My Year in Numbers

I was trying to think of just one word to sum up my 2012 and I couldn’t. But three words came to mind: Progress, Dedication, and Flexibility. This isn’t just about my running. It seems in most aspects of my 2012, these words exemplify the type of year I had.

I saw Progress in my running. Shiny new PRs, a Boston Qualifying time, a big jump in my endurance base. I’m stronger and I like it. With Yoga I saw lots of progress as well. The main thing of being totally present for that 60 minutes and not allowing any outside thoughts influence what I am focused on while on my mat. Progress in this game of life – I paid off my student loans, got a new job and was able to find a good balance between home, work and exercise. I like forward movement. Progress.

It takes Dedication and some planning to train for multiple big races throughout the year with a full time job, life commitments, and a toddler running all over. I run in all types of weather (just to avoid a treadmill) but I did have to tough it out on the treadmill every now and again. It also takes a lot of dedication and consistency to parent a toddler. It’s frustrating and sometimes you want to give in (and sometimes do) but as parents we are dedicated to raising a social, active, loving, thoughtful and smart boy and do what we can to instill good values in him by our words and our actions.

It was mid year and I was training for my 2nd marathon of the year and I think a little burned out when Jim said to me “It’s like you don’t even like running anymore. You always seem frustrated before and after your workout. Maybe your training is too rigid.” This was a HUGE ah-ha moment for me. I immediately realized that for me in this moment, I needed Flexibility in my training more than that strict I-Have-To-Do-A-Speed Workout-On-Tuesday mentality. It made a tremendous effect on my running and in every other aspect of my life. I realized that somedays I will have dishes in my sink all day (sorry, Mom), the bed might not get made everyday, and poor Stella might not get as many cuddles and walks as she once did, but I have one happy kid who loves playing with his momma with toys strewn all over. I have a kid who knows that I will stop cleaning the moment he asks me to read him a book. Flexibility.

So now for the numbers.

• Miles I ran: 1,300.57 miles
• Months my mileage was over 100: 6
• Monthly Mileage at my peak training (in September): 170
• candles on my cake: 35
• current number of running shoes (not counting the ones I retired): 8
• my plank hold PR (personal record): 3:00 minutes
• number of marathons: 2 – One very spectacular one
• number of half marathons: 3 One PR producing one
• Relays I rocked: 1 EPIC one.
• 5ks I ran: 1
• 10Ks I ran: 1
• States I ran in: 6
• Countries I visited: 2 (Jamaica and Canada)

Here are some of my favorite things from 2012. Some running related. Some not.

Favorite Activity with Noah  Hiking. I want him to grow up loving being outside as much as I do. I want him to see his momma strong and active being a good role model for living a fun and healthy lifestyle.

Sewing. I’ve made 4 purses, 2 clutches, 2 lap top bags, 5 throw pillows, too many scarves to count, toddler pants, a super hero cape, and a quiet book- biggest accomplishment. I enjoy it a lot.

Favorite New Haircut I normally chop all my hair off every 3-4 years and donate it to Locks of Love or Wigs for Kids. I have done this 4 times now. But at the start of 2012, I wasn’t ready to cut my hair, but I did want a change. So Bangs it was.

Favorite Running Shoes Brooks Ghost for my long distances and Mizuno Wave Riders for my shorter runs.

Favorite Picture from this Year Me and Noah on the beach in Charleston, SC.

Best Race of the Year (and Favorite) Detroit Marathon in October. Not only did I smash my PR, I qualified for the Boston Marathon. I ran a smart, confident race. And I got to do it with a group of amazing ladies and runners.

Tina, Me, Mel, Terzah, and Kathy photo courtesy of Kathy

Second Favorite Race The EPIC Relays. It’s such a wonderfully insane experience to do with a group of girls you absolutely adore. You are a tired, smelly, achy, sleepy, stinky bunch but it is awesome!

New Job.  I stayed at home with Noah for the first 15 months and then was offered a great new gig with the National Sports Center for the Disabled. So happy with my decision.

Favorite Picture of Noah and Jim Crested Butte CO this summer.

don’t know if you can tell, but the little man is out like a light!

Favorite Blast From the Past My high school friend Amanda got married in August and so many of us went back for the wedding and some of us hadn’t seen each other in many years and we had so much fun! You can read about it HERE.

Favorite Trail Run Green Mountain Trail with Nina Machina. It was an awesome day out!

Green Mountain trail run was incredible. Why have I not done this route before??

Unlike, most of the runners I know, I don’t have my 2013 race calendar planned out yet (gasp). But here are a few goals I have in store for myself this year.

1. Stay injury free. I truly believe that it was adding in the cross training to my weekly workouts that helped keep me from getting hurt. It also helped beat the boredom factor for me. So, I will continue my spin class, strength training and plenty of yoga in 2013.
2. Improve my speed. I would much rather be slightly uncomfortable for 26.2 miles than be really uncomfortable for 3.1. I don’t feel my current PRs in my 5K and 10K reflect my true ability. I want to see many more 6:xx on my runs rather than 7:xx. So I plan to work on that at the start of the new year.
3. Complete an ultramarathon. Whether it is a 50K or 50 Miler, I know this will be my next BIG challenge. Any suggestions or takers????
4. Be a part of an ultra team for an endurance race. These races are all over Colorado. We will most likely do the EPIC Relays again. I am a part of an all girl relay team (we’ve done races together for the past 5 years), but some of us are itching to take it up a notch this year. That’s 5 girls running 200 miles. Eeeek!!!

So, there you have it, folks. Happy New Year!

Think Good Thoughts, Speak Good Words, and Do Good Things.

Related articles

• New Years Running Goals 2013 (organicrunnermom.com)
• Out With The Old, In With The New (megroberts.wordpress.com)
• 718.87 miles (gymnotes.org)
• My 5 Favorite Races: 2012 (foodandfunontherun.com)
• 2012 Running Recap Link up (mommyrunfast.com)
• My 2012 Running Recap (runningrachel.com)

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