Shamrock 4-Miler - March 15, 2014

Wendy, Amelia, and I had a great time at the Shamrock 4-Miler.  Because Wendy had only a couple weeks of running in her post-surgery pocket, and my mileage was still low due to my tender, shin-splinted leg, we decided not to "race."  Instead, we planned to just enjoy a themed run with one another.

The Shamrock 4-Miler has long been a favorite of mine.  It starts at a little church on Indy's Monument Circle, and winds around the downtown area before finishing back on the Circle.  It's flat, and there's a lot to see.  Folks dress up in wild costumes to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.  It seems silly to drive a 150-mile round trip to run only four miles, especially when one is not "racing."  However, this race is about more than a run.  It's become a tradition for me to enjoy the Shamrock 4-Miler with friends and family.

Wendy and I have a fun tradition of always matching our clothes when running races.  This time, Amelia joined us, so we decided to be triplets.  We wore our green "FREEkin' Awesome" shirts (a nod to the Nike Free shoes we wear when we run), with black sleeves and black shorts.  To satisfy yet another tradition, we clipped flowers in our ponytails for the race.  Amelia wore deep blue, Wendy wore orange, and I wore green.

Flowers in our hair, flowers everywhere

The race began a little hectically with over a thousand folks battling for space.  After the crowd thinned a bit, we were able to chat and run tangents easily.  The first mile clicked off in 9:04.  Amelia gradually accelerated during the second mile.  At one point, she asked me how fast we were going.  "Do you really want to know?" I asked.  "No, you're right," she said.  We ran that mile in 8:45, and it featured a course change that I hadn't anticipated, but it didn't throw off our race... since we weren't racing. :o)

The first water station was at the beginning of the third mile. Amelia threw water over her head instead of drinking.  Wendy and I had removed our arm warmers, but Amelia had on a full shirt.  The water helped cool her.  We finished our third mile in 8:35, much faster than we planned.  However, the real fun was about to start.

Running into Kathryn at the finish

Amelia started spotting folks she wanted to pass.  Little by little she reeled in folks who had started too quickly.  She did this while talking, singing, laughing, clapping, telling cross country stories, etc.  I was starting to have trouble talking, so I just listened and enjoyed the front row seat.  On the last mile, I saw three friends, two who had finished (Aaron and Douglas), and one who was running (Kathryn).  It always gives me a boost of energy to see friends while running.

When we rounded the corner, the finish line was a mere 100 meters away.  Amelia kicked hard.  I tried to join her, but I couldn't maintain her pace.  She passed three men on that short 100 meters to the finish line, and Wendy and I finished a few seconds behind her.  The final mile was 8:04, and Amelia won her age group. 

Here are the statistics from the race:

Name: Shamrock Run

Date: March 15, 2014

Distance: 4 mi.

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Course: Fairly flat

Time: 34:27

Pace: 8:36

Data: Click here to view data.

Place: 307 of 1448

Division: 23 of 170

Results: Click here.

Weather: 9 mph WNW wind, Humidity 65%, 39°

Thanks to Ed for accompanying us and taking photographs!

Getting our hair ready for our pic...

Post-finish pic

I'm a racer. I'm racing. I RACE.

Wendy & Jo on Opening Night
(Yes, we do things besides running.)

My extracurricular life just became a lot more calm.  Ed's season with the BNL basketballers ended on Friday, so there are no more practices or games to attend.  The show in which I was performing, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Little Theatre of Bedford, closed on Saturday.  Wendy was in that show, too.  Now that our time is unencumbered by seasonal activities, Wendy's tumor is no longer in her foot, and my leg is getting better, it's time to sharpen the focus on our running.

One of the great joys of running is racing. It's exciting to put a race on a calendar, make a race plan, and execute that race plan.  Though I usually have no trouble finding an impetus to train, having a race on my horizon makes me even more excited about running.  It also gives my training a focus as I prepare my body for the task at hand.

Here is a list of the races for which I've registered for 2014.

