What's Ahead For 2013

With 2012 having flown by (didn't it just start?), I'm eagerly looking forward to what 2013 will bring, especially with regards to running and endurance activities.

But before outlining my plans and expectations, here are the raw numbers from 2012:

Miles Run: 621
Runs: 163
Average Miles/Run: 3.8
Biggest Week: 30.6 miles (Nov.)
Biggest Month: 113.1 miles (Nov.)
Longest run: 10 miles
Races: 10 (all 5k's except for a 2-mile fun run with my daughter. See my previous entry.)
Best Race: Christmas Rush 5k - 21:19 (Dec.)

Bike Rides (outdoor): 2
Bike Miles (outdoor): 40.2
Bike Rides (trainer): 8
Bike Miles (trainer): 66.9

Walks: 66
Miles walked: 190

I also put in about 50 hours of weight training, including bodyweight exercises:

pushups: 8050 (max of 50, 1005 in 1 week)
pullups: 3056 (max of 13, 305 in 1 week)
situps: 6404 (max of 85, 735 in 1 week)
dips: 4085 (max of 33, 432 in 1 week)
squats: 4446 (max of 74, 340 in 1 week)

It certainly wasn't an impressive year when it comes to mileage. Still recovering from injury, I didn't start running regularly until May, and even then it wasn't much. I began slowly increasing the mileage in September, when I kicked off a 77-day running streak. In fact, about 61% of my year's running mileage was recorded in the last 1/3 of the year. Consequently, I did manage to knock nearly two minutes off my 5k time from January to December. Higher volume...if the body can handle it...works.

I won't lie. I'm still "injured." My heel and Achilles still ache somewhat regularly. I push it too hard sometimes, being eager to rebuild both my mileage and speed. Then there's my left hip, which is tight and sore more often than not. And, lest I forget, I fight a bit of plantar fasciitis in my right foot from time to time.

But…none of these ailments has been enough to sideline me again. I'm learning to back off on the mileage and intensity and attend to them (ice, stretching, massage) when needed.

So, since 2011 was pretty much a wash, I declare 2012 as my official Comeback Year. And, for the most part, I'm happy with how it went.

As for 2013, it'll be more of the same, to a certain extent, with a couple of exceptions. I've committed to doing the Seattle to Portland (STP) bike ride in July. It's a one or two day (rider's choice), 204-mile bike ride. I'll be training for that the first half of the year, which means, unfortunately, that I won't be able to focus entirely on running. I know, I know…the cross-training will do me good.

I do, however, have some running plans. Having raced several 5k's in 2012, and having finished with a time only 4 seconds shy of my PR, I'd like to continue working on shorter races and honing my speed. I will step up and run some 10k's as well, but I'd like to get that (soft) 5k PR taken care of. I'd also like to see if I can work on getting my mile time down. I don't know whether or not I'll actually enter a mile race, but I will start incorporating some speedwork on the track and run some mile time trials. All this, of course, with the approval of my right heel (and the rest of my fickle body.) If all goes well, I may even consider a half marathon toward the end of the year.

I don't have any concrete mileage goals, since I'm basing my volume on what my heel will allow. I would like to hit the modest goal of 1000 miles each of running and cycling in 2013, if not more. And, barring setbacks, I should hit 10,000 lifetime running miles sometime next summer.

In other running news, I was accepted, for the 4th consecutive year, back into the Brooks ID program. It's a privilege I really appreciate. I swear by their shoes and gear and will proudly wear them again throughout 2013.

I did write a few articles for a couple of local running magazines (Northwest Runner and Outdoors NW), which was enjoyable. I was able to incorporate some illustrations…which is how I make my living…into the articles. Perhaps I'll continue to do some freelance writing in 2013.

I also released my third collection of running-related parody songs in 2012. If you're interested, see the column just to the right of the top blog entry. For the many of you who have purchased them, thank you VERY much! I hope they make you pee your shorts at least once during a run.

When I started this blog back in 2009, I titled it Resurrected Runner for the simple fact that I've quit…and re-started...running many times over the past 30 years due to a variety of injuries. I had no idea that I had yet to suffer my worst injury yet (the only one for which I went through two physical therapists.) Fortuitously named, yes, but I honestly don't plan on my running resurrections being an ongoing thing. The New Oxford American Dictionary defines the word "resurrect" as "to restore to life; revive the practice, use or memory of something; bring new vigor." It does NOT imply that I'm anything special. I know I'm not. Stubborn and obsessed…okay, I'll vouch for that. Even motivated and determined, to be nicer. Truth is, I'm just a middle-aged, not very talented runner who refuses to give up. Who knows, maybe I should. I have no idea what the long-term effects of my running-related injuries will be. But for now, I'll continue to be stubborn…although hopefully increasingly wiser…and forge ahead. Maybe even a doofus like me can show others in similar circumstances that, yes, giving up is an option, but it doesn't HAVE to be the only choice. Nearly any setback can be overcome. Personally, I think giving up sucks.

Thanks for playing along at home. I appreciate your comments and encouragement, as always. Here's hoping you have an injury-free, success-filled running year in 2013. Run happy!