2012 running wrap-up

What a year! I feel like I really rebounded after a disappointing 2011. A large part of the success has to be Wil's 40@40 project that has kept us running even when we didn't feel like it. So while I didn't quite hit my goal of 600 miles this year, I did run 574.38 miles -- which is my all-time best.

In addition, I reached nearly all of my other goals. The one other one I didn't make -- to run a million inches -- will be pretty easy to complete this year. And fun to do, I think.

But oh, what great goals I hit! I added not just five, but seven new states to my 50 states project -- fantastic! I also ran 21 official races -- not the 12 I was aiming for. Another great success.

Perhaps my proudest achievement was to complete the stretchiest of stretch goals -- I ran a new PR in a half marathon -- not just once, but twice. Sure, the PRs came in pretty much perfect races -- flat and fast as they come -- but they're still PRs, baby!

I haven't really thought through goals for 2013. I'd like to get another five states done -- and would very, very much like to run the Center of the Nation series in September. When else am I going to be able to get North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, and Wyoming all at once? Besides, what a great excuse for a good old-fashioned road trip? I may also be able to pick up a state or two if I get to travel again for work -- we'll see.

What else -- it might be nice to try and get a half marathon in every month. I'd also like to run a race or two I have never run -- like maybe the Windermere Half in Spokane in May. And let's set the mileage goal to 600 miles again. Why not? I just need to run more regularly -- maybe not ALWAYS half marathons (ha ha).

Here's a stretch goal -- set a PR in a 5K. It means trying to run faster, and actually practicing that. We'll see.

An obvious goal is to complete both the Goofy Challenge and the Tinker Bell Half -- three races, five medals, boo yah.

Finally, our offices move to the University District in March. If I run down to the Fred Meyer and along the Burke-Gilman Trail to the U-District, it's 4.87 miles each way. I'm not gonna lie -- that's a bit far for me for twice-a-day workouts. But I do think I could run one way and take the bus the other. And when we move to the glorious new building, well, it's a nice pleasant 5K each way. That's totally doable.... even if that's a long way off.

And, of course, I want to finish out the 40@40 project. It's up to Wil to figure out if he has a new project for next year, too.

I'm looking forward to a great 2013!

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For posterity, here is my "2012 Goals" tracker!


Better late than never, but here's my list of running goals in 2012.

1. Add five new states to my list. -- DONE!

This may be the biggest challenge of all -- I've already done all the close and convenient states, and we have a bunch of non-running related travel planned this year. (Yeah, funny, that.) But I do have a few work trips lined up -- two or three conferences, and I should be able to get a race in somewhere. I'm angling for St. Louis or Savannah.

Current: 5 new states

- 5 -

0 states 

5 states

2. Run 12 half marathons in 2012. -- DONE!

At first I thought trying to do a marathon a month was a great idea.... but I know that it's not really going to work out like that. But I think that if I stay reasonably healthy I'll be able to get 12 races in before the end of the year. Of course, with Wil's 40@40 project, this will be cake. But I'm going to try for RACES -- you know, where I get a freakin' medal!

Current: 12 races

12 out of 12

0 half marathons 

12 half marathons

3. Run at least 600 miles -- so close!

I don't think I can call this one "easy" -- I've struggled with mileage in previous years. But we'll see how it goes. I'm going to try and run 50 miles per month. I'm a little behind, but seem to be picking up more miles now.

Current: 570.18 miles as of 12/31

95.03%

0 miles 

600 miles!

4. Run 1,000,000 inches.

This would have pretty easy -- if we had been able to attend the Million Inch Run on February 11. A million inches is 15.87 miles -- which I never managed to knock out this year. Hoping to run it in 2013.

5. Set a PR in either the 5K or half marathon. -- DONE!

This is the stretch goal. I seem to get slower year by year, but I will work on getting a little bit faster. Interestingly enough, we have run three of our five fastest half marathons this year... including our second fastest ever this past weekend. So maybe if I stay healthy...

09/09 update -- today Wil and I ran a PR in the Skagit Flats Half Marathon. Official results haven't yet been posted, but... WOW! So thrilled to have not just an age-group PR, but a proper PR!!!

12/02 update -- today I ran a PR in the Runner's Den Fiesta Bowl Half Marathon -- 3:13:06! Awesome!