Shamrock Run
When? March 15
Where? Indy
Distance? 4 mi.
With Whom? Wendy and Amelia
Have you run this race before? Yes
How did you do? 2007, 46:07. (It was 5 mi. in 2007.)  2008, 36:22.  2010, 37:35.  2011, 33:19.  2012, 33:05.  2013, 32:48.
Are you actually racing this time? No
What's the goal? To have fun.  Originally, I was going to try to PR (which would be about an 8-min./mi. pace), but with both Wendy and I healing from "injuries," we decided to make it a "run for fun" day.  That will be no problem.  This race is always a riot.  It starts and finishes on Monument Circle, has registration at the Columbia Club, and features MANY costumed runners.  Ed, Mom, and I have enjoyed attending this race nearly every year since 2007.  Also, Wendy, Amelia, and I have some super fly green tops to wear.

500 Festival Training Series 15K
When? April 5
Where? Indy
Distance? 9.3 mi.
With Whom? Wendy
Have you run this race before? Yes
How did you do? 2012, 1:19:02.
Are you actually racing this time? Sort of
What's the goal? To run the whole race at half marathon race pace.  One of my annual goals is to PR in the 500 Festival Mini (under 1:54:19, 8:43 pace), and another is to break 1:50 (an 8:23 pace).  Those are both completely doable, but with the shin splint trouble I've been having, I haven't been able to train the way I'd like.  This race will be a good chance for me to try to hold half marathon pace and see how it affects me.

Derby Festival miniMarathon
When? April 19
Where? Louisville
Distance? 13.1 mi.
With Whom? Wendy and Amelia
Have you run this race before? No

Are you actually racing? No
What's the goal? To cross the finish line with Amelia.  This one is all about her.  I'm just along for the ride!

500 Festival Mini Marathon
When? May 3
Where? Indy
Distance? 13.1 mi.
With Whom? Wendy
Have you run this race before? Yes
How did you do? 2007, 2:18:22.  2009, 2:15:39.  2010, 2:08:48.  2011, 2:15:16.  2013, 1:58:55.
Are you actually racing this time? Yes, that's the plan.
What's the goal? To PR (break 1:54:19) and to run 1:4x:xx.  If my leg stabilizes well over the next few weeks, I will absolutely start training to reach these goals.  If not, Wendy and I will just run it for fun.  Mini Day is my favorite day of the year.  You can't understand until you have experienced it yourself.  It is two hours (or less) of solid energy and fun.  Many people would add here, "...and you get to run a lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway."  Instead, I add, "...and you have to run a lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway." :-)

BMS 5K
When? May 16
Where? Bedford
Distance? 3.1 mi.
With Whom? All the students at BMS
Have you run this race before? Yes
How did you do? 2008, 28:35.  2009, 27:48.  2013, 24:29.
Are you actually racing this time? Yes, that's the plan.
What's the goal? To watch my students succeed, and to beat my boss.  BMS 5K Day is the best day of the school year.  I love to watch my students push themselves to do their very best.  It's inspiring.  Many students are more successful than they ever imagined.  I've run it three times and volunteered three times.  This year, I plan to run.  The BMS 5K is poorly positioned (right after the Mini), for me to be in good 5K shape, but I usually do well.  Last year I beat my boss by 17 seconds.  I'd like to smear him again, but I hear he's been training this year...

Monumental Mile
When? June 5
Where? Indy
Distance? 1 mi.
With Whom? Wendy and Amelia
Have you run this race before? No

Are you actually racing? Yes
What's the goal? To run a mile as fast as I can.  This is a "kick-off" event for the Monumental Marathon, to be held on Nov. 1.  They are promoting it by saying, "If you can run a mile, you can run a marathon in five months!" Smart.  However, they are also encouraging seasoned distance runners to race a hard mile by advertising the course as flat and fast with minimal turns.  I've never run a race this short, but I'm intrigued by the challenge.  It seems a little silly to drive a 150-mi. round trip to run one mile, but being part of an inaugural event is fun.

Red Eye Relay
When? July 19-20
Where? Bloomington
Distance? 100 mi. relay
With Whom? Wendy, Tim, and others
Have you run this race before? Yes
How did you do? 2013, 14:21:01, 103.92 mi. with Team Embrace The Chaos
Are you actually racing this time? Sort of
What's the goal? To have a blast running while staying up all night.  The premise of the Red Eye Relay is simple: seven-member teams run 21 sections totaling (slightly more than) 100 miles as fast as they can in the dark, sticky night on the back roads of Monroe County.  We start at 5:00 P.M.  Each member runs three legs.  Last year, I ran a total of 12.4 miles in my three legs.  Of course, we want to do the best we can, but the primary goal is to have fun.  That's easy to do at such a fun event.  I should also note that the Red Eye Relay is sponsored by Upland Brewery. :-)

Bedford Half Marathon
When? October 4
Where? Bedford
Distance? 13.1 mi.
With Whom? Solo, though I'll find buddies.
Have you run this race before? No
Are you actually racing? No

What's the goal? To participate in my hometown's inaugural half marathon.  Wendy is going to race this one as an elite, and I'm going to run it as a pace run.  I won't actually race, but it'll be faster than a typical training long run.  There are so many people that are going to do the Bedford Half as their first half marathons.  I'm so excited for all of them!  It will be a great fall day.

