Sometime over the summer, I convinced myself that running, or any kind of exercise really, could help me get my anxiety / panic attacks under control.  I read a study that found that 30 minutes of vigorous exercise 5 times a week was shown to be as effective as an SSRI at reducing depression and anxiety.  I though 30 minutes 5 times a week?  I can do that.  And I started exercising at at least that frequency.  And I haven’t had a panic attack since August.  So, maybe it’s helping.  Maybe it’s not.  Either way, I did a lot of running in the six months.

By the numbers, in 2016:

496 miles of running – planning to make that 500 miles tomorrow

102 miles of biking

2.5 miles of swimming

Hopefully, next I’ll do a lot more swimming and biking.  But we’ll see.

4 Races:

The Tough Mudder

2.5 km in 10:22 (6;41 mpm)

5 km in 22:31 (7:15 mpm)

12 km in 59:13 (7:57 mpm)

It was undoubtedly a great year for racing.  All three of my timed races were post-college PRs.  I actually think the HIIT we did for the Tough Mudder helped my speed a lot, but consistency was undoubtedly also critical.  Day in and day out I was exercising – one day off per week.

I’m looking forward to next year.  I’m still thinking about goals, but for the moment I’m looking at:

1.) Run 600 miles

2.) Post-college PR in the 5 km.  I think I can go faster.  I’d like to try.  Next attempt is potentially in January.

3.) Do a duathlon.

4.) Do a triathlon.

5.) Continue to exercise at least 5 times per week.

In terms of racing, I’m tentatively looking at the following:

1.) 1/29 FFV 5K

2.) 2/26 FFV 5K #2

3.) 3/18 Magnuston Duathlon

4.) 4/30 Mt. Rainier Duathlon

5.) 6/3 Lake Wilderness Triathlon

6.) 7/9 See Jane Run women’s 5K

7.) 8/12 Lake Meridian Triathlon