileage month:- April and October were months of basically no running
Pace :- Overall consistent although faltering  at the end of year

Runs done

JAN - Beaufort 10K
FEB-  Clonakilty 10K
           Tralee 10 miles
MAR- Maurice Collins 4 miles
JULY- Run Killarney Half Marathon
SEPT - VHI Lust for Life Cork Airport 5K

2016 saw me competing in my first Crossfit Open. I really enjoyed it I could have done better but hope to do better this year. 50 days to go... Over the the year I increased my rep max in a number of movements, but gymnastics and overhead movements are not my strong suits they cause me the most mental anguish.. I was lucky to be able to go to the Meridian Regionals in Madrid which was a great experience to see top athletes in action I also got to meet some Crossfit Legends. This is going to be exciting for us Crossfitters who don't aim for a spot at the games as I think the move to Madison Wisconsin will allow Dave Castro to change what we know about the games looking forward to watching it,  there will be some sleep deprived Summer nights (time difference is a killer on the sleep)...

I set some goals in October which I aim to work towards over the next year see the setting goals post.

As I say every year in January #BRINGITON