Monumental Marathon
When? November 1
Where? Indy
Distance? 26.2 mi.
With Whom? Wendy
Have you run this race before? Yes
How did you do? 2012, 1:54:19 (half).  2013, 5:26:56 (full).
Are you actually racing? Yes

What's the goal? To run the whole thing without passing out, and finish under 4:30.  I was prepared to do just that in November 2013, and I was thwarted by a bad day (see blog post).  Training for this race will include many highway runs and oh-dark-thirty runs, all with Wendy.  Monumental is THE race of 2014 for me.  All the others will be fun, but they are merely stepping stones to this race.  All roads lead to Monumental!

Those are the races for which I'm registered in 2014.  (Technically, I'm not registered for Red Eye, but Wendy will register us as soon as the window opens.)  I'm sure I'll run some other races this year, too, like the Limestone 5K (July), and the Give Thanks 4-Miler (November, duh).  Last year, I raced 102.9 miles.  If all goes well, I'll probably race about the same mileage this year.  Hooray, 2014!

A Worrier's Mind And A Shin Splint

Something I do that I should not do, is worry.  I worry a lot.  A LOT.  I worry about my family, my friends, my students, my running, my health, my finances, etc.  The other day, one of my friends posted the following quote:

"I have 99 problems, and 86 of them are completely made up scenarios in my head that I'm stressing about for absolutely no logical reason."   

I could've penned that line myself, only the 86 would be closer to 96.  Another worry quote I remember is from Matthew 6:28-29 in the English Standard Version of the Bible:

"And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."

That verse used to (and still does) frustrate me, because why am I being compared to a lily?  A lily doesn't have family, friends, a career, bills, etc.  It may have health, but it doesn't know it.  No wonder lilies don't worry.  THEY'RE PLANTS.

Injury?
It's possible that the annual goal that topped my list, to remain injury free, has already been defeated.  I have shin splints, or rather, a shin splint (singular).  I used to think shin splints meant "sore shins."  Nay.  The calf muscle in my left leg is slowly pulling away from my tibia (the bigger of the two lower leg bones).  I have reduced my running mileage--reluctantly, but smartly.  I am doing lots of elliptical work--reluctantly, but smartly.  I am getting Graston, ultrasound, and exercise therapy on it twice a week--not reluctantly, but I would really rather be doing something else... like RUNNING.  It's a bummer.  A minor bummer.

The Worrier's Mind
Let me share with you what the worrier's mind has done to this "minor bummer" of a shin splint:

Completely rational thoughts: Man, shin splints suck.  I'm going to have to reduce my mileage significantly.  A mileage reduction will affect training for my goal races.  It will also affect my annual mileage goal.  That's OK, though.  Health is more important than mileage or times.  I'll get the painful treatment and make sure my leg is healthy.  That's the priority.  I don't want to make it worse.

Slightly irrational thoughts: Oh, man.  This shin splint is close to a bone.  Maybe it's another stress fracture.  Maybe I won't be able to run all summer.  I've lost almost all my goals.  People will think I'm weak if I don't reach my goals.  Also, if I don't run, I'll have no way to control my Crohn's pain, and I'll hurt ALL THE TIME.  How am I going to cope until 2016, which is surely how long this mystery injury will take to heal?

Off one's rocker, completely irrational thoughts: OH MY GOD.  My leg is seriously injured.  What if, when I wake up, the bone has spontaneously shattered because it's so weak, and shards of it and my shredded muscles are lying in a bloody pool OUTSIDE OF MY BODY when I wake up in the morning?  OH MY GOD.  I'LL NEVER RUN AGAIN.

These thoughts have all been in my head at some point, and all of them have been considered legitimate scenarios for my situation.  Perhaps this explains why I run so much in the first place.  Running quiets the "off one's rocker" thoughts and makes me think a lot more clearly.

