Here we are two weeks into 2014 and I'm finally sitting down to take a look back at 2013. Fun, fun.
2013 was quite a year for me! Let's start with a brief look at my stats:
Total mileage: 903
Number of races: 7
There was some good and some bad in 2013. On the bad side, I suffered probably my worst running injury to date. I tore two muscles in my hip and couldn't run for two months. As a result, I had to bag my fall marathon plans and was worried I wouldn't race at all in the fall. But, I was fairly good about my recovery efforts and I came back strong with a 5K PR in September and a half marathon PR in October.
Overall, the whole injury thing taught me a little more about patience and a good bit about listening to my body and importance of cross-training. Which, I am happy to report, I have embraced. 2013 was definitely the year of cross-training and I believe I am stronger because of it. Thanks, injury!
2013 was also the year of my new way of eating. My doctor prescribed a no grain, no sugar diet for me in January. At the same time, I had to go off of dairy -- not by his prescription, but because he put me on two different antibiotics, three times a day and dairy interferes with the absorption. So, no dairy for me.
I stuck with the diet and the antibiotics for three months and then slowly started to let the dietary changes go. Bad idea. The diet was tough, but it had a positive effect on my Lyme symptoms so going off of it was just silly. After a few weeks, I met with the doctor again and he told me I needed to stick with the new way of eating for at least a year, to let my body fully heal.
So, I went for it and eventually adopted a mostly Paleo way of eating, which I'm continuing with for the foreseeable future.
And now, a quick look at the year in pictures:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVdK3qA5Sj7Eth0UAKQPoRNxOLqvLlDIrmAI2qSe2P6TpMspAYVdaBxYKZ2UaRldCy-QZR0FAegNvmGwwB5blaHGY4MSNK2MVuUVJc9_rN9zZir8JA8EMMXQ3iPoxUu6PQuzqEKPOxkY/s320/IMG_0700.JPG) |
With my boys and my new niece in February. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YpfwZsEaVSRzH2prBtPg7rzfKbe_wFnUuchIb2hJWPgPKwU73RJJBpcvM3AHZpl230d7EUJTGpICO-KS3Ll27raiE3iyhcMURVolCR3rzuBu5r8mKzj73HkxAh-vD0rdzaotKH5P4EI/s320/576611_10151355214436313_254876059_n.jpg) |
With Bridget before the Running of the Green 4 miler in March. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_Gla_xOOv_HFgs1xVAEVS_6yzE4G-b26aqDrTnuqYjyOkcFc7XXeKMKVtO_uBFgVEGpzQVmp8qiObOrCxD6kgSJIgcZdmZhzfeltx7LTG-KdWUTMBbVt-skp5nEEAE6GY0-IiKFr8sg/s320/morning+run.jpg) |
Stroller running! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXlVEQ-ySocLffUPUPFWiEcwFc74oeSMFkuLKnR8un_YGy9vkaXpQ9l3buhnQNEvi5tXQdxgvbydYvadqDusTk22XjGwuP2b_dtEC7PcDmPlcVP2G4C7tNDmYKP0p_UmWxro8DE5tNZs/s320/558693_4954555336321_2146906924_n.jpg) |
Strong Running Mamas at the More/Fitness half marathon in NYC in April. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioutH4m9LJBdm4PurXfyAjrn2THOItJm1EU6Dg5vpfa86jVR-CzDk0-6sQqgrhiV_PNSpDAaO3uaSO-T96oNaSrXbxg2RzldzQ9Ps6kSRErErQUaimSVR3kBSgMIHal9Ak_FsLzZZ_e4/s320/944618_10151490017766374_1204412567_n.jpg) |
Putting a positive spin on my injury and spectating the Freihofer's Run for Women with Elisa in May. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5_qEbF9vt85wr5IrW0tlFtNqqMk0M72O4MCtZUh09HB58OlA3A8yhu7DcQyIYQt8VmZ74aZ5ImVhhva8cUOTXn5-e8M9uLMGX6SaxJM5qiRXgh3uhEeXvsCXV-qGcwhPgDUUOyJw4Yc/s320/861208_10151637441146374_1202832469_o.jpg) |
Back to running! With Bridget and Elisa after the Clove Run 10 miler in August. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBT1p-EqRgl9Qw-S-4O9Z15tcWVYFgvJggrbh-Ts3zvIYcLooC7Rdl3vYDmRqPApXm9aBi5-HsWan9dbkkObH1vwM246O3iG_8zGVbUx3O_uKHeNp1DBiRydbJt0w79j28CWfRNsfVbQ/s320/conal.jpg) |
The Youth Make a Difference 5K and kids run -- my new 5K PR -- in September. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7SobTKUnaLsnLL9r9NwR-thwOTNU4A8a5vAB92MDdMQt9fnNdK5z4MljxrS9PXvxjDJh2PgEoN6YjMT2he8vtaw3VYfBZZZYYYkpmQ9hlJCixIobT9nHK_HZN10EW-Ihzg83iEYGY60/s320/1402451_10202101104709826_245108039_o.jpg) |
Smiling my way to a new half marathon PR in October. |
What will 2014 bring? Well, we shall see. I'm hoping for lots of fun miles with friends, some great races, maybe a PR or two, and -- this is a big one -- no injuries. I'll do my best to make it all happen, that's for sure!
Thanks for stopping by. Cheers to 2014!
1 comment:
Wow, you definitely had your ups and downs! Sorry about the injury but isn't it great when it helps put things in perspective and make you just a bit stronger. And congrats on the PRs!
I had to take a step back too and reflect on 2013. Once I took the time to really think through everything, 2013 wasn't half bad. :) http://bit.ly/1aUZian - My recap, if you're interested.
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