2012 by the Miles

In 2011, I wrote this really fun tribute to my running, month by month — by the miles. Halfway through this year I stopped counting my mileage. I know. Total runner faux paux. Enjoy my 2012 by the miles.

I became increasingly despondent over my inadequate race times and lack of passion for the sport. I hope 2013 will be a fresh start for my fitness, including my running. Until then, here is a look back at the miles I ran in 2012… those I remember.

2012 by the Miles

2012

January: 25 miles

At the start of the year I was beginning my training for the Cleveland Half-Marathon. I also announced I was an official blogger for the 2012 event. Around the same time I became increasingly distracted by the temptation to practice yoga instead of run. A new studio had opened near me and I was in love. Hot, sweaty vinyasa was my drug of choice.

February: 31.65 miles

In continued to enjoy everything Cleveland has to offer, and kept up on training, although frigid winter temperatures had me feeling discouraged with my training. I also said goodbye to the 1980s and sold my precious Jane Fonda workout tapes on eBay and signed up for the newest social media rage: Pinterest.

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March: 38 miles

I continued to enjoy live in Cleveland (see a trend here?) and discovered pierogies! I also ran my first race of the year, which was also a favorite – the St. Malachi 5-Miler. On the blogging front, my blog was hacked for the first time.

2012 by the Miles

April: 55.85 miles

During April I continued my training for the Cleveland Half-Marathon and stuck to my long runs. I also ran what looking back is now my favorite race of 2012 — the Cleveland 10-Miler. It was my first race that distance and an automatic PR. Again on the blogging front, things go serious and I bought a new camera.

May: 34.1 miles

My training came to a head and I ran the Cleveland Half-Marathon for the first time and recounted my journey as a blogger for the event. It was a memorable day for most everyone who ran it — miserable temperatures for May – in the 90s, which would set the tone for a sweltering summer of running.

June: Negligible

In early June I tried to set my focus on improving my 5K time. I had my best 5K around 32-minutes in June although way off from my PR. I came to terms with 2012 not being “my” year for running. But it was OK and I focused on other hobbies including cooking more with our Fresh Fork CSA which I recapped for 22-weeks.

July: Negligible

I declared July the worst month for blogging, with my own short hiatus. I ran a few more short distance races and continued my involvement with the Ohio Blogging Association by attending a memorable tour and social at Playhouse Square. I also showed the world how empty and pathetic our fridge was.

August: Negligible

I added a new feature to the blog — email subscriptions and ate Taco Bell for the first time in eons. My yoga practice was still ongoing and I wrote a primer on how to clean your yoga mat and not contract nasty staph infections. Oy vey!

2012 by the Miles

September: Negligible

My running “boredom” came to a head and I told readers I had enough for the time being. So instead I began to practice yoga even more and started a yoga pose wish list to keep me challenged. I also experienced a baking failure when I tried to use swiss chard to make a rhubarb pie.

October: Negligible

I purchased a massive can on pumpkin and enjoyed a trip to Ohio Amish Country. On the fitness front I started working out at 5 a.m.

November: Negligible

But those 5 a.m. workouts quickly came to an end, in a good way, when we adopted a lhasa apso dog and named her Lulu. I ran my final and worst 5K of 2011, a pre-turkey trot and said ‘adios’ to running until January. Around the same time I realized rather by mistake that I lost the 6 pounds I had held onto for more nearly a year.

December: Negligible

I accomplished one of my yoga wish list poses for the first time — crow. I also wrote more about our experience with adopting a pet from the Cleveland APL and wrapped up the year with some traditional holiday baking.

2012 Total Mileage: 184.6 (January through May)

*You can read all of my 2012 race recaps here, along with those I have recapped since starting this blog in 2010.

I decided to set 2012 goals. Each year I try to set health and wellness goals, including running goals and share them on my blog. I first did this in 2010 and try to do it ever year. Then I check in at the end of the year on how the goals panned out and share my results along with information from each month of my year.

I invite you to read my goals and be inspired to write your own goals and also share them publicly, either on your social media channels or your blog if you are a blogger. Without further adieu here are my 2012 goals.

2012 Goals

These are my health and fitness goals for 2012 goals:

• Continue “barefoot” running in minimalist shoes, on average one to two runs per week.

• Attend a yoga class or practice at home weekly to maintain flexibility and reduce risk of injury.

• Squelch my IT band pain permanently through strength-training and foam roller use.

• Run a 5K in less than 28:00, by incorporating more speed work training.

• Run a half-marathon in under 2:30, by incorporating a higher weekly mileage base.

• Sign up for a summer CSA and continue trying more vegetables.

This is my annual recap. For my 2012 goals recap I share highlights from the year, including my running journey.

2012 Goals Recap

Here’s a look at my 2012 goals and how I did:

Continue “barefoot” running in minimalist shoes, on average one to two runs per week. (Eh, not so much. I barely ran in my VibramFive Fingers this year, but I definitely hit the 1-2 run average for most of 2012.)

Attend a yoga class or practice at home weekly to maintain flexibility and reduce risk of injury. While I didn’t practice at home as much as I had hoped I’m going to cross this one off as accomplished. I yoga’d more than I can count in 2012.

Squelch my IT band pain permanently through strength-training and foam roller use. (Didn’t really increase my use of the foam roller and as a result still suffered from IT band in 2012, including at the Cleveland Half-Marathon and even during some shorter races like the North Coast Challenge 5-Miler.)

Run a 5K in less than 28:00, by incorporating more speed work training. (I had great intentions but fell VERY short on this one.)

Run a half-marathon in under 2:30, by incorporating a higher weekly mileage base. (Cleveland was my only half in 2012 and with the 90+ degree heat index that day I came no where near this.)

• Sign up for a summer CSA and continue trying more vegetables. (Yes! Accomplished!)

2012 Goals Recap

Overall I’m happy with where I’m at right now as I look back at health and fitness in 2012. Sure, there were some highs and lows, but overall I still placed value in my health and stayed conscious of decisions that can impact it. I am eager to take on new challenges in 2013.

Over the last two years have started expanding my goals to include both running and non-running activities and I think this is a great balance I’d like to continue. If you want to look back at where I’ve been you can also read my 2010 goals and my 2011 goals.

Other Year in Review Posts:
• 2020 Year Review
• 2019 Year Review
• 2018 Year Review
• 2017 Year Review
• 2016 by the Miles
• 2011 by the Miles
• 2010 by the Miles

In Summary

These are my 2012 goals. I set goals each year for health and fitness and share them publicly for accountability. At the end of each year I check in again on how the goals went. I have been setting goals on my blog since 2010.

I hope reading these goals helps to inspire and encourage you. Maybe you will write your own goals and make them public or keep them private and check in on how you are doing later in the year.