Solutions
So, what am I doing?  As mentioned above, I'm getting therapy on it.  I also do stretching, foam rolling, and icing at home.  I use Biofreeze and Voltaren Gel on it, which are likely psychological fixes, but whatever.  It makes me feel like I'm doing something.

Tuning Fork Stress Relief

Wendy is running again (Yay!), so I'm assuming her "comeback" plan with her, which consists of very short runs (like, 1-2 miles), every other day.  We barely break a sweat, but it's better than no running.  We also work out on ellipticals at oh-dark-thirty and do strength workouts with our trainer, Sam.

Finally, when I start imagining my leg spontaneously exploding into bits of bone and muscle tissue, Wendy eases my fears.  Today, she used a tuning fork to prove to me that the tibia has no fractures.  I mean, really: #GoodFriend :-)


February
The month started strongly, but ended weakly (much like January), as I began noticing the recurrence of the leg pain.  I enjoyed lots of fun runs with Amelia, which were the running highlights of the month.  Here are the stats for the second month of 2014:

Miles Run: 65.57
Runs: 8
Hours Run: 10.97
Average Run Distance: 8.20 mi.
Average Run Pace: 10:02.3
Average Run Duration: 1:22:16.3
Average Temperature: 20.8°F
Longest Run: 11.00 mi., February 15
Shortest Run: 6.00 mi., February 3, 10, and 12
Favorite Run: February 1, 10.01 mi.
Total Lifetime Mileage: 3,077.60

March will bring a healthier leg (that's The Optimist trumping The Worrier), a successful Shamrock 4-Miler in Indy, a fun Spring Break, and warmer weather!  Here's to all that coming true.

2014 Goals - Progress At 10%

At noon yesterday, February 6, the year 2014 was 10% complete. That milestone (?) marks a nice time to visit progress toward annual goals. Since I haven't yet posted those nine goals on this blog, it's also the time to reveal them.

1. Remain injury-free
I am plagued by overuse injuries, sometimes even when my "use" isn't that high.  When I start running around 35 miles a week, it can be dangerous.  Part of my tendency for injury is due to the Crohn's disease, which weakens my bones.  Regular pavement pounding doesn't mix well with bone density issues.  However, my bones are as healthy as they've ever been.  Also, as proof of progress, I recently took off a week when I felt some post-tib tendinitis in my left ankle.  That I rested is a HUGE deal, because I would normally run through pain and make it worse.  Ok, ok... I also had dropped a board on my foot and Wendy had had surgery the prior week, rendering me partnerless... but the important thing is that I RESTED.

2. Surpass 1,000 mi. in annual mileage
I have run 81.31 mi. in 2014.  Simple math says I am on track for 813.1 mi. annual mileage.  However, I took off the week mentioned above, and additionally, I was not training for a race in January.  My mileage is starting to increase now.  Coupled with marathon training in the fall, I fully expect to reach this goal.

3. PR in the Mini (under 1:54:19)
Training for the Mini (May 3) began for me yesterday with an interval run.  I will have no problem covering the 13.1 mi.  However, I'm nervous about the pace.  I haven't really raced in months, nor have I done speedwork.  Luckily, I have Wendy to guide and pace me.  I've entered the 500 Festival's Training Series 15K (April 5), as well, to use as a pace run.

4. Break 1:50 in the Mini
This is an "if the stars align and all goes right with the world" goal.  I know that this time (an 8:23 pace), is achievable for me.  A LOT has to go right for it to happen, though.  We'll see.

5. Run the Red Eye Relay

The Red Eye Relay (July 19-20) is a great 100-mi. relay race run overnight in Bloomington, Indiana.  I ran it last year on Team Embrace The Chaos, and we received fifth (out of 24).  It's a fun race, but VERY challenging as one is sleep deprived, the course is hilly, and it's often humid.  Any mileage I run in the winter can only help for this race.

6. Break 4:30 in Monumental (and run the whole thing without passing out)

This goal will be in clearer focus when mid-summer arrives, but like Red Eye, any mileage I can run right now will only help.  I know a sub-4:30 at Monumental is in me; it's just a matter of good preparation and a little luck on race day.

7. Work on the committee to stage the BMS 5K

I have already secured three sponsors and am working to raise funds for the race (May 16).  BMS 5K Day is one of my favorite days of the school year.

