Looking back...and more importantly looking forward.

Okay, maybe a few days late, but Happy New Year!

I guess every year we look back and say wow, what a great (sometimes not so great) year. I must say I had a year of lots and lots of ups and some downs.

It is also crazy to think I have been with my running group for over a year now, and have just started my third session with them. It is amazing looking back the runs we have done, the challenges we have endured, and more importantly what I have been able to learn from the group. It is really an amazing bunch.

So looking back...I ran a total of 5 races in 2013. All different distances, and I am extremely proud that I personal best all of them! A brief summary:

Around the Bay (30km) - This is the reason I joined the group. This race beat me the year before and I wanted to beat it this year. It's a pretty tough race with some serious hills in the last 10km, but I was confident with our training program (what seemed like hills in every run) going into the race. Overall, I was able to PB by 22 minutes - something I am extremely happy with. But.....I still cramped the last few km's so I know I can do better. Can't wait for March 30, 2014.

Oakville Mercedes 10km - A cool morning, a great race, a great route, and a really cool medal! This was just after the Boston Marathon and with so many people in our group who ran Boston volunteering  there was lots of motivation. I was able to come in at 47 minutes and a PB by 3 minutes. The really cool thing about this race is that my wife is running in April (yep that is in writing).

Mississauga Half Marathon - I wasn't really planning on running this one, it was more of a last minute, I knew I was trained, so I decided to go for it. My plan was to go out at a 5 minute per km race and hang on for dear life. Guess what?? Did it. Ran a PB of 1 hour 45 minutes, knocking 8 minutes of my PB. Great race, great course, one I would certainly recommend to anyone looking for a half marathon.

Chicago Marathon - Yup, my first full marathon. It was AWESOME. I can't really say anything that I haven't already said. The experience was great, the training program was awesome, and it is really cool looking back that I wouldn't have done anything different. And breaking 4 hours?? Icing on the cake.

Boxing Day 10 Miler - I haven't written my race recap for this race, but another great race. I hadn't done much speed training leading up to this, and considering the food, wine, and scotch on the two days before, I was thrilled with the race. I came in a 1 hour 23 minutes, and a PB by over 8 minutes at this distance. I would totally do this race again.

As I will say over and over, what a year for running. Lots of challenges, and I was able to come out injury free and proud as heck.

In terms of the down parts, the age of 40 is way to early to lose one of your best friends...you got me through the marathon Webber...and will get me through every race from here on in.

As for the plans for 2014?? First up will be Around the Bay. I will be running another full marathon in May (probably goodlife Toronto). A fall marathon for sure - I have entered the lottery for New York and will enter the Marine Corps (Washington). I have started swimming with an eye on giving a triathalon a shot, maybe even this year.

Here's to an awesome 2014...