2013 Recap (It's still January, right?)

One month already into 2014, and I am finally getting to recapping 2013. Better late than never, right? 2013 was a great year for me. I was looking back at my goals I set for 2013 and I am happy to report that I was successful in meeting most of them.
 Goal #1: Have an injury free year. Well, can I say I was successful for 10 out of 12 months? I ran more than I ever ran before (1,145.3 miles to be exact!).  I ran consistently most weeks 5 times a week. I had my gait analyzed in January with a Physical Therapist, and was fitted with new orthotics. I had no issues with shin splints for the entire year because of this! Unfortunately, in October I developed Piriformis Syndrome while coming to the end of my marathon training. Up to that point I had run in 12 races, and felt like I was going to finish my year strong. It was not meant to be, even with backing off training and starting Physical Therapy right away .After that,  I was able to run a Half Marathon, participate in a Marathon Relay with my family and even walk/run a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day with a run coaching client. Not the way I wanted to finish my running year, with only 1 measly mile ran in December, but onward and upward we go!
Goal #2: 13 races in 2013. I would say I "raced" 14 races in 2013, so goal met and exceeded!!
Goal #3: PR. With five 5K's, one 10K, three Half Marathons, two 10 milers and 2 Ragnar Relay races (with 6 mini "races") , I would think that I had plenty of opportunities to PR.  I was able to PR twice in the 10 mile distance (6 min off previous times!) . Try as I might, I could not PR in the 5K distance. My best result was to tie it (24:10).  I guess the 10 mile distance was my sweet spot in 2013. I should probably find one or two to race in 2014.
  So, 2 out of 3 running goals met for the year. I think the biggest thing I take from the year was that I had so much FUN!!
  Some of my favorite moments from the year:
- My first Oiselle Team meetup at the Cherry Blossom 10 miles in Washington, D.C. in April.

- Meeting up with my best friend Michele at the Nike Women's 1/2 Marathon in Washington D.C. at the end of April. It was a great girls weekend that I will never forget.

- celebrating my son's age group win at his first 10K race

- My first Ragnar Relay with Nuun. I loved this whole experience. Check out my blog post here .

- Because I travelled to Seattle, I was also able to go to Oiselle HQ and even meet Mama Bird extraordinaire herself, Sally Bergeson!! So cool.

- Running on Team Sarah at the Ultimate Mother Runner Showdown at Ragnar Relay DC. I met some great women there that I can now call my friends.

- the Harrisburg Marathon Relay with my sons and husband. Check out Team Hart here.

I also had set some personal goals, including becoming a Personal Trainer and a Running Coach. I was able to become certified as a Personal Trainer in August after many hours of studying. I was a bit behind in the second goal, finally becoming certified as a RRCA Running Coach after attending their weekend course Jan. 11-12.
 This was totally not a goal, or a forethought, but I did cut most of my hair off in 2013. Not sure why exactly, but still pretty happy with my decision.  Here I am pre-haircut: (really bad selfie)

 

My first cut was in right before my birthday in March: (with my fellow birthday boy)

 

By July, I had cut off a few more inches:

  It is still quite short, and I have no plans to grow it out. Although I am kinda liking it mid length. Hmmmm. Maybe I'll keep it as an yearly update in the blog. How exciting, right?
Overall, 2013 was a great year. I am truly blessed to have a healthy and happy family. We continue to live in Central PA, as the Army has not decided to move us yet. I have yet to sit down and formulate my goals for 2014. Let's hope I am able to do that before another month goes by!

Questions for you: 
                               How did you do in 2013 with setting/meeting goals?
                               Any big plans for 2014?
                               Any thoughts about my haircuts? Which do you prefer?