8. Encourage another person or people to become more focused on fitness
This is one of my annual goals that always stays on the list, because I want to encourage others in fitness daily.  Thanks to the Bedford Half Marathon, this goal is even easier this year.  I have a lot of friends, former students, and current students who are using the Bedford Half as an opportunity to run their first 13.1-mi. distance.  Many message me for advice, and I'm glad to help.  Also, I am helping Wendy's daughter, Amelia, train for her first half marathon, the Kentucky Derby Half, since her Mom is recovering from surgery.  We're having a lot of fun!

Diamond Push-Ups

9. Build more muscle
This is another of the goals that never leaves the list.  Thanks to Sam at Anytime Fitness in Bedford, my muscles, especially my core, stay strong and ready to work during runs and races.  I've met with her for a few sessions this year, and I have many more scheduled.  I couldn't do it without her.

In summary, it looks like I'm on my way to some fun running and, likely, some successes in 2014.

January 2014 - Winter and Wounds

One month of the year 2014 is complete.  That's 8.5% of a year, done.  (Actually, since I'm posting this entry on the morning of February 2, it's really more like 8.9% complete, but I won't bore you with math... anymore.)  January was a colorful month with events that affected my running in a myriad of ways.

Historically Cold Temps
One day, the high was -6°F.  The HIGH.  Even I won't run outdoors when it's that cold, though believe me, I wanted to get in a "polar vortex" run for posterity.  Some of my friends did go on arctic runs, but I am forever haunted by a 2007, -1°F run after which I landed in the hospital with pneumonia.  The sub-zero run and the liquid lungs might've had a correlation; one can't be sure.

Boatloads of Snow

On Mile 7 of The Highway Blizzard Run

My favorite run is a snowy run, so this aspect of January 2014 was a happy one for me.  I managed to don my trail shoes and enjoy several snowy runs.  A combination of the snowfall and cold temperatures led to five school closures and five two-hour delays in NLCS, the school corporation where I teach.  On the early morning of one of the closures, Wendy and I ran 11.16 miles along Highway 37 from Mitchell to Bedford in white-out conditions.  Joined by Becky and Larry for the first half, we both agreed that that run was one of our most memorable.

Wendy's Foot
Wendy has been dealing with a large fibroma on the bottom of her foot for months and months now.  She finally had it removed on Jan. 17.  Held the morning of her surgery, the snowy Mitchell-to-Bedford run was Wendy's last.  She is not allowed to run for four to six weeks, so that has altered my training, as well.  I've been running less and running alone more often, but I've also run on the treadmill at the gym with Wendy spinning beside me, so we can still train together.  Wendy's foot has an incision shaped like a W slashed across the bottom of her right foot, but she already feels less pain than she experienced prior to the surgery.

Py's Tray
In my living room, I have a five-foot polar bear named Pythagoras who holds a 12" x 6" x 1" wooden tray filled with candy.  (Long story.)  That tray crashed onto my foot on Jan. 18.  For a few hours, I was certain I had broken my big toe.  Luckily, the injury was nothing more than a good bruise, but both it and what felt like the start of post-tib tendinitis sidelined me for eight days.  Better to be safe than sorry.

3K Club
My running odometer rolled over 3,000 mi. on Jan. 17 during that famous Mitchell-to-Bedford blizzard run.  I don't know how that statistic affected my running, other than to make me feel awesome for a little bit.

Here are a few statistics for the month of January.  Apologies for breaking the "no more math" promise above.

Miles Run: 59.29
Runs: 8
Hours Run: 10.01
Average Run Distance: 7.41 mi.
Average Run Pace: 10:07.90
Average Run Duration: 1:15:05.3
Average Temperature: 24.7°F  (Good suggestion, Jennifer!)
Longest Run: 11.16 mi., January 17
Shortest Run: 6.00 mi., January 8 and January 29
Favorite Run: January 17, 11.16 mi.
Total Lifetime Mileage: 3,012.03

So, it's clear that I ran less often, and mostly on days that weren't frightfully cold.  There were some frigid-temp runs, but there were also some unseasonably warm runs to balance the average.  Running less often is OK right now, because it gives my body a break from mileage that will soon increase.

February promises to be a fun running month as I'll be enjoying several runs with Wendy's daughter, Amelia, who is training for her first half marathon as a means to raise money for Saving Sunny, an organization that rescues and rehabilitates pit bulls.  Amelia had a mileage PR yesterday when she ran 8.5 mi. of my 10 mi. run with me.  If you would like to donate to her cause, you may do so at her fundraising web site.

Running The Numbers - 2013

I am obsessed with both math and running.  I keep tons of data on my training and racing.  Here are a lot more numerical details than you probably want about my running in 2013. :-)

Miles Run: 864.78
Increase Over Previous Annual Mileage High: 404.79 mi., 88% increase
Runs: 131
Hours Run: 144.38
Average Run Distance: 6.60
Average Run Pace: 10:01.04
Average Run Duration: 1:06:07.7
Miles Walked: 133.37
Walks: 59
Average Walk Distance: 2.26
Visits to the Gym: 96
Personal Training Sessions: 49
Personal Training Hours: 24.5
Miles On Elliptical: 55.8
Races Run: 11
Total Race Mileage: 102.9
Third Place Medals: 0
Second Place Medals: 2
First Place Medals: 1
Falls: 1, August 14
Injuries: 4 (three cases of tendinitis and a stress fracture)
Toenails Lost: 6
Pairs of Shoes Retired: 3
Pairs of Shoes Purchased: 5
States Where I Ran: 1, Indiana
Longest Run: 22.7 mi., November 2 (before passing out in Monumental)
Shortest Run: 0.47 mi., February 2 (aborted run due to IT pain)
Week With Most Running: September 1-7, 45.23 mi.
Month With Most Running: September, 136.37 mi.
Month With Least Running: November, 28.2 mi.
Most Honks on a Run: 44, October 12, 20.05 mi.
Favorite Run (Tie): July 13, 8.01 mi.; September 21, 20.1 mi.
Least Favorite Run (Tie): January 5, 12.08 mi.; June 8, 10.47 mi.
Percentage of Goals Reached: 57.14% (4/7)
Weight Range in Pounds: 6.8
Total Lifetime Mileage: 2,952.74
Percent of Lifetime Mileage Run in 2013: 29.29%

Mileage By The Month
January: 50.03
February: 41.53
March: 68.59
April: 73.9
May: 72.8
June: 46.46
July: 87.38
August:  113.11
September: 136.37
October: 99.88
November: 28.2
December: 46.53

Can't wait to see the beautiful numbers of 2014!



With Wendy, Wes, & Brooklynn
Final Run of 2013

Running Year In Review - 2013

The year 2013 was full of running ups and downs, but mostly ups.  I wanted to honor the year in a special way, and I decided to make a little funny running slideshow to the tune of "The Twelve Days of Christmas."  This "Year In Review" slideshow began as a gag gift for Wendy, but turned into a nice memory slideshow of our 2013 running fun.  It's so silly, but will be fun for some of you who remember these fun/funny events, so I wanted to share it with my friends.

Instead of "days," I used categories for each round of the song.  Here was my outline:

Round 1 Theme: Wendy.  A large chunk of my 2013 mileage was run with Wendy, usually in matching outfits.
Round 2 Theme: Memories.  There were a lot of fun moments from runs or involving runs in 2013.
Round 3 Theme: Family.  My family supports me well in my running and racing.
Round 4 Theme: Finish Lines.  I was blessed to cross several finish lines in 2013.
Round 5 Theme: Medals.  Check out that shiny participation swag, y'all!
Round 6 Theme: Group Runs.  I enjoyed many holiday-themed group runs and races with teams in 2013.
Round 7 Theme: Gear.  Part of the fun of running is acquiring new gear.
Round 8 Theme: Small Group Training/Fun Runs.  Running would be a bore if I always did it alone.
Round 9 Theme: Injuries.  I had two or three cases of tendinitis and one very minor stress fracture (that was 90% healed by the time it was finally diagnosed). I also had lots of blisters and messed up toenails. I spared you the toenails.
Round 10 Theme: Training With Sam.  Sam Rightmyer of Anytime Fitness put me through the paces this year in both a six-week boot camp and weekly training.
Round 11 Theme: Weather.  I ran in all kinds of crazy and severe weather in 2013.
Round 12 Theme: Stats. I ran over 860 miles in 2013, which is 87% more than 2012, the former top-mileage year.  What fun!

Enjoy, and Happy New Year!